Southwest Florida Public Radio & Television

Artcrafters

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:53:00 GMT

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

The Naples Artcrafters may be one of the most welcoming art organizations in town. Its members include painters, potters, jewelers – just about every artistic or craft discipline imaginable. Even those without an art or craft are welcome to join the ranks and help put on the group’s monthly outdoor shows.

Resources:
Naples Artcrafters: www.naplesartcrafters.com
Naples Art Association: www.naplesartcenter.org
Art League of Marco Island: www.marcoislandart.org
Seagrape Gallery, Charlotte County: www.seagrapegallery.com
Art League of Bonita Springs: www.artcenterbonita.org
Lee County Alliance for the Arts: www.artinlee.org

Nature Art

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:39:00 GMT

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Looking for an idea on your next art project? Step outside. A backyard, a beach, or a walk along a nature path can be the muse behind your next master piece. Meet three regional artists who find a creative outlet through found objects in nature. Get inspired by these artists’ use of driftwood, tree trimmings, and gourds to create sculptural art. Watch as metal is added to driftwood to make household décor, a palm tree limb transforms into a fish, and a gourd gets painted and engraved into a vase.

Resources:

http://www.juliasarts.com/gallery.htm
Julia’s Arts Gallery: A Gallery with an Eclectic Selection of Local Artists' Works

http://steelstyle.com/
Artist, James Ferrari’s official site

http://www.artworkbymary.com/
Artist, Mary Widmer’s official site

Clyde Butcher Swamp Walk

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:33:00 GMT

Writer/Producer: Janina Birtolo

Landscape photographer Clyde Butcher is well known for his compelling black and white photos of the Everglades and other natural areas. Now he’s taking others into the environment that inspires him in hopes of prompting an artful appreciation of nature.

Resources:
Dragonfly Expeditions: www.dragonflyexpeditions.com
Florida Trail Association: www.floridatrail.org
Friends of the Big Cypress: www.friendsofbigcypress.org
Friends of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve: www.friendsoffakahatchee.org
Friends of the Everglades: www.everglades.org
Eco-Quest Nature Tours: ww.ecoquestnaturetours.com

Pet Therapy

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

Hospital stays are not usually joyous occasions. So it’s understandable that visitors are often subdued, tentative, perhaps even a little glum. Not Missy.
She always has a spring in her step and a joyful, eager expression on her face when she enters a hospital room. She’s even been known to climb right in bed and snuggle up with a patient. Technically, Missy’s’s not a visitor; she’s a hospital volunteer and wears a badge to prove it. She’s also not a person; she’s a dog, one of a corps of canine volunteers who bring joy and companionship to hospital patients throughout the Lee Memorial Health System.

Resources:

Therapy Dogs. Inc.
http://www.therapydogs.com/

Marilyn Shaw
Cape Coral Hospital Volunteer Office
239-574-0206

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
http://www.tdi-dog.org/

973-252-9800

Healthy Cooking Classes

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:14:00 GMT

Writer/Producer: Kristy Vaughn

Nutrition can’t be found from a drive-thru window. Wellness begins with the food items placed in a grocery cart. Eating fresh, whole foods from the grocery store or a local farmer’s market can be the difference between feeling energized or sluggish all day. But in our microwave society, often packaged and processed food becomes a cheap-and-easy substitute for nourishment. A healthy cooking class can inspire creativity in the kitchen through simple recipes anyone can prepare. The free or low-cost classes empower attendees with knowledge about healthier, more natural alternative to meals found in plastic packages, cans, or the frozen food section. A few discerning choices, coupled with basic preparation skills, can promote lifelong wellness and happiness.

