Baptist Medical Center Clay hosting job fair on Oct. 19
FLEMING ISLAND – Now that the Baptist Medical Center Clay is closer to its grand opening, the hospital needs employees.
The new 100-bed, six-floor, 300,000-square-foot hospital is expected to bring about 700 new jobs to Clay County. To fill those vacancies, the hospital will host several job fairs.
The next hiring event will be on Oct. 19 from 2-6 p.m. at 2310 Village Square Pkwy. on Fleming Island.For more information, email Bryce.mcgibeny@bmcjax.com.

Clay Humane not accepting cats during TNVR event
CLAY COUNTY – Clay County Animal Services’ partner organization, the Clay County Humane Society, which provides free Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return services for Clay County residents will not be accepting dropped-off community cats on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Services will resume the following Tuesday and residents can once again drop off community cats in a humane live trap between 7:15-8:30 a.m. at the Clay County Humane Society facility at 2230 Filmore St. in Orange Park for free sterilization services. All cats must be picked up that same day. TNVR services are available at the Clay County Humane Society on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of 40 cats each Tuesday.
For more information, visit https://www.claycountygov.com/community/animal-services/programs-and-services/trap-neuter-vaccinate-and-return-tnvr. Questions can be directed to claymedical@claycountygov.com or call (904) 529-5876.

Trinity Community Church hosting Family Fun Fall Festival
FLEMING ISLAND – Trinity Community Church on Fleming Island will be hosting a Family Fun Fall Festival as a gift to the community. The event will take place on Oct. 22 from 2-6:30 p.m. at 6865 Pine Ave. with lots of fun activities, food and live music – all free to the community. 
Trinity Community Church is a new church on Fleming Island, having had its first worship service on July 3 with Pastor Mason Dorsey.
They gather each Sunday at 9:30 am for worship in the Fellowship Hall of what was once St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
For more information, text or call (904) 884-6351 or visit their website at trinitycc-fi.org.

JTA offering free bus rides for four lines during October
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority Clay Community Transportation Program is offering free rides during the month of October. Passengers can board a shuttle from the designated pick-up stops and travel routes through Fleming Island, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, Orange Park and Penney Farms.
The Red Line travels from Orange Park south along Blanding Boulevard to Middleburg Bluff Apartments, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Green Line travels from Keystone Heights to the Middleburg VA Clinic, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Blue Line travels from Orange Park south through Fleming Island down to Green Cove Springs, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Magenta Line makes two round trips from Keystone Heights to Gainesville, Monday through Friday – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Flex Trips
There are also low-cost Flex Trips available for passengers within three-quarters of a mile from the main route. Flex Trips can be scheduled by calling (904) 284-5977.
Clay Express-Select
Clay Express-Select offers commuters an executive-style, affordable ride between Clay County and the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla in downtown Jacksonville. Clay Express Select vehicles offer comfortable seating and modern-day conveniences like complimentary Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. In addition, all vehicles are equipped with wheelchair access.
Passengers can board Clay Express Select shuttles at the Black Creek Park-n-Ride near the corner of Doctors Inlet and Sleepy Hollow Road or any of the other Clay Express Select stops along Park Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. The service is offered from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Service is not available Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
For more information on the Clay Community Transportation Program, please visit www.claycountygov.com/community/clay-community-transportation.

BCC to host Creation of Conservation Lands workshop
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Board of County Commissioners will hold a workshop to discuss the Creation of a Conservation Lands program on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the BCC Meeting Room, fourth floor, Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St., in Green Cove Springs.
All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard at the meeting. According to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, a person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Board concerning any matter considered at the meeting of the Board or any subsequent meeting to which the Board has continued its deliberations is advised that such person will need a record of all proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record of all proceeding is made, which must include the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation to participate in this matter should contact the Clay County ADA Coordinator by mail at P.O. Box 1366, Green Cove Springs, 32043, or by calling (904) 269-6376, no later than three days prior to the meeting. Hearing impaired persons can access the foregoing telephone number by contacting the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8770 (Voice) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD).

Fiction books go on sale at Middleburg-Clay Hill Library
MIDDLEBURG – The Friends of the Middleburg-Clay Hill Library will host a book sale on Oct. 20-22 at the library at 2245 Astor Ave.
Only fiction books will be available.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Frinds members will be able to get a jump with an early hours sale from 1-8 p.m. on Oct. 19.
Donation of books in gentilly used condition are appreciated with all proceeds going to support our local library. For more information, call Ed Dickson at (904) 254-7891.

