Florida Blue hosting free summer health expo on Saturday

ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Chamber of Commerce announces Florida Blue will be hosting a free summer health expo at the Orange Park Mall on Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Major Stage Sponsors include Baptist Clay and Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospitals as major stage sponsors. Speakers include doctors and health professionals with valuable information on their area of expertise. There will be 30 vendor booths from a wide variety of health-related businesses. It’s also tax free shopping that day for back to school supplies and clothes.
For more information contact the Chamber at (904) 264-2651.

Soil and Water District needs someone to fill District 5 seat
CLAY COUNTY – Since one of five elected Supervisors on the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District resigned, there is a vacancy for the District 5 Seat.
The district includes Green Cove Springs, Lake Asbury, Penney Farms and Virginia Village,
Any interested is welcome to attend a meeting or contact us for further information. The board meets the second Friday of the month at 9 a.m. at the UF IFAS Clay Extension Center, 2463 State Road 16 West. The center’s phone number is (904) 284-6355.
The district constantly seeks advocates and help from community members to help with our mission to promote and educate on conserving our natural resources. Members of the public are always welcome to attend our meetings.

Fans encouraged to choose name for jaguar cub at Jacksonville Zoo
JACKSONVILLE – The newest resident at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens still needs a name. The Zoo announced today an opportunity for the public to choose the name for its male jaguar cub born on April 7.
Through 28, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be soliciting names from the public in a week-long naming contest in partnership with the Jaguars Foundation.
The community and the general public are invited to submit suggested names for a $5 donation for each submission at www.jacksonvillezoo.org/NameThatJag . It costs more than $10,000 annually to provide annual medical exams and feed the jaguars at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, so the Jaguars Foundation is matching up to $10,000 in donations through the naming contest.
“The Jaguars Foundation is overjoyed to welcome a new big cat to our team here in Jacksonville,” said Jaguars Chief Community Impact Officer Whitney Meyer. “The new jaguar cub is undoubtedly one of the cutest additions to our roster, and we are proud to support the zoo in caring for him and his family through a matching donation. We can’t wait to hear the name suggestions that come from our fans!”
Names will only be accepted online through donations to support the Zoo’s mission to connect communities with wildlife and wild places. The names chosen as finalists will go to a public poll in a one-day social media vote to determine the winner on Thursday, June 29.

24-hour ScriptCenter prescription kiosk opens at Naval Hospital Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE – Naval Hospital Jacksonville now has a 24-hour ScriptCenter prescription kiosk. The kiosk is just one of the many innovations from the
hospital to provide better service and reduce wait times for patients.
The ScriptCenter machine, which was installed at both the main hospital and Satellite pharmacies, has undergone a week of usage by staff to be aware of
its capabilities. The machine in the hospital will be located inside automatic doors near the quarterdeck, just steps away from the pharmacy and will be available 24 hours a day. “When you call-in a refill or activate new prescription, you can select the ScriptCenter for pick up,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jose Pulido, Pharmacy department
head. “Even if you have someone pick up the script, the machine will take a photo to show who picked up medication. The only limitation on the new
machines are on prescriptions that need to be refrigerated.”

Learn, win by downloading passport to Clay County history
CLAY COUNTY – For the second year, Clay County will encourage everyone to play along as they learn about the county’s rich history. All you need is a mobile phone to participate in Clay County History Passport, and everyone is eligible to win prizes.
To download the passport adventure, visit exploreclay.com/passports/.
Some exciting places everyone can visit – and complete their passports – include the historic courthouse and jail in the Historic Triangle in Green Cove Springs, Camp Chowenwaw, Camp Blanding and Spring Park.

Teens can work out for free this summer at Planet Fitness
CLAY COUNTY – Starting May 15, teens 14-to-17 years old can work out at Planet Fitness for free during the summer.
In addition, the company will be giving away $200,000 in scholarships.
There are three Planet Fitness clubs in Clay County – 1980 Wells Road and 700 Blanding Boulevard, both in Orange Park, and 1514 County Road 220 on Fleming Island.

Active, retired federal employees to meet monthly

ORANGE PARK – As the only organization dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy.
Clay County Chapter 141 meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Orange Park Library at 2054 Plainfield Ave. at 12:30 p.m. Each gathering consists of a short business meeting and a presentation. The group will not meet in July and August.
Since NARFE’s founding in 1921, the association’s mission has been to defend and advance America’s civil servants earned pay and benefits. Today, NARFE’S team of professional lobbyists continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the federal community. Supported by grassroots advocates, NARFE is a leading voice in Washington and across the country, although often unknown to our active and retired local civil servants and postal personnel.
Federal benefits and retirement plans are unique, complex and subject to change. NARFE provides federal workers and retirees with the precise, reliable and accessible counsel they need to make critical decisions and gain confidence in a secure future.

Mission of the Dirt Road offering free showers
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Adults can sign up for free showers on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Mission of the Dirt Road, 7790 State Road 100.
Adults can utilize the services from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Families with children can get free showers on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. Showers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents are required to sign up during the day of the shower. To make a reservation, call or text (601) 568-3473.

Thrasher-Horne: Show memorabilia on sale to fund future shows

ORANGE PARK –Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programs.
Included in the items are items from the shows by Rumours, Always Patsy, Elvis, Craig Morgan, comedian Bill Engvall, Diamond Rio, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Young Irelanders, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, 1964, Dragons and Mythical Beasts, Brass Transit, Champions of Magic, Sara Evans and Melissa Etheridge.
Items range from $5 to $50, and they can only be picked up at the center.
The center also is selling tickets and gift certificates for upcoming shows
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop-Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. Both the form and donation have been made available online in advance to save time.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than 50 cents a pound, the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial customers, please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Clay County eager to fill several job openings

CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.