EVENTS
JDRF GIVE BACK BENEFIT
To mark National Diabetes Awareness Month, local Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants host a Give Back event Nov. 20, to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and its mission to improve lives and cure Type 1 diabetes. To participate, dine at a participating Chili’s anytime Nov. 20 and mention the fundraiser to the server or present the special event flyer (download at northflorida.jdrf.org) when dining. In return, Chili’s donates 10 percent of the guest’s food and beverage sales back to their local JDRF chapter. 739-2101, northflorida.jdrf.org, chilis.com.
FINANCIALLY FIT WORKSHIPS
The Get Financially Fit workshop is held 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Murray Hill Branch Library, 918 Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, free; registration is encouraged; go to jaxpubliclibrary.org/financiallyfit or call 390-4008.
BLOOD DRIVE
The Blood Alliance, in need of all blood types, holds a blood drive 12:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Drive, Downtown, 353-1188, jacksonvillelanding.com.
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING
OneJax holds the 96th annual interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Congregation Ahavath Chesed Temple, 8727 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin; free, 620-1529, onejax.org.
BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU ARRIVES
Dave Plummer performs while the new vintage of French wine is celebrated, 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Beaches Museum & History Park, 381 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach; $5; free for members, 241-5657, beachesmuseum.org.
THIRD THURSDAY LECTURE SERIES
David T. Courtwright discusses “The Kennedy Assassination at 50: The Enduring Mystery,” 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Mandarin Community Club, 12447 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, 268-0784, mandarinmuseum.net.
COSMIC CONCERTS
Laser shows: Laser Vinyl at 7 p.m., Led Zeppelin at 8 p.m., Laser X at 9 p.m., and Metallica at 10 p.m. Nov. 22; online tickets $5, Bryan Gooding Planetarium, Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank, 396-7062, moshplanetarium.org.
PRESERVE JAX’S JEWELS
A testicular cancer benefit, featuring Civil Brute, Dog Apollo, JacksonVegas, Fjord Explorer and On Guard, is held 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at Burro Bar, 100 E. Adams St., Downtown; $10 for ages 18-20, $5 for older, proceeds benefit Movember, 677-2977.
RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET
Navy Band Southeast TGIF, Jo Charles Project, Dogfest Walk N Roll, local regional art, a farmers market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23 at 2623 Herschel St., Riverside, 389-2449, free, riversideartsmarket.com.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
The ceremony, in remembrance of Jordan Russell Davis, is held 5-8 p.m. Nov. 23 at Latham Plaza, by SeaWalk Pavilion, First Street, Jax Beach, 517-9836.
HOLIDAY COOKIE TOUR OF INNS
The Amelia Island Bed & Breakfast Association offers its annual open house and self-guided walking tour of inns, decked out in holiday décor, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 23. Each inn features a signature cookie, complimentary carriage and trolley rides between stops, and collect heirloom recipes. A portion of ticket and cookbook sales benefits a local charity. 277-2328, ameliaislandinns.com.
FESTIVAL OF TREES
The St. Johns County Convention Center and Renaissance World Golf Village Resort present the ninth annual festival, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. through Dec. 8 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9 at 500 Legacy Trail, St. Augustine. The display features donated trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Proceeds from a raffle benefit the St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund and United Way of St. Johns County. 940-4015, worldgolfhalloffame.org.
FALLIDAY SHOW
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants presents its Falliday Show on how to use food and flowers to make seasonal arrangements and The Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library hold a raffle, 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library, 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra, 827-6950.
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
St. Augustine’s historic district presents its 19th annual holiday event 6:30 p.m. every night at Plaza de la Constitución, downtown historic district. The thousands of lights shine nightly through Jan. 31, 825-1004.
INTUITION ANNIVERSARY
The local brewery celebrates its third anniversary with a beer seminar, 6 p.m. Nov. 20, a beer dinner 6 p.m. Nov. 22 and a party noon-9 p.m. Nov. 23 at 720 King St., Riverside. Proceeds benefit The Arc Jacksonville. Call for details, 683-7720, intuitionaleworks.com.
MOSH AFTER DARK
Learn the science and history behind bees at The Buzz About Bees, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank; admission is $5; free for MOSH members, students and teachers with I.D., 396-6674 ext. 226, themosh.org.
