Ocala Gazette | April 7 - April 13, 2023

Mayor Guinn will not seek reelection

Staff report

At the close of the Ocala City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 4, Mayor Kent Guinn announced that he would not be seeking reelection.

Guinn has served 12 years as mayor, and before that served 12 years on the city council.

Thus far, Ben Marciano is the only person who has filed to run for the mayoral seat. Marciano reports that he has raised $107,000 for his campaign to date.

In addition to the mayoral seat, the city of Ocala will have two city council seats up for election this year.

Incumbent Ire Bethea has already filed to run again for the District 2 city council seat and has drawn one opponent, Reginald E. Landers Jr.

Incumbent Kristen Dreyer has already filed to run again for District 3 city council seat and has drawn no opponents.

The city elections are nonpartisan and open to qualified candidates registered under the district they live in, regardless of their party affiliation. This election, the city will be using new district boundary maps, redrawn after the 2020 census.

The mayor’s seat is a two-year term, while the city council seat is a four-year term.

City Clerk Angel Jacobs oversees qualifying candidates, and interested candidates can reach out to her for more information about what that entails. Jacob’s email is ajacobs@ocalafl.org.

Jacobs said that the qualifying period for candidates begins at noon on July 10 and ends at noon on July 14. The general election is scheduled for Sept. 19. If needed, the runoff election is set for Nov. 21.

Homelessness dilemma grows

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Editor’s note: In coming weeks, the “Gazette” will explore other aspects of this subject, such as the role of nonprofits and barriers to shelter.

Steve C. compares his homelessness to being trapped in a dark tunnel.

“There’s no way out,” he said.

Steve, 53, a native of Pennsylvania who says he’s been homeless for “quite a while,” said things began to unravel for him when his wife died and he “overdosed twice.” He was most recently living in a tent in a camp in the 700/800 block of Northwest 38th Avenue that he said was a “peaceful” place. Around 30 other people and three RVs were on the 68-acre parcel out of view from the main road—until the owner came to town to check on his property with a possible sale pending.

Law enforcement officials issued

trespass warnings to those living at the site. Many of the homeless have since struggled to find somewhere else to live in the aftermath.

This is just the latest example of a growing problem in Marion County and elsewhere, where communities are trying to help the less fortunate meet a basic human need: shelter.

Field workers from the Office of Homeless Prevention (OHP), the local agency that provides critical outreach efforts to connect the homeless with available services, had visited the encampment as far back as September, a city spokesperson said. OHP returned to the encampment after the police ordered those living there to leave.

There are a number of services available in Marion County, both government-related as well as private or through church-based organizations. There also is a project expected to be finished later this year that will create a day center providing everything from meals, laundry facilities and showers to

resources to locate birth certificates and other records.

In some instances, however, there appears to be a disconnect between these services and the people they are intended to help.

Infrastructure

To gain an understanding about how government, private, and charitable groups are involved, the “Gazette” reached out to several local groups for an update on a major undertaking that started in 2017 to address the homelessness in Marion County.

That year, the not-for-profit Marion County Public Policy Institute, or PPI, began a study called “Homelessness: The Long Way Home.” The PPI published recommendations two years later in the areas of leadership, comprehensive planning and funding. One recommendation was to eliminate the Marion County Homeless Council and form the Ocala/Marion

See Public, page A5

House, Senate get ready for budget talks

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

The Florida House and Senate are positioned to begin negotiations on a record state budget, after the House on Tuesday unanimously passed a $113 billion proposal.

The House vote came after the Senate on Monday approved its $113.7 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that will start July 1. The two chambers will need to reach agreement on a final budget before the scheduled May 5 end of the annual legislative session.

“Members we have a lot of work left to do before we can land the final budget,” House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, told House members after Tuesday’s vote.

The first step in negotiations will involve House and Senate

leaders reaching agreement on what are known as “allocations” — overall amounts designated for different areas of the budget, such as education and health and human services. Conference-committee members then will negotiate differences in spending details.

“There’s a lot of similarities (in the budget proposals). But there are some differences,” House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said Tuesday. “So, we have to go through the allocation process. I see a place to land, but you know … it can get bumpy.”

Lawmakers are flush with cash this year, in part because of higher-than-expected tax revenues. But House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said Tuesday’s unanimous vote wasn’t a sign Democrats agreed with every element of the House spending plan.

“We all have to do the best that we can to provide for our communities and make sure that critical resources reach them, that there’s funding for the arts and the environment and so many different things,” Driskell said.

As examples of issues that will be in play during negotiations, the Senate has proposed a 3 percent acrossthe-board pay increase for state employees, while the House has proposed 6 percent raises.

Also, the House does not want to fund the businessrecruitment agency Enterprise Florida and the tourismmarketing agency Visit Florida. The Senate, for instance, wants to spend $80 million on Visit Florida, an increase of $30 million from the current year.

The Senate also would provide $75 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund, which Gov. Ron DeSantis can tap

for regional infrastructure projects and workforce-training programs. The House has proposed spending $25 million on the program, while DeSantis has asked for $100 million.

Meanwhile, in one of DeSantis’ priorities, the House has proposed spending $107.9 million on the recently revived Florida State Guard. The money would allow the state guard’s ranks to jump from 400 to 1,500, while adding aviation and maritime components. The House offer is about $13 million more than DeSantis has requested.

The state guard is funded at $10 million this year, and the Senate spending plan does not include an increase.

Inactive since 1947, DeSantis made reviving the civilian guard a priority in 2022 to assist the Florida National Guard during emergencies.

On Monday, House

Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Chairman Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, said more than 3,600 people have applied to be members of the state guard, with about 465 identified as “good candidates.”

A stand-alone bill (HB 1285) on the state guard was the only issue that drew opposition from House Democrats on Tuesday.

“My concern is we’re increasing the number, we have vague language (on the state guard’s duties backing up the Florida National Guard), and we’re increasing the ability for the guard to interact with Floridians without having an established framework already in place,” Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, said.

While they voted for the budget proposal, Democrats also called for added oversight of school vouchers, additional funding in areas such as the

See State, page A2

As the numbers of the unsheltered increases locally, area agencies try to meet the need.

Cletus Gibbs of the Department of Homeless Prevention talks on his cellphone as he tries to locate other places for homeless people to stay as a homeless camp on the private property of Khalid Mirza is broken up off Northwest 38th Avenue in Ocala on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

File photo: Mayor Kent Guinn on March 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

State budget

Continued from page A1 arts, child-care services and the environment and expanding eligibility for Medicaid coverage.

They unsuccessfully tried Monday to remove $12 million that Republicans plan to provide for transporting migrants to “sanctuary” areas of the country.

Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Weston Democrat who is an educator,

raised concerns about a recently signed law (HB 1) that expands voucher programs.

“When we talk about how many people we think are going to take advantage of this, I don’t want to underestimate the fact that 300,000 people have the potential to do so,” Bartleman said.

Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, expressed concerns that legislation accompanying the vouchers doesn’t

include ways to ensure those students “will get a good quality education.”

Antone also voiced a need for the budget to include more funding for urban communities.

“I like the fact that we’re investing in our infrastructure, roads, highways, bridges, what have you,” Antone said. “But we’ve got to put that same energy into those inner-city and urban communities. They’ve been neglected for so long.”

Event aims to heal

‘soul injuries’

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Jason White, an Iraq War combat veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and treated in a program for combat veterans, will share his experience at the Honoring the Fallen: First Responders and Veterans ceremony April 8 at the Marion County Public Library.

The ceremony is free and open to first responders, veterans, their families and interested members of the public.

An organizer described the overall ceremony as a “safe place with symbolic self-forgiveness.” The event honors those who have been lost while bringing healing and peace to veterans and first responders who have been involved in traumatic experiences by giving them “permission” to grieve and unburden themselves from troubling memories.

White, 37, served two combat deployments in Iraq by 2008 during his 10 years of service in the Marine Corps. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2009 while stationed at Quantico, Virginia, and received treatment in a specialized program for combat veterans. He said he is looking forward to sharing his story with others.

“This is an excellent type of event,” he said. “I’m excited to discuss how to process trauma and come through it.”

The ceremony will include personal stories, and “anchor your heart” and “open your heart” exercises.

A portion of the ceremony will draw upon Native American spirituality, according to an organizer. The ceremony will conclude with a symbolic walk to the adjacent Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park for a “final tribute.”

The ceremony has been organized by Hospice of Marion County’s “We Honor Veterans” program and sponsored by the city of Ocala, Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park and Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation.

Beverly Lafferty, R.N., the director of volunteers and veteran support with Hospice of Marion County, along with HMC’s Jessica McCune, has been spearheading the organization of the ceremony. She said having served as a hospice nurse, she is familiar with veterans opening up about traumatic experiences in their latter stages of life.

“I believe this ceremony can help those (with burdens from traumatic experiences) in our community,” she said in an email. Lafferty said, for example, a veteran may encounter a traumatic situation, or a first responder may work a horrible accident and not be able to let go of the painful memories. “We have seen suicide with first responders; what burden did they need to lay down? What burden do the 22 veterans a day who take their lives need to lay

down or the family member who have felt isolated from someone who has served or is serving? We will be there to support those who need support.”

Lafferty said “Anchoring Your Heart” is a technique from Opus Peace, an organization that holds events nationwide and online focusing on experiencing feelings and turning inward to find peace. The group aims to help people overcome a “soul injury,” which is a “wound that separates you from your true self,” and can be caused by loss, hurt, guilt or shame.

According to opuspeace.org, “Opus Peace and Soul Injury is a grassroots movement. Founded in 2013, the Soul Injury concept originated in an unusual way.”

“Five VA hospice nurses who cared for 10,000 dying veterans witnessed ’warrior wisdom’ emerge from the depths of consciousness, revealing a process for attaining personal peace,” the website states.”

Lafferty said families of veterans and first responders dealing with changes in their parent, spouse or child are also welcome at the upcoming event. She said families may have to “let go” of the person they knew before the person was diagnosed with PTSD and “embrace” the person as they are now.

First responders from the Ocala Police Department, Ocala Fire Rescue, Marion County Fire Rescue and Marion County Sheriff’s Office all have been invited to attend.

“This ceremony is a good steppingstone to recognize burdens and free oneself from them,” Lafferty noted. “Depending on the needs of the person, they may need professional help as well.”

Todd Belknap and Ray Orlosky with Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation, both of whom were police officers in other states, will serve as co-moderators at the ceremony.

Bot said they’ve experienced multiple traumatic situations or horrific scenes during their careers.

Belknap, who served as a police officer from 1990 to 2000 in Connecticut, said in an email he still thinks about a call for service when a panicked father handed him a dying infant and begged him to save his son.

“(I) was unable to save the infant and the eyes of the grieving father still haunt me almost 30 years later,” he said.

Belknap’s next service call also involved an infant.

“A family locked their infant in a car (by mistake). The parent was pounding on me to get the child out of the car, but my mind was still back on my last call,” he wrote.

Belknap stated the Honoring the Fallen: First Responders and Veterans program is aimed at providing a safe place for those who serve to be revived.

“First responders and veterans are trained to run toward danger, but where do we turn to for sanctuary when we need help?” he stated.

WHAT:

Honoring the Fallen: First Responders and Veterans

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon, Sat. April 8

WHERE: Marion County Public Library Community Room 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL.

COST: Free to the public For more information: (352) 873-7441

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Veterans, first responders, loved ones invited to learn how to recover from life-changing traumas.

MCSO seeks clues in deaths of three teens in East Marion County

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon stated in a news release that a teenage girl had succumbed to the gunshot injuries she sustained last week. That announcement was followed by a mid-afternoon press conference.

According to MCSO officials, a 16-year-old girl was found shot and critically injured last Thursday on Southeast 183rd Avenue Road near Forest Lakes Park, a 17-year-old boy was found deceased from gunshot injuries on Friday in the vicinity of Southeast 94th Street and Southeast 188th Court and a 16-year-old girl was found deceased from gunshot injuries on Saturday in a partially submerged vehicle near a body of water in the vicinity of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace.

