Identifying Local Opportunities

1.  Mandating recess isn't the right play

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8D0EEE01FD0E0?p=AWNB

• This story talks about the a problem that many may not thin of but is the importance of recess. The journal discusses how recess is not something that is common in most elementary schools now and touches on the topic of how recess is needed for young children these days. The problem is deciding if recess is something that should be mandatory or is it something that should be left up to the will of the teachers. This problem affects all the students, teachers and parent involved in the state of Florida.

2. State jobless rate dips to 5%

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8D0EF05900E98?p=AWNB

• This article talks about an issue that is happening in our own backyard. The unemployment rate is steadily dropping in the state of Florida and recently dropped from 5.1 to 5% . The unemployment rate for Florida now matches the national unemployment rate which it has been since December. The article directly affects all Floridians and they mention how many believe that they are optimistic about their own financial situations but not so optimistic about the national economy. 

3.

Jacksonville: City promotes crime-free multi-housing and rental property program

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7F7E5C0A469D8?p=AWNB

• This article talks about a program that is going to be implemented in order to reduce crime in rental properties and other housing neighborhoods. Criminal activity that happens on these property affect a wide array of people mainly the property owner who can have a decline in rentals and who's property can get a bad reputation also from the criminal acts taking place. This program is implemented all around he U.S in order to make neighborhoods more safe for the community, neighbors and the property manager. 

4. Volusia Council demands Daytona open Manatee Island, debates homeless issues

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A924E10A3F90D0?p=AWNB

• The main issue in this article is that the city is waiting for the use of Manatee Island to be available again yet there is a homeless problem that is preventing this. The amount of homeless people that surround the area has caused business owners and a lot of their customers to no want to visit the area.The problem is something that the city council and other officials have been discussing for awhile now and is affecting everyone in the surrounding area with the decision to build a new shelter or not affecting the homeless population the most.

5.Politicians say Miami ‘slums' prove need for new laws

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8E3CD20CD1840?p=AWNB

• This story discusses a problem that is very big in a lot of areas across the state of Florida and that is the issue with residential buildings and houses not being properly taken care of. The condition of many of the buildings that are in the city of Miami are very low and many buildings that the resident stay in are run down and old looking. The article states "The receiver has done what she can do and the courts have done what they can do. But that's not going to be enough to sustain long-term changes," said Alana Greer, a Community Justice Project attorney representing low-income tenants at the 6040 building, where tenants in two units say their ceilings once buckled above their sleeping children.

Very Short Interview No. 1

The person that I chose to interview is Sean "Millz" Grant. Sean known as Millz to most of the public is the owner of Rain and Simons Nightclub in downtown Gainesville. He is a mature yet  young professional and has been the owner for almost a decade. I currently work with him and we collaborate on my entertainment group on campus. These are the questions that I asked him:

1. What is one of the hardest part about being an entrepreneur?

• "The hardest part about being an entrepreneur is that it gets really hectic and nerve wrecking at times in the beginning stages. A lot of the time in the beginning you are always wondering whether certain projects are going to work out or if someone in your crew decides to drop out." He also talked about how sometimes business and your personal life can sometime conflict and that it can cause a lot of relationships to end in the long run.  

2. What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

• Millz went on to talk about how he felt like there should be a change in the way people lookeed at entertainment. There was a crowd that needed to be catered to and he felt like he was the best person to do the job. He also mentioned how his experience starting as a promoter at a previous nightclub helped him when he decided to go to the next level.

3. What do you think is the most important thing for young entrepreneurs to know?

• "I think that the most important thing that they need to know is to never give up. No matter what may happen, what obstacles you may face or how many times people doubt you that you need to do you. It's always going to be someone in your face telling you that you not going to make it but you have to just put in work and prove them wrong"

After my interview with Millz it made me appreciate what he does a lot more. Being able to see how he started from the bottom as a simple promoter to owning his own nightclubs shows where perseverance can get you in life. You never know what someone went through from the outside all you see is the achievements and the success, but in actuality it took a long process to get there.