Resources:

http://mangrovesinstitute.com/
Mangrove Health Institute in Naples

http://www.adasnatural.com/
Ada’s Natural and Organic Foods Supermarket

http://www.foodandthought.com/
Food and Thought Organic Market and Restaurant

http://www.rawfoodlife.com/
Raw Food Life: Discover the Science of the Raw Food Lifestyle

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
Fruits and Veggies: More Matters from Produce for Better Health Foundation

Christmas Bird Count

rchin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:58:00 GMT

Numbers from the National Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count are being tabulated now. This week on Vernon’s Views historian Vernon Peeples recalls the time spent in Florida by John James Audubon - an artist whose work has inspired generations of birding enthusiasts.

Linda Fasulo Book Review - The King of Swords

rchin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:34:00 GMT

This week’s featured author Nick Stone is the son of eminent historian Norman Stone and a Haitian mother. Stone was raised in both Haiti and England. He witnessed the U.S. / U.N. invasion of his mother’s country. It is his experience & knowledge of the Haitian culture that have made his books so highly acclaimed for their vivid authenticity. Stone now divides his time between London and Miami, the latter of which is the setting for his latest novel called The King of Swords…reviewed today by Linda Fasulo.

Growing Demand for Career Services

rchin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:30:00 GMT

In Lee County, nearly ten percent of the labor force is out of work. That’s the highest level this region has seen in more than a half-century. But business is booming at one place...the One Stop Career Center in Ft. Myers. It’s where people who’ve been laid off can pick up forms to file for unemployment benefits. But more people are also coming in to take advantage of free serves to help them get back to work. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Tuesday, January 6th

rchin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:26:00 GMT

The Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda holds a six week digital darkroom class Tuesdays from 9:30 until 11:30 beginning this morning. (941-575-7634 www.bspconline.org)

The Burnt Store Presbyterian Church also begins a five week Mah Jongg class beginning tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. (941-575-7634 www.bspconline.org)

Bluegrass musicians Ron Block and Sierra Hull perform a benefit concert for St. Matthews House Charities at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples tonight at 7:00. (239-298-5026 www.stmattewshouse.org)

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street

mkiniry — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:17:00 GMT

Former TV Guide columnist Michael Davis discusses his new book, on how PBS’s Sesame Street became a household name 40 years ago. What began as a discussion about how to use television to teach children, quickly merged with Jim Henson’s muppets, risked many firsts on TV and made a lasting impact on the culture of American childhood. Today Sesame Street reaches 8 million preschoolers on 350 PBS stations in America and in 120 countries worldwide.

Why Good People Do Bad Things

mkiniry — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:54:00 GMT

The C.G. Jung Society of Sarasota is made up of people who study the works Carl Jung. They host a series of lectures on numerous Jung studies. We’ll talk with the speaker for January’s program titled: “Why Good People Do Bad Things.” He is Dr. James Hollis of the Jung Society of Houston. It's a deeper look at Jung and his notion of the shadow within us all. We'll also have a sit down with Sanibel Mayor Mick Denham about his upcoming trip to Miami for the 2009 Everglades Coaltion Annual Conference.

Purpose Prize

mkiniry — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:53:00 GMT

For the last few years, a group called the Civic Ventures Inc. has handed out a series of honors to people over 60 called the Purpose Prize. Their goal is to change the way we view aging in America. They want to bring civic minded people together to inspire others and make a difference in communities across the country. A handful of the dozens who are honored win the grand prize of $100,000. We will talk with one of the few honored, Nola Theiss from Sanibel, who runs her group Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships. We'll also ask you how you plan to spend the golden years of your life.

Connect - Funky Roadside Attractions

mkiniry — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:46:00 GMT

Everyone knows about Disney World and Busch Gardens and the Sunshine State’s other major attractions…but there are plenty of other fun and interesting places to spend a day with your family. We’re joined by the author of the book “Along Florida’s Expressways” to get some recommendations. Plus we’ll talk to the owners of a couple of southwest Florida’s funky roadside attractions to learn more about what they do – and how they’re doing in this economy.

Dr. George Friedman

mkiniry — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:48:00 GMT

In these troubled times some are wondering if we are seeing the end of the American Century. Is the 21st century going to be China’s, as many experts are suggesting? Predicting a new American Golden Age, Sasha’s guest is Dr. GEORGE FRIEDMAN, founder and CEO of STRATFOR, a private intelligence and forecasting company, discussing his latest book “The Next 100 Years”.

