Community bike ride, walk for veterans, archaelogy: What to do in and around the Beaches
Tour de Parks ride today
Break out those pedal-pushers and sneakers for the Tour de Parks, a family-friendly park-to-park community bicycle ride on Saturday, March 26. Hosted by the City of Atlantic Beach, the seven-mile ride is a fun and leisurely opportunity to explore 10 of the city’s beautiful public parks.
The ride begins and ends at Jack Russell Park, 800 Seminole Road. Starting at 9 a.m., riders will visit Howell Park, Bull Park, Johansen Park, Jordan Park, Donner Park, Dutton Island Preserve, Beaches Veterans Memorial Park, Tide Views Preserve and Rose Park. Participants will be escorted from park to park by Atlantic Beach police.
Helmets must be worn by all riders and every participant must sign a liability waiver when registering. Space is limited to 50 participants. To register, visit coab.us/tourdeparks. For more information, email recreation@coab.us or call (904) 247-5828.
The event could be cancelled in the event of inclement weather, such as heavy rain or thunderstorms. Be sure to check the COAB Cultural Arts and Recreation Facebook page or the events web page at coab.us/events for information and updates.
Walk for veterans today
American Legion Post 129 hosts its second-annual Challenge 22 Walk on Saturday, March 26.
On-site registration starts at 9 a.m. at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion, 75 First St. N. The program begins at 10 a.m. with a 2.2 mile walk to Oceanfront Park, located at 429 First Street S.
Post 129’s goal is to raise $10,000 through the event, which will be distributed among suicide-prevention groups, treatment providers and nonprofits that help veterans in need of mental health assistance, including The American Legion Department of Florida’s Project VetRelief.
Locally, American Legion 129 has 30 coalition partners and 10 strategic partners that receive funding for veteran suicide prevention services in Northeast Florida.
Walkers are encouraged to preregister at https://bit.ly/36XwFCA. The cost is $22 per walker and $35 to register and receive an event t-shirt.
For sponsorship information, and to download a sponsor form for the event, visit https://bit.ly/36XwFCA or contact Legion Post 129 Treasurer Jim Wineland at jimwineland@att.net.
Public speaking for writers
Author and speaker Nancy Quatrano’s presentation, “Transforming Writers into Speakers” is the topic of the next meeting of the FWA Ponte Vedra Writers group, on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library. She will discuss how to pitch, prepare and run a successful book signing event or develop topics that writers can present to groups.
A multi-award-winning fiction author, columnist, developmental editor, speaker and business owner, Quatrano has operated On-Target Words since 2009, offering writing services such as content editing, press releases and basic marketing plan assistance. For more information go to NLQuatrano.com
The Ponte Vedra Writers group is part of the Florida Writers Association, a statewide, non-profit organization with nearly 1,500 members dedicated to the support of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. The March 26 meeting is free and open to members and non-members alike. For information on FWA, go to FloridaWriters.org.
Archaeology talk Saturday
The Archaeological Institute of America — Jacksonville Society will meet at noon on March 26 in Building 51 at the University of North Florida to hear a lecture by Dr. John Kantner, associate provost of faculty and research, as well as interim dean of the Graduate School at the University of North Florida.
The title of his lecture is “Division of Labor in the Ancient U.S. Southwest: Who Was Making All Those Pots?” The ability to reconstruct how labor was organized in ancient societies is fundamental to most analyses of social, political and economic systems. This can be quite difficult, however, without direct evidence of who was involved in production.
In his lecture, Kantner describes an innovative approach for determining the gender of potters in the 1,000-year-old Chaco World and discusses implications from the unexpected division of labor that he and his colleagues identified.
Free and open to the public, the lecture will be followed by complimentary refreshments in the Physical Anthropology Lab. On Saturday, parking is free, with staff, faculty and vendor spaces available to everyone.
For more information, contact Melva Price at (904) 241-9411 or aiajaxsoc@gmail.com.
Free chamber concert Sunday
Discover a diverse new world of chamber music on Sunday, March 27 with a free performance by Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic professional chamber orchestra that is dedicated to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in classical music.
Comprised of 18 top Black and Latinx classical soloists, the group works together as cultural ambassadors to reach new audiences. Masterpieces by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Mozart are performed alongside the more seldom-presented works by composers of color.
Since making their debut at Carnegie Hall in 2004, the group has continued to perform sold-out concerts to rave reviews around the country.
Hosted by Beaches Fine Arts Series, this concert will feature works by Florence Price, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Xavier Foley, Jessie Montgomery, Andrea Casarrubios, Ricardo Herz and Alberto Ginastera.
The concert takes place at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea, 465 11th Ave. N. in Jacksonville Beach. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. and the concert begins at 4 p.m. Seating is first come, first served and a champagne reception follows the performance, featuring the photography of Eric Jackson.
For more information, go to BeachesFineArts.org or call (904) 270-1771.
NFLT annual meeting
North Florida Land Trust hosts its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 29 at Congaree and Penn.
Held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the event will include farm tours, a cocktail hour, dinner and an awards program. An update from NFLT President Jim McCarthy will be provided on the land conservation organization's past and future projects.
In addition, new members will be inducted into the McQuilkin Society, which honors major donors to the land conservation organization and was named for Bill McQuilkin, NFLT founder. Awards will also be presented to the advocate of the year, volunteer of the year and the partner of the year.
Congaree and Penn is a working farm located at 11830 Old Kings Road in Jacksonville. Sponsorship opportunities are available and start at $500, while individual tickets are $100.
