March 13-19 Happenings Calendar

EVENTS

BOSOM BUDDIES
Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks, a breast cancer survivor, is the featured speaker 11 a.m. March 13, FSCJ North Campus, Rm. E235, 4501 Capper Road, Jacksonville. Free. RSVP: 766-6785.
AUTISM SYMPOSIUM
Wolfson Children’s Hospital presents the fifth annual symposium 8:30 a.m. March 13 at University of North Florida’s University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr., Jacksonville. Autism experts address medical evidence about autism causes and treatments. Admission is $50, which includes lunch. 202-6039. wolfsonchildrens.org
JAX SHARKS PRESEASON BENEFIT
Jacksonville Sharks take on the Orlando Predators 8 p.m. March 15 at Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. Bring a pet food donation to benefit First Coast No More Homeless Pets. Tickets range from $12-$133. A kickoff bash is held 4-7 p.m. March 16 at Burrito Gallery, 21 E. Adams St., Downtown. 630-3900. jaxsharks.com
COSMIC CONCERTS
Laser shows are Laser U2 7 p.m., Laser Beatles 8 p.m., Laser Led Zeppelin 9 p.m., and the new Laser Queen show, 10 p.m. March 15 in Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank. Online tickets are $5. Saturday shows are held noon and 5 p.m. 396-7062. moshplanetarium.org
COLOMBIAN CONSULATE VISIT
Colombian Consulate Orlando (Consulado Movil) is on hand 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 16 at Iglesia Roca de Salvacion, 2361 Cortez Road, Jacksonville. Paperwork that “el Consulado Movil” can help process include Cedulas, passports, visas, ID cards, notarizations, certificate of supervivencias, certificate of residency, and certificates of marriage and birth. Appointments required. 866-9251. asocol.com.co
SPRING FLING OPEN HOUSE
Keiser University holds an open house 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 16 at 6430 Southpoint Parkway, Southside. Refreshments, candy, campus tours and prizes are featured. Faculty and staff discuss programs in healthcare, business, technology and legal fields. 888-844-8404. kuopenhouse.com
CUMMER BALL & AUCTION 2013
The 34th Cummer Ball fundriaser is held 6 p.m. March 16 at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville. Cocktails, dinner and dancing, and a live auction are featured. The Tangee Renee Band performs. Tickets are $500 for members; $550 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit The Cummer’s mission to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education. 899-6038. cummer.org
HERB FESTIVAL
Jacksonville Herb Society holds its 21st annual Herb Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 16 at Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church, 6429 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville. Herbs, soaps and lotions, food (for people and pets) and arts & crafts are featured. JacksonvilleHerbSociety@yahoo.com
RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET
Performing musicians include Pam Affronti 10:30 a.m., Hannah Aldridge at noon and Tyler Childers 2:30 p.m. March 16 at the market, under the Fuller Warren Bridge at Riverside Avenue, Downtown. Local and regional art and a farmers market are also featured from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Sat. Admission is free. 554-6865. riversideartsmarket.com
Fort CLINCH CONFEDERATE GARRISON
Living history interpreters recreate fort life during the Civil War 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 16 and from 9 a.m.-noon March 17 at Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach. Firing demonstrations, soldier drills, ladies in their Southern finery and drummer boys are featured. Park admission is $6 per vehicle; plus $2 per person Fort admission. 277-7274. floridastateparks.org/fortclinch
FARMERS & ARTS MARKET
This market is held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sun. of the month at 2042 Park Ave., Orange Park. Everything is handmade or homegrown. Live entertainment, kids’ activities and food are featured. 264-2635. townoforangepark.com
ST. JOHNS RIVER FARMERS MARKET
Local produce, arts and crafts 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sat. at Alpine Groves Park, 2060 S.R. 13, Switzerland. 347-8900.
FARMERS MARKET OF SAN MARCO
Fresh local and regional produce is offered 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sat. at 1620 Naldo Ave., Swaim Memorial United Methodist Church parking lot, San Marco. Family fun day is the third Sat. 607-9935.
ANCIENT OAKS ARTS & FARMERS MARKET
An open-air farmers market, noon-4 p.m. March 24 and every other Sun. at Mandarin Community Club, 12447 Mandarin Rd. 607-9935.