The MCSO press release on Tuesday stated that the injured female found at the Southeast 183rd Avenue Road location “has now been identified as Layla Danielle Silvernail. Layla was transported to a hospital in critical condition, where she succumbed to her injuries.”

The names of the other victims are being held as the families invoked Florida’s Marsy’s Law, which prohibits official disclosure of crime victim information.

During the press conference on Tuesday, Woods confirmed that law enforcement officials are visiting the Forest Lakes Park area in east Marion County to reassure residents and said that “every lead” is being looked at.

He affirmed that all of the victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds. He said that 15 detectives have been assigned to the case so far and this is an isolated incident.

“The victims were known to know each other and appears they were together in a time leading up to the incident,” Woods noted, adding that the victims were “friends as far as we know.”

Following the press conference, MCSO Lt. Paul Bloom confirmed that the office has received information that a “hybrid gang” may be tied to the case and stated that a number of “persons of interest” includes teenagers.

Residents of Forest Lakes Park, where two of the victims were found, indicated on Tuesday that the area is usually quiet and said they were shocked and surprised by the tragic events of the last several days.

One resident who has lived in the area for about eight years said of the victims, “They were just kids.”

Another resident appeared to be concerned about rumors circulating in the area.

On Monday, the MCSO posted a video on Facebook with Woods speaking about squelching rumors and reassuring residents that there is no known “fourth victim.”

Woods called Forest Lakes Park, in Ocklawaha, a “tight knit” community and asked residents with any information to call authorities.

“We need your help citizens. We’re looking for help for the families who lost a victim,” Woods stated in the video.

The Rev. David Houck, founder of the Help Agency of the Forest, Inc. not for profit, said on Wednesday that he had participated in prayer vigils held for the victims’ and prayed with and spoke for the families. He said “hundreds” of adults and youth from the close-knit communities in the Ocala National Forest attended the vigils.

Houck said Layla was a “wonderful young lady” and the family took some comfort in “knowing her legacy will live on with the timely donation of her organs.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ryan Stith at (352) 368-3542. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP (7867) and reference 23-22.

CITY WATER EARNS AWARD

The city of Ocala was awarded best-tasting drinking water at the 2023 Region XI North Central Florida Best Tasting Drinking Water competition on March 20, presented by the American Water Works Association Florida Section, in Belleview.

Five judges completed a blind taste test of six water samples from municipalities within the region before awarding the city of Ocala with the best-tasting drinking water. Each

sample was judged on taste, color, odor and clarity.

Ocala will compete in the “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Contest against regional state winners from across Florida.

To learn more about the city of Ocala water treatment process or to schedule a free group tour of the Water Treatment Plant, contact Gabriela Sullivan at wrcoordinator@ocalafl.org or call (352) 351-6772.

East 3/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and the East 10 feet of the West 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 36, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, Marion County, Florida. Except the North thereof.

Subject to all easements, rights of way and restrictions of record, Easement descriptions;

Parcels “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” above are subject and together with a 30.0foot easement, for utilities and for ingress and egress, 15.00 feet each side of the following described line:

270.83 feet; thence South 0 degrees 10 minutes 03 seconds West 50.00 feet to the South line of the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, and the end of this description.

Also subject to and together with a 30 foot Easement for ingress and egress and utilities over and across the North 30 feet of the West 1/3 of the East 3/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and also subject to 40 foot easement for ingress and egress and utilities over and across the North 40 feet of the East 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, all being in Section 36, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, Marion County, Florida.

Parcel 2: Tract No. C-2182;

Part of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 36, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, (T17S, R26E), Tallahassee Meridian, Marion County, Florida, more particularly described as:

Commencing a the 2.5² aluminum pipe at the Northeast corner of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of said Section 36 run South 00 degrees 22 minutes 30 seconds East, 680.15 feet along the East line of said NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 to an iron pin marked #2232 and the point of beginning; thence continue South 00 degrees 22 minutes 30 seconds East 644.96 feet along said East line to a 2.5² aluminum pipe at the Southeast corner of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of said section; thence North 89 degrees 18 minutes 31 seconds West, 86.96 feet along the South line of said NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4; thence North 00 degrees 06 minutes 19 seconds West, 643.65 feet to an iron pin marked #2232; thence North 89 degrees 49 minutes 46 seconds East, 83.91 feet to the point of beginning. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on the Plaintiff’s attorney, whose name and address is:

Keith P. Merritt, Esq. FIDELITY NATIONAL LAW GROUP Counsel for the Plaintiff 100 West

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BARBARA SUE HULL, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2023-CP-545 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: February 23, 2023 The date of first publication of this Notice is March

unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30

DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: March 3, 2023

The date of first publication of this Notice is March 31, 2023.

Attorney for Personal Representative:

JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: DESIREE DRINKALL 305 1st Avenue Albany, IL 61230

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH ZOLLA BYRD, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2023-CP-627 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT

on April 4, 2023.

To be published in the Ocala Gazette for FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

First publication on __April 7th April 14th____ _April 21st__ _April 28th.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF KEITH LELAND REEDS, a/k/a LELAND KEITH MARTIN, Deceased. CASE NO: 2023-CP-645 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1 st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF H. JOSEPH SMITH, a/ka/ HAROLD JOSEPH SMITH, CASE NO: 2023-CP-588 Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PHYLLIS ELAIN SENNEWALD, Deceased. CASE NO: 2023-CP-643 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

CLM RELEASES CALENDAR OF JOB RECRUITING EVENTS

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion has announced these job recruiting opportunities:

Commencing at the Northwest corner of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 36, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, Marion County, Florida, run South 89 degrees 26 minutes 10 seconds East along the North line of said NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, a distance of 331.37 feet to the Northeast corner of the West 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE ¼, and the point of beginning; from said point of beginning run South 0 degrees 12 minutes 39 seconds West along the East line of the West 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, a distance of 659.87 feet to the Southeast corner of said West 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4; thence South 4 degrees 02 minutes 46 seconds West 611.10 feet; thence South 89 degrees 35 minutes 31 seconds East 270.83 feet; thence South 0 degrees 10 minutes 03 seconds West 50.00 feet to the South line of the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, and the end of this description.

• Transition Live Center, April 7, 1-3 p.m., at CareerSource CLM’s Marion County Career Center, 2703 NE 14th St., Ocala. Direct Support

Professional and Instructional

Assistant, Adult Special Needs Instructor and Program Manager/Special Needs. Call 800-434-5627, ext. 1273.

Also subject to and together with a 30 foot Easement for ingress and egress and utilities over and across the North 30 feet of the West 1/3 of the East 3/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and also subject to 40 foot easement for ingress and egress and utilities over and across the North 40 feet of the East 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4, all being in Section 36, Township 17 South,

• World Equestrian Center, April 10-12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Expo Center 1. Varied positions. Call 800-434-JOBS (5627), ext. 3206.

• ResCare Community Living, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon, CareerSource CLM, 2703 NE 14th St., in Ocala. Direct care professionals and LPNs. Call 800-434-5627, ext. 1273.

• Marion County Public Schools, in collaboration with CareerSource CLM, Career Fair, April 15, 9 a.m. to noon, WEC Expo Center 2. Immediate positions and for upcoming

school year. Call MCPS Employment Services at (352) 671-7787 or CareerSource CLM’s affiliate Talent Center at (352) 840-5700.

• Marion County Youth Job Fair, in partnership with MCPS, April 27, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala. Also, Levy County Youth Job Fair, in partnership with School Board of Levy County, May 4, 10 a.m. to noon, College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus in Chiefland. Both are for 16-24-year-olds with littleto-no job experience looking for full- or part-time, permanent, temporary, or summer jobs. Call (800) 434-5627, ext. 1145.

Attendees are encouraged to bring printed resumes and dress appropriately. Free services are offered for resume and interview assistance, training, job referrals and counseling.

For more information, visit careersourceclm.com or call (800) 434-5627.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: February 17, 2023. The date of first publication of this Notice is March 23, 2023.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: December 16, 2022. The date of first publication of this Notice is March 31, 2023.

Attorney for Personal Representative:

JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: JEFFERY S. SMITH 1210 SE 27th Street Ocala, FL 34471

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: February 23, 2023 The date of first publication of this Notice is March 31, 2023.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: BARBARA SENNEWALD 11240 SW 61st Circle Ocala, FL 34476

CF SOLICITS COMMENTS RELATED TO ACCREDITATION PROCESS

In accordance with the Commission on Dental Accreditation policy on third party comments, the College of Central Florida Dental Hygiene program is soliciting comments pertaining to the standards for dental hygiene education or policies and procedures used in the commission’s accreditation process. All comments must:

• Pertain only to the standards or policies and procedures used in the commission’s accreditation process

• Be signed, and signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to

the program.

The commission will accept only comments pertaining to the standards or policies and procedures. A copy of the accreditation standards and/or the commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the commission at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611 or by calling (800) 6218099, ext. 4653. Comments should be received at that address or by fax to (312) 440-2915 no later than April 27, 60 days prior to the site visit on June 26-27, 2023.

Public, private partnership

Continued from page A1

Joint Office of Homeless Prevention. The OHP was established in July 2020. Marion County staff primarily oversee funding and grant applications, while the Ocala staff handles outreach efforts and operates the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which is used by nonprofits to store client information and to avoid duplication of services.

Getting an accurate count of the unsheltered in Marion County is problematic given their nomadic nature. Add in that many homeless people would prefer not to be found and the challenge can be daunting.

An annual Point In Time count, which attempts to locate and record the numbers of homeless people in Marion County, indicated that for 2022, there were 488 people in shelters and 188 people unsheltered.

In September 2022, Scot Quintel took over as Continuum of Care manager for the OHP. The Continuum of Care is a partnership of public and private agencies that help the homeless and try to keep people in borderline situations from becoming homeless.

Quintel said a vulnerability index that is used to prioritize homeless individuals for receiving services currently lists 61 individuals and 17 families.

The OHP remains busy providing services to the area’s homeless, Ashley Dobbs, City of Ocala Marketing and Communication Manager/Office of Strategic Engagement, said in an email.

“Since October 2020 through February 2023, the (OHP) has provided 6,242 assistances and follow-ups to homeless clients,” she said. The OHP, along with the service providers in the CoC, have helped 474 people find homeless resolutions including those in rapid-rehousing programs, permanent supportive housing programs, Emergency Housing Voucher Programs, and those that can self-resolve after an emergency shelter stay, Dobbs said.

A HUD report for the local Continuum of Care for 2017 to 2021 had some intriguing findings about the effectiveness of some of these efforts.

The report showed that while the number of homeless increased, there was also a higher number of people moving into permanent housing. The report notes the “average length of time homeless” went from 69 days in 2020 to 82 in 2021, while the “number of people who are homeless for the first time” went from 644 in 2020 to 1,046 in 2021.

Meanwhile, the report found people moving from emergency shelter and three other types of temporary housing into permanent housing went from 9.1% in 2020 to 34.5% in 2021.

There are other efforts bearing fruit, Dobbs said. Since Jan. 1, 2020, the Ticket Home program has helped 125 people move to another area where they will have a place to live. And, in September 2021, OHP partnered with the Ocala Housing Authority to administer the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. The Ocala Housing Authority has issued 51 housing vouchers and 35 of these clients have secured housing through leases and are no longer homeless, Dobbs said.

Importantly, OHP helps those

considered “literally homeless,” people without a fixed nighttime residence. These are people living in an emergency shelter or in a vehicle, encampment, or a place not considered habitable because there is no running water or electricity.

People like Steve and the others recently rousted from the encampment.

Personal perspectives

The camp evidently was established about a year ago by Arthur, who did not wish to give his last name. He was working at a nearby motel but, he said, he was fired for helping homeless people with meals. Arthur, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, claimed he had an OK from the property owner through a “real estate” representative to be on the property.

That was news to Khalid Mirza of Miami, owner of the parcel, who came to Ocala to check on the property with a possible sale pending.

