The Florida Lottery announced today that it’s adding an exciting new Draw game, CASH4LIFE® to its portfolio of games beginning on Friday, February 17. This popular multi-state game offers two lifetime prizes, with the chance to win $1,000 a Day for Life or $1,000 a Week for Life. Florida is the ninth state to join CASH4LIFE, and game sales are expected to raise millions of additional dollars for education in Florida, and increase commissions to the Lottery’s more than 13,000 retailers.
“We are pleased to join with other lotteries in adding CASH4LIFE to our portfolio of games,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie. “The Florida Lottery remains committed to its mission of raising as much money as possible for education, and providing fun new games like this for our players helps us achieve our mission.”
Each CASH4LIFE game costs $2 to play; players choose six numbers, five white ball numbers from 1 through 60 and a Cash Ball number from 1 through 4. There are nine exciting ways to win in the game. Offering two life changing top prizes including a $1,000 a Day for Life top prize and a $1,000 a Week for Life second prize, plus seven other prize levels with prizes ranging from $2 to $2,500, there’s something for every level of player to enjoy!
CASH4LIFE launched in New Jersey and New York in June 2014. CASH4LIFE drawings are held Monday and Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m., ET in New Jersey Lottery Headquarters studio. Live drawings may be viewed on www.livestream.com/CASH4LIFE, and on flalottery.com. CASH4LIFE winning numbers will also be available at www.flalottery.com, at Florida Lottery retailers statewide, and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY. Also, you may register here to receive CASH4LIFE winning numbers and other Lottery information by email or text message.
Romeo and Juliet gets a Jazz Age treatment
Theatre UCF’s production of Romeo and Juliet will open on Thursday, Feb. 16 and run through Sunday, Feb. 26. The Shakespeare classic will be set in the 1930’s, and tell the tale of star-crossed lovers whose families clash in their fight to achieve the American Dream.
The prohibition-era setting depicts racial tension in the shady business of speakeasies where people of all races sought to turn a profit and better their lives.
Director Belinda Boyd says of the setting, “I love the decades that introduced jazz into our culture – Jazz gave us a new perspective on life. Jazz clubs gave us place where for the first time different cultures and races mixed socially. Jazz created a new rhythm for our writers and produced prolific literature that changed how we saw ourselves. Jazz gave us permission to be casual and opened the door for conversation in our country.”
Boyd believes the play will speak to all audiences because “The hope that we find undying love is relevant to all of us, [as is] the clash between parental hopes and childhood dreams, the fact that love is stronger than hate, breaking away from tradition or what others deem is right, and following your heart in spite of the consequences.”
Isabella DeChard, a sophomore in the Theatre BFA Acting track, plays the title role of Juliet. She says, “I definitely hope the audience will take something from the show because what really got me into theatre in the first place was seeing shows and taking something from them or seeing a piece that inspired me or taught me a lesson.”
DeChard believes the topics of alcohol in the Prohibition era, women’s roles in the 1930s, and racial tensions will allow the audience to better relate to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.
The show will be performed on Theatre UCF’s Main Stage. On opening night, audience members are invited to join the cast and creative team for a post-show reception.
Tickets are available for $20 for the general public, and $10 for those with a valid UCF ID. They can be purchased online at http://theatre.cah.ucf.edu/tickets.php or at the box office.
Production-at-a-Glance:
Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Be Boyd
February 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 7:30 pm
February 19, 26 at 2:00 pm
A post-show reception will immediately follow the February 16 performance.
In the 1930s, speakeasies were the place where races could mingle but they also sparked clashes as each culture struggled to maintain their share of profits and their piece of the American pie from the underground sale of alcohol. Young lovers Romeo and Juliet are caught in these turf wars and hatred as the Montague and Capulet families vie for control of the clubs, the distribution of alcohol and ownership of the American Dream.