LATKE FRYING COMPETITION
The Great Latke Fry annual competition is held 6 p.m. on the first night of Chanukah, Nov. 27 at Chabad of Southside, 11271 Alumni Way, Southside. A panel of celebrity judges, the grand lighting of the Menorah, an olive oil press demonstration, refreshments, music, kids’ activities and a latke tasting are featured. For details, call 646-4434 or go to southsidechabad.com.
SS AMELIA GINGERBREAD PIRATE SHIP
The 17-foot-long, 12-foot-tall ship returns in homage to Amelia Island’s buccaneer history Nov. 27 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway. The ship is on display through Dec. 28. The annual Christmas tree lighting is held in the Courtyard 5:30 p.m. and Santa’s Holiday Dinner, featuring Mr. and Mrs. Claus, elves and reindeer, is served 6:30 p.m. in the Talbot Ballroom. Dinners are $51; $25 for ages 5-12. 277-1100.
MISTER ROGERS SWEATER DRIVE
The 11th annual drive is on. Drop off clean, new and gently used sweaters, jackets, coats and blankets through Nov. 30 at WJCT Studios, 100 Festival Park Ave., Jacksonville; Two Men & A Truck, 8849 Arlington Expressway, and First Coast VyStar Credit Union locations. Donations go to St. Vincent’s Mobile Outreach Ministry, Clara White Mission, I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless and area nonprofits. 358-6322, wjct.org.
RIVER CITY HAUNTS
A ghostly walking tour, 8 p.m. every Fri. through Dec. 20, starting at Jacksonville Landing escalators. For reservations, call 827-1845; $15 for adults; $5 for kids 5-12; adlibtours.com.
AMELIA FARMERS MARKET
Fernandina Beach farmers market offers local produce, gourmet-prepared foods and landscape plants, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sat. at the Shops of Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, 491-4872, ameliafarmersmarket.com.
BOOKS & LIBRARIES
FWA CLAY COUNTY WRITERS
Maureen A. Jung, Ph.D., discusses “Goal-setting for Writers” 6:15-8 p.m. Nov. 20 at Orange Park Public Library Meeting Room, 2054 Plainfield Ave., Orange Park, free, mjung@wordspringconsulting.com.
ADULT BOOK CLUB
Police procedurals are discussed 10 a.m. Nov. 21 at Hastings Branch Library, 6195 S. Main St., Hastings. 827-6970.
JOEL OSTEEN
Author and evangelist Osteen signs copies of his book, “Break Out: Five Ways to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life,” 6 p.m. Nov. 24 at Books-A-Million, 9400 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 15, Regency, 805-0004.
FOOD FOR FINES
St. Johns County Public Libraries are offering patrons the opportunity to resolve overdue fines and help those in need this holiday season through the “Food for Fines” program. Library staff will accept non-perishable food items in lieu of overdue library fines through Dec. 21. All donations will be delivered to the St. Johns County Food Closet to be distributed locally to help meet increased need for meals during the holiday season. Up to $1 in overdue fines will be resolved for each sealed, non-expired, non-perishable food item donated. The donation waivers are for library fines only and cannot be applied to fees for printing, lost items, or for credit against future fines. Interested parties who do not owe fines are also encouraged to participate by dropping off canned foods at any library branch or bookmobile stop. 827-6925, sjcpls.org.
BRENTWOOD BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Brentwood Library seeks new members; join for $5. Shop for books 10 a.m.-noon and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. every Tue. and Thur. (except Thanksgiving) at Brentwood Branch Library, 3725 Pearl St., Downtown, 630-0924, jpl.coj.net.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE
Hard-back, soft-cover, audio, large-print and children’s books and much more are available 9 a.m.-noon Tue., Thur. and Sat at University Park Branch Library, 3435 University Blvd. N., Arlington, 630-2304, fjpl.org.
COMEDY
MARY ELLEN HOOPER
Hooper hosts the Foster Closet Benefit Show 8:04 p.m. Nov. 21; tickets are $6-$15; Hooper is also on 8:34 p.m. Nov. 22 and 8:04 and 10:10 p.m. Nov. 23 at The Comedy Club of Jacksonville, 11000 Beach Blvd., Ste. 8, Southside, $6-$25; 646-4277, jacksonvillecomedy.com.
