Gulf Coast Live: Up with People / Flower Industry in Florida

Members of the group Up with People are in Southwest Florida this week preparing for a performance Sunday at North Fort Myers High School. Up with People was launched in the mid 1960’s and since then its ensemble of young singers and dancers has performed in 38 countries with a  repertoire they say is focused on bridging cultural barriers.

And, Florida used to be a lead producer of cut flowers – think Flower Rd in Punta Gorda and Gladioulus Blvd in Fort Myers – but now the industry has just about disappeared. What Happened?

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
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Gulf Coast Live: Miracle on South Division Street / 4th Annual Punta Gorda Banjo Bash

A new, heartfelt and hilarious family comedy comes to the Florida Repertory Theatre.  “Miracle on South Division Street” is next in a line of plays from Tom Dudzick performed on the Fort Myers stage. We’ll meet him and artistic director Bob Caccioppo.  Dudzick holds a talk back session with the cast for the audience after the matinee on 2/9 at 2:00pm.

Members of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society, John Wildeman and Mike Currao join us for a live performance of old-time Dixieland jazz tunes.  Besides their regular performances in Southwest Florida, they’ll be hosting the 4th Annual Punta Gorda Banjo Bash February 15th and 16th at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center.  Proceeds from the two day banjo extravaganza will benefit the Young Musicians Education Foundation, Inc., providing musical instruments, lessons and fostering a love of music to underprivileged kids.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Sister Simone Campbell / Guardians of the Everglades

We’ll gain insight into the convergence of faith and politics in a conversation with Sister Simone Campbell who leads the national Catholic Social Justice lobbyNETWORK As an advocate for the poor and marginalized, Sister Campbell penned the now famous “nuns’ letter” which provided critical support for the federal healthcare overhaul.  Last summer, her “Nuns on the Bus” advocacy tour in opposition to Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget proposal, brought a great deal of attention her way, not only from the media and legislators, but also from leaders at the Vatican.  We’ll talk with her about her political positions and how they’re influenced by her faith, ahead of her appearance in Naples later this month as part of the Voice of the Faithful of Southwest Florida Speakers Forum.

And, we’ll talk with photographer Connie Bransilver and painter Nicholas Petrucci.  They’re two of the artists behind the “Guardians of the Everglades” exhibit now in progress.  Through photographs, paintings, a documentary film, a book and other educational materials the initiative aims to highlight the importance of preserving the Everglades and paying homage to some of its most ardent protectors and advocates.  The exhibit comes to Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County next month.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Congressman Trey Radel / Experts Predict Busy Wildfire Season

With the election of Republican Trey Radel for Florida’s 19th Congressional seat, Lee and Collier County voters sent a new face to Washington D.C. Radel is a former TV news anchor, conservative radio talk show host and entrepreneur. He’s now serving as the only member of the 113th Congress’s freshman class from Southwest Florida. We’ll talk with Radel about his experience, his political ideology and priorities for the region, the state and the nation.

Southwest Florida’s peak season for wildfires looms just months ahead and despite a wet December, weather conditions are dryer than normal overall. Experts say that could indicate a busy brushfire season this spring. Find out how Florida Forest Service officials are preparing and steps you can take to mitigate the risk of a brush fire threatening your own home.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Robin Cook’s new medical thriller, “Nano” / 28th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference

The 28th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference kicks off this week in Coral Gables. The event brings together stakeholders on the local, state and national level working together on efforts to preserve and restore Florida’s River of Grass. Ahead, we’ll explore some recent environmental restoration successes as well as challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Everglades advocates.

And, Naples author and medical doctor Robin Cook is out with his latest medical thriller. “Nano” is a warning about nanotechnology and what could happen as companies compete to be first with the medical discoveries coming from this science.

Cook is one of eight famous authors with local ties participating in an event called “The Writer’s Domain” at Norris Home Furnishings in Naples to benefit First Book- Collier County, on:

1/18/13 5:30pm-7:30pm ($35) Reservations for 1/18 are required
1/19/13 10:am-12:00pm (free)
Call (239) 263-0580.

Another book signing with Robin Cook is at Barnes and Noble, Waterside Shops, Naples 1/19/13 2:00pm-4:00pm.

And an event with authors who have ties to Fort Myers takes place at the Norris store in Fort Myers on 1/31/13 and 2/2/13 .

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Surviving and Recovering from Sexual Assault / Christmas Bird Count

Project HELP, Inc., dubbed the ‘emotional 9-1-1’ of Collier County, fields hundreds of calls each month from people in crisis dealing with issues spanning from grief and loss to domestic violence and sexual assault. Victim advocates find the need for services doesn’t take a day off around the holidays. We’ll hear stories of recovery from local survivors of sexual assault and how they hope to use their experiences as a tool for helping others.

Hundreds of Floridians are expected to take part in the National Audubon Society‘s 113th annualChristmas Bird Count. The holiday tradition unites bird enthusiasts throughout the Western Hemisphere in an effort to promote bird conservation and to add to the event’s more than a century of data on bird populations. Find out what can make the event particularly fun and challenging for local volunteers.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Medicaid Expansion/ Florida Children and Health Care Coverage/Lee Mental Health, SWFAS Join Forces

As State officials consider whether to sign-on to the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid we’ll take a closer look at how expanding health coverage for the poor would impact Florida.  While lawmakers consider what expanding Medicaid will cost the state, analysis from Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute finds Florida could extend coverage to about one million Floridians and actually save an estimated $100 million annually.  Plus, when it comes to providing health insurance for children, Florida is making strides in expanding access to care, but despite some progress, the state still ranks 48th in the nation.

Two of the region’s top mental health treatment providers are teaming up.  Southwest Florida Addiction Services and Lee Mental Health recently announced merger talks that would not only save money, but also streamline services.  Find out how the merger will impact access to mental health treatment in Southwest Florida.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Exploring Industrial Hemp / Solar Energy Development

The passage of ballot initiatives in Washington and Colorado has enlivened the national debate over the legality of marijuana, but there’s another far less controversial use for cannabis plants that’s gaining ground: Hemp as an industrial building material. We’ll meet the man behind what will become Florida’s first hemp house as we explore the history and the future of industrial hemp in the U.S.

Professor Richard Komp, Ph.D. has traveled the world helping small villages from Central America to West Africa establish solar and other renewable energy infrastructures through the non-profitSkyheat Associates.  We’ll catch up with this leading solar researcher and lecturer ahead of his visit to Southwest Florida next weekfor a lecture on solar energy development and a workshop on building your own solar cell phone charger.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: From Field to Feast / Vegetable Gardening in Southwest Florida

On today’s program we’ll meet two of the authors of From Field to Feast, a new book from the University Press of Florida celebrating the state’s agricultural heritage. The authors visited farms, fields, pastures, apiaries and restaurants – the result is a delicious book – illustrated with great photographs and recipes featuring Florida’s bounty. And, ever think about growing your own veggies? Two local organic farmers join us to talk about the challenges and rewards of sub-tropical vegetables gardening. And your calls complete the mix.

The show will be live at 9AM on 90.1 FM

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page

Gulf Coast Live: Post Election Analysis/ Susan Orlean Speaks at Sanibel Island Writers Conference

As the dust settles on Tuesday’s election, join the conversation with our panel of experts for a look at Florida’s role in deciding the winner of the U.S. Presidential contest.  FGCU Political Science Professors Dr. Peter Bergerson and Dr. Roger Green along with News-Press columnist Betty Parker will provide in-depth analysis on the results of other political races here in Southwest Florida.

Plus, we’ll talk with author and New Yorker Magazine writer Susan Orlean who is the key note speaker at the seventh annual Sanibel Island Writers Conference.

Call in: 1-877-428-8255
Email: gulfcoastlive@wgcu.org
Click here to go to the show’s page