Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Hurricane Helene Relief

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Hurricane Helene hit landfall as a Category 4 Thursday evening. Shortly after making landfall, it weakened to a tropical storm but the damage was still widespread. Today, relief efforts and first responders are already making headway in the affected areas. If you’re in need of help, try contacting the following services:

  • 911; for medical emergencies or in case of dangerous situations such as downed but active power lines.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585); this is a toll-free line that helps individuals and businesses needing to apply for assistance.
  • Reach out to your local law enforcement department. 

If you’re interested in assisting others during this time, here are some resources to help you get started:

  • The Florida Disaster Fund; Florida’s official private fundraiser for disaster relief. It provides financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters like Hurricane Helene. Visit The Florida Disaster Fund website for more information or to contribute.

  • The United Way; assists in disaster-related evacuations, shelters, food/clothing distributions, volunteer opportunities and other resources. Monetary contributions can be made to the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund.

  • The American Red Cross; has deployed hundreds of trained disaster workers and will continue assisting through cleanup and recovery. Learn more or donate by visiting redcross.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS. You can also become a Red Cross volunteer or sign up to give blood.

Bays Estuary Program Fundraiser

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The St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program is celebrating National Estuaries Week on September 28th! They will be hosting a 5k through the scenic wetlands of Conservation Park in Panama City. There will be a Kids’ 1K Fun Run will begin at 8:30am CDT with the 5k following at 9:00am CDT.

The event directly benefits the St. Andrew & St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program with all proceeds going towards their efforts to protect and restore the beautiful and vital estuarine ecosystems of the local Bays. The Kids Run will be $20 and the 5K is $25. *There will be a price increase after 9/21*

Interested in registering as a runner or sponsoring? CLICK HERE!

Paint and Sip at Chautauqua Vineyards

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Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery will be hosting a Paint and Sip class every Saturday in September! The upcoming class will take place on September 14th at 11am. There will be two artwork options to choose from designed by Rachel Kurtz: a pumpkin door hanger or flamingo door hanger. The tickets cost $55 each and includes your art supplies AND a glass of wine.

Learn more by visiting the winery’s event page here. 

MOCA Special Exhibit

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The Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville is hosting a special exhibit to celebrate their centennial anniversary. Until January 12th, visitors can enjoy A Century of Contemporary exhibit. It traces the museum’s history, starting with its founding by a group of female visionaries, to its period as an art guild, to its new name, new location, and the place it occupies today in Jacksonville’s art scene. Visit the MOCA website to learn more. 

Paint and Sip at Chautauqua

Debbie Roney Smith on

Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery will be hosting a Paint and Sip class every Saturday in September!

Each class will begin at 11am and costs only $55/person. The cost includes all required art supplies, a glass of wine, access to food trucks on the lawn, and the instruction of a different artist each weekend.

Check out the Chautauqua website to register or follow their Facebook event page for more information. 

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

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We’re in the thick of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday! It started this past Saturday, August 24th and will run through next Friday, September 6th. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

You’ll be able to purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies tax-free! Visit the 2024 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: FAQ by the Fla. Dept. of Revenue for more information.

Grant Given to Marianna Woman’s Club

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The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is the recipient of a Facade Improvement Grant from Main Street Marianna and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Follow the GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club and Main Street Marianna on Facebook to see how the community redevelopment plays out. 

For more information about the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Growth and Development Assistance Program Grant, contact Nikisha Milsapp by emailing mainstreet@mariannafl.city.

Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville Turns 100

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The Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville is turning 100!!! Join the centennial celebration and enjoy a lineup of special exhibits and programs that embrace its past and recognize the local women who founded the museum. 

From now through November 3rd, visit Project Atrium: Frank Stella. As the MOCA website states, “For six decades, Frank Stella has been a renowned painter, printmaker and sculptor. To mark the 100th anniversary, Stella was commissioned to create a sculpture for the museum. The finished work, “Jacksonville Stacked Stars” rises two stories in the museum’s atrium.” The museum will have a collection of Stella’s prints on display; the display is partly pulled from their permanent collection and partly on loan from local collectors.

There are endless other opportunities offered by MOCA; check out their website to learn more about the centennial celebration exhibits and programs as well as their standard offerings of kids classes and more. 

Bee Friends Farm Host Honeybee Festival

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The 4th Annual Bee Friends Farm host Honeybee Festival is coming up quick! Head out to the Jacksonville Fairgrounds on August 18th to enjoy a day of all things honeybee. The festival is thrown in honor of National Honey Bee Day. Honey bees are crucial to a lot of agriculture here in the USA; the country relies on hardworking honeybee hives being transported back and forth across country to continue working year-round.

The annual festival includes hourly beekeeping talks by local beekeeper association experts; the talks will cover the honey-making process, backyard beekeeping, and more. There will be a Buzzy Bee Marketplace featuring over 60 vendors and a hands-on education annex for the kids. The education annex will feature kid-friendly bee biology lessons and planting sessions. There will also be food trucks, honey tastings, and more. Learn more by visiting Bee Friends Farm website. 

Tallahassee Beer Festival

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Tallahassee’s 6th annual Beer Festival is this Saturday, August 10th! Featuring craft brews created by over 100 home brewers while breweries pour over 300 different fermentations to sample. Not a traditional beer fan? No worries! Other drinks such as ciders, meads, sparkling sodas, and wine will be available. Plus, all guests will receive a souvenir tasting glass! The festival will also feature live music and festival games like axe throwing and corn hole. Learn more by visiting the Tallahassee Beer Festival website.