Leading environmental policy analyst Lynn Scarlett will be visiting the University of Florida campus next week to present a lecture and workshop and moderate a panel presentation.

In a keynote speech Jan. 25, Lynn Scarlett, a former deputy secretary and chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of the Interior under President George W. Bush, will discuss her thoughts and experience with shifting policies and implementation plans for energy and climate change in the U.S., as well as her work on Sen. Bob Graham’s Oil Spill Commission.

“Conservation in an Era of Scarcity,” starts at 8 p.m. in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. This event is free and open to the public. The program is presented by the UF Office of Sustainability, the Florida Climate Institute, the UF Water Institute and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

Scarlett will also give a seminar on her work in the Everglades at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 in Reitz Student Union Room 282 and a talk on “Green Careers” at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 in the Reitz Student Union Rion Ballroom. Additionally she will be moderating “Deep Water: A Special Report to the University of Florida by Oil Spill Commission Co-Chairs Bob Graham and William Reilly” at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

Scarlett’s background and experiences will help bring renewed interest and conversation to topics surrounding the country’s current and projected future in terms of climate change, energy and green jobs, and provide unique insight into the history and outlook of climate policy.

“Ms. Scarlett is a seasoned policy leader whose fierce advocacy for climate-related adaptation and risk management at the federal level was game-changing,” said Anna Prizzia, director of the UF Office of Sustainability. “Her experience, knowledge and values transcend the many audiences present on campus, and her voice will resonate both with current professionals working for change and for the generation of leaders being fostered at UF today.”

In 2005 Scarlett was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Interior by Bush. In 2009 she was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and served as a distinguished visiting lecturer on climate change at the University of California Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and as an Adjunct Faculty with the Carnegie Mellon School of Public Policy. Scarlett also chaired the department’s Climate Change Task Force, and is the author of numerous publications regarding environmental policy.

Her visit is part of a number of concurrent events working to bring key stakeholders from around the region together for shared learning and strategizing for the state of Florida.

On Jan. 25-26, the Office of Sustainability will host the “Educational Alliance for a Sustainable Florida Roundtable” to gather sustainability professionals in higher education from around the state to identify collective challenges and opportunities for synergy across institutions.

On Jan. 26, the Florida Climate Institute will be facilitating a Climate Leaders Forum to highlight the importance of a multi-disciplinary, inclusive approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and variability to an audience of agency, research, and other stakeholders. The leaders of various centers and institutes around the state and region will serve on a Leaders Panel and host a discussion focusing on the benefits of collaborative efforts across disciplines and sectors.

The Alachua County Commission is conducting a special meeting on Tuesday January 18, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in the Jack Durrance Auditorium on the second floor of the County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1st Street, downtown Gainesville. 

 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Community Agency Partnership Program (CAPP) and to identify any changes desired by the County Commission for the 2011 process.

 

To learn more about CAPP click here.

 

The meeting will be broadcast live on Cox Channel 12 or may be viewed live online at the County’s Video on Demand site.

 

As always, the public is encouraged to attend. Current or future applicants are especially encouraged to attend.

 

For more information, call the Alachua County Communications Office at 352-374-522.

On January 21, 2011, Volunteers with the Alachua County Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will participate in the National MLK Day of Service. 100 volunteers, all age 55 and over, are making double-layered fleece blankets for distribution by the Alachua County Housing Authority to the area’s homeless. 

According to Gail Monahan, Executive Director of the Alachua County Housing Authority, "The blankets will be put to excellent use, especially with this season’s extremely cold temperatures."

"Dr. King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and opportunity for all, and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be. By serving today and throughout the year, we honor Dr. King and help realize his dream of equality and opportunity for all." said Norma Berger, Alachua County FGP Coordinator. She added, "This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday, and organizers see the milestone as a perfect opportunity for Americans to remember Dr. King’s life and legacy and to honor him by taking action to solve problems in their communities."

For more information, contact Norma Berger at 352-264-6730.

On February 1, 2011, at 6 p.m., the Alachua County Commission will be holding a Community Dialogue/Town Hall meeting to discuss potentially going to voters with a 2012 referendum for a one-cent or one-half-cent sales tax for infrastructure.  The meeting will take place in Room 209 (the Commission Chambers) of the County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1st Street in downtown Gainesville. 

 

Infrastructure refers to the capital projects constructed by local government, such as roads, parks, buildings, and acquisitions of major equipment or property by local governments.  Under State of Florida law, the sales tax may be enacted for a multi-year period and voters must approve the referendum to enact such a sales tax.

 

A presentation on the legal requirements and legal uses of the one-cent sales tax and how it can be placed on the ballot will be made at the meeting.  A County staff presentation entitled "A Penny for Pavement" will be presented to discuss the potential use of the sales tax for pavement management of County and municipal roadways.  The public will have an opportunity to comment on and discuss this potential referendum.

 

"The County Commission has not made a decision to place a referendum on the 2012 ballot," County Manager Randall H. Reid stated, "The meeting is being held because of the Commission's desire to gather public input concerning this subject."

 

For more information, contact the Alachua County Communications office at 352-374-5204.

Alachua County Animal Services

Mark your calendars folks...we're having a huge Open House on Saturday, February 12th at the Shelter.

Come fall in love with an adorable dog or cat, all animals will be at reduced prices. We'll have food, a silent auction/raffle (including amazing cat trees), pet vendors, and more. We want to clean out the Shelter and send these deserving dogs and cats to loving, forever homes.

Please come check us out, and tell your friends!

You are invited to an evening of STARGAZING at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park!

Come learn more about the stars and the planets thanks to the Alachua Astronomy Club who will supply the telescopes. Enjoy sitting around a campfire while sipping hot chocolate & making smores. Take a hayride around Hickory Ranch. Bring your family, friends, and chairs for relaxing.

Saturday January 22, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
$5 per person
Free for kids 6 and under
Free for FRIENDS of Paynes Prairie with membership card

Please RSVP to info@prairiefriends.org

 Or call (352)466-4966
 http://prairiefriends.org/

The Alachua Children's Theater Film Division is now accepting students for the upcoming short film, ‘The Sandlot."

"The Sandlot" film is told through the perspective of Scotty Smalls, who is reminiscing about the summer of 1962. Smalls moves with his mother and stepfather Bill to a new neighborhood outside and struggles to make new friends.

One afternoon, he decides to follow a group of neighborhood boys, and he watches them play an improvised game of baseball at a small field, which they call the "sandlot."

All the shooting for the film will take place in Alachua and Skinner Park. Production times are Wednesdays from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, beginning Wednesday, January 12.

Those who participate can learn acting and behind-the-scenes activities such as editing, voice-overs, lighting and sound engineering.

Kids between the ages of 8 and 18 are needed. For more information, call 352-672-2122.

Shands and Eldercare Hosts Annual Fundraiser to Support Al'z Place

By Janice C. Kaplan - January 2011 

On Saturday, February 5, the RD Air Services hangar at Gainesville Regional Airport will be transformed for an evening of fine food, great drinks, live music and dancing as Shands ElderCare hosts its annual Moonlight & Martinis gala.

The event raises money to support Al'z Place, a daycare facility for adults with memory impairment due to Alzheimer's disease or other disorders or injuries. ElderCare of Alachua County runs the facility, which is a program of Shands HealthCare. ElderCare's mission is to be an advocate for the elderly and provide services that will build capacity, maximize independence and enrich the quality of life for the Seniors in Alachua County and North Central Florida.

"We keep a pretty routine schedule of cognitive and physical activities," said Robyn Katz, program manager and recreational therapist. "We find that music is really stimulating. Somebody who may not remember what they had for lunch will remember all of the words to songs from years back."

The clients' daily schedule includes seated exercises set to lively music, classic movie showings and a variety of games like bingo, beanbag toss and a memory game called Reminisce. Breakfast, a hot lunch and a light snack are served during the day. Clients are admitted based on a combination of a wait list and medical need for services. While most are Seniors, the center does see younger patients who qualify. The only requirements are that the client has a medical diagnosis of a memory disorder and lives in Alachua County.

Moonlight & Martinis is the center's biggest fundraiser of the year, which is especially important given a tight budget and the personal attention the patients need. With a staffing ratio of one caregiver per three clients (Katz said the industry standard is closer to 1:6), Al'z Place relies on a variety of personnel.

