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In today's Digest:
📦 What If Having Less Actually Gave You More Freedom?
💰 Ocala adopts a $1.27 billion budget with the city tax rate unchanged
🌳 Voters will decide on up to $140 million for Marion parks and conservation
🎬 Ocala Film Derby awards a record $22,500 in student scholarships
🏈 Lake Weir reaches 5-0 with a 35-0 win over Lecanto
🥩 Steaks and Ocala-Only Plates on Magnolia Avenue
At 30 S. Magnolia Ave. beside Ocala's downtown square, Mark's Prime Steakhouse and Seafood serves wood-grilled steaks and seafood. Take a table inside or on the patio.
The Ocala menu's fried green tomato burrata comes with pepper jam aioli and balsamic glaze. Its collard greens get ham hock, bacon and pepper vinegar. Complimentary valet parking helps on a downtown night.
Read more here.
📦 What If Having Less Actually Gave You More Freedom?
As parents get older, their homes can hold decades of belongings, memories, and decisions about what happens next. But figuring out what to keep, what to let go of, and where to even begin can be overwhelming especially when family members have different ideas about what should happen.
For The Jones of All Trades, this is personal. Nearly 10 years ago, after an auto accident, Jenna and Alex took a thoughtful look at their own lives. They considered their monthly expenses, how quickly life can change, and how much space they actually needed. They realized they felt the weight of having too much “stuff” and wanted the freedom to go wherever opportunity called.
They completely renovated their first RV for full-time living. When an opportunity came up across the country, they were able to say yes and be on the road in under seven days. That experience taught them how much freedom can come from intentionally deciding what you truly need and how important it is not to make those decisions impulsively.
Now, they bring that perspective to families who are facing similar conversations. One of the fastest ways to create unnecessary family drama is for a son, daughter, or other relative to tell a loved one what they should or shouldn't keep. Sometimes an impartial person can ask the right questions without the emotional weight that comes with being family.
The Jones of All Trades works with families to take those decisions one step at a time, helping create a thoughtful process instead of turning an entire house into an overwhelming project. You don't have to decide everything at once, and you don't have to start with a move already planned.
If you're wondering how your family should even begin, let Alex and Jenna help you start the conversation and figure out what makes sense for your situation.
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🌳 $140 million parks bond goes to Marion voters
The Gist: Marion County commissioners unanimously put a parks and conservation bond measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. It would authorize up to $140 million in bonds, repaid through a countywide property tax capped at 0.35 mill.
Why It Matters: The county's initial plan sets aside 10% to 20% for land protection and lists a new regional park in southwest Marion, where officials say population growth has outpaced park space.
What's Next: Marion County voters decide the bond measure Nov. 3.
Read more here.
💰 Ocala approves $1.27 billion city budget
The Gist: Ocala City Council adopted a $1,269,705,929 budget for fiscal 2026-27 and kept the city property-tax rate at 6.6177 mills. The General Fund totals $207,375,596.
Why It Matters: The rate is 3.84% above the rolled-back rate. City officials say the added revenue will help pay for more employees and rising salary, benefit and operating costs.
Read more here.
🎬 Ocala Film Derby awards record $22,500
The Gist: Seven local students received a record $22,500 in scholarships at the fourth Ocala Film Derby. The five-day event ended with a Sept. 27 awards ceremony at the Marion Theatre; Chance Johnson received the largest scholarship, $6,000.
Why It Matters: Local students spent five days making films with mentors, then chose the scholarship winners themselves.
Read more here.
🏈 Lake Weir moves to 5-0 after Lecanto shutout
The Gist: Lake Weir beat Lecanto 35-0 on Sept. 25. Junior quarterback Armani McFarland threw three touchdown passes, and the Hurricanes' defense forced four turnovers.
Why It Matters: Lake Weir is unbeaten halfway through the regular season for the first time in recent memory. The win put the Hurricanes at 2-0 in district play.
What's Next: Lake Weir plays at Interlachen on Oct. 3.
Read more here.
🎨 First Friday Art Walk | Historic Downtown Ocala | Ocala | Friday, October 2, 6-9 p.m. | More
Browse over 40 artist displays, hear live music and make art together.
🖼️ Free First Saturday | Appleton Museum of Art | Ocala | Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | More
Free admission, Artspace activities and two screenings of The Yearling.
🎠 Marion County Parks & Recreation 8th Annual Carnival | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | Ocala | Saturday, October 3, 5-8 p.m. | More
Trick-or-treat trail, petting zoo and hayrides; kids' armbands cost $5.
🐎 Ocala Polo: Margarita Classic | Florida Horse Park | Ocala | Saturday, October 3, 5 p.m. | More
Pack a picnic for polo; leashed dogs are welcome beside the field.
🐕 Woof O Ween | Downtown Market | Ocala | Sunday, October 4, noon-4 p.m. | More
Bring your costumed dog for pet resources, local vendors, and food trucks.
🎸 Reilly Noir: JK & the Contraband | Midgett Black Box at Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Friday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. | More
Hear Nirvana and Soundgarden through jazz improvisation with Bobby Koelble.
🎵 Backtrack Blues Band in Concert | Ocala Civic Theatre | Ocala | Saturday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. | More
Hear original electric blues with Kid Royal's guitar and Sonny Charles' harmonica.
🎹 Dueling Pianos Uncensored | Midgett Black Box at Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Saturday, October 3, 9 p.m. | More
Make song requests and dance at the adults-only late show.
🎭 Late Nite Catechism: 'Til Death Do Us Part | Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Sunday, October 4, 3 p.m. | More
Sister turns marriage and the Last Rites into an audience-participation comedy show.
🎤 TOAST: The Best of Bread | Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 p.m. | More
Hear Bread's soft-rock hits, including Make It With You and Everything I Own.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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