What's happening in our area this week

Thursday:

“America Recycles Day”

The City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful will hold the third annual America Recycles Day on Thursday. There will be a community-wide recycling collection event at the following locations: Prime Osborn Convention Center from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kmart on Atlantic Boulevard from noon to 6 p.m., and Data Savers on Suemac Road from noon to 6 p.m.   At the Prime Osborn site, recyclers can watch as their paper is shredded. In addition to the recycling event, all three sites will collect reusable materials for the Teacher Supply Depot. Those materials can include office supplies, school supplies and arts and craft supplies. At the Kmart site, you can shred paper and at the third location, hard drives will be collected. At DataSavers , you can drop off gently worn shoes for Soles4Souls .

 Relay For Life of St. Augustine

The 2013 Relay for Life of St. Augustine kick-off party will be held on Thursday. It will be held at the Otis Mason Elementary school beginning at 6 p.m. Organizers say there will be food, fun and prizes. You can also learn all you need to know about relaying at St. Augustine next year. For more information, go to www.staugustinerelay.com.

 Fall Festivals

There will be a fall festival at Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center on Thursday. During this event, students will create original artwork on canvas, tiles and boxes. This event begins at 10 a.m. and last until Noon.

Book Sale

Friends of the Library will host a book sale on Thursday and Saturday. It will be held at the University Park Library Friends Book Warehouse on University Boulevard. Thursday’s hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday’s hours are from 9 a.m. to Noon. There will be a special of $10 for a bag of books. For more information, go to www.fjpl.org.

 "Beauty and the Beast"

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts will kick off the production of “Beauty and the Beast” on Thursday. Tickets are $12 for Thursday, $15 for Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the box office. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be a silent auction on Friday at the Main Stage Theatre courtyard. Proceeds will benefit the theatre Department. For more information, call 904-346-5620 ext 122.

 Best Buddies Power Hour and Networking Event

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating friendships and employments. This Thursday, you can learn more about the group during a mix and mingle event at the Jacksonville Landing. It will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.jacksonvillelanding.com/events.

 Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service

Onejax, an institute of The University of North Florida, will hold its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude service on Thursday. It will be held at the Milne Auditorium and Chapel at Edward Waters College. It will begin at 6 p.m. The service is free and open to the community. A fellowship reception will follow. For more information, go to www.onejax.rog or call 904-620-1529.

Friday:

Picnic in the Plaza

Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the Plaza. Picnic in the Plaza will be held at Hemming Plaza. There will be games, magazines and plenty of fun. It will begin at 11:30 and last until 1:30 p.m.

Fall Festivals

There will be a fall Festival at Chaffee Trail Elementary on Friday evening. The theme of the night is “Out of this World.” There will be bounce houses, a train, carnival games and cosmic-like refreshments. This event begins at 5 p.m.  There will also be festival s at Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary in Baldwin beginning at 6 p.m. and Pickett Elementary on Old Kings Road North Beginning at 3 p.m.

Annual Arts and Crafts sale

The annual Arts and Crafts Holiday Sale will be held in the Penney Retirement Community beginning Friday.  It will be held at State Road 16 and County Road 218. You can choose from gifts, baked goods, art pieces and more. Follow the signs from State Road 16 and parking is free. Hours from Friday for the arts and crafts sale are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

 San Marco Art Festival

You can support the arts and local community this weekend at the San Marco Art Festival. More than 100 artists will transform historic San Marco into an outdoor art gallery. The festival will be held Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it is free to the public. For more information, go to www.artfestival.com.

“CFA Soiree”

Get ready for everything from boogie to best-selling urban author at Jacksonville University’s College of Fine Arts “CFA Soiree.” It will be held on Friday at the Museum at 160 Boulevard Center Drive. The event will showcase a display of arts with a special guest. The attire for this event is “urban chic.” There will be live music as well. Proceeds from this event will be directed toward projects to enhance student learning. For more information, go to www.cfasoiree.ju.edu.

