Community Happenings

After winning the regional Cal Ripken World Series tournament, the Ocala  Highlands All-Star baseball team played six games at the national level, held in Aberdeen, Md. On Aug. 21, 2010, the Highlands team went on to become  the national champions of the tournament.  In recognition of their accomplishment, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the  Ocala City Council are hosting a homecoming celebration on the Downtown Square beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3  

The Hippodrome Theatre starts its 38th season with a Tony Award-Winning  Comedy "BOEING BOEING."  In BOEING BOEING, Bernard, an architect living in Paris has been successfully juggling three flight attendant fiancees (one American, one German, and one Italian) as they fly in and out of his swank  bachelor pad. His housekeeper Bertha reluctantly plays air-traffic  controller, carefully coordinating schedules and avoiding mid-air collisions whenever possible! But when Bernard’s old school pal visits for an extended stay, things get rather turbulent, schedules are disrupted and chaos ensues in a whirl of flirtatious pandemonium. Don’t miss this Broadway hit on stage for the first time in Gainesville.  BOEING BOEING opens September 3, 2010.  Showtimes are Tuesdays at 8pm, Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 5pm & 8:30pm, Sundays at 2pm & 7:30pm.   Tickets on sale now at (352) 375-HIPP (4477) and thehipp.org. 

The Alachua County Public Safety Department's Division of Emergency Management is now enrolling citizens in its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program.  CERT teaches citizens how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.  The next CERT class is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 and runs through October 19, 2010.  The seven- week class is free-of-charge to the public and covers the following topics:

·         Disaster Preparedness
·         Fire Safety 
·         Disaster Medical Operations 
·         Light Search and Rescue Operations 
·         CERT Organization and Disaster Psychology
·         Terrorism and CERT 
The seven classes are on Tuesday evenings, and each session runs from 6 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. Classes are held at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center located at 1100 SE 27th Street in Gainesville.  The registration deadline is September 6, 2010. For more information, or to register, please contact Emergency Management at  352-264-6500, or click here to go to the website.

The Freedom Public Library is turning 10 soon and is hosting a party to celebrate. Join in on the birthday fun on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, from 2 – 6 p.m. in the Freedom Public Library meeting room (5870 SW 95th St., Ocala).  Event attendees can enjoy snacks and browsing through library scrapbooks and historical references along with the music of Kermit and Cindy Clark.   For more information about the Freedom Public Library 10 year anniversary, call  352-438-2580 or visit the library website at  http://library.marioncountyfl.org. 

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF OCALA 15th ANNUAL AUTUMN GIFT MARKET 
College of Central Florida (formerly Central Florida Community College)  Ocala, Florida. 
Friday, September 10th, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 11th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tickets $5.00.  For more information, please contact Desi Weidemiller or Beth Meadows at jloagm@gmail.com or (352) 368-0993
 

The Dunnellon High School yearbook staff would like to announce a new program called "Angel Books" to the community. In the Angel Books program, businesses and community members can purchase a yearbook for $40 for a student who cannot afford one. The program runs through September 10. Anyone wishing to participate can drop by the Dunnellon High School front office  between 8:15 and 9:15 or send a check to Dunnellon High School (attention Yearbook Adviser) 10055 SW 180th Avenue Rd. Dunnellon, FL 34432.  The staff has always asked businesses in the area if they would like to advertise in the yearbook in order to offset the cost of the book for all of the students. The staff still needs and appreciates this advertising and depends on the community's support. If any business would like to purchase advertising, or for more information on the Angel Book program, pleasecontact Julie Mancini at 465-6745 ext. 58283. Mancini can also be contacted through e-mail on the school's website. 

College of Central Florida Foundation and CF Alumni present MOSAIC.  September 10,11, and 12 in the Fine Arts Auditorium, CF Ocala Campus.  Purchase tickets online at http://alumni.cf.edu or call 352- 873-5808.  Advance tickets starting at $30.  Special opening performance by Charlie Walker.  Proceeds support the Mosaic Endowed Scholarship for College of Central Florida students. 

The America Supports You Freedom Walk starts at 9am September 11 at City Hall in Belleview on 441.  Free and open to everyone.  visit www.belleviewfl.org for more info.

The VFW Retirement Home in Ft. McCoy, along with the Marion County Fire Rescue, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, VFW Post 12070 and Ladies Auxiliary, other local groups and individuals,  is proud to host the 4th Annual 9/11 Tribute to Our First Responders on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:00am. The event will be hosted in the pavilion at the VFW Retirement Home (13005 NE 135th Street, Fort McCoy)  This year’s event will again feature up-and-coming country star Steffanie Renae, the Spirit of God Singers, N. Marion High School JROTC, American Legion Riders’ Chapter 284, Rolling Thunder Chapter 3, various static displays and more. Event is free and open to the public.  Food and beverages available. For more information contact Gera Judge, Deputy Director/Community Coordinator at 352-236-0823.

AUDITONS for the 2011 Hoggetowne Medieval Faire cast of characters and Living Chessboard will be held September 11, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm at the Alachua County Library, Headquarters and September 12, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm at the Alachua County Library, Millhopper Branch. Performances include interactive improve and/or stage combat. Please be prepared to perform a 20 second G rated joke. For more information, visitwww.thievesguilde.org or email director@thievesguilde.org

Palms Medical Group is hosting an open house on Tuesday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate their new office in Starke. Free blood pressure and blood sugar readings will be offered, as well as cholesterol screenings for  $5. All residents are invited to attend, tour the facility and learn about the healthcare services provided by Palms Medical Group. Palms Medical Group is located at 550 West Georgia Street in Starke in the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare building. Their doors will be open for business beginning September 1, 2010. Business hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The Marion County Parks and Recreation Department is offering youth tennis lessons this fall. The six-week program, which is for children ages 6-12, will take place on Tuesdays starting Sept. 14, 2010, at the Belleview Sportsplex (6547 SE 107th St., Belleview). Program participants will learn the rules of tennis, basic swing techniques for the forehand and backhand and how to serve. Staff will hold beginner lessons from 3 – 3:45 p.m. and advanced beginner lessons from 4:15 – 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required; the program fee is $10 per child. For more information or to register for the program, call or visit the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department  at 352-671-8560 or 111 SE 25th Ave., Ocala.

The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Environmental Horticulture Programs for September 2010. These programs are offered by Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent.
Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening
September 15 & 29, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Alachua County Extension Office, 2800 NE 39 Ave., Gainesville).
September 13, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Alachua Branch Public Library, 14913 NW 140 St., Alachua).  Demonstration garden located on site. The class will cover vegetable gardening basics and teach you how to use raised beds for increased efficiency. Pre-register by leaving voicemail at 352-337-6209.  For more information contact Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent, at 352-955-2402 or by e-mail at wlw@alachuacounty.us.

The 9th Annual Marion County Springs Festival and Rainbow Springs State Park will present a day of music at Rainbow Springs State Park on Saturday September 18th from 9 AM – 6 PM. Admission for the day is $2.00. Children under 6 years of age are free. Featured musicians of the day are: The James Brothers, Chuck Hardwicke, the Shade Tree Pickers, Patchwork, Boilin’ Oil, Larry Hoover, Nathan Whitt & Friend and Tom Ellis. Pack a picnic basket, bring a chair or blanket to sit on and settle in for some entertaining, environmental music. Be prepared to hear the finest guitars, banjos and fiddles backing up talented singers and song writers. Take a walk around and visit various educational booths and community groups.  Visit www.springsfest.org to view the wide range of activities planned for the month of September or to submit a song or photo for the contests.

FAMILY SPORTSMEN FEST. SEPTEMBER 18, 2010- THERESA, FLORIDA 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON FISH FRY, SKEET SHOOT, TURKEY SHOOT, 22 SHOOT, ARCHERY, PONY RIDES, GAMES FOR THE CHILDREN AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.  PLUS GREAT GIVE- AWAYS! FREE TO THE PUBLIC. TO GET YOUR FREE TICKETS - CALL  352-468-2752 OR  CHARLIE @  352-376-5779

Attention Artists. The Belleview South Marion Chamber of Commerce is hosting an art exhibit at the annual Nine Mile Pond festival on September 18th, 2010 from 11-2. The fee is $5 to enter and each artists can exhibit 3 pieces of art work. Art will also be judged in 5 categories; water color, photography, sculpture,Fl heritage, acrylic/oil painting. $25 prizes wll be awarded in each category. Registration through September 10th. contact the Chamber for more info (352)245-2178. 

Can you sing? You can be the next Belleview Idol! The Belleview/South Marion Chamber of Commerce presents the 4th annual Belleview Idol Competition being held at Nine Mile Pond festival on Saturday September 18th at 11am. This is a FREE event and registration is going on now thorugh September 10th. Cash  prizes to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners as well as a peoples choice award. Contact Mariah at (352)245-2178

Exceptional Dentistry and Kids 4 Kids Charities present the 3rd Annual Triathlon and Fun Run benefitting the Child Advocacy Center, Cure Dales’  Duchenne, and Shands  Children’s Hospital. The event will be Saturday, September 18th at Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club. The fun run will start at 8 am and the triathlon begin immediately there after. Registration is limited to the first 300 participants. This third annual event promotes a healthy lifestyle and is open to able-bodied and disabled children aged 4- 18. Participants may register online at
www.Kids4KidsFlorida.org, download and complete the Fun Run Registration Form and return it to any O2B Kids location, or complete the form and present it on the day of the Triathlon at 7:00am.  The Kid’s triathlon fee is $40 per child and $35 for each additional child after that prior to September 4, 2010. After September 5th, the registration fee increases to $50 per child. Entry into the Fun Run is $20 per child and increases to $25 after September 5th. 

Brick City Blues Festival at Midnight Rodeo is Saturday September 18- from 5to 9pm.  Featuring Willie Real Deal Green & beautiful Bobby Blackmon as well as Rondo and the Mojo Downs Band and Michelle & Scott Dalziel.  All proceeds benefit the United Way of Marion County.  Great food.  Great music.  Tickets are $25 includes Southern Style BBQ.  Available at ticketweb.com.

Gilchrist Club hosts Fall at the Lodge, a benefit for Haven Hospice. 
WHAT: Haven’s Fall at the Lodge, a benefit for Haven Hospice.
WHEN: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Sat. Sept. 18, 2010
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with live music, along with a live and silent auction!  
WHERE: Gilchrist Club, a private hunting and sporting club set in the heart of Florida’s timberland, 3290 SE 4th Way, Trenton, Fla.
COST:  Reservations and tickets are required. The cost is $75 per guest. For tickets or more information on becoming a sponsor of Fall at the Lodge, please contact Stephanie Brod at 352-271-4665. 
WHY: One hundred percent of the proceeds from Fall at the Lodge supports patient care, services and the many programs provided by Haven Hospice that are otherwise unfunded.

There will be an event for a 22 year old Gainesville Resident who has had life changed as she knew it, from a Brainstem Brain Tumor.
The event is Sept. 29, 2010
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Please see: Laurensangels.com
This is a fun family event, with a 5 K, horse/carriage rides, live music, food, drinks, live auction and much more.

If you would like to add your event to our Community Calendar, email information to windfm@windfm.com or mail it to 3602 NE 20th Place, Ocala, FL  34470.Please send information at least two weeks prior to your event.