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ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ The Alachua County Community Remembrance Project in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative of Montgomery, Alabama, is offering three Racial Justice Essay Contests.  

Each contest is open to all students in grades ninth to twelfth at the following Alachua County High Schools:   Santa Fe High School (cosponsored by the Alachua/Newnansville Remembrance Subcommittee, the High Springs Remembrance Subcommittee, and the Monteocha-Gordon-LaCrosse Remembrance Subcommittee), Hawthorne High School (cosponsored by the Hawthorne/Waldo/Campville Remembrance Subcommittee and the Micanopy/Rochelle Subcommittee) and Newberry High School (cosponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Newberry and the Concerned Citizens of Archer).  

It is also open to home schooled students zoned for any of these schools as well as students who live in these communities but attend a school in Gainesville.

The deadline for contest submissions is Friday, April 8, at 11:59 p.m. EST.  

There will be five winners from each high school.  The first place winner will receive$2,500 in scholarship prize money.  The other winners will also receive scholarship prizes.  The total amount of prize money awarded will be $5,000 to each high school.

The purpose of these contests is to encourage students to learn the history of lynching and racial terrorism in Alachua County, and in the United States, and how that terrorism has left a legacy of racial disparities.

Students are encouraged to use local historical events and/or examples of current injustices in their essays.  They will be judged and prizes awarded by Equal Justice Initiative.  They are judged on content, not grammar.

The Alachua County Library will offer writing hours virtually to assist students in using library resources for their research and provide time to write in an organized, virtual setting.  There will be three writing sessions offered in February, March and early April.  

Students will be able to register for any or all of the times to attend a writing hour session.  

To learn more, visit EJI Racial Justice Essay Contest or truth.alachuacounty.us/EssayContest.

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NEWBERRY – On a cold Feb. 7 afternoon under overcast skies, Alachua County Public school leaders, Newberry commissioners and 150 Oak View Middle School fifth graders gathered behind the school on an empty lot, The purpose was to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new 24,000-square-foot building that will include 16 classrooms and a multipurpose collaborative learning center.

The construction is among the first major projects paid for with revenues from the “Half-Cent for Schools” voter initiative that was approved by voters in 2018. The local sales tax was increased to 7 cents, which is estimated to generate $22 million annually that can be used for school infrastructure projects for 12 years. 

With the rapid growth in population as well as the aging public school buildings, the school district is expanding school facilities and updating current buildings to meet increasing need.  The initiative has already funded the new Terwilliger Elementary School and the revitalized Metcalfe Elementary, Idylwild Elementary and Howard Bishop Middle School campuses. The Terwilliger, Metcalfe and Bishop projects have already been completed, and Idylwild is nearing completion. The new building at Oak View will cost the school district an estimated $9 million.

The groundbreaking ceremony was kicked off with remarks by Oak View Principal Kelly Armstrong. She said the new building is needed because of growth occurring in Newberry and Alachua County. When she served as assistant principal at Oak View Middle School there were approximately 550 students enrolled in the school. Now the middle school has about 900. 

“The new building will help reduce overcrowding and replace some of the portable classrooms currently in use,” said. Armstrong.  “We're looking at 12 to 13 portables right now that we currently have that are full and being used every day.”

Also on hand at the groundbreaking was District Superintendent Carlee Simon who discussed the safety changes that the COVID pandemic has placed on schools and that the sales tax will also help pay for updating the school's HVAC system.

School Board member Robert Hyatt directly addressed students at the groundbreaking. “The people of Alachua County, including the people in your communities, work and continue to pay taxes to have the best facilities we can,” said Hyatt.  “Not for us, but for you, because you are worth every effort and every penny. You are our future.”

Domenic Scorpio, CEO and president of the Scorpio Corporation, discussed construction of the building that his company is overseeing.  “This is really an exciting time for us. Scorpio is a community-centered, purpose-driven construction company,” said Scorpio.  “And it's with tremendous gratitude that we're offered the opportunity to partner with the Alachua County school district to build your new home.”  Scorpio anticipates that the project will be completed by the end of November 2022.

