Ocala Strawberry Festival

Ready for a “Berry” good time? The 10th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is coming to the McPherson complex this Saturday, March 2, 2024. The festival begins at 9 am with FREE admission and ends at 5 pm. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.

The festival starts with over 230 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show. Top-notch entertainment will be with performances from the Petty Experience Band, and Chris Patti, a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist.

Many nonprofits will have vendor booths, and Several photo booths will be available. The festival offers fresh Florida-grown strawberries to purchase with many delicious strawberry treats. Come watch the strawberry pie eating contest.

The festival is for all ages, there is food for all tastes and fun for all generations of festival-goers. Habitat for Humanity could not host this event without the over 700 dedicated volunteers who have donated their time, efforts, and knowledge to assist.

All proceeds raised at the annual Strawberry Festival will be used to build a new home which will be called the Strawberry House for low-income families with an affordable mortgage and a safe and secure environment to raise their children.

For more information visit: https://habitatocala.org/strawberry/

Retro First Friday Art Walk

Each March, First Friday Art Walk travels back in time with Retro Sounds! Retro Sounds pays homage to the generations of past musical genres and performers. The evening features a musical performance by professional tribute artists and bands. Travel back through the decades and hear all your favorite hits!

On March 1, 2024, we’re going back to the 1980s. MTV, Hip Hop, big hair, and the beginning of the digital era! The evening will begin with an instructed dance lesson by Arthur Murray Dance Center on the Square from 6 – 7 p.m. and then continue with a two-hour 1980s Queen Divas Tribute performance by the stellar Carlene Mitchell with a special Janet Jackson intermission by her daughter. From Tina Turner to Diana Ross, Carlene Mitchell will emulate these iconic 1980’s female performers with her inspired energy and undeniable voice!

Attendees will enjoy over 40 visual artist displays along the downtown sidewalks, free activities with a 1980s twist with arts organizations on the Downtown Square, and special themed sales and extended business hours at local shops and restaurants. A 1980s classic car display by Ocala Car Cruisers will also be available by the Downtown Square. This event is free and open to the public! Guests are invited to bring their chairs to the Downtown Square.

Don’t miss out! We’re going to be “Workin’ Overtime” to have “The Best” jams of the 1980’s Queen Divas at the Ocala Downtown Square.

Since this is an outdoor event, if there is inclement weather, the First Friday Art Walk will be canceled. For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts at 352-629-8447

Ocala Strawberry Festival

Ready for a “Berry” good time? The 10th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is coming to the McPherson complex on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The festival begins at 9 am with FREE admission and ends at 5 pm. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.

The festival starts with over 230 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show. Top-notch entertainment will be with performances from the Petty Experience Band, and Chris Patti, a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist.

Many nonprofits will have vendor booths, and Several photo booths will be available. The festival offers fresh Florida grown strawberries to purchase with many delicious strawberry treats. Come watch the strawberry pie eating contest.

The festival is for all ages, there is food for all tastes and fun for all generations of festival-goers. Habitat for Humanity could not host this event without the over 700 dedicated volunteers who have donated their time, efforts, and knowledge to assist.

All proceeds raised at the annual Strawberry Festival will be used to build a new home which will be called the Strawberry House for low-income families with an affordable mortgage and a safe and secure environment to raise their children.

For more information visit: https://habitatocala.org/strawberry/

Humane Society of Marion County Invites Youth to Play with Shelter Cats

The Humane Society of Marion County is thrilled to introduce their brand-new program, "Meeting New Furrends," specially designed for local youth aged 10 to 15!

At the Humane Society in Ocala, young animal enthusiasts can join in a delightful 30-minute session to socialize and play with adorable cats in a peaceful and private room. The Humane Society has all the essentials covered – treats, toys, catnip, and more to make it a purrfect experience. Plus, participants will be pampered with refreshments and comfy blankets for the ultimate cozy cat cuddling.

The program classes are divided into two age groups: children (ages 10-12) and teens (ages 13-15). So, whether a child is a young cat whisperer or a teenager is a feline fanatic, there's a spot just for them!

Mark the calendars for the upcoming sessions on Saturday, March 2, with limited spots available, so registration is a must. There's more fun to come with sessions scheduled for April 6, and May 4.

For all the nitty-gritty details and to secure a spot, interested individuals can reach out to the Humane Society of Marion County at 352-873-7387, ext. 202, 

If you have children in the Marion County Public Schools, just a reminder: They have early release tomorrow! They will be getting out of school two hours earlier than their usually scheduled release time.

This is also a great time to remind you that it is nearly spring break for them as well. Spring break starts Saturday, March 9th and the kids don’t go back until Tuesday, March 19th.

There are all sorts of activities at the parks, the discovery center, and the libraries that week, so check out some of the area's Facebook pages to find some fun in the sun while they are out of school.

The Annual Ocala Strawberry Festival Is This Saturday!

Ready for a “Berry” good time? The 10th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is coming to the McPherson complex this Saturday, March 2, 2024. The festival begins at 9 am with FREE admission and ends at 5 pm. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.

The festival starts with over 230 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show. Top-notch entertainment will be with performances from the Petty Experience Band, and Chris Patti, a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist.

Many nonprofits will have vendor booths, and Several photo booths will be available. The festival offers fresh Florida-grown strawberries to purchase with many delicious strawberry treats. Come watch the strawberry pie eating contest.

The festival is for all ages, there is food for all tastes and fun for all generations of festival-goers. Habitat for Humanity could not host this event without the over 700 dedicated volunteers who have donated their time, efforts, and knowledge to assist.

All proceeds raised at the annual Strawberry Festival will be used to build a new home which will be called the Strawberry House for low-income families with an affordable mortgage and a safe and secure environment to raise their children.

For more information visit: https://habitatocala.org/strawberry/

End of Watch

Deputy K-9 Leo fearlessly charged toward someone who was threatening several MSCO deputies with a gun. Unfortunately, during the confrontation, the suspect was able to shoot Leo before the deputies returned fire, killing the suspect. Leo gave his best at that moment to protect those deputies and especially his handler.

As you can imagine, it’s been a difficult time for all of the deputies at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office... Leo received the highest level of treatment from the UF Veterinarians. Their staff treated Leo as he was transported from Ocala to Gainesville. Sheriff Woods thanked Marion County Fire Rescue for transporting Leo, as well as the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Gainesville Police for helping clear traffic on Saturday as Leo was rushed to Gainesville. Despite getting the absolute best care, on Tuesday Leo succumbed to his injuries and we lost a faithful servant of Marion County. He belongs to this community. He was purchased with donations made by our citizens. Please keep the Marion County Sheriff’s K-9 units in your thoughts as they are feeling this the most this week. The relationship between the handlers and their k-9 partners is strong and to lose one so violently is going to be felt deeply for quite a while.

Kenny G Coming to Ocala in May

2024 Teacher of the Year in Marion County

Live On Stage: THE SPITFIRE GRILL

This is the final weekend that you can experience the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" live on stage at Ocala Civic Theatre. The last show will be on February 25.

Follow the story of Percy Talbott as she seeks a fresh start in the town of Gilead, Wisconsin, working as a waitress at The Spitfire Grill. The show explores intertwined lives and the mysteries of the town, featuring a folk-flavored score of songs.

Directed by Greg Thompson, this production promises a warm and generous heart, offering 15 performances on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets are available for $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. Don't miss this captivating PG-13 rated show. Buy tickets through the OCT box office, by phone at (352) 236-2274, or online at www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 The Ultimate Elvis Concert is an unrivaled multimedia production of The King of Rock n’ Roll’s Career!

Starring Internationally Acclaimed World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist Cote Deonath, backed by The Infinit-E Tribute Band. This will take you back to key points of Elvis Presley’s musical career, with multiple costume changes that will have you guessing what is next!

Elvis has been gone for over 40 years, yet his music is timeless and remains. You will experience the 1950s when Elvis burst onto the music scene, changing the face of music as we know it; his triumphant return to the stage in 1968 clad in Black Leather, the Glitz and glamor of Vegas in 1970, where Elvis performed over 800 consecutive SOLD OUT shows.

All proceeds from this concert benefit Habitat for Humanity.
For more information, visit: CoteUltimateElvis.com Doors Open: 5 pm – Show Begins: 6:30 pm

MCAS At Critical Capacity

Lily Tomlin's wise words, "Somebody should do something. Then I realized I AM somebody," strike a chord with the compassionate souls who work tirelessly at animal shelters. They embrace this motto not just as a job but as a way of life. Yet, they know they can't do it all alone. As 53 new dogs just arrived from a cruelty case, the shelter finds itself in a pressing situation, having already been stretched beyond capacity for months.

