Thursday, May 13, 2010

Israeli, International, English, Contra

Hello Gainesville Ocala Israeli and Folk Dancers,
 
No Israeli Dancing this Thursday nor next Thursday due to Shavuot.
 
Contra Dance this Saturday.
 
Happy Dancing,
Andy
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Schedule: confirm all programs before going
 
1. Friday 5/14 - International Folk Dancing
2. Saturday 5/15 - Contra Dance
3. Thursday 5/20 - English Country Dance
4. Thursday 5/27 - Israeli Dancing - confirm with Ariela
5. Fri-Sun 5/28-30 - Florida Folk Festival
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Follow Gainesville dance on
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=276987733518
www.twitter.com/GainesvilleDanc
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Quotes:
 
- Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory. - Albert Schweitzer
 
- The friendship that can cease has never been real. - Saint Jerome
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Friday 5/14 - International Folk Dancing
 
4225 NW 34th St, Gainesville, Florida
 
8:00 - 9:00 : Beginners instruction
9:00 - 9:30 : Advanced instruction
9:30 - 11:00 : Dancing
 
$3 per person (to pay the rent of the dance room), $1 students
 
Dance to a different beat. No partners needed and all ages welcome. Member of the Florida Folk Dance Council.
 
Jack Seltzer, gainesvilleifd@gmail.com, 352-359-2903
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. Saturday 5/15 - Contra Dance
 
Boltin Center, 516 NE 2 Avenue
 
7:30 - 8:00 : Contra dance lesson
8:00 - 11:00 : Contra dance
 
$7, $5 students
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. Thursday 5/20 - English Country Dance - confirm
 
601 S Main Street
 
6:30 - 9:30
 
Annette Merritt, flamerritt@hotmail.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. Thursday 5/27 - Israeli Dancing with Ariela
 
B'nai Israel, 3830 NW 16 Blvd
 
7:00 - 9:30 : Israeli Dancing
 
Ariela, 352 213 3863, anotzer@yahoo.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
5. Fri-Sun 5/28-30 - Florida Folk Festival
 
White Springs, FL
 
May 28 - May 30
 
Saturday May 29
 
3:00 - 4:00 : Chutzpah Klezmer band performs
5:00 - 7:00 : Klezmer Dance with the band Chutzpah and Andrew Weitzen
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
You can find this newsletter online here.
www.gainesvilledance.com/Newsletters/tabid/80/Gainesville_Dance/72/Israeli-International-English-Contra.aspx
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Bronze Inc. provides this free email newsletter service. Bronze is a for profit business and may get compensated for services and products mentioned here and on Bronze websites.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2010 to present by Bronze Inc. Gainesville, FL
 
 
You may forward, print or post any part of this email provided you include this copyright notice. All other rights reserved. Contact us for other uses.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Weitzen, publish@dancecalendar.info, 352-327-3672, Gainesville, FL
 
 
- Find all the Dance events happening in your community
- Get publicity and a free online Dance calendar for your events
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, May 7, 2010

Mary Landrieu accepted $750,000 from oil and gas companies, Stop New Offshore Drilling

From: Andrea W., Care2 Action Alerts

$11.5 million. That's how much money oil and gas interests have donated to members of Congress so far in the 2010 election cycle.1

Who is going to stand up in defense of our fragile oceans?

We must head-off Big Oil's PR campaign and stop new offshore drilling now »
In a speech on the Senate floor after last week's horrific disaster, Louisiana's own Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) said "We must continue
to drill." All told, she's accepted over $750,000 from oil and gas companies.2

If our elected leaders are to act in defense of our precious oceans and coastlines, they need to hear loud and clear from their
constituents -- from you and me.

Stop future oil disasters before they happen -- demand a moratorium on new offshore drilling »
There is no such thing as a "safe" oil drill. We must end our addiction to dirty fossil fuels, and stand up to Big Oil's money and
influence in Washington.

Join me and demand elected leaders protect our oceans.
Thanks for making a difference.

