Considering Ocala?
GATED COMMUNITY – 6 Bedroom/5 Full and 2 Half Baths, 2-Story Foyer with Curved Staircase, Formal Dining Room with Eurocave Wine Cooler, barrel ceilings, 5 Gas Fire Places and Beautiful Stone Floors. Close to All Conveniences!
MILLIONAIRE’S ROW – 29 Acres – Easy access to HITS, Longwood Eventing Course, and just minutes to Ocala Jockey Club Events and Golden Ocala.
VIA PARADISUS – Phase I & Phase III – 3 to 155 Acres Home Sites – Access to Florida Greenways & Trails and the Florida Horse Park
PRIVATE PARADISE – Main Residence, Guest Home & Cottage – Stables and Paddocks – 37 Acres – NW
SIENNA FARM – 283 +/- Acre Training Facility – ¾ +/- mile Irrigated Track, 8 Barns with 227 Stalls, Paddocks, Round Pens, and Office.
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
247.58 Acres – Frontage on Hwy 27 and Hwy 225 Close to HITS and Golden Ocala
For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos and more choices. Due to the privacy and at the discretion of my clients, there are additional training centers, estates, and land available which are not advertised.
Joan Pletcher REALTOR ®
352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | 352.804.8989 | joanpletcher@aol.com
You Will Love YOUR Heart Your New Smile! is in the RIGHT PLACE with
Chandra Smile Designs is a oneof-a-kind haven for your smile transformation. Your smile and oral health are very important. If you are thinking of enhancing your smile, you owe it to yourself to seek out the best. Beautiful results take an expertly trained dentist/artist. Dr. Chandra is uniquely qualified and has earned the highest level of achievement from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Let
BETTER HEARING
her change your life by transforming your smile. TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S. Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist, LVI Fellow
Debbie Camogliano
– Administrator for Dr. Romulo Camogliano, The Villages, Fl
Smile by Dr. Tina Chandra
BEFORE
AFTER
a beautiful smile begins here cosmetic veneers smile makeovers zoom! bleaching TMJ disorder
bite problems sleep apnea sedation dentistry botox + juvederm
(352) 861-1500 chandrasmiles.com
INVISIBLE HEARING AIDS THAT WORK! YOU D N R FI
Monthly Payment Plan
Our Most Popular INVISIBLE SoundLens is Still Available...
On Sale Now
3-Series 20 Completely-In-Canal
$
995
(reg. $1,995)
Lifetime hearing aid care to all patients—established or not!
Trade In Those Old Hearing Aids for $500!* Medicare Provider - All Insurances Accepted
DOCTOR
Owned & Operated You will be seen and cared for by Dr. Shon Murray, Au.D. — Doctor of
352.732.EARS (3277)
Audiology Over 15 Years Experience
*on any z-series hearing aids
Laurel Run Professional Center 2100 SE 17th St., Suite 202, Ocala
See our website for SPECIALS & video testimonials www.HearingBalance.net
Locate Your Business in a Lucrative Villages Market
Now Leasing SE Highway 42
• The Villages is the fastest growing market in the nation. • The average median income of a Villages home buyer is $93,800.
Spruce Creek Properties
41
y4
• 3 major access points and ample parking.
Walmart Supercenter
Hw
• Retail, medical and professional space available at one of the highest traffic count intersections in the area—across from the Summerfield Super Walmart.
Stonecrest Golf Club
El Camino Real The Villages Regional Hospital Morse Blvd.
Contact Heather Reyes for more information on the Spruce Creek Properties today!
Heather Reyes
First American International, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker
352.245.5090 HeatherReyes5@hotmail.com
Navigation technology helped me serve my country. Years later, it helped save my life.
Bud Conklin beat prostate cancer with the help of advanced technologies, like RBOI’s Calypso 4D Localization Treatment.
OCALA T I M B E R RDelicious IDGE
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Not many things slow Bud Conklin down. In his 60s, this Air Force veteran still hits the gym regularly and completes a weekly 20-mile bike ride. So when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he sought out the most advanced and efficient treatment available. After discussing his options with RBOI cancer specialist Dr. Bennett, Bud chose MySpace StumbleUpon Digg the high-tech Calypso treatment, which works like a GPS system in the prostate to optimize radiation targeting and minimize side effects. Bud is now cancer free and proud to say he didn’t miss a beat in his fast-paced life. We helped Bud write his success story. Let us help write yours.
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TS A E B Y D O B NO R PRICES! OU
2016 NISSAN
THE “AMERICAN TITAN,” AS THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN CALIFORNIA, ENGINEERED IN MICHIGAN AND ASSEMBLED IN MISSISSIPPI. –NYDAILYNEWS.COM/AUTOS
TITAN
TITAN’S HUGE CHROME GRILLE, STANDARD V8 AND ANGULAR STYLING MAKES THE 2016 NISSAN TITAN’S DESIGN STAND OUT. –KBB EXPERT REVIEW
5 OUT OF 5 STARS. –EDMU NDS.COM
“You cannot have a better buying experience!” “The New Leader in Customer Service”
—Ted Lindsay
Doing Business The Right Way, Every Day! Serving Our Community For Over 33 Years!
Sales Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm | Service Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm 2060 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34471 | 352-622-4111 or Toll Free 800-342-3008
www.pearsonnissanofocala.com
“My expert advice? Rely on an expert.”
AMY MATTHEWS TV Host and Licensed General Contractor
TV host and Licensed General Contractor Amy Matthews has built and remodeled lots of homes over the years. As an expert, she knows better than anyone the value of working with professionals – like the ones at Ferguson. Our product experts will help you find the perfect products from the finest bath, kitchen and lighting brands in the world, so you can take pride in your home – on every level. Set up your appointment with Ferguson today, and let us show you the possibilities for your next project. Visit Ferguson.com/Showrooms and request your appointment today.
©2016 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. 0116 65049
FERGUSON.COM/SHOWROOMS
Ocala 3501 SW 13th St (352) 291–8350
Contents MARCH ’16
In This Issue
040 All Aboard!
Automobiles and planes may now be our main modes of transportation, but the fascination with trains persists. › By JoAnn Guidry
046 Investing In New Nurses. Nurses are critical
contributors to getting patients healthy, the glue that binds each department together to treat someone in need. › By Katie McPherson
056 Making A Smooth Getaway. Here are a few locales
050 Silver Springs International Film Festival 2016: Bigger and Better Than Ever. For the Silver
Springs International Film Festival, an event just in its third year, growth is occurring by the proverbial “leaps and bounds.” › By Cynthia McFarland On the cover Joe Pantoliano joins the Silver Springs Film Fest.
Photo courtesy of the SSIFF
to consider when planning your next weekend vacation. › By Jim Gibson
MAR ’16 ›
09
Contents Continued
018
032
066
076
022
034
067
080
024
036
068
078
028
038
070
086
In Every Issue THE BUZZ The real people, places and events that shape our community.
017
THE HIVE Dedicated to enriching the lives of local families.
031
063 T H E
DISH Our best recipes, restaurant news and culinary quick bites.
THE SCENE Your guide to what’s happening in and around Ocala.
By Cealia Athanason, Grace Cali, Kevin Christian, JoAnn Guidry, Melissa Peterson & Judge Steven Rogers
By Cealia Athanason, Grace Cali, Melissa Peterson & Katie McPherson
By Cealia Athanason, Grace Cali, Jim Gibson, Laurel Gillum & Katie McPherson
By Bonnie Kretchik, Katie McPherson & Melissa Peterson
018 H O R S I N ’ A R O U N D Honoring Ocala Stud.
032 G O O D T I M E S Kid-approved flicks at the film fest.
065 D I N I N G G U I D E What’s on your menu for tonight?
020 C I T Y O F O C A L A March happenings and spring safety.
034 C O O L K I D S Savvy kids saving money.
022 B E N C H M A R K S A look at juvenile injustice.
036 K I D S K O R N E R We let the kiddos do the talkin’.
066 G O N E F I S H I N ’ Students at Horizon Academy get a fishy education.
024 C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N S Communication is key.
038 S N A P S H O T S Having fun, makining memories.
026 B U S I N E S S B R I E F S Local awards and accolades. 028 C L A S S A C T S Marion’s top teacher and duct tape for dollars.
010
› Ocala
.com
067 Q U I C K B I T E S A foodie bucket list and beyond your basic burger. 068 D I E T D I R E C T I O N Updated dietary guidelines to live by. 070 D O O R S T E P S N A C K A G E Subscription boxes to ease your cravings.
075
076 W E ’ V E G O T T H E B E A T ! We’ve compiled a list of some of the top music festivals happening over the next few months all within driving distance. 080 A Q U I C K Q & A This year, Veterans Helping Veterans partnered with the Broken Wing Project to present a celebrity boxing match, pitting notable residents against one another under the lights. 086 P L A Y B A L L ! Florida is the place to be for MLB’s preseason spring training action. 088 T H E S O C I A L S C E N E Pictures from our area’s top events.
INDIGO EAST BY ON TOP OF THE WORLD IN OCALA AN INCREDIBLE ACTIVE ADULT NEW HOME VALUE FROM ONLY
MODEL GRAND OPENING • SAT., MARCH 12, 2016 • FROM 10AM - 4PM Introducing Indigo East, an exclusive gated community of NEW single family homes featuring unmatched quality and an incredible home value. Built by On Top of the World Communities, Ocala’s leading developer, the homes at Indigo East are designed for how Active Adults live today and include many designer features like granite countertops and designer wood cabinetry. Residents of Indigo East will also enjoy a fabulous lifestyle that includes community clubhouse, pool, fitness trail, dog park and more. Tour the NEW decorated models during our Grand Opening to see everything Indigo East has to offer!
New Single-Family Homes from 1,500 to over 2,100 A/C Sq. Ft. from just $149,990.
Call us at 866.228.5878 | OnTopOfTheWorld.com Indigo East by On Top of the World Communities Inc., Ocala, Florida a 55+ community. OnTop of the World Communities reserves the right to change or withdraw this or any offer at any time. Prices, features and specifications are subject to change without notice. #11359-3/16
Come see us at: 7893 SW 78th Circle, Ocala, Fl 34476
Take Turnpike north to I-75. Take SR 200 west 6 miles. Turn right at SW 80th Ave for 1 mile. Community will be on the right.
Indigo East by
Affordable Elegance
B U I L D I N G
L U X U R Y
H O M E S
S I N C E
MARION ’S MOST COUNTY IZED RECOGN NAME IN E HOM CUSTOM G BUILDIN
1 9 8 8
|
F A M I L Y
O W N E D
BUILDING IN BELLECHASE, THE COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA, THE VININGS, THE ARBORS AND ON YOUR HOMESITE UTILIZING YOUR PLANS OR OURS. C A L L T O D AY F O R A N E W- B U I L D C O N S U LTAT I O N
352.694.5022 3251 SE 31st St, OCALA C E N T E R S TAT E C O N S T R U C T I O N . C O M LIKE LIC # CGC 1511237
US
ON
Ocala
Just Relocated – Private Practice Now Open!
All of your dental needs in one place. • Digital X-Rays • Dentures/Partials • Oral Surgery/ Extractions • Crowns/Bridges
Magazine
• Root Canals • IV Sedation • Implant Placement to Final Restoration • Same Day Appointments
PUBLISHER
Kathy Johnson kathy@ocalastyle.com
OFFICE/PRODUCTION MANAGER
Cynthia Brown
cynthia@ocalastyle.com Editorial
Se habla español!
Cesar A. Caceres D.M.D.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR
352-629-1314
www.amazingsmilesdentistry.com
10230 SW 86th Circle, Suite 100, Ocala, FL 34481 (Turn right at 103rd After Steeplechase)
Karin Fabry-Cushenbery Melissa Peterson
karin@ocalastyle.com melissa@ocalastyle.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Katie McPherson Cealia Athanason
katie@ocalastyle.com cealia@ocalastyle.com
Mowing Hedge Trimming Lawn Edging
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kevin Christian Jim Gibson Laurel Gillum JoAnn Guidry
Bonnie Kretchik Cynthia McFarland Carlton Reese Judge Steven Rogers
Leaf & General Debris Removal Power Washing Weed Removal Landscape Bed Clean-Outs Mulch Turning & Installs
EDITORIAL INTERN
Grace Cali Art
CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR
Jason Fugate Jessi Miller Castro
It’s time to schedule your SPRING cleanup!
jason@ocalastyle.com jessi@ocalastyle.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR
Christina Geiger Ronald W. Wetherington ronald@ocalastyle.com
OCALA’S #1 RECOMMENDED COMPLETE LAWN SERVICE 352-502-6869 | BEN@OCALALAWNS.COM | WWW.OCALALAWNS.COM
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sheila Hartley
sheila@ocalastyle.com
John Jernigan
jernigan@ocalastyle.com
Crys Williams shutterstock.com Sales DIRECTOR OF SALES
Dean Johnson
deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com SALES MANAGER
Sharon Morgan
COME HOME TO
sharon@ocalastyle.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
YOUR LAKEFRONT APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Lori Tani
lori@ocalastyle.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Dawn Anderson
dawn@ocalastyle.com
Liza Fritz
liza@ocalastyle.com
Skip Linderman
skip@ocalastyle.com
Come live in Marion county’s premier apartment community. CARLTON ARMS OF OCALA offers our residents country club style living with outstanding services and value. Visit us today to select your apartment as your next home to live, work and play.
Peggy Sue Munday
peggysue@healthylivingmagazines.com
Tammy Walters
tammy@healthylivingmagazines.com DISTRIBUTION
Dave Adams
dave@ocalastyle.com
Debra McQueen Rick Shaw
OCALA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
o: 352.732.0073 › f: 352.732.0226 1007 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34731 ocalastyle.com OCALA STYLE MAGAZINE / MARCH 2016 / VOL. 18, NO. 3 Published monthly by Ocala Publications, Inc. All contents © 2016 by Ocala Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or advertising information, call (352) 732-0073. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Promotional” and “Promotional Feature” denote a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims and content of advertisements. OCALA / MARION COUNTY
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MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD
• FREE Water Utility • FREE WiFi at 2 Sparkling Pools • FREE Valet Trash Removal • FREE Pest Control • Large Private Patios/Balconies • Rapid Response Maintenance • 2 Private Party Clubhouses • Fitness Center w/ Steam Showers
• Lighted Tennis & Basketball • Fresh Water Fishing • Children’s Playground • Pet Friendly / Dog Park • Car Care Center
5001 SW 20th St. Suite 100 Ocala, FL 33474
866.927.6819 CarltonArmsofOcala.com MAR ’16 ›
MAIN FONT:
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THE
Happenings
What’s Up With Us?
We love keeping you up to date on what’s happening in the community, but here’s a peek at what’s going on inside the OS office.
Day At The Spa, On The House Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa is all about beauty through health, and they’re giving Ocala a chance to try it for themselves. Enter to win a three-hour lunchtime spa package for two featuring a healthy lunch and beverages, a signature massage, paraffin hand or foot treatment and Ageless Ultimate Hydrafacial. (You and your guest will enjoy a relaxation session valued at $799.) Keep an eye out for the giveaway on facebook.com/ocalastyle this month.
Putting on an event like the Ocala Style Bridal Showcase is no shotgun wedding, so if you’re interested in being a vendor at this year’s event, get in touch with us early to save your spot. Contact Dean Johnson at (352) 732-0073 or deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com.
n
Enter The Expo
We hope you’ve been enjoying our new Hive section full of family fun and insight. Our Kids’ Korner reader responses have been awesome so far, certainly deserving of a little something. Every child whose writing or drawing is featured on our Kids’ Korner page will receive one of our Team Style trophies, complete with bee buddy. Check out our prompt for next month on page 36!
woofme
Get to Know the Home Pros
Readers, find out about the services and specialties of our local builders for your next home project—maybe you’re looking for the custom home of your dreams or considering greening up your existing abode. Home Pros, showcase your business in our April issue’s Home Pros feature. For details, contact Dean Johnson at (352) 732-0073 or deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com.
Bee A Member Of Team Style!
Calling All Leading Ladies
Are you a female leader in Marion County or the surrounding communities? Maybe you’ve opened your own store or business or are blazing new trails in your industry. If so, you belong in our May Women of Style feature. It’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to our 150,000+ readers and share your talents and services. Get in touch with Dean Johnson at (352) 732-0073 or deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com.
Hot Off the Press
Do you love OS? (We do, too— it’s OK.) Now, you can find it in even more rack locations around town. Pick up future issues at Planet Fitness, Blue Highway Pizza, The Egg & I, Florida Horse Park, Sunshine Drugs Belleview and more. Visit ocalastyle.com or facebook.com/ocalastyle for a complete list of the 80+ pickup spots.
› Ocala
.com
Style + Stories
Do you consider yourself a Man of Style? To us, Men of Style have stories to tell about how they started their businesses and the reasons why they get up and run them every day. Maybe you’re a doctor passionate about relieving chronic pain or a lawyer determined to provide better representation to your community members. Tell us about it in our June issue. Sound good? Call Dean Johnson at (352) 732-0073 or deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com.
CAN’T GET ENOUGH? › We don’t blame you. › Get our newsletter sent straight to your inbox at ocalastyle.com. 014
STYLE
YOUR LOCAL GUIDE TO HOMES, FARMS AND L AND FOR SALE IN MARION COUNT Y
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
Considering Ocala? ★★★★★ Star Accommodations – 28.76 Acres – $1,695,000
Ownership in ¾ mile racetrack, 2 barns, 22-stalls, Exquisite 1/1 apartment above stable. Separate 1/1 apartment for your guests. Farm amenities include: round pen, eurosizer and equipment building.
Equine Estates – 10+/- acres – $1,350,000
Private bridle trails and access to the Marjorie Harris Carr Florida Greenways and Trails. Southern living 4 bedroom, 3 bath home. Bonus room over detached 3-car garage. Stable sports 4-stalls, tack room, feed room and office with bath.
Heart of Horse Country – 90+/- Acres – $3,875,000
Pristine horse farm with 34 (12 x 12) stalls and 4-oversized stalls with a multitude of professional quality facilities, including tack rooms and labs, large equipment buildings and managers residence. ½ +/- mile racetrack with stocked pond.
Cashel Stud – 87 Acres – $2,175,000
Rolling pastures with granddaddy Live Oaks. Access to the Florida Greenways and Trails and the Florida Horse Park. Farm includes 2 management residences, office, stallion complex and broodmare complex with 28-stalls, plus 12 various sized paddocks.
For this and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos and more choices. Due to the privacy and at the discretion of my clients, there are additional training centers, estates, and land available which are not advertised.
Joan Pletcher L I CE N SE D R E A L E S TATE BROK ER
352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | 352.804.8989 www.joanpletcher.com joanpletcher@aol.com
THE
President
Giving Back
With 2016 upon us, Realtors® of the Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS® look forward to continuing to give back to our community, such as partnering with the CEP and MCBIA for the upcoming annual Home, Garden & Lifestyle Expo, our annual Chair-ity event and other committee fundraiser/charity events throughout the year.
› Dale Barron, President
Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors
The Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS® Community Awareness committee granted a total of $6,000 to Marion County teachers in 2015! Each year the committee accepts applications for teacher mini grants. Part of the decision process is determining which requests have the ability to impact the most students that year and in the future. On January 26, 2016, Darlene Yonce, association executive; Randy Alvord, past president and chair of community awareness; and John Celebre, committee member, attended the Marion County School Board meeting to present checks to teachers and their principals.
SAVE THE DATE! On April 30, 2016, OMCAR will once again be joining the Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) and the Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA) to bring to you the 2016 Home, Garden & Lifestyle Expo at the College of Central Florida’s Ewers Center from 10am-3pm. Please look for more information about this event on our website, omcar.us. APR
30
2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
Carolyn ROBERTS
115 NE 8th Ave 16910 S. Hwy 441, Ste. 204 Ocala, FL 352-351-0011 Summerfield, FL 352-245-3388
BROKER/REALTOR ®
ckr@robertsflorida.com www.robertsflorida.com | mail@robertsflorida.com
TURNING HAWK RANCH • • • • •
6 bedrooms 5 full and 3 half baths 4 car garage In –law apartment Breathtaking 4.80 acres • Exercise room, grand study, and theater room $999,000
BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONAL ESTATE
• Amazing pool with slide • Summer kitchen • Sand volleyball court and a half basketball court with lights
• Gracious tree-lined drive • 6 bedrooms • 5.5 bathrooms • 4.48+/- acres • Grand foyer w/double circular staircase • Expansive rooms
ML# 435939
• Magnificent formal & informal living areas • Downstairs master suite • Large inviting pool & tennis court • Motor home garage w/extra storage • Perfection at its best!
GOLDEN OCALA GOLF & EQUESTRIAN CLUB • 4 bedroom • 3.5 baths • Located in prestigious/desirable gated community • Well designed with custom interior • Cooks kitchen with SS appliances
$799,000 ML# 425211
• Heated salt pool, spa and summer kitchen • Covered patio and screened porch • Whole house generator • Additional amenities available
$999,000 ML# 430380
COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA
· · · ·
Park-Like Setting on Golf Course 4 Bedroom 4.5 Bath Pool Home on 1.03 Acres 3854 Sq Ft w/Add’l 825 Sq Ft 2.5 Car Garage w/Separate Guest Quarters $1,050,000 ML# 425192
· · · ·
New Construction With Nice View of #13 Tee 4 Bedroom 3 Bath w/Study on 1 Acre 2770 Sq Ft w/Beautiful Wood Flooring 3 Car Garage $599,000 ML# 432561
· · · ·
Beautiful Golf Course Views 4 Bedroom 3 Bath on .90 Acres 2730 Sq Ft Freshly Painted w/Some Updates 2 Car Garage $399,000 ML# 425814
· · · ·
Private and Peaceful Treed Lot 4 Bedroom 3 Bath on 1.00 Acres 3411 Sq Ft w/750 Sq Ft Screened Lanai 2 Car Attached and 2 Car Detached Garage $560,000 ML# 434360
· · · ·
Nestled Among Beautiful Trees 4 Bedroom 3.5 Bath on 1.56 Acres 4598 Sq Ft Built Around Koi Pond & Waterfall 3 Car Garage $779,000 ML# 433521
· · · ·
Beautiful Oaks & Lush Landscaping 4 Bedroom 4.5 Bath Pool Home on 1.07 Acres 3799 Sq Ft w/Screened Lanai 2 Car Garage $599,900 ML# 435231
mbelliott1@aol.com
d l o S e m o H Your
D E E T N A * GUAR y It!
u B l l ’ e W r O
To discuss the sale of your home, call Luis & Elisha Lopez
g in k 0 as 00 , % 0 09 0 2 1 r f$ fo e o ld ic So pr
@ 352-427-0026... and start packing!* “We listed our home with The Lopez Team and SOLD in 68 Days. We Canceled with another agent after being on the market with a local real estate company. The Lopez Team listed our property and we had an accepted offer in no time. We highly recommend The Lopez Team – Zegeer, VIP Seller 4507 SE 32ND PL , OCALA , FL 34480
Micanopy/Orange Lake Gem! Private Boat Dock, Separate His and Hers Master Baths Suites, Amazing Views Call for details.