So, here's where you come in. The shelter is reaching out to the community, inviting you to be the change you wish to see in the world. Whether you've been contemplating adoption or feel a tug at your heartstrings to foster, your support is invaluable. Fostering provides these pups with a temporary home away from the shelter hustle and bustle, offering them a taste of love and comfort. And don't worry if you have furry friends at home already—crate training can make integration a breeze. Just share a bit about your routine and living situation, and the shelter team will provide all the tips and assistance you need.

Rescues and other shelters are also welcome to lend a helping paw by considering some of the shelter's lovable residents.

So, let's take that leap together and show up for these deserving animals.

Feel free to drop by for a visit any time between Tuesday and Saturday, from 10 am to 4:30 pm, at 5701 SE 66th Street in Ocala. For more details, hop online to marionfl.org/animal. Oh, and mark your calendar—on Thursday, February 1, the shelter is extending its hours until 6 pm for adoptions and new foster matches, with adoption fees joyfully waived.
 

Humane Society of Marion County Invites Youth to Play with Shelter Cats

The Humane Society of Marion County is thrilled to introduce its brand-new program, "Meeting New Furrends," specially designed for local youth aged 10 to 15!

At the Humane Society in Ocala, young animal enthusiasts can join in a delightful 30-minute session to socialize and play with adorable cats in a peaceful and private room. The Humane Society has all the essentials covered – treats, toys, catnip, and more to make it a purrfect experience. Plus, participants will be pampered with refreshments and comfy blankets for the ultimate cozy cat cuddling.

The program classes are divided into two age groups: children (ages 10-12) and teens (ages 13-15). So, whether a child is a young cat whisperer or a teenager is a feline fanatic, there's a spot just for them!

Mark the calendars for the upcoming sessions on Saturday, Feb 17, with limited spots available, so registration is a must. There's more fun to come with sessions scheduled for March 2, April 6, and May 4.

For all the nitty-gritty details and to secure a spot, interested individuals can reach out to the Humane Society of Marion County at 352-873-7387, ext. 202,

Ocala CEP Business After Hours Tomorrow Night
 

Business After Hours is a premier event where you can build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Whether you're a seasoned CEP partner or just starting, this event offers an ideal platform to make valuable connections in Ocala's thriving business community. This is an exciting evening of networking, food, refreshments, and a chance to win fantastic door prizes at the Ocala CEP's monthly cornerstone event, Business After Hours! Bring your business cards and Network On!

This month’s event is tomorrow night, February 15, 2024, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

At Panzer Concierge Medicine, 101 SW 3rd Street, Ocala, FL 34471

If you are not yet a member of the National award-winning CEP, just visit their website OcalaCEP.com for more information.

Live On Stage: THE SPITFIRE GRILL

Experience the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" live on stage at Ocala Civic Theatre from February 8 to 25. Follow the story of Percy Talbott as she seeks a fresh start in the town of Gilead, Wisconsin, working as a waitress at The Spitfire Grill. The show explores intertwined lives and the mysteries of the town, featuring a folk-flavored score of songs.

Directed by Greg Thompson, this production promises a warm and generous heart, offering 15 performances on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets are available for $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. Don't miss this captivating PG-13-rated show. Buy tickets through the OCT box office, by phone at (352) 236-2274, or online at www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 The Ultimate Elvis Concert is an unrivaled multimedia production of The King of Rock n’ Roll’s Career!

Starring Internationally Acclaimed World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist Cote Deonath, backed by The Infinit-E Tribute Band. This will take you back to key points of Elvis Presley’s musical career, with multiple costume changes that will have you guessing what is next!

Elvis has been gone for over 40 years, yet his music is timeless and remains. You will experience the 1950s when Elvis burst onto the music scene, changing the face of music as we know it; his triumphant return to the stage in 1968 clad in Black Leather, the Glitz and glamor of Vegas in 1970, where Elvis performed over 800 consecutive SOLD OUT shows. Cote delivers on all levels, bringing one of the most authentic tributes to the stage down to the rings Presley wore on his fingers. Find out what it was like to watch Elvis at his best on stage and experience the KING Again with The Ultimate Elvis Concert.
All proceeds from this concert benefit Habitat for Humanity.
For more information, visit: CoteUltimateElvis.com Doors Open: 5 pm – Show Begins: 6:30 pm   

If you have worked off those calories at the spin studio, that means you can have a cookie right?
Well, either way, you may want to make your way over to the Market Street Heathbrook plaza soon since the new Crumbl Cookies location is opening any time now.

