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Visit us online at www.jax4kids.com FREE! June/July 2015 Information, Education and Entertainment for Northeast Florida Families SUMMER CAMP 2015 JUNE 8 – AUGUST 24 TH TH Sign up by May 29th & Registration fee is waived! We are a non-denominational private Christian school offering the best in academic excellence from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. We create an engaging, loving, challenging, and fun environment all while teaching about God and His love. Please stop by for a tour or call us at either one of our two locations. New Enrollees Only. Must Bring In This Ad to Receive Offer. New Enrollees Only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer Expires July 30th 2015. Camp tuition includes ALL Fieldtrips, Lunch, and Snack. Incredible Daily Activities! Game Room including Xbox, PlayStations, and Nintendo Wii. Registering Now! Space is Limited! Ages 5-12 Deerwood Park 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd South Suite 704 Jacksonville, FL 32256 904-379-8126 License #C04DU0959 Durbin Crossing 14985 Old St. Augustine Road Suite 120 Jacksonville, FL 32258 (Right off Phillips Highway and Old St. Augustine Road) 904-880-8588 License #CO4DU0960 creativemindsacademyfl.com Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. Page 2 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Creative Minds aCadeMy PRESCHOOL ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR Creative Minds Academy is a non-denominational Christian Preschool reflecting the very best in academic education. We are a network of teachers from your community striving to create an engaging, loving, and fun environment. 10% OFF TUITION For new enrollees only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One per family. Offer expires August 21, 2015. FREE VPK! 100% DCF COMPLIANCE KEYPAD LOCKED ENTRY FREE WEBCAM NURSE ON STAFF CHEF PREPARES ALL MEALS & SNACKS DAILY Contents Letter From The Editor June/July 2015 Dear Readers, T his issue is one of the most fun issues of the year to put together for you. It is FILLED with free and discounted things to enjoy all summer long. We’re kicking it off with our annual Kids Day at Riverside Arts Market on June 6th from 10am – 4pm. The market will be filled with family-friendly entertainment and activities. living well Turn to page 16 for a list of area blueberry farms. Blueberry picking is a great family outing and you can enjoy your berries all summer long! Turn to page 18 for 99 more fun things to do this summer. If camping is on your fun list, turn to page 13 for tips on saving on campsites. Bookmark Jax4Kids.com’s online events calendar where you’ll find an always updated list of current events. It’s a great resource for parents! Join our eNews and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and you’ll be in the know on events, contests, deals and discounts, product recalls and so much more! Avocados: Healthy, Nutritious and Truly a Treasure................................... 6 Clutter and Your Health........................................................................... 6 Guidelines for Dental Emergencies.......................................................... 7 Healthy Habits Decline During Summer................................................... 7 Did you know that roadside assistance is available with a call to *FHP? Read about this service and more Tidbits of information you can use on page 9. We can never repeat enough the importance of safety around the water and swimming lessons for children. We are blessed to live in a city with an ocean, river and lakes to enjoy. I encourage you to turn to page 10 and read the water safety guidelines for toddlers article. Think Like a Golfer for a Happier Life....................................................... 4 Community Profile: Exchange Club Family Center.................................... 5 Father’ Day Events.................................................................................. 5 Health & safety Waterproof Jacksonville, a countywide campaign to prevent accidental drowning by teaching children to swim, will expand for its third consecutive year to offer free swim lessons to more than 1,800 youth. JaxParks, through funding assistance from Safe Kids Northeast Florida and Jacksonville attorney Wayne Hogan, will provide additional lessons for military dependents and youth from families with financial need. To sign up for lessons through Waterproof Jacksonville, please call 904-255-7927 or visit www.jaxparks. com. We wish you a safe, fun-filled and blissful summer! Alison Peters-Carlson Editor Happy Father’s Day & Happy Independence Day! tidbits........................................................................................... 8 Infant & Toddler Water-safety Guidelines for Toddlers......................................................10 special needs Special Needs Events...........................................................................12 summer savings 5 Tips for Saving on Campsites.............................................................13 100 Things To Do This Summer............................................................14 Summer Movies Deals..........................................................................15 Blueberry Picking.................................................................................16 Free and Discounted Theatre and Arts...................................................17 Water Fun............................................................................................19 clay county school news....................................21 duval county public schools.....................22-23 st. johns county school news.......................24 education Library’s Summer Programs..................................................................25 That’s My Job, Whitney Haywood, Certified Dog Trainer..........................25 Four Reading Motivators for Teenage Boys.............................................27 Teens Discover What You Need To Get That Dream Job....................................28 Alison Peters-Carlson Editor....................................... [email protected] Linda Bigbee Graphic [email protected] Judi Fields Circulation [email protected] Doug Berle Advertising Sales......................................... [email protected] Beth Canonica Advertising Sales.................................... [email protected] Donna Paunetto Advertising Sales.............................. [email protected] Mary Gustafson Business Manager............................... [email protected] Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2015. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by Jax4Kids.com To Go is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for any errors and/or omissions. The Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to [email protected]. For more information concerning advertising, call 904-710-2020 or e-mail [email protected]. Page 3 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 pets Sniffing Out the Best Pet Friendly Hotels................................................29 Things to do June Events.........................................................................................30 July 4th Events.....................................................................................30 Follow us... Living well Think Like a Golfer for a Happier Life Community Profile: found one of the keys to life on a golf course. Golf course, you might wonder? How could a game that makes grown men cry like babies and throw their clubs like toddlers hold the key to anything but frustration and pain? or more than 21 years, the Exchange Club Family Center of Northeast Florida, located in Jacksonville at 3119 Spring Glen Road, has offered free parent aide services to at-risk families across the First Coast to help deter child abuse and strengthen families. I meeting, the one act of kindness, the one meaningful accomplishment or the one special moment that made you smile, laugh and cheer. No matter how difficult our days are, there’s always a positive moment we can choose to It’s simple really. The amazing thing about golf is focus on. The key is to remember them, focus on that at the end of the day golfers don’t remember them and get addicted to them. Let them inspire the multitude of horrible shots they made. All they you to wake up and take on each day just as you remember is their one great shot and this would a golf course. You’ll go through life learning memory inspires them to come back again and from your mistakes but remembering and again in an attempt to make another great shot. focusing on your successes. It’s no wonder that golf is so addicting. Sure, there will be days that make you want to I couldn’t help but compare this thought process give up but the memory of your successes and to how many of us approach work and life. positive experiences will motivate you to come Instead of focusing on the one good thing that back again and again. You’ll forget the 100 things happened to us each day we often think about that went wrong and you’ll remember the one the 100 things that went wrong. Instead of thing that went right. You’ll get addicted to the thinking about our successes we replay our moments that make life the greatest game in the failures over and over again in our mind. No universe and you’ll intoxicate yourself with wonder why so many of us retreat from life and positive energy, happiness, joy and success! j work instead of getting addicted to it. www.jongordon.com The key is to think like a golfer and remember the www.positiveschool.com one great conversation, the one energizing Exchange Club Family Center F In 1979, the Exchange Club Family Center of Northeast Florida adopted Parent Aide as its national project. By working hands-on with families in a consistent way, they have successfully helped families break the cycle of abuse. The Parent Aide model is based on research and concepts first introduced by Drs. Ray Heifer and Henry Kempe, pioneers in the field in the 1960s. Their leading research on battered children syndrome expressed the belief that most abusive parents grew up without a positive parenting role model. At the Exchange Club Family Center they work to break that cycle by providing at-risk parents the tools they need to be successful and to inspire their own children. For those families with problems, the center offers voluntary, free Parent Aide programs where professional facilitators teach critically important parenting skills and parents don’t have to worry about being reported by reaching out voluntarily for assistance. The staff is specially trained to handle family issues and help parents replace abusive behaviors with effective skills for nonviolent, nurturing parenting. Each member of the Parent Aide team has earned a bachelor’s degree or upper level graduate degree, with a specialization in social work or a similar field, and possesses a minimum of one year of experience, ensuring they have the knowledge to help families succeed. The family facilitator’s role is to work one-on-one with parents to help set and meet parenting goals. Acting as a mentor, the facilitator provides valuable information, intensive support and teaches effective parenting techniques, showing how to apply them at home to build trusting relationships throughout the family. He or she will also help strengthen problemsolving skills and work to build a social support network. Constant and consistent service is maintained through home visits which occur one to two times per week for a period ranging from four months to one year. Once a family connects with a Parent Aide, they no longer need to worry about feeling overwhelmed or alone. Parent Aides help guide them every step of the way. For help call (904) 306-9318. j exchangeclubfamilycenter.com “And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling.” – Shanti Page 4 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Father’s Day Events Dads Play Free June 14 Adventure Landing celebrates Father’s Day with a special offers. Dads will get a free round of mini golf, with each paying player at regular price. Adventure Landing, Jacksonville – 4825 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210 Adventure Landing, St. Augustine – 2780 State Road 16, St. Augustine , FL 32092 Adventure Landing, Beaches – 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach FL 32250 Adventure Landing / www.adventurelanding.com Dads Swim Free at Adventure Landing Beaches June 14 Adventure Landing celebrates Father’s Day with a special offer. Dads can swim free with the purchase of full priced daily admission. Coupon required. Adventure Landing / 904-246-4386 / Page 5 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach FL 32250 / www.adventurelanding.com Father’s Day Celebration Life C.A.M.P. June 20, 9am to 1pm On Saturday, June 20th, the Donovin Darius Foundation is hosting its Annual Father’s & Children’s Life C.A.M.P. at EverBank Field. Donovin Darius invites all fathers and their children to an event where he will share some of his personal experiences and wisdom with fathers and their children. Children must be at least 5 years old to attend & participate. Limited to 100 fathers/ children. Only Male-Fathers Allowed To Participate. Check-In Begins at 8am. The Life Camp begins promptly at 9am. Free. Register online. Fathers & Children receive: • Stadium Tour • An Empowering Motivational Message to Fathers Only • Skills & Drills Activities • Fun and Competitive Games • Camp T-Shirt & Camp Photo • Lunch Donovin Darius Foundation / Everbank Field, 1 Everbank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / donovindariusfoundation.com be open from 12pm-6pm. World Golf Hall of Fame / 904-9404123 / 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Father’s Day Special Admission Offer June 20-21 To celebrate Fathers’ Day, the Jacksonvile Zoo and Gardens has a special admission offer for Dads. Dad gets in free with the purchase of an adult or child ticket. Coupon required. Visit website for coupon. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757/4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org Father’s Day Family Day Sail June 21, 12:15pm to 6:15pm Schooner Freedom Charters hosts a Father’s Day Family Day Sail on June 21. The sails on the Matanzas River casts off at 12:15pm (1.5 hour sail) $25 adults, $10 kids; 2:15pm (2-hour sail) $35 for adults, $25 for kids; the Sunset Sail departs at 6:15pm (2-hour sail) $45 per person. All depart from the City Marina. Pack a picnic or bring desert. Complimentary soda and water included. Schooner Freedom Charters / 904-8101010 / St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111-E Avenida Menedez St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.schoonerfreedom.com Father’s Day at the Hall of Fame June 21, 12noon to 6pm This weekend, as a special gift to dads, everyone enjoys complimentary admission to the museum and dads receive a free round on the putting course. Golf themed movies will be playing free all day in the IMAX Theater. Museum will Please visit jax4kids.com/event-listings for more things to do on Father’s Day. health & safety Avocados: Healthy, Nutritious and Truly a Treasure W hen we moved into our second house, we were told that there was an avocado tree in the front yard. Year after year, we never saw any fruit. Then one late summer evening we saw a dark object lying under the tree – it looked to be a small eggplant. Slicing it open, we were ecstatic that our tree was finally producing! Our neighbors joked that someone had planted it in the yard, for no more avocados were to be seen that year. Much to our amazement, the following year we were blessed to not get just one avocado, but loads of them! We were handing these delicious fruits out to family and friends. Our avocados, delicious and full of nutrients, truly are something we treasure. NUTRIENT FACTS Avocados are fruits and the trees are native to Mexico and Central America. They are a lot more nutrient-dense than more traditional fruits. For example, one cup of sliced avocado contains 234 calories versus a cup of raspberries which contains only 65 calories. That’s because a cup of avocado has 21 grams of fat in it, but the good news is, the majority is monounsaturated fat which means it’s better for your heart and no cholesterol. Avocados are naturally low in sodium – only 10 mg. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting sodium intake to 1500 mg/ day, so avocados can fit right into a heart-healthy diet. What they lack in sodium, they make up in potassium – there is a whopping 708 mg potassium in one cup (that’s the equivalent of eating two small bananas or drinking 11½ ounces of orange juice). They also provide vitamin C, iron and vitamin B-6 as well as 3 grams of protein per cup and 10 grams of fiber – that’s almost half the daily amount of fiber intake recommended by the AHA. The bottom line: avocados are healthy and it doesn’t take much to get the nutritious benefits. distinguishable from other avocados in both appearance and flavor. Unlike Hass avocados, most Florida varieties’ skin do not turn color when ripe. The Hall, Choquette and Lulu varieties are smooth and Kelly green. The inside flesh is more of a cornflower gold versus the green flesh of the Hass. Florida can also be a home to the Brogden variety, which is the tree in my front yard. The skin is smooth and turns very dark almost an eggplant color when ripe. It has a thin skin and will bruise easily, so it’s not the best choice for restaurants. USE AT HOME Avocado can be used as a fat replacement. Replace your butter or margarine spread with 2 tablespoons of pureed/mashed avocado on toast or add 2 to 3 thin slices in place of mayonnaise on a sandwich or in a wrap. STORE AT HOME When you cut into an avocado, you’re allowing oxidation to occur which makes the cut surface turn an ugly brown. Cover the cut avocado tightly with plastic wrap or add lemon or lime juice to the surface to prevent oxidation. AVOCADO SMOOTHIE Ingredients • One avocado • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (try dark cocoa) • 2 medium bananas • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt • 4 tablespoons of the milk of your choice (soy, almond, skim, coconut) • 1 teaspoon honey *optional Directions Blend everything together in a food processor (or blender) until creamy. If your blender requires more liquid, or if you prefer your smoothie thinner, add more milk until it’s the thickness desired. For best results, serve immediately. AVOCADO-MANGO SALSA Ingredients • One avocado – peeled, pitted and diced • One lime, juiced • One mango, peeled, seeded and diced • One small red onion, chopped HISTORY • One tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro The avocado was first planted in Hawaii in 1825, made its appearance in Florida in 1833 and found • One habanero pepper, seeded and chopped *optional its way to California by 1856. Orchards today • Salt to taste near San Diego, Los Angles and Santa Barbara produce almost 90 percent of the avocados in the Directions United States. Place the avocado in a serving bowl and mix with the lime juice. Mix in the mango, onion, pepper VARIETIES (optional), cilantro and salt.j You are probably most familiar with the Hass variety of avocado which is small, dark greenish- Aurea Thompson,MSH,RD,CSP,LD/N Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition brown in color and rich and creamy; it makes Wolfson Children’s Hospital a good choice for traditional guacamole and is grown in California. Florida avocados are easily Page 6 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 We take the FEAR out of Dentistry! Did you know 82% of people say fear is the number one reason they don’t go to the dentist? Don’t let this be you! Let us help you ease your fears and take care of your smile! At Carlson Dental Group, we offer different levels of sedation allowing you to relax or even snooze! 