Macintosh Historic Style pool home Bulit in 1993 on 1.04 acres with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. MLS: 433714 Call for details.
10-20 acres SW Ocala starting from the $200,000’s and up.
Call for details.
Move up to one of our homes and we’ll buy yours for cash!* *Conditions apply.
APPLY ONLINE: lisamariebrannon.com
873-6100 Royal Palms Plaza 854-8787 Oak Run
REAL ESTATE CORP
The Star Realtors of Marion County
8960 SW Hwy 200,
Oak Run. Expanded Monaco with 2,085 SF on GORGEOUS GOLF COURSE LOT. Three bedrooms and a den, PLUS an office area in master bedroom. Large 300 SF lanai. Located in one of the most beautiful subdivisions in SW FL Ocala. 34481 Suite 4, Ocala $303,800 / MLS#437595
The Serago-Lane Team
Rainbow Springs. New to market! Edinburgh model. Enjoy the large kitchen with island, breakfast bar and separate dining area. Features 3 bedrooms, 2,685 SF, plus a large screen porch, great for entertaining. Master with James Petticrew, gardenBroker tub, shower, dual sinks and Licensed RE 2 walk-in closets. Generous rooms thru-out. $249,000 / MLS#438331
The Cernera Team
Lois Lane & Lou Serago (352) 789-4516 / (352) 804-0159
Barbara, Tom & Kris Cernera (352) 812-0626 / (352) 812-5297
Oak Run. Expanded Kapalua on Royal Oaks Golf Course. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2-car garage plus an expanded Den! Upgraded Kitchen with granite counter tops. Tile and laminate throughout. 12th green views on a maintenance free lot!
Oak Run. VERY UNIQUE VILLA! Amazing, renovated kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, gorgeous granite countertops, and updated appliances. Living room and open dining room with crown molding, faux fireplace and designer touches. Maintained property so you don’t have to bring your lawn mower!
$169,500 / MLS#438346
John Anderson
$118,800 / MLS#438045
The Serago-Lane Team
Lois Lane & Lou Serago (352) 789-4516 / (352) 804-0159
(352) 454-9020
Oak Run. Custom home with a striking entryway, with a view of the golf course from the front door! Formal dining room, family room, formal living room and BONUS GAME ROOM. Open kitchen with granite countertops, and a HUGE 3-CAR GARAGE. $298,887 / MLS#434210
The Serago-Lane Team
The Cernera Team
Lois Lane & Lou Serago (352) 789-4516 / (352) 804-0159
Oak Run. Tucked away in a cul-de-sac location, a wonderful expanded Portofino with panoramic golf course views. Volume ceilings, split floor plan, granite in kitchen, and stainless appliances. Entertainer’s delight with open flow from kitchen to den, Florida Room and Living Room. Room for 2 cars and a golf cart in garage.
Barbara, Tom & Kris Cernera (352) 812-0626 / (352) 812-5297
On Top of the World.
Amazing expanded 3 bedroom, 2 bath Dover. Newer laminate floors & light fixtures, upgraded cabinets & appliances, granite counters, 4 solar tubes, double pane windows thru-out, solar hot water tank, tiled Florida Room, and private side patio for entertaining!
$228,800 / MLS#438338
Oak Run. UNDER CONTRACT. 873-6100 Stunning 3/2/2 Santorini model in prestigious Point. This Royal PalmsEagle’s Plaza home boasts soaring ceilings, 854-8787 Oak Run an open floor plan, new Hickory REAL Laminate ESTATE FlooringCORP in a spacious Living Room and Master Bedroom. Chef’s Kitchen! Private backyard. Manicured landscaping & a new A/C.
The Star Realtors of Marion County #1 Team Partners
$147,700 / MLS#438149
Charlie Takesian & Pat McCullough (352) 207-9588 / (352) 299-6688
8960 SW Hwy 200, Suite 4, Ocala FL 34481 www.deccarealestate.com
The Simpson Team Peggy & Jim Simpson (352) 208-6554
James Petticrew, Licensed RE Broker
$159,000 / MLS#430751
Looking to buy or sell in the Sunshine State? Your best investment opportunity won’t fit into a safety deposit box, but you can live in it!
Bravo’s Properties can help you achieve the American Dream.
Spacious home in a demanding location
Quaint home sitting on 4 acres in Ocklawaha
Vaulted ceiling home $115,800
Pool home in the coveted, gated subdivision of Devonshire!
$164,800
$169,900
$349,900
Focusing on residential, commercial, investment property, luxury homes, vacant acreage, farms, gated communities and rentals.
Sonia Bravo Florida License Real Estate Broker Mobile 352-209-4420 | Fax 352-639-4156 http://soniabravo1.com
Bravo’s Properties & Management, LLC
Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is the pinnacle of luxury living. Our exquisite community is home to the Coates Golf Championship, staged on our magnificent 18-hole golf course showcasing eight tribute holes. Golden Ocala also features one of the area’s top competitive tennis programs; the Equestrian Center includes six miles of picturesque private riding trails and brand new private Equestrian Suites.
8171 NW 26TH LANE ROAD
8725 NW 31ST LANE ROAD
• This 2,006 square foot single family home has three bedrooms, two baths and one-half bath. • Enjoy the resort lifestyle and carefree condominium ownership that make this Villa a true value. • Championship golf adult and children tennis programs, spa and fitness center, six miles of riding trails and a grand 77,000-square-foot clubhouse.
• This 4,150 square-foot single-family home has three bedrooms and four baths. • The rear deck, pool/spa and covered lanai with summer kitchen will allow you year-round outdoor fun befitting a true Florida lifestyle. • Rich with amenities and a sprawling floor plan, this is the golfer’s dream come to life. Come, experience, enjoy.
Floorplan: Regal Eagle Neighborhood: Eagles Landing Price: $519,900
Contact our Sales Center for details! 352.369.6969 | GoldenOcala.com/Living
Floorplan: The Naples Neighborhood: Masters II Price: $1,700,000
There are two words for you to know when it comes to real estate right now:
SELLER’S MARKET! NOW is the right time!
Sellers are receiving multiple offers! Get more money for your home by listing now. With very few good quality homes on the market, if you were to list today, there would be less competition. This means you will more than likely get the best price possible for your home.
Contact us to find out how much your home could sell for in today’s market!
NEXT GENERATION REALTY
The Camacho Team Specializes In: • First Time Home Buyers • Second Homes • Investments/Vacation Homes • An international network of top agents • Specialized in Farm and Acreage / Blake Hunter
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Derby Farms Gem on 3 Acres with Detached Work Shop $234,900
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LEADING WITH THE BEST IN THE SOUTHWEST
Kathy Van
(352) 789-0031
PALM CAY - A 55 plus community in SW Ocala. 11125 SW 78 Ave. is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 garage home with neutral colors. All appliances included. Screened Lanai overlooks Private Backyard. New Hot Water Heater. Low HOA fee of $91.00. Asking $56,000. MLS#437370
Martha MaclinReynolds
SUMMERGLEN – YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE! Trump in on a Good Deal. This Designer home comes with 4 bd, 3 ba, 2 car garage on a cul-de-sac with golf and water view. Extended Lanai with Bird Cage. Laminate floors, split floor plan, appliances and sprinkler system. Great Room, Den, Office. A Beautiful opportunity for anyone! Asking $255,000 MLS#426347
(352) 362-1399
Jim Head
352-615-8234
EMERALD POINT – What a Great Way to start your day! You beautiful new home features a fenced-in backyard and a fully enclosed Lanai. With 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths in a split plan, everyone has their own space! Finished side entry, 2 car garage is serviced by a concrete drive. Fantastic modern kitchen with all new appliances makes meals a celebration. Freshly painted, on a cul-de-sac with sprinklers makes the package turn-key. Asking $239,900 MLS#436057
The Brooks/ Kampf Team (352) 989-3162 (352) 812-0557
CANDLER HILLS – Looking for an EXPANEDED AYRESHIRE ON THE GOLF COURSE??? This 3 BR split plan, 2 bath home with oversized garage and professionally landscaped yard overlooks the 16th green of Candler Hills Premier Golf Course. Great room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen. The enclosed Lanai is a great place to relax and view the sunset over the 16th green. COME ENJOY! $219,900. MLS# 438160
OCALA WATERWAY – Looking for a well maintained 4 bedroom, 2 bath, pool home with over 2200 sq. ft, 9 ft. ceiling throughout, on over ½ acre? This is a MUST SEE! Formal liv rm, din rm, kitchen with nook, open to the Great Room with sliders to the inviting pool with bird cage enclosed within a fenced backyard. Bedrooms are a 3-way split design for maximum use and privacy. Master BR has sliders to pool. Master bath has a garden tub and a very spacious shower. Home wired for whole house generator. $229,900. MLS#436612
SUMMERGLLEN – Enjoy the Florida Lifestyle. 2 Br., 2 Ba. Home w/ office/den, large laundry and 2 car garage w/ screen door. Front enPaul Valois trance is also screened. The Foyer leads to the Great Room w/ Liv(352) 895-1020 ing area, dining room and kitchen which are all part of the open floor plan. Florida room is equipped w/privacy screens. HOA fees include mowing, edging, trash pick-up. Amenities include community pool, resident center, fitness center and much more. $195,000 MLS#436069
SPRUCE CREEK PRESERVE – Well maintained home with air conditioned Den/Lanai. 2 bd., 2 ba., Pull-down staircase in the garage with storage in the attic. Solar powered attic vent, new roof in 2014, Lindsay new a/c in 2010. Homeowner offering Home Warranty. Walking disPaolillo (352) 509-1063 tance to the very active community center. $119,500. MLS#435909
WESTGATE – Custom 4/3/2 nestled on heavily wooded 6.14 acres. Japanese Zen meditation garden 41x25 labyrinth w/ a river stone enhancement, generator for house. Laminate floors, sunny eat-in kitchen Carol VanWagner w/skid surface counters, double oven full size, freezer, center island. 9’ (352) 572-4259 step ceiling in formal dining room, 14’ ceiling in family room, double sided fireplace, oversized 2 car garage (25x33). $399,000 MLS#429565
Bunny Cooney
352-361-8575
SW HWY 200 OFFICE | 8721 SW HWY 200, OCALA FL | (352) 479-0123 OFFICE
4 Locations in Central Florida
Suzanne Alcorn (352) 216-6178 Residential
Pete Bauman (352) 895-3355 Residential
Mike Bleau (352) 857-4421 Residential
Carol Castineira & Bob Bunny Cooney Niedzwiecki (352) 361-8575 (352) 445-4953 Single Family Residential Specialize in Del Webb
WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST! 500 400 300
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Donna Eastman (352) 843-1542 Residential, 55+ Communities, Farms
Joyce Ellis (352) 266-2022 Real Estate
Lori Eubanks (352) 875-4464 Residential/Waterfront
100
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Donna Knox (352) 216-5495 Residential/Farms
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YEARS OF Julia McPherson (352) 895-0722 Residential/Farms
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David Rector Linda Roddenberry Nichole Roberts Nicki Schwartz (352) 216-1183 (352) 816-6607 (352) 239-2485 (352) 209-9963 Residential/Investment Residential/Investment Farms/Residential/Land Residential/Relocation
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INTOWN LOCATION $510,000
26 +/- acres zoned A1, the perfect property to build a farm. Located near Cherrywood. MLS 432428
ACREAGE IN MORRISTON $460,000
102 +/- acres zoned A1, Great location, minutes from HITS. Perfect farm for cattle, horses, crops and hay. Close to Dunnellon. MLS 432438.
NW GAINESVILLE RD $375,000 31+/- acres for sale. MLS 434424 27.9 Acres Zoned R1 3.62 Acres Zoned R4
WITHLACOOCHEE RIVERFRONT ACCESS
Build the home you've always wanted with access to the Withlacoochee river from your own back yard. Parcels have access to a boat slip and dock. UNDER CONTRACT 11.50+/- Acres
$138,000
13.40+/- Acres
MLS 432241 MLS 432238
NW DUNNELLON $125,000
Partially cleared property with beautiful trees. Live in the country while being minutes from Ocala and Dunnellon. 1,200 Sq. Ft. Workshop with Two Car Garage. MLS 419747Â
OCALA EQUESTRIAN PARK $95,000
Beautiful 10 Acre property with mature oak trees and a pond. Located in Ocala Equestrian Park central to Ocala and Dunnellon. Minutes from shopping. MLS 432416
ESTATES AT PLEASANT HILL STARTING AT $70,000 Gated & deed restricted, equestrian riding trails fenced parcels & street lights, underground utilities. Close to HITS Ocala, Only 4 lots remaining! EQUESTRIAN SPRINGS STARTING AT $85,000 Gated equestrian riding community. Beautiful cascading fountain, private shaded 2 mile bridle path, private park, and underground utilties. SW 107TH PLACE $239,900
Priced to Sell. 17.5 Acres fenced propety just minutes from the Florida Horse Park in SW Ocala. MLS 435414
WWW.SHOWCASEOCALA.COM
TH E R E AL PE O PLE , PL AC E S & E VE NTS THAT S HAPE OU R CO M M U N IT Y
Taste The Town
MAR
5
Eating and giving back to the community at the same time—what could be better? The 27th annual Taste of Ocala, hosted by the College of Central Florida Foundation on Saturday, March 5, offers attendees the chance to sample food and wine pairings from various restaurants around Ocala all in one spot. Funds raised from the event will benefit the new STEPS to CF scholarship program, which supports promising fifth-grade students from the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County and aids them in attending college at CF once they graduate high school. Taste of Ocala has raised more than $1 million for CF student scholarships since its inception in 1989.
the
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OCALA STUD IS 60
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JUVENILE INJUSTICES
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GETTIN’ THE WORD OUT
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Sources: cf.edu
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WANT TO GO? › Taste of Ocala › March 5, 6pm at the Ewers Century Center on the CF campus in Ocala › Tickets for the black-tie optional event are $100 each or $150 per couple › tasteofocala.org
026
CLASS ACTS
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THE
Buzz
HORSIN’ AROUND
Ocala Stud Hits The Big 6-0 Owning the title of the oldest active Florida Thoroughbred operation, Ocala Stud celebrates its 60th anniversary. › By JoAnn Guidry
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› Ocala
.com
Photo courtesy of The Florida Horse
O
Ocala Stud bred and sold Roman Brother who in 1965 became the first Floridabred to be named North American Horse of the Year. Since that phenomenal early success, Ocala Stud has been a perennial leader for six decades in the Florida Thoroughbred industry. To date, the farm has bred solely and/or with partners 146 Florida-bred stakes winners, including seven Florida-bred millionaires and four national champions. Ocala Stud has been named the Florida Breeder of the Year four times, 2010-2012 and 2014. In 2012, Ocala Stud was named the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s National Breeder of the Year.
Joe O’Farrell Rough’n Tumble
Photo courtesy of The Florida Horse
cala Stud was born out of the perfect convergence of timing and location. On January 16, 1956, Maryland horseman Joe O’Farrell was part of a nine-person syndicate headed by Bruce Campbell that paid $700,000 for 800 acres of what had been Ocala-based Dickey Stables. That May, Needles became the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby. Bred by William Leach, who had owned Dickey Stables, and raced by D & H Stable, Needles also finished second in the Preakness Stakes and won the Belmont Stakes. When Needles was named the 1956 North American champion 3-year-old male, the spotlight shone brightly on Ocala as a viable Thoroughbred center. At the time of Needles’ Kentucky Derby win, there were only four Thoroughbred farms in the Ocala area. But that would soon change as the Ocala farm rush was on. Joe O’Farrell, in his role as Ocala Stud’s managing partner, wasted little time in taking advantage of Ocala’s newfound fame. He quickly built up a broodmare band and filled the training barns with young horses. The stallion barn became home to Rough’n Tumble, who would go on to become one of the foundation sires of the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Ocala Stud recorded its first national champion when Florida-bred Mr Dear Girl was named the 1959 North American champion 2-year-old filly. By 1960, Ocala Stud was the 10th-leading breeder in North America. Adding to the farm’s accomplishments,
Ocala Stud. The two men worked together to rebuild Ocala Stud until the elder O’Farrell’s death in December 1982. “I was raised in the Thoroughbred business and never had any intentions or desire to do anything else,” says O’Farrell, 68, who has now served as Ocala Stud’s president and general manager for more than three decades. “I had to step in a little sooner than anticipated. There were some tough times along the way over the decades. But with the help of a lot of good people and luck, we persevered.” Now a solely family-owned operation, O’Farrell shares Ocala Stud ownership with sisters Susan Greiner and Anna O’Farrell, brother-in-law James Lewis and nieces Claire and Meghan Lewis, the husband and daughters of O’Farrell’s late sister Margaret. O’Farrell’s sons, Joe III and David, are now the third generation of O’Farrells involved in the management of Ocala Stud. Joe, 38, is the financial manager and David, 35, is the farm manager. “We’ve raised and sold a lot of good horses over all these years on Ocala Stud,” says O’Farrell, who has been married to wife Judy for 44 years. “But the truth is that a lot of O’Farrells have been raised on and provided for by Ocala Stud. With Joe and David’s children, we’re into our fourth generation.”
Photo by John Jernigan
Today’s Ocala Stud
Witnessing History
Photo by John Jernigan
Joseph Michael O’Farrell Jr. was 8 years old when his father, Joe, moved the family from Maryland to Ocala. At 22, and just a semester away from an agriculture business degree from the University of Florida, the younger O’Farrell was thrust into a leadership role. Following his father Joe’s heart attack and the farm’s financial reorganization in 1971, he took over the day-to-day operations of
Over the decades, the landscape around Ocala Stud has changed. Ocala Stud, Glen Hill Farm and Red Oak Farm are the only three remaining major Thoroughbred operations in the Shady Road area that was once the epicenter of the industry in Ocala. A mall, a community college, medical offices, restaurants, shopping strips, car dealerships, a high school, apartments and housing developments have overtaken the land where once Thoroughbred farms thrived. “I remember being able to ride my horse on dirt roads from farm to farm when I was growing up,” says O’Farrell. “But nothing stays the same. That’s just how life is.” It was that inevitable development encroachment that brought a new chapter to Ocala Stud’s history. In 2011, the O’Farrell family sold the 185-acre original main site of the farm on Shady Road (SW 27th Avenue) for $9 million to developer and Thoroughbred horseman John Brunetti. The terms of the sale provided the O’Farrells with a lease through 2016 with a possible option to renew after that time. “We didn’t sell the Ocala Stud name, and we will continue to operate as we have for 60 years,” says O’Farrell. “When the time comes where renewing our lease is not an option, we will just move the operation to our other properties.” The original 185-acre site includes the business office, training division and stallion barn. The operation’s other I had to step in a little sooner properties include the 120-acre Shady than anticipated. There were Lane broodmare division, located a some tough times along half-mile south of the main farm, and the way over the decades. the 240-acre Ocala Stud Annex, 12 miles But with the help of a lot of northeast of the main farm, which good people and luck, we serves as the weanling/yearling division. persevered. “We have definitely weathered the › Joseph Michael O’Farrell Jr. test of time in a very tough business,” says O’Farrell. “Of course, we’re very proud of all the good horses we’ve raised and sold, as well as the leading stallions that have Joe O’Farrell Jr. stood at the farm. But the truth is that none of that Joe O’Farrell III and David O’Farrell success would’ve happened without the help of a lot of good clients and employees that have stayed with us through good and bad times. Horses come and go, but the relationships you have with people are really what get you through life.” MAR ’16 ›
019
THE
Buzz
FROM CITY HALL
Spring Forward Safely
Much To Do In March
Spring has sprung, and the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is celebrating with a brandnew movie series! After Dark in the Park will take place at 7pm at Tuscawilla Park every Friday in March. Admission is free, and don’t forget your blankets and chairs.
CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES AND CLOCKS. As you Set your clocks forward on March 13
MAR 4: The Blindside
SPRING CLEAN… SAFELY! If an extreme spring cleaning session is underway, remember to use your knees for heavy lifting, use cleaning products as directed and prevent falls by avoiding walking on wet surfaces.
MAR 11: You’ve Got Mail MAR 18: Grease MAR 25: The Princess Bride
MAR
12
MAR
12
Photo by Ralph Demilio
roam about your home changing the time on your clocks, dedicate a minute or two to changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, too.
Engineering Day will take place Saturday, March 12 from 10am to 2pm at the Discovery Center located at 701 NE Sanchez Avenue. Engineers from the Florida Engineering Society have partnered with the Discovery Center to host a fun, complimentary family day that includes hands-on activities and challenges for students ages 5 to 15. To pre-register, please visit mydiscoverycenter.org.
PREPARE A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN. Spring break
provides the perfect opportunity for family members, old and young, to sit down and establish an emergency plan. Discuss how your family members would evacuate the home in case of a fire, designate a meeting place, assign a third-party contact and practice the plan to ensure family members of all ages understand what to do in the event of an emergency.
The Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll Celebration will take place Saturday, March 12 from 1-4pm at Tuscawilla Park. Celebrate the new sculpture exhibit, and enjoy complimentary family art activities, live music, food vendors and more.
For more information on these events, please call the Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517 or visit ocalafl.org/recpark.
Clean It Up!
The City of Ocala will host the Mayor’s Spring Cleanup Saturday, April 23 from 8-11am. Community groups, businesses and volunteers are invited to participate by collecting litter or cleaning up an area in our city. For more information or to register, please contact Dwayne Drake at ddrake@ocalafl.org or (352) 351-6744. Deadline to register is March 28.
020
› Ocala
.com
The City’s recycling sites at NE 14th Street and NE 8th Avenue will be collecting household hazardous and electronic waste on April 23 from 9am-2pm. Accepted hazardous waste includes cleaning fluids, light bulbs, pool chemicals, aerosol cans and more. Accepted electronics include battery chargers, scanners, computers, keyboards and more. For a full list of items, please visit ocalafl.org/pw.
Sayonara, Septic Tanks!
The City of Ocala has partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and St. John’s Water Management District to improve the health of Silver Springs and its tributaries through the Septic Tank and Well Elimination Program. The goal of the program is to eliminate at least 840 septic tanks in the City of Ocala and reduce nitrogen pollution discharged to Silver Springs. The program is looking at properties with septic tanks where existing sanitary sewer collection systems are available for connection. City of Ocala Water Resources customers can have their tanks completely removed and connected to the City’s central sewer system at no cost. To find out if you qualify, call the Water Resources Department at (352) 351-6772 or visit ocalafl.org.us.
