Five Daytona State College students have been named 2017 Siemens Technical Scholars by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (CEP) and the Siemens Foundation.
The five awardees, each hailing from Florida, are: Susan Carchi of Sanford and Marisha Baker of Daytona Beach, both Associate Degree Nursing students; Bachelor’s Degree Nursing student Brittany Canidate of Daytona Beach; and AS in Respiratory Care alumni Ashley Kitchen of DeBary and Alexa Ciepierski of Melbourne. Each was awarded scholarships ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 to continue their education, pay existing student loan debt or support their program.
“The Daytona State community is so proud of these exceptional scholars and the honor they have brought to themselves and the institution,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “The quality of our nursing and respiratory care programs is largely dependent on the robust partnerships we have built with our regional hospitals, clinics and public agencies. We consider the Aspen Institute a remarkable partner as well, because its work helps make college affordable for selected DSC students.”
The students and alumni were among 51 exceptional scholars representing 18 schools offering some of the nation’s strongest two-year college programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Such programs provide outstanding preparation for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare and information technology, to name just a few.
Overall, jobs in STEM fields are projected to grow at almost double the rate of non-STEM occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Regionally, Daytona State has a vital role in helping to meet this demand. More than half of all STEM jobs across the United States require no more than an associate degree. Locally, AS degree graduates earn on average as much as $45,000 annually.
Daytona State offers nearly 40 two-year associate degrees in a variety of career fields, many with placement rates above 90 percent, according to the most recent Florida Department of Education data.
Many DSC AS degree programs also will transfer to four-year universities. Or, students can continue their studies in one of DSC’s 11 bachelor’s degree programs in nursing, education, business, engineering and information technology.
Featured
Journalism expert to discuss ‘fake news’ as part of Flagler’s Forum series
Howard Schneider, founding dean of the School of Journalism at Stony Brook University, will be giving a talk titled “Fake news: The difference it makes and how to stop it,” on Thursday, March 23, as part of Flagler College’s Forum on Government and Public Policy series.
The seasoned journalist will explore the implications of the latest phenomenon and will offer seven useful tips for spotting fake news in the media. Schneider will also report his findings of teaching the topic to 10,000 students at Stony Brook.
Schneider previously served as a reporter and editor at Newsday for more than 35 years and has won eight Pulitzer Prizes. He spearheaded the team that developed the proposal for the State University of New York system’s first and only journalism school in 2006. He is also executive director of Stony Brook’s Center for News Literacy, which teaches students and journalists how to become more discerning news consumers. Prior to his start at Stony Brook in 1980 as an adjunct professor, he taught journalism at Queens College in 1979.
Schneider was the recipient in 2012 of the DeWitt Reddick Award for Public Communications and Journalism Education, granted by the University of Texas. In 2003, he was awarded the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism Alumnus Award. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University in Journalism and Psychology.
For more than 30 years, the Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy has invited nationally recognized journalists and commentators to St. Augustine to discuss issues of importance in regional, state and federal government. All Forums take place in Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., at 7 p.m. Forums are free and open to the public, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a person with a disability and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Lynn Francisco at 904-819-6460. Sign Language Interpreters are available upon request with a minimum of three days’ notice.
Call (904) 826-8572 or visit here for more information.
Central Florida Honors President Hitt on 25 Years of Service to UCF, Community
The UCF family and Central Florida community celebrated John C. Hitt’s 25th anniversary as the university’s president Wednesday with many presentations and a special award for the president and his wife, Martha.
During a packed celebration at the Student Union, speakers such as Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and longtime UCF staff member Maggie LeClair lauded the Hitts for their impact on UCF and the entire Central Florida region.
The celebration concluded with the Hitts receiving UCF’s Honorary Alumni awards. Honorary Alumni status recognizes outstanding service and philanthropy to UCF; lifelong devotion and loyalty to the university; and upholding the UCF creed of integrity, scholarship, community, creativity and excellence.