POLITICS, BUSINESS, ACTIVISM

SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS MEN’S CLUB
TPC’s Matt Rapp is the featured speaker 11:30 a.m. March 13 at San Jose Country Club, 7529 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin. Admission is $20 for members, with lunch; $25 for nonmembers, with lunch. The Youth Achievers Program luncheon is held March 20. 396-5559.
CLAY CHAMBER U
A luncheon/workshop is held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 20 at Fleming Island Plantation’s Golf Club, 2260 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island. Bob Myers is the featured speaker. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers. 264-2651. claychamber.com
JACKSONVILLE JOURNEY
The oversight committee of this crime-fighting initiative meets 4 p.m. March 21 in Eighth Floor Conference Room 851, Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville. 630-7306. coj.net

BOOKS & WRITING

WRITERS’ MEETING
The Ancient City Chapter of the Florida Writer’s Association gathers 10:15 a.m. March 16 at Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., St. Augustine. Michael Ray King and Jeff Swesky discuss the options of publishing an e-book and the traditional hard and soft cover book and what is involved with doing it yourself or going to a company that provides all the services. sjcpls.org
T.D. ALLMAN
Bestselling author Allman talks about and signs copies of his new book, “Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State,” 7 p.m. March 18 at The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach. 241-9026.
RONA RECOMMENDS
The BookMark and Jacksonville NOW chapter present the 11th annual Women’s History Month celebration 6:30 p.m. March 20 at The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach. The fourth annual “Rona Recommends” is held 7 p.m. Rona Brinlee discusses books by/and or about women. 241-9026.

UPCOMING

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: GET THE SILLIES OUT!
March 22, St. Augustine Amphitheatre
GABRIEL IGLESIAS March 24, Moran Theater, T-U Center
JAX BEER WEEK April 1-6, Jax Urban Core
ROCK OF AGES April 2, T-U Center
DISNEY ON ICE: DARE TO DREAM
April 4, Veterans Memorial Center
MIKE EPPS April 12, T-U Center
GUNS-N-HOSES April 13, Veterans Memorial Arena
12TH ANNUAL BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL
April 27, Tree Hill Nature Center
ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL
May 3-5, Fernandina Beach
KEVIN JAMES June 9, The Florida Theatre
GREAT SOUTHERN TAILGATE COOK-OFF
Aug. 23 & 24, Amelia Island

COMEDY

KAREN MILLS
Mills appears 8 p.m. March 13, 14 and 15, and 8 and 10 p.m. March 16 at The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Road (in Ramada Inn), Mandarin. Tickets are $10 and $12. Comedy Zone All Stars 8 p.m. March 19 and 20. 292-4242. comedyzone.com
COMEDY CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE
Don Friesen appears 8:34 p.m. March 14, 8:04 p.m. March 15 and 8:04 and 10:18 p.m. March 16 at the new club, 11000 Beach Blvd., Ste. 8, Southside. Tickets range from $6-$25. Local funnyman Danny Johnson is on 6 p.m. March 16. 646-4277. jacksonvillecomedy.com
THE GYPSY COMEDY CLUB
Big Ed Caylor and Corry Forrestor appear 8:30 p.m. March 15 and 16 at 828 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine. Tickets are $10 and $12. 461-8843.
MAD COWFORD
Mad Cowford Improv performs 8:15 p.m. every Fri. and Sat. at Northstar Substation, 119 E. Bay St., Downtown. Admission is $5. 860-5451.

