12/04/13

Northeast Florida’s News & Opinion Magazine • Dec. 4-10, 2013 • 132,360 Readers Every Week • Music Is What Feelings Sound Like FREE

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Lethal Blow to the Lethal Injections P. 6 DDon’t Testify on 911 P. 10 FFly Over to the Iguana P. 33

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Inside / Volume 27 • Number 36

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“Flashdance – The Musical” arrives on its 30th anniversary tour Dec. 10-15 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

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INDEPENDENT THINKING IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 3

Editor’s Note What’s So ‘Special’ About Equality?

The LGBT community fights for the right to be like everyone else

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hat are opponents to a human rights ordinance — in Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville or anywhere — really afraid of?

“This is really a push, a planned organized effort to further a gay agenda of ultimately gay marriage and other such special gay rights for the LGBT community,” Raymond Johnson told First Coast News at a Nov. 25 meeting of the Atlantic Beach City Commission that included initial discussions about adding a human rights ordinance to the city. Johnson is founder and president of Biblical Concepts Ministries, a Jacksonville-based Christian ministry.

The “gay agenda.” That old chestnut. The term was first used in the early 1990s when the Family Research Council, an American conservative Christian group, released a video series to campaign against “special rights” for gays, lesbians and bisexuals. It included disgusting and ridiculous claims about gay men and spawned several sequels.

What do these conservative groups imagine the “gay agenda” includes?

Marriage equality is a big item. Translated into conservative-speak, it means threatening traditional marriage.

“We believe the core goal of the homosexual movement is to abolish the traditional, JudeoChristian view of human sexuality, marriage and family. In that regard, the homosexual movement is the latest and most radical manifestation of the Sexual Revolution,” states the website for the American Family Association, which describes itself as being on “the frontlines of America’s culture war.”

The war on marriage is being waged state by state. As of Dec. 2, 15 states plus the District of Columbia are performing same-sex marriages, five allow civil unions or domestic partnerships, and 29 have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. Marriages between men and women across the country are being assaulted by same-sex couples who want their own piece of wedded bliss, and the benefits that come with it.

But as these groups will tell you, once you allow same-sex marriage, it’s a slippery slope to polygamy and bestiality.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, was unconstitutional. Before that, “don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed, allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

In reaction to the DOMA ruling, Southern Baptists, almost half of all military chaplains (as well as Roman Catholics and other conservative chaplain endorsers), issued guidelines to “clarify the ministry expectations for all military and VA chaplains endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention.”

“Southern Baptists believe that ‘all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality and pornography’ (Article XV, BFM) are condemned by Holy Scripture as sin,” the memo states.

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So, for service members practicing “sexual immorality” by being gay or lesbian, these military chaplains cannot conduct or attend same-sex weddings, offer couples counseling, or lead or assist same-sex relational events on or off a military installation. You know, anything “that would give the appearance of accepting the homosexual lifestyle or sexual wrongdoing.”

Groups like these also equate LGBT folks with the mentally ill and pedophiles. Using junk “science,” FRC’s pamphlet, “The Top Ten Myths About Homosexuality,” states that homosexuals experience higher levels of mental illness and substance abuse than heterosexuals and that the rate of child sexual abuse among homosexuals is far higher than it is among heterosexuals.

In a post on its website, the First Coast Tea Party urges its members to contact Atlantic Beach’s mayor and City Commission to tell them to oppose ”special” rights for the LGBT community.

“Remind them they are elected to defend the Constitution and our religious liberty,” the post states.

“Religious liberty” is another term often bandied about. Before the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” anyone in military service could make negative comments about fellow gay, lesbian or bisexual service members and their families without fear of repercussions from their commanders. A “conscience protection” provision proposed for the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act would reinstate this privilege, an attempt to use “religious liberty” as a disguise for discrimination.

Although groups like these are loud, they are the vocal minority. Polls this year show most people support LGBT equal rights at national, state and local levels.

The real “gay agenda” is simply to recognize — equally — LGBT relationships through our most respected institutions.

The ordinance being considered in Atlantic Beach would protect against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. If passed, it would accomplish what Jacksonville has not.

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Do these sound like “special” rights? What is so “special” about being treated equally?

What do these groups really fear is on the “gay agenda”? Perhaps it’s being homogenized — literally. They think the LGBT team is out to recruit them.

Denise M. Reagan themail@folioweekly.com twitter.com/denisereagan

Mail Class Size Backpage Editorial: ‘Glaring Mistakes’

As a Duval County school counselor in a Title I high school, I was immediately drawn to the Nov. 20 Backpage Editorial, “The Real Cost of Class-Size Compliance.” However, after giving the article a thorough read, there were so many glaring mistakes and inaccurate facts, the author might have done more harm than good presenting the real issues with class-size compliance.

Teachers didn’t lose a planning period; they gained one. Per the current Duval Teachers United Collective Bargaining Agreement, teachers now receive a once-a-day planning period, an increase from last year’s everyother-day planning period for high schools on block scheduling, meaning students in most DCPS high schools gained an extra class; teachers didn’t. Some DCPS principals were given funding to “buy out” planning periods in core courses where overcrowding was a major issue, meaning teachers were asked, not forced, to teach during their planning period; compensated with their current hourly rate.

So, by choice, and a check for upwards of $7,000, teachers might have lost a planning period, but it wasn’t taken by class-size compliance legislation.

Core academic courses, or academic courses required for graduation, are subject to class-size standards and sometimes to the detriment, as the writer points out, of other academic courses or electives. There might be some students with more than one physical education course, but this is hardly the norm and absolutely an exception to the rule.

Some students may have a H.O.P.E. (Health Opportunities through Physical Education) course and a PE course; it may seem as if they have more than one PE course, but H.O.P.E. is a graduation requirement focusing on health and wellness, PE on a specific sport.

The writers also explain “Taking three electives in one year is a roadblock to graduation requirements.” This is absolutely untrue. Students who started in the DCPS school system in the ninth grade, are passing their courses and earning passing scores on state and district level exams (FCAT, End of Course Exams, etc.) will graduate with more credits than needed to earn a standard high school diploma; students in most DCPS high schools can earn up to eight credits in a year — the total needed for a standard high school diploma is 24 credits. Also, some electives can now lead to industry certification in business, technology, culinary or other areas of expertise, meaning elective courses do not dampen the student’s ability to graduate on time with the credits they need but also provide them with more than a high school diploma.

I agree with the writers that there needs to be more emphasis placed on offering courses and a curriculum with more academically rigorous and a diversity of electives. Classsize legislation pulls teachers out of those academic and vocational electives and puts them into a core content area, in order to balance classes. This is not the only reason for lack of diverse electives in a traditional DCPS high school, but it surely does factor into the argument.

Moreover, honors students are not irreversibly damaged by having more students

in their classes. As the writers point out, most high-achieving students take weighted honors classes, which provide them with more opportunities to go to their firstchoice, top-tier state university schools. Ask any University of Florida or Florida State University freshman about his or her general education classes, and you’re bound to hear the words “lecture hall”; that is, a 200- to 300-person class sometimes taught via taped telecasts where these once high school honors students are required to obtain and retain general education knowledge in subjects ranging from English to sociology.

Honors, AP, IB and AICE graduation courses that are graduation requirements are still subjected to class-size legislation, but their electives are not. The author makes the case that having 40 students in an elective Advanced Placement course cannot possibly meet the demands of DCPS’s mission of providing educational excellence and, furthermore, teachers cannot meet the demands of the students’ individual needs and still meet Common Core standards.

This statement has much more to do with professional development training for teachers who cannot creatively manage classroom lessons for 40 students and less to do with class-size legislation.

An honest dialogue about class-size legislation needs to take place among community members, parents, students, stakeholders, educators, administrators and legislators. But presenting false information and small-scale scenarios specific to a few students in one school in order to raise concerns about class-size compliance districtwide distract from the larger arguments about the best ways to educate our students.

Laura Ache Jacksonville

Raves for Conductor Robert Moody

In my nine years of attending selected concert shows presented by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Jacoby Hall, Nov. 23’s performance was the best that I ever experienced.

Robert Moody conducted the orchestra with such precision, with such timing, and with such uniformity that the audience was totally spellbound listening to Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, op 55, Beethoven’s “Eroica.”

From the surveys that I saw during the intermission, Moody was praised to the “high heavens” for his meticulous performance of the orchestra and guest chorale singers. My personal rating is 5 stars; I select Moody to be the successor to Fabio Mechetti. Moody brings a vast array of talents to his conducting, which I believe greatly raised the level of the Jacksonville orchestra to the top tier that evening.

Domenick A. Bottini III Jacksonville

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5

News Drug Shortages Could Kill Lethal Injections

Court challenges say substitutes don’t meet constitutional protections against inflicting unneeded pain and suffering

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or more than a dozen years, the state of Florida executed condemned inmates with a three-drug cocktail that first put them to sleep, then paralyzed their bodies and eventually stopped their hearts.

Now, the state is at another crossroads in implementing that protocol because one drug, pentobarbital, is no longer available from any source. Florida Department of Corrections switched to that drug in 2011 when sodium thiopental became scarce. The pentobarbital and sodium thiopental are designed to render inmates unconscious.

The same issue arose in the 31 other states that use lethal injection, when foreign suppliers refused to sell drugs for use in executions. Most of the problems have occurred since 2008, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Kentucky’s lethal injection method was constitutional.

Two death row inmates argued that Kentucky’s three-drug lethal injection method would violate the Eighth Amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

By a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court upheld Kentucky’s method, which used the same drugs that almost all states used for lethal injections.

However, now that some of the chemicals have changed, some states, including Florida, are looking for new drugs that pass constitutional muster.

“States started panicking,” said Deborah Denno, a Fordham University law professor and expert on the death penalty.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC issued a press release out of London on May 15, which stated, “Hikma strongly objects to the use of any of its products in capital punishment. The company is putting in place concrete steps to restrict the supply of its products for unintended uses.” The release continues, stating Hikma had ceased the sale of phenobarbital to U.S. departments of corrections.

Because of decisions made by foreign companies to forbid use of their drugs for executions, states are scrambling to come up with alternatives, which is prompting a new round of legal challenges, including one in federal court in Jacksonville from four death row inmates.

Florida switched to midazolam hydrochloride when it could no longer get pentobarbital for its three-drug cocktail on Oct. 15. When the state Department of Corrections abandoned the electric chair and first began using lethal injection in 2000, it used the same drugs as other states, including Texas and Oklahoma.

“Midazolam is not intended for use as an 6 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

anesthetic,” the federal lawsuit states. “Its use in this context is wholly untested.”

U.S. District Court Judges Marcia Morales Howard and Timothy J. Corrigan in Jacksonville tossed out the federal challenge, but granted the inmates 60 days to file new briefs and gave the attorney general’s office 30 days to respond.

Corrigan questioned the lack of medical evidence statements from both sides. Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown argued that the new drug was effective.

“If it’s so great, why weren’t they using it before?” Corrigan asked, as reported by the Associated Press.

In a letter to Gov. Rick Scott, Department of Corrections Secretary Michael D. Crews wrote, “The procedure has been reviewed and is compatible with evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society, the concepts of the dignity of man, and advances in science, research, pharmacology and technology. The process will not involve unnecessary lingering or the unnecessary or wanton infliction of pain and suffering.

The foremost objective of the lethal injection process is a humane and dignified death.”

According to the Mayo Clinic website, the drug “is used to produce sleepiness or drowsiness and to relieve anxiety before surgery or certain procedures.” It belongs to a group of medicines called central nervous system depressants, which slow down the nervous system.

“Florida used a drug that no state had ever used before,” Denno said. “That execution did not go well.”

Denno was referring to the Oct. 15 execution of William Happ, who had been on Death Row for 27 years. Reporters witnessing the execution said it appeared Happ remained conscious longer and made more body movements after losing consciousness than other people executed recently by lethal injection using the old formula.

One of the inmates challenging the new drugs is Etheria Verdel Jackson, who was sentenced to death for the Dec. 3, 1985, strangulation and stabbing death of 64-year-old Jacksonville furniture storeowner Linton Moody.

Richard Dieter, executive director of

the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, said the legal challenges may slow some Florida executions, though a new state law has increased the number from three last year to seven this year.

“There are challenges working their way through the courts which could be a roadblock,” Dieter said. “Florida has gone off course with this drug.”

For states, the problem is how to carry out an execution that’s quick, effective and meets constitutional standards by not inflicting unneeded pain and suffering.

Mark Elliott, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty in Tampa, opposes all executions.

“There is no humane way to commit an inhumane act, no right way to do the wrong thing,” Elliott wrote in an email.

“Florida executions are political ‘dog and pony’ shows designed to appear as approved medical procedures. The reality is that the executioner is paid $150 to kill, and the state will find a way to do it,” he continued.

“Our state officials like to claim it is ‘humane,’ ‘dignified’ and ‘solemn.’ It is none of that. It is legalized, premeditated murder.”

An inmate who faces execution Dec. 27, Askari Muhammad, also known as Thomas Knight, lost an appeal Nov. 25 when Bradford County Circuit Judge Phyllis Rosier ruled the sedative midazolam hydrochloride is capable of preventing condemned inmates from experiencing pain during a lethal injection.

“There is no dispute that the dosage amount used in Florida’s protocol is such that it would induce not only unconsciousness when properly administered, but also respiratory arrest and ultimately death,” she wrote.

Knight’s execution was originally scheduled for Dec. 3 but was delayed by the Florida Supreme Court. The case now goes back to the high court, which is scheduled to hear oral arguments Dec. 18.

Knight, 62, has been on Death Row for almost 40 years. He was convicted of fatally stabbing Corrections Officer Richard Burke with the sharpened end of a spoon in 1980.

Knight was first convicted in the 1974 slaying of Sydney and Lillian Gans in Miami.

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There are problems in other states where changes in lethal injection protocols have resulted in new legal challenges, Denno said.

Since 2010, 11 states have changed their protocols from three drugs to one drug, Denno said, while Florida continues to use three drugs.

“They have a very problematic procedure,” Denno said of Florida’s protocol.

The Missouri execution of white supremacist Joseph Paul Franklin was delayed for several hours Nov. 20 while his attorneys pressed their appeals, including the use of pentobarbital.

His attorneys argued that its use would violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Missouri had planned to use the drug propofol, the surgical anesthetic made infamous by the death of pop star Michael Jackson. But there were concerns that European Union might halt shipments, leading to fears there would be an insufficient supply for medical purposes.

Missouri decided to use pentobarbital created by an unnamed compounding pharmacy, prompting Franklin’s lawyers to argue it would raise the risk of contamination and a painful death.

Both Dieter and Denno believe new issues will continue to appear and be appealed as the death penalty becomes less popular.

“Death penalty opponents and medical professionals have long objected to lethal injection on the basis that the use of drugs to carry out executions links death to the practice of medicine,” Denno wrote in an article to be published in 2014 in the Georgetown Law Journal. “Ironically, that reliance on drugs may end up accomplishing what countless legal challenges could not: Drug shortages have devastated this country’s execution process to an unparalleled degree.

Rather than masking the ‘machinery of death,’ the mimicry of medicine may end up dismantling it.”

Ron Word rword@folioweekly.com

DEEMABLE TECH

THE SPECKTATOR

Q: Touch screen phones don’t work very well for me. When I touch the screen of a smartphone, it often doesn’t recognize that I’ve touched it. The strange thing is, my mom has the same problem with touchscreens. We’ve always figured it had something to do with our circulation or something, but neither of us has cold or clammy hands. What’s up with that? Why don’t touch screens like me?

A: That does seem kind of unusual. I did a little Googling, though, and you’re not alone in your complaint. Some people refer to it as ‘zombie fingers.’ But don’t worry, you’re probably not about to develop a taste for brains.

I haven’t found any scientifi c studies on people whose fingers don’t get along with capacitive screens, but my guess is that you are either a musician or you work with your hands. Callouses are dead skin, which means they aren’t very electrically conductive. So when your calloused fingers touch the surface of the screen, it can’t detect the tiny disturbance in its electrical fi eld which it needs to operate. There’s hope, though! Check out our blog at FolioWeekly.com/deemable and we’ll show you.

Here’s something you won’t hear about from Visit Jacksonville: Of the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S., Jacksonville is ranked 37th in health and fitness, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s American Fitness Index. Despite a higher percentage of city parks, public playgrounds and recreation centers than in “healthier” cities, Jacksonville has a significant number of “improvement priority areas” including the incidence of obesity, asthma and coronary heart disease, number of smokers and death rate for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One local organization that’s not taking this news sitting down – literally or figuratively – is the I’m a Star Foundation. In support of its mission to empower young people to become solution-oriented leaders, I’m a Star Foundation hosts Let’s Move Jacksonville Dec. 8 at A. Phillip Randolph Heritage Park. In addition to free healthy snacks, exercise tips, workshops and live entertainment, the event features an attempt at the World’s Largest Flash Dance record with the “I’m a Star Slide.” Participants of all ages can help “slide obsesity out of Duval” – learn the steps and show up to join in! For more information on Let’s Move Jacksonville and a link to learn the “I’m a Star Shuffle,” visit folioweekly.com/specktator.

Not Feeling It

ASK DEEMABLE TECH A QUESTION Ray Hollister and Tom Braun answer technology questions on their blog at folioweekly.com/deemable, on their podcast at deemable.com and on WJCT 89.9 FM every Thursday during “Morning Edition.” Have a question for Deemable Tech? Call 888-972-9868 or email questions@deemable.com.

The Bold New City of the Stout

READ THE SPECKTATOR BLOG Kerry Speckman shares her unique perspective and observations on people, places and events around the First Coast and beyond. She’s also the 2012 winner of Jacksonville Dancing With the Stars, so she’s got that going for her. Contact her at thespecktator@aol.com.

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7

One Spark co-founders Varick Rosete, Elton Rivas and Dennis Eusebio at the opening ceremony. Photo: One Spark

Creators Wanted for One Spark 2014 Regular registration has begun for One Spark 2014 (beonespark.com), billed as “the world’s crowdfunding festival” to match creators in the fields of art, music, science, technology and a new category – innovation – with resources to help support their ideas. The cash pot is increasing from $250,000 to $310,000. A total of $200,000 will be distributed proportionally based on votes for creators’ ideas, and $10,000 bonuses will go to each category’s top vote-getters.

Another addition is jury awards, to provide $10,000 to selected creators in each category. The project receiving the most donations from individuals will score a $10,000 bonus. The festival, set for April 9-13, is expected to attract 150,000 people to Downtown Jacksonville, organizers said.

Swamp Sequel Playwright Ian Mairs and a cast of local storytellers, songwriters, poets, musicians and artists will take Swamp Radio to The Florida Theatre stage on Jan. 19, according to the theater’s press release. Mairs created the scripted variety series to share the history, culture and identity of Northeast Florida. The first performances were in July and November at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville. Swamp Radio company members include David Girard, Kevin Roberts, Maya Adkins, Lauren Fincham, Rich Campbell, Simone Aden-Reid, Charlotte Mabrey, Wayne Wood and Mark Woods (bit.ly/SwampRadio).

for live music on each floor. JAA’s John Allmand said Coles is leaning toward the name Levels.

Human Rights Ordinance Considered The Atlantic Beach City Commission will continue the process of adding a human rights ordinance at a Dec. 9 meeting. Dozens turned out Nov. 25 for a public hearing on the proposed ordinance which would protect against discrimination based on age, race, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or veteran’s status in housing, employment and places of public accommodation.

Noise Ordinance Deferred

Bank Gives $200,000 to Nonprofit

The Jacksonville City Council has deferred action on a controversial noise ordinance for Metropolitan Park, but granted waivers for two upcoming events. Concert promoters had told Council members they were opposed to a compromise ordinance crafted over several months. By a 13-6 vote, the Council granted waivers to the ordinance for the Nov. 30 Soul Food Festival and The Big Ticket, set for Dec. 8. The Council has said it needs more time to consider amendments to the proposed ordinance (bit.ly/DecibelDispute).

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has named Jewish Family & Community Services as the recipient of the 2013 Neighborhood Builders award. The honor comes with a $200,000 unrestricted grant. Each year, JFCS (founded in 1917) serves more than 15,000 clients throughout Northeast Florida, providing family-centered services to address issues of hunger, child abuse, mental illness and homelessness.

Coles Plans Downtown Jacksonville Restaurant Former NFL star Laveranues Coles is planning to open a gourmet hamburger restaurant in a Downtown Jacksonville building he purchased last month. The former Ribault High School, Florida State and NFL player bought the building that’s across the street from the old Duval County Courthouse on Bay Street for $750,000. He plans to open his place next Feburary or March, according to The Financial News & Daily Record. JAA Architecture is designing the structure, to include two floors with a stage

UNF Hosting TEDx Women Simulcast The University of North Florida presents a simulcast of “TEDx Women: Invented Here,” 3:30-9 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Student Union Auditorium. The event, sponsored

by TEDWomen, TEDx Jacksonville, University of North Florida’s Taylor Leadership Institute and UNF Women’s Center, includes speakers Sheryl Sandberg, author of “Lean In,” and record-breaking open-water swimmer Diana Nyad. Admission is free for all UNF students, $9 for the general public. A light dinner is offered. For more information, call Taylor Leadership Center at 620-5934 or email leadership@unf.com.