Andrea W.
ThePetitionSite

1 Oil and gas contribution totals from opensecrets.org
2 Total contributions to Sen. Landrieu: from opensecrets.org

Protect Fragile Oceans

Read the petition
Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFwYG/zkUo/b0hWS

Care2.com, Inc.
275 Shoreline Drive, Suite 300
Redwood City, CA 94065
http://www.care2.com

Posted by at No comments:

Protect Florida beaches from offshore oil drilling constitutional amendment ban

------------------------------------------------------
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From: Alex Sink
 
http://action.alexsink2010.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=15&tag=drillingban_petition_email

Yesterday, I took my third trip to Florida's Panhandle this week.  And as I spoke with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and local business leaders, I told them what I've been seeing and hearing from Floridians since the news of the oil spill began -- that we are worried about the threat to our economy, to many Floridians' livelihoods, to our way of life.

And like nearly every conversation I've had as we watch the oil move towards Florida beaches, this one also ended with the same resolve:

We cannot risk having another accident like this anywhere near Florida's beaches.

That's why I'm working for a constitutional amendment banning drilling off of our coast. It's the only way this will never happen again.

Click here to add your voice in support of a constitutional amendment banning drilling in Florida state waters.

I'm working around the clock to ensure Floridians impacted by this disaster are receiving the help they need -- and we still don't know just how bad things are going to get. I've also taken BP to task for their lack of responsiveness and helped cut some of the red-tape our coastal communities are facing.

But one thing is perfectly clear: Drilling near our beaches is not worth the risk to our businesses and our livelihoods.

I know you agree.

Join me in safeguarding our beautiful state, our coastline, and our economy for future generations: Support our call for a constitutional amendment to ban drilling.

I will continue to fight to make sure BP is held accountable, and that they take responsibility for the costs of this disastrous oil spill.

But while we're working hard to clean up this mess, we have to do everything we can to prevent the next disaster. We must work together to ban oil drilling off Florida's beaches now.

Time, as they say, is a-wasting.

Thank you for helping me protect Florida's economy and our future.
Sincerely,

Alex Sink

P.S. To find out what you can do to help, and for up-to-date information, visit www.AlexSink2010.com.
 
-----------------------------------------
 
 
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Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Israeli, International, English, Ballroom, Klezmer, Birds and Bees

Hello Gainesville Ocala Israeli and Folk Dancers,
 
Israeli Dancing this Thursday if enough people contact Ariela, so get a hold of her. www.floridastateparks.org/folkfest
 
At the end of the month is the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs. This is a huge event. The Klezmer Band Chutzpah performs on Saturday afternoon at 3. From 5 to 7, they are playing a Klezmer dance and I will be leading dancing.
 
Judi Markell is teaching a beginner's Two-Step class at Imperial Dance Studio on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 pm for the next 4 weeks. The Two-Step is sort a Country Western version of the Foxtrot and lets you travel around the dance floor. We all know how wonderful a teacher Judi is. Take this opportunity to learn this useful dance. jlmarkkell10@comcast.net.
 
This Friday night May 7 Michael Davis aka Mr. October is performing at the Elks Lodge, a smoke-free venue for dancing and karaoke. Normally you have to be a member, but this night they have opened their doors to the public. And it is free.
 
Saturday night is a ballroom dance at Imperial Dance Studio.
 
GAIN meets next Monday May 10 at 5 to 7 pm, Embers, 3545 SW 34 Street. www.gain-net.org/public/NextEvent.asp
 
Go back to the Boltin on Sunday afternoon for a Contra dance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhbbPL2f3A - Dancing Israeli soldiers
 
Happy Dancing,
Andy
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Schedule: confirm all programs before going
 
1. Thursday 5/6 - Israeli Dancing - confirm with Ariela
2. Thursday 5/6 - English Country Dance
3. Friday 5/7 - International Folk Dancing
4. Saturday 5/8 - Ballroom Dance at Imperial Dance Studio
5. Fri-Sun 5/28-30 - Florida Folk Festival
Article: The Birds and the Bees
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Follow Gainesville dance on
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=276987733518
www.twitter.com/GainesvilleDanc
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Quotes:
 
- Life is unpredictable and does not come with guarantees. ~ Sue Hubbell
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Thursday 5/6 - Israeli Dancing with Ariela
 
