What's happening in our area this week

 Thursday:

Leo Kottke

You can hear the music of acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke Thursday night at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 for the first 6 rows and $35 for all other rows. Tickets can be purchased at the Ponte Vedra Concert hall and St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Offices. For more information, go to www.pvconcerthall.com or www.findmytix.com.

 Wrangler NTRL Finals

Top contenders in the sport of team roping from throughout the United States and Canada will be in town for the Wrangler NTRL Finals beginning Thursday. It will be held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center beginning at 8 a.m. and running through Sunday. Free admission and parking for those who plan to attend. For more information, go to www.ntrlinc.com.

Caroline Rhea

You may remember her from “The Biggest Loser” or “Sabrina, the teenage witch.” Caroline Rhea comes to Jacksonville this weekend. You can see her perform at the new Comedy Club beginning Thursday through Saturday. The comedy club is located at 11000 Beach Boulevard. For more information, email steve@jacksonvillecomedy.com.

Friday:

Elvis Tribute Artist Competition

Elvis fans will have fun this weekend as some of the best Elvis tribute artists will gather in Northeast Florida. They will be at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for the “I’ll Remember You Elvis Tribute” beginning on Friday. Friday night begins with a karaoke party with contestants entertaining fans. Admission is $10 per person at the door. Saturday is competition day beginning at 1 p.m. in the music hall. The winner will receive cash and be automatically entered into the “Images of the King” contest to compete for the world Champion. On Sunday, Ted McMullen and contestants will entertain with gospel music in the Music Hall. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

Charismatic Renewal Conference

The diocese of St. Augustine Catholic Charismatic Renewal is hosting its annual conference beginning Friday. It will be held at the church on Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park. The conference begins with registration at 5 p.m. on Friday and ends with mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The keynote speaker is Father Scott McCaig, general superior of the Companions of the Cross in Canada. For more information, go to www.staugustinehouseofpryaer.org/2012CharismaticConference.hmtl.

Lost in Yonkers

Limelight Theatre will present a coming of age tale by Neil Simon. “Lost in Yonkers” kicks off Friday at the theatre in St. Augustine.  It is about the story of Jay and his younger brother Arty. They are left in the care of their grandmother and aunt. Jay must come to terms with his life in Yonkers. It will run through February 17^th. For more information, go to www.limelight-theatre.org.

Charity Yard Sale

Tax preparers from Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Orange Park will hold an annual charity yard sale beginning Friday. It will be held at the 700-14A Blanding Boulevard. It gives people a chance to support the Clay County Animal Shelter. The tax service is also accepting donations of cash, gift cards and Purina Supplies for the shelter. For more information, call 904-777-1040 or visit www.jacksonhewitt.com.

Boat Show

Come see the latest styles during this year’s Boat Show. It will be held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center beginning on Friday and lasting until Sunday. There will be everything from a variety of boats on display.

Saturday:

Torchlight Tours

Fort Matanzas National Monument will offer evening Torchlight Tours on Saturday. The tour will leave the visitor center at 6 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.  Spanish re-enactors will be stationed at the fort and each tour will offer a firing demonstration of Spanish cannon.  Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets cost $7 each and children under the age of three are free. For more information, call 904-471-0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma.

Fundraising Luncheon

Oceans of Fun Reading camp announce a fundraising luncheon on Saturday. Lunch with Emma, A Proper Victorian Lady will begin at Noon at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Lunch will be provided by FSCJ Culinary School director and students. Tickets will cost $25 and the price includes lunch, a signed copy of Dickie Anderson’s new book and presentation by Anderson as Emma Goddard. Tickets are available at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or by calling 904-277-5264 or emailing www.paigeanddale@comcast.net. Oceans of fun is a literacy program designed to help young readers.

Flashin' With Passion For Fashion

Who's Knockin' Entertainment is association with Rob Aitch Production presents a free community event on Saturday. Flashin with Passion for Fashion will be held Saturday at First Coast Technical College in St. Augustine. Organizers say it will be fun for the family with games, prizes and more

Dirty Girl Mud Run

You are invited to the biggest Mud Run for women in Jacksonville. It will be held at the Diamond D. Ranch on Solomon Road on Saturday, rain or shine. Dirty Girl Mud Run challenges women to break their routine for a day and get dirty. The first wave of runners will begin at 8 a.m., the last wave at 4 p.m. Woman ages 14 and older are encouraged to participate. Cancer survivors run for free. To register, go to www.godirtygirl.com.

