County hosting veterans
information session for
women
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Veterans’ Services is hosting a Women Veterans Information Session on Friday, July 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Clay County Administration Building.
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, there are more than two million women veterans in the United States, which is expected to more than triple by 2040. As the number of women entering military service grows, so does the need to address their health concerns.
This information session is for Clay County’s women veterans to openly discuss possible disability claims they earned in the service that are specific to them. The meeting will be held on the fourth floor of the Administration Building in the BCC meeting room at 477 Houston St.
Clay County Veterans’ Services, Vet Center, Firewatch and other veterans organizations will be there to answer questions and to speak about disease prevention and reproductive health, as well as medical screenings and treatments. Visit www.claycountygov.com/Home/Components/News/News/3606/1512 for more information.

Friends rally to support local musician who lost everything in fire
MIDDLEBURG – Friends of Tim Westerwelle will gather on July 29 at American Legion Post 250 for a Poker Chip Run to raise money after his home was destroyed by fire.
The benefit will start and end at the post at 2608 Black Creek Dr. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and kickstands will go up at 11 a.m. The cost is $20 a rider, and the fee includes a barbecue lunch.
Stops on the poker run will be at Dalton’s Sports Grill, Smith Lake, Red Dog and Fat Boyz. Westerwelle’s High Ground band will highlight a night of music that includes Southbound 41, Southern Junction, Vynl and JJ Rocs. There also will be an auction and raffle. Westerwelle lost his home and all of his belongings in a fire in late May. Call (904) 466-1585 for more information.

Howlin Wolf hosts poker run for couple with medical bills
MELROSE – The Howlin Wolf will host a benefit motorcycle poker run and concert on July 22 to raise money for Brian and Theresa Warden, who have been beset by financial troubles associated with failed hip replacement surgery.
The couple aren’t able to work because of their medical problems, so the community will participate in a seven-stop poker run to support them. The ride starts at 9:30 p.m. and it will end at 3 p.m.
A donation of $20 includes the poker run, while a $25 gift is worth the poker run and barbecue meal. Two riders cost $30, while two riders and two meals cost $40.
The music lineup includes Amy Webster, All Fired Up, 2 The 9’s, Brett Russell, Paul Wane, Sweet William Band, The Gonzo’s, Southern Burn, Outlaw Country, Second Chance and Easily Distracted. An open jam will be offered from 7-8 p.m.
There will also be a 50-50 raffle and a live auction.
The couple as established a GoFundMe page.

Florida Blue hosting free summer health expo on July 29
ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Chamber of Commerce announces Florida Blue will be hosting a free summer health expo at the Orange Park Mall on Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Major Stage Sponsors include Baptist Clay and Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospitals as major stage sponsors. Speakers include doctors and health professionals with valuable information on their area of expertise. There will be 30 vendor booths from a wide variety of health-related businesses. It’s also tax free shopping that day for back to school supplies and clothes.
For more information contact the Chamber at (904) 264-2651.

Soil and Water District needs someone to fill District 5 seat
CLAY COUNTY – Since one of five elected Supervisors on the Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District resigned, there is a vacancy for the District 5 Seat.
The district includes Green Cove Springs, Lake Asbury, Penney Farms and Virginia Village,
Any interested is welcome to attend a meeting or contact us for further information. The board meets the second Friday of the month at 9 a.m. at the UF IFAS Clay Extension Center, 2463 State Road 16 West. The center’s phone number is (904) 284-6355.
The district constantly seeks advocates and help from community members to help with our mission to promote and educate on conserving our natural resources. Members of the public are always welcome to attend our meetings.

24-hour ScriptCenter prescription kiosk opens at Naval Hospital Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE – Naval Hospital Jacksonville now has a 24-hour ScriptCenter prescription kiosk. The kiosk is just one of the many innovations from the
hospital to provide better service and reduce wait times for patients.
The ScriptCenter machine, which was installed at both the main hospital and Satellite pharmacies, has undergone a week of usage by staff to be aware of
its capabilities. The machine in the hospital will be located inside automatic doors near the quarterdeck, just steps away from the pharmacy and
will be available 24 hours a day.
“When you call-in a refill or activate new prescription, you can select the ScriptCenter for pick up,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jose Pulido, Pharmacy department
head. “Even if you have someone pick up the script, the machine will take a photo to show who picked up medication. The only limitation on the new
machines are on prescriptions that need to be refrigerated.”

