I am not an early riser, but I am glad for those who are. I admire those who are not only up but OUT, enjoying sunrises over the ocean and general natural splendor. One of the people I am grateful …

Do you know who Roy G Biv is? He is not running for city commission! He teaches us the colors of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. Maybe you heard his name sung in a song …

Jim Wallis is an evangelical Christian who has worked for peace and social justice all his life. I remember when his book, “God’s Politics” came out in 2005 and caused quite …

I am not often at a loss for words. Here is a classic example. I was trying to explain to my oldest nephew, then aged 3, why it was time for bed. As my mother led him up the …

By Linda Hart Green Saying “I’m sorry” is hard. I am talking about the kind of sorry that does something about the hurt or wrong that was caused. This is called “restitution” or “making …

By Suanne Thamm Dear Commissioners: It seems to me that most of the complaints about downtown parking adequacy come from those who are engaged in money-making ventures downtown: Retail shops. It has …

By Dickie Anderson Live oak trees with their sprawling limbs add a dash of Southern charm from the north to the south end of Amelia Island. These gentle giants dot our island and are an intrinsic …

By Mike Lednovich Corrine Garrett led off the public comment segment of the May 7 city commission meeting with a question. "I would like to know if Fernandina Beach city commissioners are in line …

By Suanne Thamm Dear City Commissioners: Yours is not an easy or financially rewarding job. But the exercise of your duties as public officials is serious and impactful for the health and prosperity …

Earth Day 1970, Philadelphia. By Linda Hart Green Earth Day 1970, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I only skipped school one day in high school. I was a junior. I was also a …

By Mike Phillips Observer Editor and Publisher In the coming weeks, you will start seeing a very different Fernandina Observer. We didn't want to startle you one day, so here is a preview: The new …

By Mike Lednovich The deadline is just six weeks away for candidacy in the Fernandina Beach city commission and a concerning silence persists. Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the …

By Linda Hart Green A number of books have been removed from Nassau County school classrooms and libraries. The local group, Citizens Defending Freedom, was responsible for the challenges that …

By Mike Phillips The Nassau County School Board was treated Thursday evening to a lesson on what literate citizens can do, something that a lot of people who’ve been behind book bans can’t do: …

By Linda Hart Green I exhale with relief when the date of March 6 passes. I have done so every year for the past 35 years, which is half of my life. My father died on March 6, 1989, at the age of 66, …

By Mike Lednovich In the heart of Fernandina Beach, important decisions that shape our community's future are often made within the confines of City Hall. As citizens, we place our trust in the hands …

Photo credit: Oshi Medlin Photography By April L. Bogle Johnnetta Betsch Cole’s lineage alone could fill a book. She is the sister of MaVynee Oshun Betsch, The Beach Lady of American Beach. She is …

By Chip Ross, city commissioner I recently received an email from a local charter boat captain. The e-mail stated in part: “I am having a hard time believing this is a discussion you people are …

By Linda Hart Green This is the current signboard in front of the First Baptist Church in America in Providence, Rhode Island, founded in 1638. 1638! My colleague and friend, The Rev. Dr. Jamie …

By Linda Hart Green I received this fancy jar opener for Christmas. This may seem like a terrible choice for a gift, but it was actually thoughtful. My age and a pesky form of inflammatory arthritis …