B'nai Israel, 3830 NW 16 Blvd
 
7:00 - 9:30 : Israeli Dancing
 
Ariela, 352 213 3863, anotzer@yahoo.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. Thursday 5/6 - English Country Dance - confirm
 
601 S Main Street
 
6:30 - 9:30
 
Annette Merritt, flamerritt@hotmail.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. Friday 5/7 - International Folk Dancing
 
4225 NW 34th St, Gainesville, Florida
 
8:00 - 9:00 : Beginners instruction
9:00 - 9:30 : Advanced instruction
9:30 - 11:00 : Dancing
 
$3 per person (to pay the rent of the dance room), $1 students
 
Dance to a different beat. No partners needed and all ages welcome. Member of the Florida Folk Dance Council.
 
Jack Seltzer, gainesvilleifd@gmail.com, 352-359-2903
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. Saturday 5/8 - Ballroom Dance at Imperial Dance Studio
 
Imperial Dance Studio, 3550 SW 34th Street
 
7:30 -  8:30 : Argentine Tango lesson
8:30 - 11:30 : Ballroom dance
 
$7
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
5. Fri-Sun 5/28-30 - Florida Folk Festival
 
White Springs, FL
 
May 28 - May 30
 
Saturday May 29
 
3:00 - 4:00 : Chutzpah Klezmer band performs
5:00 - 7:00 : Klezmer Dance with the band Chutzpah and Andrew Weitzen
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Article: The Birds and the Bees
 
When I was about ten my Dad had "the Birds and the Bees" talk with me.
 
He sat me down in the backyard and started.
 
"If you go next door and climb in Cathy Patterson's window," he began.
 
Cathy was the cute girl who lived up the hill, next to us, and was my sister's best friend. Her window was on the second floor and would be impossible to get into without a ladder. Plus there was the difficulty of removing the screen. These were my thoughts then.
 
"And get in Cathy's bed, Mr. Patterson will punch you in the nose," he poured out his wisdom.
 
"Why would I get in Cathy's bed?" I wondered to myself. "It would be cramped and uncomfortable with the two of us in a little bed," was my only thought.
 
"Do you understand what I am telling you?" my Dad asked.
 
"Sure Dad, I understand," I assured him.
 
He seemed satisfied. That was the end of my education on the subject.
 
I cannot think I have heard any better advise about women since then.
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
You can find this newsletter online here.
www.gainesvilledance.com/Newsletters/tabid/80/Gainesville_Dance/71/Israeli-International-English-Ballroom-Klezmer-Birds-and-Bees.aspx
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Bronze Inc. provides this free email newsletter service. Bronze is a for profit business and may get compensated for services and products mentioned here and on Bronze websites.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2010 to present by Bronze Inc. Gainesville, FL
 
 
You may forward, print or post any part of this email provided you include this copyright notice. All other rights reserved. Contact us for other uses.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Weitzen, publish@dancecalendar.info, 352-327-3672, Gainesville, FL
 
 
- Find all the Dance events happening in your community
- Get publicity and a free online Dance calendar for your events
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Fw: MacGruber Soundtrack MP3 featuring Kristen Wiig!

"The Life Champion tag's not one to be thrown around too liberally. And yet there is Saturday Night Live's Kristen Wiig, whose proven over five seasons at SNL that she is the best, and reconfirms her Life Champion #1 status by making a whole '80s-pop styled song about being a champion. It's called "Champion." That is because she does everything right."--Stereogum

::DOWNLOAD "CHAMPION" MP3 Featuring Kristen Wiig HERE::
(Approved to Post)

MacGruber is THE film to lead you into those warm summer days we have awaiting us just around the corner. With a cast made up of heavy hitters Ryan Phillippe, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer and of course Will Forte in the role he made famous on Saturday Night Live this is sure to be one adventure you won't want to miss.

What is more enjoyable than a hilarious summer blockbuster? The perfect SOUNDTRACK! Stay tuned for more news as we continue to debut exclusive tracks featuring the movie's key players as well as support from special guest Lightspeed Champion.  The MacGruber Soundtrack is available everywhere on May 18th, check out the movie on May 21st!

