Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Traveling Zoo Needs Volunteers – St Augustine, Florida

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The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience needs volunteers for the Traveling Zoo, an educational program for kindergarten through third grade students. Volunteer teachers transport marine animals to schools and present a curriculum that encourages students to become familiar with various marine species while emphasizing the importance of careful observation. The Traveling Zoo offers students a unique experience where they are able to do things such as touch an urchin, lift a horse conch, and feel an anemone. In 2006, Whitney Lab visited many schools in neighboring counties introducing marine animals to over 1,400 students.

Volunteer teachers come from all walks of life and all levels of experience. They do not have to have science or marine – related experience because they will receive training from Whitney Lab staff. If you are interested in volunteering for the Traveling Zoo, please contact Brenda Cannaliato at (904) 461-4014 or brenda@whitney.ufl.edu.

Amelia Island Film Festival Screening – Fernandina, Florida

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2008 Inaugural Season Screenings of curvymama29 hot picsLa Vie en Rose (2007), in French with English subtitles, at the Palace Saloon plus shorts films about Fernandina Beach’s Shrimping Industry and Shrimp Festival Boat Races. Tickets: $10. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Tickets go on sale beginning Friday January 4th, 2008 at UPS Store, Alexander’s, Susi and Last Flight Out, Chamber of Commerce. For more information please call 904.355.1110 or visit the website at www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.org.

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Live Nativity in St Marys, Georgia

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For many Christmas is a time of stress. There are so many family members to buy gifts for, and so little time. The malls are packed with shoppers and annoying Christmas music is played around the clock. On the coast every little town has its own lighting of the Christmas tree, holiday festival and/or boat parade. Santa usually arrives to the town square to listen to the children’s wishes to really get you into the holiday spirit. But then there is also the “reason-for-the-season”.

Many cities have huge mega-productions of the Christmas story reminicent of Broadway or even Las Vegas, but in the small town of St Marys, Georgia the Live Nativity is different. This is your traditional old-fashioned, home town live nativity. It takes place in the front yard of Orange Hall. Orange Hall is always beautifully decorated for the holidays and usually the whole town shows up to watch and to socialize with family, friends and neighbors. The quaint historic district in St Marys is dressed up for the holidays with thousands of glittering lights. If it’s chilly outside, we suggest that you walk down towards the Christmas tree on the waterfront and stop by the Market on the Square for a hot cocoa to go.

The live Nativity includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and live animals. Also, church and elementary school choirs will be present. So, if you want to experience picture perfect Christmas in a small town on the coast and want to relax from the holiday stress – come to St. Marys on Tuesday December 18th. Bring the whole family – and don’t forget your camera!

For more information, please contact the Downtown Development Authority at 912-882-8111.

Quilt Festival – Hilton Head, South Carolina

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 This biennial quilt festival features 150 beautiful quilts, a silent auction, consignments, vendors and an opportunity to win a quilt. It takes place March 14-15, 2008, so mark your calendars. This is a judged exhibition of quilts created by our local quilt artists.  See why quilt art has skyrocketed in popularity, and enjoy traditional quilt art.  The workmanship and creativity incorporated into these quilts is well worth the trip. For more information, visit the Palmetto Quilt Guild Festival Website.

St Andrews by the Sea Methodist Church, 20 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC