Get ready for the party! CELTIC STORM, hosted by John Osif, rocks the house tonight (Thursday) at 11pm on WJCT 89.9 FM and online at www.WJCT.org/radio/listen.
Tonight’s show features The Young Dubliners, Flogging Molly, The Clash, The Pogues, Altan, Seven Nations and much, much more!
Tuesday, July 7th marks the launch of an exciting new program, WJCT’s Indie Endeavor. The show can be heard every Tuesday night at 11pm on WJCT 89.9 FM and online at www.WJCT.org/radio/listen.
Indie Endeavor expands WJCT’s eclectic music schedule as a new program featuring the best new music for independent thinkers. This is the place to be for the best in alternative/sub pop/alt-rock and indie music. The program is hosted by local music expert Devin Balara.
“Each week, she’ll look beyond major labels to showcase the melodic musical freedom of artists who publish under their own labels or through music collectives… Just a few of the performers you are likely to hear – Fleet Foxes; Beirut, who use instruments like the cello and trombone to create music that is “worldly and beautiful, yet still catchy;” Andrew Byrd, a classically trained musician who whistles; and Animal Collective, who make albums you can play on your laptop. So, open your mind to new possibilities, and tune in to Indie Endeavor. “It’s music everyone can enjoy,” says Devin.”
This week First Coast Connect: Week in Review will not be heard so that we may bring you a special program: the Capitol Steps: “Politics Takes A Holiday” 4th of July Edition. Join us as this talented troupe of performers satirizes the latest news headlines and skewers the newsmakers. The Capitol Steps are renowned for their biting wit and good-natured lampooning, which they carry out through a fast-paced show of songs and skits.
Don’t miss the Capitol Steps 4th of July special, Friday at 9 a.m., and Saturday at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. First Coast Connect: Week in Review returns the following Friday at its usual time of 9 a.m.
- Scott Kim, WJCT News Director
Don’t miss Indie Endeavor, WJCT’s new radio music program for independent thinkers. It premieres July 7 on 89.9 FM and airs Tuesdays at 11pm.
WJCT's Indie Endeavor host Devin Balara
Indie Endeavor is produced and hosted by Devin Balara. A UNF senior who works at a local record store, she is passionate about music, and has a huge collection. “I’ve always loved discovering new music,” she says. “I feel I can never have enough.”
Our new program gives Devin a chance to introduce listeners to the music she loves. Each week, she’ll look beyond major labels to showcase the melodic musical freedom of artists who publish under their own labels or through music collectives. “It’s a whole scene,” she says, mentioning collectives in Detroit, Montreal, and Athens, Georgia. “A lot of independent artists, working together.” Just a few of the performers you are likely to hear – Fleet Foxes; Beirut, who use instruments like the cello and trombone to create music that is “worldly and beautiful, yet still catchy;” Andrew Byrd, a classically trained musician who whistles; and Animal Collective, who make albums you can play on your laptop. So, open your mind to new possibilities, and tune in to Indie Endeavor. “It’s music everyone can enjoy,” says Devin.
Indie Endeavor is part of WJCT-FM’s “After Hours,” a block of programs produced in the WJCT Studios that air weekdays at 11pm. “We’re proud to be expanding our local music offerings,” says Executive Producer John Osif. “We cover a surprising variety of genres, and there’s more to come!”
- Natalie Tomola, WJCT Editor/Publicist
CELTIC STORM, WJCT’s NPR program that celebrates Celtic rock and roll and music from and about the United Kingdom, features the music of U2 on Thursday, July 2nd at 11pm.
Join WJCT as we celebrate Ireland’s most successful export with rare cuts, live performances and hidden jems!
Tune into WJCT 89.9 FM (in the Jacksonville area) or listen online from anywhere at www.WJCT.org/radio/listen
Join the party on Thursday, July 2nd at 11pm.
