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november 2011
Nov 8 Code Enforcement Board / 6 pm
Nov 11 CITY OFFICES CLOSED / Veteran’s Day
Nov 14 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Swearing In Ceremony
Nov 15 Community Development Board / 6 pm
Nov 17 Pension Board / 6:30 pm
Nov 24-25 CITY OFFICES CLOSED
Nov 28 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
deCember 2011
Dec 6 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee / 6 pm
Dec 12 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Dec 23 & 26 CITY OFFICES CLOSED
Meetings are held in the Commission Chamber unless otherwise indicated.
* These events will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd.
november 2011
Nov 2 Mid-Week Market / Bull Park / 4-7 pm
Nov 9 Mid-Week Market / Bull Park / 3-6 pm
Nov 16 Mid-Week Market / Bull Park / 3-6 pm
Nov 17 Holiday Artisans’ Faire / Adele Grage / 5-9 pm
Nov 19 MarshFest / Dutton Island / 10 am-3 pm
Nov 20 Songwriters’ Concert / Adele Grage /6-8 pm
Nov 23 Mid-Week Market / Bull Park / 3-6 pm
Nov 30 Mid-Week Market / Bull Park / 3-6 pm
deCember 2011
Dec 3 Holiday Celebration – Town Center
Dec 18 Songwriters’ Concert / Adele Grage / 6-8 pm
Dec 15 North Beaches Art Walk
Town Center & Adele Grage / 5-9 pm
Reception for the Artist / Adele Grage / 6-8 pm
for the latest information,
visit www.coab.us/events or www.coab.us/recreation
“Like” us on facebook!
Begin Your Holiday Shopping Early This Year
As the holiday shopping season quickly approaches, keep in mind that
we have wonderful local shopping opportunities if you are inclined
to look for special gifts in a pleasant and calmer environment rather
than fight the traffic, crowds and madness of the malls and big box
stores. Our Town Center has many wonderful small shops and will once
again be a colorful and festive holiday scene unique to any other in
the Jacksonville area. North Beaches Art Walk on Thursday, November
17th, 5-9pm will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the area and find
special gift items at local shops and from Art Walk participants. Our
retailers and restaurants need your support.
On November 17th, the Adele Grage Cultural Center will host the annual
Holiday Artisans’ Faire, the largest North Beaches Art Walk exhibit. This
one night only event will feature 15 exceptional artists displaying their
unique and exceptional gifts for the holiday season.
City offiCiAls
Mike Borno, Mayor Carolyn Woods, Commissioner
John Fletcher, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hanson, City Manager
Jonathan Daugherty, Commissioner Alan Jensen, City Attorney
Paul Parsons, Commissioner Donna Bartle, City Clerk
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
November 2011
Nov 2 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 4-7 pm
Nov 9 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
Nov 16 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
Nov 17 Holiday Artisans’ Faire – Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Nov 19 MarshFest – Dutton Island Preserve 10am – 3pm
Nov 20 Songwriters’ Concert – Adele Grage 6-8 pm
Nov 23 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
Nov 30 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
December 2011
Dec 3 Holiday Celebration – Town Center
Dec 18 Songwriters’ Concert – Adele Grage 6-8 pm
Dec 15 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center & Adele Grage 5-9 pm
Reception for the Artist – Adele Grage 6-8 pm
For the latest information, visit www.coab.us/events or www.coab.us/recreation
“Like” us on facebook!
Holiday Celebration
& Tree Lighting
The Beaches Town Center along with the Cities of Atlantic Beach
and Neptune Beach are sponsoring a holiday kick-off celebration on
Saturday, December 3rd. The festivities will begin at 3 pm with a
bike parade through Town Center. Everyone is invited to decorate their
bikes and join in the fun. There will be many activities to keep the little
ones busy including music, dance performances, face painting, arts and
crafts for all ages and carriage rides. The Mayors of both cities will light
the community tree and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by sleigh at 6
pm for the tree lighting and visit with the kids. For more information,
go to www.beachestowncenter.com.
Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
The Beaches Town Center along with the Cities of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach are
sponsoring a holiday kick-off celebration on Saturday, December 3rd. The festivities will begin at
3:00 pm with a bike parade through Town Center. Everyone is invited to decorate their bikes and
join in the fun. There will be many activities to keep the little ones busy including music, dance
performances, face painting, arts and crafts for all ages and carriage rides. The Mayors of both
cities will light the community tree and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by sleigh at 6 pm for the
tree lighting and visit with the kids. For more information, go to www.beachestowncenter.com.
Holiday Hours For City Offices
City Offices will be closed on Friday, November 11th for Veterans Day
and on Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th for the
Thanksgiving holiday.
You may have noticed contractors doing utility work
in your neighborhood recently. Most of these have
been repairing or replacing water and sewer lines.