Ocala Police Department call logs indicate that Mirza called on March 1 after he arrived at the wooded property and found multiple tents and trailers on the site and was “afraid to enter.”

“I called OPD (because) I did not give these people permission to be on the property. I feel bad for them,” Mirza said in a telephone interview. He acknowledged unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the encampment and called homelessness “a societal problem (in the) richest country in the world.”

On March 3, OPD issued trespass warnings to 15 people, ranging in age from 32 to 66, who were told to vacate the property by March 6. On March 7, OPD issued three notices to appear in court to people ages 33, 49 and 66.

Arthur complained about what he said was a short time frame to vacate the property. “We need some kind of help,” he said. “We have handicapped people.’’

Dobbs said OHP outreach workers

“have visited the camp since September 2022 and outreach workers responded to the camp after notification by OPD of the March 3 trespass warnings. Specialists offered to assist clients with receiving emergency shelter, substance abuse recovery resources and transportation assistance to the emergency shelter,” she wrote in a March 10 email.

Steve said he didn’t see any OHP workers between when the trespass notices were served and the deadline to vacate the property. He said he had encountered them previously. “I was approached by city workers early on …mainly (offering help with) substance abuse,” he said.

Now, Steve doesn’t know where he will stay. “I’ll go on the streets or perhaps check on the Salvation Army,” he said.

The barriers to shelter

Not all emergency shelters are created equal. Some are high-barrier shelters, which have identification and criminal record screening requirements. There also are low-barrier shelters, but not in Marion County.

“Our emergency shelters are not lowbarrier and many of our unsheltered do not meet the requirements to enter or remain in these shelters,” Dobbs noted.

“Those in the shelters have specific time limits so that others can enter the shelter and work through their programs and receive case management. We do not have

a low-barrier shelter in our area, and many clients in our encampments have been to shelter(s) in the past and are not allowed back in due to various reasons.’’

Quintel agreed that some of the homeless cannot enter the local shelters due to their criminal record. “Currently, there is no place for these individuals to be sheltered. This is a gap in the homeless services system we are working to address,” he said.

Becky Reynolds, director of social services with the Salvation Army in Ocala, said a person displaced from the camp could have had a bed the same night if they had the proper identification and pass background check requirements.

One of the people who moved off the property after the dispersal of the camp was a 40-year resident of Marion County who said they are now “clean and sober” and working with a solid waste company. Another former encampment member said he is getting help through the Marion County Mental Health Court Program. For Paul L., 57, the camp was the third he has lived in over the last 15 months. He said he was removed from a camp near OPD and one near Rural King. He said it’s hard to maintain his job as a cook when living in camp conditions and that a person cannot always have a clean appearance for a job in a kitchen that is often open for customers to observe.

“It’s tough. Out of sight is out of mind,” he said.

Combined efforts

According to HUD, the CoC award amount for 2021 was $489,464. The housing-related funding included $29,242 to Greater New Hope Church; $86,215 to Interfaith Emergency Services; $37,144 to the Ocala Housing Authority; $55,552 to the OHP for project application; and three awards to Shepherd’s Lighthouse totaling $281,311.

In addition, private nonprofits including St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleview, Saving Mercy, Open Arms Village of Ocala, LifeStream Behavioral Center at Beacon Point, Brother’s Keeper, Estella Byrd Whitman Wellness & Community Resources Center, Creative Services, and Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans are involved in the Continuum of Care.

Quintel said the PPI study recommends more outreach workers and creating a “central access point” for homeless persons to seek help. He said the SMA Healthcare (formerly the Centers) has two field outreach care managers and the OHP has four. He said more field outreach managers are needed but there is no hiring time frame.

“Outreach personnel attempt to connect unsheltered clients with emergency shelters if they are willing,” Dobbs said. They interview the client in-depth to verify their homeless status and establish what other services outside of housing the client may need, such as substance abuse recovery, mental health, medical, transportation and life-skills training.

“We have partnered with SMA Healthcare, and they ride with our

outreach personnel on a regular basis offering services specifically related to mental health and substance abuse and recovery programs,” she said.

Dobbs noted that the city of Ocala “provides the salary for five (OHP) employees, which allows more of the grant funding to go directly to housing programs.” Finding affordable housing is a huge challenge today, particularly for the homeless.

“The lack of income-based housing is a monumental barrier for our CoC,’’ Dobbs said. “Case managers and housing locators must work with private landlords to obtain housing. Our clients often have criminal histories and/or evictions in their rental history and are difficult to place in the private rental market.

“Rental rates have risen so dramatically over the past three years,’’ she added, “and we have seen many clients who were stably housed on a fixed income become homeless due to huge rental increases when their leases renewed. During and after the pandemic, numerous properties were sold, and the new owners raised prices dramatically.”

A glimmer of hope

Dobbs noted the ongoing need for a day center where the homeless can receive services in a congregate setting on a regular basis. These services include help obtaining birth certificates, Social Security/disability or VA benefits, job training and child-care services. The center could also provide services for those not in a shelter, such as laundry services and showers.

Quintel said a “central access point” or location similar to a fenced area near Interfaith Emergency Services, known as “Agape Park,” with some daytime facilities, is planned.

Karla Grimsley-Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, the agency handling the central access point, said the facility is slated to be up and running by year’s end, tentatively in the 400 block of Northwest Second Street.

“We are building an engagement center to be a central point of access and hopefully help these individuals navigate all of their challenges to housing,’’ she said. “The plans have been approved and we are about to start the bidding process. Hopefully, it will be completed by the end of the year, and the funding will partially come from the county (and) partially through Interfaith fundraising efforts. This will be a center where the homeless will have individual case management and other support services. It will also serve as a day center where they can get soft job training skills.”

As the local agencies continue to work together, many of the workers and volunteers hope for positive outcomes and for community engagement.

“There is a need for a low-barrier shelter in the area, but we’d also like to see the entire community get involved in helping the homeless. Housing is a human need,” said Reynolds.

Part of a homeless campsite is shown as a homeless camp is broken up on the private property of Khalid Mirza off Northwest

Avenue in Ocala on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

“There is a need for a low-barrier shelter in the area, but we’d also like to see the entire community get involved in helping the homeless. Housing is a human need.”

Becky Reynolds Director of social services with the Salvation Army in Ocala

Part of a homeless campsite is shown as a homeless camp is broken up on the private property of Khalid Mirza off Northwest 38th Avenue in Ocala on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

DeSantis fires back in Warren case

to avoid enforcing a new law preventing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Also, for example, DeSantis cited Warren policies that could limit prosecution of cases related to bicycle and pedestrian stops by police.

issuing the executive order is necessary for the proper function of Florida’s government both now and in the future,” Warren’s lawyers wrote.

But in addition to arguing that the issue should be resolved by the Senate, attorneys for DeSantis contended in Monday’s response to the petition that the suspension was justified.

“The governor suspended Mr. Warren because of non-prosecution policies that simultaneously revealed Mr. Warren’s neglect of duty and incompetence and reduced the deterrent effect of the criminal law in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (the Hillsborough County circuit),” the document said.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis

late Monday urged the Florida Supreme Court to toss out an attempt by suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to get reinstated, arguing the issue should be decided by the state Senate.

In a 56-page document, the attorneys wrote that a petition filed by Warren at the Supreme Court “presents quintessential political questions.” It also pointed to part

of the Florida Constitution that gives the governor authority to suspend officials and the Senate power to remove them.

“This (Supreme) Court should now make clear what it has often implied: the validity of a suspension and removal is a non-justiciable political question,” the document said.

Warren filed the petition Feb. 15 at the Supreme Court, more than six months after DeSantis suspended him for alleged “incompetence” and “neglect of duty.”

DeSantis pointed, in part, to a letter the twice-elected Democrat signed pledging

IHMC Lecture Series

Powered by:

Morgan L. Cable

THE TALK: Exploring Ocean Worlds

www.ihmc.com

15 S.E. Osceola Avenue Downtown Ocala

Co-hosted by:

April 20, 2023

Reception:

Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Talk:

Begins at 6:00 p.m.

Seating is limited RSVP to ihmc-20230223.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050

Season Sponsors:

Our solar system is host to multiple ocean worlds - planets and moons that contain oceans of liquid, usually water, either on their surfaces or underneath icy crusts. These worlds are prime targets of exploration due to NASA’s quest to ‘follow the water’ and may contain all three ingredients for life as we know it - water, chemistry, and energy. Could life exist in the oceans of Enceladus or Europa? Could even stranger life have emerged in the liquid methane lakes of Titan? Dr. Cable will cover our current state of knowledge of these ocean worlds, and discuss some current missions and future mission concepts to explore their plumes, surfaces, and ocean depths.

Morgan L. Cable is the Co-Deputy PI of the Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) Instrument aboard the Mars 2020 (Perseverance) rover and the Science Lead for the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) Project. She has worked on the Cassini Mission, is a Co-Investigator of the Dragonfly mission to Titan, and is serving multiple roles on the Europa Clipper mission.

Currently Dr. Cable performs laboratory experiments to study the unique organic chemistry of Titan. She and colleagues were the first to discover minerals made exclusively of organics that may exist on Titan’s surface. Morgan also conducts fieldwork in extreme environments on Earth, searching for life in places such as the Atacama Desert, ice fields at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, nutrient-limited lakes at the base of Wind Cave (the densest cave system in the world) in South Dakota, fumarole-generated ice caves of the Mount Meager stratovolcano in Canada, and lava fields of Iceland.

Lecture Sponsors:

Before going to the Supreme Court, Warren filed a federal lawsuit challenging his ouster. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the suspension violated the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, but Hinkle said he lacked the authority to reinstate the prosecutor. Warren has appealed Hinkle’s decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the Supreme Court petition, Warren’s lawyers argued that DeSantis overstepped his authority in issuing the suspension.

“This (Supreme) Court’s final determination that the governor exceeded his power under Florida’s Constitution by

In his Jan. 20 decision, Hinkle criticized DeSantis and the governor’s aides for failing to conduct a thorough investigation before ousting Warren.

“The assertion that Mr. Warren neglected his duty or was incompetent is incorrect. This factual issue is not close … The record includes not a hint of misconduct by Mr. Warren,” Hinkle wrote.

But attorneys for DeSantis argued in Monday’s document that the Supreme Court should disregard Hinkle’s views.

“(The) federal court’s gratuitous assertions — including its remarkable choice to opine on whether the governor violated Florida law, despite appreciating full well that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate that issue — were not essential to its judgment and have no preclusive effect,” attorneys for DeSantis wrote.

The Senate has put its consideration of the suspension on hold while the legal wrangling continues.

Suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren is challenging his ouster at the Florida Supreme Court. [Florida News Service]

LAWMAKERS TACKLE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS

SENATE SIGNS OFF ON ‘MEDICATION AIDES’

The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would allow trained certified nursing assistants to provide medications to nursing-home residents. The bill (SB 558), sponsored by Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton,

R-Lakeland, would allow certified nursing assistants to become trained as “qualified medication aides.” They could then administer what Burton and other supporters have described as “routine” medications to nursing-home residents, freeing up registered

nurses to provide other needed care. Also, qualified medication aides could perform tasks such as checking residents’ blood glucose levels. A House version of the bill (HB 351) has cleared committees and is positioned to go to the full House.

YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS BACKED IN SENATE

Aproposal began moving forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate that would create a year-round school pilot program at a limited number of elementary schools. The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee unanimously approved the measure (SB 1564).

The pilot program would launch next school year and would be authorized to run for

four years. The state education commissioner would choose five school districts to participate.

“To the extent possible, the commissioner shall select school districts that represent a variety of demographics, including, but not limited to, urban, suburban and rural school districts,” the bill says. At least one elementary school in the participating districts

would take part in the yearround program. The state Department of Education also would be required to study the “issues, benefits, and schedule options for instituting year-round school programs for all students.” A similar House bill (HB 891) has cleared committees and can be considered by the full House.

With catalytic converters including valuable metals, the Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill aimed at curbing thefts of the pollution-control devices from cars and trucks.