During the afternoon celebration and in a special message sent out on Wednesday morning, President Hitt thanked UCF’s faculty and staff members. He credited them for working “tirelessly to ensure our students realize their dreams.”
“While I have learned many things during my tenure as president, one stands above all others: No one succeeds on their own,” Hitt said. “You – UCF’s talented and dedicated faculty and staff members – are the reason our university has become a destination of choice for the best and brightest students, colleagues and partners. Together, we have created a culture in which we do more than wish for success. We plan for it, then make it happen.”
Hitt, who was the first in his family to attend college, has greatly increased students’ access to a high-quality, affordable education. UCF’s enrollment has tripled during his tenure. He has conferred nearly 250,000 degrees, accounting for more than 80 percent of all degrees awarded since UCF began classes in 1968.
“It is my distinct privilege to honor an extraordinary president of this great institution, and one of the most important leaders in my opinion in all of Central Florida in the past 25 years,” said Marcos Marchena, chairman of the UCF Board of Trustees.
“Some would say we have been lucky. I choose to believe we have been blessed to have Dr. Hitt and his not-so-secret weapon, Martha, leading our university for the past 25 years. John’s vision, integrity and willingness to work with other institutions, both public and private, have made UCF a key participant in our community’s development.”
Through the years, Hitt has been recognized as the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Floridian of the Year, among America’s 10 Most Innovative College Presidents (2015), and is consistently listed among the Orlando Sentinel’s 25 Most Powerful People in Central Florida.
Nationally, Hitt is one of the all-time leaders among public university presidents who has conferred degrees at a single school. In addition, he is currently the longest-serving president in the Florida State University System. He ranks third among the longest-serving presidents in Florida SUS history.
Jacobs, Dyer, the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association all issued proclamations honoring the Hitts.
Dan Ward, chair elect of the UCF Alumni board and a member of Hitt’s first class of graduates in 1992, commended the couple before presenting them with the Honorary Alumni award. Ward also said in the future the award will be given in the Hitts’ honor.
“Today, on the 25th anniversary of the black and gold’s most dynamic duo, a grateful community knows we are better because of you,” Ward said. “We also know that you are better because of each other. And, because you have made us part of your family, it is with great joy and pride that we take the step today of officially making you part of ours.”
President Hitt expressed his gratitude and quickly urged the audience to look toward the future.
“Martha and I are humbled by the kindness you have shown us regarding this anniversary,” he said. “I’m standing here marveling at how these past 25 years have passed so quickly…and joyfully. Thank you to all of the colleagues, partners, and — most importantly — students who have made the past 25 years so special. Like with all anniversaries, today’s is infused with nostalgia. It’s a potent and powerful feeling. But more powerful is the belief I have in the future. Our future. And my belief is that for our beloved UCF, the best is yet to come.”
For more information visit: https://today.ucf.edu/central-florida-honors-president-hitt-25-years-service-ucf-community/ and http://www.ucf.edu/president/hitt25/ .
Fort Lauderdale man claims top prize playing the $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Edward Mahoney, of Fort Lauderdale, claimed a top prize in the $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $3,725,000.
Mahoney purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 3400 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $20 game, $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, features six top prizes of $5 million, 30 prizes of $1 million, and more than $752 million in total cash prizes! This $20 game offers more than 16.8 million winning tickets, and overall odds of winning are one-in-2.99.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Twenty Additional States Join Multistate Antitrust Action Against Generic Drug Makers
Attorney General Pam Bondi and 39 other state attorneys general today filed an amended complaint in federal court, against several generic drug makers for allegedly fixing prices and allocating customers in the generic drug market. According to the amended complaint, the drug companies illegally conspired to artificially inflate and manipulate prices and reduce competition in the United States for two generic drugs. These drugs are doxycycline hyclate delayed release, an antibiotic, and glyburide, an oral diabetes medication.
The amended complaint filed today increases from 19 to 39 the number of plaintiff states joining Florida in a multistate action originally filed in federal district court in Connecticut in December 2016. The complaint also adds certain state and consumer protection claims, including violations of Florida’s Antitrust and Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Acts.
To view the public version of the amended complaint, click here.
The drug makers named in the complaint include: Auribindo Pharma USA, Inc., Citron Pharma, LLC, Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mayne Pharma (USA), Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
For more information on the action filed last year, click here.
Jacksonville University School of Nursing shines brighter with $3.3 million in gifts and naming
New name, unrivaled excellence in care: Keigwin School of Nursing shines
brighter with $3.3 million in gifts and naming by Beverly and Jack Keigwin
Beverly and Jack Keigwin with JU President Tim Cost
Jacksonville University is home to the newly established Keigwin School of Nursing, thanks to gifts including $3 million from Beverly and Jack Keigwin, the University announced Wednesday. The Keigwins’ donation is the largest in the Nursing school’s 36-year history.
Additional investments in the program and in the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences are strengthening the quality of education and preparation JU students receive. The Keigwin School of Nursing alumni already enjoy one of the region’s highest employment placement rates.
Trustee, executive-in-residence and friend to the University Jack Keigwin said the gift is one of the most meaningful ones he and his wife have made.
“As a family we believe that every great city has an outstanding private university, and Jacksonville University is no exception,” he said. “Now the Keigwin School, with its world-class faculty, will enhance the quality of healthcare in our community for our students, the JU Family and our region.”
Beverly Keigwin has devoted her time, energy and passion to the School of Nursing’s students, and has a personal reason for wanting to help it shine.
“As a former nurse, I want the students to have a true home on campus where they can learn in a cutting edge environment with compassionate faculty and hands on training. They are ready when they leave JU,” she said.
The investment from the Keigwins as part of the University’s ASPIRE Campaign includes a just-announced $2 million gift that will be used to promote faculty excellence, grow student scholarships, recruit top educators and guest lecturers, enhance curriculum and add even more state-of-the-art technology.
“We are extremely grateful for this high-impact donation from Jack and Beverly Keigwin, who are among our region’s most distinguished citizens and have shown long-term commitment to Jacksonville University and its premier Nursing programs,” said JU President Tim Cost. “This transformational investment will ensure that we achieve our mission as we continue to provide rigorous Nursing educational experiences that benefit students, area patients and the community.”
The Keigwin funding helps bolster a key pillar of the University’s $120 million ASPIRE Campaign, which has raised nearly $109 million toward its 2020 goal. In recent weeks several additional charitable donations will benefit the Brooks Rehabilitation College and the Keigwin School of Nursing, including:
- $100,000 from the Alfred I. duPont Educational and Charitable Fund to establish the Alfred I. duPont Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund.
- More than $50,000 committed for the Dr. Patricia Ann Schroeder Endowed Scholarship Fund for a student majoring in pre-professional studies or a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
- More than $26,000 from the friends and family, many of whom are JU alumni, of Jean Bianchi for the Bianchi Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting a nursing student.
Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, Dr. Christine Sapienza, said it is an honor to have the Keigwin name associated with JU’s School of Nursing.
“The Keigwins have been advocates and significant supporters of Jacksonville University and higher education in general,” she said. “Jack and Beverly Keigwin are towers of strength, and the faculty and staff admire their generosity, hard work and achievements, and are privileged to have their confidence in us to continue our vision for continued excellence in exemplary educational nursing training experiences.”
The school will continue to focus heavily on efforts that create successful student outcomes, Sapienza added.
“We are so proud to be representing the Keigwins now and in the future, as we continue to grow and mature as a highly recognized College of Healthcare Sciences.”
