Olympian Miller to speak at Women’s Empowerment Council
ORANGE PARK – Shannon Miller, who competed in two Olympic Games, will be the guest speaker at the Clay Chambers’ Women’s Empowerment Council meeting on Sept. 1 at Club Continental.
Miller won two gold, two silver and three bronze medals in gymnastics at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Games. She has been inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame on two occasions. Her five medals in 1992 were the most by any American athlete.
In January of 2011, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. She has remained open and public about her diagnosis and treatment and continues to empower women to make their health a priority. She is currently cancer-free and continues to be a strong advocate for early detection, awareness, research and survivorship.
Miller is now a mother of two, cancer survivor, author and sports analyst but she will forever be remembered for her focus, determination and as leader of the 1996 Magnificent Seven gymnastics team.
The cost is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. The council meeting at 2143 Astor St. will start at 11:30 a.m.
Seating is Limited. Register at Women's Empowerment Council at claychamber.com.

Johnny Van Zant joins Rock the Box 2 lineup
ORANGE PARK – Middleburg-based St. Michael's Soldiers presents Rock the Box 2, a Free Night of Music for our Heroes on Aug. 13 at the Thrasher-Horne Center. A maximum of two free tickets are available for troops and veterans, hospital/front line workers, first responders, teachers and linemen. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets will be emailed to you as the order is processed. Please allow up to three weeks. All free tickets are on a first come first serve basis. If you want to guarantee tickets, you may purchase them.
The featured artists will be the BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records Amazing Country Duo LOCASH – comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas – who are escaping to the “WOODS & WATER.” Inspired by the wild-and-free EP out now, the WOODS & WATER TOUR 2022 launched this spring. Creating a signature sound that fuses modern Country and classic Heartland Rock with an edgy vocal blend, the Country music duo of singer-songwriters is widely known for mixing backwoods pride with big-picture positivity. Now rising up the Country ranks with a streak of hits and critical acclaim, LOCASH has two successful albums, eight charting singles, and 815 million global on-demand streams to their credit, plus a brand-new single “Beach Boys” – a collaboration with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston of the iconic group. Their latest album, “BROTHERS” (2019), featured GOLD No. 1 “One Big Country Song,” as the follow-up to the pair’s Top 15 “THE FIGHTERS” (2016), which boasted “GOLD” breakout “I Love This Life” and their first No. 1 with flirtatious “GOLD” smash “I Know Somebody.” Respected performers with high-profile recognition, they have a history of nods from the genre’s biggest awards shows.
Joining LOCASH will be Johnny Van Zant of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Artist Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Special Guests will be MLB World Series Winner turned Country Music Artist Brett Myers and local popular group Cumberland Band.
Visit thcenter.org to get free or purchased tickets.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. To save even more time, both the form and donation have been made available in advance online.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than $.50 a pound; the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial Customers please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Thrasher-Horne puts show memorabilia on sale
ORANGE PARK – Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programing.
Included in the items are items from Aaron Lewis, comedian Bill Engvall, The Highwaymen, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, the Oak Ridge Boys, Michael W. Smith, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered and The Young Irelanders.
Items range from $25 to $100, and they can only be picked up at the center.
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

Curt Towne Band headlines Claystock for St. Michael’s Soldiers
MIDDLEBURG – Southern rockers The Curt Towne Band will headline the third annual Claystock for the East Coast Warriors Foundation to benefit St. Micheal’s Soldiers’ The Homestown Kindness Project.
The daylong event will be on Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Middleburg American Legion Post 250 at 2608 Black Creek Dr. at County Road 218.
The concert lineup includes Gemma Mathews, Stephen Quinn, The Southern Steele Band, 1 Hot Mess, Highway Jones and Big Engine.
For more information, visit stmichaelssoldiers.org.

Clay County looking to fill several job openings
CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.