Budweiser Clydesdale Visits Fernandina Beach

 The Palace Saloon will play host to the Budweiser Clydesdale on Friday. They will arrive at 3 p.m. and make their way down Centre Street to park in front of the Palace until 5 p.m. You can have your picture taken with the famous horses .

New Art Exhibit

Reddi-Arts will host a show featuring the work of Marianne Phopahl, Cookie Davis, Andrea and Helen Ashmead.   Phopal will present “Blossoms and Dance”, a collection of photographs during the exhibit. Davis is currently exploring the use of acrylic paints on large canvas. Andrea Ashmead is an award-wining photographer who is currently using paint as her medium of choice. Helen Ashmead is an artist, and teacher. There will be an opening of their work Friday night at the Reddi-Arts on Hendricks Avenue beginning at 6 p.m. Their work will be on display through December 31^st.

Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser

You can help the Kids’ Foundation for Uniting Nations with a fundraiser on Friday. The Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser and Silent Auction will be held at the Isle of Faith United Methodist church on San Pablo Road. It will begin at 5 p.m. The menu includes salad, bread, spaghetti with meatballs and desert. The cost is $8 adults, children 4 to 12 $6 (3 and under are free). This organization works together towards position change for children.

Saturday:

Native Sun Mandarin Run

Lace up your shows for the Native Sun Mandarin Run on Saturday. The 5k will begin at 7:50 a.m., the 10K begins at 8 a.m., the 1k walk for seniors and children will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Mandarin Presbyterian Church on Mandarin Road. The course will begin at the church and follow a large loop around Mandarin.  To register for the race, go to www.1stplacesports.com.

Animal Signs

Join a park ranger at the Fort George Island Cultural State Park on Saturday. There will be a presentation and guided hike through the different ecosystems so you can learn more about critters. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Ribualt Club on Fort George Island. No reservations are necessary and it is free.

 St. Johns River Blues Festival

Listen to some blues this weekend in Palatka. Organizers say this year’s festival will feature the area’s best blues band in a competition for fame and local interest. The festival will take place in downtown Palatka. Vendors will be on hand from 3^rd Street to 8^th Street. There will be two main stages: one at the courthouse and another in the Prosperity Bank parking lot. For a list of performers and headliners, go to www.stjohnsriverbluesfestival.com. This festival is free to the public.

"The Color Purple"

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company will present the musical “The Color Purple.” You can see the musical at the Stage Aurora Performance Hall on Norwood Avenue inside Gateway Town Center.  The show will run through Sunday.  Tickets prices are $15 in advance and door for students ages 5-17, and seniors ages 65 and older, $20 in advance and $25 at the door for adults and general public. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketleap.com or by call 904-765-7372 or 765-7373.

Nights of Lights

One of the City of St. Augustine’s  biggest events will take place on Saturday. Nights of Lights will take place in the Plaza De la Constitucion beginning at 6:30 p.m.   The program begins at 4 p.m. with a holiday performance by Showtime USA, a dancing and singing troupe.  At 5:30 p.m., more performances by the All Star Orchestra. The most exciting part of the night is the light-up itself which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. In addition to the nights of lights, there will be night-time tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free refreshments and ice skating in Florida.

Stuff the Camper Day

Camping World of St. Augustine and Second Harvest St. Augustine are teaming up to hold a fundraising event on Saturday. For the past few weeks, families have been donating items and on Saturday, organizers will load al of what was raised into a Coleman Camper before taking it to the food bank. There will be bouncy slides, obstacle courses, food, and a RV Show. This event kicks off at 11 a.m.

America Recycles Day

Advanced Disposal Services and the city of Atlantic Beach will celebrate America Recycles Day on Saturday with a document shredding and electronics recycling event. It will be held at the Beaches Aquatic Center on Aquatic Drive beginning at 9 a.m. Residents can bring up to three boxes of confidential documents for immediate on-site shredding.  For more information , call 904-783-7000.

