Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
The Blue & White is published weekly for St. Petersburg College employees and interested visitors. It is designed for you to be able to scan the headlines quickly. If you are interested in an article listed below, click on the link and you will be directed to that article. You also can view the paper version locations or the printable pdf. Calendar items with a specific deadline are marked with an *.|
Our Legacy, Our Destiny |  Annual Thank You Concert |
Gulf Coast Museum of Art donates its art collection to SPC
The Gulf Coast Museum of Art, which closed last month, will transfer ownership of its art collection to the college.
“We are delighted to give this wonderful art collection a home so that it can continue to enrich the lives of the people of Tampa Bay,” President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. said. “It will continue to enhance the cultural value of this area.”
The collection is made up of about 425 pieces of contemporary Florida art as well as American fine crafts from the 12 Southeastern states. (Pictured left: Clyde Butcher, Loxagatchhee River #1, photo, 1991)
Kuttler said an exhibit of the works will open at the Florida International Museum site in the college’s downtown center within a few weeks. The college’s other community arts endeavors include the historic Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College, the Florida International Museum in St. Petersburg and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.
The Board of Trustees on Tuesday enthusiastically accepted the donation.
Trustee Terry Brett, who also is chairman of the board of the Arts Center in St. Petersburg, said getting the Gulf Coast collection “is a fabulous coup for the college. Every museum in the state of Florida was after a part of it. For this institution to get it in its entirety is great. It is a beautiful fit.”
The 73-year-old museum, most recently located off Walsingham Road in Largo, announced in August that it was closing, and that it would explore new locations and possible new partnerships. But it announced last month that those efforts had been unsuccessful and that it would have to close permanently.
Talks involving the museum, Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater included the possibility of the county subsidizing the museum, but the deteriorating economy put an end to that idea.
"The county does not have $4 million to give them," said Calvin Harris, Chairman of the Pinellas County Commission. "This is the worst possible budget year for that."
The museum struggled with declining attendance, and its endowment, once valued at around $8 million, had shrunk to about $500,000.
Still have some 2008 Flexible Spending Account money to use?
There’s still time. You have until March 15 to incur expenses for your FSA money and until April 30 to submit your claim form and receipts.
You can visit the doctor, pay for prescriptions or other approved medical expenses, or buy qualified over-the-counter items and still get reimbursed from 2008 monies. Our third-party administrator, Custom Benefit Services, automatically looks for unused 2008 funds before refunding 2009 funds to you.
Things to know when you submit your claim:
» Be sure to include documentation with the provider’s name, date of service, services rendered and the amount requested.
» Some expenses -- such as vitamins, supplements, weight loss programs, etc. -- require a doctor’s letter of medical necessity. The letter must reflect a medical condition and state the item submitted for reimbursement is recommended as treatment of the condition.
» Please do not highlight or put tape on receipts or cash register tapes. That makes the documents impossible to read after faxing or copying.
» Canceled checks, bank statements, credit card statements, discharge papers and estimation of fees are not considered receipts.
» Claims received by Wednesday each week are processed that week; claims received after Wednesday are processed the following week.
For a detailed list of items and expenses that can or cannot be paid with FSA money, visit the Custom Benefit Service’s Web site, or call Custom Benefit Services at 1-800-809-8161.
SPC, NAA announce new accelerated aviation program
Corporate Training and the National Aviation Academy (NAA) have developed a new accelerated program in which aviation maintenance students can earn NAA credentials, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications and an SPC Aviation Maintenance Management Technology Associate in Science degree in a little less than two years.
"The partnership between SPC and the National Aviation Academy is now more than five years old, and has been very successful in supplying highly trained and qualified aviation maintenance graduates to the aviation industry,” President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. said. “This program redesign will speed up the process significantly, benefitting the industry as well as the graduates who are eager to get to work.”
Students begin their studies in NAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program and then move on to SPC’s Associate in Science program. Some students already have pursued SPC bachelor’s programs, and graduates will be eligible to transfer to SPC’s Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Technology Management.
"This unique partnership is a great platform for aviation and education in Pinellas County,” said Michael Wisniewski, NAA’s President. “We are very excited to bring additional opportunities to the future of aviation. This program will be a springboard to supplying the aviation maintenance global marketplace with even better educated technicians.”
The new program, which begins in March, incorporates SPC’s nine courses within NAA’s nine terms. Students will complete their SPC courses online and in classrooms at NAA’s Ulmerton Road campus.
The NAA programs include training in the maintenance, repair, inspection and trouble shooting of various aircraft types.
Tenth annual Narrowing the Gulf conference and SPC Spring Critical Thinking Institute
St. Petersburg College’s popular conference, Narrowing the Gulf for Underrepresented Students in Post-Secondary Education, will be March 26 and 27 at the EpiCenter. Registration is now open.