$20 standard, $10 UCF ID
Main Stage, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando
407-823-1500
http://www.theatre.ucf.edu
[email protected]
Gov. Rick Scott to Highlight Transportation Investments in the "Fighting for Florida’s Future" Budget
Tomorrow, February 10th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight transportation investments in his 2017-2018 “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 9:00 AM
WHERE: Southwest Florida International Airport
11000 Terminal Access Rd
Fort Myers, Florida 33913
Senator Nelson will vote "no" on Health and Human Services nominee
Sen. Bill Nelson announced today that he will be voting against the nomination of Rep. Tom Price to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
“Seniors can’t take a chance on Congressman Price as their HHS secretary by virtue of what he’s already said and what his record is in the Congress,” Nelson said on the Senate floor this afternoon. “His plan would give seniors a fixed dollar amount – that’s the voucher – to buy insurance. That, most every economist would tell you, would mean higher monthly premiums. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, turning Medicare into a voucher program would cause seniors to pay 11% more out of their pocket. Is that what you want to do to our senior citizens? I don’t think so …
“The congressman also supports – get this – raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 forcing seniors to wait for benefits they earned during their working years …
“Our country deserves an HHS secretary who will uphold those promises, not inflict deep cuts that alter the financial security Medicare provides Americans in their later years. And so for these reasons and others, sometime in this next 11 and a half hours when we vote, I’m going to vote no on this nominee. There’s too much at stake for our seniors to give this nominee the control over these programs.”
Here’s a link to watch the above excerpts of Nelson’s remarks: https://youtu.be/urgyVhug90w
Florida’s Housing Market Ends 2016 With Price Gains, Fewer Sales of Distressed Properties
Florida’s housing market wrapped up 2016 with more new listings, higher median prices and fewer sales of distressed properties compared to the year before, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
“This past year was marked by tight housing inventory throughout Florida, particularly in the range of $200,000 and under,” said 2017 Florida Realtors® President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. “Buyer interest was high and home sales likely would have been even stronger if there had been enough available for-sale supply to satisfy demand. Realtors across the state stand ready to help buyers and sellers understand their local housing market trends.
“Florida’s economy is in growth mode, more jobs are being created and mortgage interest rates, while rising, remain at historically low levels, which will continue to spark buyer demand in the coming months.”
Year-end 2016
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 268,731 in 2016, up 0.9 percent compared to the 2015 figure, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations.
New listings for existing single-family homes rose 2.2 percent in 2016 compared to 2015. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in 2016 was $219,900, up 12.2 percent from the previous year.
Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 107,953 units sold statewide in 2016, down 4.2 percent from 2015. The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales statewide in 2016 compared to the previous year: Short sales for condo-townhouse properties declined 38.7 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 35.3 percent.
New listings for townhouse-condos for the year increased 2 percent compared to a year ago. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in 2016 was $160,000, up 6.7 percent over the previous year.
At the end of 2016 and also for 4Q 2016, inventory for single-family homes stood at a 3.9-months’ supply, while inventory for townhouse-condo properties was at a 6-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.
“Throughout 2016, Florida’s housing markets consistently exhibited a solid rate of price growth coupled with relatively flat growth in sales compared to the previous year,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “This tempered growth in sales was largely due to a shortage of homes for sale at the affordable end of the price spectrum – much of which was due to a rapid depletion of Florida’s remaining stock of distressed properties.
“Sales of non-distressed single-family homes, on the other hand, were up nearly 14 percent in 2016, and non-distressed condo and townhouse sales were up more than 5 percent. This increase in ‘traditional’ sales activity is a clear sign of good things to come for Florida’s housing markets in 2017.”
The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.65 percent for 2016, down from the previous year’s average of 3.85 percent, according to Freddie Mac.
4Q 2016
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 62,192 in the fourth quarter of 2016, up 2.1 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
The statewide median sales price for existing single-family homes for the quarter was $223,950, up 11.9 percent from 4Q 2015.
Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 24,394 units sold statewide in 4Q 2016, down 5 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales statewide in the fourth quarter compared to the same time a year ago: Short sales for condo-townhouse properties declined 41.8 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 37.5 percent.
The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in 4Q 2016 was $164,182, up 8.6 percent over the previous year.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Media Center at http://media.floridarealtors.org/ and look under Latest Releases, or download the 4Q and Year End 2016 data report PDFs under Market Data at: http://media.floridarealtors.org/market-data
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 165,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.
ICYMI: First Coast News Jacksonville: “$1 billion in unclaimed property in Florida”
“$1 billion in unclaimed property in Florida”
First Coast News – Jacksonville, Fla.
February 8, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Sarasota Community Taking Steps Toward A Cure For ALS
Walk to Defeat ALS® at Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota
On Saturday, March 4, 2017, more than 500 people will gather at Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota to join the fight to find a cure for a deadly illness. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, progressively paralyzes its victims, attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord, taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. ALS has no known cause or cure, but the Sarasota community is rallying together to change that.
This year, is Sarasota Memorial Hospital joining the Walk to Defeat ALS® as both a sponsor and a walk team in honor of one of their colleagues. The SMH team is walking in honor of Debbie Kurtz, who was recently diagnosed with ALS. The team has already raised over $3,000 and is still going strong! “That kind of community support truly represents what the Walk to Defeat ALS® is all about,” said Kim Hanna, President and CEO of The ALS Association Florida Chapter. “These events give hope and help to people affected by ALS and show them they are not alone in their fight.”
