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Good morning, Nassau County! In today’s edition: New dragstrip breaking ground, a 90th anniversary celebration, restaurant week flavors and deals, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Motorsports options are expanding: Construction on the new eighth-mile Hicken Power Dragstrip in Callahan is set to begin, giving Jacksonville street racers a legal option. Opening is targeted for spring or summer 2026. It will be the first area drag strip since 2017, a $1.7 million project at Callahan Speedway. — get all the details.
Career milestones and community impact: Nassau County commissioners honored two longtime employees on Dec. 17, recognizing Road Department driver Scott Lear’s 25 years and Youth Librarian Michelle Forde’s 20 years of service — learn about their contributions.
Honoring past, embracing future: American Beach marked its 90th anniversary with December festivities at the Amelia River Club. The celebration raised funds for dune cleanup and community programs as part of a series — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Your guide to the feast: Amelia Island’s 18th Annual Restaurant Week is coming January 16 through 25, celebrating local flavors with special menus, creative cocktails, and signature dishes at participating spots. Menus went live January 2 and highlight each restaurant’s iconic item or drink. Get all the details.
A low-key nature reset: When your brain needs green, Tree Hill Nature Center offers 51 acres of shady trails, a hands-on natural history museum, butterfly gardens, and native critters. It’s an easy in-town escape that sparks the kids’ curiosity, and yours, about local ecosystems.
Where burritos hit right: From the queso-smothered Seafood Burrito to a hefty California classic, Pepper’s Cocina delivers warm-tortilla, big-flavor comfort for Nassau County nights. Guac and fresh salsas set the mood, and every bite feels like a small win.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐴 Round Robin Saddle Series @ The Ranch at Traders Hill | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Saddle up for The Ranch at Traders Hill’s Round Robin Saddle Series, four ropings of friendly grit and bragging rights. 3 head progressive, 17-second cutoff, capped at 5E. Membership $100, $200 a man, no roping both ends. Call in Mondays, 904-316-8789.
🎭 Ann @ Amelia Musical Playhouse | Friday (1/9) at 7:30 PM – Trade doomscrolling for a front-row seat as Catherine West channels Ann Richards, Texas’s first female Democratic governor, in a sharp one-woman show. Expect wit, grit, and big hair, directed by Ron Kurtz, plus the kind of zingers you wish modern politics still had.
🎸 Tru Phonic @ Tigre Island Room | Friday (1/9) at 8:00 PM – If your hips could use a friendly nudge, Tru Phonic brings groove-soaked funk, soul, and improv to the Tigre Island Room. Expect deep rhythms, tight chops, and originals that spill into jams, the kind that get the room moving, mingling, and losing track of time.
🏆 Florida Jr High/JV Championships @ West Nassau High School | Saturday (1/10) – Take a break from errands and swing by the Florida Jr High/JV Championships, where the future varsity heroes are busy earning bragging rights. Expect spirited kids, loud whistles, proud parents, and classic concession stand fare. Bring sunscreen, patience, and your best supportive clap.
🧘 Sample Saturday @ Ascendance | Saturday (1/10) at 8:00 AM – Ascendance is throwing a studio open house with free 30-minute Pilates, yoga, and barre samples, plus a look at the 4-week Fit & Fueled Challenge. Nab new client deals, free chair massages, and vendors, but spots are limited, so register for classes. Adulting-approved.
🎳 Shotmakers Scratch 8 Gamer – January 11th @ Yulee Bowling and Amusements | Sunday (1/11) at 10:00 AM – Bowling itch kicking in? The Shotmakers Scratch 8 Gamer is eight games of no handicap, big-score bragging rights, and the kind of lane talk you cannot get on league night. Warm up the shoulders, dust off the rosin, and leave the bumpers to the kids.
🎷 Dexter K. Jones @ Disco Witch Brewing | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – Need a smoother soundtrack for your pint? Dexter K. Jones is bringing the sax to the taproom, serving smoky solos, cool grooves, and just enough swagger to make your IPA feel fancy. Grab a stool, settle in, and let the week unwind itself.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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How it works:
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Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Nassau County locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.
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📻 Nassau County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 70°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 3%
Widespread fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Later: Areas of fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 3%
Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 7 mph.
This house is wild
Rare 120 feet of creek frontage in Yulee frames a historic 1900 home updated in the early 2000s. On 1.25 acres, this 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,100-square-foot residence pairs a cozy fireplace with timeless details and easy-flow living spaces. A protected preserve across the water keeps the views wild and the setting private, yet medical care, shopping, dining, and I-95 sit only minutes away.
Out back, a private dock and boat lift launch days of boating and fishing on the quiet creek. A storage shed corrals gear with ease. An adjacent 1.24-acre parcel is available as well, expanding possibilities for privacy, play, or future plans.
Take a peek inside →
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