The American Association of Women (AAUW) Ocala Branch will meet at the Marion County Public Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, at 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room B, for their regular monthly meeting.

The speaker for this meeting will be Emmett Coyne.  He will speak on Black History. Coyne has a Master’s Degree in African-American Studies from Boston University.  He taught African-American Studies at St. Mary’s University, Baltimore and the University of Maryland.

All are welcome to attend this meeting and learn about Black History and the AAUW organization.  For further information please call 352-237-4889.

A dedication ceremony will be held Friday, Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. for the E. L. Foster Walking Trail, formerly the 31st Street Start! Walking Trail.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A dedication ceremony will be held Friday, Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. for the E. L. Foster Walking Trail, formerly the 31st Street Start! Walking Trail. The ceremony will take place at the walking trail located at 2025 SE 31st St.     

Mr. E. L. Foster served as the Mayor of Ocala from 1995 to 2002 and lead the City’s designation as an All-America City. Additionally, he was instrumental in the formation of the Marion Cultural Alliance through his enthusiastic support of the original Horse Fever public art project and serving on the board of directors. He supported many other community causes during his 48-year residency in Ocala and was also the owner/operator of the Holiday Inn in Silver Springs. E.L. Foster passed away in 2016 at the age of 82. [Read more…]

Call to Artists 2018 April, May, September and October

Who’s Eligible: MCA Artist Members

Title of Exhibit: Ocala’s Backroads: Bike, Hike and Walk

Description of Exhibit: This exhibit is in conjunction with our annual fundraiser, Ride for the Arts Gran Fondo. Please submit works of art that interpret our theme accordingly. All accepted pieces for this exhibit must have been completed in the past two years; please do not bring in anything that has been exhibited prior in Marion County. Please see requirement list below, as changes have been made. [Read more…]

https://ocaladowntown.com/1331-2

to construction for the Watula Avenue Roadway Improvement Project, Phase 1, portions of Watula Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, Feb. 5 and are expected to re-open in early April 2018.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2018) – Due to construction for the Watula Avenue Roadway Improvement Project, Phase 1, portions of Watula Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, Feb. 5 and are expected to re-open in early April 2018. According to the City Engineer’s Office, this project will reduce flooding in the downtown area.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 5, Watula Avenue will be closed from Silver Springs Boulevard north to NE Second Street. Beginning in mid-February, SE Watula Avenue will be closed from E Silver Springs Boulevard to SE Broadway Street. [Read more…]

The City of Ocala will host ‘BOBA: Beginning of Bolted Art,” a biennial sculpture reception, Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Tuscawilla Art Park, 223 NE Fifth St.

Post Date:01/24/2018 11:09 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2018) – The City of Ocala will host ‘BOBA: Beginning of Bolted Art,” a biennial sculpture reception, Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Tuscawilla Art Park, 223 NE Fifth St.

Tickets holders will have the opportunity for docent tours of the ten new sculptures complete with culinary delights paired with adult specialty beverages and live entertainment featuring Ethio-American vocalist and composer, Meklit. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at www.ocalafl.org/culturalarts. [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, Florida (January 23, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives arrested Nathail Eugene Harrington (DOB: 02/22/1971), aka “Scooter,” after he shot a 58-year old man during a confrontation on the evening of Saturday, January 20, 2018. The victim was shot in the chest by Harrington, and has since been treated and released from a local hospital.

During the investigation, detectives found that the victim drove to a residence located at the 17700th block of NW 66th Terrace in Reddick in an effort to drop off a family member at the incident location. At that time, Harrington approached the victim and threatened to shoot him. [Read more…]

The City of Ocala will host a silent surplus auction Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2018) – The City of Ocala will host a silent surplus auction Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the City of Ocala complex located at 2100 NE 30th Ave., near building 300.

Items available at this auction may include cell phones, chairs, computers, office furniture, TVs, VCRs, Panasonic Toughbook laptops or other items the City no longer has a use for. To view a complete list of available items, please visit www.ocalasurplus.com. [Read more…]

The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Feb. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. and

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2018) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Feb. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Halfway Hippie on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo.
• 7 p.m. – Contemporary dance performance by West Port High School’s MCCA (Marion County Center for the Arts) Dance Program.
• 8 p.m. – Hip hop dance performance by Xtraordinary Rising Talent.
• Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by the Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist, Marion County Public Library, Karate America Ocala, Animis Foundation and the Discovery Center.

[Read more…]

• Date:01/26/2018 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Location:Fort King National Historic Landmark
  3925 East Fort King Street
  Ocala, Florida 34470

A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left or dead by members of his own hunting team.  [Read more…]

Effective Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, the City of Ocala’s One-Stop Permit Center is now offering its contractor customers the ability to apply for permits, submit plans for review and pay fees directly online.

Post Date:01/17/2018 3:48 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2018) – Effective Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, the City of Ocala’s One-Stop Permit Center is now offering its contractor customers the ability to apply for permits, submit plans for review and pay fees directly online.

“With 24/7 access to the City of Ocala Growth Management Services web portal, contractors can now apply for permits, pay fees and schedule inspections from the comfort of their home, office or car,” said Patricia Hitchcock, Planning and Zoning Manager, City of Ocala Growth Management Department. “We are excited to move toward a paperless development review and permit process. By offering online permitting, we are now adding more efficient and convenient services for our customers.” [Read more…]