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Community Briefs 2/8/18

Clay Today
Posted 2/7/18

OPPD hosts “Coffee With a Cop”ORANGE PARK – Residents of Orange Park who have always wanted to talk to local police about their neighborhoods have a chance to do so at an upcoming …

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Community Briefs 2/8/18


Posted

OPPD hosts “Coffee With a Cop”
ORANGE PARK – Residents of Orange Park who have always wanted to talk to local police about their neighborhoods have a chance to do so at an upcoming event.
The Orange Park Police Department is hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on Feb. 23 from 8-10 a.m. at New Hope Pentecostal Church located at 920 Gano Ave.
“This is a great opportunity for the people in the community to come talk to our officers and ask any questions they may have or bring us any safety concerns they may have in their neighborhood. We look forward to being able to continue building this relationship with those we serve and making our community safer together,” said Detective Cody Monroe.
The event is free and offers residents an opportunity to speak with law enforcement in a relaxed atmosphere with no hidden agenda or pressure.

Clay students can get free flu vaccination
JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville-based Healthy Schools is offering free flu vaccinations the week of Feb. 12 in Clay County Schools.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and school officials recommend all school age children get a flu shot. This year’s flu virus, the H3N3, is unusually deadly and has claimed several lives of otherwise healthy children and adults who otherwise do not fit the pattern of those who routinely succumb to the flu each year – namely the immunocompromised, elderly and infants.
On top of missing school, kids bring the flu home to parents and siblings, causing them to miss work at inopportune times. Knowing a majority of families can’t afford to stay home, Healthy Schools created an easy way to get children flu shots and turn them into “Health Heroes.” Healthy Schools is making the vaccine available to all children regardless of whether they are insured through relationships with vaccine manufacturers and contracts with major insurers and Medicaid.
Parents have an option of signing up their child to receive a flu shot in the schools where Healthy Schools runs vaccine programs. Each year, Healthy Schools holds a vaccination drive and enrollment in October when flu shots are recommended. At the request of school officials and county health officials, Healthy Schools is holding secondary clinics this year because of the urgency of the epidemic.
Parents or guardians in Clay County can sign up online to receive a vaccination at the Healthy Schools community clinics by going to schoolflushot.com/clay, or can sign up at the clinics themselves.

Ragtime Piano Man comes to Penney Farms
PENNEY FARMS – “The best ragtime pianist in the world” will perform on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in Penney Memorial Church as part of the Annual Commemorative Programs Series.
Bob Milne, who was declared a ‘national treasure’ in 2004 after three days of filmed interviews at the Library of Congress, is coming to Penney Farms. In 2005, he was declared Musical Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State.
A 1963 graduate of Eastman School of Music, he has a natural ability to “play by ear” or to play what he hears. He is so adept, that at the age of 21, to focus on piano performance, he gave up playing his first instrument (French Horn) in symphony concerts. Since 1991, he has played in the U.S. and in Japan and Switzerland, averaging around 250 performances per year. The list of Ragtime festivals in which he performs is extensive.


Chorale seeks artistic director

ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Chorale is seeking a highly qualified and dynamic artistic director for the 2018-2019 concert season.
Celebrating its 25th year in operation, The Chorale is looking for candidates that support its mission to provide excellence in the choral arts to communities in Northeast Florida and to maintain its goal of being one of the area’s premiere community choirs.
If you or someone you know is interested in this unique opportunity, contact Cindy Crothers at opcboard@gmail.com to set up an interview.

Senior nominees needed for Golden Years Gala
ORANGE PARK – Do you know an outstanding senior who volunteers in the community?
Hosted by Elder Source to benefit The Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park, the 11th Annual Golden Years Gala recognizes senior adults for outstanding volunteer service in Clay County. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Feb. 9.
The 2018 categories are Volunteer Senior Man of the Year, Volunteer Senior Woman of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. Senior adults are important to the community. They are a generation of high values, strong work ethic, commitment, integrity, generosity and loyalty. Seniors are a wonderful example to all, showing that true fulfillment is to share their time and talents through serving. Nominees must be 60 years of age and volunteer in Clay County.
The Golden Years Gala will be held at Club Continental on May 2. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. with live auction.
For more information, call (904) 269-5315 or (904) 635-7351.

St. Johns River State brings back Science Café
ORANGE PARK – The public is invited to the campus of St. Johns River State College for its free lecture series Science Café.
The Feb. 13 program is presented by Caroline Efstathion who will discuss reducing conflict between invasive bees and endangered parrots. Efstathion is the founder and executive director of the Avian Preservation and Education Conservancy in Jacksonville.
Science Café will be held Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in room D14. Participants will experience a casual evening filled with interesting topics, tasty treats and engaging conversation. The event is free and open to the public.

Students invited to ‘Explore England’
ORANGE PARK – Students interested in studying overseas will get the chance to meet representatives from four universities from the United Kingdom at an information session and mini fair on Feb. 20 at St. Johns Country Day School.
The program will increase awareness of the opportunities available overseas. Representatives from Northumbria University, Newcastle University, Keele University and Manchester University will answer questions and discuss higher education in England. The event is open to the public and takes place from 6-8 p.m. in the Heinrich Learning Resource Center, 3100 Doctors Lake Dr.

Deadline for property tax exemptions

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The statutory deadline to apply for property tax exemptions is March 1, according to Clay County Property Appraiser Roger A. Suggs.
Homestead exemption applicants must have legal or equitable title to the property as of January 1, 2018, provide two documents to establish proof of residency (i.e., driver’s license or identification card, voter registration card, utility bill, etc.) and provide the Social Security numbers of all applicants. Mobile home owners should also bring the title(s) or registration(s) to the mobile home.
Applications may be filed at the main office in Green Cove Springs – on the second floor of the Administration Building – or at the Orange Park branch office located at 1518 Park Ave. in the Park Central Plaza.
Qualified applicants who fail to apply by March 1st may still file an application with the Property Appraiser’s office on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, which typically occurs in mid-August. However, applicants must provide sufficient evidence or documentation to demonstrate extenuating circumstances as to why the application was not filed in a timely manner.
Florida law provides for a number of ad valorem property tax exemptions, classifications and assessment reductions which will reduce the taxable value of property. For more information, please visit our website at www.ccpao.com, or contact our office at (904) 284-6305 to speak with an exemptions specialist.

Attend the upcoming Women’s Saltwater Fishing Clinic
JACKSONVILLE – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting a Women’s Saltwater Fishing Clinic on Feb. 17 and an Adult Saltwater Fishing Clinic on Feb. 18 in Jacksonville.
The free, day-long clinics are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd. N.
Advance registration is required. To register, visit MyFWC.com/Calendar and click on the drop-down menu “All Categories” to select the clinic. If you are having issues registering or have other questions, email Heather Sneed at Heather.Sneed@MyFWC.com, or call 850-487-0554.
The Adult Saltwater Fishing Clinic is for women and men 18 years of age or older. Prior saltwater fishing experience is not needed.
Participants will take home a lifelong hobby and earn a new appreciation for the marine environment. They will learn the basics of conservation stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills, safety and the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems, all in a fun, laid-back atmosphere.
Lessons include knot tying, rod and reel rigging, how to be a responsible marine resource steward, marine fish and habitat identification, catch-and-release techniques and more.
If conditions allow, participants will have the opportunity to practice their newly learned skills by fishing from shore or a pier. This event is a catch-and-release activity. All participants must have a valid recreational saltwater fishing license unless exempt. Saltwater fishing licenses can be purchased at your local tackle shop or online. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/License.
Fishing equipment and bait are provided during the clinic, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gear.