Bouquets & Brickbats Bouquets to St. Johns County Assistant Administrator Jerry Cameron for his frequent portrayal of Patrick Henry. Cameron, often in colonial dress, has performed Henry’s famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech more than 100 times before various groups. He was recently honored by the local Maria Jefferson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in St. Augustine.

Brickbats to Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner for changing rules regarding the return of absentee ballots. His new directive, which is being attacked by the League of Women Voters, requires that absentee ballots must be returned only to supervisors of elections offices, instead of remote – or more convenient – sites such as public libraries or tax collectors’ offices. In the 2012 presidential election, 2.4 million Floridians, or 28 percent, cast absentee ballots, up from 23 percent in 2008.

Bouquets to Brandy Carvalho, executive director of the Nassau Humane Society, for meeting a $200,000 challenge grant from The Chardonnay Foundation. The no-kill shelter broke ground Nov. 21 for a new shelter to open next summer. In 12 weeks, the NHS raised $200,000, which was matched by the foundation grant. The shelter still needs to come up with another $500,000 to complete its capital campaign.

8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

The Mustard Seed Cafe

Located inside Nassau Health Foods, The Mustard Seed is Amelia Island’s only organic eatery and juice bar, with an extensive, eclectic menu featuring vegetarian and vegan items. Daily specials include local seafood, freerange chicken and fresh organic produce. Salads, wraps, sandwiches and soups are available — all prepared with our staff’s impeccable style. Popular items are chicken or veggie quesadillas, grilled mahi, or salmon over mixed greens and tuna melt with Swiss cheese and tomato.

Open for breakfast and lunch, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Sat. nassauhealthfoods.net 833 T.J. Courson Road 904-277-3141

Lulu’s at The Thompson House

Lulu’s owners, Brian and Melanie Grimley, offer an innovative lunch menu, including po’boys, salads and seafood “little plates” served in the gardens of the historic Thompson House. Dinner features fresh local seafood (Fernandina shrimp is the focus every Thursday), and nightly specials. An extensive wine list and beer are available. Open for lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch on Sun. Reservations are recommended.

11 S. Seventh Street 904-432-8394

PLAE Restaurant & Lounge

Located in the Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation, PLAE serves bistro-style cuisine. The full bar lounge at PLAE has become an instant classic, with artistic décor and live entertainment nightly.

Now you can PLAE during the day, too! Open for lunch Tue.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner daily; reservations accepted.

80 Amelia Village Cir. 904-277-2132

Moon River Pizza

Moon River Pizza treats customers like family.

Cooked in a brick oven, the pizza is custom-made by the slice (or, of course, by the pie). Set up like an Atlanta-style pizza joint, Moon River also offers an eclectic selection of wine and beers. Open for lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Dine in or take it with you.

925 S. 14th Street 904-321-3400

The Surf

Enjoy a casual beach atmosphere in our full-service restaurant, bar and huge oceanview deck! Our menu features delicious steak, seafood and nightly specials, but if you haven’t tried our Famous Pirate Burger then you haven’t been to the Surf. Happy Arrrgghh is weekdays from 2-6 p.m. with 2x1 on all single liquor spirits, beer and house wine. Wing-it is Wednesdays from 4-9 p.m. with flavors from Mild to Wild. We have the NFL Sunday Ticket and 34 TV’s for all sports favorites! Open daily at 11 a.m.

3199 S. Fletcher Ave. 904-261-5711

Halftime Sports Bar and Grill

The place to be on the island for sports TV — NCAA, MLB, NFL and all your favorites. Starters feature pulled pork cheese fries and soon-to-be-famous wings.

The roster includes our famous All-star fish tacos, an impressive Angus burger and Gourmet quarter-pound hot dog. Try out our draft beer line-up of the best domestic and craft selections. Stop by, hang out & click halftimeameliaisland.com.

320 S. Eighth Street 904-321-0303

Cafe Karibo

Homemade sandwiches, salads and soups are served in a relaxed atmosphere in this charming building in the historic district. Delicious fresh fish specials and theme nights (Pad Thai and curry), plus vegetarian dishes, are also featured. Karibrew Brew Pub & Grub — the only one on the island — offers on-site beers and great burgers and sandwiches.

27 N. Third Street 904-277-5269

The Salty Pelican

Overlooking the sunset and the Intracoastal Waterway from our upstairs bar, The Salty Pelican offers one-of-a-kind views, an outdoor atmosphere, and features local, fresh seafood. This casual restaurant offers fish tacos, broiled oysters, oyster and shrimp po’ boys, meaty wings, and a delicious hamburger. Join us to watch all the games on our 14 TV’s, live entertainment on the weekends, or enjoy a draft beer — we have 17 on tap. Open 11 a.m. to midnight Mon.-Sat., open at 10 a.m. for Sunday Brunch.

12 N. Front Street 904-277-3811

Brett’s Waterway Café

Overlooking Fernandina Harbor Marina, Brett’s offers an upscale atmosphere with outstanding food. The extensive luncheon and dinner menus feature daily specials, fresh Florida seafood, chicken and aged beef. Cocktails, beer and wine. Casual resort wear. Open at 11:30 a.m. daily.

Fernandina Harbor Marina at the foot of Centre Street 904-261-2660

T-Ray’s Burger Station

T-Ray’s offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items.

In addition to an outstanding breakfast menu, you’ll find some of the best burgers you’ve ever put in your mouth. The Burger Station offers a grilled portabello mushroom burger, grilled or fried chicken salad and much more. The spot where locals grab a bite and go!

Now serving beer & wine. Open Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sundays.

202 S. Eighth Street 904-261-6310

Jack & Diane’s

The locals’ favorite hangout! Dine inside or on the patio of this cozy, renovated 1887 shotgun home in historic downtown Fernandina. From the crab & shrimp omelet to the steak & tomato pie, “The tastiest spot on Centre” offers food with attitude and unexpected flair. Live music elevates your dining experience to a new level. Come for breakfast, stay for dinner! You’ll love every bite!

708 Centre Street 904-321-1444

Sliders Seaside Grill

Oceanfront dining at its finest. Award-winning crab cakes, fresh daily seafood specials and homemade desserts. Sliders has Amelia Island’s only waterfront Tiki Bar, as well as a children’s playground and live music every weekend. The dining experience is complete with brand-new second-story banquet facilities, bar and verandah. Open at 11 a.m. daily Mon.-Fri. Make Sliders Seaside Grill your place to be for friends and family, entertainment and the best food on the East Coast. Call for your next special event.

1998 S. Fletcher Ave. 904-277-6652

Amelia Island is 13 miles of unspoiled beaches, quaint shops, antique treasures and superb dining in a 50-block historic district less than one hour north of Jacksonville DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9

Crime City

It Doesn’t Pay to Play with 911

Testifying on the phone can come back to bite you

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very jerk in the ’jects and every twit in the trailers knows you can call the cops to settle scores. Just dial 911 and say you’ve been raped/ assaulted/robbed or that your wife/husband/ fuckbuddy is beating, scaring, threatening you, etc. The cops don’t mind being played because they win by busting people. Arrests keep the jail full and the Palace of Justice humming with hearings. They enable every elected official, whether right-wing freakazoid or liberal squish, to add “crime buster” to their bumper stickers before election day.

Recently, the realization has spread through the Land of the Low that you can testify to 911 and put your version of events into the official record. If something grisly goes down, the 911 call will make its way to radio and TV stations and into court. Best yet, with 911, you can have your say without being quizzed by cops, who ask questions rapid-fire in a confusing manner and have a habit of saying, “Do you know that lying to a law enforcement officer is a felony?”

If matters go to court, your 911 statement can’t be cross-examined under oath by annoyingly articulate state attorneys.

Playing cops and prosecutors via 911, like staging a crime scene, is a high-risk game. First, you can contradict yourself. Later, after you’ve had advice of counsel, you might find it advisable to say something different, but it will be too late.

You’re already on the record. When peeved about perjury, judges can sentence you to a year of busting up lime rock to plant vegetables or cutting grass with scissors along state highways.

Second, if you really get jammed up on the witness stand, you might find it difficult to assert your Fifth Amendment right against selfincrimination. A prosecutor will say, “Your honor, the defendant has already spoken on this matter!”

Lest you forget, those 911 operators — courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent — work for the cops! If you talk too long and too convolutedly into their digital recorders, they will begin, oh-so-politely, to interrogate you. They know, and you don’t, certain key words that trigger an indirect confession.

Let’s say you shoot someone in your home.

You call 911 and declare, “It was self-defense!”

The 911 operator, following dispatch of the police, will ask you questions. “Did you know him?” If you say you did, that person may be ruled lawfully present and your self-defense claim may have just flown out the window.

They will certainly ask, step by step, what happened. They may interject little questions like, “After the first shot, did you run after him?” If you say “yes,” you’ve just blown your other defense because, when you’re chasing someone and holding a gun, you’re not, by definition, standing your ground.

The idea of testifying to 911 recently occurred to George Zimmerman during his

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TAKE A SHOT Read more of Crime City at folioweekly.com/crimecity

latest scrum with his latest ladylove. Who hit whom isn’t clear, since it is Zimmerman’s unique charm to make women eager to jump in bed with him, then equally eager to smash crockery and break furniture. What is indisputable is that, while his girlfriend was raging to 911 on her cellphone, Zimmerman was too obviously testifying to 911 on his.

It didn’t go well. All he could think to say was, “I didn’t do anything.” When the operator asked what he meant, he wouldn’t elaborate.

When cops banged on the doors and windows, he stayed on the phone. The dispatcher asked him, several times, to “talk to the police officer.”

When he kept talking to 911, he appeared to be hiding something.

Not good.

Nattering to 911 can cause other problems. Two years ago, I was on my bicycle peddling Downtown from my thinking emporium high atop Police Zone 1 when I came upon a dead body. Actually, it was a car perforated with several hundred holes created by the 7.62x39 mm, full-metal-jacket ammo that’s popular on my block because it can whiz through sheet metal with enough juice left to kill all within.

The trunk was oozing protoplasm, and the spice of decomp was in the air. As a dutiful citizen, I dialed the number and gave the operator the vehicle location and description.

I did not, however, give them my name and address. (My cellphone is an untraceable Walmart burner with no GPS.) The reason was simple. The victim had been blasted somewhere else and the car towed into place as a warning. Had I identified myself on the 911 call, I might have been asked to make a statement or to testify at trial, though I had nothing material to say.

That’s a risk. In my neighborhood, rats, especially the two-legged variety, get shot. The local dope bosses and I have a live-and-let-live arrangement that works. I stay out of their business; their bullets stay out of my head.

So, gang, when calling 911, do so only because you need help. Be brief, then hang up.

If you play the cops, or get played, it can cause jail-type and morgue-type problems, In Crime City.

Wes Denham themail@folioweekly.com

Denham is currently at work on “The Crime Wasn’t Murder: The Death of Trayvon Martin and the Prosecution of George Zimmerman.” You can reach him at wesdenham.com.

Sportstalk

Photo: Dennis Ho

The Name Game

Why stop at selling the naming rights of Veterans Memorial Arena?

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hen I was a kid, I was shocked when things were renamed.

When the Soviets renamed cities as Stalingrad and Leningrad, or the Vietnamese used the name Ho Chi Minh City, I found it jarring. I couldn’t understand what would drive renaming — the need for historical reinvention, perhaps, or a desire to reinforce a new iconography. It seemed inorganic somehow.

I had the same issue with banks. My local Barnett Bank was absorbed by Wachovia, which in turn was absorbed by Wells Fargo. Not that the localist permutation was necessarily better than the behemoth that re-contextualized it, but it seemed more authentic somehow when it was a smaller entity.

The local always is absorbed by the global in the sense of corporate identity. Any hipster startup worth its salt has an eye on the exit strategy: when to cash out, how much to cash out for and, maybe, who to cash out for. Critics carped and caviled when the nihilist website Vice was bought out by Fox. Really, is there much difference between the two?

We are marks for branding, us 21st-century Americans, especially when it comes to our diversions. We want our food stamped “organic,” our music from an “indie” imprint, our quasisubversive literature from a small press. And this extends to our public buildings — we expect them, paradoxically, to exude a sense of purpose. As if it matters if the place where we see a concert or an ice hockey game or whatever is named after anyone important, and memorial or tribute to any concept.

Some are struggling with recent talk from Alan Verlander, Jacksonville’s sports and entertainment executive director, of amending the name of Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. He said the idea came up during negotiations between the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars about the EverBank scoreboards. Mayor Alvin Brown said he has no plans to change the name of the arena, said David DeCamp, the mayor’s spokesman.

In response to talk of adding a corporate name in 2002, the City Council passed an ordinance that states the arena “shall not bear the name of any individual or company or any other thing as any part of the title, but shall be designated only as ‘Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.’” So for a name change to occur, the City Council would have to approve it.

“If you can’t stand up for our troops, then stand in front of them,” Owais Ansar of Hala Foods wrote on Facebook.

They believe that any amendment to the name would be a violation of the public trust.

Not among that group, alas, is the aforementioned Verlander.

“We are doing a disservice to the people of Jacksonville if we don’t look at every revenue opportunity,” Verlander told the Jacksonville Business Journal.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? Share your thoughts at folioweekly.com/sportstalk.

A cynic can look at this situation as being one in which the highly paid Verlander is seeking a line item on his résumé to justify his salary. Not that the city sees the accounting in this quite so transparently, but there’s something ironic about a public employee who makes almost $180,000 a year looking at “every revenue opportunity” to offset wages from the public coffers that are just a bit above the poverty line.

I appreciate irony, and I appreciate a lack of sentimentality. In the pursuit of a longdormant revenue source, I have to give props to this “next level” thinking. Verlander claimed that his office has been inundated with national companies’ inquiries.

“Between us and SMG, we can develop and extensive plan to determine the value of what a naming right sponsorship would look like,” he said.

How much can the city make? Millions, according to Verlander. That sum is predicated upon such future events as early-round basketball games at the arena during the 2015 NCAA tournament and other events of equal mid-market interest.

If Verlander can get millions of dollars out of that, he’s a genius.

If local veterans, veterans’ families and military enthusiasts can’t understand the logic behind this move, they need to reconsider.

Sure, it sounds nice to pretend that the name is sacrosanct. Does it matter if we call it the “Jacksonville Arena,” “Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena,” “Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena brought to You by Monsanto and Yum Foods,” or even the “Correctional Corporation of America Veterans Memorial Arena”?

It matters when we think about it in the abstract, but when enjoying events there, not so much.

Renaming the arena in pursuit of corporate dollars is brilliant, but why stop there?

Schools in need of renaming, such as Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, could benefit from a pro-active approach. Why not monetize the names of schools also? Anything wrong, say, with Walmart High School? Fidelity Academy? I don’t think so. I think we’re past the point of pretending there’s some highminded civic discourse and a fixed canonical group of heroes. Or at least we should be.

We could even say the proceeds are going to good causes. Veterans charities or memorials, in the case of the arena. Educational resources, in the case of schools to be renamed.

Or we could just put the money into the pockets of bureaucrats and upper-level staffers.

Whatever works is OK with me. Just as long as the right people get paid.

AG Gancarski themail@folioweekly.com twitter.com/aggancarski DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11

WATCH DAVID LUCKIN TALK ABOUT HIS RADIO SHOW WITH LAYAR

12 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

David Luckin launched the Saturday evening “Night Flight” show, which became the five-day-a-week “Electro Lounge.”

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avid Luckin is worried about the mess on his desk. Shuffling piles of paper, pushing stacks of CDs aside, he clears a spot for my tape recorder. What he seems not to realize, perhaps because he has spent the last decade surrounded by so much stuff, is that his entire office, and his studio, too, look just like his desk. Towers of CDs fill his shelves, banks of vinyl records lean in long rows against his desk, boxes of promotional materials crowd the floor.

The walls are covered as well. Posters of Bob Marley, James Dean and ’50s-era Elvis gaze down from on high. One entire wall is adorned with vintage record album covers. There are tons more in his broadcast studio, filling every available nook, cranny and crevice. Kitschy memorabilia, model classic cars, even a Maltese Falcon replica — it all colludes to create a kaleidoscopic timeline of music, movies and America’s obsession with celebrity.

Luckin is an obsessive himself, boasting an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and film. He has a particular fondness for early rock-’n’-roll and film noir, but he’s also enamored of current European lounge and downtempo modern music, which comprises much of his show, “Electro Lounge.”

The specialty program celebrates its 10th anniversary on Dec. 7.

Airing on WJCT 89.9-FM from 9-11 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday and 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

Saturday, “Electro Lounge” is Luckin’s baby.

As the station’s music director, Luckin plays a role in all of the musical programming for the station. But “Electro Lounge,” well, that’s all him — literally. Originally designed as a onehour ethereal “space” music show airing every Saturday evening (first called “NightFlight”), Luckin’s program expanded over time to become one of WJCT’s hippest — and most listened to — original programs.

As the always-mellow Luckin frantically cleans his desk, he rattles off the names of artists on various CDs as he stacks them neatly to one side. “Bing Crosby scatting with Duke Ellington, Camera Obscura’s new album, Bob Dylan re-release …” For the moment he is satisfied with a small gulf cleared on his desk. I set my tape recorder down in the space provided and press the little red button.

Two hours later, Luckin is still talking.

Beyond Space

“When people would ask me, ‘What kind of music do you play?’ I used to say, ‘space music,’ ” Luckin says about his original program “NightFlight.” “The space music I’m referring to was usually more on the late-night, dreamy [side]. I used to say it was space music with a beat. When ‘Electro Lounge’ started [in 2003], and I had two hours

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Radio Head

“It’s got a connection that’s missing from so much of corporate radio,” says WJCT’s programming and news director Karen Feagins.

every night, suddenly I’m dropping in Pink Floyd and Johnny Cash, and the show really expanded. When ‘Electro Lounge’ came along, it became much more eclectic.”

Anyone familiar with the inner workings of public radio — hell, publicly funded anything — knows that paying for programming is not a cheap proposition, so it begs the question: How does one suddenly go from one night a week to five, with expanded time allotted into the wee hours of Sunday morning?

“Tony Allegretti walks in the door and says, ‘If I brought you $20,000, can you make this show five nights a week?’ He found a sponsor in Springfield, when the whole revitalization of Springfield was happening. … I’m a product of the real estate boom.”

Allegretti, a Jacksonville mover and shaker who has managed many special projects, including founding the First Wednesday Art Walk and co-founding the Riverside Arts Market, made it possible for Luckin to realize his vision: a show that focused on downtempo world lounge music with branches that reach into classic rock, big band, reggae and dub, and traditional and acid jazz, coupled with classic commercials and special-edition shows from his favorite artists.

In a word, Luckin is making daily mix tapes for his friends — his listening audience — to enjoy.

“I brought the music back. The music was all going away,” says Luckin, referring to the programming shift that occurred back in 1999, when the station eliminated its daytime classical music programming and went to its current all-news-and-talk format. “We have a split personality [at WJCT]. Half our day is news and information, the other half is all music.”

Luckin was instrumental in bringing classical music back (in the form of the program “Performance Today,” which airs 7-9 p.m. weekdays) while expanding the nighttime lineup with new-music programs like “Indie Endeavor,” “Blues Horizons,” “String Theory”

and others. And Luckin has always been a supporter of the WJCT staple “This is Jazz,” hosted by jazz historian Bob Bednar, which complements Luckin’s sometimes-jazz-heavy “Electro Lounge.”

A former broadcast journalist, Luckin often layers his programs with historically significant bits — commercials and interviews from musical or political icons of the past — creating an odd juxtaposition between the new and the old. He rarely answers to the suits, so he is at liberty to create his own wonderland of music, as long as he observes FCC rules and regulations.

“Eighty percent of ‘Electro Lounge’ is new music,” Luckin says. “Like today, I am going through all of the new music that I bought or has been sent to me, and I’m picking what I think will be good. I don’t get a playlist — you know, ‘Here’s the Top 10, and you gotta play the shit outta these songs for the next week.’

Nobody tells me what to play. … I can play Santana or the Thievery Corporation or the Sneaker Pimps, as long as it’s on the chill side.

That umbrella of downtempo [in any genre] means it’s chill.”

