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GAINESVILLE - The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) to Keep Alachua County Beautiful. This grant aims to tackle the issue of cigarette litter specifically within Alachua County and Gainesville.

The grant funds will be used to install new receptacles where needed, maintain the existing ones, and replace damaged receptacles. Our newest receptacles were installed on Main St. between SW 1st Ave. and NW 1st Ave. in June.

“We’re trying to encourage people to take a small step to make a big difference,” said Gina Hawkins, Executive Director of Keep Alachua County Beautiful.

Keep America Beautiful® offered merit-based grants totaling nearly $400,000 to various organizations across the nation, including Keep Alachua County Beautiful. These grants were specifically bestowed upon community-based KAB affiliates, local governments, business improvement districts, downtown associations, parks and recreation commissions, and other organizations committed to eliminating litter and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their communities. 

The CLPP, established in 2002, has become the nation's largest program dedicated to eliminating cigarette butt and cigar tip litter. Over 1,850 communities across the country have successfully implemented the program, consistently achieving a 50 percent reduction in cigarette litter within just the first six months. This grant funding empowers communities to address the economic, environmental, and quality-of-life impact of cigarette litter, leading to cleaner and more vibrant neighborhoods.

One of the exciting additions to this year's grants is a requirement to collect and send cigarette butts to TerraCycle, a company dedicated to recycling them into practical items such as benches, picnic tables, and other useful products. By incorporating this innovative solution, participating communities will not only prevent cigarette litter but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

To effectively combat cigarette butt litter, Keep America Beautiful® CLPP advocates four proven approaches that participating communities are encouraged to implement:

1. Encourage enforcement of litter laws, including those related to cigarette litter.

2. Raise awareness about the issue through impactful public service messages.

3. nstall ash receptacles at crucial transition points such as entrances to public buildings.

4. Distribute pocket or portable ashtrays to adult smokers, promoting responsible disposal options.

On June 30, 2023, Keep Alachua County Beautiful installed seven new cigarette collection receptacles in downtown Gainesville near crosswalks along Main Street between North and South 1st Avenues. KACB continues to maintain the previously installed receptacles, too. This provides citizens with a place to properly dispose of butts and other tobacco-based litter, and KACB staff continues to work to find new ways to address the issue.

According to the Keep America Beautiful® 2020 National Litter Study, cigarette butts are the most littered item in America, representing 20 percent of all items.

“The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program raises awareness, changes behaviors and promotes responsible disposal practices,” said Becky Lyons, Chief Operating Officer of Keep America Beautiful®. “It is making a tangible difference in reducing cigarette litter and fostering a cleaner environment.”

Keep America Beautiful® has found that cigarette butt litter occurs most often at transition points—areas where a person must stop smoking before proceeding into another area. These include bus stops, entrances to stores and public buildings, and the sidewalk areas outside of bars and restaurants, among others.

The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program is supported by funding from Philip Morris USA, an Altria company; RAI Services Company; and the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company.

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FAYETTEVILLE, ARK - The Buchholz High School math team is celebrating its 15^th national championship after beating arch-rival American Heritage Broward and 30 other schools at the Mu Alpha Theta competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas this past weekend.

The win was a comeback of sorts. The BHS team beat American Heritage by 379 points, a very wide margin. Buchholz lost the state championship back in April to American Heritage by just 17 points.

“I was especially proud of some of our younger team members,” said team coach Will Frazer. “Several of them did not prepare properly for state and we paid a price. They learned their lesson and worked very hard in June to get ready.”

Buchholz brought home 282 trophies and medals over the four days of the competition. That included 28 first-place awards.

Two other significant prizes were awarded to the Buchholz team at the competition. The Khalin Award, which is the most prestigious individual award given to a student nationwide based on their contribution to their team over their school career, was presented to senior Tucker Shea.

Olanrewaju Fayiga, another of the BHS coaches, won the Sister Scholastica Award, which is presented to the sponsor of the year following a vote of student delegates. The award included a $2000 prize for Fayiga and $1000 for the school.