904-647-4765 www.CarlsonDentalGroup.com FREE Sedation Consultation EXPIRES JULY 31, 2015. New Downtown Location Now Open in the EverBank Building on Riverside Avenue Clutter and Your Health T he magazine rack is overflowing, the dining room table holds a week’s worth of mail, the stairs are an obstacle course, and you’re pretty sure it’s official: You’re in dire need of clutter control! Having too much stuff can not only drain and frustrate you, it can make it difficult to get things done. Peter Walsh, an organizational expert and former host of The Learning Channel’s Clean Sweep, divides clutter into two general types. “Memory” clutter is stuff that reminds us of important events, like old school programs or newspaper clippings. “Someday” clutter refers to items you won’t toss because you feel you might need them someday. “It’s about balance,” Walsh says. “If you have so much stuff it drags you into the past or pulls you into the future, you can’t live in the present.” Professional organizers say their clients use the same words, over and over, to describe their reaction to the mess: their energy is drained, they can’t find things, and it’s beginning to interfere with crucial parts of life – such as getting to work on time or navigating staircases. “A lot of people express that they are overwhelmed,” says Lynne Gilberg, a professional organizer in West Los Angeles, Calif. “They become nonfunctional and nonproductive,” she says. That’s when they call her in desperation. “Clutter is bad for your physical and mental health,” Gilberg says. Too much clutter can be a fire hazard. Dust, mold, and animal dander that collect in cluttered homes are all bad for allergies and asthma. “When people see clutter, they use language like ‘suffocating,’ and ‘I can’t breathe,’ agrees Walsh. Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh says. Those overwhelmed with “memory” clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can’t toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says. Clutter may even be making you fat, says Walsh, who wrote “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?” after he noticed an association between the amount of clutter people have and their weight. The common denominator? A life of consumption -- too much stuff, too much to eat. j webmd.com health & safety Guidelines for Dental Emergencies S ummer means more outdoor activities. Kids are biking, scooting and running around … and falling off those bikes and scooters. Do you know what to do if your child knocks out or chips a tooth? Follow the following guidelines for most dental emergencies. KNOCKED OUT TOOTH If it is a baby tooth, rinse the mouth and wipe the area gently with a wet gauze or napkin. Apply pressure with a cold compress to decrease swelling. Do NOT try to put the tooth back. This can damage the permanent teeth. If it is a CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH permanent tooth, find the tooth. Do NOT touch the Rinse the area with warm water. Place a cold root. Place the tooth in milk or saliva and rinse off compress on the area to decrease swelling. the dirt. If possible, put the tooth back in the For a small chip, be extra gentle. Eat soft foods socket. If this is not possible, keep it in milk or and take ibuprofen for pain. For a larger chip, look saliva. Call the dentist immediately. The longer for the missing fragment. Keep it moist by placing the tooth is out of the mouth the less likely it will it in water. In both cases call your dentist stay healthy. immediately. Keep in mind that your child’s health is the most BUMPED TEETH important aspect of any injury. Always check for Baby Teeth: If the tooth is pushed in, an x-ray will other injuries and possible concussion. Signs needed to determine if the tooth is in danger of include confusion, nausea, dizziness, headache, hurting the permanent tooth. Place a cold vomiting, ringing in the ears and loss of concompress over the area and call your dentist. sciousness. If your child has any of these If the tooth is just bumped and is not very loose, symptoms take them to the emergency room have the child eat only soft foods and be gentle immediately. j with the area. Discourage thumb sucking or the pacifier. Adult teeth: If the tooth is pushed in or Jila J. Mahajan, D.D.S., Kids First Dentistry knocked out of position, an x-ray will be needed 4495 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite 111 as soon as possible to determine if the tooth Jacksonville, Florida 32210 needs to be repositioned or splinted. 904-423-1377 www.kids1dentistry.com Healthy Habits Decline During Summer A lthough most parents consider their healthy lifestyle, especially during the summer. children’s habits related to exercise and • While most parents (65 percent) accurately healthy eating to be high priorities, most may believe that leisure screen time should be need additional information to help their kids limited to two hours or less each day, 64 reach these goals, according to a new national percent report that their kids spend three or survey. This gap may help explain why kids’ more hours per day online, playing video activity and eating behaviors don’t meet current games or watching TV during the summer. recommendations. Achieving a healthy lifestyle is That’s a 30 percent increase compared with particularly important during the summer months, results for the school year. when kids are vulnerable to not only forgetting • Only about half of kids get at least 60 minutes what they’ve learned during the school year but of daily physical activity during the summer. also to excessive weight gain. • While produce consumption rises during the summer months, many kids still don’t eat the More than 70 percent of parents were unaware of recommended amount of vegetables. the recommended standards for healthy eating • Only 26 percent of kids spend more than an and physical activity for children according to the hour each day reading a book for fun during YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot survey, conductthe summer. ed in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight. • About three-quarters of kids drink sugarFor example, only 29 percent of parents surveyed sweetened beverages at least weekly during the summer, and about a quarter of kids knew that half of their child’s plate at meals average one or more sweetened beverages should consist of fruits and vegetables as daily or nearly daily. recommended by USDA’s My Plate. More than half of parents surveyed thought the correct • Concerns about preventing learning loss and ensuring their kids eat healthy foods during amount was one-third or less. And only about a summer were particularly high among quarter of parents knew that children should get African-American or Hispanic/Latino parents, at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. relative to Caucasian parents (46 percent vs. Results of the Family Health Snapshot survey, 33 percent for learning loss, and 47 percent based on responses of nearly 1,200 parents of vs. 32 percent for healthy eating). kids, ages 5 to 12, underscore the challenges they face in ensuring that their kids maintain a Page 7 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 The survey also revealed that parents prioritize finding enriching activities and ensuring that their kids don’t lose what they’ve learned during the school year over the summer. However, they may need help following through on these intentions to help avoid the “summer slide.” “Without access to daily lessons, enrichment and exercise, kids are at risk of falling behind during the summer months,” said Kevin Washington, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “The Y helps parents turn their good intentions into reality with summer programs designed to strengthen their kids’ minds and bodies and keep them on track for good health and academic success year-round.” The Y (ymca.net) and the AAP’s Institute (ihcw. aap.org) recommend families follow the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards for afterschool, summer and preschool programs, which emphasize the importance of fruits, veggies, water and low- or non-fat beverages, as well as limiting screen time and being physically active. “We know parents want to do everything they can to prepare their kids for the next school year,” said Dr. Sandra G. Hassink, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Our job is to help families recognize they have the power to keep their kids healthy and ready to learn by keeping them focused, encouraging them to eat healthy, exercise and trading their tablets for books.” j www.naturalsolutionsmag.com “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt.” – John Muir is 45 minutes from landing. Do you have family flying in to visit this summer? You can also watch on screen as their plane makes its way from destination to destination. You can even see the flight’s altitude and airspeed and the flight’s time elapsed and time remaining. THANKLIST *FHP In the state of Florida, if you’re on the road and need emergency services dial *FHP (that’s *347) and the Florida Highway Patrol can call a tow truck or contact Road Rangers or the Sheriff’s office to send emergency services such as an ambulance. Your call will automatically be routed to the correct regional communication center that is closest to your location. *FHP is NOT a 911 emergency service. HOWEVER, if you do not know your location and you are in need of assistance, you can call 911 and they can locate where you are by pinging your phone. Road Rangers is a FREE service provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. The Road Rangers are roving vehicles that patrol congested areas and high incident locations across 7 districts and the Florida Turnpike and provide motorist assistance. Road Rangers offer Duval County residents one gallon of gas (standard, unleaded fuel) twice a year, and water, air, or assistance with changing a tire, if needed. This service is available Monday through Friday, 6:30am – 6:30pm and is not available on weekends, evenings or holidays. POWER MONKEY Pocket-sized, it charges all small portable electronics up to 5.5 volts, has a huge power reserve (40 hours for iPods®, 96 hours of standby time for phones, 1600 pictures for digital cameras), and holds its charge for up to a year. Includes four adaptor plugs, a 110-240V adaptor for recharging in 150 countries, connectors for iPod® and most mobile phones, and a travel pouch. Also available, the Power Monkey Xtreme. It holds enough power to fully charge your tablet or phone multiple times, and can also charge two devices at once. It powers from a wall outlet, USB connection, or with its folding solar panels, Page 8 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 and holds 75% of its charge even after a year of inactivity. It features a waterproof, rubberized exterior, button-less finger swipe controls, and includes an assortment of charge tips and adaptors for international outlets. Both available at magellans.com SPOT IT! ON THE ROAD Bust Backseat Boredom on your summer vacation with Spot It! On The Road, a game for ages 7 to Adult for 2 – 8 players. Whether you’re in the big city, cruising down the highway, or just around town, there is always something to spot. Be sure to pack Spot it! On the Road and you’ll never be bored traveling in the car again. This little tin provides everything you need for endlessly fun car games! Helps children build Visual Perception, Focus and Reaction Time. BLUE MOON A blue moon is a reference to a second Full Moon in single calendar month. The next blue moon occurs on Friday, July 31, 2015. According to timeanddate.com, about once every 19 years, the month of February does not have a full moon. The years when this happens, also have two full moons in two different months. This phenomenon will occur next in 2018. FLIGHT AWARE FLIGHT TRACKER Download the FlightAware App or visit FlightAware. com and sign up for flight alerts. You’ll be notified of a filed flight plan, departure, arrival, cancellation, diversion, gate changes, and flight delays. Alerts can also be sent to mobile phones and friends via Facebook, and Twitter. Pre-arrival flight notifications can be configured to alert a user when a flight American Greetings has created ThankList to give you the opportunity to thank someone either by video or by writing a ThankList message. Their mission is “to make the world a more thoughtful and caring place”. Their cure is summed up in one word, gratitude. You can also tag Facebook friends to express your gratitude through a meaningful animated film. Show your gratitude by visiting www.thanklist.com/create Who’s on your Thank list? SAVINGFORCOLLEGE.COM SavingforCollege.com is an unbiased information service on college savings with articles, calculators, 529 plan rankings, financial aid, scholarships and other ways to save and pay for college. UGLY EMAIL Email marketers use software to track whether you open the email they sent. Ugly Email is a free Chrome browser extension that works on the Gmail website, and it serves one purpose: To let you know when an email is being tracked before you open it. Ugly Email sniffs through the emails in your inbox and exposes the emails that are being tracked. Every tracked email is marked with the “evil eye” so you can easily identify them. If you want to choose whether or not to open email when you’re being tracked visit uglyemail.com to download Ugly Email. A Firefox browser extension is coming soon. LET’S CONNECT WHY IT’S SMARTER To Own Than To Rent WE ALL KNOW THAT HOME OWNERSHIP BUILDS EQUITY for you, lowers your car insurance premiums, and allows you a tax deduction for your mortgage interest. Yet, well beyond the numbers, there are plenty more reasons to choose a Mattamy Townhome in Durbin Crossing, Willowbrook or Segovia. For one, all of our homes are designed by architects who create beautiful spaces for how real people want to live. Our communities also feature lavish amenities. At Durbin Crossing, you will find clubhouses, two pools, a fitness center, tennis and basketball courts plus playscapes. Discover how fulfilling life can be in your own Mattamy home today. PURCHASE AMOUNT: $132,990 Loan: FHA 30 Year Fixed Down Payment: 3.5% ($4655 due at closing) PURCHASE AMOUNT: $185,990 Loan: USDA 30 Year Fixed Down Payment: $0 Rate Estimate: 3.75% APR: 5.013% Principal and Interest: $614 Taxes: $135 Insurance: $45 HOA: $140 CDD: $111 MIP: $90 APR: 4.52% Principal and Interest: $879 Taxes: $185 Insurance: $50 HOA: $120 CDD: $113 USDA Service Fee: $78 TOTAL PAYMENT = $1,135 TOTAL PAYMENT = $1,425 AT WILLOWBROOK AT DURBIN CROSSING COST TO RENT: $1,460 *1517 SQ.FT. 3 Bed • 2 Bath *Reference: Cost to rent in 32258 www.century-apartments.com/century-bartram-springs/floorplans#sthash.rR59Il98.dpuf OAKLEAF PLANTATION Townhomes From The Low $100s SALES CENTER: 3747 Aubrey Lane • 904-291-4111 SEGOVIA ST. AUGUSTINE Townhomes From The Mid $100s SALES CENTER: 24 Adelanto Avenue • 904-342-8793 ST. JOHNS Townhomes From The Mid $100s SALES CENTER: 87 Richmond Drive • 904-482-3660 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR COMMUNITIES REGISTER AT MATTAMYHOMES.COM FOLLOW US: SALES CENTER HOURS: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm; Friday and Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm NMLS #64022. This is not a good faith estimate or a Truth-in-Lending Disclosure Statement required by federal law. If you make application with Mattamy Home Funding, your Good Faith Estimate and Truth-in-Lending Disclosure Statement will be sent to you in the opening package. This is not a commitment to lend, nor is it a rate lock, pre-qualification or pre-approval. This flyer is intended to assist you in evaluating a loan or home purchase using estimated closing and property costs. Closing and settlement costs, reserve deposits, interest rate and APR are subject to change and the estimates shown above may be more or less depending on factors such as but not limited to: down payment, property type, and occupancy. Housing costs will vary depending on but not limited to: location, homeowner’s association dues, local and state fees, taxes, and hazard and mortgage insurance. The estimate provided is based on a credit score of 740. Changes from third parties, which may include but not limited to: Lender’s affiliates, will be passed through at the actual cost charged by the 3rd Party. You may wish to compare these estimated charges in considering the total cost of your mortgage. Equal Housing Lender. Trade/service marks are the property of Christine Milbourne NMLS Loan Originator ID #197636, Mattamy Home Funding LLC NMLS #64022. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. License #CRC1330987. Page 9 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 infant & toddler Water-safety Guidelines for Toddlers W ater is one of the most ominous hazards your child will encounter. Children can drown in only a few inches of water, even if they’ve had swimming instruction. Be aware of small bodies of water your child might encounter, such as bathtubs, fishponds, ditches, fountains, rain barrels, watering cans—even the bucket you use when you wash the car. Empty containers of water when you’re done using them. Children are drawn to places and things like these and need constant supervision to be sure they don’t fall in. 1. Children who are swimming—even in a shallow toddler’s pool—always should be watched by an adult, preferably one who knows CPR. The adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision” whenever infants, toddlers, or young children are in or around water. Empty and put away inflatable pools after each play session. 2. Enforce safety rules: No running near the pool and no pushing others underwater. 