Baseball field for special needs children needs repair

Saturday, February 21st, 2015, 5:31pm

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JULINGTON CREEK, Fla. — It's something that special needs parents at Field of Dreams don't take for granted – seeing their child's smile as they put on a baseball uniform and cheering them on as they round the bases. However, this may be the last season.

More than 140 special needs children are playing ball for a fifth season thanks to Field of Dreams and a unique ball field at Aberdeen Park.
It allows children in wheelchairs, on crutches or with vision or mobility problems take part in American's favorite pastime.

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If women can run nations and corporations, they can certainly learn to run a boat

Submitted by lalmeida on Monday, March 24th, 6:53 pm

Throughout history women have had obstacles to overcome, from gaining access to the voting booth and board room to serving in the military. But not all barriers have been legal or institutional, some are cultural.

In recent years, women have proven their ability to run nations and corporations as well as triathlons. Unfortunately, not enough women in the 21st Century are comfortable running a boat. Habits, as well as long-running gender stereotypes, are hard the break. In the male-dominated marine industry, women are often expected to remain in the back seat.

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Advocacy group believes aquarium would provide much-needed lift for downtown

Submitted by lalmeida on Monday, March 17th, 9:45 pm

For civic officials and business leaders in Jacksonville, the problem has never been getting people to come to downtown. The problem has been getting them to stop and visit.

Each year millions of visitors pass through the heart of downtown en route to various destinations south. But only a small percentage actually stop in Jacksonville.

“We are seeing a troubling trend,” said George Harrell, president of AquaJax, a local advocacy group. “While there has been a significant increase of visitors to Florida in recent years, we have actually had a decrease of visitors to Jacksonville.

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Lisa Almeida of Freedom Boat Club named Up and Coming Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Busin

Submitted by lalmeida on Wednesday, March 12th, 8:55 pm

Jacksonville, Fla., March 12, 2014 – Lisa Almeida, CEO of Freedom Boat Club in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, was named Up and Coming Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Business Awards held March 11 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Almeida, known by many as Lisa the Boatanista, was chosen out of three finalists for the award.

“I am honored to receive this award for doing something I love,” said Almeida. “I worked in the corporate world for 25 years before leaving to relax, go into semi-retirement, and hang out on the water. My plans changed when I heard about Freedom Boat Club and decided to pursue a second career. I am so lucky to have been able to parlay my passion for boating into a successful business.”

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Freedom Boat Club promotes Dock Manager to Director of Dock Operations

Submitted by lalmeida on Thursday, March 6th, 9:56 pm

Jacksonville, Fla., March 7, 2013 -- Freedom Boat Club is pleased to announce Austin Hammond has been promoted to Director of Dock Operations. Hammond previously served as dock manager for the main office at Julington Creek Marina.

Hammond is no stranger to the water. He started boating and fishing with this father in his 14-foot Jon boat on the fresh water Trinity River in Texas when he was a boy. The family moved to Florida in 1997 and continued boating in an 18x8-foot SeArk center console aluminum boat all along the St. Johns river and surrounding flats. While in high school, Hammond worked at West Marine, selling boat equipment and accessories and spending his time talking about what he loved, boating and fishing.

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Freedom Boat Club to hold Open House

Submitted by lalmeida on Thursday, March 6th, 8:38 am

WHAT: Freedom Boat Club will be holding an open house at its main office in Julington Creek Marina

WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2014

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Freedom Boat Club

12807 San Jose Boulevard

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Almeida making a splash in business and on the water

Submitted by lalmeida on Tuesday, February 18th, 11:29 pm

Lisa Almeida, well-known across north Florida by her alter-ego, Lisa the Boatanista, might need a new moniker after the recent business accolades she has received. Call her Lisa the Late Bloomer.

It is not that Almeida did not achieve a significant amount of success earlier in her professional career: she did. But the former corporate sales and marketing executive is enjoying a new level of success as an entrepreneur in the marine industry.

In recent weeks, Almeida, co-owner of the Freedom Boat Club franchises in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, has received two major honors: