Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Turtle Crawl and Nest Fest on Jekyll Island, Georgia

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Every year the sea turtles return to our beaches to lay eggs. The season lasts from May – late August. Turtle Crawl May 10 – May 15, 2010, is a week-long event that celebrates the sea turtles and the beginning of the nesting season while raising awareness and funds for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Nest Fest Beach Fest –  Jekyll Island Beach Deck
Nest Fest takes place on Saturday May 15th, 2010, from noon to 4 p.m. at the beach deck on Jekyll Island, GA. During Nest Fest  can learn more about the fascinating sea turtles, their habitat, and other creatures that make their home along the Georgia coast.  Kids will enjoy crafts, games and activities including the always popular Kids Turtle Crawl beach races.

There might even be a release of a rehabilitated sea turtle at the event.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon

Even if you’re not participating, you might enjoy watching the exciting competition consisting of an open water swim, biking and ending with a run.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon:

  • Full Triathlon – 1.5 Mile Swim, 40k Bike, and 10k Run
  • Sprint Triathlon – 600 Yard Swim, 20K Bike, and 5K Run

& 5K Fun Run/Walk.
Register on www.gamultisports.com!
A portion of the proceeds benefits the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

turtle crawl and nest fest jekyll island, georgia

SCHEDULE FOR TURTLE CRAWL EVENTS DURING THE WEEK

Monday May 10th  – 5:30 pm – 7pm: An Evening with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Meet Dr. Terry Norton, Director of Veterinary Services at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, as he discusses the Center’s accomplishments over the past year and gives updates on patients that were rehabilitated and released. After, enjoy mingling with the Georgia Sea Turtle Staff on the front lawn. Cash bar and dessert reception available. Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Free  with Paid Admission to the Center. Reservations recommended. To register for An Evening at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Wednesday May 12th – 5pm – 8pm: The Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Chic-Fil-A on St. Simons Island

Thursday May 13th – 7pm – 9pm: Movie Night
This year’s movie – A Shark Tale. Popcorn and bottled water provided. Free. Reservations Required. To register for Movie Night, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Friday May 14th – 6 pm – 8 pm: Pasta Dinner with Scute (register and pay in advance)
Join your favorite Sea Turtle, Scute, for a pasta dinner before the Turtle Crawl Triathlon the next morning. After, explore the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, open late for this special occasion.  $15 per person ages 3 and older, 3 and younger Free. Reservations Required. To register for this event, call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Saturday May 15th – 12 Noon – 4 pm: Nest Fest Beach Fest (FREE!)

For more information call 1-877-JEKYLL or visit www.jekyllisland.com

Pops at the Beach – Mother’s Day Concert at Jacksonville Beach, Florida

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POPS AT THE BEACH
It is spring, it is TPC week, and it is Mother’s Day. Cap off the week of championship golf by talking your favorite mother to the Sea Walk Pavilion on Mother’s Day. What better way to honor her than a Pops concert featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performing a little night music.  An extra plus is the fact that admission to the concert is free, so you can treat Mom to lunch or dinner instead.  Just bring mom, friends, family, lawn chairs or blanket, and enjoy an evening of great music, moonlight, sea breezes and the sounds of the ocean. This is a family event, kids of all ages are welcome. Soft drinks, wine and beer, food, and dessert are available for purchase. Admission is free. The event area opens at 5:00 PM.

The City of Jacksonville Beach, Beaches Fine Arts Series, B.R.A.S.S., and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra are partnering again to bring you the annual Mother’s Day POPS AT THE BEACH concert featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

This is the 16th POPS AT THE BEACH performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the 10th from the Sea Walk Pavilion stage designed specifically for the JSO by The Haskell Company. Under the direction of guest conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:30 PM performing music from the movies, the opera, Broadway and the concert hall. Maestro Nakahara is in his second season as music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic. Having served as Jacksonville Symphony associate conductor in 2007, he continues to make annual JSO conducting appearances.

The Jacksonville Mass Choir starts off the evening’s entertainment at 5:45 PM with To Michael with Love – The Songs of Michael Jackson. The group is directed by Deborah McDuffie, Artistic Director for the Jacksonville Mass Choir and its younger component, Boys and Girls Choir; and, Chair of the Fine Arts Department/Choral Director at Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Executive Director of Arts4Jax, Inc., a community performing arts foundation in Jacksonville, Florida.
There is no better way to show moms how special they are than this outstanding performance under the stars at Jacksonville Beach’s Sea Walk Pavilion.

For more information, call the hotline  (904) 247-6100 press 3 or visit  www.jacksonvillebeach.org.

MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT PROGRAM

THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
MORIHIKO NAKAHARA, CONDUCTING A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC!
Overture to West Side Story BERNSTEIN/PERESS
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mvt. I MOZART
Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music SONDHEIM/LOWDEN
Por Una Cabeza (Tango from Scent of a Woman) GARDEL/WILLIAMS Philip Pan, violin
Suite from Carmen BIZET Les Toreadors – Suite No. 1, Mvt. V Habanera – Suite No. 2, Mvt. II Nocturn – Suite No. 2, Mvt. III Danse Boheme – Suite No. 2, Mvt. VI

INTERMISSION

The Wizard of Oz ARLEN/SAYRE
La Comparsa (Night Procession) LECUONA
Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda PONCHELLI
Moon River MANCINI
Phantom of the Opera WEBBER/CUSTER

Cinco de Mayo in Charleston, SC

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Cinco de MayoThis year it’s actually the  fifth annual Charleston Cinco de Mayo Festival. The event will take place on Saturday, May 1st, at the Visitors Center Bus Terminal in downtown Charleston from 7p.m. to 11p.m. The celebration will feature Orquesta Mayor, DJ Luigi Bravo of Latin Groove, (R)evolution:Genesis, Latin Groove Kids, Professional Salsa Dance Performances and a Salsa Dance Competition (Winner receives $200).

