February 17, 2012 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

This Saturday, February 18, I invite you to attend the sixth annual Blues B-Q in Downtown Orlando in front of the Amway Center. This free concert brings blues fans and food enthusiasts to Downtown for an evening of music and barbeque.

Register for Mayor Dyer’s 7th Annual Mayor’s Neighborhood and Community Summit

The 7th Annual Mayor’s Neighborhood and Community Summit will be held on Saturday, March 17 from 7:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando. Register by March 1 and pay only $5. After March 1, registration is $10. Some of the workshop topics include: Are You Ready to Create a 501(c)3?; Events: Planning & Marketing; Legal Issues Impacting Mandatory Associations; Managing a Mandatory Association in a Challenging Economy; Neighborhood Roundtable; and Understanding & Building Relationships with Government. For details and registration, visit CityofOrlando.net/Summit.


Nominate a Neighbor Making a Difference in your Neighborhood

Do you know a neighbor or another City resident who has consistently made positive contributions to the quality of life in your neighborhood? Nominate that City resident for Mayor Dyer’s Neighborhood Champion Award! The award will be presented at the Mayor’s Neighborhood and Community Summit on March 17. Mayor Dyer gives this award to recognize the many unsung heroes that work to make their neighborhood a better place. The deadline to nominate someone for the 2012 Neighborhood Champion Award is March 2. For more information and to complete the award application, click here or visit CityofOrlando.net/Mayor and click on Neighborhood Champion in the left column.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Did you know that the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) has a Smoke Detector program? Fire can spread rapidly and having working smoke alarms in your home can mean the difference between life and death. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning devices available. To request a free smoke alarm for a one or two family dwelling, click here. For more information on smoke detectors and home safety in your community, contact Commander Vicki Robles with OFD’s Division of Public Relations at 407.246.3128 or Vicki@CityofOrlando.net.

Help Protect our Lakes: "Bag It, Don’t Blow It"

The City of Orlando wants to remind residents to "Bag It, Don’t Blow It," when mowing or landscaping this spring. Leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste, when placed on a paved surface like streets, driveways or sidewalks, are carried by stormwater to the closest storm drain, which flows directly to Orlando’s lakes. Yard waste clogs storm drains and dumps excess nutrients into our waterways, creating algae blooms, destroying wildlife habitats and decreasing recreational value. Always bag yard waste, or tie it in bundles, and place it on the curb – not in the street – on your scheduled yard waste collection day. Click here for more information or go online to CityofOrlando.net/Stormwater or CityofOrlando.net/Solidwaste.

Share your events, photographs, best practices and processes that are working in your neighborhood with other neighborhood organizations throughout the City. Contact Cindy Light with the Office of Communications and Neighborhood Relations at Cindy.Light@CityofOrlando.net.

City of Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz and the BLUEPRINT Employment Office are hosting a Community Venues Job Information Forum for skilled construction workers to learn about job opportunities for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dover Shores Community Center (400 Gaston Foster Road). For more information, including required documentation attendees will need to bring with them, click here.

The City of Orlando is excited to host the 2012 NBA All-Star game. This weeklong celebration is much more than a sports and entertainment experience for our residents and visitors; it is an opportunity to give our local businesses and entrepreneurs "an assist" to ensure the NBA All-Star experience is a "slam dunk" for our economy. We look forward to hosting this international event and welcoming the tens of thousands of attendees staying in our hotels, attending local events, eating at our restaurants, shopping at our retailers and enjoying everything Orlando has to offer.

Keep up to date with events, parking options and road closures related to the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at CityofOrlando.net/allstar.

Did You Know?

When, Where and How to Vote

The City of Orlando elections are fast approaching! Voting in person at the polls will be held on April 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Elected positions on the ballot are Mayor and District Commissioner 1, 2, 4 and 6. The redistricting process has been completed and as a result, your district number and your polling place may have changed. To find your polling location, go to OCFElections.com. You can also vote by mail. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is March 28 at 5 p.m. Prior to voting, make sure you are a registered voter. The last day to register is March 5. For more information on the upcoming elections, click here.

