February 3, 2012 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

During Black History Month in February we remember the outstanding contributions of African Americans to our country’s history and acknowledge significant African-Americans who have helped to make America great. The following is an excerpt from the Official Presidential Proclamation for African American History Month, signed and issued by President Barack Obama:

Free Neighborhood Leadership Training

Topic: Enhancing Neighborhood Safety: It’s a Partnership!
Date and Time: Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Orange County Internal Operations Center I, 450 East South Street, immediately west of Channel 9 TV Station

Feeling safe in your home is very important to how you feel about where you live. Crime prevention experts will discuss the top crime and safety issues that adversely affect neighborhoods and the many resources and solutions to increase safety in your home and neighborhood. Find out about crime prevention grants, Neighborhood Watch, Citizens on Patrol, gang prevention, youth programs and more!

To register for this workshop, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2646932045 or call the Orange County Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization Division at 407.836.0035.

Attend Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 7th Annual Neighborhood and Community Summit - Register Today!

Please join Mayor Dyer on Saturday, March 17, from 7:30 am to 2:15 pm for his seventh annual Mayor’s Neighborhood and Community Summit. The event will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel at the entrance to Universal Orlando, (5780 Major Boulevard) the same location as last year’s Summit. The Summit brings together neighborhood, arts and cultural, civic, community and faith based leaders and volunteers to learn and share best practices for community building and civic engagement. We encourage you to invite your board members and committee chairs to attend this Summit. You will be able to select from 21 workshops covering a variety of different topics that will help you manage your neighborhood organization.

Click here for workshops, more details and to register and pay online to attend this Summit. You may register by mail or in person with the City of Orlando’s Office of Community Affairs in City Hall at 400 S. Orange Avenue or online at CityofOrlando.net/Summit. Register by March 1 and only pay $5. After March 1 the Summit fee is $10.

Click here to nominate a leader for the Neighborhood Champion Award. The award will be presented at the annual Neighborhood and Community Summit on March 17, 2012.

Neighbors Getting to Know Each Other Through Green Up Orlando

Spring Lake Manor Neighborhood Association hosted a Green Up beautification day to enhance the front entrance to their neighborhood. They partnered with Green Up Orlando to make this beautification project a reality. The association was responsible for bringing the labor and the City of Orlando’s Green Up team, under the leadership of Jan Rahill, provided the plants, the tools, technical assistance and all other materials to ensure the plants were properly planted to thrive. The association is responsible for watering and maintaining the plants at the entranceway. Tom Roseberry, the association president said, "Our entranceway looks great again! It was so much fun socializing with everyone this afternoon." For more information about organizing Green Ups in your neighborhood contact either Jan Rahill at 407.246.3504 or Janice.Rahill@CityofOrlando.net or Cindy Light at 407.246.3245 or Cindy.Light@CityofOrlando.net.

Share your events, photographs, best practices and processes that are working in your neighborhood with other neighborhood organizations throughout the City. Contact Cindy Light with the Office of Communications and Neighborhood Relations at Cindy.Light@CityofOrlando.net.

Keep up to date with events, parking options and road closures related to the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at CityofOrlando.net/allstar.

NBA All-Star 2012 Recycling Event

During NBA All-Star 2012, as part of the NBA's overall greening and sustainability efforts, fans will be given the opportunity to responsibly recycle unwanted electronic products such as cell phones, computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers and fax machines at this one day recycling event.

This event will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Orlando Festival Park (2911 East Robinson Street).

Don't throw away your old electronics, bring them to be recycled! For more information, please contact Jody Buyas at Jody.Buyas@CityofOrlando.net or 407.246.2752.

Did You Know?

Mayor's City Academy Applications Due Today

Want to learn more about your City government? The City of Orlando is currently accepting applications for the 2012 Mayor's City Academy. This 10-week program offers citizens a unique look inside their City government. Participants will interact with City employees and take part in real life situations. They will tour Orlando City Hall and the Amway Center, interact with our police and fire departments, learn about downtown development, participate in activities with our Families, Parks and Recreation Department and learn more about our housing and transportation initiatives. Participants will leave the program being more informed, engaged and ready to get involved in their City government!

For more information and the online application for the Spring 2012 session, visit CityofOrlando.net/Mayor. All applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. today.

Walk for Peace

On Saturday, February 25, Commissioner Samuel B. Ings and District 6 will be hosting an inaugural Walk for Peace. The one-mile walk will start at the Frontline Outreach Center (300 C.R. Smith Street) and make its way to conclude at Hankins Park (1340 Lake Park Court). There, local speakers will address the public and local businesses will host a job fair. This event is to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. For more information call Cynthia Wilson, Aide to Commissioner Ings, at 407.246.3016.

Pilot PKZ Hot Meal Feeding Program Launched

In late January, the Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) kicked off the hot meal feeding program. The program offers nutritious meals two evenings a week at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Center to Parramore youth enrolled in both tutoring and sports. Approximately 80 youth gather every Monday and Wednesday evening, after a fun afternoon participating in PKZ programs. PKZ empowers youth to make nutritious food choices for lifelong healthy eating habits. For more information on the Parramore Kidz Zone, visit CityofOrlando.net/PKZ or call 407.292.6500.
 

Mayor in the Community

United Negro College Fund’s 66th National Alumni Council and 54th National Pre-Alumni Council Leadership Conference
On Thursday, February 2, Mayor Dyer spoke at the opening assembly of the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) 66th National Alumni Council (NAC) and 54th National Pre-Alumni Council (NPAC) Leadership Conference. The UNCF NAC/NPAC four-day Leadership Conference will provide opportunities for alumni, students, college presidents and UNCF staff to participate in networking, motivational and educational workshops, and events.

Upcoming Events

City Halll
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email: Buddy.Dyer@CityofOrlando.net