OCTOBER 2017 Volume 11 Issue 12 MandarinNewsLineA Florida NewsLine Publication page 3 page 6 page 11 page 16 Take 5 Q&A with City Council Member Get To Know . Puzzles &Q A Matt Schellenberg Joe and Georgette Cornello Bears in the ‘burbs Mandarin High School opens student managed By Angela Higginbotham [email protected] VyStar Credit Union branch Many residents in both Duval and St. By Angela Higginbotham Johns counties have been faced with an [email protected] unexpected surprise as they came and went around local neighborhoods in e highly anticipated ribbon cut- recent months. Black bear sightings are ting and grand opening ceremony of a recent talk of the towns in Jackson- VyStar Credit Union’s newest branch ville, Mandarin, Ponte Vedra and St. was held on Sept. 26 at Mandarin High Augustine. Bartram Springs, Nocatee, School. Each school branch is managed Julington Creek and beyond are all by students under the supervision of a areas where the bears have come out to teacher, as well as VyStar Credit Union explore recently. e string of sightings representatives. e importance of a began in late April and have continued strong foundation in nancial literacy is throughout the summer months. vital for young students as they prepare to entire adulthood. e program’s e black bears have not posed a threat mission is to serve the students, teach- to any known humans or pets. Al- ers, and sta members in their school though, seemingly comfortable around community. As part of this year long people and busy parking lots, such program, students have the opportunity as the St. Augustine Outlets and the to implement skills acquired within the Chili’s in Bartram Park, many agree classroom in a genuine branch environ- that the bears are being forced into the ment. busy areas because of the tremendous city growth and construction. “ e expansion of this program pro- Photos by Angela Higginbotham vides an invaluable opportunity for Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the launch of “It’s important to remember these bears the VyStar Credit Union branch at Mandarin hundreds of our students to establish a are just using their natural instincts to High School. rm nancial foundation in a real world look for mates and food. Don’t bother atmosphere,” said Duval County Super- them or encourage them in any way. to full time positions following intendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Willis. Try not to leave your trash over ow- graduation. In addition, VyStar ing and they will naturally move back School board members, principals, has awarded $12,000 in scholar- towards their normal environment,” Mandarin High School faculty, VyStar ships to district students. said Roland Green of the Florida Fish board of directors members, and special “I got up early this past sum- guests gathered at Mandarin High Bears cont. on pg. 11 mer to come learn about money School to introduce the new state-of- and I learned some very valuable the-art facility and the outstanding lessons to carry into my future. students who will be working inside the We learned some great things on-campus branch. about interest and I’m excited to Mandarin High School began recruiting help other students in our school students during the 2016 – 2017 school branch,” said Mandarin High year and the process was a vigorous School student Tyler Weeks. one. Students were interviewed and Colton Bagby is ready for business at the VyStar Credit Union branch e students who were cho- at Mandarin High School. chosen carefully to work in the branch. sen for both internships and as e sta responsible for choosing the branch managers demonstrate a students that would move forward were standard of excellence that Mandarin the branch is open, students and sta impressed with the articulation and Photo courtesy Jeni Trautman High School is proud of. A total of 117 have the opportunity to utilize bank- Black bear with a birdfeeder in Mandarin. dialogue expressed by the prospects. students who were interested in business ing services. ere are a total of 13 high school branches of VyStar Credit Union Students participating in the program and entrepreneurship signed up for the in the area. also had the opportunity to apply for VyStar Academy. VyStar’s summer internships. is past e original student-led VyStar Credit “VyStar is thrilled to be part of Mustang summer, VyStar employed 60 Duval Union branch is housed at Wolfson Nation, bringing this valuable education Permit No.4 Permit US Postage Paid US County Public School student