January 15, 2010 ~ Orange County Government ~ Neighborhood Update
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neighborhood Stabilization
v Orange County Neighborhood Stabilization Program ~ if you are interested in buying a home or know someone that may be interested, the Housing and Community Development Division’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program may be just right for you. This program provides down payment assistance of up to $35,000, and closing costs will be paid by Orange County for qualified homebuyers. The homes are energy efficient, affordable and have been recently renovated. For more information, use the link to visit their website or contact them directly at 407-836-5189.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need Help with Mortgage?
v The Making Home Affordable Program was created to help millions of homeowners refinance or modify their mortgages at a level that is affordable now as well as in the future. If you or someone you know may be among the millions of homeowners who will benefit from this program, call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) to determine you eligibility, access additional resources, and learn how to get the help you may need. To find a local HUD-approved housing counselor, visit www.hud.gov – they are familiar with the program and their services are FREE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crime Prevention & Safety
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
v 2009 crime numbers are down with the exception of burglaries to vehicles: Orange County continues to see a reduction in all major crime categories with the exception of burglaries to vehicles. Orange County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Officers say the auto burglary rate would be lower if people would simply remove valuable items from their cars and lock them whenever they are left unattended. Petty thieves are opportunists who often go from car to car, simply open unlocked doors, and steal GPS devices, cell phones, loose change, and other easy to grab items. Securing your valuable items from prying eyes and locking your cars is especially important when thieves are on the look out for easy to grab items left in unattended and unsecured cars. Follow the LINK for a look at our year to date crime statistics.
v Crime Prevention Squad
v The Daily Briefing
v Civilian Police Academy
v Children’s Safety Village
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crime Prevention Resources
v Call for nominations for the Neighborhood Watch Awards of Excellence
v CrimeLine Warrants: Use this like to find out who is wanted by the police. If you have information about the location of any wanted person, contact CrimeLine or call 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous!
v OCSO Crime Prevention Unit: All OCSO Crime Prevention Officers’ contact information has been updated. For more information about Orange County Sheriff’s Office programs such as Neighborhood Watch or COP’s, and other important crime prevention information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit, (407) 254-7433, or go to OCSO Program Brochures.
v Neighborhood Crime Statistics: Use this link, if you would like crime stats for your neighborhood streets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Neighborhood Services Division
Our Mission is to strengthen the Orange County community
we design services which empower citizens and neighborhood organizations
in ways that help citizens increase their involvement in community decision making.
(407) 836-5606 ~ NeighborhoodServices@ocfl.net
v Community Connections Workshop: “Board of Directors Training 101” ~ Saturday, February 13, 9 am to 12 pm, Orange County Internal Operations Center, 450 E. South Street, Orlando 32801 - If you are a new or seasoned board member of a mandatory property association, then this workshop is a must attend! Being elected to your association’s board of directors doesn’t prepare you to serve on the board. Learn the basics to be an effective board member, from understanding your role to running an effective organization. Topics covered will include board orientation basics and fiduciary responsibilities. Please submit your legal questions in advance to: nservices@ocfl.net or (407) 836-5613 by February 8, 2010. Thank you!
v Connecting Neighbors & Neighborhoods: This television program is produced by OrangeTV & Neighborhood Services. Watch it to learn how to make your neighborhood and Orange County the best possible place to live! Here are some of the latest great topics you may learn more about:
Show 18: Firewise Communities
Show 17: Property Association Board Orientation
Show 16: ReNEW Your Neighborhood!
v Neighborhood Update: Access this E-Newsletter from our website!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Parks & Recreation Division
Upcoming Events & Important Information!
(407) 836-6200 ~ Email
v Summer Recreation Scholarships
Scholarships, valued at $300 each, are now available from The OC Club. Mayor Richard T. Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners offer The OC Club scholarships annually to qualifying low and moderate-income youth. Applications must be postmarked by February 26, accompanied by support documents, or delivered in person to the OC Clubhouse located at Barnett Park, by 5 pm: Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando 32803. Scholarships will be awarded through a lottery system in early March and must be used for programs that end by August 28, 2010. For more information call The OC Club's 24-hour InfoLine (407) 836-9790, or mail: theclub@ocfl.net.
v Mark Street Senior Recreation Complex
Starting January 18, Seniorcise Program - a simple fitness course for seniors consisting of chair exercises and stretches. This program is designed to promote strength and range of motion. For more information, visit the Parks Database at the end of this section.
v Renaissance Senior Center activities – South Econ Community Park (East Orange County)
February 5, 7 pm and 10 pm Ballroom Dance After Hours ~ Show your talents with Julius bringing the music. The cost is $7 per person. Some refreshments will be provided.
