Yesterday January 6, 2012 We were able to handout more "Buy Local" signs to local business for them to put in their store fronts.  Thank you Spring Park Cafe, Sunrise to Sunset Diner, Sunshine 24 Hour Fitness, M & M Cleaners, and Robertson Press for putting up "Buy Local" Signs.  If you would like to to have a "Buy Local" Sign or know someone who does, or a local business that you think would put it up in there store let us know.  

Today we are here to challenge you! As you pick up your last minute stocking stuffers we would like to challenge you to fill your loved ones stockings with items and gift cards bought here locally.  If everyone does this it would be a tremendous boost to local business this Christmas season.  If you need help with ideas contact us we will try to help.

Congrats to Spring Park Coffee for finally opening their doors for business.  It has been just a few months since Starbucks has left the City of Green Cove Springs, but coffee lovers do not fret! 

Steven Kelly has taken a hold of the opportunity that Starbucks has left behind.  He has opened the new Spring Park Coffee shop, and I must say the coffee is even better than Starbucks! I would personally recommend there white mocha frapichino.  Steve is excited and proud of his new business and he looks forward to not only building a strong business but a strong relationship with the community.

If you have not been to the Spring Park Cafe I would encourage you to do so. Right now business’s are having a tough time in today’s economic climate, let’s send a message that we are going to support our local community. Buy all of your coffee goods at Spring Park Cafe. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Skylar Zander 904-705-6572
 
                                                                       MEDIA ADVISORY
 
Green Cove Springs, FL- Saturday December 3, 2011 was a very busy day in the Green Cove Springs area of Clay County.  With many events such as the Parade of Trees, the Christmas Parade, and Christmas on Walnut Street events.  All together it was a very successful and eventful day with thousands flooding to the park to partake in the Christmas festivities and to enjoy the beautiful day.  The Green Cove Springs RiverFest Pageant winners from 2010 were hard at work trying to bring more Christmas cheer to the events.  The Green Cove Springs RiverFest Pageant winners partnered with the Greater Green Cove Springs Civic Association for the first time in order to judge the 150 Christmas Trees decorated throughout the park.  The three judges were Mrs. RiverFest and Green Cove Springs City Council Woman Felicia Hampshire, Miss RiverFest Amelia Butler, and Mr. RiverFest Skylar Zander.
 
The 2011 Inaugural Parade of Trees judging event was a very interesting and fun process for the Pageant winners.  The winners of the Parade of Trees overall best trees were as followed: First Place Broadus Raines, Second Place Charles E. Bennett Kindergarten Classes, Third Place: The Forehand Family.  Congratulations to these hard working winners that put a lot of time and detail into the decoration of the Tree they adopted.  There were other honorable mentions as followed:  In Memory of Mallori Dealy, In Memory of Wes Whiddon, Ronnies Wings, The Haha Red Hat Sisterhood, Pat & Joe Henry Christmas Tree, The Charles Williams Christmas Tree, and the Clay County Volunteer Firefighters Christmas Tree. 
 
"It was a great honor and opportunity judging the many Christmas Trees in the park on Saturday.  Everyone did such a great job decorating which made our jobs very tedious, but  fun as well.  Congratulations to everyone who partook in the Parade of Trees and everyone did a great job.  I hope they everyone will continue to partake in the Parade of Trees in the Future." Said Miss RiverFest Amelia Butler.
 
"It's always great when the community comes together to support such great events with in the community itself.  The business's came out with great support, family's came out with great support and overall it was one of the most successful events the City has ever ventured in.  It was a tremendous excitement to have the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural judging of the Parade of Trees it was a fun event that I hope will become a great tradition." Said Mrs. RiverFest and Green Cove Springs Council Woman Felicia Hampshire.
 
Mr. and Miss RiverFest Skylar Zander, and Amelia Butler also participated in the Christmas Parade by riding side by side with Santa and Mrs. Clause on an antique fire truck maintained by the Clay County Volunteer Fire Department. 
 
