Category: Island Info

More than you want to know about Amelia Island, Florida

Give Your Sweetheart Crabs for Valentine’s Day

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Shopping for Valentine’s day at the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market and Fernandina Beach Arts Market will be easy on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Both markets are in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach and offer a plethora of booths containing home-made and hand-crafted, artisan foods, locally grown seasonal produce, and arts and crafts. Several vendors will be running amazing specials on gift and dinner ideas for you to share with your sweetheart.

Sugar Flour Pastries has rebranded their delicious ice cream sandwiches as Epic Creamery. For Valentine’s Day they will be offering some of their epic flavors in a decorative sampler box. Their Local Expresso ice cream recently won Best Tasting at Desserts of Amelia. Be sure to tune in to WJXT February 12th for their cooking demonstration with Nikki Kimbleton on WJXT at 9:00 a.m. where they will show you how to glam up a brownie for your sweetie with Chantilly Lait, a mousse-like, chocolate whipped cream. Other holiday delights include Valentine sugar cookies decorated in red and white frosting by Great Harvest Bread Company, and JD Beef will be offering a sale on their ribeye steaks from cows who have never received antibiotics, never received growth promotants, and never received animal by-products.

More special Valentine’s ideas are serving your loved ones king crab legs, king salmon, or scallops for dinner from Upstream Seafood. Topsy Toffee is making a seasonal dried strawberry and white chocolate flavor, and Scents Amelia has adorable, unique soy candles. Consider buying your heartthrob a lovely orchid from Jaxma, honey for your Honey, or perhaps African Love Kitchen’s cheesecake or apple sambusa. Chesser’s Seafood always sell out of their delicious wild caught shrimp and now they are bringing fresh fish. This week they will have flounder, sheepshead, whiting, and b-line snapper. For special orders or to reserve your shrimp or fish, please call Debbie or Eddie at (905) 509-3337.

Also open on February 10th is the Arts Market; this is home to nearly 20 vendors who hand make their fine jewelry, apparel, paintings, stained glass, wind chimes, wood working, furniture and more. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you’ll find the markets located on North Seventh Street, between Alachua and Centre Street. This week’s music will be performed by Lyle Rickards. Lyle has been playing the fiddle and the dulcimer for over 25 years and has traveled across the country. Making music his life, he is on the road and Amelia Island is where he has chosen to soak up some sun, music and campfires. To answer your sensitive questions, our Booth with a Cause will be Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

Both markets are open rain or shine, and your well behaved, leashed pets are always welcomed.

Great Weather to Enjoy Farmers and Arts Markets

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The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market and the Fernandina Beach Arts Market will be open Saturday, January 17, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on North Seventh Street in downtown Fernandina’s historic district. If your New Year’s resolution was to eat clean or lose weight, this will be a great day to come and shop for seasonal produce. Four farmers bring a nice variety of freshly harvested fruits, nuts, beans, and vegetables that will help you reach your goals.

Boatright Family Farms is from South Georgia and they bring cabbage, peas and beans, squash, zucchini, onions, and more. Cabbage Creek Farm, from Nassau County, Florida, are growing salad greens, spinach, kale and other greens. King’s Kountry Produce sets up two booths with their farm fresh strawberries, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and other Florida grown winter vegetables. Bacon’s Select Produce grow lettuce, kale and cucumbers in their Jacksonville greenhouses. They sell their green and red butter head lettuce with the roots still attached providing a longer shelf life.

Upstream Seafood sets up a deep freezer with Alaskan salmon, delicious scallops, and an amazing smoked salmon dip. Chesser Seafood operate a small shrimp boat out of Mayport, Florida, and they sell out of their large shrimp every week. Many of these vendors will sell out of their products, but you can place pre-orders with them to make sure you don’t miss out.

Other great vendors returning this week include Me, Myself and Pies, Lizzie’s Cheese Straws, Golden Olive Press, and JD Beef will have a fresh supply of pork in stock, too.

The Arts Market, located adjacent to the Market Place, will have nearly 20 booths of handcrafted furniture, woodworking, apparel, fine and whimsical jewelry, paintings, pottery, glassware, and more.