The Jacksonville University School of Nursing was established in its current form in 1981 and flourished under the leadership of President Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. Dr. Kinne serves as the University’s Chancellor Emerita, and turns 100 in May of this year. She celebrated with the Keigwins, President and First Lady Tim and Stephanie Cost, faculty and staff on the riverfront campus as the naming and gifts were announced, and said she couldn’t be more pleased with the school’s growth and reputation.
“This is a very significant development for the school, and very significant not only for our community, but well beyond that, because the school sends our graduates to so many parts of the country and overseas,” Dr. Kinne said. “The quality is always at the top, and I’m so proud of everyone there and what the school has grown to become.”
About the Keigwin School of Nursing
The Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University is committed to the success of each student as a self-assured, clinically competent, caring professional nurse, who practices in an evolving, complex health care environment, provides leadership to promote health among culturally diverse people and promotes the advancement of nursing knowledge through evidence-based practice and life-long learning. It’s DNP, MSN and BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Secretary Detzner Announces First Annual “March of Museums” in the Capital City
Florida Department of State and Tallahassee museums partner
to share variety and versatility of museums in community
Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the Florida Department of State today announced the first annual “March of Museums.” March of Museums celebrates the variety and versatility of museums in our communities. In addition to events being held by the Florida Department of State, the agency is partnering with other museums in Tallahassee to share the many unique opportunities in which visitors can experience museums.
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, said, “As Florida’s Chief Cultural Officer, I am excited to announce the launch of the first ever ‘March of Museums’ here in our state’s capital city of Tallahassee. March of Museums is an event to celebrate the important services museums provide to our communities and will feature the Grand Opening of Tallahassee’s newest museum, The Grove Museum, on Saturday, March 11. Exciting events will also be hosted by the Department’s Museum of Florida History, the Knott House Museum, and Mission San Luis, in addition to events being held throughout the month of March by our partners in Tallahassee.”
Tiffany Baker, Director, Florida Historic Capitol Museum, said, “We are so pleased to join in the activities surrounding March of the Museums. The Florida Historic Capitol Museum will be offering The Way We Worked: Labor and Florida History, the second installment in our four-part Florida Humanities Speaker Series, as well as a World War I themed trivia night in conjunction with the special exhibit Over Here and Over There: The United States, Florida, and World War I.”
Dr. Allys Palladino-Craig, Director, Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts, said, “The Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to participate in March of the Museums. The Museum of Fine Arts will be offering three very unique exhibitions during the month of March to the community: Cinema Judaica: The War Years 1939-1949, Honest Visions: Artists and Autism, and Broken Ground: New Directions in Land Art.”
Dr. Nashid Madyun, Director, Meek-Eaton Black Archives and Research Center, said, “We welcome the Tallahassee and surrounding communities to a landmark blend of African-American visual culture, historical artifacts and documents. The featured exhibition, The Montague Collection and other galleries in the museum, will allow us to further our K-12 educational goals and engage a regional audience on the contributions of African Americans to society.”
Russell Daws, President and CEO of the Tallahassee Museum, said, “The Tallahassee Museum is excited to be a part of the state’s March of Museums, which celebrates the commitment of museums to improving their communities and people’s lives through education, exhibition and economic development.”
March of Museums commemorates Florida Heritage Month, which officially begins March 15 and continues through April 15. Visit FloridaHeritageMonth.com for more information. Continue reading below for a full calendar of events.
Calendar of Events
March of Museums
Saturday, March 4
March of Museums Kickoff Event at Florida Historic Capitol (11:00 – 11:30 AM)
- The Florida Department of State will co-host a March of Museums kickoff event at the Florida Historic Capitol, featuring remarks and a photo opportunity with Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner. The kickoff event coincides with the 172ndanniversary of Florida’s statehood on March 3, 1845, and the 193rd anniversary of Tallahassee being named territorial capitol on March 4, 1824. Members from Visit Tallahassee and partner museums will be in attendance for the ceremony, as well as reenactors in costumed dress appropriate for the time period.
