Effective Monday, Feb. 5, the City of Ocala Building Department will implement new hours of operation.

Post Date:01/17/2018 10:25 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2018) – Effective Monday, Feb. 5, the City of Ocala Building Department will implement new hours of operation. The City Building Department, located at 201 SE Third St., second floor, will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The current hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“The change in our operating hours will allow the City’s Permitting and Licensing staff time to hold departmental trainings and meetings, allowing them to keep up with current best practices and better serve our customers,” said Matt Leibfried, Chief Code Official, City of Ocala.

For more information, please contact Matt Leibfried, Chief Code Official, at [email protected] or 352-629-8421.

As part of its series of community conversations, the Racial Harmony and Cultural Awareness Task Force will host “An Evening with Meklit: Music, Arts, and Cultural Activism” Friday, Feb. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at IHMC located at 15 SE Osceola Ave.

Post Date:01/12/2018 2:47 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2018) – As part of its series of community conversations, the Racial Harmony and Cultural Awareness Task Force will host “An Evening with Meklit: Music, Arts, and Cultural Activism” Friday, Feb. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at IHMC located at 15 SE Osceola Ave. In this impact-oriented community conversation, TED Senior Fellow lecturer, Meklit, will discuss social issues and her philosophy of cultural activism.

According to her website, music and arts has a potential to address some of the most pressing social issues of our time, and there is an ever-growing interest in creative projects that do just that. Meklit believes that cultural activism should be a recognized path in music, and has spent the last few years both formally and informally coaching many artists in this path as well as developing projects that address social issues. She highlights how this approach allowed her career dexterity, collaboration with a multitude of institutional partners, community connectedness, and expanded audiences. This workshop presents a select set of case studies in cultural activism from several continents. [Read more…]

Below is a list of additional events and activities happening at the Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Saturday, Jan. 20 in collaboration with the Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band concert at Tuscawilla Park.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2018) – Saturday, Jan. 20, Latin GRAMMY-award winning duo Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will perform at Tuscawilla Park, 223 NE Fifth St., at 3 p.m. This special concert caps off the closing activities of the Discovery Center’s current exhibit, Super Kids Save the World. Below is a list of additional events and activities happening at the Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Saturday, Jan. 20 in collaboration with this event.

Additional Star Lab Planetarium Shows:

• 11 a.m. – Tour of the Solar System
• Noon – Constellation Mythology
• 1 p.m. – Tour of the Solar System
• 2 p.m. – Constellation Mythology

[Read more…]

• Date:01/15/2018 8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
• Location:Downtown Square
  100 SE 1st Ave.
  Ocala, Florida 34470

Groups and organizations from all over the county come to participate in the MLK March. Starting from Downtown Ocala, we’ll march to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex.

. Transporation will be provided to the downtown area, beginning at 7:00 until the march begins at 9:00. Please contact Ire Bethea 352-208-0819 for more information on participating.

• Date:01/15/2018 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location:Martin Luther King Recreaion Complex
  1510 NW Fourth St.
  Ocala, Florida 34471

The day will be filled with performing artist, dancers, speeches, multiple vendors, and lots of food. If you’d like to participate and show your talents contact Derek Ponder at 352-857-4118. And if you want to be a vendor contact Debra Richardson 352-361-5708

• Date:01/25/2018 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Members of our community with diverse ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds come together to strengthen community relationships, increase awareness of racial and cultural lifestyles, and enhance the quality of life for residents in Ocala/Marion County.

This year’s key word is “TRUST”. Engage in community conversations that impact the ability to accept each other’s differences and come together as one. This program is free and open to the public. Parking is included and a light meal will be provided.

Registration is required. Reserve your seat now at  reachacrossthetable.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit www.reachocalamarion.org or email [email protected].

Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers still faces emergency need for all blood types, especially type O, and is asking the community to donate blood today.

The blood center remains on emergency appeal, although a decline in donations is typical during the winter and holiday months. LifeSouth needs the support of our community more than ever. Donors are urged to give blood during this critical time to ensure hospitals maintain the blood supply needed to save lives. Traumas and accidents can strike at any time, putting our community at risk.

“If you’ve never donated before, now is the time,” said LifeSouth District Director, Ed Keith,  “Please don’t wait for a trauma to occur, your donation is needed now.”              [Read more…]

(OCALA, Fla.) January 8, 2018 – It is with great sadness that Ocala Fire Rescue announces the passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Christopher Hart. Hart passed away unexpectedly, while off duty, on Saturday, January 6^th, 2018; he was 41 years old. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Beginning his career of service at the age of eighteen, Hart served in the United States Army’s 82^nd Airborne Regiment, as a Ranger – completing his career as a decorated veteran with honors including a National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon, among others. In 2005, Hart joined the ranks of Ocala Fire Rescue, as a firefighter. He continued to serve honorably for nearly 13 years. [Read more…]

Saturday, Jan. 20, Latin GRAMMY-award winning duo Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will perform at Tuscawilla Park, 223 NE Fifth St., at 3 p.m.

Post Date:01/03/2018 11:34 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 3, 2018) – Saturday, Jan. 20, Latin GRAMMY-award winning duo Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will perform at Tuscawilla Park, 223 NE Fifth St., at 3 p.m. This special concert caps off the closing activities of the Discovery Center’s current exhibit, “Super Kids Save the World.”

According to their website, www.luckydiazmusic.com, Lucky Diaz the Family Jam Band are the very first Americans to win a Latin GRAMMY in the Children’s Album category. They have also earned three EMMY nominations and one win for their work on the EMMY-award winning PBS show, “Friday Zone.” [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, Florida (January 4, 2017)- The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)

Citizens Academy and Partnership (CAP) program, a free 13-week educational course about the operations of the Sheriff’s Office, is currently accepting applications for classes beginning in January 2018. During the program, MCSO staff will highlight all units within the Sheriff’s Office, giving citizens an in-depth understanding of what the agency is doing for the community. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the agency, personnel, equipment, policies, and procedures. [Read more…]