Post Date: 10/23/2020 4:15 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2020) – The First Friday Art Walk will take place in downtown Ocala Friday, Nov. 6, 6 to 9 p.m. The First Friday Art Walk occurs on the first Friday of each month, September through May.  The following activities will be included in November’s event:

• Hands-on art activities and demonstrations for all ages provided by local non-profit arts and cultural organizations, local artists selling their works throughout downtown and participating businesses with extended hours.
• 20 artists throughout the downtown area, including My Uncle’s Friend playing ambient music
• Art organization booths will be located around the downtown square and Marion Theatre

Hands-on art activities, which are provided by the participating community arts organizations, will be a one-use, make and take item. Sanitation protocols will be in place at each art station, and each activity provided will be health and safety conscious. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 15. 2020) – The City of Ocala, through its Cultural Arts and Sciences and Parks Divisions, announces the installation of new sculptural seating at Tuscawilla Art Park, 223 NE Fifth St., on Friday, Oct. 16.

“The newly installed structural seating’s design contributes to the aesthetic and functionality, while communicating the purpose of the art park as a creative space for visual and performing arts,” said Jennifer Normoyle, Grants and Outreach Manager, City of Ocala.

The customized sculptural seating will provide an integrated look for the Art Park and replaces the temporary seating installed during the construction of the park three years ago. The new seating will complement the existing shade structure and complete the overall look of an artist’s palette from an aerial view.

About the Artist

Local fabricator and artist, Mike Zeak has over 30 years in custom welding, fabrication and restoration. Though his company, Zeak Technique, he has worked on both private sector and local government projects and has learned that his true passion is developing unique solutions and creating custom designs. Continue reading →

~Popular winter holiday event cancelled~

DUNNELLON, FLA. – The Friends of Rainbow Springs has announced that Santa Over the Rainbow, a popular event held in December each year, has been cancelled for 2020.

The annual event provides family-friendly activities focused on the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at Rainbow Springs State Park. The couple typically arrives by boat.

The event is hosted by the Friends of Rainbow Springs, an organization of volunteers who support the park year-round.

“The Friends of Rainbow Springs group enjoys the Santa Over the Rainbow event more than you will ever know. We spend many months planning and working to make this event happen,” said President Connie Santoro. “This year, for the health and safety of everyone in our community, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our event until 2021.”

Due to COVID-19, the Friends of Rainbow Springs have evaluated events normally held this time of year. Santa Over the Rainbow is one of the largest. For the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff, the organization made the hard decision to cancel the event for 2020.

Hopefully this event will continue in December 2021. We thank everyone for your continued patience and support as we navigate our way through this crisis.

About Friends of Rainbow Springs: The organization raises money to purchase equipment, make repairs and improvements to the property, and to create programs that can presented at the park. The organization provides volunteers to take part in park maintenance, operations and other projects as well. The business affairs of Friends of Rainbow Springs are managed by a 13-member Board of Directors who are elected by the voting members of the organization.

Serving Since 1885

MEDIA

R E L EA S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 1, 2020

Contact: Ashley Lopez, Public Information Officer Telephone: (352) 629-8306

Mobile: (352) 817-5914

Ocala Fire Rescue Launches the Ocala Recovery Project

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 1, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue is launching the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP), a complimentary program for addiction rehabilitation.

Funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant and the Marion County Hospital District, the ORP was designed to reduce opiate overdose deaths and dependency. Through a systematic approach comprised of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and counseling, the ORP addresses participants’ emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being.

The program aims to help recurring overdose patients, new and expectant mothers suffering from substance dependency, Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN), and anyone ready to begin the path toward recovery.

“Addiction can affect anyone, at any time,” said OFR Captain Jesse Blaire. “With a hands-on approach, including emotional support and comprehensive medical care, we are certain that participants will achieve program success.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioids are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2020, first responders in Marion County received 1,101 calls resulting from overdose or poisoning. Moreover, 1,022 doses of the opiate blocking drug, Narcan, were administered in Marion County during this period.

For details about the ORP, contact Captain Jesse Blaire at 352-266-4769.

We pray for him and his family. Art was well known in Ocala, he owned and operated a jewelry store for many years. He had many friends in the Ocala Business Leaders and around town, he owned and worked on antique car. He was a member of the Ocala Business Leaders, CEP Ocala Chamber, a woodworking club a car club. So you can tell he was a busy guy.

He will be missed! I will miss him!

The haunting will begin at 8 p.m. nightly on the outdoor stage.

Gather ‘round for not-too-terrifying twilight tales for ages 3-10 and their families… Our storyteller will thrill and chill with frightful delights by flickering jack-o’-lantern light, sharing stories from the silly to the spooky. The evening ends with the Halloween classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – and a copy of the book will follow each child home…

Tickets on sale now.
$6.00 for ages 10 and under
$12.00 for ages 11 and over
Read More and Purchase Tickets Today

Post Date: 10/12/2020 4:42 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2020) – The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park will close Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to repair a subsurface subsidence. The park is expected to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 14. Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset.
Subsurface subsidence’s are an anticipated component of the park due to the karst topography below ground. They present no danger to the public or the environment.
For more information please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources department at 352-351-6772.

See a real moon rock from the Apollo 15 Moon landing mission, drive a Mars rover over rocky terrain, navigate through the international space station, travel through a wormhole and take part in hands-on challenges to see if you have what it takes to be the next generation of space explorers!

DISCOVERY CENTER PRICING

General Admission
$8.00 per person

StarLab Planetarium shows (By Reservation Only, Call 352-401-3900)
$30.00 for 30 minute show for up to 10 people in same family/group | Saturdays 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm
STEAM Saturday Special (Oct .10, Nov. 17 & Dec. 12 Only)
$3.00 add-on to general admission for 2 pm hands-on science program

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 6, 2020 – Five Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) members were honored today at Fire Station 1 (320 NE 8th Ave.) during an intimate presentation by Hires-Baxley, in celebration of the 3rd Annual Hometown Heroes awards.

Post Date: 10/06/2020

One Firefighter, two Fire Equipment Operators (FEOs), and two Captains were recognized for efforts that proved invaluable in resolving each of the emergencies to which they responded.

• Firefighter Shantelle Nichols was recognized for his courageous actions searching for occupants in a home threatened by flames from a vacant structure on fire next door, despite being off-duty. His immediate action allowed crews to focus on containing the fire to the structure of origin. Firefighter Nichols not only assisted his teammates before their arrival, but he also remained on scene to operate a fire hose and help as needed, demonstrating an absolute commitment to his profession and community.

• Captain Jesse Blaire was recognized for his integral role in OFRs fight against COVID-19. Proposing a strike team dedicated to Coronavirus responses, Captain Blaire’s trailblazing methods proved vital in decreasing exposures to the virus for citizens and first responders alike.

• Captain John Toms, FEO Ryan Brady, and FEO Jagger Maguire were recognized for their life-saving actions during an apartment structure fire. Upon arrival at a fire scene, this crew learned that a senior was unaccounted for. As they prepared to search the building billowing with smoke, a second man was spotted attempting to evacuate through a second-floor window. FEOs Brady and Maguire laddered the window to help bring the man down safely. Meanwhile, Captain Toms searched the first-floor apartment units for the senior. Firefighter Toms located, woke, and guided the senior through the heavy smoke and out of the building. For actions that helped save two lives Captain Toms, FEO Brady, and FEO Maguire each received Act of Valor Awards.

“We are overjoyed for each of the team members recognized today,” said Public Information Officer Ashley Lopez. “Because we know that they would repeat their actions without hesitation, time, and time again.”