That’s Luckin’s only personal criterion: It has to be mellow — music meant for chilling out after a long day at the office or the ride home after a Saturday night of hard partying. Luckin grew up with underground college radio, and in the age of Internet streaming, he wants to keep that ethic alive. He still considers himself a DJ, in the classic sense of the word.

Pulse of the People

“We are all about our community,” says WJCT’s programming and news director Karen Feagins, “and so to have someone who is here thinking about what someone who in Jacksonville is interested in hearing, exposing people in our community to the music he gets from all around the world, it’s so important. I DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15

Radio Head also think it’s crucial to have shows like this, where he brings in local artists, and has them sit right here in the studio and perform. It’s got a connection that’s missing from so much of corporate radio.”

Luckin has made a habit of bringing in local artists to both perform on his show and to host a portion of “Electro Lounge,” playing their favorite tunes while talking about music and the community. Local musicians and bands that have appeared in the past include violinist Rebecca Zapen, the rootsy ensemble Canary in the Coalmine, avant-folk duo Lee Hunter and Arvid Smith, singer Lady Daisey, pop duo Flagship Romance, songwriter Grant Nielsen and (full disclosure) me.

“I like the diversity,” says Lady Daisey (aka Daisey Traynham), who performs both as a soloist and with her husband Batsauce (aka Brit Traynham). “The soul, the funk. I like that David really knows his music. Not just the songs, but also the history, the artists, the juicy stories that go along with each one. He’s not just a DJ, he’s a music historian.”

It’s a formula that has paid off over the past 10 years.

“You know what I really try to do?”

Luckin asks. “I just like to play nice music. I know that sounds sappy. Music that connects with people. I’m old-fashioned like that. To me, I’m doing radio. I’m not playing songs as much as I’m making radio. I don’t know if people will get that, but everyone here who

produces a program, we have a reason why we play everything.”

Luckin says his purpose is to expose his audience to the newest music while building bridges between the latest artists and their predecessors. He can’t help it, really. Having been in radio for so many years, he draws these parallels naturally. In so doing, he brings in listeners from all age groups and lovers of all music genres.

“You look and you see how they influenced so many people,” says Luckin of the older artists he features. “So I’m always gonna play Miles Davis, I’m always gonna play Billie Holiday, I’m always gonna play Frank Sinatra, I’m always gonna play Elvis, the Beatles, Bob Marley. To me, they were so influential, I can never forget the roots of where we all came from.”

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of “Electro Lounge,” Luckin is releasing a CD with his favorite cuts from the show’s past, due out in February of 2014. And the Dec. 7 anniversary program will include highlights from past shows. It’s all part of keeping the show at once current and archival.

“To me, maybe it’s because I’m a journalist,” Luckin says about his tendency to bridge the past with the present. “You really need to know the history.”

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YOUR LUCKIN DAY See a video of David Luckin at folioweekly.com/music.

© 2006 folioweekly

16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

Towers of CDs fill Luckin’s shelves, banks of vinyl records lean in long rows against his desk, and boxes of promotional materials crowd the floor.

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SCAN WITH LAYAR TO SEE AUGUST BURNS RED, CHEAP TRICK, SHEMKIA COPELAND AND MORE

Our Picks Reasons to leave the house this week

BLUES SHEMEKIA COPELAND

The two-time Grammy nominee was rather shy when her father, guitar legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, brought her up on stage at 8 years old.

But since her 1998 debut album – “Turn the Heat Up!” – Shemekia Copeland’s voice has carried the day. Called “nothing short of uncanny” by The Village Voice, Copeland was dubbed “Queen of the Blues” at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival.

8 p.m. Dec. 8, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, $24-$29, 209-0367, pvconcerthall.com.

INNOVATION TEDXWOMEN

TEDx continues its mission of sharing ideas worth spreading. The “TEDxWomen: Invented Here” live simulcast features open-water swimmer Diana Nyad, singer-songwriter Meklit Hadero, drummer troupe Ingoma Nshya and “Lean In” author Sheryl Sandberg (pictured). The program includes “To Be Is to Do,” “Wisdom Begins with Wonder” and “To Move the World, First Move Yourself.”

3:30-9 p.m. Dec. 6, Student Union Auditorium, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Bldg.

58, Rm. 2704, free for current UNF students, faculty and staff with valid ID; $9 general admission, 620-5934, www.unf.edu/taylorleadership/Upcoming_Events.aspx.

METAL AUGUST BURNS RED

Metalcore band August Burns Red is yelling for governments to stop cutting budgets for arts education. In an interview with the Oklahoma Gazette, guitarist Brent Rambler took aim at laws giving grants to students in science or history, but not the arts. “Without music, art, literature … there’s no culture, and you’ve taken a lot of what makes life so great away,” Rambler told Oklahoma City’s alt weekly. The five-piece band makes some noise promoting its 2013 album – “Rescue & Restore” – with support from Bless The Fall, Defeater and Beartooth. 6 p.m. Dec. 5, Brewster’s Roc Bar, 845 University Blvd. N., Arlington, $22, 223-9850, brewstersmegaplex.com.

CLASSIC ROCK CHEAP TRICK

The stalwart rockers from Rockford, Ill., are well-known for their oft-covered hits “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender.” Fans of “The Colbert Report” might or might not know the show’s theme music, “Baby Mumbles,” is also by Cheap Trick, a band that’s sold more than 20 million records. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, $38.50-$58.50, 355-5661, floridatheatre.com.

THEATER HANDLE WITH CARE

See this staged rom-com off-Broadway or in San Marco. A special arrangement with playwright Jason Odell Williams – an Emmy nominee – brings the “inevitable love” story to Theatre Jacksonville while it premieres in New York. A young Israeli woman and a young American man break down barriers of language and romance.

Evening performances Dec. 6, 8, 12-14 and 19-21; matinees 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15, Theatre Jacksonville, 2032 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, $20-$25, 396-4425, theatrejax.com.

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VISUAL ARTS UNSEEN IMAGES, UNTOLD STORIES

Using photographs and personal stories from Jacksonville’s LGBT community, this installation aims to raise awareness in Northeast Florida and beyond. “Unseen Images, Untold Stories: The Lives of LGBT Elders in Northeast Florida” – a community collaborative project between MOCA and ElderSource – gives voice to these stories and challenges faced locally. After being displayed at MOCA, the exhibit moves to other Florida venues. Opening reception 2-4 p.m. Dec. 8; exhibit continues through Jan. 26, Florida Blue Education Gallery at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, free, 366-6911, mocajacksonville.com. Photo: a n n e Goldbauer, 2013

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Movies **** ***@ **@@ *@@@

FILM RATINGS

AMERICAN PSYCHO RESCUE DAWN REIGN OF FIRE TERMINATOR SALVATION

NOW SHOWING

12 YEARS A SLAVE **** Rated R • Chiwetel Ejiofor is great in the powerful film based on real events. He plays Solomon, a free black man in pre-Civil War New York who’s abducted, then sold into slavery for 12 cruel years. He meets a Canadian abolitionist and hopes his misery is over. Co-stars Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and Quvenzhané Wallis.

THE ARMSTRONG LIE ***G Rated R • Opens Dec. 6. Oscar-winner Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side”) utilized unprecedented access to chronicle a sports legend’s rise and fall from grace in this documentary. On camera, Lance Armstrong admits, “I didn’t live a lot of lies, but I lived one big one.”

BAD GRANDPA **@@ Rated R • “Jackass” character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and impressionable young grandson, Billy (Jackson Nicoll), go on a wild hidden-camera road trip across America, placing real citizens in stupid situations.

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY **@@ Rated R • This comedy, just in time for the holidays, has the best-looking cast we’ve ever seen. Really: Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrance Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Eddie Cibrian and Atif Lanier.

BLACK NATIVITY *G@@ Rated PG • This holiday musical, based on 2013 Langston Hughes’ play,© is about Langston (Jacob Latimore), an adolescent who spends Christmas with grandparents he’s never met – a strict preacher and his wife (Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett) – New York City kin of his single mother Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Co-stars Tyrese Gibson, Mary J. Blige and Nas.

FolioWeekly

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR ***G Rated NC-17 • Two young French women (Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos) explore life’s possibilities.

THE BOOK THIEF **** Rated PG-13 • Amid the chaos and horror of WWII, Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) steals books – before the Nazis can burn them – and shares them with the folks around her.

Co-stars Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

BULLETT RAJA **@@ Not Rated • The new action movie co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Jimmy Shergill. In Hindi.

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ***G Rated PG-13 • Tom Hanks plays Phillips, a sea captain whose cargo ship is boarded by Somali pirates – Muse (Barkhad Abdi), Bilal (Barkhad Abdirahman), Najee (Faysal Ahmed) and Elmi (Mahat M. Ali) – in April 2009.

THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE **@@ Rated PG • This fantasy drama is set in 1890s England, as the modern convenience of electricity threatens to end a centuries-old legend of a candle and its miraculous powers. Co-stars Susan Boyle and Hans Matheson.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 **G@ Rated PG • This sequel is a rehash: same problems, different version. Kids will love the food creatures, though. Co-stars voices of Bill Hader, James Caan, Anna Faris, Terry Crews, Andy Samberg and Neal Patrick Harris.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB ***G Rated R • The drama, based on a true story, is sparking serious Oscar talk for stars Matthew McConaughey, who plays redneck electrician Ron, and Jared Leto, who plays transvestite Rayon in Dallas, 1985. Ron is shocked when he learns he’s HIV-positive, with only one month to live.

He’s even more stunned to find out the drugs that might save his life aren’t for sale in the U.S. Co-stars Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn and Griffin Dunne.

DELIVERY MAN **G@ Rated PG-13 • Underachiever David Wozniak discovers his 691 sperm donations to a fertility clinic in the early 1990s resulted in 533 children, 142 of whom filed a court action seeking his identity – they want to meet the man known only by his donor nom d’essence, “Starbuck.”

Co-stars Cobie Smulders and Chris Pratt.

22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

Originally in production as the “the ultimate comeback story” of cyclist Lance Armstrong, “The Armstrong Lie” became an inside look at Armstrong before and after he admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. The film opens Dec. 6 at Regal Beach Boulevard. Photo: Sony Picture Classics ENDER’S GAME ***@ Rated PG-13 • In the not-so-distant future, the International Military searches for a young soldier to command troops in battle against an alien foe. Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) chooses bright young mind Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) to lead the fight to determine the future of Earth.

FREE BIRDS **@@ Rated PG • This animated comedy, with voices of Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson, Dan Fogler, Amy Poehler and George Takei, explores time travel by two determined turkeys who want to not be the main course for the holidays.

FROZEN ***G Rated PG • Disney’s latest feature introduces sisters Anna and Elsa, royalty of the northern land of Arendelle. Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) and Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel) are strong characters in this animated version of “The Snow Queen.”

GORE TERE PYAAR MEIN *G@@ Not Rated • The Bollywood rom-com co-stars Imran Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Anupam Kher. In English and Hindi.

GRAVITY **** Rated PG-13 • The out-of-this-world survival story from director Alfonso Cuaron stars Sandra Bullock as medical engineer Ryan Stone and George Clooney as experienced astronaut Matt Kowalsky. While outside the ship making repairs, communication with Houston is severed.

They’re left tethered together, floating 375 miles above the Earth. How will they survive?

HOMEFRONT ***@ Rated R • Reviewed in this issue.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE ***G Rated PG-13 • In Part 2 of the trilogy, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is a celebrity warrior hero manipulated by the Capitol’s leader Snow (Donald Sutherland). There’s revolution in the air due to her win at the Games. Co-stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Willow Shields (Will and Jada’s daughter) and Jack Quaid (Dennis and Meg’s son).

LAST VEGAS *@@@ Rated PG-13 • Sixty-somethings Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) meet in Las Vegas to throw a bachelor party for their last single friend, Billy (Michael Douglas), who’s marrying his much younger girlfriend.

OLDBOY *G@@ Rated R • Josh Brolin plays Joe, a man who was kidnapped and kept in solitary confinement for 20 years

for no apparent reason. Well, he was an advertising exec …

Co-stars Elizabeth Olsen and Samuel L. Jackson.

OUT OF THE FURNACE ***@ Rated R • Opens Dec. 6 Everyman Russell Baze (Christian Bale) takes care of his terminally ill father while working at the steel mill. When his brother Rodney (Casey Affleck), an Iraq War vet, joins a crime ring then disappears, Russell seeks justice. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film costars Forest Whitaker, Woody Harrelson and Zoe Saldana.

PHILOMENA **** Rated PG-13 • Journalist Martin (Steve Coogan) needs to boost his career. Philomena (Dame Judi Dench) wants to find the son she gave up for adoption, forced by not-so-holy nuns decades earlier. Stephen Frears directed.

RAM-LEELA ***@ Not Rated • The new romantic drama co-stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. In Hindi.

THOR: THE DARK WORLD ***@ Rated PG-13 • The sequel, with more action and special effects, stars Chris Hemsworth as the goldentressed Thor and Natalie Portman as his Earth-time girlfriend Jane. Co-stars Christopher Eccleston, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgard.

OTHER FILMS

FARRAGUT FEST A celebration of all things “Star Trek,” the science-fiction open house features free-standing “Star Trek” film sets of the bridge, transporter room, shuttlecraft interior, Romulan bridge, sick bay and a curving corridor, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7 at Farragut Films Studio, 516 W. William Ave., Kingsland, Ga.; free, 607-2770, farragutfest.com.

LATITUDE 30 MOVIES “We’re the Millers” screens at CineGrille, Latitude 30, 10370 Philips Highway, Southside. Call for showtimes.

365-5555.

WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME IMAX THEATER “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Great White Shark 3D,” “Tornado Alley 3D” and “The Last Reef 3D” are screened at World Golf Hall of Fame Village IMAX Theater, 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, 940-IMAX, worldgolfimax.com.

For more film events, go to folioweekly.com/calendar. For details to add yours, go to folioweekly.com/eventhowto. html. Folio Weekly doesn’t accept emails for print listing events. Deadline for print is 4 p.m. Monday, 10 days before publication. Due to space constraints, not all events appear in print.

AREA THEATERS

AMELIA ISLAND Carmike 7, 1132 S. 14th St., Fernandina Beach, 261-9867 ARLINGTON & REGENCY AMC Regency 24, 9451 Regency Square Blvd., 264-3888 BAYMEADOWS & MANDARIN Regal Avenues 20, 9525 Philips Highway, 538-3889 BEACHES Regal Beach Blvd. 18, 14051 Beach Blvd., 992-4398 FIVE POINTS Sun-Ray Cinema@5Points, 1028 Park St., 359-0047 GREEN COVE SPRINGS Clay Theatre, 326 Walnut St., 284-9012 NORTHSIDE Regal River City 14, River City Marketplace, 12884 City Center Blvd., 757-9880

ORANGE PARK AMC Orange Park 24, 1910 Wells Road, (888) AMC-4FUN Carmike 12, 1820 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island, 621-0221 SAN MARCO San Marco Theatre, 1996 San Marco Blvd., 396-4845 SOUTHSIDE Cinemark Tinseltown, 4535 Southside Blvd., 998-2122 ST. AUGUSTINE Epic Theatres, 112 Theatre Drive, 797-5757 IMAX Theater, World Golf Village, 940-IMAX Pot Belly’s, 36 Granada St., 829-3101

Movies

After DEA agent Phil Broker (Jason Statham) causes the death of a gang leader’s son, he faces the consequences in “Homefront.” Photo: Open Road Films

Lean, Mean Menace

Jason Statham takes usual role of scruffy badass with a heart of gold, but supporting cast elevates flick HOMEFRONT

***@ Rated R

W

ith Sylvester Stallone providing the screenplay and Jason Statham playing the hero, we pretty much know what’s in store for us in “Homefront.” Never a master of subtlety, either in his writing or his acting, Stallone wields predictability like a sledgehammer in his newest effort, leaving us with little in the way of suspense or surprise, at least in terms of plot.

Everything eventually works out for just about everyone in the movie, just about the way you might expect.

Nonetheless — and surprisingly so — the movie is also more fun than you might expect.

In fact, “Homefront” is one of the better Statham action flicks, even though he’s about the same as usual — a lean, mean badass with a cultivated unshaven look and a heart of gold for those who need him. This time, just like in “Safe” last year, it’s a young girl. Pity the poor morons who try to mess with her.

However, the new film rises above the clichés in some details, mostly associated with the supporting characters who do manage to break a bit from the otherwise hackneyed script. While Statham has little more to do than kick ass and look cool, he manages both with aplomb and conviction. The supporting cast members get a chance to chew the scenery and elevate the flick above the average action movie, even if only slightly so.

An opening sequence establishes the vengeance plot, which has little to do with the rest of the movie until the slam-bang conclusion. Posing as a member of a greasy biker gang that’s into big-time meth production and distribution, DEA agent Phil Broker (Statham in a dreadful long-haired wig) inadvertently causes the death of the boss man’s son. Gang leader Danny T (Chuck Zito) is apprehended, but naturally he swears revenge.

A year or so later, Broker has resigned from the agency and moved to a small Louisiana homestead to raise his young daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic) in peace and quiet after the death of her mother. That’s not going to happen, because this is a Jason Statham flick and just about everyone else in town — except for cute schoolteacher Susan (Rachelle Lefevre)

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HITTING HOME Share your review of “Homefront” and other films at folioweekly.com/movies.

— is one degree or other of white trash.

And guess what? There’s yet another local meth dealer in town, one Gator Bodine (James Franco), with strung-out sister Cassie (Kate Bosworth) and skanky girlfriend Sheryl (Winona Ryder), none of whom take kindly to the new guy with the bald head and funny accent.

However, after his goons get their heads and other body parts rearranged by Broker, Gator discovers Broker’s ties to the DEA and promptly notifies the ex-fed’s old nemesis, now serving time behind bars. Soon, a posse of greasy, ruthless bikers is on its way for a visit, with less than honorable intentions concerning our hero.

Counting “Fast and Furious 6” (in which he makes an uncredited appearance), “Homefront” is Statham’s fourth movie of 2013. You have to give it to the guy — he has both stamina and appeal.

Though he’s seldom had to evince much dramatic range in any of his movies, he nonetheless radiates a certain charisma that has less to do with muscles and swagger (like Stallone or Schwarzenegger) than with quiet, lean menace (like a much younger, much slimmer Steven Seagal).

The bad guys in “Homefront” and some of the ones on the periphery are particularly noteworthy. The multi-talented Franco is fun to watch as always, but the most noticeable performance is that of the alarmingly thin, nearly unrecognizable Bosworth as his druggie sister. Not typical for movies like this, her character actually undergoes a substantive change, as does her unappealing son. The same goes for the always-watchable Clancy Brown as the local sheriff. And having Ryder as the slutty bad girl is just … well, unexpectedly weird.

Touches like these add considerable flavor and interest to the otherwise predictable plot.

Director Gary Fleder (“Runaway Jury” and “Kiss the Girls”) orchestrates the action sequences with flair, doing his best with Stallone’s hokey, sentimental moments, most of them involving Maddy. Given the material, that’s about as good as anyone could hope for.

Pat McLeod themail@folioweekly.com

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 23

Music

Heath Fogg, Zac Cockrell, Brittany Howard and Steve Johnson are Alabama Shakes.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Rapid commercial and critical success hasn’t swayed the raw, down-to-earth approach of Southern rock quartet ALABAMA SHAKES with CLEAR PLASTIC MASKS 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., St. Augustine Tickets: $29.50-$39.50 209-0367, staugamphitheatre.com

B

©

24 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

y now, Alabama Shakes’ origin story feels downright mythical. In 2009, two high school outcasts, singer/guitarist Brittany Howard and bassist Zac Cockrell, start writing rootsy, blues- and soul-inspired jams in her bedroom. Steve Johnson, who works at the only record store in Athens, Alabama, add a punk/metal flavor on drums. The three record 2013 a demo; upon hearing it, guitarist Heath Fogg, Athens’ resident older rock guy, asks the trio to open for his band — and then insists on joining the fold.

In September 2011, a self-titled foursong EP captures the attention of influential music blog Aquarium Drunkard; practically overnight, NPR and other mainstream outlets are similarly singing its praises. The following month, a blistering CMJ Music Marathon performance in New York City cements the Shakes’ status as newcomers of the year.

Within weeks, the band goes from playing dive bars and honky-tonks to headlining at Bonnaroo and the Newport Folk Festival, as well as gracing hallowed musical grounds like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Three Grammy nominations, a gold certification for 2012’s full-length “Boys & Girls,” and a whirlwind of nonstop TV appearances and international tour dates have ensued. Yet at their core, the four members of Alabama Shakes have barely changed, simply refining everything they’ve always done — colossal vocals from Howard, gritty Muscle Shoals-influenced swagger from Cockrell, Fogg and Johnson — into a remarkably effective rock ’n’ roll machine. Fogg chatted with Folio Weekly about kicking back, helping out and always returning to Alabama.

