2010 District 2 Events

National Latino Peace Officer Association's Three Kings Annual Event

Commissioner Tony Ortiz, Commissioner Robert Stuart and Orlando Fire Department Chief John Miller were among the guests that attended the 2011 National Latino Peace Officer Association Three Kings Event on January 8, 2011.

Close to 75 children attended the event this year with their parents.  All of them received gifts given to them by the "Three Wise Men."  Again this year, the event took place at the Stonewall Jackson Middle School.

December 2010

Air Patrol Banquet

On December 21, 2010 Commissioner Tony Ortiz was the keynote speaker at the 259th Civil Air Patrol Holiday Banquet and Award Celebration.

Caras Event at City Hall

CARAS, is the first of a series of events as part of the remembrance of the 30th anniversary (June 2011) of the first AIDS case reported by the Center of Disease Control (CDC).

This event consists of 30 artistic photographs of Hispanic celebrities and community leaders. The artistic creator, the well known photographer Victor Rodriguez utilized the metallic paper on canvas technique. You may view the entire collection online at www.victorrodriguez.biz.

The original one-of-a-kind photographs were on display December 13th – December 17th at the City of Orlando Rotunda. This great event was hosted by Commissioner Tony Ortiz, and sponsored by Gilead Sciences Orlando and Trabajando Juntos. A special reception took place on December 15, 2010 at 5:30 P.M. at the City Hall, Overlook Room.

November 2010

Thanksgiving Luncheon for Engelwood Seniors First Program

On Thursday, November 18, 2010, Sedanos Supermarket partnered with Commissioner Tony Ortiz and donated lunches for the Seniors First Program at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center.

More than 50 Seniors enjoyed of a delicious luncheon brought to them by Sedanos Supermarket.

Orlando Veterans Day Parade

On Saturday, November 13, 2010 Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor's Veteran's Advisory Council celebrated their Annual Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Orlando.

The parade featured members of the active military and Gasparilla Parade Floats.

Seniors Fall Festival

Family Physicians Group, Wellcare and Commissioner Tony Ortiz sponsored a Seniors Fall Festival/Health Fair opened to City Seniors Residents on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center.  More than 100 Seniors attended.  They enjoyed a morning of free glucose testing, refreshments and a Bingo Game.

October 2010

Cafe Latino of Central Florida Presents: "Wake Up" Health Fair

On Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the Dover Shores Community Center, Cafe Latino of Central Florida and Commissioner Tony Ortiz celebrated a community event/health fair in honor of the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

Engelwood Park Neighborhood Association Clean Up Event

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, EPNA President, Mr. Tom Golay welcomed Commissioner Tony Ortiz, residents of the Engelwood Park Neighborhood and volunteers to their 2nd Annual Engelwood Park Clean Up Event.

Engelwood Elementary Target School Library Makeover

On Friday, October 1, 2010, Commissioner Tony Ortiz attended the Engelwood Elementary Target Corporation School Library Makeover.  Commissioner Ortiz joined Principal, Ms. Kelly Pelletier, OCPS School Board District 2 Representative, Mrs. Darryl Flynn, Target Representatives, volunteers, guests and a group of second grade students during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. 

The Orange County school is one of 32 nationwide to get a Target School Library Makeover.

The makeover included painting, carpeting, lighting, shelving and technology, plus wall signs and a new beautiful mural made of gum balls, to decorate the place. Target also donated 2,000 new books, and every Engelwood student also got seven new books to take home!

Casa de Puerto Rico New Location Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Friday, October 1, 2010, Commissioner Tony Ortiz participated during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the new location of the "Casa de Puerto Rico."  The new location is on District 1.

Commissioner Ortiz joined District 1 Commissioner Phil Diamond, Casa de Puerto Rico Board of Directors' President, Mrs. Monserrate Vargas, members and guests during the ceremony.

Their  new location is at 3001 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL.

September 2010

After School All Star Youth Baseball Development League Gets $50,000 from Fox Sports and Sun Sports

On Saturday, September 25, 2010 Commissioner Tony Ortiz welcomed Fox Sports Florida & Sun Sports to the Dover Shores Community Center.  They presented a $50,000.00 grant to the After School All Stars Youth Baseball Development League.

This funding will be used to continue free athletic leagues, community service projects and the Life Skills and Healthy Living curriculum.

Approximately 230 children and parents attended this great celebration.   Former New York Yankee Baseball player, Duquesito Hernandez, attended the event.  Some of our fire fighters volunteered and grilled and served hamburgers and hot dogs to all in attendance.

Hispanic Heritage Month at Passport School

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Commissioner Tony Ortiz visited Passport School on District 2.  He was invited to speak to 4th and 5th grade children about his Hispanic Heritage.  He was very surprised of the many questions the children asked but, enjoyed every single one of them!

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off Event at City Hall

On September 15, 2010, Commissioner Tony Ortiz along with Mayor Buddy Dyer kicked off the Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration at City Hall.  Over 200 people attended this year's celebration that was dedicated to the children. 

This year's Hispanic Heritage Kick Off Event poster was created by a group of three children; Alex Arias, Isabella Nicole Riesco and Amanda Rodriguez. 

