Ocala Gazette | September 17-23, 2021 by Magnolia Media Company

New YMCA Sportsplex Center Open Page B1

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 12

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

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PAC raises $50,000 targeting city elections By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com In August, a political committee not officially tied to any candidate, but responsible for several negative flyers targeting candidates running for Ocala office, received almost $35,000 from local companies and individuals, according to state records. Accountability In Government Inc. has sent out numerous flyers both in support of candidates Barry Mansfield and Ty Schlichter and against city council incumbents Jay Musleh and Brent Malever. Mansfield is running against Malever for the District 1 seat and Schlichter is running against Musleh for District 3. The same group also ran a digital campaign with pop-up ads and a direct mail piece calling mayoral candidate Manal Fakhoury “A wolf in sheep’s clothing.” The mailers have tied Malever and Musleh to raising taxes, saying no to term limits and considering increased city council pay. The ads use headlines from newspaper articles but are not presented in context nor detail the ultimate votes on the measures. Malever responded with a flyer of his own highlighting the connection between Mansfield and current Council President Justin Grabelle, whom Mansfield previously said was working with his campaign. The flyer reads: “Say No to Ocala’s Corruption” and features a superimposed photo of Mansfield held up by puppet strings. Mansfield and Schlichter have said they have no connection with Accountability In Government and did not authorize the ads. But the PAC’s expenditure reports show they have paid political consulting company Data Targeting more than $14,600 for advertising through the end of August. It’s the only vendor on the expenditure report. Grabelle is listed as the director of business development for the Gainesville-based company. Rich Bianculli, who donated $7,500 to the PAC through his Richmond Hill Capital Partners company, said his contribution was due to his opposition to Fakhoury as mayor. “Manal Fakhoury supports people in congress that support defunding See Election, page A3

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A lot of linemen are not satisfied with the benefit package at the city.

POWER DRAIN Ocala Electric Utilities lineman shortage a nationwide issue

By Max Russell

Special to the Ocala Gazette

worsening national shortage of qualified electrical linemen— one of the most mission-critical jobs in keeping the lights on in America— has reached Ocala Electric Utility (OEU), supplier of electric power to more than 50,000 local homes and businesses. Within the past year, OEU has seen the departure of six journeymen, two apprentices, and five linemen trainees. Such losses have escalated staffing concerns not only in Ocala, but also in many neighboring municipalities experiencing comparable shortages, including Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tallahassee and Orlando along with countless others nationwide. OEU attributes a significant portion of its workforce dilemma to stiff competition from well-funded private contractors and investorowned utilities that can offer highly attractive incentives, such as faster career and salary progression, guaranteed overtime pay amounting to nearly $33,000 annually and guaranteed workday per-diem pay that can add up to as much as $36,400

annually, tax free. The city is currently advertising for linemen with starting salaries between $73,500 - $87,844. The current housing boom is fueling the exodus of lineman as construction of new developments around the country increase the demand for experienced workers, said Lanny Mathis, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker Local No. 1205. The local, based in Gainesville, represents Ocala electric workers. “Right now, there’s supply and demand driving it,” Mathis said. “New home construction, hurricane disaster repair, new infrastructure all this has put a high demand for linemen.”

Effect on utilities Experts appear to agree that the

Matt O'Cull of Ocala Electric Utility checks a control panel in a building for relays at the Eugene Dearmin substation off Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala on Sept. 1. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

See City, page A3

Council repeals panhandling ordinances challenged by lawsuit By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

A homeless U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1963 to 1968, holds a sign as he asks motorists for donations while he stands near I-75 on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala in April. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

On Sept 14, the Ocala City Council repealed parts of its panhandling ordinance in the face of a recent legal challenge and a spate of separate court rulings striking down similar measures

across the country. The council voted unanimously to repeal the provisions. Several courts have ruled similar ordinances across the country unconstitutional, according to Patrick Gilligan, the city attorney.

“The unanimous and overwhelming case law is clearly against the city, including a recent federal decision interpreting their ordinances in Fort Lauderdale. (Those ordinances) are almost identical to ours,” Gilligan said.

The city first adopted its Roadway Solicitation ordinance on Feb. 5, 2008, making it unlawful for any person to stand in the street, highway, median or bicycle path and solicit or attempt to solicit from those in See Ordinances, page A2

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Candidate Capsules................ A5 COVID Update......................A11 Sports........................................ B1 Celebrity's Soul Food............. C1 Creative's Corner....................C3 Calendar................................... C5

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ordinances struck down nationwide

File photo [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

vehicles. The city revised the ordinance in 2018, making it unlawful to panhandle within 20 feet of business entrances and exits; bus stops and other public transportation facilities; ATMs and similar machines; any parking lot, parking garage parking meter or parking pay station

operated by the city; public restrooms and gas pumps. It also prohibited panhandling after dark and expands the definition of “aggressive panhandling,” which includes obstructing, blocking or impeding an individual or group of people from passing by a panhandler. With the moves on Sept

14, those provisions are now largely repealed. In April, the Southern Legal Counsel and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit claiming the city’s panhandling ordinances were unconstitutional. The groups argued the panhandling ordinances infringed on people’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and criminalized people asking for help. While the repeal of the ordinances effectively ends the argument detailed in the lawsuit, there were still damages and attorney’s fees left to sort out. Attorneys for the plaintiffs asked for nearly $100,000, including $5,000 in damages for each of the six plaintiffs and more than $68,000 in fees. Gilligan offered $25,000 total, with $10,000 toward attorney’s fees and $2,500

in damages to each plaintiff. A counteroffer asked for $25,000 in attorney’s fees and $3,500 per plaintiff, according to Gilligan. “I wouldn’t pay them a dime, but that’s council’s decision,” said Mayor Kent Guinn of the plaintiff ’s damages. Council President Justin Grabelle asked if they could refuse to pay damages. “Yeah, and if they go to trial, attorney’s fees would go up, and you’ll pay more than that. I understand your frustration, mayor, and I share it,” Gilligan said, adding he finds it troubling giving money to those that will likely misuse it. “In talking to the folks at Salvation Army. In talking to the folks at Saving Mercy, everybody in the homelessness business trying to take care of them will tell you 70% of them are

mentally ill, and they almost all are addicted to drugs and alcohol,” he said. “Giving those folks money, I just kind of wonder where it’s going to go.” Councilmember Jay Musleh wasn’t happy about paying the damages but felt it was something they had to do. “$2,500 is more than they deserve. Most of them are common criminals. This is a nuisance lawsuit were trying to get it settled so we can move on. If we go to trial, we’re likely going to lose and then having to wind up having to pay a lot more money,” he said. After discussion, the council agreed to offer $2,500 to each plaintiff and $20,000 for attorney’s fees. The offer will go to the plaintiff ’s attorney for consideration. If accepted, the council will vote to approve the payment.

COVID-19 cases in children up, but stable By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Marion County has also included a jump in cases among children. Some parents are struggling to balance keeping their kids safe while letting them participate in daily activities like school, sports and playing with their friends. “Last August before school started we had a very small number of kiddos having COVID… This August as school was starting, the number I read in one study showed a 1,400% increase just since the beginning of the summer,” said Dr. Stephanie Harrell a peadiatrician with Pediatric Associates of Ocala. Dr. Karen Martinez, a physician in the AdventHealth Ocala emergency room and the chair of the Department of Pediatrics said she has seen an increase in patients from last year. “With the delta variant and the more recent wave, we have seen more kids presenting who are symptomatic and who ultimately have been positive,” she said. Despite the higher numbers, in most cases, children have seen positive outcomes. “Infants and newborns have had it, and honestly overall those infants and newborns have been very, very healthy and well. They are fine, they recover well and they do very well with COVID,” Harrell said. Martinez noted, however, parents should be wary fever in newborns up to 30 days old. She said that symptom, regardless of cause, needs to be examined. While very young children have fared very well when compared to the overall population, older children struggle a little more, according to Harrell. “The older kiddos have more risk of getting long-term illness, or being more ill from the virus. So that’s why the vaccine manufacturers started studying from ages 12 to 16, because we were noticing the kids that were sick were the older kids, the adolescents and the high schoolers,” she said. Not only is increasing age a factor, noted Martinez, but the overall health of the

child matters too. “When you get to that school age, to older adolescents, especially if they have comorbidities and things like asthma, those are the kids who are more likely to get sicker,” she said. But it’s a relatively low number of children, according to Martinez. Diagnosing children with COVID-19 can be tricky, both providers said, because symptoms can mimic other sicknesses, and so they both recommend testing as the quickest way to determine if a child has COVID-19. Both providers also follow the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when it comes to approved treatments, vaccines and masks. Harrell understands the fear that is associated with having a COVID-19-positive child. “You can not put them in a bubble,” Martinez pointed out, “and I don’t want parents blaming themselves if their kids get COVID, because it’s so widespread that no matter what you do, there’s always a risk.” Harrell said there are few things parents can do for children if they get the virus other than rest and fluids, and maybe Tylenol depending on their age. Although vitamins, diet and sleep are all complementary, she said. Vaccines Another way to protect your child, according to the doctors, is to vaccinate them. “Our studies and research show that for patients 12 and up the vaccine is safe and effective ... it’s definitely our recommendation for as many kids as possible to get vaccinated in that 12 and over group,” Martinez said. And while Harrell strongly supports vaccines, she also recognizes and understands the hesitations. “It is so scary when this new stuff comes out very quickly and there’s not a lot of data about what to do. But the science and technology for this kind of vaccine have been around,” she said. Martinez agreed. “Even though mRNA vaccines in and of themselves are new, it’s actually something we’ve been looking at and studying for decades,” she said. “So even though this is the first widespread vaccine using

mRNA, the science itself has existed for a long time.” Hesitant parents, said Harrell, are to be expected. “We definitely have these conversations every day with parents, and we understand that there is fear in giving a new vaccine to your child always, especially when you are responsible for their health.” She believes that listening to the concerns of the parents and children is vital to having productive conversations about the vaccine. “It’s good to talk it out,” Harrell declared. For parents who do have concerns, Harrell recommended speaking with the child’s healthcare provider. “Really, the best thing to do is talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about their medical history or certain vaccine adverse events in their past. And a kiddo that has had any adverse reactions to vaccines in the past, they need to talk to their pediatrician about getting it,” she said. However, Martinez reiterated the benefits of children receiving the shots. “These really are safe and effective vaccines,” she said. “It’s the number one way to help prevent any possible serious illness or long-term side effects COVID itself.” Ultimately though, it is up to the parent. Even if a child between 12 and 17 is eligible, the parents have the final say on whether they receive the vaccine or not. For the children who do decide to get it, Harrell said their experience is similar to adults. “Just like adults, it’s looking like they get a sore arm after the first one. And after the second one they can get tired, they have fevers, similar symptoms of the adults who are getting the Pfizer vaccine,” she said. Regarding the upcoming vaccine for those children under 12, both providers were excited and enthusiastic about the possibility. “Ideally, we’d like to cover as much of the population as possible as soon as the studies show it’s safe and effective for those populations,” Martinez said. “As it is approved I would love to see more and more kids younger and younger be able to get vaccinated because they affect ultimate spread, and they themselves are at risk for potentially