“This is happening to cars in driveways, it’s happening to fleet vehicles in fenced yards, and even, even the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile fell prey to this a month or so ago,” Senate bill sponsor Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, said. “That was just a little bit too far.”

Catalytic converters include precious metals such as palladium and platinum.

Supporters of the Senate bill (SB 306) and an identical House bill (HB 185) say thieves quickly cut catalytic converters off vehicles and sell the devices because of the metals.

The bills include creating third-degree felony charges for “knowingly” purchasing, possessing or selling stolen catalytic converters. Also, they would create an “inference” that people with two or more detached catalytic converters knew or should have known they were stolen or fraudulently obtained. The issue also is positioned to go to the full House.

STUDENT DATA BILL HEADED TO FULL SENATE

Aproposal dubbed the “Student Online Personal Information Protection Act” is poised for consideration by the full Senate after getting a green light Wednesday from the Rules Committee. The bill (SB 662) seeks to restrict the way that operators of websites and online applications used in schools can collect and use students’ data. For example, operators would be barred from using “targeted

advertising” on students and would be prohibited from using personal information to “amass a profile” of a student. The measure also would require website and application operators to collect “no more covered information than is reasonably necessary to operate” the services. Bill sponsor Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated “the pivot” to

online learning. “There’s an ever-increasing number of third-party educational applications being used in the classroom. And while innovative, these educational technologies are able to collect and maintain a large amount of data on our children,” Bradley said. An identical House bill (HB 699) needs approval from the Education & Employment Committee before it could be considered by the full House.

Senate targets treatments for trans minors

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

The Florida Senate on Tuesday passed a plan that would bar doctors and other healthcare providers from offering treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender minors.

The bill (SB 254) would largely put into law rules approved by state medical boards, but it also could lead to felony charges for doctors who provide the treatments to minors.

Bill sponsor Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, said the treatments, which also could involve surgery, are “experimental” when provided to children.

“I believe we need to let kids be kids,” Yarborough said. “And our laws need to set appropriate boundaries that respect the rights and responsibilities of parents while protecting children from the very serious health and safety concerns associated with these treatments.”

But Democratic lawmakers said major national medical associations support

gender-affirming care for transgender minors and that the bill is part of broader efforts in legislatures across the country to target LGBTQ youths. Rep. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, called the bill “persecution, plain and simple.”

“I will not co-sign on vilifying young people who are trying just to be who they are, vilifying parents when they want to seek gender-affirming care, vilifying physicians who provide this care,” Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, said.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 27-12 along almost-straight party lines to pass the bill. Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, joined Democrats in opposing the bill. The bill now will go to the House, where it is expected to pass.

“I don’t think that young people should have their bodies mutilated until they have a chance to make a decision,” House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, told reporters earlier Tuesday. “And when they’re adults, if that’s what they choose to do, then we support them in that decision. … And I think everybody in this room, everybody listening, knows that when you

are a child developmentally, you are not ready to make those determinations.”

Also, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made the issue a priority, frequently calling genderaffirming care “child mutilation.”

But Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, alluded Tuesday to DeSantis and GOP lawmakers often touting the “free” state of Florida.

“Free states don’t ban health care,” Berman said. “This state should not be stepping in to override parents’ decisions about health care for their children. The bill strips Florida parents of the right to follow the evidence-based advice of healthcare providers to provide the best care for their transgender child.”

The issue centers, in part, on treatment for gender dysphoria, which the federal government defines clinically as “significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity,”

The legislation came after the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine, at the urging of the DeSantis administration, adopted

rules that prevent doctors from providing the treatments to minors. Those rules went into effect last month.

The bill includes an exemption for children currently receiving puberty blockers or hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria. But it also would require the medical boards to create rules to establish standards of care for transgender children currently receiving the treatments.

While adults would be able to receive the treatments, the bill includes additional restrictions. For example, adults would have to sign consent forms that would be developed by the medical boards. Also, the bill would prevent the use of telehealth in providing treatments.

Republican lawmakers and the DeSantis administration have made a series of controversial decisions in recent years about LGBTQ-related issues. As an example, the DeSantis administration last year stopped Medicaid reimbursements for gender-affirming treatment for minors and adults, a move that has been challenged in federal court.

Alimony overhaul goes to full Senate

case law, we now codify all those laws and make that the rule of law. So we basically just solidify that. So from a retroactivity standpoint, no, because if anything could be modifiable before, it’s still modifiable. If it’s a non-modifiable agreement, you still can’t modify that agreement,” he said.

But Leisa Athey, a permanent alimony recipient, said the bill only incorporates “strategically selected parts” of the decades-old case.

Athey said judges sometimes agree to permanent alimony when assets have been dissipated by an ex-spouse.

would set a five-year limit on what is known as “rehabilitative” alimony. Under the plan, people who have been married 20 years or longer would be eligible to receive payments for up to 75 percent of the term of the marriage.

By Dara Kam Florida News Service

Could the fourth time be the charm?

After governors have vetoed three previous attempts to change Florida’s alimony laws, the latest proposed revamp is headed to the full Senate for a vote.

The Florida Bar’s Family Law Section and supporters of overhauling alimony laws clashed for a decade. But the former foes have banded together this year to endorse a plan to do away with “permanent” alimony and make a series of other changes.

A group of mostly older women who rely on the payments, however, are pleading with lawmakers to block the overhaul, saying they’ve been left out of the discussions over changes that could upend their lives.

Several members of the “First Wives Advocacy Group” addressed the Senate Rules Committee before the panel approved the proposal (SB 1416) on

Wednesday.

As with previous versions of the bill, their main source of concern is a proposal to do away with permanent alimony. The measure would set up a process for ex-spouses who make alimony payments to seek modifications to alimony agreements when they want to retire.

Supporters of the legislation say it would codify into law a court decision in a 1992 divorce case that judges use as a guidepost when making decisions about retirement.

Senate bill sponsor Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican who has shepherded similar legislation in the past, tried to assure the committee Wednesday that this year’s version would not unconstitutionally affect existing alimony settlements, a concern raised by Gov. Ron DeSantis when he vetoed an alimony bill last year.

This year’s proposal “went to what is currently case law,” Gruters said, pointing to the 1992 ruling.

“So what you can do right now, under

“When people get divorced, there’s not always equitable distribution,” Athey said. “So the way judges combat that is they award permanent alimony, so that each party just walks away with an equitable share.”

Under the proposed changes, alimony recipients will have no recourse if, for example, a business has been dissolved or handed over to someone else, Athey argued.

“How do they go back and get their half of the shared business?” she said. “That’s over and done with. … Listen, it happens all the time in divorces.”

Supporters of changes have spent 10 years trying to overhaul the laws, which haven’t been updated in decades. Many of the advocates are wealthy professionals who contend that lifelong alimony obligations have forced them to continue working long past the time when they wanted to retire.

DeSantis’ veto last year marked the third time that bills have made it through the Republican-controlled Legislature only to be rejected. Former Gov. Rick Scott twice vetoed such legislation, with a standoff over the issue leading to a nearfracas outside Scott’s office in 2016.

Along with doing away with permanent alimony, this year’s proposal

The bill also would allow people paying alimony to seek modifications if “a supportive relationship exists or has existed” involving their ex-spouses in the previous year. Critics argue the provision is vague and could apply to temporary roommates who help alimony recipients cover living expenses for short periods of time.

Camille Fiveash, a 62-year-old Milton resident, has long battled the effort to eliminate permanent alimony. She told the Senate panel Wednesday her group has about 3,000 members statewide.

“Most are Republican women, most are stay-at-home moms, moms that home-schooled. Men go off and work a lot of times, and the wife does stay home. That still happens today,” she said.

Fiveash said the women were not included in negotiations over the bill during the past year.

“We have not been asked. We have never been asked, and we have never been consulted on our opinion,” she said. This year’s version of the bill does not include a controversial provision that would have required judges to begin with a “presumption” that children should split their time equally between parents. Scott largely pinned his 2016 veto of an alimony bill on a similar child-sharing provision. The Family Law Section fiercely opposed the inclusion of the child-sharing provision in previous iterations of the alimonyreform proposals.

An identical House alimony bill (HB 1409) needs to clear one more committee before it could go to the full House.

Plan seeks insurer ‘accountability’

By Jim Saunders Florida New Service

Drawing pushback from insurance and business groups, a Florida Senate committee Wednesday backed a proposal that the sponsor said would increase “transparency and accountability” for insurance companies.

The bill (SPB 7052) emerged as many Floridians continue trying to recover from last year’s one-two punch of Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole and after lawmakers passed a series of legal protections for insurance companies.

The measure would make wide-ranging changes, including increasing fines that regulators can slap on insurers, increasing information-reporting requirements and requiring that rate filings reflect changes in laws aimed at helping insurers.

“The idea is not only are we going to hit those bad actors a little harder, but we’re going to make sure everybody knows who they are,” bill sponsor Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, said before the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee backed the measure.

But insurance-industry groups and the Florida Chamber of Commerce objected to parts

of the bill, which comes after lawmakers in recent months passed major changes to try to shore up the troubled propertyinsurance industry and shield insurers and other businesses from costly lawsuits.

“We do agree that bad actors should be held accountable, and I think that’s the overarching goal of the bill,” Florida Chamber lobbyist Carolyn Johnson told the committee. “Unfortunately, the bill as currently drafted brushes a much-broader stroke. And we have started hearing from all kinds of insurance companies that are our members that are concerned with how this bill will impact them.”

Hutson and Senate Banking and Insurance Chairman Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, indicated they expect the bill to be changed as it moves forward in the Senate. Also, a similar bill has not been filed in the House midway through the 60-day legislative session.

The proposal comes during a tumultuous time in the insurance market, particularly after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole hit the state last year. Those hurricanes exacerbated problems that had already led to property insurers dropping customers and raising rates — and, in some cases,

going insolvent.

While insurers have blamed many of their financial problems on heavy litigation, plaintiffs’ attorneys have long argued that insurers don’t properly handle claims and face a lack of regulatory oversight. Those arguments gained extra fuel last month, when The Washington Post reported that insurance companies had changed adjusters’ damage estimates to lower amounts paid to homeowners after Hurricane Ian.

Stephen Cain, a Miami lawyer who is president-elect of the Florida Justice Association, a plaintiffs’ attorneys group, told the Senate panel Wednesday it’s “nice to see insurance companies being put under a microscope.”

“What has finally become clear to the Legislature, what has been clear to us for years, is that (the) homeowner insurance crisis isn’t a market failure,” Cain said.

“It is a regulatory failure.”

Examples of proposed changes in the 46-page bill include:

— Increasing a series of potential fines for violations of insurance laws. For example, currently, insurers can face fines of $5,000 per “non-willful” violation, with a limit of $20,000 for all related violations. Under the bill, those amounts would go to $12,500 per violation and

a $50,000 aggregate amount in non-emergency situations. They would go to $25,000 per violation and a $100,000 aggregate amount when they involve losses or claims stemming from emergencies such as hurricanes. Fines would be higher for “willful” violations.

— Requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to issue a quarterly report about actions taken against insurers, including identifying the insurers and providing information about violations and penalties.

— Requiring that propertyinsurance and auto-insurance rate filings take into account the expected effects of laws passed during the past two years that were designed to help reduce costs. The Office of Insurance Regulation also would have to take those issues into account in reviewing the rate filings.

— Increasing documentation and scrutiny of payments that insurers make to affiliated companies for services. The bill would set criteria for regulators to evaluate such payments to determine if they are “fair and reasonable.”

— Making clear that changes passed during a December special session do not apply to insurance policies in effect before the law was approved. At least in part,

that would prevent insurers from trying to apply lawsuit limits passed in December to disputes about earlier claims.

In a statement after Wednesday’s meeting, Hutson said the bill “seeks to provide the proper balance between insurers and policyholders.”

“It makes certain that insurers will be held accountable if they do not meet the obligations of their contracts,” Hutson said.