MacGruber SOUNTRACK Tracklisting:
1. MacGruber's Theme--Cornbread Compton & The Silverlake Choir
2. Heavy Soul--The Black Keys
3. Rosanna--Toto
4. Baker Street--Gerry Rafferty
5. Tick Tick Boom--The Hives
6. Touch N' Go--Emerson, Lake & Powell
7. Take Me Home Tonight--Eddie Money
8. Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
9. A Perfect Number--Kristen Wiig
10. Broken Wings--Mr. Mister
11. Steal Away--Robbie Dupree
12. Rock My Body--Kristen Wiig (Featuring MacGruber & Lightspeed Champion)
13. Love is a Wonderful Thing--Michael Bolton
14. The MacGruber Suite--Matthew Compton
15. Champion--Kristen Wiig (Featuring Lightspeed Champion)

::WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR MACGRUBER HERE::
©Copyright 2007 Sneak Attack Media
--------------------------------------------
 
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Swing Party, Friday dancing, Two-step, Tango, Networking, Birds and Bees

Hello Gainesville Ocala Area Dancers and Friends,
 
This week's newsletter is out early to remind you of Josh and Bri's West Coast Swing party this Wednesday night May 5, at the Eagles Club.
 
Thanks to Richard for hosting a swing and social dance on Saturday night. Two months is too long to wait for the next one.
 
UF Swing Club starts up next Wednesday at the Reitz Union and will be holding a Blues night once a month. See their Facebook group. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52918651040
 
Swing Dance USA is coming to St. Petersburg at the end of May. Contact Richard Nalli for a 10% discount. www.SwingDanceUSA.com
 
Judi Markell is teaching a beginner's Two-Step class at Imperial Dance Studio on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 pm for the next 4 weeks. The Two-Step is sort a Country Western version of the Foxtrot and lets you travel around the dance floor. We all know how wonderful a teacher Judi is. Take this opportunity to learn this useful dance. jlmarkkell10@comcast.net.
 
This Friday night May 7 Michael Davis aka Mr. October is performing at the Elks Lodge, a smoke-free venue for dancing and karaoke. Normally you have to be a member, but this night they have opened their doors to the public. And it is free.
 
Tango Encanto meets this Friday. Confirm with David Chayes on the Tango Y Te schedule and location.
 
Saturday night is a ballroom dance at Imperial Dance Studio.
 
Andrea Pham starts up a new 6 week series in Argentine Tango next Wednesday May 12. pham.andrea@gmail.com
 
PPIR (real estate) and PPO (anyone who provides a product or service) networking groups, open to all, meets this Wednesday 5:30 to 7:30 at The Gables, 4700 SW Archer Road. Check out some homes, get some free snacks and meet some people. Free.
 
GAIN meets next Monday May 10 at 5 to 7 pm, Embers, 3545 SW 34 Street. www.gain-net.org/public/NextEvent.asp
 
Happy Dancing,
Andy
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Schedule: confirm all programs before going
 
1. Wednesday 5/5 - West Coast Swing Dance Party with Josh and Brianne
2. Thursday 5/6 - Tango Y Te
3. Thursday 5/6 - English Country Dance
4. Thursday 5/6 - Israeli Dancing - confirm with Ariela
5. Friday 5/7 - International Folk Dancing
6. Friday 5/7 - Mr. October at the Elks Lodge
7. Friday 5/7 - Tango Encanto
8. Saturday 5/8 - Tango Y Te
9. Saturday 5/8 - Ballroom Dance at Imperial Dance Studio
10. Tuesday 5/11 - Mostly Swing Dancing
11. Fri-Sun 5/28-30 - Swing Dance USA www.SwingDanceUSA.com
Article: The Birds and the Bees
 
Other:
 
- Imperial Dance Studio: in addition to traditional ballroom dances, they are now teaching Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing. See www.ImperialDanceStudio.net
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Follow Gainesville dance on
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=276987733518
www.twitter.com/GainesvilleDanc
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Quotes:
 
- Life is unpredictable and does not come with guarantees. ~ Sue Hubbell
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Wednesday 5/5 - West Coast Swing with Josh and Brianne
 
Eagles Club, 4562 NW 13th Street
 
7:00 - East and West Coast Swing class and dancing
 
$3 members, $5 non-members
 
Joshua Angel and Brianne Nelson, joshuadancer79@gmail.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. Thursday 5/6 - Tango Y Te
 