Hayven Ostanik, 14, grimaces as she receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination from Laura Moffatt, a RN, at the Florida Department of Health. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

serious illness.” Harrell echoed those sentiments. “I’m very excited about it. I think it would be a family-based decision, and a personal decision for those kids and that family… But as a pediatrician, I’m super excited about it and I would definitely recommend it once it comes out,” she said. Martinez feels a connection with expectant mothers who are having to go through the process during a pandemic. “As a previously pregnant woman during COVID, I have empathy for the concerns because I also delivered [recently],” she revealed. “The No. 1 thing for a newborn baby and a pregnant woman is to try and create what we call the cocoon environment.” For a mom who is not yet vaccinated, vaccination after the first trimester will pass along immunity via the placenta and also breastfeeding if she chooses that option, and the baby’s father and other caregivers can take precautions to offer additional protections. Masks Both providers agreed masks are another way to keep children and their families safe when it comes to COVID. “Especially in high-risk situations like indoors in larger groups, especially during school,” Martinez said when advising when children should wear masks. “Obviously, if they’re in a low-risk situation outside playing, that kind of thing, masking is not essential. At that point I think it should go more on parent-child comfort,” she said. Harrell too felt masks provide a substantial benefit. “I definitely think masks cut down on sickness,” she said. “And since my ultimate job is to keep kids healthy,

then I do recommend masks for kiddos. I recommend them for my family, and my kids, my nieces. I think they really, really cut down on illnesses last year.” Keeping kids safe Harrell and Martinez stressed there are multiple ways to keep children safe during the pandemic and the latest surge in cases. Handwashing, social distancing, avoiding small, indoor, closed spaces with limited ventilation, and making sure children wear a mask all are mitigation efforts, they said. “Masking and vaccinations are eliminating, hopefully, that population that is going to get severely ill. Even if they’re vaccinated and get sick, we know they’re much more mild and shorter cases,” Martinez said. Even though there may be light at the end of the tunnel related to the most recent rise in cases, Martinez believes there may still be a few slight bumps in the road ahead. “A few weeks ago we were in a very different situation than we are now because our numbers are declining,” she noted. “They’re still decently high, but steadily declining, and hopefully continuing to trend in that direction. But some events will come up that might create continuing little spikes here and there.” Harrell feels somewhat fatigued. “We are all…doctors, nurses, schoolchildren, teachers, moms, dads, we are all just exhausted from this,” she admitted. She hopes thoughtfulness would stay on everyone’s mind. “Be kind to one another,” she urged. “Be empathetic. Try not to be judgmental just because something is right for one person’s family doesn’t mean that is right for the next person’s family.”

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

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Keith Green, a lineman with Ocala Electric Utility, works on power lines from a bucket truck at the Eugene Dearmin substation in Ocala on Sept. 1. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

City to consider new contract with electric workers lineman shortage is widespread and will continue to worsen unless utilities take aggressive measures to stop them. The 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, supported broadly by major public power suppliers and the US Department of Energy, notes that 84% of energy employers surveyed have difficulty hiring qualified workers, that’s up 7% over the previous year. A second report, Dark by 2050, compiled by Klein Tools and the Accelerant Group, projects that the United States will need an additional 224,000 electrical workers by 2030. It goes on to say that if current trends continue, Americans can expect “more frequent and longer-duration outages…lasting multiple days” and a possible “cascading effect on communications, water supply, transportation, and even the ability to gain fuel for backup generation.” Despite the local staff shortages, Dobbs says, OEU still has the capability to respond to current customer needs effectively. She notes, however, that a storm event could impact response times, and that the city has alerted the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) to the potential need for “mutual assistance” from other municipalities. Dobbs said the shortage have required the city to use contract linemen to fill in gaps. Those linemen are earning a higher pay rate than city workers, but Dobbs said when factoring in the benefits, overhead and equipment, the cost to the city is comparable. Still, city workers are being paid less than contractors for similar work.

by the money have likely already left. Being a “construction” lineman is a more unpredictable existence. “It’s a different way of living,” said Mathis, whose local also represents construction linemen. He said the city has also stepped up recently by increasing electrical worker pay by 3% across the board. OEU, with the support of city management and city council, has pledged to examine market standard salaries and benefits across other municipal electric utilities in the state with the assurance that adjustments will be made to remain competitive and increase employee retention. The union also recently voted to accept a new three-year contract that would increase lineman pay by 6% in the first year and 3% for the two years after that. Other city union electrical workers would receive an annual 3% increase for three years. Additionally, the city agreed to discuss a possible defined benefit program, similar to a pension plan, Mathis said. Those discussion would start after six months of the contract passing. Now that the union has signed off on the contract, the city council must approve it. Mathis said the promise of discussions should go a long way in keeping some linemen put for the time being. “A lot of linemen are not satisfied with the benefit package at the city. They don’t feel like there is anything to keep them tied to the city,” he said.

Seeking solutions

Linework is labor intense and hazardous, requiring highly-skilled individuals to work outdoors on overhead and underground electrical

Mathis said the good news is that most of those who would be swayed

Linework is not easy work

facilities—often on high-voltage, energized electrical power lines and equipment, according to Dobbs It’s all done to help ensure uninterrupted service or to restore services to customers. Linemen wear many hats, including maintaining existing and constructing new electrical lines as well as operating bucket trucks, derricks, trenchers, hydraulic tools, chain saws, and other tools and equipment—all the while keeping safety paramount. They’re also required to be available during emergencies and to stand by on a regular rotation. To be considered for a lineman position requires a high school diploma or GED, successful completion of an apprentice program and a minimum of four years’ experience in overhead and underground transmission and distribution power systems construction and maintenance.

Coming back up to speed On the upside, OEU recently hired six new employees and has posted openings for qualified linemen and linemen trainees, locally and throughout the state to fill the remaining seven open positions. “We have an excellent training curriculum to get these employees ready for the lineworker apprentice program,” says Dobbs. “Our projected recruiting needs depend on OEU’s customer growth rate. OEU’s current recruiting needs will be met once we fill the seven positions currently posted.” “A lineman can be five to 10 years in the making, by the time you get a quality, self-sufficient lineman. The ones that are leaving, they can’t be replaced easily,” Mathis said.

Election contributions flow in August police. She would oversee the chief of police, and that is a frightening thought,” said Bianculli, who is also the chairman of the Marion County Hospital District Board of Trustees. “That is the main impetus for us giving money,” he said. “She mirrors the ideology of the people she supports, which is a reasonable assumption.” While Fakoury has supported U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, she has also donated to Republican candidates. Donations to Accountability In Government also came from Florida Express Environmental ($10,000); Ocala Health CEO Chad Christianson ($5,000); R Thad Boyd II Living Trust ($5,000); Central Florida Gaming Inc. ($5,000); and Recharge LLC. ($2,000). Previously, Cone Distributing Inc. gave $10,000 and Honoring My Father LLC gave $5,000 to the PAC. Bianculli said having a full view of a candidate is important to the voters. “Sometimes you need to see 360 degrees of a candidate, not just their positive,” he said.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Editorial

COMMENTARY

Effective Alzheimer’s treatment remains elusive By Dr. Jose Gaudier Guest Columnist In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medication – Aducanumab – to treat Alzheimer's disease. Previously, studies on the medication, marketed by Biogen as Aduhelm, were stopped due to lack of efficacy. An expert FDA panel that evaluated the drug voted unanimously (except for one abstention) in November not to approve the drug. However, Aduhelm was later approved under an "accelerated" approval label that allowed access to a potentially beneficial medicine while giving the company several years to do further studies, hoping that it can show some beneficial effect in delaying dementia. This has brought interest and concern among researchers, policymakers, and physicians. The medication, given as an intravenous infusion every four weeks, is now available only in the U.S. While improving some of the brain lesions seen in Alzheimer's patients, it has not shown improvement in these patient’s memory or behavioral changes to any significant degree. The treatment comes with a cost of at least $56,000 per year (not including other associated costs), of which up to $11,000 per year may need to be paid by patients. It is promising to accelerate the insolvency of our Medicare system which Congress has not granted the authority to negotiate prices. So,

while some may gain little benefit in the form of a potential delay in cognitive deficit, those paying taxes and medical insurances will bear the impact of this vast and expensive medical and social experiment. The drug has not been approved in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain or the European Union, where the regulatory agencies often required cost-benefit ratio analysis and negotiated or established price controls. Alzheimer's disease, while described initially in the early 20th century, is still an enigmatic and poorly understood condition. It is recognized as the more common type of dementia, with dementia being defined as a loss of cognitive or mental skills enough to affect the ability of an individual to function independently. The aging and decay of nerve cells is a

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Delays in disability care affecting thousands

We are living in mass confusion with a pandemic that is causing stress on each of us socially, emotionally, financially, physically, and for many medically. My concern relates to my son, Joshua. He is 48 years old. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He is dependent on others for all his needs. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities has provided for his care for many years. Thank goodness, because his care is very expensive. What has happened with the pandemic has exacerbated the problem. Recently, the dropped a bomb and is adding layers of paperwork, slowing services. The legislature decided not to increase the amount of money allocated to the Developmental Service even though the cost of doing business, personnel wise, is at least 20% higher. The $10 an hour for staffing at group homes, training programs, etc. had to increase, BUT the dollars allocated to provide the service did not. So, in the wisdom of someone in Tallahassee, let's squeeze the clients. Denial of services is a way to delay service even though it had been funded prior to this year. Eventually, I am hoping, each person will receive the needed services. It will just be delayed by months while the system churns slowly.

The adult training programs, large and small, throughout the state have not had an increase in their budget in years. The pandemic and loss of clients for the duration, eliminated all revenue. That does not mean expenses stopped. Permanent employees were retained. They were paid. A better idea than some airlines who are now in a serious bind because they do not have trained employees. How do these non-profit agencies survive? Some will not. What happens to the clients, like my son, who may need services? The legislature in their wisdom, decreased the number on the waiting list for services. There are 22,000 people waiting. $1 million in funding was allocated. How far do you think that will go? Only people in crisis will be considered. That million dollars won’t go far. Good news is that Governor DeSantis has applied for $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid funds under the Federal Rescue Plan, but it’s not entirely clear how these funds will be distributed between waiver programs (the disabled and the elderly). The funding hasn’t been granted yet by the Biden administration. The sooner the better for the sake of this vulnerable population. Patricia Lurie Ocala

progressive problem that worsens with age. The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells; 90% are called Glial cells, which perform structural defense and maintenance work. The other 10% are neurons. The neurons are the brain cells that perform most of the brain function as we know it. Cerebral atherosclerosis, the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries in the brain, can cause or contribute to dementia. Neurons have several proteins that are more prone to degeneration with time. The ones we recognized as more important in Alzheimer’s dementia are called Amyloid and Tau proteins. These proteins decay due to genetic, environmental problems, or aging, losing their structural shape and precipitating in the space between the cells, affecting cells’ ability to connect and communicate. Preventing amyloid deposits has been the main target of the pharmaceutical industry, which has invested immeasurable resources, including millions of dollars in the process. So far, there is no treatment known to decrease this process, no treatment to effectively delay or lessen to stop the progression of dementia. Current medicines approved for use in Alzheimer's dementia, like Donepezil or Memantine, have minimal effect on improving symptoms in few patients. Good nutrition, weight control, a physically and socially active life, and treatment of conditions like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, and hypertension, mildly delay the dementia process but never stops

it completely. Furthermore, the ever-growing list of dietary and natural supplements advertised to stop or delay Alzheimer's has been beneficial primarily for the profits of the companies. During the past 20 years, more than 200 drugs have been studied for the possible effect on preventing or delaying dementia; none have shown efficacy. More than a dozen promising drugs specifically target the amyloid lesions and have been shown to decrease the amyloid deposit in the brain; however, none of those could improve cognitive or memory decay. Since the late 20th century, a type of blood immune protein called immunoglobulins or antibodies has been developed to treat several conditions, from cancer to autoimmune disorders, and even migraines. These are called monoclonal antibodies. Several of these substances have been studied for a possible effect on Alzheimer's but consistently have not been beneficial. Aducanumab, or Aduhelm, is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody, and like its predecessors has not been shown to effectively treat or delay Alzheimer's disease, despite its recent approval. Dr. Jose Gaudier is a neurologist practicing in Ocala since 1991. Gaudier graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1986 and did his neurology training in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a past president of the Marion County Medical Society and has been a member of several hospitals boards and a past Hospice board member.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Candidate Capsules Mayor

Reason for Running: “I’m familiar with a lot of this stuff because being born and raised here, I had my own self developments and things,” Malever said. “And I’m excited about it. And when I get excited, I just have to follow through.”