3. Don’t allow your child to use inflatable toys or mattresses in place of a life jacket. These toys may deflate suddenly, or your child may slip off them into water that is too deep for him. 4. Be sure the deep and shallow ends of any pool your child swims in are clearly marked. Never allow your child to dive into the shallow end. 5. Backyard swimming pools, (including large, inflatable above-ground pools), should be completely surrounded with a high fence (Check your local municipal requirements.) If your pool has a cover, remove it completely before swimming. Also, never allow your child to walk on the pool cover; water may have accumulated on it, making it as dangerous as the pool itself. Your child also could fall through and become trapped underneath. 6. Keep a safety ring with a rope beside the pool at all times. If possible, have a phone in the pool area with emergency numbers clearly marked. 7. Spas and hot tubs are dangerous for young children, who can easily drown or become overheated in them. Don’t allow young children to use these facilities. 8. Your child should always wear a life jacket when he swims or rides in a boat. A life jacket fits properly if you can’t lift it off over your child’s head after he’s been fastened into it. For the child under age five, particularly the non swimmer, it also should have a flotation collar to keep the head upright and the face out of the water. 9. Adults should not drink alcohol when they are swimming. It presents a danger for them as well as for any children they might be supervising. 10.Be sure to eliminate distractions while children are in the water. Talking on the phone, working on the computer, and other tasks need to wait until children are out of the water. j American Academy of Pediatrics “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Page 10 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 infant & toddler Things to Do Infant & Toddler Just For Babies – Bartram Trail Branch Tuesdays, June 2 – July 28, 11:05am Bring your child to play, socialize, and learn with others their age each Tuesday, June 2 through July 28. For children birth to 15 months and their caregiver. Bartram Branch / 60 Davis Pond Blvd. Fruit Cove, FL 32259 / www.sjcpls.org Wednesday Morning Storytimes Wednesdays, 10:15am – 11:05am Wednesday Morning Storytimes return June 3. Baby & Toddler storytimes are for children up to 18 months of age. Craft time is open to all children and focuses on teaching scissor, glue, and coloring skills. Preschool storytimes are open to any child who can sit for longer stories and participate in active songs, counting and colors in Spanish. Come for songs, stories, and more. Baby/Toddler Time: Wednesdays, 10:15am Little Ones Craft Time: Wednesdays, 10:45am Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays, 11:05am Anastasia Island Branch / 124 Seagrove Main St St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org Prepared Childbirth Class June 6, 9:30am to 4:30pm July 25, 9:30am to 4:30pm In this one-day crash course you and your partner will be provided information relevant to giving birth in a hospital-setting while you increase your confidence in the birthing process. By learning the essentials of childbirth taught by experienced childbirth educators you’ll be given the tools to help you make the best choices for the birth of your baby. Expectant parents are encouraged to complete this class between their 32nd-37th week so register early as space is limited. Registration is required. Lunch is on your own. Class is held in the Conference Room, across from Baptist Pharmacy, inside the hospital. Cost is $65 per couple. You do not have to be a Baptist Health patient. Everyone is welcome to attend the classes. Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville / 904-202-2229 / 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.baptistjax.com Tick e ts st art a Just For Babies & Family Storytime – Ponte Vedra Branch June 11, June 25, July 9, and July 23, 10:15am – Just For Babies; 11am – Family Storytime Just for Babies:10:15am; for babies up to 15 months and their caregivers. This infant lapsit is designed for one-on-one interaction between caregiver and baby. Families with active walkers or babies and older siblings are encouraged to attend Family Storytime. Family Storytime: 11am; for children 16 months to 5 years and their families, though no child will be turned away. Ponte Vedra Branch Library / 101 Library Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org Mini Monets June 15, 17, 19, 9:30am to 11:30am July 6, 8, 10, 9:30am to 11:30am Three year olds accompanied by an adult can attend this complimentary camp held at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library if you join the Pay It Forward Program. The Fund allows every underserved child to experience camp through financial aid and scholarships made possible by the generous donations of our supporters. To participate, please donate online to the Pay It Forward Program, and then email Anna Birtles at [email protected] with the name of the Mini Monet who will be attending with an adult, contact information, and which week you would like to attend. For questions, please call Anna at 904-280-0614 ext. 204. The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach / 904280-0614 / 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.ccpvb.org t $2 3.50 '3*+6/tDz1. +"$,40/7*--&45*.&4Ǖ6/*0/$&/5&3 Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure June 19, 7pm In Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure the trainees have started their Advanced Training, and are now eager to impress their mentors by mastering new roles that test their courage, speed, and determination. Chuggington Live! is a musical featuring many new songs alongside hits from the TV series, including “We are the Chuggineers” and the much-loved theme song. Any child that has not reached their second birthday may sit in a lap. Children 2 and older, must have a ticket. Tickets range from $22.50 to $57.50. FSCJ Artist Series / 904-442-2929 / Times Union Center, Moran Theater, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.artistseriesjax.org Visit Jax4Kids.com for more event listings. “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss Page 11 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Kids really do say the funniest things! Please share your favorites with us by e-mailing your story directly to [email protected]. One entry each month will be turned into a cartoon to be published in the next issue of Jax4Kids. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake. Special needs Things to Do Special Needs First Coast Autism Support Group June 2, 6pm - 7pm Guest Speaker: Angelo Martinez “The McKay Scholarship and School Choice” uly 7, 6pm - 7pm Guest Speaker: Jill Hill Fane “Advocacy and Collaboration with your Child’s School” The primary mission of First Coast Autism Support is to connect families raising youth with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related disorder to one other so that they can share resources, discuss ideas, and support each other. They aim to be a resource for families to learn about special opportunities for their child and family in the community, the latest innovations in research, and best practices in supporting and educating youth with ASDs. Childcare is provided. Greenwood Pines Elementary, 5050 Greenland Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / 904620-1633 / www.firstcoastautismsupport.com 17th Annual Family Café June 5 - 7 This three-day event provides a venue for people with disabilities and their families to learn about available services, connect with policy makers and network with each other. It features dozens of breakout sessions, a full Exhibit Hall, a series of Keynotes and multiple opportunities to interact with other families informally. There is no registration fee for individuals with disabilities and their family members or caregivers. Professionals are required to pay a $150 registration fee. 519 North Gadsden St, Tallahassee, FL 32301 / 850-224-4670 / www.familycafe.net Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break - Raiford Road Church • June 6 - 9:30am - 12:30pm •July 3 - 6pm - 9pm Buddy Break is a free kids/respite program where children with special needs (VIP kids) make new friends, play fun games, enjoy crafts, therapy dogs, stories, music activities, and more. Siblings have fun too. Meanwhile, their caregivers get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours. Each VIP kid is paired one-on-one with a screened volunteer “Buddy” to participate in that day’s activities. www.raifordroadchurch.org / 904259-6015 / Raiford Road Church, 9201 South State Road 121 Believe Autism Dance/Art Classes June 13 and July 11 9:30am - 10:30am (3 - 4 year olds) 10:30am - 11:30am (5 - 12 year olds) 11:30am - 12:30am (13 and older) Art rotation of 30 minutes and dance rotation of 30 minutes. Art activities will be new each week or a small art project that will be worked on week to week until complete. The dance rotation will consist of creative movement and social opportunities. Classes are taught by Crystal Thompson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and ballet, tap, and NOW ENROLLING jazz dancer. Classes cost $10.00 and are held at The Performers Academy. Space is limited. To RSVP call or email believeautism@gmail. com. The Performers Academy, 3674 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / 704-277-1884 / www.believeautism.com AGES 2 – 22 Special Needs Private School They Will Surf Again June 13.8am - 3pm They Will Surf Again (TWSA) is an award-winning series of bi-coastal events that empower paraplegics and quadriplegics to experience the freedom of mobility by riding a wave with the assistance of adaptive equipment and the support of hard working volunteers. More than a day of recreational activity, They Will Surf Again also serves as an exceptional opportunity for individuals with SCI and their families to network and establish new support networks outside traditional group support settings. 11 North 3rd St, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.liferollson.org Free 2 Be Me Open House - Henderson Haven June 20, 2pm - 6pm Henderson Haven is having an Open House for their new transition center and private school addition. The whole center will be open for tours to the public. There will also be representatives from The Broach School there to answer questions about their programs and to help people set up their McKay Scholarships to be able to use the program. 772 Foxridge Center Dr, Orange Park, FL 32065 / 904-264-2522 / www.hendersonhaven.org Sensory Friendly Films - Inside Out June 27, 10am AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families are allowed to bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 in the Regency Center Square. 9451 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / 904-725-0885 / www.amctheatres. com/programs/sensory-friendly-films Sensory Friendly Films - Minions July 18, 10am AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families are allowed to bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 in the Regency Center Square. 9451 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / 904-725-0885 / www.amctheatres. com/programs/sensory-friendly-films Visit Jax4Kids.com for more event listings. Page 12 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Student-Teacher Ratio 5:2 Accepts the McKay Scholarship, Step Up for Students and PLSA Scholarships. Academic and Hardship scholarships are available. Enrichment, Art, PE, Community Outings Call to Schedule a Tour 904.619.6071 mainspringacademy.org 6867 Southpoint Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32256 “Happiness isn’t something you experience; it’s something you remember.” – Oscar Levant EDUCATE. ENGAGE. INSPIRE. NOW ENROLLING Academic, Primary, Secondary, Vocational Clinical Outpatient 1:1 ABA Therapy Beautiful campus right off I-95/Baymeadows Call (904) 732-4343 or visit www.JSAKIDS.org 9000 Cypress Green Drive Jacksonville, FL 32256 summer savings 5 Tips for Saving on Campsites Purchase In Advance By purchasing in advance you are able to pick the type of site you need and for the best price. For example, some parks will let you put a tent on an RV site, but most of the time you still have to pay the RV price. Plus, parks will adjust their rates based on the season and demand for spots. Save money by doing your research early and securing the spot you want! You can also call the park directly to see if you can reserve your spot and avoid having to pay an online reservation fee. If you are nervous about picking a date far in advance, contact the park and ask about their cancellation and transfer policies. campsite and up to 6-8 people. If you are wanting to save money and spend a night by the fire, pick another family to join you and split the cost. Or, if you have an RV, pull-behind or fifth-wheel, there isn’t enough room to fit two but you can ask another family to join you and save money by splitting the cost too. You also don’t have to stop at splitting the cost of the campsite to save money. Before your trip, you can split the cost of groceries, meals, gear and other items you might need. Note: RV sites tend to be more expensive than standard tent sites because you need water and electricity hook-ups. Look For Park Specials State parks love to run specials throughout the year to encourage more families to enjoy the outdoors. Before you head out without a reservation, take a look online at the state parks in your area. You will often find early bird, seasonal specials and discounted rates for state park members. Pick A Primitive Site If you’re thinking spending time outdoors in a tent without electricity or water sounds like your camping style, then look for primitive camping spots. Primitive camping spots in state parks will be cheaper than the standard sites since you are not using any electricity or water. Split The Cost Between Families A lot of parks allow more than one tent per If you are ready to carry your tent and gear on your back, look for trails that allow trail-side Page 13 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 camping. These spots are usually free to backpackers and you will most likely only have to pay to park your car at the trail-head. Tip: The Appalachian Trial runs through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, which is a great place to check out if you are looking for an adventure in the backcountry without paying for a campsite. Head To The Backyard For the cheapest option possible, sent up your tent in the backyard! This is also a great option for kids who are still young and learning how to camp. It’s nice to have the bathroom close by with little ones and fresh coffee in the morning! This can be just as fun as camping in a park and it’s the most frugal way to camp! j TRAILS MUSEUM GARDEN ANIMALS PICNIC SPACE $4 ADULTS $3 SENIORS/COLLEGE/MILITARY $2 KIDS 3-17 FREE UNDER 3 8:00AM - 4:30PM MONDAY - SATURDAY southernsavers.com 7152 Lone Star Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32211 treehill.org [email protected] (904) 724-4646 Find us on Facebook! summer savings 100 Things To Do This Summer 1. Go fly a kite. 2. Go on a staycation. 3. Go to a local toy store and let your kids play their heart out. 4. Make your own slime. 5. Go to the library. Check out books and join story time. 6. Go have a play date with a friend. 7. Walk the Riverwalk. 8. Go to your local home supply store or craft store for a free children’s clinics. 9. Go walk at the mall. 10. Make a busy tray. 11. Go for a Sunday drive any day of the week. 12. Go to a water park. 13. Go camping. Front yard, back yard, in the living room, or make it a weekend trip to a national park. 14. Ride a JTA Trolley. 15. Go to the park. 16. Visit the Humane Society. 17. Make your own felt play mat. 18. Go geocaching. 19. Go on a worm hunt. 20. Go fishing. 21. See a stage play. 22. Go on a factory/plant tour. 23. Have lunch by the river. 24. See if your church is offering any activities during this week. 25. Make “I Spy” bags. 26. Make paper plate zoo animals. 27. Make a character breakfast out of food. 28. Have fun with your food and make a creative snack. 29. Paint with Kool-Aid. 30. Read your favorite Dr. Seuss book and create a craft to go with it. 31. Make homemade play dough. 32. Make goop. 33. Make soap on a rope. 34. Make bird treats and hang them in a tree near a window so you can watch the birds enjoy. 35. Make bathtub puff paint. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. Bake cookies together. Make homemade ice cream. Make a cake together. Make an obstacle course (or hold an Olympics) in your backyard. Make a sensory tub. Great for toddlers and preschoolers. Make a time capsule. Make homemade bubbles. Make liquid sidewalk chalk and then have a creativity contest. Make a pet rock. Make homemade finger paint. Re-purpose broken crayons into your favorite mold shape and print some free color sheets. Make a lemonade stand. Make homemade pizza together. Make your own board game. Make sock puppets and have a sock puppet play. Make finger puppets. Make your own stick horse. Make homemade popsicles. Create origami. Make an assortment of muffins together. For your little toddler guys who want to be crafty, make ice paint. Make your own kite. Play balloon hockey. Go to a U-Pick Berry Farm. Skip rocks. Simple, free, fun, lost art. Have a bike parade. Have a day of watching movies. Check them out at the library. Have a family board game party or game night. Feed the ducks. Shop garage sales. You can find board games, movies, etc. for cheap! Have a picnic at the park, in your living room, or in your front yard. Go to the beach. Have a yard sale. Have everyone help and learn the value of a dollar. Activities include: Warm up games & stretching, tumbling, gymnastics, dance, arts and crafts, movies, cheerleading and group games. Come one week or all summer $150 rst week • $10 off each additional week (max discount 3 weeks) Building Champions Inside-Out! Page 14 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 69. Make things out of cardboard. 70. Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows. 71. Make water balloons and have a water balloon fight. 72. Visit the airport. 73. Visit a retirement community. 74. Ride the Skyway Express. 75. Play “I Spy.” 76. Play Frisbee. 77. Volunteer as a family. 78. Make homemade marshmallows. 79. Make s’mores. 80. Invent a new recipe together. 81. Catch lightning bugs. 82. Have a scavenger hunt. 83. Play Mad Libs and share your stories. 84. Jump on a trampoline. 85. Play kickball. 86. Play dodgeball. 87. Play four square. 88. Play tug-of-war. 89. Put a puzzle together as a family. 90. Play hide and go seek in the dark. 91. Go to a movie. 92. Build a clubhouse or a fort. 93. Plant something - start your garden now. It can be food or flowers. 94. Write handwritten letters to family. 95. Read a classic as a family for 20-30 minutes out loud a day. Huck Finn, Little Women, etc. 96. Put on a magic show. 97. Go kayaking. 98. Go see a family-friendly stage play. 99. Visit Cumberland Island. 