Wednesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Democratic candidate for Florida governor Gwen Graham (01:07).
Local attorney Deborah Reed told us about the upcoming exhibit “1st Things 1st” at the Karpeles Museum featuring local artists celebrating the First Amendment (29:10).
We spoke with Jekyll Island Authority events manager Nancy Kring-Rowan about the upcoming annual event Island Treasures on Jekyll Island (39:05).
We learned about next weekend’s blind bowling tournament with Jacksonville Council for the Blind Vice President Doug Hansard and National Federation for the Blind Jacksonville chapter President Marita Winston (46:00).
Gwen Graham
She’s the daughter of one of Florida’s most popular former public servants, former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham.
Gwen Graham spent one term in Congress as a Democrat in a fairly conservative North Florida district.
She now hopes to follow in her father Bob Graham’s footsteps and become the first Democratic elected governor of Florida in more than 20 years.
First Coast Connect will invite all the major candidates for governor, as well as other local and state offices, to appear on the program this year.
1st Things 1st
1st Things 1st is the work of 27 local artists who are inspired by the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment in our U.S. Constitution.
The exhibit opens Friday at the Karpeles Museum in Springfield with a reception from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m. and runs through February. On President’s Day, Feb. 19, the museum will host a panel discussion of the First Amendment.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free.
Island Treasures on Jekyll Island
Island Treasures began Jan. 1. The annual event attracts visitors from around the region in search of glass floats, a craft that dates back to the early 1900’s when fishermen used glass floats as markers on their nets. Now, artists from across the country are commissioned to create the blown-glass objects. Beginning this year clear, plastic globes are hidden on the beaches, and the lucky finders can exchange them for glass floats.
Blind Bowling Tournament
On Sat., Jan. 20, the local chapter of the National Federation for the Blind and the Jacksonville Council for the Blind will be holding their first ever Blindfold Bowling Tournament. Both the blind and sighted are being encouraged to participate. Those who can see will be equipped with sleep shades that will block out all light.
The tournament takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at Bowl America at 11141 Beach Blvd.
For information, registration and sign-up fees call Gladys Echevarria at (904)-580-6819.
Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
