Eye On Entertainment

Social Services

Another service being affected by the bad economic times... Social services.... It's experiencing budgets cuts that effects children and foster families. CEO of Partnership for Strong Families Shawn Salamida ( sala - meeda) they have lost a million dollars in state funding since July 1st of this year. Salamida says Partnership for Strong Families can only take so many hits before it effects the amount of services they can provide. Additional Budget cuts are a possibility for the future of the company. Salamida says the additional budget cuts are not certain but it is possible. If additional budget cuts do occur foster care board rates could be reduced along with the amount of foster parents in the community.

]]> Another service being affected by the bad economic times... Social services.... It's experiencing budgets cuts that effects children and foster families. CEO of Partnership for Strong Families Shawn Salamida ( sala - meeda) they have lost a million dollars in state funding since July 1st of this year.

Children Economic Meltdown

Nearly 200 million children will lose their homes as the economic crisis continues to burden the country. Director for the Partnership for America's Economic Success Sarah Watson says adults are not the only ones affected by the economy. Watson says some children will go to foster homes since their parents cannot afford living. The Partnership for America's Economic Success has statistics on living situtuations for families. Watson says tax payers will pay short and long term effects for children not living in safe and comfortable environments. Parents having to pay for other survival items impacts the quality of the homes they can afford. Watson says parents are under stress trying to afford decent living arrangements for their children. Parents working two jobs to pay for housing do not get to spend a lot of time with their children. Watson says children's living situations will affect their future success.

]]> Nearly 200 million children will lose their homes as the economic crisis continues to burden the country. Director for the Partnership for America's Economic Success Sarah Watson says adults are not the only ones affected by the economy.

Poinsettia

The Enviromental Horticulture Student's Club is providing people with the perfect holiday gift for families. University of Florida student Jordan Upcavage says the club is selling thirty five different poinsettias this season. Upcavage says they are expecting 450 to 500 people to come in and purchase the plants. Poinsettias are an inexpensive gift that gives homes a nice festive touch. Upcavage says this holiday plant comes in many colors to make the holiday season more cheerful. This traditional Christmas plant is grown in time to brighten up the faces of holiday celebrators. Upcavage says when growing the plant at home it needs a lot of water. If you missed the poinsettia sale this year, the horiculture student clubs will be running the same sale next year.

]]> The Enviromental Horticulture Student's Club is providing people with the perfect holiday gift for families. University of Florida student Jordan Upcavage says the club is selling thirty five different poinsettias this season.

Millhopper Greenway

Advocates are trying to persuade county commissioners to build a greenway that links NW 39th avenue to Millhopper road. Chair of Suwannee Saint Johns Group Rob Brinkman says the city needs to build a road for transportation that is environmentally beneficial to Gainesville. Brinkman says not only will this benefit the city environmentally but financially once gas prices go up. The greenway will provide people with new ideas for transportation. Brinkman says building the greenway won't be a big investment, because it will save money for people once cars become too expensive to drive. There are no plans as to when county commissioners will approve the construction of the greenway.

]]> Advocates are trying to persuade county commissioners to build a greenway that links NW 39th avenue to Millhopper road. Chair of Suwannee Saint Johns Group Rob Brinkman says the city needs to build a road for transportation that is environmentally beneficial to Gainesville.

Martinez Retirement

Earlier this morning United States Senator Mel Martinez announced in Orlando that he is retiring. Martinez will not be running for a second term in the 2010election. Alachua County Republican State Committee woman Meldrid Russell was suprised at this announcement. Russell says although she didn't agree with all of Martinez's decisions, he still did a good job representing Florida. Alachua County Democratic party representative Jon Reiskind was also not expecting to hear news about Martinez's retirement. Reiskind says this will change the game of the election four years from now. Martinez announced his retirement two years early so candidates have enough time to prepare for their campaigns.

]]> Earlier this morning United States Senator Mel Martinez announced in Orlando that he is retiring. Martinez will not be running for a second term in the 2010 election.

Holiday Traffic

As people traveled back to their destinations after the four day Thanksgiving break, many Florida travelers experienced heavy traffic. Florida Highway Patrol's Lieutenant Patrick Riordan says there are reasons more people travelled home. Riordan says from 12 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Alachua County experienced 21 crashes alone. The Florida highway Patrol is now preparing for more heavy traffic that will take place towards the end of December. Riordan says, the increased traffic was caused by people traveling back to their homes and the heavy rain that took place throughout Florida. Alachua county experienced one fatality crash from yesterday's holiday traffic.

]]> As people traveled back to their destinations after the four day Thanksgiving break, many Florida travelers experienced heavy traffic. Florida Highway Patrol's Lieutenant Patrick Riordan says there are reasons more people travelled home.

Thanksgiving Gas

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaches, students from out of town are enjoying the recent decrease in gas prices. Some Gainesville motorists feel extremely happy and relieved that they are able to travel home for the holiday break without breaking the bank to fill up the tank. They say lower gas prices will make the drive home that much sweeter. Despite the decrease, some people are still choosing to carpool with other people from their home town to save even more.

]]> As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaches, students from out of town are enjoying the recent decrease in gas prices. Some Gainesville motorists feel extremely happy and relieved that they are able to travel home for the holiday break without breaking the bank to fill up the tank.

