mayo clinic open house
March 30, 1 to 5 p.m. the general public will have its first opportunity to preview the new facility at the new Mayo Clinic located at 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville. The new hospital will officially begin operations on the morning of April 12. Open house attendees will have the opportunity to participate in self guided tours, refreshments, hear live entertainment and get plenty of information about the new hospital and its services. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (904) 953-2373.
gift for prom
The Bartram Trail High School Key Club is collecting gently used formal wear for both boys and girls for this year’s prom. They are offering students one service hour for each item brought in. Items will be collected until April 11 and taken to the high school that has the largest population of economically disadvantaged youth. Please encourage anyone you know to bring in donations. If you have anything in your closet that would fit a teenager (bridesmaid dress, etc.) bring them to the Bartram Trail High School, Room 860, 7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns, (904) 819-8340.
board vacancy
The county is currently accepting applications for a position in the Planning and Zoning Agency. Applications are due by March 31. For more information or to obtain an application call Melissa Lundquist at (904) 209-0537.
children’s museum roundtable
The board of Directors of a newly formed not-for-profit organization with a mission to open a hands-on interactive museum for children in St. Johns County announced plans to host a series of roundtable discussions this spring throughout the county. During these one-hour-long, guided discussions, participants can learn more about what is being planned and discussed in this first phase of museum-making and offer ideas, insights, and input about what they would like their museum to offer. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided and participants are welcome to bring a lunch. The next roundtable will be on April 1, noon to 1 p.m. at the Bartram Trail Branch Library, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove. For more information about the Children’s Museum of St. Johns and the series of community roundtables, visit www.explorecmsj.org.
geneaology
April 3, at 7 p.m. the Bartram Trail Friends of the Library announces the workshop “Introduction to Genealogy and Florida Research”. C. Ann Staley, a professional genealogist, consultant, and instructor, will address the question: Do you think you are interested in Genealogy, but are not really sure what it is? This lecture will take the mystery out of the subject by providing basic information, resources and how-to. Ms. Staley is a Board Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. The lecture is open to the public. The Bartram Trail Library is located at 30 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove. For information call the library at (904) 827-6960.
ladies golf clinics
Starting April 3, 9-10 a.m. each Thursday, The First Tee will hold golf clinics for ladies. Advance or beginner, you will learn basic skills and have fun. Cost is $10 per clinic or $40 per five clinics. To sign up emial jason@thefirstteesjc.org or call (904) 810-2231. Located in the World Golf Village at 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine.
boating course
April 5, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-07 offers its for America’s Boating Course at the St. John’s River Community College Library. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $25 registration fee for the course provides all materials (which includes a workbook and CD). A second family member can be added for only $5! For additional class dates and to register for a class call Vic Acquino at (904) 460-0243 or Ken Beccard at (904) 287-1870.
acting troupe
Limelight Theatre’s Repertory Acting Troupe presents its first show You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,”. The production runs April 3-6, with show times: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets $15 for adults and $10 for children. This production is general admission seating. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. (904) 825-1164
town hall meeting
April 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Prevention, Act, Change, Together (PACT) Coalition is sponsoring the 2008 Town Hall Meeting to discuss exposing the reality of underage drinking in St. Johns County to kick kick-off National Alcohol Awareness Month. Location is the St. Johns Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. The program will include key community stakeholders sharing their expert and personal experiences related to underage drinking. Community members include, a parent, a teen, youth activities leader and:
Joseph Joyner, Superintendent; St. Johns County Schools
Clyde Wolfe, Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit Court
David Shoar, Sheriff, St. Johns County
Guillermo Pierluisi, Doctor, Flagler Hospital
Patricia Greenough, Executive Director, Community Services
Audience will be given a question and answer period. Visit www.pactprevention.org or contact Julia Kelly (904) 829-6261.
blood drive
April 7, 5 to 7 p.m. Stonehurst Plantation is hosting a blood drive at the club house, 150 Stonehurst Parkway, St. Augustine. Mark your calendars and come by to save a life or two. If you can not come to this blood drive visit another blood drive or call the Blood Alliance Center at (904) 824-1891. Remember it only takes a few minutes of your time to do so much. For more information call George at (904) 588-4132.
arts advisory group
April 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the St. Johns Cultural Northwest Advisory Group will meet in the Gathering Place at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, 25 State Road 13. The public is invited to attend. For more information call Cher Brown at (904) 962-1516.
evening with epic chefs
Thursday (April 10) 6 to 9 p.m. at the Serenata Beach Club, 3175 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., St. Augustine, cruise the Latin Riviera. Local, prominent chefs from Serenata Beach Club, Raintree Restaurant, Old City House Restaurant and A1A Ale Works prepare a sumptuous 4 course meal; also includes wine tasting and a silent auction. Tickets are $50. For more information call (904) 829-3295 or visit www.epiccommunityservices.org.
