Though we have had some great beach weather the last few days, there are some great things to do here in Jacksonville, FL.  For the tennis enthusiast, April 7-13 the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Championships at Amelia Island.  This event attracts over 50,000 spectators.  For more info please call 1.800.486.8366.  The Jacksonville Jazz Festival takes place downtown in a variety of venues, for information call 904.630.3690.  April 18-20 is the Jacksonville International Boat Show at the Downtown Riverfront.  This is the largest in-water boat show in the region!  For more information: 904.673.0093. 

As the proud daughter of a retired Cleveland, Ohio firefighter I would like to make you aware of a petition being circulated to establish 'National Firefighters Day'.

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., public sentiment ran high for honoring firefighters and their valiant service in a difficult and dangerous job with the 
establishment of a National Firefighters Day. In fact, a National Firefighters Day had already been proclaimed by executive order at least twice in recent years, in 1991 by President Bush and again in 1993 by President Clinton. Neither of these proclamations established a permanent, annual day of honor for firefighters, however.

The two e-mail petitions quoted above both began to circulate shortly after September 11, the second started out by Connor Geraghty, the son of Edward Geraghty, a Battalion Chief with the New York City Fire Department who lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11. Both suffered from some of the usual pitfalls of Internet petitions: the e-mail account listed in the first petition was quickly shut down, and the flood of responses frequently filled up Connor Geraghty's mailbox  and caused incoming messages to bounce. Connor's petition did serve the purpose of calling wider attention to his cause: his mother forwarded it to New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who in turn read a tribute to Connor and Edward Geraghty into the Congressional Record.

As far as we know, no legislative effort has yet been undertaken to establish a National Firefighters Day. Also, according to a November 2001 New York Post article, "Connor initially wanted Firefighters Day to be held on Sept. 11, but now he thinks that date should be reserved for all sorts of heroes. Firefighters, he firmly believes, deserve another day all their own."

For those still interested in establishing a National Firefighters Day, sponsoring a petition on the web rather than via e-mail is much more practical. Also, taking a few extra minutes to send letters to Congressional representatives rather than simply adding names to an e-petition would be a worthwhile effort.

http://www.petitiononline.com/91101/petition.html    

Source: www.snopes.com                                     

I recently stumbled across a new website, www.experiencejax.com  the saying at the bottom is 'we dare you to say there is nothing to do in Jacksonville'.  Browsing the calendar it appears there is something for everyone.  Fine arts, art shows, art lessons, comedy lessons, storytime for babies, what are you looking for?  Click on this website to see what you have been missing!

Chain of Lakes park in Winter Haven, Florida saw the last of the Cleveland Indians March 27, 2008.  The Indians spent 16 years of spring training at this location.  The Indians ended up in Winter Haven as plan 'B'.  The Cleveland Indians were completing a spring training facility in Homestead, FL, the was year that Hurricane Andrew roared through south Florida forcing them to find an alternative.  The Indians will move out of the grapefruit league and on to the cactus league in 2009.  My family will miss being able to drive down to Winter Haven to catch our much loved Indians.  We wish them a successful 2008 season - Go Tribe!