Folio Weekly: It’s been two years since Alabama Shakes became a literal overnight sensation. With time and distance to digest that, does it still feel surreal?

Heath Fogg: To me it does. Lately, we’ve just been trying to get some down time at home with friends and family. But we just recorded in a studio for a week solid, which a few years ago was something I would have killed to do.

Everyday things like that are a blessing to me. Getting to do what I love for a living — something that doesn’t even seem like work — still feels surreal.

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SHAKE IT UP See a video of Alabama Shakes at folioweekly.com/music.

F.W.: Does the new material you’re working on represent any kind of major artistic departure for Alabama Shakes?

H.F.: I don’t think we’re intentionally trying to stray from what the last record sounded or felt like. But I feel like every song we write is a little different in its own way. Even “Boys & Girls” was all over the place, even though there was a common thread. We try to take each song as a new thing. Once we finish writing one, it feels like a new accomplishment. Maybe we just have a short attention span. But that’s really what makes us Alabama Shakes. We’re flying by the seat of our pants — just having fun, really.

F.W.: For as much success as Alabama Shakes have achieved, you still give back locally, playing benefits like the Tuscaloosa Get Up II benefit and even enlisted University of Alabama art students to create poster art for the band. How important is that to you?

H.F.: It feels important to me, although I don’t think I get to exercise that muscle as much as I’d like to. That’s why I always appreciate guys like Beau Hicks, who organized the Tuscaloosa Get Up. We did the first one when those tornados hit Tuscaloosa last year, and this one will be for the tornadoes that hit Oklahoma last spring. Here in Tuscaloosa, we helped Habitat for Humanity rebuild a house for a family, so rather than giving a little bit to so many people that we couldn’t really see how we helped, we gave a lot to one family.

F.W.: Do you think you all will always maintain that native pride for Alabama?

H.F.: Yeah. Getting to travel like we do, I realize anywhere you go is pretty similar to home. And home for us is where our friends and families are, which is Alabama. That’s where I want to start my family.

F.W.: So you haven’t gotten any flak back home in Athens for getting too big?

H.F.: Well, there are other people from Athens for all of us to be proud of: producer Kelvin Wooten, who’s worked with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton, San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers … But the town has really embraced and supported us more than I ever thought they would. I thought we might just fly under the radar.

Nick McGregor themail@folioweekly.com

CONCERTS THIS WEEK

GEORGE DONALDSON 5:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Culhane’s Irish Pub, 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, $27, 249-9595.

GOOD GRAEFF, HONKY SUCKLE, MASTER RADICAL, BROWN NATIVES, BETHANY STOCKDALE & THE TROUBADOURS 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at Burro Bar, 100 E. Adams St., Downtown, free, 677-2977.

AUGUST BURNS RED, BLESS THE FALL, DEFEATER, BEARTOOTH 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Brewster’s Roc Bar, 845 University Blvd. N., Arlington, $22, 223-9850.

PONTIAK, GUARDIAN ALIEN 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, $8, 398-7496.

RISING APPALACHIA 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at 1904 Music Hall, 19 Ocean St., Downtown, $12.

LARRY MANGUM & THE INVISIBLE COWBOYS 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Mudville Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., San Marco, $10, 352-7008.

CHEAP TRICK 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, $38.50-$58.50, 355-2787.

BELLARIVE 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Murray Hill Theatre, 932 Edgewood Ave. S., Murray Hill, $12, 388-3179.

NONPOINT, PAT TRAVERS 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Brewster’s Megaplex, 845 University Blvd. N., Arlington, $12, 223-9850.

SERENGHETTO, GROSS EVOLUTION 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Burro Bar, 100 E. Adams St., Downtown, $5, 677-2977.

GREENHOUSE LOUNGE, BEEBS & HER MONEYMAKERS, DARKHORSE SALOON 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Freebird Live, 200 N. First St., Jax Beach, $7, 246-2473.

STEREOFIDELICS 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Dog Star Tavern, 10 N. Second St., Fernandina Beach, 277-8010.

ALABAMA SHAKES, CLEAR PLASTIC MASKS 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., $29.50-$39.50, 209-0367.

BRIAN DAVIS, SHOTGUN HARBOUR, BARSTOOL WISDOM, JORDYN STODDARD 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, $8, 398-7496.

KALIYL, ARTILECT, SACRIFICE TO SURVIVE, LOOK RIGHT PENNY 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Freebird Live, 200 N. First St., Jax Beach, $8, 246-2473.

THE HIP ABDUCTION, FUSEBOX FUNK 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at 1904 Music Hall, 19 Ocean St., Downtown, $8.

SHEMEKIA COPELAND 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, $24-$29, 209-0367.

THE BIG TICKET: Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington, Thirty Seconds to Mars, A Day to Remember, Jimmy Eat World, Dirty Heads, Pepper, Manchester Orchestra, Twenty One Pilots, Sleeping With Sirens, Frank Turner, The 1975, Saints of Valory, Breaking Through 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at Metropolitan Park, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd., Downtown, $49.50, 630-0837.

HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, $37.50-$67.50, 355-2787.

Live Music FreebirdLive.com

/ TU 4U +BY #FBDI '- r #*3%

FRIDAY DECEMBER 6

VOID MAGAZINE PARTY GREENHOUSE LOUNGE BEEBS & HER MONEYMAKERS DARKHORSE SALOON SATURDAY DECEMBER 7 SCAN WITH LAYAR TO SEE HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS Grammy-winning band Huey Lewis & The News celebrates the 30-year anniversary of “Sports�� by b playing l i that h No. 1 album, as well as other hits, Dec. 8 at The Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville. Photo: Paradigm Agency VOLUMES, ABIOTIC 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Atticus Bar, 325 W. Forsyth St., Downtown, 634-8813.

JOHN MAYER, PHILLIP PHILLIPS 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd., Downtown, $34-$68.50, 379-5196.

THE THERMALS, BEACH DAY 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, $12, 398-7496.

JERRY GARCIA COVER BAND, SWEET KNIEVEL 8 p.m.

Dec. 11 at Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, $8, 398-7496.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

PIERCE PETTIS Dec. 12, Mudville Music Room CONSIDER THE SOURCE, SQUEEDLEPUSS Dec. 12, 1904 Music Hall ONE FOR THEM CHURN CHRISTMAS BENEFIT SHOW: Poor Richards, Snake Blood Remedy , Jumping Ship , Deliriums , Southern Alabama Pie Cook Off, Status Faux Dec. 13, Shantytown Pub SARAH LEE GUTHRIE, JOHNNY IRION Dec. 13, Underbelly

THE HOWLIN’ BROTHERS Dec. 13, Mudville Music Room VEARA, STICKUP KID, MAJOR LEAGUE Dec. 13, Atticus Bar KATHLEEN MADIGAN Dec. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall JOSH THOMPSON, COLE SWINDELL Dec. 13, Mavericks at The Landing BOMBADIL Dec. 13, Jack Rabbits GLOWING SCREENS, DORIAN NINS Dec. 13, Burro Bar WEEKEND ATLAS Dec. 13, Freebird Live THE NOCTAMBULANT, LEPROSY, SATURNINE, SLOW MOTION SUICIDE, NEFARIOUS ASCENDANCY Dec. 13, 1904 Music Hall MERCY GIRL Dec. 14, Murray Hill Theatre NEW DAY, THE SENSES, JUG OR NOT, APPALACHIAN DEATH TRAP Dec. 14, Jack Rabbits EVERGREEN TERRACE CD Release Party Dec. 14, Underbelly PAPADOSIO Dec. 14, Freebird Live MICHAEL JOHNATHON Dec. 14, Mudville Music Room JOHN McCUTCHEON Dec. 14, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LITTLE WAR TWINS Dec. 14, Burro Bar MISFITS Dec. 15, Brewster’s Roc Bar DUBLIN CITY RAMBLERS Dec. 15, Culhane’s Irish Pub

NORTHE/FORT STORIES THE INVERTED/BRENNA STORM FRIDAY DECEMBER 13

WEEKEND ATLAS EP RELEASE PARTY SATURDAY DECEMBER 14

PAPADOSIO EARTHCRY FRIDAY DECEMBER 20

POOL

SHARK

SATURDAY DECEMBER 21

INSPECTION 12

POOR RICHARDS/SOFTER SIDE THE TOMMY HARRISON GROUP FRIDAY DECEMBER 27

FUSEBOX FUNK PARKER URBAN BAND SATURDAY DECEMBER 28

Mon-

TuesWed-

MEN’S NIGHT OUT Beer Pong 9pm Free Pool DJ BG ALL U CAN EAT CRABLEGS Texas Hold ’Em STARTS AT 7 P.M.

CANARY IN THE COALMINE THIS FRONTIER NEEDS HEROES PILOTWAVE/FJORD EXPLORER TUESDAY DECEMBER 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH

HAPPY HOUR ALL NIGHT BAR BINGO 6PM KIDS EAT FREE FROM 5 P.M. TO 9 P.M. BUY 10 WINGS GET 10 WINGS FREE 1/2 PRICED APPETIZERS (BAR ONLY) 5 P.M.-CLOSE

GRANDPA’S COUGH MEDICINE

Thurs-

OPEN MIC NITE 9PM CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT 1/2 PRICED DRINKS 10 P.M-12. A.M.

THE SWORD

Fri-

MAD HATTERS 9:30pm 1/2 PRICE APPS-FRI (BAR ONLY) 4-7PM DECK MUSIC 5 P.M.-9 P.M.

Sat-

MAD HATTERS 9:30pm DECK MUSIC 5 P.M.-9 P.M.

Sun-

LIVE MUSIC 4:30-8:30pm

THE CORBITT BROTHERS SUNDAY JANUARY 5

CLUTCH CROBOTS SUNDAY JANUARY 12

MARCHFORTH MARCHING BAND TUESDAY JANUARY 14

THE WAILERS UPCOMING

1-16: 1-30: 2-15: 2-19: 2-23: 2-27:

Galactic Yonder Mountain String Band Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads) The Expendables/Stick Figure Toubab Krewe G.Love & Special Sauce

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 25

Night Eye

1

2

3

4

Under the Sun and Moon

F

lying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar is the newest spot to see and be seen at the Beaches. Located in the former Sun Dog Diner spot in Neptune Beach, it features live music, lots of tequila and amazing tacos. It’s open late most nights and has a huge bar offering more than just tequila, like local craft beers and signature cocktails.

Abigail Wright themail@folioweekly.com 1. Beth Salzberg, Kari Peterson, Mandy Dancel 2. Nila Sharifeli, Blake Kelly 3. Danielle White 4. Sarah Perry, David Wyndham 5. Matt Moses

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26 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

NIGHT EYE ONLINE For more photos from this and other events, check out the Pictures & Video link at folioweekly.com.

N-TYPE, DEEJAY EARL, TEAM GRIME, SEMANTIKS, BOBBY NEWPORT, VLAD THE INHALER Dec. 15, Underbelly MICHAEL McDONALD: This Christmas Dec. 17, Florida Theatre THE JACKSONVILLE OLD TIME JAM Dec. 17, Underbelly GUNTHER DOUG Dec. 17, Burro Bar JOSHUA POWELL & THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY Dec. 17, 1904 Music Hall SARAH MAC BAND Dec. 17, Mudville Music Room PETER WHITE CHRISTMAS with RICK BRAUN, MINDI ABAIR Dec. 18, The Florida Theatre ANGELO MOORE, REBELMATIC Dec. 18, Jack Rabbits THY ART IS MURDER Dec. 18, Brewster’s Megaplex STOOP KIDS Dec. 18, 1904 Music Hall STRUNG LIKE A HORSE Dec. 19, Jack Rabbits THE HEAVY PETS, PARKER URBAN BAND Dec. 19, 1904 Music Hall KINESIS, COMBUSTIBLE, WALI SADEQ, BEN DOBSON, INCYTE, SCOTTIE P, ALBERT ADKINS Dec. 20, 1904 Music Hall PRESTON POHL Dec. 20, The Standard TOOTS LORRAINE & THE TRAFFIC Dec. 20, Mojo No. 4 SLOW MAGIC Dec. 20, The Original Café Eleven KALIYL, THE BLANK CANVAS, ARBOR PARK, LEAH SYKES, BETHANY STOCKDALE Dec. 20, Murray Hill Theatre ZACH DEPUTY Dec. 20, Jack Rabbits WAVE FUNCTIONS, ORANGE AIR, THE CROWKEEPERS, HERD OF WATTS Dec. 21, Jack Rabbits ANDREW ALTMAN CHRISTMAS JAM Dec. 21, Dog Star Tavern INSPECTION 12, POOR RICHARDS, SOFTER SIDE, TOMMY HARRISON GROUP Dec. 21, Freebird Live CONRAD OBERG Dec. 21, Underbelly CHIODOS, OUR LAST NIGHT, SET IT OFF Dec. 21, Brewster’s TYPHOON HAIYAN BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE PHILIPPINES: Reggie Youngblood Dec. 23, Jack Rabbits FUSEBOX FUNK Dec. 27, Freebird Live CANARY IN THE COALMINE, THIS FRONTIER NEEDS HEROES, PILOTWAVE, FJORD EXPLORER Dec. 28, Freebird Live NOBODY ON LAND, GREENBEAUX, ARTILECT, HELIOS HAND Dec. 28, Murray Hill Theatre GRANDPA’S COUGH MEDICINE, CORBITT BROTHERS BAND Dec. 31, Freebird Live PARKER URBAN BAND Dec. 31, Dog Star Tavern GREGG ALLMAN, JJ GREY & MOFRO Dec. 31, The Florida Theatre THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FRITZ (Prince Tribute), CHROMA, S.P.O.R.E., THE POLITIX Dec. 31, 1904 Music Hall GRANT PEEPLES, REBECCA ZAPEN Jan. 2, Mudville Music Room NEW MASTERSOUNDS, ORGONE, MONOPHONICS Jan. 2, Underbelly MUD TEA, YANKEE SLICKERS Jan. 3, Underbelly PRANAYAM Jan. 3, Freebird Live MIKE DILLON BAND, SQUEEDLEPUSS Jan. 3, 1904 Music Hall JACK WILLIAMS Jan. 4, Mudville Music Room CLUTCH, THE SWORD, CROBOTS Jan. 5, Jack Rabbits JOHN WESLEY HARDING, JOE PERNICE Jan. 5, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NIGHT IDEA, FLIGHT CLOUD Jan. 6, Burro Bar B.B. KING Jan. 7, T-U Center’s Jacoby Symphony Hall THERA ROYA, FURNACE HEAD Jan. 8, Burro Bar MALCOLM HOLCOMBE Jan. 9, Mudville Music Room SPEEDY ORTIZ, GRASS IS GREEN Jan. 9, Jack Rabbits THE MICHAEL ALLMAN BAND Jan. 10, Underbelly WINTER JAM: Newsboys, Lecrae, Tenth Avenue North, Thousand Foot Krutch, Plumb, Newsong, Colton Dixon, Love & The Outcome, Everfound, Derek Minor Jan. 10, Veterans Memorial Arena NATALIE MERCHANT Jan. 11, The Florida Theatre ALLEN SHADD Jan. 11, Mudville Music Room QUEENSRYCHE Jan. 11, Brewster’s Roc Bar EDWARD APPLEBY, BEACHWHEATHER Jan. 11, Burro Bar MARCHFORTH MARCHING BAND Jan. 12, Freebird Live BIG DADDY LOVE Jan. 12, Underbelly ULTRA BIDE Jan. 14, Burro Bar THE WAILERS Jan. 14, Freebird Live ABBA THE CONCERT Jan. 16, The Florida Theatre JOSHUA BOWLUS TRIO Jan. 16, Mudville Music Room TAB BENOIT Jan. 16, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall GALACTIC Jan. 16, Freebird Live SEA WOLF Jan. 16, Jack Rabbits THE FRED EAGLESMITH TRAVELLING STEAM SHOW Jan. 16, The Original Café Eleven EMPIRE THEORY, GEORGE STEVENS Jan. 17, Jack Rabbits GURF MORLIX Jan. 18, Mudville Music Room MARCIA BALL & HER BAND Jan. 18, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall SMELLS LIKE GRUNGE Jan. 18, Underbelly SEEKER Jan. 19, Atticus Bar RICHARD SMITH, JULIE ADAMS Jan. 20, Mudville Music Room ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK Jan. 21, The Florida Theatre BILLY JOEL Jan. 22, Veterans Memorial Arena BIG SOMETHING Jan. 22, Jack Rabbits RONNY COX Jan. 23, Mudville Music Room BARRY MANILOW Jan. 23, Veterans Memorial Arena SHAWN COLVIN Jan. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall RODNEY ATKINS Jan. 24, The Florida Theatre GREEN SUNSHINE Jan. 24, Underbelly RODNEY ATKINS Jan. 24, The Florida Theatre THE CORBITT BROTHERS, GRANDPA’S COUGH MEDICINE, JACKSONVEGAS, PARKER URBAN BAND Jan. 25, Underbelly GAELIC STORM Jan. 26, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall TURBO FRUITS Jan. 26, Burro Bar KEB’MO’Jan. 29, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall REBECCA LOEBE, ROBBY HECHT Jan. 30, Mudville Music Room YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND Jan. 30, Freebird Live DAVID WILCOX Jan. 31, The Original Café Eleven

MERLE HAGGARD Feb. 1, The Florida Theatre THE NEKROMANTIX, TWISTED GRAVES Feb. 2, Jack Rabbits TURQUOISE JEEP, YIP DECEIVER Feb. 3, Jack Rabbits QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Feb. 3, The Florida Theatre THE SLACKERS, THE DUPPIES Feb. 4, Jack Rabbits ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES, GRACE & TONY Feb. 5, Jack Rabbits PAT MATHENY UNITY GROUP Feb. 5, The Florida Theatre TIM GRIMM Feb. 6, Mudville Music Room J BOOG, LOS RAKAS Feb. 6, Jack Rabbits LADY ANTEBELLUM, DARIUS RUCKER, THOMPSON SQUARE, KIP MOORE, KACEY MUSGRAVES Feb. 8, Veterans Memorial Arena LARRY MANGUM, BARRY DRAKE, MICKEY CLARK Feb. 8, Mudville Music Room HUNTRONIK Feb. 11, Underbelly BUDDY GUY & JONNY LANG Feb. 12, The Florida Theatre BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS Feb. 12, Jack Rabbits DARLENE LOVE Feb. 13, The Florida Theatre SHOVELS AND ROPE, SHAKEY GRAVES Feb. 13, Jack Rabbits KENNY LOGGINS Feb. 14, The Florida Theatre THE IRISH ROVERS Feb. 15, The Florida Theatre MASON JENNINGS Feb. 16, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall TIM DAISY, MIKOAJ TRZASKA Feb. 17, Karpeles Museum THAT 1 GUY Feb. 17, Jack Rabbits BRONZE RADIO RETURN, RED WANTING BLUE Feb. 18, Jack Rabbits SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS Feb. 19, Jack Rabbits THE EXPENDABLES, STICK FIGURE, SEEDLESS Feb. 19, Freebird Live YOUNG THE GIANT Feb. 19, Mavericks THE TEMPTATIONS, THE FOUR TOPS Feb. 20, The Florida Theatre SHPONGLE, DESERT DWELLERS Feb. 20, Freebird Live MELLOWDIME Feb. 20, Jack Rabbits STEPHEN KELLOGG Feb. 21, Mudville Music Room DARK STAR ORCHESTRA Feb. 23, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE Feb. 27, Freebird Live LOVE AND THEFT Feb. 28, Mavericks at the Landing MATT OWEN & THE ELECTRIC TUBA Feb. 28, Jack Rabbits SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES Feb. 28, The Florida Theatre ART GARFUNKEL Feb. 28, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall GREAT GUITAR GATHERING March 1, The Florida Theatre AMY SPEACE March 5, Mudville Music Room THE KENNEDYS March 6, Mudville Music Room CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS March 6, P.V. Concert Hall DROPKICK MURPHYS, LUCERO, SKINNY LISTER March 6, Mavericks at the Landing MATRIMONY March 8, Jack Rabbits AGENT ORANGE March 9, Jack Rabbits MICHAEL BOLTON March 14, The Florida Theatre MICHAEL RENO HARRELL March 15, Mudville Music Room

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS March 19, The Florida Theatre WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER, LIONS LIONS, HONOUR CREST March 19, Jack Rabbits LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO March 22, Florida Theatre MOORS & McCUMBER March 22, Mudville Music Room MARC COHN DUO March 23, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall DAVE HAUSE, NORTHCOTE March 26, Jack Rabbits GET THE LED OUT March 27, The Florida Theatre LINDSAY LOU & THE FLATBELLYS March 27, Mudville Music Room THE BRONX WANDERERS March 28, Thrasher-Horne Center STILL ON THE HILL March 29, Mudville Music Room THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA April 11, P.V. Concert Hall JON VEZNER April 13, Mudville Music Room SANTANA April 27, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CHER May 14, Veterans Memorial Arena GLADYS KNIGHT May 16, T-U Center FLORIDA COUNTRY SUPERFEST: Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Big & Rich, Easton Corbin, Colt Ford, Joe Nichols June 14-15, EverBank Field

CLUBS AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH

DAVID’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE, 802 Ash St., 310-6049 John Springer every Tue.-Wed. Aaron Bing every Fri.-Sat. DOG STAR TAVERN, 10 N. Second St., 277-8010 Stereofidelics 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Working Class Stiff with real vinyl every Tue. GREEN TURTLE TAVERN, 14 S. Third St., 321-2324 Dan Voll and Friends, 7 p.m. every Fri. Live music every Sat. HAMMERHEAD TAVERN, 2045 S. Fletcher Road, 491-7783 Buck Smith, Jim Barcaro every Thur. A DJ every Sun. O’KANE’S IRISH PUB, 318 Centre St., 261-1000 Dan Voll 7:30 p.m. every Wed. Turner London Band every Thur.-Sat. THE PALACE SALOON, 117 Centre St., 491-3332 Wes Cobb 9:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Ivey West Duo 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The Fostones 9:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Schnockered 9:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8.

