Resident: Riverside November 2024

DCPS approves funding for years 1 to 5 of Master Facility Plan

By Michele Leivas

my neighborhood friends, the walkability and the quality of life here is outstanding. – Juan Carlos Gonzalez

Everyone here wants to contribute something. Every place is special, and it’s the people that make this city great. It’s neighborhoods like this that make us a great place to call home.

John Stockton Elementary School escaped the school closure list, but lost

Peter Darbee with Dawn Alexander

Shannon and Will Law with Marilyn Carpenter and Dan and Paige Ernst

Jay Myztroh with Grant Nielsen making music at the Songwriter’s Stage

As we turn the proverbial page on another month of newspaper production and enter the season of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who make The Resident possible.

First, to our incredible staff: Their dedication and tireless efforts are the backbone of your community newspaper. From covering events and meetings – often late into the night – to working countless weekends, The Resident news team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our readers stay informed and engaged. The newspaper business is demanding, especially during the holidays and busy social season, and we deeply appreciate

the sacrifices they make for the sake of our publications and community.

We are equally thankful for our readers – the residents and business owners of our vibrant and diverse community. The richness of our neighborhoods is reflected not only in the stunning architecture but also in the myriad of opinions and experiences that shape our shared narrative. Yet amid this diversity, we find common ground in our love for local shops, the walkability of our neighborhoods and the commitment to supporting small, locally owned businesses. Together, we are not just a community; we are a family, united by our passion for making our neighborhoods a better and safer place to live, work and raise our families.

And lastly, a sincere thank you to our loyal advertisers: Without your support and patronage, The Resident wouldn’t exist. Our newspapers are funded 100% by our

advertisers, who make it possible for us to provide the paper free of charge to our readers – and every ad counts! From a full page to the smallest size we sell, we are grateful to be able to showcase businesses that support the community journalism we deliver.

Thank you all for being part of the journey and for your continued support. In our special feature “Attitude of Gratitude” on page 32-33, you’ll find a few of the many reasons why locals appreciate and enjoy our community and why they love to call it home. We hope some of these sentiments resonate with you and remind you of the blessings in your own lives. At a time when so many communities are divided, we hope The Resident is one of the ties that binds.

Pamela Bradford Williams and Seth Williams

Petition calls for more school crossing guards following student fatalities

By Jennifer Logue

A petition calling for more school crossing guards following the recent death of an Edward White High School student has garnered more than 1,300 signatures.

TaNyla Turner started the petition at www.change.org/ DuvalCounty following the death of her friend, Alaysha Williams. A senior who played on the school’s basketball team, Williams was walking to the bus stop Sept. 30 at approximately 6:40 a.m. when she was the victim of a hit and run accident while crossing the street in the 3900 block of Blanding Boulevard. She later died of her injuries.

Williams was one of seven Duval County Public School students to be hit by cars since the school year started in August, and one of two to be killed. A 15-yearold Fletcher High School student was also killed last month while riding his bicycle home from the school’s homecoming football game.

Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier offered his condolences to the families and friends of the students who have lost their lives in traffic accidents. He acknowledged, however, that thoughts and prayers aren’t enough.

“As leaders...we need to take action,” Bernier said.

“I look forward to working with our School Board and other community partners to improve pedestrian safety for students. There can be no more important goal than protecting the health and welfare of our children.”

The Duval County Public Schools noted that school crossing guards fall under the direction of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Currently, JSO employs 241 part-time crossing guards who work two hours each day – one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. With the exception of Baldwin Middle School, however, crossing guards are only assigned to roads near elementary schools.

32,000 copies PRINTED and DIRECT MAILED in homes located in: Ortega, Avondale, Riverside, Murray Hill, San Marco, San Jose, Epping Forest, & St Nicholas

City commits $50M to MOSH 2.0

Change in architecture firm will result in a different design than published renderings

The City of Jacksonville has committed $50 million over three years toward construction of a new Museum of Science and History (MOSH) on Downtown’s Northbank.

Approved by the city council as part of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the funding comes as the project’s architecture firm has switched from DLR Group to SmithGroup.

For procurement purposes, the museum had to rebid both the project’s architectural and exhibit design firms, resulting in the switch to SmithGroup. As a

result, “MOSH 2.0” will no longer look like the project renderings the museum has distributed to date.

SmithGroup is considered the nation’s premier architectural firm for museums and cultural facilities. Among the firm’s well-known projects is the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.

With the addition of the $50 million in city funding, MOSH has raised approximately $93 million of the project’s projected $120 million cost. According to

Nov. 23rd 6-9 pm

Reaching new audiences

Currently, MOSH attracts approximately 175,000 visitors a year, with the majority of those visitors coming from school groups. The new museum is projected to attract about 500,000 guests a year, with tourists comprising a larger share of its visitor profile.

Sponsored by & Benefiting Riverside-Avondale Preservation.

The street fest is FREE and open to the public featuring FOOD TRUCKS & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

The WineFest is $50+ tax

(Please note that City of Jacksonville ordinance does not allow breakable glass in the street. We have researched and found a polymer wine glass that is made specifically for wine tasting)

Join hundreds of your closest friends and more than 250 of their favorite wines in the streets New Riverside (King Street) for More FUN than you can stand!!

Since MOSH released the above rendering of its new museum by DLR Group, the project has switched to SmithGroup, which will create its own design for the facility.

the terms of the city’s agreement with the museum, construction must begin by the end of 2025 and be completed by 2028.

Winning at weight loss.

Caroline found a long-term solution.

After a lifelong struggle with her weight, Caroline is finally winning the match against those extra pounds.

“For years, I tried diet after diet. I lost weight but always ended up gaining it back,” said Caroline.

“I needed a long-term solution.”

Caroline went to Baptist Center for Bariatric Surgery, where she had a sleeve gastrectomy, which removes part of the stomach to reduce food intake.

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After surgery, she changed her eating habits, increased her exercise, and dropped 120 pounds.

Now Caroline steps onto the court with confidence, feeling lighter, more energetic and healthier than ever.

Is it time for a permanent solution to weight loss?

Discover the benefits of bariatric surgery.

TO THE EDITOR Letters

The views and opinions expressed in the Letters to the Editor belong solely to the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of this publication or its editorial team.

Drivers, pedestrians must be more mindful to improve student safety

Seven Duval County Public Schools students walking or biking to or from school activities have been hit by cars since Aug. 12. Sadly, two of the students did not survive their injuries, and our sympathies go to the families and friends of these students.

While we hold these families in our thoughts and prayers, this is a situation that calls for action, and the first step forward is to acknowledge that Jacksonville will be a better city if it becomes safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Between 2022 and 2023, Jacksonville grew by 14,000 people, making it the fourth-fastest growing and tenth-most populated city in the country. This growth brings an increase in drivers to a county that does not have a good track record of safely managing people and cars. In 2023, a quarter of road fatalities in Duval County were pedestrians.

As a community, we all play a role in creating a safer environment for students to travel to or from school—on

neighborhood streets, crossing busy intersections and getting on and off the bus.

We can all start with being more mindful as drivers and as pedestrians in the following ways:

• Leave earlier – Pedestrians and drivers can plan for safety by leaving home earlier to account for busier roads and increased travel times.

Limit distractions – Pedestrians and drivers should put away cell phones and air pods to increase awareness of potential dangers.

Watch for pedestrians – Drivers should realize that students as young as 4 years old will be walking to bus stops and to school buildings.

• Know the schedule – Most high schools begin at 7:15 a.m. and most middle schools dismiss at 4:15 p.m. Students walking, biking or riding buses home from school activities may be on the roads in the evening.

Overlays bill worthy of community support

Readers of The Resident may be aware of my proposed Strengthening Our Overlays Bill, Ordinance 2024-0373. This ordinance would require a two-thirds vote for Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) that include uses not currently allowed by right. Overlays are crucial zoning tools that protect the character of neighborhoods and sensitive environmental areas, as well as other areas of the City of Jacksonville by ensuring development aligns with the values of the communities they impact.

The bill would strengthen these current and future overlays, that each take considerable support from residents, city staff, attorneys and elected officials to implement, by requiring a higher bar of support if developments intend to include disallowed uses. Without such protections, overlays could easily be overridden by developers pushing for projects

that might serve short-term interests but harm the long-term vision of these areas.

Most of Jacksonville’s historic neighborhood organizations, including Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR), and the San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS), have unanimously voted to support Ordinance #2024-0373.

Community groups like the Greater Arlington/Beaches CPAC have also expressed strong backing for this legislation. The bill in its current form also garnered unanimous support from the City of Jacksonville Planning Commission and a recommendation of approval from the Planning Department, showing the amount of unanimous support from both community organizations as well as city staff.

Neighborhood and community voices should not be

Reimagining St. Vincent’s Riverside Local hospital with deep community roots

Recently, I celebrated my first anniversary as president and CEO of St. Vincent’s Riverside. It’s been a fulfilling year, and I have been able to experience the impact our hospital has on our community. We have personally cared for many generations of families and will continue our path forward to “Reimagine Riverside,” providing our patients with the highest quality care. Deeply rooted in our community for over 100 years, St. Vincent’s Riverside was founded in 1916 by the Daughters of Charity. Since then, our ministry has served our neighbors, with special attention to the most vulnerable.

In the near future, we will put on display books that outline the rich history of this facility, some over 100 years old. As we continue our commitment to reimagine our hospital campus and strategic vision, we will continue to innovate and proactively care for our community and our region.

Like most in health care, I was drawn to serve in this field. My “why” started when I was 16 and helped a friend who was struggling with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts. Through the support of many others, we were able to help him through that very trying time in his life. Early in my career, I counseled patients and wanted to

be a psychologist. Ultimately, I decided on a career in health care leadership to help create a healthy work environment and inspire others to do the same. In turn, our associates take better care of themselves and their colleagues. Our patients, families and community are the benefactors.

In alignment with our Ascension St. Vincent’s facilities, Riverside will continue to grow our services to meet the growing needs of our area. We will remain focused on providing local and regional care to support more complex and sick patients including cardiac, neurosurgical, cancer, critical care, emergency care, orthopedics, bariatrics and women’s health in addition to the general medical and surgical care we provide. To achieve our goal, we will have five focus areas which include:

Culture: Excellence in patient care starts with a consistent, focused and inspired staff.

Community Relationships: Health care is local and fostering community relationships is essential to our mission. Through our partnerships with the city, local schools, churches and other stakeholders, we are helping to take care of those who are not inside our hospital, while inspiring the next generation of health care leaders.

• Observe traffic rules – Drivers should always stop for students at bus stops and crosswalks and obey the speed limit through school zones.

• Cross at the crosswalk – Pedestrians should wait for the signal, look both ways and move quickly through the intersection. They shouldn’t assume they are faster than a car or that a driver will see them.

As an elected Duval County School Board member, I am committed to identifying educational, policy, infrastructure and funding priorities and collaborating with colleagues at the city, state, and federal levels to join me in creating a safer future for our children.

Let us all be committed to keeping students safe from their front door to the schoolhouse door and home again.

– Cindy Pearson

District 3 representative on the Duval County School Board.

sidelined when it comes to decisions that impact their future! This legislation should be a reasonable response to our current City Council process that amplifies the voices of developers and lobbyists over the people in the communities we are meant to serve. Unfortunately, this effort is opposed by many of these developers and needs robust community backing to succeed.

With support from a wide range of community organizations, the Protecting Our Overlays Bill is a critical step in ensuring that Jacksonville’s neighborhoods and natural areas are protected for future generations. If you support this cause, I encourage you to reach out to the members of the Jacksonville City Council and make your voice heard.

– Matt Carlucci, At-Large Group 4

Strategic Growth: The way we “Reimagine Riverside” starts with our commitment to strategic growth and meeting the health care needs of communities we are blessed to serve Operational Excellence: We strive for operational excellence. This is our commitment to providing safe and high-quality care for every patient who walks through our doors. These efforts have recently been recognized. St. Vincent’s Riverside was named a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News and World Report and St. Vincent’s was named a top-15 health system in the United States by Fortune and PINC AI. These recognitions are a testament to our physician’s and care team’s commitment to our patients.

Campus Revitalization: In the coming months, you will see major investments to the campus underscoring our commitment to making our hospital safe and comfortable for patients and their families.

We look forward to being more engaged in our community. I am appreciative of the warm welcome and look forward to meeting many more of you in the future. Please feel free to share your feedback with me at scott. kashman@ascension.org

– Scott Kashman

Scott Kashman is president and chief executive officer of Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside.

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Demolition by neglect: New task force aims to close preservation loophole

By Michele Leivas

A new task force is working to address what some see as a loophole in the city’s historic preservation policies: the issue of “demolition by neglect.”

Launched in September by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC), the Demolition by Neglect Task Force has been charged with reviewing existing procedures pertaining to the historic preservation of buildings and creating a report with recommendations on how to address the issue, which occurs when a property’s owner allows it to deteriorate to the point that demolition is the only option. That report is due by Jan. 31, 2025.

JHPC Chair Michael Montoya noted that while city code details the required affirmative maintenance of historic structures, there is no policy expressly discussing demolition by neglect. He added that while crafting such a policy would likely fall under the purview of the city council, he hopes the task force can help craft proactive steps to address neglected properties before demolition is their only option.

"If the property has gotten to a point where it’s not recoverable, it’s just the hardest

thing we have to vote on,” Montoya said.

Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) Executive Director Shannon Blankinship said demolition by neglect falls between the two existing prongs of the preservation of historic properties: On one end of the spectrum is a certificate of appropriateness (COA), which property owners must submit in order to make alterations, repairs or to demolish a historic property. COAs are considered by the JHPC and enforced by code enforcement officers if the work being done falls outside of the approved COA.

On the other end of the spectrum is when a property has deteriorated to the point of posing a nuisance or a threat to the public’s health and safety.

“Specifically for our neighborhood, it’s a situation that needs to be remedied,” Blankinship said. “Because we do have dozens of properties in the neighborhood where if we were to give it 10 years, we could see them needing to be demolished.”

Requests for demolition

Between January and September of this year, JHPC has considered seven requests for demolition. While Montoya could not say definitively if this number is an increase, he did say it felt like there has been an uptick in demolition requests.

One of those requests, approved in June, involved a 110-year-old home in Riverside, which District 7 City Council Member Jimmy Peluso said was a “classic example” of demolition by neglect.

“We only want to do that when it’s truly in the best interest of the neighborhood and when we’ve given the property owner enough opportunities to do something,” Peluso said.

Jacksonville History Center CEO Dr. Alan Bliss, who spoke at the first task force meeting, emphasized the economic value historic structures provide to present-day Jacksonville.

“This is not an obsession with nostalgia or the touchy feely impulse to preserve things just because they are old,” Bliss said. “It contributes to the economic strength of the city. It contributes to the capacity of the real property tax rolls and supports Jacksonville’s economic growth.”

The task force will hear from subject matter experts and advisors as it progresses, including staff from the Municipal Code Compliance Division, the Planning and Development Department and local preservation organizations like RAP and Springfield Preservation and Revitalization.

Peluso said he hopes to see policy that balances respect for property rights while also preserving and respecting the historic neighborhoods in which those properties stand.

“I want a policy that exists where we’re doing things in the best interest of the neighborhood, and the historical integrity of our neighborhoods,” he said, “while also making sure that we’re not doing something that’s in the best interest of delinquent or bad property owners.”

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The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission has voted to approve demolition for this Riverside home.

orlando valle v proficient auto transport, Inc., et al

$14.5 MILLION

(verdict, 5/4/2022)

Personal Injury: Trucking Crash

kathleen thomas* V geico insurance company

$14.4 MILLION

(verdict, 8/5/2022)

Personal Injury: car accident

*Names changed to protect client privacy

john and debra Smith* v local glass company, Out-of-state glass company*

$4.5 MILLION

(set tlement, 8/17/2021)

Personal Injury: Workplace Negligence

*Names changed to protect client privacy

Plush N’ Prana owner cites crime, vandalism for boutique’s closure

By Jennifer Logue

A Park Street business owner is citing the ongoing violence and vandalism surrounding the adjacent apartment buildings with her decision to close her boutique last month.