Pioneer

mkiniry — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:17:00 GMT

As predictions for what’s ahead in the New Year abound News Press Essayist Amy Bennett Williams is also taking a look back...not at 2008, but at notes from the region’s pioneer past.

1918

mkiniry — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:57:00 GMT

This week on Vernon’s Views historian Vernon Peeples shares with us a northerner’s perspective of the Sunshine State 90 years ago.

Weeki Wachee

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:43:00 GMT

Weeki Wachee Springs is the only city of live mermaids in Hernando County – and is the deepest springs in the United States. The 60-year-old nostalgic tourist attraction is fighting for its future and it’s the subject of a new book. We welcome the author plus 2 former mermaids – one of whom doubled for the star in the 1948 film Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid and the other of whom calls Bokeelia home.

The Future of Citrus in Florida

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:41:00 GMT

The Herald Tribune is finishing a multi-part, multimedia series on the State of Citrus in Florida. We’ll talk with the reporter behind the series to discuss the citrus industry in Florida - and the long list of challenges its facing as it heads into the new century. Plus several industry experts join the show to give us an inside look at the future of citrus in the Sunshine State.

New Years Resolutions

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:37:00 GMT

Why are New Year’s resolutions so hard to keep? Should we even make them in the first place? We’ll take a look at the art of making New Year’s resolutions - and how to best keep them. Also, what are the origins of New Year’s Resolutions…who were the first people to make them? We also want to hear from you…what are your resolutions for 2009? Do you expect them to last? Do you know which are the top resolutions people make every year? There are some funny quotes about New Year's Resolutions from famous people. How do you make good Resolutions?

Protect Your Identity

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:36:00 GMT

December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. We are devoting this show to understanding why millions of Americans fall victim to this ever increasing crime. Our guest is Executive Director of the ID Theft Resource Center, Jay Foley. Watch the Federal Trade Commission video on ID theft. Also, test yourself with the FTC ID theft quiz.

Holiday Book Discussion

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:31:00 GMT

Another year is about to end, but first we look back on the best books of 2008. From non-fiction & fiction to children’s titles, we explore the titles that inspired, scared and entertained us. We’re joined by several folks from the Lee County Library System to talk about the best books of 2008 and what to expect in 2009. We’ll also discuss the upcoming Reading Festival - and look at which authors will be coming to town. And we’ll talk about the growing popularity of the audio download and e-books, and ask the question: will digital technology ever actually replace physical books?

Holiday Updates

mkiniry — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:25:00 GMT

The events of this year have forced many people to change the way they look at the holiday shopping season. There are many people who are simply buying less. Others are finding different, maybe even unexpected places to go shopping for gifts. We’re joined by someone from Goodwill and the Salvation Army to get an update on people’s willingness to donate this year. We’ll also check in with someone from Southwest Florida International Airport for a look at holiday air travel.

Wednesday, December 24th

rchin — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:30:00 GMT

The Englewood United Methodist Church on East Dearborn Street in Sarasota, holds a free Christmas dinner from noon until 3:00 tomorrow afternoon.

(941-474-5588 cmccoy810@aol.com)

The Sarasota County Health Department’s mobile medical unit will be at the Wal-Mart in North Port from 9:30 until noon, and at the Riley Chase Apartments on Panacea Boulevard from 1:00 until 3:00, providing basic health services, screenings and immunizations.

(941-861-2852 www.scgov.net)

Care to Share

rchin — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:26:00 GMT

Contributions to Florida Power and Light’s “Care to Share” program are down – even as demand for help paying utility bills is up. Valerie Alker reports.

The Holiday Season at RSW

rchin — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:24:00 GMT

The winter storms currently slamming the northern U.S. are not putting too much of a crimp on business at Southwest Florida International Airport. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.