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MAR ’16 ›
021
THE
Buzz
BENCHMARKS
Minor Issues › By Judge Steven G. Rogers
T
he accused stood quietly at the podium as I reviewed his paperwork. The police report described a fire he intentionally set to a vacant residence and the damage it caused to the home. When I finished reading the probable cause affidavit, I made eye contact with the person standing before me in the orange jumpsuit. The alleged arsonist was a 4-foot-tall, 60-pound, 9-year-old boy. Unfortunately, many of the cases in our court system involve children. From juvenile delinquency cases where kids are accused of committing crimes to dependency cases involving children being removed from their home, rarely is a case involving a child without significant emotional factors. Family law cases regularly contain issues concerning children. What is the time-sharing schedule? Where will the children attend school? How will the holidays, winter break, spring break and summer be divided? These are just some of the questions that must be answered in most family law cases. On rare occasions, I find it necessary to speak with a child in a family law case. Under these circumstances, I never wear the ominous black robe and typically break the ice by talking about something fun or interesting to them. It really helps when your name is the same as that of a super
022
› Ocala
.com
hero (Captain America). From speaking with 11-year-old twin boys about fishing to accepting the challenge of a 7-year-old girl of which of us can draw the best kitten, interviewing children concerning issues involving their parents is truly an unforgettable experience. Children are also involved in civil cases. A few years ago, I presided over a civil jury trial involving two middle school boys. The case concerned one student hitting the other in the eye with a piece of paper shot from a rubber band (also referred to as a “hornet”) as the boys exited their school bus. A jury comprised of six adults from our community was required to determine the total amount of damages sustained by the minor plaintiff. Criminal cases involving child victims may be the most difficult cases in the court system. Several years ago, a judicial assistant was desperately looking for a judge to cover a criminal trial scheduled for that morning as the judge assigned to the case had fallen ill from a kidney stone. Having the benefit of a rare open morning on my calendar, I called the judicial assistant and offered to cover the trial. After hearing her express how relieved and thankful she was that I was able to assist under these unfortunate circumstances, I asked her the $10,000 question… what was the charge? When the judicial assistant told me the It really helps when your name is defendant was charged with committing the same as that of a super hero a sex crime against a minor, I suddenly (Captain America). wished I was the one with the kidney stone. There is one exception to the unfortunate experiences of dealing with children in court. Although most people are in court because something bad is going on in their life, adoption proceedings are exceptions to this rule, as adoptions are a joyous occasion for everyone involved. Unfortunately, pleasant experiences involving children in court are clearly in the minority.
Judge Steven G. Rogers currently serves as a circuit court judge. He lives in Ocala with his wife, three children and an extremely spoiled Australian Shepherd.
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*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. A PROMOTIONAL RATE of 3.99% APR applies only to balances transferred on or before March 31, 2016. Balance transfers are allowed up to your available limit on your Insight Visa Platinum or Insight Visa Platinum + Rewards credit card. This offer is not good for transferring balances from existing Insight Visa Platinum or Insight Visa Platinum + Rewards credit cards or loans. For interest purposes, balance transfers will accumulate finance charges from the date of posting. Charges and cash advances made on your Insight Visa Platinum or Insight Visa Platinum + Rewards credit card will be made at the regular interest rate. The balance transfers made to a new Insight Visa Platinum or Insight Visa Platinum + Rewards credit card are subject to application and approval. The PROMOTIONAL RATE of 3.99% APR applies only to balances transferred on or before March 31, 2016. At the end of the 12-month PROMOTIONAL period, all balances transferred under this promotion will revert to the standard Balance Transfer APRs. No balance transfer fee will be charged on balances transferred January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016. Other restrictions may apply. Offer begins January 1, 2016 and ends March 31, 2016. Federally insured by NCUA.
Offices in Crystal River, Inverness, Ocala and Maricamp MAR ’16 ›
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
FPRA Members Kevin Christian and Heather Danenhower
Getting The Word Out
This is your chance to nominate individuals and institutions for their excellence in communication. › By Cealia Athanason
Two-year-old Buddy Martin with dad Wilton Martin
T
The community is encouraged to nominate educators, he Florida Public Relations Association is calling on the community to nominate professionals in advertising and marketing, businesses, nonprofits, individuals and institutions for the Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards. community leaders and journalists for the Communicator of the This year, FPRA’s Conducting Communications Excellence awards gala will be held at the Year Awards. Reilly Arts Center on April 19 to present the Communicator of the Year Awards along with the “Nominees do not have to be members of FPRA 2016 Mid-Florida Image Awards, presented for public relations excellence. but must exemplify the highest professional “The Wilton F. Martin Communicator of the Year Awards recognize standards in the communications field,” individuals and institutions who have demonstrated excellence in strategic Nominations are due Byrnes says. communications to improve the quality of life in Marion County,” says Laura by March 21 at 5pm Ocala Style Magazine, this year’s media sponsor, Byrnes, APR, CPRC and chair of Conducting Communications Excellence. To submit a nomination, visit fpraocala.org/image received the Communicator of the Year Award FPRA’s Communicator of the Year program began in 2005, and the award back in 2006. Other institutional recipients from was named after Wilton Martin in 2011. Martin worked at several newspapers Finalists will be notified the week of March 28 past years were Munroe Regional Medical Center before becoming the publicity and promotions manager of the Silver Springs Call Laura Byrnes at and the Marion County Public Library System. attractions in the 1930s. He was also responsible for bringing a lot of media (352) 816-1264 Individual recipients have included Dr. Charles attention and publicity to Florida. Dassance, former president of the College of “Public relations was a vehicle for getting the word out and bringing MAR 21 Central Florida, and Buddy Martin, who worked people in to share in the vitality and purity of nature that Old Florida’s finest tirelessly to save the Marion Theatre. representative, Silver Springs, could give them,” Martin’s son, Buddy, said. “Our goal for the awards this year is to highlight as many In 1938, Martin and his friend, John Dillin, the publicity director for the Miami Beach outstanding communications efforts as possible, not just from Chamber of Commerce, put together the Florida Association of Publicity Directors, which is among FPRA members but throughout the greater community,” now FPRA. The association held its first statewide meeting in Tampa the next year. Byrnes says. “FPRA is the oldest professional association for public relations practitioners in the nation and actually got its start in Marion County in large part due to Martin, an Ocala native,” Byrnes says.
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WANT TO GO? › The FPRA Conducting Communications Excellence Awards Gala › Reilly Arts Center › Tuesday, April 19, 5:30-7pm › fpraocala.org/image
› Ocala
.com
Bigger Village Ford, Better Customer Service
• Newly expanded lot featuring 9 acres with hundreds of vehicles and 18 service bays means superior selection and service for our customers • 2013: 65 cars, 20 employees, 8 service bays. Today: hundreds of cars for better selection, twice the employees for better service, and more than twice the service bays for faster maintenance • Lower prices and expert guidance to find your perfect fit on our lot • Low price guarantee plus caring, knowledgeable staff to find your perfect deal • State-of-the-art technology for superior service and routine maintenance
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myvillageford.com
THE
Buzz
BUSINESS BRIEFS
A Job Well Done
SECO Energy, a not-for-profit cooperative delivering power to nearly 200,000 consumers across seven Central Florida counties, ranks highest among midsize utilities in the South region, according to the J.D. Power 2015 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. To commemorate the honor and strengthen the company’s brand identity, a new logo with distinct Florida roots was unveiled. The J. D. Power study measures customer satisfaction with utilities by examining six factors: power quality and reliability, price, billing and payment, corporate citizenship, communications and customer service. SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan humbly stated, “This J.D. Power award is the culmination of a decade of hard work and steady improvement in the service we provide to our customers. I credit our board’s governance, our management team’s leadership and, most important, our employees’ dedication and hard work.”
We Love Trees!
For the 26th straight year, the City of Ocala has been certified as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Arbor Day Foundation has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976 through the Tree City USA program. To achieve Tree City USA status, a community must meet four standards of sound urban forestry management that include maintaining a tree board, having a tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
Ocala For The Win
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International recently honored the Ocala/ Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau with a Silver Adrian Award for advertising excellence for its winning entry in the 59th annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious global travel marketing competition. This year’s contest was one of the most competitive in history, garnering more than 1,300 entries from around the world. The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau was recognized for its “Do You Love” campaign that highlighted all of the reasons to love and visit Ocala/Marion County.
Among The Top
The College of Central Florida has been selected as one of the top 150 colleges in the country to be eligible to compete for funding from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This is the third time that CF has been deemed eligible for part of the $1 million prize. The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence aims to identify and replicate campus-wide practices that significantly improve college student outcomes. The 150 colleges were selected based on publicly available data and are among the top 10 percent of colleges in the country. “Recognition by the Aspen Institute demonstrates that CF faculty and staff are delivering exceptional education opportunities for our community,” said Dr. James Henningsen, CF president. “Florida colleges are among the best in the nation, and College of Central Florida is in good company as one of 14 colleges in Florida to be recognized by Aspen.”
Lending A Little Help
Helping Hands, a local non-profit charity caring for homeless women and children, recently received a generous check from Bank of America. Each year, the employees of Bank of America are allotted a sum of money for a holiday party. This year, instead of spending that money on themselves, they decided to give back to the community by donating the money to local charities, including Helping Hands. Thanks to their generosity, Helping Hands is able to continue to provide housing, food, clothing, medical care, jobs, counseling and related assistance for its residents.
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Visit our Facebook or website for full details MAR ’16 ›
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CLASS ACTS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND DISTRICT NEWS THAT SHAPE MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. › By Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC
Teachers Shine For Golden Apple Vanguard High School’s Tania Travieso is Marion County’s 2016 Teacher of the Year! She, along with four other finalists, received Golden Apples recently during surprise visits to their classrooms. Travieso later received local teaching’s top honor in a black-tie gala in front of hundreds of guests. Other top contenders and Golden Apple recipients included: Jamie O’Brien (Belleview Middle), Makita Blye (Greenway Elementary), Thomas Allison (Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks) and Sarah Parris (Wyomina Park Elementary). Dillon Bishop is Marion County’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, having been in the classroom three years or less. Bishop teaches third grade at Dunnellon Elementary. The Public Education Foundation of Marion County orchestrates the annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program.
Tania Travieso
Jamie O’Brien
Makita Blye
Spotlighting Support
Meantime, Marion County’s 2016 School-Related Employee of the Year is Abel Garcia, an English Language Learner paraprofessional at Reddick-Collier Elementary. He, along with four colleagues, was honored at a packed-room luncheon also sponsored by the Public Education Foundation. Other contenders for the top support honor included: Jodi Antonucci (Vanguard High), Rebekah Champagne (Evergreen Elementary), Yunia Perez (Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks) and Jackie Weeks (Hillcrest).
Rebates & Returns
It’s not often your electric company gives you money back, but in this case, it’s for real! Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO) representative Ryon Meyers (center) presented a rebate check to our school district for more than $11,127. The rebate is possible thanks to lower utility rates and capital credits issued by the utility company. Gladly accepting were Superintendent George Tomyn and Deputy Superintendent Theresa Boston-Ellis. The money goes back into the general fund, which pays for utility services district-wide.
Rolling Into Retirement
Surrounded by friends and family, Joyce Collins recently retired as Marion County’s most experienced school bus driver with 37 years behind the wheel. During that time, Collins woke up early, picked up her students and dropped them off every day for 6,570 school days. That’s a lot of miles and patience behind the wheel. Happy trails to you, Mrs. Collins!
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Thomas Allison
Sarah Parris
Dillon Bishop
Dollars For Duct Tape
Look closely: You’ll see College Park Elementary Principal Cassandra Boston hanging from the wall—yes, actually hanging from the wall. Check out her feet! This good sport agreed to let students and staff tape her to the main stage wall in exchange for money. One dollar for one yard of duct tape. It took two hours and rolls of donated tape, but Boston raised $1,028 to buy college scholarships in the Take Stock in Children program sponsored by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County.
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12888 SE US HWY 441 BELLEVIEW, FL 34420
8 MILES NORTH OF THE VILLAGES | US 441 FRI, SAT & SUN 8AM-3PM
NOV’14 ocalastyle.com
Southern Off-Road Adventure Rally
~Book_1114OS.indb 68
HOSTED BY OCALA JEEP CLUB
Saturday, March 19th | 8am - 5pm
Market of Marion 12888 SE US Highway 441 | Belleview, FL 34420
352-245-6766 Like Ocala Jeep Club on 030
› Ocala
.com
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D E D I C ATE D TO E N R I C H I N G TH E LIVE S O F LO C AL FAM I LI E S
Safety First
Riding a bike is fun, fast and healthy, but it’s important to remember that bicycles, as harmless as they may seem, are vehicles—not toys.
Souce: kidshealth.org
Before your child goes on his or her next trip around the neighborhood, take a moment to do a quick safety inspection. Make sure proper clothing is worn. No loose-hanging clothing, such as long skirts or loose pants, should be worn, and shoelaces should be tied tight, as they could get caught in the bicycle chain or tires, which could lead to an injury. Always make sure your child’s bike helmet
F A M I LY F L I C K S
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KIDS' KORNER
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fits properly. If it’s too small or too big, it shouldn’t be worn. The straps on the helmet should be fastened at all times to prevent the helmet from falling off. Check that the brakes are functional by squeezing the brake handles and making sure that the wires move. If your child rides a bike without gears, make sure he or she understands and has plenty of practice with how the brake works.
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Family Filmin’ Fun
Cinemagic gets a whole day at this year’s SSIFF. › By Cealia Athanason
F
rom Festival Director Greg Cinemagic films and the events that go Thompson’s perspective, the along with them. Silver Springs International “People get to see a part of the world Film Festival isn’t just about watching they may not get to see otherwise,” films tell stories; it’s also about helping he says. you write your own. The main theater’s first showing “Make this the experience you want on Saturday is a block of horse films, it to be,” says Thompson. “You are also L’il Herc and Cowgirls ‘N Angels, and your own storyteller.” the balcony’s first showing People get Cinemagic is the is the Oscar-nominated to see a part festival’s family-friendly short film Can’t Live Without of the world category of films, and The Cosmos and the film they may not this year an entire day is AstroSamantha, which get to see dedicated to screening features footage from the otherwise. them. Screenings are at International Space Station. › Greg Thompson 11am, 1pm and 3pm on “Science is cool, and Saturday, April 9 in both being smart is cool,” the main theater and balcony theater Thompson says about the films and the of downtown Ocala’s Marion Theatre. messages they send. “All of it is good During the film selection process each for kids.” year, thousands of films are screened The Best of Marion County Media by festival programmers, narrowed Awards begins in the main theater down and sent to Thompson to look at 1pm, also on Saturday, April 9, through—all in an effort to find the while a compilation of kid-friendly best of the best in independent films. short films plays in the balcony. At And Thompson is excited about the 3pm, you may find yourself being
pulled in two directions because, while the balcony theater will show two films Thompson considers to be high quality and great for teens, the main theater will be showing the classic film The Goonies. The first film upstairs, 142 Miles From Monday, is a short 10-minute film about mountain bikers, and the second one, The Little Firemen, is 70 minutes long and tells the tale of young men overcoming a community challenge. “I’m excited about the increase in quality this year, since we are an independent film festival,” Thompson says. Saturday also brings along new, fun events for kids and festival-goers of all ages. YOU WON’T
WANT TO MISS THE GOONIES PARTY WITH GOONIES BAGS FOR THE KIDS AND A MEET-AND-GREET WITH JOE PANTOLIANO, WHO PLAYED FRANCIS FRATELLI IN THE GOONIES . Another event features Amos The
Wonder Horse, a miniature therapy horse with a bullying prevention program called “Just Say Whoa To Bullying.” In addition to the nine festival awards that will be handed out this year, this year’s scholarship and classroom grant winners will be announced at the festival’s Saturday evening Closing Dinner and Awards Ceremony. “We exist to support education,” Thompson says, mentioning that Cinemagic’s cultural and educational theme runs throughout the entire festival.
WANT TO GO? › The Silver Springs International Film Festival › Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala › April 4-10 › springsfilmfest.com or (352) 433-1933
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› Ocala
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Montessori P R E PA R ATO R Y S C H O O L O F O C A L A
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: SPANISH, BALLET, MUSIC, PIANO, ART, SOCCER 2967 NE SI LVER SPRINGS BLVD OCAL A, FL 3447 0
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MARCH EVENTS All About Tea Saturday, March 5, Noon-2 p.m. Sharon Cooper and Gwynn Pealer invite you to the Appleton to learn about the traditional and exotic sides of tea. Featured artwork includes jewelry by Juan Carlos Cahue and contemporary pottery by Frank DiGangi. $35 museum members | $45 nonmembers
Cookout with the Chief Saturday, March 12, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy Florida’s fine spring weather and mocktails at an afternoon cookout at Ocala Fire Department Headquarters with Asst. Fire Chief Anthony Ortiz. Featured artwork includes ceramics by Rudolph Clay Studios and mixed media assemblages by Dustin Goolsby. $55 museum members | $65 nonmembers To make a reservation contact Joyce Orme at 352-291-4455, ext. 1834, or ormej@cf.edu. ARTFUL Dining is a fundraiser for the Appleton’s exhibitions and programs. For the full schedule of events, visit AppletonMuseum.org.
Appleton Museum of Art 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. AppletonMuseum.org | 352-291-4455
–an equal opportunity college–
MAR ’16 ›
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› COOL KIDS
Gateway Banks On Students
Financial literacy is usually something learned on the fly as a burgeoning adult, but Gateway Bank and Osceola Middle School have teamed up to introduce the lesson of saving to local students. › By Katie McPherson
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ateway Bank’s CEO, Tom Ingram, says the bank had been searching for a student savings program when they heard about the Banking on Kids program through the Independent Community Bankers Association. The premise is simple: instill in young people the idea that saving is important and not something to put off for later. It has over 350 programs in schools nationwide, but none existed in Florida until the fall of 2014, when Osceola Middle School began selecting and training its own student bank officers. Eight seventh-grade student bankers underwent training and an orientation at Gateway. They’re responsible for balancing ledgers, opening accounts, taking deposits and marketing the bank to their peers. This school year, they have taken
on new officers, and the experienced ones help with their training. The bank had its official ribbon cutting January 12, 2016. Students can make deposits Tuesday mornings from 7:20 to 7:45 and are encouraged to invest $1 a week. Once they reach $10, student bankers will direct them to Gateway to open a true savings account. This one has perks. “When they open the young saver account, we pay a 5 percent interest on that to encourage them,” says Ingram. The bank will also match their $10 deposit, starting them with $20. Even after their accounts are open at Gateway, students can continue making deposits through the school to build that habit. Principal Suzette Parker says the Osceola Middle School Bank is teaching students the value of money and offering a banking curriculum teaches concepts like simple and compound interest and the origin of money. “As the core class demands have become more rigorous, students have less of an opportunity to learn what you may have learned in a home economics class,” Parker explains. “What we’re trying to teach them now, in a small way, is the benefit of saving Offering a banking curriculum teaches and how important it concepts like simple and compound is for the future. You interest and the origin of money. can’t always count on what you make in the future in case of an emergency.” As part of his work, Ingram has seen plenty of people in dire financial straits. “Part of where I see people going in the wrong direction is not living within their means and not having a budget, not even thinking about savings and living paycheck to paycheck, not practicing the process of paying yourself first. By getting them started on the right foot and encouraging them to save and having them see the benefit of saving, it’ll develop a habit. Our ultimate goal is to have this in more schools with other banks participating,” he says. It seems as though students at Osceola Middle are already seeing positive results. “Making it so convenient and putting it out there in front of them, we can try to make it something that impacts them right now,” says Parker. “The fact that the bank is allowing them to deposit such a small amount is amazing because it’s easy to kind of cajole them. We can walk around in the mornings and say ‘Hey, you have a dime? Why don’t you make a deposit?’ We have a fair number of kids who have already reached their $10 goal.”
Sources: babycenter.com, thebump.com, parents.com
Hive
Photo courtesy of Kevin Christian
THE
THE Y WAS JUST WHAT WE FRANK DELUCA YMCA FAMILY CENTER
NEEDED
When I was in the fourth grade I thought I wanted to play soccer. I told my mom and she started looking for soccer programs around Ocala. We had only lived in the area for about two years so she was excited when she found the Frank DeLuca YMCA. At first we didn’t join, but it didn’t take long for my parents to realize that the environment at the Y was just where we needed to be. After two soccer seasons I started to see that maybe it wasn’t the best sport for me. I had been watching my older sister swim for a few years and decided to give it a try so I joined the summer rec league. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that swimming was my sport. I knew I was meant to be in the water—it was just natural!
I’m almost 14 now and the Frank DeLuca YMCA is my second home and my team is my family. I am a member of USA Swimming and I get to represent the Y of Central Florida at really big meets all over the state. I’m here when it’s raining, hot, cold, windy, and dark. During the summer, we train twice a day, and in the winter we work just as hard. Coach Tarn is an amazing teacher and always knows just the right thing to say after a hard practice or after a tough race; I’ve learned so much from him and not just about swimming but about life. Coach Bill does our dry land workouts with us on Saturday mornings and he really pushes us to be the best people we can be, not just the best athletes. It’s hard to say what I would be doing if I didn’t have swim in my life, I’m sure I would be doing another sport but I’m not sure if it would be something I love as much. Maybe I would just be an average teenager who doesn’t think they have anything better to do. My awesome swim life would not be possible without scholarship. My parents work very hard to make sure my sisters, brother and I have what we need but scholarship at the YMCA lets me keep working on my goals of competing at Y Nationals and maybe swimming in college. I can even see myself being a coach some day because I have loved helping with the younger swimmers during summer league which is where I started! This has all been possible because of the Y’s Annual Support Campaign that provides scholarships for people who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of programs, like swim team, and membership. It has made so much possible for me, it really is an amazing gift. —Jillian Lartigue
WE ARE FAMILY AT THE FRANK DELUCA Y HELP US HELP OTHERS
Did you know that Marion County is ranked in the bottom third in the state of Florida when it comes to health and wellness? We have some serious challenges facing our health, our youth and our ways of life. The newly renovated Frank DeLuca Y is the place that can begin to move the needle. But we can’t do it alone. Your support as a donor, volunteer or friend of the Y is crucial for making change in our community. In 2015, the Y invested more than $457,000 in our community, including:
$355,123 in Memberships that provide access to healthy living
$4,548 in Aquatics that teach people of all ages water safety
$14,475 in Sports that teach children the importance of team work
$72,555 in Summer Camp that keep kids active all summer long
$2,481 in our Youth Achievers that promotes positive behaviors in middle school students
JOIN OUR CAUSE Kickoff Lunch March 17 at 12 p.m. Frank DeLuca YMCA RSVP to Nicole Bloom at nbloom@cfymca.org to reserve your seat.
3200 SE 17th Street Ocala, FL 34471 352 368 9622 facebook.com/MarionCountyYMCA
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› KIDS' KORNER
We asked area elementaryaged kids what they like to do over spring break. Here’s what they had to say!