February 14, March 14, 1 to 4 pm - Flea Market – Buy, sell, or trade your treasures. Tables are only $5. Please call ahead of time to reserve your table.
Every Thursday, 3 to 5 pm – Bingo! and a chance to win up to three prizes. $2 entry fee to play and we encourage you to bring your own refreshments.
Renaissance Senior Center is located at 3800 S. Echnlockhatchee Trail, Orlando 32829. For more information, call (407) 254-9070.
v Pre-School Program
9:30 to 11 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, The ABC’s & 123’s is for children ages 3-6 and their adult caregiver; includes story time and more. FREE, for more information call (407) 836-6248.
v Parks Database ~ Use this link to quickly see what’s happening at any of Orange County park location; there are lots of events and activities are going on at Orange County’s Parks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Animal Services Division
Upcoming Events & Important Announcements!
(407) 254-9140 ~ AnimalServices@ocfl.net
v Donate a Dog Bed!
Animal Services home page now features an easy way to donate a Kuranda dog bed at a discounted price. Help make a shelter pet’s stay more comfortable.
v Newspapers Are Always Needed! ~ Animal Services is located across from the Mall at Millenia and Ikea. Drop off newspaper at 2769 Conroy Road, 9 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday or 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday.
v Stay connected with Animal Services! Twitter click here! YouTube click here! Facebook click here!
(Search Orange County Animal Services)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Code Enforcement Division
“Working for a better Community”
3-1-1 or (407) 836-3111 ~ CodeEnforcement@ocfl.net
v "Working for a better community": The Code Enforcement Division exists to enhance the quality of life and economy of Orange County through enforcing regulations that preserve and protect neighborhoods. The Division will promote voluntary compliance by establishing partnerships with citizens, community groups and other agencies. Register a Complaint Online.
v Residential Boat Parking ~ County Zoning code restricts where boats are stored and the number of boats allowed. A boat less than or equal to 24 feet may be parked, stored, or kept inside a garage, under a carport, in the driveway, in the front yard on an approved surface, in the side yard, or in the rear half of the lot or parcel. A boat greater than 24 feet may be parked, stored or kept inside a garage, under a carport, or in the rear half of the lot or parcel, but not in the driveway or in the front yard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Environmental Protection Division
Upcoming Events & Important Information!
(407) 836-1400 ~ EPDwebcomments@ocfl.net
v Household Hazardous Waste ~ Learn more and what to do about it.
v Orange County goes from Orange to Green with paperless payroll
v Environmental Programs ~ Use this link to find out how to make new environmental discoveries at Orange County Park Locations!
v Stay connected with Environmental Protection (EPD)! Twitter click here! YouTube click here! Facebook click here!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County UF/Cooperative Extension
Check Out What’s Available to Orange County Residents…
6021 South Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812
(407) 254-9200 ~ orange@ifas.ufl.edu
v Spring Lawn Tune-Up
February 11, 6 to 7:30 pm, Jessie Brock Community Center
February 13, 2010, 9 am – 10:30 am, Orange County Extension
Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (407) 254-9200
v Start a Community Garden
February 20, 9 to 11 am, Mead Gardens, Winter Park ~ Learn how to start a community garden, what to grow and when to grow it with helpful factsheets and area resources to help with setting up a new Community Garden. Learn about the “hands-on” opportunities that exist at the Theodore L. Mead Community Gardeners Learning Centre at Mead Garden in Winter Park.
Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (407) 254-9200
v EcoNomicLiving Expo: February 6, 9 am – 1 pm, Orange County Extension Center, 6021 South Conway Rd. Orlando, 32812 ~ Program will feature workshops on sustainability, alternative and solar energy, water quality and supply, Florida Friendly Landscaping, and gardening. “Dr. G” from the reality television series on the Discovery Health Channel “Dr. G: Medical Examiner” is the keynote speaker. Event is free to the public. RSVP 407-254-9200 to ensure seating for keynote address. For more information visit our website: http://ocextension.ifas.ufl.edu.
v Tree Adoption Program: Orange County Cooperative Extension hosts tree adoptions, free to all Orange County citizens. Along with the obvious advantages of shade and beauty, trees provide oxygen, filter, pollution, and create habitats for wildlife. Adding trees also replenish lost canopy due to storm damage, age, and development. And of course, pride of ownership, a sense of accomplishment and increased property value are added perks. The tree adoptions events will be held the on following dates and locations from 8am until 12noon, or when all trees are gone:
2010 Streetscape Tree Adoptions Schedule
Date Location Address
Jan 23 Bear Creek Park 1600 Bear Crossing Dr, Orlando 32824
Feb 13 Ft. Christmas Historical park 1300 Ft. Christmas Rd, Christmas FL 32709
Mar 13 Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Dr, Orlando 32808
Apr 10 Tibet Butler Preserve 8777 County Rd 535, Orlando 32836
May 15 Magnolia Park 2929 Binion Rd, Apopka FL 32703
Jun 12 Jay Blanchard Park 2451 N. Dean Rd., Orlando 32817
Jul 24 Bear Creek Park 1600 Bear Crossing Dr., Orlando FL 32824
Aug 14 Ft Christmas Historical Park 1300 Fort Christmas Rd., Christmas FL 32709
Sep 18 Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando FL 32808
Oct 9 Tiber Butler Preserve 8777 County Rd., 535, Orlando FL 32836
Nov 13 Magnolia Park 2929 Binion Rd., Apopka FL 32703
Dec 11 Jay Blanchard Park 2451 N. Dean Rd., Orlando FL 32817.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Commission on Aging
News in Central Florida…This information isn’t just for Seniors!
2100 E. Michigan Street, 2nd Floor, Orlando, Fl. 32806
(407) 836-7616 ~ OfficeOnAging@ocfl.net
v Counsel for Caregivers Seminar
January 21, 12:10 to 12:50pm ~ This month’s presentation is the “What to Consider when Selecting a Long Term Care Facility” given by Edith Gendron, with Emeritus Senior Living. Join this FREE seminar, at the Downtown Orlando Public Library, 3rd Floor, Albertson Room. Lunch is provided for the first 50 people to RSVP to 407-836-7446 or officeonaging@ocfl.net.
v Upcoming Counsel for Caregivers monthly seminars
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
All seminars are held the third Thursday of the month, beginning at 12:10 – 12:50 pm, Orlando Public Library, Third Floor, Albertson Room, 101 E. Central Bvd., Orlando.
v Recommended Reading: “Lessons for Living Longer.From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner.
v Partner Paragraph: SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a program of the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs. Shine volunteers provide educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders on Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance, long-term care planning & insurance, and other health care issues. For more information, call “2-1-1 or 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
v Did you know…78% of citizens 65+ registered to vote in the 2006 congressional election and 63% of these individuals reported casting a ballot.
v Commission on Aging Monthly Newsletter: One-page newsletter summarizing the activities of the Commission on Aging and other initiatives in our community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orlando County Library System
Great Events & Programs for Neighborhood Organizations & Residents
(407) 935-7323 ~ www.ocls.info/Virtual/AskaQuestion/email
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Regional History Center
There’re always fun things to do at the History Center!
65 E. Central Boulevard in Downtown Orlando
(407) 836-8500 ~ www.thehistorycenter.org
v Out of this World Grand Opening Block Party
February 6, 10 am – 4 pm ~ A festive day full of activities, surprises, and refreshments celebrating the opening of Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television in Heritage Square in front of the History Center, p.m. Free. Museum admission required to see exhibition.
v Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film & Television
February 6 - May 16 ~ Out of this World highlights our nation’s rich entertainment history through more than 40 costumes and props from some of the most popular films and television shows spanning 60 years, including “Star Wars,” “Ghostbusters,” “Terminator 2,” “Indiana Jones,” “Star Trek,” “Batman,” and many more. Special exhibition prices apply.
v Lights! Camera! Action! Filming in Paradise
February 6 – May 16 ~ Discover Florida's surprising history in filmmaking. See artifacts from local shoots such as Apollo 13, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Meet the Fockers, and more and then step into a set to see what goes on behind the scenes of filmmaking. Included in general admission; special exhibition prices apply.
v Orange County Regional History Center E-News ~ Sign up for the Orange County Regional History Center’s e-newsletter to find out about the latest happenings at the museum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
v Orlando Venues Events: Use this link to find out about upcoming events!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great Orange County Government Resources
v Orange County Source Government Directory: This valuable resource provides useful information about Orange County Government programs and services, as well as other public service agencies that do business with Orange County.
v Orange County Government Information & Services: “One Call Does it All”…3-1-1 or 407-836-3111
What does Orange County 3-1-1 do?