"It was so much fun and an honor to have the opportunity to not only participate in the inaugural judging of the Parade of Trees, but also riding in the Christmas Parade with Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause.  It was like a childhood dream come true, I felt like a little kid again. It was great how the community really came together to make all the events on Saturday a tremendous success.  A special thanks to the Green Cove Springs Lions Club, The Greater Green Cove Civic Association, and the Clay County Volunteer Fire Fighters with Mr. Wes Taylor.  Without there help these events would not have gone on."
 
To find out more information on these great organizations that helped make the Green Cove Springs Christmas Celebration successful please contact Art Yeaman info@Greencovecivic.org or visit the Green Cove Springs Civic Association website www.greencovecivic.org. 
 
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Skylar Zander 904-705-6572
 
                                                                                       MEDIA RELEASE
 
Green Cove Springs, FL-  The 8th Annual Green Cove Springs Parade of Trees will have a extra incentive to those participating in the adoption and decoration of the trees this year.   The Greater Green Cove Springs Civic Association is partnering with the Green Cove Springs Memorial Day RiverFest Pageant winners to conduct a contest for the best decorated Christmas trees. 
 
"It's important that we encourage our younger generations to be involved in civics and showcase opportunities for them to participate.  The Greater Green Cove Civic Association will be there – we are willing to help." Said Chairman Art Yeaman.
 
"This is an exciting time of the year where people are active in the community and ready to participate in activities, and this is a great way for the RiverFest Pageant winners to be involved in the Christmas celebration.  The winners are dedicated to helping the community and working with local leaders to help expand participation in civics, community, and building leadership." Said Mr. RiverFest Skylar Zander.
 
The Green Cove Springs RiverFest Pageant winners that will be judging the trees in the Green Cove Springs Park this Saturday December 3, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. include Council woman and Mrs. RiverFest Felicia Hampshire, Miss Amelia Butler, Miss Nikita Sorbello, Miss Gabby Manges, and Mr. Skylar Zander.  This will be the first year the trees will be judged and it seems it is going to be a promising partnership between the two organizations that will encourage civics and community activities.  For more information contact Greater Green Cove Civics Association President Art Yeaman 904-449-4607 or Mr. RiverFest Skylar Zander at 904-705-6572.
 
                                                                                                       
 
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This was released late yesterday by the School District, on there resolution for the prayer before school at the flag pole issue.  Do you think this resolution is good enough?

(Please Note:  There will be no further information released by the School District today, nor any on camera interviews.)

Resolution Between School District of Clay County and Rev. Ron Baker

(Release Date 11/14/2011) On Thursday, November 10, 2011 the School District/School Board of Clay County reached a resolution of the issues between the School District and Reverend Ron Baker. This resolution was the result of amicable negotiations between Reverend Baker’s attorney, Vincent McCarthy, an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice. and Bruce Bickner, Attorney for the School Board of Clay County, Florida, during which both parties acknowledged the extreme cost in time and money to both parties should this matter escalate to a lawsuit filed by Freedom From Religion Foundation, or any other third party.  The parties concluded  that this resolution was in everyone’s interest and agreed as follows:

            1.         Reverend Baker will discontinue his morning prayer sessions at the flag poles of Clay Hill Elementary School, Lake Asbury Elementary School, Shadowlawn Elementary School and Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.

            2.         Reverend Baker is free to find locations off of School Board property but in proximity to each of the schools at which to continue his prayer meetings.

            3.         The School Board, through their attorney, will contact the Freedom From Religion Foundation to ensure that they are apprised of the resolution of this matter.

            4.         This resolution does not pertain to the student-initiated, student-led annual/semi-annual “Meet Me At The Pole” activity.

Darlene Mahla

Public Relations Officer

School District of Clay County

(904) 272-8143

www.clayschools.net

Executive Director, CCEF

On Thursday 11/10/11 the media, and others were advised by the Clay County School System that an agrement had been made to resolve the issue of praying at the Flag Pole before school, in all Clay County Schools.  There was supposed to be something published with the details of this issue today by noon.  But it seems nothing has been sent out yet, and many rumors are going around town. 

Many say that the resolution that was made is to just charge who ever comes on campus with trespassing.  What ever the resolution was it was not disscussed out in the public view, and why the need to cancel the public workshop? Has the sunshine laws been up held in this issue?  There seems to be many questions at hand, what do you think?