Grace Christian Scho
ol, 1st Grade
Grace
Christia
n Scho
ol, 1st
APRIL QUESTION:
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› Ocala
.com
stian Scho
ol, 1st Grad
e
Grade
Who’s your favorite book character and why? › Entries due by March 15.
Grace Chri
Each month we pose a question to local kids in grades kindergarten through fifth. Answers can be submitted in the form of a short story, poem, paragraph or drawing. We’ll choose a few to feature each month. If your child’s submission is selected, they will receive their own Team Style bee trophy. Submissions can be emailed to melissa@ocalastyle.com or mailed or dropped off to the Ocala Style Editorial Department at 1007 E Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. Please include your contact information with your child’s entry.
Discover Florida’s Horses
The Florida Horse Park is a 501(c)(3) corporation and relies on donations and contributions from the public. There are many ways you can help support the Park. Please visit our website to see sponsor opportunities, or to purchase our license plate, Discover Florida’s Horses.
Find out more today.
www.FLHorsePark.com
Florida Horse Park
11008 South Highway 475 in Ocala, Florida (352) 307-6699 SPONSOR S
Joan Pletcher R EALTO R ®
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› SNAPSHOTS
THESE LOCAL KIDS KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN! CHECK OUT THEIR PHOTO-WORTHY MOMENTS.
Joseph, 11, at Fessenden Elementary's science fair
Kyle, 11, and Angela, 12, at Tuscawilla Park
Madison, 8, at West Ocala Community Garden
Caroline, 12, and Caidance, 13, representing Blessed Trinity at Kingdom of The Son Cheerleading Competition
Ruger and Leightyn at Sneakers and Smores 5K
Grayson and Morgan, Ellie and Londyn at Sneakers and Smores 5K
Alex, 5, with his kindergarten class science fair at Fessenden Elementary
Savanna and Gabe at Paws of Honor at Kirby Family Farm
Nina, 3, donating to Evergreen Elementary's food drive
Mark Joseph, 8 months, plays in the yard
Layla, 2, enjoying a beautiful day in Ocala
WANT TO SEE YOUR KIDS ON THE PAGES OF OCALA STYLE? Send your photos from around town and local events to melissa@ocalastyle.com. Yours might just get picked! 038
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.com
Chelsey, a sophomore at Lake Weir High, getting ready for the Southeastern Youth Fair
just take And make an infinite difference. One young person who’s suffered many hardships. One dream for a loving family.
One future in the balance. One opportunity to change a life.
I
n just a short time, you can help an older foster child for a lifetime. The need has never been greater, so open your heart and home—and make a singular contribution.
change a life for good
Foster or Adopt an Older C hild
Kids Central, Inc. is the nonprofit organization charged with preventing and treating child abuse and selected by the State of Florida to coordinate child protection services in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties (Circuit 5). No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, martial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Funded via Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Federal Opportunity Announcement, Diligent Recruitment Families for Children in the Foster Care System: HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-CO-0593. Award #: 90C01112-01-00
KidsCentralFosterParents.org 352-873-6332
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TION CINA RING S A EA EF T TH BOUT H NG THE U B , A S EI TION PECIAL ACK. SE MOTIVE A T R S R O A O T C P G ID . ANS ETHIN ILROAD EAM LO FLOR R T N M F E ST CES I E RA SO T SO ODE ’S JUS K ON TH VINTAG PERIEN M E N LAC ROM N EX HER MAI UR OLD, T KETY-C GES. F W TRAI O BE D FE LIC LA OW NG AN , THE C OR AL K AT A N F Y U E O A E O N A LO Y, Y NGI ES M IENC LAN R MAN TEAM E EXPER HERE’S P y FO ND E, AS ILY uidr ES A RSISTS. NG OF AT FAM ENGIN nG L n I A B K I o TAN UFF GRE By J OMO S PE AUT TRAIN AND P IN IS A AS THE G H A WIT HUFFIN M A TR THOM O O E TH LD FR TRAIN T R E I O W MOV TO A
FLORIDA R AILROAD MUSEUM THE
FLORIDA RA ILROAD MU WAS FOUND SEUM ED WITH TH E GOAL OF PRESER VING THE S TATE’S RAILROADIN G HISTORY AS IT EXISTED IN THE 1940S AND 1950S THE FRM, W . HICH IS A 5 01(C)(3) ENTITY, OP ERATES ON A SIX-MILE LINE BETWE EN WILLOW, FLO PARRISH AND RIDA, IN RU RAL MANATEE C OUNTY. MU SEUM MEMBERS A ND OPERATE TH VOLUNTEERS E WEEKEND TRAIN RIDES, WHIC H FEATURE DIESEL LOCOMOTIV ES PULLING OPEN WINDOW, C OVERED GO NDOLA AND AIR-CONDIT IONED COA CHES. Open year-r
ound, exce pt for a two-week C hristmas/N ew Year’s break there are tr , ain rides ev er y S aturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm. The approximat ely 90-min u te rides are a 13-mile ro und trip. T ic k et s are $14 for adults, $10 for chil dren 3 to 11 and
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Photo courtesy Florida Railway Museum
The actual ren under 3. ild ch r . fo ee fr for everyone ee of charge fr is m eu us m l events ts on specia The FRM pu ggest is the bi e d one of th an , ar ye y er ev mas. This Out With Tho ay D al nu an Thomas the n, featuring year’s editio for March 11 is scheduled Tank Engine, rough 20. d March 18 th through 13 an our h Thomas is “Day Out Wit our Polar to xt ial event ne biggest spec ys FRM ecember,” sa Express in D ick. “During V er ter Heath Station Mas event, gates With Thomas the Day Out first ride am with the open at 8:30 a Thomas is re 9am. The going out at l 3:45pm, minutes unti ride every 45 n goes out. n the last trai which is whe n ride, there Thomas trai g Besides the tivities goin nds of fun ac ly will be all ki e strong ut the day. W on througho as tickets m ho T buying recommend in advance.” ckets h Thomas ti Day Out Wit d can 2 and up) an are $19 (ages through e nc d in adva be purchase or by calling ticketweb.com 30. (866) 468-76
GOLD COAST RAILROAD MUSEUM
LOCATED ON 50 ACRES ADJACENT TO THE MIAMI-DADE ZOO MIAMI, THE GOLD COAST RAILROAD MUSEUM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1942. RAILROAD TRACKS LOOP AROUND THE PROPERTY THAT WAS ONCE A NAVAL YARD, WHERE MISSIONS WERE LAUNCHED TO SEARCH FOR ENEMY SUBMARINES SNEAKING INTO U.S. WATERS DURING WORLD WAR II.
? NOW MORE WANT TO K m u se u M d lroa Florida Rai rrish Pa t, as E et Stre 12210 83rd 6 (941) 776-090 rg .o frrm
“There is so much history here on this property,” says Lilia Fontana, executive director of the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, a 501(c)(3) entity. “The tracks connected to the old CX line and brought in supplies to the naval yard. All our train rides take place on those tracks and are great family outings.” The actual museum features more than 40 pieces of historic railroad equipment. The more notable pieces include the Ferdinand Magellan, California Zephyr, Silver Crescent,
Orange Blossom Cannonball
THE ORANGE BLOSSOM CANNONBALL IS A BIT OF A CELEBRITY. THE MOVIE TRAIN WAS FIRST FEATURED IN THE 1964 MOVIE THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED. SINCE THEN, THE TRAIN HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MORE THAN 20 TV SHOWS AND MOVIES, INCLUDING TRUE GRIT, 3:10 TO YUMA, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU AND ROSEWOOD.
Tavares Train Station 305 E Ruby Street, Tavares
Wed-Fri: $29 (over 12 years old) $17.40 (4-12 years old)
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Mount Dora Train Station 150 W 3rd Avenue, Mount Dora TICKET PRICES Saturdays: $32 (over 12 years old) $19.20 (4-12 years old) Children 3 and under ride free.
(352) 742-7200 orangeblossomcannonball.com
Sundays: $28 (over 12 years old) $16.80 (4-12 years old)
Photo courtesy Gold Coast Railroad Museum
The 90-minute trips, Wednesdays through Sundays, on the Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad line, include vintage coaches pulled by either a 1907 steam locomotive, the only wood-burning one in use in Florida, or a 1941 GE 45-ton center cab locomotive. The Orange Blossom Cannonball leaves from either the Tavares or Mount Dora train stations. “We enjoy sharing the Orange Blossom Cannonball with people. It’s an authentic experience,” says General Manager Richard Grigsby. “We’re planning some special train rides this spring, including for families, so check our website regularly or give us a call.”
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WANT TO KNOW MORE? Gold Coast Railroad Museum 12450 SW 152nd Street, Miami (305) 253-0063 gcrm.org
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ily Farm sy Kirby Fam
Photo courtesy Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Photo courte
Kirby Family Farm
OWNED AND OPERATED BY DARYL AND TRACY KIRBY, THE KIRBY FAMILY FARM’S NO. 19 ENGINE AND ITS FIVE CARS DATE BACK TO THE 1800S AND WERE ONCE PART OF THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD. THE LATTER WAS THE ORIGINAL NARROW GAUGE STEAM RAILROAD THAT RAN THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. THE KIRBY FAMILY FARM TRAIN IS THE LARGEST RAILROAD ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH 1.3 MILES OF TRACK.
On March 18 through 20, the Kirby Family Farm will host its fourth annual Rock-N-Roll Easter Train event. Billed as the “World’s Largest Annual Easter Egg Hunt,” 125,000 colorful empty plastic eggs are scattered about the farm’s largest open field. “It’s not really a hunt, as much as an Easter egg pick up. The eggs are empty because candy attracts ants,” says Daryl Kirby. “We let the kids go by age groups to pick up the eggs, and they have a ball. Every kid gets a special prize egg instead of candy in the eggs.” Included in the $10-per-person general admission (ages 2 and under are free) are 15-minute train rides
Photo courtesy Kirby Family Farm
Silver Stag and Florida East Coast steam engines No. 153 and No. 113. “We have a separate building for model trains,” says Fontana. “And a special hands-on model railroad exhibit for kids. There are 20 Thomas the Tank Engine tables where kids can play and even build their own toy wooden trains.” Museum admission prices are $8 for adults and children 12 and up; $6 for children 2 to 11 and free for children under 2. The museum is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and from 11am to 4pm on weekends. And speaking of Thomas the Tank Engine, the beloved children’s favorite will be making a special appearance at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum on March 5 through 6 and March 12 through 13. The Day Out With Thomas event features 25-minute train rides throughout each day. There will also be a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station with Thomas-themed activities, including Thomas storytelling and video viewing areas, during each day’s event. Admission for each event is $20 for those 2 years old and older. “We’ve had a Day Out With Thomas event for 11 years,” says Fontana. “It is always well attended and so much fun, not just for the kids, but for their parents, too.” Several other regular train rides are offered on most weekends, including: Edwin Link Children’s Railroad: The 20-minute ride on the completely refurbished small train is on a 2-foot gauge track. The cost is $2.50 per person; children under 1 are free. Standard Gauge Caboose Or Coach Car: These 25-minute rides use a diesel locomotive with two different coach cars or a caboose: the air-conditioned Belle Glade passenger coach, a 1920s Florida East Coast OpenAir coach or the Classic Caboose. The cost is $6 per person for all ages. Engineer Cab/Standard Gauge Diesel-Electric Locomotive: This ride puts guests in the operating cab of a locomotive with the engineer. During the ride, crew members will detail the history and operation of the locomotive, as well as the history of the museum property. The 25-minute ride costs $12 per person for all ages.
all day long around the property, from 10am until 2pm. There will be music, singing, games, a petting zoo and special guest characters from Nickelodeon. That ticket will also allow rides on a 28-horse carousel. Kirby Farm also recently received a major donation from a theme park, which includes a super slide, swing ride and a kiddie train. There will be a $10 armband available to purchase for those rides. “Our annual events have turned into big family reunions,” says Tracy Kirby. “Families come back year after year.” Not open to the general public except for special events, Kirby Family Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational facility for atrisk children. In addition to special events, such as the Christmas Express, which are open to the public, the farm offers field trips, private and group tours, and occasion celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Just make sure to make a reservation first! WANT TO KNOW MORE? Kirby Family Farm 19630 NE 30th Street, Williston (352) 812-7435 kirbyfarm.com
Looking at her arm, Rebekah knows she’s strong. We see that she’s also unlike anyone else. No two alike. That’s the truth about scars — and the individuals who wear them. It’s also how we believe in practicing medicine at UF Health. Rebekah Gaudet had her whole life ahead of her when she was diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer. Her team of doctors created a plan just for her, stopping the cancer — and saving her arm. Today, Rebekah’s scar reminds her of her strength and the unique plan that changed everything. Seeing no two stories alike is how we move medicine forward. Watch them for yourself at NoTwoAlike.org.
GAINESVILLE
AC CK K SS O ON V I L L E JJ A
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa:
LOOK GREAT… FEEL GREAT…
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ith the new year already here and the holiday season behind us there is no better time than the present to get started on a path of achieving a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you put on a few extra pounds over the holidays and want to fit back into your favorite clothes or maybe you were recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or sleep apnea and are concerned about your overall health. Perhaps you don’t have the energy you used to have or suffer from knee, hip or back pain and just want to feel energized and pain free again. Eighty to 90 percent of common medical issues are weight and lifestyle related. The good news is if your weight and overall lifestyle are corrected, many of those medical problems improve or are totally eliminated so you can feel better about yourself and enjoy all that life has to offer. Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa specializes in helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight through physician-directed individualized programs that teach you how to achieve a healthy, realistic, sustainable lifestyle. “We educate, motivate, inspire and hold people accountable so that each person starts feeling better about themselves and starts to develop a new healthier routine without feeling
like they are on a ‘diet’ or part of a ‘diet program,’” says Dr. Michael Holloway, medical director and founder of Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa. “With over 12 years of experience in this field we have become very good at what we do. Most people who start our program are very successful and achieve good outcomes. We have helped people get their blood pressure and diabetes under control without the need for medication as well as helped people reduce or eliminate many of their common medical conditions so they can feel healthy and confident.” The MedSpa takes the approach that focusing on the individual and establishing a positive, upbeat attitude is key. You will feel the difference from the minute you pull up to the facility and walk through their doors. It is unlike most anything you have experienced, a far cry from the typical sterile, bland, medical facility. You will also be greeted by their warm and friendly staff. “We raise the bar high in the area of customer service,” says Shannon Holloway, the MedSpa’s executive director and co-founder. “We see ourselves as much in the hospitality industry as the medical field. We want each and every client to feel uplifted and happy about coming to see us. Emotional health and well-being is a large part of one’s daily attitude, which makes a huge difference as someone
works towards their goals of losing weight and developing a revitalized feeling about themselves.” Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa offers much more than just weight-loss programs. The menu of services they offer include numerous FDA-approved facial and body aesthetic treatments and procedures all of which are noninvasive and have the benefit of little to no downtime but deliver incredible results. “If someone is looking for a total body makeover, we can make that happen,” says Dr. Holloway. “We offer everything from Botox® and Restylane® to laser hair removal, facial resurfacing, rosacea and sunspot reduction to CoolSculpting®, which dramatically reduces that undesirable diet and exercise resistant body fat we accumulate as we age. We also have a fabulous permanent makeup artist from Japan who has been with us for over five years. She performs some of the best eyebrow and eyeliner results I have ever seen.” The MedSpa also offers a simple and effective way to escape from the busy stressful world and take an afternoon to just pamper yourself or you and your spouse or just have a girls’ day out. There are two adjacent amazingly adorned spa rooms that can be booked for a spa party where each person can choose from a list of massages, facials or other desirable relaxing
treatments. You will then enjoy a healthy revitalizing lunch while sitting just outside on the private Frenchstyle patio all while enjoying relaxing music, soothing sounds from a nearby waterfall and watching the butterflies mingle around the flower garden. If all this sounds too good to be true, believe us, it isn’t. Dr. Michael Holloway and wife, Shannon, challenged themselves over the past two years to design and construct a new facility in the heart of The Villages® community that they consider to be one of the top MedSpas you will find anywhere around the world. And once you experience the facility and everything they have to offer, we think you will agree. You just simply need to come experience Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa. They have two equally unique facilities located in Ocala and Lady Lake. Call and make your appointment for a free consultation TODAY!
Lady Lake 8550 NE 138th Lane Ocala 2139–B NE 2nd Street 1-844-LIFESTYLE LSMedSpa.com
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RS UTOHE B I TR , T NT ON HY L C EALT RTME N A A ITIC S H PA E I CR TIENT CH DE EON E, AS R E R PA EA SOM LIK OU A S S G E RT Y NG T RSE TIN ND EA T B I NU GET AT BI TO TR ULD I O STA E TRY VE TO E TH ER WO N, T GIN OU’ LE R H T I Y GLU OGET WHA ATED ? IMA ING L WH L’S T SO DU ORK YTH OO PITA W ER CH OS ED. RA NE LY G AY OF ER EV ING S HE H WITH N W D MB RS F T NG IO E N RST U O E IT KI FI REM D IN N ANG WOR RANS CALA H O T T RNE HE AND HE W, O AS H T LEA TING OCOL NES. T T. NO NTER AT H I BES CE T T T E H O G PR C MA NG AT DICAL GRAMION A W NE ARRI L ME PRO NSIT . A IS J IONA TED E TRA THER REG STITU ES TH SMOO IN AK LOT M
C
hief Nursing Officer Ann Szapor and Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Karen Henson began developing the Residency Program after Ann attended a conference in March 2015 for the American Organization of Nurse Executives, where she saw multiple presentations about residency programs for newly graduated nurses.
“This is becoming a recognized best practice nationally,” says Ann. “There’s so much for new nurses to learn in school, and when they come out of school, it’s difficult for them to put it all together. This allows them more structure and guidance from our education team and the nurses they’ll be working with.” For all their time spent studying, new graduates have limited exposure to technological and regulatory issues, quality indicators or hospital-specific practices. Overwhelming seems like an understatement. “This allows them to learn it before being put on the floor and taking a patient assignment,” says Ann. The program’s inaugural class began their curriculum in July, with 12 residents specializing in medical-surgical nursing and six for the ICU. Nurse residents are hired as employees before they start the program. The program includes didactic components,
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online courses, simulations, observation and clinical time with a preceptor, an established nurse mentor. Nurse resident Jennifer Roundtree certainly appreciated classroom debriefings after her shifts on the critical care unit. “We’d have our two days of preceptorship [and] then come back, share our experiences and beef up on any skills we felt we should look up and discuss,” she says. Wanting to work in critical care, Jennifer knew this was the right program for her after graduating from Rasmussen in June. “I was worried because most orientation processes are eight or nine weeks and then you’re on your own,” she says. “School doesn’t go over a fraction of the machines we use in critical care, so it’s a very daunting field to jump into when you’re just out of school.” Each week, the nurses have two days with six to eight hours of class and two days of twelve-hour
shifts on patient assignments with their preceptor. Those shifts are a time to explore the units of interest to them and learn from their mentors. They also complete online modules to refresh their education from nursing school and learn additional hospitalspecific information. “The nurse shadows the experienced nurse along the way, and over time, they give the patient assignment to the new nurse and begin to oversee them,” Ann explains. Laura McKinney, director of education for Ocala Health, has done extensive research on the effectiveness of nurse residency
intimidating to have them all around as you present this patient’s case. That’s when it’s great to have a preceptor there because she could fill in and back me up, and that has enhanced my communication and my thinking.” Beyond standard duties, preceptors are always watching out for situations their residents have never seen before. Nurse residents all wear badges, so often other preceptors and staff will pull them into interesting experiences they see as learning opportunities. “You’ve got a trauma coming in? Take my nurse resident; she needs to see how to receive a patient,” Laura explains.
Jennifer has had two preceptors due to schedule changes, but she enjoys the opportunity to learn from multiple mentors. Her first, Fran, was great at knowing when to let Jennifer take the lead on patient care and when to take over when Jennifer wasn’t ready. Yanique is teaching Jennifer about camaraderie and the teamwork aspect of nursing. Besides helping the residents formulate their own nursing style, preceptors are key in connecting the new hires with the other
e, so it’s a r a c l a c i t i r c e use in .” oundtree w s e n i h —Jennifer R c a l o m o e h h c t s ACTIONeonf you’re just out of R F a r e v o oesn’t goeld to jump into wh “School udn ing fi very da t dent e resi ndtree, nurs
hn Jernigan
Jennifer Rou
Photo by Jo
programs for her final project in earning her Masters of Science in Nursing Education and was a main developer of the Residency Program. “The first day they may just watch and follow, get used to the dynamic in the unit. Then, we may give them one patient or one task to be responsible for, like ‘today I’ll do all the care and you do all the documenting,’” says Laura. “We may give them two patients the first week or so, then move them up to three, then four, then, by the end, they have the whole assignment and we’re supervising.” They also work on daily tasks that may be intimidating. “We have grand rounds, and it’s the entire trauma team: pharmacy, dietary, the nurse practitioner, the PA, the surgeon. They all come in with their laptops and they’re ready for a report on their patient,” Jennifer says. “It can be a little MAR ’16 ›
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Photo by John Jernigan
Jennifer Roundtree, nurse resident, & Laura McKinney, director of education for ORM C
Overall the population in Ocala and surrounding regions is aging, so retaining higher numbers of welltrained nurses is vital. Just as important is empowering them and involving them in the hospital’s workings. “For the hospital, it gives us the ability to stay ahead of our growth and be able to attract the best and the brightest,” Karen explains. Programs like this are few and far between, meaning many newly graduated RNs move away from the Ocala area to find them. ORMC is hoping to change that. Dr. Barbara Lange, dean of nursing at College of Central Florida, says the program continues the feeling of having a safety net, allowing residents to ask questions without fear. “They can still ask questions and have a procedure explained in a classroom instead of in front of a patient, where they may feel incompetent. I think it’s phenomenal because it helps students transition into the role of the nurse. They’re most likely to leave if the workload is too heavy or they’re not prepared,” she explains. Karen Guty, DNP, RN and dean of nursing at Rasmussen, agrees, adding that
on my owen g n i d n a t s ENT in ther.” —Jennifer Roundtre ID F N O C to FEELINdGand putting it toge d r a w r o f g lookin e learne confident nurses make “I’m reallyaking everything I’v t for superior patient care. , t e e f o tw “Ocala Health teams work employees. Laura remembers her first nursing position, which she began when the phrase ‘nurses eat their young’ was popular. “One of the responsibilities of being a preceptor is to socialize your preceptee into the environment. When I was doing my research, I found a lot of articles addressing that as one of the most important things,” says Laura. “We have a family here, which is what I love most about Ocala Health.” Jennifer says that support system is part of what helps her perform better compared to RNs not involved in a residency program. “Several of my classmates are out on their own right now, and sometimes they seem like they’re overwhelmed because they don’t have the same backup. You can tell it affects how they feel about themselves and how they practice nursing.”
