Learn how to how to craft satisfying story endings
Award-winning author Ken Pelham will explain the importance of delivering a strong ending in his presentation “Big Finish! Writing the Story Climax” at the Saturday, May 28, meeting of the FWA Ponte Vedra Writers group, 10 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library.
Pelham, a Central Florida author, will share his secrets for crafting the best and most effective ending for the story the writer is telling, sharing strategies of great storytellers and how to put them to work for today’s writers.
Pelham has won multiple awards for his short stories, novels and nonfiction. In October, his novelette, “The Medusa Jump,” won the silver award in the Royal Palm Literary Awards, and his nonfiction book, “Gumshoes, Fangs, Rockets & Spies: How Literary Genres Evolve and Change Our World,” won the gold RPLA for history.
The Ponte Vedra Writers group is part of the Florida Writers Association, a statewide, nonprofit organization with nearly 1,500 members dedicated to the support of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. The May 28 meeting is free and open to members and nonmembers alike. For information on FWA go to floridawriters.org.
‘Fashion For Action” to benefit Betty Griffin Center
Local models and influential men, women and their children will model fashion from the Betty Griffin Thrift Shoppes during the second-annual ‘Fashion for Action’ fundraising event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Crosswater Hall at Nocatee, 245 Nocatee Center Parkway in Ponte Vedra Beach.
All proceeds will benefit the Betty Griffin Center, which provides shelter and support for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in St. Johns County.
“This very fun event helps us fund our mission, and we hope it will inspire more people to shop at our Betty Griffin Thrift Shoppes, which further supports us in helping the survivors we serve,” said Betty Griffin Center CEO Kelly Franklin. “Our models are all local volunteers who will model some unique finds from our thrift shoppes.”
Tickets for the event are $30 per person and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com at https://bit.ly/FashionForAction2022.
For more information, see the special event page at bettygriffincenter.org or email Betty Griffin Center Development Director Kenlie Kubart at kenliek@bettygriffincenter.org.
Health screenings coming to Ponte Vedra
Area residents can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with screenings by Life Line Screening. Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church will host this event on June 3 at 4510 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. Six times are offered.
Screenings can check for:
Free parking is available.
Pricing starts at $159, but consultants will create a package that is right for you based on age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1354 or go to lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.
Supervisor of elections launches new website ahead of election season
The St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections launched a new website May 16 with a focus on transparency, streamlined navigation and efficient service delivery. Located at votesjc.gov, the site is designed to assist residents, voters, candidates and elected officials in quickly accessing relevant and timely information regarding a variety of election-related topics.
Key data-driven navigation streams are outlined to provide the essential informational points those visiting the website have historically accessed. Primary drop down links, including Elections, Voters, Voter Education, Current Elected Officials and Candidates, were designed to provide convenient access to frequently searched information and documents within just a few clicks.
St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes began the redesign process in January with an understanding that the core audiences of residents and voters continue to rely on convenient electronic and digital information channels. The four-month design process involved an internal design team and input from communication and web design professionals as well as St. Johns County residents and voters. The new website is one part of the Supervisor of Elections’ evolving communication program that also includes a new newsletter, new social media platforms and additional community outreach.
Newcomers Alumnae to unveil its new name
Newcomers Alumnae, a women’s social club that accepts new members throughout the year, will install new officers at the next monthly luncheon, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. June 1 at Marsh Landing Country Club. Newcomers Alumnae will also unveil its new name, which was unanimously voted on at the May luncheon.
Marsh Landing Country Club is located at 25655 Marsh Landing Parkway, Ponte Vedra Beach.
The cost to attend the luncheon is $23 and reservations must be made by contacting bartshar@comcast.net as soon as possible to reserve a seat.
St. Augustine conducting sanitary sewer manhole rehab
Sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation will take place throughout the city of St. Augustine through Sept. 30. The rehabilitations are part of the city gravity sanitary sewer inflow and infiltration program. This work is an ongoing effort by the city to prevent further deterioration or failures of vulnerable infrastructure, as well as eliminating ground water and soil from entering the sanitary sewer collection system.
Properties in the affected areas are being notified with door hangers. For maps and details of the specific areas affected, go to CityStAug.com.
Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department at 904-825-1040 or via email at PublicWorks@CityStAug.com.
St. Augustine mobility fee goes into effect
St. Augustine’s mobility fee went into effect May 17.
The one-time fee is imposed for any new residential or nonresidential development and redevelopment activity that requires a building permit, results in increased use of the existing property and impacts the city’s transportation infrastructure.
The city’s mobility plan consists of four distinct plans that include parking and shuttle alternatives, pedestrian and bicycle improvements that will aid in the reduction of vehicular traffic and congestion in the downtown area and complete street design recommendations to improve quality of life and livability conditions for residents.
Answers to frequently asked questions and additional materials are available on the city’s website at CityStAug.com/mobility.
Questions about the mobility fee and plan may be directed to Planning and Building Director Amy Skinner at 904-825-4320.
Sulzbacher honors Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville with award
The Sulzbacher Beaches Health Center, a health care facility operated in Jacksonville Beach by Sulzbacher, honored Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville on May 5 with the “2022 Beaches Healthy Hero” award at Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant. The award was presented as part of Fiesta on the Beach, a fundraising event benefiting the health center.
The award was created in 2011 to annually honor and recognize individuals, organizations or agencies that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of the beaches community.
For many years, The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has shared its expertise with Sulzbacher as medical services expanded to meet the needs of the community.
Taco & Tequila Festival tickets on sale now
The second annual Jacksonville Taco & Tequila Festival will be a two-day event this year in Riverside Park next to historic 5 Points. The festival will take place Sept. 24-25 and will feature Mexican cuisine from more than 20 restaurants and food trucks, as well as tequila stations, craft margaritas, local makers, games, live music and more.
This year's entertainment will include musicians and bands in the blues, reggae and electronic genres. Headliners and the line-up will be announced on June 1.
The festival may be enjoyed with a general admission pass, but there will also be a limited number of VIP and Tequila Sampling Experiences available for purchase. The festival is a fundraiser for several Jacksonville nonprofits benefiting the arts, community enrichment and education.
For tickets and more information, go to JaxTacoFest.com. Prices range from $20 to $250.
INK! plans event for school employees
INK! (Investing in Kids) will host its Community Appreciation for School Employees event at 4-8 p.m. June 11 for all St. Johns School District staff and their families. Festivities will be held at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207, Elkton.
According to INK! Executive Director Donna Lueders, local individuals and businesses are helping to fund the family-friendly day of activities and the music entertainment.
Jordan Fletcher, a former St. Johns County resident, Bartram Trail High School graduate and Nashville-based country music artist, will headline the music portion of the event. Opening acts include Davis Loose, a St. Augustine High School graduate and Nashville-based country artist, plus Dean Winter and the Heat playing country and Americana favorites.
The event is open to all St. Johns County school employees, school administrators and support staff at the 45 public schools in the district. Lueders said close to 6,000 employees are invited to the festivities.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