100.Take a train ride. FREE Annual Pass to National Parks for Active Duty Military As a way of saying thank you to those who are serving our country, all Active Duty Military Members get a FREE Annual Pass to National Parks (an $80 value!). All Active Duty men and women – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves – can get their pass at any national park or wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee by showing their military ID. Each family member will also be able to obtain their own pass even if the service member is deployed or if they are traveling separately. The Annual Park Pass which is valid for one full year will provide access to National Park Service Parks, US Fish & Wildlife Service Lands, Bureau of Reclamation Lands, Bureau of Land Management Lands & USDA Forest Service Locations. Where there are entrance fees, the pass covers the owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at recreation sites that charge per vehicle. At sites where per-person entrance fees are charged, it covers the pass owner and three accompanying adults age 16 and older. There is no entry fee for children 15 and under. Visit Jax4Kids.com to find free events, discounted summer movies, current events, places to go and where kids eat free. Visit crystalandcomp.com for recipes and craft tutorials and more. Important Note: While the pass is not available to veterans and retirees, many of these individuals are eligible for other discounted passes, such as the Senior Pass, granting lifetime access to U.S. citizens over 62 for $10, and the Access Pass granting free lifetime access for permanently disabled U.S. citizens. Modified from: crystalandcomp.com j store.usgs.gov/pass/military.html JUNE 15 - AUGUST 7 8 AM - 5 PM Fun games and hands on projects will allow children to experience the arts. Extended care option. Limited scholarships available. Sign up today! 5 -15 SUMMER savings SAVINGS summer MOVIES CINEMARK TINSELTOWN SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE $1 MOVIES Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am - June 9th through August 13th Tickets are $1 per person or buy tickets to all 10 movies ahead of time for $5. 6/9 & 6/11 Lego Movie 6/16 & 6/18 Dolphin Tale 2 6/23 & 6/25 Mr. Peabody & Sherman 6/30 & 7/1 Penguins of Madagascar 7/7 & 7/9 Night at the Museum: Secret Tomb 7/14 & 7/16 How to Train a Dragon 2 7/21 & 7/23 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked 7/28 & 7/30 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 8/4 & 8/6 Nut Job 8/11 & 8/13 Rio 2 4535 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216 www.cinemark.com REGAL CINEMAS SUMMER MOVIE EXPRESS – $1 MOVIES Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting June 9th at 10 am June 9: Nut Job June 23: Paddington June 10: Annie June 24: Turbo June 16: Earth to Echo June 30: Rio 2 June 17: The Boxtrolls July 1: How to Train Your Dragon 2 July 7: Mr. Peabody & Sherman July 8: The Book of Life July 14: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb July 15: Penguins of Madagascar July 21: Madagascar 3 July 22: Dolphin Tale 2 July 28: Muppets Most Wanted July 29: Alexander and the Very Bad Day August 4: The Lego Movie August 5: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water Regal Avenues Stadium 20, 525 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256 904-538-3889 Regal Beach Boulevard Stadium 18 14051 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32250 904-992-4394 Regal River City Marketplace Stadium 14 12884 City Center Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-757-9862 CARMIKE THEATERS SUMMER KIDS SERIES Thursdays, 10am - June 11 through August 13 $4 Includes popcorn and a drink June 11: Rise of the Guardians June 18: How to Train Your Dragon 2 June 25: Monsters vs Aliens July 2: Croods July 9: Megamind July 16: Shrek Forever After July 23: Marmaduke July 30: The Tooth Fairy August 6: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water August 13: Paddington Coastal Cinemas 10 Carmike 12 96012 Lofton Sq Ct 1820 Town Center Blvd Fleming Island, FL 32003 Yulee, FL 32097 904-321-8615 904-621-0220 MOVIES BY THE BAY June 10-August 12. Free movies each Wednesday throughout the summer at St. Augustine Municipal Marina. The movies are shown at 8:30 pm at the Marina behind Bayfront Mini Golf, 111 Avenida Menendez. Bring beach chair and blanket for comfortable seating by the bay. REGAL CINEMAS SUNDAY VALUE DAY Before 3pm - $6 any age. 3D is $9.50 After 3 pm - $7.50 Adult, $6.50 Child. 3D Films - $11 Adult, $10 Child Regal Beach Blvd Stadium 18 14051 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32250 Regal The Avenues Stadium 20 9525 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32256 Regal River City Marketplace Stadium 14 12884 City Center Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32218 www.regmovies.com SUMMER MOVIE CLASSICS SERIES AT THE FLORIDA THEATRE IS BACK! G, PG and PG-13 options include: June 30: Back to the Future (30th Anniversary) (PG) July 26: Out of Africa (PG) Aug 2: The Color Purple (30th Anniversary) (PG-13) Aug 9: Jaws (40th Anniversary) (PG) Aug 15: Hairspray (25th Anniversary) (PG) Aug 15: Crybaby (25th Anniversary) (PG-13) Aug 23: Fletch (25th Anniversary (PG) Aug 30: Dances with Wolves (25th Anniversary (PG-13) Tickets are $7.50 each but patrons can purchase a Summer Movie Classics Admission Card for $45 that’s good for 10 admissions. The card can be used for multiple admissions to any movie or for a single admission to all 10 movies in the series. Tickets or admission cards can be purchased at the Florida Theatre Box Office at 128 East Forsyth Street, Suite 300, Jacksonville. For more information, go to www.floridatheatre.com or call (904) 355-ARTS. SUMMER MOVIE RELEASES June 12: Jurassic World July 1: Terminator: Genisys July 10: Minions July 17: Ant-Man July 24: Paper Towns July 24: Pixels July 31: Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation August 7: Fantastic Four August 7: Masterminds August 14: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. August 14: Underdogs August 28: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Destiny August 28: War Room BURRELLʼS CAMP CHIPPEWA 3111 Tiger Hole Rd. 32216 904-737-4988 Ages 6-12 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM June 8th - August 21st Summer Day Camp in Southside offering daily swimming, fishing, canoeing, sports, archery, 50ʼ water slide, and field trips! Counselors from England and Australia. Registration is $40 Weekly fee is $145 (lunch included) www.burrellscampchippewa.com 9TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FLIP FLOP DAY June 19, 2pm to 7pm – Tropical Smoothie hosts their 9th Annual National Flip Flop Day. Customers who come in wearing their flip flops, will receive a free 24oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie. Donations will be gratefully accepted for Camp Sunshine, the only retreat in the nation to address the effects of a life threatening illness on every member of the immediate family – the ill child, the parents and the siblings. www.nationalflipflopday.com Dine with us before or after the movies this summer! •10” Pizza, Panini & Chopped Salads – choose from 40+ toppings – bakes in less than 5 minutes! •Kids Eat FREE Monday nights •Perfect for Girls’ Night Out too! •Enjoy FREE Dessert Pie when you pre-‐book birthday parRes YOUR PIE Fleming Island (near Carmike Cinemas) 1545 CR 220 • In the Winn Dixie Center • 904.375.9771 Contact Us At: [email protected] Page 15 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 YOUR PIE Southside (near Tinseltown) 4828 Deer Lake Dr W • Near III Forks in Tapestry Park • 904.375.0155 Contact Us At: [email protected] JUNE/JULY 2015 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 15 summer savings Blueberry Picking A trip to a local U-pick farm makes a fun family outing. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine while choosing the best quality fruits and vegetables at the peak of ripeness and studies show kids will be more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables if they have a hand in the harvest. Some of the more popular U-pick crops in Florida include blueberries, strawberries, grapes, peaches, citrus, sweet corn, and tomatoes. Blueberries are typically ripe for picking from the end of May through end of June and Muscadine grapes late August through September. According to most area farmers, blueberries will be ready earlier in the season this year so plan this outing for early in the summer. Dress comfortably for your trip to the farm. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent, and wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet. Remember to bring your own containers for picking in case the farm does not provide them. Once you’ve picked your berries, our friends at Ron’s Blueberries in Palatka offer these tips for enjoying your berries. Don’t freeze blueberries and grapes when they’re wet. Do package them in Ziploc bags and they’ll last up to a year in the freezer. Blueberries will freeze individually so you can remove just the portion you need. You can find recipes, cooking tips and more at blueberrycouncil.org. Listed below are U-pick farms closest to our area. Keep in mind that weather conditions and customer demand can determine the supply of fruits and vegetables. Before visiting a farm, call the farm directly to confirm availability, as well as days and hours of operation. BLACKBERRY HILL FARM 2995 Thunder Rd., Middleburg, FL 32068 Phone: (904) 264-2039 BERRY BAY FARM 20256 NE 114th Ave., Waldo, FL 32694 Phone: (352) 468-2205 Email: [email protected] JOHN’S BLUEBERRIES 7839 SW 126th Ave., Lake Butler, FL 32054 Open seven days a week until July 31 7 a.m. to dark Phone: (386) 496-1747 HIGH SPRINGS ORCHARD 10804 NW State Rd. 45, High Springs, FL 32643 By appointment only Phone: (352) 222-1343 Vacation Bible School July 27-31 8:45 am - 12 pm Free HILDA’S U-PICK BLUEBERRIES 332 NE Chamomile Way, Madison, FL 32340 Phone: (850) 973-8592 Ages 3 (by 9/1/14) through (just completed) 5th Grade. RED, WHITE AND BLUES FARM 3250 NE 140th Ave., Williston, FL 32696 Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open some Sundays, call ahead Phone: (352) 529-0594 RON’S BLUEBERRIES 123 S. Providence Church Rd., Palatka, FL 32177 June through August Daily, sunrise to sunset Phone: (386) 328-3909 ROONEY’S FRONT PORCH FARM 8611 47th Dr., Live Oak, FL 32060 Mid-May to July Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to sunset Sunday, 5 p.m. to sunset Phone: (386) 963-5037 SOUTH MOON FARMS 15912 S. Rd. 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640 Weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: (352) 466-8043 Blueberries TRANQUILITY HILLS FARM 6378 SW Rd. 791, Lake Butler, FL 32054 Call for availability and days of operation. Phone: (386) 496-2379 j C&J’S BLUEBERRY VINEYARD freshfromflorida.com 16319 Rd. 132, Live Oak, FL 32060 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone: (386) 216-3362 “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” – Mary Oliver To register call (904) 725-2500 www.pbcjax.org SHARE THE FUN! TAKE A PHOTO Now Accepting Infants – 5th Grade Beginning August 24, 2015 UPLOAD IT VIa Instagram, Facebook or Twitter TAG IT #jax4kidsFamilyFun One winner will be drawn monthly to receive four one day passes to Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island Waterpark! FOLLOW US @jax4kids @aljaxbeach @adventurelandingjaxbeach *ABEKA Curriculum *Small Classes *Loving Teachers *Quality Education *Reasonable Prices We follow Duval County Public School Calendar. Preschool & Free VPK 9 am - 12 pm Kindergarten - 5th 9 am - 2 pm Before/After School Enrichment Program 7 am - 6 pm McKay & Step Up Scholarships DCF# C04DU0329 (904) 721-2719 7900 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL Page 16 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 SUMMER SAVINGS THEATRE & ARTS FREE SUMMER THEATRE Presented by Theaterworks DOUG BERKY’S “FOIBLES, FABLES & IMASKINATIONS” Wednesday, June 17, 11am and 1pm The Florida Theatre -128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, 32202 Mask and physical theatre artist Doug Berky’s new large mask theatre production presents stories for children and family audiences including “The Tiger’s Whisker,” a Korean folktale about healing; “Simple Gifts,” a French story; and a Jataka Tale from India, “The Crocodile and the Monkey.” THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Monday-Thursday, June 22, 23, 24 & 25 11am and 1pm each day Jacksonville Library Main Branch - 303 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, 32202 Take a wild ride with Mr. Toad and his friends Ratty & Mole in this adaption of Kenneth Grahame’s classic book for children. Toad desperately wants a motor-car, & he will go to any lengths to get one. Audience Participation & Music help to tell the story of Toad’s adventures. DOUG BERKY’S “NO SHOW” Thursday, June 18, 11am and 1pm The Florida Theatre - 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, 32202 Doug combines the classic performance arts of mime, mask theater, and physical comedy into his performance of No Show. A performance has been scheduled, but the actor fails to show. Or does he? What will happen when a lone spectator finds himself unwittingly on stage? Doug is transformed into several characters ranging from a gorilla to a ballerina as he explores the props and masks on stage. Audiences experience a variety of theatre forms: mime, mask theater, circus arts, and storytelling in this hilarious performance for the whole family. CINDERELLA AT THE SOCK HOP Wednesday & Thursday, July 8 & 9 11am and 1pm each day Friday Musicale - 645 Oak St., Jacksonville, 32204 Rock around the clock till midnight with Cindy in this 50’s style musical version of the classic story. This high energy show is adaptable to a variety of performance environments. Perfect for Festivals. Please call 353-3500 for reservations. BITS ‘N PIECES PUPPET THEATER RIP VAN WINKLE June 23, 9:30am to 10:30am The Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theater returns to the THCA with its original adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic Rip Van Winkle. All tickets are $8. Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts 904-276-6750 283 College Dr, Orange Park, FL 32073 www.thcenter.org 12000 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 www.alhambrajax.com SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL June 24 – August 2 See Seussical the Musical Live, on stage at The Alhambra Theatre and Dining. Get a family four pack for the special low price of $145 (plus tax and gratuity) available by calling the box office at 641-1212. There are special, kid-friendly meals and earlier show times for this show. Saturday Matinee – 1:15 Sunday Matinee – 2:00 Tuesday through Sunday Evening – 7:30pm 904-641-1212 June 15 - August 14, 2015 K-5th grade www.seacoastchristianacademy.com • 562-4780 6TH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S ART SHOW June 9th from 6pm to 8pm. Children’s Art Classes holds a Student Art Show each year. FREE and open to the public! Held at 11250 Old St. Augustine Rd. A109, Jacksonville, FL 32257. www.childrensartclasses.com MOCA MOCA offers discounts to students, military and children under 2 years old. Free admission on Art Walk Wednesday evenings (5pm-9pm) Free admission on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month to Bank Of America card holders. Free admission to Regions Bank card holders on Sundays. Free Admission for Military Members Memorial Day through Labor Day through the Blue Star Museums program to active duty military, including Reserves and National Guard, and their immediate family members during the summer. FREE ADMISSION TO THE CUMMER Children 5 and under free everyday. Free Tuesdays – Every Tuesday from 4pm to 9 pm. Free admission for all the first Saturday of each month, 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission for Bank of America and Merrill Page 17 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Lynch cardholders the first full weekend of each month. Free admission for military families Memorial Day through Labor Day, offered though the Blue Star Museum program. BLUE STARS MUSEUMS A collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day, May 25, 2015 through Labor Day, September 7, 2015. Participating Museums include: Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens Mandarin Museum & Historical Society Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Lightner Museum The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum Session A June 15July 10 2015 Session B July 20August 14 2015 Camp Theatre Jacksonville 2015 For more info: (904) 396-4425 or www.theatrejax.com JUNE/JULY 2015 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17 Volleyball Association VOLLEY STARS CAMP SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4 JUNE 8-10 JUNE 22-24 JULY 6-8 JULY 20-22 ALL SKILLS CAMP 95 PER SESSION 9AM-12PM This camp focuses on motor skills such as volleyball movement, jumping and throwing. Campers will learn basic volleyball skills and work with a light ball. (T-shirt included) AGES 9-12 260 per session (FULL WEEK) 165 per session (3 DAY OPTION - MONDAY THRU WEDNESDAY) 110 per session (2 DAY OPTION - THURSDAY & FRIDAY) SESSION 1 JUNE 8-12 JUNE 8-10 (3 DAY OPTION) JUNE 11-12 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 3 JULY 6-10 JULY 6-8 (3 DAY OPTION) JULY 9-10 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 2 JUNE 22-26 JUNE 22-24 (3 DAY OPTION) JUNE 25-26 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 4 JULY 20-24 JULY 20-22 (3 DAY OPTION) JULY 23-24 (2 DAY OPTION) AGES 13-16 9AM-4PM AGES 5-8 SESSION 1 JUNE 15-19 JUNE 15-17 (3 DAY OPTION) JUNE 18-19 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 3 JULY 13-17 JULY 13-15 (3 DAY OPTION) JULY 16-17 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 2 JUNE 29-JULY 1 (3 DAY OPTION) JUNE 29-30 (2 DAY OPTION) SESSION 4 JULY 27-31 JULY 27-29 (3 DAY OPTION) JULY 30-31 (2 DAY OPTION) Campers will receive instructional training from JJVA’s most experienced Coaches on the six fundamental volleyball skills. Campers have the choice to attend two days, three days, or five days per session. (T-shirt included) Note: JJVA does not have a cafeteria. Campers will need to bring their lunch. EVENING SKILLS SESSIONS MONDAYS - THURSDAYS IN JULY AGE 13-15: 5-6:30 PM HIGH SCHOOL TEAM CAMP JULY 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 AGE 16-18: 6:30-8 PM JULY 31 5-8 PM & AUGUST 1 9 AM - 4 PM FALL TRAIN AND PLAY (TAP) STARTS AUGUST 3RD For your convenience JJVA will be offering Extended Care from 8-9 am and 4-5 pm: Extended Day includes: arts & crafts, movies and other fun activities. 