With this title, Buchholz has won 15 national Mu Alpha Theta championships in 16 years.

Frazer says the team won’t be resting on its laurels for very long.

“Our team will take a short break and start preparing for (next year’s) nationals in Las Vegas very soon,” he said.

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GAINESVILLE, FL, July 10, 2023— The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida, in collaboration with The Cuban Arts Group, is presenting a new exhibition offering a glimpse into the complex culture and history that has inspired Cuban art throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art is on view from July 11, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024.

Under the Spell of the Palm Tree presents the narrative of a “crossing”—a virtual crossing of the seas as well as a crossing of generations, of artists living or having lived both in Cuba and in the Diaspora. Guest Curators Gabriela Azcuy and David Horta, working with Harn Chief Curator and Curator of Modern Art Dulce Román, selected 79 paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, mixed media, art books and sculptures to provide a comprehensive view of Cuban Art organized along six themes: The Language of Forms and the Forms of Language; The Prophet’s Dream; The Great Journey: Archives; The Sensory Landscapes of Memory and Desire; The Musings of Narcissus; and The Spirit of the Real, the Reality of the Spirit.

“Susie and Mitchell Rice are dedicated to expanding and enhancing their collection’s ability to represent the breadth and richness of Cuban art,” said Guest Curator Gabriela Azcuy. “They wish to share their collection with the public through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and a diverse educational arts program.”

Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art includes the work of 54 artists representing modern masters, members of the so-called “generation of true hope” of the 1970s, the “Cuban renaissance” generation of the 1980s, the generation of the 1990s, as well as younger artists who have gained international visibility. A full list of artists follows at the end of this release.

“We are honored to present to the University of Florida and Gainesville community a vibrant and diverse collection that is a testament to the immense talent, creativity and resilience of the Cuban people,” said Harn Museum of Art Director Dr. Lee Anne Chesterfield. “Through this exhibition, we hope to showcase the beauty, complexity and variety of Cuban art and artists, and to provide a platform for their voices to be heard.”

A fully-illustrated catalog accompanies the exhibition, with essays by Curators Gabriela Azcuy and David Horta, and edited by Harn Chief Curator and Curator of Modern Art Dulce Román. Multiple public programs will be offered providing an opportunity for visitors to engage in conversation about the works on view. These include talks by the collectors and artist José Bedia. Visitors can also view the exhibition in the evenings on Thursdays until 9 pm as a part of the Harn’s Art After Dark program. A list of featured programs follows at the end of this release.

The presenting sponsor for this exhibition is The Cuban Arts Group with additional support provided by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund; Ken and Laura Berns; Fine, Farkash and Parlapiano, P.A.; Visit Gainesville, Alachua County; Bryson Foundation; Gayle Olson; Rick and Aase Thompson; and other generous donors.

Artists whose work is on view in the exhibition include Belkis Ayón, Abel Barroso, José Bedia, Cundo Bermúdez, Tania Bruguera, Iván Capote, Salvador Corratgeì, Mario Carreño, Liset Castillo, Carlos Enríquez, Roberto Fabelo, Carlos Garaicoa, Pedro de Oraá, Juan Roberto Diago Querol, Roberto Diago, Adrián Fernández, Ernesto Javier Fernández, José A. Figueroa, Inti Hernández, Alex Hernández, Ricardo Miguel Hernández, Jesús Hdez-Güero, Wifredo Lam, Alberto Lago, Jorge Lavoy, Ernesto Leal, Glenda León, Kadir López, Jacqueline Maggi, Manuel Mendive, Frank Mujica, Chino Novo, Pedro Pablo Oliva, Mabel Poblet, Eduardo Ponjuán, René Portocarrero, Ángel Ramírez, Sandra Ramos, Enrique Riverón, René Francisco Rodríguez, José Rosabal, Lázaro Saavedra, Emilio Sánchez, Tomás Sánchez, Esterio Segura, Rafael Soriano, Alfredo Sosabravo, Stainless (Alejandro Piñeiro, José Capaz and Roberto Fabelo Hung), José A. Toirac, Alexi Torres, Antonio Vidal and José Ángel Vincench.