The closure of Plush N’ Prana at 2761 Park St. comes as the city announced a $500,000 pilot program to provide housing to homeless individuals through Ability Housing – the same affordable housing nonprofit that owns the apartment buildings at 2755 and 2765 Park St.

Boutique owner Claudia Prana said the constant problems caused by residents and guests at those 12 units were a major factor in her decision to close her shop.

“This type of shop was a dream of mine for many years,” Prana said. “But unfortunately, I discovered the darker side of that location.”

Violence and vandalism

Patrons of Park Street boutique Plush N’ Prana were surprised to find the shop closed Oct. 1, with a poster on the front door explaining its abrupt – and permanent – closure.

“A gunshot in full daylight and repeated acts of vandalism have caused a constant decline in foot traffic,” owner Claudia Prana wrote, “and an increasing stress and anxiety on my part – always wondering when the next act of vandalism or gunshot will happen.”

The shop’s closure after less than two years in operation marked an unhappy ending to Prana’s longheld dream to open a boutique that would bring handmade kimonos, jewelry, home décor and other items from around the world to the Riverside community. She said she posted the sign on her former shop not only to thank her customers for their patronage, but also to call attention to the crime, violence and vandalism she said was an ongoing problem since she opened in January 2023.

Within two weeks of signing the lease on 2761 Park St. in December 2022, Prana said, her shop and two adjacent apartment buildings – located directly behind and next door

to her store – were sold to Ability Housing.

“Since I signed the lease, I’ve dealt with three different property management companies,” Prana said, adding that problems such as a leaky roof were not addressed. More disturbing, though, were the problems she said she experienced both with residents and visitors to the 12 units owned by Ability Housing.

After pouring her heart into improving the freestanding building’s exterior, adorning it with colorful paper lanterns and potted plants, Prana said the decorations were repeatedly torn down, knocked over and vandalized.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office records show that since Ability purchased the buildings in December 2022, JSO has made more than 50 service calls to them for everything from noise complaints and vandalism to armed burglary, narcotics overdoses and gunshots.

In addition, homeless people roaming the Park and King business district also caused problems, discouraging customers from patronizing Plush N’ Prana.

“I have a heart for the underprivileged, but if whoever is responsible to take care of (the homeless) was doing it, they would not come into my shop,” Prana said.

On Oct. 1 – the same day Prana closed her boutique – a new law prohibiting public sleeping took effect. While the law was intended to address problems with homeless people sleeping on streets and in front of businesses, some local merchants say that forcing the homeless to move around merely sends them into their shops, resulting in problems.

“We don’t solve problems with Band Aids – we do surgery,” Prana said. “We go to the root cause. But if we keep doing what we have been doing knowing that it didn’t work, we just keep perpetuating the problem. That’s the definition of insanity.”

Pilot program

Two weeks after Prana closed her boutique, the City of Jacksonville announced it was awarding Ability Housing a $500,000 grant to provide affordable housing with support services to 25 chronically homeless individuals. The agency

We don't solve problems with Band Aids –we do surgery. We go to the root cause.

– Claudia Prana Owner

also recently announced a $500,000 investment from Cogent Bank.

“No one should be living in our streets; it is not good for the person or the community,” Ability Housing CEO Shannon Nazworth said in a statement. “This pilot demonstrates the city’s commitment to implementing real solutions to ending homelessness.”

While confirming that residents of 2755 and 2765 Park St. receive wraparound services from Ability Housing, an agency spokesperson said the new pilot program is not related to the issues Prana experienced at her boutique. Ability Housing also discounted the possibility that residents or business owners located near the pilot program’s housing for homeless individuals might experience similar problems.

“The perception that moving individuals from homelessness into housing increases crime is not supported by facts,” the agency said in a statement. “Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is an evidence-based model that improves lives for the individuals moving out of homelessness and into housing, while simultaneously reducing costs borne by the community at large when those same individuals are unhoused.”

In a press release announcing the city partnership with Ability Housing, Mayor Donna Deegan praised the pilot program as a way to offer homeless individuals a better life.

“It is vital that we as a community come together to reduce homelessness,” Deegan said.

Prana agreed – but cautioned that city leaders need to consider the impact of their policies on all of the city’s residents, including small business owners, not just the homeless.

“Yes, it’s vital that we as a community come together to reduce homelessness – but it is as vitally important to ensure that in uplifting one ‘arm’ of the ‘body’ of the community, we do not amputate the other by careless supervision of the application of government funds,” Prana said. “It is imperative that allocated funding be carefully monitored to ensure that the ‘greater good’ is what’s really happening.”

Plush N’ Prana owner Claudia Prana decorated her boutique with colorful paper lanterns and flower pots, which she said were repeatedly vandalized and destroyed.

The Oxford Place restaurant to fill void left by Simply Sara’s

By Michele Leivas

The owners of Murray Hill’s Bold Birds Nashville Hot Chicken are bringing a new restaurant concept to the Village Store building in Ortega.

The spaces formerly housing Simply Sara’s and Fonda’s Hairstyling will be combined to make way for The Oxford Place, a 2,700 square-foot restaurant featuring approximately 120 seats and a full-service bar.

Owner Jerry Brown said his vision for the new restaurant is to create a local bistro dining experience for residents to enjoy. Initial plans include a dinner service, with possible future expansion to include weekend brunch service. The menu will cater to dietary restrictions and preferences as well.

Brown is anticipating a late spring or early summer launch next year for The Oxford Place as he prepares to begin the city permitting process for the interior demolition and buildout to combine the two spaces.

Nod to history

Completed in 1923, the Village Store building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It was also known as “the Oxford place,” and the restaurant’s name is a nod to that piece of the building’s history. Brown said The Oxford Place restaurant will take advantage of the building’s “great bones,” high ceilings and tall windows.

“We’ll make it really a welcoming space,” Brown said. “It’ll be a smaller space, so it’ll be fairly intimate and have a comfortable neighborhood feel to it.”

Simply Sara’s was a neighborhood staple for Ortega residents until it closed in 2022, and the restaurant space has been vacant ever since. An Ortega resident himself, Brown said there has been a consistent desire among neighbors to see a new restaurant come in and fill that void.

Community First Credit Union to open Murray Hill branch in former Edgewood Bakery

By Michele Leivas

at 1012 Edgewood Ave. South will be given new life as a Murray Hill branch for Community First Credit Union. The bank announced its purchase of

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the property last month, adding that it is currently assessing the building to see if it can be repurposed or renovated for the incoming branch.

This announcement comes as Community First continues to expand its branch network, with seven new branches opened or announced since 2022.

“Community First has a long history of serving our members and being strong community partners,” said CEO Sam Inman. “We intend for this future Murray Hill location to become an asset to the historic Edgewood Avenue Business Corridor retail strip that has been serving the neighborhood for almost 100 years.”

Murray Hill Preservation Association

President Greg Beere said Community First’s activation of this defunct corner continues the building momentum for the Edgewood Avenue South business corridor.

“On a personal note, I’m really happy that something’s happening and that corner is going to get activated,” Beere said. “As a board, I can say that it’s right in line with what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to accomplish in the neighborhood.”

The Edgewood Avenue South property has been vacant since the 2016 closure of neighborhood staple Edgewood Bakery, which had served the Murray Hill community since 1947.

Lou Walsh, IV, CFA President

After nearly a decade of standing vacant, the site of the former Edgewood Bakery

The Edgewood Bakery served the Murray Hill community for nearly 70 years. Community First Credit Union has purchased the property for a new branch.

The Oxford Place restaurant is combining two vacant storefronts in the Village Store building in Ortega to create a 2,700 square-foot neighborhood dining experience.

By Michele Leivas

City officials and community stakeholders held a formal groundbreaking ceremony Oct.

29 to mark the start of construction of Pearl Square – the first building in the multi-pad Pearl Street District development.

Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll said Pearl Square will have a curbless festival street –with the road at the same grade as the sidewalks – from Ashely to Beaver streets. It will feature more than 200 residential units and 24,000 square feet of retail space, with multiple restaurants and two park spaces, including the Porter House Garden and a flex lawn space called the Porter House Lawn.

With the launch of this “unprecedented” mixed-use development, Mayor Donna Deegan said the era of the “city of renderings” was coming to a close.

ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH is happy to present the Music at St. Mark’s Concert Series

Please come and join us and bring your friends! It’s free to the community thanks to the generosity of our many donors.

Handel's MessiahUNF Chamber Singers

Dec. 10th at 7 p.m.

Dr. Tasher and the talented UNF Chamber Singers, along with the Lawson Ensemble, will present Handel's beloved Messiah.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Dec. 18th at 6 p.m.

This candlelight service shares nine lessons of the Christmas story, from creation to the nativity, with carols and seasonal music.

Epiphany Choral Evensong Jan. 6th at 6 p.m.

Join us for our second Evensong as we welcome the Kings to the manger and celebrate Epiphany at St. Mark's.

“Going from renderings to reality here in Downtown Jacksonville is a huge priority for my administration and that is what we are doing today,” Deegan said.

Following the ceremony, District 7 City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso echoed Deegan’s sentiments about the building momentum in downtown development.

“Now we’re really starting to see those marquee, really cool projects coming online,” Peluso said. “…It just feels like it’s Jacksonville’s time.”

Pearl Street District is phase one of the anticipated $2 billion mega-development proposed by Gateway Jax, a JWB Real Estate Capital- and DLP Capital-sponsored real estate development firm, covering more than 20 blocks in Downtown Jacksonville’s NorthCore district.

File rendering City and project development officials participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Pearl Square, the first building in the Pearl Street District project to begin construction.

City Council passes redevelopment agreement for high-rise on former River City Brewing site

By Michele Leivas

The Southbank site of the former River City Brewing Company will become home to a 25-story mixed-use development after the Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved a new agreement with the developer.

The city council approved the new agreement with Miamibased Related Group at its Oct. 8 meeting after revisions were made following conversations between the developer and the Downtown Investment Authority board in September.

The approved redevelopment agreement for the roughly $203 million project includes an incentive package of $58.798 million. It also outlines Related’s commitment to deed roughly 4,200 square feet of land to the city for an expansion of the St. Johns River Park and Friendship Fountain.

At DIA’s October board meeting, CEO Lori Boyer said the development team will have to wait to break ground on the project until the city completes the bulkhead reconstruction in that area, which is expected to be completed by April 2025.

“They’re very excited about getting going and we’re excited to see it,” Boyer said following the meeting. “It will be a different level of downtown product, residential product, that’s available.”

The redevelopment agreement was based on Related Group’s revisions, which include a primary 25-story high-rise and an additional eight-story building housing no fewer than 390 residential rental units, a ground-level riverfront restaurant space of at least 4,000 square feet and a nine-story parking garage with 550 parking spaces, 30 of which will be for public use. Boyer said despite the number of requests for “ownership products” she’s received, Related Group’s project will deliver a “true luxury, high-end product.”

“We really strive to have everything from affordable units downtown to high-end luxury units so that we have something for everybody,” she said.

This is the second redevelopment agreement the city has struck with Related Group. The DIA terminated its previous agreement in 2023 when the development team failed to meet project deadlines after exhausting all possible extensions. Following that agreement termination, the development team returned with these revised plans for the Southbank parcel.

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Designing Excellence

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The site of the former River City Brewing will become home to a $203 million high-rise development.

UNSUNG HEROES

‘St. Johns Jane’ keeps Avondale clean

By Michele Leivas

Early commuters passing through the Shoppes of Avondale on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday have surely seen Jane Riechmann doing her early morning litter clean-up along that stretch of St. Johns Avenue.

For more than five years, Riechmann has gotten to work at sun-up to do trash pick-up and even some minor weeding, mulching and other landscaping work to keep the popular Avondale corridor pristine and welcoming for residents and visitors who enjoy shopping and dining at one of the many storefronts along the avenue.

“I enjoy it and, you know, I’ve met a lot of nice people,” she said.

In fact, Riechmann keeps a list of names in her phone of the people she’s met during her clean-up hours, including Jennifer, the jogger; Ellis, the trash guy; Eric, the JTA guy; even a gentleman who buys her green tea every Friday, though Riechmann said, laughing, she encourages him to contribute the money to the Historic Avondale Merchants Association instead.

In fact, any money Riechmann happens to find on the ground, she uses

to purchase gift cards from local fast food places to hand out to unhoused people in need of a meal.

“I know people value me, I know the merchants do, but I’m not doing it to be valued,” she said. “I’m doing it because I live nearby and I want it to look nice.”

Riechmann hopes her volunteerism inspires others to clean up where and when they can.

“I’m hoping people will do that and I know some people have so that makes me feel good when they say that,” she said.

State permit approval delays progress at RiversEdge

By Michele Leivas

Construction of the marina planned at RiversEdge is experiencing delays as the developer awaits state approval for the necessary permit to begin work.

According to Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer, state cabinet meeting cancellations have delayed the votes for the permit and associated submerged land lease.

“That permit has been submitted to the state for a while and it is my understanding that it got again deferred because the cabinet meeting was canceled,” Boyer said at the DIA’s October board meeting. “They can’t proceed with the parts that are impacted by that.”

The delay is impacting several

projects covered by the marina permit, including reconstruction of a section of the Southbank bulkhead, the kayak launch, a water taxi stop and other components.

Work continues, however, on the development’s trail and park system, which will include four public parks and a 1,400foot marsh boardwalk. The RiversEdge parks – Central Park, Marshfront Park, Fitness Park and Northwest Park – are on track to open in 2025.

More than three years in the making, the Southbank development has started seeing visible progress this year: Hardscape work is underway, beginning with Marshfront Park, and passersby can see vertical construction for the Toll Brothers at RiversEdge townhomes.

Leading the way in emergency care

Now that the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year budget has been passed and stadium negotiations are completed, District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci said the RiversEdge development team plans to reengage with the city for a request for additional funds.

The owner and developer for this project is Dallas-based Preston Hollow Community Capital, LLC.

Ultimately, the 34-acre project will accommodate more than 750 multifamily units, 200 luxury condominiums, a 125-slip marina and 120,000 square feet of retail space. The mixed-use development will also include 200,000 square feet of office space and a 200-room boutique hotel. Its park system will connect to the Emerald

Trail and feature art installations, including “The Pearl,” a custom designed piece by New York-based architect Marc Fornes, which will be the project's centerpiece, installed in the development’s Central Park.

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St. Johns Jane is a familiar sight along St. Johns Avenue at the Shoppes of Avondale, where she does trash pick-up every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

A sign at the entrance of the RiversEdge construction site hints at things to come at the 34-acre development along the Southbank.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Duval County saw the lowest number of domestic violence homicide cases since 2015, according to a newly released annual Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Report.

Hubbard House and partner agencies released the report Oct. 1 in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month to highlight trends in local domestic violence-related fatalities and examine systems of support for survivors.

“I want all domestic violence survivors to know that our local law enforcement community recognizes your dignity and commits to stand with you throughout the criminal justice process,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said. “Partnered together, survivors and law enforcement advocates will promote a culture of accountability that champions survivors. Until all survivors are safe, our work continues.”

In Duval County in 2023, there were 10 domestic violence homicide cases resulting in 13 fatalities. Both the number of cases and homicide victims are the lowest numbers seen since 2015, with the exception of 2018, which had the same number of homicide victims. Among the 10 domestic violence fatalities, nine of the victims were linked to intimate partner relationships.

In addition, 88% of the intimate partner domestic violence homicide cases had a history of domestic violence either within the relationship or by one party against a prior partner. Co-habitation and the presence of a firearm were also identified as risk factors present in the majority of these cases.

“For survivors, the journey to safety may be scary and dangerous, but safety is possible,” said Dr. Gail Patin, CEO of Hubbard House, Florida’s first domestic violence shelter. “Survivors, until you are safe and every moment after when you need us, Hubbard House is here for you.”

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hubbard House launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #UntilYouAreSafe aimed at raising awareness of the resources and assistance available to victims of domestic violence.

“For any survivor who hears the findings of this report and hears echoes of their own relationship, know that the danger is real,” said Assistant State Attorney Khary O. Gaynor, director of the 4th Circuit State Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit. “The Fatality Review Team does not want your story to be the next one we see in this report. Please, reach out for support.”

