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Community Briefs 10/13/16

Clay Today
Posted 10/12/16

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Clay County residents have a chance to gaze at the autumn sky later this month at an event sponsored by the Astronomy Department at the University of Florida.

“Springs and Stars” will be held at Mike Roess Gold Head …

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Community Briefs 10/13/16


Posted

‘Springs & Stars’ slated for Gold Head

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Clay County residents have a chance to gaze at the autumn sky later this month at an event sponsored by the Astronomy Department at the University of Florida.

“Springs and Stars” will be held at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park on State Road 21 on Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests must arrive before 7 p.m., which is when the park front gate closes. Event organizers will provide telescopes, stargazing expertise, hands-on activities and real-life astronomers.

This event is one in a series as part of a program to bring modern astronomy to rural areas, with the goal of fostering interest in science.

“We aim to provoke critical thinking and generate scientific curiosity through engaging the public in hands-on science. By partnering with Florida Parks, such as Mike Roess Gold Head Branch, one of our goals is to reach areas with otherwise limited access to high-tech scientific equipment as well as providing an opportunity to interact with and ask questions of active research scientists,” said Rachel Wagner-Kaiser, an astronomer with UF.

The program is supported by a grant from the Bob Graham Center for Public Service to pursue the goal of creating an interest in science.

Families, kids, and adults of all ages are invited to attend and gaze at the stars.

in attendance. While the activities seem to appeal more to kids, they are designed for all ages and often we find that the adults and parents have as many questions as the kids, Wagner-Kaiser said.

For more information on the event, go to astro.ufl.edu/outreach/Park_Stargazing.

Blood center needs donations in wake of Hurricane Matthew

ORLANDO – After being forced to suspend operations throughout parts of its service area due to Hurricane Matthew, OneBlood, the local blood center, has resumed operations and is urging donors to donate as soon as possible to replenish the blood supply.

There is an urgent need of O negative, platelets and AB plasma.

“The hurricane has greatly reduced our ability to collect blood over the past few days and as a result we are now facing the reality of a severe blood shortage”, said Susan Forbes, vice president of marketing and communications. “The donations that come in from the areas where we are now operating are helping sustain the blood supply throughout OneBlood’s entire service area,” said Forbes.

The Orange Park oneblood center is located at 2153 Kingsley Ave. just west of Orange Park Medical Center.

Like other natural disasters, hurricanes can disrupt the blood supply for several days as is the case in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, which had severe impact in parts of Florida’s east coast.

Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. To learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type visit oneblood.org.

FWC urges caution in aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

TALLAHASSEE – In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to remind boaters and others to continue using caution.

“We have some damaged navigation markers and aids to navigation, derelict vessels, and other debris in some waterways – some of which may be submerged and not visible,” said Maj. Jay Russel, FWC regional commander. “These create hazards and require extra caution when boating.”

Some areas are still experiencing high water and flooding and may not be accessible. There is currently a regulated idle speed and no-wake zone from South Moon Canal to the State Road 40 Bridge along the St. Johns River. Boaters should stay aware of high water areas and the risk of flooding and understand that the water bottoms may have dramatically changed as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

“When boating, you may not be able to access all areas as you usually would. Please use caution, be observant and maintain safe speeds,” Russel said.

Visit MyFWC.com for information on office and land closures. Report damage to navigation markers to the FWC at 888-404-3922. Cell phone users may call *FWC or #FWC.

Festival to benefit North Florida Land Trust

JACKSONVILLE – North Florida Land Trust is hosting the Salt Marsh Brewgrass Festival at Big Talbot Island on Nov. 19 at the Talbot House, 12134 Houston Ave. in Jacksonville, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There will be live music, locally-brewed craft beer and an array of food trucks.

The benefit concert features the sounds of the Parker Urban Band, Come Back Alice and Flat Land. The Parker Urban Band has an organic and soulful sound with spontaneous improv. Come Back Alice has been described as southern gypsy funk and Flat Land calls their sound soulful psychedelic rock.

In addition to the live music, there will be local beers, wine and food trucks offering vegetarian and gluten free food options. There will be games for kids, a guided 1.5-mile hike and guided kayak paddle for an additional fee. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs and reusable water bottles.

Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.northfloridalandtrust.org/brewgrass-2016. Children 12-years-old and under are free.

Founded in 1999, NFLT is a nonprofit that serves as a champion of land conservation primarily in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. It has protected thousands of acres of environmentally significant land, including Clay County’s own Moccasin Slough on Fleming Island

“Let’s Talk With Abe Lincoln”

PENNEY FARMS – Take a trip back in time this month with the Historical Society of Penney Farms.

History lover and a presidential buff Gary Monson will present “Let’s Talk With Abe Lincoln” as he portrays one of America’s most-beloved U.S. presidents.

The program will be Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the council chamber at Town Hall, 4100 Clark Ave. A native of Massachusetts, Monson’s goal for the last 55 years has been to bring fun back to the study of history.

He has special interest in JFK, FDR, Lincoln, Nixon and Reagan and has written articles on all five.

In “Let’s Talk With Abe Lincoln,” Monson will share Lincoln’s challenges and dreams he had for a “young” America. Monson believes that learning from the past will create a brighter future.

$44.4 million awarded for bike and walking trail expansion

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Transportation awarded $44,434,543 million to construct 45 separate bike and walking trail projects in 21 counties throughout Florida. Announced Oct. 11, the first year of projects will receive funding under the Shared Use Nonmotorized Trail program.

The projects include the construction of 11 separate trail segments, which will add or improve approximately 20 miles of trail to Florida’s trail system. Another 34 projects will be in various preconstruction phases of work such as feasibility study, environmental review and design. The funds are for the current 2016-17 fiscal year and are immediately available to begin work.

“This initial SUN Trail funding will provide safer opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians, advance the completion of the state trail system and enhance the state’s partnership with local communities throughout Florida,” said Jim Boxold, FDOT secretary.

All of the selected projects are in the identified SUN Trail network, which includes a developing statewide system of paved multi-use trails for bicyclists and pedestrians, physically separated from vehicular traffic.

Twenty-two of the funded projects help to advance two major regional trails systems selected as priorities by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council. Five of these are part of the Coast to Coast Connector, a 250-mile trail system linking the Gulf and Atlantic coasts through Central Florida, and 17 are part of the St. Johns River Sea Loop, a 270-mile trail system that will link together several communities including St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Titusville, DeLand and Palatka. Twenty-three projects are for individual trail segments throughout the rest of the state.

The SUN Trail Program was established during the 2015 legislative session. More information about the program can be found at http://floridasuntrail.com.

National Fire Prevention Week ends Saturday

TALLAHASSEE – In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Florida officials are urging homeowners to include wildfire preparedness as part of their family’s overall disaster planning. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service pointed out the dangers of wildfire Oct. 9-15 in celebration of National Fire Prevention Week.

“Florida is no stranger to natural disaster, with many Floridians currently recovering from Hurricane Matthew,” Putnam said. “I encourage citizens to incorporate wildfire preparedness into their disaster plans - and to remain prepared throughout the year.”

Unlike hurricanes, wildfires can start without warning and spread rapidly, leaving little to no time to prepare. Several measures that Floridians have already taken to prepare for hurricanes, such as creating a “go kit” and evacuation plan, are useful in case of wildfire. Wildfire danger levels will likely increase throughout Florida after hurricane season concludes. For this reason, the Florida Forest Service is encouraging residents to prepare now and make their homes wildfire resistant.

“As communities clean up from Hurricane Matthew, we encourage them to take stock of their area to assess wildfire risk and make any necessary changes,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “Reducing wildfire risk can be as simple as removing excess dry debris or flammable plants on and around homes.”

Residents can conduct their own wildfire risk assessment or contact a local wildfire mitigation specialist for assistance assessing, managing and reducing wildfire risk. Some easy wildfire safety tips include, keep dead, dry debris and flammable plants away from the home, fence and deck; keep roof and gutters free of dry debris; keep flammable materials like gasoline and firewood away from the home; and remove dead vegetation and debris from under the deck and within 10 feet of the home.

Since January 1, more than 2,000 wildfires have burned nearly 70,000 acres throughout Florida. Report all wildfires immediately by calling 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.