Light Rain, 66°
Weather sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Community briefs 8/10/17

Clay Today
Posted 8/9/17

August is National Breastfeeding MonthGREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Health in Clay County is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month this August.This year’s theme …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Community briefs 8/10/17


Posted

August is National Breastfeeding Month
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Health in Clay County is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month this August.
This year’s theme – “Charting the Course Together” – focuses on using data and measurement to build and reinforce the connections between breastfeeding and a broad spectrum of other health topics and initiatives.
“As a certified lactation consultant, I have seen the health benefits breastfeeding can provide starting with the baby’s first feed,” said Heather Huffman health department administrator in Clay County. “Breastfeeding provides that first load of antibodies and nutrients called Colostrum. Breast milk continues to provide all the vitamins and nutrients that are high in protein and low on sugar your baby needs in the first six months of life.”
The department is working to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity, and encourages breastfeeding-friendly hospitals, child care facilities, work places and communities.
How to feed a new baby is one of the first important decisions a family has to make, and most women who choose to breastfeed have a specific goal in mind.
Research shows that breastfed infants have a reduced risk of infections, asthma, obesity and SIDS compared with formula-fed infants; mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression compared to mothers who don't breastfeed; and it’s estimated that $13 billion would be saved per year if 90 percent of U.S. infants were breastfed exclusively for six months.
To reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months mothers need supportive work policies, infant and child-care at or near the workplace, and private facilities for expressing and storing breastmilk. It takes time and practice to learn how to breastfeed, both for mother and baby, and to establish a good milk supply.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, program in Clay County is hosting a Community Breastfeeding Celebration on August 30, 2017. The celebration includes games, prizes and refreshments for all breastfeeding women who
participate in WIC. WIC also created a breastfeeding snapchat filter for mothers to use while at WIC and will print the pictures for the mothers as a gift. In addition, the 2nd annual Community Employer Breastfeeding award will be presented to the local grocery store with the best worksite lactation program.

Mental health class offered
ORANGE PARK – A nationwide grassroots advocacy group that represents families and people affected by mental illness in the United States is providing a free 12-week course in Orange Park this month.
The National Alliance On Mental Illness Family To Family Education class is for families and friends of individuals with brain disorders called mental illness.
Course materials cover the major mental illnesses, problem solving workshops, communications skills, self-care workshop, empathy, rehabilitation and advocacy. Attendees will gain understanding, insight and empowerment.
Classes start Aug. 21 and continue through Nov. 13 and will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Classroom 7 at Orange Park Medical Center on Kingsley Avenue. Class is limited to 25 students and preregistration is required.
Contact Judy at (904) 264-6402 to register and for more information.

Orange Park, county fair win 2017 SUNsational Awards
ORLANDO – The Town of Orange Park and the Clay County Agricultural Fair were honored with SUNsational Awards last weekend by the Florida Festivals & Events Association at its 23rd annual convention and tradeshow.
The SUNsational Awards Program recognizes members’ innovation, individuality and creative collaboration in nine different categories with each category having three budget levels. A total of 130 events submitted their materials for consideration.
The Town of Orange Park won first place for its website and the Clay County Agricultural Fair won several awards. The fair won first place for Multi-Agency Collaborative Program, first place for Outdoor Ad-Billboard, first place for its Television Ad, second place for Outdoor Ad-Signage, third place for its PR/Media Campaign, third place for a Promotional Mailer and third place for its Radio Ad.
“We are so fortunate to partner with creative and talented people who care about our fair. It’s evident in the recognition we received that we have a great team of passionate individuals who make us look good. We couldn’t do this without them,” said Tasha Hyder, fair general manager.
“We are so honored to have been recognized in our state for our hard work. Our staff and board are always looking for innovative ways to make your fair experience memorable,” said Sheryl Hartzog, the fair’s marketing & sponsorship director.
Nominations were judged by a blue-ribbon panel representing media outlets, printing companies, website designers, photographers, promotional marketing professionals and social media experts.
“The SUNsational Awards have recognized and celebrated the talents of our members for more than two decades,” said Suzanne Neve, executive director of FFEA. “We’re proud of our members and their events – and excited to recognize them in this way each year.”