Survivors of domestic violence can access help through the 24/7 Hubbard House hotline at (904) 354-3114 or textline at (904) 210-3698. Survivors can also make an appointment or walk into the Hubbard House Outreach Center at 6629 Beach Blvd., Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Hubbard House services are free and confidential.

WCJ assumes responsibility from city for conducting SAFE exams

The Women’s Center of Jacksonville assumed responsibility from the City of Jacksonville Oct. 1 for conducting sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE).

Moving forward, Northeast Florida’s only certified rape crisis center will conduct the exams for Duval, Nassau and Baker counties. Performed by trained and certified sexual assault nurse examiners under the supervision of a medical director, SAFE exams are critical for gathering evidence after an assault.

WCJ’s SAFE program provides free rape recovery services to individuals and their families, including a 24/7 Rape Crisis Hotline as well as free forensic exams for survivors 18 and over, regardless of whether they choose to report the assault to law enforcement.

The J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver SAFE Center, established in May 2018, was developed as a model facility for Florida rape crisis centers. Built with a traumainformed and survivor-focused approach, the SAFE Center

provides a safe haven where sexual assault victims and their families can find support, comfort and the assurance that they are safe.

Since its inception, the (SAFE) Program has conducted more than 300 exams annually, contributing to the more than 4,000 interactions with survivors and their families each year while ensuring that every victim of sexual assault is treated with compassion, dignity and respect.

Rebecca Schriver receives Paralegal of the Year Award

Rebecca Schriver received the “2024 Paralegal of the Year Award” at the recent Annual Florida Bar Convention.

Schriver received the award in the Solo & Small Firm category at the convention, at which Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr. also appointed her to co-chair the Florida Registered Paralegal Enrichment Committee for the 2024-2025 term.

Schriver has been employed at Foerster, Isaac & Yerkes, P.A. for over 37 years as the firm comptroller and paralegal. She is a Florida registered paralegal and has received the distinction of Certified Paralegal from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

“I have had the privilege of working with three of the finest attorneys in Florida for over 37 years,” Schriver said. “All of them love practicing law and they do so with dignity and integrity. I have learned so much from them not only about the law but about being a better person and giving back to our community.”

Schriver served on the vestry of San Jose Episcopal Church and was a board member of San Jose Episcopal Day School. She teaches fitness classes for local gyms and participates in local races and half marathons throughout the United States. She and her family live in St. Johns.

Bittersweet farewell

Southern Dessert Plate owners Dawn Mattson, Janet Rizk and Kate Worsowicz said a bittersweet farewell to their customers Oct. 4, when Southern Dessert Plate closed its doors.

The popular bakery’s final day of operation saw a steady stream of tearful customers flocking to purchase its final stock of cakes, cookies, cannolis and other sweet treats.

“All my pockets are filled with tissues,” Worsowicz said. “This neighborhood has been so fantastic to us.” Worsowicz said the decision to close Southern Dessert Plate was prompted by a desire to spend more time with their families and grandchildren.

“We would love to see another bakery or similar small business take over the space,” she said.

First Coast Heart Walk raises more than $1.2 million

The American Heart Association’s 2024 First Coast Heart Walk raised more than $1.2 million, with more than 600 teams and 70 companies participating.

Approximately 25,000 participants gathered at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds for the one-mile and three-mile route, according to the First Coast American Heart Association. Hand-only CPR demonstrations, exercises and health and fitness education were also part of the event.

The top fundraising company for this year’s walk was Florida Blue, followed by Baptist Health and Johnson and Johnson Vision. HCA Florida Healthcare was the local sponsor of Getting to the Heart of Stroke, which is supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation.

News4Jax Meteorologist Katie Garner was the event emcee, with Violette Lani and Iris Andie performing the national anthem. Camille Harrison, executive vice president, Medicare and chief innovation and experience officer for GuideWell and Florida Blue, served as this year’s Heart Challenge Chairperson. Harrison led the executive leadership team, which included 22 First Coast executives who raised critical funds for the American Heart Association.

Rebecca Schriver

Southern Dessert Plate owners Dawn Mattson, Janet Rizk and Kate Worsowicz

An estimated 25,000 people participated in the 2024 First Coast Heart Walk.

NAI Hallmark to manage One Shipyards Place, Jaguars’ new headquarters

NAI Hallmark commercial real estate brokerage has been appointed to manage and lease the new One Shipyards Place office building that will house the new headquarters for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The new Jacksonville Jaguars’ front office headquarters will occupy three floors of One Shipyards Place for its business team with the remaining floors available for business lease.

Slated to open in February 2026, the six-story office building will include 137,000 square feet with 50,128 square feet of office space on the top two floors. According to NAI Hallmark, Shipyards Place’s ground floor will have 12,000 square feet of retail and amenity space with a fitness facility and 5,757 square foot restaurant with views of the event lawn and marina.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Iguana Investments to bring One Shipyards Place to life,” said NAI Hallmark Co-CEO Christian Harden. “As the future home of the Jaguars and a beacon of business innovation, this development offers unparalleled opportunities for companies looking to be at the forefront of Jacksonville's exciting transformation.”

The new business development is being billed as a Class A Office building that will set a new standard for Jacksonville's waterfront and urban landscape.

“We plan to provide the tenants and guest of One Shipyards Place with a white-glove service experience that will set a new standard in Northeast Florida,” said Keith Goldfaden, co-CEO of NAI Hallmark.

Ring Power donates forklift to The Arc Jacksonville’s Triumph Industries

Ring Power recently donated a new forklift to The Arc Jacksonville. The custom-painted forklift will be used to transport pallets

fight food insecurity.

Through the Junior League of Jacksonville’s “Little Black Dress Initiative,” Junior League members will don black dresses for a week to call attention to the problem of hunger.

“The purpose of wearing the black outfit for a whole week is to be a conversation starter,” explained President Kimberly Barrett, noting that the campaign first began 10 years ago during London fashion week. “The iconic little black dress was meant to be eye-catching to the community to allow Junior League members the opportunity to engage in conversations about food insecurity in their respective communities.”

Participating Junior League members will also wear buttons proclaiming “Ask me about my little black dress,” Barrett said, to spark conversations on the problem of hunger in the community. Those who wish to make a donation to support the campaign’s fundraising component may do so online at givebutter.com/JLJLBDI2425 or on the group’s website at jacksonville.jl.org

One Shipyards Place

Ability

Douglas Anderson Foundation board elects Erin Skinner as president

The Douglas Anderson Foundation Board of Directors has elected Erin Skinner as its new president.

Skinner has a 20-year career in sales serving as an executive in the marketing and technology industries. She holds a B.S. in Management from Florida State University and an MBA from the University of North Florida and has served on numerous boards, including the Jacksonville Public Library, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Lifework Leadership First Coast.

“Though a foundation board member of only four years, Erin Skinner’s expertise and experience on several of our city’s top nonprofit boards has already proven to be invaluable,” DA Foundation Executive Director

Jackie Cornelius said. “She is a natural leader and the foundation is thrilled

Housing

gets $500,000

Ability Housing’s Affordable Housing Fund recently received its first private-sector financing with a $500,000 investment by Cogent Bank.

The funds will be used to create new, affordable housing in Northeast and Central Florida.

Designed to address the unique challenges related to financing affordable housing developments, the fund will offer low- or no-interest predevelopment loans to help accelerate the creation of affordable housing units for

to welcome her as its new president.”

Also newly elected to board officer positions were W.C. Gentry as vice president and Deborah Knauer as secretary. The foundation also welcomed new board member Gary Webber

Skinner succeeds previous foundation board President Jeff Dunn, who stepped down after nearly 30 years of service.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being able to connect with the many passionate individuals over the last 30 years who have supported the DA Foundation’s mission and vision, bringing to life so many dreams for art students and teachers at the arts high school,” Dunn said. “I look forward to seeing how the foundation continues to grow under the leadership of Erin, W.C. and Deborah.”

affordable housing boost from Cogent Bank

people in need.

“Cogent Bank’s support of our Affordable Housing Fund signifies that ‘community’ is truly at the heart of their business,” said Ability Housing CEO Shannon Nazworth. “Their generous support will expedite our ability to bring new affordable housing communities to Central and Northeast Florida.”

The Affordable Housing Fund was created through an initial $3.75 million investment from the Capital

Management Fund, a grant from the Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and $950,000 from the State of Florida.

“As the population and economy of Florida’s First Coast continues to grow, the lack of affordable housing has become an increasingly relevant issue that impacts our entire community,” said Phil Bravo, North Florida market president for Cogent Bank.

Old Arlingon honors Jacksonville architect Ted Pappas

Veteran architect Ted Pappas, who is well known for his work in helping to preserve and restore the history of several of Northeast Florida’s iconic structures, was recently honored by Old Arlington Inc., (OAI).

OAI honored Pappas at its Arlington Mod & More Home Tour Symposium hosted by Tim Gilmore, author and Florida State Community College professor. The tribute to Pappas was the first in a series of OAI’s markers dedicated to highlighting his career, which spans more than 60 years.

“OAI is so proud to celebrate Mr. Pappas and his work to create and preserve mid-century modern architecture in Arlington and his significant impact on the Jacksonville community overall,” said OAI Executive Director Steve

Matchett. “This was a special day for all of us who respect and admire Mr. Pappas. We are so pleased that with this historic marker, his contributions to our community will continue to be remembered for generations to come.”

Pappas’ work consists of designing and restoring more than 40 buildings, including Old Duval High School, Old St. Andrews Church and Epping Forest Yacht Club. He is known for his restoration of iconic churches to mid-century modern high rises and public libraries. He is president of PBV Architects and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

OAI’s Arlington Mod & More Home Tour and Symposium is now in its eighth year, with proceeds from the event benefiting the historic preservation and revitalization of Arlington.

Erin Skinner

Jacksonville architect Ted Pappas receives a commemorative plaque honoring his efforts to preserve mid-century architecture.

EverBank opens Ortega Financial Center

EverBank’s partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars was on full display Oct. 22, when everyone from former players and Jags cheerleaders to mascot Jaxson de Ville turned out for the grand opening of the bank’s new Ortega Financial Center at 4211 San Juan Ave.

Emceed by “Voice of the Jaguars” Brian Sexton, the grand opening featured remarks by EverBank President of Florida Banking Curt Cunkle, who said the newly renovated 2,800 square foot Ortega center will serve as a model for future EverBank branches.

“This is going to be our prototype,” Cunkle said. “Whether it’s going to be in California or renovations throughout Florida, we’re going to make as many of our branches look just like this.”

The grand opening also featured the presentation of a $100,000 donation to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation to support the Touchdowns for Tomorrow program, which provides financial education to 100 Duval kids for every touchdown the Jaguars score during the 2024 NFL season. Offered in partnership with Junior Achievement, the program also includes financial education football camps, where hundreds of kids participate in drills that instill financial literacy concepts.

Former Jaguars player Aaron Beasley said he was pleased to be a part of such initiatives.

“I wish I had been able to receive the kind of tools they have now,” Beasley said. “These are tools that will carry (kids) through their lives and it’s best if we can reach them early – and being part of the Jaguars organization, we do have a little influence.”

New location in sight for Davalt Optical Legacy of superior service to continue at new

Downtown shop

Since 1958, Davalt Optical has been serving the vision needs of First Coast residents from its shop in 5 Points.

Now, owners Clint and Kelly Ross are embracing a new vision for Davalt Optical’s future by moving to a Downtown store at 45 W. Bay St. They expect to be operating in the new location in December.

“We’ve loved being in 5 Points, but our lease was up, and we weren’t offered a longterm option for renewal,” Kelly explained. “So, we started looking for a new location that would offer some stability.”

An enduring legacy

Stability is all but synonymous with Davalt Optical.

“We are a generational business,” Kelly said. “We have customers who have been coming here since they were kids, and now they are bringing their grandkids. I think that’s pretty special.”

The Rosses had been thinking about opening their own optical boutique for some time when they walked into Davalt Optical to “pick the brain” of owner Patty Davalt about the best way to go about it. As it happened, Davalt had been thinking about retiring.

The stars aligned and on Jan. 1, 2020, the Rosses assumed ownership of the longstanding business. Two months later, COVID caused the first full-scale business shutdown in America’s history. But the Rosses credit Davalt’s loyal customer base and exceptional customer service with helping them survive the extended business lockdown.

“We go out of our way for our customers,” Clint said. “We’ve delivered glasses as far as St. Simons Island for customers who couldn’t get to us.”

The boutique is also known for its customization services, offering customers the opportunity to sport a truly one-of-a-kind pair of glasses. From adding gold or diamonds to refurbishing glasses from the 1960s or even the 1800s, Davalt takes pride in pushing the optical envelope.

It’s a tradition they plan to continue once they are open in the new W. Bay St. boutique.

“We are all about continuity,” Clint said. “We picked up the torch from Patty (Davalt) and we are just carrying that legacy forward.”

Visit Davalt Optical’s new Downtown location at 45 West Bay Street Opening this December!

Originally from Michigan, Dana Morse moved to Fernandina Beach with her family at the age of six after they fell in love with the area during a vacation. She now calls downtown Fernandina Beach home, where she enjoys the charm and community of the historic town. Before entering the world of real estate, Dana worked as a preschool teacher. Her transition into real estate was driven by her desire for flexibility, allowing her to spend more time with her two boys, ages one and eight. Dana finds great joy in helping people navigate important life-changing decisions and loves the opportunity to explore beautiful historic homes in the area. When she’s not working, Dana enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and pets, which include three dogs and a leopard gecko. Favorite restaurant in Jax?

My favorite restaurant in Jacksonville is Orsay and Community Loaves What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is going to coffee shops. Your absolute favorite spot in Jacksonville?

One of my favorite places in Jacksonville is Driftwood Beach. What’s your favorite room in a house?

My favorite room in the house is the

people

it is

Former Jaguars player Aaron Beasley helps team mascot Jaxson de Ville cut the ribbon on the new EverBank Ortega Financial Center.

MURRAY HILL

The Salvation Army’s 11th Annual Red Shield Ball took on added significance this year, coming as it did on the heels of two major hurricanes.

Held Oct. 19 at UNF’s Adam W. Herbert University Center, the annual benefit featured both live and silent auctions to support The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Lodge and programs at the Towers Center of Hope. Fresh in guests’ minds, however, was The Salvation Army’s response to the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton, which devastated sections of Florida, North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast. According to the Salvation Army, the organization provided approximately 330,000 hot meals, 35,000 meal kits, 173,000 drinks, 130,000 snacks and 27,000 emotional and spiritual care contacts as a result of the two storms, with response efforts expected to continue well into November.

NAMI Jacksonville walk surpasses $100,000 goal for mental health awareness

Salvation Army Red Shield Ball CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Pearl in the Shell Steven and Robert Dimmick-Devers

Mike and Erin Herman with John and Kristen Waugh and Kathy and Josh Reichert Randy and Lynn Evans with Marilyn Carpenter and Jon Ernst

Honorary Chairs, Congressman Aaron Bean and his wife Abby Bean

Henry and Sue Turner with Cathy Damron, Dianne Lott and Steve Bacalis

Jonathan Geiger with Melinda Darby, Suzie O’Quinn and Christi O’Quinn

Marvin Johnson with Erin and Mike Herman

Brooks and Brett Cannon with Rita and Carl Cannon

The 5th annual NAMI 5K for mental health awareness surpassed its goal of raising $100,000 for mental health awareness.

Held Oct. 19, the event began at the Winston Family YMCA, with participants walking along the St. Johns River. Attendees also enjoyed live music, food trucks, a

zone and a wellness fair. Proceeds from the event benefit NAMI Jacksonville’s programs, which seek to improve the quality of life of individuals and families living with mental illness.

Ella Bloug with Ella Grant

Camp Davis with Cole and Erin McCall Fort Caroline Marching Band members pose with ‘Scampi’, the mascot of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp AAA Baseball franchise.

Jim and Laurie Price volunteering for NAMI in Memorial Park at the arrival point for walkers arriving from the Winston Family YMCA

White Cane Walk highlight of National Vision Awareness Month

Members of the blind and visually impaired community joined with friends, family and supporters to observe National Vision Awareness Month Oct. 19 by participating in the Jacksonville White Cane Community Awareness Walk.