Volunteers will be on hand at our Booth With a Cause to answer your questions and show you the exciting line up of authors they have planned for the 17th Annual Amelia Island Book Festival being held February 15 – 17, 2018. This event promotes literacy by celebrating the joys of reading and writing.

Both markets are open rain or shine, and your well-behaved, leashed pets are always welcomed. For more information, please visit FernandinaBeachMarketPlace.com or FernandinaBeachArtsMarket.com.

FSCJ Receives $25,000 Grant from AT&T Foundation for Fire Cadet Training

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Join Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) for a special check presentation in honor of the $25,000 Fire Cadet Academy Grant awarded to FSCJ by the AT&T Foundation.

The grant provides scholarships to 11 students from underserved populations who wish to obtain FSCJ’s Firefighter I/II Workforce Certificate through the Fire Academy of the South (FAS). Students will be trained in FSCJ’s FAS state-of-the-art training facilities with modern equipment including a new maritime fire trainer and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) simulator.

Special guests include FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau, Jimmy Patronis, chief financial officer for the state of Florida, Kurtis Wilson, director/fire chief for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Heather Duncan, regional director, external affairs for AT&T.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Florida State College at Jacksonville-Fire Academy of the South
2700 Firefighter Memorial Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32246

FOL Offers a Program on Myths and Benefits of Hypnosis

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Friends of the Library is offering a presentation on the topic of “Dispelling the Myths About Hypnosis While Learning the Benefits.” Carlos Bustabad, MA, CHt., will deliver this informative and interactive program to clarify the misconceptions regarding hypnosis and the ways to discover its wonderful benefits. This interactive program will be held in the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Library on Wednesday evening, January 31st, at 6:00 p.m. and is free of charge.

As a Certified Consulting Hypnotist, Mr. Bustabad, specializes in helping individuals take control of their lives by increasing their confidence, motivation, and performance around personal and professional issues. As a former educator and mental health/career counselor, he has helped undreds of individuals improve the quality of their lives. As well as working with individuals, Mr. Bustabad has extensive experience delivering motivational training programs to small and large Fortune 500 companies. His unique and interactive presentation style is highly informative and fun!

To register, please call the library at 904-530-6500, extension 1.

For further information regarding this event, on joining Friends of the Library, or to donate, please visit the FOL website at www.fernandinaFOL.org.

January 2018 City Commissioner Meeting

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The regularly schedule meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commissioners will be held January 16, 2018 at City Hall on Ash Street, Amelia Island.

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / INVOCATION
4. PRESENTATIONS
-1 PRESENTATION – AMELIA ISLAND BIKE TRAILS – Mr. Phillip Scanlan will provide a presentation regarding Amelia Island Bike Trails.
-2 BUDGET SUMMARY – Comptroller Patti Clifford will answer any questions regarding the budget summary for December 2017.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA OR ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA
6. CONSENT AGENDA
-1 CORRECTED – BUDGET AMENDMENTS – HURRICANE IRMA – RESOLUTION 2017-210 APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017/2018 FOR ITEMS RELATED TO HURRICANE IRMA DEBRIS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Synopsis: Approves budget amendments for Hurricane Irma debris removal related invoices and approves increasing the Total City Budget from $138,877,010 to $139,826,454. $137,755,000 to $138,704,444.

-2 FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT – BUCCANEER REGION SCCA – RESOLUTION 2018-04 APPROVING A FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT WITH BUCCANEER REGION SCCA TO USE AIRPORT PROPERTY FOR SCCA AUTOCROSS SOLO DRIVING EVENTS ON VARIOUS DATES IN 2018; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Synopsis: Approves a Facilities Use Agreement for SCCA Autocross Solo Driving Events in 2018.

7. RESOLUTIONS
-1 CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL – KELLERMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC – RESOLUTION 2018-05 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #1 WITH KELLERMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL WORK ON THE TIMBER WALKWAY IN THE AREA SOUTH AND WEST OF THE RESTAURANT, AUTHORIZING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $38,000; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Synopsis: Approves Change Order #1 with Kellerman Construction, Inc.

-2 AGREEMENT NEGOTIATION – RFP #17-06 – RESOLUTION 2018-06 AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATION WITH ADVANCED DISPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO RFP #17-06; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Synopsis: Accepts the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee for RFP #17-06 Collection and Disposal of Garbage, Recyclables, and Yard Debris and authorizes the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a franchise agreement with Advanced Disposal.