Kent Guinn

Age: 66 Political Experience: First elected Ocala mayor in 2011. Served on the city council for 12 years before elected mayor. Owner of Guinn & Company LLC. Reason for Running: “There’s too much going on not to run,” Guinn said. “The biggest thing that factored in was the men and women of the police department. I just can’t let them down. I got to make sure that they’re protected… Those guys and gals are the best of the best of the best, I think.”

Manal Fakhoury

in 2011. Currently a member of the City of Ocala’s Board of Adjustment. Work: Owner of Juergens Salon & Co. Reason for Running: “I have learned a lot about civic service. Now is a positive time to run (for city council),” Juergens said. “I love Ocala. Ocala is a great place to live and raise children.”

Municipal Arts Commission Occupation: President Marion Fence LLC Reason for Running: “I’ve been active in this community for, I’d like to feel, my entire life,” Everts said. “Even when I was a student, I tried to do everything that I could.”

Kevin Lopez

Barry Mansfield Age: 60

Political Experience: First time running for public office. Work: President of Cullison-Wright Construction. Reason for Running: “I believe in the small business owner and the small businesses are the backbone of this country. We have to keep them alive,” Mansfield said. “The city needs to help. We don’t work for the city; the city works for us.”

District 3

Ty Schlichter

Age: 34 Political Experience: First time running for public office Work: Vice president at Central Florida Electric of Ocala. Reason for Running: “I feel very vested in the community, and it seemed like a good opportunity and a good time to try and get more involved to see what I can do to help make things better and help push things the right way,” Schlichter said.

Barbara Fitos

Age: 71 Political Experience: Ran for Ocala mayor in 2019. Served on the Marion County Board of Commissioners for one term from 20062010. Work: Retired from human resources in the banking industry. Reason for Running: “Many in Ocala feel disconnected and without a voice,” Fitos said. “I plan to use my knowledge in the private, public, and non-profit sectors to make a difference.”

District 4

District 1

Jay Musleh

Age: 65 Political Experience: Musleh took office in 2012 after being elected to fill an unexpired term. He is running for a third full term. Work: Senior vice president and credit administrator, South State Bank Reason for Running: “We’re going to have some new faces up there and these are still trying times,” Musleh said. “I’d like to see the conclusion of the fire user fee lawsuit being the main thing, and also give (city manager) Sandra Wilson continued support as she continues to grow in her job.”

Lori Martin Gregory Kristen M. Dreyer

Age: 43 Political Experience: First time running for public office. Occupation: Real estate consultant for RE/MAX Premier Realty Reason for Running: “My time in AmeriCorps showed me what being a community servant can do for communities,” Dreyer said. “I felt compelled to run for City Council because we need to restore faith in local government through proactive leadership.”

Age: 59 Political Experience: First time running for public office. Work: CEO 7th Chakra Films. Reason for Running: “I want to help Ocala grow in the proper fashion while being done in a fiscally conservative manner,” Martin Gregory said. “I want Ocala to maintain the smalltown feel that we currently enjoy.”

Age: 82

Political Experience: First elected to the Ocala City Council in 2013. He is currently the president pro-tem of the council. Work: Owned Malever's Clothing Store and S&B Malever Investments

Rusty Juergens Age: 67 Political Experience: Ran for city council in 2005. Ran for mayor

Alexander Everts

Age: 28 Political Experience: First time running for public office. Served on the Ocala

District 5

Age: 71 Political Experience: Served on Ocala City Council from 20132017. Work: Financial adviser Reason for Running: “Since I’ve left (the council), I’ve gotten more emersed in the different functions in Marion County and the city on the homeless issue,” Hilty said. “So, I didn’t walk away from the problem. I got deeper into it during my hiatus, if you will.”

Greg Steen

Curtis Jones Brent Malever

Age: 28 Political Experience: First time seeking public office. Work: Software Engineer Reason for Running: “I have a really unique perspective that I could contribute a certain viewpoint,” Lopez said. “I don’t own my own business. I don’t really have an ulterior motive other than wanting to see the community prosper.”

Jim Hilty

Age: 60

Political Experience: First time seeking public office. Work: Clinical coordinator at Ocala Health; president and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International. Reason for Running: “I love Ocala,” Fakhoury said. “I’m deeply invested in Ocala. I plan on living the rest of my days in Ocala. And I believe Ocala has even a higher potential… I believe that I have a skill set, a heart and a commitment to the city and I’d love to use my leadership skills to participate and to contribute.”

doing the work that a councilman should do. I do stuff that should be done. I just don’t have the title.”

Age: 52 Political Experience: First time running for public office Work: Streets R Talking Outreach Ministry Reason for Running: “Every individual counts,” Jones said. “I’m pro-people. Whether I wind up with the position of council, I’m still

Age: 44 Political Experience: First time running for public office. Occupation: President of Family's Choice Electric Repair Inc. Reason for Running: “The first thing I would like to do is to be reachable,” Steen said. “Reach out to my cell phone, by text, by email… I would like local government to be local again.”

See Amendments, page A5

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

The history of the Malevers is rooted in Ocala for over 100 years ‹‹ The Malever family moved to Ocala in 1905. Joseph Malever set up a clothing store on the first floor of the Ocala Hotel facing Broadway at the early age of 23. This is a time before paved roads and sidewalks were in Ocala. An ad: The Globe, 1911. One of the first clothing stores to advertise in the newspaper.

‹‹ In 1928, the Malevers moved their store to the corner of Silver Springs Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue. Three generations of Malevers ran the downtown store for over 75 years.

Brent Malever operated the business, a family tradition. ‹‹ Mr. Fred Malever, Brent’s father was a founding member of The First Marion Bank of Ocala which Brent would later serve on the board.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Brent Malever serving Ocaleans now and into the future! The Malever family ››

Brent Malever continues to put Ocala First

While being Ocala’s City Council Member, Malever Has: • Protected Religious Liberty • Fought Wasteful Spending • Increased Fire/Rescue & Police • Protected our City from Facilities and Personnel Extremism • Helped Facilitate Job Growth and • Stopped an Increase in property Infrastructure Taxes

Paid political advertisement paid for by Cary Malever P.O. Box 540553, Orlando, FL 32854 Independently of any candidate or committee. No candidate approved this advertisement.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Charter Amendments Scheduling of Special Elections or Run-Off Elections

How the ballot reads: Since existing City Charter deadlines are impractical due to state and federal law and the need to provide voting opportunities to military personnel, the city council has provided for amending the deadlines for special and run-off elections. Shall the City Charter be amended by removing the existing deadline for holding special elections and run-off elections and providing for such elections to occur as soon as reasonably practicable and in compliance with state and federal law? What the amendment means: The proposed change would make the timing of special and run-off election more flexible to allow for transit time of certain ballots. Currently, the charter requires that special elections be held less than 60 days following a vacancy. Meanwhile, run-off elections are to be held on the third Tuesday of November following a September election. The amended requirements would allow those elections to be held “as soon as reasonably practicable and in compliance with state and federal law.”

The issue came up after Tyrone Oliver was elected to the council in November 2019. Later, he was found ineligible to take the seat because he was a convicted felon and did not have his rights restored. A series of special elections eventually led to Councilman Ire Bethea taking the District 2 seat. But during the process, the charter’s provisions conflicted with the time frame allowed for military personnel serving abroad to return their ballots.

Beginning and End of Terms for Council Members and Mayor

How the ballot reads: The City Council has provided for clarification of the date and time when terms of council members and the mayor begin and end. Shall the City Charter be amended to provide that the term of each council member and the mayor shall begin upon being adjudged elected and qualified by City Council and upon swearing the oath of office and shall end upon the commencement of the term of a successor council member or mayor? What the amendment means: The 2019 Oliver election also revealed the need to clarify when council and mayoral terms begin and

end. The charter is fuzzy on the issue. An attorney for Oliver noted the charter states the new council takes over on the first Tuesday in December in an election year. The phrase implies the former council is out of power at midnight on the first Tuesday. By that argument, the council that decided not to seat Oliver on that first Tuesday was technically out of power and unable to make the decision. The question led to a second council vote to avoid a legal challenge. The change provides that the terms for council members and the mayor officially start when they are “adjudged, elected and qualified by City Council and upon swearing an oath of office.” Terms would officially end at the commencement of a successor’s term.

Revising Masculine Pronouns to Include the Feminine Equivalent

How the ballot reads: Shall the City Charter be amended to revise masculine pronouns to include the feminine equivalent by replacing references to “he” with “he or she”; references to “his” with “his or her”; references to “him” with “him or her”; references to

“councilman” with “councilmember”; references to “councilmen” with “councilmembers”; references to “policeman” with “police officer”; references to “policemen” with “police officers”; and references to “spokesman” with “spokesperson”? What the amendment means: The intention of the revision was to adjust language in the city’s charter, dating from the 1970s, so it reflected the expanded roles of women in certain male-dominated positions. In addition to changing terms like “councilman” to “council member” and “policeman” to “police officer,” the initial proposed amendment would have also eliminated the pronouns he and his. In the current charter document, all officials are referred to as “he,” including the city manager, who is currently a woman. But the proposal as introduced quickly drew backlash with some worried it was a backdoor attempt to move toward the use of nongender pronouns, which have gained momentum among advocates and some linguist. Eventually, the council revised the proposal so that gender would remain, but mentioning both ‘he or she.’ The use of both the masculine and feminine pronoun is a common in most government founding documents, including the Florida Constitution.

S A

M P

Official City of Ocala General Election Sample Ballot / Papeleta Oficial de Muestra Elección General de la Ciudad de Ocala September 21, 2021 / 21 de septiembre de 2021 Marion County, Florida / Condado de Marion, Florida

Lookup your assigned voting location at www.VoteMarion.Gov / Buscar su lugar de votación asignado en www.VoteMarion.Gov This Sample Ballot was prepared in accordance with Section 101.20(2), Florida Statutes, and furnished by Wesley Wilcox, Supervisor of Elections This translation has been prepared in compliance with Rivera Madera v. Detzner, No. 1:18-CV-152-MW/GRJ, 2018 WL 4289625 (N.D. Fla. Sept. 10, 2018).

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sheriff “irritated” by process, pulls vehicle purchase request By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods was irritated during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. His mood was affected by the process involved in the planned purchase of a new mobile command unit with funds from the penny sales tax. The process was so troubling to him that he handed a letter to the commissioners asking them to forget the whole thing and use the estimated $1.3 million to help pay for renovations to the Sheriff ’s Operations Center. Despite the request, the county argued the vehicle was part of Emergency Management, which is not directly considered law enforcement. In fact, the county recently had initial discussions about moving emergency management operations from the sheriff ’s overview to county control. Some commissioners noted counties similar in size to Marion have standalone emergency management operations. Those discussions, however, did not continue and a scheduled workshop on the idea was tabled in July.

On Tuesday, the question of oversight came up again. “This is a lawenforcement tool,” said Woods flatly. Marion County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes interjected that the purchase may fall under Emergency Management. “No,” Woods replied. “In the five-year plan, this unit is under emergency management,” Bouyounes responded. In addition to who would control the purchase, Woods and the board seemed to disagree on which manufacturer to use. E-One and Frontline Communications both presented their proposals for the mobile command unit. Woods preferred Frontline citing a price tag $30,000 less than the E-One model, among other reasons. The board seemingly preferring hometown company E-One. After some discussion between Woods, Bouyounes, and the board, Woods decided to push pause. “At this time, I am canceling the purchase of the Mobile

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

Command Unit,” he said. Commission Chairman Jeff Gold briefly mentioned moving the purchase to the fire budget, and Commissioner Kathy Bryant brought up how the purchase was a priority because it had already been delayed once, after the MCSO helicopter was involved in an accident in 2018. Ultimately, however, the commission unanimously decided to delay the purchase. There was not timeline for when the issue would return Marion County’s website lists the mobile command unit as a purchase for the Sheriff ’s Office under the penny tax.

