Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village – Jacksonville, FL

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Prepare to Christmas 2007Come see the fourth-annual St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 14. You can enjoy beautifully decorated trees and wreaths displayed throughout the St. Johns County Convention Center and vote on your favorites by way of a $1 minimum donation. The trees and wreaths will also be part of a silent auction throughout the event. All proceeds from this festive holiday event will benefit two of St. Johns County’s own charities – The St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund and The United Way of St. Johns County

For more information call 904 940-4123 or visit our website at http://www.wgv.com/

Straight outta Puerto Rico film – Jacksonville, FL

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film stripThis film will be played at The New Jacksonville Landing Cinematheque, admission is $8.00 per person. From its early roots in the impoverished barrios of Puerto Rico to its domination of the American urban music scene, Straight Outta Puerto Rico charts the rise of Reggaeton, a brazenly sexual and compellingly danceable mix of old-school rap, reggae, dance hall and in-your-face Spanish lyrics that galvanized the Puerto Rican economy and became an unstoppable force in urban music scenes around the world.

The film includes interviews and performances by Reggaeton’s biggest stars including Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderon, and Luny Tunes.

For more information please visit our website at www.filmfestival.jacksonville.com

Ṇo Por Acaso (Not By Chance) film РJacksonville, FL

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film reel 2This film will be played at The New Jacksonville Landing Cinematheque, admission is $8.00 per person. ‘Nao Por Acaso’ is the story of two control-obsessed characters: Enio, a supervisor at a traffic control operation centre and Pedro (Rodrigo Santoro) a snooker player who seeks absolute mastery of his technique. Both find fulfillment in life by submerging themselves in a mathematical mindset that leads them towards the feeling of control they long for so much. But all this is thrown to the wind one day when both Enio’s ex-wife and Pedro’s wife die in a car accident. Descending into the jagged world of his obsessive mind, Pedro despairs until he meets Lucia, a young woman with whom, in a parallel to his snooker techniques, he bizarrely tries to re-live the same exact moments he once lived with his wife. Enio on the other hand, is forced to confront his loss through the mysterious appearance of his unknown daughter, who forces a somewhat clumsy relationship with him by deciding to look after him. Eventually, the two men must decide between their own obsessions and the new opportunities life has given them.

Winner: Chicago International Film Festival Silver Hugo Award Winner: Huelva International Film Festival Best Actor Award

For more information please visit our website at www.filmfestival.jacksonville.com

Ninth Annual Winter Celebration in Mandarin – Jacksonville, FL

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Nature's Geometry
The ninth annual Winter Celebration in Mandarin will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Road. The free event is sponsored by the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society. Activities include: music, hayrides, rides on the putt-putt train, visits with Santa, games and nature crafts, nature exhibits and making Victorian ornaments and other activities for the whole family. The 1875 farmhouse will be open for tours all day.

For more information call 904 268-0784 or visit our website at http://www.mandarinmuseum.net/

Jacksonville’s Light Parade & Fireworks Show – Jacksonville, FL

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Prepare to Christmas 2007Deck the hulls and celebrate the holidays at the Jacksonville Light Parade! This thanksgiving weekend tradition attracts residents and visitors to witness boats of all sizes adorned with colorful lights and decorations as they parade down the St. Johns River. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks show after the parade featuring barges, signature buildings and “waterfalls” fireworks on downtown bridges.

Call 904 630-3690 or visit our website http://www.coj.net/ for more information