Brown Florida Art Collection in Daytona
September 1, 2009
DAYTONA BEACH - Featuring the largest private collection of Florida-based art, “Reflections: Paintings of Florida 1865-1965,” from the Collection of Cici and Hyatt Brown, makes its exhibition debut at the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona. It will be on display from November 21, 2009 to May 17, 2010.
From idyllic beach scenes to lush green jungles, “Reflections” highlights a total of 69 paintings depicting the natural beauty of the state before the great post-World War II building boom. Read more
Get Ready For Alligator Hunting with Florida Classes
July 26, 2009
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering alligator hunters no-cost, three-hour classes to help them prepare for the Aug. 15 – Nov. 1 statewide alligator harvest. Reservations are not required to attend a class.
Attendance is not mandatory for licensed hunters, but the FWC recommends that participants attend, especially if they have not previously hunted for alligators. Class topics include preparing for the hunt, hunting techniques and safety, harvesting and processing, caring for your alligator hide and alligator hunting rules and regulations. Also, people who do not have an alligator harvest permit can attend if they want to learn what hunting alligators is all about.
Classes will be offered at the following locations:
- July 29 (Wednesday), 6-9 p.m., Gainesville, Paramount Plaza Hotel and Suites, 2900 S.W. 13th St. For directions, call 352-377-4000 or visit www.paramountplaza.com.
- Aug. 1 (Saturday), 1-4 p.m., Dania Beach, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way. For directions, call 954-922-4212 or visit www.igfa.org.
- Aug. 2 (Sunday), 2-5 p.m., Okeechobee, Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 U.S. Hwy 98 North. For directions call 863-462-5195.
- Aug. 5 (Wednesday), 6-9 p.m., Tallahassee, Bryant Bldg., 2nd floor auditorium, 620 S. Meridian St. For directions, call 850-488-3831.
- Aug. 8 (Saturday), 1-4 p.m., Tampa, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N.; use the Orient Road entrance. For directions, call 800-345-FAIR (3247) or visit www.floridastatefair.com.
- Aug. 9 (Sunday), 2-5 p.m., DeLand, Wayne G. Sanborn Activities Center, 751 S. Alabama Ave. For directions call 850-488-3831 or visit www.deland.org/parks/wayne.htm.
All hunt permits have been sold for this year; however, alligator trapping “agent” permits are available for $52. Agent permits enable permit holders to assist a licensed trapper in taking alligators.
For more information on these exciting alligator hunts, visit MyFWC.com/gators and click “Statewide Hunts.”
Great Florida Quilt; The Ocean’s Daughter
July 26, 2009
Just some fun stuff on Etsy. It’s a Florida-made and Florida theme quilt called The Ocean’s Daughter.
See how to buy it at www.etsy.com
Python Killed Florida Girl By Asphyxiation
July 2, 2009
Asphyxiation is the preliminary cause of death of Shaianna Hare (DOB 05-20-2007), the 2-year-old Sumter County girl found dead in her crib with the family’s Burmese python wrapped around her body Wednesday morning, according to Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
“The medical examiner’s preliminary report lists asphyxiation as the cause of death and confirmed the marks on the girl’s head and arms are bite marks,” Caruthers said at a press briefing in Bushnell today.
Meanwhile, the python is being cared for at an undisclosed facility licensed to possess this type of snake.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators removed the python and a red-tailed boa constrictor from the residence yesterday after the snakes’ owners voluntarily signed them over to the State of Florida.
A veterinarian examined and treated the python’s stab wounds, and the snake is recovering at the undisclosed facility, where it will remain until officials complete the investigation into the child’s death.
“At this point, the snake is evidence in the case. However, once the case has been concluded, it will be offered as a donation to the facility that is currently caring for it,” said FWC investigator Janice Jones.
The Burmese python, classified by the FWC as a Reptile of Concern, had been stabbed by Charles Jason Darnell (DOB 03-26-77) after he found it wrapped around little Shaianna, his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter, Wednesday morning. Darnell said the snake had escaped its cage sometime during the night.
State law requires that people have permits to possess Burmese pythons, or any Reptile of Concern. Neither Darnell nor his girlfriend, Jaren Ashley Hare (DOB 09-08-89), had a permit for a snake. A permit costs $100 annually, and those wishing to possess such an animal must show on their application their understanding of animal husbandry, nutrition and caging requirements for the particular animal.
One requirement for a Reptile of Concern is that it must be kept under lock and key. The snake was not.
FWC investigators are working in conjunction with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit, which covers Sumter, Lake, Marion, Citrus and Hernando counties. The FWC’s role is to investigate and recommend any charges relating to violations of the captive wildlife rules. Such violations are second-degree misdemeanors, which are criminal and carry a maximum penalty of $500 fine and 60 days in jail.