1 HOUR $10/DAY 2 HOURS $20/DAY BEACH VOLLEYBALL STARTING SOON! FOR SESSIONS, REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT JJVA.COM/HOME/BEACH REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE AT WWW.JJVA.COM 904.854.2323 WE’RE ON FACEBOOK 6773 PHILIPS INDUSTRIAL LANE Page 18 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 SUMMER SAVINGS WATER FUN AREA WATERPARKS & SPLASH PARKS ADVENTURE LANDING 1944 Beach Blvd (U.S. 90) Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 904-246-4386 www.adventurelanding.com/parks/ jacksonville-beach ST. MARYS AQUATIC CENTER 301 Herb Bauer Drive St. Marys, GA 31558 912-673-8118 www.stmarysga.gov HANNA PARK KIDS SPLASH PARK Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32233 904-249-4700 Open Memorial Day through Labor Day www.coj.net JACKSONVILLE ZOO & GARDENS PLAY PARK & SPLASH GROUND 370 Zoo Parkway Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-757-4463 www.jacksonvillezoo.org SOUTH BEACH PARK & SUNSHINE PLAYGROUND / SPLASH PAD Osceola Avenue and South Beach Parkway Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 www.jacksonvillebeach.org SUMMER WAVES WATER PARK 210 South Riverview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527 912-635-2074 www.jekyllisland.com/summer-waves ST. JOHNS COUNTY OCEAN PIER & SPLASH PARK 350 A1A Beach Blvd St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 904-209-0326 www.co.st-johns.fl.us JACKSONVILLE WATER TAXI RIDES Stops at: Northbank Riverwalk at The Jacksonville Landing Southbank Riverwalk at Friendship Fountain Southbank Riverwalk at Wyndham Hotel Metropolitan Park Marina* *Only a designated water taxi stop during football games at Everbank Stadium One way and all day fees available. Fares: Adults - $7 Children 3 - 12 years of age - $5 Children under 3 years of age – Free ST. JOHNS RIVER FERRY 4610 Ocean Street, Atlantic Beach, FL The St. Johns River Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A in Duval County, linking Mayport Village and Fort George Island via a pleasant sail across the St. Johns River. The 0.9 mile voyage crosses the St. Johns River 2.5 miles inland of the river’s mouth and departs every half hour. Ferry Schedule: FROM MAYPORT VILLAGE TO FT. GEORGE ISLAND Monday – Friday: 6:00 am, 6:30 am, 7:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 7:00 pm. Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am, 7:30 am, 8:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 8:30 pm. FROM FT. GEORGE ISLAND TO MAYPORT VILLAGE Monday – Friday: 6:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 7:15 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and the quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 8:45 pm. The ferry operates every day, including holidays. RATES: Pedestrian/Bicycle - $1.00 Motorcycle - $5.00 Vehicles under 20-feet in length (Cars/Vans/ Trucks) - $6.00 Busses/RV’s - $20.00 Vehicles 20-feet in length or longer - $10.00 Coupon Book (20 Crossings) *Vehicles under 20-feet in length - $85.00 Weekends Only Additional vehicle occupants $1.00 each Driver and children five and under: no charge Kids’ day June 6 fun activities for children of all ages! Every Saturday Rain or Shine • March thru December • 10 AM-4 PM Parking & admission are always FREE! Presented by riversideartsmarket.com 715 Riverside Avenue Under the Canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge Page 19 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 JUNE/JULY 2015 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 19 SUMMER SAVINGS KIDS BOWL FREE 92 AT THE ZOO BRUSTER’S ICE CREAM Kids Bowl Free all summer long at participating bowling centers. Registered kids receive 2 free games of bowling daily. From July 6th through August 31st, any day the temperature reaches 92 degrees or higher, admission will be half price with coupon. A coupon will be posted after 4pm the day before on the Jacksonville Zoo website. www.jacksonvillezoo.org Children 40” and below receive a free baby cone with purchase of another ice cream treat at Bruster’s Ice Cream. Any day, any time, any flavor. 12224 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 11701 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 Argyle Forest at Oakleaf Town Center www.brusters.com Anastasia Bowling Lanes through October 31 - Ages 18 & under Beach Bowl through August 31 Ages 15 & under Nassau Bowling Center through September 1 - Ages 15 & under Batt Family Fun Center through September 8 - Ages 15 & under Standard shoe rates apply. Must register kids online at www.kidsbowlfree.com. See participating bowling center’s kidsbowlfree.com web page for available days and times. SEAWORLD ORLANDO OFFERS FREE PASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS Kids 5 and younger at time of redemption can enjoy Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando for free through December 31, 2015. Does not include free parking, separately ticketed events or other discounts. Online registration required. Enjoy Sesame Street Safari of Fun at Busch Gardens and all the sights and splashes of SeaWorld. Valid for Florida Residents only. Must present voucher and valid form of ID at ticket window to receive Preschool Pass. WAVES OF HONOR Active military personal and up to three direct dependents get free admission to either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens once per year. Waves of Honor was established to allow active military returning from deployment to enjoy time together as a family. All military families can purchase discounted tickets from NAS Jax and Mayport or online at www.WavesofHonor.com. CALL US TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE BOAT RIDE! PICNIC IN A PARK THIS SUMMER Research shows that children who are exposed to nature are better able to deal with bullying, have more robust immune systems and view the world in a more holistic manner. Picnic in a park this summer! Visit the official Florida State Parks Pinterest Board for fun and easy meal and game ideas. Then check out all of the picnicking opportunities available at Florida State Parks and Trails. Finally, pack a lunch, head out and build some memories. https://floridastateparks.org/things-todo/activities SLINKEE’S OPEN PLAY FOR $7 Monday - Thursday 11 - 5 Friday & Saturday 11 - 7 , Sunday 12 - 6 (904) 260-0022 • www.slinkees.net • • • NO, maintenance, cleaning or hassles. Get access to over 800 boats and over 85 clubs throughout the United States. Create fun memories with your family and friends 2 LOCATIONS: JULINGTON CREEK & ST. AUGUSTINE JOIN THE CLUB CALL 904.309.1909 www.FreedomBoatClub.com Page 20 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Clay County School News School Summer Camps Offer Something for Everyone The Clay County Schools Community Education division is sponsoring a series of summer camps at county schools and other sites throughout the summer. Themes will include science, sports, robotics, music, drama, art and more. For more information and to register go to the website www.oneclay.net then click on Community then Community Classes. You may also visit Community Education, Building 17, Orange Park Annex at Adult and Community Education and register in person. Adult and Community Education, 2306 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, phone (904) 2728170. Building 2, Room 40. Session One: June 15-18. Session Two: June 29- July 2. Both sessions will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon. Fee: $41 per session. High gym and the soccer field. LAKE ASBURY ELEMENTARY ROBOTICS CAMP FOR GRADES 3-6 Students will be introduced to LEGO robotics and will learn how to successfully complete challenges while working together as a team. W. E. CHERRY ELEMENTARY SUMMER MUSIC CAMP With free use of instruments, students will be given instruction in playing guitar, violin and world drums each day. They will participate in fun, creative musical activities that include singing games, writing songs and jamming on musical instruments with other young musicians. The camp will be held at the Lake Asbury Elementary, Computer Labs 601 and 629. Session One: June 15-18, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. SCIENCE DISCOVERY CAMP FOR GRADES 1-6 Session Two: June 15-18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Science Discovery Camp, a coed summer science Session Three: July 13-16, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. camp serving children in grades 1-6 (these are Session Four: July 13-16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the grades that the child will be entering fall of Fee: $31 per session. 2015), is an opportunity to explore and experience the fascinating world of science through a PLANTATION OAKS ELEMENTARY TEAM variety of hands on, highly interactive activities in SPORTS/ROBOTICS SUMMER CAMP FOR a unique outdoor setting at the North Fork Lead- GRADES 3-5 ership Center, 4375 Lazy Acres Road, MiddleFor the first three hours the participants will be burg. Participants will also be able to experience doing team sports outside. The sports will be canoeing, hiking, swimming, and archery. The kickball, soccer, basketball and hockey. InstrucNorth Fork Leadership Center counselors will be tion and rules will take an hour. In the remaining working side by side with Clay County Science time the student will fine tune his or her skill and teachers in this innovative outdoor program. Send understanding by participating in the sport. Lunch the kids with a lunch, they’ll do the rest! break is after team sports. Please bring a sack The Science Discovery Camp day runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sessions: July 13-17 and July 20-24 Fee: $150 per week For parents with longer work days: Before care from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Fee: $20/week. After care from 4 to 6 p.m. Fee: $25/week. GATOR ROBOTICS CAMP FOR GRADES 3-6 Students will explore building and programming Lego EV3 Robots. They will also see examples of the use of robotics in everyday life and explore careers in robotics. The camp will be held at Lakeside Junior High, lunch. The remaining time will be inside with LEGO robotics. Student will learn how to build and move robots to do certain tasks. They will participate in groups moving their robots through obstacles and tackling challenges. The camp will be held in the Plantation Oaks Elementary Physical Education Building. Session One: June 22-25. Session Two: June 29-July 2. Both sessions will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fee: $62 per session. LAKE ASBURY JUNIOR HIGH SPORTS CAMPS FOR GRADES 5-8 The camps will be held at the Lake Asbury Junior CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS CALENDAR 2015-2016 Monday, August 10................................................................................................... First Day, Teacher Wednesday, August 12.........................................................................................District Inservice Day Monday, August 17..................................................................................................First Day, Students Monday, September 7....................................................................Labor Day, Student/Teacher Holiday Friday, October 9.............................................................................. End First Grading Period (39 days) Monday, October 12................................................................................Planning Day/Student Holiday Wednesday, November 11....................................................... Veterans’ Day, Student/Teacher Holiday Monday, November 23 thru Friday, November 27.................... Thanksgiving, Student/Teacher Holidays Friday, December 18................................................................... End Second Grading Period (43 days) Monday, December 21, thru Friday, Jan. 1........ Christmas/New Year’s Break, Student/Teacher Holidays Monday, January 4.................................................................................Planning Day/Student Holiday Page 21 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Session One: Co-ed track and field, July 6-9. Session Two: Co-ed soccer, July 13-16. Both sessions will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee: $52 per session. The camp will be held at W. E. Cherry Elementary, Room P43. Session One for 3rd and 4th graders: June 1525. Session Two for 5th and 6th graders: July 13-23. Both sessions will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon. Fee: $83 per session, breakfast and lunch included. ARGYLE ELEMENTARY SUMMER DRAMA CAMP FOR GRADES 1-6 Session One, Cinderella – A Modern Makeover: July 13-23. Session two, Little Red Riding Hood: July 27 - Aug. 6. Both sessions will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon. Fee: $83 per session. (There will be an additional $35 fee due to teacher at the first class for art supplies, performance scripts, cd with music and a camp t-shirt.) RIDGEVIEW ELEMENTARY SUMMER DRAMA CAMP FOR GRADES 1-6 The program will consist of drama, art (props and costumes) and music. It will held in the Ridgeview Elementary cafeteria. Little Red Riding Hood: July 13-23, Monday through Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m. Fee: $83. (There will be an additional $35 fee due to teacher at the first class for art supplies, performance scripts, cd with music and a camp t-shirt.) PLANTATION OAKS ELEMENTARY SUMMER ART CAMP Students will practice, understand and talk about art from master artists of the past. They will reflect and apply learned techniques within their own art productions. They will be introduced to various art techniques and methods of painting and produce works of art. The camp will be held at Plantation Oaks Elementary, Room 608. Session One: June 22-25, 8 to 11 a.m. Session Two: June 22-25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Session Three: June 29-July 2, 8 to 11 a.m. Session Four: June 29-July 2, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fee: $31 per session. (There will be an additional $10 supply fee due to teacher at first day of camp.) FLEMING ISLAND ELEMENTARY ART CAMP FOR GRADES 1-6 Student will explore self-expression through various mediums including painting, drawing and sculpture as they delve into the elements and vocabulary of art. The camp will be held at Fleming Island Elementary. Session One: June 15-25, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon. Session Two: June 15-25, Monday through Thursday, noon to 3 p.m. Session Three: July 20-30, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon. Session Four: July 30-30, Monday through Thursday, noon to 3 p.m. Fee: $62 per session. (There will be an additional $20 art supply fee due to teacher at first class.) Connect with us! Tuesday, January 5................................................................................ Inservice Day/Student Holiday Wednesday, January 6................................................................................. Students Return to School Monday, January 18.................................................. Martin Luther King Day, Student/Teacher Holiday Monday, February 15............................................................ Presidents’ Day, Student/Teacher Holiday Monday, March 14 through Friday, March 18...........................Spring Break, Student/Teacher Holidays Monday, March 21....................................................................................... Students Return to School Friday, March 25......................................................................... Good Friday, Student/Teacher Holiday Friday, April 1.................................................................................. End Third Grading Period (55 days) Monday, April 4.........................................................................Planning Day/Fair Day, Student Holiday Monday, May 30.................................................... Memorial Day (Observed), Student/Teacher Holiday Friday, June 3.......................................................... Last Day, Students (4th Grading Period – 43 days) Monday, June 6...............................................................................Last Day, Teachers – Planning Day GRADUATION: May 27 Page 22 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 Just Read, Florida! 2015 Summer Recommended Reading List Grades K-3 • A Day in the Life of Murphy, Alice Provensen • A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder, Walter Wick • Actual Size, Steve Jenkins • Ants, Melissa Stewart • Ape Escapes!: And More True Stories of Animals Behaving Badly, Aline Alexander Newman • Aunt Flossie’s Hats, Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard • Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!, Geoffrey Hayes • Big Wolf and Little Wolf, Nadine Brun-Cosme • Buffy the Burrowing Owl, Betty Gilbert • Buster, Denise Fleming • Christian, the Hugging Lion, Justine Richardson and Peter Parnell • Count Down to Fall, Fran Hawk • Daddy & I, Eloise Greenfield • Deep in the Swamp, Donna Bateman • Diary of a Worm, Doreen Cronin • Dino-Dinners, Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom • Discovery in the Cave, Mark Dubowski • Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown • Fly Danny, Fly, Chip Gilbertson, Gina Restivo, and Michelle Kendrich • Frog and Toad Together, Arnold Lobel • Gracias *Thanks, Pat More • Hi! Fly Guy, Tedd Arnold • Hot City, Barbara Joosse • How People Learned to Fly, Fran Hodgkins and True Kelley • How to Eat Fried Worms, Thomas Rockwell • I Always, Always Get My Way, Thad Krasnesky • Iggy Peck Architect, Andrea Beaty and David Roberts • Jitterbug Jam, Barbara Jean Hicks • Leaf Jumpers, Carole Gerber • Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, Katheryn Russell-Brown and Frank Morrison • Little Skink’s Tail, Janet Halfmann • My Name is Yoon, Helen Recorvits • No, David!, David Shannon • Noisy Paint Box, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPre • Ocean Hide and Seek, Jennifer Evans Kramer • Polar Slumber, Dennis Rockhill • Poppleton in Winter, Cynthia Rylant • River of Dreams: The Story of the Hudson River, Hudson Talbott • Rosie Revere Engineer, Andrea Beaty and David Roberts • She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader, J.G. Annino • Sheep in a Jeep, Nancy Shaw • The BFG, Roald Dahl • The Chicken Sisters, Laura Joffe Numeroff • The Most Magnificent Thing, Ashley Spires • The Napping House, Audrey and Dan Wood • The Secret Olivia Told Me, N. Joy • The Story of Ruby Bridges, Robert Coles • Twas the Day Before Zoo Day, Catherine Ipcizade • What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page • What Pet Should I Get?, Dr. Seuss • Wonder Horse, Emily Arnold McCully Grades 4-5 • A Faraway Island, Annika Thor • A History of US, Joy Hakim • A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home, Henry Cole • A Snicker of Magic, Natalie Lloyd • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll • AQUIFERioius, Margaret Ross Tolbert • Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson • Bud, Not Buddy, Christopher Paul Curtis • Chasing Redbird, Sharon Creech • Dare to Dream! Carl Sommer • Discovering Mars, Melvin Berger • Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World’s Best-Kept Secrets, John Farndon • Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society, Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, and Laurie Myers • Eidi, Bodil Bredsdorff • Elijah of Buxton, Christopher Paul Curtis • Extreme Pets! Jane Harrington • Heroes