Council candidate featured speaker at a Washington D.C. Jan. 6 rally By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com Lori Martin Gregory was a featured speaker at one of the rallies held on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C. Martin Gregory, who is one of six candidates running for Ocala City Council’s District 4 seat, was speaking at “The Rally for Health Freedom” at a park near the Russell Senate Building in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. While the focus of the rally where Martin Gregory was speaking was the antivaccination movement, many of the protestors in the city that day were denouncing what they felt was the fraudulent election of President Joe Biden. No evidence of widespread voter fraud has been uncovered. Shortly after Martin Gregory spoke, a throng of protested from another rally in front of the White House marched toward the Capitol. Some of those protestors breached the building, causing damage and sending lawmakers into lockdown. Five people died in the riot, including a Capitol Police officer who died after suffering a stroke. A protestor died after she was shot by an officer, and three other demonstrators died of natural causes. Hundreds have been arrested after the riot, including at least six Marion County residents, which saw protestors break into the U.S. Capitol as legislators voted to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win. Many of the rioters were supporters of President Donald Trump. Martin Gregory denounced the violence which occurred at the Capitol. “I support peaceful protest

of every sort per the first amendment, and I oppose violence of any sort. Anybody who committed violence should face appropriate and evenhanded justice,” she wrote in an email on Monday. One of the masters of ceremony at the rally was Charlene Bollinger, who along with her husband, Ty, have received national attention for their anti-vaccination stance. During the rally, she mentioned that Ty Bollinger had joined the crowd massing in front of the Capitol. “He just texted me… ‘I’m about to go inside the Capitol. Pray. Teargassing,’” Charlene Bollinger said while looking at her phone. In the background, emergency sirens could be heard, as well as far away roars of a crowd. “All this noise going around us, this really is a warfare. It’s a spiritual warfare but now it is turning into a physical war,” she said. During her speech, which can be viewed on YouTube, Martin Gregory promoted a film produced by her company and touched on a range of topics including becoming a Donald Trump supporter after he reportedly said too many people were being vaccinated.

City fire assesment still rankles budget talks

She also made a reference to the 2020 election results. “When your opponent has to cheat to win, you’ve won. It’s just a matter of time before the truth is exposed,” she said. Despite multiple promotional flyers listing her as a featured speaker at the MAGA Freedom Rally, Martin Gregory said she was not a part of that event. “Same day but not part of the same group [MAGA Freedom Rally],” Martin Gregory wrote. “The permit for the health freedom rally that I spoke at was by the Virginia Freedom Keepers, which had nothing to do with the White House event.” Martin was recently endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 129, as well as the Ocala City Employees Unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1205. The MAGA Freedom Rally isn’t the first time Martin Gregory has been a headline speaker at rallies put on by a Political Action Committee, however. She was also listed as a speaker on flyers for the 2020 Health Freedom Nashville, put on by the United Medical Freedom Super PAC, and the 2019 Winter Conference & Seminar put on by The Academy of Regenerative Practice. According to her LinkedIn page, Martin Gregory is the CEO at 7th Chakra Films and is also the Founder and Editor of the Mom Street Journal. She describes herself as a “Health Freedom Activist” and a citizen journalist and appears alongside Dr. Andrew Wakefield as part of his eponymous podcast. The City of Ocala General Election is set for Sept. 21.

The Ocala City Council on Tuesday approved a tentative, nearly $900 million budget, while also keeping millage rates the same and implementing a full year of fire assesment on Ocala property owners. While discussion of the budget and millage rates went smoothly, the fire assesment wasn’t such an easy pill to swallow. The council split 3-1 on its tentative approval, with Council President Justin Grabelle voting against implementing the assesment. An attorney for Carlton Arms Apartments, the largest apartment complex in Ocala with more than 800 units also asked the council to consider capping the maximum assesment on multifamily property. The second largest apartment complex in Ocala was less than half the size of Carlton Arms. Robert Kelly, an attorney representing Carlton Arms, said both residential and commercial properties had a maximum assesment amount. He suggested it was only fair that multifamily property also have a cap. In July, the council approved a plan to raise $9.2 million to help pay for fire services using a tiered assessment charged to property owners, including those of vacant land. Grabelle also voted against that resolution. The fire assessment comes after the city’s previous method of collecting fire fees was deemed unconstitutional last year. The proposed plan means homeowners would pay between $152.47 and $255.48, depending on the square footage of the home. In January, the city passed a separate onetime assessment that only considered if the property was residential or nonresidential. Residential properties were assessed $190.77 regardless of size or type. In that assessment, the city did not include vacant property. This time, each vacant parcel will be assessed $23.35. Also, in contrast to the January assessment, multifamily property owners would have to pay $137.08 for each unit 1,000 square feet or smaller. Units larger than 1,200 square feet would be assessed $153.37 each. Non-residential property is broken down into commercial, industrial warehouse and institutional categories. As an example, the lowest assessment for commercial property would be $145 for a property smaller than 2,000 square feet. For properties larger than 300,000 square feet, the assessment tops out at $43,500. The proposed rates were established after a study conducted by Tindale Oliver. The $9.2 million assessment will help cover Ocala Fire Rescue’s $16.2 million budget. Tentative budget The city’s tentative budget is $891,324,121, up from last year’s adopted budget of $817,129,466. The city council will finalize the budget on Sept. 28. The new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. The city also tentatively voted to keep the millage rate the same on home While the rates will stay at 6.6177, the city estimates tax revenue will increase by more than $1.9 million due to increased property values. Expected revenues should top $35.2 million this fiscal year, compared to more than $33.3 million last year. The ad valorem tax rate remains unchanged since 2016. The owner of a home in the city with a taxable value of $100,000 can expect to pay $662 in city tax. This year’s budget includes the addition of 13 sworn and non-sworn employees at the Ocala Police Department. Salaries and benefits come from the general fund portion of the budget, which this year is more than $128 million up from $118.4 million approved last year. The general fund includes revenue from ad valorem taxes, utility service taxes and contributions from the enterprise funds based on charges for services, including electric, fiber optic broadband and sanitation. This year, the city will fund salaries for the police and fire department at 100%, according to Tammy Haslam, the city’s budget director. Typically, salaries are funded between 95% to 98% percent to account for vacancies. The move would allow the department to “overhire” for positions, Haslam said. The budget also includes more than $42.7 in capital improvement projects. The 50 projects include $11.1 million for two phases of the continued southwest to northwest 44th Avenue program. The plan is to connect Maricamp Road to County Road 326 to keep local traffic off of Interstate-75. There is also more than $9.1 million in water treatment projects.

A10

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala Remembers

A man reflects of the tragic events of September 11, 20 years ago, as he touches the 9/11 Traveling Memorial Wall. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Michael Haworth talks with his daughter, Grace, 8, about the attacks. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Lisa Schrimsher, left, becomes emotional as she listens with Jim Dean, right, during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Rondo Fernandez gets a hug from Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken during the Feeding The Fearless event at Mojo's Grill and Catering. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Members of the Ocala Police Department Honor Guard Rifle Team fire a 21-Gun Salute during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

The Musical

UF plans veterinary hospital at WEC Ocala Gazette Gazette

Book by Jeffrey Lane • Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek Based on the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning Original Broadway production directed by Jack O’Brien

SPONSORED BY: Ocala Style Magazine • WIND FM

August 26 – September 19 When the French Riviera isn’t big enough for two charming con artists with their eyes on the same prize…

May the best crook win.

Tickets $30 for adults • $15 for ages 18 and younger 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470 (352) 236-2274 • www.ocalacivictheatre.com

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine hopes to open a 40,000-squarefoot veterinarian hospital at the Ocala’s World Equestrian Center by springs. Construction of the facility has already started, according to a WEC press release. “We are thrilled to be able to support the World Equestrian Center and its many animalowning visitors by providing access to the broad array of expertise in diagnostic and patient care offered by UF veterinary specialists working across a variety of disciplines,” said the college’s dean, Dana Zimmel in a prepared statement. Equine services available at the new facility will focus on sports medicine, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation and after-hours urgent care. Small animals will be able to receive urgent care and primary care as well, with a goal of expanding specialty services for both horses and small animals in time, according to the release.

“Animals in need of veterinary care while at the center will be able to efficiently obtain the best possible care at onsite hospital facilities designed to accommodate a variety of patient needs,” Zimmel said. While the focus of the new hospital is patient care, future plans may include advanced studies into equine performance horses as well as pleasure horses. The facility will not include UF veterinary students initially, but that can also change in time. "We recognize what a great experience exposure to the UF Veterinary Hospital at WEC would be for students, particularly those who are equine-oriented,” she said. WEC which officially opened in late 2020, features climatecontrolled arenas, competition stadiums, shopping and a hotel. The facility hopes to be the centerpiece of an expansive upscale community. The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the top veterinary medical colleges in the country and its main campus is in Gainesville.

A11

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

New COVID-19 cases drop sharply in Marion By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com COVID-19 cases in Marion County, including at public schools, fell sharply during the last week, according to Florida Department of Health numbers. The county registered 2,105 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Sept. 3 to Sept. 9, down 947 cases from the previous report. The county positivity rate and cases per 100,00 fell as well. Cases per 100,000 fell from 819.4 to 565.1, while the positivity rate also dropped from 23.7% last week to 22.5% this week. The 22.5% is still higher than the state average of 13.5%. Despite the falling number of new cases, county hospitalization numbers remain high, with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data showing 98% of all inpatient beds in the county occupied, with COVID-19 patients making up 33% of the inpatient population. Additionally, 98% of all ICU beds are occupied, and COVID-19 patients make up 37% of those in the ICU. At Marion County Public Schools COVID-19 numbers drop for the second straight week. The school district recorded 367 new cases for the week of Sept. 4 – Sept. 10, with 324 students and 43 employees confirmed positive by the DOH in Marion County. The figures, released on Sept 13, are down from the 539 cases reported on Sept. 6, and 733 cases reported on Aug. 30.

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students, or 22%, have an opt-out form on file which allows them to not wear a facial covering. Cases also fell throughout the state for the second week in a row, with the state reporting 100,012 new cases. Vaccination rates also dropped sharply, however, as the state recorded its lowest number of vaccinations for the second week in a row, administering 349,845 doses. In legal wrangling over mask mandates, an appellate

Quarantine numbers were down as well, with MCPS reporting 1,161 students and employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. The quarantines included 1,135 students and 26 district employees. One number that continues to rise in Marion County is the number of parents opting their children out of facial coverings. MCPS reported 9,187

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court in Tallahassee on Sept. 10 ruled that the state can continue to withhold funding for school districts that impose a mask mandate for its students. The ruling is being viewed as a win for Governor Ron DeSantis. In a separate case, the court also ruled to uphold the ban on mask mandates while that case works its way through appeals. Locally, the county is providing COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in

and appointment basis Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. at the DOH main office located at 1801 SE 32nd Ave. in Ocala. The local DOH office is also partnering with public schools to provide booster shots to Marion County’s immunocompromised residents. Appointments can be scheduled for Sept. 18 at Liberty Middle School, 4773 SW 95th St., Ocala, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Despite COVID-19 programs march on By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com In 2020, local prep sports teams lost games and, in some cases, entire seasons to COVID-19. With the delta variant causing a spike in new cases during the summer, concern was mounting that high school athletics would yet

again face an uncertain fall. But local programs have adapted. Despite some challenges early on, both public and private schools have kept the ball moving. Jody Phillips, program specialist for Marion County Public Schools, said faculty and staff have been integral in the mitigation plans since

schools opened in early August. “We have seen really solid results in our programs,” said Phillips. “Not to say that we didn’t have a couple of speed bumps along the way.” The speed bumps Phillips referred to include the cancellation of several games during the first two weeks of the season.