“Additionally, the bill will make sure savings generated from all the reform bills we have passed will begin to be passed on to Florida policyholders.”

But Gary Guzzo, a lobbyist for the Florida Insurance Council, raised a series of concerns, including that the bill could “negatively affect capital investment at a critical time in the marketplace.”

“We fully understand the call for insurer accountability. Your constituents and our policyholders deserve nothing less,” Guzzo told senators. “But we urge you to be wary of passing laws that have unintended consequences that run counter to essential reforms this body (the Senate) has fought hard for before they can express themselves in the marketplace.”

Senators target monument removals

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Supporters of Confederate monuments and other historical markers could sue over removal or destruction of the displays, under a controversial proposal continuing to move forward in the Florida Senate.

In a 6-2 party-line vote, the Republican-controlled Community Affairs Committee on Wednesday backed the bill (SB 1096), which would give standing to people to file lawsuits if they believe they have “lost history” or the ability to teach about the past because of monuments being removed or relocated or because the structures were not protected from damage.

“What I like about these memorials in public places is that everybody has the opportunity to see who we were,” bill sponsor Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, said.

“The older the monument, the more important it is, because it provides a starting point for what our country began as, who led our country,” Martin added. “And looking around in modern-day America, especially many of our big cities, sitting even up here in the committee room, we can look around and see that our America looks a lot different than it did

when any of these people who are depicted in monuments were running things.”

The measure comes after controversies in recent years in Florida and other states about removing historic markers, many honoring members of the Confederacy.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins supported the proposal.

“Right now, we have a movement in this country to take down and destroy historic monuments,” Calkins said. “They started with Confederate monuments. It didn’t end there. Christopher Columbus. George Washington’s next. And we need to protect our monuments. We need to protect our history.”

But Sen. Rosalind Osgood, D-Fort Lauderdale, said many markers were erected after the Civil War and during the 1950s and 1960s in defiance of the civil-rights movement.

“I’m hoping that we’ll get to a point where we can have some real tough conversations to understand why different groups feel different ways about certain things,” Osgood, who is Black, said. “People that look like me really are offended by a lot of the Confederate monuments.”

Jonathan Webber, a lobbyist for the Montgomery, Ala.-based SPLC Action Fund, argued Confederate monuments honor people who took up arms against the United States and “are symbolic

reminders of the racist social hierarchy that can still be felt today.”

The bill, titled the “Historical Monuments and Memorials Protection Act,” would apply to a wide range of items, including plaques, statues, markers, flags and banners, that are considered permanent displays “dedicated to a historical person, entity, event or series of events, and that honors or recounts the military service of any past or present military personnel or the past or present public service of a resident of the geographical area.”

People responsible for damaging or removing monuments or memorials would be open to civil lawsuits, including a threat of increased damages known as “treble” damages and punitive damages.

The measure would allow monuments and memorials to be relocated but only to

areas that have “similar prominence and access to the public.”

Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Eustis, said people should “respect” memorials, as “we all have plenty to repent of personally, in addition to whatever our ancestors did.”

“I think this could be a step forward of just mutual respect, and yeah, maybe force us to confront our failures of the past and force us to say, ‘We have gotten better on some things,’” Baxley added. “But to condemn other people’s memorialization, when they’re not even here to explain themselves or their role, I think it’s very disrespectful.”

The proposal must be approved by the Rules Committee to reach the Senate floor.

A House version (HB 1607) cleared the Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee last week in a 9-3 vote.

People, Places & Things

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Recognized for a boldly conveyed and uniquely designed digital collage, Grace White won Best of Show in the 2023 College of Central Florida’s student art exhibition last week.

Professor Tyrus Clutter presented the digital media major with the award during a ceremony held in conjunction with the annual art show on Wednesday, March 29. The exhibition will be on view until Thursday, May 4, at the CF Webber Gallery located on the CF Ocala Campus at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

White and her peers in CF’s digital media program joined students of other art mediums in submitting imaginative, conceptual and contemporary works in the juried competition.

In “But You Don’t Look Sick,” White, 20, boldly expresses her frustrations with society’s perceptions around what she describes as invisible health challenges.

“I myself have invisible illnesses, chronic illnesses and disabilities,” she shared. “So, for me, it’s more about the learned experience of living with invisible illnesses and how I feel about people not necessarily knowing all the time that you are sick.”

White explained that she was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, also known as POTS, conditions that prevented her from continuing her training as a dancer and studying more traditional art forms.

Digital media became appealing to her around two years ago because she would draw on her iPad while resting.

“I also have endometriosis and mass-cell activation syndrome, or MCAS,” White elaborated. “All of these are invisible conditions that you

annual student art exhibition.

don’t necessarily see. EhlersDanlos syndrome is a genetic condition, so it affects my connective tissues and causes me to sublux, or dislocate, joints. POTS affects my autonomic nervous system, so I get a lot of blood pooling in my feet. My blood doesn’t circulate properly, and it causes me to have a really high heart rate. My heart rate can go from anywhere from 150 to over 200 just from standing.”

Because White is relatively physically fit and projects what she describes as a “Type A” personality, some doctors and acquaintances have dismissed her concerns and regarded her with skepticism. So, to cope with her frustration and educate others, she has crafted imagery that conjures doctor visits and hospital stays with digital photos of hospital bracelets, symptoms and other medical ephemera.

“I wanted to show that just because something’s pretty on the outside or looks fine, it’s not always fine on the inside,” White affirmed. “And that’s what I also tried to emulate with the background with the different texts and stuff like that. The ripped papers include my diagnoses, my symptoms and paperwork from different doctors’ appointments to show the visible behind the invisible.”

White stitched the title, “But You Don’t Look Sick,” in a folksy manner with a sassy, sarcastic twist as she does with the embroidered “Not Visible ≠ Not Here.” A tulip bouquet stands as a symbol of traditional, demure feminine beauty, contrasting the photos of her torso; her pain-trigger points are less delicately marked with a thick, bloodred marker.

Despite the challenges she has endured, White maintains perspective. The thirdgeneration Ocala resident said she has been fortunate to receive support from important people in her life and expresses gratitude to her

parents and mentors.

University of Central Florida professor and professional visual artist Nicholas Kalemba judged the competition. He chose the placement awards of Best of Show, First-Third Place and Honorable Mentions.

In a judge’s statement, he describes White’s work as “conceptually strong, emotionally charged and poignant as well as formally proficient in its composition, color choices and use of collage.”

“It was a difficult task to decide between the top four pieces due to their proficiency with materials, concept, mood, execution and presentation,” he added. “I look forward to the exhibiting artists’ continued development of their artistic journey.”

CF will present a talk with Kalemba from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12. The artist/educator will talk about his process and the Visual Arts Program at UCF, where he teaches.

Also of note, CF President James Henningsen chose the purchase awards and the three Student Choice Award Finalists. Purchase awards works will be added to the CF Permanent Art Collection.

CF students will vote on a favorite student finalist through April 27, determining which one of the three works nominated will be selected for another purchase award. That student’s work will be purchased and added to CF’s permanent collection. The winner will be announced during the first week of May on the CF Webber Gallery Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information about the College of Central Florida’s gallery and arts programs, visit cf.edu.

Check out Grace White’s Etsy store at etsy.com/shop/ OleanderandHemlock.

2023 CF Student Art Exhibition Award Winners:

Best of Show

“But You Don’t Look Sick” by Grace White

First Place

“In Simple Form” by Alexia Sibul

Second Place

“Untitled Still Film #35” by Megan Ryan

Third Place

“Lurk” by Aleigha Shepherd

Honorable Mention

“Spicy” by Isabel Aquino

Honorable Mention

“Left on Read” by Kristina Brightshue

Honorable Mention

“Illuminator of the Night Sky” by Austin Roberts

Honorable Mention

“Ginko” by Deborah Mackes

Honorable Mention

“You Petty Human – 2” by Deborah Mackes

Honorable Mention

“Happy Lunar New Years” by Alexia Sibul

Honorable Mention

“Military Grade” by Conor Keating

Honorable Mention

“The Motus” by Ethan Bunch

Purchase Award

“Lurk” by Aleigha Shepherd

Purchase Award

“Path of Jewels” by Sara A. Velasquez Pillot

Student Choice Award Finalist

“Gaia” by Austin Roberts

Student Choice Award Finalist

“You Petty Human 3” by Deborah Mackes

Student Choice Award Finalist

“Cucina” by Isabel Aquino

CF’s Best of Show collage challenges our perceptions of “invisible illnesses,” one of many striking works in the college’s

Grace White won Best of Show for “But You Don’t Look Sick,” a digital collage. [Courtesy

Detail of “But You Don’t Look Sick” by Grace White. The digital collage won Best of Show in the CF Student Art Exhibition. [Julie Garisto]

“I wanted to show that just because something’s pretty on the outside or looks fine, it’s not always fine on the inside.”

Grace White

OSO OFFERS ‘POP’ SEASON FINALE

Fresh, new faces at FAFO

By Ocala Gazette Staff

What do you get when you pair music inspired by Andy Warhol with classic tunes such as “Rhapsody in Blue?”

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s (OSO) season finale concert, “(POP) Music Americas: from Rio to The Big Apple.”

The concerts will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 and 3 p.m. April 30 at the Reilly Arts Center, at 500 NE 9th St., Ocala. They will feature iconic pieces such as George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” with pianist Evan Haile, and new works such as Michael Daugherty’s “Fifteen: Symphonic Fantasy on the Art of Andy Warhol,” which will have its Southern U.S. premiere during the event. The symphony was inspired by Warhol, perhaps the world’s most recognizable proponent of pop art, and the title from his quotation, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” according to the news release.

Also featured will be “Danzón No. 2” by Arturo Marquez and “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7,” a Brazilian homage to Johann Sebastian Bach by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Before the concerts, there are two free events:

• Coffee with the Conductor, 10 a.m., April 14, at the Marion Theatre: Maestro Matthew Wardell will offer a look at the pieces and composers.

• OSO Open Rehearsal for Students and Families, 7 p.m., April 28, at the Reilly Arts Center: Guests will hear from the conductor and watch musicians up close. Pizza is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP to info@ reillyartscenter.com.

Tickets for the April 29 and 30 concerts range from $15 to $40 and may be purchased at reillyartscenter.com or via the box office, at (352) 351-1606.

MCA GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR ARTS EDUCATORS

The Korzenny Grant for Arts

Educators supports small grant requests by arts K-12 educators in Ocala and Marion County. The spirit of this fund is to encourage arts educators who are developing artists and art education for the future. The

Several new appointees are getting to work planning two of the area’s signature events.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Fine Arts For Ocala’s (FAFO) new President Billye Mallory said she believes art is “important for selfexpression and societal reflection” and that she wants to do her part “to ensure Ocala’s art community always feels appreciated and prioritized.”

Mallory is among a number of new faces at FAFO, a local nonprofit organization that organizes the annual Ocala Arts Festival and the Symphony Under the Stars event. She and new Administrative Coordinator Ashley Morgan signed on earlier this year, along with some new board members.

A University of Florida graduate and fourth-generation Ocala native, Mallory said civic involvement runs in her genes. Her grandparents, Frank and Pamela Stafford, “have been super involved in Ocala,” she said. “I feel like I got that from them.”

For her day job, Mallory works at Renstar, a medical research facility, recruiting patients for studies, and helping out with marketing and promotions.

Through the sponsorship of the David and Lisa Midgett Foundation, FAFO’s Emerging Artists program, which is part of the Ocala Arts Festival that takes place in the fall, has recognized local artists on the rise over the past few years. The artists show and sell their work alongside established artists, and they participate in the juried competition and work with mentors to advance their careers.

potential art installations that will be set up throughout the festival for photo ops and a likely addition of street performers, entertainers, and interactive games. There are also plans under way for interactive art to engage attendees.

“Open container rules are in effect this year again,” Sykes added. “We are going to encourage each business downtown to participate in selling to-go food and drink items.