While WJCT certainly has a vested interest in the Mayor’s proposal for a 1.02 millage rate increase, as we are funded in part by the City through the Cultural Arts Council, I strongly urge you to take the necessary steps to encourage our City Council members to support this increase because I personally believe the quality of life here on the First Coast will be dramatically impacted in a very negative way if it is not approved on July 23rd.
Below is a press release sent out by the Mayor’s office and at the bottom there is a link that will give a more complete picture. If you share my concern then take action ASAP!! Please contact all of the City Council members. Their email addresses are available by clicking on ‘talk to city council” and because, they count emails, send another one in a couple of days. If you know them personally, call them. If you have the time, drop them a letter.
I know I speak for my wife, Susan, as well when I say we have come to love this area and the prospect of losing some of the many wonderful services and resources that make it so wonderful is very discouraging.
Please do what you can.
- Michael Boylan, WJCT President/CEO
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RECEIVES FINAL TAX ROLL DATA
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. July 1, 2009 — The City of Jacksonville has received the certified 2009 tax roll data from Duval County Property Appraiser Jim Overton. These official numbers indicate a year-over-year drop in property values of approximately $3.5 billion in Duval County.
While still dramatic, this drop in the tax base is slightly smaller than preliminary projections issued by the property appraiser in early June. As a result of these revised numbers, Mayor John Peyton will propose to the Jacksonville City Council a 9.50 millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year, an increase over the current year of 1.02 mills. This increase is estimated to cost the average Duval County homeowner $97 next year.
All budget planning to date has been based upon previous estimates and projections by the property appraiser. The receipt of the certified tax roll allows for final determination of revenue lost to the city’s general fund and the setting of the mayor’s proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2009/2010.
Based on the final numbers, the city has an estimated $170 million budget challenge in the upcoming fiscal year. Of that total, $100 million is driven by Tallahassee-forced property tax reform, $40 million by increased pension costs and $30 million by the global economic collapse.
To address the budget challenge, Mayor Peyton last week called for a three-part plan to move the city forward and ensure continued investment. The three elements are $40 million in budget cuts, an aggressive pension reform plan and a modest property tax increase.
The mayor encouraged residents to learn more about his budget proposal by visiting www.FixItNow.cc, a Web site created by the Mayor’s Office.
Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton has proposed a hike in the city‘s property tax rate for the first time in 17 years.
He’s asking for a millage increase of 1.2 mils. A hike from 8.4 mils to 9.6, the same level the millage rate was before the state legislature began passing legislation cutting millage rates statewide.
Mayor Peyton says it will cost the average homeowner about $115 a year, but if it is not passed, the city will have to close fire stations, libraries, community centers, the Ritz Museum and the Equestrian Center. He also says events like the Jazz Festival and the World of Nations would have to be discontinued
The Mayor says he’ll go to the community with town meetings to explain why he believes the tax hike is needed. What do you think?
You can here is entire presentation on line via our web site at http://www.wjct.org/mp3/JUN09/jun25km2.mp3
The Mayor’s web site regarding the property tax hike is available at http://www.fixitnow.cc/
- Kevin Meerschaert, WJCT News
Photo by Kevin Meerschaert
Tonight on NPR’s CELTIC STORM we’ll feature music by Seven Nations, Snow Patrol, Dido, Travis, Niamh Parsons and The Peelers.
CELTIC STORM airs every Thursday night at 11pm on WJCT 89.9 FM and online at www.WJCT.org/radio/listen
A new program featuring the best of not only Celtic rock and roll and traditional music, but music celebrating the United Kingdom. Hosted by John Osif.
This week on First Coast Connect: Week in Review…Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton pushes for a property tax increase….and the fight over bringing a nuclear aircraft carrier to Naval Station Mayport continues in the halls of Congress. We’ll have a journalist roundtable to discuss those headlines and more. We also want to hear your thoughts, and will be taking your calls during the program at 904-549-2937. Send your e-mail questions to firstcoastconnect@wjct.org. Join us for First Coast Connect: Week in Review, Friday at 9 a.m. on 89-9.
-Scott Kim, News Director 89.9 FM