May 5th marks the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, this day has become a celebration known as “Cinco de Mayo.” It has become a time to commemorate Mexican heritage and culture.

Come celebrate on Saturday, May 1st! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ryan White HIV Care Program at Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

Charleston Cinco de Mayo FestivalSchedule
7:00-7:45 DJ Luigi
7:45-8:00 Salsa Kids
8:00-8:45 Oruestra Mayor – Set 1
8:45-9:00 Buen Ache
9:00-9:15 Arthur Murray
9:15-10:00 Oruestra Mayor – Set 2
10:00-10:15 Salsa Competition
10:15010:30 Femme Fatales
10:30-11:00 (R)evolution Reggeton Group

Tickets
$8 online, pre-event (make sure to bring PayPal receipt to event)
$10 at the door
Kids 12 and under get in FREE

Food and drink are sold separately. Cash only.  For more information and tickets visit www.charlestoncinco.com

What To Do for Mother’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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It’s an action-packed week with the Players Championship at  TPC Sawgrass, followed closely by everyone’s favorite celebration – Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday.  Then on Sunday it’s time for Mother’s Day.

Most people I’ve spoken to usually take Mom out for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Some moms with more than one child gets to go out and eat all day, the biggest problem seems to be to agree on who is handling what meal.  Keep in mind that some restaurants get really busy on Mother’s Day and opt for reservations.  But if you want to do something a little bit different this year without spending all your hard earned money,  stick with me.  I have found activities in Jacksonville both  you and your mother can enjoy.

Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA Jacksonville FloridaContemporary Art
Sunday is always “Family Free Sunday” at MOCA Jacksonville, so if your Mom likes art and you have a big group, a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Jacksonville could just be the ticket. Also Cafe Nola has a special Mother’s Day Brunch which includes free mimosas. My mom would really enjoy that.   (Reservations are strongly suggested for Cafe Nola.
Visit www.MOCAjacksonville.org for more information.

Home & Garden Tour
The 32nd Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield is going on all weekend. The tour takes you to some of the most beautiful historic homes in Springfield and the tour also includes tea in Henrietta’s Tearoom in the SPAR building, 1321 N Main Street.  If you like you can upgrade your ticket to include a dinner, which seems like it’s a really good deal.  Choose from 10 restaurants and bars in the Springfield area that will provide discounts. You will also receive a free beer from the Bier Garden during the Home Tour.
I would really enjoy that!

On Sunday May 9th the tour takes place from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Driving Miss Daisy
Another way to see historic Springfield is to participate in the  historic bike tour.   My Mom is probably not that interested in riding her bike around Springfield – even though it’s a free tour –  so she’ll be relieved to know that the tour takes place already  on Saturday May 8th at 10:00 am.  A more suitable activity for my mother is to  sit down in the air conditioned theater with a nice cold Pepsi watching the play  “Driving Miss Daisy” by Stage Aurora.

This is a heart-warming story and I would enjoy the performance, but mom  would probably take it the wrong way and think I’m trying to point out how old she is.  Now when I think about it,  a better idea is to take mom to the Florida Theater where the king of blues himself, B.B.King, is performing.   He is 84 years old but still going strong, and he takes the stage at 8:00 pm on Sunday May 9th.    (For more information about B.B. King, click here)

Free Mother’s Day Concert at the Beach
I’d suggest heading to Jacksonville Beach on Mother’s Day.  Here you can enjoy a live performance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Sea Walk Pavilion.  You can get everyone in the car and “drive your Miss Daisy” to Jax Beach for a great evening under the stars.  The event area opens at 5:00 pm.  At 5:45 pm Jacksonville Mass Choir performs To Michael with Love – The Songs of Michael Jackson. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:30 PM performing music from the movies, the opera, Broadway and the concert hall.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket for mom to sit on.   You could even turn the whole Mother’s Day dinner into a outdoor picnic.  Gather the family, make a big outing and a great impression while saving money, after all this is a free concert.

For more information:

MOCA Jacksonville
333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL, 32202
Ph: (904) 366-6911
www.MOCAjacksonville.org

Cafe Nola for reservations  (904) 366-6911, ext. 231

Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield
Friday May 7th & Saturday May 8th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sunday May 9th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Call 904-353-7727 or visit www.sparcouncil.org for more information.

Springfield Historic Bike Tour
Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Bring your own bike and ride for free, or rent one for $25
www.e2ride.com

Stage Aurora
5164-A Norwood Ave, Jacksonville, Fl 32208 (click here for map)
Call 904.765.7372 or visit www.stageaurora.org

Florida Theater
128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Fl

www.floridatheatre.com

Pops at the Beach
Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Event Hotline (904) 247-6100 press 3
www.jacksonvillebeach.org

The Players Championship 2010 at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra

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The 2010 THE PLAYERS Championship at the TPC Sawgrass takes place on May 6th – 9th, 2010, in Ponte Vedra Beach.

golfThe creation of TPC Sawgrass as host to THE PLAYERS was based on a few unique concepts. First, it would be the permanent home of THE PLAYERS, and it would be owned by the player. The course would be built with spectators in mind creating the first true “Stadium Course,” designed especially for the  fan experience.  Then the TPC would be a course of great design and character accessible all all golf fans. All these ideas were combined into the design.

The famous golf course architect Pete Dye was assigned the task. Commissioner Deane Beman wanted a course design that would favor no particular player or style of play. To meet this goal, an extensive effort was made to design a balanced golf course. There had to be a selection of short, medium and long holes within the categories of par-3s, par-4s and par-5s. There had to be both right and left doglegs. The course routing was laid out so no two consecutive holes ever played in the same direction.