Repairs to our utilities have been ongoing for many
years, although the availability of several federal and state grants has
allowed us to do a few more projects than usual.
Why do we spend money on things that appear to be working? The
reasons are a bit different for water and sewer lines. Years ago, iron
was the material of choice for water mains, but many of those lines
have rusted to a point where they are leaking water which wastes a
valuable resource that we should protect. In some cases, they have
rusted so badly that it restricts the flow and may discolor your water.
We often put in larger lines than those being replaced to increase the
flow for fire protection.
Most older sewer lines were made of clay. The problem with clay is
that it cracks easily. During dry times, wastewater can leak out and
create an unwanted source of pollution. The problem is just as bad in
rainy times or when the water table is above the sewer line causing storm
water to leak in. Too much leakage into the sewer lines can create sewer
overflows or flood out the wastewater treatment plants resulting in poorly
treated sewage being discharged into our waterways. Because of this
work, Atlantic Beach has not had any overflows because of rain storms
in recent years and has greatly reduced the amount of rainwater that has
gotten to the treatment plants.
Unlike the old cast iron water mains, it is usually easier to put in
liners for the sewer lines instead of replacing them. Lining creates a
fiberglass-type coating on the inside of the pipes which should last for
another 50 years. One big advantage in lining is that there is a lot less
digging and less disruption to the neighborhoods.
Besides saving money on emergency repairs from street cave-ins,
these projects can reduce the cost to build and maintain water and
wastewater plants. We don’t need larger water plants if we can reduce
loss before it gets to your house and we don’t need larger wastewater
plants if we can keep from having to treat a lot of rainwater. This in
turn keeps your monthly utility bills lower.
So if you see City contractors in your neighbor blocking streets or
making noise, please pardon the inconvenience and understand that it
is a necessary part of running your water and sewer systems properly.
— Mayor Borno
New Free App Helps to Keep
Our Beaches Clean
The beach is our natural playground, but visitors sometimes forget to pick
up their trash. Fishermen may leave discarded tackle, or offshore dumpings
may wash onto the beach. Now you can use your “smart phone” to report
debris problems along our coast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
University of Georgia have created a new cell phone app to track areas
where marine debris is accumulating. The Marine Debris Tracker program
also encourages users to properly recycle or dispose of debris when they
find it.
In addition to collecting data, the app educates the public about the
harmful effects of trash and debris on our beaches. Data can be used by
cities and counties for decision-making as well, such as where to locate
additional trash cans or where to implement beach cleaning.
To find out more information on the Marine Debris Tracker and download
the app, go to www.marinedebris.engr.uga.edu/.
remember, only irrigate on your assigned days before 10 am and
after 4 pm.
Odd numbered addresses - Saturday
Even numbered addresses - Sunday
Non-Residential - Tuesday
for more information on saving water, go to www.floridaswater.com.
Think Safety During The Holiday Season
The end of the year is approaching, which means the hustle and bustle of the holidays
is amongst us! The Atlantic Beach Police Department would like to remind all citizens
to keep safety in mind during the holidays.
• Don’t drink and drive. Besides putting your own life at risk, you are risking the safety
of all others around you. Designate a driver or call a cab.
• Lock your car doors. Even when it is parked in your driveway or in a safe
neighborhood. An unlocked car is an invitation to burglars.
• Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you must leave something in your car, put it in
your trunk where it cannot be seen by people looking in your car windows.
• Santa comes down the chimney, not through the door or windows. Keep those
locked and your window blinds drawn when you aren’t home or are sleeping.
• Include helmets and other protective gear when giving bicycles, skates or
skateboards as gifts.
• If you see someone or something suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police
immediately!
• Most of all, have a safe and happy holiday season!
MarshFest is Coming!
The Marsh Preservation Society, the City of Atlantic Beach and the City of
Jacksonville will host MarshFest ’11 on Saturday, November 19 from 10
am to 3 pm at Dutton Island Preserve in Atlantic Beach. Admission is free.
Kayak/canoe trips and food will be available for a small donation. There
will be numerous exhibitors, raffle prizes, and a grand prize drawing for a
brand new kayak, with live “Americana” music playing all day.
Donations received at the event will help fund public access and passive
amenities in the four marsh parks, Dutton Island Preserve I & II, River
Branch Preserve, and Tide Views Preserve for everyone’s enjoyment
and use.
What Should the City Name the New Boardwalk?
The new boardwalk at Tide Views Preserves is nearing completion and needs a name.
The City of Atlantic Beach is soliciting input from citizens on what to name the new
boardwalk. If you think you have the perfect name for the boardwalk, please submit
your suggestions to the City of Atlantic Beach, City Manager’s Office no later than
Wednesday, November 30th. Suggestions can be phoned in to 247-5808, submitted
in writing and dropped off at City Hall, 800 Seminole Road or e-mailed
to Yvonne Calverley at ycalverley@coab.us.