WILDCATS POUNCE

The Aug. 27 game between Dunnellon and St. Augustine was cancelled due to COVID-19, as was the game between Lake Weir and Palatka. Trinity Catholic, a private high school, canceled its football game scheduled for Aug. 27 against visiting Buchholz due to too many players being in quarantine

protocols. Dunnellon ended up playing Buchholz that week. At least a dozen other games across the state were canceled due to COVID-19 worries that week. North Marion canceled its game on Sept. 3 for similar reasons. Since then, however, See Delta, page B3

GAME OF THE WEEK

[Alan Youngblood/Special to OG]

Leesburg at Lake Weir By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com The Lake Weir Hurricanes currently have a 1-1 overall record. In 2020, Lake Weir finished with a 1-6 record, allowing 219 points while scoring only 27. The Hurricanes have already scored more points than a year ago through two games. It won its season-opener on Sept. 3 against Central (Brooksville) 19-14. It took Lake Weir until October to register its first win last year. On Sept 17, the Hurricanes will host the undefeated (2-0) Leesburg Yellow Jackets in a District 5A-5 contest. The Hurricanes enter the game after dropping its contest against visiting George Jenkins, losing 27-13 on Sept. 10. The Yellow Jackets previously won games on Aug. 27 against South Lake (24-6) and Sept. 10 against Mount Dora (42-18). Leesburg is currently ranked 54th in Division 5A, according to MaxPreps.com The same website lists Lake Weir at 64th in Division 5A. Sept. 17’s game against Leesburg gives the Hurricanes a chance to better their win-record from a year ago and turn the page on 2020 altogether. It should prove to be a worthy challenge. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lake Weir High School.

Forest beats Gainesville 3-1 (25-17; 25-27; 25-15; 25-16) on Sept. 13

Other area football games on Sept. 16-17: Sept. 16 St. John Lutheran at City of Life Christian Academy 7 p.m.

Top: Forest's Paris Masi (10) and Emma Truluck (5) jump to block a spike from Gainesville's Jasmine Ver Bust (14).

Sept. 17 Foundational Christian at Ocala Christian Academy 7 p.m. Lecanto at Belleview 7:30 p.m. Crystal River at Dunnellon 7:30 p.m. Carol City (Miami) at Ocala Vanguard 7:30 p.m. Carrollwood Day at Ocala Trinity Catholic 7 p.m. West Port at Ocala Forest 7 p.m.

Above: Forest's Paris Masi (10) digs the ball at the net. Right: Gainesville's Gia McGrew (13) battles at the net with Forest's Emma Truluck (5) and Mackenzie Williams (14).

Bye week: North Marion

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Frank DeLuca YMCA inaugurates new sportsplex Ocala Gazette Staff The Frank DeLuca YMCA held the grand opening of their new Sportsplex Center on Wednesday. The outdoor athletic venue features a multipurpose covered "airnasium" available for basketball and volleyball. Four pickleball courts were also inaugurated and featured prominently in the grand opening. Guest lobbed pickleball onto the courts to signal the official opening. There is also more to come. Three additional soccer fields are scheduled to open in a few months. Later phases

will include a 2,000-squarefoot youth activity center, outdoor restrooms and expanded parking. The new facility was paid for through donations and cost $2.5 million. DeLuca donated $1 million to the effort. It is his second $1 million gift to the local facility. A local car dealer and YMCA supporter, DeLuca has often spoken about how he visited a local YMCA as a teen and how sports helped him growing up. “We all have certain organizations that are See DeLuca, page B3

Frank DeLuca, right, and Nicole Bloom, left, hold the artists rendering of the new Sportplex Center during the grand opening of the facility on Sept 15. [YMCA Central Florida]

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Trinity loses close 7-3 contest against Gainesville By Kassidy Hill Special to the Ocala Gazette The Trinity Catholic Celtics (0-2) fell 7-3 to the Gainesville Hurricanes (2-1) on Sept 10. Late in the first quarter, both teams scoreless, Trinity faced a fourth and goal from the 15-yard line. The Celtics elected to kick the 32-yard field goal and took the early 3-0 lead. Midway through the second quarter, Trinity’s Elijah Russell sacked Gainesville quarterback Ryan Nolan, bringing up a long second down. Then, two gashing rushes picked up 25-yards for GHS. Then the visiting Canes spent the next three plays trying to give up the ball, falling on two botched snaps, then letting a third roll close to 30-yards downfield. Nolan chased down the loose ball, but the Celtics' Russell brought Nolan down for another sack and massive loss. A late hit by the Celtics though gifted the Canes 15 of those yards back. However, so much yardage had been lost, the opposing team was still forced into a long fourth-down punt. A great return by the Celtics was negated by a block in the back, putting Trinity Catholic at their 8-yard line. On the first play of the drive, however, Celtics' quarterback Cole Gonzalez threw an interception, giving Gainesville possession in the red zone. Gainesville walked into the end zone untouched up the middle, for the 10-yard touchdown—the only one of the night—and the 7-3 lead. Trinity's Brice Summerall answered on the ensuing kickoff, bouncing his way through the defense and to the outside for a 100-yard kickoff return. But again, it was for naught, as a holding penalty on the Celtics negated the touchdown and put the home team back deep in their own territory. “It’s bothersome,” said Celtics head coach John Brantley after the loss. “(Penalties) hurt us last year too in critical times; we make, you know, we have silly penalties and make silly penalties.” Hoping to strike quickly before halftime, Gonzales sent a 50-yard pass over the middle of the field, but it needed to travel just a couple more yards A Gainesville defender picked off the pass and

returned almost 62-yards. Time was on Trinity Catholic’s side however, as the Canes were unable to get a field goal off before halftime. The Celtics went to the locker room down 7-3. In the third quarter, the Celtics flashed some big plays, including a 49-yard keeper by Gonzalez and a Kayden McCarson interception. But they also were plagued by stalled drives and interceptions of their own. With just more than 10 minutes remaining, Trinity’s Tyler Simms sacked Nolan for a loss. On the ensuing offensive drive, facing 4thand-10 from the 23-yard line, Gonzales found Elijah Russell in the end zone for what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown. The 6-foot-7inch Russell easily beat his defender but landed just out of bounds. Despite not scoring, Russell was a bright spot on both sides of the ball. Brantley plans on featuring the senior even more. “He’s a special player,” Brantley said. “We got to find a way to get him more involved...we're still learning our personnel and learning ourselves.” As the game wound below two minutes, the Celtics rode Gonzales’ keepers and quick throws to the sideline to get downfield. On fourth-andfour from inside the red zone, Trinity came up two yards short of the first down. Gainesville ran out the clock from there. As the Celtics prepared to leave the field, Gonzales stepped into the middle of his offensive lineman; he apologized for any miscues, taking the blame, and thanking them for giving him room to work all night. “I need about 12 more Cole Gonzales's. But he tries to put too much on his plate. But I'll tell you what, he's a real asset to have as a quarterback," Brantley said. “We got a lot of young players, and a lot of new players so I knew it would take us a while to mesh, and, and we're seeing that process.”

Top: Trinity Catholic quarterback Cole Gonzales (1) tries to escape Gainesville High School outside linebacker Ahman Covington (2). [Alan Youngblood/Special to the OG] Bottom: Trinity Catholic quarterback Cole Gonzales (1) looks for a receiver. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the OG]

Power Pack

Left: Wolfpack's Yarielis Melendez (13) with the serve against Lake Weir. Above: West Port celebrates its win over Lake Weir High School at West Port High School in Ocala, Florida, Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The Wolf Pack lost the first set 25-23 then went on to win the next three 2513, 25-5, and 25-18. [Cyndi Chambers/Correspondent]

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From DeLuca, page B1

From Delta, page B1

Matt Fredrick returns a shot during a pickleball match at the Frank DeLuca YMCA Sportsplex Center during its grand opening on Sept 15. [YMCA Central Florida]

important to each of us in different ways, however, our children are probably the most important to all of us. By leaving a legacy in the Y we are helping assure the future of our children, that is why I continue to invest in the YMCA and this project expansion,” DeLuca said in a prepared statement. In addition to providing more space for

sports, the YMCA also hopes to use the new facility for camps and exercise classes. The local YMCA has been serving Marion County community for more than 30 years. As part of the YMCA of Central Florida, the family center offers programs intended to fight chronic disease, boost children’s after-school safety and learning and strengthen neighborhoods.

Guests throw pickleballs onto the courts at the new sportsplex center on Sept. 15 during a grand opening. [YMCA Central Florida]

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Marion County teams have played as scheduled. “We did lose a couple of football games,” Phillips said. “We certainly had some students have to quarantine and a team or two here or there lose some days of practice. But truly, that’s been kind of the anomaly.” Phillips said that since those early cases, each program has been operating at full strength. He also said he communicates with each athletic director from all seven of Marion County’s public schools daily. “I’m pretty in tune with everything that’s going on. We’ve just been very blessed and fortunate because of our coaches—and because of the kids,” he said. “These programs have done great with [managing the delta variant]. And I think a lot of that can be attributed to the awareness that came from last year.” Schools have continually encouraged students to wash their hands and not share towels or water bottles, as well as properly clean equipment in the weight rooms. “The kids have bought into this stuff,” said Phillips. “And I think that everything that we have learned, the kids have learned too.” Allison Forsyth-Abney, Ocala Christian Academy athletic director said the private school also had some challenges early on. “We had a cancellation almost every day with teams who were affected by COVID-19,” Forsyth-Abney said of the start of the fall season. “But now that we’ve been playing for almost a full month, cancellations have slowed down.” Of the seven teams

currently participating in fall sports at OCA, Forsyth-Abney said, only girls’ volleyball has had to significantly restructure its schedule. “I believe every school is trying to put together the best [sports programs] they can for their student-athletes,” she said. “I am sure things are different for small private schools, compared to the larger public schools.” Donald Tucker, Forest High School’s athletic director, said no teams at Forest have canceled any games. “Basically, what we have been doing is everything that we were doing last year,” said Tucker. “We started doing it over the summer and continued into the school year. We haven’t really changed anything that we’ve done since we’ve started with COVID, and it’s paid off so far.” Tucker added, “We’re blessed that everyone is doing the right things right now and we’re just plugging along.” Lyle Livengood, West Port High School athletic director, had trouble fielding a football team in late July, he said, but has had no issues since. “I am just keeping my fingers crossed [that it stays that way],” he said. Phillips made his thoughts clear when it comes to the importance of providing students with the option of participating in prep sports. “I think it’s a disservice to the students if we don’t work as hard as we can to provide them these seasons,” said Phillips. “That’s just a statement I believe in. We owe it to these students to give it our best shot—and so far, we are succeeding.”