A Crumbl cookie isn’t just any $5 cookie—it’s a $5 cookie you line up for. The company, founded in 2017 by cousins Sawyer Hemsley and Jason McGowan, was recently deemed the fastest-growing chain of dessert shops in the US by The New York Times. The cookie shop has more than 750 locations nationwide. If you have never heard of the phenomenon known as Crumbl Cookies, you are not on social media. The company has over 6 million followers on TikTok alone. That’s more than Taco Bell and Starbucks combined.

By creating weekly new recipes and leaning hard into social media as the main form of advertising, these two cousins without any baking experience are now bakery legends! But are the cookies worth all the hype? Find out soon as they open their first Ocala location at the Market Street Heathbrook Plaza and then tell us what you think on our Facebook page

Be Careful of Using Night Drop Boxes

Ocala Police are looking for two men who attempted to rob night drop boxes near the Paddock Mall. Both men were seen on video at one of the businesses attempting to use a homemade weighted device that had duct tape attached to it, to steal the contents from inside the night drop.

At this time it is unknown how many businesses were targeted. But please be aware that it is unsafe to leave cash or other valuables in a night drop box.

The video of these two individuals is making the rounds on social media and thankfully one of the men was shown in the video not wearing gloves while grasping the box lid. Also, while fishing for stolen items, their device became stuck in one of the night drops and that has now been turned over to the police for further evidence and possible fingerprints. If you have any information please contact Officer Rossi of Ocala Police Dept.
 

CEP 2024 Annual Lunch Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Annual Lunch presented by Cox Business! 

This event is held at the World Equestrian Center and is bigger and better each year.

Wednesday, February, 28, 2024 

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Doors open at 10:30 am for Networking - Program starts promptly at 11:30 am

You won’t want to miss a second of this lunch as all of Ocala is given highlights from last year and provided insights as to what is happening and even more importantly, what is soon to come.

If you want to be in the know about all that is going on in and around Ocala, this is the place to be! It is also a fantastic networking opportunity as well as some pretty good food!

This event sells out each year, so get your tickets by visiting the Ocala CEP Facebook page

19 yo That Intentionally Ran Over Sunny Isles Police Officer Faces Felony
 

The 19-year-old son of an Israeli diplomat is going to be facing a felony assault charge after all.

On Saturday afternoon Avraham Gil was dangerously weaving in between cars because quote: “He doesn’t like to wait.” When an officer performing a traffic stop waved him down and yelled for him to “Stop!” Gil instead accelerated toward the officer and intentionally ran him over.

The officer was hurt in his leg and incapacitated. Gil was arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest. Police say the motorcycle did not even have a license plate and Gil did not have a valid license. It should be a pretty simple case of a bad guy going to jail for poor choices. But no, Gil was later released without paying a penny by claiming diplomatic immunity through his father. There is even a video of him claiming diplomatic immunity to the arresting officer and offering to call his dad for them.
I can't even imagine how upsetting this would all be to the officer hurt or the entire dept.

The Sunny Isles Florida Police dept received great news from the State, however. According to the Department of State, consuls such as Gil's father, Eli Gil, are not shielded from criminal prosecution in a host country, nor are their family members. The "consular immunity" carried by Eli Gil carries far fewer protections than the immunity provided to full-fledged diplomatic agents.

So one less unlicensed aggressive driver may soon be on our Florida roadways thanks to the State Attorney’s office.

“Let’s Talk” Town Hall Meeting With Mayor Marciano

Let's talk! Join Ocala's new Mayor, Ben Marciano at a town hall meeting. Share your thoughts and interests directly with our mayor and hear about his vision for Ocala's future. Your presence is valuable! This event is presented by the Ocala Police Dept.

Details: March 6, 2024 | 6-7 p.m.

Mary Sue Rich Center at Reed Place

1821 NW 21st Ave.

Be Careful of Using Night Drop Boxes

Ocala Police are looking for two men who attempted to rob night drop boxes near the Paddock Mall around 2 am last night. Both men were seen on video at one of the businesses attempting to use a homemade weighted device that had duct tape attached to it, to steal the contents from inside the night drop.

At this time it is unknown how many businesses were targeted. But please be aware that it is unsafe to leave cash or other valuables in a night drop box.

The video of these two individuals is making the rounds on social media and thankfully one of the men was shown in the video not wearing gloves while grasping the box lid. Also, while fishing for stolen items, their device became stuck in one of the night drops and that has now been turned over to the police for further evidence and possible fingerprints. If you have any information please contact Officer Rossi of the Ocala Police Dept.