City of Orlando

July 3, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to show your patriotism and fireworks celebrations are as American as baseball and apple pie. Sparklers have been a traditional means of celebration for many years and while they are a staple in many Fourth of July festivities, caution and care must be used at all times. The City of Orlando and the National Council on Fireworks Safety encourage everyone to enjoy the Fourth of July safely and responsibly.

As we get ready to celebrate our nation’s independence; here are some sparkler safety tips:

Obey the local laws and use common sense
Always read and follow instructions and have an adult present
Keep burning sparklers away from clothing and flammable objects
Only use sparklers outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles
Light only one sparkler at a time
Alcohol, fireworks and sparklers do not mix
Do not point or throw sparklers at another person
Children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers
When finished, place used sparklers in a bucket of water

For complete information on the safe use of sparklers, please visit www.fireworksafety.com.

The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle them. So please join me for the most exciting fireworks display in Central Florida, Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola Park. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and the fireworks finale kicks off at 9:15 p.m. over beautiful Lake Eola. For more information on Fireworks at the Fountain, visit our Website at cityoforlando.net.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Mayor Buddy Dyer's Public Safety Update

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.

National Night Out

The 25th Annual National Night Out will be held on August 5, 2008. National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention program that encourages citizens to join the Orlando Police Department in taking a stand against crime. National Night Out is designed to:

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

Last year the City of Orlando came in second place in the nation for a city with a population of 100,000 - 299,000. If you live within the City of Orlando limits, are a Neighborhood Watch member and would like to participate in National Night Out, please fill out our on-line registration form. If you live outside of the City of Orlando limits, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

National Night Out Coloring Contest

National Night Out is having a coloring contest for children. Winners will receive passes to Sea World or Universal Studios Orlando. Here's how it works:

Download the coloring contest page
Send the finished artwork to:
City of Orlando Neighborhood Watch
P.O. Box 913
Orlando, FL 32802-0913

There are two categories in which children can participate:
Category I - children from ages 5-8
Category II - children from ages 9-12

Good luck to all who enter.

Green Works Orlando - Mayor Dyer's Green Initiative Update

Park Spotlight

The City of Orlando Parks Division is one of many divisions credited with keeping Orlando the "City Beautiful." There are more than 100 parks located throughout the City, in neighborhoods and adjacent to community centers consisting of scenic parks, exercise courses, bike paths and playgrounds.

Airport Lakes Park
Within the Airport Lakes neighborhood lies a 56-acre park that provides both active and passive recreational amenities. Developed with the help of a $500,000 Florida Communities Trust grant, park users can experience the outdoors by enjoying the playground, hiking on the nature trail and boardwalk, fishing, picnicking and playing soccer. Public parking, bike racks, restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Airport Lakes Park is located just off of SR 436 near the Orlando International Airport.

For more information on today’s featured park, or to locate a park in your neighborhood, visit http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/Html/parks.asp.

Events Center Webcam

Watch the progress of the construction of the new Events Center with the Events Center Webcam. 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, this camera takes a picture every 15 minutes and saves the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The new webcam can be found online.

Community Venues Construction Update

Mayor in the Community

On Monday, June 30, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz met with the City’s Hispanic Office for Local Assistance (HOLA) Advisory Committee to discuss the current state of services provided through HOLA and ways to improve upon them.

Did You Know?

New Exhibits at the Mennello Museum

Two new exhibits have arrived at the Mennello Museum of American Art. “Donald DeLue, America’s Sculptor” and “A Treasury of American Prints” are on display now through September.

Throughout his six-decade career, sculptor Donald DeLue managed to capture the ethos of the American spirit in his works. DeLue’s heroic figures are drawn from Classical mythology, national symbolism and personified spirtual ideals.

Springing from the early 20th century movement in American art away from traditional European styles of representation, “A Treasury of American Prints” represents the new artistic expression at the dawn of the 19th century.

For more information on these exhibits, contact the Mennello Museum of American Art (900 East Princeton Street) at 407.246.4278.

Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants

Watch Inside Orlando on Orange TV

Historic Preservation Board Photo Contest

Upcoming Events

click for details
Date	Event
July 04, 2008	Fireworks at the Fountain details
July 21, 2008	Storytelling at Leu Gardens details
August 01, 2008	Date Night at Leu Gardens details
Sundays	Orlando Farmers Market details
click for details

Road Closuress

• For information on road closures please visit: our site.

• For up-to-date information on I-4 lane and ramp closures please visit: trans4mation.org

• For the latest East-West Expressway updates please visit:
http://www.oocea.com/constructionupdate/roadupdates.shtml

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

Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by City of Orlando officials and employees will be made available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing..