April 2017
April 2017
April 2017
Apr 10 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm Apr 1 Flag Football games begin – Donner Park
Apr 18 Community Development Board Meeting 6 pm Apr 2 Songwriters’ Concert – Adele Grage Theater 6-8 pm
Apr 22 **Town Hall Meeting 10 am to Noon Apr 4 Wild Child Yoga – Adele Grage Center 5:30 & 7:30 pmApr 24 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm Apr 5 Qigong – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am Apr 25 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee 6 pm
May 2017
Apr 5 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
Apr 5 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 6:00 pm
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May 8 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm Apr 5 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 7:30 pm
May 9 Code Enforcement Meeting 6 pm Apr 5 Free Zumba – Jordan Center 6:30 pm
Apr 6 Free Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am May 11 Pension Board 6:30 pm
May 16 Community Development Board Meeting 6 pm Apr 4 Paddle Tour – Dutton Island Kayak Launch 11 am
Apr 8 Yoga Workshop – Adele Grage Center 9 am May 22 City Commission Meeting 6:30 pm
May 23 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee 6 pm Apr 8 Wild Wonders – Dutton Island Pavilion – 1 pm
Meetings are held in the Commission Chamber unless otherwise indicated. Apr 9 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 3:30 pm
*These events will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd. Apr 11 Wild Child Yoga – Adele Grage Center 5:30-6:30 pm & 6:30-7:30 pm
**This event will be held at Jordan Park Community Center, 1671 Francis Ave Apr 12 Qigong – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
Apr 12 Mid-Week Market– Bull Park 3-6 pm
Apr 12 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 6:00 pm CITY OFFICIALS
Apr 12 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 7:30 pmMitchell E. Reeves, Mayor Mitchell Harding, Commissioner
John Stinson, Mayor Pro Tem Donna Bartle, City Clerk Apr 13 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
Jimmy Hill, Commissioner Brenna Durden, City Attorney Apr 14 Shakespeare in the Park – Johansen Park 8 pm
Apr 15 Egg Hunt – Jordan Park 10 am Blythe Waters, Commissioner Kevin Hogencamp, Interim City
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Manager
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
Spring Egg Hunt and Fun Day at Jordan Park ~
April 15
10 am to 1 pm
Bring the little ones out to meet “Bunny” and get their picture taken at
beautiful Jordan Park on Saturday, April 15th. There will be lots of fun
activities for the entire family including a petting zoo, train rides, pony rides,
bounce house, refreshments and Golden Egg prizes at this year’s annual Egg
Hunt. All free for ages 2 to 10. Jordan Park is located at 1671 Francis
Avenue. For more information, call (904) 247-4038.
Apr 15 Shakespeare in the Park – Johansen Park 8 pm
Apr 18 Wild Child Yoga – Adele Grage Center 5:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Apr 19 Qigong – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
Apr 19 Mid-Week Market– Bull Park 3-6 pm
Apr 19 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 6:00 pm
Apr 19 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 7:30 pm
Apr 20 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
Apr 20 Artist Reception-Adele Grage Center 5-8 pm
Apr 20 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center 5-9 pm
Apr 22 Arts in the Park – Johansen Park 10 am – 5 pm
Apr 22 Wild Wonders – Dutton Island Pavilion – 1 pm
Apr 23 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 3:30 pm
Apr 23 Acoustic Night with food truck – Bull Park 6-8 pm
Apr 25 Wild Child Yoga – Adele Grage Center 5:30-6:30 pm & 6:30-7:30 pm
Apr 25 CARAC monthly meeting – Adele Grage Theater 6 pm
Apr 26 Qigong – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
Apr 26 Mid-Week Market – Bull Park 3-6 pm
Apr 26 Free Yoga – Adele Grage Center 6:00 pm
Apr 26 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 7:30 pm
Apr 27 Meditation Buzz – Adele Grage Center 9:30 am
www.coab.us/recreation
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City Opts to ‘coexist’ with Coyotes
To trap or not to trap coyotes. In Atlantic Beach, that was the question.
And, in Florida, to trap a coyote means to euthanize a coyote. After much
deliberation this winter, the City of Atlantic Beach is choosing to have the
community “coexist” with coyotes – although we continue to keep our options
open. That’s precisely the recommendation of the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission (FWC), United States Humane Society, USDA Wildlife Services
and other agencies and organizations deemed as subject-matter experts on
the topic.