"All of our staff members are CNAs or nurses, and I am a recreation therapist," she said. "We also bring in a lot of volunteers from the community to help with that ratio. We have some people whose family members had been clients here for years, and they've decided to give back by staying on as volunteers."

One such volunteer is Barbara, whose husband was a client until he passed away in 2005. She has volunteered since then and enjoys the camaraderie she shares with the clients.

"I have been here more or less ever since as a volunteer," she said. "I really enjoy it because I'm in the same age group, for one thing. There are many different things we can do. I work basically through the kitchen, but that does not stop me from being a companion to the many different individuals we have here."

Josette is a client who started going to Al'z Place after a brain aneurysm and stroke left her with short-term memory loss. She lives with her son and daughter-in-law, but comes to the facility everyday while they are at work.

"They're very nice, very caring people, and they try to keep us active," Josette said, explaining it is no easy feat finding activities for everyone in a group that has such a wide range of memory issues.

"They work very hard," she said. "You can see what they're doing, but they make it fun. And I have never seen any one of them lose their cool, ever."

The benefits of Al'z Place reach well beyond the client. Caring for a loved one with memory loss is exhausting both physically and emotionally. Adult daycare centers such as Al'z place provide a respite for caregivers who dedicate their lives to friends and family who are unable to stay alone safely. Al'z Place also offers a caregiver support program on the third Thursday of every month, a group that is open to caregivers regardless of whether their loved ones are enrolled at the facility.

Moonlight & Martinis will include food and drinks by O!O Tapas and Tinis, Dragonfly Sushi, The Flour Pot bakery, Omi's Kitchen and more. The band September Rent will be on hand to supply the tunes for partygoers to dance the night away. Among the highlights of the evening is the art auction, where framed paintings by the clients will be put up for bidding. The work is done through The Art Without Boundaries Association, an organization that uses painting, movement, singing and storytelling known as Mneme (tm) Therapy to stimulate brain activity.

"The client will pick a picture out of a book, and the therapist will help guide them through the process," Katz said. "She'll tell them to move the brush left and right, or dab the brush, to get them to use that side of the brain or one of their senses."

The patient then names his or her work and the picture is framed for auction. Copies of the paintings are also sold as prints, cards and other products to raise money for the center throughout the year.

While sponsors such as The Atrium, GW Mills and Comfort Keepers have lined up to help, Al'z place is still accepting sponsorships and selling tables for the evening. Businesses and individuals wanting to sponsor the event or purchase tickets ($75 each or $700 for a table of ten) can call ElderCare at 352-265-9040.

With the growing number of county residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory disorders, Al'z Place needs help to continue providing an uplifting, positive place for those who need it.

"It's a caring and fun environment," Katz said. "A lot of people say, 'How can you do it every day, isn't it depressing?' But we have a lot of fun. Our clients know that they're accepted when they come here."

INFO
Moonlight & Martinis
Saturday, February 5
7:00pm
RD Air Services hangar, Gainesville Regional Airport
For tickets and sponsorships call ElderCare: 352-265-9040.

Alachua Conservation Trust

This Saturday night at 7 pm, Penny Nichols performs on The Sandhill Stage at Prairie Creek Lodge in Rochelle. Penny's 40 year career as a singer-songwriter and session musician includes collaboration with a Who's Who of folk musicians (see the linked Bio). She's also conducting a vocal and harmony workshop on Sunday at the Lodge.

For more details on either, call Hutch at (352) 256-6043.

The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to announce the following Family & Consumer Sciences Programs, for January 2011. These programs are offered by Dr. Brenda Williams, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent. All of these programs are held at the Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville).

Building Your Financial Future (A personal financial management program - for those filing bankruptcy) – January 13, 1 pm to 5 pm

This program has been approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. You must bring your case number with you.

Topics include: Develop Your Budget, Money Management Skills, Use Credit Responsibly, Consumers Rights and Responsibilities.

Cost to attend this class is $10.00 (cash only) for course materials. Pre-register by January 7, by calling 352-955-2402. For alternate class dates, or view the complete brochure, visit http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml.

Food Safety and Quality Program (ServSafe®) – January 19, 8:30 am to 4 pm
This program is dedicated to providing training which enables food managers and staff to offer Florida consumers food that is prepared in a clean and safe environment. For more information and to register, please visit http://foodsafety.ifas.ufl.edu, or call toll-free at 1-888-232-8723.

