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Community Briefs 8/16/18

Clay Today
Posted 8/15/18

Superintendent to field community concernsGREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County School Superintendent Addison Davis is holding six community meetings across Clay County to kick off the 2018-19 …

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Community Briefs 8/16/18


Posted

Superintendent to field community concerns
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County School Superintendent Addison Davis is holding six community meetings across Clay County to kick off the 2018-19 school year. Parents, teachers, voters and citizens with other concerns can ask about school safety, resource officers, mental health or the one mill vote that will be on the August 28 primary ballot.
One meeting was held before press time on Aug. 15 at Urban Bean Coffeehouse Café at 2023 Park Ave. in Orange Park.
Here are the times and locations of the remaining meetings: Aug. 16 @ Noon, Panera Bread, 9570 Crosshill Blvd., Oakleaf; Aug. 20 at Noon, Brooklyn Boy’s Pizza, 205 NE Commercial Circle, Keystone Heights; Aug. 22 at Noon, Spring Park Coffee, 328 Ferris St., Green Cove Springs; and Aug. 27 at Noon, Dick's Wings, 1803 East West Parkway, Fleming Island.

Green Cove Springs author book-signing

ORANGE PARK – If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s the premise of a series of new books coming out for middle grade students and co-written by a writer from Green Cove Springs.
Erik Slader of Green Cove Springs will sign copies of his first two releases – “The Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History” and “The Race to Space: Countdown to Liftoff” – books he wrote with co-author Ben Thompson, on Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at Books-A-Million at Orange Park Mall.
Thompson, who lives in Seattle, Wash., became friends with Slader on Facebook through friends of friends and the two both learned of their love of history. They just didn’t know that one day they’d be writing middle grades nonfiction books together.
Along with their first two releases, they have contracts to release two more titles in the coming months.

Penney Farms seeks antique farm equipment to celebrate town history
PENNEY FARMS – On Sept. 15, the Town of Penney Farms will celebrate its agrarian roots by hosting “Old-Fashioned Farm Day” from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
In preparation for the activities, the Town is asking area farmers to loan farm equipment to event organizers to go on display that day. They are looking for “exhibits and displays about old days on the farm.”
If you have equipment, tools, machines, engines, animals, clothes or other items that celebrate this rich farming heritage, event organizers ask residents to share them for the event. The items can be treasured antiques that are taken to shows or relics that tell the story of old-style farming. Organizers are also asking that a person or persons be available at the event to share information about the items. The educational exhibits will be lined up along residential streets or in empty lots so that they can be displayed for visitors.
There is no exhibitor fee. Vendors wishing to sell items are also welcome for a $25 fee. Event applications are available at Town Hall, 4100 Clark Ave., Penney Farms or by calling (904) 529-9078 and providing an e-mail address. For more information, contact Cathie Parrot at cathiepenneyfarms@bellsouth.net.

Free assistance for Veterans
ORANGE PARK – One of the various services DAV provides at no cost to veterans is our Mobile Service Office Program. These “offices-on-wheels” travel to under-served communities across the country to help veterans and their families obtain the services and benefits they have earned.
The DAV provides veterans and their families the assistance for free and DAV membership is not required to utilize these services.
Staffed by highly trained DAV National Service Officers, MSOs provide professional support throughout the claims and appeals process. Attendees are asked to bring their identification, Social Security number, and any other pertinent documentation regarding their military service.
The MSO will provide Clay County veterans with three locations they can be seen and get assistance. On Aug. 28, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the MSO program will be at DAV Jacksonville Chapter 1, 1439 Parental Home Rd. On Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the program comes to DAV Orange Park Chapter 30 at 470 Madeira Dr. and on Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the program heads to CareerSource Northeast Florida at 5000 Norwood Ave. in Jacksonville. For more information about MSO stops, call Robert Anderson at (727) 319-7444.

