Family Frustrated as Liver Transplant on Hold

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 5:33pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Eric Wilson is trying to get answers for his ailing daughter, Alisa, who needs a liver transplant.

Alisa Wilson, 37, is in St. Vincent's Medical Center where she has been since late September, waiting to be transferred to an Orlando hospital where doctors perform liver transplants.

"She needs a liver transplant bad or she is going down," said Eric Wilson from his modest home on the Northside.

Last week, the family thought their prayers had been answered but that quickly led to frustration.

"The doctors have accepted Alisa from a clinical standpoint," he said. " (But) when they looked into insurance, her Medicaid is exhausted."

The family got the news from a case worker from St. Vincent's in a message left on the Wilsons' answering machine. "They cannot take her for a transplant because there would be no funding source," the case worker added.

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Georgia-Florida Game Shows Reduced Economic Impact

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 5:33pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Many fans of both schools said this year's Georgia-Florida game at EverBank Field was the most exciting ever.

The bottom line disagrees.

Research released by Visit Jacksonville indicates spending was down this year compared to 2009.

About 21,500 hotel-room nights are attributable to the game this year, but in 2009 the number was 24,600.

The dollars spent and overall impact followed a similar downward trend, as direct spending fell from $13.4 million to $11.6 million, and overall economic impact fell from $23.9 million to $20.8 million.

The average hotel stay was two nights. Many factors could have contributed to the decline.

The 2009 game featured top-ranked, unbeaten Florida and hometown quarterback Tim Tebow.

The 2010 game featured two unranked teams with first-year quarterbacks.

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Homeowners May Have to Move for I-95 Project

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 5:32pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--It might help drivers on I-95, but more than thirty families could get kicked out of their homes due to an upcoming road project.

It's a $224 million road construction project near Prudential Drive.

Construction on the section of I-95 is expected to begin in late 2012 and end in the summer of 2016.

More than 172,000 cars go through the area between the Acosta and Fuller Warren Bridges every day.

DOT officials say the access road is structurally deficient and needs to be torn down.

About a hundred parcels of land may be affected.

There will be a public workshop to talk about the I-95 replacement project Tuesday at the Duval County School Board on Prudential Drive.

Doors open at 4:30 and there will be a public comment period at 6:30.

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Celebrate Keep America Beautiful’s Annual America Recycles Day

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 4:13pm

The City of Jacksonville, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful (KJB) and Southland Recycling Services will celebrate Keep America Beautiful’s annual America Recycles Day for the first time in Jacksonville with an event to collect a host of residential recyclable materials at a centralized location. Included in this event is the opportunity for residents to shred old /unneeded documents and give new life to used cell phones and chargers.

Monday, Nov. 15, 2-6 p.m.

Prime Osborn Convention Center parking lot, 1000 Water St.

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Free Introduction To Beekeeping, Nov. 13th

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 4:06pm

An Introduction to Beekeeping by Tony Hogg, Master Beekeeper.

Members of the Jacksonville Beekeepers Association will be on hand to answer any questions.

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Adoption . . . A Perfect Fit Fashion Show, Nov 13th

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 12:03pm

In celebration of National Adoption Month, Family Support Services of North Florida (FSS) is shining the spotlight on adopting children from foster care by hosting a fashion show, Adoption . . . A Perfect Fit, on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. in the Avenues Mall, 10300 Southside Blvd. More than 20 local foster children available for adoption will model fall fashions on the lower level of the mall, in front of Sears.

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Alhambra Plans New Year's Eve Party With Patsy Cline

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010, 11:16am

The new Alhambra Theatre will usher in 2011 with a New Year’s Eve Party like none other in Jacksonville. This one-time-only event will feature the hit show, “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” starring Gail Bliss. Prior to the show, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres. A special dinner will be prepared my Executive Chef Matthew Medure. Following the performance, guests will enjoy dancing to live music and a New Year’s champagne toast. For those who have worked up an appetite, The Alhambra will also roll out a breakfast buffet at about 11:00 PM.

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