for My Son, Brad Meltzer • Hurricanes: Earth’s Mightiest Storms, Patricia Lauber • Inside Out & Back Again, Thanhha Lai • Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O’Dell • Jason and Elihu, Shelley Frazer Mickle • Just Being Audrey, Margaret Cardillo • Life Under Ice, Mary M. Cerullo • My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George • Number the Stars, Lois Lowry • Princess Academy, Shannon Hale • Quest for the Tree Kangaroo, Sy Montgomery • Riddle-iculous Math, Joan Holub • Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan • Search for the Shadowman, Joan Lowery Nixon • See What You Can Be: Explore Careers That Could Be for You! Diane Heiman, and Liz Suneby • The Birchbark House, Louise Erdrich • The Black Stallion, Walter Farley • The Indian in the Cupboard, Lynne Reid Banks • The Underneath, Kathi Appelt • This One Summer, Mariko Tamaki • Viva Frida, Yuyi Morales Page 23 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 • Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Grace Lin • Whittington, Alan Armstrong • Who Has Seen the Wind? Christina G. Rossetti • Zlateh the Goat, Isaac Bashevis Singer Grades 6-8 • A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story, Linda Sue Park • A Long Way from Chicago, Richard Peck • Any Which Wall, Laurel Snyder, • Artemis Fowl: the Arctic Incident, Eoin Colfer • Brave New World, Aldous Huxley • Breaking Stalin’s Nose, Eugene Yelchin • Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson • Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson • Carver: a Life in Poems, Marilyn Nelson • Dead End in Norvelt, Jack Gantos • Dragonwings, Laurence Yep • Eragon, Christopher Paolini • Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini, Sid Fleischman • Esperanza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan • Fire From the Rock, Sharon Draper • Flush, Carl Hiaasen • Football Genius, Tim Green • Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Russell Freedman • Gifted Hands: The Story of Ben Carson, Ben Carson • Heart of a Samurai, Margi Preus • Hugo Cabret, Brian Schnick • If I Ever Get Out of Here, Eric Gansworth • Leverage, Joshua Cohen • Little Women, Louisa May Alcott • Lockdown, Walter Dean Myers • Lost in the River of Grass, Ginny Rorby • Magnificent Voyage: An American Adventurer on Captain James Cook’s Final Expedition, Laurie Lawlor • Mockingbird, (Mok’ing;buerd), Kathryn Erkine • Moon over Manifest, Clare Vanderpool • My Left Foot, Christy Brown • Never Fall Down, Patricia McCormic • Old Yeller, Fred Gipson • One Crazy Summer, Rita WilliamsGarcia • Peter and the Starcatchers, Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson • Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia, Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop • Scat, Carl Hiaasen • Slob, Ellen Potter • Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood, Ibtisam Barakat • The Anybodies, N.E. Bode, • The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan • The Lost Hero, Richard Riordan • The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins, Bea Uusma Schyffert • The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost • The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Avi • The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White • The View from Saturday, E.L. Konigsburg • The Wednesday Wars, Gary D. Schmidt • The Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and Her Famous Brothers, Richard Maurer • Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson • Turtle in Paradise, Jennifer Holm • Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammed Ali, Charles R. Smith • Waiting for Normal, Leslie Connor • Wangari’s Tree of Peace, Jeanette Winter • When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature’s Balance in Yellowstone, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent • Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls • Wild Things, Clay Carmichael Grades 9-12 • A Separate Peace, John Knowles • Adventurer’s Against Their Will, Joanie Schirm • All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque • Allegiant, Veronica Roth • Bunheads, Flack, Sophie • Cloaked, Alex Flinn • Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers, Tanya Lee Stone • Darius & Twig, Walter Dean Myers • Divergent, Veronica Roth • Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card • Fat Angie, E. E. Charlton-Trujillo • Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, Kate Dicamillo • Florida Cowboys, Carlton Ward Jr. • Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, Ben Carson • Imaginary Enemy, Julie Gonzalez • Insurgent, Veronica Roth • Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft, Thor Heyerdahl • Looking for the New Deal, Elna C. Green • Marcelo in the Real World, Francisco Stork • Money Hungry, Sharon Flake • Monster, Walter Dean Myers • Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein, Susan Goldman Rubin • Night, Elie Wiesel • November Blues, Sharon Draper • P.S. Be Eleven, Rita Williams Garcia • Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators: More Stories about Real Florida, Jeff Klinkenberg • Poof: A Play, David Auburn • Resurrecting Lazarus, Texas, Nathan Barber • Reubin O’D. Askew and the Golden Age of Florida Politics, Martin A. Dyckman • Rose Under Fire, Elizabeth Wein • Silent Spring, Rachel Carson • Solomon, Marilyn B. Shaw • Southern Comforts: Rooted in a Florida Place, Sudye Cauthen • Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science, Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos • Taken, Edward Bloor • The Book Thief, Markus Zusak • The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope, William Kamkwamba • The Carnival at Bray, Jessie Ann Foley • The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death, JeanDominque Bauby • The Everglades: River of Grass, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas • The First Hollywood Florida and the Golden Age of Silent Filmmaking, Shawn Bean • The Great Wide Sea, M. H. Herlong • The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story, Richard Preston • The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros • The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery, Steve Sheinkin • The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway • The Real Question, Adrian Fogelin • The Shakespeare Stealer, Gary Blackwood • The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell • The Yearling, Marjorie K. Rawlings • Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe • This One Summer, Clare Vanderpool • Through Her Eyes, Jennifer Archer • We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success, Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, and Sharon Draper • Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way), Sue Macy • When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead • Whispers from the Bay, John Tkac • Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland, Sally M. Walker St. Johns County School District News American Youth Character Awards (AYCA) Banquet CHARACTER COUNTS! is a countywide initiative involving the St. Johns County School District, community organizations, law enforcement and local government and businesses. Private schools have also adopted the program. Ninetyfour St. Johns County high school juniors and seniors have been recognized for good character. Nominees were evaluated on the influence of six pillars of character in their daily lives, particularly in overcoming obstacles, making good choices, generosity, caring and commitment to community service. Junior Honorees Bartram Trail – Sofia DiMartino, Michael Durnin, Nigel Greene, Anthony Kerr, Adam Pol, Matthew Solof, Renata Verduzco-Cantero and Chloe Zador Creekside – Meti Alemayehu, Isaiah De Leon, Olivia Garrett, Lindsey Ginter, Grayson Hendryx, Kalila Taylor, Owen Wheeler and River Williams Pedro Menendez – Abigail Blocker, Brooke Brush, Austin Griffin, Hannah Kilbride, Cody Lewis, Jessica McCloud, Jasraj Raghuwanshi and Wesley Vierck Allen D. Nease – Ember Dietrich, Michaela Heinrich, Divya Mahesh, Jacob Sanders, Marcus Sanders, Chloe Ways, Brent Whiting and Jordan Willis Ponte Vedra – Emily Grace Alfaro, Chloe Barr, Josh Carney, Ryan Dowd, Sean Mann, Ilana Newman, Will O’Hara and Abby Zitiello St. Augustine – Samuel Bodo, Erica Dixon, Emma Gross, Caitlyn Hutchings, Tiajha Oxendine, Rebecca Roberts, Bailey Smith and Chelsea Winningham St. Johns Technical – Parker DeMent St. Joseph Academy – Tony Bonura, Ja’Kobi Dasher and Sophia Williar Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind – Kendall Younkman and Quinn Delong St. Johns Virtual School – Elizabeth Green Beacon of Hope Christian School – Caitlyn Pettway Senior Honorees Bartram Trail – Caitlyn Babcock, Cody Comernisky, Emily Sirotkin and Michelle Terrell Creekside – Connor Bradley, Chase Creamer, Logan Leonard and Aisling Ryan Pedro Menendez – Dominique Bordley, Elizabeth Colvin, Breanna Miller and Taylor Turner Allen D. Nease – Drashti Brahmbhatt, David New Principals Named at Five County Schools Several personnel changes and appointments have taken place within the St. Johns County School District. The new appointments will become effective July 1, pending School Board approval. principal of Timberlin Creek Elementary. Hemingway has been with the district for two years. With more than 15 years of experience spent in Fairfax County, VA; Pasco County, FL; Fulton County, GA and St. Tammany Parish, LA., she began her career as a teacher and served as a literacy coach, reading specialist, curriculum coordinator and an assistant principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University in GA, and a master’s degree in Reading and a certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. principal at four different elementary schools. He spent five years as principal of Zellwood Elementary School in Orange County and also has prior experience as a middle and high school teacher. Dong, Schayne Fox and Tyler Tharp Ponte Vedra – Edward Famularo, Tom Snyder, Sara Touchan and Rachel Winer St. Augustine – Emily Bennett, Tresca Esguerra, Justin Roberts and Hollis Washburn St. Johns Technical – Dametria Floyd St. Joseph Academy – Ethan Maronel Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind – Christopher Langston and Wes Homewood St. Johns Virtual School – Scheherazade Guzzo Beacon of Hope Christian School – DeAnthony Johnson Pursuing Victory With Honor – Colleen Openshaw, CHS; Ryan Aponte, SAHS; Wes Homewood, FSDB; Amy Costeira, PMHS; Alexander Short, NHS; Brandon Chiedo, BTHS; Morgan Podany, PVHS; Winner – Thompson Hinman, St. Joseph Academy. Each senior honoree received a check for $400. secondary educational program and goals through the development, planning and implementation of curriculum, professional development, school improvement initiatives, and administration evaluation. With a bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Graham also holds master and doctoral degrees from Nova Southeastern University. Kelley replaces Cathy Hutchins who will join the district office as the new associate superintenNigel Pillay dent for human resources. Hutchins replaces Nigel Pillay, an assistant Brennan Asplen, who has been selected as the principal at Pedro Menendeputy superintendent for academic and student dez High School, has been services. Asplen replaces Martha Mickler who will named the new principal of Chris Phelps move into the newly added position of assistant Otis A. Mason Elementary And Chris Phelps, assistant principal at Bartram superintendent. School. Pillay was selected Trail High School, has been selected to be the as the district’s 2014principal of the school. Phelps will replace Dawn DeArmas Graham 2015 Assistant Principal Sapp, who has been In other appointments, Dr. DeArmas Graham, of the Year and was also named as a finalist for named associate superindirector of Secondary Education for the Nassau the state. He has over 14 years of combined tendent for curriculum Hemmingway replaces Christine Stephan who County School Board, has been selected to be educational experience in St. Johns and Seminole will join district administration as the director of services. Phelps began his principal of St. Augustine High School. counties, serving as a classroom teacher, instruc- elementary education. career with the St. Johns Graham will replace tional coach and an assistant principal. Pillay County School District in Cathy Mittelstadt who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of 1986 at Allen D. Nease Randy Kelly has been selected as Central Florida and a master’s degree from Nova Randy Kelley, director of professional developHigh School where he associate superintendent Southeastern University. Pillay will replace Kim served as a teacher for for student support ment, has been named the new principal of South Dixon who will assume the position of director of Woods Elementary School. Kelley previously services. Graham has 20 geography and U.S. history, dean of students and instructional resources and media services. In her the athletic director. In 2000, he joined Bartram served as principal at Otis A. years of experience in new role, Dixon will oversee textbooks, instrucTrail High as the assistant principal and head basMason and Liberty Pines Duval and Nassau tional technology, media specialists and school ketball coach. Phelps has a bachelor’s degree counties which includes Academy and has more than from Tri-State University and a master’s degree library needs plus continue facilitating digital roles as a teacher at 25 years in education. from Eastern Michigan University in Educational instructional delivery in schools. Before joining St. Johns Fletcher Middle School; assistant principal at County, he had nine years of Mayport Middle, Fernandina High and Yulee High Leadership. Traci Hemmingway schools; principal at Yulee High School. As experience as an adminisTraci Hemingway, assistant principal at Pacetti director of secondary education, he was respontrator in Florida, including Follow us on Twitter Bay Middle School, has been named the new sible for implementing the Nassau County serving as an assistant Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information. Page 24 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 That’s MY Job! EDUCATION Keep Them Engaged and Learning with Library’s Summer Programs R esearch shows that all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities over the summer. But learning doesn’t have to take a break just because the kids are out of school. The Summer Learning Program at the Jacksonville Public Library is a ton of fun, and is especially designed to enhance children’s and teens’ literacy skills over the summer. Sign up the kids at your neighborhood library or online at jaxpubliclibrary.org/summerlearning. This year’s themes, Every Hero Has a Story for school-age children and Unmask! for teens, are brought to life with more than 100 free activities. Age-appropriate programs vary at locations and include crafting comics with an award-winning comics educator, book and movie discussions, balloon fun, Curious Moon puppet shows, interactive music, African stories, a Latino Cultural performance, murder mystery event, poetry workshops, live zoo animals, Tree Hill Nature Preserve programs, Cotton Candy the Clown, Ronald McDonald and much more! Through fun stories, books, fingerplays, nursery rhymes and songs, Stories for Young Children will help kids from birth to age 5 with language development, vocabulary building and comprehension. Children, ages 5 through 12, won’t want to miss the Summer Learning kickoff parties at various library locations. Kids complete Superhero Activity Cards and log their reading to earn cool prizes each week. They can also earn free books, which will be distributed after July 1, while supplies last. Children from birth to age 18 may participate in Summer Learning. Teens can enter a short story contest to compete for cash prizes. The 12 and under crowd can log books to enter a bicycle contest held on Jacksonville Suns Library Night. Send your kids back to school this fall motivated and ready to learn. Sign them up for Summer Learning. Get all details and pick up a Summer Learning Activities Guide, Superhero Activity Cards, and Reading Lists at any Jacksonville Public Library, or simply go online at jaxpubliclibrary.org/summerlearning or call 630-2665. j Olga Bayer, Community Relations & Marketing Jacksonville Public Library “Go outside and do something you’ll remember.” – Unknown Happy. Secure. Inspired. • • • Grades 4-12 Summer School Scholarships Since 1968 • ADHD/LD • New Campus! • www.CenterAcademy.com Mandarin 448-1956 Orange Park 276-3552 Page 25 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 St. Johns Bluff 645-5366 Whitney Haywood – Certified Dog Trainer How long have you been a Certified Dog Trainer? I became a certified dog trainer in 2006, I started working in the animal behavior department at Jacksonville Humane Society a year and a half ago. Why did you choose this career? While I was in college I adopted a puppy from the local shelter. He was so mischievous and I didn’t know what to do! I sought out training and wanted it to be positive. I met some trainers, read articles and decided this is what I want to do. I love working with dogs and helping people help their dogs. Since working at the shelter I am very passionate about helping the shy and scared dogs/puppies become more confident and find loving homes. It’s a rewarding career. What kind of education did you get to become a Certified Dog Trainer? I went to college for zoology, then went through animal behavior college to become a certified dog trainer. What are some of your responsibilities? In the Behavior Department at JHS, I take and return calls/emails about issues people are having with their pet(s), working with the dogs here at the shelter to keep their stay as stress free as possible while they’re waiting to get adopted. I also work with the cats at shelter too! The behavior department makes up daily enrichment ideas for the animals to keep them happy. We do playgroups with the dogs to keep them exercised and social. What do you like most about your job? When working with people and their dogs, it’s knowing I helped them to work with their dog and in turn that dog was not brought to the shelter. And here at the shelter is when I see a shy dog come out of their shell and get adopted in to a loving home. Learn . Love . Lead Beaches Episcopal School Delivers... •Strong Academic Program •Dynamic, Qualified Teachers •Secure Campus •STEM Curriculum •Spiritual Formation and the Arts •Student Leadership Opportunities •Technology Integration •Athletic Program Schedule a Campus Tour! SCHOOL INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS JAXPEF.ORG Learn about public schools near you, see trends in Duval County and find ways to get involved at jaxpef.org/learn. Now Enrolling! PreK3 through Sixth Grade Phone: (904) 246-2466 BeachesEpiscopalSchool.org IF YOU LOVE MAKING MUSIC... YOU WILL LOVE BEING HERE ADD/ADHD without MEDICATIONS The American Academy of Pediatricians has given neurofeedback the highest grading of effectiveness for ADD/ADHD. Provides a non-drug approach for diagnosing and treating ADD/ADHD and it is based on research that has been widely replicated all over the world. Located at FSCJ - South Campus (904) 515-5092 è [email protected] www.fccmusicschool.com 2015 SUMMER CAMPS Instruction available for all string, woodwind, brass, percussion instruments, piano and vocal Offering private lessons, chamber music and musicianship classes Intermediate Strings Camp Faculty of professionals distinguished in their field Suzuki and Kinderflute Merit and Need-based Scholarships available Page 26 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 August 3-7 Vocal Camp June 15-19 Piano Camp July 6-10 and 13-17 Register on our website Other benefits include: • Overcoming academic difficulties • Progress is maintained once program is completed • Better social skills • Improvement of the emotional climate at home BIOFEEDBACK ASSOCIATES 904.646.0054 www.biofeedbackassociates.com Most Insurances Accepted Things to Do 2015 H.E.R.I. Bookbuster June 27, 9:45am to 12noon Homeschool bookbuster featuring used curriculum and other school materials. HERI members can enter at 9am; general public enters at 9:45am. Entry fee is $2/person for members and $3/person for non-members. HERI memberships start at $25/family per year. The sale will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Be sure to bring cash! Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Due to limited space, no strollers are permitted! H.E.R.I. / 904-783-8197 / Hillcrest Baptist Church, 7673 Collins Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32244 / www.homeschool-life.com/fl/herijax H.E.R.I Jax 2015 Curriculum Convention July 24, 2pm to 8pm; July 25, 8:30am to 6pm Local homeschool group H.E.R.I Jacksonville hosts the 2015 Curriculum Convention. There will be vendors, exhibitions, workshops, a kids area, and more. Member pricing is $20 for early registration, or $30 regular; non-members are $30 in advance, or $40 late registration. The convention will be held Friday, July 24, 2pm to 8pm and Saturday, July 25, 8:30am to 6pm. Only one registration per family is required. Registration includes both days, July 24 and 25, and there is no need to register for both days. H.E.R.I. Jax / Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / www.homeschool-life.com Visit Jax4Kids.com for more event listings. EDUCATION Four Reading Motivators for Teenage Boys I t’s no secret that state and national assessments continue to indicate that boys lag behind girls in the area of reading. The gap tends to grow larger as students enter adolescence. It’s also no secret that many teenage boys dislike reading in class or at home. Just ask a high school teacher...or a teenage boy. While it’s not true that all teenage boys dislike reading, there is a growing trend of many becoming unmotivated readers. Obviously, students who are resistant to reading are unlikely to get better at it. Here are four ideas for motivating adolescent male readers. IMMEDIACY Oftentimes, teachers emphasize the importance of reading skills or reading content by saying,” You will need this for the test,” or “You will need this for college,” or “When you get to the real world, you’ll need to be able to do this.” Well, students are living in the real world right now, and, for the most part, they have real concerns about their lives that they want to solve. Many boys (and teenagers overall) like to know how learning impacts their lives in the moment, and they are generally not concerned with how it relates to an unclear future. We can make the reading we choose more motivating by relating it to the here and now. Survey your student to determine what he wants to learn, and select reading materials aligned with his interests. Have him create products, presentations, or skits from his reading materials. Many boys will readily engage in activities that ask them to create something meaningful or to perform for their peers. Weaving literature and informational texts around such topics can motivate, especially if students have some voice in what the inquiry topics will be. TEXT VARIETY In some schools, there is a narrow view of what constitutes literacy. The primary focus of secondary English language arts classes, especially in high schools, is often the study of literature. Boys engage in many other forms of literacy that traditionally are not valued. Since many boys do not read teacher-privileged literary fiction texts at home, many of them classify themselves as non-readers, even if they do extensive reading from the Internet, magazines, and newspapers. One solution that can have tremendous positive effects on motivation is incorporating self-select- ed reading as part of the classroom. Conferring with students individually over self-chosen reading provides opportunities to validate and support boy’s independent reading. Once you have learned a bit more about your male’s reading preferences, you can find texts with similar genres, themes, or topics to include. You can also better select texts for a library. take turns reading, frequently stopping to discuss their comprehension of the text. Sentence starters can be used to help students initiate those conversations. MALE READING ROLE MODELS Many educators believe that a Boy Code that stems from an absence of positive male role models, the massive influence of the media’s distorted images of masculinity, and the fear of being labeled feminine impacts reading motivation. Because girls generally develop literacy COMPETENCE skills at an earlier age, many boys perceive Many boys need to feel like they can accomplish reading as a feminine activity. This perception a task in order to even attempt it. Thus, goals leads to some boys shunning reading. Since they must be perceived as achievable in order for boys do not participate in school reading, they become to feel competent. The most-motivating activities less proficient at it, which perpetuates their lack offer success and demonstrate evidence of of motivation. Some evidence of this claim is that growth. boys in wealthier areas generally report reading more often and have higher reading assessment Scaffolding and differentiation strategies can scores because their fathers are likely to have contribute to developing a sense of competence. jobs where literacy is valued. These boys are For example, many teachers use Newsela, a site more likely to view literacy as a masculine trait. that allows the user to alter the reading complex- Especially for boys living in poverty, it is important ity of recent news stories. Students can even for male educators to discuss their reading and self-select their own reading levels based upon the importance of literacy in their lives. In factors such as familiarity with the topic, their addition, having successful and influential reading purpose, and their comprehension. community members share the ways they use Another option for students is using social reading can be enlightening to young men. j scaffolding techniques such as Say Something. Students can select reading partners and then TeachThought.com VyStar Auto Loans LOW RATES, CLEAN & SIMPLE. RATES % AS APR LOW AS 1.35 * LOW RATES ON YOUR NEXT NEW VEHICLE. With rates as low as 1.35% APR* for 36 months, or 1.99% APR for 60 months, now is the perfect time to visit VyStar for an auto loan. So you can save money while keeping things simple. No hidden fees. No surprises. Just call or visit vystarcu.org to apply today. VyStar offers financing through over 100 area dealer partners. Ask your dealer to compare our rates and terms. APPLY TODAY. 777-6OOO www.vystarcu.org *All loans subject to credit approval. 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If you are, like most of us, still undecided, they will help you explore your options with individual stories from workers who provide a real-life glimpse into their lives and their jobs. A few samples: ROCKET SCIENTIST Keoki Jackson and Bob Polutchko knew they’d become rocket scientists from early on. “I was born on July 22nd, 1969,” said Jackson. “Mom used to talk about watching the Apollo moon landing from the maternity ward with me in her arms. Maybe that gave space exploration added significance, but I clearly remember being very affected when I saw pictures of the first drop-test landing from Space Shuttle in the eighth grade.” The connection was even more direct for Polutchko. “My father was an engineer on the Mars Viking Lander mission, so aerospace engineering was always a consideration,” he said. Both Polutchko and Jackson earned advanced degrees in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). “I conducted before-and-after studies of astronauts on Shuttle missions to research how humans interact with the space environment,” Jackson said, “examining how people adapt to zero gravity, how the brain takes sensory information and puts it together. Now I’m with Lockheed working on unmanned spacecraft for communications and global navigation.” the world, Hasch is regularly on the front lines of professional sports competitions. Her images have been used by such high-profile publications as Sports Illustrated, the Sporting News, ESPN, and the New York Times. Hasch was never a big sports fan until she became interested in photography. But when she started working as the yearbook photographer in high school, she enjoyed the challenges of capturing the action at sporting events - a passion that has stayed with her. After graduating from college, Hasch worked six months at the Kansas City Star as a general assignment photographer before realizing she wanted to focus solely on sports. Sports photographers can expect to work nights and weekends, and travel heavily. Between March and June, Hasch is rarely at home in her St. Louis, Mo. apartment. “You really have to be motivated and enjoy the pressure if you want to succeed,” she said. WHITEWATER RAFTING GUIDE You wake up in the morning on a gorgeous day, throw on a pair of shorts and sandals, and head out to the river in a national park. You hear whitewater rapids rumble in the background, as you lather on suntan lotion. You get ready to put a raft in the river for your trip through a scenic gorge. But wait – you are not on vacation. You just arrived for work. Such preparations are part of the normal routine for Tom Bashore, a river rafting guide for the Rolling Thunder River Co. in Eastern Tennessee. Bashore was working a construction job a few years ago when he saw an ad in a newspaper for a rafting guide training course given by the Colorado State Parks and Outdoor Recreation department. He paid the $600 fee and learned to lead Polutchko researched cooperative control of two whitewater rafting trips.In the western United spacecraft on rendezvous in orbit for his master’s States, the weather allows for rafting only from thesis. “Usually one spacecraft is passive and May to August, so Bashore headed East where chases the other down. He went on to work as a the season extends from March to October. He guidance, navigation and control engineer on the landed with the Rolling Thunder River Co., which Space Shuttle. Now he manages the development operates in two locations - on the Nantahala River of guidance systems at the Charles Stark Draper in North Carolina and the Ocoee River in TennesLaboratory in Massachusetts. see. He now manages the Ocoee post. No doubt becoming a rocket scientist is the ultimate thrill for the mathematically and scientifically inclined, but getting there requires enormous focus and intellectual application. While rocket science used to be the preserve of white males, recent enrollment of women and minorities in the MIT aeronautics and astronautics program has shown steep increases. There is more to becoming a guide than just paddling and telling jokes. As well as company provided training, guides must also be certified to provide First Aid and CPR. In addition, Bashore has a Wilderness First Responder certification, a course that is also standard for Outward Bound leaders. Other guides in his company are certified paramedics and have other medical certifications. SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER When Super Bowl XXXV kicked off at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, most football fans cheered from the sofa. But not Elsa Hasch. She was on the sidelines, armed only with sharp elbows, grit - and a camera. Guides must also be in peak physical condition, because the work is physically demanding. In addition to all the free river trips and kayaking opportunities, the best part of the job for Bashore is the freedom. “You can be yourself. You can be an individual. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie.” The fun can be short-lived, though. When the rafting season ends in October, Bashore has to find jobs for fall and winter. He heads to Michi- As a sports photographer for Allsport, a company that distributes sports photos to media around Page 28 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 gan, where he works construction jobs, does lawn work, and plows snow. TV COMMERCIAL PRODUCER On average, you see one every three minutes. You see thousands of them every year. Their slogans make their way into your slang, their jingles get stuck in your brain when you can’t sleep. They’re commercials. Ever think it would be fun to make them? It is. “I love being able to tell my parents to watch for a commercial I produced,” says David, who’s done spots for American Express, McDonald’s, Mountain Dew, Disneyland, and countless others. He paid his dues as a production assistant, being the first one on set and the last one to leave, dropping the film off at the lab before going home, and learning the process from the inside out until he worked his way up to producer, a job he’s held for the past three years. Demystification of the process is one of the coolest things about the job. For example, when you see a steaming bucket of chicken on TV, chances are it isn’t hot—it’s poisonous. The food is first treated with chemical A. When it’s time to shoot, chemical B is added, and the chemical reaction causes it to look like it’s steaming–but the aptly named “AB Smoke” looks better and lasts longer than real steam. Tree branches mounted on a power drill are reflected in a car’s windshield to simulate movement, although the car is sitting on a soundstage. Luxury cars are routinely cut in half to get close-ups of the interiors. The Downside: Long Hours, high Stress. Shoot days often run to 16 hours or more, and making sure the shoot comes in under budget, on time, with no disasters, can take its toll. “I spend a lot of time putting out fires. If someone gets hurt, I’m in the emergency room with them. If the film gets damaged at the lab, I’m the one they call at five in the morning. My wife thinks I’m going to get an ulcer, but I actually thrive on it.” So the next time you’re watching TV and think to yourself, “I could do that”...dream on! j Salary.com “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops” – Kellie Elmore Teens Child & Babysitting Safety Course 9:30am to 2:30pm June 6 – Christ’s Church, 6045 Greenland Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258 June 17 – The Performer’s Academy, 3674 Beach Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207 June 26 – Fort Caroline Christian Church, 7535 Ft. Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277 July 11 – Christ’s Church, 5900 US 17 South, Fleming Island, FL, 32003 This course is Child & Babysitting Safety, for youth ages 11-16. This course offers an official Babysitting Safety certification card from the American Safety & Health Institute. Cost is $45 with a $2.12 online fee. Register online in advance. Safety First CPR & Safety Training / www.safetyfirstjax.com Self-Defense Workshop for Women June 8, 3:30pm to 5pm Sgt. Mike Lutz of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Department will hold a Self-Defense Workshop for Women. Teens 11 and up are welcome to attend. No advance registration is necessary. Flagler County Public Library / 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.flaglercounty.org Painting With a Twist Teen Art Time 2:30pm to 5:30pm June 16, June 18, July 7, July 9, July 21, July 23 Painting With a Twist hosts Teen Art Time for ages 10 to 18. Cost is $40; register online in advance. Painting With a Twist / 904-399-8399 / 1525 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.paintingwithatwist.com Job 101 – Job Opportunity Basics For Youth June 17, 6pm to 8pm The purpose of this course is to give youth ages 12-17 a hands-on experience with the finer points of finding, getting and maintaining a job. This fun and interactive workshop is led by Tukz Taaca, the Co-Owner and Lead Instructor for Safety First CPR & Safety Training. Tukz has been in the workforce for over twenty-five years and has worked for well-recognized companies such as: Winn-Dixie, Walt Disney World, American Red Cross, Lego and the YMCA. He spent much of his career as an Aquatics Director and was involved in the interviewing and hiring young lifeguards and swim instructors and he saw a lot of the “good, the bad and the ugly” when it came to youth interviewing and job prep skills. Help your child get a leg up on the competition by taking this course and gaining a mature perspective on what should and should not be done when trying to get hired. Cost is $25, plus a $1.62 online fee. Safety First CPR & Safety Training / The Performer’s Academy, 3674 Beach Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.safetyfirstjax.com Summer 2015 Jr. Lifeguard Programs June 1st -June 4th or July 6th–10th For 8 to 11 year olds June 15th-19th or July 20th–24th For 12to 15 year olds These are introductory programs that teach skills such as personal water safety, basic rescue techniques, ocean aquatic safety techniques, and others. The Introductory Jr. Lifeguard Program is administered through the Parks & Recreation Department, while the Jr. Beach Guard Program is administered through Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue, a division of the Fernandina Beach Fire Department. Both programs are offered during the summer only (May – July). Cost is $150 City residents; $187 Non-City residents. Pre-requisites are required in order to register for either program. Register at the Atlantic Recreation Center. City of Fernandina Beach / 904-310-3350 / www.fbfl.us Visit Jax4Kids.com for more event listings. pets Sniffing Out the Best Pet Friendly Hotels A road trip really is better when you have a furry friend beside you. However, many pet parents feel concerned about taking their pets along when they travel. One big reason is concern about finding pet friendly accommodations to stay along the way. Kim Salerno, President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com, has traveled extensively with her pets. She knows the ins and outs of finding a great hotel to accommodate everyone’s needs, and she assures