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Clay County memories 8/15/19

Clay Today
Posted 8/14/19

Deadline extended for Irma voluntary home buyout program GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced an extension of the application deadline for the …

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Clay County memories 8/15/19


Posted

Deadline extended for Irma voluntary home buyout program

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced an extension of the application deadline for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Voluntary Home Buyout Program. Local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma now have until Oct. 1 to apply for grant funding through the $75 million Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program. These funds will be distributed throughout the 50 impacted counties and average about $5 million a county.
Clay County residents who are interested in applying must submit the Voluntary Acknowledgement Form, grant application, and all supporting documentation to Clay County no later than Sept. 9.
Application packages should be emailed to IRMA-Grants@ClayCountyGov.com. Clay County Emergency Management Officials must then compile all applications and supporting documentation for submission to the State of Florida by the Oct. 1 deadline. Residents who’ve already applied, do not need to reapply.
Commissioner Mike Cella said: “Clay County is pleased to announce this deadline extension to affected residents, allowing them more time to prepare their application packages. We hope potential applicants who were discouraged by the initial July 29 deadline, will reconsider with this extension. This may be the last chance to participate in this extraordinary program.”
Any questions regarding this program can be directed to the Clay County Flood Hotline at (904) 529-2794.

Clay Rebels Athletics creating squad of cheerleaders with disabilities

MIDDLEBURG – Registration is underway for cheerleaders for the Challenger Division of the Clay Rebels Athletics.
The team is open to boys and girls 5-18 years old with different abilities, according to the Clay County Change Makers Advocacy Group. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities with all levels of abilities will be given an opportunity to build skills and relationships, as well as have fun. The team also will practice with other Pop Warner cheerleaders.
Shirts, shorts, bows and pom poms will be provided and there is no registration fee.
Practices will from one-three days a week, depending on abilities, in Middleburg. Cheerleaders have the option of performing at two competitions, including one in Orlando during the Thanksgiving weekend.
For more information, contact Nike Warner at (904) 624-9769 or by email at clayrebelcheer@gmail.com.

Florida Highwaymen’s ‘The Road Well Traveled’ coming to SJR State

ORANGE PARK – “The Road Well Traveled,” an exhibit featuring paintings by the Florida Highwaymen, a group of 26 self-taught African American artists, will be on display at the St. Johns River State College’s Thrasher-Horne Center from Aug. 23 to Sept. 12.
The exhibit is free and open to the public.
The Florida Highwaymen created art depicting Florida’s natural beauty, which they sold from the trunks of their cars to free themselves from working in citrus groves and labor camps. Twenty of their paintings will be on display at SJR State in commemoration of the 400 Years of African American History Commission Act, which is intended “to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African Americans since 1619.”
As explained on FloridaHighwaymen.com, “Originating in the mid-1950s, an era marked by racism and poverty, these self-taught entrepreneurs mentored each other while they painted on basic materials like Upson board for canvasses, and crown molding for frames. Local galleries shunned their work, so they peddled their art from car trunks along area roadways, hence their name. The surviving Highwaymen, now in their sixties and seventies, are an important chapter in America’s culture and history, indeed, a national treasure. Their self-determination in the face of adversity remains an important story of perseverance, inspiration and creativity.”
The 26 original Highwaymen were recognized by the State of Florida's Division of Cultural Affairs and inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2014.
Works by the following Highwaymen and one Highwaywoman are from: Curtis Arnett, A.E. “Ben” Backus, Al Black, George Buckner, Robert Butler, Mary Ann Carroll, Johnny Daniels, Willie Daniels, James Gibson, Alfred Hair, Issac Knight, Harold Newton, Lemuel Newton and Livingston Roberts.
The exhibit at Thrasher-Horne, 283 College Dr. in Orange Park, will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (904) 276-6815 for more information.
Works will be at the SJR State College campus in St. Augustine from Sept. 20 to Oct. 9 and the Palatka campus from Oct. 18 to Nov. 22.
SJR State Dean of Learning Resources Christina Will, a fan of the exhibit, said, “The paintings produced by the Highwaymen are a state and national treasure. It is an honor to feature the works of 14 of the original Highwaymen at each campus of SJR State as part of the Commemoration.”
To learn more and to view other SJR State Commemoration events, visit http://libraries.sjrstate.edu/400/Highwaymen.

