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City of Gainesville officials anticipate that severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Sunday, Dec. 9-Wednesday, Dec. 12. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the continued activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

You're invited to participate in the second neighborhood workshop to discuss future park improvements at the Lincoln Yard site, located between Southeast Eighth Avenue and Southeast 15th Avenue, east of Southeast 20th Street. Interested members of the public are invited to attend the Community Workshop Thursday, Dec. 13, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Vineyard Church, 1100 SE 17th Drive (formerly the Southeast Boys & Girls Club). Learn about the project and site and let us know what improvements you would like to see at this location. Conceptual designs will be on display for the public to view and discuss. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Wild Spaces & Public Places Department wants your input on a future nature center at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park. Interested residents may complete an online one question survey by selecting from a list of four options by the Dec. 17 deadline. The survey is located at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07efv8phh8jopxhsxt/start

The 70-acre park property located at 1500 NW 45th Ave. was acquired by the city in 2007 with funding assistance from Florida Communities Trust. Funding conditions of the grant require that recreational amenities be constructed, as well as a staffed nature center where year-round educational classes and programs are held. A new playground with outdoor musical instruments and a fitness trail opened to the public in fall 2018.
 
The 1910 Hartman family house still remains on the Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park property. The cost to renovate the structure into a nature center is estimated to be $400,000 due to the structure's advanced state of deterioration. Because of the high renovation cost, Wild Spaces & Public Places is asking you to weigh in on four options being considered.
 
Your feedback will be brought to the city commission for review in early 2019, and project updates will be provided at http://www.cityofgainesville.org/WildSpacesandPublicPlaces/CurrentProjects.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate that severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Tuesday, Dec. 4-Thursday, Dec. 6. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the continued activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

The City of Gainesville has named Teneeshia Marshall to fill the vacant Equal Opportunity Director position beginning Monday, Dec. 3 at an annual salary of $113,000.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Historic Thomas Center (302 NE Sixth Ave.). Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe will be on hand to welcome citizens, and call for the giant tree to be lit. The free program runs from 6–8 p.m., and light refreshments will be served.

City of Gainesville officials anticipate that severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during evening hours, Monday, Nov. 26-Thursday, Nov. 29. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the continued activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

Gainesville will transform into a masterful blend of art, music and entertainment during the 37th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show, one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals. Presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA), the festival draws a crowd of more than 80,000 visitors each year. On Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors can meet the exhibiting artists, enjoy live music and sample international cuisine.

The Downtown Festival & Art Show, a nationally-recognized event, helps Gainesville get in touch with its creative side. Since 1996, it has ranked among the top festivals in the nation. Visitors embrace the culture of more than 240 of the nation’s most talented artists, who showcase their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Artisans compete for more than $20,000 in cash prizes.

Enrich your Thanksgiving holidays with merriment among the piney woods of Morningside Nature Center at the annual Cane Boil & FiddleFest!

The Cane Boil & FiddleFest continues the age-old traditions of celebrating the fall harvest and live home-spun music. Be transported to bygone days by the rustic setting of Morningside’s Living History Farm. Hear the enchanting sounds of the youth fiddle contest as they twine through the pines and across the meadow to the kettle where sugar cane juice is boiling down into our yearly supply of sweet, rich cane syrup! Other old-timey musicians will join in the melodies all day as visitors watch demonstrations of historic skills, shop our vendor’s wares and join in traditional games and crafts. Don’t forget to visit the log cabin and talk to our historic interpreters as they go about a day in the life of 1870. The festival is presented admission-free by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Friends of Nature Parks on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Longleaf Pine Youth Fiddle Contest portion of the Cane Boil is for musicians 18-years-old and younger who may enter in one of three age group divisions:

• Sprouts Division (beginner to nine years-old)

• Seedlings Division (10-13 years-old)

• Saplings Division (advanced or age 14-18)

Contestants may download the registration form at https://tinyurl.com/ycakb8ge between now and Wednesday, Nov. 22, or register on-site the morning of Nov. 24 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Pre-registered contestants should also check-in during this time. The contest starts at 10 a.m., concluding with judging and presentation of prizes, awarded to first, second, third place winners and runners-up in each of the three divisions. Traditional music played by talented, local musicians will follow all afternoon. For registration and complete rules, and more information about judging and prizes, download the registration form online at https://tinyurl.com/ycakb8ge or call 352-393-8240.

Plan to round out your holiday weekend with a relaxing and enjoyable day at Cane Boil & FiddleFest! Morningside Nature Center is located at 3540 E. University Ave., approximately three miles east of downtown Gainesville. For event information please call 352-393-8240.