City takes steps to help residents dispose of FOG

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) poured down drains create a huge problem for sewer pipes. FOG can create massive clogs that cause sewer backups and overflows resulting in costly repairs.

Reusable, blue plastic can lids designed to fit a variety of food cans, such as vegetable, tuna fish, dog food and soup are available for residents. The lids allow residents to simply pour their fats, oils or grease into a can and seal it until it cools and hardens. Once a can fills up, throw it away and save the lid for the next can. Lids are available in Utility Billing department at City Hall, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., during business hours and can be made available to homeowner associations and neighborhood groups by calling (386) 671-8987.

In addition, the city has made proper disposal of FOG easy by installing 55-gallon receptacles at these locations:

Julia T. and Charles W. Cherry Sr. Cultural and Educational Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd.
Daytona Stadium, 3917 LPGA Blvd.
Florida Tennis Center, 1 Deuce Court
Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave.

The outdoor receptacles are available 24 hours a day with the exception of the one at Daytona Stadium, which is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cooking oil should be free of water, soap suds and food scraps and should be transported in a clean, non-breakable, leak-proof container with a tight lid. Collected cooking oil will be recycled and processed for use in many products such as livestock feed, soaps biofuels and fertilizer.

Join us for a Purple Heart Ceremony

Daytona Beach is proud to be a Purple Heart City and is committed to honoring the legacy of Purple Heart recipients by fostering an appreciation for our active-duty military members, veterans and their families. Join city officials and community veteran organizations at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 on the steps of City Hall, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., for a flag-raising ceremony to honor the sacrifices of those who were wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. military. The brief ceremony will precede the meeting of the City Commission, which begins at 6 p.m.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still presented to American service members. National Purple Heart Day is Monday, Aug. 7.

Free computer classes for residents

Need to brush up on your computer skills? We have free adult computer classes every Monday and Tuesday at these community centers:

Every Monday: Cherry Cultural & Educational Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd.
Every Tuesday: Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural & Educational Center, 1000 Vine St.

Class times are:

6 to 6:50 p.m. Level 1 (Beginner)
7 to 7:50 p.m. Level 2 (Intermediate)

For more information or to register, call (386) 671-8266.

Police Department hosts Back-to-School Supply Drive

Visit the downtown markets

Make sure to visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market this Saturday on Magnolia Avenue between Beach Street and Palmetto Avenue. The market will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. This will be the final Saturday of the market on Magnolia Avenue. Starting Sunday, July 30, make sure to visit the Riverfront Market open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverfront Esplanade. The Riverfront Market is the last Sunday of each month and features local vendors, music and a Wellness Walk at 9 a.m.

Save on back-to-school supplies during tax holiday

Now through Sunday, Aug. 6, families can save money on the purchase of school supplies during Florida’s Back-to-school Sales Tax Holiday.

During the sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of:

Clothing, footwear and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item
Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less
Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use

Police Department hosts National Night Out

Discounted tickets to Coke Zero Sugar 400

Special fundraiser benefits Parks & Rec’s Scholarship Fund

Join the City of Daytona Beach at Daytona International Speedway Saturday, Aug. 26, for a night of fun at the track, which will benefit the Parks & Recreation scholarship fund.

City of Daytona Beach Ticket Package

$45 per person (seating in sections 308-313)
$5 of every ticket is donated to the City of Daytona Beach Parks & Recreation Scholarship Fund
Participate in track walk prior to the race (time and more details to be provided closer to the race)
Coke Zero Sugar 400 starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online.

To purchase youth tickets, paid parking or UNOH Fan Zone or if you have any questions, email Jillian Hoy. ?Tickets should be purchased before Sunday, Aug. 16.