When I first became Mayor, we stopped printing the Mayor's newsletter and began sending it out by e-mail. This enhancement saved money and delivered the newsletter faster, allowing us to provide more current information about City news and events. Now, people are using social media sites like Facebook to keep in touch on the web. So in our continued effort to reach out to as many residents as we can, we have created several Facebook pages that focus on a variety of different City programs.

The main City of Orlando Facebook page offers a quick glance at the City's current activities. It provides news releases and official announcements. But, it also promotes the City's fun activities such as a movie at Leu Gardens or a family pottery workshop, along with videos of City events or services. On the Mayor's Office Facebook page, I share the events and celebrations I attend, as well as candid videos, such as my recent tour of the Amway Center construction site.

The Orlando Police Department's Facebook page gives crime alerts, news and information about public safety events. For businesses in one of the City's Main Street districts, the Orlando Main Street program uses their Facebook page to keep in touch with their members, provide business tips and promote their events.

You can stay up to date with concerts and events Downtown through the Amway Arena's group and by becoming a fan of Downtown Orlando, which also promotes businesses. In addition, both the Amway Arena and Downtown Orlando can be found on Twitter. The Mennello Museum of American Folk Art promotes its show openings and special events on Facebook.

If you're a Facebook user, I encourage you to explore any of the City's Facebook pages that capture your interest and become a fan of that page. It's one more way you can stay in touch throughout the week and keep up to date about City services and events.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer

Mayor

Strengthen Orlando
  Florida Housing Help
· Buy Local Orlando Highlight
 

Thursday, hundreds of Central Florida residents, business owners and community leaders gathered at the Plaza Cinema Café for the 2009 State of Downtown Orlando event.

State of Downtown is my annual opportunity to give our community a progress report on our collective effort to reshape and revitalize our Downtown district - Central Florida's urban core. The event is also a chance for Downtown stakeholders to celebrate the successes of the past year and plan for the future.

If you weren't able to make it to the event in-person, you can watch it on the City's web site by clicking here.

Sincerely,

 Buddy Dyer Mayor

Also in this weeks City News: Strengthen Orlando: Buy Local Orlando Highlight, Wells Landing Public Safety Update: Citizen Police Academy, Teen Police Academy Green Works Update: OUC Adds Solar Panels to Utility Poles City Council Update Did You Know? Events

Orlando has always been known as the happiest place on earth but now it will also be known as the healthiest.

This week, the collaborative efforts of our community to create a Medical City were realized as we celebrated the opening of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research. This state-of-the-art research facility will create lasting benefits for both the medical industry and our Central Florida community.

The Burnham Institute joins the UCF College of Medicine, the Veterans Hospital and Nemours Children's Hospital at our Medical City at Lake Nona. These new facilities are quickly expanding medical care options for Central Florida residents and creating the jobs of tomorrow in some of the most cutting edge fields of healthcare and bio-medical research.

The opening of the Burnham Institute is a testament to the power of this community's collaborative spirit, a spirit that is shaping the future of Central Florida.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Also in this weeks City News:

Strengthen Orlando: Buy Local Orlando Highlight, Wells Landing
Public Safety Update: Citizen Police Academy, Teen Police Academy
Green Works Update: OUC Adds Solar Panels to Utility Poles
City Council Update
Did You Know?
Events

The vaccination is the best way to help prevent being infected or spreading the flu. However, you can also help keep yourself and others from becoming infected from the flu by washing your hands frequently, as both H1N1 and the seasonal flu can be spread by touch. Health officials are asking that people who have flu like symptoms - fever, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches - avoid work or school to keep from spreading the infection. Since the flu can be spread through touch, cough into your arm, not your hand, to help prevent spreading the illness.

For more information about the flu, visit flu.gov, the Federal Government's one-stop source for information on H1N1 and the seasonal flu.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Share Your Downtown Story

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites you to share your favorite Downtown testimonial. Ten participants will be selected to receive two free tickets to Mayor Dyer's State of Downtown Address on Thursday, October 15 at the Plaza Cinema Café.

Also in this weeks City News:

Strengthen Orlando: Buy Local Orlando Highlight
Green Works Update: Keep Orlando Beautiful Volunteer Opportunities
Community Venues:  Amway Center Webcams
Did You Know?
Mayor in the Community
Events