This year, the conference promises inspiring opening and closing sessions and 19 breakout sessions presented by experts from across the state as well as our own SPC faculty and staff. The conference includes sessions focused on critical thinking and will serve as the Spring Critical Thinking Institute for SPC.
Session topics include:
- Revelation Theory of Learning – Enhancing the Effectiveness of Instruction for Special Needs Students with Critical Thinking
- Nurturing Critical Thinking Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities
- The Fundamentals of Critical Thinking
- Using Simulations to Promote Critical Thinking
- Universal Design – It is more than Accessibility
- Understanding Psychiatric Disabilities
- Ethical Considerations in Decision Making
- Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome
- Male Outreach and Retention
- Rethinking Visual Communication: Designing Effective and Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
- Student Retention: Designing a Summer Success Program That Works
- Understanding the Deaf Culture
- PTSD and the Psychological Issues Facing Returning Vets
- Identifying and Supporting On-line Students with Disabilities
- Creating a Welcoming Disabilities Support Services Environment
- Assistive Technology: What it is and How to use it – Hands-on lab
- Florida Department of Education Update
 David Sousa |
 Al Mead |
The opening keynote address is by David Sousa, author of many books for educators, including “How the Brain Learns”, “How the Special Needs Brain Learns”, and, “How the Brain Influences Behavior: Management Strategies for Every Classroom.”
The 10th annual conference will feature Al Mead, a champion who rose above the challenges life presented. Famous in the disabled sports arena, he attracted worldwide attention in the ‘88, ‘92 and ‘96 Paralympic and Olympic arenas.
SPC staff members who want to attend may do so free of charge, but must complete this SPC staff registration form. If you want to join conference participants for the hot buffet lunch, the cost is $10.
Please include your check made payable to SPC with your registration form and return to Brenda Starr, EpiServices Building, Ste. 102, by March 20.
Brochures available
Brochures with detailed information and registration forms can be found at these locations:
- Allstate Center, Provost's office
- Clearwater, Information Desk, Administration
- EpiCenter, Academic & Student Affairs
- EpiServices, Academic & Student Affairs, Suite 102
- HEC, New Initiatives Program offices
- Seminole, Counseling & Advising
- SPC Downtown, front desk
- SPC Midtown, Counseling & Advising
- St. Petersburg/Gibbs, OSSD, Administration 121 and Counseling & Advising
- Tarpon Springs, front desk, Administration
Note: This conference may be used toward your professional development goals. Check with your supervisor. If you have questions, contact Peg Connell at Ext. 3398.
Study Abroad video highlights summer 2009 trips
SPC International Programs just released a video that highlights some of the trips planned for this summer. Do you know students looking for something to do this summer? Encourage them to check out SPC's Study Abroad program, where they can learn about another country and earn SPC credit at the same time.
While abroad, students must be enrolled in at least one course that correlates with their program itinerary. Get full details on the Study Abroad Web site.
Make plans now to attend the next informative info session:
Monday, Feb. 23, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Ecuador, England and Guatemala
Seminole Campus, TL 108
This summer's programs include:
- Belize: Tropical Ecology
July 27-Aug. 7, 2009 - Ecuador: Spanish Language Immersion
June 27 - July 24, 2009 - England: Cambridge University
Various 2- and 4-week programs available from July 5-Aug. 1, 2009. - Guatemala: Public Safety Administration
July 22-28, 2009
E-mail or call Bonnie Taylor at Ext. 4731 for more information.
Foundation meeting notice
The SPC Foundation Board of Directors will meet:
Wednesday, Feb. 25, noon
SPC District Office
Consular Corporate Conference Room 102
6021 142nd Ave. N.
Largo, FL
Cultural Corner
This weekly column features arts and entertainment events presented by St. Petersburg College and its partners. NEW items are noted for your convenience.
| Discounts Florida Orchestra: Faculty and staff now can purchase tickets at the student rate of $10. Call the Florida Orchestra Ticket Center at 727-892-3337 and identify yourself as faculty or staff to place your order. Students can purchase two $10 advance tickets through the mail, in person or by phone at the Florida Orchestra ticket center. Students must present ID when collecting tickets at the Will Call window on the night of concert. Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply. Palladium: Faculty, staff and students receive a 10 percent discount to all shows produced by the Palladium or its partners at the Palladium. |
Continuing through March 29
St. Petersburg College: Legacy of Leadership, St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, on the approach to the Pier. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 general, $9 senior and student, $7 ages 7 to 17, ages 6 and younger free.
Continuing through April 12
New exhibits: It's a Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman and Sanctuary: Anna Tomczak Photography, Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, free for children, members and students. Sunday admission free for all.
