Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

10K Mud Run Event in Jacksonville

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society—North Florida Chapter
Announces Plans for a New Fundraising Event
–Inaugural ‘Mud Run’ Event Planned for February—

Jacksonville, FL (December 9, 2008)—The North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS-NFL) will add a new fundraiser to their roster of events beginning in 2009. The MS Mud Run Jacksonville will be held February 28, 2009, marking the first time an event of this type will be held in Northeast Florida, announced Jennifer Lee, President of NMSS-NFL.

The MS Mud Run Jacksonville is a 10K, boot camp-style obstacle course race, with most of the obstacles surrounded by (or consisting entirely of) mud. Individuals, teams of two and teams of five will compete for prizes and the satisfaction of a doing a dirty job very well. “The point is not to finish fast, but to finish with style,” said Lee.

“Mud Runs and similar events have been established in many cities around the country and have been quite successful, with thousands of people participating” added Lee. “We thought this type of event would be a great addition to our fundraising efforts and provide a terrific entertainment opportunity to participants and spectators alike here in Northeast Florida. And it’s a perfect tie-in to the MS positioning of “Join the Movement.’”

NMSS-NFL is well known for its Walk event in the Spring and its Bike event in the Fall. These events, with others, helped the Chapter raise $2.2 million for MS programs and research during 2008.

The MS Mud Run Jacksonville will be held on a parcel of open property at Cecil Commerce Center, from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM on February 28, 2009. Food and beverage vendors will be available and entertainment is planned throughout the day to provide a festival atmosphere for the event. A registration Web site will be available beginning January 1, 2009 at www.mudrunjax.com. Registration fees are $40 per person and each participant will agree to raise a minimum of $100 for NMSS-NFL. Simple online fundraising tools will be available to participants to help them make the fundraising easy.

Volunteer opportunities and event sponsorships are available for individuals and companies wanting to become involved. For information about volunteering, sponsorships or the event in general, visit www.nationalmssociety.org/FLN or call (904) 332-6810.

Gator Bowl Events – Jacksonville, Florida

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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.

Vystar 5K Run – Jacksonville, Florida

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The VyStar 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all the excitement surrounding the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl event in Jacksonville. If running or walking is your thing, don’t miss this exciting race. The Vystar 5K is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along portions of the parade route through downtown Jacksonville. It’s a great experience. Runners and spectators can 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
click here for the race map.

For more information vist 1st Place Sports website or call 904-731-1900
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
1:30 PM at The Jacksonville Landing

Nebraska To Play Clemson at Konica Minolta Gator Bowl – Jacksonville, FL

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JACKSONVILLE, FL—Brian Goin, Chairman of the Gator Bowl Association and Vice President of Championship Management for the PGA Tour, announced today that the University of Nebraska will play Clemson University in the January 1, 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Big 12 Conference representative, finished their regular season on a 3 game winning streak and with an overall record of 8-4. This match-up will mark their first appearance in the Gator Bowl Classic.

The Clemson Tigers, the Atlantic Coast Conference representative, has a 7-5 record entering the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl and has won four of its last five games. This will be Clemson’s ninth appearance in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, more than any other school, but its first appearance since the January 1, 2001 contest when the Tigers lost to Virginia Tech, 41-20.
Clemson has a 4-4 overall record in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.

“Nebraska and Clemson are truly among the greatest of football traditions in the nation. The
Cornhuskers and Tigers have had exciting seasons and we are looking forward to a truly great
Bowl match up in Jacksonville on New Year’s Day,” said Chairman Brian Goin.
“Playing Nebraska is very special for all Clemson fans because of the 1982 Orange Bowl.
Nebraska is one of the great college football programs and it will be a special day in Jacksonville when we face them on January 1. Coach Pelini has done an outstanding job with the Cornhuskers and has an experienced staff. I know our players and staff are excited about this matchup. It will be an opportunity to see how we stack up against a quality Big 12 opponent, said Coach Dabo Swinney.
“We are pleased to be invited to participate in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl,” Nebraska Coach
Bo Pelini said. “Our players have worked extremely hard throughout the season, and the
opportunity to play in a New Year’s Day Bowl is a great reward for our program. We look forward to the trip to Jacksonville and the chance to play an outstanding Clemson team.”

The January 1, 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will mark the first Bowl appearance as head
coach for both Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini and Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney. It will also be the first time the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Clemson Tigers have played since the 1982 Orange Bowl, which Clemson won 22-15 to win its only national championship.
The 64th Annual Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will be played on January 1, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Tickets and Bowl information are available online at www.gatorbowl.com.

Cracker – The Last Cowboys of Florida Film Screening at MOCA

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Cracker: The Last Cowboys of Florida is screening at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Jacksonville.

Yes, there are cowboys in Florida! Real live roping and riding cowboys, and they have been on the scene for over 250 years. In fact, Florida vies with Texas as the number one cattle-producing state in the USA. Filmed over a course of three years, the director, Victor Milt, soon realized that the life of the Florida cowboy was changing, disappearing before our very eyes. The explosion of land values has forecast an end to large scale ranching and a major loss of wilderness in Florida. This Jacksonville Film Festival favorite, captures the beauty of the old ways, many of which have not changed in hundreds of years with the drama of encroaching civilization. It’s a beautiful and important film documenting America in the throes of change. Receiving standing ovations at festivals everywhere, it is a must-see for any Floridian.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville has partnered with the Jacksonville Film Festival to give Northeast Florida residents the opportunity to see award-winning independent and foreign films from national and international film festivals. The Fall film series concludes this Thursday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art located at 333 N Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. FILMS AT MOCA will continue in February featuring the best in international cinema.
Victor Milt 2008
Run time: 75 min. | USA

The Museum Of Contemporary Art – Jacksonville
333 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL, 32202 USA

$6 for Members; $8 for Non-Members
For more information about MOCA including programs and hours, please visit on-line at http://www.mocajacksonville.org