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SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Vanguard stay undefeated with win over Dunnellon Knights beat Tigers 13-6 By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com The visiting Dunnellon Tigers would strike first during the Sept. 10 high school football game at Booster Stadium, but it would be the host Vanguard Knights who’d score 13-unanswered points to take the win, 13-6. Vanguard (3-0 overall record) extended its win streak, while Dunnellon moved to 0-2 on the season. Knights head coach Edwin Farmer, who wasn’t entirely pleased with his team last week, despite defeating West Port handily 21-0 on the road, saw more of what he was looking for against Dunnellon on Friday. “Every week you’re looking to get better,” said Farmer, “and this week I think we were a lot better. Defense played great again. We’re moving some guys around. And we had some guys step it up.” After a scoreless first quarter, Dunnellon found the end zone first to open the game’s scoring after a 14-play drive with 3:15 remaining in the half. Quarterback Trent Townsend (9-for-17 passing in the game for a total of 108 yards in the air) hit wide receiver LJ Fitzpatrick for the 15-yard touchdown pass, putting the Tigers up 6-0. Van-

guard’s defense blocked the extra point. Townsend also rushed for a total of 54 yards in the game and threw two interceptions. Farmer said he wasn’t worried after Dunnellon scored first in the game. He said he almost preferred it that way. “I like it when that happens,” he said. “Because it gives us a chance to show our character. And we didn’t buckle... They [scored first], but then they woke up the sleeping giant.” Vanguard answered on its next possession, scoring on a 13-play drive of its own with 39 seconds left in the second quarter. The Knights' sophomore quarterback Fred Gaskin threw a 14-yard touchdown to senior teammate Mahdi Brooks, tying the game. Placekicker Grandin Wilcox would hit the extra point, giving his Knight’s team the 7-6 lead going into halftime. Wilcox would pad Vanguard’s lead at 6:33 of the third quarter as well when he nailed a 22-yard field goal, making the score 10-6. Early in the fourth quarter, Vanguard seemingly scored a second touchdown after Gaskin handed the ball off to Dewhitt Betterson Jr., who ran it 56 yards to the

end zone. But the play was called back after a holding penalty. Gaskin went 12-for-23 in the air for a total of 61 yards. He had 14 yards on the ground and threw two interceptions. Wilcox added a second field goal, this time a 20-yard kick at 7:36 in the fourth quarter, to make the score 13-6. Dunnellon had a late drive going with 1:24 left in the game, but on fourth down from the Vanguard 40-yard line, Vanguard's Jaylen Williams sacked Townsend turning the ball over on downs. Vanguard ran the clock out to end the game. Dunnellon head coach Price Harris was pleased with how his team battled on the field Friday night, no matter the score. “They made more plays than we did,” said Harris. “But it was still close. I mean, if you don’t go to a Vanguard-Dunnellon game—you’re missing out.” Harris said he saw growth from his team in Friday's effort. “I saw some bright spots out there,” said Harris. “We’re getting some experience playing against great teams, and we’ll continue to get better and better. Hopefully we’ll work more of these kinks out going into next week’s game.”

Top: Vanguard's Cameron Powell (23) intercepts a pass intended for Dunnellon's LJ Fitzpatrick (10). Left: Dunnellon's LJ Fitzpatrick (1) battles for extra yardage as he is stopped by Vanguard's Emile Sancho (5) and Markell Davis (24). Above: Dunnellon's LJ Fitzpatrick (1) pushes off Vanguard's Malik McConico (11) for a large gain. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

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SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCORE BOARD Football Scores Sept. 10 Dunnellon 6, Ocala Vanguard 13 Gainesville 7, Ocala Trinity Catholic 3 Real Life Christian 6, Ocala Christian Academy 54 Belleview 14, Crystal River 17 George Jenkins 27, Lake Weir 13 North Marion 24, West Port 0 Oasis Christian 16, St. John Lutheran 8 Bye week: Ocala Forest (0-2) Football games scheduled for Sept. 17 Leesburg at Lake Weir (1-1) 7 p.m. Foundational Christian at Ocala Christian Academy (3-0) 7 p.m. Lecanto at Belleview (2-1) 7:30 p.m. Crystal River at Dunnellon (0-2) 7:30 p.m. Carol City (Miami) at Ocala Vanguard (3-0) 7:30 p.m. Carrollwood Day at Ocala Trinity Catholic (1-1) 7 p.m. West Port (0-3) at Ocala Forest (0-2) 7 p.m. Football games scheduled for Sept. 16 St. John Lutheran (0-1) at City of Life Christian Academy 7 p.m. Bye week: North Marion (2-0) Girls’ volleyball scores and stats from Sept. 8-Sept. 14 Sept. 8

Selected Marion County high school sports results for Sept. 8 – Sept. 14

St. John Lutheran 3, Belleview 0 (25-10, 25-19, 25-16) St. John’s Kreitenstein had nine kills, three aces and eight digs; Sophia Ochoa had 13 kills, one ace and three digs; Wilemon had nine kills, two solo blocks and six digs. Belleview’s Zisa had six kills, three digs and 12 receptions; Hope Willis had four kills, one blocked shot and one dig. Ocala Forest 3, Lake Weir 0 (25-6, 25-8, 25-9) Lake Weir’s Morgan Gittenger led the team in blocks, with Kiana Hamilton doing a great job with blocking as well on the right side, said Hurricanes head coach Jenna Duplessis. Seniors Rachelle Hix and Kayley Soule led the team with dig and kills, respectively. North Marion 0, The Villages Charter 3 (8-25, 1825, 15-25) North Marion’s Kinley Manning had four kills, two aces and two blocked shots. Sept. 9 Belleview 1, West Port 3 (2325, 26-24, 14-25, 14-25) Ocala Vanguard 3, Dunnellon 0 (25-4, 25-9, 25-12) Vanguard’s Ehmann had 17 kills, five service aces and four digs; Sophie Reed had one kill, five service aces and four digs. Orangewood Christian 3, St. John Lutheran 0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-21) St. John’s Kreitenstein had eight kills, one ace and 10

Ocala Shutters

digs. Buchholz 0, Ocala Forest 3 (13-25, 24-26, 21-25) North Marion 3, Lake Weir 0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-11) Lake Weir’s Hamilton led the team with passes and blocks, and had one ace, according to Duplessis. Gittenger led the team in kills and had one ace. Maryssa Phillips led the team with assists and had one kill at the net. Brianna Smith also recorded an ace.

20-25, 26-28, 5-15) Ocala Christian Academy 1, Calvary Christian Academy 3 (27-25, 15-25, 16-25, 11-25) Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Lecanto Invitational Sept. 11 (Lecanto, FL.) Boys Varsity Team Results (Sunlake won with 50 points out of 27 scoring teams) Ocala Vanguard, 3rd Place (103 points) West Port, 9th Place (363 points) Ocala Trinity Catholic, 10th Place (371 points) Belleview, 13th Place (412 points) North Marion, 22nd Place (510 points) Dunnellon, 27th Place (716 points)

Sept. 13 Countryside Christian 3, Ocala Christian Academy 0 (25-3, 25-12, 25-8) Meadowbrook Academy 0, St. John Lutheran 3 Gainesville 1, Ocala Forest 3 (17-25, 27-25, 15-25, 16-25) Forest’s Truluck had 23 kills, four blocked shots and 20 digs. Emma Santi had 11 kills, two blocked shots and 10 digs. Jerald led the Wildcats with 30 digs. Sept. 14 Wildwood 0, Lake Weir 3 (1925, 10-25, 22-25) Lake Weir’s Smith led the team with 15 digs, said Duplessis. Gittenger had five aces out of a total of 13 serves. She also led the team with six kills. Seniors Keiera Wilkerson and Kayley Soule led the team in blocking. Phillips and Rachelle Hix led the Hurricanes with assists. Belleview 0, The Villages Charter 3 (15-25, 19-25, 16-25) South Sumter 3, Dunnellon 1 New Smyrna Beach 2, Ocala Forest 3 (25-18, 25-18,

Girls Varsity Team Results (Cambridge Christian School won with 29 points out of 23 scoring teams) Ocala Vanguard, 3rd Place (91 points) West Port, 11th Place (329 points) Ocala Trinity Catholic, 16th Place (382 points) Belleview, 17th Place (477 points) Dunnellon, 23rd Place (657 points) Boys Varsity Individual Top50 Results (Riley Novack of Monteverde Academy won the 5K race in 15:59) 5th Place, Eduardo Diaz, West Port (16:33) 6th Place, Clayton Knight, Ocala Vanguard (16:35) 9th Place, Luis Cruzado, Belleview (16:59)

13th Place, Tristan Pank, Ocala Vanguard (17:16) 17th Place, Joshua Moore, Ocala Vanguard (17:29) 23rd Place, Byiza Ntozo, North Marion (17:58) 26th Place, Justin Capilli, Ocala Vanguard (18:03) 28th Place, Cedric McFadden, Ocala Trinity Catholic (18:08) 31st Place, Nathan Canterberry, North Marion (18:10) 39th Place, Andrew Petrella, Ocala Trinity Catholic (18:40) 42nd Place, Matt Lammens, Ocala Vanguard (18:43) 46th Place, Martin D’Esposito, Ocala Vanguard (18:58) 48th Place, Kyle Verdi, West Port (19:10) Girls Varsity Individual Top50 Results (Eliana Black of Cambridge Christian School won the 5K race in 18:40) 7th Place, Pippa Worden, Ocala Vanguard (20:22) 10th Place, Samantha Hansen, Ocala Vanguard (20:43) 18th Place, Rhema Taylor, Ocala Vanguard (21:22) 25th Place, Brooklyn Fratello, Ocala Vanguard (21:55) 40th Place, Audrey Taylor, Ocala Vanguard (22:38) 44th Place, Natalie Nelson, West Port (22:49) Results were gathered from Maxpreps.com and Flrunners. com. Compiled by James Blevins

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SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

Celebrity’s

Soul Food

Adds sparkle to homestyle comfort

By Julie Garisto Special to the Ocala Gazette As a caterer, Dr. Fredrick Jacobs prepared homestyle food for famous actors and performers including Steve Harvey. While on Harvey’s set, he watched people open doors and bend to the whims of the famed comedian and host of Family Feud. “One day, I thought to myself, ‘What if everyone could be treated like that?’” Jacobs said. So, he opened a restaurant that rolls out the red carpet for everyone – literally. At Celebrity's Soul Food Restaurant, which debuted last week in Ocala, customers do indeed approach the restaurant by walking a red carpet. An all-in-black host graciously opens a castle-like door and greets all who enter with a smile. The star treatment at Celebrity’s is “a loving message,” said Jacobs, who was born and raised in High Springs. “Especially at this time in our country. Treating our customers with care is absolutely necessary. It’s needed not only from a food perspective but for the sake of gathering of our community and people.” Along with drafting his affordable approach to the star treatment, Jacobs conceived how to make soul food enjoyable to people of all backgrounds and income levels across the United States. The entrepreneurial side of Jacob’s brain kicked in, challenging him to apply his celebritystyle “quality casual” concept to a franchise chain. “What I wanted was to provide a fine dining experience at a quality casual price,” Jacobs said. “My objective was to make people feel like, ‘Man, I just snuck into a four- or five-star restaurant, but I only had to pay 10 or 12 bucks.’” Jacobs, who learned to cook from his mom, persisted past brick walls and closed doors

Above: Salmon Left: Chicken Sandwich

See More, page C2

Soul food favorites upgraded to A list status

Ox Tails

Shrimp and grits

Meatloaf

Corn Ribs

New fish market offers fresh seafood selection By Rosemarie Dowell Special to the Gazette Something fishy has been going on at the Ocala Center shopping center the past few months, but for good reason. The Ocala Catch of the Day Fish Market opened there in May offering a wide variety of fresh-caught fish and seafood including grouper, red snapper, mullet, tuna, sea bass, shrimp, scallops, oysters, crab legs and catfish, said owner Samar Ibrahim of Ocala. “The red snapper is a popular item,” she said. “We sell a lot of it.” Besides fish and seafood, customers can also find ingredients needed to prepare their favorite dishes, said Ibrahim, a native of Jordan who moved to the United States more than 35 years ago. “Customers can come in and get their fish and whatever else they need to cook it,” she said. “We’ve got rice, spices, flour, olive oil and more.” “We do special orders for customers too,” said Ibrahim. “If we don’t have what they want, we’ll get it for them.” See Fish, page C2

Jesse Smith, left, sells fish to Willie Pearl Mitchell at the Ocala Catch Of The Day Fish Market in the Ocala Center shopping center on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Smith's wife, Samar Ibrahim, owns the fish market store. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

More locations planned nationwide over the past five years. He opened “pop-ups” (one recently in Gainesville), and after five years of trial and error, he enlisted an executive chef, David Giusto, and opened his flagship restaurant in Ocala last week in the former Craft Cuisine location on Easy Street. Outside, a Roman Empire-meets-21st century facade with columns and a gold logo. Inside, soft jazz settles customers in with a mellow vibe. Metallic accents, black chairs and soft gray tones lend sleek sophistication while revelers in a glass-partitioned VIP room enjoy some privacy. Towering cushioned booths convey just a touch of deco. Everyone's a VIP at Celebrity’s, Jacobs emphasized, pointing to a couch where customers enjoy tapas and cocktails. Employees fastidiously clean surfaces and place “sanitized” signs on tabletops. A server-bot shows off dessert options and complimentary tapas. The sleek decor reveals Jacob’s less-is-more fundamentals – quality touches within reach to create an upscale restaurant illusion. Keeping things simple, fresh and not over-reaching seem to be at the core of Celebrity’s’ decor and its menu.