Founded in 1999, North Florida Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida's irreplaceable natural environment. For more information, visit nflt.org.
‘Into the Woods’ at Johansen Park
The Apex Theatre Studio presents the beloved Broadway classic “Into The Woods” on Friday and Saturday, April 1-2 in Johansen Park at 7 p.m.
The show was created by the late Stephen Sondheim, a giant of American musical theatre who died in November. It follows several fairy-tale favorites, including the Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who dreams of attending the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn they cannot have a child because of the Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the spell.
With a cast comprised of students and professional teaching artists from Apex Theatre Studio under the direction of Atlanta-based director Justin Anderson, the show also features a memorable score. Admission is free.
Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets. There will be food trucks set up both nights. For more information, visit the City of Atlantic Beach website at https://bit.ly/3D72DYT.
Songwriters concert
Enjoy an evening of performances from local artists on Sunday, April 3, as they transform Gulliford Hall with original music at the Adele Grage Cultural Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
The center is located at 716 Ocean Blvd. In Atlantic Beach, and the event is hosted by Roy Peak. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and seating is first-come, first-served. Email atlanticbeachmusic@gmail.com or recreation@coab.us, or call (904) 247-5828 for information.
Autism awareness event
Gain insight into the world of autism on Wednesday, April 6, during a presentation at the Ponte Vedra Beach library, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Held in recognition of Autism Awareness Month, the event is hosted by the Friends of the Library. Speakers include Leslie Weed, founder of The HEAL Foundation, and Amy Groshell, co-founder of the Peace of Heart Community. The organizer of the event is Danielle Wright, whose son, Brady, wrote a book about his experience growing up with autism and unable to communicate. With the help of an iPad, the young man gradually came out of his shell.
The library is located at 101 Library Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 827-6950.
Legislative discussion
Gain insight into the Florida Legislature’s 2022 session on Wednesday, April 6, during the next meeting of Beaches Watch.
Mike Staffopoulos (Jacksonville Beach city manager), Stefen Wynn (Neptune Beach city manager) and Kevin Hogencamp (Atlantic Beach deputy city manager) will help the audience understand the impact that various legislative actions will have on the Beaches communities. Expected topics include smoking at public beaches and parks, tree protection, short-term rentals, business damage claims against cities and the state climate change resiliency office.
The first in-person community meeting held by Beaches Watch in more than two years, the event takes place at the Beaches Branch Library beginning at 7 p.m. Questions for the speakers may be submitted via email no later than April 4 to info@beacheswatch.com.
For more information, call (904) 878-0435 or visit BeachesWatch.com.
5K fundraiser
Final registration is under way for the Run for Peace 5K, benefitting Betty Griffin Center, which takes place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the St. Augustine Pier, located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd.
Runners and walkers can sign up at RunforPeace5k.org through Friday, April 8. Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for students. Supporters can also sign up to take part virtually for $25.
Businesses or organizations interested in sponsorship of the event may contact Kenlie Kubart at (904) 808-8544, ext. 207, or by email at kenliek@bettygriffincenter.org.
Marshall Tucker Band benefit show
Concerts for a Cause welcomes Southern rock icons, The Marshall Tucker Band, on Saturday, April 9, as part of the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour. Fourth in the series of fundraising concerts, the show takes place at Tringali Barn in St. Augustine and all proceeds go to Builders Care, the philanthropic arm of Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Builders Care is a faith-based nonprofit construction contractor with a mission to provide affordable to no cost construction services to the elderly, disabled and other nonprofits in Northeast Florida. For more information, visit BuildersCare.org
The concert begins at 5:30 p.m. with opening act Channing Wilson. Tringali Barn is located at Heritage Farms, 7310 U.S. Highway 1 S., St. Augustine. General admission tickets are $150 each, with eight-person pods available starting at $1,000 per pod. There will be two food trucks on-site and attendees are welcome to bring coolers and lawn chairs. To purchase tickets, visit TringaliBarn.com/concerts-for-a-cause/.
Fletcher reunion upcoming
Beaches Museum hosts the Fletcher All-Class Block Party on Saturday, April 30 from 6 to 10 p.m. A gathering for Fletcher graduates, faculty and supporters from across the decades, the party is an opportunity to reminisce and celebrate the Beaches’ only high school, Duncan U. Fletcher High School.
Highlights will feature local music, dancing, food trucks, the gathering of classmates and much more. This year’s theme is “85 Years of Defending the Island.” As the only high school on the barrier island, Fletcher Senators have always taken proud ownership of this coastal community and its unique quality of life.
Funds raised support the work of the Beaches Museum. For more information on tickets and sponsorship, visit BeachesMuseum.org or call (904) 241-5657.
Jax Beach hiring lifeguards
Are you a good swimmer who loves the beach and desires to help others? The Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Division is hiring paid lifeguards.
Once application is complete, an Encounter Assessment (situational judgment test) will be emailed to the applicant and is required to pass training. After passing the assessment, candidates will be contacted to schedule the pre-qualification exam day and interview.
Training is held on Saturdays and Sundays; the next session is as follows:
April 30 to May 22 — Candidates must apply and pass their situational judgment assessment by April 14 to be eligible for tryouts on April 17. Candidates who don't complete and pass their situational judgment test by April 14, 2022 will be ineligible for hire for the 2022 season.
All candidates are paid during training. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/JOIN-JBOR or JacksonvilleBeach.org/oceanrescue. Candidates with additional questions may also email JDonnell@jaxbchfl.net.
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 more information, email trees@coab.us.
Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: LEADING OFF: What's happening in and around the Beaches