Hurricane property tax abatement

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Florida’s Homestead Law has been amended to provide homeowners a tax reimbursement for properties that were affected by recent hurricanes.
Clay County Property Appraiser Roger A. Suggs recently made the announcement about the program.
Section 197.318 of the Florida Statutes states that if a residential dwelling or house that is owned and used as a homestead as defined in s. 196.012(3) is rendered uninhabitable for at least 30 days due to damage or destruction caused by Hurricane Hermine or Hurricane Matthew during the 2016 calendar year or Hurricane Irma during the 2017 calendar year, taxes initially levied in 2019 may be abated based on the number of days the property was uninhabitable during the calendar year the hurricane occurred.
Suggs also noted that a residential improvement does not include a structure that is not essential to the use and occupancy of the residential dwelling or house, including, but not limited to, a detached utility building, detached carport, detached garage, bulkhead, fence, or swimming pool, and does not include land.
Property owners must file an Application for Abatement of Taxes for Homestead Residential Improvements (and provide supporting documentation) no later than March 1, 2019 to take part in the program. Failure to timely file an application waives a claim for abatement of taxes.
For more information, visit www.ccpao.com or contact the Clay County Property Appraisers Office at (904) 269-6305.

Melrose history project underway
MELROSE – Bellamy Road Join us for part one in a three-part series of local history programs this Fall at the Melrose Public Library. On Thursday, August 23 at 2pm, James Williams discusses Bellamy Road. Williams’ discussion will detail the manifestation of Bellamy Road—from its inception in 1824 as a postal route for carriages traveling through Native American territory—to a former crown prince traveling on the new road... this program is sure to be one for the history books!
The Melrose Library Association will cater a light lunch starting before the program (1:15pm) with the author for attendees who must pre-register (seating is limited). Historic Melrose Inc. will provide refreshments following Mr. Williams’ presentation. Sponsored by the Melrose Library Association. For more information, or to register for the lunch, please contact Sheree Sims at 352-475-1237 or sheree.sims@putnam-fl.com. The Melrose Public Library is located at 312 Wynnwood Ave. in Melrose (behind the Post Office).

Center to offer Tai Chi for arthritis
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County residents who are 60 and older have a unique opportunity to learn how to improve balance and coordination.
The Area Health Education Center of Northeast Florida is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis at the Green Cove Springs Senior Center at 604 Walnut St. on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11 a. m. running from Sept. 10-Oct. 31.
The free one-hour classes meet twice a week for eight weeks. Movements can be performed seated or standing and canes and walkers are welcomed. Participants will learn balance skills, good body alignment and coordinated fluid movements to increase flexibility and strength, reduce falls and improve fitness.
Contact Sherri Cheshire, NEFAHEC senior programs coordinator for information or to register at (904) 482-0189. Online pre-registration is also available at nefahec.eventbrite.com, or contact Debbie Hall, Green Cove Springs Senior Center site coordinator.
Class size is limited. Register today to reserve your seat.

History of Melrose contest to kick off
MELROSE – The “Road to Melrose” Local writing, poetry, and art contest is seeking entries.
What lead you to Melrose? Did your ancestors travel to Melrose? Whatever path you’ve taken, we want to know the stories behind all the “Roads to Melrsose.”
This contest invites residents, former residents, lovers of Melrose and the Lake Area to submit writing and art pieces that embody the spirit of Melrose for publishing in an in-system bound “magazine.”
Sponsored by the Melrose Public Library and the Putnam County Library System, contest judges will select their favorite submissions to be featured in the publication, which will be then be made available at the library in October 2018 at Melrose History Project event.
Officials began collecting submissions at the library on Aug. 4. The last day to submit an entry is Sept. 22nd at Noon.
Writings should be specifically about Melrose. Any content that contains vulgar language, imagery, or subject matter – or that does not pertain to the topic – will not be published. The Melrose Magazine “The Road to Melrose” is a family-friendly publication. The Melrose Public Library and the Putnam County Library System reserve the right to determine which submissions will be printed in the magazine. Writing entries should not be longer than three pages, single spaced using 12-point font. All submissions should include all pertinent artist identification information including, title of work, medium, name and contact information.