City to survey residents on solar energy
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – City of Green Cove Springs plans to survey a random sample of its utility customers in November and December to gauge their opinions on solar energy.
The purpose of the survey is to determine if enough customers support the idea of solar energy for the city, even if it would require customers to pay a little more for electricity due to the higher cost of solar generation, compared to other forms of generating electricity.
The telephone survey will be conducted by GreatBlue Research, a professional market research firm based in Cromwell, Conn. GreatBlue has expertise in this type of survey and was selected in a competitive bidding process.
The survey will provide statistically valid information about customer opinion to guide Green Cove Springs Utility’s decisions related to solar energy.
GreatBlue will call a random sample of Green Cove Spring’s residential customers. If customers have caller ID, the display will show the call is from GreatBlue. If customers do not have caller ID, the phone number that appears will be (860) 740-4000, or a variation of that (i.e., 860-740-4005, -4006 or -4007).
As required by law, GreatBlue will maintain the anonymity of customers who participate in the survey. No information will be released that might in any way reveal their answers to the survey questions.
If there are any questions about the survey, contact GreatBlue Research, Inc. at (860) 740-4000.

Watering restrictions change Sunday
PALATKA – Reset your sprinklers when you reset your clocks to mark the end of daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. The change coincides with a shift in watering restrictions across the St. Johns River Water Management District, which includes Clay County. The reset is designed to ensure the efficient use of water for landscape irrigation.
“Our lawns and landscape account for half of residential water use, which means a tremendous savings can be realized when we look outside our homes,” said Ann Shortelle St. Johns River Water Management District, executive director. “Water conservation is crucial as it plays a significant role in determining future water supply needs.”
Beginning Nov. 6 through the first Sunday in March, landscape irrigation is allowed on one designated day each week before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., Saturday for residential landscape irrigation at addresses that end in odd numbers or have no address, Sunday for residential landscape irrigation at addresses that end in even numbers; and Tuesday for nonresidential landscape irrigation.
While about 70 percent of the earth’s surface is water-covered, only about one percent is readily available for public use, agriculture, plants and animals. Water conservation is an important part of ensuring the sustainability of Florida’s water supply; watering restrictions, expanded use of reclaimed water and the use of water-efficient appliances are ways the district works to encourage conservation.

Teachers encouraged to apply for ‘Blue School’ grants
PALATKA – The St. Johns River Water Management District is launching a new educational grant program to enhance student development in science, technology, engineering and math related topics. The Blue School Grant Program offers financial support for teachers working to promote water resource protection through hands-on learning opportunities.
“The district is committed to educating the next generation and their families about the value of water,” said Ann Shortelle, St. Johns River Water Management District executive director. “Our staff has done this for many years through in-school and online programs. I'm thrilled we will be working even more closely with our community schools on water resource outreach.”
In its inaugural year, the district has budgeted up to $10,000 for the Blue School Grant Program. Grants of up to $1,000 are available to teachers in four areas: water quality field study, water-conserving garden project, community/school awareness campaign or a freshwater resources field study program. Ninth through 12th grade public and charter school teachers within the district’s 18-county service area are eligible to apply.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 30. Teachers receiving grants will be notified by Dec. 12.
Information packets are being mailed to each high school in the district. Information about criteria and deadlines and the online application can be found at www.sjrwmd.com/education/blueschool.

Clay veterans invited to ‘Paychecks for Patriots’
JACKSONVILLE – A statewide hiring fair is seeking to connect Florida veterans with career opportunities in Northeast Florida.
The 4th annual Paychecks for Patriots job fair will take place Nov. 10 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at FSCJ’s Advanced Technology Center, 401 West State St. in Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Florida National Guard are joining private employers throughout the state to connect Florida’s veterans and their families with immediate career opportunities through several statewide Paychecks for Patriots events.
More than 30 companies are scheduled to be at the Jacksonville event, including Crowley Maritime, Medtronic, Saft, Anheuser-Busch, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Aramark Correctional Services, JEA and many more. Veterans organizations will also be on hand to provide information about their organizations.
The event also includes two optional workshops. Operation New Uniform, a Jacksonville-based veteran service organization, will present a session on personal branding. Staff from the Gainesville Veterans Administration Recruiting and Employment office will present a session on Federal Employment Applications.
The event is part of a full week of programs across the state the week of November 7-11. The Jacksonville event is free and open to military veterans and their families, however, jobseeking attendees must register in advance. Email P4P@careersourcenefl.com to request a ticket.

Apply now to ‘Pitch in the Park’
ORANGE PARK – Clay County inventors searching for cash and a way to get their products to market, can now sign up to participate in an event that may fulfill both those needs.
Scheduled for January 21, 2017, “Pitch in the Park” will be held at Orange Park Town Hall Park at the corner of U.S. Highway 17 and Kingsley Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Budding entrepreneurs can go online at www.PitchInThePark.com and apply to become an exhibitor. There is no cost to sign up and contact information is on the website if applicants have any questions.
The North Florida Inventors Group teamed up with three other Clay County entrepreneurial groups to host the innovation festival. Hosts are looking for people with demonstrable products or prototypes who would like to pitch their ideas.
The top 18 exhibitors get to pitch their idea to judges and the attending audience for a chance to win cash prizes and a startup package of prizes. Audience participation is not only encouraged but needed as the number of votes each entrepreneur gets counts as 50 percent of their overall score, while the judges’ score is the remaining 50 percent.
“Pitch in the Park”is designed to showcase and bring together a group of entrepreneurs and new product developers in Clay County and North Florida. A pretty impressive prize package will be awarded and the festivals focus is on fun, connection, education and innovation.
A list of activities and opportunities planned for the outdoor festival is also on the pitch website and more information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Plan now for the Season of Advent
FLEMING ISLAND – The Institute for Worship Studies will present a community-wide Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols the evening of Dec. 4 at Grace Anglican Church on Fleming Island.
This choral worship service is composed of a stirring collection of Advent hymns and carols, interspersed between scripture readings and is intended to heighten the expectation of the coming celebration of Christmas.
The IWS Festival Choir, local musicians, pastors and community leaders will be featured. The community Advent service will benefit Waste Not Want Not, a nonprofit food rescue organization that works to fight hunger and poverty in Northeast Florida. Several local organizations are sponsoring the concert.
The concert will be followed by a reception. Contact the IWS office at (904) 264-2172 for information regarding childcare.

