April 18, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

On April 22, 1970, more than 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. Nearly forty years later, Earth Day has evolved into a global celebration. The City of Orlando is dedicated to doing our part, not just on Earth Day, but every day. Through Green Works Orlando, our environmental action agenda, we are committed to raising awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and leading by example. This ambitious plan, rooted in our personal goal to leave the earth a cleaner place for future generations, requires the support of our citizens and local businesses alike.

In the upcoming week, City staff have coordinated several events in the community to commemorate Earth Day.

Green Up Orlando’s Earth Day Celebration:
Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grand Avenue Park. Volunteers will be planting trees, cleaning up litter and recycling.

Earth Day with Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit:
Wednesday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at Airport Lakes Park, join Green Up Orlando and participants from Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit for a special Arbor Day tree planting celebration.

I encourage you to get involved, not just on Earth Day, but every day, as environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility. Participate in the City’s recycling program Take it to the Curb, carpool, walk or bike to work or plant a tree in your neighborhood. This is the perfect week to begin taking a step toward maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Visit CityofOrlando.net/GreenWorks to learn more about our programs and find out how you can help.



Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor
 

This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged in their neighborhoods.

Orlando’s First Teen Police Academy

The Orlando Police Department is looking for teens who are interested in a behind the scenes look at law enforcement. The 10-week Teen Police Academy begins on April 23, 2008 and will cover a variety of topics including uniform patrol, domestic violence, defensive tactics, drug enforcement and police communications. Students will attend field trips to the Police Department’s crime lab, coroner’s office and the Orange County Jail. At the conclusion of the Teen Police Academy, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive their diplomas from Police Chief Val Demings. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 to 18 and either live or attend school within Orlando’s city limits. For more information and registration forms, please contact Officer Tia Pruitt at 407-246-2095 or email her at Tia.Pruitt@cityoforlando.net.

What It Takes To Keep Neighborhoods Safe

This month, Orange County’s Community Connections Workshop will challenge neighborhood leaders and residents to think outside the box to make their neighborhoods safer. As part of the workshop, each neighborhood leader will create an action plan to implement in their neighborhood, using proven resources through Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Observer Program, gang prevention, youth programs and more. The informative workshop takes place Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 East Central Boulevard.  To register for this workshop, call Orange County Neighborhood Services at (407) 836-0035 or register online at: www.ocfl.net/CommunityConnections.

Green Up Orlando’s Earth Day Celebration

Join Green Up Orlando and Keep Orlando Beautiful to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grand Avenue Park, 700 Grand Street. Activities include planting trees in celebration of Arbor Day, installing stormwater markers, cleaning up litter and recycling used tires, batteries, oil and cell phones.

To register, contact Jody Goostree at 407-246-2752 or jody.goostree@cityoforlando.net; or Jan Rahill at 407-246-3504 or jan.rahill@cityoforlando.net.

Earth Day with Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit

Please join Green Up Orlando and participants from Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit for a special Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday April 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at Airport Lakes Park, 7098 Shadowridge Drive. 

In an effort to give back to the Orlando community, participants from Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit will be planting more than 100 trees in the park’s wooded area that was impacted severely by the 2004 hurricanes.  Come join and help replant a beautiful nature walk in just one day! 

To get involved, contact Jan Rahill at 407-246-3504 or jan.rahill@cityoforlando.net.  For more information on Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit, please visit www.globalyouthsummit.org.

Mayor in the Communityy

On Saturday, April 12, Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted the 3^rd annual Neighborhood and Community Summit at the Marriott Downtown. More than 200

On Saturday, April 12, Mayor Dyer received a "Pet's Best Friend" award at the Orlando Science Center’s 41st Annual Pet Fair at Loch Haven Park.  Mayor Dyer was honored for his heroic actions in saving a Jack Russell terrier from an attacking pit bull while he was jogging through his neighborhood. 

Did You Know?

Orlando Prepares!

With hurricane season right around the corner, now is the time for residents to ensure they’re prepared for hurricane season. While it is important to prepare for hurricane season, it is also important that residents are ready year-round for potential disasters.

To help give Central Florida residents the resources to prepare before a disaster strikes, Mayor Dyer is hosting Orlando Prepares! This free event will include a health and information fair, disaster preparedness training and a mock disaster drill. There will also be free parking, free refreshments, free prize drawings, free entertainment and a kids’ zone.

Orlando Prepares! will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at the Primrose Plaza, 595 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando. For more information, visit cityoforlando.net.



Free Educational Workshops on Foreclosure Prevention
and Predatory Lending

The City of Orlando is hosting a series of seminars designed to educate residents on the resources available to mitigate the impacts of foreclosures and predatory lending practices. A team of experts will speak on the issues of foreclosure proceedings, tax implications, predatory lending tactics and more. Each household that attends one of the seminars will receive a one-on-one counseling session, at a later date, to discuss issues pertinent to that household.
The four-hour sessions will be held on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., throughout the City.

Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Odyssey Middle School
9290 Lee Vista Blvd.

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Northwest Community Center
3955 W.D. Judge Dr.

Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rosemont Community Center
4872 Rose Bay Dr.

Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
J.R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Blvd.

Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Engelwood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Dr.

For additional information, call 407-246-2708 or visit cityoforlando.net.


Community Venues Minority and Women-Owned Business Event

On April 29, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum invite minority and women-owned businesses to learn how they can benefit from the largest public building project in Central Florida’s history.

This is an opportunity to:

• Learn the process for obtaining contracts for the Events Center.
• Network with contractors pursuing prime contracts for the Events Center.
• Enroll in the Turner School of Construction Management program at no cost. This course, taught by industry professionals, provides participants with broad-based knowledge on how to plan and construct projects using proven techniques for successful project management. Any firm looking to improve the bottom line will benefit from participating in this program. The course runs from April 29, 2008 - June 10, 2008.

Please RSVP for the networking reception and/or the Turner School of Construction Management program by Tuesday, April 22, 2008 to 407-246-2085 or email: Judy.Dorman@cityoforlando.net.

The event will take place April 29 at 5:30 at the Citrus Bowl – Varsity Club, 1 Citrus Bowl Place.
 

Upcoming Events

Road Closure

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