Tallahassee Museum: World Wildlife Day Celebration (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- The Tallahassee Museum will celebrate World Wildlife Day with a museum-wide event. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Listen to the Young Voices,’ with a focus on connecting young people around the world to explore what wildlife conservation and protection means to them. The event will also instill a sense of responsibility to take action for the future of both wild animals and plants. To find out more go to www.TallahasseeMuseum.org.
Saturday, March 11
The Grove Museum: Grand Opening (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Join the Florida Department of State for the community grand opening event of The Grove Museum, the ancestral home of the Call and Collins families and former residence of Governor LeRoy Collins and Mrs. Mary Call Collins. The opening event is free admission and will include tours of the museum and the grounds, activities for children and families and live performances. Visit TheGroveMuseum.com/Opening for more information.
Museum of Florida History: Saturday Family Program (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
- The Second Saturday Program at the Museum of Florida History corresponds with Preserving Eden: Clyde Butcher’s Florida Photographs and focuses on photography. Family Programs at the Florida Department of State’s Museum of Florida History offer hands-on history for every member of the family. The program, admission, and parking are free. Visit www.MuseumofFloridaHistory.com for more information.
The Knott House Museum: Screening of “Modern Times” (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM)
- The Knott House Museum (Florida Department of State) presents an outdoor screening of Charlie Chaplin’s comedic masterpiece “Modern Times” accompanied by a discussion of the film’s significance. The $5 admission fee includes popcorn. Sodas and pizza will be available for sale. Visit www.MuseumofFloridaHistory.com for more information.
Sunday, March 12
Mission San Luis: Military Muster (10:00 AM- 4:00 PM)
- Come experience colorful pageantry and blackpowder musket and cannon fire at the Florida Department of State’s Mission San Luis’ fort, Castillo de San Luis. Enjoy the opportunity to learn about the world of Spanish soldiers and Apalachee warriors at Spanish Florida’s western capital. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 65+, $2 for ages 6-17, and free for members, children under 6, and active duty military. Visit www.MissionSanLuis.org for more information.
Tuesday, March 21
Historic Capitol Museum at Tallahassee Community College: The Way We Worked: Labor and Florida History by Steve Noll (5:30 PM – 8:00 PM)
- How did Florida get to where it is today regarding jobs and labor? Steve Noll examines Florida’s work history in an enlightening presentation that is sure to provide insights and perspective on today’s situation. After Dr. Noll’s presentation, join the conversation about ways to improve Florida’s job market and prepare workers to take on the hot jobs of the future. Please RSVP at https://fhcmmarch21.eventbrite.com. This is the second in an enlightening four-part Florida Humanities Speaker Series of “hot topic” humanities lectures and community conversations examining the historical context of issues impacting the lives of Floridians today. Free parking and admission on TCC Campus. Visit www.flhistoriccapitol.gov for more information.
Thursday, March 23
Goodwood Museum & Gardens: Clementine Hunter’s World (Documentary, 35 min. NR.) & “Fine Art, Folk Art” Exhibit (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- As the civil rights protests of the 1950s were beginning to jolt America, self-taught African-American artist Clementine Hunter quietly painted a visual diary of plantation life in Melrose, Louisiana – unaware her painted images would in time become portals to remind viewers there were always two sides of the 20th century plantation fence. As part of the exhibit programming Goodwood will host Clementine Hunter’s World, a reception and/or exhibit tour at 5 PM, and documentary viewing at 6 PM, in the Carriage House. Event offers free parking and admission is $10. Visit www.GoodwoodMuseum.org for more information.
Thursday, March 30
Historic Capitol Museum: Trivia Night – World War I Theme (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Test your knowledge of Florida role in The Great War with an exciting evening of WWI themed trivia in our beautiful, historic building. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and prizes will be awarded at the end of the night. Register your team by calling (850) 487-1902. Registration fee is $20 per team, maximum members per team is 4. Advance registration is required. Don’t have a team or just want to watch the action? Individual entry is $5. Visit www.flhistoriccapitol.gov for more information.
Month-Long Opportunities
Exhibits at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts:
- Cinema Judaica: The War Years (Exhibit on display February 17 – March 26) Exhibition by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum—a companion exhibition of movie posters to the film series: ‘I Saw it in the Movies.’ Working with Cinema Judaica for the loan of their WWII poster collection from the war years (1939-1949) as the companion to a film series sponsored by Holocaust Education Resource Council. For more details visit mofa.fsu.edu
- Broken Ground: New Directions in Land Art (Exhibit on display February 17 – March 26) Curator Jeff Beekman states that Land Art, one of the seminal movements beginning in the late-1960s was largely born out of a frustration with the growing commercialization of the art world and the limitations of the traditional “white cube” gallery. At its core this movement sought to tie together artwork and the landscape into which the works were inextricably merged. This movement has grown to encompass issues of ecology and sustainability, an exploration of how human and natural forces have shaped one another in historical and contemporary landscapes, and an exploration of past approaches to the mythologies we have about land, particularly as it relates to the concept of manifest destiny and borders. For more details visit mofa.fsu.edu
- Honest Visions: Artists and Autism (Exhibit on display February 17– March 26) This exhibit features exceptional two and three-dimensional works by artists with autism. Each artist encounters his or her neurological differences with uniquely fascinating expressions, yet a common thread of authenticity ties the artistic manifestations together. They represent truth, sincerity, and unabashed personal declarations. For more details visit mofa.fsu.edu
Goodwood Museum & Gardens: Fine Art, Folk Art (Exhibit on display February 24 – July 31)
- From grand boulevards to solitary backroads, “Fine Art, Folk Art” is an extraordinary exhibit highlighting Goodwood’s collection of European and American art and the work of Louisiana’s famed self-taught artist Clementine Hunter, a plantation worker. Visit www.GoodwoodMuseum.org for tour times/prices and more information.
Exhibits at the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives and Museum:
- The Lincoln Motion Picture Company: A Tribute to Excellence in Race Cinema (Exhibit on display through March 13) This exhibit celebrates the ingenuity of African-Americans and their indelible footprint in early 20th century filmmaking. As a direct response to the misrepresentation and sometimes-grotesque depiction of African-American men and women, The Lincoln Motion Picture Company was formed on May 24, 1916 (Omaha, NE) and later incorporated in January of 1917 (Los Angeles, CA). This featured exhibition is a series of the Montague Collection, privately-owned by Mr. Clinton Byrd, a Florida A&M University alumnus and locally-borne businessman. For more information about the Museum and parking, please contact the Black Archives at 850.599.3020. For a full listing of upcoming events please use the following link: www.famu.edu/BlackArchives
- Sister Gertrude Morgan (Exhibit on display beginning March 14) Sister Morgan (1900-1980), was a self-taught artist whose life and culture combine the African-American tradition of independent demonstration with an extraordinary fundamental creative feeling. This featured exhibition is a series of the Montague Collection, privately-owned by Mr. Clinton Byrd, a Florida A&M University alumnus and locally-borne businessman. For more information about the Museum and parking, please contact the Black Archives at 850.599.3020. For a full listing of upcoming events please use the following link: www.famu.edu/BlackArchives
Museum of Florida History: Preserving Eden: Clyde Butcher’s Florida Photographs (Exhibit on display February 10 – May 1)
- Clyde Butcher is an internationally-renowned landscape photographer, who has used his art to record majestic beauty of Florida’s natural environment for more than fifty years. Clyde Butcher’s art makes Florida’s wetlands, dunes, coastal hammocks, and inland swamps accessible to many who will never experience these places in person. His images remind us of the importance of protecting and preserving Florida’s treasures. Free admission and parking. Visit www.MuseumofFloridaHistory.com for more information.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum:
- The Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a community treasure that offers up history and engaging experiences. The museum is packed with more than 150 exceptional automobiles dating from 1894 – 2010, motorcycles, Batmobiles, Steinway pianos, Case knives, brass cash registers, sports memorabilia, pedal cars, antique boats, motors and much, much more! In addition to the museum, they are the largest locally owned banquet and conference center in the Tallahassee area. Visit www.tacm.com for more information.