Girl Killed By Python
July 1, 2009
OXFORD - A toddler was strangled by a Burmese python in Oxford, Florida today. Oxford is in Sumter County, south of Ocala and west of Orlando. The snake apparently escaped from a fish tank and killed the girl; it has not been found.
The issue of invasive species is a growing problem in Florida. In June in Cape Coral, police heading to a house to investigate a beating found a house with a collection of exotic reptiles, including baby rattler and alligator hatchlings.
Last fall, law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed a Burmese python from Indiantown Road near Sierra Square Plaza in Jupiter Farms.
Burmese pythons are classified as “reptiles of concern” by the FWC. People possessing any of these species must have an FWC permit and pay an annual fee of $100. Owners of pet reptiles of concern must also meet strict caging and facility requirements.
Florida’s warm climate and rare freezes make tropical pets a nuisance; the Everglades have been overrun by Burmese pythons which were unleashed in hurricanes and now breed on their own.
Dove Hunting Permits on Sale July 1
June 23, 2009
TALLAHASSEE – Five special-opportunity dove fields will be open to the public this season through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s special-opportunity Dove Club Program.
Beginning 10 a.m. (EDT) July 1, sportsmen can purchase Dove Club permits by submitting a completed Special-Opportunity Dove Club Permit Worksheet to any county tax collector’s office or authorized license agent. Permits also are available online at www.wildlifelicense.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). Worksheets are on the Web at MyFWC.com/hunting under “Limited Entry Hunts.”
Dove Club permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and as long as they remain, the deadline to purchase them is 11:59 p.m. (EDT) Sept. 9.
The permit allows one adult and one youth (under age 16) to participate in all scheduled hunts (up to eight days) for a designated dove field. These Saturday half-day hunts cost $150 and enable both the permit holder and youth to take daily bag limits of birds.
The five special-opportunity dove fields are: Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Martin County, Caravelle Ranch WMA (Putnam County), Combs Farm Public Small-Game Hunting Area (PSGHA) (Baker County), Hilochee WMA (Lake County) and North Newberry PSGHA (Alachua County).
Dove hunting opportunities are in high demand, and these special hunts provide the perfect social setting for friends and family to hunt together. Interested hunters are encouraged to purchase permits early because the most popular fields sell out fast, and hunters who purchase these season-long permits save more than half the cost of buying individual daily dove permits for the season.
Daily dove permits cost $35 and enable one adult and one youth (under age 16) to hunt together on one half-day hunt but allows only one bag limit of birds between the two hunters. Daily dove permits do not go on sale until Sept. 17.
For more information on these great public land dove hunting opportunities, click on MyFWC.com/dove.
Florida State Park Fees Go Up, Weeki Wachee Fees Go Down
June 16, 2009
TALLAHASSEE – In order to continue to offset state tax revenues, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service will increase park fees beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2009, in conjunction with the state’s fiscal calendar.
“Florida’s award-winning state parks provide inexpensive, high quality recreation in an unmatched natural setting,” said DEP Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation Bob Ballard in a release. Read more
Palm Beach Dripdrop Brand Batik; Great Florida Colors
June 13, 2009
WEST PALM BEACH - Batik, cool batik, is back.
Here, a kids shirt from Dripdrop batik; we spotted their booth at the craft fair on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, but most weekends, they can be found at many a Florida city square.
Cool stuff, and while there are some peace signs, its more prep-batik than hippie batik.
Find out more at dripdropbatik@hotmail.com
Gator Huntin’ Season Drawing June 15; Git One for $271.50, $1,021.50
June 1, 2009
TALLAHASSEE – It’s gator season; this season about 6,000 gator killing permits will be available.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will use new permit-application procedures this year to resolve past permit issuance problems for the highly popular statewide alligator hunt.
In Phase I of the new process, applications will be accepted for a random drawing from 10 a.m. June 1 through 11:59 p.m. June 15. Approximately 6,000 alligator harvest permits will be available. Read more
Biologists Rescue Key Largo Manatee
April 30, 2009
KEY LARGO – Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, with the help of the Miami Seaquarium and the Dolphin Research Center, rescued a manatee on Wednesday from Tarpon Basin in Key Largo.
More than two years ago, FWC biologists learned of a manatee with a front flipper severely entangled in monofilament fishing line. The biologists made several attempts to rescue the adult female manatee. They were concerned about the manatee’s chance for survival, because fishing line can cut off circulation, leading to amputation of the flipper and possibly death.
Earlier in the week, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey was able to spot the animal and place a tracking device on the tail. This device allowed FWC biologists to later track the manatee and follow it to an area suitable for rescue.
Because of the severity of the entanglement, FWC biologists transported the manatee to the Miami Seaquarium for removal of the monofilament line. The animal will be released back into the wild once it is medically cleared by veterinarians.
To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