Orange County 311 staffs the call center with courteous specialists to answer questions, coordinate complaints, handle designated requests for services and solves problems related to Orange County Government. We also work with the community to enhance awareness of services offered to Orange County citizens through various fairs, festivals and expos scheduled in the area. Click here to visit their website for more information.
Assistance is available in three ways:
Simply dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111, between the hours of 7am to 11pm, Monday through Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sundays. Spanish operators and translators are available.
Via Internet: Click Here
TTY: 407-836-4250
Neighborhood Presentations:
If you would like a Customer Services Liaison to attend your next neighborhood meeting and give a presentation explaining 3-1-1 services provided for Animal Services, Code Enforcement, Roads & Drainage, Traffic Engineering, Zoning, Government, and disaster & emergency situations, contact Brandy Davis, 3-1-1’s Customer Service Liaison, at: 407-836-4291 or email her at: Brandy.Davis@ocfl.net.
v OrangeCountyFL.net Links
County News - Orange County Government is one of the largest public organizations in the region, with one of the fastest growing media markets in the country. County News is an interactive tool designed to keep you informed about major announcements and events in Orange County. County News includes a Video on Demand feature with live press conferences and board meetings.
Orange TV and Vision TV- Orange TV, a government information channel, televises programming about government services, activities, and issues. Vision TV features locally produced programs that promote Central Florida events, performances, children's education, senior living, diversity, culture, the arts, safety and regional economic development.
OCALERT – This new service will send out instant weather warnings and other Orange County emergency notices. Up-to-the-minute alerts will be sent to your personal text-based message devices, including cell phones, pagers and other wireless devices. Sign up for OCALERT.net.
Events Database - Use this link to find out about events hosted by Orange County Government Agencies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neighborhood Stabilization
v Orange County Neighborhood Stabilization Program ~ if you are interested in buying a home or know someone that may be interested, the Housing and Community Development Division’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program may be just right for you. This program provides down payment assistance of up to $35,000, and closing costs will be paid by Orange County for qualified homebuyers. The homes are energy efficient, affordable and have been recently renovated. For more information, use the link to visit their website or contact them directly at 407-836-5189.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Need Help with Mortgage?
v The Making Home Affordable Program was created to help millions of homeowners refinance or modify their mortgages at a level that is affordable now as well as in the future. If you or someone you know may be among the millions of homeowners who will benefit from this program, call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) to determine you eligibility, access additional resources, and learn how to get the help you may need. To find a local HUD-approved housing counselor, visit www.hud.gov – they are familiar with the program and their services are FREE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crime Prevention & Safety
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
v 2009 crime numbers are down with the exception of burglaries to vehicles: Orange County continues to see a reduction in all major crime categories with the exception of burglaries to vehicles. Orange County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Officers say the auto burglary rate would be lower if people would simply remove valuable items from their cars and lock them whenever they are left unattended. Petty thieves are opportunists who often go from car to car, simply open unlocked doors, and steal GPS devices, cell phones, loose change, and other easy to grab items. Securing your valuable items from prying eyes and locking your cars is especially important when thieves are on the look out for easy to grab items left in unattended and unsecured cars. Follow the LINK for a look at our year to date crime statistics.
v Crime Prevention Squad
v The Daily Briefing
v Civilian Police Academy
v Children’s Safety Village
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crime Prevention Resources
v Call for nominations for the Neighborhood Watch Awards of Excellence
v CrimeLine Warrants: Use this like to find out who is wanted by the police. If you have information about the location of any wanted person, contact CrimeLine or call 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous!
v OCSO Crime Prevention Unit: All OCSO Crime Prevention Officers’ contact information has been updated. For more information about Orange County Sheriff’s Office programs such as Neighborhood Watch or COP’s, and other important crime prevention information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit, (407) 254-7433, or go to OCSO Program Brochures.
v Neighborhood Crime Statistics: Use this link, if you would like crime stats for your neighborhood streets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Neighborhood Services Division
Our Mission is to strengthen the Orange County community
we design services which empower citizens and neighborhood organizations
in ways that help citizens increase their involvement in community decision making.
