GTM Reserve offers volunteer orientation
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) will offer a new volunteer orientation on Friday, Sept. 1. Interested volunteers will learn about the background and history of the reserve, volunteer opportunities and the benefits of volunteering at GTM.
The orientation will be held from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1.
After completing the volunteer application, contact volunteer coordinator Abby Kuhn to ensure that it was received.
Best-selling author to speak at Sisters in Crime meeting
Best-selling author, ghostwriter and teacher Lana McAra will be the guest speaker Saturday, Sept. 2, at the next Northeast Florida Sisters in Crime meeting. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library.
McAra is an award-winning, international best-selling author and ghostwriter of 43 titles through traditional publishing with a million books sold, many under the pen name Rosey Dow. She has written 27 books including three cookbooks and has been teaching students how to write fiction for 20 years.
Lana won the national Christy Award for “Reaping the Whirlwind” in 2001, and her historical cozy mystery series, “Colorado,” sold more than 250,000 copies. She has recently launched into the paranormal cozy mystery genre with her upcoming release “The Englewood Medium” series’ first title “Shaken But Not Stirred.” She lives in Live Oak, Florida.
The group welcomes misters and sisters to learn more about writing, promoting and enjoying crime fiction. For further information, contact floridasistersincrime@gmail.com.
Jacksonville Humane Society offers extended hours, free adoptions
The Jacksonville Humane Society is offering extended hours and free adoptions on Friday, Sept. 1.
The Humane Society, regularly open until 7 p.m. on Fridays, will stay open late for a “Pajama Paw-ty” themed adoption event from 7 to 10 p.m. In addition to all adoption fees being waived, special pajama party-themed activities will be offered to folks visiting during the event. Wearing pajamas to the event is not required, but it is encouraged.
The Humane Society is located at 8464 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. It will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 1. Adoptions are free all day long.
All animals will go home spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. Additional fees such as a leash and collar, the city rabies licensing fee, or a cat carrier may apply at the time of adoption. More information can be found at jaxhumane.org.
Those unable to adopt may still donate at jaxhumane.org/donate or to attend upcoming events, such as the 25th Annual Toast to the Animals on Sept. 26. More information and tickets can be found at jaxhumane.org/toast.
GTM Reserve offers guided exploration hike
A guided exploration hike will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM).
Learn about the Guana peninsula's natural biodiversity, expansive cultural history, vital estuarine resources and current efforts to protect these resources.
The hike starts at GTM Research Reserve Trailhead Pavilion (west of Guana Dam), 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Register at secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/BXNYPCjD39k-TVpfvxk2Ew?t=1666293644.
The event is free but parking is $3 per vehicle. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Hat, insect repellent, water and sunscreen are also recommended.
Palm Valley Market every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday inside the Palm Valley Community Center, 148 Canal Road. The market offers fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, tea, seasonal treats, soap, jewelry, plants and more.
Constitution ‘crash course’ set for Sept. 16
“The Crash Course on the Constitution” will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 16, beginning with a light lunch and followed by the main presentation at noon. It will be presented by Frankie Anderson at Salem Centre, 7235 Bentley Road, Jacksonville.
Seating is limited. For information or reservations, go to wecanbeheroesfoundation.org/crash-course-on-constitution.
Riverdale Boat Ramp to close temporarily for dredging
St. Johns County will temporarily close the Riverdale Boat Ramp, located at 981 County Road 13, Fruit Cove, from Sept. 5 to 15 to complete a routine dredging project. The scope of the project will result in a full closure of the boat ramp and some minor impacts to the parking and picnic areas of the park during this time. The county will post signage in the area before and during the project.
The Riverdale Boat Ramp is one of three county-maintained waterway access points along the St. Johns River. It provides the southernmost access to the waterway and accommodates a wide array of boat sizes. The county last dredged the Riverdale Boat Ramp in 2018.
The project budget is $250,000, funded by the Florida Boating Improvement Program.
Public invited to Ribault Garden Club meeting
Ribault Garden Club will hold its conservation and membership open house from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 21 at 705 Second Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach. It is open to the public, and admission is free. There will be refreshments, door prizes and a raffle.
The meeting topic will be the Amelia Tree Conservancy with guest speaker Cheryl Witt, education and outreach chair. Ribault Garden Club invites the community to attend and learn about the volunteer organization of Amelia Island citizens and friends dedicated to preserving this maritime forest canopy and the unique environments it supports.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