Continuing through March 6
Photography Show, Crossroads Art Gallery, Clearwater Campus. Reception: March. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Feb. 20-22
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Blue Danube, Klauspeter Seibel, guest Conductor, Markus Groh, piano. 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall; 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Friday, Feb. 20
Heissler Organ Series: Isabelle Demers, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
Friday, Feb. 20
An Evening with Leo Kottke, 8 p.m. Palladium. $32.50, $52.50
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Encore 2009 Chamber Series: C’est Magnifique!, featuring Jeff Multer and Friends. Dessert and discussion with the artists follow concert. Palladium. $10-$20.
Friday, Feb. 27
St. Petersburg College Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 28
“Passages of Martin Luther King Jr.,” produced by Bob Devin Jones and The Studio@620, a dramatic reading and song. A Q & A session with playwright Clayborne Carson and historian Ray Arsenault follows. 7 p.m. Palladium. Adults $12, Students $6
Saturday, Feb. 28
2009 Fundraising Social Event: Carnaval, with Latin music, tango demonstrations, salsa lessons and South American cuisine. 6:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. $125. 727-712-5217 to reserve.
Sunday, March 1
Barbra & Frank, direct from Las Vegas, starring Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo as Streisand and Sinatra. 2 p.m. Palladium. $22, $27
Monday, March 2
WMNF and the Palladium present: Loudon Wainwright III, opening act: Rebekkah Pulley, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $25.
Tuesday, March 3
Helios Jazz Orchestra, featuring guest artist, saxophonist Butch Thomas. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10.
Thursday, March 5
Side Door Jazz: The ORGANic Trio, featuring Art Siegal, drums; Robbie Rose, B3 organ; and T.K. Mizunuma, guitarist, arranger and composer, with guest vocalist Carlton Flenoy. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20
Friday, March 6
Heissler Organ Series: David Enlow, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
March 7-8
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Verdi Requiem , Stefan Sanderling, conductor; Indra Thomas, soprano; Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, mezzo-soprano; Jeffrey Springer, tenor; Dean Elzinga, bass; and the The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Richard Zielinski, Artistic & Music Director. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Tuesday, March 10
Encore 2009 C’est Magnifique! Viva La France, with former Florida Orchestra Concertmaster Ellen dePasquale on violin along with a 12-piece chamber ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $15, $20
Thursday, March 12
Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert: Romantic Rhapsodies, Alastair Willis, conductor; Aza Torshkoeva, 2008 TFO Young Artist Competition winner, piano. 11 a.m., Mahaffey Theater. $24-$40.
March 13-April 5
Lysistrata, by Aristophanes, adapted by Todd Olson and T. Scott Wooten, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
Friday, March 13
Madrigalians Concert, “Oh Eternal Spring,” 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Friday, March 13-14
Florida Orchestra Pops Concert: Doc Severinsen: El Ritmo de la Vida, 8 p.m., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Mahaffey Theater. $19-$65.
Saturday, March 14
An Evening With Richard Thompson. The British folk rock legend is often listed with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page as among the world’s great rock guitarists. The critically acclaimed and prolific songwriter began his career in the 1960s. A solo artist for more than 20 years, Thompson scored Werner Hertzog's 2005 documentary Grizzly Man. His astounding body of work includes more than 40 albums. 9 p.m. Palladium. $32.50, $42.50
Tuesday, March 17
Side Door Brown Bag Series: Judith Alstadter, pianist, “Ladies Choice – Female Composers.” Bring lunch – beverage provided. Noon, Palladium. $12
Friday, March 20
Swing Into Spring: A Tribute to Benny Goodman, featuring Ken Peplowski, clarinet; Kenny Drew Jr., piano; Joe Porter, bass, and John Jenkins, drums. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20, $25.
Friday, March 20
Heissler Organ Series: Marek Kudlicki, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
March 20-22
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Ravel: Mother Goose, Thierry Fischer, conductor, Tedi Papavrami, violin. 8 p.m., Friday, March 20, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, ; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Friday, March 27
Suncoast Singers: Broadway for Kids from 2 to 92, featuring music from Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, The Lion King and others. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $20 adults, $6 children.
Friday, March 27
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Rebecca Penneys, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Free.
Saturday, March 28
Piano master class with Rebecca Penneys, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Free. For reservations, please e-mail rpinfo@rebeccapenneys.com.
March 27-29
Florida Orchestra Pops Concert: A Tribute to the Always Amazing John Williams, Richard Kaufman, conductor. 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65
Sunday, March 29
RockShop Revue Winter-Spring Concert 2009, 7 p.m. Palladium. $11.50
Tuesday, March 31
Encore 2009 C’est Magnifique! Hsu and Hunsberger Trio, presenting works by Alec Wilder and Francis Poulenc and more. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $15, $20
Check out the upcoming events at the Florida Orchestra in their online calendars:
February | March
100% Organic, USDA Certified Organic, All Natural ... What do they all mean?
The issue
100% Organic, USDA Certified Organic, All Natural… What do they all mean?
