At the beach every year they hold a non-denominational sunrise service for Easter. This is a very nice way for families to gather at the beach and enjoy a nice Easter service and each others company. If you want to go check out the Jacksonville Beach City website for times and places of services: http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/ Make sure you bookmark the page or add it to your favorites to keep up-to-date on all of the festivals and events this spring and summer. With gas prices going up so high we have to find events and places to go that don’t take a lot of time or gas to get there.

Here are some websites you might want to checkout for Earth Day:

http://www.earthday.org/ – Earth Day Organization

http://act.earthday.org/ – A Billion Acts of Green

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/ – Family Earthday Ideas

http://network.earthday.net/ – Earth Day Network

http://www.earthdaybags.org/ – Earth Day Grocery Bags Project

We have finally updated the Retirement Community Page so check it out at: http://jacksonvillesbeaches.info/wordpress/beaches-services/jacksonville-beaches-retirement-communities/

If you are out and about tonight, PLEASE, PLEASE, keep safe, drink responsibly and arrive home safely. There are lots of things to do this weekend and you wouldn’t want to miss it. From the parade downtown today, to the bowl game there is lots to do. Yea, we are ringing out the old year and hoping that the new year will be much better!

Here are some of the events that I have found for October 2009:
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Title: Sawgrass Village Fall Art Festival 2009
Date: October 17, 2009
Time: All day
Location: Sawgrass Village Shopping Center
1300 Sawgrass Village Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32082
Cost: Free
Description: The Sawgrass Village Art Festival is one of the South’s premier juried art competitions, attracting fine artists locally, regionally and nationally and thousands of visitors. The festival will include first-class watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, drawings, clay, photography, wood, fiber, glass, graphics, metal, paper and mixed media fine arts, great food, fun and children’s activities.

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY TO ENJOY
Fine Arts & Jewelry Artists Demo’s throughout weekend, Kids Korner- child crafts and face painting

What Time: Sat-Sun 10am-5pm,
Admission: FREE
Website: www.venuesplanning.com

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October 10, 2009
MAKING STRIDES AGAINST – BREAST CANCER WALK
Saturday 8 AM to 12 Noon
5 K beach walk, run or bike to celebrate life and breast cancer survivorship. Funds benefit the American Cancer Society’s programs of education, patient services, advocacy and research.
Location: Sea Walk Pavilion & Beach
For more info: 249-0022
www.cancer.org/stridesonline

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October 24, 2009
GNARLY CHARLEY SURF SERIES
Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Beach – South of fishing pier
904-247-6763
www.gnarlycharleysurfseries.com

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October 24, 2009
OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK
Saturday 8 AM – 11 AM
Non-competitive 5K Walk to raise awareness and funds about suicide prevention
Location: Sea Walk Pavilion
(904) 891-4351
For more info: www.outofthedarkness.org

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Title: Hallo-WEE Party at Adventure Landing
Date: October 31, 2009
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Adventure Landing
1944 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32250
Cost: Free
Description: Join us on October 31st from 10am-2pm for A Not-So-Scary Celebration For Kids!

Everyone is invited to take advantage of our FREE festival of crafts, games, a bounce house, face painting, candy, dance performances and more! There will also be a costume contest at noon with great prizes being awarded for Scariest, Cutest and Most Original categories!

For children 12 & under, you can also puchase the Triple Threat Combo Special, which includes a Wacky Worm Rollercoaster ride, a ride of the Frog Hopper ride and a Mini Golf Game for only $5 per person

This event is a safe alternative to trick-or-treating!
Website www.adventurelanding.com/jaxbeach/events.html

CHEERS!
jolenemacinjax
admin

It was fun and loud and my grand daughter’s first time. There were clowns goofing off, pretty princesses waving from convertibles, military men and women marching, fire engines blaring, pirates cavorting, cannons booming, dancers dancing and one high school band marching. Apparently, this year’s theme was loosely based on the “Blues Brothers”. It was kind of ketchey but cute none the less. The biggest drawback as with any of the parades I have been able to see lately is there were not enough bands. I think the thing that makes a good parade is the marching bands from our local schools. I think that they should all participate in as many parades as possible to show off their stuff. It would be great if they were spaced out like three floats and then a band, three floats or organizations and a band etc.

And what can you say about the Shriners. They are loud and outrageous and always good in a parade. This year they were a little bit laid back. Maybe it’s just me but they didn’t have as many Shriners there as they usual have in parades and they are getting a little bit on the old side. Are there any new Shriners coming up in the ranks? Did the Jacksonville Beach Opening Parade not merit they usual contigent of Shriners in our area? And sadly, the ones that were there, the equipment looked to be getting a little ragged. This organization has been doing good in our area for all the years I can remember. They volunteer for a lot of things and I don’t know what all they do besides the Shriner’s Hospital for Children any more.

Take advantage of our natural resource this year. We may not be able to afford to go on big vacations this year but a quick weekend get-away to our local beaches may be a way to go. All you need is a little picnic, some sunscreen and a towel and you are all set. There are public access parking next to the beach up and down the First Coast. You can even catch the bus to the beach by taking the Atlantic Blvd or Beach Blvd Bus for $1.00 per person each way. If you have a couple of bucks for gas and the entrance fee you can go to one of the beach parks. Take some time and spend a few hours this weekend with your family.