Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Famous From Florida: Faye Dunaway

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

Debbie Roney Smith on

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!

Calhoun Cruisin’

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming to Magnolia Square Park in Blountstown, it’s time for Calhoun Cruisin’! This is a special event celebrating cars. It will also feature music, food trucks, and assorted vendors. Come down this Saturday, September 10th, from 9am – 1pm. 

Benefits of Backyard Bats

Debbie Roney Smith on

Sandhills Native Nursery is opening for Fall hours on September 22nd. To celebrate, they are hosting a Benefits of Backyard Bats class with Cre8ive by N8ure. The class will run from 9:30am – 10:30am on September 23rd and 24th. Led by Nate, creator of Cre8ive by N8ure and bat educator, the class will focus on how the bats provide insect management, their reproductive cycle, their habitat and diet, and flora and fauna that is beneficial for bats. Due to parking limitations, the class has only 10 spots and you must register to secure your parking spot; the cost is $10 per car. However, these spots are counted by the vehicle not individual, so the nursery encourages carpooling with friends or family. 

Additionally, there will be a second class opportunity on both days. If you are interested in building your own bat house to take home, hang out at the nursery for roughly 30 minutes after the Benefits of Backyard Bats. The delay is designed to give participants time to grab a drink, walk around the nursery, or have a quick lunch. Please note that the Build Your Own Bathouse class costs $45 per person. All required materials and instruction from bat house building expert Nate will be included in the cost. 

Proceeds from both classes will be donated to a local organization that assists bats (organization TBA). Visit SNN’s event website HERE to sign up for the class and/or Bat House creation event.

Bulls on the Beach

Debbie Roney Smith on

Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, & Oyster Bar is hosting Bulls on the Beach from September 8th – 10th. Bulls on the Beach is a three-night event featuring live rodeo action. Starting Thursday night with Junior Riders on Miniature Bulls, a Coloring Contest Bike Giveaway for both a lucky little boy and girl, and Professional Bull Riding. Friday and Saturday night will feature the Professional Bull Riders in the adult Bull Riding Competition. The event itself will host Professional Bull Riders from all around the country! 

Buy tickets to Bulls on the Beach HERE; tickets are $30 per person for those 18 and older, $15 per person for those 7-17 years old, and FREE for those under 6 years old. 

 

 

Tallahassee Caribbean Carnival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The 4th Annual Tallahassee Caribbean Carnival is coming this weekend, September 9th – 11th! The theme of this year’s carnival is The Rebirth. It includes three days of live music, sumptuous fashion, vibrant colors, live entertainment, food vendors, a parade, and a kids’ zone. The carnival starts on Friday with a village kick-off featuring live music and DJs starting at noon. The carnival parade lineup will begin at 3:30 PM on Saturday and will be the highlight of the weekend event. Please note the parade will start at 5 PM sharp! Sunday will close out the carnival with live music starting at noon. 

Tickets are available for purchase online HERE; kids get in for $3 while adult tickets are $5. There are weekend passes available at $5 for kids and $10 for adults. 

Emerald Coast Beer Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The 26th Emerald Coast Beer Festival is happening on September 9th in Seville Quarter, Pensacola! The festival will feature over 50 breweries and 200 craft beers. There will be microbreweries, distributors, and homebrew clubs providing beer at the event. General admission is $30 per person; VIP tickets are $80 per person. For the Friday tasting event, VIP Admission gets early access at 5:00 pm and General Admission starts at 5:30 pm. The festival will also feature live music and food vendors!

Visit the official Emerald Coast Beer Festival website to learn more, stay up-to-date, and purchase tickets.