NATURE, SPORTS, OUTDOORS

TALBOT ISLANDS TREKKING ON A TRAIL
A park ranger discusses the basics of hiking 2 p.m. March 16 at Ribault Club, Ft. George Island Cultural State Park, 11241 Ft. George Road. Free. 251-2320. floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland
ST. JOHNS RIVER CELEBRATION
The 18th annual St. Johns River Cleanup & Celebration is held 8-11 a.m. March 16 at multiple sites along the river throughout Northeast Florida. In Duval, call 630-3420 or go to coj.net. In Clay, call 269-6374. stjohnsriverkeeper.org. The River(side) Cleanup is held in parks throughout the Riverside/Avondale area 9 a.m.-noon March 19. For details, go to riversideavondale.org
LUCK OF THE KIWI 5K
The inaugural 5K is held 6 p.m. March 16 at Intuition Ale Works, 720 King St., Riverside. A post-race party is held. Proceeds benefit the Jared Bynum Memorial Scholarship at Landon Middle School. 1stplacesports.com
MAYOR’S WALK
The annual walk for senior wellness is held 10 a.m. March 16 at Metropolitan Park, 1410 gator Bowl Blvd., Downtown. Free for folks older than 60. 630-7392.
RUMBLE IN THE ANCIENT CITY
This Mixed Martial Arts event, featuring MMA fights, starts at 6 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.) March 16 at Ketterlinus Gym, 60 Orange St., St. Augustine. An Irish Festival is held 4 p.m. Tickets start at $25; $10 for kids. Proceeds benefit St. Johns County Parks & Rec programs. Featured fighters are Cory Clark and Zach Alexander. 982-0099. rumbleintheancientcity.com deadgamefightschool.com
HALE & HEARTY 7K
The Hale & Hearty 7K is held 7:45 a.m. (registration 7 a.m.) March 16, starting and ending at Central Park, Fernandina Beach. Proceeds benefit the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida’s regional health care utilization research. haleandhearty7k.com hpcnef.org
BEACH EXPLORATION
A guided exploration is held 8:30 a.m. March 16 at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve’s South Beach site, A1A South, Ponte Vedra. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. Reservations are requested; call 823-4500. gtmnerr.org
BUTTERFLY DISCUSSION
Don Palmer and Peggy Friedman discuss how butterflies interact with native plants through various stages of development, 10-11 a.m. March 19 at GTM Reserve’s Marineland Field Office, west of A1A at Ocean Shore Blvd., south end of Town of Marineland. To RSVP, call 823-4500.
HIKING BASICS
A free hiking program is offered 7-8:30 p.m. March 19 at REI, 4862 Big Island Dr., St. Johns Town Center. Register at rei.com 996-1613.
DINOTREK AT THE ZOO
The new exhibit is open at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville. Lifelike animatronic “dinosaur” creatures are featured. Admission is $3 for members, $3.50 for non-members, in addition to Zoo admission. Zoo hours are extended until 6 p.m. weekends and holidays through Labor Day. 757-4463. jacksonvillezoo.org

COMMUNITY EVENTS

FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
The Jacksonville Chapter of the FNPS, Ixia, gets together 6:30 p.m. March 21 at Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville. Landscape architect Laurie Sheldon discusses “Creating Habitat for Pollinators with Native Plants.” Admission is free. 655-2550. ixia.fnpschapters.org
LGBT WORSHIP SERVICES
Services are held 10:30 a.m. every Sun. at First Coast Metropolitan Community Church, 2915 C.R. 214, St. Augustine. 824-2802.
OLD TIME JAM
Mountain-type folk music is played 7 p.m. every Tue. at Underbelly, 113 E. Bay St., Downtown. Open to players of all skill levels. Admission is free. facebook.com/JacksonvilleOldTimeJam

CLASSES & GROUPS

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Duval County Extension offers a Make & Take Rain Barrel Workshop 10 a.m.-noon March 15 at 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville. $45. Bring a vehicle big enough to get the 55-gallon plastic drum home. Sorry, no deliveries. To register, call 255-7450.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY
This Christ-centered recovery program meets 6-8 p.m. every Thur. at 555 Stockton St., Riverside. 476-0278.
MEMORY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
Learn simple strategies that focus on cognitive stimulation, education and socialization. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Tue. and Thur. at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach. 729-9535.
DEBTORS ANONYMOUS
12-Step meetings are held 7 p.m. every Thur. at Christian Family Chapel, Bldg. D, 10365 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville. 269-8010.
COMBAT MARTIAL ARTS
Six-week martial arts classes for men and women are offered 7-8 p.m. every Tue. and Thur. at 4083 Sunbeam Road, Southside. The fee is $40 a month, which includes access to fitness center. 343-6298.
MARINE VETERANS GROUP
The Oldest City Detachment 383 gathers 7 p.m. on first Tue. of the month at Elks Lodge 829, 1420 A1A S., St. Augustine. 461-0139. mclfl383.org
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
The Duval County Chapter No. 1046 gathers 7 p.m. the first Wed. of every month at the Elks Lodge, 1855 West Road, Southside. 419-8821.