Traditions run deep through generations and cultures alike
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FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS
DECEMBER 2017, VOL. 10, ISSUE 12
Noura and Raymond Abi Khalil with daughters Noor Miriam and Bella Maria
At Noura Café, the Abi Khalil family celebrates the traditions of Christmas as they had done in their native Lebanon, a strong Christian community in the Middle East. The proximity to Jerusalem had always inspired a celebration bigger than any other holiday throughout the entire year in their culture. Loud holiday music played in the streets as positive energy and family gatherings were held throughout the month of December, shared Noura and Raymond. Read More, Page 34
WHAT'S INSIDE • San Marco businesses file appeal against Bold Bean Page 5 >> • Hurricane Irma’s damage still lingering in San Marco Page 7 >>
Southbank developer announces new hotel project,
requests extension on property purchase By Kate A. Hallock, Resident Community News
S
outhbank high-rise residents may soon get a birds-eye view of the first phase of construction at the site of The District Jacksonville—Life Well Lived (The District), the 30-acre master-planned development on the St. Johns River. The purchase of the site property, however, is still under negotiation with the Jacksonville Energy Authority (JEA) and the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), putting into question the start date of the hotel project. Peter Rummell, developer of The District project along with partner Michael Munz, had announced Nov. 27 that Impact Properties, its hotel partner, will develop an AC Hotel by Marriott at The District. The hotel is currently in the design phase, with horizontal work on the site expected to start during the first quarter of 2018. The hotel construction is being planned based on the site work completion schedule, which will be a phased approach starting on the western edge of the site and working its way east. Read More, Page 24
• Residents pitch in to help family with newborn Page 31 >> • Holocaust museum honors survivors Page 33 >>
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID STUART FL PERMIT NO 785
• Five decades of sacred music celebrated Page 41 >>
River Garden gala honors past event chairs
Jax Library best among Florida public libraries
Longtime supporters of River Garden Hebrew Home – among them, Dr. Barry Setzer and Ellen Setzer and Marjie and Dr. Abe Rogozinski – attended the nonprofit’s Silver Anniversary gala Nov. 18. Read More, Page 26
John Trainor with Dr. Charles Moreland, Jacksonville Mayor’s Office Director of Community Affairs, Board Chair Emeritus Betsy Lovett and Board Chair Kevin Hyde at the celebratory reception honoring the Jacksonville Public Library for its recent award. Read More, Page 20
IN HOMES BY DECEMBER 5TH, 2017
Engdahl on exhibit at The Vault at 1930
David Engdahl, Preston Haskell, Rula Carr
The work of artist David Engdahl was on display at The Vault at 1930 during November, kicked off by a launch party Nov. 10, where art collector and philanthropist Preston Haskell was in attendance. Engdahl was chief architect and a senior vice president at The Haskell Company for nearly 30 years. Engdahl, of San Marco, has worked with laminated wood sculpture since 1971, and his works have been exhibited in more than 20 states throughout the U.S. His sculptures are included in numerous corporate collections, as well as permanent collections of the Orlando Museum of Art, the Huntsville Museum of Art (Alabama) and Wiregrass Museum of Art (Dothan, Alabama). In 2009 he co-founded Northeast Florida Sculptors with David Ponsler and Enzo Torcoletti.