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hard to provide a servicefocused, safe experience for patients. This is a structured way to bring that graduate nurse into a very complicated health environment and get them on solid footing so they’re able to do that and make significant contributions to patient care.”
The program is fluid, and the leaders are using residents’ feedback to improve it along the way. “We would love to get them out to see what other departments do. They work with respiratory therapists, but I would like to see them get to go with one for part of a shift. I’d like to see them get an idea of how everything works together to get a patient well. The nurse is the one who is overall in charge of the patient, so they need to know what they do,” Laura says. One thing that won’t change is instilling Ocala Health’s core purpose in each new nurse. “I do a lot of training in customer service for nurses, and it all focuses on creating a special relationship with patients in addition to the clinical care we’re providing. It’s really about the personal touch and making a difference for our patients, making it a special experience for them,” says Ann. The 18 nurses in the first residency class graduated in November and are already providing excellent care for patients inside ORMC. The next round of the program is slated to accept 12 new hires. As for Jennifer, whose residency ended November 30, she can’t wait to keep going to work every day with the other RNs on her unit. “I’m really looking forward to feeling confident in standing on my own two feet, taking everything I’ve learned and putting it together. I don’t feel like a resident. I feel like I’m one of them already, and they’ve made me feel welcome on the unit. It’s knowing I can go in to work and save a patient if I need to, to troubleshoot, to work with the team. This program definitely helped build my skill set and also my confidence and camaraderie with my unit.”
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At least one resident must be 55 years of age or better, a limited number of residents may be younger and no one under 19 years of age. Some residents may be younger than 55. Community Association fees required. Complete offering terms for the homeowner’s association is in an offering plan available from sponsor. Void where prohibited. Prices reflect base prices and are subject to change without notice. Lot premiums may apply. Details available upon request. Photography is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood, or any completed improvements being offered. ©2016 Pulte Home Corporation.
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W W W. T O O Y O U R H E A L T H S P A . O R G MAR ’16 ›
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Growth. It’s how we measure progress, whether it’s an infant, a town’s population or a stock portfolio.
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
For the Silver Springs International Film Festival, an event just in its third year, growth is occurring by the proverbial “leaps and bounds.” At the inaugural event in 2014, 3,000 tickets “That’s astounding growth in just were sold for the three years,” notes Laurie Zink, three-day festival. A executive director of the Ocala Film Foundation. “In our first year, we had year later, the 2015 11 filmmakers. The second year we event was extended had 67 filmmakers from 17 countries, to five days and including Africa, Italy, Great Britain nearly 5,000 tickets and Spain, plus 14 U.S. states. This were purchased. Now tells us they left here talking about how well the festival went and how in 2016, response well received they were in Ocala. For and film entries have our 2016 festival, we have even more grown the festival submissions, including some from countries we’ve never had before, to seven days, from such as Russia and China. Plus, our April 4 to 10. American submissions doubled, which is a testament to the festival. We’re pretty excited about this increase in submissions!” The festival takes its name from the long-time local attraction, Silver Springs, the location for numerous feature films and television shows over the past 100 years. Festival activities will take place in the historic restored Marion Theatre and downtown Ocala, with the City of Ocala excited to be the festival’s premier sponsor.
THOMPSON, “PEOPLE ASK WHY IT’S CALLED THE SILVER SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL,” SAYSFESTIVALGREGDIRECTOR. “IT’S BECAUSE SILVER SPRINGS HAS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN FILMMAKING HISTORY IN MARION COUNTY SINCE THE EARLY 1900S. WE ARE CHAMPIONING THE CALL TO PROMOTE, RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE SPRINGS.”
A popular tourist attraction since before the Civil War, Silver Springs is now a state park. The pristine natural beauty of the 350-acre site is what first drew film crews to the area a century ago when the silent movie The Seven
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Swans, starring Richard Barthelmess and Marguerite Clark, was shot there in 1916. Since then, many movies, television shows, commercials and even military training films have been filmed in and around the main spring area of Silver Springs. “Many towns have tried to launch a film festival and not succeeded, so it’s a big deal that the SSIFF has been a success,” observes Thompson. “In addition to the art component, the festival contributes to downtown revitalization and tourism,” adds Zink. “For example, the festival played a key part in upgrading the Marion Theatre’s now state-of-the-art sound system. We also contribute to the community by supporting local students and teachers through scholarships and classroom grants.” “Once we wrap up this year’s festival, we’ll have gifted nearly $50,000 back to the community through our scholarships, classroom grants and awards incentives for Florida filmmakers,” Thompson notes. “This county produces some of the most award-winning media arts students in the country. Supporting them is one reason we wanted to create the film festival, and no student pays a fee to submit films. In our ‘Dream2Screen’ program, we offer two scholarships to Marion County students involved in media arts. Any video production teacher in Marion County can apply for the $2,500 classroom grant for supplies and equipment. This keeps the majority of the money raised by the festival in our county. In addition, because of the enthusiastic support of the Manhattan Film Festival (MFF), they are partnering with the Ocala Film Foundation to give a $1,000 scholarship to a Marion County student who applies and is accepted to attend the 2016 MFF summer session.” New this year are incentive awards for the best Florida-made short, best Florida-made feature and best student film. We want to encourage filmmaking in our state,” says Thompson, “and are building incentives to attract filmmakers to come to Marion County.”
WHAT’S ABOUT? IT ALL
So, you’ve never been to the festival? Here’s why that needs to change this year. “Music festivals tend to be genre-oriented; if it’s a jazz festival, it tends to be only jazz fans coming. Films cross all borders in ways no other art form does,” says Thompson. “It’s storytelling that involves everything; it’s the most collaborative of the arts. “One of the most beautiful things about a film festival is that you are telling your own story, literally,” he adds. “You get to come and choose and experience things from all over the world from so many different perspectives. When you walk out of the theater you may find yourself in Starbucks later chatting with a filmmaker from New Zealand. People come, build their own experience and walk away talking about it.” All in all, nearly 100 films will be shown over the duration of the festival. These include everything from shorts that run less than 20 minutes to documentaries and featurelength presentations. Frequently, a short film will be paired with a feature film for one 90-minute block of time. There are Q&A sessions between screenings, and a highlight of these Q&As will be a visit with veteran actor and filmmaker Joe Pantoliano, who will be in attendance for his films Canvas and No Kidding! Me 2! (Read more about Pantoliano’s work and cause in this month’s issue of Healthy Living Magazine.) Organizers have made it a point to keep pricing affordable, and tickets start at just $10 with discounts for seniors and students. You can buy a full-day pass,
Photo by Crush Photography
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purchase a ticket for an individual screening or buy a “Dive In” all-access pass, which offers entry to all screenings and festival events. You’ll find a complete schedule, descriptions of events and pricing information on the SSIFF website. You can also purchase tickets online through the site. Lest you think all film festival offerings are “edgy and dark,” you’ll be pleased to know SSIFF is one of the only film festivals to feature an entire day of screenings that are guaranteed 100 percent family friendly. (Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 9!) Other films are non-rated, but all you have to do is read the program, which tells you the exact content of each film, making it easy to pick what you want to watch. Seminars representing all aspects of filmmaking are also held throughout the festival, typically two per day. It’s your chance to dialogue with filmmakers, share ideas, network and interact with professionals in the industry. “Some people come just for the films, some come just for the seminars and some come just for the parties,” notes Zink. “Others come for a combination of everything; you really can create your own experience.” An interesting facet of the SSIFF is the fact that organizers strive to incorporate the festival into the community in a truly hands-on way. For example, the filmmakers behind Polyfaces are scheduled to talk with area farmers who are interested in learning more about the practices shown in the documentary. Also, the Appleton Museum of Art, in affiliation with the festival, is currently running Journey into Imagimation: 100 Years of Animation Art From Around the World. This exhibit features works by animation legend Tim Walker, whose work has graced countless animated movies during his 50-year career. Brotherhood Of The Popcorn, a documentary featuring Walker, will also be screened at the Appleton during the festival. There will be two screenings and a celebration of Tim and his work at the Appleton on Wednesday, April 6. Amazingly, the festival is organized and manned entirely by an all-volunteer force, totaling nearly 200 people.
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
“A GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS-GREGHAVE COME TOGETHER AND CREATED THIS.” THOMPSON
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
“A group of dedicated volunteers have come together and created this,” says Thompson. “We’ve been working diligently on the festival since May of last year and want everyone to come out and experience it.” Every effort of those volunteers is geared toward creating a one-ofa-kind event for both attendees and participating filmmakers. Monday evening, April 4, is the opening of the festival, a great time to meet and greet and gear up for the fabulous week ahead. Don’t forget to join the kickoff party downtown. You won’t want to miss Tuesday evening, April 5, when downtown Ocala rolls out a lavish welcome to the film festival. Buy your wristband ahead of time and you’ll be ready to celebrate. The downtown merchants have come together and created a host of great opportunities. Walk into any of the many participating shops and restaurants, show your wristband and they’ll have a special menu item, beverage or treat just for you. You’ll have the run of downtown as you walk from place to place, sampling different items and taking in the sights. Music on the square will turn downtown into one giant sock hop, including a classic car show and Elvis impersonators. Come prepared to dance... or at least to cheer on those who do. Then head to the Marion Theatre for the 9pm screening of the Elvis movie, Follow That Dream, which was filmed largely in Ocala. “We’re thrilled to have all our downtown merchants on board,” says Thompson. “They’ve been planning well in advance to bring you an evening you won’t forget.”
NOW PLAYING
This year’s festival carries the tag line “See the world from the edge of your seat,” and that’s exactly what attendees will experience.
“That says it all. You can get transported to another place in the world entirely without leaving your seat,” says Zink. “I don’t know how we could have done any better to offer such a variety to so many different audiences this year. One of our slogans is ‘Watch·Learn·Do.’ This festival has something for everyone.” Festival officials have made it a point to select films with topics that pertain directly to our community. For example, there’s a strong contingent of films related to agriculture and the equine world. “This year we’ve added more equestrian films,” says Zink. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Manhattan’s acclaimed Equus Film Festival, MAR ’16 ›
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Saturday, April 9, is the grand finale and, with it, the much-anticipated closing party and signature event known as Ocala’s
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
CELEBRATE
Longest Dinner Table. “Seating for this event is extremely limited, and it sells out quickly, so get your tickets as soon as they go on sale,” urges Thompson. “The street in front of the Marion Theatre comes alive when 10 of the best chefs from area restaurants pair with some of the area’s best designers. Together, they create a table that is a feast for all. Each chef serves only their section of the table, and the only rules are that it must be a minimum of a fourcourse meal and a fanciful departure from anything offered in their restaurants. When dinner is over, the evening is just getting started. Diners move into the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Fort King Street where there are cocktail tables and dancing in the street until midnight. It can be as elegant an evening as you want, and most people do dress up. It’s the party of the year. There’s nothing else like it in town.” A stage will also be set up in front of the Marion Theatre, and awards are presented to the winning filmmakers of the festival, which means you might just find yourself sharing a table or enjoying a libation with one of the winners.
Photo courtesy of Silver Springs International Film Festival
which brings us some of the world’s best equine films for our ‘Horse Fever’ series. We’ll be screening Unbranded, a feature-length documentary about four cowboys who rode mustangs from Mexico to Canada.” Once Wednesday rolls around, you’re in for a treat with four full days of screenings. (Check out the sidebar for details about a few of the featured films.) But just how are those films chosen? The selection process is determined by an independent group of judges or program directors. They view every single film submission sent to the festival, which is no small undertaking. From this extensive group they narrow it down, selecting a specified number of films they feel best meet the festival’s requirements, which determines which entries will be submitted to the jury panel. This jury, which is made up of film professionals from across the country, ultimately decides the winning films. No festival staff or board member has any say in choosing the winners. But here’s the good part: You do! “We have two levels of film awards at the festival: juried and by popular vote,” says Thompson. “A juried award is like an Oscar because it’s determined by a professional panel. The Audience Choice Awards are like the People’s Choice Awards. People like feeling like they’re part of the decision, and they are.”
WRAP UP
Sunday, April 10, is an encore screening of the Best of the Fest.
Every film that won in its category will be screened, for a total of seven films. In addition, festival-goers can also catch any of the films they might have missed during the week by
visiting the Deep Dive Cinema Lounge in the Filmmakers’ Salon at The Brick, which is the event’s headquarters. Make 2016 the year you put the SSIFF on your “can’t-miss” list. Once you do, it’s sure to become an annual event.
TICKET PRICES AND DETAILS ON WEBSITE | SPRINGSFILMFEST.COM (352) 433-1933 SILVER SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | PROGRAM,
A SNEAK PEEK UNBRANDED
It doesn’t get much more adventurous than this. Four young cowboys hatch the ambitious plan to adopt and train a string of wild mustangs, riding them 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada through some of the American West’s most challenging terrain. Ben Masters, the mastermind behind Unbranded, wanted to bring attention to the plight of the American mustang, and this film, directed by Phillip Baribeau, does just that. Masters recruited Jonny Fitzsimons, Thomas Glover and Ben Thamer to ride with him. Their epic journey of self-discovery and friendship included peril, sickness, injury and death, not to mention runaway horses and a sassy donkey. Unbranded won the Audience Award at Telluride Mountainfilm and Hot Docs Film Festival.
Space prevents us from describing every film that will be screened during the festival, but here are a couple highlights. Check out the festival website for more details on all of the featured films.
POLYFACES
One of the most highly anticipated films in the “green screen” block is Polyfaces, a documentary that has already won multiple awards. Filmmakers Darren Doherty, Lisa Heenan and Isabella Doherty (their daughter) did more than make a movie. The Australian family spent their life savings ($100,000 they’d managed to save to build a home) and devoted four years to living on Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where farm owner Joel Salatin, hailed by Time Magazine as “the world’s most innovative farmer,” approaches farming in a totally nontraditional way. The filmmakers hope the documentary will inspire change, teaching people that it’s possible to produce healthy, high-quality food in a way that works with nature—not against it.
AND THE WINNER IS... Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: •
The Bruce Mozert Lifetime Achievement Award
•
The “Fresh Squeezed” Award for Best FloridaMade Feature (includes cash prize of $7,000)
•
The “Fresh Squeezed” Award for Best FloridaMade Short (includes cash prize of $1,000)
•
Best Student Short (includes cash prize of $1,000)
•
Best Feature Film
•
Best Feature Documentary
•
Best Short Film
•
Best Documentary Short
•
Audience Choice—Best Feature
•
Audience Choice— Best Short MAR ’16 ›
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SON GIB
Is the weekend coming up and you have absolutely nothing to do?
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YOU’RE OFF WORK, THE YARD WORK IS ALL DONE, THE HOUSEWORK IS CAUGHT UP, THE BILLS ARE PAID, YOU’VE GOT A LITTLE EXTRA CASH ON HAND… OK, OK, MAYBE THINGS AREN’T THAT GOOD, BUT EVERYTHING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO PLAN THE PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY. HERE ARE A FEW LOCALES TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR NEXT WEEKEND VACATION.
S esta Key
STAY The Capri at Siesta
Just a short walk from the glistening quartz sands of privately accessed Crescent Beach, this luxury resort is a wonderful place to visit. It pays to reserve one of the 10 guest rooms well in advance. Beach access, proximity to town and immaculate rooms make the Capri a delight.
O
ne of the state’s most pristine beaches can be found surrounding the small eight-mile-long barrier island of Siesta Key. In fact, Siesta Key is known for having the world’s “Finest White Sand.” On Siesta Key, you can truly have the best of both worlds—the laid-back beachcomber life coupled with all the exciting entertainment located in the city of Sarasota. Check out siestakeyvisitorinfo.com for lots of other fun activities.
Remember the classic Florida onestory strip hotels of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s? Well, fast forward to 2016 and you have the Conclare… but it has all the latest amenities and the grounds are truly amazing! A short walk takes you to the beach and a short drive takes you to anywhere on the Key or in Sarasota.
conclare.com
Photo courtesy of Visit Florida
capriinternational.com
Conclare Aman’s Beach Resort
PLAY Beachcombing
Some of the most exquisite seashells in Florida can be found hidden in the gorgeous white sand beaches of Siesta Key. Another thing that makes these beaches so special is the fact that in many places you wade out into the warm Gulf waters for hundreds of yards… in water that is only waist-deep. This makes Siesta Key beaches perfect for families with children.
Photo courtesy of Facebook
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Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasta County
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Sarasota
f you want your entertainment to be a little more manmade, then the bustling city of Sarasota is just a short drive away—in fact, part of Siesta Key is incorporated into the city. In the main town, you will find aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, tours, cruises, fishing charters, gondola rides, museums, art centers, theaters, the opera, circuses, symphonies, ballets and exciting nightlife galore… you name it, and it’s only a few minutes’ drive in any direction. visitsarasota.org
DINE Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
The only thing better than the magnificent view of Sarasota Bay from your patio table is the delicious food. You won’t find any better, or fresher, seafood on the Key than at Dry Dock. And who goes for a weekend at the beach if they don’t plan on a great seafood dinner?
drydockwaterfrontgrill.com
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Photo courtesy of City of WInter Park Photo courtesy of Facebook
Winter Park
The Cottage
If you like hip, trendy, live music and great food and drinks, then The Cottage is for you. You can sit outside on the back patio and listen to live local bands while relaxing in the heart of Siesta Key. And when you finish dining, the beach is just a short walk away.
Photo courtesy of The Plaza Park Hotel
cottagesiestakey.com
T
his quaint little suburban city is the perfect place to spend a quiet, relaxing weekend. It spends most of its time overshadowed by Orlando and the state’s nearby tourist attractions, but this town was created just for vacationing more than a century ago, and it easily lives up to its reputation as being one of the premier vacation spots in the state. Check out cityofwinterpark.org/visitors for lots of details.
3.14 Pi Craft Beer & Spirit
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know good beer and food when you taste it. The craft beers found at Pi are some of the best on the west coast of Florida. With its laid-back, livin’-on-the-beach atmosphere and affordable prices, this is the place to find a great pizza or calzone—and definitely the best bread sticks on the planet.
STAY The Alfond Inn
Staying at the Alfond is not only a wonderfully aesthetic experience, it is also an altruistic one—a portion of the room cost goes to fund scholarships for students attending Rollins College. Oh, and it’s pet-friendly.
thealfondinn.com 058
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Photo courtesy of The Plaza Park Hotel
Photo courtesy of The Alfond Inn
Photo courtesy of Facebook
siestapi.com
Park Plaza Hotel
Sit on the lushly decorated balcony and watch the shoppers beneath stroll the shops lining magnificent Park Avenue. Walk out of the beautiful lobby and conveniently join them for a day of shopping and fun.
parkplazahotel.com
The Bach Festival Society
You’ll want to go Bach again and again, as the Festival Society “chorales” some of the best musical talent in the world for your listening pleasure. The society is one of the oldest continuously running Bach Festivals in the United States.
bachfestivalflorida.org
Park Avenue
This truly is the heart of Winter Park. More than 140 boutiques and sidewalk cafes call this European-style street home, along with three museums and a Saturdayonly farmers market. The avenue is also pet-friendly and offers a great mix of high-end and affordable
stores and restaurants. This one street alone offers an entire weekend of fun.
experienceparkavenue.com
M
ost people think of Florida State University and Seminole football when they hear the word Tallahassee, but this town is much more than just a college town—it’s a fun and exciting place to spend a great weekend. Check out visittallahassee.com for more information.
Central Park
Located in downtown Winter Park, this 11-acre park is the focal point of the city. Graceful fountains, minigardens, a lush green meadow and a forest of towering oaks make this a must-see for any visitor. For more than 55 years, thousands of visitors have strolled Central Park and Park Avenue to inspect some of the world’s finest arts and crafts creations. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival takes place March 18-20 and displays the artwork of 225 local and international artists.
STAY The Park Avenue Inn
Formerly The Chittenden House, this antebellum mansion is an amalgam of rich Florida history. Built from pieces of the former territorial capitol building, it is now one of the premier luxury boarding houses in Florida’s Panhandle.
Photo courtesy of Facebook
Photo by Karen Leslie Photography
PLAY
Tallahassee
theparkavenueinnreservations.com
Aloft Tallahassee Downtown
Little English Guesthouse
alofttallahassee.com
littleenglishguesthouse.com
This modern-style hotel is pet-friendly, and the rooms are spacious and accommodating. It is located in the heart of the city, and provisions for all your needs are well within walking distance.
wpsaf.org
This three-room bed and breakfast is the perfect place to stay. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of downtown but close enough so that everything Tallahassee has to offer is right at your fingertips.
PLAY Florida State University
A tour of the university, which was established in 1851, is both enlightening and a scenic pleasure. The Legacy Walk is still under construction but provides visitors a historical view of the campus seen by few. The rolling hills, greenery and beautiful architecture make it one of the most beautiful college campuses in the state.
DINE Prato
Delicious Italian foods paired with Italian and Spanish wines makes Prato a great family choice. Good food at good prices makes for a memorable dining experience.
prato-wp.com
Luma
The Ravenous Pig
lumaonpark.com
theravenouspig.com
American food at its finest. Don’t let Luma’s laidback casual atmosphere fool you, this is one culinary treat you won’t want to miss.
Don’t let the name cause any concern—the only ravenous pig you’ll find here is you… once you get your first taste of the delightful and varied unique menu offerings.
Tallahassee Museum
Photo courtesy of visittallahassee.com
Photo courtesy of Prato
fsu.edu
This museum is designated as one of the state’s finest nature museums. It is set on 52 acres, and its nature trails, native gardens and abundant wildlife offer a view of natural Florida that is slowly disappearing.
tallahasseemuseum.org
Mission San Luis de Apalachee This living historical museum offers a look at Florida’s history from Spanish, English and Native American perspectives. Docents provide informative narratives, and many of the historical buildings have been authentically reproduced.
missionsanluis.org
Bradfordville Blues Club
If you’ve had enough of academia and just want a taste of some down-home fun, try the Bradfordville Blues Club. It’s a bit off the beaten path but well worth the visit. If you like good music, tasty fried catfish, room to dance and just love to have fun, follow the dirt roads to one of the greatest experiences of your life.
bradfordvilleblues.com
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DINE Zin & Sin
foodgloriousfood.com
zintallahassee.com
Whether you want to dine inside or out, upstairs or downstairs, this fine restaurant has entrées to delight even the most discriminating diner. For almost 30 years the residents of Tallahassee have enjoyed FGF’s endless list of international dishes.
The Space Coast
This unique restaurant offers an inviting Zin dinner and lunch menu coupled with a decadent Sin dessert menu. Named as one of the 21 Best New Restaurants in the state, Z&S offers the best in New Southern cuisine.