Organized by the North Florida Division of Blind Services in partnership with the Center for Independent Living (CIL), the half-mile walk began at CIL’s headquarters on Art Museum Drive. After the presentation of a mayoral proclamation, a police escort accompanied participants on the one-mile walk to the Division of Blind Services for postwalk food and fellowship.

DESC Defenders gala may have been canceled due to Hurricane Helene, but the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council still found a way to make the event help those in need.

After honorary co-chairs Hank and Mary Coxe announced the annual gala’s cancellation, the food that had been prepared for the event was donated to Sulzbacher. Hank Coxe, DESC Executive Director David Clark and board member Lanette Hart joined staff from Chefs Garden, JR Events and Sulzbacher to deliver the donation on Sept. 28.

“We wanted the food to be used in a way that honors the donors’ interests, which is to help others fight poverty,” Hart said.

The fundraising effort had already generated $300,000 through sponsorships and early gifts – a total that was augmented by a subsequent online appeal to secure a $25,000 matching grant from the Hall-Halliburton Foundation.

“While we’re disappointed we couldn’t be together, we are incredibly grateful for the show of support from our sponsors, donors and volunteers, who are united in our mission to help families fight poverty,” Hart said. “Our donors’ compassion is inspiring and will support emergency financial assistance, groceries, clothing and case management.”

Located in the basement of First Presbyterian Church, DESC was founded in 1983 by several downtown churches to help working poor families and homeless people. In 2023, DESC provided 15,000 services of emergency financial assistance, groceries, clothing and case management.

Annual Tiny Vessel Poker Run to benefit Warrior Sailing! Saturday, November 9th starting at 11:00AM

Have a tiny water vessel? Want to support a great cause for service members and veterans? Come participate in PORT 32’s tiny vessel poker run to win some prizes and support Warrior Sailing a nonprofit helping injured, wounded, and ill service members and veterans by teaching them to sail! Food and drink options included with ticket purchase. No vessel, no problem! **Land Lubbers option available as well!**

Scan the QR code for more info or visit tinyurl.com/port32pokerrun

If you have a slip at a neighboring marina such as Huckins, Lambs, or Sadlers please reach out to Celina at cheindl@port32marinas.com or 904-717-3577 for a $5 discount.

For more info on Warrior Sailing visit: https://warriorsailing.org/ 4234 Lakeside Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32210

Tom Brownett, Jarvis Jones, DESC Executive Director David Clark and Amber Harrison display some of the food that was donated after Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of the annual fundraiser.

Nick Mendler with Adrian Keve, Kara Tucker, Meredyth Mason, dog Luna and Jose Morales

Hadley and Fiona Burgman join in on the walk. Hadley is a student at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine this year.

Hanna Blue with Ramsay Scott and (in front) Maddisyn and Raeleigh Johns

The White Cane Walk traveled with a police escort down Art Museum Drive to the offices of the Division of Blind Services.

The

DESC Defenders honorary co-chair Hank Coxe, board member Lanette Hart and Teddy Fackler prepare to deliver food from the canceled gala to Sulzbacher.

‘Caring Chefs’ cook up culinary delights

Some of Jacksonville’s finest chefs, sommeliers and brewers shared their talents with guests at the 40th Annual Caring Chefs benefit for the Children’s Home Society.

Held Oct. 13 at The Glass Factory, the event afforded guests the opportunity to sample and savor delicacies prepared by local restaurants and breweries while raising money for a good cause. Proceeds from the event support CHS’s services for children and families, including early childhood, family development, behavioral health and more.

The organization helps to fund programs for underresourced communities across the state, helping children and families gain mental and physical healthcare support. Programs are designed to alleviate the difficulties faced by parents with young children, such as managing finances, learning to parent, court-ordered visitations and more.

By strengthening families and helping to foster better outcomes, local families get the help they need to succeed, thanks to donors and fundraising efforts. To learn more, visit chsfl.org

DCPS approves funding CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Another vote is expected at the Nov. 4 school board meeting regarding the anticipated August 2025 school closures and consolidations. The school closures are Don Brewer, Washington Carver, Hidden Oaks, Kings Trail, Annie R. Morgan and Susie Tolbert.

Public meetings and a public hearing were held last month on these closures and their associated consolidations.

Similar meetings and hearings will be held for subsequent closures and consolidations in the coming years. Ortega Elementary School remains on the closure list – but not until July 2030. Its students will be absorbed into Venetia Elementary School.

The DCPS Board voted 6-1 to approve the capital plan, which allocated funds for the projects, consolidations and closures for years one through five of the MFP and provided projected funding allocations for years six through 10 and 11 to 15. Although the plan is broken into five-year increments, school board policy now requires DCPS to revisit and review the capital plan every year.

“This is not a 15-year plan we’re going to put on a shelf

and never revisit,” said DCPS Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier.

Though relieved their school has escaped the closure list, some John Stockton parents like Lauren Agresti are concerned about the sidelined updates they believe are still needed at the A-rated school to ensure it continues to grow and attract new families. Previous MFPs called for a new wing to be built at the neighborhood school to replace its portable classrooms. Listed under Year 11, however, the notation beside John Stockton stated the “addition is no longer needed.”

“The decision to scrap the Stockton’s Master Facility Plan-slated wing replacement of its portables is short-sighted,” Agresti said at the Oct. 1 meeting.

Following the meeting, Agresti said the community will continue to advocate for the school.

“We recognize that the MFP has to have a positive impact on operational budget and continue to remind the school board and the superintendent that investing in schools like Stockton, where there is a demand and an annual waitlist, is the most effective way to increase operational revenue,” said Agresti.

“More students in DCPS seats equals more funds brought into DCPS.”

Bernier estimated this capital plan will save the district between $8 and $10 million. Those savings, he added, would be clearer following the vote on school closures.

District 1 Board Member Dr. Kelly Coker was the sole opposing vote to the capital plan. During board discussion, Coker repeated her past concerns that this plan is partial to those schools with the most vocal communities.

“I believe we are taking steps towards giving communities that had the loudest voices what they wanted,” she said.

Coker also shared concerns regarding the accuracy of the materials submitted to the board up to and including materials for the Oct. 1 meeting, noting an agenda adjustment just hours before the board meeting.

“I am hopeful over the next few weeks that I will be able to get to a different space in regards to that next layer of this conversation,” Coker said. “But right at this point, I feel that a vote towards this would take a step towards something that I just can’t take a step towards.”

Chloe and Kimberly Barrett with Ann Fisher

Marriott Sawgrass Sous Chef Eric Del Vecchio with Michael Skiathitis and Michael Skiathitis, Jr.

Felicia Cox with Kimberly O’Steen

Angela, Dylan and Avery Costa with Dan and Margaret Rowan

Boris Johnson kicks off 2024-25 Florida Forum series

The 2024-25 season of the Florida Forum kicked off Oct. 29 with a speech by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Held at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, Johnson’s lecture was the first in a three-part series of presentations. Alternative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra is scheduled to speak Jan. 15, followed by journalist and best-selling Florida novelist Carl Hiaasen.

Presented by The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the Florida

Forum raises awareness and funds to support the hospital’s mission of providing highquality pediatric health care for all children.

The Women’s Board is currently raising $1.5 million for two new Kids Kare Mobile Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and other Wolfson Children’s Hospital programs. The Kids Kare Mobile ICUs are part of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Transport fleet and include necessary life-support equipment for the transportation of critically ill and injured infants and children.

Karen Wolfson with Jason and Allegra Jaros, Erin Wolfson and Amanda and Dane Bennett Elli and Chase Zimmerman

Drew Haramis with Prescott and Melissa Braude

Vanessa Andrews with Erin and Kurt Radecki, Sabrie Edmonston and Rebecca Flagg

Sanctuary on 8th Street hosts annual SHINDIG

Sanctuary on 8th Street held its annual SHINDIG benefit Oct. 3, raising funds to support its after-school, summer camp and tutoring programs for Jacksonville youth.

Held at Brick & Beam, this year’s SHINDIG featured a disco theme, with guests enjoying food and drinks from Springfield businesses, a silent auction and a live performance by the

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Bold City Ball preservation, SPAR

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) was honored Andrews’s Church on Philip Randolph Blvd.

Celebrating alongside SPAR were leaders from partner organizations, Eastside Community Development Corporation, the Jacksonville advocates. As a collective, the groups plan to continue strengthening growth policies and foster quality of life, all while considering historic

For 50 years, SPAR has been advocating for preservation of one of the city’s most historic areas.

Proceeds and donations from the evening’s event – outside of hosted at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Stacy and Matt Lasonde and Morgan Kehnert

Ana Martinez with Andrea Rial and Norma Vargas

Sanctuary dance team.

Keifer and Britney O'Connor with Rob and Stephanie Day

Liz Bobeck and Amy Smith

Tim Kelly and Suzette Flaucher Reagan and Steven Kelsey Kelly Smith and Jan Kenning Pamela Hilton and Joe Libasci

honored at the inaugural Bold City Ball, held Oct. 3 at Old St. organizations, including San Marco Preservation Society, Historic Jacksonville History Center and many like-minded preservation strengthening one another by collaborating to help smart formulate historic preservation and its many facets. historic homes, buildings, monuments and streetscapes in of ticket sales – benefit SPAR’s Endowed Charitable Fund,

Futuristic theme highlights 47th Annual Arts Awards

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville hosted the 47th Annual Arts Awards Oct. 4, honoring the city’s creative leaders and the contributions that arts and culture make to the city’s economy and its quality of life.

In keeping with the event’s theme of focusing on the future, the Florida Blue Conference Center was a sea of metallic and futuristic finery, as guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and guest DJ Vic Micolucci following the presentation of awards to a cross-section of local arts and cultural leaders.

Cedrid Otero with Laura Jones, Josh Pardue and Scott Hill

Suzie Becker, Martha Barrett, Mari Kuraishi, Diana Donovan, Chris Kalin and Kevin Craig

Brian and Heather Niece Emily and Pier Coutoune Sandra Lane-Smith and Taffini Ellis Daniel Austin

Bryan and Liz McCoy with Laura and Josue Cruz

Cory McCormack with Amanda Gudaitis, Danielle Pierro and Kelly Lezama

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Pride Parade spreads joy, awareness

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

Participants from all walks of life journeyed through Riverside Sept. 29 to raise awareness and inclusivity for the LGBTQ community at the Jax River City Pride Parade.

Danielle and Ian Cleary of HeartSpace Art were the honorary grand marshals of the parade, which featured a festive Mardi Gras mood as parade participants passed out headbands, beads and colorfully decorated trinkets adorned with the rainbow emblem to the cheering supporters and enthusiasts lining the parade route. Floats, automobiles decorated with banners, Jaguars cheerleaders, walkers and bicyclists added to the fun, cheerful atmosphere. HeartSpace recently completed the colorful rainbow crosswalks in 5 Points sponsored by RAP, AIDS Memorial Project and Councilmember Jimmy Peluso. The Clearys are advocates for love, inclusion and diversity in the community.

Said Danielle Cleary: “Art is the tool that will help lead the way.”

Donors commit $400,000 to LGBTQ Community Funds

Donors have committed $400,000 in new gifts to support The Community Fund for Northeast Florida’s LGBTQ Community Fund.

Donors who have each committed $100,000 include Chad Labenz and Michael Meyers; Michael Miller; Delores

Barr Weaver; and an anonymous donor. The Community Foundation is working toward a $3 million fundraising goal.

“Endowed philanthropy is a powerful tool to help meet the needs of the community, forever,” Community Foundation President Isaiah M. Oliver said.

“I am grateful to the visionary donors who have stepped forward at the fund’s 10th anniversary to make such a longlasting contribution to LGBTQ people in Northeast Florida.”

Established in 2014, The LGBTQ Community Fund is a “field of interest

fund” which supports fostering inclusivity for LGBTQ people in the local community. More than $1.1 million has been distributed as grants through the fund to 28 nonprofits, according to The Community Foundation.

Daniel’s 1884 Giving Society celebrates agency’s 140th anniversary

Daniel, Florida’s oldest child-care agency, recently celebrated its 140th anniversary with members of its 1884 Giving Society.

Held Oct. 3 at VyStar Tower, the event welcomed 100 guests to enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and heartfelt stories about the ways their support has helped improve the lives of children and families. The agency also announced that in honor of its 140th anniversary, Daniel was working to raise $140,000 in October, with the first $50,000 in donations made during the month matched by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds.

50 YEARS 1974–2024

RAP is the lead advocate for Riverside Avondale’s historic neighborhoods, vibrant local commercial districts, public spaces, and welcoming community.

RIVERSIDEAVONDALE.ORG

In 2024, Riverside Avondale Preservation ensures a lasting place in the community as we launch an Endowment Legacy Fund. For those who helped build, shape, and refine the mission of RAP, we welcome your support through The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.

A CALL TO ARMS

A public meeting to discuss what was first called Riverside Area Preservation drew some 150 people on February 14, 1974. Twenty-five-cent donations raised the $42.44 that was RAP’s initial treasury. A movement was born!

“Learn more about the meaningful and lasting impact of Riverside Avondale Preservation over the last 50 years all year long...“

Make a contribution!

Ian and Danielle Cleary of HeartSpace Art served as grand marshals of the 2024 Jax River City Pride Parade.

Peggy and Skip Allcorn

The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services CEO Colleen Rodriguez and LSF Health Systems CEO Dr. Christine Cauffield

William and Erin Colledge Lawson Carr of Riverside and Ansley Busch

An attitude of gratitude

Resident readers share the things for which they are grateful

I’m so grateful for Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) in our neighborhood. It’s a nonprofit that provides free health care to the working uninsured residents. It’s a lifesaver for those who can’t afford insurance but still need access to medical care. The volunteers there are amazing – they give their time and expertise to make a real difference in our community. It’s inspiring to see people come together to help others, and VIM is a shining example of that.

Stacey Steiner

Prattify

I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received in Jacksonville after moving here with my family from Flint, MI. We have loved getting to know some of the treasured nonprofits in historic neighborhoods on both sides of the river, from the Jewish Community Alliance to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, as well as the many donors who support them. My family and I have found Jacksonville to be full of kind, generous people who are committed to making this community a better place for everyone who calls it home.

Isaiah M. Oliver

President, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

Natalie Worth of Five Points Dental deserves recognition for her work on the 5 Points Merchants Association Unhoused Committee. (Local businesses) have been impacted by unhoused in the 5 Points area for years, and Natalie is stepping up to seek solutions on behalf of the merchant district.

Shannon Blankinship

Riverside Avondale Preservation

I am absolutely thrilled with Grassroots Natural Food Market! Their smoothies are nothing short of life-changing: I simply can’t imagine my day without them. The owners and employees are incredibly kind and go above and beyond to help with anything you need. This gem of a market has been a beloved cornerstone of our community for over 20 years, and I can’t thank them enough for their unwavering dedication and exceptional service.

Reet Bilanchone

The Vault Art Gallery

Since moving to Jacksonville and beginning my role in July 2023, I have been fortunate to be welcomed by engaged and thoughtful community leaders, medical professionals and residents of the historic Riverside area. I have more ‘go-to’ organizations than I can mention, but some that come to mind are Mesa, River & Post, Josephine’s, Bold Bean, Starbucks, Blue Orchid, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, The Walrus, Amplified Avondale, Rodrigos’s Craft Pizza, PRS Running Club, Jacksonville Chamber, Jacksonville Civic Council and The Saturday Morning Joggers. I am deeply grateful for the support of our community, which has been instrumental in my transition. I am proud to be a part of the Riverside community.

Scott Kashman

President & CEO, Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside

I’m most grateful for this neighborhood, plain and simple. I love where I live and it’s a great place to call ‘home.’

Kaye Byrnes

I’m grateful for the sense of community; we’re super supportive of one another.

Trevor Host

The diversity of the neighborhood architecture, the foliage and the incredibly friendly people have always been things I appreciate.

Wanda Fishalow

I am grateful for Memorial Park. A peaceful walk with beautiful scenery.

Kelly Ross

I’m most grateful for my friendly and protective neighbors, who provide comforting support in my senior years. Eight women call ourselves Saturday Sisters for our weekly coffee chat. Our bond has become stronger than the brew and deeper than the chatter. We have full lives yet share vulnerabilities that come with aging. Group texts to request, offer, inform or amuse keep us connected. When one broke her arm, the others rallied with rides, meals and company. Knowing Marie, Leigh, Lynda, Pat, Debbie, Kathy and Carol are steps away is reassuring.

Lorrie DeFrank

I’m grateful for the strong connections I’ve built with homeowners and people in the beautiful San Marco and San Jose neighborhoods. The generosity of the people here, both in time and contributions, truly makes this area one of the best in Jacksonville. I’m thankful for the sense of pride throughout the community and the warm welcome extended to newcomers. It’s a privilege to represent such a vibrant area, and I’m fortunate to work for a company that always puts community first across all of Jacksonville.

Anita Vining

At Soluna Yoga+Spa, we are immensely grateful for our dedicated team of yoga teachers and massage therapists, whose passion and expertise uplift our hearts daily. Their commitment to wellness fosters a nurturing environment. Our gratitude extends to our neighbors in 5 Points & Riverside, a tapestry of incredible businesses, inspiring collaboration and support. Together, we foster a sense of belonging and well-being. The majestic old trees that surround us in this historic neighborhood symbolize strength and resilience, reminding us of the deep roots we all share.

Christian & Dori Thomsen

During the most challenging of times, our first responders, essential workers like those at JEA and medical staff have demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment. Their work is more than just a job – it’s a self-sacrificing calling that demands resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication. From ensuring our safety and health to keeping our city’s critical services running, they’ve become the backbone of our community. We owe them our deepest gratitude for their tireless efforts and heroic actions, which have brought hope and stability in moments of uncertainty. Thank you for all you do.

Afrika Wood

My feelings are echoed by my song, ‘Take me Down to Funky Riverside,’ written back in 2014. I describe the area as having a unique sense of place, where architecture, the business and art districts, as well as the gender diversity all come together as one. It is what makes this place so desirable.

Mike Bernos

After moving to Jacksonville, Florida nine months ago from New Jersey, I am most grateful for the warm and welcoming people of this vibrant city. The community has opened their heart and extended hands of friendship, helping me to establish myself both personally and professionally. The support I’ve received especially at Riverside Post Acute has been invaluable as I’ve transitioned into this new chapter of my life. The kindness and generosity of Jacksonville’s people have truly made it feel like home, and I am thankful for the connections I’ve made in this wonderful community.

Pam Montemurno

For 38 years, Mrs. Judy Bryan has been the heart of San Jose Episcopal Day School’s Fine Arts program. A parent of two generations of alumni and beloved art teacher, she inspires students to express themselves creatively while teaching art history and appreciation. Mrs. Bryan’s legacy includes the annual Nativity Set project, cherished by families across Jacksonville. Her classroom is alive with energy, color, and engagement. Mrs. Bryan’s passion, warmth and creativity have left an incredible mark on generations of students, and we are deeply thankful for her dedication to our school and community.

San Jose Episcopal School

I am grateful for the zoo because it offers a unique opportunity to connect with wildlife, fostering a love for animals and nature. It’s a place of learning and wonder, where children can experience the joy of seeing animals they might never encounter otherwise. The zoo inspires curiosity, teaches respect for the environment, and creates lasting memories for families. It also plays a crucial role in conservation, helping protect endangered species and educating the next generation about the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity. The happiness it brings to children is truly priceless.

Kellie Kelleher-Smith

I am grateful for my wonderful neighbors. The Riverside area is like a small haven of peace and tranquility and I have been truly blessed with wonderful people as neighbors. They care deeply about the Riverside community and the people who live there. They always go out of their way to check on each other and to be aware of those in need of any kind of support. We share our lives, our burdens, our moments of joy and also the stray cats who deign to allow us to take care of them (when they are in the mood). I love the feeling of living in a small town and knowing everyone.

Jila J. Mahajan

I’m proud to have grown up here. I’ve called a few different areas of the neighborhood home, but most of all I’m just proud to say that I’m a native of this area.

Martha Mead Ira

I’m glad to be where people appreciate the age old sentiment, borrowed from the sitcom ‘Cheers’ because ‘sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.’ In a time where things are so divided, it’s great that this neighborhood is a place where everyone comes together.

Sarah Bloom

At The Bolles School, the future is an early focus so students can develop the life skills of compassion, courage and integrity as a foundation of their character. Combined with a world-class education, students build relationships, experience different cultures and make friends for life.

Here, we honor traditions while looking forward to all the future holds.

Explore what Bolles has to offer by visiting www.Bolles.org or calling us at (904) 256-5030.

Bolles.org

Pre-K through Grade 12 Day & Boarding School ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

JU grant supports Climate Crisis Poetry Contest

A $10,000 Climate Innovation Challenge Grant from Jacksonville University supported a recent contest that used poetry and music to address climate issues.

Contest winners were:

• 1st place: Cameron Pickering, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

• 2nd place: Olivia Owens, Bolles School

• 3rd place: Alexander Bowen, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Organized by American Federation of Musicians Local 444 (Jacksonville), the contest sought to raise awareness about the issue of climate change through encouraging literacy, creativity and critical thinking among Duval County high school students. It also offered the opportunity for the winning student’s poem to be set to music and brought to life with a soundtrack commissioned from a professional composer and recorded by local musicians.

“Hardly a week goes by without some major climate-related news,” AFM Local 444 President Andy Bruck said. “Local 444 sought to inspire as many area high schoolers as possible to engage in this opportunity, and we are grateful to Jacksonville University’s grant.”

First Florida’s FSCJ sports sponsorship to include student athlete financial workshops

First Florida Credit Union has become the official sponsor for Florida State College of Jacksonville’s (FSCJ) varsity sports programs. The sponsorship will include offering financial literacy workshops specifically designed for student athletes.

First Florida is now a department-wide sponsor for all of FSCJ’s eight varsity sports programs and not only plans to strengthen the school’s athletic program, but also to equip the students with financial tools for life after sports.

“I don’t think there’s a more important time to emphasize financial health and education than when young adults are pursuing their education and entering the workforce,” said First Florida Credit Union CEO Brent Lister. “Student loan debt remains a significant issue in this country, so we aim to provide education.”

FSCJ President and CEO Dr. John Avendano agreed.

“Understanding how to put yourself in a strong financial position, maintain good financial health and navigate major investments like mortgages are things you learn over time,” he said. “The earlier you can start, the better it is for both the individual and their future.”

The Episcopal experience means learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our graduates Seek Understanding as lifelong learners; Develop a Sense of Self earned through challenge; Live with Honor and Purpose, choosing to lead, do good, and serve others; and Pursue a Life of Faith, in a way meaningful to them while respecting the dignity of every human being. Across our Four Pillars — Academics, Athletics, Fine Arts, and Spiritual Life — Episcopal students find their passions while shaping who, not what, they will become.

American Federation of Musicians Local 444 President Andy Bruck joins poetry contest winners Alexander Bowen (3rd place, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts), Olivia Owens (2nd pace, Bolles School), Cameron Pickering (1st place, Douglas Anderson) and CTI Marketing President Richard Cuff.

The First Florida Credit Union team joins FSCJ athletics representatives to celebrate FFCU’s sponsorship of the school’s eight varsity sports teams.

High school students participate in Junior Achievement’s ‘Take Stock in Your Future’ program

Students across Jacksonville marked National Economic Education Month in October by participating in Junior Achievement’s Take Stock in Your Future program.

Nearly 900 students at 16 high schools are using the hands-on curriculum to participate in stock market simulations, gaining a deeper understanding of business, economics, financial literacy and investing.

“The Stock Market Challenge is a unique way to bring business economics to life,” said Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida. “As students work in teams and make investment decisions, they begin to understand how every action they take impacts a company and their own future. It’s an exciting and immersive way to learn about finances, and we’re very excited to offer this opportunity to young people across our region.”

The program culminates Dec. 11 with the 3rd Annual JA Stock Market Challenge at EverBank Stadium, where top-performing teams from each participating school will compete in a live simulation, mimicking a real-life trading floor.

Armed with $1 million, each team will have a simulated 60-day period in which to trade, with each “day” lasting 60 sections. Students will make critical decisions to buy, sell, and trade stocks, gaining firsthand insight into how current events can impact stock market performance and success.

Following trading, the portfolios will be tallied and the winners announced.

Bishop Kenny recognized for AP student success

Bishop Kenny High School was recently named to the College Board’s 2024 Advanced Placement Program (AP) School Honor Roll for its AP programs which allow students to earn college credit and placement.

In addition to being named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll, Bishop Kenny also earned the board’s gold distinction. Each year, schools can earn the recognition based on the school’s “college-going culture.” The schools also must show they are maximizing their students’ college readiness.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our entire faculty, those who teach AP and those who prepare students to rise to the AP level, and to the perseverance of our students who devote themselves to both academic and personal growth through college-level

coursework,” said Bishop Kenney Principal Todd Orlando.

According to Bishop Kenny, 67% of seniors took at least one AP exam during high school, with 51% of the seniors scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. For the 2023-2024 school year, 83.29% of all Bishop Kenny AP students earned college credit, with at least one passing AP score out of 943 exams taken, according to the school. This year, the school has 411 students enrolled in at least one AP course, which accounts for nearly 40% of students in 10th through 12th grades.

“Schools that have earned this distinction are proof that it is possible to expand access to these college-level courses and still drive strong performance,” Bishop Kenny AP Program Head Trevor Packer said. “They represent the best of AP.”

Bolles 2024 Homecoming Sweethearts are Abby Bradley, Rylan Perales

The Bolles School Seniors Abby Bradley and Rylan Perales have been named the school’s 2024 Homecoming Sweethearts.

The Bolles upper students voted for their Homecoming Sweethearts, who were recognized at the September varsity game along with the entire homecoming court. The Bulldogs won their homecoming game with a 35-0 victory over Baldwin.

The Bolles School 2024 Homecoming Court,

who were nominated for their community service and activities, included: Bradley, Perales, Sofia Brieva, Selah Brown, Jack Camp, Jack Cox, Zoe Fineman, Lola Gendreau, Claire Hastings, Mack Hellman, Troy Holloway, Ava Kappaz, Isabella Lee, Tyrone Neal, Dhruv Pandya, Sarah Park, Kent Peyton, Davis Roberts, Cameron Sharp, Eve Surface, Emma Vasquez, Olivia Vohs and Reed Worley.

Jacksonville singers compete on The Voice

Cassidy Lee

Season 26 of “The Voice” was shaping up to be a battle of the Jacksonville singers, with two River City contestants competing on the popular NBC series.

Katie Ondrejicka – who goes by “Katie O” – secured a spot on coach Reba McEntire’s Team Reba Oct. 15 with her rendition of Lee Ann Rimes’ “One Way

Train.” She credits an open mic appearance at a Jacksonville Brucci’s when she was 10 to sparking her love of singing and performing.

That same evening, Cassidy Lee grabbed a spot on coach Michael Bublé’s Team Bublé singing Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good.” The frontwoman for a rock band called Annie Dukes, Lee appeared briefly on Season 18 of The Voice in 2020. Since then, she has performed on the Opry Stage and opened for ZZ Top.

In addition to McEntire and Bublé, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg will serve as celebrity coaches during the competition, which features five stages: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows.

During the Blind Auditions, the decisions the coaches make are based solely on voice and not looks, as the coaches build their teams of 14 artists. The coaches hear the artists perform without getting to see them, thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the artist’s voice, they push a button to select the artist for their team. If more than one coach pushes the button, the

power then shifts to the artists to choose the coach with whom they wish to work.

Once the teams are set, the battle is on. The coaches dedicate themselves to developing their team of artists, giving them advice and sharing the secrets of their success. During the Battle Rounds, the coaches will pit two of their own team members against each other to sing the same song together. After each vocal battle, the coach must choose which of their artists will advance to the next round of competition.

Also back this year are three-way Knockouts, where the artists are paired against two other teammates. The coaches will choose one winner out of the three, and the artists not selected will be available to be stolen by another coach.

Artists who survive the Knockouts will advance to the Playoffs, where the coaches each enlist a mentor to help advise their artists as they vie for a spot in the live shows.

Once the Live Performance shows begin, the top artists will compete against each other weekly during a live broadcast. This time, the television audience will vote to

save their favorite artists. America can save their favorite performer by voting on “The Voice” Official App or NBC.com. Those with the lowest number of votes will be sent home. At the end of the competition, one artist will be named “The Voice” and receive the grand prize of a recording contract. Katie O

Bolles Homecoming Sweethearts Rylan Perales and Abby Bradley

Art exhibits signal a city vibrating with creativity

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

La Florida: “the flowery one.” The mind’s eye conjures up artistic images of waving palms, colorful birds, vibrant flowers, sunny beaches. But award-winning artist and native Floridian Edward Walton Wilcox’s display at Touché Gallery takes the viewer on a fascinating journey through “The Dark Interior” of our state.

Using a limited sepia palette, Wilcox’s paintings have a surprising glow which invites us to linger and wander into each scene. Whether “Gator Harvesting, Lake George” or moseying down the “Shallow Channelway,” one experiences a haunting yet hopeful and quietly beautiful moment in the real Florida’s “Hiding Places.” The exhibit is up through Nov. 15.

Degas said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” As artists strive to reflect their world, their imaginations, philosophies and personal perspectives are revealed and interpreted through the thoughts and perceptions of the viewer. In contrast to the quiet journey of Wilcox’s work, the recent exhibit of Martha Brane’s “Happiness is Here” at Stellers Gallery in San Marco invites viewers “to embrace joy and beauty.”

Brane’s paintings of bluebirds, vibrate with color and joyful symbolism, are uplifting, happy, bright and a celebration of hope.

Another joyful and informative exhibit at Jacksonville Main Library is Aaron Mervin’s “Natural Nywele.” His stunning photographs celebrate hair as a statement of being comfortable in your own being. “Nywele” is Swahili for hair, and this heartwarming journey through the beauty and diversity of African American hairstyles is complemented with a narrative from each of the models, with personal accounts of embracing natural hair and celebrating self.

Mervin of Head Shots Studio said, “I get paid to make people smile.” This exhibit is certainly positive and smile worthy.

TAC Gallery attendees were wowed with the “View from My Window” display, which is up until Nov. 8. Leslie Kruzicki was awarded Best in Show, with Bill FitzGibbons and Patrick Harris earning Juror’s Choice awards.

The JAG “Express Yourself “reception at FSCJ was exciting and well attended, with Brenda Schwend taking Best of Show Award and Jami Childers, LuAnn Dunkinson and Leslie Kruzicki receiving Juror’s Choice recognition.

Fine Arts Forum guests were amazed at Wendy Sullivan’s eclectic and interesting assemblages. Sullivan gave a lively account

of her techniques for form and composition using found objects, both trash and treasures, for inspiration. Sullivan exhibits with several local art groups, including the Orange Park Art Guild, Jacksonville Artists’ Guild and Fem Arts.

Ever upbeat, Leigh Fogle is closing Creative Exchange Gallery in December to concentrate on other ventures (at least for the time being.) Nice send off at Art Walk, as people dropped by the gallery to visit.

Another intriguing show with the amazing, beyond-photorealistic works of nationally acclaimed artist Diane Fraser was at her studio at Paul Bremer’s eclectic place at 726 Dellwood. You’ve never seen a pear, peach, a glass or a shell until you see Fraser’s renditions. Her artfully created wooden furniture, with hidden treasures of paintings inside a drawer or on the front, inspired ooohs and ahhhs. Several of her former students, accomplished artists in their own right, were in attendance.

Riverside was rocking during the RAP Music Tour. There was dancin’ and singin’ and groovin’ to the music in many locations, from talented bands, local musicians, music historians and an exhibit by the Jacksonville Historical Society celebrating The Bold City’s rich music history. October’s bright blue weather contributed to the overall upbeat vibe as people walked, biked or pushed strollers from venue to venue to enjoy the day. And what a day it was!

