Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Gator Bowl Events – Jacksonville, Florida

by

The Gator Bowl is coming to Jacksonville and there will be lots of things to do in town before kick off. Here is the list of activities.

DSX Players Welcome Party
December 26, 2008
Visiting Team – 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
ACC Team – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Dave & Buster’s
The players in the 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will enjoy an evening of entertainment at one of Jacksonville’s most exciting gaming venues to kick off their visit to the River City. Fans are invited to join us to welcome the teams and get autographs from the players. Dave and Buster’s will remain open to the public.
Mission Statement: The Gator Bowl Association’s mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area’s economy, national image and community pride.

Adventure Landing

Adventure Landing Players Outing takes place onDecember 27 & 28, 2008
from 2 PM – 4 PM at  Adventure Landing on Beach Blvd.

This is event for the whole family. Join us at Adventure Landing on Beach Boulevard for a great time on December 27th and 28th at 2:00 p.m. Meet and greet the players of the two teams that will play in the 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl and enjoy a free round of Miniature Golf.

Please note that A PATCH is necessary to attend and NO additional PATCHES can be purchased on the day of the event; Members must be wearing the PATCH in order to be admitted. please visit www.gatorbowl.com for more info about purchasing a PATCH

FCA Breakfast
December 29, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

Youth from the Jacksonville community are invited to enjoy a time of fellowship and devotion with players and coaches from the two participating universities along with an inspirational speaker. Tickets may be purchased for $20 and can be donated back to the organizing committee to be used by a deserving child.

Outback Steakhouse presents A Day at the Zoo
December 30, 2008, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Enjoy a day at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and meet up with the players for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Take advantage of this great opportunity to meet and greet the coaches and players from the two universities as well as legends from the Gator Bowl past.
Tickets may be purchased for $25.00.

Vystar 5K Run
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Location: The Jacksonville Landing

The VyStar 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all the excitement the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl has to offer. If running or walking is your thing, this race is for you. The race is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along portions of the parade route through downtown Jacksonville.

Participants will enjoy live music, free beer, dancing and just down right partying inside the Jacksonville Landing right after the race. Each entrant will receive a colorful VyStar 5K Run T-shirt.

Cost: Cost: $20, $30 on race day

For more information click here or call 1st Place Sports: 904-731-1900 or visit www.1stplacesports.com

Winn Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade
December 31, 2008 at 3 PM

You are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade. The “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” themed parade features colorful floats, high school bands, college bands, giant helium balloons, and entertaining specialty units. The units will be routed through the Northbank in downtown Jacksonville.

Pep Rallies

Wednesday, December 31, 2008
(Home Team – ACC): 1:30 PM
(Visiting Team) 5:30 PM
Location: Jacksonville Landing

Get pumped up for the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl!Excited fans are invited to show their team spirit at the Pep Rallies. Join the bands, cheerleaders, and mascots in the excitement.

Times-Union Touchdown Party
January 1, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Entertainment Zone

Budweiser Tailgate Party
January 1, 2009 at 10 AM– 1 PM

“THE PATCH” grants free entry to the Budweiser Tailgate party where you can enjoy interactive games, pep rallies, live entertainment and food and beverage! for more information, visit www.gatorbowl.com

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Classic
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Kickoff 1 p.m.
With six Heisman trophy winners, 175 all-Americans and over 1,000,000 fans, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is a premiere event of Florida’s First Coast.

Christmas Movies at World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX in December

by

World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater to Feature Two Holiday Family Favorites
“The Polar Express” and “Santa vs. the Snowman”

The Polar Express
An inspiring 90-minute animated holiday adventure based on the Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express tells the story of a boy battling with the belief of Santa Claus’ existence. The film takes audiences on the boy’s extraordinary journey to the North Pole with the train’s conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) where he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience. Ticket prices for the special engagement film are $10 for adults, $9 for military, seniors and students and $8 for children 3-12.

Santa vs. the Snowman
This movie tells the story of a lonely Snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa’s Village, only to become jealous of Santa because he is adored by children everywhere. An all-out, riotous battle for Christmas ensues, with the Snowman and his minions squaring off against Santa and his elf army for the rights to be Santa and receive all the love, good tidings and friendship the jolly man in red has all to himself. Tickets to the 35-minute film are $8 for adults with discounts for military, seniors, students and children.

The two holiday films will screen at the IMAX theater through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Tickets to both films can be purchased at the theater box office or on-line at www.wgv.com.
A complete film schedule as well as additional ticket information can be obtained on-line at www.wgv.com or by calling 904-940-IMAX (4629).

Legendary Race Car to Lead World’s Finest Vintage Motor Cars to Amelia Island

by

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (December 10, 2008) – An unprecedented collection of the world’s finest vintage motor cars will roll into Amelia Island, March 14th, 2009 for RM Auctions’ highly anticipated Automobiles of Amelia Island event.

A popular and permanent fixture on the auto events calendar since 1999, the annual multi-million dollar auction will once again be held in conjunction with the famed Amelia Island  to make for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts. Held on the grounds of the stunning Ritz-Carlton Hotel – a setting only surpassed in beauty by the magnificent cars on offer – the event weekend is commonly referred to as the ‘Pebble Beach of the East Coast’, attracting fashionable collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe.

“Our Automobiles of Amelia Island auction is an important event on the collector car calendar as it attracts many European and East Coast enthusiasts,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions.

“From speed to style, this year’s event will feature a magnificent roster of collector cars, highlighted by several historic race cars, some of which share Florida’s rich automotive racing history,” he added.

For the car enthusiasts amongst us, some 100 vintage motor cars are set to cross the block during the single-day RM auction. Highlighting the exceptional line-up is the legendary 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race car, a historic 1927 Bugatti T51 with an extensive racing history, and an innovative and beautifully restored 1954 Packard Panther Concept car, one of just four built and the only one in roadster form.

1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race carThe “Yellow Peril” has a fascinating vintage racing history. Regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful vehicles of its era, the original owner, John Greenway Albert, modified the car shortly after purchase in an effort to make “race ready”. Special modifications included constructing a one-off aluminum race body and a unique gas generating system – the latter which saw Albert emerge as a pioneer of fuel injection. Painted bright yellow, Albert name the car “The Yellow Peril” and raced it on various local dirt and board tracks, reportedly often removing the fenders and headlamps to further lighten the load.

Other notable highlights for the event include: a 1941 Chrysler Newport, one of the earliest concept cars built and used as the Official Pace Car for the 1941 Indianapolis 500; a stunning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet “Charmaine”, one of the last Bugattis built before World War II and formerly owned by a remarkable series of famous British personalities; and a magnificent collection of 1932 V8 Fords.
RM’s Automobiles of Amelia Island auction event will be held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island on March 14th, 2009. A full day auction preview will be held March 13th from 9am to 6pm followed by the auction from 11am on March 14th. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectable catalog is available for $100 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling (800)-211-4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.

About RM Auctions, Inc.
Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world’s rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM’s restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com

A Golden Isles Christmas – Brunswick, GA

by

A Golden Isles Christmas is a holiday Concert featuring Nathaniel Roper and Glynn Academy Concert Choir; works by Bach and others. Coastal Symphony of Georgia is organizing this Christmas concert taking place on December 15, 2008 at 8pm at the Glynn Academy Auditorium – Monck & Norwich Street – Brunwick, Georgia
Admission: $25 adult, $5 student/child
For more information, please call (912) 634-2006 or visit www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org