July 23, 2010 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

Many of the successes our City has experienced over the years have been the direct result of the spirit of volunteerism in our community. I sincerely appreciate every City resident who has donated their time, talent and resources to improving their community and our overall quality of life. Through hard work, unprecedented partnerships and a shared vision, we’ve set our City on course for a better tomorrow.

To recognize those individuals in Orlando who go above and beyond in their service to the community, I have created two special recognitions, the Neighborhood Champion Award and the Community Builder Award. These awards will be presented in the spring at my Neighborhood and Community Summit.

The Neighborhood Champion Award will go to a volunteer who demonstrates exemplary dedication and commitment to neighborhood improvement and sustainability. Each nominee is judged based on the nominee’s: contribution to the quality of life in the neighborhood, the impact of that contribution in the neighborhood and the degree of initiative taken to make a difference.

The Community Builder Award recognizes the nonprofit and charity organizations in Orlando or volunteers for those agencies. The nominees will be judged on the excellence of their contributions to our community. Community improvement, commitment, effort, impact, originality and overall vision will be key considerations. Nominations will be judged by an independent panel of judges.

If you know an individual or organization that exemplifies either of these awards, please take the time to nominate them. Further information and an application for the Neighborhood Champion Award can be found here, while information on the Community Builder Award can be found here.

Volunteering is often a "behind the scenes," thankless job, but it is important that we recognize those people and organizations who are giving of their time to help out our community. I am happy that we can add these recognitions to our Neighborhood and Community Summit, so we can further stress the importance of volunteering.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

American Idol Visits Parramore Kidz Zone

On July 7, former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee visited the Parramore Kidz Zone’s community partner New Image Youth Center to launch Feeding America’s Hunger-Free Summer Initiative. Using funds provided by the ConAgra Food Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will be able to feed 25% more children this summer at sites like the New Image Youth Center. While at the site, Katharine spent the day serving lunch, interacting and singing with the children. The New Image Youth Center currently provides meals for approximately 50 children per week.

Buy Local Orlando Highlight

Buy Local Orlando is under way and each week we want to make sure you know that you can get great deals, discounts and offers. There are more than 500 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign with special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

Name Your Own Price at the Wingate by Wyndham Orlando International Airport

Through July 31, Buy Local Orlando consumers are invited to “name your own price” for stays at the Wingate by Wyndham Orlando International Airport (5750 Hazeltine National Drive). Located within walking distance to several top restaurants and only one-half mile from the Orlando International Airport, the hotel will take all reasonable offers based on availability and published rates.

Get out of the house this summer for a weekend getaway in a three-star hotel which includes a full, hot breakfast buffet, evening managers reception on Tuesday through Thursday, wired and wireless high-speed internet access, refreshing outdoor swimming pool, rejuvenating indoor whirlpool and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Visit wingateorlandoairport.com/name_your_price to name your own price and book your stay at the Wingate by Wyndham Orlando International Airport.

For information on how you can get your Buy Local Orlando card or how your business can be a part of this program, visit buylocalorlando.net.

Water Safety

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1- 4 years. Home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur for children. Drowning fatalities and submersion injuries can be prevented. The Orlando Fire Department has provided the following tips to keep your family safe in and around the water:

• Designate a responsible adult to supervise children while in the bath tub, in the swimming pool or playing around any water.
• Be close enough to reach the child at all times (“touch supervision”).
• Supervisors should avoid all distractions such as reading, yard work or talking on the phone.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while supervising children.
• Formal swimming lessons can help prevent your child from drowning, however children still require constant adult supervision.
• Learn CPR.
• Home swimming pools are safest with a four-sided fence completely separating the pool from the house and all play areas. The fence should be four feet tall with an outward opening, self latching gate.

Buddy Up

This summer Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando Police Department have launched the “Buddy Up” campaign which promotes safety and awareness to the parents and children in our community.

This week’s safety tip is Stay Together. Children should stay together and travel in groups of two or more when they are away from home. For more “Buddy Up” safety tips and information visit CityofOrlando.net.

The Winning Number Is... 78

Air conditioning and heating account for more than 50% of an electric bill. To keep cool during summer's heat, set your air conditioning thermostat at 78 degrees. When you leave your house, turn it up a few notches to 85 degrees or higher and plan on a savings of 6-8% for each degree you raise the setting. In the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees.

Made In the Shade

Close those curtains, mini-blinds or shutter and you'll keep the summer's heat out. During winter months, open your shades again and let in the warm sunshine. For extra shade, plant plenty of trees and shrubs.

Change Is Good

Change or clean heating and air-conditioning filters monthly. Dirty filters put an unnecessary strain on the unit and can increase operating costs.
For more conservation tips, visit ouc.com.

reThink Your Commute

To help promote commuter options, the Florida Department of Transporting recently launched its reThink website. Located at rethinkyourcommute.com, the site provides an easy way to find out about carpooling or vanpooling, biking, walking, telecommuting or riding a bus. It has information on ride matching and on how you can get an emergency ride home if needed.

For employers, the reThink program offers evaluations to look at your company’s driving patterns, programs to promote employee use of alternative transportation and even a Best Workplace for Commuters award.

reThink provides a one-stop source for people interested in an alternative to driving their car. Visit the site and see if you find an option that works for your commute.

Did You Know?

Forbes Magazine declared Orlando the top U.S. destination for tourists, with 48 million people traveling to our City in 2009. Even in a slow economy, international visitors increased 12% from the previous year. Going into this summer, Forbes reported that Orlando was maintaining its popularity, leading other cities with the most inquiries to travel agents. For more information, visit forbes.com.

Where Does LYMMO Need to go?

Do you use the free Lymmo circulator service that travels through Downtown? Join us to learn about the new Lymmo Expansion Study and share your ideas regarding future routes and services.

What: Lymmo Expansion Public Meeting

When: August 2, 2010, 6 to 8 p.m. (Open House)
6:30 p.m. (Presentation and Discussion)

Where: Orange County Regional History Center, 65 East. Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801

LYNX and the City of Orlando are partnering to evaluate the expansion of the LYMMO circulator system. The LYMMO Expansion Study will provide a fresh look at transit modes, alignment alternatives, ridership demand impacts and potential funding strategies associated with an expanded LYMMO service.

During the meeting, we will present information on existing conditions and seek your initial ideas regarding future LYMMO routes, services, stations and other features. For additional information, please contact Ginger Corless at 407.616.5500 or gcorless@hhidesign.com. View meeting flyer.

Upcoming Events

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