Each of the fifth grade classes were given an opportunity to insert something from their class into a time capsule that will be buried during construction.  The time capsule is scheduled to be re-opened around the time the current students reach their mid-30s. 

A student spokesperson for each class addressed the audience and described what they were putting in the capsule. The items included a class photos, a set of multiplication tables and a pencil, a facemask with signatures, a favorite fidget, and a collage of their favorite activities including logos representing Instagram, TikTok and Minecraft. 

As time for the groundbreaking arrived, speakers were joined by school board members Mildred Russell and Leanetta McNealy as well as Dorothy Thomas, president of the Newberry PTO.  Also joining in were Newberry City Commissioners Rick Coleman, Mark Clark and Tony Mazon, along with construction supervisors. Each grabbed a shovel by a large pile of sand and turned the dirt, officially kicking off construction to the cheers and applause of the students.

“These little highlights, these little days, these little moments really are special. I enjoy it,” said Oak View Principal Armstrong.  “But the key thing is for us to always say, it's not about us, it's about the kids ... that's why we're here.”

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The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention’s popular adults-only evening event, Cade After Dark 21+, returns with spring dates and all new activities centered around a different theme each month. 

At Cade After Dark 21+, guests can relax with adult beverages while reliving their childhood with board games and science experiments and checking out the museum’s latest exhibits. Past events have gotten visitors’ hands sticky with gooey slime while blowing minds with Shrinky Dinks, 3D-pen drawing tables, and radioactive snow, and entertaining with giant Jenga and other old school games. 

Cade After Dark guests can enjoy some snacks and then work them off by testing their strength and endurance in the Sweat Solution, the Cade’s permanent exhibit that tells the story of the invention of Gatorade.  

They can then take an afterhours look at the Cade’s current museum-wide themes and temporary exhibits. This spring, the Cade unravels textile technology in the theme Tech Tapestry and exhibit Fabric Frontiers, demonstrating how a penchant for fancy silks in 18th century France inspired the first computers, or how the evolution of cold weather clothing unfolded through three generations of Antarctic explorers.  

A host of tactile, experimental and STEAM-powered activities fill every nook and cranny at Cade After Dark. Each month something new and surprising awaits participants. 

Cure the end-of-season, post-Super Bowl blues at the February 18 Cade After Dark, where a roster full of football-themed games, refreshments and activities provide adults a much-needed timeout.  

Recharge those drained, mid-semester batteries on March 18. Participants will have an electrifyingly good time as all things light and electricity course through the museum’s activities and games. The Cade’s brand-new exhibit on the inventions you find in bathrooms (that’s right, bathrooms) will be brimming with scavenger hunts and other bathroom-related distractions and adventures. 

After getting wired up in March, the Cade will switch its flip for an ultimate glow in the dark vibe session on April 8th. Attendees’ smiles will surely light up the room, along with their glow sticks and glowing slime. Afterall, growing up can be hard. Why not glow up instead?  

Speaking of growing up, the Cade is turning four in May! Party hats and kazoos will be encouraged at the Cade After Dark Birthday Bazar on May 20th. Attendees will also be able to explore the world of storytelling through animation in the Cade’s latest exhibit, Animationland. 

“We’re thrilled to be able to set aside this time just for adults, away from the hustle and bustle of daily museum activities, field trips, and group tours,” says Cade Museum President and CEO, Stephanie Bailes. “It’s a chance to really be immersed in the museum. I love seeing the wild experiments our educators come up with and the games that take over the museum at night. It’s the perfect date night or friends’ night out!”  

Cade After Dark 21+ takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, March 18, April 8, and May 20. To register in advance, visit cademuseum.org/calendar. Adults 21 and older only will be admitted. Admission is $15 per person and includes a drink ticket, redeemable at the Cade’s cash bar. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. Also included is a free ticket to a raffle prize drawing.  

