Science Café to open at SJR State
ORANGE PARK – St. Johns River State College announces a science lecture series for students and the public to engage in this fall. SJR State science professor Karen Meyer said the new Science Café is a trendy way to get more people involved with science. “We’re beginning the series with aquatic ecologist Robert Storm Burks, who will discuss the blue-green algal blooms our river and its tributaries are experiencing,” she said. Attendees will also learn how to report algae occurrences on the waterways using Water Rangers, a new Web-based app.
The first Science Café session will be held Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. on the SJR State Orange Park campus in room D14. Participants will experience a casual evening filled with interesting topics, tasty treats and engaging conversation. The free event is in collaboration with the St. Johns Riverkeeper and is open to the public.

Striders offering half marathon running class
ORANGE PARK – Clay County runners who want to up their game are invited to take part in a new half marathon class being offered by the Florida Striders running club.
Class begin Sept. 13 and will be held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at St. Johns Country Day School on Doctors Lake Drive in Orange Park and on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. at the IHOP parking lot on Blanding Boulevard near Orange Park.
The class is $65 for the public and $45 for Florida Striders members. Registrants are required to currently be running at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes.
The goal is to complete the Ameris Bank Jacksonville Half-Marathon on Dec. 16. The cost of the class does not include the registration for the marathon.
The class is designed for both first-time half marathoners or more advanced runners who want to run with a group and get faster. Participants will follow a 14-week training schedule which will be provided.
For more info and to register, go to www.floridastriders.com/running-classes/

Garrison to SJR State College board
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott recently appointed local attorney Sam Garrison to the board of
trustees at St. Johns River State College for a one-year term.
Garrison, 40, of Fleming Island, is an attorney with Kopelousos, Bradley and Garrison P.A. and previously served as an assistant state attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He received a bachelor’s degree from Samford University and a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Garrison succeeds Orange Park business owner Ron Coleman for a term that ends May 31, 2018.
“We are honored to welcome this dedicated and talented individual to our Board,” said Joe Pickens, SJR State president. “Mr. Garrison’s impressive background, professional successes and community connections will be a positive contribution to our students, the College and its future growth.”
“Education is the great equalizer, and the importance of St. Johns River State College's mission to our community cannot be overstated,” Garrison said. “I am honored to work with the Board of Trustees, President Pickens, the College's staff and faculty and, most importantly, our students as we move forward together.”

Clay playwright’s work to be published and performed
LONG BRANCH, New Jersey – “(miss) Mary Edwards” by Elaine Smith will be performed at the West End Arts Center in Long Branch, N.J. on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. as part of the theatre company’s All About Eve Festival in Theatre Brut – a festival in which 28 short plays by playwrights worldwide will be presented.
Smith is a playwright, actor, and director whose plays include Angels and Ministers of Grace (New Jersey Rep, “Best Drama” and “Best New Work” - 2015 Broadway World Awards - NJ), The Looking Glass –
adapted from Edith Wharton’s short story, The Wharton Salon, and short plays Liars’ Poker (Finalist –
2010 Heideman Award), Picture Perfect, She Hung Up and Ten Minute Life (The ArtsCenter). Earlier this year, she was invited to the 2017 National Winter Playwrights’ Retreat in Creede, Colorado where she spent a week happily writing 9,000 feet up in the Colorado Mountains. Elaine is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and the Dramatists Guild and is currently the artistic director of the Clamour Theatre Company in Green Cove Springs.
Smith’s play was one of more than 400 submissions throughout the world to be submitted for the festival. (miss) Mary Edwards showcases the evolution of the species in bits and bytes. When the future meets the past, history, logic and the laws of robotics prompt a changing of the guard.
In addition to being produced, the play will also be published by Smith and Kraus in an anthology chronicling all 28 short plays of Theatre Brut. Smith and Kraus Theater Book Publishers is a nationally prominent publisher of contemporary theatre books. The anthology can be purchased through New Jersey Repertory Company’s website njrep.org once All About Eve Festival of the Arts opens on October 1, 2017.
To see “(miss) Mary Edwards” in person, purchase tickets for All About Eve by calling NJ Rep’s box office at (732) 229-3166 or online at njrep.org.

Business as usual for trash collection
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County residents wondering about trash collection have nothing to worry about come Labor Day because everything will be status quo, business as usual.
On Sept. 4, Labor Day, Advanced Disposal Services will collect wastes and recyclables using its normal schedule. Residents are reminded to remember to place materials at the curb before 6 a.m. on their normal day of pickup on Labor Day and throughout the week.
The Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility will be open normal operating hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Vendors wanted for Penney Farms ‘Old Farm Day’
PENNEY FARMS – Craftsmen and other vendors are invited to set up shop for a day to help Penney Farms celebrate its 90th anniversary.
Old Farm Day organizers are looking for vendors who sell collectibles, old postcards, antiques, arts and crafts or any items that relate to the 1920-1940 era at their event taking place Sept. 9 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Organizers are also interested in booths that have items to sell that relate to children. The event will take place in Kohler Park on Clark Avenue and on residential streets. The city’s agrarian roots will be celebrated with exhibits of old farm equipment, early tractors, antique and classic cars as well as demonstrations of dying skills and arts.
Interested vendors can call Cathie at (904) 529-9078 for an application and more details.

More Than Ink expands
JACKSONVILLE – More Than Ink Solutions, formerly More Than Ink Printing has hired Aaron Canaday as product manager.
Canaday comes to More Thank Ink from Logo Xpress on Fleming Island where he had served as a graphic designer for 12 years.
While at Logo Xpress, Canaday formed a close working relationship with More Than Ink owner John Christiansen, and his son, Peter, when it came to providing printing and advertising services.
Canaday will be overseeing new internal software that allows customers to get instant quotes, approve work, make notes, and see the progress of their order. He brings with him a strong reputation for completing jobs correctly and on time.
Canaday studied business at St. Johns River State College and up in Orange Park with his mother, sister, and brother.
More Thank Ink Solutions is located on Collins Road in Jacksonville.

“The Legends Show” coming to Canterfield
MIDDLEBURG – Canterfield of Clay County will host “The Legends Show” on Sept. 7, at 2:30 p.m. This rousing musical program is open to the public, with free admission and parking. Light refreshments will be served and reservations are requested.
“We booked this high-end musical revue to entertain our Canterfield residents but then we thought ‘Why not invite the public to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment?’” said Brent Montgomery, executive director of Canterfield of Clay County. “We’re pleased to offer this energetic show with its wide variety of music; there will be something for everyone.”
The Legends Show is produced by Stacy and Gina Cooper, a husband and wife team who perform more than 300 concerts each year. Based in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Coopers are veteran entertainers whose credits include cruise lines as well as hotel and convention venues. The Legends Show promises the sounds of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, Dolly & Kenny, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Elvis, Ronnie Milsap, Debbie Boone and many, many more. In addition, this fast-paced revue includes lots and lots of comedy and smiles.
For reservations and more information, call Canterfield of Clay County at (904) 203-6100.