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LOCAL CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE TAKEN THE 2013 PLEDGE

Joining the ranks of national celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Clinton, Bob Barker and band members of Rise Against, our local celebrities support a plant-based diet, too. We are honored to have the following high-profile people as part of the No Meat March this year. Together we can build a happier, healthier community.

Julie Watkins, Meteorologist/Green Reporter

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Julie Watkins is an on-air meteorologist at Action News Jacksonville including CBS 47 and FOX 30.  She is a James Madison University graduate and a member of the American Meteorological Society, has forecast weather for over 10 years in various locations on the East Coast.  She originally came to the First Coast in 2003 .  During her time here, she participated in around- the-clock coverage of the most active hurricane seasons in Florida including Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.  She returned home to Richmond, Virginia in 2005 and worked with the local CBS affiliate for a year before joining a station in Orlando.

In 2007, Julie took a break from broadcasting to focus on forming a non-profit organization, The Girls Gone Green (www.thegirlsgonegreen.com), in an effort to heighten awareness about the plight of our planet and its inhabitants.  Her organization took part in various fundraisers, expos and conventions including the Central Florida Earth Day, Central Florida Veg Fest, Green is Universal and The Green Earth Expo.  In 2010, The Girls Gone Green presented the very first Northeast Florida Veg Fest (www.nfvegfest.org) in Riverside Park.  Over 6,000 people have supported this event featuring various healthy and sustainable foods, cooking demonstrations, live music, informed speakers and movie screenings.  The Third Annual Northeast Florida Veg Fest is slated for Saturday, November 3, 2012. 

Julie embraced the opportunity to return to Jacksonville in 2008 to join the team at Action News Jacksonville.  The American Meteorological Society recognizes Julie as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.  The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding, especially with respect to environmental issues.   

Environmental issues are Julie's passion at work and through her non-profit.  Julie hopes that by working together, we can improve the quality of life for both humans and animals and she welcomes your ideas and suggestions.

Last year, she trained for a figure competition held in October 2011.  As a long-time vegan, she's breaking the protein myths proving vegans can have toned, defined muscles.  You can check out her blog "Vegan Competition" (www.veganfigure.com).

Click here for her website.


Jay Alders, Artist

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Jay Alders is a fine artist, photographer & designer whose distinctive style & imaginative prowess is recognized around the world. His intricate brushwork, intense colors & superb compositions bring to life his signature elongated figures & stylized forms.

Alders has been pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a thriving professional artist since he was a child. His outlook on success is best described by him in a recent interview with ESPN, “Some people wait around for opportunity to come knocking. I prefer to just build my own door and open it.”

Jay’s work has been featured in Galleries from New York City to California, Art Tours in Brazil, Surf Exhibitions on the North Shore of Oahu and 2008 Xgames. Organizations like Emergen-C, Billabong, Endless Games, Donavon Frankenreiter, 9Fish Surfboards, SSV, Ted Shred’s and Original Longboards all have licensed Jay’s Art for their Internationally distributed Product lines.

In November 2009, Jay was described as “The Artist who is Everywhere” by ESPN because of Jay’s constant globe trotting and impressive industry involvement. Alders has collaborated and/or toured with talented friends such as: Donavon Frankenreiter, Matt Costa,  The Slater Brothers, ALO, Sean Davey, G Love, Paula Fuga, Echo Movement, John Butler Trio, Rob Machado and Guns N Roses’ guitarist, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal to name a few.

Prestigious media outlets & organizations like Surfer Magazine, FuelTV, Surfline.com, SIMA, Line Up Magazine, Longboard Magazine, Eastern Surf Magazine, FHM Magazine, Penthouse Magazine, Curl Magazine, RagMag & GoOutside Magazine all showcased Jay’s artistic endeavors. Brazil’s Alma Surf Magazine named Alders, “The Best Surf Artist of the Past Decade in 2010″.

Alders [pronounced: 'all-derz'] is also known for his heartfelt philanthropy work and healthy vegan lifestyle. He proudly & regularly gives back to the world community whenever possible. In 2009 he was named an Official Ambassador to Surf Aid International and he also supports many worthy causes such as Surfrider Foundation, PETA, Lilo’s Promise, NORML and the ASPCA amongst others.

Click here for his website.


Kayla Beckmann and Guy Barnhart, VOID Magazine

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Kayla Beckmann is the Associate Editor of North Florida Publication, Void Magazine. She is also the Director and Producer of Void TV which airs Sundays on CW17. As a Jacksonville native, she is a huge supporter of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and everything that makes up the city. Upon entering college at the University of North Florida, she took full time courses while traveling for professional surfing events. In 2010 she decided to apply her love, passion, connections and dedication she had for surfing into a professional career. 

Kayla graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Communications for Journalism and Electronic Media. She was recognized with the following awards from the Communications department: Best Story, Third Best Story, Editorial Excellence and Greatest Potential. Then on April 27th was presented with the 2011-2012 Outstanding Graduate award for Communications for Electronic Media. 