8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
9. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
10. CITY CLERK REPORTS
11. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
12. ADJOURNMENT

Friends of the Library Resumes Series of Computer Classes

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Deryck Burnett, owner of Megabite Computer Services, returns to offer his computer expertise at the Fernandina Beach Library. January’s topic is “An Overview of Using the Smartphone.”

This workshop will be held on Saturday, January 20th, from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. (note the new time) in the Fernandina Beach Library Community Room and is free of charge.

Participation is limited, so register in advance by calling the library at 904-530-6500, Extension 1. If you are not able to attend, please call the library to cancel so someone on the waiting list may participate.

For further information regarding this event, on joining Friends of the Library, or to donate, please visit the Friends of the Library website at www.fernandinaFOL.org.

Form Your Future for College Bound Students

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Press release: Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), in partnership with the University of North Florida, Edward Waters College, Duval County Public Schools, the Nassau County School District, Year Up Jacksonville, Earn Up and the JAX Chamber, is hosting Form Your Future, a free event that helps college-bound students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Form Your Future takes place Saturday, November 18, 2017, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at both the FSCJ Advanced Technology Center, located on FSCJ Downtown Campus, and the FSCJ Betty P. Cook Nassau Center.

This annual event provides free, in-person, financial aid guidance to help all incoming students and/or their parents/guardians prepare for a smooth transition to begin college. Students who attend Form Your Future also have the opportunity to enter for a chance to receive scholarship money. Participating colleges and universities are giving away more than $35,000 in scholarships.

The addresses for each location are listed below:

FSCJ Advanced Technology Center (next to Downtown Campus, between Pearl and Broad streets)
401 W. State Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

FSCJ Betty P. Cook Nassau Center (just east of I-95 off of SR A1A)
76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

Professional financial aid staff and counselors will be on hand at both locations to offer free help in all aspects of the application process. In order to complete the FAFSA, parents and students should bring the following:

* Social Security number, driver’s license or alien registration card
* 2016 IRS 1040 or latest tax return and W-2 statements
* Federal Student Aid ID (Don’t have one? Create one at fsaid.ed.gov.)

For more information, visit formyourfuture.org/.

The Craft of Writing

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Press release: On November 16, 2017, “Writers by the Sea Presents… The Craft of Writing”
Fresh from the 2017 Florida Writers Association, Annual Conference, four of our Writers by the Sea authors will share insights and highlights from featured speakers: David Morrell (First Blood, Rambo); Steve Berry (2017, FL Writer of the Year); Michael Tabb (Full Sail Professor); Anne Dalton (Trademark Attorney); Mark Gottlieb (Publisher); and more. Our FWA conference participants were introduced to the craft of writing honed by these esteemed authors, agents, and publishers, and want to share the wealth with you.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
Writers by the Sea Panelists include Florida award winning writers: Nadine Vaughan D’Ardenne (Screenwriter), and Donna Jennings (Novelist); plus WBTS small group leader of “The Writer Within”, Marla McDaniels and 2018 WBTS Planning Committee member, Linda Guecia.

As always, we meet the third Thursday of the month, at the Amelia Island Museum of History, at 6:00pm, in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Holiday Mailbox Decorating Class

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Landscape Matters will present a holiday mailbox decorating class on Wednesday, November 15, 10 am until 11:30 a.m. at the Yulee County Building (86026 Pages Dairy Road).
(Take US 17 North, pass over the railroad tracks, turn left on Pages Dairy Road. The building is attached to the fire station.)
 
Nassau Master Gardener Carol Ann Atwood and avid holiday decorator Sylvie Baxter will conduct a Landscape Matters class on how to make your mailbox “holiday ready” using cuttings from your own yard, e.g., magnolia, spruce, pine, palmetto, pittosporum, palms, holly with berries, etc. and ornamental décor.

Admittance is free. To “make and take” your own mailbox cover with materials provided by the instructor, the fee is $20. Checks should be made out to University of Florida. Registration deadline is Friday, November 10 by 5 pm. (It is a holiday for Extension but checks may be dropped in the mail slot at the offices either in Callahan or Yulee.) Late registration fee is $30. Only ONE mailbox cover per person.

