 The West Nassau Historical Society has selected Saturday, April 18, 2020 for their signature fundraising Railroad Day Festival. The all-volunteer nonprofit's 15th annual celebration is an all-day event held in and around the historic 1881 Callahan Train Depot and adjoining 1856 Florida Railroad bed. This year's celebration will include an exhibit of the history of the FAA center in Nassau County. Other photos and maps of interest will be on display inside the museum of local history section of the 139-year old wooden train station.
The arts/crafts vendors and food vendors are open from 9 AM to 4 PM and the kids’ area will include a bouncy house, Joel Pace hands-on music zoo and Hobo scavenger hunt. Kids’ games will center on the fabled "Hobos" and their green-friendly Recycle and ReUse skills they used while riding the rails. Local live entertainment will perform on the main depot stage from 9 AM to 4 PM. Callahan Cruisers and AB&B Auto Parts along with Cochrane's Collision Center next door to the depot will host a classic car show from 10 AM to 2:00 PM. Various citizens and sponsors will be honored and car show and contest winners announced during the festivities. Antique engines, tractors, and scaled trains will be exhibited outside the depot while model train layouts will be on display inside the Depot Annex. This is an outdoor event so please bring your lawn chairs. The West Nassau Historical Society is an all-volunteer non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of Nassau County’s rich and diverse history and entrusted with the upkeep of the historic Callahan Train Depot. Donations to the 501c3 organization are tax deductible in accordance to current IRS rules. Sponsors and volunteers are needed to help make this year’s festival a success. For additional information on the 2020 Railroad Day Festival visit www.wnhsfl.org or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, vendor, sponsor, member, or donor call festival co-chairs John Hendricks or Emily Baumgartner at 904-879-3406.
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Senator Rubio Names Amelia Island Kayak Excursions as the Senate Small Business of the Week10/22/2019  U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, named Amelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach, Florida as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week. "As Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to honor Amelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week." "Six years ago, Mark Bullington and his two children, Amber and Aaron, decided to turn their passion into their livelihood. Showcasing Florida's beauty, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions offers both kayak and boat expeditions throughout wildlife-rich Egan's Creek, Lofton Creek, and more of Florida's coastal environment. In 2017, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions was recognized by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year and received the Bold City Best Water Sports Award. To educate the next generation on Florida's wildlife, they partnered with an after school program by gifting students a free kayak trip if they meet their academic goals. Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is an example of a community-oriented small business, and I look forward to watching their continued growth and success. Congratulations." As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio continues the tradition of honoring America's small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America's small businesses. Kayak Amelia has been awarded the Platinum Level Certification from the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism (FLSEE). This is the highest level of certification available from FLSEE and recognizes the depth of awareness and stewardship that Kayak Amelia delivers while conducting their business. FLSEE is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to maintaining a professional code of ecotourism ethics to encourage an awareness and stewardship of Florida's natural and cultural heritage. Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education." The FLSEE certification process starts with a 340 question assesment of the outfitter's complete operation (environmental impacts, interpretation, conservation and environmental sustainability), followed by an anonymous visit by a SEE certification specialist. There are four levels of certification - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Kayak Amelia is the official Outfitter of Talbot Island state parks and has been offering guided tours and rentals in the Northeast Florida area for over 20 years. Jody and Ray Hetchka are the "Mom and Pop" of Kayak Amelia. "We could not be more pleased and honored to receive the SEE recognition." Ray stated, "We've built our business on the principles of respectful travel through the salt marsh, paddler safety, factual interpretation and fun! By sharing our love of this little corner of northeast Florida, we hope to encourage others to love and protect their own 'wild places'."  Patty Hutfles (SEE board member), Jody & Ray Hetchka - owners Kayak Amelia  Every year, thousands of tourists and locals alike rely on our Discover Nassau Life & Leisure Guide to help them navigate Nassau County. Whether you're looking for restaurants that are dog-friendly or a list of real estate agents around town, the Discover Nassau Guide has you covered.
As a benefit of membership, every Chamber business has at least two listings in the guide. To ensure that the information in the guide is as accurate as possible, we are asking you to go to our website and check your listing in the Business Directory. If you see something that isn't right, please email alex@nassaucountyflchamber.com and your listing will be updated (both on the website and the new edition of the Discover Nassau Guide). We ask that you contact us with any and all changes to your business listing by November 1st. Along with your business listing on our site, we're also asking that businesses check the 2019 Discover Nassau Life & Leisure Guide. Click the buttons below to view the various sections of our digital guide and make sure your information is up-to-date. The Nassau County Clerk of Court offices will join other Clerks in the state to help restore Driver Licenses of citizens who have had their licenses suspended. Operation Green Light is a statewide Driver License Reinstatement Event. On Friday, Oct. 18, Clerk of Court locations in Yulee and Fernandina will open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Operation Green Light. “This is a great opportunity to save some money and get back on the road – legally,” said John A. Crawford, Nassau County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Those eligible can potentially save up to 35%.” For more information, or to find out if you are eligible for this program, call the Clerk of Court Office at 904-548-4608 or visit www.NassauClerk.com.
