Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Mother’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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We will barely have time to recuperate from everyone’s favorite party – Cinco de Mayo – before it’s time for the big golf event of the year – the Players Championship at  TPC Sawgrass. Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I haven’t made any plans yet. Now, I am not known for preparing far in advance for any holiday. I am one of those guys who will go out on Christmas Eve to pick up a few gifts for Christmas. But this year, I was going to change all that. So, I decided to do some research and see what I could come up with for Mother’s Day this year.

Most people I’ve talked to usually take Mom out for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Some moms who have lots of kids end up going out to eat all day.  The biggest problem for families with many siblings seems to be to agree on who is having Mom over when. After all, there are only so many meals mom can eat in a day. This can be a great way to celebrate the day, especially if your Mom is a “foodie”. Just keep in mind that some restaurants get extremely busy on Mother’s Day and make a reservations.  (Hint; this is also a good way to impress Mom, especially for those of us who are not known for our great organizational skills.)

On the other hand, if you’re mom is like mine, who eats like a bird, this is not the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Besides, we have done that already. I wanted to see what else we could come up with to do for Moms in Jacksonville.

If you want to try something a little bit different this year,  keep reading.  I have found activities in Jacksonville both  you and your mother can enjoy. I even found a few that fit those of us who are working with a more modest budget for the big day.

 

The Snake Oil Salesman

I was so excited when I found this event. Unfortunately, there is no way I will be able to sell my Mom on this idea. Too bad! I would love to go and my kids would too. This event fits the bill as a very unique choice for Mother’s Day.

Maybe your Mom is a bona fide snake charmer who can’t wait to go to the Repticon Jacksonville Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. Boy, aren’t you lucky! My Mom would call me all kinds of names but Joe  if I ever tried to get her up close and personal with a reptile.

This event takes place on Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

For those of us who like the idea of animals, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has a special Mother’s Day deal which I am sure many mothers, including mine, really would enjoy. Keep in mind, the Zoo also has some amazing gardens. Kids young and old can bring Mom to the Zoo to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8th. You will receive one free adult or senior general admission ticket with the purchase of one adult or child ticket – but you need to print the special coupon from the website.

Here is the link to the coupon page.

 

Herding Cats for Mother’s Day

I usually can’t go wrong with animal encounters for Mother’s Day – as long as I stay away from the reptiles. This fundraising event sounds really cool. You can bring your whole gang out for a guided tour at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. During the tour you get to meet the special residents of the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary –  Siberian tigers, lions, cougars, spotted and black leopards, a serval, two coatimundis, a European wild cat and two arctic foxes. Bring family and friends out to see the big, beautiful cats at the sanctuary. Admission is $10 per person. Children 3-11 are $5, 2 years & under are free. (But remember, you’re supporting the sanctuary with your ticket purchase).

For more information visit the Catty Shack website.

 

Look Mom – No Hands!

Spring is the best time for biking! It doesn’t matter if you barely remember how to ride a bicycle or if you are a Tour de France Pro, this is a great tour for the whole family – and if you and mom are looking for an activity to do together in the beautiful spring weather, this could be a lot of fun. You will ride through cool Jacksonville neighborhoods with interesting architecture and history. Rent everything or bring your own bike. Call (904) 945-1571 for more information or visit the website.


Artsy Fartsy

My Mom enjoys arts and craft shows, so this festival is her cup of tea. The Sawgrass Village Art Festival Spring Show  is a juried art festival for fine artists. The popular festival on May 7 – 8, 2011, now in its 17th year, and the event attracts thousands of visitors every spring to Ponte Vedra. Here you can see a wide variety of art works from first-class watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, drawings, clay, photography, wood, glass, fiber, graphics, metal, paper to mixed media fine arts. In addition, there is also food, lots of other fun and children’s activities. The festival takes place at Sawgrass Village Shopping Center from 10am to 5pm both days. Admission is free.

 

Champagne Taste

Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA Jacksonville FloridaIn downtown Jacksonville, Sunday is always “Family Free Sunday” at MOCA Jacksonville. This is a good idea, especially if you have a big group.

You can splurge and treat Mom to a special Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch in Cafe Nola on Sunday, May 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  All Moms get free mimosas! Now we’re talking, my Mom would love that. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call (904) 366-6911, ext. 231 for reservations.  $25/adults, $8 children under 10

Visit www.MOCAjacksonville.org for more information.

