Everyone has a story and telling it effectively is a skill useful to all occupations and situations. The Fernandina Beach Library will host an interactive workshop to help you improve your storytelling skills. The workshop will be hosted by Dr. Caren Neile who will provide you with tips on great storytelling and entertaining.

The program is free, however registration is required. Please call (904) 277-7365 to reserve your space for the workshop which will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Fernandina Beach Library, 25 North Fourth Street.

This program is brought to you by the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library with support from the Florida Humanities Council.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

CSX will be conducting a series of railroad repairs beginning Sunday, February 28 - Tuesday, March 22nd. Below is a complete listing, however we have also attached the press release so you can print and save it for future reference. 

• Pratt Siding Road in Callahan, FL – March 2 at 7:00 am to March 3 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to CR108 to Pine St. to Henry Smith Rd to Old Dixie Hwy to Pratt Siding Rd
• Pratt Siding Road in Callahan, FL – March 16 at 7:00 am to March 17 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to CR108 to Pine St. to Henry Smith Rd to Old Dixie Hwy to Pratt Siding Rd
• Dyal Road in Callahan, FL – March 1 at 7:00 am to March 2 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to CR108 to Pine St. to Henry Smith Rd to Old Dixie Hwy to Dyal Rd
• Dyal Road in Callahan, FL – March 15 at 7:00 am to March 16 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to CR108 to Pine St. to Henry Smith Rd to Old Dixie Hwy to Dyal Rd
• Braddock Road in Callahan, FL – March 1 at 7:00 am to March 1 at 5:00 pm
• Braddock Road in Callahan, FL – March 15 at 7:00 am to March 15 at 5:00 pm
• Pickett Street in Callahan, FL – February 29 at 7:00 am to March 1 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to US301 to Pickett St
• Pickett Street in Callahan, FL – March 13 at 7:00 am to March 14 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to US301 to Pickett St
• Artesian Boulevard in Callahan, FL – February 28 at 7:00 am to February 28 at 5:00 pm
• Artesian Boulevard in Callahan, FL – March 13 at 7:00 am to March 13 at 5:00 pm
• Ratliff Road in Callahan, FL – February 28 at 7:00 am to February 29 at 5:00 pm --closed all night. Proposed Detour:  US1 to US301 to Thomas Creek Rd to Ratliff Rd

All questions should be directed Angela Nelis with Southern Commercial at (803) 808-3600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is conducting the Amelia Island Pedestrian and Bicycle Focus Area Study to develop a network of walking and bicycling routes and they need your help identifying popular destinations, preferred routes, and any existing obstructions to bicyclists, runners, and pedestrians. The insights of those who already participate in these types of activities on Amelia Island are critical to understanding how a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian network can best serve the community.

To share your thoughts, please join the TPO on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9am-1pm at the Fernandina Beach Market Place located on North 7th Street. If you are unable to attend the event, you can submit comments online at www.ameliapedbikestudy.com by Friday, March 4, 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact Marci Larson of the TPO at (904) 306-7513 or via e-mail at mlarson@northfloridatpo.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Library has an agreement with Flipster that now allows citizens FREE digital access to dozens of popular magazines. Examples include:

• Runner's World
  
• Sports Illustrated
• Cooking Light
• Food Network Magazine
• Business Week
• Rolling Stone
• Popular Mechanics
• National Wildlife (World Edition)
  
• Pets
• And much, much more

All you need to access the digital magazines are a computer and a library card. Visit the Nassau County's Library site and click on the Flipster Icon, or access it directly by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact Library Director, Dawn Bostwick, at (904) 277-7365 or via e-mail at dbostwick@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Support the Nassau County Sheriff's Youth Explorers program by eating at Chili's on Tuesday, February 23rd, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Simply present the attached flyer and 10% of the sales will go directly to this youth organization.

The Nassau County Sheriff's Youth Explorers Program is one of 2,000 charters in the U.S. with approximately 40,000 members nationwide. The goal of the program is for members to explore law enforcement as a possible career choice by learning first hand knowledge of the challenges and job skills that make up a community's police service. Participants are also encouraged to continue their education and participate in rewarding community service activities. For more information about the Nassau County Sheriff's Youth Explorers Program, please click here to visit their website.