Florida Ballet’s production of “Dracula” at the Florida Theatre was a dramatic and technically superior performance under Artistic Director Roberto Forleo. Founders Laurie PicinichByrd and Michael Byrd would be so proud of the development of this professional company since its inception in 1978. Check out upcoming programs at floridaballet.org

On a sad note, nationally renowned artist Dennis Campay has passed on. Campay, represented by Stellers Gallery, divided his time between Atlanta and Jacksonville and is represented in numerous museums and private collections; his work is described as having a “Southern ethos with urban elegance. Life’s moments in progress.” Ray Minor from Reddi Arts recalls him as a “sweet guy who loved his art and his wife. He was always wisecracking, upbeat and friendly. Always looking for new products and materials to experiment with.” Sadly, Campay’s moments in this life are no more, but his creativity lives on. Jacksonville vibrates with creativity, and there’s more to come during our Hallowthankamus season with the

There is always something going on around town

engage our

enlighten our sensibilities, entertain and uplift our spirits. It’s Fall, y’all. Enjoy!

Sat.-Wed., Nov. 9-13

BRAject 2024 Art Exhibit: ArtRageous Bras for a Cause First Coast Cultural Center | 5:30-7:30 p.m. PinkRibbonJax.org

Sun., Nov. 17

Dedication of life size statue of Harriet Beecher Stowe created by sculptor Brenda Councill. Free to the public. Mandarin Museum, Walter Jones Historic Park | 3 p.m. Fri., Nov. 22

Friday Musicale – Candlelight Concert: Music of Queen fridaymusicale-candlelight.com

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 23-24

David Engdahl’s Annual Show and Sale and Studio Tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | www.davidengdahl.com

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 23-24

CORK Open Studios Noon to 6 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 23

Art Center Open Studios 1 to 6 p.m.

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 30 - Dec. 1

26th Anniversary San Marco Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you know of an upcoming event or accolade that helps pump the rhythmic Artbeat of Jacksonville? Send the announcement to us at editor@residentnews.net for consideration in TheBeatGoesOn

Martha Brane

arrival

of Santa at the 26th annual San Marco Art Festival Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Can’t miss that!

to

perceptions,

Edward Walton Wilcox with gallery Director Kevin Calloway Jami Childers

Diane Fraser Arvid Smith and Darren Ronan

Wendy Sullivan

Brenda Schwend, Dustin Harwood and Dawn Montgomery

Cultural Council’s Arts Awards celebrate innovation

By Jennifer Logue

Jacksonville’s arts and cultural community celebrated some of its most respected members last month, when the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville hosted the 47th Annual Arts Awards.

Held Oct. 4 at the Florida Blue Conference Center, the ceremony not only recognized individual artists and organizations, but also spotlighted the intersection of artistic innovation and community investment.

“When we talk about the future of the (Jaguars) stadium, when we talk about the future of autonomous vehicles, it doesn’t happen without the artist,” Cultural Council Executive Director Diana Donovan said. “It doesn’t happen without the creative entrepreneurs, without some people making something out of nothing.

“We stand at a crossroads of innovation and investment in our city, and it is our bold belief that culture is the unstoppable force that drives progress,” Donovan continued. “The arts are not a luxury: they are a pulse and an indicator of how healthy a city is.”

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Arts Awards recognizing both individuals and organizations whose creative contributions have made a positive impact on the local community. Recipients of this year’s awards included:

Arts Educator Award: Amanda Holloway – An art teacher in the Duval County schools for more than a decade, Holloway is a Jacksonville native who seeks to instill her love for the arts in her students.

Small Business of the Year Award: The Walrus – Located in Murray Hill, The Walrus is a music venue, vegan restaurant and bar that hosts numerous events for the LGBTQ community, including a yearly pride festival. The venue also creates opportunities for local artisans to sell their goods and merchandise.

Robert Arleigh White Advocacy Award: Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood – As program director for The Performers Academy of Jacksonville, Wharwood has become a catalyst for empowering local performers. Her contributions to the local arts community include founding Artis(Tree) Live and The Closet Jax and serving as co-founder of The Cypher Open Mic Poetry & Soul.

Helen Lane Founders Award: Jason Peoples – The executive director of the Jacksonville Arts & Music School, Peoples draws on his service in the U.S. Army to combine arts education with social-emotional learning, empowering future creative leaders.

Art Innovator Award: David Luckin – As music director and radio host for WJCT, Luckin brings his lifelong passion for music to local listeners through programs such as “Electro Lounge” and “Route 66.”

Art of Giving Award: Carol Grimes – A member of the board of directors for Lumen Repertory Theatre, Grimes was also a founding board member of the former Phase 8 Theatre. She has dedicated her post-retirement volunteerism to supporting the arts.

Corporate Business of the Year Award: PNC Bank – In 2023, PNC contributed more than $250,000 to North Florida arts organizations, including support of the cultural council, Cathedra Arts Project, Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, Jacksonville Symphony, Museum of Contemporary Art and more.

Community Impact Award: John Silveira – As manager of the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), Silveira draws on his nearly two decades of experience operating certified farmers’ markets in the San Francisco Bay area. His efforts to curate the market and assist farmers and vendors have transformed a local event into a vibrant cultural hub for the wider community.

Bold City Opera Blackbeard’s Castle brought to life in historic Riverside church

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Jacksonville’s Bold City Opera (BCO) successfully opened its second season last month, with Oct. 25-26 performances of Bluebeard’s Castle in the castle-like interior of Riverside Church at Park and King.

The psychological drama by Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, with a libretto by his friend, the poet Bela Balazs, is Bartok’s interpretation of Charles Perrault’s fairy tale about a murderous man named Bluebeard. Bluebeard’s Castle is the only opera the renowned composer ever created and is considered his masterpiece.

BCO’s performances are created to thrill opera fans, and those of all ages and backgrounds who may not have experienced live musical performances. Goals are to keep locally trained singers and musicians here by providing paid and volunteer opportunities. These emerging artists include stage and production hands, scenic artists and designers, lighting, sound and costuming creatives.

The company’s one-act operas sung in English last approximately 60 to 90 minutes and offer an immersive audience experience. Programming presents a musically excellent introduction to opera while expanding access through free or reasonably priced, ticketed shows, including sensory-adapted performances.

Sharing a dream, doing the work and watching it grow is a powerful testament to the motivation of BCO co-founders Avondale soprano Christine Alfano and Palatka native Brandon Michael Smith. The two colleagues and musical professionals successfully formed the nonprofit Bold City Opera in late 2022. BCO’s volunteer staff of musicians and singers are equally dedicated to presenting cutting-edge opera in Northeast Florida.

Jacksonville native Afrika Wood, a classically trained soprano and BCO board member, supports the nonprofit because of its focus on connecting with school-aged children, teens and people of all ages and backgrounds. Despite her city government career, Wood says her time promoting BCO is a labor of love because she personally knows how music can change people’s lives.

“I grew up in poverty, but my parents sang in church and my mother encouraged me to sing and listen to all kinds of music,” Wood said. “I will never forget that in the 5th grade, I saw a real opera singer perform when the Jacksonville Symphony used to bring in professional opera companies. School children attended for free, which changed my life.”

Alfano is passionate about providing musical education to school children and the art form that fuels her operatic soprano career. She completed degrees in music and Italian at Florida State University and her Master of Music from the University of Tennessee College of Music in 2022. In addition to performing across Florida and the nation, she has performed in Vienna, Austria with the Vienna Summer Music Festival since 2021. Blackbeard’s Castle was her directorial debut.

BCO Co-Founder Smith remembers the first time he heard professional opera and its powerful impact on him. His musical journey led him to become a conductor, music director/producer, teacher, pianist, organist, baritone soloist and San Jose Episcopal Church director of music. He has diverse theatrical experience and has performed as a substitute keyboardist for multiple national and international tours, including Wicked, Moulin Rouge, The Barber of Seville and Peter Pan

The next opportunity to see Bold City Opera will be the 2025 double-bill performances of Another Sunrise and For a Look or a Touch. These two profound one-act American operas recall the firsthand experiences of two Holocaust survivors. Performances will premiere downtown at St. John’s Cathedral, Taliaferro Hall, on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m., lasting approximately 90 minutes.

BCO Co-Founders Christine Alfano and Brandon Michael Smith offer volunteer and internship opportunities at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

Mezzosoprano Victoria Isernia is Judith and baritone John Tibbets is Duke Bluebeard in Bluebeard’s Castle.

Amanda Holloway

John Silveira

Carol Grimes Jason Peoples David Luckin

Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood

The Walrus

Photography exhibit showcases beauty of natural Black hair

Jacksonville’s downtown spilled over with creativity during the First Wednesday Art Walk Oct. 2, and the third floor of the Main Library was no exception. As crowds swelled and spilled out of James Weldon Johnson Park, local photographer Aaron Mervin was rolling out a reception for his photography exhibit dedicated to the natural hair of the Black culture.

Titled “Natural Nywele,” Mervin’s exploration of culturally engrained styles from heritage and tradition in natural hair styles showcased afros and braids as well as

dreadlocks and styles that inspire inquiry and fascination.

“What I wanted to do for African Americans…and people outside of our culture, is to show our hair in a setting like this,” Mervin said. “I wanted the hair to be seen in an art setting, so we can see how beautiful our hair is.”

As part of his inspiration, Mervin wanted to silence misunderstanding and give people a public opportunity to observe without staring.

“When you’re out on the street, it’s fascinating to see hair, unique and different styles, but it’s not polite to stare,”

he said. “So, this exhibit provides people an opportunity to learn, enjoy and take in the differences of hair styles within the Black culture in the appropriate setting.”

Mervin also appreciates it when people embrace their hair, and don’t cover it up or use chemical straighteners or “fake” hair. He despises artificial braids and extensions sent from overseas to be used in some of today’s modern looks.

Mervin’s work was on display through Oct. 25 and was a follow-up of more work from the exhibit’s 2019 debut at the Ritz Theatre.

RAP hosts inaugural Music Tour Event offers walk through Jacksonville’s musical history

Jacksonville’s rich musical and cultural heritage was celebrated last month, when Riverside Avondale Preservation hosted its inaugural Music Tour.

Held Oct. 12, the event featured more than a dozen performers sharing their talents on eight stages scattered across Riverside, with Willobranch Park serving as the focal point. Despite occurring just days after Hurricane Milton tore across Florida, the event enjoyed sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, as residents enjoyed intimate concerts in homes, parks and businesses by acts such as The Curt Towne Band, The Kimballs, Dyer Davis Group and more. The tour also featured exhibits of music memorabilia, a silent disco and a special exhibit by the Jacksonville History Center.

Inspired by the annual Tour of Homes, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the Music Tour offered a walkable journey through Riverside, with attendees receiving a program and route to discover the neighborhood’s musical roots.

Patrons approach a plein air painter at the Green House, one of the tour stops.

Nanette Reisch with Caroline Busker, Jay Brown and Teri Gonzalez

Zack Malcomb with Oliver, Olsen and Mckyla Malcolmb

Wanda Fishalow with Debra Roux and Val Fournier

Aaron Mervin thanks his wife, Katrina, for her support on all his artistic pursuits and photography projects.

Felicia Wright with Marquetta Knight, artist and photographer Aaron Mervin, Teri Ketchum, Michelle Morin Harris and Shemika Francis

Sarah Theodore with Teri Ketchum

Nadine and Willy Carswell with Charles Griggs and Linwood Marshall

Lucy Fannin with Hannah Wells and Emma Cooper Paul Bradway with Brent Fine, Tiffany Bradway, Stephanie Patton and Trevor Host

The Kimballs entertained on the Green House porch with bluegrass strumming and string picking.

Preston Gray solo show debuts at Stellers Gallery

Artist Preston Gray displayed his work in the solo show Color Geometric, which made its debut Oct. 24 in Historic Avondale. Friends, family and invited guests viewed the geometric pieces displayed around the gallery adjoining the Southern Grounds & Company coffee house, where wine and appetizers were served for the exhibit premiere.

Havana Nights event benefits Healing Hearts Project

The Healing Hearts Project hosted its 7th Annual Pour Your Heart Out: Havana Nights Oct. 19, benefiting families impacted by Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). Held at the St. John Event Center, the event began with a cocktail hour accompanied by live Cuban music, wine pairings and Cuban-style cocktails. Along with silent auction items and other games, guests were treated to a Heart Warrior family speaker who shared their

treated locally in the pediatric cardiac ICU.

Tom Hager with Jane Gray

Missy Riley and Lynne Matson

Nick and Brittany Marvin

Longtime supporters Jim and Dana Nolan of Avondale

Healing Hearts board members Leah Miller, Nicole Garrett, Brittany Marvin, Donya Marshall, Liz Page, Kellie Yost and Executive Director Joy Parman

Preserve

your

precious legacy for future generations

Memory Lane helps to put a bow on your video and keepsakes

Regent Ducas is in the preservation business. He doesn’t preserve buildings or artwork; he preserves family legacies.

Regent is the owner-operator of Memory Lane, Jacksonville’s “largest video transfer and conversion studio.” For more than three decades, he has helped families preserve cherished memories captured on outdated media formats through digitization, either on to Thumb Drives or DVD’s.

As a local brick-and-mortar shop, Memory Lane offers its clients a customizable, personal experience: Rather than boxing up and shipping off priceless — and delicate — photographs, tapes or film,

to a remote location, clients can simply bring them to Regent at his Baymeadows location, ensuring their precious cargo is safe and sound and in competent, caring hands.

“We really take the time to curate people’s histories,” Regent said. “We take that responsibility to heart.”

All transfer and conversion work is completed in-house and clients have the opportunity to review their footage before it’s transferred and can request customizations to their order, at additional charges, including adding music to a slideshow or transferring specific sections from VHS tapes.

Regent’s work is not limited to photographs or visual media: He is able to transfer audio from old LPs, cassettes and reel-to-reel tapes allowing his clients to hear voices, stories or songs that would have otherwise been lost to time or relegated only to memories.

Memory Lane can convert and digitize virtually any media format including: VHS,

VHS-C, Hi-8, MiniDV, DVD, 8 and 16 mm film, slides and photographs.

Regent’s careful attention and dedication to his work has helped him build special relationships with his clients and their testimonials speak to the quality of his work.

David Voss of Atlantic Beach shared touching words about his experience with Memory Lane:

“There’s nothing like sacred memories. We surprised my mother on her 80th birthday by flying friends and family members to Sarasota and hosting a party at the community center. It was a grand event, videotaped by an old VHS recorder. Over 20 years later, long after my mother passed away, I asked Regent Ducas, owner of Memory Lane, to digitize this priceless video and transfer to flash drives, which I gave to my brothers and children for Christmas. Now we all have it forever.”

St. Johns resident Brad Ostiguy also shared a testimonial about the work he requested of Memory Lane:

“I was thrilled when I heard that a company like Memory Lane existed here in Jacksonville. They converted all of our VHS tapes (38 of them) to a USB flash drive. What a treat to be able to share the memories with all my kids, we had duplicate flash drives made and gave them as gifts! Great job Memory Lane, highly recommend their service.”

As the only shop of its kind in Northeast Florida, Memory Lane clients from both near and far seek their services. Every customer is guaranteed to receive the same top tier service and devotion to their priceless family memories entrusted to Regent’s care.

Old photographs, tapes and film can fall victim to weather, humidity, fire or simply the passage of time; entrusting Memory Lane to digitize them will ensure they’ll live on in a digital format to be enjoyed by and passed down to new generations.

Memory Lane is located at 8431 Baymeadows Way. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

You can reach Regent and his staff at (904) 730-9999 or info@memorylanejacksonville.com or visit www.memorylanejacksonville.com for more information.

Ashley and Matson Coxe took time between poker hands for a photo.

Bill Hamilton plays his hand, as (right) Megan

Tracy

L’Arche Jacksonville helps adults with disabilities share their gifts

Mallory Koch recalls the first time she walked through the door of a L’Arche community home.

“The core members all came over to me and said, ‘Here, come sit with us, have something to eat,’” said Koch, now the community engagement and marketing coordinator for L’Arche Jacksonville. “There was no hesitation.”

“Core members” is how L’Arche refers to the adults with intellectual disabilities who live in their group homes. Founded in France in the 1960s as a response to the poor institutionalized treatment disabled individuals had received, L’Arche eventually expanded to nearly 40 countries around the world.

