The Children’s 1 Mile Fun Run will start at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Women’s 5K Run/Walk starting at 8:30 a.m.

Visit race vendors and enjoy the SML community Health Fair, featuring FREE health screenings.

Plan on a day of family health and fitness fun at the Jacksonville Landing in downtown Jax!

•  Proceeds from the race will benefit the Shannon Miller Foundation to fight childhood obesity.

To register, and for sponsorship information, 2012 vendor agreement, volunteering, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Shannon Miller Lifestyle website.

The Ortega River Run starts and ends at St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School, at the intersection of Ortega Boulevard.

The day’s events will include:

• t-shirts for all runners, and awards
• a Family Friendly Street Fair
• the famous Spaghetti Dinner hosted by Boy Scout Troup 26
• refreshments and food samples from local restaurants

For more information about this historic race, Registration, and a map, please visit the Ortega River Run web page.

As shared in a recent article by Dr. David Jockers for Natural News, the benefits of chiropractic care continue to be proven in scientific studies.

The nervous system and immune system are hardwired and work together to create optimal responses for the body to adapt and heal appropriately. Neural dysfunctions due to spinal misalignments are stressful to the body and cause abnormal changes that lead to a poorly coordinated immune response. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to boost the coordinated responses of the nervous system and immune system.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations are an example of physical nerve stress that affects neuronal control. According to researchers, such stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function & increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases.
Wellness based chiropractors analyze the spine for subluxations and give corrective adjustments to reduce the stress on the nervous system. A 1992 research group found that when a thoracic adjustment was applied to a subluxated area the white blood cell (neutrophil) count collected rose significantly.

To read the complete article, please visit: “Chiropractic boosts immunity”, by: Dr. David Jockers, in naturalnews.com

“Our mission is to passionately produce world class running events to raise funds for ground breaking breast cancer research and empower women living with breast cancer.”

The marathon, half-marathon and relay events will begin near the Mayo Clinic Campus in Jacksonville, Florida and follows a spectator lined course through the unique beach communities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.

To register for the race, for more information about the race, a course description and map, Race Weekend events, and more, please visit the 26.2 with Donna website.

The American Heart Association is holding an All Gender Casting Call to hear your (and your family’s) stories about how heart disease has effected your family – both struggles and triumphs, at the casting call held on National Wear Red Day.

All women over 18 who participate in the casting call will be considered for submission to the National Go Red For Women casting call in the spring of 2012.

Heart disease is the number ONE killer; make it your mission to save a life by sharing your story at this National Wear Red Day event!

For more information, please visit the Go Red for Women.org website, and the Avenues Mall on Facebook.

• Both Walks in the Woods are fun and informative.
• Both Walks in the Woods start at the front kiosk, and are free and open to the public.

At 8:00 am, the Fitness walk:

A solid three mile hike through the Arboretum’s trails with a Biologist/Naturalist. A great way to kick-off the weekend.

At 9:30 am, the Casual nature walk:

A walk through the Arboretum’s trails to learn all about the 13 ecosystems through which they pass.

Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens holds Walk in the Woods on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Please contact Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens – info@jacksonvillearboretum.org – to let them know if you will need special accommodations.

For more information please visit the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens website.

“We use lacrosse to help our local youth learn about sportsmanship, teamwork and to open doors for some of our young people to receive college scholarships, and the 5K is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said foundation spokesperson Brianne Toole.

The time and place: Sunday, Jan. 8 at the Jacksonville Landing in downtown Jacksonville.

Kicks for Sticks 5K begins at 9 a.m., followed by a Kicks for Sticks Fun Run at 9:05 a.m.

Biggest Loser Season 11 – The Purple Team, Olivia Ward and HannahCurlee, will be making a guest appearance and running in the Kicks for Sticks 5k.  Bring your camera because there will also be a meet and greet after the race from 10-12.

Also meet and greet the players of Jacksonville Bullies and the Jacksonville Bullies Dance Team, The Belles.

For more information, and to Register for the races, please visit the Jacksonville Bullies Lacrosse Facebook page.

This annual New Year’s Eve event draws thousands of local and national participants.  The course runs through downtown and along Jacksonville’s scenic Riverwalk.

Participants in the Gator Bowl VyStar 5K Run can also make a $10 donation to Wolfson Children’s Hospital and receive a red arm band, bearing the name of a child who is a patient.

For more information, and to register for this race, please visit the Vystar Gator Bowl 5K Run web page.

     *     *     *     *     *     *    *     W i n t e r  W o n d e r l a n d     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

* * * * *  Ice Skating  * * * * *   The Igloo Ski Lounge  * * * * *

* * * Frost Kingdom Express Train  * * * *  Ice Slide  * * * *

The Elf Village:  This unique and magical interactive experience is great for kids!  Explore a variety of elf houses, each with their own unique details!

Visits from Santa (through 12/24): Kids of all ages are welcome to come out and visit with Santa Claus!  Don’t forget to bring your wish list and drop it off for Santa in our oversized North Pole mailbox!

* * * * *  Sleigh Rides  * * * * *  Blizzard Bounce  * * * * *   Obstacle Course  * * * * *  Games  * * * * *

For directions, prices, times  and more information, please see the Winter Wonderland website.

Families are invited to come to the alligator couch in the Children’s department of the Main Library to:

• hear a story
• participate in a craft.

Holiday trees decorated and donated by the Junior League will be displayed in the Children’s Department at the Main Library through December 30.

At 2pm – Winter Wizard will spread the magic of the season will read a story, and then attendees may participate in a craft activity.

For more information, please visit the event listing on jax365.com, or the Junior League of Jacksonville website.