Working out with your dog: Doglates at the beach

Submitted by Lewis Turner, Reporter, Meteorologist FCN

Thursday, April 11th, 2013, 7:06pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Julie Baskin has been a fitness instructor for 32 years and is an expert Pilates teacher.

But a couple times a year, she dedicates an entire class to both her human students and their four-legged friends.

"I just love it, I'm a dog freak and a Pilates freak, so it just goes together," she said.

Baskin created her "Doglates" class to help rescue dogs as well as the groups that help save them.

"It really relaxes the dogs," she said.

Pilates student Mary Luque can attest to that.

Her dog Ladybug was a rescue, and Luque says she was a bit troubled early on.

"Ladybug came from a bad situation, like many rescue dogs do," she said.

But the Doglates seems to work.

"She was a little timid at first here at the beach, but she has settled right in."

Baskin said the humans get exercise, the dogs calming companionship.

"They love it, they really calm down," she said.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

Atlantic Warriors Wing Chun Kung Fu

Atlantic Warriors is Florida's Self Defense & Martial Arts expert!

$10 off Kung Fu class!

Man pays $100 for magazines that do not arrive

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013, 5:26pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla.-He paid for them, but he has not received any magazines.

That's what Craig said happened to him. He bought a $100 subscription to Automobile Magazine through a fundraiser last November. He said he hasn't gotten a single issue. First Coast News called the magazine and a customer service agent told us because he ordered the magazine through a legitimate 3rd party...it could take up to 120 days to process. The customer service agent said he is scheduled to get May's issue later this month.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Budget cuts end Blue Angels' 2013

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 1:42pm

PENSACOLA NAVAL AIR STATION, Fla. (AP) - The U.S. Navy has canceled the remainder of the elite Blue Angels demonstration team's 2013 season because of federal cuts.

The commander of Naval air forces announced the decision on Tuesday.

The Blue Angels have performed at air shows around the world for more than 60 years. The fighter pilots selected to serve a two-year tour with the team are among the world's best and are often graduates of the Navy's famed Top Gun air tactics school.

A spokesman for the Navy said team members would be allowed to fly minimal hours to maintain flight proficiency in the F/A 18 fighter jets, but the six-jet squadron would discontinue group practices for the remainder of the season.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Beaches prepare for those with disabilities

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, April 8th, 2013, 8:00pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- The Beaches Council for the Disabled has been working more than for twenty years to make First Coast beaches more accessible for those with disabilities by adding ramps, showers, parking spaces and beach wheelchairs.

"I usually walk with a walker; I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I was born two months early."

Kara Tucker is the President of the Beaches Council for the Disabled, but she also knows first-hand the importance of those with disabilities to be able to access the beach.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

Dean Marine Electronics

Watch video

The Best Brand Name Products

20% Off Labor!

Police: 2 pedestrians hit by a vehicle

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, April 8th, 2013, 6:28pm

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- According to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, two people were hit by a car at the 100 block of SR A1A North, Saturday night.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. the pedestrians were attempting to cross the street where there was no crosswalk marked. A vehicle in the left lane stopped to let the pedestrians proceed. They continued into the next lane of travel and were struck by an oncoming vehicle, according to a Jacksonville Beach Police media release. All traffic stopped following the incident.

Both pedestrians were released from Shands on Monday. An investigation is still ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Dozens of sea turtles returned to the ocean

Submitted by Jessica Clark, Reporter

Sunday, April 7th, 2013, 5:25pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- More than 50 sea turtles were released back into the ocean on Little Talbot Island Sunday.

The turtles were some of the 242 turtles which were rescued off of Cape Cod last fall in record numbers. They had stranded there due to cold weather. They were rehabilitated at different centers along the East Coast.

This weekend, a caravan of vehicles carried 52 turtles to the warm waters off the First Coast.

Sunday morning, the threatened and endangered sea turtles were let loose.

Some scrambled into the water while others were slower-moving.

The turtles included Kemp's ridley sea turtles (which weigh about ten pounds) and bigger 100-pound loggerheads.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Beach business brings hope for local economy

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 11:31pm

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. -- The city of Neptune Beach is hoping new business will bring in big profits after several years of a stalled economy.

"I had some of the businesses over the last three years tell me that if it wasn't for Thanksgiving Day and having everybody come stand in the street, have a drink and talk to their friends the several hundred, thousand people that come down here that some people couldn't make the rent," said Neptune Beach Mayor Harriet Purette.

City Officials tell First Coast News the old Neptune Beach location for Sun Dog Brewing Company for more than 20 years is turning into an upscale Mexican restaurant, run by Al of Al's Pizza.

But the changes don't stop there: The former Caribee Key has changed hands and is now North Beach Fish Camp.

View Comments | Post a Comment