Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Monster Jam in Jacksonville, Florida

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The world’s largest specialized motor sports event comes to the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 when it’s again time for Monster Jam®. Tickets are still available, but the organizers are anticipating tickets to sell out with over 70,000 fans attending the event. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early. Remaining tickets will also be available at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Saturday for those wanting to wait.

Schedule for Saturday, February 28, 2008

9:00 a.m. Stadium Box Office Opens
12:00 pm Stadium Parking Lots Open $20.00
1:00 pm – 7:00pm Monster Truck Ride (Lot J) $5.00
(Free ride pass available Advance Auto Parts while supplies last)
2:00 pm – 5:00pm Pit Party (Lot D) $ 10.00
(Free pit party passes available at Southern Ford Dealers while supplies last.)
4:00 p.m. JTA Shuttle Bus Service begins $ 5.00 per person / round trip
5:30 p.m. Stadium Gates Open
5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Pre-show racing and entertainment
6:45 p.m. Opening Ceremonies begin
7:30 p.m. Monster Jam Racing begins

There will be Shuttle Bus Service from the Court House Garage to the Stadium. Parking for the bus shuttle service is located at the corner of North Broad Street and West Monroe Street. The shuttle will begin at 4:00pm and continue until one hour after the conclusion of the event. The shuttle service will be $5.00 per person / round trip.

The Amelia Island Pirate Run

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The morning was cold, very cold, but as soon as the sun came up, the weather was perfect for running. The Pirate Run 5K and 10K takes place in Fernandina every year and is organized by the Amelia Island Runners.

This year the new race headquarters was located at St. Peter’s Church. This is a very well organized event. There are pirates in customes cheering the runners at almost every street corner. The beautiful course goes through town out on the Greenway at Egans Creek.

This year I ran with my sister, Camilla, who is visiting from Sweden. This was her first 5K ever. First-timers received a special medal and she was lucky enough to win a basket of coffee.

After the race, there was a post-race pancake breakfast. The atmosphere at this event is very friendly, and if you’re looking for a fun and unusual race on the coast for next year, this is one experience you don’t want to miss.

26.2 with Donna to fight breast cancer – Jacksonville, Florida

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The big marathon with Donna takes place on February 15th in Jacksonville, Florida, but there are lots of events including a fitness expo over the weekend, so even if you’re not running – check out the Breast Cancer marathon event.

2009 Race Weekend Itinerary
Thursday, February 12, 2009
11:59 p.m. Online race registration closes, Eastern/Pacific Time

Friday, February 13, 2009
26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Health & Fitness Expo Presented by Winn Dixie Hyatt Regency Jacksonville 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. On-site registration and packet pick-up are available during expo hours.

Saturday, February 14, 2009
7 a.m.- noon CME Symposium- Management of Adjuvant and Metastatic Breast Cancer, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Course Directors: Edith Perez, MD Lynn C. Hartmann, MD Frances M. Palmieri, RN, MSN, OCN 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Health & Fitness Expo Presented by Winn Dixie Hyatt Regency Jacksonville 9 a.m.-6 p.m. On-site final race registration and packet pick-up available during expo hours.

3 p.m. 2008 Honda Fit Drawing Health & Fitness Expo
4 p.m. National Galloway Pep Rally The Jacksonville Landing
6 p.m. Pasta Dinner presented by Nektar Therapeutics Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
Tickets may be purchased online, at the door or at the expo on Friday and Saturday.

Sunday, February 15, 2009
26.2 with Donna National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Marathon and Half Marathon Start/Finish, Mayo Clinic Campus Medical Support at the start/finish line will be provided by Mayo Clinic from 7 a.m. until the end of the race and race events.

4 a.m. Runners’ Village Opens Staff will be on-site to assist runners.
6:30 a.m. VIP/Sponsor Viewing Area Opensï‚· Located at the race start/finish line.ï‚· Invitation Only
7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Marathon and Half Marathon Post- Race Celebration
ï‚· Food and Beverages
ï‚· Entertainment
ï‚· Family Reunite Area
Noon Awards Presentation

for more information, visit www.breastcancermarathon.com

High Tide Ultimate for Spring Break – Golden Isles, Georgia

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During spring break you’ll be able to see flying objects on Jekyll Island, but these object can easily be identified. Jekyll Island will receive 160 teams and 2500 students competing in High Tide Ultimate.

In the beginning this sport was called Ultimate Frisbee, but has now been renamed Ultimate. High Tide Ultimate is the south’s largest college ultimate tournament and will take over the recreation fields on Jekyll and in Glynn County.

The game is similar to American football or rugby but played with a 175 gram flying disc. The tournament will take both at Jekyll Island Soccer complex and North Glynn Recreational Fields. The event will generate over 3000 hotel room nights and is expected to generate over $1.25 million in economic impact.
For more information is available at www.disc-iple.com or www.jekyllisland.com.

Horse Show & Kid’s Carnival to Benefit Jacksonville Zoo

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$35,000 Annual Grand Prix Horse Show & Kid’s Carnival to Benefit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
February 1, 2009 – 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

gallopazoolaJanuary 21, 2009, Jacksonville, FL – The North Florida Hunter Jumper Association announced its 14th annual Grand Prix International Horse Show and Kid’s Carnival, GallopaZOOla. There will be drawings to win a 40” wide screen, LCD Sony TV (winner can take home that day to watch the Super Bowl) and other great prizes. The event is being held at the Clay County Fairgrounds on State Road 16 on February 1st, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees can dance and play games with Radio Disney live; meet Jazoo, the Zoo’s friendly lion mascot, ride ponies, enjoy animal encounters, tour the stables and more. The Outback Steakhouse Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the funny Celebrity Horse Relay Competition will take place at 1:00 p.m. and the main event, the Grand Prix Horse Jumping Competition, is at 2:00 p.m. Arthur Crofton, WEJZ 96.1 FM radio personality, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

“We are delighted to provide funding from this event to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the 14th year,” said Hunter Jumper Association President Tony Weight. “We look forward to continuing our support for the Zoo in the years to come.”

GallopaZOOla also includes a silent auction with a large variety of merchandise and Gift Certificates provide by Northeast Florida merchants. Admission to the horse show and kid’s carnival are free, with a $5.00 parking donation. Tickets to the Outback Steakhouse luncheon are on sale online at jacksonvillezoo.org, at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Guest Relations and Membership Offices and on-site at the event. A Family Pack of 4 tickets is $75; Adult tickets are $35; and Children’s tickets are $12. All proceeds go to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. For more information go to jacksonvillezoo.org or call 904-757-2000.