Before You Tie the Knot – January 24 & 31, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Before You Tie the Knot is a premarital preparation course.

Topics include: Communication, Conflict Management & Resolution, Financial Responsibility & Spending Plans, Children & Parenting Responsibilities

Completion of this course is required to receive a $32.50 reduction of marriage license. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and a copy for the Clerk of the Court. There is no cost to attend this two evening class. Pre-register by January 19 by calling 352-337-6209.

Equipping Your Financial Toolbox Series 

There is no cost to attend these classes.  Pre-register one week in advance for one or all sessions by calling 352-337-6209.

Session One: Getting Financially Organized – January 11, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Topics include: Important Papers—what to keep, where and for how long. Preparing a household inventory and net worth statement. Building a spending plan. How and where to establish a family business center.

Session Two: Making Credit Work For You – January 18, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Topics include: Obtaining your free credit reports. Reading the fine print in credit offers. Improving your credit score and guarding against identity theft.

Session Three: Basic Estate Planning – February 1, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Topics include: Planning for health care issues including long-term care insurance and disability insurance. Getting your assets where you want them to go.

For more information about these programs call 352-955-2402.

Visit http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

All Extension Programs and Services are open to all without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin or handicap.  For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension office at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406 or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL  32609.  Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.

Come be swept away by medieval magic and transported into the Middle Ages January 29-30 and February 4-6, at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Enjoy eight stages of entertainment, hundreds of artisans selling their wares and food fit for a king.  

 2900 NE 39th Avenue

Gainesville, FL, 32609

352-393-8536

http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

http://www.facebook.com/HoggetowneMedievalFaire

Field Trip--St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, January 8 at 7:00am at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center --3 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 98 at Newport on Lighthouse Rd. (Co. Rd. 59)

Join guide John Hintermister on this overnight trip to one of the oldest National Wildlife Refuges in the country--68,000 acres along the Gulf Coast including coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers.

For more information, email jhintermister@gmail.com

Award winning Singer and Songwriter Penny Nichols will be in concert at Prairie Creek Lodge's "Sandhill Stage" on Saturday, January 8th beginning at 7 pm. The next day, she'll be conducting a singing and vocal harmony workshop. 

Details on the poster, or call 375-3065. 

Don't miss her!

Your New Year's Eve options

A sampling of some of the area events Friday night organized around New Year's Eve:

DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN: Gainesville's New Year's Eve celebration features Beatles tribute band the Imposters and chamber blues-rock duo Velveeta Underground, streamers and confetti at midnight, noisemakers passed out to audience members, 9 p.m.-12:30 am, Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. Free.

GLOBAL PEACE DANCE: Live music, singing, dancing and candlelight meditation to bring the year to closure and welcome 2011, 7:30-10 pm. United Church of Gainesville,1624 NW Fifth Ave. Cost: $5-10 (546-1345)

SWING AND SWAY DANCE CLUB: New Year's Eve event features live music by Don Letbetter's Blue Notes for ballroom dancing on a wood floor, dance instruction offered intermission, 8:30-12:30 am. Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE Second Ave. Cost: $20 per person plus snack to share. (375-1996)

NEW YEAR'S BASH: Featuring music by Army of Ponch and more and a free champagne toast at midnight, 9 pm, Common Grounds, 210 SW Second Ave. Cost: $6.

The La Chua trail has grown and expanded in it's popularity with park visitors with each passing year. Regular visitors have seen many changes in the facilities at this trail, from establishing a new parking area, construction of the boardwalk, a paved walkway from the trailhead to the boardwalk (improving accessibility to all trail visitors), and now, renovation of the observation platform at the end of the trail. In early November, a "Renovation Team" of prairie staff and the inmates that work on many of the park construction projects, repaired and renovated the platform to improve it's stability and use for park visitors.

The platform will now be dedicated to Dominick Martino. The materials for this projects were purchased at the direction of former Florida Park Service Director, Mike Bullock, in recognition of Dominick's dedicated volunteer service at the prairie. A dedication ceremony will be held at the platform on Friday, December 31, 2010, at 10:30 am. Please join us in remembering an incredible individual who gave so much of himself to Paynes Prairie and to those who love this special place.

