Midtown Music Concert Series this weekend

Enjoy an evening of music under the stars this Saturday night as Daphne Cooper performs as part of the city-sponsored Midtown Music Concert Series.

Daphne Cooper began her musical journey in Orlando while singing in the children’s choir at church. She became a member of the Jones High School Choir where she cultivated her musical interests. She later served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, and shared her gift as a member of the Army Entertainment USA Express Top 40 Band. She embarked upon a one-year international tour, entertaining members of the Armed Forces and their families, Department of Defense employees and distinguished guests from around the world.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. at Daisy Stocking Park, located at 550 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. in Daytona Beach. Food and drink vendors will be onsite. Attendees can bring their own chairs; however, coolers are not allowed. For more information, visit this webpage. Thank you to our sponsors: AdventHealth, VyStar Credit Union, Vitas Health Care and U-Store Daytona Beach.

Registration now open for Mayor's Fitness Challenge

After postponing January’s typical start for the annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, the popular program is scheduled to begin next month.

The first session is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the Midtown Community Center. The session will feature a weigh-in as well as further details regarding the 8-week program. Registration is only $20 per person. Classes will be on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

The heathy program features a schedule of fun activities for adults of all ages and fitness levels. Biweekly sessions include activities such as yoga, Zumba, line dancing, strength training, walking and a variety of other indoor and outdoor activities.

There will be a weigh-in at the beginning of the program and again at the end to track results. The man and woman who lose the most weight while completing the program will receive prizes. Additional prizes will be awarded.

Register for the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge online. For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Betty Goodman at (386) 671-8203.

Summer days = more mosquitos

Mosquito control services are available to Daytona Beach residents through the East Volusia Mosquito Control District, which services the area east of I-95 in Volusia County. With daytime temperatures in the 90s and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, there are plenty of opportunities for the pesky insects to flourish. Residents with stagnant water in their yards or in outdoor containers are adding to the mosquito population. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water found in bird baths, toys, clogged gutters, tires, pet bowls, potted plants and other containers.

To reduce breeding grounds for mosquitos:

Tip outdoor containers and toss items that collect water.
Clean out eaves and gutters as part of spring cleaning.
Drain water from boats and tarps.
Change water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least once a week.
Drain water from bromeliads and other plants that hold water.

Daytona Beach residents can request service online or by calling 386-239-6516.

Volunteers sought for Adopt-A-Drain program

With afternoon thunderstorms, residents may notice water ponding in roadways. Often times standing water is caused by clogged storm drains because rainwater can't flow freely to underground pipes. There are 6,395 storm drains throughout Daytona Beach. City staff maintains the vast majority of them, while about 25% are privately maintained by property owners or homeowners' associations.

These storm drains flow into the Intracoastal Waterway or Tomoka River and should be kept free of debris, grass, fertilizer and other harmful discharge. Although the city proactively targets known problem drains, volunteers are invited to “Adopt-A-Drain.” Neighbors and service, community and faith-based organizations can play a vital role in making sure storm drains are clear of waste, vegetation and other debris.
For more information about the program, call Tracy Shirah at (386) 671-8884.