Monthly Archives: October 2012
2012 Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic
Welcome to Jacksonville!
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the most current information that residents and out of town visitors will need to enjoy the Georgia/Florida weekend festivities in a safe and secure manner.
To this end, we are coordinating with the City of Jacksonville, the University of Florida, and the University of Georgia to provide the information you need to make the most of the weekend. All event information related to participant safety, road closures, and traffic can be found on this website or theGeorgia/Florida website.
Assistant Chief of Special Events Leonard Propper discusses 2012 Georgia vs. Florida traffic patterns and public safety tips at a news conference held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012:
Assistant Chief Leonard Propper discusses Georgia vs. Florida game day traffic patterns, parking and shuttle services with Bruce Hamilton and Staci Spanos, co-hosts of WJXT’s “The Morning Show”. Aired on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pre-Game Information
For residents who live or work downtown:
- There will be no parking on the south side of Bay Street from Ocean Street to Liberty Street starting on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. throughout Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Campers will be allowed into the lots at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24. (For more information click here)
- Be aware of the extra traffic and delays around EverBank Field and The Jacksonville Landing as guests arrive.
Road Closures
Road Closures from Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 thru Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 –
- Hogan Street from Water Street to the St. Johns River will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Pearl Street from Water Street to the St. Johns River will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Sister Cities Plaza from Hogan Street to the cul-de-sac will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Coastline Drive from the Jacksonville Landing to Newnan Street will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. from Duval Street to Adams Street will be closed Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. thru 2 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Independent Drive from Hogan Street east to Laura Street will be closed Friday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Please note: Independent Drive to Laura Street will remain open to southbound traffic going to the Main Street Bridge.
- Lane indicators will be working Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. thru 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. During this time there will be two lanes going east and two lanes going west between Liberty Street and Ocean Street.
- On Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. the lane indicators will shift to pre-game pattern this includes three eastbound lanes and one westbound lane from Ocean Street to the sports complex area.
- Sign boards will be up on major roadways throughout the city with parking information.
- The Mathews Bridge will be open on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Game Day – Game Starts at 3:30 p.m.
Parking Tips
- People without pre-paid parking passes need to use general parking. Based on history, we anticipate that general public parking in the sports complex area will fill up five hours prior to kick-off. Private lots near the stadium area go just as fast.
- There will be no parking on the south side of Bay Street from Ocean Street to Liberty Street starting on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. throughout Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Arrive early. The stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m. After 1:30 p.m. the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s focus will shift to pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic to the stadium should expect delays.
- Additional Parking Information (as of Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012)
MAPS
- Map of Downtown Jacksonville with Sideline Student Safety Zones, SkyStations, Trolley Stops, Water Taxi Locations and More Information
- Stadium Parking Map
Game Day Transportation Services
- Florida State College of Jacksonville’s downtown campus, 101 W. State St., will have 2,000 free parking spaces available. There will be a shuttle bus offered, which will run for four hours before kick-off and for two hours after the game ends. Please visit www.jtafla.com for shuttle bus pricing.
- There will be free parking at the Convention Center Parking Lot on Bay Street (located across from the Prime Osborne Convention Center, 1000 Water St.) with round-trip shuttle bus services. Please visit www.jtafla.com for shuttle bus pricing. Just like at Florida State College of Jacksonville’s downtown campus, these shuttles will also run for four hours before kick-off and for two hours after the game ends.
- Attendees heading downtown for the game can also park at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and take the Skyway to Central Station. Then walk from Central Station to the Jacksonville Landing and take a bus to the stadium.
The Water Taxi stops at various locations on the riverbank. These locations include: The Jacksonville Landing, Friendship Fountain, The Crowne Plaza, The Wyndam and the Jacksonville Municipal Marina.
Safety
The safety of all game day participants is the utmost concern of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. To this end, JSO would like to stress the following safety measures.
- Jacksonville does have an open container law for underage drinkers, and this will be enforced.
- Stay with your friends, stay in a group.
