Ocala News
Gerry Winton (right), a local Handyman spoke at the Ocala Business Breakfast, describing what he does and took a lot of questions. It was a good talk.
Designs by Debbi, a local crafter/designer showing some of her creations at a street market in Dunnellon Florida. Dunnellon, Fl is known for its festivals held on the downtown streets.
This is a photo of Charlie. Charlie came by to see me at my table at the Shop Lady Lake Expo. He seemed to like the attention and was actually posing for the camera. Here he is standing on top of my newspapers posing.
Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, live entertainment, free family art activities and extended shopping hours.
Post Date:12/18/2018 10:23 AM
OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2018) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Jan. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:
- 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Nino Castaneda on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo. This performance will include original music, as well as jazz and Latin classics with afro-Cuban rhythms.
- Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by 98.5 KTK, Appleton Museum of Art, Art Army of Ocala, Discovery Center, Marion County Public Library, the Ocala Chippers and Painting with a Twist.
The First Friday Art Walk occurs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month from September through May annually. Located within Ocala’s historic downtown, event festivities include over 30 artist displays, live entertainment, free family art activities and extended shopping hours.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at 352-629-8447 or artwalk@ocalafl.org or visit www.ocalafl.org/artwalk.
Let’s Skate Ocala!
- Date:12/23/2018 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location:Tuscawilla Art Park
223 NE Fifth St.
Ocala, Florida 34470
Join us for Let’s Skate Ocala! from Nov. 17-Dec. 30 located in beautiful Tuscawilla Park at 825 NE Watula Ave. The “synthetic” ice rink is open to the public Thursdays, 5-9 p.m., Fridays, 5-10 p.m., Saturdays, 2-10 p.m. and Sundays, 4-8 p.m. The fee to skate is $5/person/45-minute skate session for ages 3+. Need a place for your holiday party? Rent the rink for only $150/two hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy festive music, a food truck, a photo booth and more! Every Friday we provide FREE hay rides and these FUN Theme Nights: Nov. 23-Family Game Night (BOGO admission); Nov. 30-Skate with the Symphony; Dec. 7-Hawaiian Limbo and Kona Ice; Dec. 14-Under the BIG Top, Games and Prizes; Dec. 21-Santa’s Workshop, Cookie Decorating and Reindeer Games and Dec. 28-All Things Disney and Let’s Go to the Movies featuring Beauty and the Beast! The Let’s Skate Ocala! Holiday Skating Rink will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. If you need additional information, please give us a call at 352.368.5517. Happy Holidays!
This tax is used to fund public safety and transportation infrastructure only, not recurring costs or salaries.
Post Date:12/17/2018 2:54 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 17, 2018) – In an effort to make the community aware of City of Ocala initiatives funded by the Marion County penny sales tax, residents and visitors will begin noticing new road signage and vehicle decals throughout the city limits to identify such projects and purchases. The City is using its portion of the one-percent sales tax dollars to maintain the high standards our citizens have come to expect for safe roads, a safe community and more.
Public Safety
In order to increase the presence of public safety personnel in residential neighborhoods and decrease response times during emergencies, two new Ocala Fire Rescue fire stations and a police district office have been constructed for a total of approximately $5,196,242.88. Continue reading
Marion County, Florida (December 14, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrested 46-year-old Donald Buie for Battery by Strangulation (Domestic) and Simple Battery (Domestic) following an investigation into allegations of domestic violence.
On December 10, 2018, MCSO detectives received information that Donald Buie had been accused of committing domestic battery by strangulation. The victim described multiple incidents of this occurring. Following and in-depth investigation, Donald Buie was arrested and charged with False Imprisonment, 2 counts of Battery by Strangulation, Simple Battery (Domestic) and Simple Assault (Domestic) with no bond. Continue reading
(OCALA, Fla.) Dec. 14, 2018 – Seventeen children from Wyomina Elementary School, who were selected to participate in the Cathy’s Kids program, spent a morning to remember with Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters.
For years, members of the International Association of Firefighters Local #2135, comprised of Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters, have honored the tradition set forth by Cathy Fender, Cathy’s Kids Founder, of gifting a child a morning of shopping, followed by a trip to the park with undivided attention. Though inclement weather diverted the group from the park, the shopping experience was nothing short of great.
At 10 a.m. a school bus, filled with children identified by school personnel as members of families in need, arrived at Walmart Supercenter on 19th Avenue Road. There, each child was paired with at least one adult and treated to the shopping experience of a lifetime. Clothes, shoes, and of course toys for the children and their family members were purchased. Continue reading
(OCALA, Fla.)-Families expecting a new child soon have some additional good news; Marion County’s World’s Greatest Baby Shower is back for the third year in a row. Organized through the Healthy Start of North Central Florida Coalition and Well Florida Council, and brought to the public by Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Tobacco Free Partnership of Marion County, Staywell Medicaid, Alpha Center for Women and AdventHealth Ocala, the county’s World Greatest Baby Shower is a free, educational event for expectant and new parents.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Purpose Room (3300 NW 10th St., Ocala). The Baby Shower will be offered in two sessions to accommodate the more than 300 families expected. The first session will run from 3-5 p.m.; the second will run from 6-8 p.m. Families can attend either session – the content will be the same in each one. There is no cost to attend and pre-registration is not required. Fathers are encouraged to join; an exciting activity just for dads will be held during each session. Continue reading
(OCALA, Fla.) Dec. 3, 2018 –Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is no stranger to lending community support, but there’s one cause that is especially close to our hearts – Cathy’s Kids.
Honoring the tradition started by former OFR firefighter, Cathy Fender, Ocala firefighters – members of the International Association of Firefighters(IAFF) Local #2135 – are slated to complete a shopping trip with 20 Wyomina Elementary School students.
WHO: Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters / IAFF Local #2135
WHAT: Cathy’s Kids Shopping Trip
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Walmart Supercenter, 2600 SW 19th Ave. Rd., Ocala, FL 34471
WHY: Founded in 1995, Cathy’s Kids is a program that allows children of households in need to experience an unparalleled shopping excursion with hometown heroes. During the trip, each child has the undivided attention of at least one adult focused on making their holiday wishes come true.
For more information about this event, please contact Public Information Officer Ashley Lopez at 352-817-5914.
