community

creature feature
Today , 11 a.m. live estuary animal interaction sessions at the Research Reserve’s Environmental Education Center. Learn about animal habits, food chains, and behavior. This hands on presentation will allow visitors to get up close and personal with creatures of all kinds in a fun and educational environment. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children. Children under ten are free. 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. (904) 823-4500.

free dinner on military appreciation monday
Nov. 17, 5 to 9 p.m. all 485 Golden Corral restaurants across America will offer any person who has served in the United States Military (including National Guard and Reserves) a free “thank you” dinner buffet and beverage - no identification required. For more information call (919) 781-9310.

teen club night!
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Ketterlinus Gymnasium, Middle school students are invited to join the Recreation and Parks Staff on the third Saturday of every month for some of the most exciting games around. Join in the fun of Glow-In-the-Dark Dodge Ball, Beach Blanket Volleyball, Capture the Flag, Scatter Ball and more. Participation forms are available online at www.sjcfl.us/youth or at the Ketterlinus Gym door on Saturday night. For more information call Jamie Baccari at (904) 209-0377.

florida hockey academy
Monday and Tuesday evenings Skate Station Mandarin is the home to fast and competitive Roller Hockey League Play. There is a team for everyone; with youth and adult league play.To register visit www.skatestationfunworks.com.

trick or treat bags
The Helping Hands of St. Johns County, a volunteer organization, recently filled 153 Trick or Treat Bags for the children at the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the Salvation Army and Trout Creek Senior Center. The bags were filled with healthy snacks, juice and candy. The bags were decorated and assembled by the members. Commissioner, Cyndi Stephenson, thanked the group for their dedication to helping others in the community and helped the group decorate and fill goody bags.

dracula
Tonight, 7:30 p.m. the Limelight Theatre Kidzfactory student production of Dracula will be performed at the Limelight Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. (904) 825-1164.

creeks lacrosse
Register for boys Creeks Lacrosse October through December. The season runs from February through mid May. Developmental lacrosse for kindergarten through 2nd grade is offered and separate teams for 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade levels. Travel teams are available for 7th/8th grade teams. Cost for registering a player for the 2009 season is $140. Register online at www.creekslax.com.

Upward basketball/cheerleading
Registration for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading for Winter 2009 is now open. Basketball is open for children in grades 1-8 and cheerleading is for grades K-8. Practices are one day a week and there is one game a week. Games are held at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Road 13. Cost is $100. Register on-line at www.fruitcove.com/ministries/sportslife2.asp. For more information call Lisa at (904) 288-0996 ext. 31.

creeks lacrosse
Register for boys Creeks Lacrosse October through December. The season runs from February through mid May. Developmental lacrosse for kindergarten through 2nd grade is offered and separate teams for 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade levels. Travel teams are available for 7th/8th grade teams. Cost for registering a player for the 2009 season is $140. Register online at www.creekslax.com.

Upward basketball/cheerleading
Registration for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading for Winter 2009 is now open. Basketball is open for children in grades 1-8 and cheerleading is for grades K-8. Practices are one day a week and there is one game a week. Games are held at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Road 13. Cost is $100. Register on-line at www.fruitcove.com/ministries/sportslife2.asp. For more information call Lisa at (904) 288-0996 ext. 31.

fall festival
Today, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mill Creek Elementary School holds the Annual Mustang Pumpkin Harvest and Fall Festival. The event is open to the community and offers fun for the entire family. There is a rock-climbing wall, bounce houses, a chili cook-off, pony rides and more. For more information visit www-mce.stjohns.k12.fl.us.

logo contest
During the month of October, PACT (Prevent, Act, Change, Together) Teens is holding a logo contest open to young artists in grades 6-8. PACT Teens known as DDT21 wants its own identity that will be recognized in the community as they work to educate teens about underage drinking. Contestants must create a logo design following contest guidelines.
- Contestants must be enrolled in middle school in St. Johns County
- Entries must be submitted as an email attachment.
- Entries must contain the contestant’s name, address and telephone number in the body of the e-mail.
- Entries will be judged on the strength of the message against underage drinking, originality, relevance to youth and the artwork’s ability to be enlarged or reduced while maintaining its integrity.
Entries become the property of DDT21 and will not be returned to contestents. Submissions must be received by Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. E-mail entries to lisa@pactprevention.org. The winner will be announced and recieve the grand prize at Teen Night at Ketterlinus Gym on Nov. 1. For more information contact Lisa Loehnert at (904) 829-6261.

ancient city kids day
Today, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Special Events field on Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, is the annual festival for families. Admission is free. There will be more than thirty booths and interactive exhibits for children and adults to participate in together.

make a difference day
Today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Blood Alliance is urging all eligible blood donors to donate the gift of life for USA WEEKEND’s Make a Difference Day, held each year on the fourth Saturday of October. There are three locations available today: The Blood Center, 110 Health Park Blvd., St. Augustine, Charlie T’s Truck Stop, 10105 U.S. Highway 1 South, and Mill Creek Elementary School’s Fall Festival. 3750 International Golf Parkway. Walk-in donors are welcome at all locations. To make an appointment call (904) 824-1891.

exploration 2008
Today, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., High school students in St. Johns county are invited to attend the Chemistry day (Explorathon) at the Museum of Science and History, 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville to celebrate National Chemistry week. This year’s theme is “Having a Ball With Chemistry”. Students will be treated to an exciting chemistry magic show, chemistry demos at different booths, hands-on activities, health care and industry demos, and many freebies. This also a great opportunity to see all the wonderful new displays at the museum. There is a $3.00 admission fee. For more information call (904) 396-6674.

gardenfest 2008
Today, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the District IV, Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and Duval County Extension Service is sponsoring The GardenFest. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends. The program, presented by speakers, is full of great information for the Florida gardener. Topics include: Turn Trash to Treasure; Eco-Friendly Landscaping; Bird, Bees and Butterflies and other interesting subjects. Morning refreshments and drinks for lunch provided. Bring your own lunch or have a tasty brown bag lunches priced at $5 with registration. To register call Rachel Wilson at (904) 272-4252. The donation is only $10 and pre-registration is requested. GardenFest will be held at the Duval Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville. For information call Claire Fioriti at (904) 287-9772.

youth basketball
The St. Johns County Recreation and Parks Department Youth Basketball League is perfect for your 9 to 14 year old who just can’t stop bouncing that ball! Registration will end on Nov. 1. Tryouts will be held at Ketterlinus Gymnasium on Saturday (Nov.1). All participants will be placed on a team at tryouts. The league fee is $10 per player. Visit www.sjcfl.us/youth or contact Jamie Baccari at (904) 209-0377 for more information on how you can register or volunteer for the 2008/2009 basketball season.

exploration 2008
Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., All high school students in St. Johns county are invited to attend the Chemistry day (Explorathon) at the Museum of Science and History, 1025 Musuem Circle, Jacksonville. This is an event sponsored by the American Chemical Society, Jacksonville section and the Museum of Science and History to celebrate National Chemistry week. This year’s theme is “Having a Ball With Chemistry”. Students who attend will be treated to an exciting chemistry magic show, chemistry demos at different booths, hands-on activities, health care and industry demos, and many freebies. This also a great opportunity to see all the wonderful new displays at the museum. There is a $3.00 admission fee. For more information call (904) 396-6674.