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As if life wasn't hard enough this days with respect to the economy, our governor wants to increase college tuition fees by 15 percent EVERY YEAR starting next year.  That's right, 15 percent every year.  I know  he promised to lower taxes, but I hope not at the cost of education.  Our public schools are already underfunded, and for those of you who are not aware, Florida ranks number 50 among all states on per student spending.  To rank number 50 in per pupil spending should not be noted as a great accomplishment by any governor.  Public universities are already suffering due to budget cuts.  Our governor wants to fix this problem by increasing tuition costs by 15 percent every year!  For all of you parents out there think about this, 15 percent more in tuition fees every year.  For every dreamer who lacks the parents who can put him or her through college, 15 percent further away from the dream, every year.

After hearing reports of voting difficulties during the presidential election, the St. Johns unit of the League of Women Voters will investigate possible illegal and ethical violations of election laws.

At the November meeting, LWV members who volunteered at the polls reported stories of religious groups attempting to influence voters at local churches that served as polling spots.  Some witnessed voters who attempted to share information about candidates while in voting booths.  There were also complaints of misleading information sent by the state to former felons whose voting rights had been restored.

creature feature
Today , 11 a.m. live estuary animal interaction sessions at the Research Reserve’s Environmental Education Center. Learn about animal habits, food chains, and behavior. This hands on presentation will allow visitors to get up close and personal with creatures of all kinds in a fun and educational environment. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children. Children under ten are free. 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. (904) 823-4500.

free dinner on military appreciation monday
Nov. 17, 5 to 9 p.m. all 485 Golden Corral restaurants across America will offer any person who has served in the United States Military (including National Guard and Reserves) a free “thank you” dinner buffet and beverage - no identification required. For more information call (919) 781-9310.

teen club night!
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Ketterlinus Gymnasium, Middle school students are invited to join the Recreation and Parks Staff on the third Saturday of every month for some of the most exciting games around. Join in the fun of Glow-In-the-Dark Dodge Ball, Beach Blanket Volleyball, Capture the Flag, Scatter Ball and more. Participation forms are available online at www.sjcfl.us/youth or at the Ketterlinus Gym door on Saturday night. For more information call Jamie Baccari at (904) 209-0377.

florida hockey academy
Monday and Tuesday evenings Skate Station Mandarin is the home to fast and competitive Roller Hockey League Play. There is a team for everyone; with youth and adult league play.To register visit www.skatestationfunworks.com.

The American Sewing Guild has 4 Neighborhood Groups that meet in the Greater Jacksonville area. 

One group meets at Paula's Fine Fabrics, 8358 Point Meadows Drive.  This group meets at 10:00 A. M. on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.Another NG meets at Jo-Ann's on Argyle Forest Blvd.  This group meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00 A. M. There is a night group that meets in the Sewing Studio on Fleming Island.  They meet at 6:30 P.M.

The annual “Giving Tree” program sponsored by JCP CARES will kick off this year’s initiative the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Giving Trees represent the wish-list of nineteen St. Johns county charities that have been hit hard by the economic downturn and subsequent budget cuts.  Tags on the trees will reflect the four categories that JCP CARES concentrates on each year:  children; animals & environment; seniors & medical; and homeless & abuse.
 
This year the Giving Tree Program has expanded to include participation by local business partners.  In addition to the JCP CDD Recreation Center, Giving Trees can be found at the Bartram Trail Library, VyStar Credit Union at Bartram Walk as well as the St. Augustine location, UPS Store at SR13 and Racetrack Rd., PostNet Store on Racetrack Rd., Coldwell Banker Realty at SR13 and Racetrack Rd., Peoples First Community Bank on 210, BB&T on US 1 South and BB&T in Ponte Vedra.  