COREY HOLCOMB
The Chicago funnyman appears 8 p.m. Nov. 21, and 8 and 10 p.m. Nov. 22-23 at The Comedy Zone, Ramada Inn, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin; $20 and $25; 292-4242, comedyzone.com.
MYKE HERLIHY
The comic is on 8 p.m. Nov. 22-23 at Latitude 30, 10370 Philips Highway, Southside, $10, 365-5555, latthirty.com.
KIDS
KIDS READING CLUB
Readers read popular favorites to kids 6 months-8 years, 4 p.m. every Wed. (except First Wednesday Art Walk) at Chamblin Bookmine, 215 N. Laura St., Downtown, free, chamblinbookmine.com.
NATURE, SPORTS & OUTDOORS
RIVER TO SEA PRESERVE GUIDED TRAIL WALK
The walk, led by GTM Research Reserve volunteers through wooded hammock between the ocean and Matanzas River, is held 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at the south end of Marineland; reservations are required; 823-4500, gtmnerrmarinelandtrail.eventbrite.com.
FAMILY SEINING ACTIVITY
Pull a seine net through Guana Lake, collecting fish, crabs and more, and learn about the animals’ roles in the habitat, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 23 and every fourth Sat. at GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra, free with paid entrance, 823-4500, gtmnerr.org
JAGUARS VS. TEXANS
The Jacksonville Jaguars play against the Houston Texans, 8:25 p.m. Dec. 5 at EverBank Field, 1 EverBank Place, Downtown. Single-game tickets for home games start at $45, 633-2000, jaguars.com.
MARINELAND BEACH WALK
A GTM Research Reserve volunteer guides a free interpretive Beach Walk at River to Sea Preserve Oceanside in Marineland, 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 26. Meet at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Marineland field office on west side of A1A, 9741 Ocean Shore Blvd., southern end of Marineland. Reservations are required; call 823-4500 or go to gtmnerrmarinelandbeach.eventbrite.com.
GOPHER TORTOISE DISCUSSION
A park ranger discusses these local denizens, 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at Ribault Club, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, 11241 FortGeorge Road, free, 251-2320, floridastateparks.org.
POLITICS, ACTIVISM & BUSINESS
CREATIVE BUSINESS PLANNING
The class “Business Planning for Creatives: Artists, Writers, Healers, Coaches & Independent Practitioners” is held 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Atlantic Beach; yvette@narratives4change.com, 800-913-8611 ext. 1.
CLASSES & GROUPS
GENEALOGY SOCIETY
The Jacksonville Genealogy Society offers a four-session intermediate genealogy class 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 23, Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at Bartram Trail Branch Library, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove, free, but registration required — email your name, address and phone number to jaxgen@comcast.net.
DEPRESSION, BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE
This group meets 6 p.m. every Tue. at Baptist Medical Center, 800 Prudential Drive, Pavilion Building, Southbank; free; 322-4040 or 294-5720.
PRACTICE WORLD PEACE
Brenda Star Walker leads a group 11 a.m.-noon every first Sun. at Memorial Park, 1620 Riverside Ave., Riverside. Bring a ground cover. Practice suitable for all ages and abilities.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The group needs volunteers for its programs in St. Johns County, 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.-Sat., building or improving area homes. To register and get details, go to habitatstjohns.org.
MEMORY ENHANCEMENT
Volunteers are needed in the new Memory Enhancement class to assist with class activities, make coffee and serve lunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tue. and Thur. at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 S.R. 13, St. Johns, 209-3686, stjohnscoa.com.
GENEALOGY
Research family history 1-2:30 p.m. every Wed. at River House, 179 Marine St., St. Augustine; $3 for River House activity members; $4 for nonmembers, 209-3643 or 209-3646.
UPCOMING EVENTS
KATHLEEN MADIGAN Dec. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
JEFF DUNHAM Jan. 24, Veterans Memorial Arena
LILY TOMLIN Feb. 6, The Florida Theatre
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Feb. 28, Veterans Memorial Arena
BRIAN REGAN March 23, The Florida Theatre
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