interns Callahan, FL 32011 Callahan, Presorted Standard High School. Each school-based branch to the exceptional student body. We from the Jean Ribault, Samuel W. Wolf- mirrors local VyStar Credit Union facili- look forward to a long lasting relation- son, First Coast, Mandarin and Fletcher ties and is entirely sta ed by students ship and want to thank you for wel- high school branches. Since partner- from the school’s Finance Academy. coming us into your community,” said ing with VyStar Credit Union, 164 e credit union, located inside of each Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors of internship positions have been o ered school, is open throughout the time VyStar Credit Union P. Kem Siddons at to students with seven of those leading allocated to student lunches. While the grand opening ceremony. Enjoy Healthy Skin You 4100 Southpoint Dr. East, Ste. 1, Jacksonville Can Feel Good In 12525 Philips Hwy, Ste. 101, Jacksonville 7855 Argyle Forest Blvd, Ste. 701, Jacksonville 1541 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville 9191 R G Skinner Parkway, Ste. 202, Jacksonville 100 SR 13, Suite A, Saint Johns 1495 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park 200 Southpark Blvd., Ste. 207, St. Augustine The Nation’s Largest Dermatology Practice 520 A1A North, Ste. 203, Ponte Vedra Beach | Florida NewsLine Florida 12443 San Jose Ste. 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Advertising Sales Linda Gay 12 School Briefs [email protected] Heather Seay [email protected] 14 Faith News Mystery Photo Social Media Melissa Cooper, Lisa Felegy 15 Coast Guard Auxiliary [email protected] Reporter Angela Higginbotham 18 Gardening [email protected] 19 Travel Mandarin NewsLine Community Newspaper is a free monthly publication distributed via bulk mail to all addresses in Zip Codes 32223, 32258 and selected routes in 32257. Submission of articles and photographs are received by mail or email, although email to [email protected] is preferred. The writers’ opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Florida NewsLine. Advertising Rates are available by request. Florida NewsLine is not responsible for advertisement content or accuracy of information provided by its advertisers. Nor does Florida NewsLine endorse any of the products or services included in this publication. Florida NewsLine reserves the right to refuse advertisement or copy from any advertiser. All rights are reserved and no portion of this publication may be copied without the express written consent of Can you guess where this is? Submit your answer to the publisher. ©2017. [email protected]. Last month’s winner was Belinda Kirkland. answers to puzzles on page 16 They said my neck was too delicate for surgery. I gue they didn’t want to be responsible if something went wrong. Rehab success story page 14 Dr. ROBERT Weaver Dr. PATRICK Weaver Exams, Balloons, Fun! PEDIATRIC DENTIST PEDIATRIC DENTIST TWO CONVENIENT JULINGTON CREEK OFFICE • 112-203 BARTRAM OAKS WALK • ST JOHNS, FL 32259 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT LOCATIONS! ORANGE PARK OFFICE •1584-1 KINGSLEY AVENUE • ORANGE PARK, FL 32073 CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE: 904.264.KIDS | 264KIDS.COM We are in-network providers for Metlife, Delta, AETNA, Cigna, United Healthcare, and most other PPO insurance plans. facebook.com/264KIDS October 2017 MandarinNewsLine | Page 3 take darin and will include authentic Italian tymca.org to dinners, pizza, meatball and sausage register online. subs and homemade desserts available for purchase. ere will also be activities Birds from The for the kids, live music and souvenirs. Alligator Farm visit is two-day celebration of all things Fruit Cove Italian is held during the observance e Wild Birds Unlimited store, 450 of October 2017 as Italian American State Road 13 in Fruit Cove, will host Heritage Month. Visit www.iacoack- live raptors and owls from e Alligator sonville.com for more information. Farm of St. Augustine from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. Representa- Neighborhood run to be held in Bartram tives from e Alligator Farm will bring Park a few of the birds housed at their facility e Flagler Center YMCA will hold a to observe and discuss. is informal Photo courtesy Sandy Arpen neighborhood-inspired 5K with a run program is free and open to the public; George DeMarino will be at Sea Turtle Day on Oct. 14 through Bartram Park and Flagler Sta- however, a donation of $5 to St. Au- tion community on Oct. 7 from 8 a.m.