FEBRUARY EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

February is all about the arts, not only in Mount Dora, but throughout Lake County. It kicks off with the nationally ranked Mount Dora Arts Festival featuring hundreds of the nation's best artists exhibiting and selling their work on the streets of historic downtown. Read more

Eustis' annual GeorgeFest kicks off with the Running of the Georges 5k on February 3, followed by a month of fun events, including a fishing tournament, Dog Jog, parade, carnival, and concerts later in the month.  Get the full schedule of events here

Next comes the annual "Off the Beaten Path" Art Tour in Lake County. The self-guided driving tour takes visitors into the working studios of some of the area's best artists. Read more Art lovers can also take in Artist with a Purpose, an art exhibit from artists that joined together to help with mental health issues through expressive art and painting. Meet the artist at Lake County Museum of Art in downtown Tavares, 5-7pm.

Heads up! Dinosaurs have once again made their annual trek into Mount Dora. The impressive exhibit features dozens of life-like creatures that once roamed the earth. Read more

The last epic treasure hunting of the season happens this month. Renningers' sprawling Antique Extravaganza features eclectic vintage finds from vendors throughout the southeast. The three-day event run from February 16 to 18 and won't happen again until November.

There is still time to do something creative for an important local cause. Yada Yada Pottery is once again organizing the Empty Bowls fundraiser. The fun community event benefits Lake Cares Food Pantry to help bridge the local hunger gap. In the months leading up to the spring event, residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up to paint a ceramic bowl that will be used to serve soup to ticketholders at the fundraiser. The goal is to have 300 painted bowls for the May 4 event. Sign up to paint a bowl here. Businesses and individuals can also opt to sponsor a bag of clay to be used for making the bowls.

Summerview Park's playground opened last month in Mount Dora with a specially designed area for younger kids, as well as one for older children. Activities for adults are also in the mix with pickleball courts and a new fitness trail with outdoor exercise equipment. The park is located at 1600 Niles Road next to the Summerview neighborhood.

Scroll down for buzz on local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page and its Instagram for local updates.

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Eager carnivores have to wait a little longer for juicy steaks from Longhorn Steakhouse in Mount Dora. Darden Restaurants, its parent company, has pushed back its opening until a little later in February. Read more

Tavares has expanded its dining options with the addition of another new ethnic eatery. Michael's Asian Cuisine, a small, no-frills restaurant, features a menu of flavorful pho and a handful of other Vietnamese dishes, plus standard teriyaki offerings. It's located at at 1010 E. Alfred Street.

Watch for Whiskey Kitchen, a new locally owned restaurant to open this month. It will serve upscale American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 315 N. Highland Street. The eatery will also offer a full bar, plus indoor and shaded outdoor dining. Watch Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page for the opening date.

Scroll down for this month's featured events, hot local government topics, stellar local businesses, new development buzz, and local resources.

Local Dining Guide

Last month the City of Mount Dora broke ground on its new Public Works facility to be built at 401 Limit Avenue. The Public Works Department is currently located in a 19,000-square-foot warehouse at 1501 Robie Avenue.

On January 22, Mount Dora City Council voted in favor of the suspension and eventual removal of City Manager Patrick Comiskey after an independent investigator recommended his termination. The investigator's findings included violations of city policies, including multiples instances of neglect of duty, malfeasance and/or nonfeasance, as well as other violations. Read more. Mount Dora's charter provides Comiskey with the opportunity to present his defense at a hearing scheduled for February 12. Meanwhile, Vince Sandersfeld, the city’s Planning Director and a long-time employee, was named Acting City Manager. 

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. Scroll down for the 'Buzz' about new development.

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Here are some great local resources to follow:
Lake County Emergency Management
Mount Dora Events
Mount Dora Foodie
Explore Mount Dora
Mount Dora Word of Mouth