I must take exception to several of the points made in Mr. Travis Hill’s column in the last issue of the St. Johns Sun (Nov. 8, 2008). The tone was condescending, some facts were incorrect and the message was insulting to the voters of this county and this state.  Mr. Hill began the column harmlessly enough, complimenting our county’s voters for a high turnout. But then the article turned sour. The issue was the “undervote”. Mr. Hill claims to “understand why some people decided to leave boxes unchecked”. His answer -- because the ballot initiatives “are confusing”. He then boasted of spending “a solid hour” doing internet research into the various issues. Really Mr. Hill, a whole entire hour? His argument then extended to the example of Amendment 1. Mr. Hill explained that passage of the amendment would nullify a discriminatory law. Actually, there is no statute in Florida that limits property rights of non-citizens. And there is a federal law that prohibits limiting citizenship rights according to ethnicity or nativity. I’m surprised that these facts didn’t come up in the course of Mr. Hill’s research. My intention is not to argue the points for or against Amendment 1 here, but just to remind Mr. Hill and others that there ARE arguments for AND against it. Mr. Hill seemed to be making the case that his exhaustive research led him to the “correct” answer and that any disagreement with his position must be attributable to the apathy and ignorance of others. He stated, “But the wording won the day and Amendment 1 lost. And I think we lost a little bit too. We owed it to ourselves to be more diligent in our research. We owed it to ourselves and our fellow citizens to be better than lazy.” How thoroughly patronizing and arrogant! He seems to be asserting that the wording of the amendment was too confusing for us lazy and indifferent folks to understand, which then led to undervotes, which then led to the failure of Amendment 1 to pass. Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you Mr. Hill, but Amendment 1 did not fail because of undervotes. It failed because of “NO” votes. Like you, I voted for Amendment 1. And like you, I was disappointed when it failed to pass. But unlike you, when the voting public disagrees with me, I don’t automatically assume it is because of ignorance, indolence, indifference or stupidity.

I bet that you didn't know that Switzerland Point Middle School has a cast made up of only the finest and they're puttin' on a show... a little sumpthin' called Murder & Escape At Crawdaddy Lake . Now, yous may be a thinkin' that theys just gonna put on some average type middle school show... aw, heck no! If thats what yous a thinkin', boy, is we gonna beat you like a red-headed stepchild! If yall' want a night of some fine enter-tain-ment, then go on and bring your little behind to Switzerland Point Middle School on November 20, 21, and 22 at 7:00 to see a show that'll have yall' talkin'! I mean, a show full of yes'ms, mustard greens, port-a-pottys, dead people (or should I say parts?), an evil attorney, two plum stupid boys, a sheriff with the name of a doll, an insane old lady, and a jail that has some really nice food... what could be better? You'd have to be just plum crazy not to come and give us a holler!

trick or treat bags
The Helping Hands of St. Johns County, a volunteer organization, recently filled 153 Trick or Treat Bags for the children at the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the Salvation Army and Trout Creek Senior Center. The bags were filled with healthy snacks, juice and candy. The bags were decorated and assembled by the members. Commissioner, Cyndi Stephenson, thanked the group for their dedication to helping others in the community and helped the group decorate and fill goody bags.

dracula
Tonight, 7:30 p.m. the Limelight Theatre Kidzfactory student production of Dracula will be performed at the Limelight Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. (904) 825-1164.

creeks lacrosse
Register for boys Creeks Lacrosse October through December. The season runs from February through mid May. Developmental lacrosse for kindergarten through 2nd grade is offered and separate teams for 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade levels. Travel teams are available for 7th/8th grade teams. Cost for registering a player for the 2009 season is $140. Register online at www.creekslax.com.

Upward basketball/cheerleading
Registration for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading for Winter 2009 is now open. Basketball is open for children in grades 1-8 and cheerleading is for grades K-8. Practices are one day a week and there is one game a week. Games are held at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Road 13. Cost is $100. Register on-line at www.fruitcove.com/ministries/sportslife2.asp. For more information call Lisa at (904) 288-0996 ext. 31.