3rd Annual Kool Playgrounds Golf Tournament

WHAT:  

The City of Orlando's Families, Parks and Recreation Department's Recreation Division would like to invite you to its third annual Kool Playgrounds Golf Tournament on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Dubsdread Golf Course. The golf tournament will benefit the non-profit Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. This 501(c)(3) organization serves as the fundraising arm for the City's Families, Parks, and Recreation Department to provide scholarships, programs and activities that are not regularly part of the department's allocated funds. Projects and activities funded by the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. enhance the quality of life for youth, families, and senior citizens living in the City of Orlando. Last year's tournament raised $15,000 that went to athletics and youth initiatives, additional senior programming, and enhancements to the City's recreation centers.

Corporate foursomes, foursomes, and individual players are invited to participate in this best ball scramble format tournament. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and shot gun starts at 8:30 a.m. The title sponsor is Kool Playgrounds, and other sponsorship opportunities are available including hole, awards luncheon, and food and beverage sponsorship.

Registration rates are as follows:

  · Corporate foursome - $540 (includes hole sponsorship and signage)
  · Foursome - $340
  · Individual - $85

Anyone interested in registering for the tournament, sponsorship opportunities, or receiving further information can contact Joyce Gordon at (407) 246-4292 for more information on this charity event, or for more information on Orlando Community and Youth Trust call Brenda March at (407) 246-4295 or brenda.march@cityoforlando.net.
 
WHO:  City of Orlando's Families, Parks and Recreation
Recreation Division
Dubsdread Golf Course
Orlando residents
 
WHEN:  Saturday, November 21, 2009
  · 7:00 a.m. – Registration
  · 8:00 a.m. – Shot Gun Start
 
WHERE:  Dubsdread Golf Course
549 West Par St.

Mayor Buddy Dyer to Kick-Off Holidays With Food Drive

WHAT:  The holiday season is a time for gatherings with family and friends, but it is also a time to be thankful for what we have and to give back. To encourage residents to volunteer this holiday season, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is leading the effort by launching the City's Holiday Food Drive.

Mayor Dyer will kick off the food drive by “working along” with staff at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's “Food Rescue Center” warehouse and volunteers from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Orange County. The “work along” is an effort to create awareness about the need for food donations year round, but especially during the holidays.

The City of Orlando's Holiday Food Drive, benefitting the Second Harvest Food Bank, will commence November 17 and run thru December 1. Critical need items (non-perishable) include:

Meals in a Can Non-fat Dry Milk Oatmeal
Canned Meats/Poultry Evaporated Milk Drinks
Canned Tuna Peanut Butter Rice
Dry Beans Canned Veggies Canned Soup
Pasta/Macaroni Canned Fruit Diapers
Nutritional Drinks Beef Stew Baby Food

Collection sites can be found at the following locations:

· City Hall (rotunda)
· Downtown Orlando Information Center
· All Orlando Fire Department Firehouses
· All Families, Parks & Recreation Community Centers
 
HOLIDAY
LIGHTS ORLANDO  Throughout the remainder of the year, the City of Orlando will host numerous holiday events and volunteer opportunities that residents can participate in. For a full listing of holiday volunteer opportunities and events including the City's Holiday Food Drive, Orlando Main Street events and Ice Skating at Lake Eola Park please visit, www.cityoforlando.net/holiday.
 
WHERE:  Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
“Food Rescue Center”
1918 W. Princeton Street
Orlando, FL 32804
 
WHEN:  Tuesday, November 17, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
Second
Harvest Food
Bank of Central
Florida::  Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFBCF) is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 500 agencies that feed the hungry throughout Central Florida. Last year, with the help of numerous donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributed more than 21 million pounds of grocery products – the equivalent of more than 14 million meals – to partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, senior centers, day care centers and Kids Cafes. On average, more than 54,000 different people receive assistance from SHFBCF each week. For additional information, visit feedhopenow.org
 
RSVP of
Orange County:  For more than 36 years, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Orange County has been the premier organization for seniors 55 and better who wish to volunteer in our community. RSVP works with over 120 nonprofit and governmental agencies in our community that meet critical needs such as Coalition for the Homeless, Second Harvest Food Bank, Adult Literacy League, and Habitat for Humanity. They also help deliver Meals on Wheels, visit the elderly, read to children, rock babies at the hospital, mediate at the courthouse, patrol their neighborhoods through the COP program, and so much more. Last year, nearly 1,300 volunteers gave over 235,000 hours of their time and talent to help others. In doing so, RSVP volunteers contributed over $4,000,000 in services to the City of Orlando and Orange County. For additional information, visit rsvporangecountyfl.com

Orlando Residents Have Access to Easy-to-Use Prescription Drug Discount Card Launched Today

In current economic climate, where people are watching their spending, discount card can offer average savings of 20 percent off drug retail prices

ORLANDO — The City of Orlando lead by District 5 City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum today launched a program to help provide residents with some relief from the high cost of prescription drugs.

The city is making free prescription drug discount cards available to city residents through a program sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC). The discount cards offer city residents an average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

The discount cards may be used by all Orlando residents and has no restrictions based on the resident's age, income level, or existing health coverage. The NLC card can be used when purchasing prescription drugs at pharmacies around the city, as well as at more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies across the country.

“In the current economic climate, where many people are watching what they spend, Orlando is excited to partner with the National League of Cities to make this prescription discount card available for our residents,” said Commissioner Lynum. “Whether or not an individual has prescription coverage, this program can make it easier for our residents to afford the drugs they need to deal with a short-term illness or stay healthy by managing a chronic condition.”

Cards are available at City Hall and a variety of other City buildings at no cost to city residents. City residents can call toll-free 1-888-620-1749 or visit www.caremark.com/nlc for assistance with the program.

