py Thanksgiv Hap ing We Insure HOMES Jane DiLoreto Agency 215-2121 3701193-01 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 43, NO. 47 75¢ Developers pitch their sites to host ‘Big League Dreams’ By Pete Geiger Correspondent ORANGE PARK – A probe into the economic viability of seven proposed sites for a Clay County ball eld project was launched on Nov. 16. A subcommittee of the Clay County Economic Devel- NEWS opment Authority met with devel- opers of the sites, seeking to mea- FOCUS sure the proposed gain from each. The subcommittee will make a recommendation to the Economic Development Authority board. “We don’t care about baseball in this context,” subcommittee STAFF PHOTO BY RANDY LEFKO Chairman Gregory B. Clary told Gregory Clary Fleming Island’s Mary Ann Steinberg, left, offers up “Birthday Cake” with Flagler Hospital’s his members, assembled at Au- Judi Marcinell, director of cardiopulmonary services, and Lake Asbury’s Heather Sciartelli, thority of ces on Kingsley Avenue. “We’re here to judge a Clay County tobacco prevention specialist, during Flagler Hospital event on Thursday. the economic development prospects for each site.” Developers touted potential ball eld sites in Mid- MAN WITHOUT A FACE Clay duo takes anti-tobacco dleburg, Fleming Island and Green Cove Springs. The Page 12 Authority paid a $450,000 franchise application fee 11 months ago to Big League Dreams LLC of West Covina, message to St. Johns County Calif. It has 13 months remaining on its contract to nd a site. If the Authority withdraws from the application By Randy Lefko events in Clay County, are continuing to process, all but $50,000 of the fee would be returned Sports Editor use their expertise in St. Johns County. to Clay County. ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler Hospital, in “Last year, in St. Johns County, Flagler “The economic impact, if any, wouldn’t come from conjunction with Tobacco Free St. Johns Hospital did a “Don’t be a Chicken” event having ball elds,” Clary said after the meeting. “It re- partnership, celebrated a birthday Thurs- that encouraged smokers to try not smok- sults from Big League Dreams setting up leagues and day at the hospital cafeteria as part of the ing for a day. Free chicken nuggets were scheduling team competition on the elds; from people American Cancer Society’s 37th annual provided to coordinate with the theme,” coming from elsewhere to Clay County to take part.” Great American Smokeout. said Mary Ann Steinberg, St. Johns The Development Authority would own the ball elds Clay County has a special connection County tobacco prevention specialist. and, after a level of fees – speci ed in its contract – INCOGNITO TURKEYS to the event because Mary Ann Steinberg, “This year, the birthday party theme and was reached, would keep part of the fees. Page 34 of Fleming Island, and Heather Sciartelli, serving cake is a symbol of celebrating a Other economic bene t would come from restaurant of Lake Asbury, two tobacco preven- world with more birthdays and less cancer.” and hotel jobs in the area and taxes generated from tion specialists that have initiated past SEE ANTI-SMOKE, 11 SEE BIG LEAGUE, 6 The best deals! INSERTS •New Vehicles G USA WEEKEND •Pre-Owned G HOME DEPOT •Service & Body Shop G BADCOCK G NEWS AMERICA COUPONS G WALMART G THRASHER HORNE CENTER FOR THE ARTS G HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE $ SAVE gordonchevy.com • 1166 BLANDING BLVD. 100 2 • CLAY TODAY • NOVEMBER 22, 2012 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM Area Food Pantries The following is a list of area food Orange Cove SDA Church Food Pantry pantries that help families in need. Most 4501 U.S. Highway 17 South of them have specific guidelines for Fleming Island, Fla. 32003 obtaining assistance. However, if your (904) 269-2607 family is in need this holiday season, Soul Food Ministry OPUMC there is help for you. 152 Stowe Ave. Orange Park, Fla. 32073 Agape House Food Pantry and (904) 264-2241 Clothes Closet The Clothes Closet & Food Pantry 2645 Blanding Blvd 1010 Fromhart St. Middleburg, Fla. 32068 Orange Park, Fla. 32073 (904) 291-0510 (904) 264-5239 Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry The Olde Farm Inc. 4330 County Road 15A 5543 Carter Spencer Rd. Green Cove Springs, Fla. 32043 Middleburg, Fla. 32068 (904) 284-9664 (904) 291-3852 Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs The Way of The Cross Ministry 1107 Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd. 1510 Worth St. Green Cove Springs, Fla. 32043 Green Cove Springs, Fla. 32043 (904) 284-0814 (904) 657-7173 Middleburg Methodist Food Bridge Waste Not Want Not 3925 Main Street 2050 Carnes Street Middleburg, Fla. 32068 Orange Park, Fla. 32073 (904) 282-5589 (904) 215-3150 Wholly Mole-y, you have moles GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Is your land- surface for tiny tunnels – like the mole tun- scape being unearthed from underground nels in miniature – that indicate the pres- by invisible creatures? Is your lawn looking ence of mole crickets below the surface. like the site of a miniature tiller race? Are You can also check for this common tunnels tearing through your yard faster mole food source with a ‘soap flush.’ Using than you can say “wholly mole-y”? You a solution of two tablespoons liquid lemon might just have moles. dish soap to two gallons water, saturate a The good news three to four square foot area using a wa- is these tiny mam- tering can with a ‘sprinkler’ type head and mals do not eat any wait three minutes. If 2-4 mole crickets type of plants – so emerge, consider treating with a beneficial the damage is only nematode or appropriate insecticide. cosmetic. They actu- Check with the ‘Solutions for Your Life’ ally help aerate soil website for more help with identifying and as they race around dealing with the insect population attract- underground. While ing moles to your landscape. they may frustrate Other favorites of moles include white you, moles are only grubs, cutworms, armyworms, and earth- Seasonal concerns in your yard to feed from gardeners worms. Earthworms are the moles favorite on insects and are AMY E. MORIE food – and a sign of a healthy landscape If only a small area like a vegetable gar- and even Juicy Fruit Gum are all old wives therefore beneficial Environmental Horticulture Agent ll that will be evident when using a soap den needs protecting, you can make a bar- tales that claim to deter moles – but none creatures to have Clay County Extension Office flush test. If you’ve got earthworms, or if rier. Use fine-mesh galvanized hardware of these have been proven with research. If around despite the you’ve treated other insects and the moles cloth, concrete or brick that extends six mole tunnels are driving you crazy, take a tunneling they do. Watering or pressing the haven’t moved on, consider humanely trap- inches above ground and 24 inches below, closer look at the ‘whole’ problem, and ‘dig dirt back down with your foot or a roller ping and releasing moles elsewhere. with a three inch fold or return at the bot- in’ to the real reason moles are attracted can get rid of the tunnel. Pitfall traps can be constructed by tom that faces toward the inside. If all else to your yard! Moles eat only insects - lots of insects. burying a coffee can or similar container fails and you really feel you must destroy Want someone to answer a specific These furry burrowers can devour up to below an active tunnel. these insect helpers, there are commercial plant question for you? Go online to http:// their body weight in bugs each day. In fact, Check for tunnel activity by pressing choker-loop and harpoon-type traps as clay.ifas.ufl.edu and under the heading having them around is often a sign of a high down a tunnel with your foot (you may want well as registered poison controls avail- “Horticulture” (left hand side of page) left insect population in your lawn or garden. to do this in a few spots around your yard). able. Moles are one of a very few animals click on “Ask a Master Gardener” and a Don’t ‘bug out’ over the mole tunnels - the Come back in two hours - if the tunnel has that can be legally poisoned in Florida, but reply will be sent plus a hyperlink to the first step for any homeowner with moles is been re-excavated, it is active. Dig a hole it’s unclear how effective poison baits are appropriate University of Florida Fact to find out which insects are a problem and through the tunnel and bury the container for moles. Sheets. treat accordingly. Remove the food source so it sits just below the tunnel level. Then Be extremely careful and follow all di- Please send us a digital picture of the and the moles will likely move on. cover the area with a piece of cardboard or rections provided with either kill-traps or problem. To read past articles that might First, check above-ground for pests that wood to block the light. Check periodically poisons to avoid harm to pets and wildlife help you with seasonal problems and to moles feed on like slugs and ants. If these until the mole is in the trap and release it in your yard. Finally, don’t fall into the trap learn about upcoming Extension Program- aren’t present in high numbers, then check right away – don’t leave the poor mole to of false cures for moles. Mothballs, hot ming in our area go to our website at UF/ early in the morning and examine your soil starve.