Wheelchair-bound patients along with their families and friends will make a 2-mile trek in The Walk to Defeat ALS®, hoping their steps will make a difference for ALS patients living in Florida. Many who walk have a loved one who is still fighting the deadly disease. Others walk in memory of a loved one who has lost the battle. Many people, without any personal connection, still walk out of a simple concern for those who are suffering with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
With only two to five years to live, these patients have an urgent need, and the community is stepping in to fill it by walking for those who can’t. The Walk to Defeat ALS® is The ALS Association’s signature event in which all funds directly support cutting-edge research, programs and patient care. Last year, almost 8,000 people walked in events throughout the state of Florida, raising more than $1.3 million.
All interested walkers should call 888-257-1717 (ext. 132), or register online at www.WalkToDefeatALS.org.
The Quick Facts
What: Sarasota Walk to Defeat ALS
When: Saturday, March 4, 2017
9:00 am – Registration | 10:00 am – Walk Begins
Where: Phillippi Estate Park
5500 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
Why: To raise funds and awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. There is no known cause or cure for ALS. All proceeds raised will support patient care and comfort, as well as research for treatments and a cure.
Other: The 2017 Sarasota Walk To Defeat ALS® would not be possible without the ongoing generosity and support from our statewide sponsor this year, Vitas Healthcare.
For more information: Go to www.WalktoDefeatALS.org, or call 888-257-1717 ext. 132, or email Darcy Klempner at [email protected].
About The ALS Association Florida Chapter
The ALS Association Florida Chapter, www.ALSAFL.org, offers care to people living with ALS in Florida and funds research to find the cause and cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We are part of a nationwide network of local ALS Association chapters with the same vision – a world without ALS. Through care, advocacy, research, education and support, we work to empower those with ALS to live fuller lives. Every year, The ALS Association invests millions of dollars in research conducted by the best and brightest scientists in the world. As the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS, we give help and hope to those facing a devastating disease.
The ALS Association Florida Chapter is dedicated to finding a cure for ALS while empowering the lives of those living with the disease through care, advocacy, research, education and support. For more information about the ALS Association Florida Chapter, go to www.ALSAFL.org
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Rick Kearney donates $100,000 to support Florida Competitive Workforce Act
This marks the largest single donation to the cause
of modernizing the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992
Tallahassee’s Rick Kearney, one of Florida’s most respected entrepreneurs and philanthropists, today donated $100,000 to Florida Competes, the coalition of businesses committed to passing the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, which aims to include anti- discrimination protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This is the largest single donation to date supporting Florida Competes.
“This contribution reflects my longstanding commitment to LGBT equality and serves as an investment in improving Florida's reputation for equality and inclusion,” said Rick Kearney. “I’m proud to stand with Florida's business leaders to advocate for equality for all, by adding these overdue protections to Florida's civil rights statute.”
Senate Bill 666 and House Bill 623, were filed last week by Sen. Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth), Rep. Ben Diamond (D-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Rene Plasencia (R-Titusville). The bipartisan effort promotes economic growth and attracting the best-educated workforce in the nation to Florida by ensuring equal protections for LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations.
“We appreciate those who embrace corporate policies of inclusion and respect for all people regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. Thank you to Mr. Kearney who has made such a generous donation to move this cause forward in our state,” said Florida Competes spokesperson Christina Johnson. “I hope this largest-ever single donation prompts other business leaders to step forward in support.”
Florida Competes includes 10 Fortune 500 Companies: AT&T, CSX, Darden Restaurants, Marriott, NextEra Energy, Office Depot, Raymond James, Tech Data, Walt Disney World Resort and Wells Fargo; 30 large businesses including Akerman, AmericanAirlines Arena, Bank of the Ozarks, Bilzin Sumberg, Carlton Fields, Carnival Corporation, Chamber SOUTH, Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, DTCC, Florida Apartment Association, Florida Blue, Florida Realtors®, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, Haskell, HSN, Miami Heat, Mis en Place, Orlando City, On Top of the World Communities, Pointe Group Advisors, Pop Yachts, Rollins College, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, University of North Florida, University of South Florida Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity, and Winn Dixie; and more than 450 small businesses in the state.