“Not only does the NLC prescription discount card help residents save money on their medications, it is easy to use,” added Lynum. “Orlando residents only have to show their card when purchasing medication at one of the many participating pharmacies. There is no enrollment form required to get a card, no membership fee of any kind and city residents and their family members can use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”

The discount card program is administered by CVS Caremark.

About The National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. To learn more about NLC, go to www.nlc.org.

The City of Orlando Joins Florida CFO Alex Sink to Host Housing Workshop to Help Residents

WHAT:  To help Orlando residents' combat foreclosure, the City of Orlando is joining forces with Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and the State Department of Financial Services to host the Orlando Housing Help Workshop.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 2 City Commissioner Tony Ortiz will host the workshop which will feature information on assistance available to families facing foreclosure in Orlando. Specialists will be on hand at the workshop to meet with residents who are looking for viable alternatives to foreclosure. The workshop will include opportunities to meet with mortgage lender, HUD-certified housing counselors, local housing authorities, legal assistance, credit counseling services and many other foreclosure assistance programs.
 
WHY:  This workshop is part of Mayor Dyer's Strengthen Orlando initiative, the City of Orlando's uniquely local effort to aid Central Florida's economy by creating jobs, providing economic stimulus and connecting residents with vital resources and information.
 
WHEN:  Saturday, November 7, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
WHERE:  Engelwood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
 

For more information or to register, please call 850.413.3089 or
1.877.MY.FL.CFO (1.877.693.5246). Registration is not required.

Commissioner Diamond Celebrates
"Lights On" at Blankner Baseball Field
WHAT:  District 1 Commissioner Phil Diamond will host the "Lights On" ceremony to commemorate turning on the new lights at Blankner School. School groups, the Delaney Park Little League and other civic groups will now be able to safely play during the darker evening hours.

"It is important to do more with less during difficult economic times," said Commissioner Diamond. "It is expensive for the City to purchase land and build more baseball fields on its own. However, by partnering with the Orange County School Board to light an existing baseball field, the City is able to provide more field time for our youth. This is critically important because our youth need more supervised activities to stay safe and busy."

Blankner School, Orange County Public Schools, the City's Families, Parks and Recreation Department, Delaney Park Little League, and the construction company that installed the lights, M. Gay Constructors, Inc. will join Commissioner Diamond at this event.
 
WHO:  District 1 City Commissioner Phil Diamond
City of Orlando's Families, Parks and Recreation Department
Blankner School
Orange County Public Schools
Delaney Park Little League
M. Gay Constructors, Inc.
Orlando children
WHEN:  Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
 
WHERE:  Blankner School - Baseball Field
2500 S. Mills Avenue
 

Admission and parking for this event is free. Please call 407.246.3011 for more information.

City of Orlando Hosts Community Forum for Local, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

WHAT:  In the upcoming months, the City of Orlando will issue the first non-construction related Request for Proposal (RFP) for new the Amway Center – the Concessionaire Contractor. The Concessionaire Contractor will provide food service management for the Amway Center, Bob Carr Performing Arts Center and the Citrus Bowl.

One of the central elements of the RFP is that the selected firm partner with small, local, women and minority-owned companies that can meet the diverse needs of guests attending sporting events, concerts, banquets, community events, family shows and other activities. In order to help achieve this participation, the City of Orlando will be hosting a business networking forum on October 27. This forum is for local, minority and women-owned companies to network with national food service providers who may bid on the Concessionaire Contractor RFP and get a better understanding of the City's RFP process.
 
WHEN:  Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10:00 a.m.
 
WHERE:  Varsity Club
One Citrus Bowl Place
Orlando, Florida 32805

The City of Orlando's Music in the Gazebo Concert Series Kicks Off with a Free Folk Concert

WHAT:  On Sunday, November 8, 2009, the City of Orlando will kick off Music in the Gazebo, a free concert series that runs October through March featuring concerts on the second Sunday of every month at the Mayor Carl T. Langford Park.

Sunday, November 8, spend the afternoon at Mayor Carl T. Langford Park and sit under live oak trees while you hear the sounds of folk music from special guests including opening act “Back in Time” and main act “Worral & McKee.”
Before the concert at 1:00 p.m., there will be a chance for attendees to informally play their own musical instrument in the back porch jam.
 
WHEN:  November 8, 2009; 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m
 
WHERE:  Covered Gazebo at Mayor Carl T. Langford Park
1808 East Central Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32803

For more information on Music in the Gazebo, call Nikki Palean at the Mayor Carl T. Langford Park Neighborhood Center at (407) 246-4464 or at (407) 246-4463.

WHAT: Orlando District 1 Picnic

WHEN: October 24, 2009 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Wadeview Park
500 East Harding Street Orlando, FL 32806

ORLANDO, FL – District 1 Commissioner Phil Diamond will host the annual District Fall Picnic and invites local residents to join him at Wadeview Park. "Last year's picnic was a tremendous success with over 600 residents and their families enjoying the activities. I look forward to hosting this event every year because it offers an opportunity for citizens to come out and meet their neighbors and enjoy the fall weather", said Commissioner Diamond. Children of all ages can participate in a variety of family-friendly activities at Saturday's picnic including an obstacle course, moonwalks, face painting, and demonstrations by the Orlando Police and Fire Departments, musical entertainment, food and soft drinks. In addition, they can meet critters from the Central Florida Zoo. In addition to these activities, the picnic will also be a day for community service, with a food drive benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Voluntary donations of canned goods, nonperishable food, and financial contributions will be accepted. Admission and parking for this event is free. Please call 407-246-3011 for more information.