Confirm before going and get location
 
6:30 - 7:30 : Study Group
7:30 - 10:00 : General Practice
 
$7, $4 students
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. Thursday 5/6 - English Country Dance
 
601 S Main Street
 
6:30 - 9:30
 
Annette Merritt, flamerritt@hotmail.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. Thursday 5/7 - Israeli Dancing with Ariela
 
Confirm with Ariela before going
 
B'nai Israel, 3830 NW 16 Blvd
 
7:00 - 9:30 : Israeli Dancing
 
Ariela, 352 213 3863, anotzer@yahoo.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
5. Friday 5/7 - International Folk Dancing
 
4225 NW 34th St, Gainesville, Florida
 
8:00 - 9:00 : Beginners instruction
9:00 - 9:30 : Advanced instruction
9:30 - 11:00 : Dancing
 
$3 per person (to pay the rent of the dance room), $1 students
 
Dance to a different beat. No partners needed and all ages welcome. Member of the Florida Folk Dance Council.
 
Jack Seltzer, gainesvilleifd@gmail.com, 352-359-2903
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
6. Friday 5/7 - Tango Encanto
 
Evolve Pilates & Fitness, 6450 SW Archer Road, 2nd floor, Gainesville, FL. Near Beef O'Bradys in the "Kanapaha Station" plaza.
 
8:00 or 9:00 - 12:30 - Tango Encanto milonga
 
Our Encanto milonga is just around the corner, please come and join us this Friday. Friends, smiles, music, drinks and food - always welcomed. See you soon on the dance floor.
$10 per person, $5 for minors and students with valid ID, for the dance. Payable to Tango Encanto.
 
No street shoes are permitted…proper dance shoes are required so that we don't damage the beautiful floor.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
7. Friday 5/7 - Mr. October at the Elks Lodge
 
Gainesville's Elks Lodge, 2424 NW 25 Blvd, 352-376 7351
 
7:00 : Prime Rib dinner begins, $13 - $17
 
8:00 or 8:30 : Mr. October show, karaoke and dancing
 
Free
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
8. Saturday 5/8 - Tango Y Te
 
Confirm before going and get location
 
7:30 : Lesson
8:30 : Dancing
 
$10, $5 students
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
9. Saturday 5/8 - Ballroom Dance at Imperial Dance Studio
 
Imperial Dance Studio, 3550 SW 34th Street
 
7:30 -  8:30 : Argentine Tango lesson
8:30 - 11:30 : Ballroom dance
 
$7
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
10. Tuesday 5/11 - Mostly Swing Dancing with Richard
 
Thelma Bolton Center, 516 NE 2 Ave
 
6:50 - 9:00 : Lesson and dancing
 
$8, $6 students with ID
 
Richard, 352-213-8769, mostlyswinggainesville@yahoo.com
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Article: The Birds and the Bees
 
When I was about ten my Dad had "the Birds and the Bees" talk with me.
 
He sat me down in the backyard and started.
 
"If you go next door and climb in Cathy Patterson's window," he began.
 
Cathy was the cute girl who lived up the hill, next to us, and was my sister's best friend. Her window was on the second floor and would be impossible to get into without a ladder. Plus there was the difficulty of removing the screen. These were my thoughts then.
 
"And get in Cathy's bed, Mr. Patterson will punch you in the nose," he poured out his wisdom.
 
"Why would I get in Cathy's bed?" I wondered to myself. "It would be cramped and uncomfortable with the two of us in a little bed," was my only thought.
 
"Do you understand what I am telling you?" my Dad asked.
 
"Sure Dad, I understand," I assured him.
 
He seemed satisfied. That was the end of my education on the subject.
 