Josh McGowan 9:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Buck Smith Project Band every Tue.

ARLINGTON, REGENCY

BREWSTER’S MEGAPLEX/PIT/ROC BAR/THE EDGE, 845 University Blvd. N., 223-9850 August Burns Red, Bless the Fall, Defeater, Beartooth Dec. 5. Nonpoint, Pat Travers Band, Kymystry, NCeption Dec. 6.

MVP’S SPORTS GRILLE, 12777 Atlantic Blvd., 221-1090 Live music 9 p.m. every Fri.-Sat.

AVONDALE, ORTEGA

BLUE FISH, 3551 St. Johns Ave., 387-0700 Paul Haftel every other Fri. in Elevated Avondale.

CASBAH CAFE, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966 Goliath Flores every Wed. Live jazz every Sun. Live music every Mon. ECLIPSE, 4219 St. Johns Ave., 387-3582 DJ Keith Karaoke every Tue. DJ Free every Fri. DJ SuZi-Rok every Mon. MOJO NO. 4, 3572 St. Johns Ave., 381-6670 Toots Lorraine & the Traffic 10 p.m. Dec. 6.

TOM & BETTY’S, 4409 Roosevelt Blvd., 387-3311 Live music every Fri. Karaoke every Sat.

BAYMEADOWS

COFFEE GRINDER, 9834 Old Baymeadows Road, 642-7600 DJ Jenn Martinello every Tue. DJ Allen every Thur.

DJ Mark Mallory every Fri. DJ Smoke every Sat.

BEACHES

(All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted) 200 FIRST STREET/LILLIE’S COFFEE BAR, Neptune Beach, 249-2922 Dixie Rodeo 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Live music 9 p.m.

Dec. 7.

BILLY’S BOATHOUSE, 2321 Beach Blvd., 241-9771 Live music every Wed.-Sun. BRIX TAPHOUSE, 300 N. Second St., 241-4668 DJ R3IGN every Thur. Live music, DJs every weekend.

CULHANE’S IRISH PUB, 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-9595 George Donaldson 5:30 & 8 p.m. Dec. 4.

Side Track Dec. 6. John Thomas Group Dec. 8. Dublin City Ramblers 6 p.m. Dec. 15. DJ Vito every Thur. Karaoke every Sat. Irish music every Sun. FLYING IGUANA, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 853-5680 Ginormous J 10 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Stephen Carey 8:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Red Beard & Stinky E 10 p.m. every Thur.

FLY’S TIE IRISH PUB, 177 E. Sailfish Drive, Atlantic Beach, 246-4293 Songwriters every Tue. Ryan Campbell every Wed. Wes Cobb every Thur. Charlie Walker 10:30 p.m. every Mon. FREEBIRD LIVE, 200 N. First St., 246-2473 Greenhouse Lounge, Beebs & Her Moneymakers, Darkhorse Saloon 8 p.m. Dec. 6. Kaliyl, Artilect, Northe, Sacrifice to Survive, Look Right Penny 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Weekend Atlas EP release party Dec. 13.

ISLAND GIRL CIGAR BAR, 108 First St., Neptune Beach, 372-0943 John Austill Dec. 6. Kevin Ski Dec. 7.

KC CRAVE, 1161 Beach Blvd., 595-5660 Live music 7 p.m.

Thur.-Sat. LANDSHARK CAFE, 1728 Third St. N., 246-6024 Open mic every Wed. Matt Still every Thur.

LYNCH’S IRISH PUB, 514 N. First St., 249-5181 Roger That Dec. 6-7. Uncommon Legends every Wed. Ryan Campbell every Thur. Dirty Pete every Sun. Be Easy every Mon. Split Tone every Tue. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1018 N. Third St., 246-1500 Mark O'Quinn Dec. 4. T3AM Dec. 5. Yankee Slickers Dec. 6.

WEDNESDAY Pat Rose

THURSDAY MW3

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Bay Street Band

Atlantic Blvd. at the Ocean "UMBOUJD #FBDI r

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 27

MEZZA LUNA, 110 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-5573 Neil Dixon 8 p.m. every Tue. Mike Shackelford & Rick Johnson 8 p.m. every Thur.

MOJO KITCHEN, 1500 Beach Blvd., 247-6636 Shane Dwight 10 p.m. Dec. 6. John Nemeth 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

MONKEY’S UNCLE TAVERN, 1850 S. Third St., 246-1070 Wes Cobb 10 p.m. every Tue. DJ Austin Williams Karaoke 9 p.m. Wed., Sat. & Sun. DJ Papa Sugar every Mon., Thur. & Fri. NIPPERS BEACH GRILLE, 2309 Beach Blvd., 247-3300 Live music nightly.

NORTH BEACH BISTRO, 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 6, Atlantic Beach, 372-4105 Maryann Hawkins 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Chelsea Saddler 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Neil Dixon 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

OCEAN 60, 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-0060 Yankee Slickers Dec. 7. Javier Perez every Thur. Live music every Fri.-Sat. PIER CANTINA, 412 N. First St., 246-6454 Ryan Campbell & Charlie Walker every Fri. Split Tone every Sun. POE’S TAVERN, 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7637 Be Easy every Sat. RAGTIME TAVERN, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7877 Pat Rose Dec. 4. MW3 Dec. 5. Bay Street Dec. 6-7.

Billy Bowers 7 p.m. Dec. 11.

THE SHIM SHAM ROOM, 333 First St. N., 372-0781 Live acoustic 10 p.m. every Mon. Karaoke 10 p.m. every Tue. THE TAVERN ON 1ST, 401 N. First St., 435-4124 Charlie Walker 10:30 p.m. Dec. 4 & 11.

THE WINE BAR, 320 N. First St., 372-0211 Live music Sat.-Sun. WIPEOUTS, 1585 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 247-4508 Live music 7:30 p.m. every Thur. & Sat.

DOWNTOWN

1904 MUSIC HALL, 19 Ocean St. N., 1904jax.com Rising Appalachia 9 p.m. Dec. 5. Shawn Pfaffman 8 p.m. Dec. 6. The Hip Abduction, Fusebox Funk Dec. 7. Consider the Source, Squeedlepuss 8 p.m. Dec. 12.

ATTICUS BAR, 325 W. Forsyth St., 634-8813 The Crowkeepers, Master Radical Dec. 7. Volumes, Abiotic 7 p.m.

Dec. 9. Veara, Stickup Kid, Major League Dec. 13.

BURRO BAR, 100 E. Adams St., 677-2977 Good Graeff, Honky Suckle, Master Radical, Brown Natives, Bethany Stockdale & the Troubadours 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Serenghetto, Gross Evolution Dec. 6.

DOS GATOS, 123 E. Forsyth St., 354-0666 Herd of Watts 8 p.m. Dec. 4. DJ NickFresh 9 p.m. every Sat. Rock ’n’ Roll Karaoke 9 p.m. every Mon. FIONN MacCOOL’S, Jax Landing, 2 Independent Drive, Ste. 176, 374-1247 Spade McQuade 5-9 p.m. Dec. 5.

Braxton Adamson 5-8 p.m., Billy Greer 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Mikey Clams Band 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

THE JACKSONVILLE LANDING, 2 Independent Drive, 353-1188 Sugar Bear 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 6. Radio 80 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 7. George Aspinall Band 2-6 p.m. Dec. 8.

MARK’S DOWNTOWN, 315 E. Bay St., 355-5099 DJ Roy Luis 9 p.m. every Wed. DJ Vinn 9 p.m. every Thur. DJ 007 9 p.m. every Fri. Bay Street 9 p.m. every Sat. MAVERICKS, The Landing, 2 Independent Drive, 356-1110 Josh Thompson 6 p.m. Dec. 13. Joe Buck, Big Tasty spin every Thur.-Sat. SHANTYTOWN PUB, 22 W. Sixth St., 798-8222 Daniel Johns 8 p.m. Dec. 6. One for Them Churn Christmas benefit show: Poor Richards, Snake Blood Remedy, Jumping Ship, Deliriums, Southern Alabama Pie Cookoff, Status Faux Dec. 13.

UNDERBELLY, 113 E. Bay St., 353-6067 Live music every Wed.-Sat. Old Time Jam 7 p.m. every Tue.

FLEMING ISLAND

MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1800 Town Center Blvd., 541-1999 DJ BG 10 p.m. Dec. 5. Wes Cobb 10 p.m. Dec. 7. Live music Wed.-Sat. MERCURY MOON, 2015 C.R. 220, 215-8999 DJ Ty every Thur. Buck Smith every Mon. Blistur every Wed. WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198 Lisa & the Madhatters 9:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Ace Winn 5 p.m. Dec. 7.

Deck music 5 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 4:30 p.m. every Sun.

INTRACOASTAL WEST

BRUCCI’S PIZZA, 13500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 36, 223-6913 Mike Shackelford 6:30 p.m. every Sat. & Mon. CLIFF’S BAR & GRILL, 3033 Monument Road, 645-5162 Live music every Fri.-Sat. COPPER TAP HOUSE, 13500 Beach Blvd., 647-6595 Live music every Fri. JERRY’S SPORTS GRILLE, 13170 Atlantic Blvd., 220-6766 Karaoke Dude every Wed. Live music every Fri.-Sat. SALSA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 13500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 46, 992-8402 Live guitar music 6-9 p.m. every Tue. & Sat.

MANDARIN, JULINGTON

AW SHUCKS OYSTER HOUSE, 9743 Old St. Augustine Road, 240-0368 Open mic every Wed. Live music 7 p.m. every Fri. HARMONIOUS MONKS, 10550 Old St. Augustine Road, 880-3040 Jazz 7 p.m., Karaoke 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Mon.-Thur.

Dennis Klee & the World’s Most Talented Waitstaff Fri.-Sat. RACK ’EM UP, 4268 Oldfield Crossing Drive, 262-4030 Pop Muzik Dec. 7. DJ Randall Karaoke Sun., Wed.

ORANGE PARK, MIDDLEBURG

CHEERS BAR & GRILL, 1138 Park Ave., 269-4855 Live music every Wed., Fri.-Sat. Ms. T Karaoke 9:30 p.m. every Thur.

THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Road, 272-5959 John Michael every Wed.-Sat. PREVATT’S SPORTS BAR, 2620 Blanding Blvd., 282-1564 Karaoke with Tammy every Wed. Live music every Thur.-Sat. THE ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611 The Strange 10 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Live music 9 p.m. every Thur.-Sat.

PONTE VEDRA, PALM VALLEY

ALICE & PETE’S PUB, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., 285-7777 Live music 5 p.m. every Wed., 8 p.m. every Sat. ISLAND GIRL CIGAR BAR, 820 A1A N., Ste. E-18, 834-2492 Lance Neely Dec. 6. Matt Collins Dec. 7.

PUSSER’S GRILLE, 816 A1A N., 280-7766 Live music every Fri.-Sat. SoundStage Sun. SAUCY TACO, 450 S.R. 13, Ste. 113, 287-7226 Live music Thur.-Sat. TABLE 1, 330 A1A N., Ste. 208, 280-5515 Deron Baker 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Gary Starling Jazz Band 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

WillowWacks 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 & 11. Brady 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE

KICKBACKS, 910 King St., 388-9551 Ray & Taylor 8:30 p.m. every Thur. Robby Shenk every Sun. THE LOFT, 925 King St., 476-7283 DJs Wes Reed & Josh Kemp every Thur. Josh Kemp every Fri. DJ Wes Reed every Sat. METRO/RAINBOW ROOM, 859 Willowbranch Ave., 388-8719 Karaoke Rob 10 p.m. Sun.-Wed. DJ Zeke Smith Fri. DJ Michael Murphy 10 p.m. Sat. MURRAY HILL THEATRE, 932 Edgewood Ave. S., 388-7807 Bellarive, Michael Cronin, Worth Road 8 p.m. Dec. 6. CStraight, Rkitect, Neek Smif, Crucified Saints, Supplic8tion Dec. 7. Justin Forsett, Tyson, Alualu, Carson Tinker, Russell Allen Dec. 8.

&&&

MORE LIVE MUSIC Find more live music events and submit your event at folioweekly.com/calendar.

RAINDOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969 Matt Ward 9 p.m. Dec. 5.

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET, 715 Riverside Ave., 554-6865 Folk Is People 10:30 a.m., Spiral Bound 11:30 a.m., Four Families 1:15 p.m., Pine Forest School of the Arts 2:45 p.m. Dec. 7.

ST. AUGUSTINE

ANN O’MALLEY’S, 23 Orange St., 825-4040 Brent Byrd Dec. 4. Yancy Clegg Dec. 6. Double Run 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

CELLAR UPSTAIRS, San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St., 826-1594 The Committee 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Deron Baker 2 p.m., Midlife Crisis 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Vinny Jacobs Dec. 8.

CRUISERS GRILL, 3 St. George St., 824-6993 Live music every Fri.-Sat. Chelsea Saddler every Sun. DOS COFFEE, 300 San Marco Ave., 342-2421 Taylor Roberts & Co. every Fri. The Residents spin every Sat. HARRY'S, 46 Avenida Menendez, 824-7765 Billy Bowers 6 p.m. Dec. 4.

MILL TOP TAVERN & LISTENING ROOM, 19 1/2 St. George St., 829-2329 Live music 1 p.m. Dec. 8. Todd & Molly Jones every Wed. Aaron Esposito every Thur. David Strom every Mon. Donny Brazile Tue. MOJO OLD CITY BBQ, 5 Cordova St., 342-5264 Live music every Fri. PIZZALLEY’S CHIANTI ROOM, 60 Charlotte St., 825-4100 Dennis Fermin Spanish Guitar 3 p.m. every Mon. SANGRIAS PIANO BAR, 35 Hypolita St., 827-1947 Live music every Fri.-Sat..

SCARLETT O’HARA’S, 70 Hypolita St., 824-6535 Oh No! 9 p.m. Dec. 5. Something Distant 9 p.m. Dec. 7. Jeremy Austin every Tue. Chase Rideman every Wed. THE TASTING ROOM, 25 Cuna St., 810-2400 Dennis Fermin Spanish Guitar Band every Sat. TRADEWINDS, 124 Charlotte St., 829-9336 Hooch 9 p.m.

Dec. 6-7. Matanzas 9 p.m. every Sun.-Thur. Jim Carrick 1 p.m. every Wed. Open mic 5 p.m. every Thur. Elizabeth Roth 1 p.m. every Sat.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH

AMICI ITALIAN RESTAURANT, 1915 A1A S., 461-0102 Piano Bar 5 p.m. every Sun. SHANGHAI NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd., 825-4959 Karaoke 10 p.m. Mon.-Tue. Live music Fri.-Sat.

ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

BLACKFINN GRILLE, 4840 Big Island Drive, 345-3466 Live music 5 p.m. every Wed., 9 p.m. every Thur.-Sat. SUITE, 4880 Big Island Drive, 493-9305 Live music every Fri.-Sat..

WHISKY RIVER, 4850 Big Island Drive, 645-5571 DJs 8 p.m. every Sat.

SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK

JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave., 398-7496 Pontiak, Guardian Alien 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Brian Davis, Shotgun Harbor, Barstool Wisdom, Jordyn Stoddard 8 p.m. Dec. 7. The Thermals, Beach Day 8 p.m. Dec. 10. Jerry Garcia Cover Band, Sweet Knievel 8 p.m. Dec. 11.

MUDVILLE MUSIC ROOM, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., 352-7008 The Invisible Cowboys, Larry Mangum Dec. 5. Vernon Thompson, Sue Cunningham Dec. 6. Buddy Mondlock Dec. 10. Pierce Pettis Dec. 12.

THE PARLOUR, 2000 San Marco Blvd., 396-4455 The Snacks Blues Band 8 p.m. Dec. 7.

RIVER CITY BREWING CO., 835 Museum Cir., 398-2299 DJs spin every Thur. Live music every Fri.

SOUTHSIDE

AROMAS CIGARS & WINE BAR, 4372 Southside Blvd., Ste. 101, 928-0515 Will Hurley every Fri. Bill Rice every Sat. ISLAND GIRL, 7860 Gate Pkwy., Ste. 115, 854-6060 Eric from Philly Dec. 6. The Druids Dec. 7. Live music Fri.-Sat. JOHNNY ANGELS, 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S., 997-9850 Karaoke 7 p.m. every Sat. LATITUDE 30, 10370 Philips, 365-5555 VJ Didactic 9 p.m.

Dec. 5. Leonard Brothers 9 pm. Dec. 6-7.

MELLOW MUSHROOM, 9734 Deer Lake Ct., Ste. 1, 997-1955 Live music Thur.-Sat. SEVEN BRIDGES, 9735 Gate Parkway N., 997-1999 Pop Muzik 8 p.m. Dec. 6. Live music Fri.-Sat. TAVERNA YAMAS, 9753 Deer Lake Ct., 854-0426 DJ Night 8 p.m. every Fri.-Sat. WILD WING CAFE, 4555 Southside Blvd., 998-9464 David Luthra 5 p.m. Dec. 6.

SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE

DAMES POINT MARINA, 4542 Irving Road, 751-3043 Mr. Natural Dec. 8. Live music Fri.-Sat. SKYLINE SPORTS BAR, 5611 Norwood Ave., 517-6973 The Fusion Band 8 p.m. Dec. 5.

THREE LAYERS CAFE, 1602 Walnut St., 355-9791 Al Poindexter open mic 7 p.m. Dec. 5.

TUCKERS HWY. 17 TAVERN, 850532 U.S. 17, Yulee, 225-9211 Blistur 4 p.m. Dec. 15.

For a complete live music list, go to folioweekly.com/ calendar. For details on how to submit your event, go to folioweekly.com/eventhowto.html. Folio Weekly does not accept emails for events to appear in print listings. Deadline for print is 4 p.m. Monday, 10 days before the issue. Due to space constraints, not all submissions appear in print.

28 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

Arts

Jacksonville’s Ryan Carlson (in denim jacket) says he considers his job as a performer to be a privilege, because he knows that “there are thousands of entertainers who can’t work.” Photo: Jeremy Daniel

What a Feeling

Douglas Anderson dancer on musical tour gets ‘to do what I love every day’ FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-12, 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 and 8 p.m.

Dec. 14, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 W. Water St., Downtown Tickets: $32-$77 442-2929, artistseriesjax.org

E

verything is cyclical. Big hair, leopard print pants and, dare we say it, legwarmers, are being resurrected. And with them, “Flashdance” is making a comeback.

You remember Alex Owens — the “Maniac” in that oversized sweater. Few things are more iconic of the ’80s than the image of her draped over a chair on stage, pulling a cord to drench herself in water. That moment is immediately recognizable no matter when you were born.

So it wasn’t hard for Jacksonville native Ryan Carlson, 22, to connect with the 30th anniversary national tour of “Flashdance — The Musical.” He returns home to perform before his family, friends and previous instructors. Folio Weekly spoke to him over the phone, when he took a break between rehearsals. Unlike Alex, the show’s main character, Carlson said his love of dance wasn’t immediate growing up, but an affinity for music was always present. It didn’t take long to bridge the gap.

“I would hear music, and I would almost see the sound in my head,” Carlson said. “I would naturally just groove to the music. For me, it is a strong way to express myself.”

Though Carlson mainly breakdances in “Flashdance,” the B in B-boy, his character’s name in the show, also stands for ballet.

“Douglas Anderson was really my first experience with ballet,” Carlson said. “Because I wasn’t perfect at it, and it was hard, that’s why I loved it.”