World's Biggest Problems

1. The food and health options that are available for low-income undeserved families help foster obesity. 

• There is a trend in eating habits relating to the economic standards of a certain family that ultimately make it hard for low income families to eat healthy. Many of the food providers that surround low income families are not the best choices. For example, Save-A-Lots are put up in locations where they know many low income families are that sell products with a lot of artificial meat and preservatives. Also, restaurants surrounding low income families are typically ones that serve unhealthy food such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell and Burger King. This does not leave many healthy options for them to choose from based on low- income and some may say that they should drive to healthier places but for a lot of these families transportation is limited to none. Something that I think could be done to fix these problems is local community gardens that provide fresh fruit and vegetables for a low cost. Also, for areas that may not be able to grow food local shuttles that can take parents to healthier food options, and ultimately providing healthier options by providing a surrounding location. 

2. The high cost of tuition that limits students from attending college. 

• College is something that is continually getting tougher and tougher to attend. Not only are the requirements for college increasing but the cost of actually attending a four year institution is making it hard for many students to attend college. Those that can attend are also left wit thousands of dollars in college debt afterwards making college seem like a less likely option for those who may want to attend. Some things that can be done is providing more work study to those that want to attend college. Also, making the distribution of money that goes to scholarships and grants more instead of some frivolous things that money may be spent on. 

3. The amount of kids in third world countries that are not educated

• There are a substantial amount of kids in third world countries that are not able to attain an education because of lack of schools. One of the main reasons kids want to go to school but cannot is because they have no school to go to. There are also a lack of people that are able to educate them so this is another reason why many kids in third world countries are not educated.One way that I think this problem can be solved is through more funding and support from America to build these schools, instead of other attractions that aren't necessary. Also, implementing programs that help provide he resources necessary to run these schools. 

4. The amount of violence around the world is constantly rising.

• The amount of violence that has happened in the past three years has been indescribable. From the violence here in the United States involving police brutality to the terrorists attacks that France suffered violence is continually happening on a more than normal basis. Even the problem with ISIS now that is currently happening the world is always in a spiral of violence. I really can not think of a logical way to solve this problem but instead just think that the ideas of the countries have to change. There are always going to be differences but just different approaches to such problems. 

5. The amount of homeless people is at a steady rise across the world.

• With continual economic changes and with the amount of wealth inequality steady rising the amount of homeless people are also. Many people are born into this low economic status and many others are soon forced to be at that level. The amount of homeless people that you see on and off the streets is bigger than many people may realize.  One way to solve this problem is to help establish programs to assist homeless people to get back on their feet. Have mini rehabs within homeless shelters to help those that are drug addicts also. 

6. The amount of Racism and racist acts occurring in America.

• In the past 5 years there have been so many incidents of racial incidents and acts with the first one being the infamous case of Trayvon Martin. Ever since that incident racial tensions in America have been rising with Tamir Rice, Eric Garner and Sandra Bland. Also the big racial incident that happened at Mizzou which sparked national attention. The only way to defeat this is to defeat racist attitudes which will probably take decades. Racist attitudes have decreased since the early 1900's with the modern age but we have long way to go.

7.The amount of world wide pollution that is occurring.

• The world is constantly becoming a more and more polluted planet as the years pass by. The global use of fossil fuels polluting the atmosphere and the dumping of waste worldwide into oceans and lakes. The earth is constantly being polluted from different sources across the world and its making global warming even more apparent. Ways in which this could be solved include stricter bans on dumping and pollution, creating alternatives for fossil fuels used and making more carbon friendly cars.

8.The use of child labor in factories and the mistreatment of workers.

• All across the world the use of child labor and the mistreatment of many workers is happening. Many clothing companies and other fashion companies use child labor. Also, the mistreatment of workers some asked to work long hours for very low pay and also asked to work in horrible conditions too. Restrictions have been put in place to try to regulate this but somehow companies always end up in the news with scandals of mistreatment.The only way to stop this is to put government official monitors in each factory.

9. The continuous deforestation that is happening around the world.

• The world is growing towards urbanization which means the development of more cities and buildings which is leading to the removal of trees at an increasing rate. The amount of land that is available for animals is decreasing and we are becoming closer to their habitat. Ways that we can help this problem is to be more careful of where construction takes place. Also limit the amount of space that we use for certain establishments. 

10. The misuse of water across the world.

• The amount of water that is used worldwide is very large with the U.S being one of the top users for domestic uses only. The rest of the world also uses large amounts for agriculture such as China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The huge use unsustainable use of water has lead to the disappearance and destruction of many rivers and lakes worldwide from Africa to the U.S. To solve this problem there needs to be more self conscious programs and limits on water use. There needs to be something done to also make users more self-conscious and resourceful when it comes to water use.