Cypress Restaurant
This fantastic eatery is one of only 39 Florida restaurants listed in the Golden Spoon Hall of Fame. Offering a unique Southern-style menu, Cypress has been serving the local community since 1999.
cypressrestaurant.com
J
ust like its area code—3…2…1…—a weekend spent on Florida’s Space Coast can blast you off on a trip to the moon, Old Florida or natural Florida. The Space Coast encompasses the cities of Titusville, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, Cocoa, Melbourne, Indialantic and Rockledge. Check out visitspacecoast.com for additional details.
DINE
Casa Coquina del Mar Bed and Breakfast
Chart House
casacoquina.com
Crane Creek Inn Waterfront Bed & Breakfast
This bed and breakfast in Melbourne is a step back into the past… it is Old Florida at its best. Located on beautiful Crane Creek, this unique B&B has its own heated pool and is only a very short drive from downtown Melbourne.
cranecreekinn.com
Kennedy Space Center
The sprawling 140,000-acre Kennedy Space Center tour is a must for any Space Coast visit. KSC is the quintessence of American technological supremacy. Seeing the awe–inspiring, 363-foot-long Atlas V rocket that powered the six manned space flights to the moon is a truly stirring experience that should be a source of enormous pride to every American. Rockets still launch regularly from the cape, and a schedule of future launch dates can be found at visitspacecoast.com/launches.
kennedyspacecenter.com
Photo courtesy of Facebook
The Dinosaur Store
Yes, that’s right, it’s a dinosaur store, and no, you can’t buy a dinosaur there, but that’s the only disappointment this visit will bring. The Dinosaur Store in Cocoa Beach is a hidden historical gem in this city of beaches. Outside of a museum, this is one of the most complete displays of dinosaur fossils on Earth. You can buy fossil castings, meteorite jewelry, books, educational toys and visit the interactive Adventure Zone.
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Photo courtesy of Facebook
PLAY
If it’s seafood you’re after, then the Chart House Restaurant in Melbourne is your place. Romantic atmosphere, great views of the Indian River and what many consider to be the finest offering of seafood on the East Coast.
chart-house.com
Thai Thai Restaurant and Sushi
Thai Thai III in Cape Canaveral is a hidden gem on the Space Coast. Huge portions of sushi, sashimi and delicious servings of spicy curry make this cozy restaurant a culinary delight. The affordable prices and friendly staff are a plus.
(321) 784-1561
The Fat Snook
Located in Cocoa Beach, this quaint restaurant only has one drawback: There are simply too many delicious dishes to choose from. And the waiters boast that they make the best key-lime pie in the state—and it could just be that they do.
thefatsnook.com
Photo courtesy of Facebook
Located on the Indian River in Titusville, this romantic hideaway offers a beautiful view of the river and also gives visitors a bird’s eye view of any rocket launches taking place at nearby Kennedy Space Center. Enjoy a bedroom, sitting room and private bath that will make your stay both comfortable and luxurious.
Photo courtesy of Visit Florida
STAY
Photo courtesy of Visit Florida
Food Glorious Food
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According to recently published results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 89 percent of adults in the United States consumed more than the recommended 2,300mg of sodium a day in the years 2009-2012.
The study showed that men were getting about 4,400mg a day, while women consumed around 3,100mg a day. And most of that sodium overkill isn’t coming from saltshakers—but rather processed foods and restaurant meals. Food such as bread, deli meats, pizza, poultry, soups, cheese, pasta dishes, meat mixed dishes and snacks like
chips have generally higher amounts of sodium. Too much sodium can lead to stroke, heart disease and hypertension. So remember, it’s important to check food labels when shopping so you can see just how much sodium you’re actually ingesting. Just because you avoid the saltshaker during mealtimes doesn’t mean sodium isn’t creeping into your diet through unhealthy food choices.
Source: npr.org
FUTURISTIC FARMING QUICK BITES GUIDELINES FOR GRUB SUPER SNACKS
OU R B E ST R E C I PE S , R E STAU R ANT N E WS AN D CU LI NARY QU I C K B ITE S
Undercover NaCl
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PROMOTIONAL
(Sham)Rock And Roll Go green at the Tilted Kilt this month.
I
We’re talking green beer, beads and bagpipes,” Nefty says. “We’ll have live music, Scottish eggs and corned beef dip, too. › Nefty Montfort
t’s March at the Tilted Kilt, and we all know what that means—it’s time to go all out for St. Patrick’s Day. Although the Tilted Kilt regularly hosts events like bike nights, live music and classic car cruise-ins, they’re adding to the mix this month with two big St. Patty’s Day bashes. But first, they’re kicking things off with their Daytona Bike Ride on March 5. All riders should meet at the Tilted Kilt at 10am and be ready to ride out by 11am. “It’s our big ride out to Daytona for Bike Week,” says Nefty Montfort, Tilted Kilt’s general manager. Then, get your green on for the big St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Bash on Thursday, March 17. The Tilted Kilt will be decked out in all things green, and you’ll get to enjoy some of the best Irish fare all day long. “We’re talking green beer, beads and bagpipes,” Nefty says. “We’ll have live music, Scottish eggs and corned beef dip, too.” From 6-10pm, Dark Horse will perform live while you enjoy endless Hoppy Hour offerings. And two days later, on Saturday, March 19, the celebration continues with the Green Clover Rock ‘n’ Roll party featuring live music by Epidemic from 6-10pm. You’ll also get to check out classic, vintage and antique cars during the classic car cruise-in and take advantage of Hoppy Hour that lasts the entire night. Besides all the excitement this month, you won’t want to miss trying the Tilted Kilt’s new menu items. They now have ribs, along with stuffed chicken breast, buffalo chicken served over macaroni and cheese and Mediterranean salmon. “Not your typical bar food,” Nefty says, noting how good it is. Plus, you’ll be served by beautiful lasses dressed in kilts. Want to join in the fun this month? Put on some green and party like the Irish at the Tilted Kilt. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for more upcoming events and specials.
Tilted Kilt › 3155 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 351-5458 › ocala.tiltedkilt.com › Sun-Sat 11a-close
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Best Of The Blues
It’s berry season, so why not add these healthy lemon blueberry pancakes to your breakfast menu this weekend? › Serves 6
1 1⁄4 2 1 1⁄4
cups all-purpose flour teaspoons baking powder teaspoon egg replacer teaspoon salt pinch of ground nutmeg 1 1⁄2 cups plain soy yogurt alternative 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil, divided 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1⁄2 cups blueberries, divided maple syrup Whisk together flour, baking powder, egg replacer, salt and nutmeg; set aside. › In separate bowl, whisk together yogurt alternative, 2 tablespoons oil, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla; stir into flour mixture until just combined (batter will be lumpy). Let stand for 15 minutes. › Heat large, non-stick skillet over medium heat; brush with remaining oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake into skillet, leaving space between each pancake. Add 1 tablespoon blueberries to each pancake. › Cook in batches for about 2 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface; flip and cook for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and set in the center. Wipe skillet between batches. Store prepared pancakes in warm oven until ready to serve. › Serve pancakes with remaining blueberries and maple syrup. Find more recipes and inspiring ideas for cooking with soy at soyfoods.org. Recipe courtesy of Silk.
› DINING GUIDE
Book your party at Tony’s today. Gift cards available.
Tony’s Sushi & Steakhouse
3405 SW College Road, Ocala › (352) 237-3151 › tonysushi.com Mon-Thu 11a-10p › Fri & Sat 11a-11p › Sun Noon-10p With abundant menu choices and over 100 off-menu rolls, you certainly won’t run out of options at Tony’s Sushi. If you can’t decide, the waitstaff is excellent at suggesting items you’re sure to enjoy. Every roll and sushi dish is made to order from the freshest ingredients. In the steakhouse area, highly trained chefs prepare a memorable meal as they cook on the tableside grills, preparing chicken, steak or seafood just the way you like it. Entrées include soup or salad and rice. Family-friendly, casual atmosphere, along with a full bar, including imported Japanese sake and beer selections.
Learn more about The Federal Vintage Pizza Truck Experience. Call 352-327-BLUE today!
Private party dining and off-premise catering available.
Blue Highway Pizza
2130 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 629-5555 bluehighwaypizza.com › Sun-Thu 11:30a-9p › Fri & Sat 11:30a-10p Follow the rainbow to Blue Highway Pizza this spring. Enjoy antipasto, calamari, wings or flatbread before trying a signature pasta or daily special. Finish with a decadent homemade dessert. Blue Highway’s selection of craft beer and fine wines makes a great complement to your meal as well, and don’t forget about our happy hour with select appetizers being offered for half off. Hop on over to taste the fresh ingredients in each dish we lovingly prepare. Eat well, live well…
Cuvée Wine & Bistro
2237 SW 19th Ave. Rd., Ste 102, Ocala › (352) 351-1816 cuveewineocala.com › Mon-Thu 5-10p › Fri & Sat 5-11p Happy Hour Daily 5-7p Very affordable casual and fine dining—whether you are stopping in for a glass of wine, enjoying an exquisite dinner, celebrating a special occasion, gathering in one of our private rooms or indulging in a premier Chef ’s table, at Cuvée Wine and Bistro you’ll experience it all in an elegant, refined atmosphere. Upon entering the grand double doors, you’ll find yourself transported to an intimate world of fine dining, wine and relaxation, matched only by impeccable service.
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Gone Fishin’
As a young boy growing up on his grandmother’s dairy farm in Pennsylvania, Thomas Allison learned to love the land. He still remembers grabbing and eating handfuls of blueberries or a ripe apple from the bushes and trees that grew on the fertile farmland and the wonderful taste of the fresh-picked fruit. › By Jim Gibson / Photos by John Jernigan
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ow he loves teaching and passing on his love of nature to the students at Horizon Academy of Marion Oaks where he teaches Advanced Honors Physical Science and heads up the Gone Fishin’ Aquaponics Club. “I want my students to feel what I felt growing up when I tasted those fresh blueberries,” he says. “I want them to know that the food they eat doesn’t just come from a grocery store, it comes from the earth… and it takes care, dedication and responsibility to grow it.”
I want them to know that the food they eat doesn’t just come from a grocery store, it comes from the earth… and it takes care, dedication and responsibility to grow it. › Thomas Allison
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The Aquaponics Club combines aquaculture and hydroponics to grow various breeds of fish and different types of crops. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, and hydroponics involves growing plants in a medium other than soil—aquaponics combines these two, using the fish waste, or effluent, to fertilize the various crops planted in hydroponic “towers.” “At Horizon, we have four 500-gallon tanks, one 300-gallon tank and 159 towers,” Allison says. “This year, the tanks will produce more than 600 fish of five different species, and the towers, which only take up 150 square feet of land, will produce more than 5,000 separate crops—more food than four acres of prime farmland would produce using traditional farming methods. Working together with Principal Troy Sanford, my goal is to eventually have 700 towers, one for each student at Horizon Academy, providing a year-round supplemental supply of healthy, natural food for each child’s family. We feel this is very important since Horizon has a 93 percent free and reduced lunch population and is considered a high poverty level school.” Allison uses the club to teach the students nutrition, biology, chemistry, self-reliance, problem-solving skills and many other attributes that go far beyond the usual classroom fare. For instance, last year the school suffered an extended power shortage over the
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BITES weekend, and all the fish the club had so carefully nurtured were lost. Allison wanted this accident to be a learning experience for the students. “When the aeration system went down, the fish all died, and the kids were devastated,” Allison says. “I asked them to think of a way we could prevent this in the future, and they came up with the idea of using backup power. We are now in the process of installing a solar-powered backup power system in case we lose power again.” Allison says that the bulk of the funding for the project has come through grants from Duke Energy and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, but substantial help has also come from Whole Foods, Motorola, Vertigro, AT&T, Lowes and the community itself. “Marion County residents have donated items such as a used solar generating system, a solar-powered hot water heater, a 300-gallon fish tank, a high-tech blower for the aeration system and a host of other materials and financial gifts,” says Allison. “The community has been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate all they have done and are doing.”
weigh the fish, inspect them for disease, collect and store the effluent, manage the crop towers, inspect the plants for disease or insect damage and harvest the crops. Some of the ornamental fish are sold to help fund things such as fish food, plant seeds and needed supplies (with the goal being a self-sustaining program). Most of the fish, however, are released into Florida’s rivers at year’s end, and the crops are regularly eaten with any surplus being sold at local farmers markets. Goal: To be a Self-Sustaining Program Allison has delegated Some of the ornamental fish are sold to help fund things such as fish food, responsibility to the plant seeds and needed supplies. students and appointed different ones to manage various aspects of the project. He appointed one overall manager, seventhgrader Alexis Ortiz. “I love the aquaponics club,” she says. “It’s not like other clubs, because once we are taught how to do something, we run the whole thing. Mr. Allison shows us how to do The club now has 100 members something, then watches us do it. We had a broken and a waiting list to join. Although pipe on one of the fish tanks, and he taught us how the club is popular, it requires a lot to cut and glue PVC pipe. Instead of him fixing the of work, some of it not so clean, and broken pipe, he used another piece to show us, then some of it on weekends and during told us to figure out how to fix the pipe! I was like, holidays. Allison says he never has a ‘Wow, the fish could die, and he didn’t fix it!’ But we problem finding workers because once figured it out, and then I realized what he was really the students discover the wonder of teaching us—how to think for ourselves. Now if I working with the fish and plants, they don’t get something, I go and ask him or someone are more than willing to do whatever is else who knows about it, and they show me, and it’s necessary to care for them properly. all good. That’s our one rule: Show each other how to The students must regularly do it, but don’t do it for them.” perform 21 different tests on the water While the students manage the workings of in the tanks, feed and care for the fish, the small “farm,” Allison diligently writes grants
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and seeks help from local businesses. His hard work paid off this year when Duke Energy, after viewing an online YouTube video highlighting the project and the club’s success (in their first year of existence they came in third in the state of Florida’s high school aquaponics competition), provided a major portion of the club’s $30,000 in grant money allocated for this year. The money is helping build the solarpowered electrical backup system and a greenhouse that will house the towers. Allison will quickly tell you that the club’s success is entirely due to the students and their hard work. “These kids are amazing,” he says. “They work so diligently and care so much for the fish and crops. I simply show them the way, and then they take it over and make it work—and I am their biggest fan.”
burger? That won’t be a problem with Burger 21 in town. With a target opening date set for the first part of March, this new chain extends far beyond the expectations of a normal burger joint. Sure, the menu is chockfull of classic beef burgers, but they’ve also thought outside the box. Try the Spicy Thai Shrimp Burger or the Monterey Chicken. Can we get a "yum?" Also on the menu are gourmet dogs, fresh salads, chicken tenders, hand-spun shakes and floats, and so many 100% Certified Angus Beef burgers that you’ll want to try them all! › 3105 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 629-8821 › burger21.com
Mojo Grill › The more the merrier— that’s what we say! Mojo Grill is planning to swing open another set of doors in early March, with plenty of good eats awaiting your arrival! Mojo’s muchanticipated third location will open in the former Horse ‘n Hounds restaurant on East Silver Springs Blvd. and will serve the very same food we know and love. The new facility’s staff has been training at the two existing locations since November, and no doubt, they aim to please. Pork nachos, here we come. › 4620 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › mojogrillandcatering.com Satchel’s Pizza › Hey, Florida Foodies! According to onlyinyourstate.com, there are 15 restaurants in the state of Florida to eat at before you die. Though none are located in Marion County, two on the list are within a reasonable driving distance. Satchel’s Pizza, a restaurant complete with a chill vibe and great food, is just to our north in Gainesville. Continued on p.68 Also holding MAR ’16 ›
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Located at the Crossroads of NW 80th Ave. and Hwy 40 West. No matter what you have a taste for, Crossroads Country Kitchen is sure to become a new favorite. Former owners of “The Spiced Apple” restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. We accept all major credit cards.
2015 Best of Taste Winner and Best Taste People’s Choice. Mesa de Notte features a full-service bar serving beer, wine and liquor. Stop by the bar and enjoy an appetizer on your way home from work. WELCOME HITS
Crossroads Country Kitchen 7947 W Highway 40, Ocala › (352) 237-1250 Mon-Thur 6a-8:30p › Fri-Sat 6a-9p › Sun 7a-3p
Located west on Highway 40 in Ocala, the Crossroads Country Kitchen is a must for anyone craving down-home, country cooking. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, menu items range from a wide variety of homemade soups and chili to prime rib, fresh salads, seafood, prime steaks and burgers. If you’re in the mood for a real treat, try the Prime Rib Dinner For Two for $26.95. Make sure to leave room for one of the tasty home-baked desserts! In the mood for a fresh fish fry? Tuesdays and Fridays are all-you-careto-eat catfish or whitefish. Enjoy an Italian special on Wednesdays. Big screen televisions will allow you to enjoy your meal without missing one second of the big game or race.
Mesa de Notte
2436 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 732-4737 › mesaocala.com Mon-Thu 11a-9p › Fri & Sat 11a-10p › Closed Sun Mesa de Notte uses only the freshest ingredients to prepare their unique, gourmet, Italian dishes. The menu features both lunch and dinner options and offers patrons an expanded, private dining room capable of accommodating up to 50 guests. It’s perfect for your next party or company meeting. The talented professionals at Mesa de Notte can also handle all of your catering needs—big or small. Experience our St. Patrick’s Day dinner – Corn Beef & Cabbage and Shepard’s Pie, served 11a-9p. Easter Sunday – Serving brunch 10a-3p.
Dine with us in the most elegant and elaborate dining room in Ocala–perfect for a romantic dinner experience to remember. Taste Brazil! Happy Hour Tue-Fri 5-7p Open Easter Sunday serving dinner all day from 12-7p.
Ipanema Brazilian Steak House
2023 South Pine Avenue, Ocala › (352) 622-1741 › ipanemaocala.com Dinner Tue-Thu 5-9p, Fri & Sat 5-10p, Sun 4-9p › Lunch Fri 11a-2:30p Brunch Sun 12-3p › Closed Monday A churrascaria (Portuguese for barbecue) is a dining experience where roaming gauchos slice and serve fire-roasted meats from skewers in a continual fashion. Ipanema Brazilian Steak House boasts 12 of the finest cuts of meat complemented by an opulent salad and vegetable bar, delectable desserts, and delicious wines, beers and cocktails. Brazilian native and executive chef Ortencia DeAlmeida invites you to embrace the flavors of her homeland and experience the magnetism of Ipanema for yourself. Become a fan of Ipanema on Facebook at facebook.com/ipanemasteakhouse. Great discounts online!
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LOVE WITH FOOD, lovewithfood.com Monthly, 8 snacks for $7.99 Want organic and all-natural snacks that give back? For every box purchased, Love With Food donates one to two meals to end child hunger. (They’ve donated one million to date.) Get a Celiac-safe box with 10 to 12 snacks each month for $19.99.
There’s a subscription box for everything: makeup, Japanese candies, even apocalypse prep gear. Healthy snacks boxes are one of the most popular, but with so many options out there, we decided to break it down so you can make the best munchies choice for yourself:
BESTOWED, bestowed.com Monthly, 7-10 snacks for $20 Healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner items, seasonings, mixes and lifestyle items are included alongside snacks in this box. Plus, if you like the products in your box, you can peruse the site’s catalog and find out where to purchase them yourself. GRAZE, graze.com Weekly or bi-weekly, $6.99 for a 4-snack box or $11.99 for an 8-snack box
Graze’s snacks (nuts, fruits, chocolates and more) come in perfect portions, and each offer a nutritional benefit, like high fiber or vitamin content. They don’t use artificial colors or flavors, GMOs or high fructose corn syrup and have no trans fats. Rate snacks you like or dislike to customize future deliveries. WATANUT, watanut.com Monthly, 4 nut mixes for $33 Create your own box or let yourself be surprised by the staff selections, but either way you’ll reap the health benefits of eating nuts—omega 3s, unsaturated fats, vitamin E, you know the list. If you’re not sure about joining the Nut of the Month club, try building your own box for $17-$28 and trying it at home first. HEALTHY SURPRISE, healthysurprise.com Delivered every 30, 60 or 90 days, 15 snacks for $42.49 While it has a higher price tag than its competitors, Healthy Surprise only sends full-size products like bars, beverages, nuts, exotics and more. No more munching on samples and finishing them all in one sitting!
LIFE BOX, lifeboxfood.com Monthly, 12 products, $19.95-$21.95 Choose from Everyday, Cleanse (Vegan), Men’s Health and Women’s Health boxes and receive delicious, nutritious eats at your door. They also have kids’ boxes for age 3 and up for $13.95 if you want to get junior hooked on some new, natural treats. 070
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VEGAN CUTS, vegancuts.com
Monthly, 7-10 snacks for $19.95 Get a mix of samples and full-size vegan products, including beverages, teas, bars, chips, fruit snacks and tons more. Plus, about 80 percent of the snacks are gluten-free.
BLISSMO, blissmo.com Monthly, 15-20 snacks for $39.95 Blissmo offers all-natural, healthy snacks for munching at home or work but also provides subscriptions sized for groups (two to five people), teams (six to 15 people) and the whole office (16-30 people). It’s an easy way to keep your colleagues healthy and happy.
Sources: popsugar.com, greatist.com
NATURE BOX, naturebox.com Monthly, bi-weekly or weekly, $27.90 for 3 snacks or $39.90 for 5 snacks Unlike some boxes, Nature Box lets you choose your snacks each time to match your cravings and interests. Their goodies have 0 grams trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils, no artificial flavors or colors and no artificial sweeteners.
› DINING GUIDE
Come share your Easter Sunday lunch with us on March 27. Our special mother “Mimi” would like to invite you to treat your special mother to a lovely dining experience at the Ivy House. Reservations only. For information on catering, contact Waica or Evelyn at wmhivyhouse@yahoo.com.
Take-out service available. Locations in The Villages at 1041 Lakeshore Drive at Lake Sumter Landing and our new location at Brownwood in The Villages. Welcome HITS visitors!
Join us for live jazz featuring Rudy Turner every Wednesday and Friday from 6:30-9:30p and live entertainment every Saturday with Bobby Blackmon, Gosia & Ali, Rick & Paige and many others beginning at 6:30p.
The Ivy House Restaurant
917 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 622-5550 › Sun 11a-2p Tue 11a-2p › Wed & Thu 11a-8p › Fri & Sat 11a-8:30p › Closed Mon 106 NW Main St, Williston › (352) 528-5410 Sun-Wed 11a-2p › Thu-Sat 11a-8p › ivyhousefl.com “Come on home, it’s supper time!” is our motto. We want you to feel you have come to our house to eat. The family-owned Ivy House Restaurant now has two locations, Williston and Ocala. The downtown Ocala location has added several specialty items, and the restaurant has been named by Florida Trend as one of the “Top 500 Best Places to Eat in the State” for several years. Specials include Southern Fried Lobster, delicious Hand-Cut Steaks and our famous Baked Krispy Chicken. Trying our delicious homemade desserts like the Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Midnight Cake is a must when dining here.
