everything Amelia P E OP LE ,
BLUESMAN JAMES ARMSTRONG TO PERFORM FEBRUARY 22 AT ACT
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TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PRESENTS LIGHT UP A LIFE GALA ON MARCH 2 Take Stock in Children begins the New Year with a major scholarship drive underway and it has moved its annual Light Up A Life Gala from the holiday season to March 2. Take Stock will benefit this year from a special matching fund which has been made available for scholarships by longtime local supporters. The State of Florida already matches all scholarship gifts and will also now match all special local matching funds given to Take Stock in this period. “A new or increased local gift of $100, for example, qualifies for double matching and generates $400 in scholarship funds,” says Bob Henderson, Take Stock chairman. “There is just no other opportunity to help kids that gets this much bang for the buck.” This year, there are 136 Nassau County scholarship students working their way toward college. All have the advantage of a local volunteer mentor to stand with them against all challenges as they advance through high school. Take Stock in Children’s Light Up A Life gala raises money to support TSIC’s programs and mentors. The St. Patrick’s Day-inspired event will be held at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (904) 548-4464 or visit www.takestocknassau.com.
COURTESY NEFBS
The Northeast Florida Blues Society is proud to sponsor awardwinning, international recording artist James Armstrong on February 22 at Amelia Community Theatre at 7 p.m. The legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with his well-balanced combination of fire, proficiency, and taste, is considered part of the upper echelon of contemporary blues artists today. “James Armstrong will be appearing for the first time on Amelia Island before he leaves for his European tour,” says Jeff Malone, Northeast Florida Blues Society president. “Few blues artists know how to play the crowd as James can. This concert is not to be missed!” Born in Los Angeles, Armstrong formed his first band in the seventh grade and was touring the country by the age of 17. Over the years, Armstrong has performed throughout North America, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, and the Middle East. He has worked beside Albert Collins, Keb Mo, Chaka Khan, Coco Montoya, Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, Roy Brown, and Ricky Lee Jones, to name a few. His latest CD, Guitar Angels, will be released on February 18. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ameliacommunitytheatre.org or by calling the box office at (904)2616749. Amelia Community Theatre is located at 207 Cedar Street.
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WALLACE PIERSON TRAVEL SETS OUT FOR AFRICA MARCH 3
COURTESY WPT
Fourteen Amelia Islanders, escorted by Ange Wallace of Wallace Pierson Travel, will be departing for Kenya and Tanzania on a Micato Safari on March 3. Michato, Wallace’s first safari choice, has been named the #1 World’s Best Safari Outfitter by Travel + Leisure for a record nine times. Condé Nast Traveler has awarded Micato its prestigious World Savers Award five times for its philanthropic work, including its commitment to education. For example, for every safari sold, Micato sends a child to school. “Micato’s edge,” Travel + Leisure recently wrote, “is personal warmth. The Pinto family runs their show as though they were entertaining well-loved, out-of-town relatives.” As Wallace notes about the safari experience, “People go to see the animals, but they return enamored with the people.” While in Nairobi, the group will also get to meet Faith Muisu, the young student who has been supported in private school by Wallace Pierson Travel for the last six years. “Micato Safaris are very intelligently luxurious,” says Wallace. “A familyowned and operated company for 50 years, Micato treats each visitor as a VIP. It’s a marvelous way to experience Africa.” For more information, call (904) 261-5914 or visit www.wallacepierson.com.
24 AMELIA ISLANDER MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2017
www.AmeliaIslander.com