Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Beyond Van Gogh

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The Immersive Art Space in Jacksonville is hosting a temporary Beyond Van Gogh experience until November 27th. The exhibit offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the work of Van Gogh. Over 300 works of art are projected in more than 4 trillion pixels over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space from the floors to the ceilings. The projections are not simple renderings but flexible and living; they morph in conjunction with a soundtrack available on Spotify. The exhibit also shows a half-hour film that traces Van Gogh’s life through his paintings.

Tickets must be purchased in advance on the event website (HERE) as ticket prices are affected by peak time, ticket packages, and more. 

Blueberry Workshop

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a blueberry workshop this September. It will be held Thursday, September 29th at the ag center from 8am – noon. The workshop costs $10 per person; pre-registration is required. The workshop will feature several UF and FAMU specialists. They’ll cover soil preparation, soil health, insects, disease control, and more. There will also be updates about the emerging practice of growing blackberries in the Panhandle. 

If you can’t make the September class, it will be repeated on Tuesday, October 25th, at the Washington County Extension Office in Chipley. 

Guided Three Rivers State Park Hike

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a guided walk at Three Rivers State Park this September 30th. The hike will begin at 8am and take participants along the Dry Creek Loop Trail. The trail is a distance of .60 miles and should be completed by 11am at the latest. The hike is rated as a beginner to moderate hike. The guide will talk about the terrain, habitat, flora, fauna, and more. 

The guided hike will cost $5 per person. The cost includes entry to the park itself, the guided tour, water, and snacks! It is recommended that participants bring reusable water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else they’d need to remain comfortable in the Florida heat. 

Visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. If you have any questions, call the extension office at 850-482-9620.

Tri-County Plant Swap

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This Saturday, September 24th, is the first annual Tri-County Plant Swap. The event is free and open to the public; it will run from 11am – 1pm (EDT). The Plant Swap is a social for gardeners of all levels to come together and chat about plants, swap goods, and more! There will be bulbs, seeds, seedlings, plants, produce, gardening books, pots, and more to swap. If you want to participate, please remember to label all seeds, cuttings, and plants with the name (common and scientific preferred). Additionally, Pemberley Farm will have some of its homemade goods for sale. The event will be held at 1745 Ben Road in Chipley. Ben Road turns East off Highway 77 just South of Wausau. Visit the event Facebook page here to learn more and stay up-to-date with event announcements. 

Pensacola Seafood Festival

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Mullet Swimming Under a Rainbow by Frank Abbott

The Pensacola Seafood Festival is coming soon to Pensacola! It will be held in Downtown Pensacola at the Historic Seville Square, as well as adjacent Fountain Park and Bartram Park. The festival will start on run Friday, September 23rd (11am – 11pm) and will continue through Saturday (10am – 11pm) and Sunday (11am – 5pm).

There will be a plethora of food vendors preparing seafood; come enjoy Crawfish Mac’n’Cheese, Alligator, Conch Fritters, Coconut Shrimp, and more! Additionally, the festival will feature a live music lineup including The Molly Ringwalds, Tenille Townes, Goldmine, and more. There will even be a Children’s Area located in Bartram Park with face painting, crafts, and more.

While the event itself is FREE to the public, please note that arts&crafts vendors as well as most food vendors will be charging. Visit the Pensacola Seafood Festival website here for detailed itineraries and more. 

Famous From Florida: Faye Dunaway

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Faye Dunaway is an Academy Award-winning actress best known for movies such as Bonnie & Clyde (1967), Chinatown (1974), and Mommie Dearest (1981). She is currently working in film and television. 

Dunaway was born on January 14, 1941 in Bascom. She spent her childhood years in a small house just north of Two Egg. After graduating from Leon High School in Tallahassee, she studied first at Florida State University, then the University of Florida, and ultimately graduated from Boston University.

Dunaway is regarded as one of the greatest and most beautiful actresses of her generation, as well as a powerful emblem of the New Hollywood. New Hollywood refers to the movement in American film history from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s. It was also known as the American New Wave or Hollywood Renaissance. 

 

Greenpeace Day

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Greenpeace Day has observed annually on September 15th to mark the founding anniversary of the famous international NGO. Greenpeace has evolved from a single organization to a network of organizations that crosses more than 55 countries on all inhabited continents. It is the world’s largest environmental organization starting with Greenpeace International and 26 largely autonomous regional offices. The day is also considered a celebration of environmental activism in general and is dedicated to bringing about a change in how humanity treats the environment. Celebrate this day by participating in peaceful protests to improve air quality, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, avoid excessive and unnecessary plastic usage, improve water quality, and more. 

Special Asian Art Exhibit

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The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville is hosting a special exhibit displaying the diversity of Asian Art. Buddha and Shive, Lotus and Dragon is the culmination of John D. Rockefeller III’s collection. The collection features 67 masterpieces including sculptures, bronzes, and ceramics. The art spans the late 6th century BCE to the early 19th century; they come from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. The collection is on loan from New York until September 18th. Learn more or buy tickets at the Museum website here. 

Jackson County Gardening Assistance

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There is going to be a series of talks held at the Jackson County Agriculture Center in Mariana (2741 Penn Avenue). This will be a huge benefit to gardeners in Jackson County who wish to grow their own food. The first focuses on Companion Planting and will be held Wednesday, September 14th from 10-11:30am. It will cost $5 per person. There is no pre-registration required. However, you can call to reserve a spot to guarantee your spot; call 850-482-9620 to get your name on the list.

The second class focuses on Fall Gardening. It will be held on Saturday, September 17th from 9am – noon. Participants will get to take home a variety of seeds. This class will cost $15 per person. 

The third class focuses on Garden to Table: Herbs. It will be held Tuesday, September 27th from 6-8pm. This event costs $15 per person. Participants will receive a small planter of herbs and a sample jar of dried herbs to take home. Additionally, they will have the change to taste several ways to use herbs in cooking during the class. 

Bookstore Coming to Marianna

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A new bookstore is coming soon to Marianna! It will be moving into what used to be the Sweet Beans Cafe on Caledonia Street in downtown Marianna. Currently, the bookstore is going by the name Books & Such. However, the name is subject to change as per the owner’s Facebook announcement. Books & Such will be stocking new books as well as a limited selection of used books. They also hope to carry journals, stationery, greeting cards, and other “such” items. Keep an eye out for an opening date announcement!