Cody’s Original Roadhouse
2505 SW College Road, Ocala › (352) 237-8182 › codysamerican.com Doors Open at 11a › Serving Lunch and Dinner Daily “Where Quality and Value Come Together!” Hand-cut, USDA Choice steaks, rotisserie chicken, BBQ baby back ribs, chops, fresh fish, burgers, salads and more! Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays. Buy-1-get-1-free Fajita Wednesdays, $12.98. Daily 2-4-1 happy hour, 11am-7pm, includes draft beer, wine and all liquors (top shelf, too). Lunch from 11a-3p. Try our mouthwatering specials with all the fixins.’ Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all day—serving Corned Beef & Cabbage w/Irish potatoes or carrots (while it lasts) $13.98. Easter Specials: Your choice $13.98—Super Carved Baked Ham, Roasted Turkey w/stuffing, Roasted Leg of Spring Lamb and Roast Loin of Pork w/stuffing. Kids 10 and under $5.98. Limited reservations available.
Braised Onion Restaurant
754 NE 25th Ave, Ocala › (352) 620-9255 Tue-Thu 11a-9p › Fri & Sat 11a-10p › Sun 11a-8p › Closed Mon The Braised Onion Restaurant, where you’ll experience “Comfort Food with Attitude” in a fun, warm and colorful but casual atmosphere, is open for lunch and dinner. Winner of Culinary Combat and Taste of Ocala for two years. From country-fried tenderloin and Kentucky hot brown melt to the eggplant parmigiana or the frenched pork chop, the menu options are plentiful and guaranteed to make your taste buds explode with happiness. Happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4-7p. Visit our website at braisedonion.com.
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100 Proof Saloon
1735 N Pine Ave, Ocala › (352) 512-0233 / Mon-Sun 11a-2a With a full menu of unique favorites—like their fried bologna sandwich, gator tail nuggets and pulled pork tacos—you can enjoy lunch, dinner or a night out inside or on the patio. If you can handle the heat, start your meal off with their jalapeño bottle caps (lightly battered jalapeño slices) or their 100 Proof hot wings. With a nonsmoking interior, it’s a great place to grab anything from a salad or a burger to shrimp or tacos. Takeout and free Wi-Fi are available, too.
From sandwiches and salads to gator tail nuggets and 100 Proof Hot Wings, there’s something for everyone at 100 Proof Saloon. Taco Tuesdays every Tuesday!
Your home for all March Madness games. 50¢ Wings every Sunday! Come watch NASCAR!
El Toreo
3790 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala › (352) 694-1401 › 7 Days 11a-10p SR 200, Ocala › (352) 291-2121 › 7 Days 11a-11p New lunch specials include Taco Salad on Monday, $4.45; Speedy Gonzalez on Tuesdays, $4.95; Quesadillas on Wednesday, $6.45; Chimichangas on Thursdays, $5.95; and Burrito Supreme on Fridays, $4.95. New dinner options include Fajita Mondays, $8.95; Chimichanga Tuesdays, $7.95; Alambre Wednesdays, $7.95 and Tacos de Bistec Thursdays, $7.95. Plus $1.95 margaritas on Mondays. On Sunday, kids 12 and under can enjoy 99¢ children’s meals (takeout not included). Wednesday is Special Margarita Day, 99¢ all day. Saturday is 2-for-1 margaritas all day. Happy Hour daily, 3-7pm. Everything is 2-4-1 (exceptions may apply).
Trivia Night every Thursday 7-9pm (Silver Springs Blvd. location) Mariachi Band every Thursday at the 200 location 6-9pm
THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Blanca’s Café
5174 NW 26th Street, Ocala (in Ocala Palms) › (352) 867-0001 Mon-Sat lunch & dinner 10:30a-9p › Sun 11a-4p (Limited Menu) Come join us on the 19th hole at Blanca’s Café, tucked in among the rolling greens of the Ocala Palms Golf & Country Club. Blanca’s Café is a gem of a find for diners looking for excellent food served in a warm, friendly environment. Italian dishes and delicious homemade desserts are the café’s specialty. Patrons enjoy a full-service bar and live entertainment weekly, as well as spacious seating for up to 150. Try one of the weekly dinner specials Blanca’s offers, or schedule catering for your next event through the café. Whether you’re a newcomer to town or a local looking for somewhere new to dine, Blanca’s Café offers something to please every palate.
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Each Friday, we are offering 1½-pound Maine lobster. Reserve by Wednesday. Homemade pizza served daily. Beef on weck & Monte Cristo Sandwiches. Wed.-Karaoke, Sat.-Music & Dancing. Welcome HITS! St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (2 seatings: 4p and 6:30p). Easter Special Menu 1p-7p (call for reservations).
› DINING GUIDE
The amazing private CHEF’S TABLE dining experience! Call (352) 873-6446 to design your evening for parties of 4-8.
I N S I DE H ILTO N O C A L A
Check out EatonsBeach.com for weekly beach events and music guests. Try Eaton’s Beach catering for your next event—we’ll bring the beach to you. From corporate events and birthdays to weddings and wedding rehearsals, Eaton’s Beach will help you plan the perfect event with the perfect food.
Early Bird daily 4:30-7pm Check out our sushi bar. Serving Ocala since 1986! Ask about our lunch specials! Welcome HITS!
Arthur’s — An American Bistro Inside the Hilton Ocala › 3600 SW 36th Ave. Ocala www.hiltonocala.com › Breakfast: 6:30am-11am daily Lunch: 11am-2pm, Mon-Fri › Sunday Brunch: 11:30am-3pm Dinner: 4:30pm-10pm, Tue-Sat
A true American bistro experience! Extraordinary Flavors, in a casual and affordable setting. Hilton Ocala is proud to be the home of Arthur’s — An American Bistro. Renowned for years as one of the region’s most celebrated dining establishments, the new Arthur’s — An American Bistro provides a comfortable, graceful atmosphere to enjoy the one-of-a-kind American bistro flavors of Executive Chef Josue Torres and his high-caliber culinary team. In addition to this unique twist on American regional cuisine, you will also find one of the best wine, bourbon, Scotch and specialty drink selections in North Central Florida... so enjoy!
Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Grill 15790 SE 134th Avenue, Weirsdale, FL › (352) 259-2444 eatonsbeach.com › Sun-Thu 11a-9p › Fri & Sat 11a-10:30p
People from all over converge on Eaton’s Beach for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s the Sandbar’s scintillating musical lineup on the weekends. For others, it’s the ease of a day at the beach— complete with resort-style cocktails. We like to think it’s for the award-winning food. With back-to-back wins at Taste of Ocala, Chef Del Rio’s Pastrami and Shrimp & Grits are two things that make Eaton’s Beach a destination where the only thing better than the view… is the food.
Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant
2463 SW 27th Avenue, Ocala › (352) 237-3900 › kotobukiocala.com Lunch: Tue-Fri 11:30a-2p Dinner: Tue-Thu 4:30-9:30p › Fri & Sat 4:30-10:30p › Mon & Sun 4:30-9:30p For an authentic Japanese meal in an award-winning restaurant that has been serving Ocala since 1986, try Kotobuki. Enjoy traditional Japanese favorites like tempura, teriyaki and broiled seafood and vegetables. For a memorable experience, gather around the hot grill and watch as your chef prepares steak, chicken and seafood favorites right before your eyes. Get the VIP treatment. Check out our specials!
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• 1,771 sq ft. • 3 bedrooms 2 full baths (baths recently remodeled) • Sunroom • Detached garage w/ 6 parking spaces • 6-ft-high wooden privacy fence • ¾ acre in town • Original wood burning fireplace • Nice landscaping • New roof • Real wood floors
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Calling all future NFL stars of Marion County: It’s time to clean off your cleats and pile on the padding because the Marion County Youth Football League (MCYFL) will open for new and returning player registration this month. The league consists of 36 teams in three age divisions with corresponding cheerleading teams, and this year will mark 46 years of teaching the American game of football to our area’s youth. More than just playing the game, MCYFL strives to ensure that all kids have fun, receive plenty of playing time and learn values along the way. Registration for returning players will take place Mar. 5 at Jervey Gantt, with senior division registration from 9-11am, junior division from 11am-1pm and pee wee registration from 1-3pm.
Open registration for new players will begin at 9am on Mar. 12 and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. New players must be between 8 and 15 years of age and not be currently attending high school. For a list of requirements, visit mcyfl.org or call (352) 694-1400.
MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS
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Will McClean Music Festival Brooksville, Mar. 11-13
This family-friendly folk music festival also features banjo demonstrations, youth performances, camping options, vendors and more. willmclean.com
Gasparilla Music Festival Tampa, Mar. 12-13
A two-day festival featuring local, regional and internationally famous artists on multiple stages. This annual event also raises funds for promoting music and art education in Tampa. gasparillamusic.com
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While our Northern neighbors have to wait a few more months before they can fully enjoy outdoor venues, we here in Florida can start marking our calendars with the fun-filled festival options that begin right about now. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top music festivals happening over the next few months all within driving distance. Whether it’s country, rock, pop or jazz that tickles your fancy, we’ve got a festival for you.
Suwannee Springfest
Springing the Blues
Wanee Music Festival
Situated on 580 wooded acres, complete with hiking and biking trails and fishing ponds, this fourday festival features folk, roots rock, bluegrass, Cajun and acoustic blues genres. suwanneespringfest.com
This three-day event transforms the shoreline into an outdoor blues club. Over 50 acts are slated to perform with local dining establishments, arts and crafts vendors and souvenir stands setting up shop beachside. springingtheblues.com
Come camp out at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for three days of live performances by the likes of Gregg Allman, Billy and the Kids, Big Something and more. Come one day early and experience extra sneak peek performances for Wanee Wednesday Happy Hour. waneefestival.com
Live Oak, Mar. 17-20
Ultra Music Festival Miami, Mar. 18-20
Known as one of the hottest tickets in town, the Ultra Music Festival features an impressive lineup of performers and DJs on numerous stages. ultramusicfestival.com
Jacksonville Beach, Apr. 1-3
Tampa Bay Blues Fest St. Petersburg, Apr. 8-10
Some of the world’s finest blues musicians will headline this bayside festival. Performances will run through 10pm, but with aftershows within walking distance, the party goes on all night long. tampabaybluesfest.com
Live Oak, Apr. 14-16
Tortuga Music Festival Ft. Lauderdale, Apr. 15-17
Headliners to this year’s festival include Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley. But aside from these hot headliners, the festival also features a mix of rock and roots performers converging on multiple oceanside stages. tortugamusicfestival.com
Oyster Jam Music Festival
Sunfest
Palm Beach, Apr. 27-May 1
Orange Blossom Jamboree
If you have a hankering for seafood, then this festival is one you can’t miss! Over 15 bands are slated to perform live while area seafood vendors tantalize taste buds. oysterjammusicfestival.com
Known as Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival, this multistage event sees an average of more than 275,000 visitors. The event kicks off with a 5K run and features floating bars out on the Intracoastal Waterway. sunfest.com
Viva La Musica
Welcome to Rockville
Country 500
This family-friendly celebration of Latin music takes place over four Saturdays at SeaWorld. Award-winning Latin artists as well as up-andcoming stars will perform live nightly alongside authentic Latin dancers. seaworldparks.com
This heavy metal and rock festival features headliners Shinedown, 3 Doors Down, Pennywise and more. The full lineup will be posted two weeks before the festival kicks off. Be sure to check out some of the other experiences offered, including Gourmet Man Food, Tequila World and Jack Daniel’s Old #7 Whiskey Row. welcometorockvillefestival.com
Also referred to as “The Great American Music Fest at Daytona,” this three-day festival is a country music lover’s dream. Three stages will feature the likes of some of today’s top names in country, including Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and more. country500.com
Jacksonville, Apr. 16-17
Orlando, Apr. 16, 23 & May 7, 14
Florida Music Festival and Conference Orlando, Apr. 21-23
Known for first showcasing celebrities like Taylor Swift, this multi-stage event features over 50 performers rocking everything from country to hip hop chart toppers. Best yet, entrance into the event is free! floridamusicfestival.com
Suwannee River Jam Live Oak, Apr. 27-30
Come ready to camp out for four days of live music, featuring headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chase Rice, Clay Walker and more. The festival is held at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and offers first-come-first-serve seating. suwanneriverjam.com
Jacksonville, Apr. 30- May 1
Brooksville, May 19-22
This annual event celebrates our state’s talent and is open only to Florida bands. Over 60 groups are scheduled to perform on four stages with various food and drink vendors on-site. orangeblossomjamboree.com
Daytona, May 27-29
Looking To Stay Local? HERE ARE A FEW EVENTS TO CHECK OUT RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD. APR. 2: Jazz on the Green Tuscawilla Park MAY 8: Symphony Under the Stars Ocala Golf Club MAY 22: The Royal Opera Reilly Arts Center
Moonstone Music Festival Orlando, Apr. 30-May 1
Held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, this is another heavy metal and rock lover’s must-see show. Headliners include KISS and Def Leppard, along with comedy performances by Jim Florentine, Brent Morin and more. moonstonemusicfestival.com
Know Before You Go
› Check the weather and
plan accordingly, as many of these venues are outdoors. › Bring bug spray to any
outdoor festivals. › Print the lineup and
schedule ahead of time so you don’t miss your favorite bands. › Check whether you’re
allowed to bring your own refreshments. › Many venues are not
pet friendly, so plan to leave Fido at home. › If you’re going with a
group, plan a specific meeting place. It’s easy to get separated among the crowds.
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Downtown To-Dos MAR. 4, 11, 18, 25: After Dark in the Park at Tuscawilla Park, 7-10pm MAR. 4: First Friday Art Walk in downtown Ocala, 6-9pm MAR. 12: Discovery Center Engineering Day 7am-3pm MAR. 12: Family Fun Day at Tuscawilla Park, 10am-2pm MAR. 12: Sculpture Stroll Celebration at Tuscawilla Park, 1-4pm
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Sweets For Your Sweet… Tooth!
Bummed because you missed taking your sweetheart to the 4th Annual Cupcake Wars? Well you now have a second chance to indulge on these mini masterpieces. The original event had to be rescheduled and will now take place at Jumbolair this month. The cupcake-crazy cook-off pits amateur and professional bakers head to head in a sugary battle. Contestants will be vying for the titles of Top Taste, Decoration, Creative Theme, People’s Choice and more! Attendees can taste and purchase these cutest of cakes, and junior bakers can also participate in this year’s new addition—the Kids’ Cupcake Challenge. The event runs 10am-2pm, and proceeds benefit Victory Academy. victoryacademyocala.com or (352) 615-8219.
Jazz it Up!
Tuscawilla Park will be the center of soul come Apr. 2. The 3rd Annual Jazz on the Green will kick off at 2pm as part of Tuscawilla Park’s centennial celebration. Along with international recording artists like Eric Darius and Marcus Anderson, some of Ocala’s top talent will also be performing throughout the event. And a soul-inspired menu of BBQ, seafood and more will keep attendees’ hunger at bay. There will also be a full marketplace featuring arts, crafts, souvenirs, games and more. Proceeds benefit KidGenius, a nonprofit organization addressing the needs of autistic children and their caregivers. Gates open at 1pm rain or shine. jazzonthegreenocala.com or (352) 239-8436.
MAR. 26: Family Faith and Fun on the Downtown Square, 10am-3pm
THE ST. PADDY’S DAY 5K is Race #6 AND a SUPER RACE in the BHRS!
MAR
Ride em’ Cowboy!
25-26 Dust off those cowboy boots, and shine up your spurs. The 23rd annual Southeastern Pro Rodeo brings the coolest of cowboys and meanest and mightiest of bulls to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion for two days of nonstop action. Bucking broncos, steer wrestling and barrel racing are just some of the events slated for this year’s event. Friday is Kids’ Day featuring a special “Justin Boot Easter Egg Scramble.” Plus, don your prettiest pink western wear in support of breast cancer awareness for “Pink Night at The Rodeo.” Gates open at 5:30pm each night with action kicking off at 7:30pm. ocalarodeo.com or (352) 401-5900.
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SUPER RACE SUPER RACE SUPER RACE SUPER RACE
6th RACE: 6th RACE:
SUPER RACE
Leaping Leprechauns! Or, should we say, running leprechauns! It’s time once again for the annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K. This annual event is hosted by the Youth 6th RACE: historic United Way and winds runners through the beautiful streetsBHRS of Ocala's district. For runners entered in the Big Hammock Race Series, this marks the fourth and final Super Race. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 6:30am with the race kicking off on the downtown square at 8am. Early packet pickup will be on Mar. 18 at Palm Chevrolet from 9am-6pm. The Big Hammock Race Series includes seven topnotch events right here in Ocala. Runners earn points at each race to earn a special series-end medal. The Super Races award extra points toward a special medal. The races included are some area favorites, including the Turkey Trot and Reindeer Run, and the Super Races include Ocala’s very own certified marathon and half-marathon that took place this past January. bighammockraceseries.com or (352) 304-3217.
6th RACE:
RUN THIS RACE TO COMPETE FOR DOUBLE POINTS!
6th RACE:
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SUPER RACE
Running Shoes and Shamrocks
MAR
Seeds, Plants and Pods
For those born with a green thumb or those only wishing they were, the annual Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival has everything you need to know about planting, sowing and pruning. This two-day gardening extravaganza will feature Q&As with master gardeners, lectures, seminars, vendors MAR and so much more. A kids’ 12-13 gardening zone will help the littlest green thumbs hone their skills. The event takes place at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion and Extension Auditorium with doors opening at 8am on Mar. 12 and 9am on Mar. 13. (352) 671-8400.
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Black Ties & Tiaras
Come dressed to impress at the 30th Annual Tiara Ball held at the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Presented by the Ocala Royal Dames, proceeds from this annual event go toward funding projects for cancer research. Last year, the signature event raised over $120,000 and helped fund a highly effective new cancer treatment. Be prepared to be swept away on a tour of princely palaces with this year’s theme, “Majesty, An Evening of Royal Palaces.” Tickets are $125, and doors open at 6:30pm. ocalaroyaldames.org or (352) 216-2232 or (352) 509-3370.
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Free Yoga for Veterans › Wednesdays at Bliss Yoga at 12:15pm,
With Dr. Harold Beck
(352) 694-YOGA
Interview by Bonnie Kretchik
Free ESL Classes › Wednesdays at First Baptist Church of Ocala at
6pm, (352) 237-9858
Chair Yoga › Wednesdays at Bliss Yoga at 10:30am,
OneTwo Punch!
(352) 694-YOGA
Garden Workshop › Second Sunday of each month at Silver Springs State Park at 1pm, (352) 236-7156 AARP Tax Aide › at the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Apr. 15 from 9am-12:30pm, (352) 629-8545
Vietnam veteran and retired college professor Dr. Harold Beck may not be a professional boxer, but he does know a thing or two about the trials of returning war veterans. Upon returning from war himself, Veterans Helping Veterans assisted him in getting back on his feet, which is precisely why he is so passionate about the organization. This year, Veterans Helping Veterans partnered with the Broken Wing Project to present a celebrity boxing match, pitting notable residents against one another under the lights. The Celebrity Boxing Benefit will take place Apr. 1 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd. Dr. Beck took some time to talk about the two organizations and the upcoming main event.
Many people are already familiar with Veterans Helping Veterans, but what is the Broken Wing Project? The Broken Wing Project pairs veterans with at-risk youth in the community. We help feed kids who don’t have food, help them with their studies, whatever they need.
Will there be actual boxing? Oh, yes! Many notable people in the community, including members of the sheriff ’s office and school board have been training daily. Everyone is taking it very seriously, and I take my hat off to everyone involved in making this a huge event.
This is probably beneficial to both veterans and at-risk youth. Absolutely! It helps our veterans teach vital life skills and benefits the kids who need help. We are very anti-bullying and anti-drugs. We know we can’t cure all the problems of the world, but if we constantly make kids aware, we know we can inspire change.
Are you expecting a big crowd? This is our first annual event, and we expect the Livestock Pavilion to be filled to capacity, which is about 800 people.
Who came up with the idea? This was hatched by Hank Whittier, head of Veterans Helping Veterans, and James Sampson, head of the Broken Wing Project. The partnership has done wonders for both organizations.
And the event will benefit both organizations? Yes, these two organizations do so much for returning veterans and the area’s youth. They both love to give back to the community, so, by partnering up, they can produce a real quality show. We know it will be a success.
WANT TO GO? › Celebrity Boxing Benefit, benefiting Veterans Helping Veterans › Apr. 1 from 6-8pm, athlete weigh-in at Cuvee Wine and Bistro on Mar. 28 at 6pm › Southeastern Livestock Pavilion › Ticket prices: $10 general admission, front-row seating $20 in advance, $25 at the door, tables available › (352) 318-8491 080
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Arts, Crafts and Culture Upcoming Exhibits At The Appleton › Paradise Park
Remembered: Photographs by Bruce Mozert and Others features 100 photographs of the segregated Paradise Park attraction in Florida that opened in 1949. The exhibit runs through Apr. 24. Journey into IMAGIMATION: 100 Years of Animation Art from Around the World celebrates the ongoing 100-plus-year history of animation. The exhibit will be on display through Apr. 24. Stickwork is a selection of drawings, videos and photographs that document the artist’s past projects and will be on display through Apr. 17. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Marion Civic Chorale Open Call › The Marion Civic Chorale invites interested singers to join in rehearsals as they prepare for their spring production of Faure’s Requiem. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 6:45-9pm at St. George Anglican Church in Ocala. (262) 227-6495. Ocala Civic Theatre Winter/Spring Classes › The Ocala
Civic Theatre offers a variety of acting and dancing classes for children of all ages. ocalacivictheatre.com or (352) 236-2274.
Marion Civic Chorale Scholarship (Through Mar. 11) › The Marion Civic Chorale is offering the Grat L. Rosazza Scholarship to an area student with musical talent. The $500 scholarship is open to high school and college students who are continuing their education in vocal music, music education or musical theater. Application deadline is Mar. 11. marioncivicchorale.tripod.com or (352) 812-0666. War-Toys Exhibit (Through Mar. 18) › The College of Central
Florida’s Webber Gallery will host the traveling exhibition WAR-TOYS: Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Strip. The exhibit features the work of Brian McCarty, who recreates the therapeutic drawings of children from war-torn Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who have experienced war first hand. cf.edu or (352) 873-5809.
Hense Wall Painting (Mar. 5) › The Marion Art Xchange (MAX) will be participating in the Hense Mural Project by priming the wall and invites the public to attend and participate. The project will take place from 10:30am-12pm. The installation of the mural is scheduled for Mar. 17-31. Please meet at the Seminole Feed building facing NE 5th Street. maxocala.org or (352) 615-4629. Continued on p.80
Tickets On sale Now!