Military Child of the Year nominations underway
SAN ANTONIO – Operation Homefront is accepting nominations for the 2017 Military Child of the Year awards through Dec. 5.
Six winners ranging from age 8 to 18, representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard, will receive $10,000 each. Winners will be selected based on their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
The seventh award, which is open to young people ages 13 to 18, is the Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation presented by Booz Allen Hamilton. The winner of this award shows the power of innovative thinking. Examples include a new invention, improvement to existing technology, or creation of a new nonprofit. The Innovation award recipient will earn $5,000 and a mentorship by Booz Allen Hamilton employees to scale or to advance the winner’s project.
Every winner will be flown to Washington along with a parent or guardian to receive the award from high-ranking military leaders.
Parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, clergy, neighbors, grandparents – indeed anyone who knows a child’s talents – may nominate online. Simply go to www.militarychildoftheyear.org and click the Nominate tab.

Watch out for migrating manatees
TALLAHASSEE – Boaters are asked to be on the lookout for manatees this month as the seacows begin their annual migration on Florida waterways.
Watch out for manatees swimming in Florida’s rivers, bays or coastal waters. Manatees are searching for warmer waters to help them survive winter’s cold. November is also celebrated as Manatee Awareness Month.
With the onset of the manatee migration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds people in boats and personal watercraft to slow down to avoid manatees, particularly in shallow areas. Many seasonal manatee protection zones also go into effect as of Nov. 15.
Adult manatees weigh about 1,000 pounds but can be difficult to see, especially when just below the water’s surface. Manatees are easier to spot if boaters wear polarized sunglasses and keep a lookout for signs of manatees such as the circular “footprints” they trace on the top of the water.
Thanks to conservation efforts, the manatee population has grown in Florida. In February 2016, FWC announced 6,250 manatees were counted in an aerial survey of Florida waters. While that is good news, there have been 91 manatee fatalities caused by boat strikes so far in 2016.
“Boaters who slow down and keep a lookout for Florida manatees are an important reason the overall population of this species is doing better,” said Carol Knox, leader of the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management section. “Remember, it is especially important to watch out for manatees during Manatee Awareness Month in November, as they begin their annual migration to warmer waters.”
The FWC spends about $2 million a year on manatee conservation, including research, rescue, management and public education efforts, while working with other agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on manatee issues. Floridians contribute to manatee conservation when they purchase the “Save the Manatee” license plate at BuyaPlate.com or donate $5 for the manatee decal.
For information about manatee protection zones by county, including the seasonal changes, go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on “Data and Maps.” At the bottom of that same page, there also is information on FWC Manatee COLD-weather changes to speed zones. FWC law enforcement officers will be on the water enforcing these seasonal rules to protect manatees in busy boating areas.
Report sightings of injured, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922, #FWC and *FWC on a cell phone, or with a text to Tip@MyFWC.com.

Sen. Bradley relocates Orange Park legislative office
ORANGE PARK – State Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) has moved his district legislative office to a new location.
The office, previously on Park Avenue in Orange Park is now located at 1279 Kingsley Ave., Suite 107 in Orange Park. The district office is staffed by legislative assistants Steven Richardson and Mary Lee and provides constituent assistance and the management of Bradley’s legislative activities.
For assistance or appointments, call (904)278-2085 or visit legislative staff at the new office location. Residents can also email Sen. Bradley at bradley.rob@flsenate.gov or send letters to 1279 Kingsley Ave., Suite 107, Orange Park, FL 32073.

Second Annual Corks & Forks Masquerade next weekend
ORANGE PARK – St. Vincent’s HealthCare is preparing for its second annual Corks & Forks masquerade charity benefit.
Sponsored by the St. Vincent’s Foundation, Corks & Forks will be Nov. 11 from 7-10 p.m. at The Club Continental in Orange Park.
Attendees will dine on signature dishes from renowned First Coast chefs, including Chef Scotty Schwartz from 29 South, Chef Wesley Nogueira from bb’s restaurant, Chef Sheldon Harris from The Club Continental, and Pastry Chef Mallorie Finnell from Biscottis and bb’s restaurant. The dishes will be paired with wines from an assortment of domestic and international vineyards selected by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Guests can also purchase one-of-a-kind masks created by artists from The Art Guild of Orange Park to wear at the masquerade and keep after the event.
“We are thrilled to continue this new tradition in Clay County and we are thankful to these fine local chefs for supporting our mission by once again volunteering their time. We know attendees will enjoy the fantastic food and the festive atmosphere,” said Jane R. Lanier, president of the St. Vincent’s Foundation.
All net proceeds from the event will benefit St. Vincent’s Clay County, as well as numerous outreach programs that benefit Clay County residents, including the Mobile Health Outreach Ministry and Momentum, a free after-school program designed to help combat childhood obesity.
Last year, the event raised approximately $200,000 which helped support The J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Women and Infants Pavilion. To become a sponsor or purchase tickets, go to corksandforksclay.com.