Dear Friend,

This Monday is Labor Day, a holiday that, for many, celebrates the end of summer. While we may enjoy the weekend with trips to the beach, barbeques or watching sports, we should remember that the day recognizes American workers and the contributions they make to our nation. In our present economy, our labor force is vital to our country’s well being as well as the future of Orlando.

The City Council and I have worked hard to increase the number of jobs in our City. We have leveraged public projects, such as the Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and SunRail, to create jobs and generate contracts for local workers and businesses. We have suspended local impact fees, and leveraged state or Federal incentives to attract new companies or help existing ones. One of these businesses, Connextions, will be adding 1,200 jobs to Orlando. We still have much work to do as our community works together to sustain our economic recovery, but our City is committed to helping connect our residents with high quality jobs.

This Labor Day weekend is also special as the Orlando City soccer team plays in the USL Pro championship game on Saturday night at the Citrus Bowl. I wish them the best of luck and encourage you to go out and support our newest sports team.

However you celebrate, be safe and happy Labor Day.

Sincerely, Buddy Dyer Mayor

Eola Eyes, a Mills 50 member, has been nominated for a national D.A.R.E Award for Dispensing and Retail Excellence! They were recognized by the judges as one of only five entries in the U.S. for using “daring approaches across different aspects of optical retailing” and have been nominated for a “We the People” reader’s vote award. This award is decided by reader votes, so let’s help Eola Eyes WIN!  Voting is open until Thursday,September 2 and the winner will be announced on September 16. Please visit visionmonday.com/dare to cast your vote for Eola Eyes and spread the word to your family, friends, and co-workers!

You will begin seeing dozens of multi colored banners along Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive.  These “branding” banners, designed by Say It Loud and fabricated by Triangle Reprographics, are a beautification project of the Mills 50 Design Committee.   The installation is the culmination of months of hard work by a lot of dedicated people.  Many thanks to the Mills 50 Design Committee, the City of Orlando, Orlando Utilities Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation for making this happen!

The Orange County Regional History Center will offer free museum admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from now through Labor Day, Monday, September 5.  The free admission program is available to active duty military (I.D. required) and five members of their immediate family. The Orange County Regional History Center, located at 65 East Central Boulevard in Downtown Orlando, is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 407.836.8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org.

May 16-20 is National Small Business Week.  This is an opportunity to recognize Orlando’s small business owners for the tremendous contribution they make to our local economy and our community.

Ninety-three percent of the businesses in Orlando have less than 50 employees.  These entrepreneurs drive our local economy by creating new jobs and opportunities for residents, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Orlando.

Please celebrate National Small Business Week by making a conscious decision to support the small businesses in Mills 50!

CELEBRATE the official GRAND OPENING of The Funky Monkey Vault, 942 N. Mills, on Friday, May 6.  The Funky Monkey Vault, a fabulous wine & retail store, will be featuring wine specials ALL DAY LONG; wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres from 5pm -7pm; live music; giveaways and more!  Don’t miss it! The Funky Monkey Vault – a proud member of Mills 50!

Your mom will know just how much you appreciate her when you shop Mills 50 for Mother’s Day!  Create a gift package from The British Shoppe, 809 N. Mills (www.thebritishshoppe.com) with a china tea pot ($39.99), Mother’s Day teas (1 ounce – $2.99; 4 ounce – $12.99) and Roses chocolates ($12.99)!  Add an orchid, bonsai or exotic plant from City Oasis, 1214 N. Mills.  Mention Mills 50 and get 15% off!  City Oasis will be open Mother’s Day from 10 am until 4pm.

Wouldn’t Mom love a candle or fabulous purse from Ritzy Rags, 926 N. Mills (www.ritzyrags.com)?  All soy candles and purses are 25% off through Mother’s Day.  Or how about giving her a brighter smile?  Now through the end of May, Oasis Dental, 610 N. Mills (www.oasisdentalfl.com) is offering a complimentary consult, x-rays and teeth whitening for just $99!

Shop the District to find the the perfect gifts for the perfect Mom!

Mills 50 is undertaking a Public Art Project that will depict the community’s diversity, creativity, commerce and neighborhoods.

Ten (10) City of Orlando transportation engineering metal utility boxes will be transformed into “Art Boxes”. Dimensions of the larger boxes: 56″ high x 28.125″ deep x 40.25″ wide; smaller boxes: 49” high x 17” deep x 30” wide. Artwork must include all five (5) surfaces (four sides & top) of the utility box. All artwork must be oil based paint to protect from the sun and heat exposure as a result of the Central FL environment.

Entries are open to all two dimensional artists living in Orange and Seminole Counties. Sketches and/or slides must be mailed to Mills 50, 1200 Weber Street, Orlando, FL 32803 or e-mailed to: director@mills50.org, no later than Friday, April 29. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if sketches and/or slides are to be returned.

Mills 50 will provide paint & materials, up to $100, plus a $100 gift certificate for each of the selected artists. Artist may exceed the paint & materials cost, but will not be reimbursed by Mills 50 for any costs exceeding $100.00.

Judging will occur the week of May 1; selected artists will be contacted by Wednesday, May 11.  Boxes will be painted May 20 & May 21.  All must be completed by Sunday, May 22.

For details, schematics of the utility boxes and their locations, please e-mail: director@mills50.org.