To download registration form:
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nassauco/2017/07/25/holiday-mailbox-decorating/

For more information contact the Extension office at 530-6351. Master Gardeners are on phone duty Fridays, from 10 am until 2 pm at 530-6351, press “1” for the Yulee Extension office.
 

American Indians, Trees for Troops, and Petanque Only Some of the Agenda

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The regular meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission will be held on NOVEMBER 8, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Chambers on Ash Street. Here is the agenda:

1. CALL TO ORDER    
2. ROLL CALL    
3. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation by Reverend James Tippins, Baptist Medical Center Nassau Senior Chaplain.     

4. PROCLAMATIONS      
4.1 PROCLAMATION ­ NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH ­ 
Proclaims the month of November, 2017, as “National American Indian Heritage Month”. Ms. Nadine D’Ardenne,  American Indian Representative, will be present to accept the Proclamation.      
 
4.2 PROCLAMATION ­TREES FOR AMERICA’S TROOPS, INC.  ­ 
Recognizes Trees for America’s Troops, Inc. for providing United States military servicemen and servicewomen on  deployment with decorated Christmas trees and essential items to help them overcome the drudgery  and hardships of faraway duty. Trees for America’s Troops, Inc. President Ms. Judi Mixon­Brown will  be present to accept the Proclamation.      
 
4.3 PROCLAMATION PÉTANQUE AMELIA ISLAND OPEN  ­ 
Recognizes the 8th Annual Petanque Amelia Open and names the tournament’s founder, Mr. Philippe Boets, the Official Ambassador of the Pétanque Amelia Island Open.      

5. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA OR ITEMS ON THE  CONSENT AGENDA    

6. CONSENT AGENDA    
 
6.1 Synopsis: Declares certain property as surplus, and authorizes the disposal of such.
6.2 Synopsis: Approves three additional applications for exemption of payment for  City Sewer, Refuse, and Stormwater costs for the months of October 1, 2017, through September 30,  2018.
6.3 Synopsis: Awards  RFP #17­03 for the City’s disaster public assistance services to Witt O’Brien’s, LLC.       
6.4 Synopsis: Approves the Utility Work by Highway Contractor Agreement between the City of Fernandina Beach and the  Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Also authorizes the City Manager to bind the City for deeds,  easements, agreements, licenses, permits and other agreements related to any services,  facilities or usage of properties and rights­of­way owned by the FDOT costing no more than $20,000.      
 
6.5 FINAL PLAT APPROVAL ­ DUNES OF AMELIA, PHASE TWO ­ RESOLUTION 2017­171  APPROVING FINAL PLAT, PAB CASE 2017­10 TITLED “DUNES OF AMELIA, PHASE TWO”;  AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Accepts and approves the plat titled  “Dunes of Amelia, Phase Two” as a final plat.       
 
6.6 Synopsis: Accepts and approves the plat titled  “Lakeside Reserve” as a preliminary plat.       
 
6.7 Synopsis: Approves transfers within respective Departments/Funds for  FY 2016/2017.
       
7. RESOLUTIONS    
7.1 Synopsis: Approves  the  Comcast  Enterprise  Services  Master  Services  Agreement,  The  First  Amendment to the agreement, and the Renewal Service Order.      
 
7.2 Synopsis:  Approves the purchase of two servers and a storage device from Dell, Inc. and the purchasing  agreement.       
 
7.3 Synopsis: Approves a transfer of $35,600 to the Golf Repairs/Maintenance Grounds account from the Golf Reserve account and a transfer of $202,850 to the Airport Repairs/Maintenance Building and Grounds account from the Airport Reserve account.      
 
7.4 Synopsis: Authorizes the City to enter into Agreement No. LP45011 with FDEP  in the amount of $500,000 for the North Fletcher Drainage Basin Project.      
 
7.5 Synopsis:  Authorizes the City to enter into a cost­share agreement with SJRWMD to accept an award of  $251,283 for the construction improvements to the Area 1 drainage system.      
 
7.6 Synopsis: Authorizes the City to request a maintenance easement along the  existing ditch from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).      
 
7.7 Synopsis:  Approves reimbursement to the City from a future debt issue for costs related to the General Aviation  Terminal project incurred before the debt is issued.      
 