Live Music For This Weekend ...

982 BAR: 919 W. University Ave., Gainesville. Friday: Paint Me Irrational, Through You, Dear Mr. Anderson, Sweet Babies, Allie Wetzel. Wednesday: Only Thieves, The Future Now, Panda Nova.

ATLANTIC: 15 N. Main St., Gainesville. Friday: DJ Donna.

BACKSTAGE LOUNGE: 1315 S. Main St., Gainesville, 373-0281. Tonight: R Style, Flat Top Steel. Friday: Nanerpus, SOLKRY, Red Paper Birds. Saturday: WOLFGANG.

COMMON GROUNDS: 210 SW Second Ave., Gainesville. Friday: Army of Ponch, Averkiou, The Future Now, Bedwetter. Monday: Karaoke.

DIRTY BAR: 2441 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, 373-1141. Tonight: Wolfgang. Friday: Area Code. Saturday: Wolfgang. Tuesday: Karaoke. Wednesday: Karaoke.

EMILIANO'S CAFE: 7 SE First Ave., Gainesville, 375-7381. Wednesday: Karl Weismantel Duo.

FRANCESCA'S TRATTORIA: 4410 NW 25th Place, Gainesville, 378-7152. Sunday: Karl Weismantel Duo.

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES: 7118 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 332-4454. Friday: Studio 235.

GATOR TALES: 5112 NW 34th St., Gainesville, 376-9500. Tonight: Karaoke. Friday: DJ Wes Baker. Wednesday: Mike Garrett.

GREAT OUTDOORS RESTAURANT: 65 N. Main St., High Springs, 386-454-1288. Saturday: Quarter Moon.

KICKIN' DEVIL CAFE: 2017 NE 27th Ave., Gainesville, 505-6660. Thursday: Ed Barker, open mic. Friday: Anna Marie and friends. Saturday: Nook and Cranny. Sunday: Open mic. Tuesday: Progressive Madness. Wednesday: Blues lightning.

LEONARDO'S 706: 706 W. University Ave., Gainesville, 378-2001. Tonight: The Marty Liquori Jazztet.

LIGHTNIN' SALVAGE: 1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville, 395-6622. Tonight: Kathleen Taylor. Wednesday: Open mic.

LILLIAN'S: 112 SE First St., Gainesville, 372-1010. Tonight: Killer Bees. Friday: Eager Beaver. Monday: Jam Night. Tuesday: Michael J. Wednesday: Karaoke.

MUNEGIN'S: 4005 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 335-0300. Tonight: Hung with special guest Danielle. Friday: Shelley and Josh unplugged. Saturday: Two.

OLD FLORIDA CAFE: 203 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy, 466-3663. Thursday: Steve vest. Friday: Steve Vest. Saturday: Steve Vest.

QUEEN'S ARMS PUB: 5323 SW 91st Ter. 378-0721. Friday: Killer Bees.

RED ONION: 3885 NW 24th Blvd., Gainesville, 505-0088. Friday: Barry Sides Trio.

SANTA FE BAR: 23731 S. U.S. 441, High Springs, 386-454-9461. Friday: DJ Jodie. Saturday: Star Sound Entertainment.

SPINDRIFTER: 16130 NW U.S. 441, Alachua, 386-462-9081. Friday: CORE. Wednesday: DJ Wildman.

SUNSHINE EAGLES @ DUBS: 4562 NW 13th St., Gainesville, 335-4518. Friday: Crooked Council. Saturday: Karaoke.

From the Gainesville Sun
By Erin Everhart
Correspondent

You don’t have to go all the way to Times Square for a downtown New Year’s Eve celebration that you’ll be talking about through the next year. You just have to make it to the Bo Diddley Community Plaza.

The city of Gainesville’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is back to round out 2010 with Downtown Countdown, its free, New Year’s Eve celebration featuring Beatles tribute band, The Impostors, and the chamber blues-rock duo, Velveeta Underground.

“You get out with a group of citizens together to be out in a public place, like New York, but on a much smaller level of course,” says David Ballard, events coordinator for the city of Gainesville. “They come down here, they meet friends and meet new folks. That’s what people do.”

