Charity cornhole, a 5K fundraiser, virtual authors: Things to do around the Beaches
String quartet performance Friday
Enjoy the soothing sounds of string instruments when Beaches Fine Arts Series presents the Parker Quartet in a free concert on Friday, Feb. 11 at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
Now in its 20th year, the Grammy award-winning group is known for inspiring performances, luminous sound and exceptional musicianship. As faculty members of Harvard University’s Department of Music, the quartet has served as Blodgett Artists-in-Residence since 2015. With a slate of international performances, recent highlights include appearances at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress and New York’s Lincoln Center.
The quartet are also strong supporters of the Music for Food project, participating in concerts throughout the United States to benefit various food banks and shelters.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served. A champagne reception follows the concert, with an art exhibit by Caitlyn Flynn. Masks are required in the concert venue.
St. Paul’s by-the-Sea is located at 465 11th Ave. N. in Jacksonville Beach. For more information, go to BeachesFineArts.org.
Women's Wellness Fest Saturday
Beyond Breath Wellness and Mindful Movement of Florida present the inaugural Women’s Wellness Fest at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring a full day of yoga, meditation, guest lecturers, vendors and exhibitors, the event provides a safe space for women to come together for wellness activities to nourish and expand their inner peace.
Presentations will focus on clean beauty, living more intentionally, shifting your mindset and connecting with your warrior woman spirit. Activities will include meditation, yoga, a journaling exercise, Pilates and a sound bath.
Additional highlights:
Scheduled speakers and instructors include: Mary Beth Perrone, Rachael Todd Binge, Karen Wood, Dr. Raschmi Schramm, Michelle Hutchison, Trudy Toche, Josie Carleton and Diana Vasquez
Special musical guests Where the Light Gets In, with Bob Sima and Shannon Plummer
Tickets are $107 and include a day of classes, lectures, lunch and swag bag
Discounted tickets are available for health care workers, teachers, and students (discount code “HEALTHCARE” or “TEACHER”)
Attendees should bring a yoga mat and reusable water bottle
20 percent of all proceeds go to V for Victory, supporting local families battling cancer.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to WomensWellnessFest.com.
Cornhole for charity Saturday
Brush off those beanbag tossing skills and head out to ABBQ Meat & Drink in Atlantic Beach, which is hosting Cornhole for a Cause on Saturday.
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville-Oceanside invites the First Coast community to participate in its 2nd annual event, with proceeds to benefit the nearly 20 nonprofits and charitable organizations supported by the club throughout the year.
The event will host up to 40 two-person teams and a number of ticketed spectators. Other highlights include tournament prizes, music, raffles, food, beverages and games for the kids. “Super Raffle” tickets can also be purchased without attending the event through Proctor Ace Hardware in Neptune Beach. Prizes include a golf foursome at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, a Mini-Max Green Egg, a Weber Q1200 grill, a one-week Airbnb stay in Franklin, N.C., as well as a gift card package to various restaurants and bars in the Beaches area.
Registration begins at 11 a.m., with the tournament running from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is available at Community Presbyterian Church, located behind ABBQ Meat & Drink.
Spectator admission is $50 for two tickets. To sign up or learn more, go to OceansideJaxRotary.org.
‘Secret Jacksonville’ with Bill Delaney
Join Beaches Museum for a Boardwalk Talk with Bill Delaney, author of “Secret Jacksonville: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure,” on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Beaches Museum Chapel.
“Secret Jacksonville” is dedicated to telling the stories behind forgotten, mysterious and just plain interesting spots across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach and the surrounding communities.
This event is free to museum members with a $5 suggested donation for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required and available online at https://bit.ly/3ITdHuv. For more information, call (904) 241-5657 or visit BeachesMuseum.org.
5K race at TrailMark
Hit the ground running at TrailMark during the nature-first community’s fifth annual Conquer the Trails 5K on Saturday, Feb. 19.
The 5K will start and finish near the TrailMark Welcome Center, winding through the community’s paved trails along the way. The family-friendly event is open to the public. All registered runners, walkers and trailblazers receive a T-shirt and all race finishers receive a 5K medal.
Race packets may be picked up at the TrailMark Welcome Center from 8 to 8:45 a.m. on race day and the race steps off at 9 a.m.
Entry fees are $30 for the first 50 registrants; all others are $35 for adults, $20 for children 12 or under and $35 on race day. Visit ConquertheTrails.org to register.
All proceeds will be donated to Fur Sisters-Furever Urs, a Jacksonville Beach-based nonprofit organization that saves dogs from overcrowded shelters and other urgent situations. The volunteer-run, foster-based rescue group provides all veterinary care and everything needed to care for the dog until adopted.
The community is located off Pacetti Road at 805 Trailmark Drive, five miles west of Interstate 95 Exit 323/International Golf Parkway. Visit TrailMarkLiving.com or follow the community on Facebook for more information.