I cannot think I have heard any better advise about women since then.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
You can find this newsletter online here.
http://www.gainesvilledance.com/Newsletters/tabid/80/Gainesville_Dance/70/Swing-Party-Friday-dancing-Two-step-Tango-Networking-Birds-and-Bees.aspx
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Bronze Inc. provides this free email newsletter service. Bronze is a for profit business and may get compensated for services and products mentioned here and on Bronze websites.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2010 to present by Bronze Inc. Gainesville, FL
 
 
You may forward, print or post any part of this email provided you include this copyright notice. All other rights reserved. Contact us for other uses.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Weitzen, publish@dancecalendar.info, 352-327-3672, Gainesville, FL
 
 
- Find all the Dance events happening in your community
- Get publicity and a free online Dance calendar for your events
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Fw: Advocate: Florida Legislative Session Comes to a Close

From the Audubon Society

Donate here
https://loon.audubon.org/payment/donate/FLAUDPOL.html

Florida's Birds and Wildlife Need Your Help
Your funds will go into an exclusive conservation fund to help us advocate for clean water, healthy habitat and abundant wildlife.

Advocate: April 30, 2010
Tonight, the Florida House and Senate concluded their business, passing final bills, letting the clock run out on others, and authorizing a budget including funding for Florida Forever and Everglades Restoration. Read on for our summary, as well as action steps related to oil drilling and calling for a veto from Governor Crist. Thanks to each of you who took action throughout this session to support good legislation and stave off bills that would jeopardize the natural resources that make our state so special. ~ Audubon of Florida Policy Team

What to find in this issue of the Advocate:
  . Florida Forever funded at $15M
  . Everglades Restoration funded now & later
  . Springs Bill Provides Septic Inspection
  . Renewable Energy Fails to Pass Senate
  . Nearshore Oil Drilling Fades Away
  . House Refuses to Reauthorize DCA
  . Python Ban to Become Law
  . Take Action! Audubon Calls for Veto on HB1565
  . Thanks to our colleagues, partners & advocates!
--------------------------------------------
 
 
--------------------------------------------

Florida Forever Emerges with $15M in Funding

Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach), House Speaker Larry Cretul (R-Ocala), and House and Senate budget chiefs Sen. JD Alexander (R-Lake Wales) and Rep. David Rivera (R-Miami), the state's conservation land buying program, Florida Forever, will receive $15M in cash funding for the coming fiscal year. This important bridge funding will help ensure continuity in this program, which protects everything from Florida's wild, signature landscapes, to vital urban greenspaces and community parks. Thanks to you all, and our partners in the Florida Forever Coalition, for your advocacy on behalf of Florida Forever this year.
Everglades Gets Money and Back-up Money

After tough negotiations, the Legislature agreed to appropriate $10 million for the Everglades and $40 million more if the state receives a generous distribution of federal Medicaid funds this summer. Proviso language allows the Everglades appropriation to be spent on Audubon priorities - the federal/state Everglades restoration plan, Lake Okeechobee and the estuaries. Cheers to Senator Jeff Atwater and House leaders for coming through on Everglades Restoration!

Septic Inspection Legislation to Become Law

Senator Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs), who leaves the Legislature this year because of term limits, has been one of the most stalwart pro-environment legislators of all time. This year, he faced an uphill struggle to get any good legislation approved. As is often the case, passing good things requires that less-good things be accepted on a bill to keep it moving. Such was the case of Senator Constantine's SB 550.  Through this process, SB 550 became a massive water bill by the end of session, but ultimately contained a valuable provision for springs protection: a mandatory 5-year inspection of all septic tanks, to ensure they are not leaking pollutants ranging from nutrients to fecal coliform into Florida's springs and other waterbodies. Existing law will require malfunctioning tanks to be pumped out and/or repaired, and failed tanks to be replaced, addressing a significant source of pollution in Florida's springs. Despite significant opposition to these septic provisions from legislators like Rep. Chris Dorworth (R-Heathrow), Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood), Rep. Alan Hayes (R-Umatilla), Rep. Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka) and Sen. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness), this important measure will become law upon signature by the Governor.
Renewable Energy Fails to Gain Support in Senate

HB 7229, a bill that would have provided almost 1000 MW of solar and other renewable energy failed to gain consideration in the Florida Senate. One year after the House refused to pass the Senate's renewable portfolio standard, the Senate stuffed the House. The bill, which used cost recovery and incentives rather than direct requirements to push renewable energy, gained only lukewarm support from die-hard renewable energy advocates and seemed only to have strong support of utilities and some solar manufacturers and would-be solar city developers. Audubon supported the bill as the only viable way (with no RPS in sight) to jump start widespread placement of retail solar power.
 
