Homeless students get help from ‘I'm A Star'

“I'm A Star Foundation” teen servant leaders will kick off Jacksonville HELPS (Homeless Students Empowered through Leadership, Partnership & Service) Week with multiple events aimed at helping their peers.  Starting Saturday, September 15, 2018, “I'm A Star” teens will host its 3000 for 3000 Moment of Hope, a gathering of youth at Hemming Park, to honor the 3000+ homeless students currently in Duval County Public Schools.  A student is identified as homeless if he/she lives in a shelter, hotel, with relatives or on the streets.

Students are channeling the power of focusing 3000 seconds (50 minutes) on the 3000+ homeless students, to make a change.  Therefore, the event will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and end at 10:50 a.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

The agenda will include an introduction by DCPS Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene; choral, creative dance and spoken word performances; speakers (two formerly homeless students); a yoga session; Dance Like No One Is Watching; a ribbon tying ceremony for trees; and a writing/hand printing on the "Wall of Hope."

In addition to other volunteer service events, Jacksonville HELPS Week will culminate with the annual Celebrity Basketball Game on Saturday, September 22, 2018, 6 p.m. at Paxon School for Advanced Studies.  Tickets are $5 and may be purchased HERE.  High school all stars will play celebrities in this match-up, to raise money for homeless students.  Celebrity player names will be released later this week.  Recently, NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers' President Magic Johnson shows his support for the Celebrity Basketball Game.

Since 2012, the Foundation has raised a total of $96,500 via live telethons, a 5K and three celebrity basketball games — donating all funds to the Duval County Homeless Education Program.  Out of the total amount raised, I’m A Star Foundation has awarded 20+ scholarships to homeless students entering college.  To hear the stories of scholarship recipients, please watch How Does It Feel To Be A Homeless Student?

2018-19 season tickets still available at Times Union Center JAX

Curtis Dvorak / Ms. "V"

Where were you on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m.?  If you missed this Artist Series event, you missed a perfect evening for families and theater lovers.  The Broadway in Jacksonville Season Kickoff Event, sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, featured: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King & I (November 13-18), Les Miserables (January 22-27), Waitress (March 12-17) and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School Of Rock (April 16-20).  By subscribing to the 2018-19 Season, subscribers also had the opportunity to renew their seats for the 2019-20 season next year, featuring Hamilton.

First Coast Living star, Curtis Dvorak, was the master of ceremony for the afternoon and you can catch a glimpse of the festivities along with Ms. “V” HERE.  The Chris Thomas Band offered great entertainment throughout the evening.  In addition, attendees were able to get a television video sneak peek at the upcoming season, a gift photo from PRI Green Screen, gift bags for the first 100 patrons, raffles, packet ticket pickup, wine tasting, seat selection in the Moran Theatre, and a special vocal performance from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King & I.  Outside the beautiful theater were delicious goodies from: Latin Fusion, Nitrogen Creamery and Twisted Okie BBQ.

New subscribers can order a subscription at fscjartistseries.org, by calling (904) 632-5000 or toll-free at 1-888-860-BWAY (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).  Besides the Broadway hits that are mentioned above, there are many more great shows coming to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts.  Now is the time to think about theatre tickets for Christmas Stocking Stuffers.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

‘UF ABA Alumni' host scholarship fundraiser for JAX students

The University of Florida's new Association of Black Alumni (ABA) Jacksonville chapter will host its first fundraiser to benefit local students wanting to attend the top-10 ranked university.  The public is invited to the Inaugural Black Alumni Breakfast, which takes place Saturday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Ticket proceeds will go to fund scholarships for high school students in Jacksonville looking to attend UF in 2019.

This year's Keynote Speaker is Jacksonville native, UF Levin College of Law alumnus and the President of Wiley College (TX), Dr. Herman Felton, Jr.  The topic is: “Rocking The Boat: How Disruption Effects Change Without Making Trouble”.  For inquiries about the event, please email UF ABA Jax President-Elect Marques J. Wilkes.

The University of Florida ranks number one on The Florida Board of Governors' list, which ranks public universities each year based on how well they meet goals related to student success and improvement.

UF ABA Benefit Fundraiser Breakfast

DATE:       
Saturday, September 22, 2018

TIME: 9 - 11 a.m. promply

TICKETS: are $35

LOCATION:
Sheraton Hotel Jacksonville
10605 Deerwood Park Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL

‘2018 Southern Women’s Show’ quickly approaches

2017 picture

It’s not too early to think about attending the “2018 Southern Women’s Show” in Jacksonville, Florida; October 18-21, 2018.  The event is spectacular and for a mere $12 ($10 with a coupon), you can enjoy music, freebies, and vendors of every sort of product, or service that you could imagine.  There are plenty of restrooms (which are well maintained).  

There’s an area for you to rest and enjoy live entertainment (Savannah Chrisley, from USA's hit reality show, Chrisley Knows Best; Dana Cody is the owner of Tippie Toes Beauty Lounge in Miami; Naja Rickette, aka The Naja, is an award-winning, celebrity nail artist; Current Top 5 MasterChef competitor, Ashley Mincey; Winner of Food Network’s Extreme Chef Mexican Showdown, Chef Amadeus’ and many more).  Did I forget to mention the many food items that are located throughout the event and also in a specific area?  Just follow the delicious aromas.

When you enter the Prime Osborn Center (yes, it is that big of a deal), you are able to purchase a shopping bag to collect all your ‘goodies’.  The vendors entice you to come back to their area even if you are not prepared to take advantage of the “bling-bling” and fine wares that line the perimeters and intertwine throughout the center.  There are things for your personal body pampering.  You’ll find something for children, your spouse, your friend and something to beautify your house.

This is a great time to think about unique gifts for that ‘hard-to-shop for’ person.  You will leave the event having been fulfilled with time consumption, and getting your money’s worth.  Sign up for trips, baskets full of goodies, free treatments, parties, gifts, services and much more.  There are even a couple of fine Department Stores that have created a mini venue.

There’s something special every day of the event.  Besides many special presentations, there will be days for those elite group of people.  Military/Police/Fire/Rescue: One ticket for complimentary admission with ID on Thurs.  for Heroes Day.  Friday is Girls Night Out with $5 admission after 5pm!  Saturday is Mother Daughter Day!  Sunday is Teachers Day. All teachers get in FREE with school ID.

Shows of times gone by from Ms. "V"

So come one, come all and take a look.  Bring a friend or come by yourself (and don’t forget your comfortable shoes).  Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can make plans to come again next year; same time – same place.  I might even see you there.

2018 Southern Women’s Show
DATES:         TIMES:
Thurs. Oct. 18, 2018  10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 19     10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 20     10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 21     11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Prime Osborn Center
     1000 Water St.
     Jacksonville, Florida 32204

TICKETS: Advanced Adults $10
     Admission at the door: $12
     $2 off Coupon
     $5 after 5 p.m.
     Youth 6 – 12 yrs. $6
     Group $8 each of 10 or more (Advance Only!)
     Children under 6 FREE with paying adult
     4 day pass $20
     VIP Shoppers Package $50
     Advance Discount Tickets available at Walgreens starting Sept. 18th.  Click here to find your local Walgreens.
      Parking $5 per car.