For questions or comments, please contact the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at (904) 548-4022.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

On Thursday, February 18, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners accepted a $100,000 check from the Jaguars Foundation to help with costs to build a new football field and renovate an existing football field at the Yulee Sports Complex. The check was presented by Renzo Sheppard, Community Relations Manager for the Jaguars Foundation and Aaron Colvin, Cornerback for the Jaguars. According to the website, the Jaguars foundation has provided more than $1 million dollars in grant money this year to communities and programs in need. District 3 County Commissioner, Pat Edwards, expressed his gratitude to the Jaguar Foundation noting that the money will provide an opportunity for more youth to play here. Yulee is the fastest growing area in the County and is in great need of additional fields.

Following the check presentation, County Officials, members of the Jaguars Foundation, and representatives of the contractor hired to construct the field, Dunmar Group, Inc., participated in a ceremonial "breaking of the ground" representing the start of the project. President of Dunmar Group, Loribeth Dunman, expressed her excitement to be a part of this event. "It's a great day to build a football field", stated Ms. Dunman.

A big thank you to the Jaguar Foundation for awarding Nassau County with this grant. It's great knowing that there are organizations willing to give back to the communities and help them achieve their goals.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Please be advised that CSX has hired Benchmark Consulting to do repairs to various railroad crossings in the County.

The crossing on Old Dixie Highway (CR115) in Callahan will be closed beginning Monday, February 29, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. through Friday, March 4, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. The detour route will be Brandies Avenue to River Road and then Bypass Road. Please click here to view the detour map.

There will be message boards and flagman in the vicinity of the closure.  If you have any questions, please contact Bill Betterley with Benchmark Consulting at (864) 684-6885.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners honored Patty Wiggins on her upcoming retirement after nearly 24 years of outstanding service. Ms. Wiggins began her employment with Nassau County on April 17, 1989 as a Permitting Specialist for the Building Department. She performed her duties in a conscientious and responsible manner and provided exemplary service to the citizens and contractors. She set a wonderful example to her fellow employees and has reflected great credit upon the Board of County Commissioners and the Building Department. Ms. Wiggins' retirement is effective February 26, 2016 and she will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege to work with her, as well as the citizens of Nassau County.

Congratulations Ms. Wiggins! We wish you continued success, happiness and health in the years to come!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

In December 2015, the Board of County Commissioners applied for a Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Innovative Projects Grant through the St. Johns River Water Management District in an effort to obtain funding to restore another portion of Thomas Creek. The County received notification yesterday that it will be receiving $500,000 for Stage VII of the restoration project.

Stage VII of the project consists of de-snagging 6,000 feet of the creek in order to remove dead trees, uprooted trunks, and limbs from Thomas Creek to alleviate flooding issues experienced to  adjacent properties and to improve water quality. Over 20,000 feet of the creek has already been de-snagged during the first six phases of the project, a majority of which has been funded through various grants.

Attached are maps that reflect information related to all seven phases of the project including the length of creek restored for each phase and a list of identified properties along the creek that have benefitted from this project.

If you have any questions about the Thomas Creek Restoration Project, please contact Nassau County Engineering Services at (904) 530-6225.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

In May 2015, the Board of County Commissioners applied for a Jaguar Foundation Grant and was awarded $100,000 to construct a new football field at the Yulee Sports Complex and to renovate an existing field. The project was advertised for bid and subsequently awarded to the Dunmar Group, Inc. Next Thursday, representatives of the Jaguars will present the County with a check and a Notice to Proceed will be issued to the Dunmar Group so they can begin construction. A ground breaking ceremony will also take place immediately following the check presentation. 

Join us in celebrating this event on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. on the Multi-Use Field at the Yulee Sports Complex located at 86098 Goodbread Road, Yulee, FL 32097.

If you have any questions, please contact Facilities Maintenance Director, Bob Knott, at (904) 530-6120 or via e-mail at bknott@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office