In today's Digest:
💛 Give4Marion donations close at 7 p.m. today
🏫 School board backs up to $160 million in borrowing
🏠 Bryant House launches a $300,000 repair campaign
🍣 Sushi and Late-Night Asian Fusion at The Forge
At 343 NE 1st Avenue inside The Forge, Ignite Asian Fusion pulls from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean cooking for its downtown dinner menu.
Sushi rolls and potstickers lead the lineup. Dark walls, purple lighting, marble-topped tables, and an open sushi counter give the dining room a late-night feel, with service running until 2 AM Friday and Saturday.
Read more here.
💛 Give4Marion enters its final hours
The Gist: The seventh Give4Marion campaign is raising money for Marion County nonprofits during a 33-hour push. The event has generated more than $8.5 million over its first six years. Donors can give as little as $10, while Matching Moments and Power Hours can add money for participating groups.
Why It Matters: The campaign supports participating nonprofits that serve local children, veterans, seniors, families, animals and people without housing.
What's Next: Online donations close today, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
Read more here.
🏫 School board backs $160 million borrowing plan
The Gist: Marion County School Board members agreed at a Sept. 3 work session to borrow up to $160 million for delayed construction projects and a rebuild of Booster Stadium. They also shelved a proposed $35 million administrative office.
Why It Matters: The plan would direct major capital spending toward a district serving more than 45,000 students. Booster Stadium is Vanguard High School's home field, and Vanguard is the county's only high school without an on-campus stadium.
Read more here.
🏠 Bryant House seeks $300,000 for urgent repairs
The Gist: The Historic Ocala Preservation Society launched Bring Back the Bryant after storms damaged its circa-1892 headquarters at 712 SE Fort King St. The $300,000 campaign would stabilize the second floor, repair the foundation, porch and windows, and seal the exterior.
Why It Matters: The National Register property holds a local-history archive, but structural concerns now prevent the nonprofit from hosting events inside the house.
What's Next: HOPS will lead outdoor Ghost Walking Tours from the Bryant House on Oct. 10, 17 and 24 while fundraising continues.
Read more here.
💀 Ocala Oddities Market September Edition | Ocala Downtown Market | Ocala | Friday, September 18, 6-10 p.m. | More
Browse 70-plus vendors selling taxidermy, crystals, spooky art, soaps, and goth fashion.
🍔 Friday Foodie Fest | Lake Lillian | Belleview | Friday, September 18, 5-9 p.m. | More
Food trucks, free kids' activities, and craft vendors take over Lake Lillian.
🐎 The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show | World Equestrian Center | Ocala | Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 | More
Watch Appaloosa classes in WEC's Indoor Arena 5 during the show's debut weekend.
🦸 Ocala Comic Con | WEC Expo 1 | Ocala | Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, September 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | More
Browse comics, video games, cosplay, and props across WEC's 135,000-square-foot Expo 1.
🏇 2026 WEC Ocala Fall Series: September I | World Equestrian Center | Ocala | Wednesday-Sunday, September 23-27, 8 a.m. | More
Watch regional hunter and Level 2 jumper classes in WEC's outdoor arenas.
🎨 Ocala Studio & Gallery Tour Art Exhibit | Shapot Art Gallery | Ocala | Saturday, September 19, 6-9 p.m. | More
See work from every tour stop, plus music, food, and free drinks.
🎸 The Artimus Pyle Band | Circle Square Cultural Center | Ocala | Saturday, September 19, 7 p.m. | More
Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle leads a Southern rock tribute.
📖 Jeff Davies of “Florida: A History in Pictures” | Green Clover Hall | Ocala | Sunday, September 20, 2 p.m. | More
Jeff Davies presents his Florida photo-history book before a reception and signing.
🎤 Kevin Nealon | Circle Square Cultural Center | Ocala | Sunday, September 20, 5 p.m. | More
See the comedian known for Saturday Night Live, Weeds, and Hiking with Kevin.
🐴 Discover the Healing Power of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses | Live Oak Hall | Ocala | Thursday, September 24, 3-4:15 p.m. | More
Learn how miniature therapy horses train for hospitals, schools, hospice, and trauma response.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
Thanks for reading our publication! We'll have more updates for you next week!
Business owners: Want to reach thousands of local readers? Reply to this email for info.