Here is my first response to the recent article:

Morning praying at Clay schools draws atheist group's attention
Clay Today Wednesday, 19 October 2011 online post  

Three Steps to Why Heritage Matters?  by Art Yeaman  ©October 20, 2011

Step #1 Hmmm… does anyone else see the oxymoron of this situation?  Think about it - an organization named “Freedom From Religion Foundation” (FFRF) is based out of Madison, WI.  A city named for the Father of our U.S. Constitution (James Madison) a staunch defender of Freedom Of Religion.  Hmmm... I think the folks from “Madison” may be the reason we should learn more about our American heritage, our U.S. Constitution and our Founding Fathers’ intent.   

Step #2 is to clarify what we are dealing with.  FACT: The “Freedom From Religion Foundation” based out of Madison, WI., is an association of atheists, agnostics and skeptics with over 17,000 members (800 in Florida). FACT: Clay County Florida has over 190,000 citizens.  Today, let’s ask our 1st Graders (throughout Clay County) to tell us--- Which number is larger?  17,000 or 190,000

Step #3 MUD on the Wall aka will the fish bite the hook?  It is my understanding that FFRF recently mailed nearly 3000 letter to schools across our nations.  Therefore, if we too, were to throw enough MUD at the wall what percentage of the mud will stick? Perhaps one would need to know the consistency of the MUD. How much of the mud is solid?  How much of the mud is liquid? Does the MUD have a use or purpose to be on the Wall? Let’s have our 3th Graders help us determine what scientific method we should us to address this matter.  Then ask our 5th Graders if someone throws MUD at you, do you form a committee to study the MUD or do you see it to BULLING?  Hmmm… Perhaps we need to learn more about our heritage and how to deal with MUD on the WALL from the Wall Builders.

Let’s Recap – No need for 12 steps when 3 will work just fine.  

Step #1 Address the Oxymoron.  

Step #2 Clarify the facts

Step #3 Learn our Heritage, deal with MUD On The Wall -- learn more about Wall Builders, or follow this link.  

Three Steps to Why Heritage Matters?  by Art Yeaman  ©October 20, 2011

Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues,
 
I feel that there is an issue that needs to be brought to the attention of everyone in and around Clay County.  I normally do not speak up about County issues directly but I feel this is one we cannot in good conscious ignore.  For all of the years I have attended Clay County Public Schools we have always had events called "See you at the Flag Pole" and we had very active Fellowship of Christian Athlete events.  These events were Faith based, and were conducted before school and after school with no distraction to anyone from their school work or taking anyone away from their class time.  These events were put on by students with support of faculty (off the clock) and volunteers in the community. 
 
These events would allow students to fellowship with each others, build relationships based on good religious values, and would help provide the students with mentors in the community. 
 
Today we find these types of events in our County under attack.  Last week the Freedom from Religion Foundation an atheist/agnostic group sent a letter to the Superintendent of Clay County Schools requesting that he stop these types of events specifically the "See you at the Flag Pole" events, or they would take legal action against the school system.
 
Superintendent Wortham requested that the local pastor cancel these events until the School Board Attorney could research this issue.  He also directed the Principals of each school to cancel all of these meetings until further notice.  I believe Superintendent Wortham has great intentions to be as fiscal as possible and try not to have a long drawn out Lawsuit that could be costly to tax payers as we are already in tough economic time. 
 
The issue here though is do we give up the civil rights of the Students, and Faculty to pray before school because of money?  Do we give an inch to this group and allow a minority to rule over the majority? There has to be a time where we take a stand for our students and public servants.  Everyone has a dog in this fight; will you pay attention before your dog is injured? This issue has not even been brought up legislatively to the Clay County School Board which is supposed to set the policy for the Clay County School System.
 
For more information please contact me individually or see the bellow article. Please pray about this issue as well.
 
http://claytodayonline.com/index.php/component/k2/item/96-morning-praying-at-clay-schools-draws-athiest-groups-attention

 http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400794/sportsrgood/2011-10-19/atheist-group-looks-stop-12-years-praying