MAY 2021
Greetings from City Hall!
Springtime is here in full force, and boy are we ready for it! During the past month, multiple outdoor events have been re-energized and were executed to perfection! While we still need to respect all related CDC guidelines for the hopeful and ultimate elimination of Covid, the City is moving ahead with projects, events and just about all services that we have ever traditionally provided. We are trying to be smart about it, but charging ahead with the summer in focus!
Leisure Services continues to lead the way with great children’s events for our community. During the course of the past month, we’ve had a couple of movie nights, at least one Sunset Sounds concert with another one tonight (the Friday rain jinx is finally over!!!!!), a Sidewalk Chalk Day, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and a Kids Fishing tournament, to name just a few things! And right dab smack in the middle of the month, OPAL with support of Oldsmar Friends of the Arts (OFA) put on another brilliant kids performance of “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”, on the Elizabeth Smith (Brian’s mom) Stage at RE Olds Park.
Please take my word on this…..if you weren’t one of the close to 600 people that saw the last performance, you need to seriously consider coming to the next one. There has never been a better representation of what a community’s kids are capable of than what you will see in one of these performances. Thanks eternally to the passion and endless energy of OFA founder Suda Yantiss-Colon and husband Hector, we have a youth Theatre Group, who just keep getting better and better, with greater confidence, and it shows! That’s not all…..just take in the setting when you go, and look around you….think of the dedication and work that goes into producing these sets, and handling all of the stage crew duties with scenes, lights, sound and direction. Those people, who are as intimately involved in the production as the kids……are the PARENTS!!!!!! Add to that the wonderful venue, overlooking Tampa Bay, the fact that the admission is free, golf cart parking is available, food can be purchased onsite, and I’d say you have the perfect display of what a community that cares about its kids is all about. As an oversized kid, I’m very proud of that.
The continuous energy displayed by Chip Potts and his Leisure Services Staff is contagious, both inside the organization and outside in the community. They play a role in every event that occurs here, and the events just keep getting better. While the pandemic has forever changed our lives, it hopefully has also changed our ability to appreciate what we have right in our front and back yards.
The Chamber successfully gave us a great Oldsmar Days weekend, with a fun parade and awesome car show, the OFA is already in planning stages for the next performance in the fall, we have an upcoming Veteran’s sponsored 5k run, and more movies and concerts for the kids! There is also a Job Fair coming soon, also hosted by the Chamber, to be held at the Hockey Rink, so look for more info about that. Also, don’t forget to check out the useful reference information below.
I don’t want to EVER forget how important our employees are, in every facet of your daily lives, not just those that you see at recreation events, or possibly at all. The reason this organization works so well (yes, I am biased) is that we have PROFESSIONALS here, and they all understand that they play a vital role in everything we do. We can’t do enough to show those people that we appreciate what they do for our community. I implore you to start up a conversation with someone in the field sometime, and I’ll bet you that you’ll come away convinced that they are dedicated to their jobs in a way that most of us couldn’t be…..that is my definition of being a PRO. Also, I think you’d be surprised at how far a kind word would go, for one of the guys/gals in a hole, or patching a sidewalk, or picking weeds on a median or mowing a lawn. Let them know that you appreciate what they do to make this the special place that it is……that is COMMUNITY.
All of this while still following the guidelines for social distancing. We are committed to reminding employees every day about paying attention to those guidelines in all that we do.
Chip always says that it starts in Parks, and I guess we should believe him. Not only does it start there, but apparently it stays for quite awhile! As far as I’m concerned, I hope it never leaves!
Al b
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Whether you need it to cool off after a workout or to produce your morning coffee, tap water is there when you need it.
Oldsmar's Water Division works hard around the clock to ensure high-quality drinking water is there when you need it on demand.
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As part of the adoption of the new FEMA Flood Maps, the City is updating its Flood Ordinance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Maps will be changing this summer. As such, your insurance may be affected.