Town of Penney Farms to celebrate 90th anniversary
PENNEY FARMS – On Saturday, September 9, the Town of Penney Farms will celebrate its 90th year with an “Old-fashioned Farm Day.”
The day-long event from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. will be centered at Clark Avenue and Kohler Park but activities will spread to residential streets and tours will be given to historical points of interest around town.
There will be all-day entertainment in the band-shell with a variety of music including members of the First Coast Highlanders, the Navy Band and a variety of other individuals and groups. Visitors will get to see displays of old farm equipment, antique and classic cars, fly-wheel engines at work and a Parade of Tractors.
Guests can also experience up close groups and individuals demonstrating some of the skills of yesteryear, almost lost in the bustle of our modern society. There will be games and contests, a petting zoo, hayrides, train rides and other activities for children. Food trucks will be on hand with choices of food and soft drinks.
Vendors wanting to have booth space should call the town for details. This is an event you will not want to miss so mark your calendars for September 9 and bring along a pocketful of pennies to help build a “Mile of Pennies” in honor of Penney Farms 90th birthday. For information call (904) 529-9078.

Contract employees’ deadline coming for Defense Biometric Identification System
JACKSONVILLE – All eligible vendors, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers and service providers with Department of Defense sponsorship, approved to conduct business with the Navy and/or tenants aboard a Navy installation, must apply for a Defense Biometric Identification System card no later than Aug. 14.
The process is required at each military installation; one card does not grant access to all.
CAC cards will no longer be accepted after Aug. 14, and those using the cards will not be granted base access until they complete the DBIDS registration process and receive their DBIDS card.
There are two ways to obtain a DBIDS card. Those who currently have a CAC card can present their card and a completed copy of the SECNAV FORM 5512/1 to the base Visitor Control Center representative.Once information is validated, a temporary DBIDS credential is provided.
The temporary credential will have an expiration date by which you need to obtain a permanent DBIDS credential, which is usually about 90 days.
For those who do not have a CAC card, they can present a letter or official document from your government sponsoring organization that provides the purpose for base access; present valid identification, such as a passport or a Real ID Act-compliant state driver’s license; present a completed copy of the SECNAV 5512/1 form to obtain a background check
Upon completion of the background check, the Visitor Control Center representative will complete the DBIDS enrollment process, which includes your photo, fingerprints, base restrictions, and several other assessments; after all this is done, you will be provided with a new DBIDS credential.

School’s return means time for vaccinations
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Health in Clay encourages parents to have their children immunized as the new school year approaches.
Florida’s county health departments are providing free immunization services for eligible children who are entering school for the first time and those who are returning to class in the upcoming school year. Parents of kindergartners and 7th graders are encouraged to review their children’s immunization record to ensure they are ready for the upcoming school year. Students entering college are also encouraged to ensure their immunizations are up to date.
Heather Huffman, health department administrator in Clay County, said that vaccine-preventable disease rates in the United States have historically been low.
Recent resurgence of some vaccine-preventable diseases such as pertussis, expanded recommendations for influenza vaccination and HPV vaccination, and gaps in sustainable immunization efforts highlight the continuing need for immunization. Viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable disease and death still exist and can be passed on to unprotected persons or imported from other countries.
Immunization services are available at the Bear Run Clinic, 3229 Bear Run Blvd. Orange Park, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These are walk-in services and no appointment is needed.
Vaccines help develop immunity to many serious infectious diseases by enabling the body to recognize and fight vaccine-preventable diseases. The following vaccines are required for children entering preschool and grades K-12: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, polio, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B. Students entering college should check with the health services at their college regarding immunization requirements.

Jacksonville man wins top prize in $2 million Gold Rush scratch-off game

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery reports that Garrett McKie, 28, of Jacksonville, claimed a top prize in the $2,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
McKie chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1.6 million. He purchased his winning ticket from the Publix at 1075 Oakleaf Plantation Parkway in Oakleaf. The retailer will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $10 Scratch-Off game, $2,000,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched in January, and features more than $206.5 million in prizes and more than 8.2 million winning tickets. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.41.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund in fiscal year 2016-17.