But “group home” really doesn’t capture the essence of L’Arche, Koch said, noting that the staff assistants who reside in L’Arche homes build true, lasting relationships with the core members.

“It goes a lot deeper,” she said. “We consider our core members to be our friends.”

Currently, L’Arche Jacksonville operates three homes, each with four or five core members from age 40 to 80 who reside with staff who provide assistance with daily living.

“We walk with them as they’re aging,” Koch said. “We are a community. We share the good and the bad, the ebbs and flows.”

On a typical day, core members will rise, take their medications and have breakfast together with their on-site L’Arche assistants.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will then attend “Rainbow Workshop,” where they participate in a myriad of art projects.

“They do ceramics, mosaics, painting –some are learning to sew,” Koch said.

From 3 to 5 p.m., residents relax before enjoying dinner together, with core members

assisting in its preparation as they are able.

“We eat dinner together, talk about their day and what we’ll be doing this weekend,” said Koch, who has lived in two L’Arche homes.

Core members also participate in L’Arche community events, celebrations and outings.

“Life doesn’t stop as they age,” Koch said.

“We encourage them to try new things. If they want to take a trip, we try to make that happen.”

Sharing gifts

A spiritual community that welcomes residents of all faiths, L’Arche actively encourages core members to express their unique personalities.

Viva, for example, is a core member who loves to dance and will greet first-time guests with a hug. “She’ll be the first one to tell you about herself and her day,” Koch said. “But she’ll also be really curious about you, too.”

Jeffrey, meanwhile, is a 62-year-old core member with Down syndrome. He’ll invite you to call him “Uncle Jeff.”

“Jeff is so fun – and he’s an incredible artist,” said Koch, noting that she had one of his pieces tattooed on her arm. “Inclusion is a priority of our mission. What’s great about L’Arche is that everyone is different: Some of our friends like to sing Christmas songs in July – and that’s okay! At L’Arche, everyone is encouraged to share their gifts.”

To that end, L’Arche Jacksonville holds an annual Holiday Extravaganza, whereby core members display and sell the art they create during Rainbow Workshop.

“They are the rock stars of the event,” Koch said.

Open to the public, this year’s Holiday Extravaganza will be held from 11 a.m. .to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at 7116 Owl Ridge Lane in Arlington.

Core members may also participate in the community’s annual Living Nativity and celebrate the holidays with their housemates.

“These are my friends,” Koch said simply. “I love them for who they are, and they encourage us (staff) to be ourselves as well. It’s incredibly special.”

Viva and Mallory

Viva makes a long putt at the 34th Golf Tournament

Jeff and Mallory

THE WAY WE WERE

A century in Jacksonville Florence Joseph Belloit

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

When Olivia Daley created the YouTube video “The Past Century of Jacksonville through My Grandmother’s Eyes” as part of a college assignment, she contributed not just a personal family story but a significant journey through Jacksonville’s Riverside and revisited historical connections to remarkable world events.

Florence Joseph Belloit was born Sept. 15, 1924, at her parents’ home on Hogan Street, as she explained, “near where the city hall is now.” She was number six in a family of five daughters and three sons born to loving parents, both of whom had been born in Syria but met in Jacksonville. She recalls a happy childhood with lots of play with her siblings and a dog named Jeep, “a good sweet, dog” who used to come meet the kids as they came home from school.

She attended Annie Lytle Elementary School, John Gorrie Junior High and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1942. She loved school and was good in math, which later helped in many ways during her lifetime. She laughed as she recalled taking four years of Spanish from the legendary Lee teacher Mrs. Rivera, but “can’t speak a word of it.” Interestingly, her son Nick Belloit later took Spanish under the tutelage of Mrs. Rivera when he and his sisters, Bebe and Pam, went to the same high school.

“Daddy owned a grocery store on Hogan Street, and we lived upstairs,” Belloit recalled. She enjoyed playing in the store, waiting on customers, and ringing up sales on the old-fashioned cash register at the Joseph’s Grocery Store.

The Josephs were family friends with the Belloits – so close, in fact, that the Belloits were addressed as “Aunt” and “Uncle.” As fate would have it, Florence’s friendship with Nelson Belloit who was seven years older than she, would progress to dating for around six months, then a marriage proposal.

“I grew up and he got older,” she remarked in her cheerfully teasing way. “He gave me a ring. I just said, ‘YES!’ But, no, he did not get down on one knee.”

When asked if he was a handsome fellow, she gave a resounding, “Uh HUH!”

Before the engagement and wedding, Florence and her sisters enjoyed socializing and going to USO dances at the YMCA.

“Nelson liked to dance but he wasn’t very good at it,” she said. Her favorite song, “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey, is from the Big Band era of elegance and romance and was on the Hit Music Chart in 1942. The lyrics refer to someone “getting the guys in a whirl” and photos of Florence from her young adulthood show a woman with movie star beauty and appeal.

She worked in accounting at NAS Jax, then later in the accounting department at Bell South. After her engagement, she stopped working outside the home.

“My daddy said, ‘When you get married, you don’t need to work,’ so as soon as I got engaged, I put in my notice and quit.”

Florence and Nelson were married on May 29, 1949, at The Jacksonville Woman’s Club on Riverside Avenue (also, where each of her children were married). She wore a gown from Purcell’s, Jacksonville’s premier clothing store at the time. After a honeymoon in Asheville, North Carolina, the couple moved to a brick house on Ingleside where they raised their children and where Belloit has lived for 74 years.

Florence Joseph Belloit

Florence and Nelson Belloit

A young Belloit at the beach

After the end of the war, Nelson – who had been arrested as a conscientious objector and sentenced to five years in prison because of his Jehovah’s Witness religious beliefs – had his sentence reduced to two years and nine months. Following in his parent’s footsteps (they had a grocery on St. Johns Avenue), he opened King Street Grocery and Market with his brother Johnny and operated there for 40 years. Nelson died in 2001 but was active in the Jehovah’s Witnesses for 64 years and an elder in the Avondale Congregation. When asked what she would like to do if she could go back in time, Belloit said she would like to be with her husband and go on a trip to California, where they had gone years ago.

A strength of faith is evident in this household of laughter, kindness, and warmth. The Belloit’s children, Nick Belloit (Diane), Bebe (Skip Oliver) and Pam (Tim Daley) are devoted to their mother, and her grandchildren – Olivia Daley and Chad and Liza Oliver – honor their grandmother, called “Seto” – Lebanese for grandmother.

“Seto is my best friend,” Daley stated. “She is loving, kindhearted. You can go to her for anything.”

“A good person. “Gracious.” A good neighbor.” A great cook – especially Lebanese food.” These are just some of the terms used by her children to describe their esteemed mother. Belloit is proud of her children and their accomplishments,

mentioning that Nick is a mathematics professor. No wonder with her great math genes and the family’s history of merchandising. And Bebe’s artistic skills are on display throughout the home. Pam remarked that her mother had artistic skills and had wanted to be an architect.

Belloit relates the fascinating story of her aunt and uncle – age 10 and 12 at the time – boarding the Titanic alone after her grandfather was kept in Marseilles, France since he failed the passage test due to his hearing loss. They would not have survived without the amazing sacrifice of John Jacob Astor. Let her tell you the story on YouTube. “The Past Century of Jacksonville Through My Grandmother’s Eyes.”

At age 100, Florence Joseph Belloit is beautiful, witty, loving and a joy to her family and friends. The scripture Proverbs 31:26 seems a fitting tribute: “She opens her mouth in wisdom. The law of kindness is on her tongue.”

Happy 100th birthday, Jackie Wilson!

For Jacksonville resident Jackie Wilson, watching this summer’s Paris Olympics and Paralympics held special meaning. Wilson – who turned 100 on Sept. 23 and lives at Riverside Post Acute – was born in France’s City of Light. It is where she became a seamstress to some of Paris’ top designers, met the love of her life and future husband during World War II, and was forced to make parachutes for the Germans before escaping.

“I could listen to Jackie’s stories all day of working in fashion in Paris and of surviving the hardships of wartime; it is truly like a history lesson,” said Riverside’s Pam Montemurno, regional director of business development.

The Jacksonville skilled nursing facility hosted a celebration for Wilson’s milestone birthday, feting the centenarian alongside family and friends.

When asked the secret to longevity, Wilson agrees that good genes play a key role – her cousin lived to 105 years old! – and is a firm believer in prayer,

positivity and love in your heart. She also cites the importance of surrounding yourself with friends and family.

Wilson was married to her late husband, Donald, for 67 years. After meeting during the war, the lovebirds corresponded for two years before she took his hand in marriage. She immigrated to the United States and became a citizen. Mom to her beloved daughter, Maryanne, Wilson is the proud grandmother of two, with five great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren.

At Riverside, where she has resided since 2020, Wilson enjoys joining in socials and participating in arts and crafts programs, especially painting. The centenarian also loves the center’s musical events of all varieties.

“Jackie is an absolute delight,” added Riverside’s Sheila Meek, life enrichment director. “She brings the party wherever she goes!”

Correction: The October Way We Were column on Joseph Stokes featured an incorrect wedding photo. TheResident regrets the error.

25,078

Jackie Wilson, a resident of Riverside Post Acute, recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Florence and Nelson Belloit on their wedding day.

ANIMAL HOUSE

At Ronald McDonald House, therapy dogs are just what the doctor ordered

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Therapy dogs from the Tri-State Canine Response Team may be just what the doctor ordered for critically ill or injured children and their families who stay at the nonprofit Ronald McDonald House.

Located in San Marco, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Jacksonville is dedicated to enhancing the overall health and well-being of critically ill or injured children by providing their lodging, meals, transportation and comforts of home so that they can focus on healing.

“We provide services to children and families in Jacksonville, from St. Augustine and other local and regional locations,” RMHC CEO Joey Leik said. “Some families lack dependable transportation or must attend daily appointments – a challenge in a city

the size of Jacksonville. They need to stay at RMHC, near their medical providers.”

No matter how difficult or long their pediatric medical treatment takes, Leik said, the certified therapy dog teams bring healing comfort and silent support.

“Our guests could be here for a few days, weeks or months… it’s important that we create a normal, home-like environment,” she said. “Many have left their beloved pet behind, which is difficult when they are dealing with illness or injury plus medical treatments, procedures or surgery that may be unpleasant, painful and exhausting. Seeing the reactions to the therapy dogs is incredible to watch.”

Leik said Tri-State Canine Response Team volunteers jumped at the chance to visit the guests, who depend on RMHC’s free accommodations directly across the street

from both Baptist Hospital and the nationally renowned Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Other healthcare partners include Brooks Rehabilitation, Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, University of Florida (UF) Health, UF Health Cancer Center Jacksonville, and UF Health Pediatric Proton Therapy Institute.

“Tri-State has accommodated the specific needs of these children, their families and our staff,” Leik said. “Most volunteer activities happen during the day, but our guests are busy all day at appointments and seeing their doctors, so the therapy dog teams visit in the early evenings.”

The original Tri-State Canine Response Team was founded in 2015 by mental health professional and advocate Janice Campbell to serve New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Today, 100 canine/handler teams operate in eight states.

Tri-State Canine Response also provides certified, trained handler/dog teams for community visits and crisis response emergencies. Tri-State teams can recognize and respond to mild, moderate and severe emotional disturbance; the dogs often can interact with patients when all else fails. They also provide comfort and a stabilizing presence that helps patients cope with fear, pain or trauma, according to Daniela Terrosi, Tri-State’s Florida volunteer coordinator and trainer. Terrosi’s therapy dogs are Diego – an English black labrador retriever – and Roo, a tiny tripod rescue pit bull.

Teri Rawitt, team member and owner of therapy dog Winston, noted that the allvolunteer Tri-State Canine Response Team also visits college students and staff, veterans’ facilities, libraries and schools and remain oncall for emergencies and natural disasters.

Gold Retriever Rhee and a new friend

English Black Labrador Retriever Diego Fozzie Bear

Goldendoodle Winston

Tripod rescue pit bull Roo

Both Leik and Rawitt say that families of all nationalities travel long distances or across the world to bring their children to Jacksonville for pediatric cancer and other medical care. Jacksonville’s cluster of top-ranked, internationally recognized healthcare treatment centers for general pediatrics, pediatric radiation oncology and proton therapy is unsurpassed.

RMHC Jacksonville has worked to create a caring community for more than 42,000 families for 35 years. Its mission is made possible through the dedication of staff, volunteers, community partners and donors. In 2023 alone, the Jacksonville facility served 1,440 families, providing 11,027 night stays and 29,200 meals.

The nonprofit needs donors, fundraisers, corporate partners, volunteer individuals, clubs and community groups

for various volunteer tasks with free training. Visit their website to see ways to help, including Amazon and Target wish lists. All donations must be new, unused items to protect the immune-compromised children. There is an immediate need for French translators and many other languages, because guests arrive from countries worldwide, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain and Africa.

Resources

Ronald McDonald House Charities Jacksonville 824 Children’s Way | 32207 | (904) 807-4663 rmhcjacksonville.org

YouTube Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville – videos. Tri-State Canine Response Team | tri-statecanineresponse.org

Old dog- new tricks

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

Perhaps one cannot teach an old dog new tricks, but long-lived Mr. Arnold, a 24-year-old poodle mix, could perhaps teach his new master a few tricks of his own. Currently a rescue, this adorable pooch is in amazingly good health (despite a bit of arthritis and no teeth) and looking for a forever home.

Rescued this year living by a dumpster in Clay County, Arnold was chipped in 2009, and at that time he was determined to be at least 10 years old. The old gentleman is in the care of foster mom Rose Williams in Avondale. She hopes a nice, retired gentleman or couple will take the dear old fellow to his forever home for his golden years.

Arnold has excellent manners, is loving and adorable. Check him out on the FAWNS website: www.Fawnssmalldogrescue.org You and he could apply for oldest dog status through Guiness Book of Records, where he currently rivals Lily in Italy and Spike, a chihuahua in Ohio as the world’s oldest living dogs!

ACPS Adoptable Dogs

The following animals are available for foster or adoption from Animal Care and Protective Services. Located at 202 Forest St., the ACPS adoption center is open noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. See all adoptable animals at: Jacksonvillegov/pets

Luther (A1447547): Luther is a handsome, white 1-year-old neutered, mixed breed dog who is heartwormnegative and weighs 27 pounds. Found by a good Samaritan on the corner of a busy intersection, he was nervous and dirty, with scabbed-over wounds. Since then, he has blossomed to enjoy walks with volunteers and play group with other dogs. Luther is still a young dog and is at the perfect age to bond with a new family.

Nimbus (A1441629): Nimbus is a 1 ½-year-old neutered mixed breed dog who is about 60 pounds and heartworm negative. This special dog with ears that seem to be praying has quite a comeback story: After arriving as an emergency case – severely dehydrated, emaciated and unable to lift his head, move or blink – Nimbus now enjoys exploring Jacksonville with volunteers. He can’t wait to meet his new family.

Black Labrador Retriever Dewey

Mr. Arnold.

Smooth Collie Trooper gets a hug.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

CEO Joey Leik (left) with Birthday Boy Winston and owner Teri Rawitt

Luther Nimbus

Toast to the Animals benefits JHS Medical Fund

EverBank Stadium was the setting for the 26th Annual Toast to the Animals gala to benefit the Jacksonville Humane Society’s Medical Fund.

Animal lovers enjoyed small plates and desserts from more than a dozen local restaurants along with live and silent auctions at the Oct. 4 event, which honored the Jaguars Foundation and its vice president, Peter Racine.

Mediate wins Constellation Furyk & Friends golf tournament

Scattered showers didn’t dampen the spirits of the spectators at the 2024 Constellation Furyk & Friends golf tournament, held Sept. 30-Oct. 6 at Timuquana Country Club.

Despite brief rain delays to clear standing water from the greens, guests enjoyed watching 61-year-old Rocco Mediate take the title after a two-hole playoff with Bob Estes in a field that included David Duval, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen. It was Mediate’s first PGA TOUR Champions victory since 2019 and his fifth since joining the tour more than a decade ago.

