Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 11

local Capi Tallahassee Democrat THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11,2010 SUBMIT YOUR LOCAL NEWS ATTALLAHASSEE.COM, CLICK GET PUBLISHED Rebeccah Cantley, content editor: 599-2391, rcantleytallahassee.com Jeff Burlew, senior government editor: 599-2180, jburlewtallahassee.com Ffliri a Ml Imnatng 3 programs By Doug Blackburn DEMOCRA1 SENIOR WRITER Dorothy Henderson, dean of the School of General Studies at Florida University, has been with the program since its founding in 1984. She has been on the university's faculty for 32 years. But this is her last year at FAMU. Henderson and the other 25 faculty and staff members in the School of General Studies were told before the start of the school year that they would be laid off at the end of June. Faced with more than $30 million in reduced state appropriations over the past three years, FAMU has been forced to shut down the School of Gen the last couple of years.

"We're protecting the demic units." The university was able to retain the three programs this year by shifting their funding from the regular payroll and covering them with stimulus money FAMU has received. Of the three programs being phased out, general working with. Tm not saying all of our students are diamonds in the rough, but many of them are. I'm worried about the students being properly prepared for their intended majors. I'm concerned for the students," she added.

Starting next school year, See FAMU, PAGE 2 LOCAL eral Studies and two other non-teaching programs at the university, the School of Graduate Studies and Mulrennan laboratory in Panama City. "There's no way to address major budget cuts easily," FAMU Provost Cindy Hughes Harris said. "We've been making tough budget decisions for studies is the largest. It's home to more than 2,000 students who have yet to declare a major, many of whom have entered the university without some of the necessary skills to succeed in college. "It's somewhat of a ministry" Henderson said.

"You have to understand the caliber of the students you're 'This is not the Publix that you're used to' 'J k. '1 1 4 PHIL SEARSDemocrat Nancy Miller sits In the seat formerly occupied by Debbie Llghtsey. Miller was sworn In Wednesday at the City Commission's reorganization ceremony at City Hall. Standing room only for swearing in of new city commissioners 1,7 A Miller, dressed in an urbane black and sapphire blazer and black trousers, put an extra emphasis on parts of her oath of office, especially when she said, "So help me God." After Lightsey lovingly cupped Miller's face and delivered a kiss on the cheek, Miller smiled and scanned the audience. She said she saw so many supporters that it took her breath away.

"That was exhilarating," said Miller following the ceremony, as supporters took turns congratulating her. "It was their See COMMISSION, PAGE 3 LOCAL By TaMaryn Waters DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER It was like watching the end of an era and the dawn of another. The chambers at City Hall were standing room only Wednesday, with many lining the walls. Loved ones, campaign supporters and former elected officials came to offer one last farewell to longtime City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, who had her. last meeting Wednesday after 21 years in office, and officially welcome new Commissioner Nancy Miller and returning Mayor John Marks and Commissioner Gil Ziffer.

0., PHIL SEARSDemocrat 1 1 Ok Reglna Bronson smells the aroma of a just-opened wheel of Parmlglano- 1111114 Reggiano cheese Wednesday as Dale White, cheese specialist, holds a sample TALLAHASSEE.COM during a tour of the new Publix at Village Square store at 3521 Thomasvllle Rd. CD The 53,780 square-foot store, which Includes an event-planning service and View a photo gallery and Northwest Florida's first Apron's Cooking School on the second floor, opens video of the new Publix store, today at 8 a.m; UPCOMING EVENTS Testimony under way in Pate murder trial Momslikeme.com, the Junior League of Tallahassee and other community partners are working with Publix on the following special events in connection with the new store. Friday Momslikeme volunteers will greet customers from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., inviting them to meet the chef and see the Apron's Cooking school. There will be drawings for a $100 Publix gift card and four prize packages.

Monday The Junior League will greet customers from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and promote their Cookbook tastings, sell tickets to Jingle Jubilee, and showcase NATIONAL Kids in the Kitchen project. There will be a drawing for one $50 Publix gift card and two momslikeme. com prize packages.

IIIUIMUre-com where Tallahassee moms meet Nov. 22 Twelve United Way agencies will greet customers upstairs in the cooking school from 3 to 6 p.m. They will promote healthy eating for children, the BEST project, Tax Help, Whole Child Leon, Kids Care and other projects. There will be drawings for a Publix gift card and two momslikeme.com prize packages. Nov.

29 From 8:30 a.m. to noon McGruff the Crime Dog will make an appearance. Parents can fill out an ID kit and Seminole Sitters will occupy the kids upstairs in the Aprons Cooking school while moms shop. There will be a drawing for an iPad. A reception just for moms will take place from 6:30 to.