3/4 3/6 3/11 3/12 3/18 3/19 3/20
sUZY BOGGUss - Best of 90’s Country TOMMY Mara & THe CresTs MeN Of COUNTrY MUsiC TriBUTe MOe BaNdY - 10 #1 Hits/40 Top Ten’s CHarlie McCOY - Harmonica Legend! rONNie McdOWell - 30 Top 40 Hits riCKY sKaGGs - Bluegrass Legend 3/25 GOsPel MUsiC Good Friday Variety 3/26 COlliN raYe - 16 #1’s/24 Top Tens
Weirsdale
Corner of HWY 25 & CR 42 352-821-1201
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Concerts
Art Buddies Boutique Art Show (Mar. 5) › Nineteen artists
will exhibit unique, one-of-a-kind pieces in mixed medias. There will also be a silent auction benefiting Wildwood Habitat For Humanity’s Veterans Housing Project. The event will be held at the Colony Recreation Center in The Villages from 9am-3pm. Admission is free. (845) 807-7489.
Ticketmaster › (800) 745-3000 › ticketmaster.com All dates are subject to change without notice. Please call ahead to confirm venue listings.
The Beach Boys Josh Groban Rachel Platten Willie Nelson Jewel Rihanna Vance Joy George Thorogood & The Destroyers Joe Satriani Collin Raye Aaron Tippin Pearl Jam Pentatonix
The Peabody, Daytona Beach Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House, Orlando The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages Hard Rock Live, Orlando Amalie Arena, Tampa House of Blues, Orlando
Mar. 1
The Peabody, Daytona Beach
Mar. 17
Hard Rock Live, Orlando The Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale The Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Amalie Arena, Tampa CFE Arena, Orlando
Mar. 2
Mar. 8 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 15
Mar. 18
7:00p 7:00p 4:00p 12:00p 7:00p 7:00p 4:00p 1:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 1:00p
University of Central Florida Florida Mar. 1 6:30p LIU Brooklyn Mar. 11 6:30p LIU Brooklyn Mar. 12 4:00p LIU Brooklyn Mar. 13 1:00p Miami Mar. 16 6:30p Brown Mar. 18 6:30p Bradley Mar. 19 4:00p Brown Mar. 20 1:00p Cornell Mar. 25 6:30p Cornell Mar. 26 4:00p Cornell Mar. 27 1:00p Florida State University Jacksonville Mar. 1 4:00p Villanova Mar. 2 4:00p 082
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Apr. 11 Apr. 14
featuring creative, hand-built and wheel-thrown pieces will be held at the Seabreeze Recreation Center in The Villages from 8am-12pm. Admission is free. (845) 807-7489.
Gourd Artist Meeting (Mar. 19) › The Marion County
Apr. 2 APR
11
Gourd Artist Group will hold a monthly meeting at the Cherokee Park Recreation Center in Belleview at 10am. All are welcome. marioncountygourdartist.com or (352) 245-7203.
Art and Craft Festival (Mar. 26-27) › Brownwood Paddock
Square in The Villages will host its 20th annual art and craft festival featuring a variety of vendors from across the country. The festival runs 10am-5pm both days and admission is free. artfestival.com or (561) 746-6615.
Don’t miss a single homerun or free throw. Here are the home schedules:
University of Florida UCF Mar. 2 Dartmouth Mar. 4 Dartmouth Mar. 5 Dartmouth Mar. 6 UNF Mar. 9 Harvard Mar. 11 Harvard Mar. 12 Harvard Mar. 13 Florida State Mar. 15 Missouri Mar. 18 Missouri Mar. 19 Missouri Mar. 20
Seabreeze Pottery Spring Show (Mar. 11) › A pottery show
Mar. 26
Sports NCAA Baseball
CF International Film Series (Mar. 8, 15) › The College of Central Florida presents an International Film Series that will air world films that are culturally, historically and artistically important. This month’s selection is 71 on Mar. 8 and Twenty Feet From Stardom on Mar. 15. The films will be aired at 2pm at the Appleton and 7pm at College of Central Florida. cf.edu or (352) 873-5800.
Mar. 4
St. John’s St. John’s St. John’s Toledo Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech UCF UCF NC State NC State NC State
Magnolia Art Xchange Open House (Mar. 29) › MAX will Mar. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 6 Mar. 9 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Mar. 13 Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 25 Mar. 26 Mar. 27
6:00p 6:00p 1:00p 6:00p 6:00p 6:00p 1:00p 6:00p 4:00p 6:00p 6:00p 12:30p
NBA
host an open house at Ocala Union Station for artists and community members alike to learn more about the organization. The event will run 5-7pm. maxocala.org or (352) 615-4629.
Fun Fundraisers & Charitable Causes Taste Of Ocala (Mar. 5) › This annual event features a social hour, restaurant tastings, live music and much more. Funds raised benefit the College of Central Florida Foundation, which supports scholarship opportunities for future students. The event runs 6-9pm. cf.edu/foundation or (352) 873-5808. Community HUG Celebration (Mar. 10) › HUGS Charities, Inc. of
Orlando Magic Chicago Mar. 2 Phoenix Mar. 4 Denver Mar. 15 Cleveland Mar. 18 Chicago Mar. 26 Brooklyn Mar. 29
7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p
Miami Heat Chicago Phoenix Philadelphia Denver Charlotte Cleveland Orlando Brooklyn
7:30p 7:30p 6:00p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 8:00p 7:30p
Mar. 1 Mar. 3 Mar. 6 Mar. 14 Mar. 17 Mar. 19 Mar. 25 Mar. 28
Ocala will host its annual Community HUG Celebration to honor three local cancer survivors at the Country Club of Ocala. The event begins at 6:30pm and features hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction. Tickets are $50. hugscharities.org or (352) 622-3241.
Ocala Civic Theatre Benefit Golf Tournament (Mar. 11) ›
The 25th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Ocala Civic Theatre will take place at the Ocala Golf Club. Registration is $85 and includes a lunch, on-course water and sodas, range balls, greens fees, a cart and goodie bags. There will also be a silent auction, 50/50, $5,000 Nike putting challenge, pot of gold closest-to-the-pin challenge and more than 50 on-course and door prizes. Registration begins at 11am with a shotgun start at 1pm. (352) 236-2851, ext. 104.
Christian 12 Step Ministry Benefit Dinner (Mar. 12) ›
Christian 12 Step Ministry, Inc. will host its 12th annual benefit dinner, “Hope, Love & Change,” at the Ocala Hilton. This year’s special guest Continued on p.82
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352.387.0090 MAR ’16 ›
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will be Coach Bobby Bowden, former coach of the Florida State Seminoles. christian12step.org or (352) 732-0877.
Performing Arts Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba
Disney Springs, Orlando
Blue Man Group
Universal CityWalk, Orlando
Blood Brothers
Ocala Civic Theatre, Ocala
Women in Jeopardy!
The Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages
Disney FANTASIA Live in Concert The Ocala Symphony Reilly Arts Center, Ocala Orchestra: Silver Youth Cirque du Soleil’s Amalie Arena, Tampa TORUK: The First Flight Sonnetag Theatre at the Gypsy IceHouse, Mount Dora The Royal Opera— Reilly Arts Center, Ocala La Traviata Bob Saget CFE Arena, Orlando
The Fox on the Fairway Ocala Civic Theatre, Ocala Chris Tucker
Kathy Griffin CF Theatre presents “Arms and the Man”
Hard Rock Live, Orlando The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages The Peabody, Daytona Beach Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center, Ocala
Quartet
Ocala Civic Theatre, Ocala
Broadway: The Big Band Years
The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages The Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville Hard Rock Live, Orlando
The Official STOMP
The Elephant Man David Cross CF Musical Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” Springtime with the Bard Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic
Charity Pro/Am Golf Tournament (Mar. 15) › The Ocala
Open will take place at Candler Hills Golf Club. The event raises funds for Interfaith Emergency Services and Hospice of Marion County. Registration and breakfast begins at 7:30am with a shotgun start at 9:30am. A BBQ and awards presentation will take place at 2pm. candlerhillsgolfclub.com or (352) 387-7510. Mar. 1 May 31 Mar. 1 May 31 Feb. 11 Mar. 6 Feb. 19 Mar. 13
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(Mar. 18) › A craft night to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
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Mar. 12-13 Mar. 17-20
Sisterhood of Survivors Support Group (Mar. 29) › The
Charity Golf Tournament (Apr. 2) › The Queen of Peace church is hosting its 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Stone Creek Golf Club. Registration is $65 and includes coffee, a buffet lunch and several prize opportunities. (352) 502-3093.
Mar. 18 Apr. 10 Mar. 20 Mar. 23 Mar. 24 Apr. 17 Mar. 25
will take place the third Friday of each month at 6pm. The event will take place at the Marion County Sheriff ’s administration building. (352) 732-5982. SOS Support Group meets the last Tuesday of the month at 1pm in the chapel, room 235, at Ocala West United Methodist Church. The group offers support and guidance for those facing cancer as well as speakers and lecturers. (352) 291-6904.
Mar. 7
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Outdoor & Athletic Endeavors HITS (Through-Mar. 27) › The HITS Horse Show Series features hunter/ jumper action through Mar. 27 at Post Time Farm in Ocala. Competition runs Wednesdays through Sundays from 8am-5pm with special events and evening competitions presented throughout the series. hitsshows.com or (352) 620-2275.
Mar. 25-26 Mar. 30 Mar. 31 Apr. 3 Mar. 31 Apr. 11 Apr. 5
Group Bike Rides (Ongoing) › Brick City Bicycles offers several group bike rides throughout the week and weekend. brickcitybicycles.com or (352) 369-9400.
Apr. 8-May 1
Kayak Outings (Ongoing) › The Marion County Parks and
Recreation Department will host several kayak outings for children and adults. For a complete list of times and dates visit marioncountyfl.org or call (352) 671-8560.
Apr. 14
Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center, Ocala
Apr. 15-17
Gainesville Community Playhouse
Apr. 28 May 1
Amalie Arena, Tampa
May 12-15
Laugh Out Loud (Mar. 8) › Saturday Night Live alum Jim Breuer, also recognized as one of Comedy Central's “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,” will be making his way to Ocala for a one-night show. Since portraying some of sketch comedy’s most famous characters, the comedian has made appearances in films, including Zookeeper, and on various late-night shows, including the former Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Breuer will perform at the Reilly Arts Center beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $15 to $30. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1601. 084
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Craft Night
MAY
12-15
Flag Football League Registration (Ongoing) › The Under Armour Under the Lights non-contact flag football league is currently registering players in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The season runs from May through June, and games will take place on Friday nights at Trinity Catholic High School. uaflag.com. Overnight Fish Camp (Mar. 5-6) › The Marion County Parks and
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Recreation Department will host an overnight camp at Horse Shoe Lake. Activities include fishing instruction, boating safety, kayaking, camping basics and night fishing. Children must be at least 8 years old. Fee is $60 for a family of two and $15 for each additional family member. Fee includes tents and camping equipment, meals and snacks. Participants must provide their own sleeping bags and personal items. marioncountyfl.org or (352) 671-8560.
Ocala Outdoor Expo (Mar. 5-6) › North Central Florida’s only outdoor sportsman’s show will take place at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. The expo features demonstrations, speakers,
vendors and much more. Tickets are $6 for adults and free for children under 15. All proceeds benefit Brother’s Keeper. ocalaexpo.com.
Nature Walk (Mar. 8) › The Marion Audubon Society will host a
guided walk around Tuscawilla Pond to see seasonal migratory and resident birds. The walk will depart from the Discovery Center at 9am and is free and open to the public. mydiscoverycenter.org or (352) 401-3900.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Santos Fat Tire Festival (Mar. 11-13) › The 10th anniversary of
the Santos Fat Tire Festival will take place at the Santos Trailhead. The festival features over 40 cycling vendors, skill clinics, professional exhibitions, food trucks and more. The trails will be open for riding. santosfattire.com or (352) 804-7204.
Kingdom of the Sun Driving (Mar. 14- 20) › A combined driving event will take place at the Florida Horse Park. The event will feature single, pair, tandem and four-in-hand classes. flhorsepark.com or (352) 307-6699.
Race Against Child Abuse (Apr. 2) › A 5K run will be held at the
Marion Technical Institute to raise funds for Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. Registration opens at 7am. ocalafl.org or (352) 875-4113.
Other Fun Stuff! Early Childhood Conference (Mar. 19) › The College of Central Florida will host the 28th Annual Early Childhood Conference in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County. The conference will be held from 7:15am to 4pm in the Ewers Century Center. Registration is $60. cf.edu or (352) 854-2322, ext. 1915. Kanapaha Botanical Garden Spring Garden Festival (Mar. 19-20) › Kanapaha Botanical Gardens will host a spring festival
featuring over 100 booths offering landscape displays, garden accessories, arts and crafts, educational exhibits, food and live entertainment. (352) 372-4981.
Spring Break Camp (Mar. 21-25) › Marion County Parks and
Recreation’s spring break camp provides kids ages 9-15 a variety of outdoor recreation activities that may include nature exploration, hiking, kayaking (age-appropriate), fishing, crafts and more. The camp runs from 8am-5pm, but before-and-after camp care (7:308am and 5-5:30pm) is available and included in the $95 camp fee. (352) 671-8560.
Plant Sale and Garden Show (Apr. 2) › The Seedlings Garden Club of McIntosh will host a plant and garden show at Van Ness Park from 9am-4pm. The show will feature over 40 vendors displaying various plants, crafts and antiques. There will also be food trucks, live entertainment and more. (352) 316-1613.
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To have an event considered for Ocala Style Magazine’s The Scene, send a short description (and a color photo, if possible) 60 days in advance to calendar@ocalastyle.com, fax us at (352) 732-0226 or by mail: Ocala Style Magazine, The Scene, 1007 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471
Call today to schedule your consultation!
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Habitat for Humanity Celebrates 25 Years
A mother stands in her new home’s doorway lovingly cuddling her baby. This touching scene is made possible by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. Habitat for Humanity recently held a party at the Holiday Inn and Suites to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The party was a celebration of all they have accomplished as well as all they hope to accomplish in future years as the need for low-income housing grows. Habitat for Humanity lends a hand up not a hand out to impoverished members of our greater community. › Written And Photographed By Ronald W. Wetherington @ Holiday Inn & Suites Joanne Black and John Taylor
D
uring her keynote speech at the party, Chairwoman of the Board Elizabeth Chryst said, “Habitat homes ultimately offer a safe and secure environment for families to raise their children. Many times, children are simply surviving in substandard housing. Once the parents have earned the right to purchase a Habitat home, the child or children, on average, improve their school grades by one letter grade after the first year of living in their Habitat home.” During the 25 years it has been in operation, Habitat for Humanity has served just over 1,200 women, men and children; built 210 homes; logged over 11,500 hours of volunteer time a year and built 87 tithe homes around the world. In addition to building homes from the ground up, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County participates in A Brush
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with Kindness to help those not able to do minor repairs to their homes. Habitat has participated with CareerSource and the Ocala Police Department to build seven homes through the Phoenix Rising Youth Build Program and has built or repaired five homes under Project Patriot for Veterans. Consider the example of Carol Colbert, who is the new homeowner of the Habitat’s “Strawberry” home, which was built in partnership with Thrivent Financial and proceeds from the 2nd annual Habitat Strawberry Festival. Carol is a single mother of four children and is disabled. Notwithstanding her debilitating physical disability, Carol was able to work and complete almost 400 hours, which were her total “sweat equity” hours. These “sweat equity” hours are workplace hours required by Habitat that are used as a loan payment for the home. Reflecting on her rewarding experience with Habitat for Humanity, Carol says, “This is one of my greatest achievements and experiences. I am so thankful for all the volunteers, family members, friends and other family partners and how they contributed to making this possible for me and my children. I want to give special thanks to the “golden hammers” for all they have done to teach us how to build a home from the ground up. That in itself is priceless. Look at what God can do!” “Make no mistake the need for permanent housing is greater now than it was 25 years ago when our affiliate was founded,” says Executive Director Dave Layman. “Home ownership is at its lowest point in 30 years. Florida has the largest share of renters—31 percent—who spend more than half of their income on housing. The more than 920,000 very low-income households, including hard-working families, the elderly, veterans and disabled Floridians living on fixed incomes who are forced to spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing, are essentially one missed paycheck or one unexpected crisis away from homelessness. Our mission is as critical as it has ever been to provide simple, decent, affordable housing. The burden of this economic calamity for our nation’s lowest earners makes our mission even more pressing. Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. And as these housing needs continue to make it more and more difficult for home ownership, our mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Habitat for Humanity will be hosting its third annual Habitat Strawberry Festival on March 5, 2016 from 9am until 5pm at the McPherson Government Complex. The enthusiastic crowds keep getting larger with each passing year for such a worthy cause.
Ronald W. Wetherington SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR
Susan Gray, Scott Hackmyer and Brittney Fish
Amanda Tuck, Tori Arens and Heather Thrall
Tiffany and Carol Colbert
Gerald Ergle, Jessica McCune and John Taylor
Laurie Whitaker, Jeff and Donna Lanier
Dave Layman, Patsy and Joe Martone
Tim and Karen Hope, Linda and Phil Shrigley
Sue and David Layman, Dave and Jerri Scrambling
Karla Grimsley and Brian Spivey
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COATES Golf LPGA Gala
Photos by Gabriel Roux @ Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club
A good time was had by all the exclusive black tie invitees at the Coates Golf LPGA Gala as presented by R + L Carriers at the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Tournament partners, Pro-Am participants and the LPGA were all in attendance in the clubhouse. Mollie Coates suggested the Art Deco themed decorations which were brought to life by Dawn Lovell of Party Time Rentals of Ocala/Gainesville.
Kevin and Lisa Sheilley, Marisa and Will Thames
Joe and Marny Donnelly
Jenni Jenq, Alexandria Jacobsen, Lisa Lombardo and Mollie Coates
Sandra and Mayor Kent Guinn
Ashlan Ramsey, Jaye Marie Green and Lexi Thompson
Justin and Jennifer MacDonald
Dr. James and Pamela Duke, Mollie and Randy Coates
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Michael and Sasha Arthur, Alexa Doyle and George Mathis
Abe Banks, Russ Lindsay and Adam Lombardo
Brittany and Brooke Henderson
Mollie Coates and Deanna Alfredo
Laura and Dr. Miguel Ramas
Melissa Cone and Mike LePorin
Morgan Pressel, Lexi Thompson and Nicole Castralie
Allison Blankenship, Debbi Taylor-Blankenship, Emily Wright, Todd Blankenship, Leigh Manning, Bill Blankenship, Lexi Thompson and Jaye Marie Green
Randy and Mollie Coates, Michael Whan
Don DeLuca, Ken Hines and Michael Polly
Trudi and Mike Moore
Dr. Mark and Sherrie Hendon
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Annual Medical Expo of North Central Florida
Photos by Crys Williams @ India Association Cultural Center
The 14th annual Medical Expo of North Central Florida was held in late January at the India Association Cultural and Educational Center. The event serves as a tradeshow and cultural festival for the area’s medical professionals.
Scott Hankinson, Randy McVay, Karen Young and Jason Cody
Anju Singh and Koka Vigay
Devaiah Pagidipati and Daney Ordonez
Sailesh Shah and Anshul Shah
Patrick Acevedo, Vipul Patel, Brett Hipsley and Scott Jorgensen
Chris Willams, Candee Walker, Brandy Herron and Larry Williams
Neelan and Nagesh Kohli, Nagy Shawnawany
Katie Falco and Vaun Conrad
Teresa Reed and Karen Deweese
Chris and Sangi Blair
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--Terrye Dubberly, Lisa Runion and Jennifer May
Shay, Samantha Rodriguez, Sonia Torres, Dina Spagnol and Shannan Bennett
Anuj Sharma, Sam Patidar, Jay Panchal and P. Zumalla
Vipul Patel, Shannan Coleman and Bobby Patel
Tami Garrett and Anil Gogineni
Anuj Sharma and Narayan Sharma
Jonathan Torres and Richard Fontaine
Pravina Cawdcae, Srisha Rao, Tina Chandra, Hima Mikkilineni, Lakshmi Jagalur
Jeff Morrill, David Schlachter, and Justin Lamb
Tina Probst, Rhonda Morgridge, Jeff Hirst, Trish Sander and Jennifer Herskin
Jennifer Sabile, Tiffany Coleman, Shilpa Patel and Vijay Patel
Cherlyn Deleonabreu and Desiree Holder MAR â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 â&#x20AC;ş
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Magnolia Art Xchange
Photography: Ronald W. Wetherington, Social Scene Editor @ Ocala Union Station
The Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX), an art incubator, held an open house on January 12 at its location in the historic Ocala Union Station. This was an opportunity for the public, including community artists, art organizations and art enthusiasts, to learn more about the MAX project, its future amenities and how to participate in building MAX.
at Trinity Catholic High School
Mary and Patrick Hill
Mark Astrom, Harry Batten and Phil Geist
David Dalessandris, Sharon Rapone, Grace Morgandi and Bill Geist
Maggie Weakley and Matthew Fischer
Jessica and Brian Watson
Victoria Billig and David Reutter
Matthew Fischer
Carol Gallion and Rosemary Nagel
Janet Daniels with Leo
Maryann Donahue, Michael J. Roberts and Barbara Fitos
David Reutter and Leslie Hammond
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Merrill Anderson, Bob Higgins and Mary Verrandeaux
Mel Fiorentino, Maggie Weakley and Jackie Schendehette
An Evening
IN
MEMPHIS AT
TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL April 30, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ 6pm Come experience the sights, sounds and flavors of a blues-filled Memphis evening! Live and Silent Auction
To make a reservation, for sponsorship opportunities, or more information, call 352.622.9025 ext. 6047 or visit www.trinitycatholichs.org/memphis REP. DENNIS BAXLEY
Friends of Hospice
of Marion County
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ARC Celebrates the Arts
Photos by Crys Williams @ Ocala City Hall
Clients of ARC Marion recently created their own artwork to be on exhibit inside Ocala City Hall. During the opening reception in January, dozens of pieces were displayed and were available for purchase by the public. ARC Marion aims to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and play to their fullest capabilities.
Frank and Terri Varnadoe, Bob Declark
Selena Fink, Barbara Johnson and Janine Bloom
Jabriel Riley and Kristal Enloe
James Houston
Troy Strawder and Cheri Craig
Leah Craig and Kathy Harris
Debbie Klein
Jabriel Riley and Terri Isabella
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Bradley Grant and Reggie Baker
Anne and Jerry Boyles
Barbara Brown and Gwen Chisolm
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Lauren Sauceda, Troy Strawder and Hannah Craig
Bob and Katie Montgomery, Kevin Christian
Kathy and Rich Escobar, Vickie Hopkins
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MEMBER OF American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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