(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.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

1607 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470

352-622-3544

Center Hours

Monday, Thursday and Friday ~ 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday ~ 9:00a.m. to 7:00p.m.

Saturday and Sunday ~ 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.

 SEE SCHEDULE…
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The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday December 20, 2018 at 2 PM at the Marion County Public Library located at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  A brief business meeting will be followed by the Holiday Party.  For further information, contact Joel Swanson at (352)897-0840 or president@mcgsocala.org.

Location: Tuscawilla Park
829 NE Sanchez Avenue
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!

Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) stations will serve as donation collection sites for food, toiletries and toys, all benefiting local charities. Donations will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 14.

During this time of year, the demand for aid and donations at food banks and charities increases. Below is a list of donations that will be accepted, as well as addresses to OFR stations where donations can be dropped off.

Accepted Items:

Canned items (meats, fruits, vegetables, soup)

Dry goods (pasta, rice, dried beans, cereal)

Other non-perishables (fruit cups, juice boxes, peanut butter, crackers)

Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes)

Baby items (baby food, diapers, wipes)

New, unwrapped toys in original packaging  Continue reading →

One of the goals and primary focuses of the CEP from its inception has been to raise the wage level in our community. From our initial 5-year strategic plan (Moving Forward), one of the three BIG goals has been to not only attract new jobs but jobs which pay an average wage which is 15% higher than the county average. We evaluate every project we are working against this measure and we ask local government to only incent those businesses and jobs which will meet this standard.

The Census Bureau and various other economic entities provide a variety of ways for us to track this growth. The primary metric we use is the Average Weekly Wage as reported in the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Today, the average wage which is required for us to incent a project is over $42,000/year. This is a 27% increase over the initial target wage just a few years ago. Continue reading →

November CEP, Ocala Chamber after hours was held at Badcock furniture at 2211 SW 19th Ave Road. Pictured is Tom James of CEP, left and on the right, owner of Badcock, receiving a coupon certificate at the Event. The vibrating chairs were wonderful, the food was great and the people were friendly. Great Job!

Les Singleton made a presentation in front of the Ocala Business Leaders this month talking about his Send Out Cards. Les said this is the time of year Send Out Cards is a big business. Don’t get miss. Get your Christmas Cards, Thank You Cards, etc.

There will be no residential collection for sanitation, yard waste or recycling routes Thursday, Nov. 22.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 5, 2018) – City of Ocala business offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. There will be no residential collection for sanitation, yard waste or recycling routes Thursday, Nov. 22.

Residential sanitation collection regularly scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 22 will experience a one-day delay and will be collected Friday, Nov. 23.

Waste Pro recycling collection for City of Ocala residents regularly scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 22 will take place Friday, Nov. 23.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Department at 352-351-6697.