Rotary Club collecting blankets for homeless
ORANGE PARK – With this month’s temperatures expected to dip significantly, a local civic group has joined in to help aid those who may not have shelter from the cold.
The Rotary Club of Fleming Island is taking part in a regional event called “Covers for the Coast” to collect blankets for area homeless shelters.
Clay County residents are urged to donate blankets for the cause. The blankets may used or new, organizers only ask that the blankets be clean upon donation.
Blankets can be dropped off now daily Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. through Dec. 19 at 784 Blanding Blvd., Suite 108.
If donors do not have blankets to give, organizers said, they can donate clean socks instead.
For more information, call 904-512-7447 or email info@fcfsjax.com.

Lopez Tabor Duo to perform in Penney Farms
PENNEY FARMS – On Jan. 14, Penney Memorial Church will open the 2018 portion of the Commemorative Concert Series with a performance by the Lopez Tabor Duo.
The Commemorative Concert Series offers a wide array of musical experiences, at no cost, to all who love music. The concerts are free and are dedicated to the memory of former residents of Penney Retirement Community.
Comprised of violinist Alfonso Lopez and pianist Michelle Tabor, the Lopez Tabor Duo has performed and toured in the southeastern U.S. and Venezuela since 2004.
Lopez is concertmaster of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, where he regularly conducts each season. He also conducts a folk-music youth orchestra and guest-conducts other ensembles. His busy music schedule is rounded out as a composer, and teacher of violin at the Emil Friedman School.
Tabor grew up in Venezuela and now lives in Tallahassee. She holds music degrees in piano and theory from Tulane University and the University of Denver, including a doctorate from Florida State University. She has researched Latin American art music of the 20th century and published articles about two Argentine composers: Alberto Ginastera and Juan Carlos Paz, also giving other research papers, lectures, and recitals at regional and international conferences. In the U.S., the duo has performed regularly in concert series. In Caracas, Lopez and Tabor have performed in chamber music series and festivals.
For more information, contact Nancy Moore at (904) 529-9232.

Resolve to buy flood insurance in the new year
ORLANDO – The Federal Emergency Management Administration urges homeowners to buy flood insurance before a flood event occurs.
Although it is too late to protect homes against the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, buying and maintaining flood insurance now will help protect you financially from damage from future storms.
Floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States. While there are currently more than 1.7 million National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Florida, about 50 percent of the state’s homeowners inside Special Flood Hazard Areas had insurance against flooding before Irma made landfall on Sept. 10, 2017.
As of Dec. 26, 2017, more than 27,690 NFIP claims for damage caused by Hurricane Irma had been filed, with 80.63 percent closed. More than $609 million has been paid to policyholders.

NFIP is a federal program created by Congress to mitigate future flood losses nationwide through community-enforced building and zoning ordinances. It provides access to affordable, federally backed flood insurance protection for property owners.
NFIP cannot pay a claim to homeowners who do not have a policy in effect when damage occurs. Typically, a new flood insurance policy takes 30 days to be effective after purchase.
Flood damage is not typically covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy; check with your agent or company to get flood policy and coverage details.
Almost 25 percent of flood-insurance claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas and receive one-third of all federal disaster assistance for flooding. Flooding can occur almost anywhere.
For information on flood risk and flood insurance visit www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 800-427-4661 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service.
For more recovery information, visit www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, or follow us @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and on FEMA’s Facebook page.

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Florida Network Realty adds two associates
FLEMING ISLAND – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty welcomes Cynthia “Cyndy” Ratliff-Bufford and Kay Lyerly to the Fleming Island-Orange Park office.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Cynthia “Cyndy” Ratliff-Bufford worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry for over 20 years, and her experiences have taught her the importance of attention to detail and to ensure quality customer service.
“Although new to real estate, Cynthia is driven – she has a business plan in place and is eager to get as much training as possible to help her become the best Realtor she can be. Her passion for helping others is evident from the first time you meet her, and her work ethic and values are right in line with our company’s values. I’m sure she will shine here at Florida Network Realty,” said Linda Benson, broker/manager of the Fleming Island-Orange Park office.
Benson said Lyerly is eager to help her clients find not only a house but a home in a community where they can put down roots.
“As a former CPA and Internal Auditor, she has the ‘financial’ side of the real estate business down, and her caring personality and passion for helping others will help ensure her success as a Realtor,” Benson said.