- Do not buy tickets in the street. Counterfeit tickets do exist, and people found with counterfeit tickets will be ejected from the game and face possible arrest. (It is legal to buy tickets from a scalper. However, you do so at your own risk.)
- Above all else, USE COMMON SENSE throughout the weekend
Sideline Safety Zone Information
The intent of the Sideline Safety Zone is to provide a friendly and safe environment to those students seeking assistance.
The Sideline Safety Zone will be clearly marked and will be staffed by volunteers from each university as well as the City of Jacksonville. Services include access to trolleys and taxis, medical attention, water, snacks, phones and general information. The student safety hotline (904) 630-SAFE (7233) will be available during the hours of operation. Visit the Sideline Safety Zone for further information.
EverBank Field
- No purses or bags larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches
- No cameras with lenses longer than six inches
- No coolers or containers including cans, cups and bottles
- No strollers or umbrellas
- No pets (except special services)
- No food or beverage from outside the stadium
- No seat cushions
- No video or audio recorders
- No whistles, noise makers, air horns or laser pointers
- No poles or sticks
- No knives, guns or any type of weapons or explosives
- No smoking (except in designated areas)
- No promotional items or any other items deemed unacceptable by Stadium Management.
- No Re-Entry
You cannot check items at the gates or in the stadium. Fans will be asked to either take prohibited items back to their car or dispose of prohibited items at the entrance of the stadium. EverBank Field and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are NOT responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen or damaged. Possession of prohibited items is grounds for ejection from the stadium. Game tickets will be forfeited. No re-entry allowed. Click here for complete information on stadium rules and regulations
Whether you are a resident of Jacksonville or an out of town vistor, please enjoy Jacksonville, the Florida/Georgia Football Classic, and all of the exciting venues Jacksonville has to offer.
Social Media
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jacksonville’s Special Events Office will tweet traffic updates on Saturday, Oct. 27. Follow JSOPIO and FLvsGa on twitter for more information. #FLvsGA
Our Daily Bread ~ A Fresh Glimpse Of Glory
Read: Psalm 145:1-13
Every summer, thousands of Good Morning America viewers cast their votes to select “The Most Beautiful Place in America.” I was delighted when the winner for 2011 was announced—Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in my home state of Michigan. Admittedly, I didn’t expect the winning location to be in my own backyard. It reminded me of the time my wife, Martie, and I visited Niagara Falls. A man nearby watched our tourist behavior and quipped, “Ain’t nothin’ to it. I see it every day.”
How easily we grow accustomed to our surroundings and dulled to things that are familiar—even places and experiences that once brought great delight. Although God’s glory is clearly displayed all around us, sometimes the busyness of everyday life blocks our view. We take for granted His amazing work in our lives. We lose the wonder of the cross. We forget the privilege of being His child. We neglect the pleasure of His presence and miss the beauty of His creation.
I love the psalmist’s declaration: “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works” (Ps. 145:5). Let’s take time today to meditate on God’s “wondrous works” and get a fresh glimpse of His glory!
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise. —Pierpoint
Mood Control
There’s a time to pray and a time to act. And even though it’s not easy, confrontation is often necessary. If you need to confront someone or something in your life, make sure you do it. If someone has treated you badly, you don’t have to let them continue to disrespect you, de-value you or mistreat you. Obviously it won’t help you, and it won’t help that person either. Confront them about it.
Maybe what you need to confront isn’t a person. Maybe it’s something you’ve let creep into your life uninvited, like negative thoughts, a bad attitude or habitual sin. The good news is that you don’t have to let it control you either—if you’ll confront it.
Confront Your Bad Mood
Many people let unstable moods and out-of-control emotions control their lives. They think that nothing good can happen in their life. If this is you, then begin new today and start saying every day: “I’m going to do something great with my life!” Get rid of small thinking and begin thinking according to what God’s Word says.