“Downtown businesses will be able to set up outside their entrances if they wish, if they are not blocking foot traffic or causing problems,” he said. “We have our first meeting with the city coming up at the end of the month, so around that time we’ll definitely start getting a solid yes or no on many of these topics.”

Morgan is the only new FAFO appointee who has a paid position, Mallory explained.

“The rest of us are volunteers. So, as you can imagine, that’s quite a hefty role,” she said.

Mallory praised Morgan’s organizational skills, which, according to the new president, makes her the ideal replacement for Maggie Weakley, who was a well-known, highly regarded driving force at FAFO since 2014 and a noted artist in her own right.

“We’ve been in transition, switching everything to Ashley, and it’s been a lot over the past year for sure, but everything has been so smooth between the two of them,” Mallory said of Morgan and Weakley.

grants were inspired by Betty Ann and Felipe Korzenny.

Requests may be submitted for up to $1,000. A review committee will consider the applications, which may be submitted online at any time. To learn more, go to mcaocala.org

LOCAL STUDENT EARNS SCHOLARSHIP

Purple Pansies, a volunteer run nonprofit fighting to end pancreatic cancer, has awarded a scholarship to Keri Turner, a Silver Springs student who attends Savannah College of Art and Design.

“Purple Pansies is proud to provide the resources students need to continue their education,” said founder Maria Fundora in the press release. “It is our goal to continue to support and bring pancreatic cancer awareness to the younger generation.”

Scholarship eligibility is for students who have lost an immediate family member (parent or guardian) to pancreatic cancer, or who have a parent, guardian, grandparent or immediate family member who has survived or is fighting pancreatic cancer. Applicants were selected based on

essays about their experience and how the scholarship would make a difference in their lives.

“While pancreatic cancer had only physically affected my mom and grandpa, this disease took away so much more than just that. Not only had this sickness taken away my family members, but it had also forced me to leave behind my childhood,” said Turner in the release. “My college funds were used to pay for my mother’s treatment and medicine; this has left me unable to afford the tuition costs. This scholarship would allow me to take my skills, passion and ideas to an industry I’ve only ever imagined being able to join.”

Applicants interested in the next phase can visit purplepansies.org/ scholarship. The deadline to apply is May 5.

Two new FAFO appointees have shown their work as emerging artists in the festival: Teddy Sykes, the new chair of the Ocala Arts Festival, and Ryan Neumann, his co-chair.

“Teddy Sykes is an artist himself, as is Ryan Neumann. We’re understandably excited to see their vision for the festival come to life this fall,” Mallory said.

Charlita Whitehead will serve as the new Symphony Under the Stars chair, and Neumann’s wife, Kat Neumann, will be cochair of the symphony event, which is held each year on Mother’s Day in partnership with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

According to Sykes, the 2023 Ocala Arts Festival event map and parking will stay the same. The festival is spread out on streets around the downtown square.

“We’re looking to add additional seating options in various locations throughout the event grounds,” he said. “We’re also going to see what options we have to add more shaded areas, so visitors aren’t always in direct sunlight.”

Sykes said the festival committee will likely partner with other local arts organizations to custom-paint several picnic tables “to be both on display and be available for visitors to sit down at and use.” The tables may or may not be auctioned off to raise money after the event. That’s still to be determined.

Also, there’s been discussion about

“They’re both so organized and efficient,” Mallory effused, “and, of course, we were very saddened to see Maggie go, but we’re excited to see what’s to come from her as an artist.” Morgan, who has a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in marketing and accounting, and a master’s in education leadership, wrote on Instagram that her most inspiring moments at the Ocala Arts Festival came to her as a child walking around downtown and seeing all the artwork from elementary students.

“Especially when it was my own art on display with world-renowned artists,” she added. Another cherished, more recent memory took place a few years ago when she attended Symphony Under the Stars for the first time.

“It was my first Mother’s Day the year I had my son,” she said.

In between its big events, FAFO supports art education through scholarships and various community programs, and local artbased organizations.

“As a local artist and collector, I have been truly honored to be involved with FAFO. My fellow board members are a great group of humans who really care,” said Ryan Neumann. “The upcoming festival will continue a long tradition of celebrating the arts here in Marion County. Everyone on our team is genuinely dedicated to bringing positive experiences to the people.”

To learn more about Fine Arts For Ocala, visit fafo.org.

FAFO’s new appointees:

Billye Mallory - President

Ashley Morgan - Administrative Coordinator

Charlita Whitehead - Secretary and Symphony Under the Stars Co-Chair

Katrina Neumann - Symphony

Under the Stars Co-Chair

Teddy Sykes – Ocala Arts Festival Chair

Ryan Neumann – Ocala Arts Festival

Co-Chair

Board members: Sondra Collins, Brooke Hutto, Carley Lovell, Dawn Lovell, Karan Gaekwad and Chona Tanner

[Courtesy of Reilly Arts Center]

Charlita Whitehead, FAFO secretary and co-chair of Symphony Under The Stars; Ashley Morgan, FAFO administrative coordinator;

Billye Mallory, FAFO president; Teddy Sykes, chair of the Ocala Arts Festival; and Ryan Neumann, co-chair of the festival, pose in front of a mural painted by Justin Alsedek in the courtyard by the Brick City Center For The Arts on Southwest Broadway Street in Ocala on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Let the good times roll

A 1980s-era roller-disco fantasy skates and shimmies on the CF stage April 13-16.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

The College of Central Florida’s theater department is more than skating by with its spring semester production of “Xanadu.”

Written by Tony-winning playwright Douglas Carter Beane, the time-bending roller-disco spectacle careened onto Broadway around 15 years ago with some cheeky tweaks to the film’s dialogue.

The 2007 theatrical redux takes things up a notch. It’s what CF theater instructor/ director Nonalee Davis calls a “spoof” of the so-bad-it’s-good fantasy film starring Olivia Newton-John. The revamped musical reprises the film’s beloved soundtrack. Tunes include “Magic” by Newton-John, “I’m Alive” and “Evil Woman” by ELO, and the shimmering titular earworm, “Xanadu,” which features her and the band. (Yes, it will be stuck in your head for days. You’re welcome.)

“I grew up listening to Olivia NewtonJohn, and I’m a huge fan,” Davis shared during a dress rehearsal of the production. “So, for me, the songs on the soundtrack that I remember appearing on the Billboard charts, like ‘Suddenly’ (by Newton-John), are some of my childhood favorites.

The show also features, more prominently than in the film, characters from Greek mythology.

“I love the muses and sirens,” Davis

said. “They are a fun twist, and they don’t have speaking roles in the movie. Plus, our production is loaded with Easter eggs!”

Davis was referring to the show’s playful visual tributes to Newton-John, the movie “Xanadu” and other 1980s-era/ historical tidbits.

Indeed, the play’s script is often funnier and more clever than the film, and Davis extended the cast from eight to 27 in the almost entirely student-run production.

The musical’s ridiculously entertaining narrative transcends time and place with flashbacks to the 1940s and time-traveling mythological heroes of ancient Greece.

Its story follows Kira (Kelli Piel), a Greek muse cursed to fall in love with a mortal, and Sonny (Jackson Reed), a painter by trade, who dreams of owning his own fabulous roller disco.

Danny Maguire (Collin Williams), owner of the building where Sonny would construct his rink/discotheque, takes the couple back in time to his 1940s heyday with a music-and-dance number that recalls Gene Kelly’s final performance in the 1980 film.

With all the time travel in “Xanadu,” you can expect to see costumes from multiple time periods, from togas to A-line skirts to headbands and legwarmers. Costume designers Veronica McGrath and Melrose Root grace the cast’s getups with neon and rainbow colors and many other fun flourishes.

Also, the students are getting quite a

historical and literary education through “Xanadu” as the inspirations behind the script go back a millennium.

The 1980 movie is based on another film, “Down to Earth,” a 1947 comedy starring Rita Hayworth — a sequel to the 1941 film “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” which happens to be based on the 1938 play “Heaven Can Wait” (remade into a 1978 hit movie starring Warren Beatty).

With verse referenced in the script, the city of “Xanadu” famously appeared in “Kubla Khan,” a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who conjured a royal “pleasure dome” in a drug-induced dream (Coleridge suffered from chronic pain). The poem’s paradoxically sunny ice palace floated on air and gave artistic birth to the show’s dream-come-true roller disco.

Fun fact: Poet Coleridge dreamt up the fantastical abode after reading a historical tome by Samuel Purchas, whose text referenced Marco Polo’s description of Khan’s empirical home, a portable structure constructed with gilded and lacquered cane or bamboo.

So, from port-a-palace to roller disco,

“Xanadu” represents artistic creation defying the odds.

Its script repeatedly mentions dreams; a theme that reflects the aspirations of its student cast — but with neon and glitter.

Indeed, leads Piel and Reed are rolling on a steady path to a hopeful future.

“It’s such an awesome experience, and this is my first musical,” said Piel, 21, who’s also a music education major and vocalist in CF’s Patriot Singers. “Music is my passion, so I’ve enjoyed getting to sing and dance and act,” she said, adding that she plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida.

She, like many others in the cast, is on roller skates throughout the show, except for the finale, when she wears white furry leg warmers with multicolor lights.

Reed, 20, works as a videographer after school and also plans to transfer to UCF. The liberal arts major is taking acting classes and is on track to be a film major.

So, we might see in Reed another Robert Redford—both in front of and behind the camera.

Talk about a dream come true!

“Xanadu” performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 13-15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students and can be purchased by calling (352) 873-5810. For more information, visit CF.edu/VPAEvents.

The Lunch Bunch, part I

Editor’s Note: Because we’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, the Gazette has begun “More for Less,” a recurring list of budget-friendly things to experience and buy to help stretch your dollar a little further.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com.

Thanks to the rising costs of gas, utilities and just about everything else, eating out often is becoming less of a viable option. Sometimes, however, you need to eat lunch on the road, whether for a work meeting or a belly refill between errands. Here are a few options that offer diverse, international and comforting meat and vegetarianfriendly meals. These eateries provide a filling meal without having to pay extra for bougie-wannabe ambiance, corporate-mandated decor or other extras that don’t really matter to you.

Big Man’s Cafe

1011 NE 14th St., Ocala

(352) 421-9867

@big_mans_cafe on Instagram

facebook.com/BigMansCafe

Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Gerald Christian and his sons and daughters run this clean and comfy eatery, which specializes in “Southern Food with Soul.”

The mouth-watering motto rings true based on our experience eating at the popular new restaurant, which was bustling during a recent Saturday visit.

Meals at the Big Man’s Cafe live up to the name and tagline. They are anchored by fried fish, shrimp and chicken, liver and onions, stewed beef, pork chops and other comfort food faves. Most platters cost $10.99 or less and include two sides. Asterisked items, such as the smothered chicken and pork chops, and oxtails ($17.99), come with three sides. The sumptuous homemade sides include candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, southern dressing, collard greens,

green beans, macaroni and cheese, and many more, all priced under $3.

One friend, who said she usually leaves off the skin to watch her cholesterol intake, can’t resist the crispy exterior of Big Man’s fried chicken because it’s “so crispy and tasty.”

For breakfast, eggs with yolks are served pristinely and bursting with flavor, and Big Man’s biscuits and sausage gravy is exceptional; savory and flavorful.

Some of the breakfast plates offer a NY Strip ($10.99) or spicy smoked sausage ($8.99), which includes two eggs prepared as you like ’em, grits or potatoes, dollar pancakes, biscuits or toast.

The portions are so generous there’s a good chance you will have leftovers for dinner later.

Amrit Palace

3415 SW College Road, Ocala

1-352-873-8500

amritpalace.com

Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You walk into this elegant Indian restaurant and immediately think you’re going to pay more than $25 a person, but that is not necessarily the case, especially if you visit during lunch, when a meal costs half that amount.

Amrit (which means “nectar” in Hindu) serves lunch combos that are both meaty and vegetarian-friendly. These lunch meals cost around $12.95, are homemade with quality herbs, spices and other ingredients, and include a creamilicious yellow lentil soup (dal), naan (Indian flatbread), a generation portion of basmati rice and a highly flavorful entree item.