Virtual author event
Bestselling author Andrew Lawler presents his latest book, “Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World’s Most Contested City” via The BookMark’s virtual author event on Monday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.
A spellbinding history of the hidden world below the Holy City, “Under Jerusalem” is a saga of biblical treasures, intrepid explorers and political upheaval.
In 1863, a French senator arrived in Jerusalem hoping to unearth relics dating to biblical times. Digging deep underground, he discovered an ancient grave that, he claimed, belonged to an Old Testament queen. News of his find ricocheted around the world, inspiring others to explore Jerusalem’s storied past.
Since then, Jerusalem has drawn a global cast of fortune seekers, missionaries, archaeologists and zealots, all eager to extract the past from beneath the city’s streets and shrines. Their efforts have affected not only our understanding of Jerusalem’s history, but its hotly disputed present. The quest to retrieve ancient Jewish heritage has sparked bloody riots and thwarted international peace agreements. It has also served as a way to stake a claim to the most contested city on the planet. Today, the earth below Jerusalem remains a battleground in the struggle to control the city above.
The book takes readers into the tombs, tunnels and trenches of the Holy City, bringing to life the indelible characters who have investigated this subterranean landscape. With clarity and verve, Lawler reveals how their pursuit has not only defined the conflict over modern Jerusalem, but could provide a map for two peoples and three faiths to peacefully coexist.
Reserve a spot for this Crowdcast event at https://bit.ly/3HH1NDN. For more information, visit BookmarkBeach.com, email bkmark@bellsouth.net or call (904) 241-9026.
Advance care planning webinar
How would you want to live in the event of a sudden illness or serious accident? On Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to noon, you can learn how to make those critical decisions before it's too late with the help of Community Hospice & Palliative Care.
Topics for the virtual seminar include advance directives, preparing a living will and important questions to consider when electing a health care surrogate. The online session will also show you how to document your wishes and share them with your family members.
Email jbuller@communityhospice.com for more information or sign up at https://bit.ly/WinterWebinarACP3.
Grief support workshop
Those grieving the death of a loved one face extra challenges during a pandemic. Find help and hope after experiencing the loss of a loved one with Understanding Grief, a free virtual workshop presentation hosted by Community Hospice & Palliative Care on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Participants will learn how to identify normal grief responses, identify helpful coping skills and understand the importance of self-care in the grieving process. Space is limited; call (904) 407-7001 to register and receive the meeting link.
Newcomers luncheon, fashion show
Start planning your spring wardrobe on Wednesday, March 2, when Newcomers Alumnae holds its annual fashion show at Marsh Landing Country Club.
This year’s event, “A Twist of Lemon,” features clothing provided by Lemon Twist Boutique of Sawgrass Village in Ponte Vedra Beach. Eight Newcomers Alumnae members model two outfits each while attendees feast on Sunburst Salad with Grilled Chicken and a scrumptious dessert. Additionally, each luncheon attendee will receive a goodie bag and $50 gift cards to Lemon Twist will be raffled to the group, among other prizes.
Marsh Landing Country Club is located at 25655 Marsh Landing Parkway, Ponte Vedra Beach. The cost to attend the luncheon is $23; for reservations, email bartshar@comcast.net as soon as possible to reserve a seat. The deadline to sign up is Friday, Feb. 25.
Newcomers Alumnae is a women’s group that encompasses Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and the surrounding area. Visit NewcomersAlumnaeFL.wildapricot.org for more information.
Trash to Treasures sale
Find bargains galore at the Ribault Garden Club's annual Trash to Treasures sale, on Saturday, March 5 from 8 a.m. to noon. Among the offerings are kitchenware, plants and planters, home décor, sporting equipment, jewelry, books, children's toys, clothing and much more.
A preview party takes place on Friday, March 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., which includes wine and appetizers for a $10 fee. Come shop early for fun and the best selection.
The Ribault Garden Club is located at 705 Second Ave. N. in Jacksonville Beach. Parking is available at the rear of the building. Call (904) 246-4641 for more information.
Tree giveaway
Want more shade in your yard? Atlantic Beach’s newly updated Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances expands the use of tree-conservation funds to plant trees in front yards on private property. These "Adopt-a-Tree" funds come from property owners who pay into the tree-conservation fund, which is earmarked to expand the public tree canopy.
In an effort to evenly distribute the tree-conservation funds, two trees per calendar year, per property may be planted. The plantings will occur in the spring and fall. Once planted, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the trees.
Go to https://bit.ly/3pfGKQM to complete an application for a free tree. City staff will review your requested tree location to determine if there are any site restrictions, which could include overhead or underground utilities, drainage areas and swales, easements, existing tree canopy, etc.
For information, email trees@coab.us.
Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Charity cornhole, 5K fundraiser, virtual authors: What to do around the Beaches