Carlson has become somewhat of a poster child for a DA grad, going on to professional dance companies, commercials and major productions. His life is the stuff of Alex’s dreams.

He credits his success to DA’s dance program instructors for shaping who he is as a performer.

“Without the training I got from DA, I definitely would not be here,” Carlson said.

“Dr. [Phyllis] Penney [the head of dance] was like a mom to me, in a way. She helped me in school, made sure I behaved, and helped me get through it.”

The tie between breakdancing, the ’80s-born hip-hop movement, and ballet is

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GET FLASHED See more photos of “Flashdance – The Musical” at folioweekly.com/arts-stories.

more immediate than most of us suppose.

“They are very different, but being good at one will make you better at the other,” Carlson said. “If you can only dance ballet, or only dance hip-hop, then you’re not right for either of them.”

In concert ballet, there is just the performer and the music. Carlson welcomed the transition from that world into a musical with props, sets and costumes. “Flashdance” makes fluid use of these devices. The story line and even some of the songs are the same as in the movie, but the audience can expect more than just a rehash.

“It’s magical because we are bringing a movie onto the stage,” Carlson said. “Because of the projections and the way the production moves from scene to scene, it’s one of the most entertaining shows I’ve ever seen.”

A production like this could help pave the way for Carlson, who wants to perform on Broadway. He’s spent most of his time since graduation on the road with various projects, paying his dues.

“I think I stay sane on the road because there are people out there working way harder than me, doing things that they hate for way less money,” Carlson said. “I get to do what I love every day.”

Carlson admitted that he’s part of a rare group of performers who don’t need to pick up a welding torch to make ends meet.

“There are thousands of entertainers who can’t find work,” Carlson said. “To have the opportunity to do this large of a show is an opportunity and a privilege.”

The stop in Jacksonville gives Carlson the rare chance to see his family for the holidays, including his twin brother who suffered a stroke.

“He has great energy and he always tells me that he is proud of me, since our lives are so different,” Carlson said.

After a short visit, Carlson will hit the road again. The value of this solid work ethic is something that he tries to convey to dance students when he’s returned to DA to teach.

“I tell them, ‘Take your craft seriously,’ ” Carlson said. “Don’t give up. Never settle. Push, push, push to get better.”

Carley Robinson themail@folioweekly.com

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 29

PERFORMANCE

CHRISTMAS CAROLE Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, iadapted for the stage, continues through Dec. 24 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside; dinner and a show is $43-$49 (includes parking), reservations required, 641-1212, alhambrajax.com.

FRUITCAKES Julian Wiles’ family holiday comedy, about smalltown alienation and reconciliation, is staged Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-14 at Amelia Community Theatre, 207 Cedar St., Fernandina Beach, $10-$20, 261-6749, ameliacommunitytheatre.org.

THE AMEN CORNER Stage Aurora Theatrical Company presents the gospel musical “The Amen Corner,” 7 p.m.

Dec. 6 and 13, 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14, and 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at Stage Aurora Performance Hall, 5188 Norwood Ave., Northside, $13-$20, 765-7372, stageaurora.org.

CHRISTMAS ONE ACTS A Classic Theatre performs one-act plays based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” as fundraisers, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at The Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, $25, 829-5807, aclassictheatre.org.

WHITE CHRISTMAS The production, about two WWII veterans with a successful song & dance routine who follow two sisters to their Christmas show in Vermont, is staged 8 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 at Orange Park Community Theatre, 2900 Moody Ave., $20, 276-2599, opct.org.

HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble performs folkloric dance and music collected from across Hungary with dance elements dating back hundreds of years, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, 283 College Drive, Orange Park, $14-$44, 276-6815, thcenter.org.

HANDLE WITH CARE The romantic comedy, the unlikely love story of a young Israeli woman and a young American man, is staged 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 13-14, 20-21; 2 and 7 p.m.

Dec. 8; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 19; and 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Theatre Jacksonville, 2032 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, $20-$25, 396-4425, theatrejax.com.

FIRST COAST NUTCRACKER The performance, featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, is presented at 8 p.m.

Dec. 6, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the T-U Center’s Moran Theater, 300 W. Water St., Downtown, 354-5547, bit.ly/TGzNDW. SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre presents Jason Robert Brown’s first musical – a series of songs connected by a theme, the moment of decision – staged Dec. 6-22 (8 p.m. Thur.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.) at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, $20, 249-7177, abettheatre.com.

THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES The reindeer dish on the real Santa, Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at Raintree Restaurant Dinner Theatre, 102 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, $39.95, 824-7211, raintreerestaurant.com.

50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL Artist Series presents a parody of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” phenomenon, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the T-U Center, 300 Water St., Downtown; for ticket info, 442-2929, artistseriesjax.org.

FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL Artist Series presents this Broadway musical about a dancer pursuing her dreams, Dec. 10-15 at the T-U Center, 300 W. Water St., Downtown.

Part of Artist Series’ Broadway season subscription; single tickets $32-$77, 442-2929, artistseriesjax.org.

CALLS & WORKSHOPS

TEEN ART CONTEST Artists ages 12-18 may enter Jacksonville Public Library’s Teen Art Contest. Submit a maximum of up to three entries – including photography, mixed media and sculpture – through Jan. 15 at any library. The grand prize winner is announced Feb. 5 during First Wednesday Art Walk.

630-0673, jaxpubliclibrary.org/teens/teen-art-contest2014.pdf.

ALL IN THE TIMING AUDITIONS Fernandina Little Theatre auditions roles for four men and five women (ages 20 and older) for six offbeat, one-act short comedies (performances Feb. 1-8), 7:15 p.m. Dec. 5 and 1:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at the theater, 1014 Beech St., Fernandina Beach, 277-2202, ameliaflt.org.

ANGELS FALL AUDITIONS Orange Park Community Theatre seeks four men (ages 19-70) and two women (ages 25-50) for roles in Lanford Wilson’s play to be staged Feb. 7-23.

Auditions are 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the theater, 2900 Moody Ave., Orange Park, opct.org.

BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE Limelight Theatre seeks two men ages 20-30 (blind male actors are encouraged to audition), one woman 20-30 and one woman 40-50 for the comedy to be staged Jan. 24-Feb. 16. Auditions 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, limelight-theatre.org.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA SCHOLASTIC ARTS AWARDS Students in grades 7-12 in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia counties may submit digital images of their works through Dec. 18; the awards are held 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at Jacksonville University Auditorium, 2800 University Blvd. N., Arlington. Gold Key winning pieces displayed at a reception 2-4 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, and then through Feb. 28 at Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N. Laura St., Downtown; artandwriting.org.

CLASSICAL & JAZZ

UNF STUDENT JAZZ COMBO The concert, directed by Lynne Arriale, is held 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at University of North Florida’s Robinson Theater, 1 UNF Drive, Southside, $8-$20, 620-2878, unf.edu.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH UNF Choral and Orchestra perform 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, $15-$20, 209-0399, pvconcerthall.com.

JU ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT Jacksonville University Orchestra performs traditional holiday music, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Terry Concert Hall, 2800 University Blvd., Arlington, free, 256-7677, ju.edu.

MAKE WE JOY: SONGS OF THE SEASON The University

30 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

Arts

Singers and the men’s and women’s choirs perform seasonal music, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Jacksonville University’s Marks Chapel, 2800 University Blvd., Arlington, free, 256-5520, ju.edu.

CHRISTMAS: THE SPIRIT OF THE NEWBORN KING The Edward Waters College Concert Choir in concert, 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at EWC’s Milne Auditorium, 1658 Kings Road, Jacksonville, free.

CATCH THE GROOVE Old school R&B and Motown are featured 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Jazzland Café, 1324 University Blvd. N., $10, 240-1009, jazzlandcafe.com.

JSYO FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra performs 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Jacoby Symphony Hall, T-U Center, 300 W. Water St., Downtown, 354-5547, jaxsymphony.org.

UMC HANDBELL CHOIR Fleming Island Friends of the Library present Orange Park United Methodist Church Hand Bell Choir, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Clay County Headquarters Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island, 278-3722, ccpl.lib.fl.us.

D.A. SYMPHONIC BAND WINTER CONCERT Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students perform 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at 2445 San Diego Road, San Marco, 346-5620 ext. 122, da-arts.org.

ART WALKS, FESTIVALS & MARKETS

FIRST WEDNESDAY ART WALK An art walk, featuring 30-40 galleries, museums and businesses and spanning 15 blocks, is held 5-9 p.m. Dec. 4, Downtown Jacksonville. For events map, go to downtownjacksonville.org/marketing; iloveartwalk.com.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK The tour of Art Galleries of St. Augustine is held Dec. 6 and every first Fri., with more than 15 galleries participating, 829-0065.

DOWNTOWN FRIDAY MARKET Arts and crafts and local produce are offered 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Drive, Downtown, 353-1188.

COMMUNITY FIRST SATURDAY The event, held the first Sat. each month, features Art in the Park, free art classes in Hogan Street Gazebo, arts and family activities, food trucks on Pearl Street, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7 on Northbank Riverwalk in Downtown Jacksonville, free, communityfirstsaturdays.com.

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Local and regional artists, strolling performers, bands and a farmers market are featured 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at 715 Riverside Ave., Riverside, 554-6865, 389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA GAAM Games Art and Music celebrates the heroes in a half-shell, video games art, games and music from the ’80s and ’90s, an art installation dedicated to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” costumes and cosplay, a juried art show, art by gaming professionals and a live charity art auction, 6-11 p.m. Dec. 7 at The Museum & Gardens, 4160 Boulevard Center Drive, Jacksonville, gaam.eventbrite.com.

JAX BEACH ART WALK More than 30 local artists display their works, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 10 and every second Tue., along First Street between Beach Boulevard and Fifth Avenue North, Jax Beach. For a list of artists and businesses, go to betterjaxbeach.com/jax-beach-art-walk.html.

MUSEUMS

ALEXANDER BREST MUSEUM & GALLERY Jacksonville University, 2800 N. University Blvd., Arlington, 256-7371, arts.ju.edu. JU’s annual Student Juried Exhibition, featuring animation, ceramics, computer-generated images, drawings, glass art, graphic design, paintings, photographs, prints and sculpture, continues through Dec. 12.

CRISP-ELLERT ART MUSEUM Flagler College, 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, 826-8530, flagler.edu/crispellert. “Unaffected Vision: Free to See Beautiful,” featuring photographs by men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is shown during First Friday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6-7. The exhibit, funded by a grant, is the collaboration of Flagler College students and staff with members of The Arc of the St. Johns.

“Flagler Senior Portfolio Exhibition” opens with a reception 5-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and continues with limited hours through Dec. 14.

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 829 Riverside Ave., Riverside, 356-6857, cummer.org. “The Art of Empathy,” an exhibit showcasing a permanent collection masterwork, “Mother of Sorrows,” one of five known works by the Master of the Stötteritz Altar, is displayed through Feb. 16. The artistic and devotional contexts of painting is explored through 21 works, 19 of which are borrowed from collections in the United States and Germany. “Modern Dialect: American Paintings from the John and Susan Horseman Collection” continues through Jan. 5. Florida State University Professor William Walmsley, a printmaker who holds the record for the longest series of prints in the history of art, displays his work through July 8. “The Human Figure: Sculptures by Enzo Torcoletti” is on display through September 2014.

KARPELES MANUSCRIPT MUSEUM 101 W. First St., Springfield, 356-2992, rain.org/~karpeles/jaxfrm.html.

“Works of Yard and the Art of Lawn” continues through Dec. 31. “Russia,” a history of Russia from Peter the Great to the first conquest of space, is on display through Dec. 28. The permanent collection includes other rare manuscripts.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, 366-6911, mocajacksonville.com. Ingrid Calame’s exhibit “Tarred Over Cracks” runs through March 9, part of Project Atrium in Haskell Atrium Gallery. The first exhibit to encompass Michael Goldberg’s work, “Abstraction Over Time,” reappraises his contribution to postwar painting and presents a case study of transformations of abstraction in American art, through Jan. 5. “Mythos: From Concept to Creation,” sculptural works by Enzo Torcoletti, are displayed through Jan. 19 in the UNF Gallery MOCA. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank, 396-6674, themosh.org. “Great Balls of Fire: Comets, Asteroids and Meteors,” developed by The Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, examines risk related to an asteroid hitting Earth and what

Artist Nancy Bardach’s “Flowing” – a piece from her “Abstracts in Motion” series – is featured in the contemporary fiber art exhibit “Point of View.” The juried exhibit opens Dec. 8 and continues through Jan. 8 in Vandroff Gallery at Jewish Community Alliance in Mandarin. Nofa Dixon, associate professor of drawing, painting and design at University of North Florida, selects the award winners. scientists can learn from the objects; through Dec. 31.

“Uncovering the Past: Archaeological Discoveries of North Florida” is on display through August 2014.

RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM 829 N. Davis St., Downtown, 632-5555, ritzjacksonville.com. The exhibit “Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner, Connecting Communities Through Language” continues through Dec. 31.

GALLERIES

THE ART CENTER PREMIERE GALLERY Bank of America Tower, 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 150, Downtown, 355-1757, tacjacksonville.org/premier.html. “Our Feminine Side,” an exhibit of works representing the female form, women’s issues, politics and the stages of womanhood, is on display.

AVONDALE ARTWORKS 3562 St. Johns Ave., Avondale, 384-8797, avondaleartworks.com. “Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!” – an exhibit of the author’s hat collection alongside a series of estate-authorized works from Ted Geisel’s original drawings, paintings and sculpture – is on display through Jan. 5. Dr. Seuss Collection curator Bill Dreyer discusses the art, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Events are free; reservations suggested.

CLAY & CANVAS STUDIO 2642 Rosselle St., Ste. 6, Riverside, 501-766-1266. The biannual Open Studio Night Exhibition, featuring new works by resident artists and guest artist Nida Bangash, is held 6-9 p.m. Dec. 13. DJ e. lee (WJCT’s “Indie Endeavor”) performs. Works by Tiffany Whitfield Leach, Lily Kuonen and Rachel Evans may be viewed by appointment.

CORK ARTS DISTRICT 2689 Rosselle St., Riverside, 707-0030, corkartsdistrict.tumblr.com. Thony Aiuppy’s “The Darkness Beyond Tomorrow,” an exhibit on the subject matter of portraiture and the figure, opens with a reception 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in CoRK’s North Gallery. The exhibit may be viewed by appointment through Jan. 2.

CYPRESS VILLAGE 4600 Middleton Park Center W., Egret Hall, Intracoastal West, 360-3923. “Winter Joy,” an exhibit of sketches and paintings by Cypress Village resident artists, is displayed through Jan. 9.

FIRST STREET GALLERY 216-B First St., Neptune Beach, 241-6928, firststreetgalleryart.com. Pastel painter Richard Lundgren’s “Coastal North Florida” is on display through Jan. 3.

FLORIDA MINING GALLERY 5300 Shad Road, Southside, 425-2845, floridamininggallery.com. David De Boer’s “Significant Work,” an exhibit co-curated by Nullspace and Staci Bu Shea, features installations, video and stills. A panel discussion with De Boer is held 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at FSCJ’s Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville. The exhibit opens with a reception 6:30-10 p.m. Dec. 13 and continues through Jan. 31.

GALLERY725 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 5, Atlantic Beach, 345-9320, gallery725.com. “Wonderland,” an exhibit of multimedia work by artists Tonsenia Yonn, Linda Olsen, Matthew Winghart, Flew, Ken Daga, Kelly Meagher and Shayna Raymond, is displayed through Jan. 20.

HASKELL GALLERY & DISPLAY CASES Jacksonville International Airport, 14201 Pecan Park Road, Northside, 741-3546. Works by Diane Fraser and Mary Atwood (Haskell Gallery), Jim Smith (Connector Bridge Art display case before security) and Chris Moore (Concourse A and C display cases past security) are on display through December.

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MORE ARTS Find more arts events and tsubmit your own at folioweekly.com/calendar.

HIGHWAY GALLERY floridamininggallery.com/exhibitions/ the-highway-gallery. Nine artists – Nathaniel Artkart Price, Ken Daga, Ashley C. Waldvogel, Brianna Angelakis, Christina Foard, Linda Olsen, Sara Pedigo, Zach Fitchner and Russell Maycumber – are featured on digital billboards throughout the city in collaboration with Clear Channel of Jacksonville through July 2014.

THE JACKSONVILLE LANDING 2 Independent Drive, Downtown, cavendishprojects.com. “Hot-N-Fresh,” an original street exhibit organized by Michael and Michele Cavendish that includes stencil and spray paint art, is on display through Dec. 15 in the upstairs food court.

PALENCIA GALLERY 701 Market St., Ste. 107A, St. Augustine, 819-1584, palenciafineartsacademy.com. “Passport: Cambodia,” an exhibit of Gina Torkos’ oil paintings created from her experiences traveling in Cambodia, continues through Dec. 20.

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION 22 Marine St., St. Augustine, 824-2310, staaa.org. Woodworker Leonard Ruel’s miniature village of historic St. Augustine buildings is on display through Dec. 29. The 39 replicas include Cathedral Basilica, Villa Zorayda, Government House and Pena Peck House.

SEVENTH STREET GALLERY 14 S. Seventh St., Fernandina Beach, 432-8330, seventhstgallery.com. “Fusion: A Celebration of Light, Color and Texture,” featuring Amelia Island photographer Ann Kemp and fused-glass artist Denise Murphy, opens noon Dec. 7 and continues through Dec. 23.

An artist reception is held 5-8 p.m. Dec. 14.

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY 201 N. Hogan St., Ste. 100, Downtown, 553-6361, southlightgallery.com. The works of 25 local artists, including Jack Allen, Enzo Torcoletti and Allison Watson, and guest artist Hillary Hogue, are shown. The UNF Faculty Show, which kicks off its annual “Give Art” days during First Wednesday Art Walk, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4, runs through December.

SPACE:EIGHT GALLERY 228 W. King St., St. Augustine, 8292838, spaceeight.com. “Playbook,” an exhibit from Rosswell, Ga., artist George Long and Brooklyn’s Mario Schambon, features works fueled by desires, hunger and thirst. Long appears for an artist reception with live music by DJ Damian Lee, 5-11 p.m. Dec. 6. The exhibit continues through Jan. 31.

VANDROFF GALLERY Jewish Community Alliance, 8505 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin, jcajax.org. “Point of View,” a juried exhibit of contemporary fiber art presented by the Fiber Artists Network, opens Dec. 6 and continues through Jan. 8. Nofa Dixon, associate professor of drawing, painting and design at University of North Florida, selects the winners.

For a complete list of galleries, log on to folioweekly.com. To list your event, send info time, date, location (street address, city), admission price and contact number to print to David Johnson, 9456 Philips Hwy., Ste. 11, Jacksonville FL 32256 or email events@folioweekly.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. Tue., eight days before publication.

Happenings EVENTS

DANIEL KIDS FUNDRAISER Sterling Joyce hosts this Gatsbythemed fundraiser 6-10 p.m. Dec. 4 at Zeta, 131 First Ave. N., Jax Beach, 372-0727; admission is an unwrapped toy (for ages 4-14, $10 value), sterlingjoycecharityfundraising.com.

SPRINGFIELD HOLIDAY HOME TOUR The 27th annual tour is held 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6-7, featuring turn-of-the-century decorated homes, light displays and luminarias. Tours begin at the Improvement Association & Archives building, 210 W. Seventh St., Springfield, tickets $10 in advance; $12 at the door. 633-9308, springfieldtour.org.

ART & ANTIQUES SHOW The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital hosts its 36th annual show 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7-8 at Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Downtown. Bunny Williams, John Rosselli, Danielle Rollins and James Farmer are among the featured speakers.

A tea room and a pastry cafe are featured. Tickets are $15 each day; some events priced separately. 202-2886, womensboardwch.com.

GARDEN CLUB CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES The 45th annual self-guided tour is held noon-5 p.m. Dec. 8 at six homes dating from the 1800s in historic downtown St. Augustine. An afternoon tea and a boutique are featured.

Advance tickets are $20; $25 on the day of the tour; reservations are strongly suggested; 826-6004, 825-4614.

FESTIVAL OF TREES St. Johns County Convention Center and Renaissance World Golf Village Resort present the ninth annual festival, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. through Dec. 8 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dec. 9 at 500 Legacy Trail, St. Augustine. Donated trees and wreaths are decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Proceeds from a raffle benefit the St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund and United Way of St. Johns County. 940-4015, worldgolfhalloffame.org.

MOCAMA INDIANS Keith Ashley, Ph. D., Archaeology Laboratory, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of North Florida, discusses the native tribe 7 p.m.

Dec. 10 at Peck Center, 516 S. 10th St., Fernandina Beach, wildamelia.com.

SANDBAR SANTA FISH FRY The 12th annual charity event is held 4-8 p.m. Dec. 11 at The Sandbar Pub, 7025 A1A S., St. Augustine, $10, proceeds benefit Council on Aging, 461-4671.

COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES Flagler College marks the 125th anniversary of former Hotel Ponce de Leon with its series, “The Hotel Ponce de Leon Deconstructed: Building the Future for Modern America.” Dr. Judith Burdan discusses “Edith Wharton’s The Custom of the Country: Money, Power, and the ‘New Woman’ in the Gilded Age,” 10 a.m. Dec. 10 in Flagler College’s Flagler Room, 74 King St., St. Augustine; $5; reservations required; 819-6282.

SS AMELIA GINGERBREAD PIRATE SHIP The 17-foot-long, 12-foot-tall ship is on display through Dec. 28 at The RitzCarlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, 277-1100.

VILLA ZORAYDA CANDLELIGHT TOURS The fourth annual event features a courtyard Christmas tree, nativity scene and guided candlelit tours through the historic villa, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 5, 7, 10, 13, 17, 19, 21, 27, 28 and 30, at 83 King St., St. Augustine; tickets are $17; $8 for ages 7-12, 829-9887, villazorayda.com.

COSMIC CONCERTS LASER SHOWS Laser Holiday 7 p.m., Wish You Were Here 8 p.m., Dark Side of the Moon 9 p.m., and The Wall 10 p.m. Dec. 6; online tickets $5, Bryan Gooding Planetarium, Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle, Southbank, 396-7062, moshplanetarium.org.

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Folk is People 10:30 a.m., Spiral Bound 11:30 a.m., Four Families 1:15 p.m., Pine Forest School of the Arts 2:45 p.m., local and regional art, gift-wrapping, live music and a farmers market 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Riverside Arts Market, under the Fuller Warren Bridge at Riverside Avenue. 554-6865. riversideartsmarket.com SANTA’S STORYBOOK TEA Fireside reading, photo ops, sandwiches, pastries, candy and cakes are featured noon Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway; $49 for adults, $10 for ages 5 and younger. 277-1100.

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER A Charlie Brown Christmas with David Benoit is held 7 p.m. Dec. 9-10 at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A S., free, 471-1965, staugamp.sjcvenues.com.

NIGHTS OF LIGHTS St. Augustine’s historic district presents its 19th annual holiday event nightly, 6:30 p.m. through Jan. 31 at Plaza de la Constitución, downtown historic district, 825-1004.

CLAY COUNTY FOOD DRIVE J.A. Long Design Builders accepts nonperishable food items, cash, checks or grocery gift card donations for the Food Pantry through Dec. 20. To make a food or monetary donation, stop by 1677 Wells Road, Ste. D, Orange Park, 264-3073 or email info@jalong.com. For details about Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs, call 284-0814.

AMELIA FARMERS MARKET Fernandina Beach farmers market offers local produce, gourmet-prepared foods and landscape plants, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sat. at the Shops of Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, 491-4872, ameliafarmersmarket.com.

BOOKS & LIBRARIES

BART PRICE Local poet Price signs copies of his book, “The Wild Woods Edge,” 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Chamblin’s Uptown, 215

N. Laura St., Downtown, 674-0868, chamblinbookmine.com.

COZY MYSTERY BOOK CLUB Mysteries discussed are “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” by Laurie R. King and “Nutty as a Fruitcake” by Mary Daheim, 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Ave., 278-4750, ccpl.lib.fl.us.

KAT LAMONS, TRISH DIGGINS Local authors LaMons and Diggins sign copies of their new book, “Ladybug Love: 100 Chinese Adoption Match Day Stories,” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7 at San Marco Bookstore, 1971 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, 396-7597, sanmarcobookstore.com.

BOOK DISCUSSION David Baldacci’s novel, “The Christmas Train,” is discussed 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 7 at Clay County Headquarters Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island, free, 278-3722, ccpl.lib.fl.us.

MUSLIM JOURNEYS BOOK DISCUSSION The bookclub type discussion, led by University of North Florida anthropology student and Better Together vice president Jericha Russell, explores “Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction” by Jonathan A.C. Brown. The “Let’s Talk About It” event is 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Southeast Regional Library, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville, free (reservations encouraged), 630-4655, jaxpubliclibrary.org/muslimjourneys.

FOOD FOR FINES St. Johns County Public Libraries offer the resolution of overdue fines and help those in need with this program, accepting non-perishable food items in lieu of overdue fines through Dec. 21. Donations distributed locally to St. Johns County Food Closet. Up to $1 in overdue fines are resolved for each sealed, non-expired, non-perishable item donated. Donation waivers are for library fines only and aren’t applied to fees for printing, lost items, or credit against future fines. No fine? Drop off canned foods at any library branch or bookmobile stop. 827-6925, sjcpls.org.

COMEDY

DALE JONES Jones appears 8:04 p.m. Dec. 5, 8:04 and 10:10 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at The Comedy Club of Jacksonville, 11000 Beach Blvd., Ste. 8, Southside, $6-$25; 646-4277, jacksonvillecomedy.com.

D CAMERON The comedian appears 8 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 at The Comedy Zone, Ramada Inn, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin; $8 and $10; 292-4242, comedyzone.com.

NATURE, SPORTS & OUTDOORS

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RIVER TO SEA PRESERVE GUIDED TRAIL WALK The walk, led by GTM Research Reserve volunteers through wooded hammock between the ocean and Matanzas River, is held 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at Marineland’s south end; reservations required; 823-4500, gtmnerrmarinelandtrail.eventbrite.com.

SHELLS OF THE TALBOT SHORES A park ranger discusses the frequently found shells that wash up on the Talbot Islands State Parks shores, 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Ribault Club, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, 11241 Fort George Road; free; 251-2320, floridastateparks.org/littletalbotislands.

JAGUARS VS. TEXANS The Jacksonville Jaguars play against the Houston Texans, 8:25 p.m. Dec. 5 at EverBank Field, 1 EverBank Place, Downtown. Single-game tickets for home games start at $45, 633-2000, jaguars.com.

POLITICS, ACTIVISM & BUSINESS

CREATIVE BUSINESS PLANNING “Business Planning for Creatives: Artists, Writers, Healers, Coaches & Independent Practitioners,” 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Atlantic Beach; email yvette@narratives4change.com, 800-913-8611 ext. 1.

CLASSES & GROUPS

GENEALOGY SOCIETY The Jacksonville Genealogy Society offers an intermediate genealogy class 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at Bartram Trail Branch Library, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove, free, but registration required – email your name, address and phone number to jaxgen@comcast.net.

MARINE VETERANS GROUP The Oldest City Detachment 383 gathers 7 p.m. on first Tue. of the month at Elks Lodge 829, 1420 A1A S., St. Augustine, 461-0139, mclfl383.org. o

UPCOMING EVENTS

KATHLEEN MADIGAN Dec. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall JEFF DUNHAM Jan. 24, Veterans Memorial Arena LILY TOMLIN Feb. 6, The Florida Theatre HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Feb. 28, Veterans Memorial Arena For a list of happenings, go to folioweekly.com/calendar.

For details on how to submit yours, go to folioweekly.com/eventhowto.html. The deadline for print publication is 4 p.m. Mon., 10 days before issue. Due to space constraints, not all events will appear in print.

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 31

Dining Directory

To have your restaurant included, contact your account manager or Sam Taylor, 904.260.9770 ext. 111, staylor@folioweekly.com DINING DIRECTORY KEY

Average Entrée Cost: $ = Less than $8 $$ = $8-$14 $$$ = $15-$22 $$$$ = $23 & up = Beer, Wine = Full Bar C = Children’s Menu = Take Out B = Breakfast R = Brunch L = Lunch D = Dinner *Bite Club Certified! = Hosted a free Folio Weekly Bite Club tasting. Join at fwbiteclub.com.

2013 Best of Jax winner F = FW distribution spot

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH, YULEE

BARBERITOS, 1519 Sadler Road, 277-2505. 463867 S.R. 200, Ste. 5, Yulee, 321-2240. F Specializing in Southwestern made-to-order fresh favorites: burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salads. Salsa’s handcrafted with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, onions, peppers. $$ C L D Daily BRETT’S WATERWAY CAFÉ, 1 S. Front St., 261-2660.

F On the water at historic Centre Street’s end, it’s Southern hospitality in an upscale atmosphere; daily specials, fresh local seafood, aged beef. $$$ C L D Daily CAFÉ KARIBO, 27 N. Third St., 277-5269. F In a historic building, family-owned spot has eclectic cuisine: homemade veggie burgers, fresh seafood, salads, made-from-scratch desserts. Dine inside or on oak-shaded patio. Karibrew Pub has beer brewed onsite. $$ C L D Tue.-Sat.; L Daily HALFTIME SPORTS BAR & GRILL, 320 S. Eighth St., 321-0303. Sports bar fare: onion rings, spring rolls, burgers, wraps, wings. $ L D Daily JACK & DIANE’S, 708 Centre St., 321-1444. F In a renovated 1887 shotgun home. Favorites: jambalaya, French toast, mac-n-cheese, vegan and vegetarian selections. Dine inside or out on the porch. $$ C B L D Daily LULU’S AT THE THOMPSON HOUSE, 11 S. Seventh St., 432-8394. F Innovative lunch menu: po’boys, salads and seafood little plates served in a historic house. Dinner features fresh local seafood, Fernandina shrimp. Reservations recommended. $$$ C R Sun.; L D Tue.-Sat. MOON RIVER PIZZA, 925 S. 14th St., 321-3400. F See Riverside. 2013 BOJ winner. $ L D Mon.-Sat. THE MUSTARD SEED CAFE, 833 TJ Courson Road, 277-3141. Awarded Slow Food First Coast’s Snail of Approval, the casual organic eatery and juice bar, in Nassau Health Foods, offers all-natural, organic items, smoothies, juices, coffees, herbal teas. $$ B L Mon.-Sat. PLAE, 80 Amelia Village Cir., 277-2132. Bite Club certified. In Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s Spa & Shops, the bistro-style venue has an innovative menu: whole fried fish and duck breast. Outdoor dining. $$$ D Mon.-Sat. THE SALTY PELICAN BAR & GRILL, 12 N. Front St., 277-3811. F Killer sunset view over the ICW from secondstory outdoor bar. Owners T.J. and Al offer local seafood, Mayport shrimp, fish tacos, po’boys and the original broiled cheese oysters. $$ C L D Daily SLIDERS SEASIDE GRILL, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652. F 2013 BOJ winner. Oceanfront restaurant serves award-winning handmade crab cakes, fresh seafood, fried pickles. Outdoor dining, open-air second fl oor and balcony. $$ C L D Daily THE SURF, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711. F Oceanview dining, inside or on the deck. Steaks, fresh fish, nightly specials, Sun. lobster special. $$ B Sat.-Sun.; L D Daily TIMOTI’S FRY SHAK, 21 N. Third St., 310-6550. F Casual seafood spot has fresh, local wild-caught shrimp, fish, oysters, blackboard specials, seafood baskets. $ C L D Daily T-RAY’S BURGER STATION, 202 S. Eighth St., 261-6310.

F This spot in an old gas station is known for its blue plate specials, burgers, biscuits & gravy, shrimp. $ B L Mon.-Sat.

ARLINGTON, REGENCY

LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 8818 Atlantic Blvd., 720-0106. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1301 Monument Road F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily RACK ’EM UP BILLIARDS, 1825 University Blvd. N., 745-0335. F Cigar and hookah lounge has billiards tables, a full kitchen, a variety of subs for late-nighters. 200-plus imported, domestic beers. $ R Sat.-Sun.; D Nightly

AVONDALE, ORTEGA

ALE PIE HOUSE, 3951 St. Johns Ave., 503-8000. It’s pizza made your way, plus subs, paninis, calzone, stromboli, wraps, dinners. Gluten-free and vegan cheese available. $$ C L D Daily BAGEL LOVE, 4114 Herschel St., Ste. 121, 634-7253 2013 BOJ winner. Northern-style bagels, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, bakery items, sides, fresh-squeezed orange

32 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

juice and lemonade, coffees, smoothies and tea. Homecooked turkey, chicken and roast beef. Free Wi-Fi. Locally owned and operated. Outdoor dining on patio. $ C B L Daily THE CASBAH CAFÉ, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966.

F 2013 BOJ winner. Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine on the patio or in a hookah lounge. Wi-Fi, belly dancers, hookah pipes. $$ L D Daily ESPETO BRAZILIAN STEAK HOUSE, 4000 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 40, 388-4884. F Celebrating five years, this churrascaria has gauchos who carve the meat onto your plate from their serving tables. $$$ D Tue.-Sun. FLORIDA CREAMERY, 3566 St. Johns Ave., 619-5386.

Premium ice cream, fresh waffle cones, milkshakes, sundaes and Nathan’s grilled hot dogs, served in Florida-centric décor. Low-fat and sugar-free choices. $ C L Mon.-Sat. THE FOX RESTAURANT, 3580 St. Johns Ave., 387-2669.

F Owners Ian and Mary Chase offer fresh diner fare and homemade desserts. Breakfast all day. Signature items: burgers, meatloaf, fried green tomatoes. A Jacksonville landmark for more than 50 years. $$ C L D Daily GREEN MAN GOURMET, 3543 St. Johns Ave., 384-0002.

F This market features organic and natural products, spices, teas and salts. $ Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 4530 St. Johns Ave., 388-8828. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LET THEM EAT CAKE! 3604 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 2, 389-2122. Artisan bakery serves coffee, croissants, muffins, cupcakes (The Fat Elvis!), pastries, individual desserts. Whole cakes made-to-order. $ Tue.-Sat. MOJO NO. 4 URBAN BBQ & WHISKEY BAR, 3572 St. Johns Ave., 381-6670. F 2013 BOJ winner. Funky Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork, Carolina-style barbecue, chicken-fried steak, Delta fried catfish, hummus, shrimp and grits, specialty cocktails. $$ C B L D Daily SAKE HOUSE #5 JAPANESE GRILL SUSHI BAR, 3620 St. Johns Ave., 388-5688. F See Riverside. $$ L D Daily SIMPLY SARA’S, 2902 Corinthian Ave., Ortega, 387-1000.

F Down-home cooking from scratch like Grandma’s: eggplant fries, pimento cheese, fried chicken, fruit cobblers, chicken & dumplings. BYOB. $$ C L D Mon.-Sat. TERRA, 4260 Herschel St., 388-9124. Owner Michael Thomas’ comfy spot serves local, sustainable world cuisine in a simple, creative style. Small plates: chorizo stuffed mushrooms, pork belly skewers; entrées: lamb chops, seared tuna, ribeye. Lunch features sandwiches. Craft beers. Onsite organic garden. $$ D Mon.-Sat.

BAYMEADOWS

AL’S PIZZA, 8060 Philips Highway, 731-4300. F 2013 BOJ winner. See Beaches. $ C L D Daily BROADWAY RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA, 10920 Baymeadows Road, Ste. 3, 519-8000. F Family-owned-and-operated Italian pizzeria serves calzones, strombolis, wings, brick-ovenbaked pizza, subs, desserts. Delivery. $$ C L D Daily INDIA’S RESTAURANT, 9802 Baymeadows Road, Ste. 8, 620-0777. F Authentic Indian cuisine, lunch buffet. Curry and vegetable dishes, lamb, chicken, shrimp, fish tandoori. $$ L Mon.-Sat.; D Nightly LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 8206 Philips Hwy., 732-9433. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 3928 Baymeadows Road, 737-7740. 8616 Baymeadows Road, 739-2498. F With locations all over Northeast Florida, Larry’s piles subs high and serves ’em fast. Natural meats and cheeses are hormone-, antibiotic- and gluten-free; the sub rolls are gluten-free, too. $ C B L D Daily MANDALOUN MEDITERRANEAN LEBANESE CUISINE, 9862 Old Baymeadows Road, 646-1881. F Bite Club certified.

Owner Pierre Barakat offers authentic Lebanese cuisine, charcoal-grilled lamb kebab. Belly dancing Fri.-Sat. Monthly dinner parties. Outdoor seating. $$ L D Tue.-Sun. PATTAYA THAI GRILLE, 9551 Baymeadows Road, Ste. 1, 646-9506. F The area’s original authentic Thai restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional Thai, vegetarian and new-Thai, including curries, seafood, noodles, soups. In business since 1990, family-owned place has low-sodium and gluten-free dishes, too. $$$ L D Tue.-Sun. PIZZA PALACE, 3928 Baymeadows Road, 527-8649.

F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily STICKY FINGERS, 8129 Point Meadows Way, 493-7427.

F Memphis-style rib house slow-smokes meats over aged hickory wood. Award-winning ribs, barbecue, rotisseriesmoked chicken, five signature sauces. Dine indoors or on screened patio. $$ C L D Daily

BEACHES

(Locations are Jax Beach unless otherwise noted.)

AL’S PIZZA, 303 Atlantic Blvd., Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach, 249-0002. F 2013 BOJ winner.

Celebrating more than 20 years and seven locations, Al’s offers a selection of New York-style and gourmet pizzas. $ C L D Daily BUDDHA THAI BISTRO, 301 10th Ave. N., 712-4444.

F The proprietors here are from Thailand, and every dish is made with fresh ingredients from tried-and-true recipes, beautifully presented. $$ L D Daily CAMPECHE BAY CANTINA, 127 First Ave. N., 249-3322.

F Chili rellenos, tamales, fajitas, enchiladas, fish tacos,

Jermel Forehand holds a plate of original Jeff Squares, with a roasted pecan crust and cream cheese topping. A chocolate raspberry version is available, too, at Three Layers Café in Springfield. Photo: Dennis Ho fried ice cream, margaritas. $$ C D Nightly CASA MARIA, 2429 S. Third St., 372-9000. F See Springfield. $ C L D Daily CULHANE’S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-9595. Bite Club certified. Upscale Irish pub owned and managed by four sisters from County Limerick. Shepherd’s pie, corned beef; gastro pub menu soars to culinary heights. $$ C R Sat. & Sun.; D Tue.-Sun. ENGINE 15 BREWING CO., 1500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 217, 249-2337. F 2013 BOJ winner. Gastropub fare: soups, salads, flatbreads, specialty sandwiches, including BarBeCuban and beer dip. Craft beers. $ C L D Daily GREGORY PAUL’S, 215 Fourth Ave. S., 372-4367. Greg Rider offers freshly prepared meals and experienced catering services. $$ Mon.-Fri. LANDSHARK CAFE, 1728 Third St. N., 246-6024. F Locally owned and operated. Fresh, right-off-the-boat local seafood, fish tacos, houseground burgers, wings, handcut fries, tater tots; daily specials. $$ C L D Daily; R Sun. LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1222 Third St. S., 372-4495. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 657 N. Third St., 247-9620. F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily LILLIE’S COFFEE BAR, 200 First St., Beaches Town Center, Neptune Beach, 249-2922. F Beaches landmark.

Locally roasted coffee, eggs and bagels, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Dine indoors or out; patio and courtyard seating. $$ B L D Daily M SHACK, 299 Atlantic Blvd., Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach, 241-2599. F 2013 BOJ winner. David and Matthew Medure are flippin’ burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes and familiar fare at moderate prices. Dine indoors or out. $$ L D Daily MARLIN MOON GRILLE, 1183 Beach Blvd., 372-4438.

F This sportfishing-themed casual place features fresh crab cakes – owner Gary Beach’s from Maryland’s Eastern Shore – and burgers, daily specials, craft beers, Orange Crushes, fresh-cut fries. $$ C R Sun.; D Wed.-Mon. MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 1018 Third St. N., Ste. 2, 241-5600. F Bite Club certified. 2013 BOJ winner. The psychedelic spot serves gourmet pizzas, hoagies, salads. Pies range from Mighty Meaty to vegetarian like Kosmic Karma. $ C L D Daily MEZZA LUNA PIZZERIA RISTORANTE, 110 First St., Beaches Town Center, Neptune Beach, 249-5573.

F Near-the-ocean eatery serves casual bistro fare (for 20+ years) like gourmet wood-fired pizzas, herb-crusted mahi mahi. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$$ C D Mon.-Sat. MOJO KITCHEN BBQ PIT & BLUES BAR, 1500 Beach Blvd., 247-6636. F 2013 BOJ winner. Funky Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork, Carolina-style barbecue, chickenfried steak, Delta fried catfish. $$ C B L D Daily POE’S TAVERN, 363 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7637. F American gastropub offers gourmet hamburgers, ground in-house and cooked to order, hand-cut French fries, fish tacos, entree-size salads, Edgar’s Drunken Chili, daily fish sandwich special. $$ C L D Daily RAGTIME TAVERN & SEAFOOD GRILL, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach, 241-7877 F For 30 years, the popular seafood place has nabbed lots of awards in our Best of Jax readers poll. Blackened snapper, sesame tuna, Ragtime shrimp. $$ L D Daily RENNA’S PIZZA, 592 Marsh Landing Parkway, 273-3113.