Meat-eaters can choose from chicken tandoori or chicken or lamb curry, and there are vegetarianfriendly items such as Amrit’s outstanding vegetable curry—prepared with cauliflower, potatoes, green peas, snow peas, peppers or tomato—or aloo palak, which has potatoes and spinach with spices.

Mercado Pueblo

1250 SE Highway 484, Ocala facebook.com/mercadopueblo

Open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

If you love Cuban, Puerto Rican and South American comfort foods and have a big appetite, head to this Latin grocery store/deli.

It’s also where you can shop for staples not available at other supermarkets, such as biscochos, light and not-to-sweet cookies that go with the cafe con leche or cortadito coffees they prepare with an espresso machine.

Hungry big-eaters won’t be let down by the cafeteria-style lunch offerings, which can include things such as blood sausage, empanadas, pernil (a pork shoulder dish) and arroz con pollo (yellow rice and chicken) for less than $10 a meal, including sides.

And, it’s the perfect caterer for office parties (provided you don’t have light eaters/vegetarians on staff).

Kelli Piel as Kira, front left, and Jackson Reed as Sonny Malone, front right, rehearse a scene from “Xanadu” with other cast members at the Dassance Fine Arts Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Sirens, from left: Nadine Knight, Ashlyn Methvin, Erica Morales, Perla Ramirez and Camila Bran. Jon Poulin as Zeus, left, and Brianna Jackson as Medusa, right.

Shawn Jones serves an order of southern fried chicken in the kitchen at Big Man’s Cafe - Southern Food With Soul on Northeast 14th Street in Ocala on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Bird of the Week

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are

“squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

By Michael Warren

Is that an irritated kitten mewing from the shrubs? It just might be a catbird instead. These dapper songbirds visit Marion County during cooler months before heading north to breed during the summer. They’re related to mockingbirds and, like their cousins, they’re great at mimicking other birds. They don’t often visit feeders, but they love rows of hedges.

SUNDAY BRUNCH Buffet

Starters

Citrus Poached Shrimp with House Made Cocktail Sauce North American Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Tomato,

Mains Finales

HONORING THE FALLEN

FIRST RESPONDERS & ETE NS

Saturday, April 8, 2023, 10-noon

Marion County Public Library

2720 Silver Springs Blvd Community Room

For info, scan the code below or call (352) 873-7441

A ceremony to honor those who served but did not survive.

As we honor their service and sacrifice, we also have a chance to tell their story, unburden our grief and renew our respect for service.

To close the ceremony, we will walk to the Pavilion in the Veterans Memorial Park for a final tribute.

Sponsored by the City of Ocala Hospice of Marion County

We Honor Veterans and Marion County Veterans Park

Gray catbird [MichaelWarren.com]

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

community

APRIL 7

First Friday Art Walk

Ocala Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala

6pm-9pm

The monthly Art Walk features artists, performers and craftspeople. The square’s main stage hosts music, food and drink are available from restaurants and vendors, and shops stay open late. Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org

APRIL 7-8

Special Olympics Florida Equestrian

Championship

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

All day

The Bakas Equestrian Team is conducting this competition for the Florida Special Olympics.

More than 130 athletes are registered to compete. Classes start at 1pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday. Free to attend. See specialolympicsflorida.org/events for more info.

APRIL 7-9, 12-16

Ocala Springs Premier Horse Show

Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave. (west entrance), Ocala

All day

These hunter/jumper shows feature all kinds of classes from lead line to Grand Prix show jumping. Included are green hunters, novice, adult amateur, pony and walk/trot. For more info, classiccompany.com

APRIL 8

Grand Opening

Ocala Mall, 3711 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

9:30am

A former K-Mart building has been refurbished and fitted with booths for more than 100 vendors. Opening festivities include live music, face painting and the Empanada Factory and McFoodland food trucks. For more info, ocalamall.net

APRIL 8

Honoring the Fallen Service

Marion County Public Library Community Room, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

10am-12pm

The healing process can start with this ceremony to honor first responders and veterans who sacrificed in their service. Sponsored by the city of Ocala, Hospice of Marion County, We Honor Veterans and the Marion County Veterans Park Foundation. See marionvetpark.com for more info.

APRIL 8

Farmland Preservation Festival

Majestic Oaks Farm, 17500 N US Hwy 441, Reddick

10am-3pm

Kicking off with its traditional tractor and horse parade, this festival celebrates farmland preservation and showcases rural activities. Activities include live bands, a farmer’s market, farm animals, arts and crafts vendors, and educational exhibits. Foodies can enjoy barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream treats, homemade desserts and more. See saveourruralarea.org and sites.google.com/site/ farmlandpreservationfestival for info.

APRIL 8

Brick City Beer and Wine Festival

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala

2pm-6pm

The festival offers beer and wine to sample and purchase, entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, lots of activities and food trucks. Wind FM is sponsoring a Battle of the Bands. The Ocala Silver Springs and Ocala Sunset Rotary Clubs sponsor the event, and proceeds will benefit Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County Literacy Council and Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. Tickets range from $15-$55; some include drink passes. For more info, see brickcitybeerandwinefest.com

APRIL 8

Truck Show

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

12pm-4pm

Tricked-out trucks will be on display, along with the park’s regular food options, tiny vendor booths, bar, dance floor and more. Free to attend. $30 to enter a truck. See homesteadparks.com for more info.

THROUGH APRIL 8

Photos with the Easter Bunny Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala Mall hours

Time blocks of 15 minutes can be scheduled online; walk-up guests are welcome. See whereisbunny.com for reservations.

APRIL 8 & 15

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm

Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more info.

government

APRIL 10 & 17

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala

9am

The first step for new development projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans, and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

APRIL 8 & 15

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers market where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary, with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

APRIL 10

Master Gardener Plant Clinic Forest Public Library, 905 S Highway 314A, Ocklawaha

10am-1pm

Volunteers from the Master Gardener program will be your plant doctor. Bring in photos or cuttings and get advice on care, pest control, plant suggestions and more.

APRIL

12

THROUGH MAY 17

DOH Diabetes Education Program

Belleview Community Center, 5615 SE 110th Place, Belleview 5pm-7pm

The Department of Health is offering free weekly classes to help people learn about and handle diabetes with topics like balanced diets, meal planning, physical activity, prevention and more. Free clinical screenings will be available. Attendance is free but space is limited; reservations should be made by contacting Melissa Marino at (352) 644-2624 or Melissa.marino@FLHealth.gov

APRIL 13

Free dinner and workshop

Klein Conference Center, College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

5:15pm-8:30pm

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is hosting the event to promote mental wellness. BRAZEN, the department’s risk avoidance unit, and the Family Violence Prevention Workgroup, are sponsoring the workshop and invite parents, guardians and youth 10 and older to attend. The featured speaker will be Kevin Hines, who survived a plunge off San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and shares his experience to champion awareness of suicide prevention, mental wellness and mental health treatment. Adult workshops will cover the risks of domestic violence and substance abuse to young people. For youth, speakers will address internet safety, teen dating and dating violence. Pre-registration is recommended. To learn more, call Valerie Mitchell at (352) 438-5990.

APRIL 13

OTOW Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm

Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info

APRIL 13

5th Annual Children First Gala Country Club of Ocala, 6823 SE 12th Circle, Ocala

6pm

The Marion County Children’s Alliance hosts its fundraising gala and gives the Dr. Mike Jordan Award of Excellence and Vision at this party. Tickets are $85 and include dinner, music, awards presentation and stories about the successes of the alliance. See mcchildrensalliance.org

APRIL 14

Levitt Amp Music Series

Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala

7-9pm

This renowned music series returns with free weekly concerts sponsored by the city of Ocala and Marion Cultural Alliance. This week’s featured artist is Veronica Lewis. Spectators can bring chairs, blankets and food. Food and drink vendors will be onsite. The Ocala Recreation Mobile will offer fun activities for kids of all ages. Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org/levittamp

APRIL 15

Boomtown Days

Historic District at Pennsylvania Ave. and Cedar St., Dunnellon 9am-5pm

With food options, arts and crafts, vendors and entertainment, this annual festival celebrates the charm of historic Dunnellon. The event includes a car show, beauty pageant, cowboy shoot-out and pie-eating contest, plus music from The Jake White Band, Final Note and the Keith Caton Blues Band. For info, see dunnellonchamber.com

APRIL 15

Hot Cars and Cool Cats Car Show

Nassivera Farm, 2250 NE 70th St., Ocala

10am-3pm

This biannual car show benefits the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) in Citra. Help out the lions, tigers and bears by checking out souped-up cars, motorcycles and trucks. Free to attend; $10 for show entry. Vendors, music, raffles, trophies for winners and food options. For more info, facebook.com/ HotCarsAndCoolCatsCarShow.

APRIL 10

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm Meets the second Monday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

APRIL 10

Marion County Historical Commission Growth Service Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm Meets the second Monday of the month. For more info, contact Rolando Sosa at (352) 620-0944.

Luma

Luma is a good girl. Her friends in prison think so, too. She lives with inmates as part of the FIDO Project and is looking for a family who will appreciate a dog with basic obedience skills. If you would like to adopt this one-year-old happy dog, please visit marionfl.org/fido.

For

Sadie

Sadie is a mature lady, but will turn into a kitten again when she sees a feather toy. This thirteen-year-old relishes in being doted on, given chin scratches, and dreams of warm sunny spots on which to take a quiet nap.

Current Adoption Specials: Ocala Gazette regularly brings you two furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.

more information about adoptions please visit MarionFL.org/Animal

Spring with MCAS - all adoptions are only $25 in April!

APRIL 7 & 14

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala

10am-12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

arts

APRIL 7 THROUGH JUNE 17

“Secrets” Art Show Opening

South State Bank, 1632 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Daily during business hours

APRIL 7 & 14

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

APRIL 15

Abstract artist Kayla Moffatt takes over the second floor community gallery space. Moffatt’s technique includes writing a secret on the canvas before painting then using color and marking to connect with viewers. Her paintings are large, colorful and evocative. The reception on April 7 is at 5:30 pm and includes light refreshments. See kaylamoffattart.com for more info.

APRIL 12

The Music of Brooks and Dunn

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

2:30pm and 7pm

Artist Kenny Evans features the music of Brooks and Dunn in the tribute to the classic country artists. Tickets are $22-$37 from obopry.com

APRIL 13

Reilly Arts Center Fundraising Gala

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala

6pm-8pm

Three musical performances—from the Ocala Symphony Chamber Orchestra; the Community Music Conservatory; and the Voltron Collective—highlight this fundraiser for the arts center with a progressive dinner, themed heavy hors d’oeuvres and paired drinks. Tickets are $150 and black tie is suggested. For info, reillyartscenter.com

APRIL 13-16

“Xanadu”

Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

7:30 pm April 13-15; 3pm April 16

The College of Central Florida Theatre presents its student production on stage, complete with disco balls, dance-able music and roller skating. Hits from the 1980s include “Magic,” from Olivia NewtonJohn and songs from Electric Light Orchestra. Tickets start at $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students and are free for CF students, faculty and staff. Visit cf.universitytickets.com to buy.

APRIL 12

VFW Wednesday Dinners

Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

4:30pm-6:30pm

The post offers weekly dinners for about $5-$7 with a variable menu. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the menu, call (352) 873-4781.

Let’s Hang On (Frankie Valli Tribute)

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

2:30pm and 7pm

The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli sound is recreated with music, dance and stellar harmonies. Tickets are $33-$48 from obopry.com

APRIL 17

Ocala Civic Theatre Season Reveal Party

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

6pm-8pm

Kicking off its 73rd season, the Ocala Civic Theatre is hosting a reveal party to share the shows that will be produced in its upcoming season. Snacks, drinks and fun are on the marquee for this evening. Reservations requested by April 14; $10 to attend. See ocalacivictheatre.com to register.