The larger issue
If you don’t understand the definitions of each term, you may not end up buying what you are looking for.
Be part of the solution
The USDA enforces proper organic production and categorizes the terms in the following manner:
- Products with the "100% Organic" seal include products with 100% organically produced (raw and processed) ingredients.
- Products with the “USDA Certified Organics” seal are made with 95% or more organic ingredients.
- Products "Made with Organic Ingredients" means the product may include as little as 70% organic ingredients.
- Products made with less than 70% organic ingredients may list the organic ingredients as being organic on the ingredient label.
- “Earth Friendly” products minimize any negative impact on the environment. Examples include products that are biodegradable, chemical-free, or made of post-consumer recycled waste.
- “All Natural” products are minimally processed and contain no artificial colors, flavorings, preservatives or sweeteners.
- “Vegan” products are made solely from plants.
- “Vegetarian” products are derived from plants. Examples include vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and nuts. Vegetarian foods may contain egg, honey or dairy products.
- Because of possible contamination from sprayed pesticides, organic fruit and vegetables are recommended when the skin of the produce is consumed. The Top 10 items for which it is considered important to eat organic are peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, and pears. Because onion, banana and orange peels protect the fruit from sprayed pesticides, buying these organic items isn’t as important. Visit www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php for the extended list.
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives?
To participate in the sustainable | SPC initiative, e-mail green.jason@spcollege.edu or call 341-3283.
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
A team event for a great cause
Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s team event to fight cancer, takes place April 3 and 4 on the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus.
Relay for Life is a fundraiser with a goal to beat cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services. This event also is a way to honor and support cancer survivors and those lost to this disease.
This overnight team relay is symbolic of the non-stop journey of those diagnosed with cancer.
SPC employees are encouraged to form a team to represent their sites or to join an existing team. SPC has its own Relay for Life Web site, to form or join a team:
- Visit www.relayforlife.org/spcfl
- Click on the sign up icon on the left
- Click on start a new team or join an existing team
In addition to the team relay event, there are many other ways that you can get involved.
For additional information, contact Christine Hartman at 727-812-7026 or Christine.hartman@cancer.org
What: Relay for Life
Where: St. Petersburg/College Gibbs Campus
When: April 3-4
April 3 – Opening Ceremony with SPC President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. at 6 p.m.; Survivor Lap at 6:15 p.m.
April 4 – Closing Ceremony at 10 a.m.
To explore additional wellness updates, visit the SPC Wellness blog.
HR notes
Visit the Human Resources Web site for information on our Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Remember, you have until March 15 to spend any 2008 monies that you have leftover. See the related story above.
Onward and Upward
St. Petersburg College was recognized earlier this month for eight years of participation in the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA)/Pinellas Technical Education Center’s HVAC apprenticeship program. Bill Ruble, Post-Construction Coordinator in Facilities Planning/Construction, received a Distinguished Service Award and an Award of Excellence for his service as a program instructor. The awards were announced at the annual RACCA installation ceremony.
Locker Room: Coach Crumbley earns 200th victory
 Earnest Crumbley |
Men’s basketball Coach Earnest Crumbley notched his 200th career victory Feb. 11 when SPC defeated IMG Academy 114-63.
Wednesday night, the team lost to first place Polk Community College 87-66, dropping the team’s overall record to 14-15 and its Sunshine Conference record to 5-6.
The team’s next home game is Saturday against Pasco-Hernando CC at 4 p.m. at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus gym.
The SPC women’s team lost to Brevard CC Wednesday night, 66-59, dropping to 4-13 overall and 2-9 in the Southern Conference.
The baseball team outslugged Sante Fe CC 16-14 Wednesday to up its record to 10-8. Last weekend the team traveled to Henderson, Nev. for the CSN Coyote Classic, where it lost to the College of Southern Nevada 12-4 on Friday before edging the College of Southern Idaho 1-0 on Saturday. Later Saturday, SPC lost to San Jacinto College 11-6, then beat Fullerton College 6-4 on Sunday.
The softball team competes in the SPC Softball Classic at Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater this weekend. The women’s tennis team played Thursday.
For results please visit www.spcollege.edu/athletics.
On SPC TV
Here is the broadcast schedule for the original cultural programs recorded by SPC for broadcast on the college station. SPC-TV can be seen on Bright House 620, Knology 19 and Verizon 27 in Pinellas County.
Wednesday and Saturday at 12 and 9 p.m.
» The Music Center Presents: St. Petersburg College Band
Sunday 12 and 9 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.
» CoMotion Fall Dance Concert
Monday 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You can also view a slideshow from CoMotion's Fall Dance Concert or visit the CoMotion Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: An Evening with Rosa Rio
Sunday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Tuesday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: The Kym Purling Trio
Tuesday 8 p.m.; Thursday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: Nathan Laube
Monday 8 p.m.; Friday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.