7.8 Synopsis: Approves Task Order #2017­02 with Olsen  Associates, Inc. for Coastal Engineering Services for Beach Management.      
 
7.9 Synopsis: Approves Task Order  #2017­03 with Olsen Associates, Inc. for coastal engineering services for the Alternate Renourishment Project.      
 
7.10 Synopsis: Awards RFQ #17­03 to Brockington and Associates, Inc. for the Historic Resources Survey Update.      
 
7.11 Synopsis: Approves the Construction and Financial Agreement  between Eight Flags Aviation, LLC and the City of Fernandina Beach. Authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a public ramp apron management agreement with Eight Flags Aviation, LLC and authorizes the City Manager to execute Change Order 1 with F&G Construction, not to exceed the original award amount, for the addition of a nose and tail section to the Airport Terminal.           

8. ORDINANCES ­ FIRST READING    
8.1 Synopsis: Amends the Land Development Code specific to variances.       
 
8.2 Synopsis: Approves a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay to approximately 5.10 acres located on S. 13th Street between  Hickory Street and Fir Street.      
9. CITY MANAGER REPORTS    
10. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS    
11. CITY CLERK REPORTS    
12. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS    
13. ADJOURNMENT

Pasta Sale at the Farmers Market

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The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market will be open Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. This open air market is located on North Seventh Street in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach and features nearly 40 tents of seasonal produce, fresh baked breads and pastries, and a wide variety of specialty foods and natural bath products.

Amelia Pasta, a long standing staple at the farmers market is holding a Pasta Blowout Sale – all in-stock flavors of penne, linguini, fettuccini, and orzo are on sale for only $5.00 per bag, no rainchecks.

Boatright Farm’s crops have rotated to fall harvests and they still have plenty of squash in addition to their turnip and mustard greens, as well as some nice heads of cabbage.

Camp Craft Cocktails is turning out to be one of our most popular booths. They sell jars of quality ingredients that are perfect for sharing with friends or sipping alone. Simply add 12 ounces of your favorite spirit, chill for three days and enjoy eight servings. Flavors include Aromatic Citrus, Bloody Mary, or Hibiscus Ginger Lemon.

Our Booth with a Cause this week is the Salvation Army’s Hope House. They are dedicated to restoring those in need to a place of productivity and self-sufficiency, values that are necessary for a community to grow and prosper. Stop by their booth to learn more about what they are doing in our community.

We hope you will come downtown with your family and friends and sample a taste of what the Market Place offers. Live entertainment will be provided by Melrose, and well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join you.

Friends of the Library Present: Medicare 101

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Press Release: Friends of the Library’s Adult Education Program is sponsoring an informative presentation exploring the many questions that arise in navigating the “ins” and “outs” of Medicare. The program, entitled Medicare 101, will be held on Tuesday afternoon, November 7th at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Fernandina Beach Library, 25 N. 4th Street, Fernandina Beach.

Learn the basics with an experienced Medicare agent. Some of the many topics that will be addressed include Original Medicare and other options; the meanings of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D; enrollment deadlines; the extent of coverage Medicare provides and other medical insurance options.

This program is free to the public. Participation is limited, so register in advance by calling the library at 904-530-6500, Ext. 1. If you are not able to attend, please call the library to cancel so someone on the waiting list may participate.

For further information regarding this event, on joining Friends of the Library, or to donate, please visit the Friends of the Library website at www.fernandinaFOL.org.

Farmers Market, Arts Market, and Fall Festival, Too

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Saturday, October 28th, brings tons of family fun to historic Fernandina Beach including the Arts Market at the corner of Eighth and Centre Streets, the Market Place farmers market on North Seventh Street, and the Fall Festival on North Sixth Street.

The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market returns every Saturday with over 40 tents of edible delights, farm fresh fruits and vegetables, and homemade lotions, soaps, balms, and candles. In addition to our weekly vendors of jams, honey, dips, sauces, seafood, and beef, returning this week is Rose’s An Unbelievable Eggrolls; Me, Myself, and Pies; new vendor Oizeo and their Asian tapas, and Denise and her mom are back with Jay’s Marketplace’s chopped olive salad and olive juice. Golden Olive Press is also back in the farmers market with hand selected olive oils from Paul’s family’s native Spain, the largest producer of olive trees in the world.