When Your Mood Sinks—Resist
When you first feel your mood sinking, that’s when you need to get a hold of yourself. As the Bible says, “Resist the devil at his onset. (See James 4:7). Even if someone’s done you wrong, forgive them in the first 5-10 minutes or you’ll sink deeper into that bad mood, and it will be harder to deal with and let go of. You don’t have to feel like doing the right thing to do it. Just make the choice to do it.
Stability Releases Ability
Stability is defined as the ability to quickly return to a calm, stable state when disturbed, disappointed or upset; the strength to stand or endure any situation and remain calm. One of the most wonderful gifts we can give others or ourselves is stability, or dependability. It’s a sign of choosing to trust God. Once we’re stable, we will have the ability to do what we’re called to do.
Rely on Him
Trusting in God is the key to moving forward into the things God has for us. The reason some of you aren’t getting anywhere with the call on your life is because you haven’t gotten some things straight in your personal life. You never know what’s going to happen when you get up in the morning for that day, but God wants us to rely on Him and look to Him.
A dozen opportunities may arise to get you offended or to say stupid and negative things, but no matter what you feel like inside—even if you feel like you’re going to blow up—you have a choice. Are you going to throw a fit, or are you going to go to God and ask Him to help you to change your mood?
When you immediately go to Him, suddenly something will change inside you. Once you get into the habit of this, you will start to see those moods and bad attitudes leave a little sooner. That “uninvited guest” may try to come back, but you will have already decided to not let him in!
This article is taken from the 2010 Love Life Women’s Convention five-part series.
Celebrate What’s In You
Posted by Victoria Osteen on 10/23/2012
One morning in my prayer time, I was reading in Corinthians about the gifts that God has deposited inside each one of us. As I thought about the scriptures I was reading, I began to wonder what may be inside of me that God is still developing, things I wasn’t yet aware of. At the same time, I thought about how easy it is for people to focus on what others have and what others are doing that we completely overlook the potential in our own lives.
God has given each of us special gifts. Everyone carries tremendous value in this life. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to others or think, “I don’t have the talent like that person does, so I’m not as important.” Or, “My gift isn’t public like that person, so it doesn’t count as much.” The truth is, we are all important; we all have a part to play in building His kingdom, and we have to learn to love who we are. We have to celebrate what God has placed within us and celebrate God growing in us.
We are all growing and changing every single day. Think about what you were like five years ago or even last year. You probably aren’t the same person, and of course, you will continue to grow and evolve as time goes on. But have you ever accomplished something in particular that made you stop and think, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that!” Maybe you overcame a major challenge or tackled a big project. Maybe you learned to let go of things that used to hold you back. Did you take time to celebrate that milestone? Does it serve as a reminder to you that you are still moving forward?
Remember, you are multifaceted. There are gifts inside of you that are still waiting to be developed. You are constantly growing and changing. Get excited about seeing your life unfold! Celebrate who you are today and who you are becoming in your future. Let your prayer be, “Father in heaven, thank You for what You are doing in my life. Help me to see the gifts You’ve given me. Help me be all that You have created me to be.”
“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Ephesians 4:8, NKJV)
Our Daily Bread – Eloquent, Yet Humble
Read: Acts 18:24-28
I admire people who can articulate their beliefs and persuade others with their rhetoric. Some call it “the gift of gab” or “having a way with words.” Others call it “eloquence.”
Apollos had that gift. We are told that he was “an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24). But although he taught accurately about Christ, he preached only of the baptism of John which was a baptism of repentance from sin (v.25; 19:4).
Apollos knew about Jesus’ teachings but may not have known about His death and resurrection and that the Spirit had now come (Acts 2). His teaching was incomplete because he didn’t know about being filled with the Spirit for daily empowerment.
So Priscilla and Aquila, a wife and husband who were friends of Paul, invited Apollos into their home to correct his teaching. Although he was highly educated and knew the Scriptures well, Apollos humbly accepted their instruction. As a result, Apollos was able to continue his ministry, but with newfound understanding.
Psalm 25:9 reminds us that God “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (NIV). If we have a spirit of humility, we can be taught by God and be used to touch the lives of others.