8:30 p.m. By Elizabeth M. Mack DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Beverly Locke-Ewald has been shopping at the Publix in Killearn Center since 1987. She's a little sad to see it go, but she's still "anxious and excited" about the opening of the new Publix just a little ways down the street. The Publix at Village Square, 3521 Thomasville opens at 8 a.m.

today. The store houses all the usual sections meat, produce, dairy and frozen foods. However, there are new departments and Northwest Florida's first Apron's Cooking School. "This is not the Publix that you're used to," said Fred Kinch, store manager. "This is a step above and beyond." Kinch was brought in as store manager in February to prepare for the opening.

He said the company researched everything from other stores to the personnel needed. One staffer, resident chef Jason Klob, was brought in from Jacksonville. "It's a very unique venue that we get to bring to Tallahassee," Klob said. "Being a Tallahassee (native), when they said they we're bringing a school to Tallahassee, I got really excited." This is the seventh school for Publix, said Dwaine Stevens, community and media relations manager. The others are in Atlanta, Boca Raton, By Caryn Wilson DEMOCRAT WRITER Testimony began Wednesday for the second of four co-defendants charged with the May 2009 shooting death of Robert Parkes.

Assistant State Attorney Nathan Prince said the murder "could not have been possible without Tyreese Faust's little helper Latorya Pate." Faust, 29, shot Parkes in the back with an AK-47 and was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in August. Pate, 22, Faust's girlfriend, was arrested along with two others in May 2009 and was charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery and burglary. Although Pate did not pull the trigger, Prince said under Florida's felony murder statute she is considered a cooperating co-defendant in the burglary of the house. If she did anything to assist Faust in the burglary, she is responsible for whatever happened while the burglary was taking place, including Parkes' murder, Prince said. Defense attorney Barbara Sanders said Pate did not help with the murder in any way.

"She did not know Mr. Faust harbored this premeditated intent to commit this murder," Sanders said. In opening statements, Sanders said the state will not have adequate evidence to prove guilt. The jury of seven men and six women was selected on Monday. The state's first witness, Stephanie Hall, was See PATE, PAGE 3 LOCAL selections.

Betsy Couch, Junior League of Tallahassee president, said her group has special events planned at the store in conjunction with momslikeme.com, but there are some things she's personally interested in, such as the cooking school. She even See PUBLIX, PAGE 2 LOCAL Jacksonville, Plantation, Sarasota and Tampa. He said the community's response at other Apron's Cooking Schools has been "explosive." Other special venues unique to this store are a specialty cheese shop and food stations offering artisan sandwiches, expanded hot food services, an olive bar, a soup bar and chefs Mission 101 continues initiative to give back to community this holiday The holiday season is well on To nominate a family visit, www.101tallahassee.commission. its way. In two weeks it i I will be Thanksgiving, one Of my favorite holidays mainly because of the food.

There aren't too many oth Elizabeth M. Mack Girl About Town good to give back to the community," Murgio said during an interview on Limelight Live. "Last year when we did it, you see all the families come in and they're really excited and thankful. It's just a good thing to do and I think more people should do it." After Thanksgiving, 101 Restaurant will host a toy drive. Murgio said he would like to do more for the communis ty than what he's doing now.

I believe that is noble. We could all do more, even me. So, here's to the holidays and giving back. who are less fortunate than I am, who still have a list of things to be grateful for. I already have my list in mind.

One thing that I am thankful for are those in the community who do for others especially during the holiday season when times can be a little harder on some families. Anthony Murgio, owner of 101 Restaurant downtown in Kleman Plaza, started an initiative a year ago with a mission to give back to fami-. lies during the holiday season. It's called Mission 101. For Thanksgiving, Mission 101 is hosting a Thanks- giving dinner giveaway, said Mary Gambale, 101 restaurant front house manager.

What they are asking is that members of the community nominate neighbors they believe are in need of assistance this holiday season. "During jthese tough economic times, we believe strongly that as a successful and community-oriented business, it is our responsibility to focus on public outreach projects such as this," Gambale said. "Please help us contact those that deserve our attention most." Murgio is requesting that all nominations be submitted no later than two days before Thanksgiving so there is enough time to prepare the meals. (And the menu sounds pretty tasty). The feast for six will include, turkey (of course), ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and dessert.

"The community is supporting us and we're doing well. You know, it just feels er things that I enjoy doing more than eating hearty Southern cooking. My family has a tradition before we (more like, just me and my brother) go to stuffing our faces we always give thanks. And it always makes me think about those.