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Oldsmar City Council meetings/workshops and Advisory Boards are now available for online viewing while LIVE STREAMED via the City's official YouTube Channel.
Please take a moment and subscribe to receive notifications of future live streaming events.
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As part of City Council's Connected City efforts, podcasts have been created to educate our residents, businesses, and visitors on programs, events, and government topics.
Be sure to to follow 'Experience Oldsmar' on your podcast platforms!
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New Facebook LIVE events have recently launched! 'Coffee with the Mayor' is an initiative developed by Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel to keep residents, businesses, and community partners informed with highlights following Oldsmar City Council meetings. Be sure to Follow the City on its Facebook Page for updates on upcoming segments.
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Receive alerts about emergencies and other essential City news by signing up for ALERT Pinellas - a FREE service to residents and businesses.
You choose how to receive alerts and can enter up to five different Pinellas County locations for notifications. An excellent resource for the upcoming Hurricane Season.
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The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Job Fair on Saturday, May 15, 1-4pm at the Outdoor Hockey Rink inside the Oldsmar Sports Complex. Featured job opportunities include Construction, Manufacturing, Restaurants, Hotels, Medical, Retail, and Government industries. FREE for job seekers to attend - dress for success and be ready to impress!
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The City of Oldsmar will be providing four tree species for FREE to residents with proper ID during its annual Tree Giveaway. The event will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 9-11am at the Municipal Services Complex. These are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
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The Family & Friends CPR Course features 2-1/2 hours of training the proper way to perform CPR and choking procedures on adults and children. No book or certification card is offered for this course, which is offered for FREE each May during National EMS Week. This course will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 9am-12pm at the Fire Station.
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The City of Oldsmar offices, facilities, and the library will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
Solid waste and recycling routes are NOT impacted by this holiday. Normal business will resume on Tuesday, June 1.
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VIRTUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY |
Join Oldsmar City Officials virtually as they honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom during a virtual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 31 at 10am. This event will be held as a LIVE stream from the City's Facebook and YouTube Channels to assure social distancing measures are met.
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Oldsmar Cares will host the Honor Our Heroes 5K Memorial Run to recognize Veterans and First Responders on Saturday, May 29 at 7:30 am. Starting at City Hall, walkers and runners will be guided along the waters of upper Tampa Bay and through city parks. This event will raise funds to expand Oldsmar Cares' services for those who have proudly served as first responders and in the armed services.
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The Florida State Vaccine Site is located at the Suncoast YMCA, 950 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater. This DRIVE-THRU ONLY location is open 8am - 7pm daily.
Appointments not required, but expedite the process by pre-registering.
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Pinellas County Department of Health recommends qualified individuals pre-register on the CDR Health Patient Portal, or by phone at (844) 770-8548, and choose your first and second dose appointments.
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Identification of Florida residency and proof of eligibility are required at all locations. On your appointment day, be sure to bring these items with you, show up on time and plan to stay for at least 15 minutes after your vaccination to leave.
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Eligible groups may also check for vaccine availability at local pharmacies, including Publix, Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, Sam’s Club and CVS.
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Your best protection from COVID-19 will be a combination of getting a vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feel away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often. Learn about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination so you'll be ready.
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Various sites across Pinellas County are offering FREE Testing for COVID-19.
Any health-related questions can be directed to the Florida Department of Health Call Center, open 24/7 at (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@FLHealth.gov.
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Florida Department of Health has published a "Vaccine Locator" map showing sites offering vaccines (includes pharmacies, does not include pop-up sites).
Click and zoom in to see all the locations available throughout Pinellas via the below link.
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Residents are highly encouraged to visit the Pinellas County Vaccine website for the latest vaccine information and continuous updates.
The site includes key things to know about getting the vaccine, eligible groups, distribution, and more.
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Pinellas County's Emergency Ordinance requires citizens to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces - including restaurants and bars.
As Oldsmar is within the jurisdictional boundaries of Pinellas County, residents & businesses are required to comply with this Ordinance.
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100 State Street West, Oldsmar 34677
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