(407) 836-5606 ~ NeighborhoodServices@ocfl.net
v Community Connections Workshop: “Board of Directors Training 101” ~ Saturday, February 13, 9 am to 12 pm, Orange County Internal Operations Center, 450 E. South Street, Orlando 32801 - If you are a new or seasoned board member of a mandatory property association, then this workshop is a must attend! Being elected to your association’s board of directors doesn’t prepare you to serve on the board. Learn the basics to be an effective board member, from understanding your role to running an effective organization. Topics covered will include board orientation basics and fiduciary responsibilities. Please submit your legal questions in advance to: nservices@ocfl.net or (407) 836-5613 by February 8, 2010. Thank you!
v Connecting Neighbors & Neighborhoods: This television program is produced by OrangeTV & Neighborhood Services. Watch it to learn how to make your neighborhood and Orange County the best possible place to live! Here are some of the latest great topics you may learn more about:
Show 18: Firewise Communities
Show 17: Property Association Board Orientation
Show 16: ReNEW Your Neighborhood!
v Neighborhood Update: Access this E-Newsletter from our website!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Parks & Recreation Division
Upcoming Events & Important Information!
(407) 836-6200 ~ Email
v Summer Recreation Scholarships
Scholarships, valued at $300 each, are now available from The OC Club. Mayor Richard T. Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners offer The OC Club scholarships annually to qualifying low and moderate-income youth. Applications must be postmarked by February 26, accompanied by support documents, or delivered in person to the OC Clubhouse located at Barnett Park, by 5 pm: Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando 32803. Scholarships will be awarded through a lottery system in early March and must be used for programs that end by August 28, 2010. For more information call The OC Club's 24-hour InfoLine (407) 836-9790, or mail: theclub@ocfl.net.
v Mark Street Senior Recreation Complex
Starting January 18, Seniorcise Program - a simple fitness course for seniors consisting of chair exercises and stretches. This program is designed to promote strength and range of motion. For more information, visit the Parks Database at the end of this section.
v Renaissance Senior Center activities – South Econ Community Park (East Orange County)
February 5, 7 pm and 10 pm Ballroom Dance After Hours ~ Show your talents with Julius bringing the music. The cost is $7 per person. Some refreshments will be provided.
February 14, March 14, 1 to 4 pm - Flea Market – Buy, sell, or trade your treasures. Tables are only $5. Please call ahead of time to reserve your table.
Every Thursday, 3 to 5 pm – Bingo! and a chance to win up to three prizes. $2 entry fee to play and we encourage you to bring your own refreshments.
Renaissance Senior Center is located at 3800 S. Echnlockhatchee Trail, Orlando 32829. For more information, call (407) 254-9070.
v Pre-School Program
9:30 to 11 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, The ABC’s & 123’s is for children ages 3-6 and their adult caregiver; includes story time and more. FREE, for more information call (407) 836-6248.
v Parks Database ~ Use this link to quickly see what’s happening at any of Orange County park location; there are lots of events and activities are going on at Orange County’s Parks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Animal Services Division
Upcoming Events & Important Announcements!
(407) 254-9140 ~ AnimalServices@ocfl.net
v Donate a Dog Bed!
Animal Services home page now features an easy way to donate a Kuranda dog bed at a discounted price. Help make a shelter pet’s stay more comfortable.
v Newspapers Are Always Needed! ~ Animal Services is located across from the Mall at Millenia and Ikea. Drop off newspaper at 2769 Conroy Road, 9 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday or 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday.
v Stay connected with Animal Services! Twitter click here! YouTube click here! Facebook click here!
(Search Orange County Animal Services)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Code Enforcement Division
“Working for a better Community”
3-1-1 or (407) 836-3111 ~ CodeEnforcement@ocfl.net
v "Working for a better community": The Code Enforcement Division exists to enhance the quality of life and economy of Orange County through enforcing regulations that preserve and protect neighborhoods. The Division will promote voluntary compliance by establishing partnerships with citizens, community groups and other agencies. Register a Complaint Online.
v Residential Boat Parking ~ County Zoning code restricts where boats are stored and the number of boats allowed. A boat less than or equal to 24 feet may be parked, stored, or kept inside a garage, under a carport, in the driveway, in the front yard on an approved surface, in the side yard, or in the rear half of the lot or parcel. A boat greater than 24 feet may be parked, stored or kept inside a garage, under a carport, or in the rear half of the lot or parcel, but not in the driveway or in the front yard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Environmental Protection Division
Upcoming Events & Important Information!
