The Ocala Art Group (OAG) is hosting a lecture by acclaimed artist Curtis Arnett, one of the original Florida Highwaymen, on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm in the auditorium of the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470.

Arnett is one of the youngest of 26 African-American artists who traveled the highways of I-95 and A1A decades ago, who later became known as The Highwaymen. They sold their Florida landscape paintings inexpensively which today are widely sought after for their historical value.  Many of these paintings can be found on public display in banks, office buildings and private homes throughout Florida and the United States.

You won’t want to miss this program that will include a history of Mr. Arnett’s life, his journey as one of the Florida Highwaymen and a demonstration of his art.  This event will undoubtedly excite and inspire artists as well as art enthusiasts.  The program is free to members of the Ocala Art Group and the Appleton Museum of Art.   If you are not a member, you may join prior to the program.  Please contact Richard Woy at (352) 598-9069 or woyzus@cs.com for more information.

Welcome to Bargains by the Pallet.  Bargains by the Pallet is a new locally owned business, open to the public.  Our clients vary from online stores, flea market merchants, brick and mortar small business retail stores to individuals needing items for themselves.  We sell full pallets of mixed merchandise that arrive straight from various retail store distribution centers.  Products can range from furniture items, computer and other electronic goods, baby items, skate boards, patio items, tools, small kitchen appliances and other general merchandise.  Every pallet is different. Every truck load is different.

Bargains by the Pallet was established September 1, 2018 by Andrea Calhoun and Bob Siebert, commonly referred to as beauty and the beast.  This couple is not originally from Ocala, Florida.  They moved to Ocala from Rome, GA.  where Andrea lived most of her life.  In Rome she was a mother (now grandmother), a florist and a friend.  Bob has lived in Georgia for over 25 years.  There he was a father, retail manager, a super hero and movie buff and all around great guy.  Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 19, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) received 14 cancer exposure decontamination kits from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Thursday, Oct. 18.

The decontamination kits are 14 of 4,216 units obtained through a $1million grant to the Firefighter Cancer Mitigation Grant Program, awarded to 405 fire departments across the state of Florida. Each kit includes tools essential for soot and particulate removal from bunker gear before firefighters leave the scene of a fire. Kits are comprised of: a five-gallon bucket, clear bags, duct tape, dish soap, scrub brush, spray bottle, wipes, two 50-foot hose lines with nozzles, adapters and collapsible traffic cones.

According to research by the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), firefighters in the United States have a nine percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. The purpose of the decontamination kits is to reduce firefighter’s exposure to cancer-causing agents which result from combustions at a fire scene.  Continue reading →

Ocala Business Leaders had an old friend come by and visit. Sandy Mandell used to come to the OBL meetings as a District High Patrol supervisor. He is now in Tallahassee Fl as Bureau Commander of of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence. He spoke to the group about what was going on state-wide. The Bureau Commander gave us a brief highlight on things he could talk about. Of course the Hurricane readiness of the state dwarfed all the conversations. Sandy Mandell is a great asset to state law enforcement. The description of their job values are Courtesy. Service. Protection!

One of the speakers this month at Ocala Business Leaders was Stacy Edmondson Cruz ARNP. Stacy and her husband have Magnolia Walk In Clinic. Picture from left Stacy Edmondson Cruz ARNP, John Hoogerhyde office manager and not pictured Miguel Cruz, MD. The audience was sharing their experiences at the clinic. One patient said that when you walk in and you need a test, it will happen while you are there. They don’t have to send you somewhere else . They do MRI’s, Xrays, and just about anything you will need. So if you need care go to 1490 SE Magnolia, Ocala Fl 34471. Phone 352-512-9703

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2018) – The City of Ocala Public Works Department, Sanitation Division would like to provide the following tips to City residents to keep them safe and informed when selecting a company to perform tree work on their property this fall.

“The threat of severe weather events, declining tree health or residents’ desire to have trees removed on their property creates a heightened awareness of trees and their threat to homes and businesses,” said Dwayne Drake, Sanitation Division Head, City of Ocala. “It is important for residents to know what their tree trimming and debris removal options are and what they should expect from a tree service company.”

All contractors, or those doing the work, are responsible for hauling off all tree debris immediately upon completion of the job. Continue reading →

Register today for upcoming diabetes self-management classes

During short-term illnesses, many people interrupt their normal habits to help fight their symptoms. For example, they may eat chicken noodle soup and drink a lot of water to speed up their recoveries. When someone is facing a chronic illness like diabetes, however, there may be long-term changes that people need to make to their daily habits to ensure they stay as healthy as possible.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is holding a series of free Diabetes Self-Management classes starting Oct. 2 so residents can learn more about diabetes and the changes they may need to make to their daily habits if they have it. The six-week class will cover: understanding diabetes, risk factors, eyes, teeth, toes and feet, physical activity, meal planning, preventing complications, and medications and medical care. Class locations, dates and times are: Continue reading →