About The Grove Museum
The Grove Museum features the c. 1840 Call-Collins House, set on ten wooded acres in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, The Grove is one of the few historic sites of its kind in the nation to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. From slavery to civil rights, and from private home to public museum, the story told at The Grove Museum speaks to critical moments that define the American experience. The mission of The Grove is to honor the legacy of the Call and Collins families by educating the public on the importance of public service, entrepreneurship and historic preservation. Visit TheGroveMuseum.com for information on tour times and special events. You can also follow The Grove on Twitter (@TheGroveMuseum) and like the museum on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheGroveMuseum).
About the Knott House Museum
The Knott House Museum is a historic home built in 1843 restored to its 1930s appearance and is located at 301 East Park Avenue, at the corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street in Tallahassee, Florida. The Museum is administered by the Museum of Florida History, a section of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs. The historic house is open for tours Wednesday through Friday 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m. and Saturday: 10:00, 11:00 a.m., Noon, 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 p.m. Please call 850.922.2459 for more information.
About Mission San Luis
Mission San Luis, Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum, was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. The Mission, now a national historic landmark, brings the early 1700s to life with living history interpreters in period dress, reconstructed period buildings, exhibits, and archaeological research. The site is managed by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Archaeological Research, and support is provided by the Friends of Mission San Luis, Inc. Mission San Luis is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, Florida, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 850.245.6406 or visit missionsanluis.org.
About the Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is the state’s history museum that collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of this heritage. With exhibits and programs for all ages, the Museum has something for everyone to enjoy. Part of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the Museum of Florida History is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m. Parking and admission is free. For more information, visit museumoffloridahistory.com.
Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Lori Berman file legislation to curb tobacco addiction among youth
Senator Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) have introduced SB 1138 and HB 1093 in order to raise Florida’s tobacco sales age from 18 to 21.
The legislation promises to curb smoking rates, protect kids from a deadly addiction, and save lives and money. At current smoking rates, 270,000 Florida kids alive today will eventually die from tobacco-related illnesses. The bills would apply not only to cigarettes but also electronic dispensing devices, also known as e-cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco.
Tobacco use remains Florida’s leading cause of preventable death, killing roughly 32,300 Floridians annually. Each year, roughly 7,400 Florida kids under 18 become new daily smokers.
Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 would have the biggest effect on teens aged 15-17. The National Academy of Medicine predicts that increasing the national sale age to 21 would reduce smoking rates between this age group by 25 percent.
“This initiative is about addiction prevention,” said Senator Rouson. “By raising the smoking age to 21 we can prevent not only addiction, but also the dangerous and life-threatening side effects that come along with tobacco use.”
“I am hopeful that this bill will prevent our youth from taking up the tobacco habit,” said Representative Berman. “It is an addiction that causes serious health issues and costs our state a lot of money in the long run.”
Evidence suggests the adolescent brain is more susceptible to the addictive qualities of nicotine. Research by the U.S. Surgeon General indicates youth can become dependent on nicotine very rapidly and at lower levels of consumption than adults.
The tobacco industry targets young adults ages 18 to 21 because they know it is a critical time for solidifying nicotine addiction. The 18-21 age range is when most people transition from experimental tobacco use to regular, daily use. Big Tobacco spends an estimated $563.9 million annually in Florida to market their products.
“We know that smoking causes a wide range of health issues, including cancer,” said Matt Jordan, government relations director for ACS CAN in Florida. “If we can prevent life-long nicotine addiction by limiting young people’s access to cigarettes and other tobacco products, we can make a tremendous difference in improving overall public health in our state.”