(407) 836-1400 ~ EPDwebcomments@ocfl.net
v Household Hazardous Waste ~ Learn more and what to do about it.
v Orange County goes from Orange to Green with paperless payroll
v Environmental Programs ~ Use this link to find out how to make new environmental discoveries at Orange County Park Locations!
v Stay connected with Environmental Protection (EPD)! Twitter click here! YouTube click here! Facebook click here!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County UF/Cooperative Extension
Check Out What’s Available to Orange County Residents…
6021 South Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812
(407) 254-9200 ~ orange@ifas.ufl.edu
v Spring Lawn Tune-Up
February 11, 6 to 7:30 pm, Jessie Brock Community Center
February 13, 2010, 9 am – 10:30 am, Orange County Extension
Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (407) 254-9200
v Start a Community Garden
February 20, 9 to 11 am, Mead Gardens, Winter Park ~ Learn how to start a community garden, what to grow and when to grow it with helpful factsheets and area resources to help with setting up a new Community Garden. Learn about the “hands-on” opportunities that exist at the Theodore L. Mead Community Gardeners Learning Centre at Mead Garden in Winter Park.
Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (407) 254-9200
v EcoNomicLiving Expo: February 6, 9 am – 1 pm, Orange County Extension Center, 6021 South Conway Rd. Orlando, 32812 ~ Program will feature workshops on sustainability, alternative and solar energy, water quality and supply, Florida Friendly Landscaping, and gardening. “Dr. G” from the reality television series on the Discovery Health Channel “Dr. G: Medical Examiner” is the keynote speaker. Event is free to the public. RSVP 407-254-9200 to ensure seating for keynote address. For more information visit our website: http://ocextension.ifas.ufl.edu.
v Tree Adoption Program: Orange County Cooperative Extension hosts tree adoptions, free to all Orange County citizens. Along with the obvious advantages of shade and beauty, trees provide oxygen, filter, pollution, and create habitats for wildlife. Adding trees also replenish lost canopy due to storm damage, age, and development. And of course, pride of ownership, a sense of accomplishment and increased property value are added perks. The tree adoptions events will be held the on following dates and locations from 8am until 12noon, or when all trees are gone:
2010 Streetscape Tree Adoptions Schedule
Date Location Address
Jan 23 Bear Creek Park 1600 Bear Crossing Dr, Orlando 32824
Feb 13 Ft. Christmas Historical park 1300 Ft. Christmas Rd, Christmas FL 32709
Mar 13 Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Dr, Orlando 32808
Apr 10 Tibet Butler Preserve 8777 County Rd 535, Orlando 32836
May 15 Magnolia Park 2929 Binion Rd, Apopka FL 32703
Jun 12 Jay Blanchard Park 2451 N. Dean Rd., Orlando 32817
Jul 24 Bear Creek Park 1600 Bear Crossing Dr., Orlando FL 32824
Aug 14 Ft Christmas Historical Park 1300 Fort Christmas Rd., Christmas FL 32709
Sep 18 Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando FL 32808
Oct 9 Tiber Butler Preserve 8777 County Rd., 535, Orlando FL 32836
Nov 13 Magnolia Park 2929 Binion Rd., Apopka FL 32703
Dec 11 Jay Blanchard Park 2451 N. Dean Rd., Orlando FL 32817.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Commission on Aging
News in Central Florida…This information isn’t just for Seniors!