 Benefiting the children in the arts in Nassau County. Because kids belong in the arts. On January 28th at 7:30pm, Comedian Jeanne Robertson will be joining forces with Arts Alive Nassau for an evening of comedy at the First Baptist Church, 1600 South 8th Street, Fernandina Beach. Jeanne Robertson is a professional speaker who specializes in hilarious humor, based on her life experiences. Speaking to thousands of people annually, she utilizes her positively funny style to illustrate that a sense of humor is much more than a laughing matter. It is a strategy for success. This event directly benefits the arts programs that Arts Alive Nassau provides to the children of Nassau County. Arts Alive Nassau is the only organization locally providing free arts classes to the students of Nassau County. Arts Alive Nassau, Inc. has worked closely with the Nassau County School Board since 2011. AAN has developed afterschool programs in music, dance/movement, visual arts and theatre for the elementary school students of Nassau County. We are reaching those children who have little or no access to the arts. Our instruction is always free. We are unique in our mission and we feel very strongly that every child should have the chance to learn about art, dance/movement, music and experience the joy of theatre. We also believe that the Arts should be made available to all children, at no or low cost, not just for those who can afford them or who have the capability of attending arts classes in other areas of the county. We bring the Arts to the students where they are. Tickets for this event are available at: www.ArtsAliveNassau.org or (904) 310-9243  With the end of 2019 just around the corner, we're starting to get ready for the Annual Awards Dinner & Gala, the Chamber's biggest event of the year. On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, over 400 local and civic business leaders will come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Nassau County businesses at this premier community event. Each year, we encourage businesses to promote themselves by decorating a table at the Annual Awards Dinner & Gala. From pirate-themed tables (complete with treasure, of course) to tables with a candy tower centerpiece that even Willy Wonka would envy, we've seen it all! This is truly one of our favorite traditions of the Annual Awards Dinner and we always look forward to seeing what our members come up with. There is no extra cost for a business to decorate a table. Simply sign up to decorate a table (with a total of 8 place settings), provide a centerpiece (that will be auctioned off at the end of the evening as a raffle item), and make sure to include lots of unique decorations, gifts and giveaways that promote your business. Get creative, elaborate and, most importantly, HAVE FUN! Download the table decorator form below. For more information, please email info@NassauCountyFLChamber.com or call (904) 261-3248.  It's time to celebrate the successes of the Nassau County business community in 2019 at the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner & Gala.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, over 400 local and civic business leaders will come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Nassau County businesses at this premier community event. Nassau County is full of business and community leaders who go above and beyond what is expected of them. The Annual Awards Dinner & Gala is our chance to thank these hard-working professionals, who help make Nassau County such a wonderful place to call home.
The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce and Cheney Brothers, Inc. have partnered to form a 'Green Bulk Buying' program for members of the Nassau County business community.
The purpose of the 'Green Bulk Buying' program is to assist local businesses with their transition from plastic to paper products, in the easiest and most cost-effective way possible. Cheney Brothers, Inc. will make available 30 different paper products, including paper bags, food service items and containers, straws and other frequently used items. All items have been pre-negotiated with locked-in margins and secured pricing, ensuring businesses have access to best-in-market reduced prices for paper products. "At the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, our aim is to continually improve our efforts, services and programs to better serve our business community. With environmental awareness in the forefront, it is our responsibility to create programs and practices in ways that have less impact on the environment but can also help our members' bottom-line. We are dedicated to the contribution of a sustainable future by educating and informing our members and implementing efforts in our business practices that conserve energy and natural resources and reduce waste. We hope to encourage our members to follow these environmentally conscious standards and invite them to participate in this new initiative," said Regina Duncan, President of the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce and Cheney Brothers, Inc. will host an Open House on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 from 10:00-1:00 P.M. at the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd., Suite 101-G, Fernandina Beach, Florida. This event will enable interested businesses to see sample products and place discounted orders on paper products. For more information, CLICK HERE or call (904) 261-3248. JTR Leadership Training is hosting an exclusive live simulcast of these world-class speakers for the first time ever THIS Friday, October 11th at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The Live2Lead experience is designed to bring the exceptional speakers of Live2Lead into a setting that inspires. Participants are impacted by the energy we create and the collaboration of those who share the experience. Live2Lead is also the perfect setting for your team to gain ground and identify ways to reach their highest potential through this shared experience - sparking a renewed passion and purpose. Don't miss it...BE IN THE ROOM. Space is limited but tickets are still available. Businesses unable to attend are still encouraged to provide items for door prizes. For more information about this and other sponsorship opportunities, email Jason Roberts at jtrleadershiptraining.com. Click the link below to buy tickets: bit.ly/Live2LeadNorthFlorida  |
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Nassau County Chamber of Commerce
961687 Gateway Blvd., Suite 101-G | Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Phone: (904) 261-3248 | info@nassaucountyflchamber.com | site map |
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