‘I'm A Star Foundation’ back to school bash

On August 4, 2017, USA Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles sent a video congratulating the “I'm A Star Foundation” teens for their 3rd biennial Jacksonville HELPS (Homeless Students Empowered through Leadership, Partnership & Service) Celebrity Basketball Game.  Watch the video HERE on I'm A Star Foundation's Facebook page.  I'm A Star teens raised money through the game on July 22, and continue to collect funds toward a goal of $50,000 in their GoFundMe campaign.

The community is invited to drop off items at the I'm A Star Foundation's booth at the Duval County Public Schools Ready-to-Learn Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 12 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The GoFundMe campaign deadline has also been extended until September 10.  I'm A Star Foundation will announce the total amount of money raised through the Celebrity Basketball Game as well as public and private donations on September 11th, as they present a check to the Duval County Public Schools' Homeless Education Department before the school board.

All money raised through Jacksonville HELPS will be donated as unrestricted funds, supporting needs for the 2700 homeless students in our district, including: eye glasses, books, toiletry items, bus passes, doctor's fees, hotel vouchers, rental deposits, college application fees and more. (See full wish list HERE.  DCPS Homeless Education Program Representative Tricia Pough says the following are the top five items in need:
1.       School Uniform Assistance
2.       Bus Passes
3.       Gift Cards
4.       Shoes for older male students sizes 12-14
5.       Extracurricular activity fees (Band, Football, Basketball, field trips, etc.)

Since 2013, the Foundation has raised $57,000 via live telethons, a 5K and two celebrity basketball games— donating all funds to the Duval County Public Schools’ Homeless Education Department and awarding 14 scholarships to homeless students entering college.

‘Finders Keepers’ fall and winter sale is back in JAX for three days

The children are going back to school and they could use some more clothes.  The “Finders Keepers Children's Consignment Sale” is the premier children's consignment sale in the First Coast area. They’ve been serving Jacksonville since 2004, in the large 28,000 sq. ft. auditorium at the centrally located Morocco Shrine Center on St. Johns Bluff Road in Jacksonville, FL.  You don’t want to miss all the items that will be available for your purchase from August 31 to September 2, 2017!  Save up to 70% off retail on high-quality, gently-used children's items at Jacksonville's BEST children's consignment sale!

Come early for a great selection of clothes, shoes, books, bedding, utensils, games, furniture, toys, nick-knacks and much, much more.  It doesn’t matter if you have one child, or several children; there will be something at the sale that you need and priced beyond reasonable.  They accept all major credit cards, and of course – cash is still acceptable and appreciated.  Mark your calendars today.

Suggestion: It’s understandable that you are shopping for your children and trying to save a little money, but if at all possible, find someone to watch the little blessings while you take advantage of the great prices.  Unless your child/children are extraordinarily quiet, patient, and don’t mind being in their strollers for an extended period of time; they won’t enjoy themselves.  You will be happier, the people around you will have a great time, and your child will appreciate all the goodies that you’ll bring home, if you come without your kiddos or come along with a friend.

“Finders Keepers Consignment”
DATES:          TIMES:
Thurs. Aug. 31, 2017   9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 1       9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. Sept. 2       9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
     (Half Price Day)

LOCATION:  Morocco Shrine Center Auditorium
       3800 S. St. Johns Bluff Rd.
       Jacksonville, FL 32224
       (904) 642-5200

Cummer Museum hosts Mediterranea American Art Collections

The newest exhibition at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Mediterranea: American Art from the Graham D. Williford Collection, will be on view August 8, 2017 through February 4, 2017, featuring paintings and works on paper by George Peter Alexander Healy (1813 – 1894), William Merritt Chase (1894 – 1916), Frank Duveneck (1894 – 1919), and Theodore Robinson (1852 – 1896).

This exhibition looks at how American artists of the late 19th and early 20th century captured the diversity and distinctiveness of certain places that make up the Mediterranean region such as Italy, Spain, the Middle East, and North Africa. Artists drew on the richness of the flora, the brilliance of the sea, and the grand architecture to create beautiful landscapes and genre scenes.

Nelda Damiano, Associate Curator at the Museum, says, “When looking at the works [in this exhibition], I think of how artists must have been captivated, if not shocked, by the dramatic Mediterranean light, how that light reflected on the surface of the sea, onto open fields, and buildings, and how they would have tried to convey it.”

The Museum is continuing its series of exhibitions that look at the “artist abroad”. In the vein of Academic Splendor, Heroes & Battlefields, An American in Venice, and Poetry of Landscape, Mediterranea presents American artists who traveled to perfect their training and embrace different cultures.

Events for Mediterranea include:
Talks & Tea: Mediterranea: Wed., Sept. 13th. at 1:30 p.m. | Free with admission.

Free Tuesday Lecture: Mediterranea With Dr. Mark White From The Fred Jones Jr. Museum Of Art: Tues., Sept. 19th. at 7 p.m.

Classical Music Concert: Mediterranea With Stephen, Robinsonm Philip Pan, & Rhonda Cassano: Sun., Sept. 24th. at 1 p.m. | Free with admission.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
  829 Riverside Avenue
  Jacksonville, Florida 32204
  (904) 356-6857
  Hours of Operation & Admission