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The Florida Forest Service has recently confirmed that southern pine beetles are infesting pines in the Springtree neighborhood, including Springtree Park, which is located at 2700 NW 39th Ave. The most effective way to prevent this pest from spreading and continuing to kill trees is to cut and remove infested trees as soon as possible. Accordingly, the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) plans to cut and remove actively infested pines from the park, as well as some trees in the park that are already dead, which may be a threat to neighboring properties.

The Budget and Finance Department is notifying residents that residential neighborhood parking decals/permits will be available for purchase online beginning Monday, Aug. 14. Residents in the Controlled Vehicular Parking Zones will be able to purchase decals/permits online at www.cityofgainesville.org by clicking on the “Online Services” tab and navigating to the "parking decals" link.

The Bridget Kelly Band is playing at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series at the Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville Friday, July 28.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA), as the local arts agency for Alachua County, has announced that Gainesville and Alachua County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $104.5 million in annual economic activity - supporting 2,847 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $9.1 million in local and state government revenues, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 national economic impact study. PRCA served as Alachua County’s coordinator of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States.

The band Wax Wings will play at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville Friday, July 21.

The City of Gainesville Code Enforcement Division has released the dates which will be exempt from the yard parking ordinance (Section 30-56). These exemptions coincide with the following University of Florida events:

Gainesville City Manager Anthony Lyons has released his Recommended Budget in Brief for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 to the Gainesville City Commission and general public aided by the online budget tool, Open Budget. Web users may view and interact with the proposed FY18-19 budget through the Open Budget platform. Both the City Manager’s FY18-19 Recommended Budget in Brief document and the online tool are available on the City of Gainesville’s website at www.cityofgainesville.org/CityBudget.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in cooperation with Shake Rag Cultural Center, Inc., is pleased to announce the next Jewel Box Concert at the Thomas Center Friday, July 20. The concert is being called "Both Sides Now," and is a tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The production is set for two, 45-minute sets, with a 20-minute intermission. Admission is $20 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.evansmediasource.com.

Rolling Stone called Mitchell "one of the greatest songwriters ever," and AllMusic has stated, "When the dust settles, Joni Mitchell may stand as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century."

Executive producer of this concert is Ernie Evans, and it features some of Gainesville's finest performers. The evening will be led by co-producer Cathy DeWitt and music director Richard Bassil.

"This will be a special evening dedicated to the biggest fan of Joni Mitchell, our dearly departed Joseph Saccocci, and held on the week of his July birthday," says Evan Evans. He goes on to say, "Gainesville is so rich and deep with talent, and I am excited to be working with one of the best, Cathy Dewitt. I have a lot of respect for her dedication to the music community, leadership skills, especially her ability to organize. It is also an honor to work with longtime friend of Joseph Saccocci's, Richard Bassil as band director."

A photograph of some of the artists performing may be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/photos/gainesville/35375895620/.

Concert-goers may bring their favorite wine or champagne, and an attendant will tend their bottle. Plastic glasses will be provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own glasses, as well. Authentic, homemade Indian cuisine will be available for purchase.

The Jewel Box Concerts at the Thomas Center are a series of multi-genre musical events staged in the historic Thomas Center’s Spanish Court. They feature a spectrum of national and international touring artists from folk to classical and from jazz to bluegrass, with special holiday shows and surprise guests.

The Thomas Center is located at 302 NE Sixth Ave. in Gainesville. The ticket office for the Jewel Box Concerts is 904-886-8378.

The Delta Troubadours are playing at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville Friday, July 14.

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.