Kayla now uses Void as her outlet to "fill the void" in North Florida by providing coverage and stories on "cool people doing cool things". She believes that the citizens of North Florida possess and endless amount of talent and creativity and strives to find and share those stories with others. 

Additionally, she enjoys spending her time biking, doing yoga, doing Pure Barre, and taking hula classes. She also volunteers her time to surf-related events and causes like Silent Surfers (a surf program for Deaf athletes) and Life Rolls On (an event for paraplegic and quadriplegic athletes). 

Guy Barnhart is a contributing writer for Void Magazine, a dual degree student at the University of North Florida seeking a Bachelors of Science in Communication and a Bachelors of Arts in English, with a minor in Philosophy. Guy also interns for the Chamber of Commerce, where he helps run Community First Saturdays. He also interns for the advertising agency, Burdette Ketchum. Additionally, he works at a music venue Downtown, Underbelly. He is a highly ambitious communication specialist with successful experience in all areas of the field including: advertising, marketing, public relations, multimedia production, journalism, social media and events. 

Guy is an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan and is constantly pushing and advocating for the growth, development, and support of the city of Jacksonville and enjoys spending his time involving himself in events and groups that support this cause. 


Dale Carson, Lawyer/TV Consultant

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Former FBI, SWAT, Miami Police, now in Criminal Defense. Know your rights, and how to "Arrest Proof Yourself"

With nearly four decades of FBI, Police, SWAT, private investigation, teaching, and defense attorney experience, Dale C. Carson is a rare lawyer, and one of the most qualified to handle a wide range of Criminal and Civil law cases.

Carson brings a wealth of experience to his firm that has set Dale Carson Law apart, around the state of Florida. He has a proven and extensive record of accomplishment in achieving success for his many and varied clients, and through the attorneys at his firm. Dale Carson Law is approved to practice before every state court in Florida, as well as the Federal District Court, Middle District of Florida.

Carson’s related education is extensive: he holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law, in Jacksonville, FL, and graduated Dean’s Scholar, cum laude. He has taken additional courses on Florida Criminal Law and Florida Probate Law with the Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education, with an internship in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Jacksonville, FL. He cross-trained with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as an undercover agent. He also received his police certification with scholastic honors from the Miami Dade Junior College, and holds a BA in English from St. Andrews Presbyterian College from Laurinburg, North Carolina.

He is a member of the North Florida Criminal Defense Bar, where he was elected president for 2007-2008, the Florida Bar Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, NE Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation Recreation Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, St. Augustine Chapter. Dale authored the book “Arrest-Proof Yourself” published by Chicago press and available through amazon.com.

Click here for his website.


Shelton Hull, Journalist

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Shelton Hull has been writing professionally since the age of 17, in 1995, and a practicing vegetarian for almost that long. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Hull attended Ed White High School and the University of Florida before becoming a full-time freelancer.

His work has frequently touched on food-supply and food-safety issues, worker and consumer rights, as well as the brutal treatment of animals in the factory-farm system—all matters that motivated his personal choice to avoid most animal products.

Hull has written the “Money Jungle” column for Folio Weekly since 1999, and has recently started writing “the Art of Music” column for Arbus. Over the years, he’s published over a million words for more than 40 different magazines, newspapers and websites, including CounterPunch, the Florida Times-Union, Ink 19, Jacksonville Magazine, LewRockwell.com, Section 8, the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Report.

He also currently runs his own blog at SheltonHull.com, hosts the “HullCast” online (available on iTunes). He was a 2002 Fellow at the Academy of Alternative Journalism (Northwestern University, Chicago), and a 2011 candidate for City Council District 14 in Jacksonville.

Click here for his website.


Michelle Jacobs, Traffic Reporter/Duval County Coordinator for Special Olympics

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Michelle Jacobs McCormick is currently the Duval County Coordinator for Special Olympics Florida. After years of working in broadcasting and public relations, she has found her niche. With Special Olympics Duval County, Michelle is able to bring her passion of health and fitness to the nonprofit sector. 

She is also passionate about nutrition, which is why No Meat March will be (hopefully) a rewarding challenge. As a mother of daughters ages 11-15, it is important to Michelle to be a good role model by making smart choices regarding food and fitness. In March, she will miss eating seafood the most!


Tom and Kristina McManus, Former Jacksonville Jaguar and Roar Cheerleader

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Tom McManus is proud to be an original member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, playing middle linebacker for the team from 1995-1999.  In 1999, a foot injury sidelined him for good and his dream was over. Tom was known for his all out work ethic on the field and his approachability off it.  He is a member of the Boston College Hall of Fame Class of 2009. 

He has built his second career as a self-employed entrepreneur, building The Tom McManus Brand in Broadcasting, TV & Film Productions, Motivational Speaking, and Brand Creation. He is also a published author, penning the book, “We’ll Always Be Pals”; The last words of a dying father and a true hero!  A true story filled with life’s lessons passed down from a father to his son and from generation to generation.