veterans appreciation night
April 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Limelight Theatre hosts its first Veteran’s Appreciation Night for the production of Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon, a coming of age comedy set during WWII. Veterans Appreciation Night is open to all veterans, their families and friends. Tickets for this special one night event are $10. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call Kristin at (904) 806-6510 or the Box Office (904) 825-1164. The Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine.
forward from fifty
The 2008 Lifestyle Expo & Celebration will be on April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ponce De Leon Mall. There will be speakers discussing health and fitness, mortgages and legal issues. For entertainment, there will be dancing exhibitions, karaoke contests, music and a 55 plus cooking contest. There will be up to 30 vendors and door prizes at the top of every hour. For more information contact John Reardon (904) 982-2210.
host families
EF Educational Homestay Program is a non-profit organization that works with students from other countries who want to learn english as a second language is looking for families to volunteer to host students for three weeks this summer. Host families are asked to provide a bed, an extra plate at the table and transportation to and from a central pick up location. The program keeps the students busy during the week days with group activities. Youth from host families are invited to accompany the students on field trips and earn 60 community service hours. Churches can receive a $50 donation for every three families that volunteer. For more information call Laura Barry (808) 551-5613 or e-mail llbarry01@msn.com.
auction a success
The Timberlin Creek Elementary’s Second Annual Gala and Silent Auction was a huge success. More than 150 Timberlin Creek VIPs walked the red carpet. Congressman Mica and his wife attended. In excess of 200 items were auctioned in baskets sponsored by each class, the school front office and the PTO. The support received for this event was phenomenal. Thanks to all the area merchants that made donations and made this event a success. Look forward to seeing you all there next year.
think big
April 22, 7:30 p.m. at the World Golf Village, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and inspiring storyteller Benjamin Carson, Sr. will present Think Big at the annual fundraiser for The Prosperity Bank Foundation, Inc. Carson is the co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund which recognizes young people for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Prosperity Bank Foundation, formed in 2006, provides financial education and awareness support to teenage youth, to explain how to establish good credit and avoid the pitfalls that occur from poor decisions in finances. The fundraiser is open to the public. A continental breakfast will be offered at 7:30 a.m. and the presentation begins at 8:30 a.m. Admission is $35 in advance and $50 at the door. To register call 1(800) 347-9680 ext. 3030 or send an e-mail to rsvpevent@prosperitybank.com. For more information contact Dena Kapperman at (904) 810-3961.
gift baskets
April 25, 11 a.m. the Women’s Service Club of St. Johns will meet to put together Mother’s Day gift baskets for the mothers at the Betty Griffin House. The Betty Griffin house is the only safety shelter serving domestic and sexual violence victims and their children in St. Johns County. They have compiled a wish list and the club is trying to fulfill the list. The group relies solely on donations from the community. All are welcome to join the group that meets the last Friday of each month at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club. The goal is to help those in need through small projects. There is no dues, no officers, no stress. For more information contact jacqphil@aol.com.
butterfly festival
April 26, noon to 5 p.m. at the 7th Annual Butterfly Festival, Tree Bill Nature Center, 7152 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, enjoy the mass native butterfly release, children’s crafts, environmental education, special vendors, and storytellers. Music performed by PiliPili at 4 p.m. $5 for adults and $2 for children 14 and under. For more information call (904) 724-4646 or www.treehill.org.
thunderbears boosters
The Thunderbears Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) needs your support for their exciting fundraiser. $10 per ticket for the chance to win a seven day cruise, three day cruise or two Universal Studio two park preferred annual passes. Random drawings will be held on April 30. For additional information call (904) 626-4703 or vist www.thunderbears.org.
small business development week
First Coast Small Business Development Week will be held at the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village April 29 through May 1. It will feature many business building opportunities and allow businesses to reach qualified business decision makers, build relationships with existing customers and network with more than 125 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees. Free conference break out sessions will focus on topics that affect small businesses. Golf tournament will be on May 1 at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club located on County Road 210, St. Augustine. For more information call (904) 829-5681.
high school completion
Short of credits as the semester ends? Need to retake a failing class? FCTC offers a high school completion program which allows students to progress at their own pace using individualized materiel. A teacher is present at all times to assist. Students obtain a letter from their guidance counselor indicating the courses to be taken and bring the letter to the FCTC Main campus. Students who have dropped out and want to obtain their diploma may also enroll in the High School Completion program. For more information call Theresa at (904) 829-1019 or burrelt@fcti.org
