Commissioner Patty Sheehan - May, 2013
 

Dear District Residents,

They say April showers bring May flowers, so we should be in full bloom this month.  Besides plants and flowers, one of my great joys are the swans at Lake Eola, which have recently hatched 7 little cygnets.  So if you are down at Lake Eola Park, be sure to look for the baby cygnets and be sure to only feed the adults lettuce or feed from the machines (for a small fee) that have been installed at the park.  (Bread is very harmful to the swans!)

In thinking about all of our wonderful swans at Lake Eola Park it made me think of all of the free things that one can do in Orlando and not cost you a single cent.  So in no particular order – here they are:

Enjoy the Beauty of Lake Eola Park during the day (enjoy the walking path and the swans and other wildlife.)

Enjoy the Fountain (Light) Show at Lake Eola Park every evening – which now starts at 8:30 PM and is the Jazz Show and in mid-June will change times and start at 9:30 PM, but will still be the Jazz Show.

The Second Sunday of every month is Family Day at the Mennello Museum (900 E. Princeton St.) and there is free admission between Noon & 4:30 PM.  (It even includes themed activities and crafting stations at times.)  www.mennellomuseum.com

The First Monday of every month is Free Daytime Admission to Leu Gardens (does not include the home tour) and the First Monday of every month is also free Story Time at Leu Gardens (indoor event) for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers.  (Except holidays)  Leu Gardens is located at 1920 N. Forest Ave. www.leugardens.org

During the months between October through May you can take the free Downtown Historic Walking Tour.  You need to sign up with the Downtown Information Center @ 201 S. Orange Ave.  www.downtownorlando.com/visitors/information

Most months of the year you can take a Moonlight Walking Tour at Greenwood Cemetery.   See their website for more details.  www.greenwood-cemetery.net

The City Arts Factory (29 S. Orange Ave.) also has free art exhibits Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM.  www.cityartsfactory.com

The Terrace Gallery located on the ground floor at City Hall (400 S. Orange Ave.) is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM.  There is also the Mayor’s 2^nd and 3^rd Floor Gallery at City Hall and the art in these areas can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.  (Except when City Hall is closed for Major Holidays)  www.cityoforlando.net/arts/galleries.htm

Inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel located at 325 S. Orange Ave. is the Grand Bohemian Art Gallery that you can stroll through for free.  www.grandbohemianhotel.com/leisure/art-gallery/

It is always free to attend the What’s Up Downtown presentation (usually held at 8:30 AM on the First Thursday of each month) by calling 407.246.3789.  (Topics and Speakers vary by month.)

It’s also always free to attend a City Council Meeting.  Which are held on select Monday’s at 2 PM at City Hall.  For a calendar of upcoming Orlando City Council Meetings, be sure to see our website at www.cityoforlando.net/cityclerk/citycouncil/calendar.htm

If you just like to window shop or people watch, that's always a free event and can be done in a multitude of places that include the Orlando Farmer’s Market that is held every Sunday at Lake Eola Park in the International Plaza area from 10 AM to 4 PM.  www.orlandofarmersmarket.com 

Each month there are usually different Festivals and Free Concerts that can be enjoyed.  You can see a full list at http://www1.cityoforlando.net/ENTERPRISE/CityCalendar/public/Calendar.aspx   and also be sure to see my District 4 Calendar of Events (for more District 4 centered events and Neighborhood Meeting schedules) at http://www.cityoforlando.net/elected/council/district04/Calendar.htm

So who says everything comes with a price?  Above is a list of quite a few things that can all be done for FREE. Zilch, Nada, Not a Cent.  So get out there and enjoy these and other free events that offered to our citizens.This list should keep you busy for a while and I'm sure there are others that aren't listed that you can also find and enjoy.

Sincerely,

Patty Sheehan
 

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OTHER INFO

If you'd like to be added to the District 4 Neighborhood Contacts Email List for periodic email messages, please send email to my Aide, Bill Stevens at Bill.Stevens@cityoforlando.net and he'll be happy to add you to our District email list.

For this months events, be sure to click on the District 4 Links on this webpage and then select "CALENDAR of EVENTS".

Another helpful link on this webpage is also under District 4 Links and it is titled "ISSUES - (Streets, Sidewalks, Code Enforcement & so Much More!) Report them (online or via telephone)"  This will give you info on how to report everything from potholes, to broken sidewalks to Code Enforcement issues.

If you would like to receive the crime updates from Master Police Officer Evan Cantrall, please e-mail him at Evan.Cantrall@CityofOrlando.net

 If you need assistance with any city-related issue, please feel free to contact me at (407)246-2004, or e-mail at Patty.Sheehan@Cityoforlando.net.

Sincerely,

Patty Sheehan
Commissioner, District 4
City of Orlando
400 S Orange Avenue, 2nd Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 246-2004 - Phone
(407) 246-3010 - Fax