Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

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

World of Nations Celebration – Jacksonville, Fl

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Have you ever dreamed of traveling to far away countries and exotic places? If you happen to be in Jacksonville in the spring time, you can become a globetrotter without needing a passport or a plane ticket. Pack your bags and bring your family, friends and neighbors to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure around the world.

During the 18th annual World of Nations Celebration, held April 29 – May 2, 2010, Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from throughout the world. With more than 30 countries represented, the festival provides a unique look into cultures from across the globe.

The City of Jacksonville and the event organizers will bring the world to you showcasing sights, sounds, and tastes of different nations within your reach. Embark on an exciting journey, traveling throughout the park where travelers may see nations and regions such as Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain,Taiwan, Turkey, U.S.A., Venezuela and Vietnam.

Other happenings during the weekend:

Naturalization Ceremony
You can witness the commemorative ceremony when people are sworn in as United States citizens.

Parade of Flags
The inspirational Parade of Flag takes place on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Kids of different nationalities dressed in traditional clothing from different countries carry their native flags in the parade.

World of Entertainment
Come to the festival and experience talents from many different countries, see folk dance, listen to music and more.

Passport to the World
To get you and your kids feel like real world travelers, make sure to pick up your official passport to the world. Each country will stamp your passport during your exploration and at the end of the day, you can turn in your passports at the booth near the main entrance for a chance to win prizes.

USA Pavilion – Going Green!
Learn how you can activly participate to help the environment at the 2010 USA Pavilion.

Hours
Thursday, April 29
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
Friday, April 30
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. International Party
Saturday, May 1: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 2: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Admission:
One-Day Ticket to the World: $5.00
Two-Day Pass: $8.00
International Party: FREE!
(Friday, April 30 from 5-9 p.m.)
Children Three & Under: FREE
Visit www.coj.net or call (904) 630-3690 for more information.

Opening of the Beaches – Jacksonville Beach, Fl

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Summer is almost here – the weather is beautiful and it’s a perfect weekend to head for the beach. Every year Jacksonville Beach celebrates the arrival of summer with a big party – The Opening of the Beaches. There’s a sandcastle contest on Saturday April 24th and of course a parade at 2 p.m on Sunday April 25th.

Butterfly Festival 2010 – Jacksonville, Fl

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At the Butterfly Festival you will experience a close encounter with 1000 of the gossamer-winged creatures. The festival takes place at Treehill Nature Center on April 24, 2010, from noon to 5:00 p.m. and culminates with nature’s fireworks – a live native butterfly release. This is something you don’t want to miss.

If you ever thought about starting your own Butterfly garden, come to the festival to find out more. You can visit the butterfly exhibit and there’s lots of activities for children, live music, vendors, and much more.

There’s also Art in the Park where local artists showcase their art. In the Get Back to Nature area you can meet experts from local nurseries who can tell you all you need to know about native plants and herbs. You can also shop at the Monarch Mall for everything from plants to jewelry and much, much more.

Thousands of visitors come to the popular butterfly festival. So plan on getting here early, and staying all day. Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors/military and $2 for children. Click here for a $1.00 off coupon
The proceeds goes to support Treehill Nature Center.

Watch our video from last year’s event – and below it the Tour of Treehill Nature Center!

Watch the Tour of Treehill Nature Center!

Party for the Planet at Jacksonville Zoo for Earth Day

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Guests can “Party for the Planet!” during the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Earth Day celebration on Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Environmental and animal conservation experts will have booths set up for visitors to learn and collect valuable information on how to preserve our earth and its wildlife for future generations. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment, animal encounters, animal enrichment, visits from Jazoo, the Zoo’s friendly lion mascot, and a children’s activity area that will include eco-friendly crafts, a bounce house, a giant inflatable slide and prize drawings. An activity schedule is posted on the Zoo’s Web site at www.jacksonvillezoo.org. This event is sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. and Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC.

“It is important to us as a company to support initiatives in our community that raise awareness about the environment and conservation,” said Bob Moore, vice president and general manager of vehicle processing for Southeast Toyota. “We have been a proud partner of the Jacksonville Zoo for years and are excited to be part of this educational Earth Day celebration.”

Special admission offer: guests can get $2 off regular admission when they bring in a minimum of 5 pounds of paper or any electronic waste (items that are powered by batteries or electricity) to recycle. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount or offer and is only available April 24 and 25, 2010.

The Party for the Planet celebration is an annual event sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoos from all over the country that are members of the AZA participate. For more information about conservation and how you can help, visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org or www.aza.org.

In conjunction with Party for the Planet, the Zoo will also have its inaugural Walk for the Planet, a non-competitive two mile family fun walk, to benefit Zoo conservation efforts. Walk for the Planet will occur Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 a.m. It is open to walkers of all ages and is stroller and handicap friendly. Each registered walker will receive a free commemorative t-shirt, entrance into the Walk for the Planet post-party and admission into the Zoo.

Walkers can register online at http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/index.php/events/event_details/earth_day_celebration_-_party_for_the_planet for the following fees:
Non-Members:
Zoo Members:
$25 for adult
$20 for adult
$15 for child (ages 3-12)
$10 for child (ages 3-12)
$50 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children and $10 for each additional child)
$40 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children and $10 for each additional child)

Children 2 and under are free, but they do not receive t-shirts or participant bibs. All proceeds benefit the conservation efforts of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, a non-profit organization.

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,400 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.
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