College football travel made easy with the FL511 Mobile App

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The college football season is upon us. Games will be played throughout the state. The Florida Department of Transportation encourages motorists traveling to and from the games and activities to use the FL511 Mobile App for current roadway conditions.
The FL511 Mobile App provides directions to any destination in Florida with travel times and alternate routes on most roadways throughout the state. Users can also get information on crashes, congestion, construction, and closures on Florida’s interstates, toll roads, and other major roadways. The FL511 Mobile App has destination-based routing and the ability to speak your request to the app. For destination-based routing, users enter their destination and are provided multiple routes with travel time based on current traffic conditions. Another feature is the Drive Mode. While in drive mode, users receive detailed alerts for incidents occurring along their route. When requesting information using voice interaction feature, users of the app can now request a city, county, or roadway and the app will play back all associated events within a specific radius.
The Florida 511 Advanced Traveler Information System is the state’s official source for traffic and travel information. This public information service is accessible by mobile app, website in English and Spanish, Twitter messages, Facebook, Instagram, text alerts and more. The FL511 App, website, and Twitter feeds provide information on Florida’s interstates, toll roads and other major metropolitan roadways, allowing drivers to avoid unnecessary delays, as well as receive updates on accidents, congestion, construction and more. FL511 provides camera snapshots on major Florida roads, so users can see current road conditions in FL511 covered areas. The goal is to provide information about current conditions to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently. To accomplish its goal, FL511 offers the latest traffic information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Before heading out, drivers should visit the FL511.com website for important traffic information and incident alerts. Once on the road, have a passenger check to avoid using a phone while behind the wheel.
Travelers can follow FL511 on 13 Twitter handles, on Facebook @FL511, and Instagram @Florida_511. For more information, visit the website at FL511.com or download the Florida 511 Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store. Travel Smart with the updated Florida 511 Mobile App – Connect. Know. Go.

Elton John Tribute tickets available at Thrasher-Horne Center

ORANGE PARK – Remember When Rock Was Young: The Elton John Tribute is coming to the Thrasher-Horne Center on Jan.19 at 3 pm. The event is sponsored by the Orange Park Mall.
The show stars the multiple award-winning, multi-talented singer/actor/pianist Craig A. Meyer. In addition to his numerous credits with roles in film, television and on Broadway, Meyer has toured internationally and recorded with music legends including Frankie Valli and Barry Manilow.
He is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the market today whose strong vocals, striking resemblance and amazing talent on the piano has audiences everywhere remembering
when rock was young.
This spectacular theatrical experience is a musical journey celebrating the decades of chart-topping hits of Sir Elton John, including: “Benny and the Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Crocodile
Rock,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle in the Wind.”
Meyer’s fully produced show has captivated audiences throughout the United States and internationally.
Barry Manilow says: “Craig A Meyer is one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. He can do anything.”
This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s today. It’s fresh. And it’s live on stage.
Tickets for Remember When Rock was Young: The Elton John Tribute are currently on sale. Prices range from $39-$59 with all fees included. Tickets and more information can be found at
(904) 276-6815 ext. 1 or online at THcenter.org.

CBS-Ortega offering 30-week Bible study

FLEMING ISLAND – Community Bible Study is an in-depth, non-denominational Bible study that’s available to all at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Ave.
Sessions start on Sept. 10 and will last 30 weeks every Tuesday morning from 9:30-11:30.
Study will include Joshua, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Revelation. We offer classes for women and men.
Children younger than 17 will attend our Children’s Program. We also offer an Agape Class, a study for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Cost is $35 for adults and $10 a child. Scholarships are available. You may register at any time during the class year.
For more information contact CBSJacksonville.CBSclass.org or call Cheryl Hardin at (904) 742-1956.