Much Ado about Nature

The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens will host Much Ado about Nature on Saturday. This family friendly event will feature activities such as beekeeping lectures, lectures about wildflowers, owl encounters and guided nature walks. It will begin at 9 a.m. The event is free to Arboretum members and children under the age of 18 and $5 for non-member adults. All children must be accompanied by an adult and no dogs are allowed. For more information, go to www.jacksonvilleaboretum.org.

Incredible Edibles

St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church will host the 17^th annual Incredible Edibles sale. This event features homemade entrees, side dishes, casseroles and deserts. The doors open at 8 a.m. and this event continues until 2 p.m. The church is located on 5^th Street between 11^th and 12^th Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call 904-249-4091.

Pearls and Cufflinks Gala

The 8^th annual Pearls and Cufflinks Gala will take place Saturday. It will be held at the Citi headquarters beginning at 6 p.m. This attire is a black and white event. Tickets are $75 for individuals. This event benefits the Clara White Mission.

St. Augustine Half Marathon

The Orthopedic Associates of St. Augustine will host a half-marathon on Saturday and Sunday. There will be live music and entertainment throughout the marathon.  To register online for the marathon, go to www.staugustinemarathon.com.

Fall Festival

There will be a fall festival at Annie R. Morgan Elementary School on St. Clair Street. There will be bounce houses, ring tosses, cake walks and food. This festival begins at 11 a.m.

 Hip Hop and Jazz Workshop

Dancers can learn some hip hop and jazz moves during a workshop on Saturday at Abella’s School of Dance in St. Augustine. The classes are open to the public and all dancers from 6 years old to adult. Cost is $25 per class or $45 for both per dancer. Classes start at 1 p.m. For registration, call 904-810-5670.

Right Whale Festival

NOAA Fisheries, Sea to Shore Alliance and others will host the 4^th annual Right Whale festival. It will be held at the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. The festival celebrates the endangered North Atlantic right whale’s annual return to the Southeast coast. This free family event begins at 9 a.m. with a beach cleanup.  There will be a right whale obstacle course, live music, games and food. For a schedule of events, www.rightwhalefestival.org.

Horse Fun Day

Kindred Spirits Equestrian Facility in St. Johns County will host a Horse Fun Day on Saturday. It is free to anyone in the community. There will be interactive and educational booths for kids and families to learn more about caring for horses. Children will be able to ride a horse. There will also be arts and crafts. This event begins at 10 a.m.

Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic

The 13^th annual Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic Food festival and concert will kick off Friday in Flagler Beach. This annual event celebrates the life of Flagler Beach’s Tommy Tant. Tant passed away in 1998 from an aortic aneurysm. Beginning Saturday, there will be several activities including the Red Bull Night Riders Competition. The daytime surf competition will host more than 300 surfers. The food festival and concert will take place at Veteran’s Park in downtown Flagler Beach beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening. Fourteen popular restaurants will be on hand. For more information, go to www.tommytant.com.

 Financially Fit

You can get your questions about spending, saving and investing answered during a special event on Saturday. Financially Fit is a monthly financial workshop held at the Main Library at 10:30 a.m. The workshop is free, but registration is required. For more information, call 904-390-4008. If you miss this workshop, there will be another one on Tuesday, Nov. 20^th at the Southeast Regional Library.

“Emerging Stars”

The Art Institute of Jacksonville will present “Emerging Stars” on Saturday. This is the first ever fashion show created and presented by students in the fashion and retail management program. It will feature both student designs and the debut of local designer Boob K’s Spring 2013 “Galatik” Collection. The event will be held in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium at MOSH beginning at 7 p.m. A rooftop celebration will follow the show. Tickets are available for $10 and include admission to the show and the rooftop reception. You can purchase tickets by searching for the Emerging Stars Fashion Show on facebook or by calling 904-486-3055.

