Community Calendar is brought to you by:
Free Financial Series
Sessions run each Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
First Baptist Church 14105 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville
This is a six-session weekly series designed to assist individuals and families gain control of their money. The material is applicable to a variety of age groups; college students just beginning to deal with budgeting as well as young married couples, young families and widows/widowers. Weekly sessions build one upon the other so it is helpful to attend all sessions, but people are invited to attend only some of the sessions. A three-ring binder is advised for keeping all the materials you will receive.
Veterans for Peace Presents Memorial Mile
May 25-27
SW Eight Avenue east of SW 34th Street in Gainesville
Veterans for Peace will be displaying more than 6,600 tombstones from dawn on May 25 to dusk on may 27 to honor those who have died in the wars in Afghanistan since 2001 and Iraq since 2003. Each tombstone will includes the service member’s name, date of death, age, branch of service, rank and home town. More information available at www.vfpgainesville.org
Free Air Conditioning Giveaway Contest for an
Alachua County Veteran in Need
Comfort Temp Company
Throughout May
Comfort Temp Company in Gainesville is sponsoring an high efficiency air conditioning giveaway contest during the month of May. More information available at http://confortemp.com/contest-contact-form/ or call Brooke Sawyer at 352-376-2366.
Alachua Home Grown Open House
June 1 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Alachua County Extension Office in Gainesville
Learn techniques and demonstrations for growing food, raising animals and more. Classes are free, but seating is limited. Contact the UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Office, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, at 352-955-2402 or email at alachua@ifas.ufl.edu.
Youth Combine Open House
June 1 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Gainesville
Youth Combine will be hosting an open house at their expansion location in east Gainesville at The Ark School of Fitness, located at W. University Avenue and Waldo Road behind Sweet Dreams Ice Creamery. Coaches will be at the reception. More information available at www.YouthCombine.org
4th Annual Taste of Gainesville
Dining Through the Decades
June 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.
UF Hilton Conference Center, Gainesville
The 4th annual event will feature signature dishes from North Central Florida’s best restaurants, an Iron Chef competition and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Tyler’s Hope for Dystonia Care, Child Advocacy Center and Children’s Home Society. More information available at www.tasteofgainesville.com
Gainesville Opportunity Center Tasting Benefit Event
June 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center
Gainesville
The event will feature fine wine, craft beer and exotic soda along with live entertainment and a silent and live auction at the Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center at 716 N. Main Street in Gainesville. Hors d’oeuvers will be provided by Omi Catering.The Gainesville Opportunity Center is a local grassroots non-profit based on a successful model of receovery, which support adults whose live have been drastically interrupted by major mental illness to rebuild their lives and in the process give back to the community. More information available 352-224-5523.
School’s Out Farm Festival
June 8 from 1 to 7 p.m.
Forage Farm
7204 SE County Road 234, Gainesville
Enjoy live music, local food, arts and crafts, nature walks, food and garden workshops, kids activities and more. All proceeds from the event benefit Forage outreach programs and the Gainesville Seed Library. More information available at www.foragefarm.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid Florida Benefit Concert with The Drifters
June 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall
A benefit concert featuring a performance by the legendary group The Drifters will be on June 22. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. More information on tickets available a www.sfcollege.edu/finearts/ or at bbbsmidflorida.org
Aspect Foundation Seeking Vounteer Host Families for International Students
through August 2013
Volunteer host families are needed for students from over 30 different countries who want to experience the American way of life. For more information contact Sarah Hernandez at 352-414-5774, or the national Aspect Foundation Office at 1-800-US-YOUTH. You can also visit their website at www.aspectfoundation.org
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve- Supporting our Nation’s service members
Today, nearly half our nation’s fighting forces are members of the Guard and Reserve. When they are called is called to active duty, they leave behind a family, a community, and a job. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, honors and products the bond between service members and their civilian employers. Whether serving our country or supporting those who do, we all serve. To learning more about ESGR, call 1-800-336-4590, or www.esgr.mil.
Gone 4 Ever Shredding
The Arc of Alachua County is a local not for profit that provides employment services to adults with developmental disabilities through several small business it has created. One of its businesses, Gone 4 Ever shredding, offers a free paper shredding service to all residents of Alachua County every Wednesday from 8 am until 4 pm at its main location at 3303 NW 83rd Street. Gone 4 Ever shredding hold a AAA certification in document destruction so all paper is safely and securely destroyed. For more information please call 352-334-4060 ext. 132 or visit www.gone4evershredding.com
“Titanoboa Monster Snake,”
The Florida Museum of Natural History inspires people to value the biological richness and cultural heritage of our diverse world and make a positive difference in its future. The museum is located at 3215 Hull Road just east of Southwest 34th Street in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum’s current temporary exhibit, “Titanoboa Monster Snake,” details Florida Museum scientist’s recent discovery in Colombia of the world’s largest snake 48 feet long and 2,500 pounds- and features a full-size model of the massive reptile. For more information, including directions, parking and ticket prices, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.
