1. Editor's Note
2. WITHLACOOCHEE TRAIL RIDE
3. LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
4. CONCERT
5. TASTE OF GAINESVILLE
6. COMMENTS
WEBSITES
http://www.afn.org/~froghat/Images/GHT_map.gif Bike Trail Map
http://www.afn.org/~afn55299/HTT cool bike happenings.
http://www.mysfcc.com Santa Fe Comm. College Community Classes
CALENDAR (at end)
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EDITOR'S NOTE
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WITHLACOOCHEE TRAIL RIDE
Oct 7, 7-9 am rain or shine. Begin at the North Apopka Avenue
Trail Crossing in Inverness. Breakfast available. Withlacoochee
State Trail is 46 miles paved. You can ride your own distance.
harnage1@infi.net, or chriscycle@baldhead.com 527-3263
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LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Lifelong learning is important to your mental and physical health-and your connection to your community. Visit Santa Fe Community College's non-credit, action-packed class offerings for both recreational and professional development at http://www.mysfcc.com .
Classes range from computer certifications to culinary extravaganzas
and classes are available now!
--"Williams, Kris" kris.williams@santafe.cc.fl.us 352.395.5195
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CONCERT
Don't forget, the SKATTERBRAINZ REUNION and CD RELEASE PARTY
benefit for the
IGUANA, Monday, Oct. 15th at the HIPPODROME STATE THEATRE in Gainesville.
We
have a get together about once a decade, so don't miss it! We
have put
together a CD of Skatterbrainz originals that were recorded back
in the 80's!
-- JaneYii@aol.com
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TASTE OF GAINESVILLE
The City of Gainesville and The Gainesville Sun present The 2nd Annual Taste of Gainesville in Historic Downtown Gainesville at the Community Plaza
Friday, October 19, 2001
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
entertainment until 10:00 p.m.
Moondancer Swing Band and The University of Florida Swing Club
Dancers
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COMMENTS
I read with interest (and concern) your letter to VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (on today's date) about the consistent shortage of recreation funding. You, of course, are absolutely correct that recreation funding must be increased for so many important reasons. I have thought about this very same issue for some time and offer you some possible suggestions. I realize, however, that there may well be issues that prevent these ideas from being utilized, but then again, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
1. Allow private companies to have Gainesville Parks named after them. For that privilege, the company would have to agree to maintain and improve the park. There could be a year to year contract agreement so that if the company defaults in their responsibility, aother company could be given the opportunity. If a company cannot afford to have a park named after it, perhaps a part of the park could be named such as the running trail at West Side Park.
2. Design bright, modern, informational kiosks for all parks. Event programs, fliers and other pertinent information could be posted and other information disseminated fromt these kiosks. Sponsoring companies would be allowed to advertise in space available on the kiosk.
3. Recreation areas where big projects need to be completed could be sponsored by companies. When the project is completed, a plaque recognizing their sponsorship could be put up in an appropriate place.
4. Service organization bill boards (organizations such as the Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club etc) that often appear at the entrance to cities or towns could be designed to reflect some of the recreational offerings the area provides. Companies could sponsor the bill board and be permitted to advertise on it. Funds raised could be used for program sponsorship.
5. Companies could donate specific types of sports equipment for parks such as apparatus or smaller items such as balls. The items could have the company name on it.
6. The next time a city-wide recreation survey is completed, it could contact the names of private companies that sponsor it. When the results of the survey are published, the summary could also have the sponsor's names on it.
7. Arrange for visits to comparable cities to see how they help sponsor the recreational needs of their residents. Present these ideas to the appropriate decision makers in local government.
8. Design really sharp looking T-shirts, tanks tops and/or sweat shirts that shows some of the city's recreational offerings. Companies could sponsor it and have their names on the back. Sales of the clothing could sponsor additional programming.
9. Put up donation boxes in various recreational sites so that site users can donate funds directly to recreational needs of their choosing. The donation box could be part of the informational kiosk (see concept #2).
10. Host a state-wide or nation-wide recreational conference in Gainesville where some of the proceeds would go to enhance programming.
11. Have recreational facility fix-up days where people from the community are invited to fix and enhance certain areas and items. This is already done for regional rivers, why not parks and other facilities, too?
12. Arrange with the Florida Department of Corrections to get more inmate work squads to do some of the necessary clean up and enhancement work that facilities may need.
I realize that some of these ideas overlap and that some may not be practical, but hopefully some may prove helpful.
Regards, Jonathan Coron
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GRASSROOTS and SUPPORT:
Middle School Programming: Carl Harness Harnesscs@ci.gainesville.fl.us
Elementary Afterschool Scholarships: Elizabeth Bondy <bondy@edu15.coe.ufl.edu
Cone Park (Gainesville): Tom Hawkins thawkins@atlantic.net
Greentree Park (Gainesville): ACTION, Dave Hill dnbhill@digital.net
Hawthorne:
Jonesville: Debbie Kennedy, 332-5713, and ACGARPA, Tom Trscabinets@aol.com
462-4902
Morningside: Penny Weber, President 334-2170
Newberry Park: Alena K. Buggs (352) 955-5084 <Alena_Buggs@DCF.State.FL.US>
Paynes Prairie:
Squirrel Ridge Park Gretchen Howard Gch@sa.co.alachua.fl.us 337-6174
Waldo: Henry Drake <SagoDr@aol.com (352) 468-2298
Windsor: Juanita Biles jkbracin@bellsouth.net 373-2812, 538-3235
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CALENDAR
Sep 17th local musicians to the Hippodrome Mainstage--"Mark
Sexton" marsexton@hotmail.com
Oct Wknds Calamity Jane" High Springs Community Theater Norm
Boyd normboyd@gru.net
Oct 7 Withlacoochee trail ride, 7-9 am 527-3263
Oct 6th, Fall Native Plant Sale Saturday 9 - 2, Morningside
Nature Center
Oct 6 Santa Fe Century (Gainesville Cycling Festival) Roger Pierce,
http://www.afn.org/~bike
Oct 7 Horse Farm Hundred (Gainesville Cycling Festival) Roger
Pierce, http://www.afn.org/~bike
Oct 15 SKATTERBRAINZ benefit for the IGUANA, HIPPODROME -- JaneYii@aol.com
Oct 18-21 Gainesville Senior Games, GSOC
Oct 19 Taste of Gainesville 7 - 9 pm Community Plaza
Nov TBD GSOC Recognition Banquet, GSOC
Mar 17, 2002, 1-4 Summer Activities Fair
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The intent of the RecConnection e-letter is to unite recreation
efforts and information in Alachua County. Your comments, articles,
and information are vital to our success. We reach over 1,000
people via email.
http://alachua-recreation.gru.net
352 338-0606
Thank You,
Alison