critters & equine

JULY 14-16 & 19-23

Summer Series: Hunter/Jumper

Shows

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

8am-4pm

FEI CSI3* competitions. Food and drink options onsite; some events have a parking fee. See worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

JULY 15 & 22

Summer Sunset Polo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

6pm Free to the public, tailgate right next to the polo field and enjoy a unique evening out. Saturday evenings through September. Check out ocalapolo.com for more info.

JULY 17-21

City of Ocala Summer Camps Discovery Center, 701 E. Sanchez Ave., and E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala

Times vary, check website

The city of Ocala’s summer day camps continues this week with a DC Engineers theme. At the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, camps are suitable for ages 5-12 and cost $75 for city residents; $100 for non-residents. Camps at the Discovery Center are suitable for ages 8-12 and cost $130 for members; $150 for non-members. Themes changes each week and include educational and recreational activities, field trips, STEM projects, sports and more. To register, see Ocalafl.org/summercamp

JULY 19

MCPS Hometown Hiring Career Fair

Various schools, see website

11am-2pm

Marion County Public Schools will host career fairs at Fort King Middle (545 NE 17 Ave., Ocala); Lake Weir Middle (10220 SE Sunset Harbor Road, Summerfield); and Marion Oaks Elementary (280 Marion Oaks Trail, Ocala) with more than 26 schools and departments looking to hire teachers, support staff, Marion Afterschool Program workers, and custodial, food service and transportation departments staffers. School administrators, district leaders and others will conduct interviews at all three locations. See marionschools.net/careers for listings. For more information, contact the MCPS Employment Services Office at (352) 671-7787.

JULY 19

College of Central Florida Open House

Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road

11am-4pm

CF is hosting an open house with tours and opportunities to learn about more than 150 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Attendees can get help with admission and financial aid for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 14. Those who complete an admissions application at the event will have the $30 fee waived. A virtual open house will be offered via Zoom at 10am Aug. 2. Attendees are encouraged to register at CF.edu/OpenHouse. For more information, call (352) 873-5800, ext. 1379.

JULY 18

Marion Alachua Dog Training

Association

MADTA, 6600 NW 3rd Place, Ocala

7pm

If you’re interested in learning about dog training, agility and fun activities with your canine, the MADTA general meetings are the third Tuesday of every month. Newcomers are welcome. For more info and the schedule of classes, see madta.org

JULY 19 & 26

Wildlife Wednesdays

Scott Springs Park, 2825 SW 24th Ave,, Ocala

5pm-6pm

This month’s talks are focused on bugs and spiders (July 19), and turtles and tortoises (July 26). Free to attend, this is a great way to learn about native animals and their habitats. For more info, ocalafl.org

Government

JULY 17 & 24

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

JULY 17

City of Ocala Board of Adjustment

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala

5:30pm Agendas and minutes available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JULY 20

Rex’s Birthday Bash

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala

2pm-4pm

The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host a birthday party for Rex the Squirrel, their official community ambassador. This familyfriendly event has free admission to the Discovery Center during party hours and free cupcakes. Rex will make appearances throughout the event for photos and fun. For more information, visit ocalafl.org/recpark or call (352)368-5517.

JULY 20

OTOW Farmers Market

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

9am-1pm

On Top of the World hosts this market with a 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.

JULY 20

Summer Nights Lecture Series at the Fort Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala

6pm-8pm

The city of Ocala will host free weekly lectures on Thursday evenings through Aug. 17. This week, Keith Hill, champion of the History Channel’s “Forged in the Fire” and “Knife or Death” TV series talks about his years of re-enacting, bladesmithing and traveling. For more info, ocalafl.org

JULY 21 & 22

Special Ocala Downtown Markets

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

6pm-10pm

These special night-time events continue through the summer with new themes each week. This week it’s the Oddities Marketplace on Friday with musical guest KennaDee and the Girls Night Out Market on Saturday. Check out special vendors, local food trucks and guest entertainers. Visit facebook.com/ OcalaDowntownMarket for more info.

JULY 20

SPCA Meetings

Friendship Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 9510 SW 105th St., Ocala

1pm

This animal rescue group invites potential new members to find out how they help animals throughout Marion County. Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month. They also have a booth at the OTOW Farmer’s Market, collect donations of pet food and supplies, rescue animals, offer fostering services and place pets in new homes. For more info, spcaofmarioncounty.weebly.com

JULY 21-23

Florida Quarter Horse Association

Summer Sizzler Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

All day

The versatility and power of the American Quarter Horse is highlighted in this summer show with English, Western, youth, amateur, reining and trail classes. Food and drink vendors onsite. Check out fqua.net for more info.

JULY 18

City of Ocala Community Redevelopment Board

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 3:45pm Agendas and minutes available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JULY 18

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

9am & 2pm

Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The Planning & Zoning portion is scheduled for the 2pm meeting. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JULY 18

Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala

4pm Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are

JULY 23

Adoption Event: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Movie

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 1pm-3pm

The special showing of the movie includes the Marion County Animal Services team with pets available for adoption. Tickets are $5. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.

JULY 23-30

All-Star Reining Stakes

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

All day usually posted the Thursday prior; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Reining horses are the ones with those flashy full-speed gallops down the arena and then sliding to a dramatic stop. Horse and rider perform particular gaits and movements, similar to dressage. Novice, youth, pro and amateur classes. Free to attend. See allstarreiningstakes.com/allstar-show for more info and schedule.

JULY 18

Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview

6pm

Meets the first and third Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

JULY 18

Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon

5:30pm

Normally meets the second Wednesday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes