AUGUST EDITION: News & Events for Mount Dora Tavares & Eustis

She's been on the local music scene since 2014 and has continued to develop her immense talents as a singer-songwriter. Mount Dora Buzz sat down with musician Kelly Jarrard for a relaxed convo about her work, life and a fun round of "Would you Rather..." Read more

In late August, Mount Dora Center for the Arts is planning to reopen its gallery next door to its old space. Watch Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook for an opening date. 

It's that time! The annual Best of Mount Dora  award will be announced in the September edition of Mount Dora Buzz and covers the best of everything from restaurants, shopping and more. 

August is typically the busiest month of hurricane season and by now, you likely know the standard preparations. So here's our list of lesser-known hurricane hacks that you don't want to go without. Read more

Of all of Mount Dora's historic buildings, only one was dubbed "The Castle." Although the mansion no longer sits atop the hill over Old 441, many locals still remember it and the rumors of its haunting. Read more

Mount Dora's election season has officially kicked off. Incumbent Mayor Cathy Hoechst has been challenged by Crissy Stile, a downtown business owner and former Mount Dora council member. Residents interested in running for City Council have until August 13 at noon to file the paperwork for this November's non-partisan election.  For more

For this month's Day Trippin' feature to escape the heat, we headed west for an adventurous aquatic escape that's well worth the short drive. Read more

Negotiations between the City of Mount Dora and G3 Development over their proposed large-scale “district” downtown for parking, office, retail and apartments officially came to an end on July 26 when the company's principal announced he was withdrawing the controversial bid. This could pave the way for the City to issue a new Request for Proposals in the future that has a more detailed scope for a parking garage and attract more than one bid. You can read more details about the withdrawn bid here.

Scroll down for new local eateries and stores, plus government buzz, last year's Best of Mount Dora winners, and more.

A new coffee spot opened last week, adding to Mount Dora's ever-growing number of coffee options. Foxtail Coffee, a popular Florida-based chain, opened on U.S. 441 in Loch Leven Landing. The company will open another location in downtown Mount Dora. Read more

It was announced late last month that an iconic local restaurant will be closing its doors. Palm Gardens Restaurant, the popular outdoor eatery on the entrance to the Dead River in Tavares, has been serving up casual seafood and other fare for over thirty years. The waterfront restaurant lost its lease, according to its owners.

A new spot for treasure hunting and bargains is coming to Mount Dora in September. First United Methodist Church is opening a spacious and well-curated thrift store at their 5th Avenue campus.

A small locally-owned eatery, Chris' Place, re-opened in downtown Eustis in July.

Chocoholics rejoice! A new chocolatier, KKO Chocolate, is opening in the Renaissance Building in downtown Mount Dora. Before expanding into a brick-and-mortar location, its premium chocolates were made to order.  

Anyone on a quest for more plant-based food items downtown will be happy a new vegan bakery will be opening in the coming weeks in Mount Dora Marketplace.

Scroll down for local government buzz, the Best of Mount Dora winners, and more.

The Federal SAFER grant that funded 12 firefighter positions in Mount Dora is expiring at the end of the year. Now the City is in discussions about whether to layoff the firefighters, which would reduce the number from 36 to 24. This will be the topic of the next budget workshop on Tuesday August 3rd at 9:00 a.m. at the W. T. Bland Library meeting room. The public is invited to attend.

Don't panic when you receive your TRIM notice this month. The City Council set a tentative, maximum tax millage rate of 6.2, but in the coming weeks more data should be available to help them reduce it. Watch for the City's budget hearings in September for the final proposed tax rate. City of Mount Dora staff and the City Council believe they can balance its upcoming budget with a millage rate of 6.0 mills, which is slightly higher than last year.

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall.

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