Cade After Dark is sponsored by First Magnitude Brewing Company and Goldie’s Burgers. 

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NEWBERRY – Members of the City’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) met on Feb. 7 to consider an amendment to the Land Development Regulations to allow electronic message signage at City Hall.  Principal Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell presented Ordinance 2022-19/LDR 22-02 and explained how electronic signage would provide a public service through increased communication with the public about upcoming city events, meetings and emergency or safety alerts.

In her presentation, Kinser-Maxwell explained that the electronic sign, which in this case will be in the historic district, must still maintain the character of the district or structure.  Signs, electronic or otherwise, would have to be of a size and shape characteristic of the historic period of the district or property.  Graphics, fonts, colors and materials must also be characteristic of the historic period of the district or property.  

She also pointed out that signs “shall be sympathetic to the overall design of the main building.”  The frame of the sign must match the exterior building color and be similar in size, scale, mass and character of the exterior building elements.  Lighting of signs must be incandescent, unless encapsulated by a frame and plastic light panels.  Neon, animated and strobe lights are not acceptable and landscaping is required around the base of all freestanding signs.

Following discussion, HARB members unanimously agreed to recommend consideration of the proposed amendment of the text of the Land Development Regulations to the Planning and Zoning Board for their consideration.

The HARB members unanimously voted to table rescheduling the meeting that would normally fall on the July 4th holiday until such time as all the members could be in attendance to determine a date whereby all could attend.  Chair Naim Erched and Vice-Chair Gavin Johnson were not in attendance at this meeting.

In other business, planner Alayna Jackson presented examples of mid-century cultural resources within the City of Newberry.  Mid-century is usually considered to be buildings built between 1940 – 1960.  She also presented a map showing where 12 contributing mid-century structures are located in the local historic district.

Jackson said it is necessary to inventory structure in the city and determine what condition they are in.  “Newberry’s Historic Resources Survey Project is expected to receive funding from a state small matching grant,” said Jackson.  “There is potential for another local historic district with post-war period of significance.”.

The survey, when it is completed, will update the City’s information about where the historic district is actually located and what it encompasses.  

Mayor Jordan Marlowe announced a public workshop on Thursday, Feb. 10 on the Overlay District and Urban Service Area.  He said there would be large maps available and people would be able to move around the room to consider aesthetic design standards for development along the City’s two primary corridors, SR 26 and SR 45.  The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall and everyone is invited to participate.

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Cont: Workshop on Overlay District/Urban Service Area

GAINESVILLE  – Students and faculty at Santa Fe College (SF) will join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE Month is recognized to celebrate and highlight the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs both in the state of Florida and across the nation.   

  “Our CTE programs are designed to work in collaboration with our business community, to provide students with the training required for the high-demand careers here in North Central Florida,” SF Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs – CTE, Dr. Tyran Butler said. “We are proud of the work our students do, this CTE month and every month.”   

CTE can accelerate personal and professional success. With little to no barriers to enrollment and 17 career pathways to choose from, individuals can acquire the skills needed through real-world, hands-on experience.   

“The CTE programs at Santa Fe College provide our community with highly skilled workers in a number of regionally in-demand industries, including critical fields like healthcare and biotechnology,” added SF Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs – Health, Dr. Jodi Long. “What students learn in the classroom and labs provides the necessary training for successful careers that promote economic security and opportunities for upward mobility and even higher wages.” 

As our faculty prepare CTE students for their future careers as skilled professionals, students engage in hands-on learning with real life applications. These approaches to teaching are linked to greater understanding, comprehension, and retention.  

  CTE offers a way for students to gain skills and earn certifications in some of Florida’s most critical and desirable industries. Unlike traditional higher education, CTE programs can set individuals on the right path in less time with less cost. 

  To see what SF has to offer in Career and Technical Education, visit sfcollege.edu/cte.

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