For more information visit www.harn.ufl.edu/underthespell. Admission is free.

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Alachua, Fla.—Beaker & Flask Fine Wines and Craft Cocktails, North Central Florida’s newest destination for wine enthusiasts, was just acknowledged by its industry’s leading magazine, Wine Spectator, with the publication’s Award of Excellence, published in its August issue, available July 11.

Based in Alachua’s San Felasco Tech City, Beaker & Flask earned the honor with only five months in business. “We’re thrilled,” says Operations Manager Melody Wilson. “Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence represents the pinnacle of recognition in our industry. It validates our exceptional wine program and the work of our team.”

Wine Spectator’s award recognizes establishments offering wine lists with “at least 90 selections [and featuring] a well-chosen assortment of quality producers.” According to Wine Spectator’s website, less than 1800 restaurants and wine bars nationwide earn the Award of Excellence.

Winners “…offer the human [element]…listening to their customers…offering a personalized experience,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, Wine Spectator. “This annual issue celebrates the places where wine is at the top of that conversation.”

In addition to its extensive wine list, Beaker & Flask offers hand-crafted cocktails, drink-making and wine education classes, discounted happy hours and a monthly wine club, Wilson said. “Combined with our ‘cool vibes’ and warm hospitality, we’re striving to become a destination of choice,” she says.

"This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team,” said Elliott Welker, founder of Beaker & Flask. “We’re immensely grateful for the support of our patrons who made this achievement possible."

Welker said as a token of gratitude, Beaker & Flask is celebrating the award with special events and promotions, including exclusive wine tastings, discounts on select bottles, and curated food and wine pairing experiences. Guests should visit www.BeakerandFlaskWineBar.com for more information.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ The Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) is proud to celebrate 100 years of art with its 2023 GFAA Artist Studio Tour which premieres at the Kickoff Party this Friday, July 14^th from 6pm to 9pm at the GFAA Gallery, 1314 South Main Street, Gainesville.  The full Studio Tour of 27 artists at 19 studios continues Saturday, July 15^th and Sunday, July 16^th from 10am to 5pm each day. 

The kickoff party is open to the general public, providing an advance opportunity to meet Studio Tour artists and see select works. The GFAA Summer Showcase exhibit will also be on display which features a variety of local artists across different mediums.

The kickoff party is generously sponsored by Superette Wine + Provisions and music provided by local Gainesville musician, Jack Edmondson.

Celebrating its 100th year, the Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) is the premier visual arts non-profit serving Gainesville and the surrounding north-central Florida region. It is the oldest continuously operating arts organization in Florida, and currently offers its services to over 250 paying members and the surrounding community.

The GFAA Artist Studio Tour is a self-guided tour through working artist studios in and around Gainesville, Florida. The tour showcases fine art and fine craft in a broad range of media and styles. While on the tour, visitors will witness the creative process through examples and impromptu demonstrations. Tour visitors will have the opportunity to purchase a wide range of original artwork directly from the artist.  The Tour is free and open to the public.

Visit www.gfaastudiotour.org to learn more about the tour, participating artists and find a map with all studio locations.

This project is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, and in part by a grant from the City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. 

The Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA) announces this year's studio tour lineup with a kickoff party at GFAA Gallery on Friday, July 14^th from 6pm to 9pm and the full studio tour of 27 artists at 19 studios all weekend on Saturday, July 15^th and Sunday, July 16^th from 10am to 5pm each day. The Tour is free and open to the public. Visit www.gfaastudiotour.org to learn more about the tour, participating artists and find a map with all studio locations. Information can also be found on event Facebook and Instagram event pages. 

Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/2xjMl3wkB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeartbuyart/ 

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