Blog

On our show today, our guests were
J.B. Renninger, Dean of First Coast Career Tech.
Tonya Seigler, Director of Government Relations for Solar Energy Initiatives
John Edwards, Executive Director of the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency
Judith Smith, Hands On Jacksonville, Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
David Bonner, St. John and Partners, Super Bowl Ads

The website that you can visit to find out more on jobs is:
worksourcefl.com.

If you were looking to findo more on Disney Days, the website is
disneyparks.com.

Tonight 11pm On 89.9

Aretha Franklin,  Buddy Guy,  Etta James,  Albert King, Koko Taylor, and many more engage in a battle of wills and blues riffs on tonights show.  Join us for a dip into the blues vaults!

Tonight at 11pm, enter the Celtic Storm on WJCT 89.9fm. In addition to the greatest Celtic Rock and traditional Irish music we feature every week, tonight we will feature such popular UK artists as Dido, U2, Morrissey and The Proclaimers.

Recently I’ve been reading a study I found on the web called “Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning”, which was written ten years ago by the Arts Education Partnership. The study presents findings on actual learning experiences involving the arts as it compared eighth graders who were highly involved in the arts with those who had little or no involvement. The findings show consistently better outcomes for those students that were highly involved in an arts curriculum including better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by grade 10, and more positive attitudes about school. One critical research finding was that the learning in and through the arts can help “level the playing field” for disadvantaged kids. The study showed that the benefits of high levels of arts participation can make more of a difference for economically disadvantaged students.
We all know the significance of eighth grade as students prepare to make the transition to high school. By ninth grade, researchers can predict with a fairly high degree of accuracy which students are most at risk of dropping out of school, based on three factors: absenteeism, behavioral problems, and course failure.
Why then, if we know the success the arts consistently has on student achievement, do we try to resolve funding issues by cutting the arts programs from our schools when they clearly make such a huge difference? Why not immerse all kids in the arts curriculum beginning in elementary school? What do you think?
Until next time,
Beth

Jacksonville mayor John Peyton continued our monthly tradition of “Ask the Mayor Mondays” on Monday, February 1st. The mayor joins First Coast Connect with host Melissa Ross the first Monday of every month to discuss civic issues and take calls from listeners. Listen: www.wjct.org/radio/listen Continue the discussion right here on our blog!

During Black History Month, WJCT continues to present programs that explore African American contributions. Here’s what’s new on radio and television:   

Blues Horizon. Hosted by WJCT’s Andrew Wiechman, Blues Horizon is a new radio program that presents the best in classic and modern blues. The program joins the “After Hours” lineup on 89.9 WJCT-FM on February 1, in honor of Black History Month. Born on Southern plantations in the nineteenth century, the blues evolved into a universal language that continues to influence and inspire modern music. February programs salute the African American artists who created this important American art form. Highlights include original blues versions of popular rock songs (Feb. 1), and blues for Valentine’s Day (Feb. 8). The February 15^th program includes a “Godfathers and Sons” segment, duets featuring blues legends and their rock counterparts. (Mondays at 11pm on 89.9 WJCT-FM)

For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots. This compelling four-hour series documents the profound sacrifices and largely ignored contributions of black soldiers throughout American history – from the earliest days of the Revolutionary War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The films are introduced by Colin Powell, hosted on-camera by Halle Berry, narrated by Avery Brooks, and feature dramatic readings by an all-star cast of celebrities. (Tue., Feb. 2 from 8pm-midnight on 7.4; and Sun., Feb. 14 from 11:30am – 3:30pm on 7.1)

Faces of America. Using DNA testing and genealogical research, Henry Louis Gates Jr. offers investigations of the family stories and ancestry of 12 renowned Americans. Guests in the four-part series include chef Mario Batali, comedian Stephen Colbert, novelist Louise Erdrich, journalist Malcolm Gladwell, actress Eva Longoria, musician Yo-Yo Ma, director Mike Nichols, Her Majesty Queen Noor, television host/heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, actress Meryl Streep, and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. (Wednesdays from 8-9pm on 7.1, beginning Feb. 10. Rebroadcasts Fridays from 10-11pm on 7.4, beginning Feb. 12)

In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music From the Civil Rights Movement. President and Mrs. Obama host a concert in the White House East Room in honor of Black History Month. Performers include Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and more. Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah host. (Thurs, Feb. 11 at 8-9pm on 7.1, Rebroadcasts Sat., Feb. 11 at 6 and 10pm on 7.4)

Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring! Maestro Christopher Wilkins leads the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the 200-voice volunteer choir in celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. The program combines two time-honored genres – soul-stirring gospel and classical melodies – in an inspiring, uplifting concert experience. (Sat., Feb. 27 from 6-7pm  on 7.4)