Garden Club hosting Winter Vegetable Gardening class
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Garden Club of Green Cove Springs has invited the public to attend free training on Saturday, Nov. 5, on Winter Vegetable Gardening from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no registration fee.
All are welcome whether you have only a small space, are new to Florida, a beginning gardener or experienced. Training is at Camp Chowenwaw in the Kiata Building 1517 Ball Rd. in Green Cove Springs.
Training is being given by Sarah Harvey an experienced Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer. Come and learn how to grow your own food during Florida’s winter season.

Annual Quilt Sale coming to Advent Lutheran Church
ORANGE PARK – Quilts, Christmas décor, table runners and more will be featured on Nov. 5 at the Annual Quilt Sale at the Advent Lutheran Church.
Procedes will benefit global and local charities. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
The church is located at 2156 Loch Rane Blvd. For more information, call (904) 272-6370.

Soul Food Festival postponed until Nov. 5
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The 21st Annual Green Cove Springs Soul Food Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, was pushed back to Nov. 5 by Hurricane Ian.
A month from now, the event will start with a festive parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and end with a day filled with music, games, wares and, of course, a variety of foods to satisfy every tastebud.
The festival will be at Vera Francis Hall Park at 1503 MLK Blvd.
The festival was established by a group of community volunteers called BATCOP – Breaking Away The Cycle of Pain” in 2002. The event now draws up to 5,000 visitors each year.
For advance tickets or information, contact statealertevents@gmail.com or call (904) 609-9363.

After-school programs underway at Augusta Savage Museum and Mentoring Center
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Although classes already have started, officials at the Augusta Savage Museum and Mentoring Center are still accepting students for its after-school programs.
Classes include Art Workshop with Barbara Cornett on Thursdays (through Dec. 15), Introduction in Dance by Leslee Bryan on Tuesdays (through May 25), Dress for Success by Felecia Hampshire on Thursdays (through Nov. 10), Reading Tutoring by Cynthia Reese on Wednesdays (through November), Math Tutoring by Lucy Conrad on Tuesdays or Thursdays (through May), Counselor Tammy Rowson on Tuesdays, Dance by La’Farrah Davis on Mondays (through May 25).
More classes may be added to accommodate enrollment.
For required registration forms, visit greencovesprings.com/AugustaSavageMuseumandMentoring Center.

OP Historical Society accepting essays for Veterans Day celebration
ORANGE PARK – The Historical Society of Orange Park will accept essays from Clay County students for its annual Veterans Day recognition.
There are three grade categories – fourth-through-sixth, seventh and eighth and ninth-through-12.
All entries should concentrate on the importance of celebrating Veterans Day and how veterans have made an impact in their neighborhoods, lives and towns.
The theme for the younger category is “Why are veterans special,” while seventh- and eighth-grade students will focus on “Write about an American who served in the U.S. military who inspires you” and the older division’s category will be “Why are the words ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ important today?
Winners will receive $50 (fourth-through-sixth), $75 (seventh and eighth) and $100 (ninth-through-12). For more information, visit ophistory.org.
Entries should be sent to info@ophistory.org and must be received by the Historical Society by Sept. 30. Winners will be announced on Oct. 28.

Clay Soil and Water Conservation District looking for supervisors
CLAY COUNTY – The Clay Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking people who wish to consider serving as Supervisors effective January 2023.
Supervisors are elected serving two-to-four years each term, but the two unfilled seats shall be appointed by the other three Supervisors according to State Statutes.
After the passing of Senate Bill 1078, the District is seeking anybody who is an eligible voter residing in Clay County and meets one of the following: actively engaged in, or retired after 10 years of being engaged in, agriculture as defined in Florida Statutes 570.02; employed by an agricultural producer; own, lease, or actively employed on land classified as agriculture under Florida Statutes 193.461.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop-Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. To save even more time, both the form and donation have been made available in advance online.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than $.50 a pound; the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial Customers please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Thrasher-Horne puts show memorabilia on sale
ORANGE PARK – Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programing.
Included in the items are items from Aaron Lewis, comedian Bill Engvall, The Highwaymen, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, the Oak Ridge Boys, Michael W. Smith, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered and The Young Irelanders.
Items range from $25 to $100, and they can only be picked up at the center.
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

Clay County looking to fill several job openings
CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.