Jacksonville, FL

The Duval County Extension office is offering a series of workshops to help make your yard cooperate with Florida’s climate, soil and water. What should you grow? Read on.

The ideal Florida back yard features plants conducive to the amount of rain we receive, the soil in our area and the blazing heat we experience in summer months. The Duval County Extension Office is offering a series of workshops under the banner “Camp Florida Friendly.” Participants can learn how to create a Florida-friendly yard, how to landscape for wildlife and vegetables, and even how to plant for security.

The workshops at the Extension office located at 1010 N. McDuff Avenue in Jacksonville begin July 10. There is a $5 fee for each session or a $25 fee to attend all six sessions.

For more information, call 904-387-8850. Visit the Extension office on the Web, and check out the calendar pages for upcoming events.

Yesterday, I spied the butterfly in the photo above enjoying a big Lantana that grows by the corner of my office. When we bought this house about five years ago, the Lantana was a single tiny sprig nestled by some old azaleas. I made sure if someone besides me cut the grass, that little sprig was left alone. That bush is now about four feet wide and makes a beautiful blooming work of natural art. Butterflies and hummingbirds frequent it. We never have to water it; we do cut it back when cool weather approaches. My mother had a huge Lantana bush growing by her lily bed when I was a girl. So my own plant is a touchstone for my childhood.

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Winn-Dixie and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are holding “Common Sense Self Defense” seminars around The River City during the next four months. The seminars are free and will be held in a number of locations during weekday evenings or Saturday mornings at 27 local WD stores.

The seminars are aimed at educating a person on self-defense when escaping a threatening situation is not possible. Each seminar lasts 60 minutes. You must reserve a spot in order to participate.

Full details can be found at the Sheriff’s Office site on the Web. Check out the brochure explaining details. The brochure also offers common sense tips for personal safety. There’s a schedule online as well so you can select a convenient time and location.

I plan to go with my daughter and I’ll report on my experience here at our Jacksonville, FL site. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared even if you feel safe most of the time as I do.

In the photo above, Raines High School senior Erica Timmons learns self-defense moves from Jacksonville Sheriff’s officer Sam Rodgriguez during the seminar offered to residents during Customer Appreciation Day on April 28 at the Winn-Dixie store on Moncrief Road. Photo from JSO public information.

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