2100 E. Michigan Street, 2nd Floor, Orlando, Fl. 32806
(407) 836-7616 ~ OfficeOnAging@ocfl.net
v Counsel for Caregivers Seminar
January 21, 12:10 to 12:50pm ~ This month’s presentation is the “What to Consider when Selecting a Long Term Care Facility” given by Edith Gendron, with Emeritus Senior Living. Join this FREE seminar, at the Downtown Orlando Public Library, 3rd Floor, Albertson Room. Lunch is provided for the first 50 people to RSVP to 407-836-7446 or officeonaging@ocfl.net.
v Upcoming Counsel for Caregivers monthly seminars
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
All seminars are held the third Thursday of the month, beginning at 12:10 – 12:50 pm, Orlando Public Library, Third Floor, Albertson Room, 101 E. Central Bvd., Orlando.
v Recommended Reading: “Lessons for Living Longer.From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner.
v Partner Paragraph: SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a program of the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs. Shine volunteers provide educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders on Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance, long-term care planning & insurance, and other health care issues. For more information, call “2-1-1 or 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
v Did you know…78% of citizens 65+ registered to vote in the 2006 congressional election and 63% of these individuals reported casting a ballot.
v Commission on Aging Monthly Newsletter: One-page newsletter summarizing the activities of the Commission on Aging and other initiatives in our community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orlando County Library System
Great Events & Programs for Neighborhood Organizations & Residents
(407) 935-7323 ~ www.ocls.info/Virtual/AskaQuestion/email
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orange County Regional History Center
There’re always fun things to do at the History Center!
65 E. Central Boulevard in Downtown Orlando
(407) 836-8500 ~ www.thehistorycenter.org
v Out of this World Grand Opening Block Party
February 6, 10 am – 4 pm ~ A festive day full of activities, surprises, and refreshments celebrating the opening of Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television in Heritage Square in front of the History Center, p.m. Free. Museum admission required to see exhibition.
v Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film & Television
February 6 - May 16 ~ Out of this World highlights our nation’s rich entertainment history through more than 40 costumes and props from some of the most popular films and television shows spanning 60 years, including “Star Wars,” “Ghostbusters,” “Terminator 2,” “Indiana Jones,” “Star Trek,” “Batman,” and many more. Special exhibition prices apply.
v Lights! Camera! Action! Filming in Paradise
February 6 – May 16 ~ Discover Florida's surprising history in filmmaking. See artifacts from local shoots such as Apollo 13, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Meet the Fockers, and more and then step into a set to see what goes on behind the scenes of filmmaking. Included in general admission; special exhibition prices apply.
v Orange County Regional History Center E-News ~ Sign up for the Orange County Regional History Center’s e-newsletter to find out about the latest happenings at the museum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
v Orlando Venues Events: Use this link to find out about upcoming events!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great Orange County Government Resources
v Orange County Source Government Directory: This valuable resource provides useful information about Orange County Government programs and services, as well as other public service agencies that do business with Orange County.
v Orange County Government Information & Services: “One Call Does it All”…3-1-1 or 407-836-3111
What does Orange County 3-1-1 do?
Orange County 311 staffs the call center with courteous specialists to answer questions, coordinate complaints, handle designated requests for services and solves problems related to Orange County Government. We also work with the community to enhance awareness of services offered to Orange County citizens through various fairs, festivals and expos scheduled in the area. Click here to visit their website for more information.
Assistance is available in three ways:
Simply dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111, between the hours of 7am to 11pm, Monday through Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sundays. Spanish operators and translators are available.
Via Internet: Click Here
TTY: 407-836-4250
Neighborhood Presentations:
If you would like a Customer Services Liaison to attend your next neighborhood meeting and give a presentation explaining 3-1-1 services provided for Animal Services, Code Enforcement, Roads & Drainage, Traffic Engineering, Zoning, Government, and disaster & emergency situations, contact Brandy Davis, 3-1-1’s Customer Service Liaison, at: 407-836-4291 or email her at: Brandy.Davis@ocfl.net.
v OrangeCountyFL.net Links
County News - Orange County Government is one of the largest public organizations in the region, with one of the fastest growing media markets in the country. County News is an interactive tool designed to keep you informed about major announcements and events in Orange County. County News includes a Video on Demand feature with live press conferences and board meetings.
Orange TV and Vision TV- Orange TV, a government information channel, televises programming about government services, activities, and issues. Vision TV features locally produced programs that promote Central Florida events, performances, children's education, senior living, diversity, culture, the arts, safety and regional economic development.
OCALERT – This new service will send out instant weather warnings and other Orange County emergency notices. Up-to-the-minute alerts will be sent to your personal text-based message devices, including cell phones, pagers and other wireless devices. Sign up for OCALERT.net.
Events Database - Use this link to find out about events hosted by Orange County Government Agencies.
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