The Family Mealtime Project
This spring research at the University of Florida will conduct a research study to learn about families and their interactions during mealtimes. The Family Mealtime Project is available to two-parent families who live within 20 miles of Gainesville and have a child between the ages of 2 and 6. The study consists of three, 45 minute sessions in families’ home in which families will complete questionnaires and two video recordings of their mealtimes. Families will be compensated at the completion of the study. Families interested in participating or who have questions should call the Family Mealtime Project office toll free at 1-866-673-9623.
“Kidney Smart” Education Program
Ongoing
The “Kidney Smart” program educates and partners with people to take control of their health and helps them develop a plan to live a healthy life. The program features medication, diet and nutrition information, stresses the importance of choosing a heath care team, provides continuing education and treatment options. More information available at www.kidneysmart.org
Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. Hosts Meal Site
Open every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. hosts a meal site at the Bronson Community Church located on Hathaway Ave. in Bronson, FL. The meal site serves seniors age 60 or older. Meals are served at noon. There is no cost, but donations are welcomed. For more information, call 352-490-7055 x1.
Ronald McDonald House Charities NCF Seeks Long-Term Volunteers
Ongoing
Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, a non-profit organization in Gainesville that assists families with children being treated at local medical facilities, is looking for long-term volunteers to serve as hosts for its two core programs: Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room at Shands Hospital for Children. For more information, visit www.rmhcncf.org or call Dorie Faulkner, Volunteer Coordinator at 352-374-4404 ext. 224.
Visiting Chef Program, Ronald McDonald House
Ongoing
Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, a non-profit organization in Gainesville that assists families with children being treated at local medical facilities, seeks volunteer groups or families to provide a full-course dinner or weekend-breakfast for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville. Chefs may come equipped with ingredients to serve approximately 50 people and cook in a spacious, well-stocked kitchen or they may cater a meal from a local restaurant. Meals are served 7 days a week, including holidays. For more information, contact Judy Bates at bates@rmhcncf.org or call 352-374-4404 ext. 299.
The Kindness Cookie Company
In partnership with The Arc of Alachua County, the Kindness Cookie Company bakes homemade cookies with our messages of kindness, gratitude and inspiration inside. In the spirit of these messages, Kindness for Cookies also seeks to raise awareness of the unique gifts of individuals with developmental disabilities and how they can teach us to live with greater compassion, acceptance and presence. The Kindness Cookie Company can bake for any event, or custom orders and gifts. For more information, contact Susan Thiele, founder, at 352-256-8084 or email at Yummy@TheKindnessCookieCompany.com, you can also visit the website at www.TheKindnessCookieCompany.com.
MatchingDonors.com
Ongoing
In the U.S., 19 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant—most of them for kidneys. MatchingDonors.com has become the most successful nonprofit organization improving those odds by finding living altruistic donors for patients who desperately need transplants. Visit www.matchingdonors.com and meet some extraordinary people.
Help a Kid Start a Lemonade Stand
Ongoing
The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., is urging parents to teach their children lessons about entrepreneurship and responsibility by helping them start a lemonade stand. They provide free classroom curriculum and other resources to enable students to learn first-hand about the risks and rewards of operating a small business. This curriculum can be found at http://eitccurriculum.com/. To learn more about the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation, visit www.NFIB.com/YEF.
Red Carpet Customer Service Training Program
Ongoing
This program, launched by FloridaWorks in partnership with Santa Fe College, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Gainesville, has a goal of training 3,000 people in customer service. Each participant earns a certificate from Santa Fe College after completing the 3-hour course. To register, contact Santa Fe CIED at 352-395-5053. To become a community sponsor, contact the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce at 352-334-7100.
Adoption from Foster Care
Ongoing
There are currently more than 107,000 children available for adoption in the U.S. Foster Care System. The Adoption from Foster Care campaign encourages potential parents to adopt and aims to increase the number of potential families inquiring about adoption. You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent.
Veterans Outreach Program, Epilepsy Foundation
Ongoing
The Epilepsy Foundation wants to help men and women who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries or TBIs, which are a common form of injury that can lead to seizures and epilepsy in some cases. Symptoms can include confusion, momentary black-outs and uncontrollable shaking or twitching. For more information about the foundation’s Veterans Outreach Program and other services, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 1-800-332-1000.
Three Rivers Legal Services
Ongoing
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. is a local, non-profit corporation that provides free, quality civil legal services to low-income, eligible clients in seventeen counties throughout North Florida. Three Rivers is now providing representation to eligible clients who live in Alachua, Levy, Gilchrist, Bradford or Union County for family law cases, regardless of domestic violence. For more information, call the Legal Helpline at 866-256-8091.
To have your event included on Community Calendar, please send all relevant information to:
Sue Wagner
Community Calendar
P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611-8405
The e-mail address is swagner@wuft.org, with the words “Community Update” in the subject line.
The Community Update fax number is 352-392-5741. All submissions must be made on organization letterhead at least two weeks prior to the event.