Jury Members Asking Questions

Jury members in Florida are now allowed to ask questions during a trial. They must write the question out and submit it to the judge. If the judge feels its appropriate, he will ask the witness. Alachua County Circuit Judge Toby Monaco says jurors may have difficult asking the right questions because they aren't educated in law Monaco says there are some downfalls to jurors being allowed to ask questions. Monaco says usually the attorney presenting the case are careful to make sure all the necessary information is revealed during questioning.

]]> Jury members in Florida are now allowed to ask questions during a trial. They must write the question out and submit it to the judge.

HR Chesnut 2

Legislators who came out on top in this month's elections were sworn into the Florida House of Representatives today. House District Charles Chesnut says December is a big month for legislators. Chesnut says, once legislators know which committees they would like to serve on, the Speaker of the House will be notified. Legislators are waiting for the proposed budget cuts to make further decisions for all Floridians.

]]> Legislators who came out on top in this month's elections were sworn into the Florida House of Representatives today. House District Charles Chesnut says December is a big month for legislators.

HR Chesnut

Organizational meetings are being held this week for lawmakers who came out on top in Florida state elections earlier this month. Charles "Chuck" Chesnut...who represents House District 23 says the rules for legislators are about to change. Chesnut said today's meeting focused on getting the legislators sworn into the House of Representatives. The meeting did not talk about state budget cuts but on what legislators can do that is right for all Floridians.

]]> Organizational meetings are being held this week for lawmakers who came out on top in Florida state elections earlier this month. Charles "Chuck" Chesnut...who represents House District 23 says the rules for legislators are about to change.

Everglades

The University of Florida is teaming up with the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation to play a carbon neutral game against the University of South Carolina this Saturday. Co-Founder of Earth Givers Jacob Cravey says trees will help neutralize carbon. This upcoming week, we are workinCravey says carbon is produced from the games when people arrive to the home games in cars and airplanes. Cravey says that football season is a way to make people aware of the impact they have on the environment. Earth Givers think that this will help raise awareness for and restore the Everglades. Earth Givers will continue to put up tents during the home football games and during basketball season.

]]> The University of Florida is teaming up with the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation to play a carbon neutral game against the University of South Carolina this Saturday. Co-Founder of Earth Givers Jacob Cravey says tress will help neutralize carbon.

GAINESVILLE, A REAL BIG DEAL

Gainesville's Real Big Deal Festival is only a month away. It's a two-day outdoor music festival held at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Glory Days Booking is promoting the event. Owner, Pat Lavery says an event like this is very necessary for the city. It may seem like a festival geared towards the younger generations, but Lavery assures you, it's for everyone. And I did say it's an outdoor music festival, which leaves open the option for camping. Lavery says the festival will feature a variety of local, regional, and national bands. Headliners include Drive-by Truckers, Motion City Soundtrack, and Mates of State. The Real Big Deal Festival will be held September 13th and 14th at the Alachua County Fairgrounds.

You can purchase either a single-day ticket or a weekend pass. Single-day tickets are $29 at the door, $35 at the gate. Weekend passes are $53 in advance and $60 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketweb.com, as well as at various Gainesville Blockbuster Video locations. For more information on the festival, you can visit its website at www.therealbigdeal.com.

]]> Gainesville's Real Big Deal Festival is only a month away. It's a two-day outdoor music festival held at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Glory Days Booking is promoting the event.

FLORIDA ALOHA

The Gator football season begins soon and Florida Aloha wants to start the season off right. Harn Museum spokeswoman, Tami Wroath says the event is a way for people to experience Hawaii with a cultural twist.

For more information about the event and to buy your tickets in advance go to www.plazaparty.uff.ufl.edu. The event will be held August 29th beginning at 5:30 at the Harn Museum of Art located right on the UF campus.

]]> The Gator football season begins soon and Florida Aloha wants to start the season off right. Harn Museum spokeswoman, Tami Wroath says the event is a way for people to experience Hawaii with a cultural twist.

Cultivating Spirits at the Harn

Beginning July 8th, the Harn Museum of Art will open a new exhibition called Cultivating Spirits. It focuses on the ritual display of yams that occurs around the times of planting and harvesting. Curator of African Art at the Harn Museum Susan Cooksy, says the exhibit is for people of all ages. The exhibition will be on display until September 21st. Cooksy believes people should attend the exhibit because it is so unique. Admission to the Harn Museum of Art is free. Guests are welcome to join the museum for a Gallery talk on Sunday, July 13th at 3pm. It will be by Rick and Aase Thompson, world travelers and avid collectors, whose artwork is on view in the exhibition.

]]> Beginning July 8th, the Harn Museum of Art will open a new exhibition called Cultivating Spirits. It focuses on the ritual display of yams that occurs around the times of planting and harvesting.

The Edge of Heaven

Tonight at the Hipp, it's the opening of the award-winning film, "The Edge of Heaven." Cinema and events coordinator for the Hipp, Lynne Loewenthal says she is excited to have such a great movie playing. "The Edge of Heaven" plays out in Turkey and Germany. The actors travel between these countries and so travel through their own lives. Loewenthal says the film is in German and Turkish, but is subtitled in english. The film opens tonight and runs through next Thursday, July 3rd.

]]> Tonight at the Hipp, it's the opening of the award-winning film, "The Edge of Heaven." Cinema and events coordinator for the Hipp, Lynne Loewenthal says she is excited to have such a great movie playing.