Holiday Spectacular

Holiday shoppers and families can celebrate the holiday season at the St. Johns Town Center on Saturday. The 6^th annual Holiday Spectacular will be held. It is a day full of free festivities plus a special performance by Bridgit Mendler, star of the Disney Channel original series Good Luck Charlie. This event begins at 2 p.m. and there will be activities like a Kids Entertainment Zone, costume characters from WJCT, a Wintry Wonderland, face painting and more. There will be a blood drive beginning at 3 p.m.  The main stage entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. in front of park Green. Santa will arrive at 8 p.m. and there will be the tree lighting and fireworks show. The Santa Cottage will be located in the Dick’s sporting Goods courtyard.

Community Yard Sale

The Mandarin Athletic Association will hold a community yard sale on Saturday. It will be held at Greenland Park to honor J.J. Strong. Strong devoted his last 15 years of his life to the association even after his daughters stopped participating as cheerleaders. The Association is holding this event to help his family.  The sale begins at 8 a.m. There will be a bake sale, kids bounce houses and a Christmas photo op scene.

Chili Cook Off and Poker Bike Run

You can enjoy some chili and help the Wounded Warrior Project during a chili cook off and poker bike run on Saturday. It will be held at Xtreme Wings Grille Parking lot on Atlantic Boulevard beginning at Noon.  The parking lot will open at 6 a.m. for chili cookers. Live music begins at Noon. The Chili judge begins at 1 p.m. The poker bike run is $15 per rider and $5 per passenger including ride and unlimited chili sampling cups. The ride will start at Bayard Rooster at 10:30 a.m. The final stop will be at Buffalos Southwest Café.

“Team Send off Rally”

You can send the Jacksonville Jaguars off in style on Saturday. The hometown team will take on the Houston Texans on Sunday.  The booster club will host a send off rally on Saturday between 10 and noon.

WinterFest

The second annual WinterFest will kcik off Saturday at Adventure Landing on Saturday. The theme park will turn into a winter wonderland. There will be a snow village with a large, outdoor ice skating rink, a 130-foot ice slide, nightly snowfalls and much more. Patrons will get a chance to enjoy Crystal Creek Lodge for a variety of winter treats and sweets from hot soup to hot chocolate. It will also be running a “White Paper Drive.” This drive will benefit Seamark Ranch, a home for kids in crisis in Clay County. Donations of new non-perishable items such as toilet paper, towels, tissue, napkins, paper plates and cups will be accepted in exchange for a free game of mini-golf.  Winterfest kicks off on Saturday, November 17 and will continue through January 13, 2013. For more information, go to www.jaxwinterfest.com.

Bikers Gear Up For Babies

Bikers and weekend warriors will ride together to raise money for the March of Dimes on Saturday. The ride will kick off at Baymeadows Adamec Harley-Davidson beginning at 10:30 a.m. Riders will enjoy a 52-mile ride and it will end at Trio, the event place at Tinseltown with lunch for all those who participating.

Sunday

Jewish Book Festival

There will be a patrons’ brunch featuring David Misch, the author of “Funny: The Book Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Comedy.” It will be held at the Jewish Community Alliance on San Jose Boulevard on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Misch’s screenwriting credits include “Mork and Mindy,”  “Police Squad” and “Saturday Night Live.” He teaches musical satire at UCLA and “Practical Foundations of Comedy” at USC.

“La Passsione”

First Coast Opera will open its 2012-2013 season on Sunday. You can see scenes of love and passion from Italian opera with La Passione in Trinity Hall at Trinity Episcopal Parish on St. George Street in St. Augustine beginning at 4 p.m. Advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. Students with ID: $10 (only at the door or by phone). Tickets can be purchased via Paypal or by going to www.firstcoastopera.com. You can also purchase tickets by calling 904-417-5555. Opening seat is offered and there will be a wine and beer bar.

Free Community Thanksgiving Meal

Westconnett United Methodist Church will hold their annual Community Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. It will be held at the church on Westconnett Boulevard beginning at 1 p.m.

Monday

Thanks for Giving Drive

The Blood Alliance will host Thanks for giving Blood Drive at the St. Johns Town Center on Monday. It will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. In St. Johns County, there will be a blood drive at the Publix at Cobblestone Shopping Center beginning at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.igiveblood.com or call 1-888-998-2243.