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Dear friends,
This week, we had the wonderful opportunity to join together with friends and family and celebrate our country's Independence Day and, for the first time ever, a Space Shuttle launch on July 4th. I was fortunate enough to spend the holiday with more than 125,000 Central Floridians who came out to Lake Eola Park for Fireworks at the Fountain. Thank you to all the City staff and community partners that worked tirelessly on this spectacular event for the citizens of Orlando.
There are highlights from Fireworks at the Fountain in this issue of City News, as well as tips to using energy more efficiently during the hot summer months.
As always, please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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It's summertime, and you know what that means, sweltering temperatures across Central Florida. As you adjust your thermostat, remember that using energy efficiently makes good sense year-round, and it can really pay off this time of year.
OUC-The Reliable One, recommends the following tips to keep your utility bills down this summer:
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Set your thermostat between 78-80 degrees and make sure the fan switch is set to "Auto." Each degree you raise the thermostat above 78 degrees will save 6 to 8 percent on your cooling bill.
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Replace air conditioning filters monthly.
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Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours from 5-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
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Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.
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Don't leave outside doors open while the air conditioning is on. If you do, you will be air conditioning the outdoors.
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Caulk and weatherstrip leaky windows and doors.
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Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
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Use task lighting and focus the light where you need it instead of lighting an entire room.
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Close curtains, shutters and mini-blinds to keep the summer's heat out.
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Wash clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible. Wash and dry full loads, and set your water heater to 125 degrees.
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For additional conservation tips, please visit www.ouc.com.
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The Mayor's Faith-based and Community Matching Grant application is currently available on our website: www.cityoforlando.net. Any 501(c)(3) organization providing programs, which support youth character development and/or civic responsibility may apply. The City will host a workshop on how to complete the application on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., on the 9th Floor of City Hall. If you would like to attend, please reserve a seat by calling (407) 246-2169. The completed application is due Friday, August 18, 2006, at 5 p.m.
The Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grant (MNMG) application will be available in late July and is due Friday, September 29, 2006. For more information about the Matching Grants, please contact Christine Lewis in the Office of Neighborhood & Community Affairs (NCA) at 407-246-3189 or christine.lewis@cityoforlando.net.
NCA provides information on City services, programs, and initiatives to Orlando residents. This office also assists community, neighborhood, and civic organizations and individuals in utilizing City and community resources to enhance the quality of life in the City. NCA assists Orlando's nearly 100 residential neighborhoods and numerous community organizations with everything from neighborhood outreach to volunteer programs to arts and cultural awareness to grants programs.
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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioners are hosting a series of neighborhood meetings for residents to discuss how new and updated community venues can enhance our City neighborhoods and where we stand in the process. The neighborhood meetings will also offer opportunities for residents to get engaged with these projects.
The Orlando City Council made a bold decision to move forward to meet our City's need for creating a regional economic hub with world-class community venues—performing arts center, events center and Citrus Bowl. At that time, the City Council decided not just to build buildings, but also to embark on a process to transform neighborhoods through master planning. The City is working to build a community that celebrates its neighborhoods and its people, while also providing things like entertainment venues, roads and parks that meet residents' needs.
It is essential that as City and County leaders continue to discuss the potential funding structure and master planning for these community venues, residents are given opportunities to become engaged in this exciting planning process. Below please find a series of neighborhood meetings that are being held throughout Orlando. Please note a change in times and some dates since the last issue of City News.
August 8, 2006 at 12:45 p.m.
Dover Shores Community Center
1400 Gaston Foster Rd
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August 8, 2006 at 6:45 p.m.
Dr. J.R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Blvd
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August 9, 2006 at 1:45 p.m.
Beardall Senior Center
800 S. Delaney Ave
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August 9, 2006 at 6:45 p.m.
Orlando Science Center, Founders Room
777 E. Princeton Street
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August 15, 2006 at 6:45 p.m.
Northlake Park Community School, Media Room
9055 Northlake Parkway
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August 17, 2006 at 6:45 p.m.
Rock Lake Community Center
440 N. Tampa Ave.
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Residents with questions regarding these meetings may contact Susan Harris in the Office of Neighborhood and Community Affairs at 407-246-2779 or email her at susan.harris@cityoforlando.net.
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