pet parents that it’s easier than they might think. Red Roof Inn Any hotel with a motto like “You Stay Happy, Pets Stay Free” is going to mean great things for your pet. Red Roof Inn has 345 locations, and each one allows guests to bring one pet, at no extra charge. “This is a truly pet friendly place,” asserts Kim. “They even have a fun Facebook page called Red Roof Luvs Pets.” MODERATE/MID RANGE HOTELS La Quinta Inns & Suites La Quinta balances the best of two worlds: “I have found many gracious, accommodating pet high-quality service and a high-end feel, at a friendly hotels, in every type and every price reasonable, affordable price. range,” she affirms. Here are Kim’s top choices, La Quinta also expertly based on pet policies, fees, amenities and her balances the needs of overall personal experience. people and their pets. All of their locations allow It’s important to note that no matter where you guests to stay with up to two pets, with no fee and go, hotels only welcome pets that are properly socialized and well-behaved, and in places where no breed or weight restrictions. Pets can they are not prohibited by law. even stay alone in your room, if they behave ECONOMY-RANGE HOTELS themselves. “I personally have stayed at La Quinta a number of times,” notes Kim. “The staff Motel 6 members were always very welcoming, and It’s iconic and – more importantly for pet travel there were always treats at the front desk.” – it’s everywhere. “You can find a Motel 6 along every major highway in the U.S., Kim notes. “Not Candlewood Inn & Suites only is it a bargain and a convenient place to stay, Candlewood endears itself to pet parents in many it’s a great choice for four legged friends.” Pets of ways. “This is a great hotel for extended stays any size and breed, even multiple pets, are with pets,” says Kim. “Every location allows allowed to stay here at no extra charge. multiple pets of up to 80 pounds each. There is a Things to Do Florida Yacht Club / 904-387-1653 / 5210 Yacht Club Road, Jacksonville, FL 32210 / www. thefloridayachtclub.org Intermediate Obedience Class Mondays, 10am to 10:45am Basic on lead obedience skills required. No commitment, $10 per class. Ongoing (minimum of 4 dogs per class required). My Pet Camp / 904-829-6165 / 1195 Thompson Bailey Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www. mypetcamp.com Nassau Humane Society June 6, 6:30pm to 8:30pm An evening of food and drink pairings in the Courtyard at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit the Nassau Humane Society. Nassau Humane Society / 904-321-1647 / St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 / www.nassauhumanesociety.com Pet Events Yappy Hour June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29 5:30pm to 7:30pm This is a chance for you and your K9 companion to mix and mingle. Dog Trainer Sara Mercer will be in attendance and don’t forget to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bone). Plan to stay for dinner on the Patio and enjoy FYC’s Famous Fried Chicken. All dogs must stay on their leash. Jacksonville Pet Food Bank Food Distribution June 13, 10am to 1pm The Jacksonville Pet Food Bank provides about a one month supply of cat or dog food for up to 4 dogs and 5 cats per household, for those who qualify. Food will be given out on scheduled distribution days between 10am and 1pm. It is not necessary to come early and stand in line. There will be enough food for each event, and Page 29 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 pet fee, but it’s pretty reasonable. It goes by a sliding scale that depends on how long you stay.” It’s the little things that count, though: each location offers a designated dog relief area, complete with waste bags. Well-behaved pets are allowed to stay in rooms unattended. In addition, the hotel provides pet parents with a magnet to put on their doors, which lets the Candlewood staff know that that your pet is a guest in the room. LUXURY HOTELS: W Hotels This luxury hotel gives both humans and pets the royal treatment Their P.A.W., or Pets are Welcome program, delights fourlegged guests with a welcome packet, which features toys, treats, a specialized W Hotels pet tag, waste bags, and a list of pet services offered by the hotel. Rooms that host pets provide them with a custom pet bed, food and water bowls, and tasty turndown treats made just for them. The hotel does have a $25 pet fee, and a nonrefundable $100 cleaning fee. However, Kim has personally found the added expense to be worth it. “If you really want to travel well, and you’re going to pull out all the stops, the services this hotel provides are definitely worth the fees.” the shortest wait time is after 11am. Qualifications: • You must meet income qualifications (Details are on the website) • You must provide proof of spay/neuter for each pet. If your pet(s) have not been spayed or neutered, those services can also be provided at no cost to you. • Please provide proof of income qualifications & photo identification. • Bring container/bag for each pets food. • Please do not bring pets to the distrubition Food will only be given out on designated distribution dates. First Coast No More Homeless Pets Clinic / 6817 Norwood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32208 / www. fcnmhp.org Ayla’s Acres at the Downtown Bazaar June 13, 6pm to 10pm Ayla’s Acres will have a booth at the Downtown Bazaar, located on the Colonial Quarter property at 33 St. George Street, in St. Augustine’s Historic District. They will be selling arts and Only one pet per room is allowed, and the hotel does insist on a 40-pound weight limit. Kimpton This hotel company really goes above and beyond to accommodate every type of pet. In fact, Kimpton’s motto is “if your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.” Kimpton has a range of boutique hotels in a wide variety of locations, and they have no restrictions on the breed, weight, or even type of pet that is welcome. “The staff at the Kimpton Firesky in Scottsdale told me that of one of their regular guests frequently visited with her pot-bellied pig,” notes Kim. If you don’t have a pet to bring along, but you wish you did, no worries -- the hotel will provide you with a pet fish in your room. Loews Hotels Loews Hotels is all about luxury, for people and their pets. Its Loews Loves Pets Program provides pets with welcome gifts, such as a name tag, a bowl, and tasty treats. The hotel will gladly walk your pet, petsit, or loan you a pet bed, or even a scratching post. Kim’s favorite amenity? Room service. “They have a special doggie room service menu with vet-approved selections that my pets love,” she says. “We enjoy relaxing and dining in together, especially during a hectic trip.” Loews does have a limit of two pets per room, and pet fees begin at $25, and vary from hotel to hotel. j TripsWithPets.com crafts made by volunteers and donors. There will also be animals available for adoption, as well as information about Ayla’s Acres and ways that you can help. The Downtown Bazaar is a local music, arts and food festival. Admission is free. Ayla’s Acres / Colonial Quarter, 33 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.aylasacres.org Mega Adoption Event July 17 – 19, 10am to 6pm First Coast No More Homeless Pets hosts a Mega Adoption Event with lots of adoptable pets. Free entry, free parking. Adoption fee on all pets. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, vaccines, and city license. Adoption hours are 10 am – 6 pm. First Coast No More Homeless Pets / Jacksonville Fairgrounds, 510 Fairgrounds Place Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.fcnmhp.org Like Jax4Pets.com’s Facebook page at facebook.com/jax4pets to find out about other events for pets. things to do Theatre on a Mission Benefit Performance June 1, 7pm Your favorite Princes and Princesses will perform in a comedy, in one show only. With the help of two fairy Godmothers the Royals must work together to help the Children of Costa Rica. Tickets are $15. Event includes a live and silent auction of items donated by the community. Theatre On a Mission is a student-driven service project, focused on bringing the joy of theatre to children who might never get the opportunity to experience it. Alhambra Theatre & Dining / 904-6411212 / 12000 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.alhambrajax.com The Luau at Adventure Landing June 5, 6pm to 10pm Kick off the Summer Island-Style, at Adventure Landing. From 6pm-10pm there will be an Authentic Polynesian Show & Night Swim at Shipwreck Island Waterpark until 11pm. Featured performer is Prince Pele Polynesian Revue, featuring Steel Drums, Hulas, Limbo, Fire Dancers & More. Cost is $19.99, which includes show & waterpark until 11pm. Season Passholders pay $9.99. Tickets are available for purchase online. Adventure Landing / 904-246-4386 / 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach FL 32250 / www.adventurelanding.com 2015 Kids Fest June 5 – 6, 11am to 5pm The Town of Orange Park hosts Kids Fest, with creative and interactive activities, storytelling, hands-on workshops and educational displays, cultural experiences, arts and crafts, costumed characters and more. Parents and children can participate in imagination stations, shows and displays that will be on site. This event is designed with children 12 and younger in mind. Free admission. There will be a mixture of free and minimal charge activities available at the event. Town of Orange Park / 904-264-2635 / Town Hall Park, 2042 Park Avenue Orange Park FL 32073 / www.townoforangepark.com the grounds of the Fountain of Youth. Drake’s Raid / Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, 11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.drakesraid.com Junior Jags Day at OTA June 8, 11am to 2pm Junior Jags members are invited down to the Florida Blue Practice Fields. Members will have exclusive access to this member-only event to watch as their favorite team prepares for the upcoming season. Email [email protected] to RSVP for this event by June 1st. As with all Junior Jags events, each member can bring one adult guest with them to this exclusive event. Checkin begins at 11am. Members will have a limited opportunity for player autographs. Junior Jags / Everbank Field, Florida Blue Practice Fields, 1 Everbank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.juniorjags.com World’s Largest Swimming Lesson – Adventure Landing • June 18, 10am The nation’s top water safety and training organizations will join forces to present The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. The event’s purpose is to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim in an effort to prevent drowning. On June 18th, waterparks, pools, and other aquatic facilities around the world will host local WLSL lessons simultaneously at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. Adventure Landing, Beaches / 904-246-4386 / 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach FL 32250 / www.adventurelanding.com City of Palm Coast / Frieda Zamba Pool, 339 Parkview Drive Palm Coast, FL 32164 / www. palmcoastgov.com Note: Registration begins at 9:30am. Bowling for Rhinos June 19, 6pm; June 20, 12noon One Hundred percent of the proceeds from the event go directly to three wildlife sanctuaries. A $25 registration fee includes three games of Kids Day at Riverside Arts Market bowling and shoe rental. Registration form is June 6, 10am to 4pm available online at jacksonvillezoo.org . You can Join Riverside Arts Market and Jax4Kids.com either mail in the form or bring it to the event. Adin celebrating being a kid! RAM will be full of vanced registration is recommended. There will kid-friendly entertainment and activities such as also be a silent auction, raffle, and more. Event the Children’s Creativity Corner, balloon artists location is Batt Family Fun Center on Cassat Ave. and face painters. Entertainment will be geared Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 towards kids – making sure there’s plenty for / Batt Family Fun Center, 1838 Cassat Avenue, them to do. Special booth spaces will be occupied Jacksonville, Florida 32210 / www.jacksonvilleby local businesses and organizations of interest zoo.org to families with children. Riverside Arts Market / 715 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / 3rd Annual Community First Seawalk Music riversideartsmarket.com Festival • June 20, 12noon to 10pm The 3rd Annual Community First Seawalk Music Drake’s Raid Festival celebrates local resources with all local June 6, 10am to 7pm artists, crew, volunteers, and food vendors. This During the 28th reenactment of Sir Francis free one-day event is held at the beach at the Drake’s Raid on old San Agustín, a 16th century- Seawalk Pavilion located on 1st Street N., just style military encampment will be open to the behind Jacksonville Beach City Hall. Hear some public at the Fountain of Youth Park and will play of the best up-and-coming talent from the First host to drills, demonstrations and living history Coast, and taste and experience the great offerinterpretation until 5pm . The reenactment of the ings from our local vendors and mobile eateries. sacking and burning of the town will commence City of Jacksonville Beach / Sea Walk Pavilion, at 7pm at the Old City Gates and ending in the 11 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / Plaza. After the town was looted and burned www.jacksonvillebeach.org by Drake’s men, the Spanish returned to rebuild upon the same streets you walk on today. Camping will be available in designated locations on Page 30 • Jax4Kids.com • JUNE/JULY 2015 America’s Birthday Express June 27, 10am to 4pm July 4, 10am to 4pm The St. Marys Railroad America’s Birthday Express excursion. This heart touching experience guided by some of America’s most revered figures will make you so very proud to be an American. Tickets for open air railcar rides are : Adults $17, Children (3-12) $11, and Children under 2 free. There is a processing fee that will be added to the price of the ticket. St. Marys Railroad / 912-200-5235 / 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA, 31558 / www. stmarysrailroad.com World Golf Village Fireworks, Dinner and a Movie • July 3, 5:30pm to 10pm World Golf Village celebrates Independence Day with its annual Community Fireworks-one of the largest displays in Northeast Florida. Join Fairways Cafe for dinner before priority seating for the showing of Terminator Genisys. Fireworks begin after the movie. Tickets are available for purchase in advance. The fireworks show is open to the public, and purchasing dinner tickets are not required to view the fireworks. World Golf Hall of Fame / 904-940-4123 / 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / www.WorldGolHallfofFame.org Fireworks in the Park July 3, 9pm to 10pm The City of Palm Coast hosts Fireworks in the Park. City of Palm Coast / Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Avenue Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.palmcoastgov.com Jacksonville Zoo BOGO admission July 4 and July 5 Buy One Get One Free admission to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on July 4th and 5th. Free ticket must be of equal or lesser value. Coupon required. Visit website for coupon. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757/4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org Celebration Run 5K and One Mile Fun Run July 4, 7:30am to 11am The Celebration 5K is an early morning run/walk for the entire family. There will be free food, including lots of watermelon, and fun for all ages. Pick up an American Flag at the starting line to run with to celebrate Independence Day. There is also a one mile fun run for the kids. Entry fees for the 5K range from $20 to $30; Children under 13 receive $5 off for the 5K through June 20th. 1 mile fun run fees are $10. The 5K is at 7:30am and the 1 mile fun run starts at 8:30am. Finisher medals to all finishers in the 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. 1st Place Sports / 3931 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / www.1stplacesports. com Independence Day Ceremony July 4, 8am to 9am Celebrate the July 4th holiday with neighbors, family and friends at the City’s Annual ceremony. City of Palm Coast / Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Parkway Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www.palmcoastgov.com American Pride 4th of July July 4, 10am to 9pm Moosehaven hosts American Pride 4th of July, with live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and more. Moosehaven / 1701 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.moosehaven.org Jekyll Island Independence Day Celebration July 4 Family friendly Jekyll Island Independence Day Celebration, followed by fireworks viewing from the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Golden Isles / 912-635-2074 / Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 N. Beachview Dr. Jekyll Island, GA 31527 / www.goldenisles.com Brunswick’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July July 4, 7pm Brunswick’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration takes place in Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Downtown Brunswick starting at 7pm on Saturday, July 4th. There will be free watermelon slices for everyone, music in the air, and plenty of old-fashioned games like sack races, water balloon tossing, and hula hoop contests, along with prizes for the winners. Then at dark, a fireworks display explodes over the East River. For more information, call 912-262-6934. Golden Isles / 912-262-6934 /Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Bay Street at Gloucester St., Brunswick, GA 31520 / www.goldenisles.com Fireworks From the Top July 4, 9pm to 10pm Celebrate 4th of July at the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse with a view of the skyline and fireworks. The event begins with the viewing of the sunset over the Atlantic, followed by fireworks when darkness sets. Please arrive by 8:45pm for check in. Adults are $40 and children under 12 are $35. Space is limited. Reserve your space online in advance. St. Augustine Lighthouse / 904-829-0745 / 81 Lighthouse Ave St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www. staugustinelighthouse.com EDITOR’S NOTE: Dates, times and locations are accurate at time of publication; events and activities listed in this guide are subject to change without notice. Visit Jax4Kids.com for updated information and more events! Discover something amazing here... your family. Rediscover the most important people in your life at Florida’s most engaging resort! Experience a vacation destination like no other. Spectacular indoor gardens offer adventure come rain or shine, while our Cypress Springs resort pool with slides, tree house, plunge pool and “Toddler Bay” is the perfect place to explore and unwind. Book your getaway today! GaylordPalms.com or call (407) 586-2000 OTHER LOCATIONS Gaylord Texan® Grapevine, TX (Dallas / Ft. 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