THROUGH MAY 4

College of Central Florida Student Art Exhibition

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

10am-4pm Monday-Thursday Visual Arts and Digital Media students present their works in this special exhibition. Free to attend. For more info, CF.edu

THROUGH MAY 21

Big & Bold

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The museum goes big with large pieces of art in this collection, including historical, modern and contemporary art pieces. Works include a 10’ x 4’ painting by Valenkamph and Snyder’s “Florida Pink Ignition,” which is almost 7’ x 7’. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for youths. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

APRIL 13

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl

THROUGH MAY 25

Revolutionized Textile & Fiber

Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

Daily when center is open

Artist Ingrid Humphrey, a native Floridian, displays her handmade dolls and tapestries, which portray the sisterhood of women of color all over the world. Free to the public. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JUNE 9

Blessed Be the Birds

Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala

Mon-Fri; 8am-5pm

Part of the Art in City Spaces program, Courtney Kravig-McGuire is a local artist with a special interest in showing the connection between nature and spirituality in her works. Her medium of choice is printmaking. Visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JUNE 18

Paper Thin & Shadow Deep

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The artworks from Hiromi Mizugai Moneyhun are three-dimensional cut paper pieces that feel both lighthearted and alive. Moneyhun’s style combines traditional Japanese art forms along with modern elements from today’s Japan. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for youths. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JUNE 20

Aerial Dream Views of Land and Sea

Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

Airport hours

Part of the Art in City Spaces program, local artist Maggie Weakley shares her ocean-themed collection. Weakley’s series in her Water collection is comprised of multiple painting techniques, including acrylics, spray paints, glitter, Mica powder, plaster and more. Free to the public. Visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces and maggieweakley.com

APRIL 7 & 14

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard

B4

She asked if she could borrow her sister’s favorite sweater, but the response wasn’t --

Davis fires shutout in win over Forest

the win for Vanguard.

Vanguard head coach Carrie Vance knew early in the game that her team was ready to play.

“They brought the energy and the heart tonight. We encourage the high energy and the players supporting each other every pitch of the game,” Vance said.

Davis was the star of the night by firing a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts and the sophomore credits her defense and support for the success in the circle.

“It’s exciting, we’ve been working hard on what we need to fix and we just showed up tonight. The girls produced all day and they all did a great job backing me up on defense. I couldn’t have asked for a better game tonight,” Davis said.

For Forest head coach Dan Kelley the hard-fought loss to a rival stung but he was optimistic about the next couple of weeks as district play starts.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Vanguard Knights (103) rode the arm of Hannah Davis and her seven shutout innings to a 3-0 win over the Forest Wildcats (9-8) on March 30.

Vanguard started the scoring in the bottom of the first when Destiny Horcajo was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After a pass ball and a sacrifice bunt, Lillyan Land drove in Horcajo with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Forest got a leadoff single from Aurora Shifflett to start the top of the second. Shifflett was called out on a close play at second base after a ground ball off the bat of Leah Meyer.

Lewis retired Jaelynne Whipple and Jaylyn Burnside to keep Vanguard’s lead.

Vanguard stayed in attack mode in the bottom of the second when Kaylee Myers reached on a bunt single and

stole second base. Victoria Graham laid down a perfectly placed bunt on the third base side and a throwing error allowed Myers to score and give Vanguard a 2-0 lead.

Izzy Lewis reached on a twoout single in the top of the third but was stranded when Davis induced a groundout to end the inning. Neither team had a hitter reach base until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Vanguard added an insurance run on a run-scoring single from Horcajo.

Forest could not muster any rally on offense in the sixth inning but had some momentum in the top of the seventh when Lewis singled to center to start the inning. Meyer followed up with a hard-hit ground ball to short and Vanguard got Lewis out on a close play at second. Meyer was caught trying to steal second base a couple pitches later, before Lewis struck out Whipple on a fastball to secure

“They wanted it a little more than we did. We had more hits, but we made mistakes and they took advantage of every opportunity and that’s how you win. Their pitcher pitched a great game,” Kelley said. “We will get another chance to play them and that’s what nice about a 26-game schedule. You have ups and downs, but we can bounce back.”

The Forest offense was led by Shifflett and Lewis with two hits each. Meyer pitched six innings and gave one earned run with five strikeouts.

The turnaround for the Vanguard softball program has been impressive after going 1-15 in 2021. Now, the Knights have the best record in Marion County and Vance wants to see continued work towards improvement as the season rolls on.

“I preached to them that we’re not done and we have to keep getting better because that’s what other teams are doing too. We have to keep putting in work and buying in to what we’re building,” Vance said.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Vanguard’s Kaylee Myers (6) throws for the attempted double play after sending Forest’s Aurora Shifflett (10) out at second base during a softball game at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Vanguard’s Destiny Horcajo (1) slides head first across the plate to score past the tag of Forest’s catcher Rilynn Fountain (22).

Forest’s Emily Bellomo (15) misses the throw to first just before colliding with Vanguard’s Kaylee Myers (6) at first base.

Emily Bellomo (15) collides with Vanguard’s Kaylee Myers (6) at first base.

head coach Carrie Javon talks with Hannah Davis (13).

North Marion eases past Trinity Catholic on the diamond

field to give the Class 4A Colts a 4-0 lead.

Trinity Catholic took advantage of a hit batter, two hits and a pair of North Marion errors to plate three runs in the top of the fifth inning off Jones, who allowed three hits and struck out eight.

North Marion, which banged out nine hits, went back to work in the bottom of the frame as catcher Bobby Gottuso worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run.

Trinity Catholic brought in Ryan Young in relief of Meyer and Sam Cauthen lined a tworun single up the middle to give the Colts a commanding 8-3 lead.

By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette

North Marion outfielder

Ross Ray belted a two-run homer as part of a threehit night and Michael Long blasted a solo home run to back a gutty, five-inning, three-hit pitching performance by senior Hunter Jones to pace the Colts to an 8-5 win over Trinity Catholic on March 31.

The victory improved North Marion, which overcame an uncharacteristic four errors, to 11-4 on the season.

“It was nice to see the home runs because we’ve been struggling at the plate the last couple of games,” said Colts coach Dale Hall. “Hunter didn’t have his normal stuff tonight, but he grinded out five innings for us. I’m extremely happy with how he handled the adversity and that’s what makes him so great. Lately we’ve been playing great defense and not swinging it very well, but that’s baseball.”

The loss dropped Trinity

Catholic, which brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the final inning after trailing by five runs, to 12-5 overall.

“I’m proud of the kids for the way they battled and fought all the way to the last pitch,” said Celtics coach Tommy Bond.

“North Marion is a good team and took advantage of their opportunities and we didn’t and that’s a little disappointing. You can’t strike out 14 times with nine of them looking. We have to be more competitive against a quality arm.”

Pitching dominated the first three innings before North Marion broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning against Trinity Catholic junior right-hander Drew Meyer.

Karson Lindsey ripped a leadoff double to left-center field and scored after Meyer uncorked back-to-back wild pitches. Jake Tompkins walked and Ray hammered a high arching drive over the centerfield fence. Long followed with a long home run to left

North Marion brough in Lindsey to replace Jones to start the sixth inning and the senior left-hander breezed through the Celtics lineup.

The Colts had a chance to increase their lead in the bottom of the sixth, but Meyer escaped a jam to keep Trinity Catholic in the game.

Trinity Catholic, which had five hits, rallied in the top of the seventh inning behind a pair of walks, a hit batter, an error and a base hit to trail 8-5 with two outs and the bases loaded.

But Lindsey, a senior lefthander, bore down to strike out the next Celtics batter to end the threat and the game.

“That rally was something we definitely didn’t want to see with a five-run lead,” coach Hall said. “Credit Karson for bowing his neck and getting that last out for us in a pressure situation. I’m also happy for our hitters that we were able to get out in front of some baseballs and I hope that continues for us.”

North Marion’s Rowan Quartararo (8) looks for the out as Trinity Catholic’s Ashton Fernandez (16) slides safely into third base.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

North Marion’s Michael Long (16) scores a run past the tag of Trinity Catholic’s catcher Patrick Plunkett (24) during a baseball game at North Marion High School in Citra on Friday, March 31, 2023.

North Marion’s Jake Tompkins (19) looks for the out as Trinity Catholic’s Anthony Vizzini (8) makes it safely on base.

North Marion’s coach Dale Hall talks with his players on the mound.

SOFTBALL SCORES

BASEBALL SCORES

Central Florida uses group effort on offense to race by Daytona State

and another run-scoring single from Guilliams.

Correa gave CF a 7-1 lead when he ripped a run-scoring triple down the right field line in the bottom of the fourth inning. Daytona State answered back in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run by Hayden Henry.

CF answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a run-scoring single from Cole Bullen and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Thad Ector. With a 9-3 lead in hand, Herrmann started off the top of the sixth by retiring consecutive hitters on strikeouts but ran into trouble allowing a single to Becker and a walk to Adam Parzych.

and wanted to give the team a chance to win. We’re a little short on arms right now and I just wanted to help our team have a chance to win the series on Friday,” Herrmann said.

Central Florida head coach Marty Smith noted the opportunity some players got with the injured starters out and felt it will be beneficial in the long run.

“Guilliams swung the bat

well, Kainen (Jorge) had good at-bats and everybody just worked hard at the plate to grind out the win. Herrmann gave us a good start, Eppley and Dooley came in and did a great job getting outs,” Smith said. “It’s good that they are all getting experience in conference games because we need everybody, and this experience will have them ready to go.”

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Central Florida Patriots

(33-3) scattered 14 hits amongst eight hitters in a 10-3 victory against the Daytona State College Falcons (14-16) on March 29.

Both starting pitchers, Daytona State’s Sean Sparling and CF’s Andrew Herrmann, started their outings with a scoreless first inning. Daytona State’s Devon Nowells drew a leadoff walk in the top of the second and advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw from Herrmann.

Joseph Becker drove in Nowells with a single to right field to give Daytona State a 1-0 lead. CF, the No. 5 ranked junior college baseball team in the United States, did not let the lead last for long as Juan Correa led off the home half of

the second with a single and Carson Bayne was hit by a pitch. Kareh Valentin followed Bayne with a single to left field and Kainen Jorge drove in Correa with a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game.

With regular starters Bradke Lohry and John Marant out with injuries, utility player Michael Guilliams got the start at third base. With runners on second and third with one out, Guilliams singled to center to give CF a 3-1 lead.

“I was seeing the ball well, fouled off a couple of tough pitches and just doing my job,” Guilliams said.

Edwin Toribio capped off the big inning with a run-scoring single to center to extend Central Florida’s lead to 4-1.

CF added on two more runs in the bottom of the third via a Kareh Valentin run-scoring double down the left field line

Austin Eppley came in to relieve Herrmann with a groundout to get out of the jam. Kainen Jorge drove in his second run of the day with a run-scoring single to left field in the bottom of the six to give Central Florida a 10-3 lead.

Eppley worked around a base hit and a walk to throw a scoreless seventh inning and Bryce Roth fired a scoreless seventh for Daytona State. Emmanuel Dooley finished off the victory with two scoreless innings and five strikeouts.

Leading the way for the CF offense was Guilliams (two hits, three RBIs, two runs and two walks), Jorge (two hits, two RBIs, run and a walk) and Bayne (two hits, three runs scored and a walk). Herrmann picked up the win with 5.2 innings pitched, two earned runs and five strikeouts.

Herrmann was determined to buckle down and have a lengthy outing to give the bullpen some rest with heavy workload of four games last week.

“I don’t think I had my best stuff, but I competed

during a baseball game at North Marion High School in Citra on Friday, March 31, 2023. The Colts defeated the Celtics 8-5. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The College of Central Florida’s head coach Marty Smith and CF players congratulate Michael Guilliams (6) after he scored on Daytona State College during a baseball game at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

Daytona State College’s Jeremy Cardona (14) looks for the double play after sending the College of Central Florida’s Austin Eppley (11) out at second base.

The College of Central Florida’s Juan Correa (24) looks for the out as Daytona State College’s Devon Nowells (2) makes it safely back to first base.