Free Dentistry Day April 14
FLEMING ISLAND – Residents in the Fleming Island community and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Island Walk Dental Care on April 14.
Dentists Renata Folstein and Renee Schulte and team will be improving the oral health of the community as part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance.
“We understand that many people in our community and across the nation haven’t been to the dentist for a long period of time. Some don’t understand the importance of dental health, but more often than not, they don’t have the financial means,” Folstein said. “This event is a great opportunity for us to share our time and resources with those less fortunate and give back to the community.”
During Free Dentistry Day, free extractions will be provided per patient on April 14, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 1647 County Rd. 220, Suite 101 on Fleming Island. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (904) 278-6229 or visit www.FreeDentistryDay.org.
There is increasing evidence that links oral health to overall health and well-being. The signs and symptoms of over 100 medical conditions, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease and oral cancer may first be detected through traditional oral examinations.

Discover the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County residents have a rare opportunity to explore the Mediterranean without getting on a plane in April.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is offering a four-class that will introduce students to the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean-style eating pattern has been shown to promote health and decrease risk of many chronic diseases.
Registration is $60 and that includes recipes, handouts, hands-on food preparation, cooking tips, food tastings and more.
Classes will be held on Thursdays from April 12 through May 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Clay County UF/IFAS Extension offices at 2463 State Rd. 16 in Green Cove Springs. For more info, contact Annie Sheldon, FCS Extension Agent at (904)284-6355 or aasheldon@ufl.edu.

Sheik Sandwiches opens in Green Cove
JACKSONVILLE – The Sheik Sandwiches has opened its first-ever franchised location in Green Cove Springs. The restaurant at 422 S. Orange Ave., is the 8th for the Jacksonville-based fast casual chain and the first of many franchises it hopes to open across the state in the next year.
Founded in 1974, The Sheik is known for hearty breakfast platters and signature pitas and sandwiches – with the most popular being the “Steak in a Sack” and the “Camel Rider.” All Sheik locations feature counter service, interior seating and takeout. Many Sheik locations also feature drive through windows.
Mike Salameh, vice president of The Sheik Franchise Group, said The Sheik has been a Jacksonville tradition for more than 40 years.
“The Sheik is a staple in the community of Jacksonville because we’ve been around for so many years,” said Salameh, “and nothing has changed – we’ve always offered great food, great prices and great service.”
Jamil Boutros, franchisee and owner of the Green Cove Springs Sheik location, said he was looking to purchase a business when he stopped into The Sheik Sandwiches on Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville.
“I spoke with the owner and it sounded like a good fit for me,” Boutros said. “I have always been drawn to The Sheik for their friendly service, good food and atmosphere.”
In 1972, brothers Samir “Sam” and Munir “Mike Senior” Salameh, along with their wives Suad “Sue” and Basima, opened the first Sheik restaurant on the corner of 18th and Main streets in Jacksonville, which still operates today. From the beginning, the brothers knew that the keys to any successful restaurant are great service and great food.
Through the years, the chain has grown from one location to multiple locations across the Jacksonville area – all owned and operated by family members. During that time period, The Sheik became known for selling the best “Steak in a Sack” or steak pita and for its “Camel Rider,” or deli meat pita. The chain also originated the “Cherry Limeade,” The Sheik’s version of a black cherry and lime soft drink. All three items have gone on to become ubiquitous throughout the South and synonymous with the Jacksonville dining scene – even garnering an article in The New York Times.

Clay Electric invites members to co-op’s Annual Meeting
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Clay Electric’s 80th Annual Meeting will be held March 29 in Keystone Heights. The morning’s musical entertainment will be provided by Back From the Brink, a regional touring bluegrass band based in North Florida.
In addition to the live entertainment, there will be health screenings, a grilled chicken lunch, energy-related exhibits and a chance to win a door prize. This year’s grand prize is a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck.
An important part of the day is the business portion of the meeting, which takes place beneath the big tent located alongside Highway 100.
Following a brief morning session which begins at 9 a.m., the poll opens for members to cast their ballots to elect three members to Clay Electric’s board of trustees. This year’s candidates were selected by members who attended trustee district meetings in late January and early February. On annual meeting day, the poll will remain open until 3 p.m.
Members who register to vote at the Annual Meeting will receive a night light, among other items.
The afternoon business session begins at 1 p.m. and will include comments by Board President Jo Ann Smith and General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Ricky Davis.
Co-op members who are unable to attend the Annual Meeting can still participate by voting by mail. To request a mail ballot, members will need to provide the account number that is associated with their co-op membership. Ballots can be requested by either calling 1-800-239-2385 toll-free, or emailing clayelectric@clayelections.com and providing the name and account number. All members who vote by mail will be placed in a separate prize drawing contest to win one of 10 bill credits: a $1,200 bill credit, a $600 bill credit, a $250 credit and seven bill credits of $80.

Watch out for manatees this spring
TALLAHASSEE – Florida wildlife officials are asking boaters and other water sports enthusiasts to watch out for manatees this spring.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said spring is the season when manatees leave their winter refuges and travel along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and through inland waters. For boaters, it is a critical time to be on the lookout for manatees to avoid collisions.
“Spring is a great time to go boating in Florida, but manatees are out there too. Please watch out for them,” said Ron Mezich, who heads the FWC manatee management program.
From April 1 through Nov. 15, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being struck by motorboats or personal watercrafts. FWC law enforcement officers are on patrol in state waters to remind boaters of the seasonal manatee speed zones and take enforcement actions when appropriate.
Since manatees are difficult to detect when underwater, operators of boats and personal watercrafts can help by wearing polarized sunglasses to help spot manatees; look for large circles on the water, also known as manatee footprints, indicating the presence of a manatee below; look for a snout sticking up out of the water; follow posted manatee zones while boating; and report an injured, distressed, sick or dead manatee to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone.

Scholarship applications being accepted
ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Woman's Club is encouraging local students who are seeking additional funds for college to apply for a scholarship grant provided by the organization.
The 2018 Scholarship Committee is inviting graduating seniors in the greater Orange Park area who attend Orange Park High, Ridgeview High, Fleming Island High and Oakleaf High to submit an application for consideration.
Applicants are requested to write a 500-word essay on the topic: “What do you consider to be the most pressing societal problem we face today? Why?”
All applicants must attend a two-or-four year accredited educational institution in the fall of 2018. Recipients of the scholarships are selected based on the applicant’s community service involvement, communication skills and letters of recommendation. A GPA is not required to apply for this scholarship.
To apply, please visit orangeparkwomansclub.com for an application. Entries must be received via USPS no later than March 30. Winners and all other applicants will be notified of the results by April 20.