Independent Lens

• Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness. This documentary examines the forgotten legacy of Melville Herskovits, the controversial Jewish anthropologist whose writings in the ’40s and ’50s challenged widely-held assumptions about race and culture. (Tues., Feb. 2 from 11:30pm-12:30am on 7.1, and Sun., Feb. 7 from 11pm-12midnight on 7.4)
• Mine/Home.  Two films revisit Hurricane Katrina. Mine is the poignant, powerful story of animals left behind, and owners’ struggles to reunite with their pets. Home mixes imagery of the filmmaker’s childhood home before and after Katrina (Tues., Feb. 23 from 11pm-12:30am on 7.1)
• Behind the Rainbow. This documentary presents the previously untold story of South Africa’s political problems, struggles and realities. (Sun., Feb. 28 from 10:30pm-12midnight on 7.4)

Locked Out/Scarred Justice. These programs air back-to-back, providing two compelling stories of students in the battle for desegregation. Locked Out: The Fall of Massive Resistance profiles the children of Virginia who found themselves on the front lines of the cultural war that desegregated Virginia Public Schools. Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre recounts the story of the three black students killed at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg in 1968, two years before Kent State. (Tues., Feb. 2 from 6-8pm on 7.4, and Sun., Feb. 21 from 11:30am-1:30pm on 7.1)

An Evening with Smokey Robinson. Gwen Ifill talks with Motown legend Smokey Robinson, giving viewers an insider’s look at his life and career. (Fri., Feb. 12 from 11pm-12midnight on 7.4) 

Soundstage – Seal. In a stunning Soundstage performance, Seal adds his signature touch to some of the best soul songs ever created. (Sat., Feb. 13 from 11pm-12midnight on 7.4; and Mon., Feb. 15 from 12-1am)

In addition to these new programs, we’re presenting encore broadcasts of compelling programs like The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns and Bill Cosby: The Mark Twain Prize. Visit wjct.org/tv/highlights for weekly updates, or search wjct.org/tv/schedule for additional broadcast times.

WJCT’s Black History Month programming is supported by CSX Transportation and CITI.

Pictured: Leadbelly, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Halle Berry, Seal.

Blues Horizon Premieres on 89.9 FM at 11pm on Feb 1st.  Showcasing the best in classic and modern blues. This week in honor of Black History Month, join us for a special edition of Blues Horizon Monday night @11pm February 1st. We’ll feature the original versions of some well known rock songs that began life as some of the most influential blues songs of the past century. Since little is known about the exact origins of the blues, we’ll attempt simply to document its evolution as an art form. The influence of the Blues on Rock, Jazz, and modern popular music in general is significant. “At the very least we’ll be airing some of the greatest music of the past century.” So in honor of Black History Month we salute Black artists that have made the Blues one of the most important art forms of the last century.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and this week on Health Matters, we examine different aspects of the disease.

First, we’ll take you inside the Mayo Clinic labs to see what kind of research is taking place in Jacksonville to find treatments and a cure for cancer. Our second segment is a primer on skin cancer. Learn how to spot skin cancer, and more importantly how to prevent it. We’ll highlight a new program called Men Tackling Cancer that promotes prostate cancer screenings in the inner city. Finally, we’ll close with a story about local breast cancer crusader Donna Deegan and her 26.2 with Donna National Marathon.

Health Matters airs on WJCT 7.1 at 10:30am on Sundays and at 8:30pm on Sunday evenings on WJCT 7.4 (Comcast 212.) WJCT’s Karen Feagins hosts and produces the program. Health Matters is made possible through funding provided by the Mayo Clinic.

Please leave your comments and have a civil discussion in the comments area below.

WJCT’s First Coast Forum will examine various proposals now before the Charter Revision Commission, which meets once a decade to review Jacksonville’s charter (the City’s constitution) and decide whether any changes should be made. These recommendations are forwarded to the Jacksonville City Council, which must decide which ones to follow through on, and how they must go about making the changes. 

Panelists

• Wyman Duggan, Chairman, Charter Revision Commission
• Matt Corrigan, Political Science Professor, UNF
• John Delaney, UNF President and former Mayor
• Jerry Holland, Duval County Supervisor of Elections
• Ron Littlepage, Florida Times-Union Columnist
• Jim Crooks, Historian, Professor Emeritus at UNF
• Brenda Priestly-Jackson, Duval County School Board Chair
• Betty Holzendorf, Former Jacksonville City Council Member
• Richard Clark, CC President

He’s one of Jacksonville’s most celebrated performers. Al Letson is an actor, playwright, and national NPR host. His radio show, “State of the Reunion,” can be heard on NPR member stations nationwide, including right here on 89.9 FM. Al joined First Coast Connect to discuss his new one-man show, “Summer in Sanctuary,” about his experiences as a summer camp counselor at the Sanctuary on 8th Street. Don’t miss this benefit performance Saturday, January 20th at the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church on Hendricks Avenue. Thanks Al for doing our show!

Al Letson with First Coast Connect Host Melissa Ross