Learn, win by downloading passport to Clay County history
CLAY COUNTY – For the second year, Clay County will encourage everyone to play along as they learn about the county’s rich history.
All you need is a mobile phone to participate in Clay County History Passport, and everyone is eligible to win prizes.
To download the passport adventure, visit exploreclay.com/passports/.
Some exciting places everyone can visit – and complete their passports – include the historic courthouse and jail in the Historic Triangle in Green Cove Springs, Camp Chowenwaw, Camp Blanding and Spring Park.

Teens can work out for free this summer at Planet Fitness
CLAY COUNTY – Starting May 15, teens 14-to-17 years old can work out at Planet Fitness for free during the summer.
In addition, the company will be giving away $200,000 in scholarships.
There are three Planet Fitness clubs in Clay County – 1980 Wells Road and 700 Blanding Boulevard, both in Orange Park, and 1514 County Road 220 on Fleming Island.

Winn-Dixie shoppers can earn $20 in groceries by getting vaccines
CLAY COUNTY – Seven Winn-Dixie stores in the county are offering $20 in free groceries if they receive two vaccinations on the same day at their in-store pharmacies to further encourage customers and their families to get up to date on routine vaccinations. Winn-Dixie’s trained pharmacists can administer a variety of recommended vaccines to help keep communities healthy and safe while traveling during the summer months with friends and loved ones.
In accordance with recently updated CDC and FDA guidelines1, SEG is now administering additional COVID-19 bivalent mRNA doses for those who qualify. Customers are encouraged to talk to their pharmacists if they have any questions regarding an additional bivalent mRNA dose.
To receive the free grocery offer, customers can walk up to a Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacy or make an appointment online to get two vaccines of their choice on the same day to receive a voucher for $20 in free grocerie2. These include more than 15 vaccine options such as pneumonia, meningitis, shingles, Tdap and COVID-19 doses.
The offer is available through June 30.
For more information on available vaccinations, visit winndixie.com/pharmacy/vaccines.

Active, retired federal employees to meet monthly
ORANGE PARK – As the only organization dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy.
Clay County Chapter 141 meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Orange Park Library at 2054 Plainfield Ave. at 12:30 p.m. Each gathering consists of a short business meeting and a presentation. The group will not meet in July and August.
Since NARFE’s founding in 1921, the association’s mission has been to defend and advance America’s civil servants earned pay and benefits. Today, NARFE’S team of professional lobbyists continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the federal community. Supported by grassroots advocates, NARFE is a leading voice in Washington and across the country, although often unknown to our active and retired local civil servants and postal personnel.
Federal benefits and retirement plans are unique, complex and subject to change. NARFE provides federal workers and retirees with the precise, reliable and accessible counsel they need to make critical decisions and gain confidence in a secure future.

Mission of the Dirt Road offering free showers
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Adults can sign up for free showers on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Mission of the Dirt Road, 7790 State Road 100.
Adults can utilize the services from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Families with children can get free showers on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. Showers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents are required to sign up during the day of the shower. To make a reservation, call or text (601) 568-3473.

Thrasher-Horne: Show memorabilia on sale to fund future shows
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 programs.
Included in the items are items from the shows by Rumours, Always Patsy, Elvis, Craig Morgan, comedian Bill Engvall, Diamond Rio, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Young Irelanders, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, 1964, Dragons and Mythical Beasts, Brass Transit, Champions of Magic, Sara Evans and Melissa Etheridge.
Items range from $5 to $50, and they can only be picked up at the center.
The center also is selling tickets and gift certificates for upcoming shows
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

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. Both the form and donation have been made available online in advance to save time.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than 50 cents 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.

Clay County eager 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.