Gingerbread house competition is Saturday
The link will hold its second annual gingerbread house competition at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. It is open to both members and nonmembers.
Families pay a participation fee and receive a gingerbread kit to build from. Members are $65, nonmembers $75. Proceeds will benefit the Sapna Foundation, a 501(c)3 that runs a self-directed learning center at the link.
Families will have four hours to build their houses, which will be on display until Dec. 16.
To register and to see competition rules, a list of prizes and further information, go to thelink.zone/getactive and select Gingerbread House Competition.
The link is located at 425 Town Plaza Ave., Ponte Vedra.
Palm Valley Road sidewalk project open house
St. Johns County will host an open house from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, for the planned Palm Valley Road sidewalk project. The project intends to construct a new sidewalk and associated drainage infrastructure to improve mobility and safety for residents. St. Johns County Public Works staff will be available to answer questions and share details about this future asset to the community.
The open house will be held at THE PLAYERS Senior Community Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Seymour’s Bookstore plans holiday sale
Seymour’s Bookstore and the Friends of the Library are conducting a holiday sale in the lobby of the Ponte Vedra Branch Library through Dec. 23. The library is located at 101 Library Blvd.
Donations benefit Pine Island Academy teachers
The link is collecting donated items for teachers at Pine Island Academy now through Dec. 30.
Copy paper, notebook paper, Expo markers, markers, Ziplock bags, tissues, Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer may be dropped off at the facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Individually packaged snacks and drinks for the teachers’ lounge are also being collected at the same times.
The link is located at 425 Town Plaza Ave. at the Nocatee Town Center.
Alhambra plans New Year’s Eve Gala
Ring in 2023 with great live music featuring Rainere Martin as Donna Summer at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s New Year’s Eve Gala. Dance all night to hits from Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra and Natalie Cole performed by Leelynn and Danielle Osborn, and Marah Lovequist, accompanied by Crescendo Amelia Big Band. Organizers promise an unforgettable culinary experience from Executive Chef DeJuan Roy. Formal wear is requested.
Tickets are $149 and can be purchased at sales.alhambrajax.com/100/tickets.shows.html?_s=1&playID=1432&code=DB&qty_target=0. Or, call the box office at 904-641-1212.
Palm Valley Market every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday inside the Palm Valley Community Center, 148 Canal Road. The market offers fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, tea, seasonal treats, soap, jewelry, plants and more.
Grants available for small organizations
Applications for 2023 Competitive Small Organization Grants from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida are now available. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. Feb. 1, 2023.
These grants are open to nonprofit organizations in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Putnam and Baker counties with annual operating budgets of $200,000 or less. Grant requests up to $2,500 will be considered for funding.
Priority will be given to projects that:
For more information and to apply, go to jaxcf.org/receive/small-organization.
Grants available to nonprofits that help women and girls
Grant money is available from the Women’s Giving Alliance (an initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida) for nonprofits in the area that provide services to women and girls.
The grant process has begun for 2023 funding from the alliance, which works to make a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida.
In response to the impact of current economic conditions, the alliance is offering one-time grants for agency workforce support or for client basic needs support. Learn more at wganefl.org/apply-for-a-grant#applynow.
Go to jaxcf.formstack.com/forms/wga_2023workforcesupport for the agency workforce support grant application and jaxcf.formstack.com/forms/wga_2023clientbasicneeds for the client basic needs support grant application.
Printable versions are also available.
Instructions and guidelines are available at wganefl.org/file/2022/WGA-Application-Instructions-and-Tips-2023.pdf
Eligibility:
For more information, contact Nikki Sabol, WGA director, at nsabol@jaxcf.org or 904-356-4483.
The important role of oysters to be examined
Ribault Garden Club in Jacksonville Beach invites the public to visit during Garden Center Day and learn about oysters and how they actually filter pollutants out of our coastal waters. The event, “Clean Water? Thank an Oyster!” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 19.
According to GTM research coordinator Dr. Nikki Dix, “The extraordinary filtration services of oysters in the GTM estuary are likely playing a role in keeping harmful algae blooms and fish kills low in our area of Florida.”
A single oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day. The oyster reefs also provide stability for the shorelines and provide a natural habitat for hosting birds, different fish species and invertebrates.
In addition, about 50,000 pounds of oyster meat is harvested annually in St. Johns County alone.
Admission to this event is free. There will be refreshments, door prizes and a raffle.
Ribault Garden Club is located at 705 Second Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
