flower & garden expo
Today, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center (Interstate 95 & State Road 16) in St. Augustine. Growers, nurseries and vendors from all around Florida offer a variety of flowering plants and gardening accessories. Gardening lectures throughout the day. Standard flower show and a quilt show. Unique and beautiful arts and crafts. Tickets are $5 and are good for both days. Children under 12 admitted free. Free parking. For more information call (904) 829-3295, www.epiccommunityservices.org

accreditation assessment
April 20, a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will be at the SJSO, to examine all aspects of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, announced Sheriff David Shoar. As part of the on-site assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session Monday (21 April) at 7 p.m. The session will be conducted in the First Coast Technical College, 3640 Gaines Road, St. Augustine. For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. write the Commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030-2215, or call (800) 368-3757.

earth day
Six hundred elementary school students in St. Johns County will take part in an international effort to green up brown paper bags for Earth Day 2008. Students from St. Augustine’s Mill Creek Elementary, ranging in grades from kindergarten to fifth grade, had one month to decorate brown paper bags to reflect their thoughts on Earth Day 2008. “We are just thrilled to be a part of such an exciting project that not only educates our community, but also shows some pride in our environment,” stated Naomi Lumley, Palencia sales and marketing director. Publix, located at 455 W. Town Place in St. Augustine, is providing the canvass for the students to express what Earth Day means to them by way of coloring, drawing, and painting environmentally friendly slogans. The bags will then be returned to Publix and distributed to shoppers on Earth Day, Tuesday (April 22).

think big
April 22, 7:30 p.m. at the World Golf Village, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and inspiring storyteller Benjamin Carson, Sr. will present Think Big at the annual fundraiser for The Prosperity Bank Foundation, Inc. Carson is the co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund which recognizes young people for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Prosperity Bank Foundation, formed in 2006, provides financial education and awareness support to teenage youth, to explain how to establish good credit and avoid the pitfalls that occur from poor decisions in finances. The fundraiser is open to the public. A continental breakfast will be offered at 7:30 a.m. and the presentation begins at 8:30 a.m. Admission is $35 in advance and $50 at the door. To register call 1(800) 347-9680 ext. 3030 or send an e-mail to rsvpevent@prosperitybank.com. For more information contact Dena Kapperman at (904) 810-3961.

care for caregivers
May 3, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the St. Johns County Council on Aging and ElderSource have partnered to present, “Caring For the Caregiver” at the Coastal Community Center, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Keynote speaker is Carol D. O’Dell, author of the memoir, Mothering Mother. To register for workshop call (904) 209-3675 before April 25. Adult day care will be provided but space is limited. To reserve day care space call (904) 209-3690.

gift baskets
April 25, 11 a.m. the Women’s Service Club of St. Johns will meet to put together Mother’s Day gift baskets for the mothers at the Betty Griffin House. The Betty Griffin house is the only safety shelter serving domestic and sexual violence victims and their children in St. Johns County. They have compiled a wish list and the club is trying to fulfill the list. The group relies solely on donations from the community. All are welcome to join the group that meets the last Friday of each month at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club. The goal is to help those in need through small projects. There is no dues, no officers, no stress. For more information contact jacqphil@aol.com.

a taste of st. augustine
Saturday, (April 26) Noon to 9:00 p.m. at the newly renovated St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 30 of St. Augustine’s finest restaurants offer samples of their signature dishes at the 2nd Annual “Birth of the Blues” Music Festival. Admission is $3.00. Taste tickets are $1.00 with restaurants charging between 1-5 tickets for the samples. For more information call (904) 829-3295, www.epiccommunityservices.org.

butterfly festival
April 26, noon to 5 p.m. at the 7th Annual Butterfly Festival, Tree Bill Nature Center, 7152 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, enjoy the mass native butterfly release, children’s crafts, environmental education, special vendors, and storytellers. Music performed by PiliPili at 4 p.m. $5 for adults and $2 for children 14 and under. For more information call (904) 724-4646 or www.treehill.org.