If passed during the upcoming legislative session, Florida would be the third state to raise its tobacco sales age to 21. The policy also has been passed in at least 210 cities and counties nationwide.
Students in Duval and Columbia Counties Enjoy Florida-Grown Strawberries
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Duval County students will enjoy Florida-grown strawberries during school meals throughout the remainder of growing season. The department’s Farm to School program helped facilitate Duval County Public Schools’ purchase of approximately 8,800 pounds of Florida strawberries from Wish Farms, located in Plant City, Fla.
Harris Wishnatzki began selling produce from a pushcart in 1900, which led to starting a wholesale business in 1922. Over the last 90 years, Wishtnatzki’s family helped Wish Farms evolve by adopting innovative practices. Wish Farms grows conventional and organic strawberry varieties and utilizes “How’s My Picking?” This patented tool ties consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest to ensure quality. Today, Wish Farms is owned by third generation family owner, Gary Wishnatzki.
The Farm to School program also helped connect the Columbia County School District’s distributor with multiple growers in Hillsborough County to facilitate a purchase of more than 650 pounds of strawberries.
The Farm to School program connects K-12 schools with Florida farmers and growers to provide locally grown produce to students during school meals. Since 2015, the Farm to School program has facilitated the purchase of nearly 600,000 pounds of fresh, seasonal produce to Florida schools through opportunity buys.
The Farm to School program positively impacts local economies, reduces transportation costs and helps preserve farms and farmland. Producers interested in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to local schools should contact Beth Spratt at 850-617-7419 or [email protected].
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Senator Tom Lee Files Legislation to Protect Florida's Seniors from Financial Fraud
Senator Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa) announced today the filing of the “Protecting Florida Seniors from Financial Fraud Act,” a piece of legislation devised to safeguard Floridians in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).
“Unfortunately, the conduct of a few bad actors, specifically the management of one CCRC in my community, has highlighted the need to increase oversight of these organizations,” Senator Lee said. “Current statute does not adequately protect residents and employees against facility insolvency, loss of provider assets, and loss of resident investments. It’s essential to address these issues to ensure CCRCs can fulfill their obligations to one of the most vulnerable segments of our population.”
There are 71 licensed CCRCs in Florida serving more than 31,000 residents. The Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) is responsible for regulating a CCRC’s financial solvency, residency contracts, and the disclosures made to prospective residents.
“So many seniors pour their life savings into the promise of one-stop care during their retirement years—care that CCRCs promise to them,” said CFO Jeff Atwater. “It’s shameful to see a few bad players misuse and abuse that money and promise, stealing their life savings and leaving them without a viable, long-term alternative. These common sense solutions will put added protections in place, and I support this consumer-centric legislation.”
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Cyndi Stevenson in the House, requires CCRCs to retain reserves to protect residents and their families, increases the Office’s authority to prohibit hazardous practices and transactions, streamlines the acquisition process to reduce the burdens on applicants, and creates an “impairment” framework to allow for earlier intervention to prevent harm to Florida consumers and their investments.
“Recent events have brought to light weaknesses in the CCRC industry and its regulation,” said Representative Stevenson. “I am introducing this legislation to strengthen the industry and protect residents. I’ve worked closely with the Office of Insurance Regulation, the CFO, and Senator Lee to craft a bill that balances the interests of residents and the needs of the industry, and that provides new authority to protect the substantial investments made and the long-term promises exchanged. The bill streamlines regulation while enhancing protections where they matter most.”
“The decision to join a CCRC represents a substantial investment of assets, time and trust for a resident and their family. I applaud Senator Lee and Representative Stevenson’s sponsorship of this important legislation to further strengthen protections for these residents by increasing financial safeguards and fixing provisions under current law that act as a deterrent to regulatory oversight for those with bad intentions,” said Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier.