The Fernandina Beach Arts Market is home to over 25 booths of artists and crafters who bring their hand-crafted jewelry, pottery, apparel, quilts, woodworking and much more. Joel Vendetti is a local musician and artist and he makes tie dye T-shirts, wall hangings, and onesies for the youngest (and cutest) of mankind. Unique and comfortable for all ages, these are home crafted with Joel’s own secret process. Bowls w ith Holes is another vendor who sells unique pottery. Cindy shapes these handmade bowls – with holes – and they are perfect for baking breads or giving as gifts. Individually painted in a variety of colors and themes, the bowls are displayed at unbelievable low prices. CC Jordan Jewelry is custom jewelry made by Candy Jordan. Candy sets up shop with the style of a designer showroom all in a 10 X 10 tent. Big chunky pieces are delicately designed for fashion. You don’t want to miss her display at the Arts Market.

This is also Georgia/Florida Weekend and farmers market booths will be decorated to win your votes for the Best Decorated Booth. Look for Bulldog, Gator, or Halloween themes and then vote for your favorite at the Market Place Management Tent, where you can also pick up a complimentary edition of Edible magazine.

Music will be provided by Spanish Guitarist Dennis Fermin from St. Augustine, Florida, and Community Hospice will be our Booth with a Cause.

Please keep in mind North Sixth Street will be closed to traffic because of the Fall Festival, but it will be filled with giant slides, bounce houses, an entertainment stage, and tables and chairs for dining on free hot dogs. Kids will enjoy game booths, cookie decorating, face painting, and a petting zoo!

Downtown Fernandina Beach is the place to be on the morning of October 28, 2017. Both markets are open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., rain or shine.

Farmers Market, Pinball, and a Car Show, too

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The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market will be open Saturday, October 21, 2017, on North Seventh Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. Join us downtown for some fresh air and friendly faces. With over 40 tents of seasonal produce, home baked goodies, and artisan delicacies, there is something for everyone in the family. From gluten-free breads and goat milk soaps, to farm fresh squash and wild caught shrimp, this is the place to be on Saturday mornings.

Something Good is a gluten-free bakery who makes amazing sweet breads, biscuits, traditional sandwich breads, and other baked goods that are entirely gluten-free. Two of Dee’s three children have gluten allergies and it was challenging for her to find healthy, and tasty, options. Her passion for baking became a search for gluten-free recipes and she soon realized how prevalent the allergy has become. With a few years of experimenting in the gluten free realm, she had all five members of the family, including the pickiest of eaters, eating (and enjoying) her gluten free creations, that are now available each week at the Market Place.

Introducing new scents this week is Soap-Crafters. They have goat milk soaps and lotions, bath bombs, sugar bars, and sugar scrubs, and their new sugar scrub lip balm is made with the honey from another vendor in the farmers market, Cross Creek Honey.

As the cooler weather moves in, so will a new crop of seasonal produce. Boatright Family Farm, of Bristol, Georgia, will be bringing sweet potatoes, mustard greens, turnip and collard greens, squash, and they still have cucumbers growing. Farming is the family’s livelihood, and as rough as it gets from time to time – such as the losses created by Hurricane Irma – the Boatrights are proud to have raised three children on their ancestral, family farm.

Don’t forget to call ahead and reserve your shrimp with Eddie and Debbie Chesser, of Chesser Seafood. Eddie’s shrimp boat, “The Brat”, hauls in fresh shrimp each week and they will hold your shrimp at the farmers market if you would like to pre-order. They can be reached at (904) 509-3337. Since the 8 Flags Car Show will be set up on Centre Street, they will likely sell out fast this Saturday!

This week’s music will be provided by the talented Jim Barcaro, and our featured Brick and Mortar business will be Fernandina Beach’s own Pinball Museum. This is an interactive museum of pinball fun. They offer unlimited play for the price of admission and weather permitting, will have a pinball machine on display at the farmers market. Bring the kids and show them a traditional arcade game from previous generations.

The farmers market is open every Saturday, and your well-behaved, leashed pets are always welcome.

For more information, find the Fernandina Beach Market Place on facebook or the world wide web.

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