----------------------------------------------------
 
 
----------------------------------------------------

Nearshore Oil Drilling Fades Away

A proposal to open Florida's nearshore waters to oil and gas exploration pushed by House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) and Senate President-elect Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne) was held at bay this session, largely due to the wisdom of Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach) who signaled his reservations about lifting Florida's decades-old ban. Two weeks ago, Rep. Cannon officially ended his pursuit of this legislation, but indicated his intent to revisit it in coming sessions when the Senate's appetite for the measure could be improved. Congratulations to Audubon advocates and all our partners for this hard-won success. Sadly, the recent Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in the Gulf continues to spill 5000 barrels of crude a day into Gulf waters; Pensacola may see oil coming ashore as early as Monday. This tragic incident has brought the issue of drilling near Florida into sharp focus for many elected officials. Audubon is now focused on meeting the challenges this disaster will pose to our coastal wildlife and their habitat. Learn how you can help here.
House Leadership Refuses to Reauthorize DCA

While the Senate passed legislation renewing the Department of Community Affairs, the House refused to take the matter up on the floor, despite a House committee recommending reauthorization of Florida's growth management agency. Florida's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is the state land planning agency charged with review of local government plan changes, developments of regional impact, and protection of the state's "Areas of Critical Concern" such as the Florida Keys, Green Swamp and Big Cypress. This year marks the second in a row in which the agency's sunset review was left unresolved, leaving the agency ripe for extinction in 2011, when Rep. Dean Cannon and Senator Mike Haridopolos take the reins as House Speaker and Senate President. Both of these legislators have previously expressed hostility toward DCA, and opposition to the most basic concepts of Florida's growth management laws.
Python Legislation Passes

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) and Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Ft. Myers) passed earlier this week, banning ownership of Burmese Pythons and several other large constrictors. Current owners of these large snakes will be allowed to keep them for the life of the snake. The same day, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at their meeting in Havana, FL, finalized rules echoing much of this language. This policy provides important source control, which will hopefully prevent similar large constrictors from becoming established in Florida's wildlands like the Burmese python has become established in Florida's Everglades.

Audubon to Urge Governor to Veto HB 1565

A little-noticed bill amending the "Administrative Procedures Act" passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor. Audubon and most certainly every other environmental group will vigorously urge a veto. The bill requires the Legislature to ratify any agency rule that might cause $1 million or more in economic impacts to the private sector over a 5 year period, in aggregate, statewide. That essentially means that ALL agency rules will be required to be ratified by the Legislature, shutting down the agency rulemaking process. Other features of the bill make rule proceedings impossibly expensive for state agencies by requiring detailed economic studies which agencies would have to pay to conduct. Virtually every item on the environmental agenda is impacted from Growth Management (rules by the Department of Community affairs) to Water Quality  and public lands (rules by the water management districts and DEP). Contact Governor Crist now, and urge a veto of HB 1565.

Thanks to Our Friends and Colleagues

This Session we found ourselves working with old friends and new allies, on traditional issues like Florida Forever and Everglades Restoration, as well as meeting the challenge of the year: proposals to open Florida's nearshore waters to oil and gas exploration. Thanks to our colleagues on the ground at the Capitol, including Janet Bowman and Chris Berry of the Nature Conservancy, Thom Rumberger, Noah Valenstein and the Everglades Trust team, David Cullen of Sierra, Jay Liles of Florida Wildlife Federation and Susan Glickman of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Additional thanks at the Capitol and at home in legislative districts to our friends with 1000 Friends of Florida, Caribbean Conservation Corp, FSBPA, Hands Across the Sand, Gulf Restoration Network, Defenders of Wildlife, FRPA, Florida Association of Counties, National Parks and Conservation Association, Trust for Public Land, and the Everglades and Florida Forever coalitions. Most importantly, thanks to all the grassroots advocates like you, who continue to contribute your time and energy to influencing the process in the best interest of Florida's wildlife and wildlands.
With gratitude, Eric Draper, Julie Wraithmell, Charles Lee, Traci Romine and the rest of Audubon's Policy Team.
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