Tom is also an Executive Producer with Flickers Studio in Jacksonville. They develop multiple entertainment projects ranging from feature film to reality show ideas to Broadway Musicals. Their first project is a major motion picture titled, War and Football, based off Tom’s book and the true life story of his father, Gene McManus, and the great legacy he left behind.

He created The Suck It Up and Be Great! Message in honor of yesteryear and for the current and future generations. It is a lifestyle brand built around the message of “Tough Love”, which states look in the mirror, offer no excuses or regrets, and be the best you can be in everything you do, no matter what! 

An established speaker, Tom shares his Tough Love Principles of Life, his Suck It Up! And be great! Message, and the importance of leaving our mark in this world to many audiences around the country from corporate America to high school and college student athletes. Tom’s websites are www.suckitupUSA.com and www.siumediakit.com. 

Kristina McManus is a former Jacksonville Jaguar Roar Cheerleader who was voted to the NFL Pro Bowl after the 1998 Season. She currently is a representative for Juice Plus, a whole food based nutritional supplement, as well as, a Tower Garden representative. Her websites are www.kristinasharesjuiceplus.com and http://kristina.towergarden.com   

Tom & Kristina have been married almost 13 years and have three daughters, Avery, Kelsey and Harley, all under the watchful eye of our creator God and His Son Jesus Christ, and they currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Kristina and Tom are very passionate about wellness and fitness with the hopes of inspiring their children and others to make healthy choices. They are very excited to be a part of the No Meat March Campaign and are in their 2nd year of doing so.

They are also heavily involved with the Northeast Florida community and beyond, helping out charitable causes wherever they can, most notably, Tom Coughlin’s Jay Fund Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Farm, and The C.H.I.L.D. Cancer Fund.


Anna Rabhan, The Organic Adventurer

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Anna Rabhan is a freelance writer, journalist, editor, educator and green living consultant who, locally, writes for Jacksonville Magazine and writes and edits for EU Jacksonville. She has also guest-posted on the website Practically Green.

Environmental issues have always been close to her heart, so when she moved to Jacksonville and had the opportunity to write about local, green, outdoors and environmental topics for EU Jacksonville, she says, "It felt like coming home in so many ways." In 2009, she began writing a regular column called The Organic Adventurer that focused more specifically on the benefits of a local food system, helpful ways to live lighter on the planet and save money, and other practical environmental tips and information.

She has been invited to speak on these topics at many area schools, colleges, events, and on a local morning news program. Throughout her work, she has come to understand why those who are concerned about the environment frequently don't take action: the daunting task of sorting through the huge amount of information that's out there. Motivated by her conviction that "going green" should be a fun adventure rather than hard work, she began to help people who want to green their lives but don't have the time or resources to figure out exactly how to do it.

Anna now blogs and runs a green living consultation business as The Organic Adventurer (www.theorganicadventurer.com).

When she eats meat, Anna prefers locally, organically and sustainably produced products, but she has been both vegetarian and pescatarian at various times in her life. She is looking forward to both the challenge and opportunity of a meat-free month and will be blogging about her No Meat March experience on The Organic Adventurer website.

Click here for her website.


Cinda Sherman, Publisher of Arbus Magazine

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A graduate of Flagler College with a degree in business and finance, and sub-major in art history, Cinda was working as a stockbroker for Raymond James Associates nearly 20 years ago when the market crashed. Temporarily living in a friend’s basement, the daughter of artistic parents reconnected with the supportive arts community that influenced much of her youth. After the family moved from Toronto, Canada, and via the Carolinas, to St. Augustine when Cinda was 8, she performed for four years in Cross and Sword, a re-enactment of the founding of St. Augustine. “I grew up in theater,” said Cinda, who also enjoys photography and playing the guitar, especially the Spanish flamenco guitar that belonged to her father.

Combining her passions, Cinda founded Arbus Magazine to promote art education and businesses in the community. Her desire was to make art and culture more accessible and less intimidating to people of all walks of life “by taking the art off the walls of the museums and out into the community” and helping readers understand that “the arts are not a luxury; they contribute to valuable economic prosperity.”

Despite skepticism of her ambitious venture by even Cinda’s close friends, Arbuscontinually grew to a readership of about 100,000. Published seven times a year and funded by advertising, the free magazine is available at museums, coffee shops, physicians’ offices, restaurants and other locations throughout Northeast Florida. Subscriptions are also available. Arbus also publishes Scene, a pocket-sized, map-based art and cultural guide to galleries, museums, fine dining and shopping.

Cinda hopes Arbus’ changes will help people “get it” that a strong cultural community is essential to economic growth, tourism, education, children’s issues and health. She was recently named to the board of Cathedral Arts Project, a program to foster art appreciation in underserved children.

Click here for her website.


No Meat March 2020