Celebrity’s Soul Food Restaurant Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Thursday

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday www.celebrityssoulfood.com Down-home favorites are elevated with herbs and artful plating. Dr. J’s Fried Whole Chicken Wings, which Jacobs calls his specialty, arrive after a 24-hour marinade, light breading and spices, crispy on the outside, tender inside, doused with edible gold dust. Linda’s Sweet Souffle pays homage to Jacobs’ mom, who originally inspired the recipe. Sides like honey-glazed cornbread and stone-ground cheese grits share the spotlight with black-eyed peas confit and vegan-style braised collard greens. Options for keto, vegetarian and gluten-free preferences are all included on the menu. International spices and recipes infuse traditional favorites. Sauces range from Italian aioli to tzatziki

sauce from Greece to benne, derived from an aromatic West African seed. A red velvet cream cheese dessert provides a luscious mouthfeel and more gold sparkle. There are 50 Celebrity’s locations in development, Jacobs claimed. They are full-service (like the Ocala location) or quick-service. Franchisees, aka team members, are strongly encouraged to give back to their communities through time, products or services. They support local charities and organizations, particularly those that assist families and address homelessness and food insecurity. “When we developed the concept initially, I wanted to empower individuals who had spent years in the hospitality and the culinary industry – executive chefs, shift GM people who know what it means to work 80 hours,” Jacobs said. “They may have kept their credit together. They haven't necessarily been able to get funded or the support that was needed to open their own place. … So what I want to do is have Celebrity’s be a place of empowerment for individuals who have a passion for the industry.”

Left: Guests attend the ribbon cutting of the Celebrity's Soul Food location in Ocala recently. [Submitted] Below: Gold Wings

From Fish, page C1

Jesse Smith holds a red snapper. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Ibrahim said she decided to open the fish market after visiting others in the area and leaving empty-handed – and unimpressed. “We are fish lovers and had access to great fish markets when we lived in South Florida, but we could never find good quality fish here,” she said. “It was disappointing. That’s when we decided to open our own fish market.” The process was

EASY POSSE

arduous and took months to complete, she said. When the market was finally given the go-ahead to open, Florida’s off season was just beginning and the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to pick up steam again. “It took a long time to get our license and in the beginning it was hard, especially in June and July,” said Ibrahim. “Things are picking up now, but we are still trying

to make it.” Ibrahim her family made the move to Ocala nine years ago to raise their son. “I wanted my son to have a better life,” she said. “I wanted to raise him in a nice area with good schools.” Located at 1745 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Catch of the Day is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

DOORS OPEN AT 7PM

TICKETS FROM $20

SATURDAY SEPT. 18 8 PM EXPERIENCE LIVE COUNTRY CLASSICS AND DRINKING SONGS IN OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN THEATRE!

WITH JOSH CARD

(352) 820-3049 | To view the full lineup and purchase tickets visit MarionTheatre.org | 50 S Magnolia Avenue

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative's Corner A Voice Within a Shadow:

Photographer Mark Anderson poses for a photo at Tuscawilla Art Park. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Amateur photographer’s work selected for NOMA Gallery exhibition By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com It would only be the second photograph he had ever printed out for his own enjoyment of the many hundreds taken over the last three years. But it would also prove to be the first photograph that amateur photographer Mark Anderson would place in an art exhibition. “Printing out your photos is always kind of a big deal,” said Anderson. “It’s like adding something to the world—you better be sure it’s something you think is pretty cool.” Anderson’s photograph, entitled “Light at the End of the Tunnel,” was recently selected to be included in NOMA Gallery’s latest art exhibition, “Light & Shadows,” on display through Oct. 23. The gallery’s exhibition is inspired by “chiaroscuro”: One of the canonical painting modes of the Renaissance, according to NOMA’s website. It is the literal definition of light and shade in drawing and painting — as well as the contrasted light and shadow of photography. Prior to his inclusion in the exhibition, Anderson

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

had never visited the NOMA Gallery before, but he had always wanted to. Little did he know that his first visit to the gallery would be while attending an exhibition that included his own work. “I've always enjoyed art and liked the art of photography in others’ work,” said Anderson. “I just didn't necessarily think I could do that too.” Anderson, 35, didn’t pick up photography right away but said he always had a mind for it. It wasn’t until he gained access to the tools of taking pictures—namely, a camera—that he started putting his interest into action. In early 2016, Anderson started taking journalism classes at the College of Central Florida. With the journalism department’s camera, he finally got his chance to express himself as a photographer through CF’s campus newspaper, “The Patriot Press.” He started taking his own artistic photographs in early 2018 when he bought his first digital single-lens reflex (or DSLR) camera. Nothing too fancy, he said. “It was like the package deal that came with the camera bag,” Anderson said. “Like three lenses, and a

bunch of odds and ends. I just got frustrated constantly using my phone.” And though Anderson is not the biggest fan of his earliest efforts, he has grown tremendously, he said, since his salad days. “I feel like probably any photographer or any artist in general will look back at their earlier stuff after first starting out and like cringing,” Anderson laughed. “Like, what is this? Why did I ever think that looked good? But at the time, you're like, ‘Oh, yeah, that's amazing. I'm awesome.’” In August of 2021, Anderson saw advertisements for NOMA Gallery’s upcoming exhibition and decided to submit some of his work. He found out that his photograph was accepted roughly two weeks later. Lisa Midgett, owner and operator of the NOMA Gallery, described a selection process that included jurors and a judge. Because so many on the NOMA team know so many of the submitting artists, said Midgett, they have to take themselves out of the process. Jurors included many Ph.D.- or MFA-level artists, she added. When the jurors were finished, the NOMA team took over and identified the “juried in “and “juried out” pieces and contacted the artists. “We then hang the show, and a judge determines the winners,” said Midgett. “We use the same criteria as our jurors — Ph.D.- or MFAlevel judges.” According to Midgett, Anderson scored high with jurors because his piece was so on theme. “He cleverly used a tunnel to backlight his model, creating a burst of light and a silhouette of a woman. It is not an obvious piece; it requires a second look. I enjoyed watching guests study the piece this last week since we opened the show,” said Midgett. She said, “A lot of artists took the opportunity to create in black and white for this one. I particularly love the burst of color in Mark’s piece. It just glows!” The photograph that Anderson submitted and that was ultimately selected for the exhibition features his

Light at the End of the Tunnel by Mark Anderson

wife, Rebecca. “We were driving back from St. Augustine,” recalled Anderson of the photo shoot. “And we drove past this railroad bridge that had a sidewalk that was running next to it and the sidewalk cut through the embankment of the bridge. With the corrugated steel, I knew we had to stop there and take a picture.” Anderson and his wife pulled off on the side of the road. He had her walk down the dark tunnel as the sun cut her figure out of the gloom. “I got some photos that ended up looking pretty cool,” remembered Anderson. “It made it look like a portal or something.” Midgett said she loves it when NOMA discovers new local artists and gives them a chance to share their art. “It warms my heart,” she said. “Artists give us a tiny little piece of their soul in each piece they create. They embrace vulnerability and show us their thoughts, passions and talents through their art. I am always thrilled to hear stories like Mark’s because my vision for NOMA has been to embrace and support local artists while also bringing in new work to our community. “With Mark,” she added. “I feel like NOMA is on

mission with both.” While taking photographs, Anderson explained that he is trying to unlock something in himself—a voice, he called it. “You have to find your voice within a photograph,” clarified Anderson. “And that’s the thing I’ve always been trying to do.” He said that he wants to do things in his photography that others aren’t necessarily doing. Because, he said, everyone has a camera these days. If not a DLSR camera, then they have a camera on their phones. Said Anderson, “So many people have their own photography accounts and do couple or wedding photography. And they’re all very talented. I’m not knocking anybody. It’s just tough to make your voice standout above the rest.” He hopes that his inclusion in the “Light & Shadows” exhibition gives people attending the show a chance to finally hear his artistic voice loud and clear within his photograph’s many shadows. “If people look at my photograph and think it’s as cool as I think it is,” said Anderson, “then that’s pretty great. If they see a little bit of me in there somewhere, then that’s all I could really hope for.”

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Solo showcase

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

Macey Mac will perform in concert on Sept. 18 at the Orange Blossom Opry

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

South Coast, NSW Solution: 20 Letters

Mix some traditional country and classic rock songs, throw in a bit of folk and blues, then add in some original tunes and you have the unique musical stylings of Macey Mac. The petite singing dynamo with the big voice will bring all of that to the stage of the Orange Blossom Opry on Saturday, Sept. 18 with her first solo showcase at the historic venue. Mac, who just turned 18, has been performing on the opry stage since she was 13 years old. “I’ve been playing there for a pretty good bit and all the people there are really special to me,” she said. “The place has this charm about it, so it’s hard to keep away from.” Roger Beyers, owner of the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, said Mac started doing showcase nights there “as a jammer and we recognized her talent immediately and encouraged her to continue her music career. We are very proud to offer her a spot on our stage this Saturday.” Mac, who has been in Ocala for about six years, is originally from Mississippi, and calls herself a “flower child,” which has earned her the nickname “Mississippi Hippie.” “I love to wear bell-bottoms and lots of jewelry. I love nature and being country and wearing boots and fishing,” she explained. “I also portray that in my music; that’s my sound.” At least one of the songs she plans to perform on Saturday will be by her third cousin, Johnny Russell, a noted songwriter and longtime performing member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Among his many hits was “Act Naturally,” which was recorded by Buck Owens and The Beatles. “I didn’t get to meet him as he passed away before I was born, but I love to do some of his songs in his honor and to keep his memory going,” Mac said. She must have inherited the songwriting gene as that has been one of her recent passions in preparation for compiling an album of original tunes, to be released “hopefully soon.” In the meantime, she is continuing her virtual studies in preparation for graduating high school in the spring. She also continues to perform in venues in Orlando and Cocoa Beach, just to name a few. “I’ve been traveling all around Florida. I’m really thankful to be playing anywhere I can play music. They all have their unique vibe,” she said. “And the beach makes me want to go surfing, even though I’ve never been.” She also is maintaining her ties to “America’s Got Talent,” with which she has been featured on two series to date. She received a standing ovation from judge Simon Cowell in Season 13 and “four yesses from judges in Season 16,” she said. “They are amazing people and it was a great opportunity for me,” she added. “I got to go to California and meet a whole bunch of people, including one who won the Golden Buzzer, which was super cool.” Mac, who plays a number of musical instruments in addition to belting out soaring vocals, will take the stage at the Orange Blossom Opry at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. Visit obopry.com for tickets. To learn more about Mac, go to maceymac.com.

Bait Bars Bega Berry Boats Bombo Bulli Bush Calm Candelo Cape

Cargo Clean Coast Cool Durras Eden Ettrema Fishing Golf Jobs Kianga

Kioloa Lagoon Lake Mogo Moruya Mountain Museum Narooma Nowra Paddock Pristine

Relax Rest Sunny Surf Swim Tanja Track Twofold Bay Unique Visit

ion: Some beautiful beaches

By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette

Creators Syndicate

737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

Date: 9/17/

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

9/17

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

9/17

Marion County Friday Market

Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 9am-noon Fresh vegetables, artisan food products and handmade crafts.

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils and seafood.

9/18

Summer Sunset Polo

9/19

9/11 Wall Closing Ceremony

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 6pm Spectators are invited to tailgate and bring chairs and a picnic for a family experience watching equine athletes playing the sport of kings at this week’s Horseman’s League Final. Visit ocalapolo.com for details.

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St. 10am The First Responders’ Chaplain Corps will host a service at 10am and the traveling memorial wall closing ceremony will be held at 1pm. Visit ocalafl.org for more information.

9/20- Drive-Thru COVID Testing 23

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 7am-5pm or more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590.

9/17

Master Gardener Plant Clinic

9/17

MIA/POW Ceremony

9/17

Owls and Bats

9/18

Walk a Mile in My Shoes

9/18

Veterans Appreciation Day

9/18

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview 10am-1pm Got a plant question? Get expert advice from the Marion County Master Gardeners. Call (352) 438-2500 to register.

9/20

Diabetes Self-Management Class

9/21

Tuesday Talks

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview 10am-12pm The Florida Department of Health Marion County will help individuals learn about daily habits to control diabetes, monitoring blood sugar, meal planning, physical activity, medical care and more. The free class will be held Mondays through Oct. 25. Call (352) 438-2500 to register, or call (352) 644-2624 for more information about the class.

Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Highway 315, Fort McCoy 8:15-9:30am JGuest speaker Lindsay King of The Vines Hospital will present “Behavioral Health in the Workplace” in person and live on Facebook. Call (352) 629-8051 or visit fb.com/ocalacep for more information.

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St. 7-9pm An Ocala park ranger will call to owls and participants can watch thousands of bats leave the bat house and learn about both species. Visit ocalafl.org/recpark for more information.

Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE Third St. 7-9pm An Ocala park ranger will call to owls and participants can watch thousands of bats leave the bat house and learn about both species. Visit ocalafl.org/recpark for more information.

First Presbyterian Church, 511 SE Third St. 9am Participants will wear donated, sanitized shoes and walk a mile to Interfaith Center for Life to support Interfaith Emergency Services. Visit iesmarion.org/walk to learn more.

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Park, 2601 E Fort King St. 9am-7pm A full day of family-friendly activities includes prayer and blessing at 10am; flag etiquette with Betsy Ross and George Washington at 11am; Hospice of Marion County therapy dogs at noon; live music at 2pm and the film “Taking Chance” at 7pm. Bring a non-perishable food item for Vets Helping Vets. Visit fb.com/marioncountyflorida for more information.

Ocala Downtown Market

9/2122

Give4Marion

9/21

The Shores Market

310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

Virtual 10am-10am The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County hosts the 24-hour online fundraiser for more than 100 local nonprofit organizations. Visit give4marion.com.

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road 5-7pm This indoor farmers market includes farm fresh goods, artisan food products and arts and crafts vendors. fb.com/ theshoresmarket

9/18- PacWest Barrel Racing 19

9/22

Drive-Thru COVID Testing

9/18

Open House

9/22

1 Million Cups Ocala

9/18

Arnette House Regatta

9/22

Wednesday Midday Market

9/18

NamaSitStay Yoga

9/18

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Fundraiser

9/18

Fall in Love with Reading

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road 9am In this quick-paced rodeo event, horses and riders attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around barrels in the fastest time. Visit pacwestbarrelracing.com for more information.

Joy Lutheran Church, 7045 SW 83rd Place 9am-1pm The community is invited for activities including children’s games, bounce house and petting zoo; yard sale; bake sale and church tours. Visit joylcocala.org for more information.

Carney Island, 13275 SE 115th St. 9am-3pm Crews will build and paddle their own seaworthy crafts to support Arnette House emergency youth shelter. Visit arnettehouse.org for more information.

Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave. 10-11am Bring your furry friend and yoga mat and do gentle stretches with the K9 Fit Club. Visit fb.com/ocalarecpark for more information.

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N U.S. Highway 441 10am-4pm The fundraising event will include food, live music, a bike wash, raffles and a silent auction. Visit warhorseharley.com for more information.

One Health Center, 1714 SW 17th St. 11am-1pm A free drive-thru story book event. The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County will hand out free children’s books and families will be greeted by story book characters. Call (352) 369-2315, ext. 201 for more information.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road 8am-2pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590.

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm Shop a selection of produce, meat, natural and handmade products and food trucks. ocaladowntownmarket.com

9/23

Farmers Market

9/23

Fall Prevention Event

9/23

Novels at Night Book Club

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more information.

One Health Center, 1714 SW 17th St. 11am-2pm Elder Options offers lunch, speakers and vendors as part of its caregiver training and support. Call (352) 812-2059 to RSVP or visit https://agingresources.org for more information.

Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon 10:30am Join a discussion of Rebecca Serle’s “In Five Years.” Call (352) 438-2520 to register.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Arts Now Dirty Rotten Scoundrels -9/19

9/18

An Evening with Macey Mac

Now -9/22

Time Will Tell

9/19

Art 4 All

Now -9/25

Inspired By …

9/20

Watercolor Painting

Now -9/25

Ready Set Go

9/20

Painting Open in 2-D Traditional Media

9/20

Pastel

9/23

Coffee, Cake & Community

9/23

Classics and Cocktails

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd. 2 & 7:30pm The Broadway musical adaption of the classic film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin delivers all the hilarious hijinks and clever capers in a jazzy musical romp along the Riviera. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com for tickets and showtimes.

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm An exhibition featuring dozens of objects cast in glass, aluminum and iron as well as screen prints and paintings by North Florida artist Sheila Goloborotko. Visit cf.edu for more information.

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 11am-4pm Saturdays Marion Cultural Alliance presents its annual Best of the Best juried fine art exhibit and competition. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm This new, hands-on exhibit explores the many modes of transportation that move people and goods around the world with experimentation stations and activities including a toy engine auto garage and a kid-sized drag race strip with food-powered cars. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org for more information.

Now Countenance -9/26

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm A selection of works from the permanent collection examine the ancient tradition of portrait-making through a new lens. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now -10/2 Now -10/2 Now

-10/18

Now

-10/24

Works

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eighth Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm This art exhibit showcases the works of Aliye Cullu, a painter and graphic designer who specializes in plein air landscape oil paintings. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

ART-CALA

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Artworks from Art Army Ocala were created by participants at the First Friday Art Walks during 2020-2021. Visit ocalafl.org/ culturalarts for more information.

Now -11/7

A Breeze Through Fertile Gardens

Now -1/2/ 2022

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

9/18

Public Art Gathering

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm This collection of paintings and drawings by Andrew M. Grant are inspired by the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm This exhibit of printed works curated from the Appleton’s collection showcases Alison Saar, an internationally acclaimed artist who incorporates spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

E. D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. 10am The City of Ocala Cultural Arts and Sciences Division, along with Fine Arts for Ocala, the Racial Harmony and Cultural Awareness task force and the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission will gather public input for a new mural at the center. Call (352) 629-8447 for more information.

9/18

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

9/18

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. 10am-5pm Two people per email address may reserve free tickets to the museum’s exhibits. Visit smithsonianmag.com/museumday for more information.

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. 10am-4pm Two people per email address may reserve free tickets to the Ready Set Go exhibit. Visit smithsonianmag.com/museumday for more information.

9/18- Strike Up the Band 19

Marion Technical Institute, 1614 E Fort King St. 2pm Saturday, 3pm Sunday The Kingdom of the sun will perform two free familyfriendly concerts with musical selections ranging from jazz standards to military band and Broadway favorites. Visit kingdomofthesunband.org for more information.

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 10am-12pm Instructor Michelle Curry will lead beginner through advanced participants to expand their creativity and skills. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information. Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 1-3pm Students are invited to bring their own painting projects in acrylics, oils, watercolors or pastels. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information. Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 1-3pm Beginner through advanced students are invited to join a though course in pastels. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information. NOMA Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave. 1-4pm Need a new space for inspiration? Bring your current project and enjoy some together time with other creatives. Visit fb.com/nomagalleryocala for more information. Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 8pm This month’s classic film is “A Hard Day’s Night” and the cocktail is The Add9. Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

Government Marion County Development Review Committee

9/21

Marion Oaks General Services Advisory Board

9/21

Marion County Hospital District Committees

9/21

Marion County Commission Planning & Zoning Final Hearing

9/21

Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency Board

9/21

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission

9/21

Belleview City Commission

9/23

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

9/23

Marion County Tourist Development Council

9/23

Marion County Public Hearing

Highlights from the Equine Collection

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm This exhibit of works from the permanent collection highlights more than 60 pieces which relay Arthur I. Appleton’s love of horses. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Ave. 3-5pm Anyone of any faith is invited for free, all-ages art activities. Supplies are provided. Donations of ready-to-eat, nonperishable food for St. Paul AME Outreach are gladly accepted. Call (352) 843-3046 for more information.

9/20

The Game of Life

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm This new exhibit features works by Jacksonville-based illustrator and painter Elena Øhlander, who explores identity, gender issues, individuality and pop culture with a Japanese context. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 7pm The local teenage country music sensation and “America’s Got Talent” contestant will headline, backed by the Orange Blossom Opry Band. Visit obopry.com for tickets.

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 9am The DRC votes on waiver requests, drainage/site plans, subdivision master plans, preliminary plats, improvement plans and final plats. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Marion Oaks Community Center Annex, 280 Marion Oaks Lane 10:30am Call (352) 307-1037 for more information.. Hospital District Office, 2547 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 12pm Call (352) 622-3662 for more information about the audit, finance, investment, operations and strategic initiatives committee meetings.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 3pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information. City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau, 109 W Silver Springs Blvd. 10am Call (352) 438-2800 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 6:50pm A public hearing to discuss the Rainbow Lakes Estates and countywide budgets for fiscal year 2021-2022. Visit marionfl. org for more information.

SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 17

6pm John Johnson Shuckin’ Shack

6pm Fareeza

10:30am Becky Sinn

7pm Rick Melvern Band

1pm John Johnson

8pm Michelle Ingrham

6pm The Mudds

The Corkscrew

On Top of the World Town Square

8 pm Fareeza

8pm Easy Posse

8pm Gary Helfin

9pm Jeff Jarrett

6pm Radlin’ Rootz Big Hammock Brewery

6:30pm Stephen Lopez World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Corkscrew

1pm John Johnson The Crazy Cucumber

Marion Theatre

La Cuisine

7pm Dave Deluca

The Keep Downtown

Eaton’s Beach

7pm Bobby Randall and the Opry Band Orange Blossom Opry

7pm Macey Mac Orange Blossom Opry

Ocala Downtown Market

On Top of the World Town Square

Bonkerz Comedy Club

Infinite Ale Works

8pm Comedian Sloan

6:30pm JR Lewis World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Lodge

7pm Orange Blossom Showcase Orange Blossom Opry

Then....and Now

Founders Hall at Central Florida Junior College is showing in this 1965 photo. The college was established in 1957 and later merged with Hampton Junior College, the Black two-year college established in 1958 under segregation. In 1971 the name changed to Central Florida Community College. [State Archives of Florida]

Founders Hall is shown in this August photo. The building has undergone extensive renovations, including additions. Likewise, the campus has expanded from its original 60 acres to more than 140 today. About 320 students started at the school in 1958. Currently, about 7,000 students attend. In 2010, the college change its name to the College of Central Florida. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Answers for pages C4

Ocala Gazette publishes fond remembrances of your loved one Visit ocalagazette.com to submit an obituary