Downtown Countdown is in its third consecutive year, but it’s been a part of the community much longer than that. Due to budget issues and the lack of someone able to coordinate the event, it was canceled for New Year’s Eve 2007.

Ballard saw that people missed the event, even if he didn’t get the obligatory angry phone calls.

With free events, it’s hard to estimate the number of people that could come, leaving Ballard and his team prepping for 1,000 or 3,000 celebrators, depending on the weather for the evening. But armed with free noisemakers, the people as well as local restaurants and clubs in the area all take part in the New Year’s Eve celebration, making it a real party at the plaza.

To add to the event’s tradition and party atmosphere, Ballard brought back The Imposters for their second appearance at Downtown Countdown.

“The Beatles are pretty popular across the board,” Ballard says. “Their music never goes out of style.”

Ron Thomas, bass player and a founding member of The Impostors, says the group had such a great time last year that it didn’t hesitate to play again when asked.

“Everyone seemed to enjoying rockin’ in the New Year,” Thomas says. “That’s what we hope to do again this year.”

The band plans to perform a lot of new songs this year, including such Beatles tunes as “Eight Days A Week” and “What Goes On.”

“The Beatles wrote so many songs that they make us easy to do something fresh,” Thomas says.

They’ll also be making a classic rock night of it, performing some tunes by Jimi Hendrix and Buffalo Springfield as well.

For a Beatles tribute band, 2010 was a notable year, marking the would-be 70th birthday as well as the 30th anniversary of the death of John Lennon.

“We try to keep it a celebration,” Thomas said. “It’s certainly sad to remember we lost him, but it’s good play his music again and keep it alive.”

New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year on Friday night with Downtown Countdown, the city of Gainesville’s New Year’s Eve celebration at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza. This year, the free event will have the Imposters doing Beatles songs and other tunes, and the blues-rock duo Velveeta Underground opening the show at 9 pm Free noisemakers will be passed out to audience members, and streamers and confetti will fly high at midnight.

Downtown Countdown: 9 pm-12:30 am Friday, Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E. University Blvd. Free.

Bo Diddley Tributes

Bo Diddley lived in Archer for 30 years before his 2008 death, and several events planned there this week will honor the rock pioneer, who was fittingly nicknamed “the Originator.”

On Thursday, the first Bo Diddley “Originator” Award Dinner will be held at the Archer Community School with the inaugural Originator Award presented to John Duff, director of the University of Florida’s School of Music, for his dedication inside and out of the classroom. The gala fundraising event begins at 6 pm with a reception and silent auction, featuring items signed by Tom Petty, George Thorogood, Les Paul and others. Followed by dinner at 7 pm Tickets are $35, with VIP seats and tables available.

Proceeds will benefit the Bo Diddley Foundation and city of Archer programs focusing on education.

On Saturday, the Bo Diddley All-Star Classic at the Wilson Robinson Pavilion in Archer will feature a talent showcase, youth football games, a “Classic Concert” and more from 9 am to 5 pm. 

And kicking off the week’s events on Wednesday is a free Gospel Concert at the Family Life Church of God, 17259 SW Archer Road, which will begin at 6 pm.

Bo Diddley “Originator” Award Dinner: 6 pm Thursday, Archer Community School, 14533 SW 170th St., Archer. Tickets: $35, premium seats available. (443-9397)

Bo Diddley All-Star Classic: 9 am-5 pm.Saturday, Wilson Robinson Pavilion, 16639 SW 137 Ave., Archer. Free.

Gospel Concert: 6 pm Wednesday, Family Life Church of God, 17259 SW Archer Road, Archer. Free.

If you’ve ever wondered how wolves work together to hunt, or why alligators wait patiently to catch their prey, join the Florida Museum of Natural History for its next children’s day camp from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm January 21, a student holiday for Alachua County Public Schools.

Students in the “Hunting Tactics” camp will explore Silver Springs to learn about some of nature’s most cunning animals and how they use camouflage, surprise attacks and organization to hunt and survive.

The camp is for students in grades K-5 and costs $77 for members and $86 for nonmembers. Students should dress appropriately for outdoor activities and cold weather. All students should bring a sack lunch and preregistration is required.

For information or to register, visit:

www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/childrens_classes.htm 

or call 352-273-2061.