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Sarasota News Leader December 21, 2012 Page 43 FLORIDA SCRUB JAY BENEFIT PLANNED FOR JAN. 18 With the Florida scrub jay becoming more threatened each day as encroaching human development destroys its habitat, a news release says, Robin Draper, owner of AuthenticFlorida.com, has joined forces with Oscar Scherer State Park and Jack Perkins, Clyde Butcher and Jeff Klinkenberg to present Authentic Florida Meets Real Florida, a benefit to help the birds. The event will be held Jan. 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Girl Scout Event Conference Center, 4740 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota. a synergy and celebration of Florida���s beauty, character and culture,��� Draper says in the news release. According to Tony Clements, Oscar Scherer���s park manager, the Florida scrub jay, a native to Florida only, is a threatened species that becomes rarer each day as human developments are constructed over areas where it traditionally has built its nests. It was officially listed as a threatened state species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1975, and it was listed as a threatened federal species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1987. Perkins, an Emmy Award-winner and author, will serve as master of ceremonies. Among the speakers will be Butcher, the acclaimed Tickets are $30 per person. A box lunch with Florida photographer, and award-winning the speakers will follow the program for an journalist and author Klinkenberg. additional $40. All of the ticket sales will supAuthenticFlorida.com ���is a travel and lifestyle port Oscar Scherer State Park���s Florida scrub website devoted to the simple and delightful jay restoration program. Each of the first 100 pleasures of Florida living,��� the press release ticket buyers will get a free park pass to Oscar Scherer State Park. notes. ���By bringing together three speakers who rep- For tickets or more information, call 483-5956 resent real and authentic Florida, we create or visit www.friendsofoscarscherer.com. Clyde Butcher/Contributed Jack Perkins/Contributed