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do. —Gabriel
Crowned With Favor
by Joyce Meyer – posted October 24, 2012
In this Scripture, honor and favor have the same meaning. According to this promise you can have favor with God and with other people. But just because something is available to you does not mean you will partake of it. The Lord offers many gifts that you never receive and enjoy because you don’t activate your faith in that area.
For example, if you go to a job interview confessing fear and failure, you will be almost certain not to get the job. On the other hand, even if you apply for a job you aren’t fully qualified for, you can still go in confidence, knowing God will give you favor in every situation that is His will.
From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
16 Ways to Blow Your Marriage
I came across this article online – and thought it was worth sharing.
The excerpt below was written by a man who’s marriage had failed – and these are the 16 things he would have done differently, were he able to get “a do-over.”
1. DON’T STOP HOLDING HER HAND
When I first dated the woman I ended up marrying, I always held her hand. In the car. While walking. At meals. At movies. It didn’t matter where. Over time, I stopped. I made up excuses like my hand was too hot or it made me sweat or I wasn’t comfortable with it in public. Truth was, I stopped holding hands because I stopped wanting to put in the effort to be close to my wife. No other reason.
IF I COULD HAVE A DO-OVER:
I’d hold her hand in the car. I’d hold her hand on a star. I’d…
View original post 2,253 more words
The Double Portion
Posted by Joel Osteen on 10/19/2012
In scripture we see that for many years Elisha served the prophet Elijah. He was his protégé. Elijah had seen God’s favor in incredible ways. He is the one who called down fire from heaven and 400 false prophets were destroyed. One time, Elijah prayed that it wouldn’t rain. For three and a half years, there was no rain. He was one of the most powerful, anointed people that ever lived. When he was getting very old and about to be taken to heaven, he said to Elisha, “What do you want me to do for you for serving me faithfully all these years?”
Elisha could have asked for something simple. He could have said, “How about a couple weeks off?” or, “How about that new iPad? I’d really like that.” He could have said, “My request is that I’d be able to carry on your ministry.” But, Elisha was bold. He looked at Elijah and said, “What I really want is a double portion of your spirit.” He was saying, “I want to do twice what you’ve done. I want to do twice the miracles, have twice the anointing, twice the favor, twice the influence.”
Elijah could have looked at him and said, “Boy, who do you think you are? You sure are greedy. You need to be a little more humble.” No, Elijah basically told him, “You just keep serving me faithfully and what you have asked will come to pass.”
Do you know the scripture records that Elisha did exactly twice as many miracles as Elijah? But if Elisha would have been timid and thought, “I can’t ask that. That wouldn’t be right,” we wouldn’t be talking about him today.
Remember, God has placed seeds of greatness on the inside of you. He wants you to leave your mark on this generation. You’re not supposed to live and die and nobody miss you. Break out of your box and start asking God for the hidden dreams He has placed on the inside. Ask Him for the double portion. Be bold and step out in faith. Keep believing, keep hoping, keep dreaming and keep following His plan because His ways always lead to the double portion!
Our Daily Bread – Love We Can Trust
Read: Lamentations 3:13-26
Perhaps the most painful statement a person can hear is, “I don’t love you anymore.” Those words end relationships, break hearts, and shatter dreams. Often, people who have been betrayed guard themselves against future pain by deciding not to trust anyone’s love again. That settled conviction may even include the love of God.
The remarkable thing about God’s love for us is His promise that it will never end. The prophet Jeremiah experienced devastating circumstances that left him emotionally depleted (Lam. 3:13-20). His own people rejected his repeated calls to respond to God’s love and follow Him. At a low point, Jeremiah said, “My strength and my hope have perished from the Lord” (v.18).
Yet, in his darkest hour Jeremiah considered God’s unfailing love and wrote, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’” (Lam. 3:22-24). A person may vow to love us forever yet fail to keep that promise, but God’s love remains steadfast and sure. “He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). That’s a love we can trust.
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be. —Matheson
I Am Lady Fab 