Rick Kearney is Chairman and CEO of Mainline Information Systems, Inc. in Tallahassee. A leader in economic development in the community, he served as a member and chairperson for ITFlorida. His vision and work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Tallahassee Distinguished Leader of the Year Award; the Jim Moran Enterprises 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year award; the inaugural Ethics in Business award from the Tallahassee Rotary Club; the Entrepreneur of the Decade award from the Jim Moran Institute; and Philanthropist of the Year by the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
About Florida Competes
Florida Competes, formerly known as the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce coalition, is a 501c(4) whose mission is to support passing the Competitive Workforce Act, which would modernize state law to include anti-discrimination protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The coalition believes that the Competitive Workforce Act will make Florida more competitive in the national and global marketplace in much the same way companies have benefited from adopting anti-discrimination policies. For additional information, please go to www.FloridaCompetes.com or visit the coalition on Twitter or Facebook.
2017 bay scallop season in Dixie and Taylor counties set
The 2017 bay scallop season for Dixie County and parts of Taylor County will be open from June 16 through Sept. 10. This includes all state waters from the Suwannee River through the Fenholloway River. These changes are for 2017 only and are an opportunity to explore regionally-specific bay scallop seasons.
These changes were discussed at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting on Feb. 8, where staff was directed to work with local community leaders on selecting potential 2017 season dates and to adopt changes by executive order.
At the Feb. 8 meeting, staff also updated the Commission on the status of bay scallops in St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County, and set a July 25 through Sept. 10 recreational bay scallop season off Gulf County, including all waters in St. Joseph Bay and those west of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County, through the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
A prolonged red tide event in late 2015 negatively impacted the scallop population in St. Joseph Bay, which led to modified local scallop regulations for 2016 that included a shortened season and reduced bag limits. FWC researchers conducted a scallop restoration project last year within St. Joseph Bay to help speed the recovery of the scallop population. These efforts have been going well and the scallop population has shown signs of improvement. Staff will conduct similar restoration efforts in 2017.
All other portions of the bay scallop harvest zone will be open from July 1 through Sept. 24. This includes all state waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the Suwannee River Alligator Pass Daybeacon 4 in Levy County and from north and west of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
Bag and vessel limits throughout the entire bay scallop harvest zone will be 2 gallons whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.
At the December 2017 Commission meeting, staff will review public feedback on these changes and make a recommendation for future management. To submit your feedback on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
For more information on these changes, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings,” then click on the link below “Next Meeting.”
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.”
Alan Abramowitz Reappointed as Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office
Lori Duarte-Roberts, Chairperson of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation Board of Directors, announces Alan Abramowitz is reappointed by Governor Rick Scott as the Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office.
Over 10,000 Floridians volunteer for the Guardian ad Litem Program, an organization whose mission is to advocate in court for the best interests of abused, abandoned or neglected children. Today, Governor Scott announced the Program will continue to be led by one of its own volunteers, Alan Abramowitz, who has himself served as a guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteer for more than 10 years.
“I am honored to serve Governor Scott, my professional colleagues and especially our 10,000 active volunteers as Florida Guardian ad Litem Office’s Executive Director,” said Abramowitz. “I have the best job in the world because every day there is a chance to make the life of an abused or neglected child better.”
Since Abramowitz’s initial appointment six years ago, the GAL Program has grown from 5,000 to more than 10,000 volunteers now representing the best interests of over 25,500 of Florida’s most vulnerable children. Under his leadership the GAL Program has also championed legislation focused on the best interests of children being adopted, promoted normalcy in the lives of foster children, worked to enable teens in foster care to get driver licenses, and developed training to improve legal advocacy statewide, including specific initiatives on advocacy for children with disabilities.
“He gets it,” said GAL Foundation Chairperson Duarte-Roberts. “Alan has a keen awareness of how advocacy for children can make their lives better, and he brings an unbridled enthusiasm to the job and more energy than you can imagine.” Wansley Walters, Chairperson of Florida’s Children and Youth Cabinet, also gave her endorsement. “Alan represents the best of the best when it comes to working for children. He is the perfect combination of a great mind, strong will, and a gentle heart. The state of Florida is lucky to have Alan continue to head our Guardian ad Litem Program.”
“I am inspired by the dedicated citizens from every walk of life who spend their free time advocating on behalf of children” said Abramowitz. “I’m motivated every day by our talented and committed GAL staff who work to ensure children live in a safe, permanent home. Most of all I am inspired by the children we serve. In what is certainly the darkest hours of their lives, they show resilience, hope and strength.”
To learn how you can advocate as a GAL for an abused or neglected child visit: www.GuardianadLitem.org or call 1-866-341-1GAL [425]