photography workshop
April 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve will offer a digital nature photography class taught by photographer Daryl LaBello. The class will take place at the GTM Research Reserve Marineland office located at 9741 Oceanshore Blvd., St. Augustine FL (in the town of Marineland). This workshop is designed to give the beginning photographer an introduction to the fundamentals of photography with hands on practice in the River to Sea Preserve. Cost of the workshop is $125. Advanced registration and payment required.

recipes past and present
The Coastal Community Center invites you to share a meal with generations of the past and present through the keepsake cookbook, “Recipes of St. Augustine: Past & Present.” It includes 100 recipes contributed by The Players Community Center in Ponte Vedra and the Council on Aging at Trout Creek Park Pavilion. You will also find treasured family recipes along with culinary secrets from some of St. Augustine’s most popular dining establishments. Cost is $20. All proceeds support the programs and services of the county Council on Aging. Get a copy at the Coastal Community Center, 180, Marine St., St. Augustine or by phone at (904) 209-3685.

life program
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Director of Environmental Education, Greg Ira, recognized Sebastian Middle School for their involvement in the DEPs award winning Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program. The ceremony acknowledged the contributions of the local partners that helped the LIFE program secure the 2007 Coastal America Partnership Award. The LIFE program allows teachers to provide rigorous science instruction in Florida’s outdoor classroom to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. For more information about the LIFE program visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed/.

national pet month
Pet Paradise announces a month-long donation drive in support of the Jacksonville Humane Society. The luxury pet boarding and day care company is encouraging the community to bring in spare blankets and pet supplies to benefit the pets of the Jacksonville Humane Society that are awaiting loving, lifetime homes. In return for their generosity, donors will receive a free night stay at either Pet Paradise’s Jacksonville Airport or University Blvd. location. Donation bins have been set up at all Pet Paradise facilities and items may be dropped off from April 14 ą May 12 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information visit www.petparadiseresort.com or call 1-877-PETS-PLAY.

science program
April 27, 9 to 11 a.m. the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve will continue its environmental science programs. The topic is the importance of prescribed burns to the habitats of the GTM Research Reserve. The “Become a Junior Environmental Biologist” Program Series (Kids Level) series is suitable for ages 12 and up. Program meets at the Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. To register call (904) 823-4500.

ladies golf clinics
Through May 1, 9-10 a.m. each Thursday, The First Tee will hold golf clinics for ladies. Advance or beginner, you will learn basic skills and have fun. Cost is $10 per clinic or $40 per five clinics. To sign up e-mail jason@thefirstteesjc.org or call (904) 810-2231. Located in the World Golf Village at 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine.

small business development week
First Coast Small Business Development Week will be held at the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village April 29 through May 1. It will feature many business building opportunities and allow businesses to reach qualified business decision makers, build relationships with existing customers and network with more than 125 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees. Free conference break out sessions will focus on topics that affect small businesses. Golf tournament will be on May 1 at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club located on County Road 210, St. Augustine. For more information call (904) 829-5681.

host families
EF Educational Homestay Program is a non-profit organization that works with students from other countries who want to learn english as a second language is looking for families to volunteer to host students for three weeks this summer. Host families are asked to provide a bed, an extra plate at the table and transportation to and from a central pick up location. The program keeps the students busy during the week days with group activities. Youth from host families are invited to accompany the students on field trips and earn 60 community service hours. Churches can receive a $50 donation for every three families that volunteer. For more information call Laura Barry (808) 551-5613 or e-mail llbarry01@msn.com.

high school completion
Short of credits as the semester ends? Need to retake a failing class? FCTC offers a high school completion program which allows students to progress at their own pace using individualized materiel. A teacher is present at all times to assist. Students obtain a letter from their guidance counselor indicating the courses to be taken and bring the letter to the FCTC Main campus. Students who have dropped out and want to obtain their diploma may also enroll in the High School Completion program. For more information call Theresa at (904) 829-1019 or burrelt@fcti.org