Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute, Department of Geography and Environment and School of Aviation have launched a crowdfunding project with experiment.com aimed at using drones to inspect the health of local oyster beds.
One goal is the potential re-opening of recreational oyster harvesting in Northeast Florida.
It’s the first JU faculty research project on the website after successful undertakings by several institute graduate students.
The campaign has a target of $4,300 and is called “Mapping Northeast Florida Ecosystems with Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” It’s being guided by assistant professor of aeronautics Ross Stephenson.
Students will use the aircraft systems to create maps and 3D models of the area’s oyster reefs.
To see more about the project, visit bit.ly/1Si6sfm.
FSCJ to host #GivingTuesday event next week
Florida State College at Jacksonville will culminate its 50th anniversary Tuesday with an event in conjunction with the Giving Tuesday global initiative.
The theme of the school’s anniversary year is “Giving Back … Going Forward.”
The school will do so by planting 200 trees on FSCJ campuses to improve environmental surroundings and ecological impact at each campus. Trees are being donated by Green Releaf, a partnership between JEA and Greenscape of Jacksonville.
The ceremonial tree plantings begin at 10 a.m. at FSCJ’s Downtown Campus, between the Advanced Technology Center and administrative offices.
There also will be a collection of items for nonprofits at each campus during the day.
• New, unwrapped toys should be dropped off at Cecil Center, 5640 New World Ave.; Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd.; and North Campus, 4501 Capper Road.
• New twin sheet sets should be taken to the Downtown Campus, 101 W. State St.
• New baby blankets should go to the South Campus, 1191 Beach Blvd.
• Nonperishable food items to Open Campus/Deerwood Center, 9911 Old Baymeadows Road.
Visit fscj.edu/givingtuesday for more information.
Annual Springfield Holiday Home Tour is Dec. 11-12
The 29th Annual Historic Springfield Holiday Home Tour will be a two-day event in December to benefit the Springfield Improvement Association and Archives.
The tour is provided by neighborhood residents who open their homes to show off Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood.
Tours run 5-9 p.m. Dec. 11-12. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on tour days.
For information, visit springfieldtour.org or call (904) 633-9308.
Landing to host 29th annual tree lighting Friday
The Jacksonville Landing will present its next “Christmas on the River” at 7 p.m. Friday.
The show in the Landing’s courtyard will feature live music and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree with special guest City Council President Greg Anderson.
The tree is 56 feet tall, energy efficient and has more than 78,000 LED lights and more than 150 ornaments.
Light shows begin Friday and will run through New Year’s Eve.
The courtyard Friday will be standing-room-only and the public is asked not to bring chairs.
Deck the Chairs is Sunday in Jacksonville Beach
The annual “Deck the Chairs — Light the Beaches” will kick off at 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach.
Organizers will “throw the switch,” lighting more than 40 decorated lifeguard chairs, a 26-foot tree and an inflated seashell slide in Latham Plaza in the pavilion area.
The event is an annual sculptural exhibit that uses the red chairs of The American Red Cross Life Saving Corps. It’s free and open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the corps.
The “Spirit of the Corps Award” will be presented at the end of the evening. It’s given to a corps member, past or present, who exemplifies the tradition, attitude and purpose of the organization.
AAA offering free rides, tows through Saturday even for non-members
Holidays are a time to eat, drink and be merry, but sometimes people go overboard.
AAA and Bud Light are partnering through Saturday to ensure drinkers don’t get behind the wheel if they can’t find a designated driver, call a cab or find another other safe means to get home.
The organizations are offering a “Tow to Go” service, even for those who are not AAA members. After a call, AAA will safely transport drivers and their vehicles home or somewhere safe within a 10-mile radius.
Using the service is confidential and will be provided in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
To use it, call (855) 286-9246 or (855) 2-TOW-2-GO.
More parking for holiday travelers
Starting Black Friday and ending Monday, the Jacksonville Humane Society is offering adoptions with no fees.
Keeping with the theme of the day, starting at 10 a.m. Friday the first 20 adopters will receive a “doorbuster” goody bag with toys, treats and savings.
All pets are spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Some additional fees may apply.
The organization is at 8464 Beach Blvd. and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.