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Community Briefs 2/23/17

Clay Today
Posted 2/22/17

Francis to address Historical Society GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Local historian Eugene Francis will narrate from his book “Preserving the Quest of Enslaved People” at the next meeting of …

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Community Briefs 2/23/17


Posted

Francis to address Historical Society
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Local historian Eugene Francis will narrate from his book “Preserving the Quest of Enslaved People” at the next meeting of the Clay County Historical Society.
The meeting will be held Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Green Cove Springs Public Library on Ferris Street.
Francis will discuss his family’s 200-year history, from slavery to freedom to close out Black History Month.
The meeting is free and open to the public.

Workshop for seniors concerned about balance
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Clay County seniors age 60 and older who have concerns about falling have a chance to learn about a new program involving balance.
The program, “A Matter Of Balance,” will be offered for free March 31-April 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Keystone Heights Senior Center at 125 Commercial Circle.
This award-winning program is designed to teach seniors how to manage falls and increase activity levels. It is being presented by the Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center.
Classes meet Mondays and Fridays for four weeks. Movements that will be taught in the class can be performed seated or standing.
Class participants will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance. The class is designed specifically for seniors who are concerned about falls, interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength, anyone who has fallen in the past and anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns.
Call to register at Northeast Florida AHEC (904) 482-0189, extension 111.

Buy an FFA emblem, help a student
RICHMOND, Va. – Farm supply retailer Southern States Cooperative will kick off its annual FFA fundraiser on March 1 to raise funds for agricultural education.
The annual “FFA Paper Emblem” campaign benefits the National FFA Organization’s local, state, and national levels to provide funding to the youth organization that prepares students for leadership roles, personal growth and career success in agriculture.
The community is encouraged to purchase a $1 “I’m Supporting FFA” paper emblem at their local Southern States to support the cause.
“Every dollar collected will benefit FFA members across the area,” said Jeff Stroburg, president and chief executive officer of Southern States. “Southern States has a rich heritage of working with FFA and hopes the public will assist with the project by supporting the effort.”
Those who donate can sign their name to the emblem or the name of a child or loved one that they care about.
“We are deeply appreciative of Southern States and the company’s assistance to raise financial support for FFA and heighten community awareness about our organization,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president. “Money donated by Southern States customers will help ensure that we’re able to continue to develop students’ leadership, growth and career success potential.”
The FFA Emblems are available at Clay Agricultural Services, 4879 Highway 17 South in Green Cove Springs, Russell’s Feed & Farm Supply, 4479 County Rd. 218 in Middleburg and Lisa’s Feed & Pet Depot, 2905 Blanding Blvd. in Middleburg.

Air Potato roundup this weekend
JACKSONVILLE – Clay County residents can fight invasive species by participating in the 11th Annual First Coast Air Potato Roundup this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The Invasive Species Management Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District and partners at the First Coast Invasive Working Group host the event to celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
Locally, air potato hunters will gather at the Health Building parking lot at the College Drive campus of St. Johns River State College.
“Invasive species such as air potato smother our native plants and are one of the greatest ecological threats to natural communities in Florida,” said Jessica Spencer, Jacksonville District biologist. “The annual Air Potato Roundup is a family-friendly event where people of all ages – even little ones - can get outdoors together and make a difference. Just grab your garden gloves, some sunscreen and the kids, and head over to one of the work sites. All participants will be entered into a random drawing for great prizes.”
“This annual volunteer effort, combined with the use of a tiny biocontrol, the air potato leaf beetle, have been so successful that we can expand our efforts beyond air potato,” Spencer said. “Volunteers can now focus on other problematic species, such as kalanchoe, aptly nicknamed ‘mother of millions’ and coral ardisia, which has red berries that are spread widely by birds and small mammals.”
Air potatoes grow on vines and drop to the ground in the winter. Each potato sprouts a new vine that can grow extremely quickly – about eight inches per day. The invasive vine grows to the tops of trees and smothers native plants. The potatoes can survive for 20 years and produce thousands of new potatoes during that time. For information on backyard air potato management, visit http://1.usa.gov/1g5HyKv.
“The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will use all of the potatoes that we collect to rear air potato leaf beetles at their Gainesville biocontrol facility,” said Spencer. “The beetles have been so successful at reducing the numbers of air potatoes in Gainesville that the department is having a hard time finding enough potatoes to support the beetles at the rearing facility. By donating the air potatoes from our roundup, we will be supporting the work that they are doing to rear and release more biocontrol beetles.”
Registration is only required for large groups. The event may count as volunteer hours by students looking for credit. Contact Jessica Spencer at jessica.e.spencer@usace.army.mil or (904) 232-1696 for questions about the event.

FWC encouraged by 2017 manatee survey
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported a preliminary count of 6,620 manatees in Florida waters. A team of 15 observers from 10 organizations counted 3,488 manatees on Florida’s east coast and 3,132 on the west coast of the state. The FWC is encouraged by a third straight year of a minimum count higher than 6,000 manatees in Florida waters.
Researchers conduct synoptic surveys annually, weather permitting, to count manatees that are visible in Florida waters at the time of the survey. These surveys are conducted after a cold front and cover all of the known winter habitats of manatees in Florida. This year’s counts were aided by warm, sunny weather with low winds and good visibility.
“Successful conservation of manatees is a product of the commitment made by many different organizations over multiple decades. The relatively high counts we have seen for the past three years underscore the importance of warm water habitat to manatees in Florida. The FWC will continue to work diligently with our many partners to ensure the long-term viability of these habitats and the well-being of the manatee population,” said biologist Gil McRae, head of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
Aerial surveys provide information about manatee distribution throughout the state. Manatees use warm water sites, like springs and power plant discharges, during the winter. Sustaining adequate winter habitat for manatees remains a statewide conservation goal and a key factor in the long-term recovery of manatees.
FWC biologists, managers and law enforcement staff work closely with partners to evaluate current data and identify necessary actions to protect this iconic animal. Florida spends more than $2 million annually for manatee conservation.

Riverkeeper launches campaign to get folks out on the water
JACKSONVILLE – The St. Johns River Riverkeeper is launching a three-week campaign to get Northeast Florida residents out and about on the river.
From March 18 to April 2, the Riverkeeper is encouraging kayak outfitters, tour boat operators, local governments, nonprofit organizations, civic groups and individuals to help activate the St. Johns River from its headwaters to its mouth.
Eco-tours, paddling trips, and outings will be scheduled throughout the St. Johns River watershed to introduce people to the St. Johns and its tributaries, show support for clean water and a healthy river, and demonstrate what could be lost if action is not taken and no one speaks for the St. Johns.
“By activating the St. Johns, we can make a powerful statement about the river’s importance, while introducing new audiences to the wonders of this magical waterway,” said Lisa Rinaman, the St. Johns Riverkeeper. “Through these experiences with the river, we also hope to inspire others to join the effort to save the St. Johns.”
The campaign website savethestjohns.org is a clearinghouse for the various events and opportunities for the public to experience the waterway and show support for its protection.
The Riverkeeper hopes to raise awareness of the wildlife, beauty, and special places that make the St. Johns such an important waterway and the pollution problems that threaten our river’s future.
The campaign also serves to provide opportunities for people to experience the river and its tributaries and springs, showcase the tremendous recreational and economic opportunities provided by the St. Johns and highlight some of the businesses that depend on the St. Johns and the economic benefits of a clean and healthy river. The event will also demonstrate strong public support for protecting and restoring our river and send a powerful message to elected officials that the St. Johns must be saved.
Organizations, groups and businesses interested in promoting an event on the Save the St. Johns website, can contact Shannon Blankinship at (904) 256-7613 or Shannon@StJohnsRiverkeeper.org.

Clay company named to Gator100
GAINESVILLE – A Clay County human resources company has been named to a prestigious list by the University of Florida Alumni Association.
Dynamic Corporate Solutions Inc. was named No. 12 on the University of Florida’s 2017 Gator100 during a ceremony Feb. 10 at UF’s J. Wayne Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
Sponsored by the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, the Gator100 recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Ernst & Young calculated each company’s compounded annual growth rate over the past three years to generate the ranking.
DCSI was ranked 12 with a compound annual growth rate of 89 percent. Led by University of Florida Alumna Suzi Lemen, DCSI provides human resources consulting, services and support to organizations of all shapes and sizes.
“It is quite an honor to have been recognized amongst such outstanding organizations with such impressive growth and stature throughout the nation,” said Lemen, chief executive officer.
“The Gator100 is a campus-wide initiative that recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit entrenched in the university,” said Timothy Walsh, executive director of the UF Alumni Association and assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs. “UF Alumni have created and guided some of the most innovative and profitable businesses in the nation and world. The Gator100 celebrates the very best of our Gator Entrepreneurs.”
To qualify for the Gator100, companies must be in business five years or more as of Oct. 1, 2016, and have had verifiable annual revenues of $250,000 or more in 2013. Additionally, a UF alumnus or alumna must have met one of the following three leadership criteria:
1. Owned 50 percent or more of the company from Jan. 1, 2013, through Oct. 1, 2016; or
2. Served as company’s chief executive from Jan. 1, 2013, through Oct. 1, 2016; or
3. Founded the company and been active as a member of the most senior management team from Jan. 1, 2013, through Oct. 1, 2016.

OPMC doc appointed to national commission
ORANGE PARK – The Chief Medical Officer at Orange Park Medical Center was recently appointed to a 4-year term as a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Commission on Membership and Member Services.
In his role that began December 15, 2016, Joseph Parra, MD, will help guide the AAFP's membership efforts and assist the constituent chapters in their membership efforts. Parra has been a part of Hospital Corporation of America – owners of OPMC – for more than 14 years.