Orlando Wetlands Festival

Come and enjoy the Orlando Wetlands Festival on Saturday February 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort Christmas Historical Park. The Orlando Wetlands Festival features guided bird watching excursions, nature photo shoots, native plant identification hikes, wilderness hikes, hay rides, guided bus tours, tree giveaways, door prizes, live entertainment and wildlife shows. For kids, there will be a bounce house, games and Out-On-A-Limb’s tree climbing. The park is located at 1300 North Fort Christmas Road, Christmas, FL 32709. Read more about the festival at CityofOrlando.net/Wetlands.

Mennello Museum’s 10th Annual Gala: An Evening with Fabulous Friends… An Elegance Rediscovered

The Mennello Museum is hosting their 10th Annual Gala honoring City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on Saturday, February 18, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Friends of the Mennello Museum in its support of the Museum’s acquisitions, exhibitions and educational programs. The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Entertainment includes the Rollins College Spring String Ensemble with Director Joni Roos, as well as a live and silent auction. For more information contact the Mennello Museum at 407.246.4278.

Walk for Peace

On Saturday, February 25, Commissioner Samuel B. Ings and District 6 will be hosting an inaugural Walk for Peace. The one-mile walk will start at the Frontline Outreach Center (300 C.R. Smith Street) and make its way to conclude at Hankins Park (1340 Lake Park Court). There, local speakers will address the public and local businesses will host a job fair. This event is to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. For more information call Cynthia Wilson, Aide to Commissioner Ings, at 407.246.3016.

Families, Parks and Recreation Introduce Teen Dragon Boating Program

Families, Parks and Recreation is thrilled to announce the start of its new Teen Dragon Boating Program. Dragon Boating originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and is the world's fastest growing water sport. The Teen Dragon Boating program is comprised of sports practice, where the teens can gain strength and endurance as well as paddling practice, where the teens will take to the water on beautiful Lake Fairview to work together in unison. This recreational activity promotes health and wellness while teaching its participants the importance of communication skills, and working together. This unique experience creates a team spirit unlike any other. Listed below are dates for upcoming sessions:

• Session 1: February 1 – March 8
• Session 2: March 14 – April 19
• Session 3: April 25 – May 30
• Session 4: June 6 – July 11
• Session 5: July 18 – August 22

No experience is necessary. To participate, you must be a high school student and know how to swim. For more information, please contact Jacqueline Williams at Jacqueline.Williams@CityofOrlando.net.

ArtsFest

Mayor Dyer invites all citizens to experience ArtsFest 2012. ArtsFest is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place throughout the month of February in four counties. Presented by Bank of America, ArtsFest includes more than 300 FREE arts and cultural events held in various locations in Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole counties. The City of Orlando is a United Arts funding partner. Visit ArtsFestFL.com to get a taste of everything the arts community has to offer here in Metro Orlando! For more information call 407.363.5816.

Mayor in the Community

Orlando Fire Department Smoke Detector Work-Along and Open House
On Saturday, February 11, Mayor Dyer worked along with District 6 City Commissioner Samuel B. Ings and the Orlando Fire Department to distribute and install free smoke detectors in resident homes in the Washington Shores neighborhood. They went door-to-door to ensure homes in the area had a working smoke detector. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning devices available in the event of a fire.

After the work-along, Mayor Dyer joined District 6 City Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, Orlando Fire Chief John Miller and residents from neighborhoods located in the Fire Station 7 service area for a community open house. The open house at Fire Station 7 provided residents from approximately 18 neighborhoods in the area with a tour of the fire station, fire safety tips for the home, blood pressure checks and opportunities to meet their hometown firefighters.

5nd International Franchise Association (IFA) Annual Convention
On Monday, February 13, Mayor Dyer welcomed members and attendees of the International Franchise Association to the 52nd IFA Annual Convention. Members and attendees of the IFA Annual Convention represented 85 different industries with companies such as Marriot International, McDonald’s and YUM! Brands. Attendees of the IFA Annual Convention attended educational programs with content designed for franchisors and franchisees. They also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of companies providing supporting services or products for franchised businesses.

D12 Fountain One Year Anniversary
On Tuesday, February 14, Mayor Dyer proclaimed February 14, 2012, to be D12 Foundation Day in the City of Orlando in honor of the one year anniversary of Dwight Howard’s charity. The anniversary celebrated the D12 Foundation’s dedication to Orlando’s youth and community organizations.

Upcoming Events

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email: Buddy.Dyer@CityofOrlando.net