Spectators, meanwhile, capitalized on the tournament’s many locations for viewing and socializing, including the Circle K ParTee Porch, North Florida Sales Beer Garden and Tailgate Village.

Julie and Tom Davis with Catherine Nichols and Maggie Fickling Van Bopf with his dad R.J. and grandfather Ray Bopf Jr.

Jake Gordon, Tom Bentz, Jenny Busby and Patrick Krechowski

Jennifer Levinson, Kate McCoy, Laura Hodge and Lyssa Ball

Brian and Meaghan Smith with Emily and Charlie Colyer

John Daly fills out his score card as observers look on from the stands during the Opening Round of the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament.

Greg and Isabel Pease

Ben Kingsbury and Vanessa Seidl

Chris and Cindy Machenberg

Kevin and Cindy Feeley

LOCAL FOLKS

From patron to owner: Edge City’s Laura Croft

By Michele Leivas

With a love for the eclectic and offbeat, Laura Croft fits right into the Five Points community, where she and her mother, Cheryl Croft, are the new owners at Edge City boutique.

The mother-daughter duo stepped in at the neighborhood’s iconic boutique when the equally iconic Gunnel Humphreys decided it was time to retire and pass the baton to someone new. Humphreys had owned Edge City with her partner, Tom McCleery, for nearly 50 years. Croft recalled shopping at Edge City as a teenager and later, as a young adult in her 20s. Edge City was the spot to shop if you wanted to find something fun and different that not everyone else would have, she said.

Despite being born and raised in Jacksonville, Croft’s path to small business ownership led to places beyond the Bold City and through several different careers along the way, from modeling to law school.

“I must be a cat,” Croft joked. “I don’t know what life I’m on.”

Croft attended Flagler College after graduating from Ed White High School. The moment she finished her last college final, Croft said, she hopped on a plane to Las Vegas, where she lived for seven years. It was in Las Vegas that she completed a prep course and took her LSAT exam for law school and scored high enough to apply to several law schools.

In 2015, she decided it was time to come home and live with family in Jacksonville while she took courses at Florida Coastal School of Law. Croft quickly realized, however, that a career as a lawyer was not where her passion lay, though she did obtain a paralegal certification to work as a legal assistant. Throughout that time, Croft continued to visit and shop at Edge City.

“I had mentioned to Gunnel that if she was ever going to sell or something to please let me know,” Croft said.

Indeed, one day the former boutique owner inquired after Croft with her mother to see how she was doing. She wanted to know if Croft was happy.

“My mom said no, and we were in talks about [taking over ownership of Edge City] and then it was presented to me,” Croft said. “And of course I wanted to do it.”

Croft works at Edge City five days a week and explores the other Five Points businesses when she has time. Brew Five Points is her go-to coffee spot, just across the street from Edge City. Working with her mother has been a good experience.

“We kind of balance each other out,” Croft said.

While the store caters to a broad spectrum of clientele, Croft is also working to incorporate more youthful items at a slightly lower price point for young women who are searching for unique outfits but may not have the expendable income to spend on high-end fashion. Through all of this, Croft said, Edge City will maintain its dedication to offering quality, well-made items that look good and will hold up over time. Croft still has items she purchased from Edge City

when she was in high school.

“I would see Gunnel and be wearing something from [Edge City] and she’d be like, ‘Where did you get that?’ And I’d say, ‘From you.’”

Today, Croft’s life is more slow-paced than it was in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, where she’d done modeling work and filmed stints on a few reality TV shows. A true crime fan, Croft said she leans more old school than the plethora of true crime podcasts online and prefers the classics, like “Dateline.” She said she often has Dateline 24/7 playing on her TV at her Deerwood home.

“Sometimes [Dateline 24/7] plays on a loop, so if I know that an episode I’ve seen earlier that day comes on, I need to get up,” Croft said.

Croft said she’s drawn to the weird and the strange.

“I would entertain people, now I like to be entertained,” Croft said.

Laura and Darlene, Edge City’s “shop dog.”

Laura Croft (right) poses with her mother Cheryl and niece Madeleine on her first day at Edge City.

Laura and her mother, Cheryl, assumed ownership of Edge City this year when former owner and Five Points icon Gunnel Humphreys retired and sold the boutique.

Giving thanks for good news

Reading The Resident Community News each month is like drinking a big, brimming cup of gratitude. Almost every story, column and photo conveys something positive or informative about our neighborhoods and that gives me the warm fuzzies inside. I would bet you have the same reaction.

Even though I have been part of The Resident news team off- and on-again for more than a decade and have been diligently gushing gratitude in this column for going on two years, I am still in awe of the stories I read in the papers each month. Just like my morning coffee, they warm me up on the inside and make me feel better about the community in which we live.

Since November is the month of Thanksgiving and the ideal time to articulate appreciation for all the good in our lives, I thought I’d use this space to reflect on all The Resident headlines that have inspired a deep sense of thankfulness in my 50-something, empty-nesting old heart. Here are a few of them:

Amplified Avondale returns in 2024

Anything that “returns” in our neighborhoods is good news, and I’m grateful that this event is on the calendar again. I’m grateful occasions like this bring our community together.

Expansion begins at Roosevelt Market Place

Expansion isn’t always great, but I’m grateful when it brings improvement to an area, as this project appears to be doing.

Windward on the move, two marinas acquired on the waterfront

Our waterfront is our neighborhoods’ greatest asset, and it’s a blessing to see businesses amplify opportunities along the St. Johns. How great that this facility can accommodate more people and bring more boater traffic to our community.

Milestone moment for Emerald Trail

The Emerald Trail’s $147 million federal grant is a boon for all of us who want to see our natural resources, waterways and urban areas better connected and utilized. Thank you, federal government!

Historic Home Tour celebrates 50 years

While I haven’t been to this tour in years, I’m thankful that for 50 years now,

it’s been showcasing the very best of historic architecture and residential living.

Bartaco coming to Black Sheep location

I’m always grateful for more tacos, and with this restaurant’s arrival, we now are long on tacos and that is the best thing ever. Thank you, taco gods.

8.5 tons collected during great St. Johns River cleanup

Y’all, this is what happens when volunteers and good-hearted folks roll up their sleeves and get busy cleaning up our waterways: 8.5 tons! That’s a lot of grossness gone. I am grateful for all the generous, patient people who put sweat equity into making our neighborhoods trash-free.

Millions for the MOSH museum

It’s time for our awesome Museum of Science and History to have a new look, location and transformation, and a handful of residents – most of whom live in our Resident Community – are working with other big donors to make sure it happens. The new MOSH is going to be a wonderful community asset thanks to the Davis, Lastinger, Riggs and Harden families as well as CSX, Neviaser Foundation, PNC Bank and the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Foundation. We can all be grateful for and super inspired by the generosity of these philanthropists.

Heart Ball pumps $2.2 million into Northeast Florida

Speaking of philanthropy, that’s a big gift for the American Heart Association! Makes mine beat a little faster. Most of us have faced heart issues in our friend and family circles, and it’s wonderful to see an organization get a helpful infusion like this.

New home for mental health

The pieces are coming together, slowly but surely, and this project in Jacksonville is a key part of it all. How incredible to read about the ribbon-cutting to open Wolfson Children’s new Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit. The 20-bed unit will double the number of beds available to children and adolescents needing inpatient behavioral health care, reducing wait times for behavioral health inpatient beds by 50 percent.

Weaver ignites legacy in 2024

And thank goodness for Delores Barr Weaver! From The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida: “Weaver contributed $61 million to her donor advised fund at The Community Foundation in July of 2023 – the largest gift in the foundation’s 60-year history. Throughout this year, grants will be made to nonprofit organizations as part of her Legacy 2024 grantmaking plan, which was developed in partnership with staff at The Community Foundation over the last six months. Rather than accepting applications for this funding, Weaver has chosen to focus grantmaking on selected nonprofits she has supported for many years. The organizations that will benefit are working toward missions from A to Z, covering a waterfront of issues that affect the everyday lives of people in Northeast Florida and beyond.” We are blessed beyond measure by Delores Barr Weaver’s tremendous generosity!

Centennial Gala raises funds for Memorial Park

Here’s another example of local folks dedicating their lives and pocketbooks to the enhancement of a community resource. Memorial Park is that and then some and we can all be grateful to the Memorial Park Association for protecting and beautifying one of Riverside’s most stunning waterfront parks.

Water improvement projects underway in Murray Hill, Riverside We can all be grateful for any improvements to our water lines. Keeps the good vibes flowing in our neighborhoods.

Gray to launch new concept in former

San Marco Theater; Gemma Fish and Oyster arrives; VooDoo to brew in San Marco

These are some of the new offerings in San Marco, in addition to the array of ice cream and coffee places that have opened during the past year. I’m grateful for all of it. The more retail and restaurant businesses we can attract, the better. I’m grateful for establishments that keep our dollars local. And I’m especially grateful for resident Tom Gray who continues to make San Marco dining a priority.

Who's reading your mammogram

I am grateful that Dr. Kathryn Pearson, MD, founder and director of the new Boutique Breast Imaging center in Southpoint, is sharing her skills and experience as a breast imaging radiologist in a boutique healthcare environment. We are very fortunate to have a specialist of her caliber in Jacksonville and this new access to her expertise is a win for every woman. I am proud of this friend, and grateful for her work in local healthcare!

School zone improvements underway for San Jose Boulevard

Yes, and thank you to any new signs, rules or road lights that make people slow the heck down in school zones. I am grateful for the transportation folks who feel the same.

Revamped Friendship Fountain officially unveiled

That certainly made a splash on my list of local projects for which we can be grateful! How lovely and inspiring to see it working again after a long bout of dried up nothingness. Hope springs eternal! Thank you to everyone who got things flowing again, and in such a wow way!

What headlines made your list? Likely there are many other happenings, blurbs and notes that are standouts. There’s truly too much good stuff to count! Next time you’re driving or walking or biking through our beautiful neighborhoods, start your own inventory of headlines for which you are grateful. They’re not only in your monthly Resident . Look for the captions hidden in every corner, crevice and conversation you experience in our neighborhood. Thankfulness opportunities are literally everywhere. Thank you for reading!

Geneva FrancisHubbard

November 11, 1933 – September 25, 2024

Known throughout the community as “The Southern Belle of Avondale,” Geneva Hubbard passed on peacefully just weeks before her 91st birthday.

This elegant woman epitomized the qualities which identify someone as a lady.

Always pleasant, gracious, smiling, friendly and helpful, Hubbard was a mainstay at Design Additions in Avondale for over 18

years, even working the week before she died. Keith Johnson and Chris Hardison, owners of the store and her close friends, are devastated at the loss.

“Heaven gained an angel,” Johnson said. “I’ll have to talk to her through my heart.” And Hubbard (GiGi) had lots of heart. She loved her sons, Franklin McDaniel (Jesse Howell) and David McDaniel (Rita);

her grandchildren, Nathan and Avery; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

“She loved life and hers was a life well lived,” Franklin said. “To know her was to love her.” Several people remarked that you never left her house without a full stomach, a big hug and an “I love you.”

Customers who visited Design Additions were met with kindness, helpfulness and a warmth that made it not just a place to shop but a destination place to see Hubbard. Barbara Allen mentioned that people would poke their head in the front door and if she wasn’t at the counter ask, “Where is Geneva?”

Hardison said she treated him and Johnson like her own children – cooking for them, caring for them.

“She made a mean pound cake and could fry the best pork chops you’d ever put in your mouth,” Johnsons said. Comments from others include, “such a beautiful person,” “A blessing to all who knew her,” “a treasure.”

Hardison related that Hubbard did not come into the store looking for a job but sort of happened into it. At first, she balked at using the computer cash register but after having to handwrite receipts for a few days she taught herself how to use the technology.

Forever in Our Hearts

Arthur Crofton

November 5, 1951 – September 25, 2024

Legendary Jacksonville disc jockey Arthur Crofton died Sept. 25, prompting an outpouring of condolences from a community that had awakened to his signature British accent for 40 years. He was 72.

Host of the popular WEJZ “Arthur and Yvonne” morning show for the past 15 years, Crofton was a familiar on-air presence to generations of local residents and a friend and mentor to numerous media professionals. Radio and TV host Eden Kendall noted that when she was Crofton’s promotions director in the 1990s, the pair delivered hundreds of deli platters to local businesses.

She also credited him with securing her first television job in a local commercial.

“The impact he had on this community is unmatched,” Kendall wrote on the WEJZ Facebook page. “He took seriously his role of being a part of the fabric of Jacksonville and valued each and every listener and client as a dear friend.”

His co-host Yvonne Valasquez said Crofton’s passing left “a hole in my heart and the city of Jacksonville.”

“Despite the fact that he was a legend in this city – having spent mornings with parents and kids, whose kids are now parents…he never made me feel anything

A Legacy of Love

December 25, 1937 – October 10, 2024

Carol McLane Crutchfield Fewell Lewis of Jacksonville died peacefully on Thursday Oct. 10, 2024.

She was a lifelong native of Jacksonville and a direct descendent of Isaiah D. Hart, founder of Jacksonville.

The daughter of Christine Dearing and Inman Payne Crutchfield, Carol was born on Dec. 25, 1937. She grew up in Avondale on Bourbon Alley, graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1955 and attended Salem College for Women in WinstonSalem, NC.

She married John Harold Fewell Jr. at the Church of Good Shepherd on Aug. 30, 1958. Her dearest Johnny died in 1984.

In 1987, she married Lester Hickman Lewis, who passed away in 2001.

Along with raising five children, Carol was involved in multiple community volunteer efforts, including Junior League, Meals on Wheels, voter registration and

She had a great memory for recipes, birthdays and details.

People asked for her impeccable advice on merchandise or decorating or just came in to bask in her gracious, charming personality. A model of elegance with her classy outfits, perfect hair and makeup and genteel manner, Hubbard earned her honorific as the Belle of Avondale. Her great cooking, parties, and joie de vivre will be missed by her family and many friends.

Longtime friend John Hurtubise remarked that she grew even more beautiful as she aged. He hosted a black-tie dinner for “two perfect ladies,” Maxine Kroll and Geneva Hubbard each November. “This year, she will celebrate with Maxine in heaven.”

A little social media game to determine someone’s personality declared her most dominant trait as loyalty. There is no better definition for Geneva Hubbard than this: She cared deeply about her family, had a sweet, sensitive side (despite a touch of stubbornness), had no patience with drama queens or fakes and was genuine through and through. She shared a special bond of love with many friends and her loving nature was evident to all in her radiant smile.

but his equal,” Velasquez wrote. “We talked about everything…not only was he my radio partner, he was my friend… family to me.”

A native of Sheffield, England, Crofton was a devout Episcopalian who cared deeply about giving back to his community. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Laurie Crofton; three children, Teresa Vandre (Christian De Stefanis), Craig Crofton (Sofia) and Lindsay Diaz (Rico); and five grandchildren. He had a great love of animals and is also survived by his dog Fiona and cats Bit, Evie, Fluffy and Lucky.

Learn to Read. She was an active member of the Colonial Dames and the Florida Yacht Club, where she was known for her enthusiasm on the tennis courts.

She was a loyal and active parishioner of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she faithfully served as a Stephen Minister, sacristan and as a member of the Altar Guild. Also important to Carol was her family home and community on Sugarloaf Mountain, North Carolina, where she attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edneyville.

Carol will be remembered for her love of martinis, blue crabs and cheating at cards. She kept her mind sharp through her investment club, Mahjong and bridge games.

Predeceased by her siblings, Inman Payne Crutchfield Jr. (Bo) and Christine Dearing Keyser (Sis), she is survived by her children: Jennifer McLane Fewell Snead, John Harold Fewell III, Inman Payne Crutchfield Fewell (Kim),

Christopher Hana Fewell (Lisa) and Claudyne Watson Fewell Jones (Reece). Carol’s love embraced 13 grandchildren and four great grand-children, who loved their Mumsie dearly. Also mourning the loss of Carol are a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as a wide circle of lifelong friends.

While no amount of time with Carol would have been enough for her family and friends, she gave them enough words of advice, encouragement and memories to last several lifetimes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in support of relief efforts through The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, 900 Centrepark Dr. B, Asheville, NC 28805.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Ave., Jacksonville.

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