 

Beach Bums for the Day

I’d suggest heading to Jacksonville Beach on Mother’s Day for a free concert.  Here you can enjoy a live performance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Sea Walk Pavilion.    The event area opens at 5:00 pm.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket for mom to sit on.   For those of us with a modest Mother’s Day budget, you could even turn the whole Mother’s Day dinner into a outdoor picnic.  Hey, you don’t even have to cook the picnic food. Just visit your grocery store’s deli counter and pick up cheese, sandwich meat and good bread. You could even go for a grilled chicken. Gather the family, make a big outing and a great impression while saving money, after all this is a free concert.

 

Singing Sisters

There is more music in Jacksonville. Fearless is the one word used to describe the creative spirit of groundbreaking duo Mary Mary.  Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with their crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You). Since then ” the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone. Mary Mary performes at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville May 7 – 8, 2011.

Get your Mary Mary tickets here!

 

Music for Bookworms

There is also a free concert at the Main Library downtown on Sunday May 8, 2011 at 2:30 pm, so if you’re going to MOCA, you might be able to stop by. Pianists Marion Wilkinson Scott and Rosa Villar Scott will perform works for piano solo and piano 4-hands, by Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, and Dvořák. Mr. Scott, a native of Jacksonville, and Mrs. Scott, who is from Lima, Peru, both have won numerous awards and prizes for their playing.

Music @ Main concerts are presented in the Main Library’s Hicks Auditorium, located on the Conference Level of the Library near the Main Street entrances. Call 904-630-2665 for more information.

Library customers who use the public garage at the corner of Duval Street and Main Street may take their garage tickets to the ground-floor Popular Services Desk to get validation for free parking. Free on-street parking is also available on weekends and evenings after 6 p.m.

Now, you might now that Jacksonville also becomes Rockville this weekend. Godsmack, Stone Sour, Seether and a bunch of other bands are performing at Metropolitan Park, but if you’re going to try to sell Mom on that event – you’re on your own.
(Go here to reserve your Rockville tickets now.)

 

For more information:

Repticon Jacksonville Reptile & Exotic Animal Show

Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Jacksonville Fairgrounds and Expo Center
510 Fairgrounds Place, Jacksonville, FL,32202

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218

www.jacksonvillezoo.org


Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
1860 Starratt Road
Jacksonville, FL 32226-1760
(904) 757-3603

www.cattyshack.org

Bike Tour
Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Bring your own bike , or rent one 
www.e2ride.com


The Sawgrass Village Art Festival
May 7 – 8, 2011

Sawgrass Village Shopping Center
1300 Sawgrass Village Dr.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art

www.MOCAjacksonville.org

Pops at the Beach
Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Event Hotline (904) 247-6100 press 3
www.jacksonvillebeach.org

Mary Mary
Florida Theater
128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Fl

www.floridatheatre.com

Music @ Main Concert

Main Library
303 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-630-2665

Ideas for a Star-Spangled Celebration!

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Celebrate the Fourth! Dine outdoors and serve a fabulous make-ahead menu.

Looking for inspiration for your Independence Day Dinner, take a look at this easy to make and tasty dishes.

Star-Studded Starter

Start with a sassy salsa of in-season sweet, plump Northwest cherries paired with peppers, onion and cilantro! Serve cracker-like crisps – cut from pita breads using star-shaped cookie cutters – for dipping.

Salads Make the Meal

Toss orzo, chicken and sweet cherries with red wine vinaigrette and pack into a star-shaped pan. Chill and then turn out onto a platter for serving. Add a simple mixed green salad topped with glazed almonds, creamy goat cheese and fresh, antioxidant-rich cherries.

Dazzling Dessert Trio

Swirls of red, white and blue candy bark, a giant cupcake adorned with stars and stripes, and luscious frozen cherry cream atop a brownie shell create a perfect patriotic finish to enjoy with the fireworks finale.

Visit www.nwcherries.com for cherry recipes and information about storage, purchasing, nutrition and health.

Check www.wilton.com for more celebration ideas and recipes, plus bakeware, books and decorating supplies.

A Star of a Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 box (16 ounces) orzo
  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken breast or turkey breast
  • 1 1/2 cups diced green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 cups pitted Northwest Red or Rainier cherries, quartered

Preparation

  1. Line Star Pan with plastic wrap. Prepare orzo following package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In large bowl, combine orzo, chicken, bell pepper and shallots. In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, salt, thyme and black pepper. Pour over orzo mixture; mix well. Gently stir in cherries. Pack into prepared pan. Chill at least 1 hour. To serve, place serving platter over star pan. Carefully turn over to release salad; remove plastic wrap.

