Learn how civic development affects birds and plants
Ribault Garden Club, 705 Second Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach, will address civic development and how it affects nesting birds and native plants from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 20.
Guest speakers will be Brian Bidwell and/or Ginger Ayers.
The meeting is open to the public. Admission is free. There will be refreshments, door prizes and a raffle.
Book signing postponed
A book signing scheduled for Thursday, March 20, has been postponed.
Local business leader and author Ron Autrey was to sign copies of his book, “Farnsworth’s Secret War,” at Timuquana Country Club, but that has been canceled. Proceeds from the event were to benefit Operation New Uniform, a Jacksonville-headquartered nonprofit that assists veterans and military spouses in making a successful transition to civilian life.
Organizers say a future date is being planned.
Beach cleanup is Saturday
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) will conduct a beach cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22. Meet at the GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, where gloves and trash bags will be provided. Participants will be directed to a specific beach for cleanup. Hat, insect repellent, water and sunscreen are recommended.
Email Abigail.Kuhn@FloridaDEP.gov to participate.
Early voting for special election is March 22-29
Early voting for the April 1 special election will be available in St. Johns County between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily from March 22 through March 29. The eight-day early voting period includes two Saturdays and one Sunday at the following locations:
The 2025 special election is open to registered St. Johns County voters residing in Congressional District 6, regardless of party affiliation. Congressional District 6 encompasses all of precincts 212, 213, 304, 309, 310, 311 and parts of precincts 303, 305, 306, 307 and 308 in southern St. Johns County. If you are unsure which precinct you live in, or whether you are eligible to vote in this election, there is an Address Search Tool available on the homepage as well as the Election Dates page at votesjc.gov under “Elections.”
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed for this election is Thursday, March 20, by 5 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. April 1 to be counted.
Secure ballot intake stations are available inside both early voting locations during the hours of voting for voters to drop off completed vote-by-mail ballots. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be dropped off at the Elections Office on Monday through Friday, during business hours.
Call the Supervisor of Elections Office at 904-823-2238 or go to votesjc.gov for additional information regarding the special election.
American Legion volunteers to support JROTC’s ‘Operation Footprint’ event
Volunteers from American Legion Ocean Legion Post 129 will be on hand from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Sandalwood High School to support Operation Footprint – a free, half-day event showcasing U.S. military services, first responders and affiliate partners supporting the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).
Operation Footprint is a new event where 2,000 JROTC cadets in Duval County, their parents and the general public are invited to take part in demonstrations, trainings and other activities. The event takes place on the Sandalwood High School Campus, 2750 John Promenade Blvd., Jacksonville.
Current exhibitors include the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT Team, K9-Unit and Mounted Horse Unit and the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, which will provide first aid/CPR demonstrations. Food trucks will also be at the event.
“American Legion Post 129 is happy to provide volunteers to help celebrate our military and all the JROTC cadets in our area in this inaugural event,” said Post 129 Service Officer Danny Rodriguez.
For more information about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for Operation Footprint, go to sandalwoodafjrotc.square.site/operation-footprint.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, the JROTC is a program in high schools that teaches students about leadership, citizenship and service. The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools.
American Legion Post 129, located at 429 First St. South, Jacksonville Beach, is a 501 (c) (16) nonprofit organization that provides volunteers and donations to support veteran suicide prevention along with veteran- and community-related nonprofits and services in the Jacksonville Beaches.
For more information on membership and events, go to post129.org.
K9s United specialty plate now available
K9s United, which advocates for and supports law enforcement canines, has announced that Florida drivers can now show their support by ordering and displaying a new specialty license plate on their vehicles.
Florida drivers can purchase the plate at DMV offices statewide, with $25 from each plate directly supporting K9s United’s mission. This initiative provides an opportunity for drivers to contribute to the welfare and safety of law enforcement K9s across the state.
Pre-ordered specialty plates are now available for pick up. Supporters can call ahead to confirm availability and do not need a voucher to claim their plate.
Drivers who didn’t preorder can purchase a plate at their local DMV or online. Personalized plates require approximately 45 days for processing before mailing.
Learn more at k9sunited.org.
Essential Tremor Support Group to meet
The Essential Tremor Support Group will meet at 11 a.m. April 1 at Baptist HealthPlace at Nocatee, 400 Colonnade Drive, Unit 130; Ponte Vedra. Anyone with essential tremor, their family, friends and loved ones is welcome to participate. The featured speaker will be Alaine Keebaugh, Ph.D., discussing “Brain Health: What are Things We Should Do (and Shouldn’t Do) to Promote Overall Brain Health?” To RSVP and/or questions, email Jan Kary at jkary@verizon.ne.
Palm Valley Market every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is held from 10 a.m. to 1 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.
Nature journaling event planned
Join nature journaling instructor Elaine Bergstrom at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve to explore the wonders at the reserve from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 27.
If you are new to nature journaling, this Introduction to Nature Journaling class will help you sketch and record observations and curiosities to reconnect with nature. Drawing and noting any piece of nature is an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moment!
Online registration is required. To register, go to gtmnerr.org/calendars.
Meet at GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Hat, insect repellent, water, sunscreen and binoculars are recommended.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