Children showing their countries' flags marched around the public during the celebration. 

Mrs. Ibeth Bruzual, from Channel 13, was again this year our Mistress of Ceremonies. 

August 2010

National Night Out Against Crime

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, Commissioner Tony Ortiz, Officer Eddie Rosado, City of Orlando Emergency Manager, Manny Soto and City of Orlando HOLA Office Coordinator, Alicia Ramirez visited five District 2 Neighborhood Watch Groups that were hosting National Night Out Parties.

July 2010

Bingo at El Dorado Apartments

Commissioner Ortiz sponsored a Bingo Game at the El Dorado Apartments on July 27, 2010.  More than 20 residents joined Commissioner Ortiz for a fun afternoon filled of fun, food and prizes.

June 2010

Reading and Learning Center Project Sponsored by the NBA Legacy Project and the Orlando Magic at the Engelwood Community Center

On Monday, June 28, 2010, the Engelwood Neighborhood Center celebrated a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their Reading and Learning Center Project sponsored by the NBA Legacy Project and the Orlando Magic.  A game room and computer lab room were completely renovated.  The center had the honor to welcome Bo Outlaw, former Orlando Magic player, Alex Martin, Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer, Linda Landman Gonzalez, Orlando Magic VP of Community Relations and Mayor Buddy Dyer.  Below pictures of the event.

Florida Housing Help Workshop

A Florida Housing Help Workshop event, sponsored by the State of Florida Department of Financial Services in partnership with the City of Orlando and hosted by Commissioner Tony Ortiz took place on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center.  One hundred and eighty-two people registered and were able to meet with their mortgage lenders and/or with a housing counselor. 

April 2010

District 2 City of Orlando Police Department Satellite Office and              Seniors vs Crime Project Grand Opening

As part of his commitment to provide a safe community to the Orlando residents, in particular to senior citizens, Commissioner Tony Ortiz opened on April 7, 2010 a Police Department Satellite Office, also home of the first Seniors vs Crime project in Orlando.

Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Police Department Chief Val Demings, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, City Commissioners Phil Diamond, Robert Stuart, Samuel Ings and Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal were among the elected officials that joined Commissioner Tony Ortiz during the Grand Opening of District 2 City of Orlando Police Department Satellite Office and Seniors vs Crime Project. 

The office is located adjacent to the Denny's Restaurant (in the same building) located at 440 S. Semoran Boulevard.

"Today is a great day in my life, for a dream of many years has come true." commented Commissioner Ortiz, "Opening the doors to a police satellite office will offer our citizens of District 2 a comfortable sense of proximity, will provide the officers that protect us with the necessary tools to enhance their job performance, and will ensure the safety of some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community: our seniors."

Although Seniors vs Crime is a new program to the Orange County area, it has its origins at the Attorney General's Office; becoming one of the most effective crime-fighters efforts in Florida since 1989 and allowing seniors to become involved in their own protection.  Staffed by volunteer "Senior Sleuths" and supported by law enforcement, the office of the Attorney General and local government, the program will provide a safe environment for seniors to file complaints about fraud, scams, while assisting in consumer protection investigations and victims of con artists.

Representing the Attorney General's Office and Seniors vs Crime Project during the event were Mr. John Pare, Attorney General Regional Director-Orlando Office, Mr. Don Ravenna, Seniors vs Crime Executive Director, Mr. David Blacklock, Seniors vs Crime Region 3 Director, Mr. Barrie Bliss, Seniors vs Crime Regional Deputy Director and Ms. Sandi Jernigan, Seniors vs Crime Office Manager Altamonte Springs.

The Seniors vs Crime office will be open on Tuesdays, from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon, Wednesdays from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm and on Fridays from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon.  The office phone number is 407-219-5542.

March 2010

Green Up Orlando Event at the Pine Ridge South Community

Some of the residents of Pine Ridge South woke up very early on Saturday, March 27, 2010 to participate during a Green Up Orlando event.  Jan Rahill, Green Up Orlando Manager, assisted them with the planting of trees and plants in the main entrance of their community.

Commissioner Ortiz was also present and enjoyed very much the event.

The Pine Ridge South Community would like to sincerely give thanks to Jan, Antonio, Timberland Store employees and Arbor Ridge School students, Lizzie Haniff and Ana Lucia Salmoran for volunteering during the event.

Bingo with the Johnson Manor Seniors

On Friday, March 26, 2010 Commissioner Ortiz played Bingo with the Seniors who live at the Johnson Manor Apartments.

He enjoyed very much the game and spend some good time with the residents.

He would like to give thanks to Ana Lucia Salmoran and Lizzie Haniff, students from Arbor Ridge School, who volunteered that evening.

February 2010

50th Anniversary Azalea Park Little League

Commissioner Ortiz attended the 50th Anniversary of the Azalea Park Little League on Saturday, February 27, 2010.  Mayor Buddy Dyer was also present during this special celebration.  Commissioner Ortiz invited his good friend, El Duquesito Hernandez, former Major Leaguer, who took pictures with the parents and children.