Serves
Makes about 12 servings

Cherry Salsa With Star Crisps

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 tablespoons boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups pitted Northwest cherries, quartered
  • 1/3 cup finely diced sweet red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup finely diced purple onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • Star Crisps

Preparation

  1. In medium bowl, place crushed red pepper. Stir in boiling water; let stand at least 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice, vinegar, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add cherries, bell pepper and onion; gently stir. Let stand 30 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve. Serve with Star Crisps.

Serves
Makes about 4 cups salsa

Star Crisps

Ingredients

  • 2 packages pocket pita breads (6 inch or larger)
  • Olive or vegetable oil
  • Coarsely ground salt and pepper (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Using 2.4-inch or 3.23-inch star cutter, press and cut shapes from pita; pull apart into two pieces. Arrange on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with oil. If desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.

Serves
Makes 10 to 15 crisps

Mixed Green Salad With Northwest Cherries, Almonds & Goat Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup pitted Bing cherries
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 pound (about 8 cups) mixed salad greens, washed, dried, and chilled
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Bing or other dark Northwest cherries, split in half and pitted
  • 1 log (4 ounces) fresh white goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup glazed sliced almonds*

Preparation

  1. In blender or food processor fitted with steel blade, purée 1/4 cup cherries, vinegar and oil until smooth; set dressing aside.
  2. In large bowl, gently toss greens with dressing. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1 cup cherries, goat cheese and almonds; toss gently. Serve immediately.

Serves
Makes 6 to 8 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
*Found pre-packaged in the produce section of most supermarkets.

Red, White and Blue Bark

Ingredients

  • 1 package (14 ounces) White Candy Melts
  • 1 package (14 ounces) Red Candy Melts
  • 1 package (14 ounces) Blue Candy Melts
  • Cinnamon drop sprinkles or crushed peppermint pinwheel candies

Preparation

  1. Line cookie pan with parchment paper.
  2. Melt each package of Candy Melts following package instructions. Spoon candy into prepared pan distributing colors randomly. Tap pan on counter to remove air bubbles; with spoon or butter knife, marble candy in pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon drops or crushed peppermint candies. Chill until firm, about 10 minutes.
  3. Remove parchment from pan; break candy into smaller serving pieces.

Serves
Each piece serves 1

America’s Star Cupcake

Ingredients

  • 6 cups of your favorite pound cake batter
  • 3 cups buttercream icing
  • Red-Red and Royal Blue icing color
  • Patriotic nonpareils
  • 2 packages Patriotic Stars icing decorations

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Giant Cupcake Pan cavities with vegetable pan spray with flour.
  2. Pour 3 1/2 cups batter into base/bottom half of pan and 2 1/2 cups batter into top part of pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool in pan 20 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely.
  3. Stack cake layers on serving plate with icing between layers. Decorate sides of cupcake with lines of red and blue Decorating Tip #18 stars. Cover cupcake top with white icing using Decorating Tip #1M stars. Sprinkle with nonpareils; attach icing decorations.

Serves
Makes 12 servings

Black Forest Brownie With Frozen Cherry Cream

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 pound (about 4 cups) individually quick-frozen cherries
  • 1 1/2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 2 packages (about 15 ounces each) brownie mix (8 x 8-inch size)
  • Eggs, water and oil to prepare mix
  • Vanilla Whipped Icing or whipped topping
  • Whole Bing cherries, for garnish

Preparation

  1. In medium bowl, combine sugar, water, lemon juice and extract; stir until sugar is dissolved. Place in freezer until slushy, about 1 1/2 hours.
  2. In food processor fitted with grater attachment, grate frozen cherries. Immediately whisk into slushy sugar syrup. Cover with plastic wrap or place in airtight container. Freeze 2 to 3 hours or until mixture is a soft serve consistency. Fold in ice cream; freeze 8 hours or overnight.
  3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325°F. Spray Dessert Shell Pan with vegetable pan spray. In large bowl, prepare brownie mix following package instructions; spoon 1/2 the batter into cavities of prepared pan.
  4. Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until brownies test done. Cool in pan 5 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
  5. Place cooled brownie dessert shell on plate; add scoop of cherry ice cream mixture; add whipped icing and cherry to garnish.

Serves
Makes about 6 servings

SOURCE:
Northwest Cherry Growers
Wilton Industries, Inc.