The issue became a central one for Atlantic Beach and the focus of a community
meeting in early 2017 due to a large amount of coyote sightings. As such,
the City Manager’s Office began working with the Police Department in a
fact-gathering capacity to determine what steps to take, if any, beyond public
education. It was during this process that the City learned that the state of
Florida requires trapped coyotes to be euthanized.
Sightings
The public is strongly encouraged to immediately report coyote sightings
by calling your local law enforcement agency and to dial 911 if you sense
imminent danger. In Atlantic Beach, please report coyote sightings by calling
Atlantic Beach Animal Control at (904) 247-5866 or by e-mailing tlayson@
coab.us. Unusual coyote behavior also can be reported to FWC's Wildlife Alert
number at (888) 404-3922.
Living with coyotes
Found throughout the United States, coyotes belong to the dog family and
resemble small German shepherds and – to a certain extent -- foxes. Coyotes
play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to keep rodent populations
under control. The FWC says that removing coyotes from one area can result
in other coyotes moving in from surrounding areas and producing more pups
per litter.
Coyotes are shy and elusive, typically, but they are occasionally spotted where
food is readily available. They breed every year with two to 12 pups per litter;
pups are raised in a den. Surprisingly to many people, the average coyote in
Florida weighs about 27 pounds; they have pointed ears, a narrow muzzle
and a bushy tail. Coyote fur is usually grayish-brown but occasionally is black.
Keep your pets safe
Never feed coyotes and don’t place food outdoors that will attract wild animals.
Attractants such as small free-ranging pets, pet food, garbage, bird seed,
fallen fruit, etc., are common culprits that bring coyotes into communities. It
is important to keep all cats indoors and dogs should be kept on a short leash
and supervised while outdoors. People can also use hazing techniques (such
as yelling, throwing rocks, using air horns or pepper spray, etc.) to scare the
coyotes away as they see them. Coyotes are generally not a threat to people
and are usually easily scared off.
Become informed
The City of Atlantic Beach encourages residents to become familiar with these
animals. More information is available on the City website at www.coab.us.
Pool Safety
Summer is coming and that means Swimming Pools. If you have a swimming
pool, please check your pool barrier and make sure small children cannot get
to the pool without your knowledge and supervision.
Floating alarms are now available and approved by Code in lieu of window
and door alarms, but barriers, including fences, gates, and mesh safety barriers
are still required to prevent access to your pool from outside of your property.
Imagine that you are 5 years old and check the perimeter of your pool. Fix
anything that lets you get to the pool. Barriers should not be climbable, no
holes over 4-inches, and gates should be self-closing and self-latching. Gates
need frequent “tune-ups” to keep working right.
Any above-ground pool more that 24-inches deep is considered a swimming
pool and needs a building permit to install. The permit includes a safety check
for pool barrier and electric shock hazards. The safety check could save a life.
Have a wet and safe summer.
Walkover project proceeding
The City is moving forward with its plans to reconstruct the Hurricane Matthew-
damaged Third Street walkover. The original walkover will be largely replicated,
although there will be modifications to improve disability access. We are grateful
for all of the public input received on this project. It is because of this input that
wheelchair maneuverability will improve with the new design. Additionally, the
public comment during this community discussion is prompting the City to add
a disability parking space at the Third Street beach access.
Shakespeare in the Park
April 14th and 15th – 8 pm
Johansen Park
Come out to Johansen Park and witness Shakespeare’s idealism of the 1600s.
Join friends and neighbors under the beautiful tree canopy in the park for a free
outdoor Shakespeare theatrical play “Measure for Measure” presented by the
University of North Florida English Department.
Measure for Measure is classified as a comedy play, but is also referred to as a
‘“problem play”, because it cannot be easily described as either a tragedy or
comedy. The play’s main theme includes justice, mortality and mercy along with
contradiction between corruption and purity. “Some rise by sin, and some by
virtue fall”. Mercy and virtue predominate since the play does not end tragically.
Pack a picnic basket or grab some food from 5loaves2fish Food Truck starting
at 6:30 pm. Show time begins at 8 pm and chairs will be provided. Rain date
is April 16th.