October 2, 2009 - City News

Mayor's Message

This week, I joined local health officials to receive my annual flu shot and to encourage the community to get vaccinated in order to help prevent the spread of the seasonal influenza virus. While the H1N1 virus has received a lot of attention, it’s actually the seasonal flu that affects more people.

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.

Mayor, PKZ Kids Help at Ronald McDonald House

This Wednesday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and youth from the City’s Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) joined fellow Orlando leaders to prepare and serve meals to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Orlando as part of their Share-A-Meal program.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida is a non-profit organization whose cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House, serves as a “home away from home” for families with children receiving treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities. The goal of the Share-A-Meal program is to provide a well-balanced meal every day to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Under his Strengthen Orlando plan, Mayor Dyer transitioned his series of work-alongs to focus primarily on community service. Through leading by example, Mayor Dyer encourages citizens to get involved and give back to their community. To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida and the Share-A-Meal program, contact Laura Heidrich at 407.206.0957, ext. 102 or lheidrich@rmhccf.org.

Buy Local Orlando Highlights

Buy Local Orlando is under way and each week we want to make sure you know that you can get great deals, discounts and offers. There are more than 150 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign offering special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

• Did you know Big Belly Brewery (33 W. Church Street) serves great food? Buy Local Orlando consumers receive 50% off any appetizer with the purchase of an entrée (one discount per card per visit). Also, Buy Local Orlando consumers receive free entry on Friday and Saturday nights before 11 p.m. for cardholder and one guest. Call 407.649.4270 or visit churchstreetbars.com for more information.
   
• Are you looking to get in shape? When Buy Local Orlando consumers buy ten one-hour personal training sessions at Florida Fitness Concepts (1039 N. Mills Avenue), they get four free! Call 407.257.1685 for more information.
   
• Planning a vacation? At Thornton Park Travel, Buy Local Orlando consumers receive $50.00 off any four night or longer air and hotel vacation package or any five night or longer cruise. Call 407.517.4705 or visit thorntonparktravel.com for more information.

For more information on the Buy Local Orlando program, please visit buylocalorlando.net.

Keep Orlando Beautiful has two volunteer opportunities approaching. Volunteers are needed to assist at the Ivanhoe Village Main Street Free Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10th, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help break down and clean up after the festival. The festival takes place on North Orange Avenue and Virginia Drive at Lake Ivanhoe. You can enjoy the festival before assisting with the clean up. Beverages will be provided to all volunteers. For more information and to participate, please email Charles at IvanhoeVillageMS@gmail.com or call him at 407.484.5839.

Keep Orlando Beautiful will also hold a Lake Fran Cleanup on Saturday, October 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. All supplies will be provided, including water and a light snack. For more information and to participate, e-mail jody.goostree@cityoforlando.net or call 407.246.2752.

Amway Center Webcam

You don’t have to drive downtown to see the progress of the Amway Center. Watch the progress of the construction with the Amway Center Webcams. Showing a bird's eye view of the two blocks south of Church Street and west of I-4, which will become the home of the City's new venue for sports, music and entertainment, the cameras take a picture every 15 minutes and save the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The webcams can be found online.

Community Venues Construction Update

Mayor in the Community

• Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the City of Orlando’s Workplace Giving Open House on Tuesday. The educational event allowed City employees to visit with representatives from non-profit organizations as part of the City’s internal fund-raising campaign for charities and social service agencies.
   
• On Wednesday, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the grand opening of Darden Restaurant’s new main headquarters on John Young Parkway. Darden Restaurants is a Fortune 500 company that includes Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Smokey Bones.

Did You Know?

Florida Tuskers Season Opener

The season opener for the Florida Tuskers, your hometown United Football League team, is October 10th at 7 p.m. against the New York Sentinels at the Citrus Bowl. To get your tickets click here.

The Pottery Studio

The City of Orlando’s Pottery Studio is now offering an adult pottery program and a family pottery workshop. The adult pottery program is offered to adults of all skill levels and schedules. This 13 week program is $45 for adults and $30 for seniors who are residents of the City of Orlando. Sessions are on-going and registration is accepted at anytime.

The family pottery workshop brings children and parents together to create unique, hand-built projects in clay. The workshop is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information including dates, studio hours and costs for non-residents click here or call 407.246.4488. The Pottery Studio is located at 649 W. Livingston Street.

Orlando Scorchers Gulp Tampa Con Leches

Mayor Buddy Dyer’s fantasy football team, the Orlando Scorchers, scalded the Tampa Con Leches in an 89-77 victory this past weekend. Mayor Dyer is now the only undefeated mayor in the Yahoo Sports Mayoral Face-off. If Mayor Dyer wins the season, the charity competition will split the $15,000 prize between the Parramore Kidz Zone and the Orlando After-School All-Stars. Both programs provide sports and educational programs to children who would otherwise not have the opportunity.

This week, the Scorchers are ready to ignite OMG Its OKC, Oklahama City Mayor Mick Cornett’s 2-1 team in what could be the biggest challenge of the season so far for Orlando. To follow the action, visit http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f2/mayoral-faceoff.

Donate to Help Save Lake Eola Park Fountain

The Lake Eola Park Fountain is currently inoperable due to damage from a lightning strike. This historic fountain has been the central feature of Lake Eola Park and Downtown Orlando since its installation in 1957. The outpouring of concern for the state of the Lake Eola Park Fountain has been a testament to its significance as a local landmark. The City appreciates its residents’ desire to help in this situation and would like to address the fastest and most effective way people can make a difference.

People can make a tax-deductible donation specifically for the Lake Eola Park Fountain. The City’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department manages Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. (OCYT), the 501(c)(3) non-profit fundraising arm of the organization. If you are interested in supporting the Lake Eola Park Fountain restoration project, go to the OCYT website to donate either using PayPal or check or contact Brenda March, the President of OCYT at Brenda.March@cityoforlando.net or 407.246.4295.

Watch a history of the Lake Eola Fountain.

Upcoming Events

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842 Email: buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net