Community Pearls Scholarship Breakfast

Join Channel 4’s Rob Sweeting and the Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for a Community Pearls Scholarship breakfast on Saturday morning. It will be held at the Emanuel Missionary Baptist church Fellowship Hall beginning at 9 a.m. Donation is $30 and proceeds go towards scholarships for local seniors. For more information, call 904-696-5565 or 904-382-5627.

Nature’s Plant Management

Join park rangers at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for a short hike on how to learn differences in conditions such as soil, water and sunlight determine where plants live. The discussion begins at 2 p.m. Meet at the flag pole in front of the visitor center.

Walk/Run for National Cervical Health Awareness Month

The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Florida Council of Nurse Midwives will sponsor the 2^nd annual 5K Fun Walk/Run on Saturday. This event will raise money for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. The 5K will take place at the Dolphin Plaza at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Atlantic Beach. Registration begins at 9 a.m., the run/walk begins at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $25 per person.  Registration forms can be downloaded at www.NEfloridamidwives.weebly.com.

Black History Gala

You are invited to a Black History Gala on Saturday. It will be held at the Legends Center on Soutel Drive beginning at 6 p.m. There will be live performers and food. For more information or to RSVP, call 904-525-4491.

Monster Snake

See the largest snake that ever roamed the world during the opening of “Titanoboa: Monster Snake” on Saturday. You can see the snake at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville beginning at 10 a.m. Activities include screening of a documentary to a panel discussion.  Opening day activities are free, but admission to “Titanobo: Monster Snake” is $ 6 for adults, $5 for Florida residents, seniors and college students $4.50 for ages 3-17.

Nature Hike

Join a park ranger at the Fort George Island Cultural State Park for a nature hike on Saturday. You can discover the island’s natural communities. Participants are encouraged to bring bug spray and bottled water. The program will be held at the Ribault club and no reservation is necessary.

Women’s Wholistic Healing Conference

Fahmeeda Veal will be teaching a workshop on the importance of nutrition and its effects on Saturday. It will be held at Island Tropics on North Main Street beginning at 11 a.m. Veal is a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and Edward Waters College. The workshop is $25 advanced tickets or $35 at the door. A full lunch will be provided. To purchase advanced tickets, go to info@wholisticallyhealthy.org or call 904-619-3237.

Sunday:

AAPPO Annual Forum 5K

The American Association of Preferred Provider Organization will hold its 9^th annual Flexibility 5K Run and Walk on Sunday. It will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Florida. Nikki Kimbleton will serve as the emcee for the festivities. The event will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island beginning at 8 a.m. Registration for the race will be held onsite. Advance registration is available online at http://tiny.cc/zcn2gw. The race will begin at 9 a.m.

Concert in the Rounds

The Jewish Community Alliance will present a special concert in honor of the agency 25^th anniversary on Sunday.  A new ensemble consisting of a clarinetist, violinist, and pianist will perform.  The concert is free and begins at 3 p.m.

An Evening of Piano Music
Friday Musicale will present Douglas Anderson School of the Arts piano students on Sunday. The free concert will be held at Friday Musicale and it is open to the public. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Monday:

Family Reading Night

Duval County School Superintendent and Board members will be taking part in Family Reading Night on Monday. Local families are invited to attend and take part in events encouraging reading. The events will be held at 10 area Chick-Fil-A locations beginning at 5 p.m. The fast-food restaurant will donate 10% of the proceeds from the event to Read It Forward Jax! , the district’s reading initiative. For more information on locations, go to www.duvalschools.org.

JSYO Young Artists Concerto Competition Finals

The top level of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra will play a final recital round on Monday. They are vying for the chance to solo with the Jacksonville Symphony at the Major/Minor concert. You can see the finals at the Times-Union Center beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free.