F See Mandarin. $$ C L D Daily SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK, 1018 Third St. N., 372-4456.

F 2013 BOJ winner. Specialty items, signature tuna poke bowl, fresh rolled sushi, Ensenada tacos, local fried shrimp, in a contemporary open-air space. $$ C L D Daily SHIM SHAM ROOM, 333 First St. N., Ste. 150, 372-0781.

F 2013 BOJ winner. Seasonal menu of “cheap eats”: bar bites, chicken & waffles, badass fries, tacos. $$ D Nightly WIPEOUTS GRILL, 1585 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 247-4508. F Casual, beachy sports place serves burgers, wings, fish tacos in a chill atmosphere. $ C L D Daily

DOWNTOWN

AVOCADOS, 311 W. Ashley St., Ste. 1, 683-9947. Mac & cheese, Southwestern wrap, French dip. Fresh ingredients, cooked to order. $ B L D Mon.-Sat. CAFÉ NOLA at MOCAJAX, 333 N. Laura St., 366-6911.On Museum of Contemporary Art first floor. Shrimp and grits, gourmet sandwiches, fresh fish tacos, homemade desserts. $$ L Mon.-Fri.; D Thur. & ArtWalk CASA DORA, 108 E. Forsyth St., 356-8282. F Owner/ chef Sam Hamidi has been serving genuine Italian fare 35-plus years: veal, seafood, pizza. Homemade salad dressing is a specialty. $$ C L D Mon.-Sat. CHOMP CHOMP, 106 E. Adams St., 762-4667. F This spot has eats at moderate prices – most under $10. Chef-inspired street food: panko-crusted chicken, burgers, chinois tacos, bahn mi, barbecue. $ L Tue.-Sat.; D Fri. & Sat. DE REAL TING CAFÉ, 128 W. Adams St., 633-9738.

F Caribbean spot features jerk or curried chicken, conch fritters, curried goat, oxtail. $ L Tue.-Fri.; D Fri.-Sat. FIONN MACCOOL’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT, Ste. 176, Jacksonville Landing, 374-1547. F 2013 BOJ winner.

Casual dining, uptown Irish atmosphere. Fish & chips, blackand-tan brownies, Guinness lamb stew. $$ C L D Daily ZODIAC GRILL, 120 W. Adams St., 354-8283. F Mediterranean cuisine and American favorites in a casual atmosphere. Panini, vegetarian dishes, daily lunch buffet.

Espressos, hookahs. $ L Mon.-Fri.

FLEMING ISLAND

BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA & GASTROPUB, 1811 Town Center Blvd., 278-1770. F Family-owned-and-operated; offers freshly made brick-oven pizzas, specialty burgers, melts, wraps, craft beers. Gluten-free items. $$ C L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1571 C.R. 220, Ste. 100, 215-2223. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 1800 Town Center Blvd., 541-1999. F See Beaches. Bite Club certified.

2013 BOJ winner. $ C L D Daily MOJO SMOKEHOUSE, 1810 Town Center Blvd., Ste. 8, 264-0636. F 2013 BOJ winner. Funky Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork, Carolina-style barbecue, chickenfried steak, Delta fried catfish. $$ C B L D Daily WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198.

F Authentic fish camp serves gator tail, fresh-water river catfish, traditional meals, daily specials on the banks of Swimming Pen Creek. Outdoor Tiki bar. Come by boat, motorcycle or car. $ C L Tue.-Sun.; D Nightly YOUR PIE, 1545 C.R. 220, Ste. 125, 379-9771. F Bite Club certified. Owner Mike Sims has a fast, casual pizza concept: Choose from three doughs, nine sauces, seven cheeses and 40-plus toppings and create your own pizza pie. Subs, sandwiches, gelato. $$ C L D Daily

INTRACOASTAL WEST

AL’S PIZZA, 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 31, 223-0991.

F 2013 BOJ winner. See Beaches. $ C L D Daily CASTILLO DE MEXICO, 12620 Beach Blvd., Ste. 19, 998-7006. F This spot, in business for 15-plus years, has an extensive menu served in authentic Mexican décor. Weekday lunch buffet. $$ L D Daily

GRILL ME!

Dining Directory

A WEEKLY Q&A WITH PEOPLE IN THE FOOD BIZ

NAME: Michael Rosa RESTAURANT: Ocean Grille, 333 1st St. N., No. 110, Jacksonville Beach BIRTHPLACE: New York City YEARS IN THE BIZ: 12 FAVORITE RESTAURANT (other than mine): Capital Grille, St. Johns Town Center FAVORITE COOKING STYLE: Spanish/Caribbean FAVORITE INGREDIENTS: Salt, onions and jalepenos IDEAL MEAL: A 12-pack of beer and a grande meal from Taco Bell.

WOULDN’T EAT IF YOU PAID ME: Sushi.

CRAZIEST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE: Getting locked in a freezer 15 minutes.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING AT MY RESTAURANT: Mike Alstott, Jett Lacy, Winky Wright and Joe Maddon.

EPIK BURGER, 12740 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 105, 374-7326.

F More than 34 burgers made from grass-fed beef, ahi tuna, all-natural chicken; vegan items from innovative recipes; gluten-free options. $ L D Mon.-Sat. LA NOPALERA MEXICAN, 14333 Beach Blvd., 992-1666.

F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 10750 Atlantic Blvd., 642-6980.

F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily MAHARLIKA HALL & SPORTS GRILL, 14255 Beach Blvd., Ste. E, 699-0759. Filipino-American restaurant and market features pancit bami, lumpia, turon strudle, halo halo with ice cream. $-$$ C R L D Daily MY MOCHI FROZEN YOGURT, 13546 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1A, 821-9880. See St. Johns Town Center. $ Daily TIME OUT SPORTS GRILL, 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, 223-6999. F Locally-owned-and-operated grill serves hand-tossed pizzas, wings, specialty wraps in a clean, sporty atmosphere. Late-night menu. $$ L Tue.-Sun.; D Nightly

JULINGTON CREEK

PIZZA PALACE, 116 Bartram Oaks Walk, 230-2171. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily SAUCY TACO, 450 S.R. 13 N., Ste. 113, 287-8226. F The menu is light Mexican with American influences – and there are 40 beers on draft. $$ C B, Sat.-Sun.; L D Daily

MANDARIN

AL’S PIZZA, 11190 San Jose Blvd., 260-4115. F 2013 BOJ winner. See Beaches. $ C L D Daily ATHENS CAFÉ, 6271 St. Augustine Road, Ste. 7, 733-1199.

Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), baby shoes (stuffed eggplant). Greek beers. $$ L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. BRAZILIAN JAX CAFE, 9825 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 20, 880-3313. F Authentic dishes: steaks, sausages, chicken, fish, burgers, hot sandwiches made with fresh ingredients.

Traditional feijoada – black beans and pork stew with rice, collards, orange salad, toasted yucca flour with bacon – every Sat. $$ B L D Mon.-Sat. BROOKLYN PIZZA, 11406 San Jose Blvd., 288-9211. 13820 St. Augustine Road, Bartram Park, 880-0020. F The Brooklyn Special Pizza is a customer favorite. Also calzones, white pizza, homestyle lasagna. $$ L D Daily GIGI’S RESTAURANT, 3130 Hartley Road (Ramada Inn), 694-4300. F Prime rib and crab leg buffet Fri.-Sat., bluejean brunch Sun., daily breakfast buffet and lunch and dinner buffets. $$$ B R L D Daily LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 11700 San Jose Blvd., 288-0175. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S, 11365 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 3, 674-2945. F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily RACK ’EM UP BILLIARDS, 4268 Oldfield Crossing Dr., 262-4030. See Arlington. $ R Sat.-Sun.; D Nightly RENNA’S PIZZA, 11111 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 12, 292-2300.

F Casual New York-style pizzeria serves calzones, antipasto, parmigiana, homemade breads. Buy by the slice – they ’re humongous – or full pie. Delivery. $$ C L D Daily

ORANGE PARK, MIDDLEBURG

ARON’S PIZZA, 650 Park Ave., 269-1007. F Family-owned restaurant has eggplant dishes, manicotti, New York-style pizza. $$ C L D Daily THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Road, 272-5959. Specialties at this upscale restaurant include New Orleans shrimp, certified Black Angus prime rib, she-crab soup. Homemade desserts. $$$ D Tue.-Sat. LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1930 Kingsley Ave., 276-2776. F See San Marco. $$ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 700 Blanding, Ste. 15, 272-3553.

1545 C.R. 220, 278-2827. 1330 Blanding, 276-7370. 1404 S. Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs, 284-7789. F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily PREVATT’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL, 2620 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 17, Middleburg, 282-1564. F What a neighborhood sportsbar should be: Familiar fare, all the spirits you’d want. $$ C L D Daily RENNA’S PIZZA, 6001 Argyle Forest Blvd., Ste. 16, 771-7677. F See Mandarin. $$ C L D Daily

TED’S MONTANA GRILL, 8635 Blanding Blvd., 771-1964.

See St. Johns Town Center. $$$ C L D Daily THAI GARDEN, 10 Blanding Blvd., Ste. B, 272-8434.

Traditional Thai: pad kraw powh with roasted duck, kaeng kari (yellow curry, potatoes, choice of meat). Fine wines, imported, domestic beers. $$ L Mon.-Fri.; D Nightly

PONTE VEDRA, NW ST. JOHNS

ALICE & PETE’S PUB, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Sawgrass Marriott, 285-7777. Inspired by TPC Sawgrass course designers Alice and Pete Dye. Northeast Florida flavors and Alice & Pete’s favorites: Dominican black bean soup, Pete’s Designer club sandwich. Outside dining. $$$ L D Daily AL’S PIZZA, 635 A1A, 543-1494. F 2013 BOJ winner.

See Beaches. $ C L D Daily JJ’S LIBERTY BISTRO, 330 A1A N., Ste. 209, 273-7980.

Traditional French cuisine: escargot, brie, paté, steak frites, crêpes. Daily specials, specialty pastries; French wines. $ $ L D Mon.-Sat. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 830 A1A N., Ste. 6, 273-3993. F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily RESTAURANT MEDURE, 818 A1A N., 543-3797. Chef David Medure creates dishes with international flavors. The lounge offers small plates, creative drinks. $$$ D Mon.-Sat. TABLE 1, 330 A1A N., Ste. 208, 280-5515. Upscale, casual restaurant offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers, entrées. Extensive wine list. $$$ L D Daily

RIVERSIDE, FIVE POINTS, WESTSIDE

AL’S PIZZA, 1620 Margaret St., Ste. 201, 388-8384. F 2013 BOJ winner. See Beaches. $ C L D Daily BOLD BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS, 869 Stockton St., Stes.

1-2, 855-1181. F 2013 BOJ winner. Bold Bean brings a small-batch, artisanal approach to roasting coffee. Organic and fair trade coffees. $ B L Daily GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET 2007 Park St., 384-4474. F 2013 BOJ winner. Juice bar uses certified organic fruits and vegetables. The store has three dozen artisanal cheeses, 300-plus craft and imported beers, 50 organic wines, organic produce, meats, vitamins, herbs.

Organic wraps, sides, sandwiches, salads to go; raw, vegan items. $ B L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1509 Margaret St., 674-2794. 7859 Normandy Blvd., 781-7600. 5733 Roosevelt Blvd., 446-9500. 8102 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 1, 779-1933. F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily MOON RIVER PIZZA, 1176 Edgewood Ave. S., Murray Hill, 389-4442. F Northern-style pizzas, more than 20 toppings, by the pie or the slice. $ L D Mon.-Sat. THE MOSSFIRE GRILL, 1537 Margaret St., Riverside, 355-4434. Southwestern menu with ahi tuna tacos, goat cheese enchiladas, gouda quesadillas, chicken enchiladas.

Indoor or patio dining. $$ C L D Daily O’BROTHERS IRISH PUB, 1521 Margaret St., 854-9300.

F Traditional Irish fare: shepherd’s pie with Stilton crust, Guinness mac-n-cheese, fish-n-chips. Outdoor patio dining. $$ C L D Daily SAKE HOUSE #1 JAPANESE GRILL SUSHI BAR, 824 Lomax St., 301-1188. F Traditional Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi, sashimi, kiatsu, teriyaki, hibachi in an authentic atmosphere.

Sake. A real tatami room; outside seating. $$ L D Daily SUN-RAY CINEMA, 1028 Park St., 359-0049. F Beer (Bold City, Intuition Ale Works), wine, pizza, hot dogs, hummus, sandwiches, popcorn, nachos, brownies. $$ Daily SUSHI CAFÉ, 2025 Riverside Ave., Ste. 204, 384-2888.

F Sushi: popular Monster Roll, Jimmy Smith Roll, Rock-nRoll and Dynamite Roll. Hibachi, tempura, katsu, teriyaki. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$ L D Daily

ST. AUGUSTINE

AL’S PIZZA, 1 St. George St., 824-4383. F 2013 BOJ winner. See Beaches. $ C L D Daily BACK 40 URBAN CAFÉ, 40 S. Dixie Highway, 824-0227.

F Owner Brian Harmon serves Caribbean-flavored items – wraps, upside-down chicken potpie, fresh, local seafood – in

an 1896 building. Wi-Fi. $ C L Sun.; L D Mon.-Sat. CARMELO’S MARKETPLACE & PIZZERIA, 146 King St., 494-6658. F New York-style brick-oven-baked pizza, fresh sub rolls, Boar’s Head meats, cheeses, garlic herb wings. Outdoor seating, Wi-Fi. $$ L D Daily THE FLORIDIAN, 39 Cordova St., 829-0655. Updated Southern fare, with fresh, local ingredients from area farms.

Vegetarian, gluten-free options. Signature items: fried green tomato bruschetta, blackened fish, cornbread stack, grits with shrimp, fish or tofu. $$$ C L D Wed.-Mon. GYPSY CAB COMPANY, 828 Anastasia Blvd., Anastasia Island, 824-8244. F A mainstay for 25 years; menu changes daily. Signature dish is Gypsy chicken. Seafood, tofu, duck, veal. $$ R Sun.; L D Daily THE HYPPO, 15 Hypolita St., 217-7853 (popsicles only).

1765 Tree Blvd., Ste. 5, 342-7816. F Popsicles of unique flavors, of premium ingredients. Coffee pour-overs, cold-brew coffees. Handcrafted sandwiches, salads. $ Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 410 Anastasia Blvd., 826-4040. F See Beaches. Bite Club certified.

2013 BOJ winner. $ C L D Daily MOJO OLD CITY BBQ, 5 Cordova St., 342-5264. F 2013 BOJ winner. Funky Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork, Carolina-style barbecue, chicken-fried steak, Delta fried catfish. $$ C B L D Daily THE ORIGINAL CAFÉ ELEVEN, 501 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 460-9311. F Coffee drinks, vegetarian meals, meaty Southern comfort dishes. $ B L D Daily PACIFIC ASIAN BISTRO, 159 Palencia Village Dr., 305-2515. F 2013 BOJ winner. Chef Mas created 30+ unique sushi rolls; fresh sea scallops, H awaiian-style poke tuna salad. $$ L D Daily

ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

BLACKFINN AMERICAN GRILLE, 4840 Big Island Drive, 345-3466. Classic American fare: beef, seafood, pasta, flatbread sandwiches. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$$ C R L D Daily BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE, 4910 Big Island Drive, 807-9960.

Upscale Northern Italian restaurant offers wood-grilled, ovenroasted steaks, chops, seafood. Dine indoors or al fresco on the terrace. $$$ C R Sat. & Sun.; L D Daily MY MOCHI FROZEN YOGURT, 4860 Big Island Drive, Ste. 2, 807-9292. Non-fat, low-calorie, cholesterol-free frozen yogurts. More than 40 toppings. $ Daily OVINTE, 10208 Buckhead Branch Drive, 900-7730. 2013 BOJ winner. Comfortable, chic place features tapas, small plates of Spanish, Italian flavors: ceviche fresco, pappardelle bolognese, lobster ravioli. 240-bottle wine list, 75 by the glass; craft spirits. Outdoor dining. $$ R, Sun.; D Nightly RENNA’S PIZZA, 4624 Town Crossing Drive, Ste. 125, 565-1299. F See Mandarin. $$ C L D Daily SAKE HOUSE #3 JAPANESE GRILL SUSHI BAR, 10281 Midtown Parkway, 996-2288. F See Riverside. $$ L D Daily SEASONS OF JAPAN, 4413 Town Center Parkway, 329-1067.

Casual-style restaurant serves Japanese and hibachi-style fare, sushi, quick-as-a-wink. $$ C L D Daily TED’S MONTANA GRILL, 10281 Midtown Parkway., 998-0010. Modern classic comfort food featuring finest cuts of bison, including signature steaks and award-winning gourmet burgers, served with timeless, genuine hospitality.

Crab cakes, cedar-plank salmon, fresh vegetables, signature desserts and private label Bison Ridge wines complete the unique menu. $$$ C L D Daily

SAN JOSE, LAKEWOOD

EMPEROR’S GENTLEMAN’S CLUB 4923 University Blvd.

W., Lakewood, 739-6966. Upscale steakhouse features steaks, burgers, seafood and wings. $$ L D Daily FUSION SUSHI, 1550 University Blvd. W., Lakewood, 636-8688. F New upscale sushi spot serves fresh sushi, sashimi, hibachi, teriyaki, kiatsu. $$ C L D Daily MOJO BAR-B-QUE, 1607 University Blvd. W., San Jose, 732-7200. F 2013 BOJ winner. Funky Southern blues kitchen offers pulled pork, Carolina-style barbecue, chickenfried steak, Delta fried catfish. $$ C B L D Daily URBAN ORGANICS, 5325 Fairmont St., Spring Park, 398-8012. Weekly coop every Monday that offers local, fresh fruits and vegetables in bags of 10, 20 or 30 pounds.

SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK, ST. NICHOLAS

BASIL THAI & SUSHI, 1004 Hendricks Ave., 674-0190.

F Pad Thai, curry dishes, sushi, served in a relaxing environment. Dine indoors or on the patio. $$ L D Mon.Fri., D Sat. PIZZA PALACE GM Hala Demetree 1959 San Marco Blvd., 399-8815.

F Relaxed, family-owned place serves homestyle cuisine: spinach pizza, chicken spinach calzones.

Ravioli, lasagna, parmigiana.

Outside dining. $$ C L D Daily

THE GROTTO WINE & TAPAS BAR, 2012 San Marco Blvd., 398-0726. Varied tapas menu of artisanal cheese plates, empanadas, bruschettas, homestyle cheesecake. More than 60 wines by the glass. $$$ Tue.-Sun. LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1631 Hendricks Ave., 399-1768. F Tamales, fajitas and pork tacos are customer favorites. Some La Nops offer a full bar. $$ C L D Daily MATTHEW’S, 2107 Hendricks Ave., 396-9922. Chef Matthew Medure’s flagship restaurant offers fine dining in a refined, European-style atmosphere. Artfully presented cuisine, small plates, extensive martini and wine lists.

Reservations recommended. $$$$ D Mon.-Sat. PULP, 1962 San Marco Blvd., 396-9222. Juice bar offers fresh juices, frozen yogurt, teas, coffees made one cup at a time. 30 kinds of smoothies, some blended with fl avored soy milks, organic frozen yogurts, granola. $ B L D Daily SAKE HOUSE #2 JAPANESE GRILL SUSHI BAR, 1478 Riverplace Blvd., 306-2188. F See Riverside. $$ L D Daily

SOUTHSIDE

360° GRILLE, 10370 Philips Highway, 365-5555. F In Latitude 30. Familiar sportsbar favorites: seafood, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, pasta, pizza. Dine inside or on the patio. $$ L D Daily ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING, 12000 Beach Blvd., 641-1212. America’s longest continuously running dinner theater features Executive Chef DeJuan Roy’s menus coordinated with stage productions. Reservations suggested. $$ D Tue.-Sun. BUCA DI BEPPO, 10334 Southside Blvd., 363-9090.

Popular chain restaurant has fresh Italian cooking: lasagna, garlic mashed potatoes; three portion sizes (half-pound meatballs!) served family-style. $$$ C L D Daily CASA MARIA, 14965 Old St. Augustine Road, 619-8186.

F See Springfield. $ C L D Daily FARAH’S PITA STOP CAFÉ, 3980 Southside Blvd., Ste. 201, 928-4322. Middle Eastern cuisine: fresh sandwiches, soups, entrées, desserts, pastries and mazas (appetizers). $ C B L D Mon.-Sat. THE FLAME BROILER THE RICE BOWL KING, 9822 Tapestry Park Circle, Ste. 103, 619-2786. 7159 Philips Highway, Ste. 104, 337-0007. F West Coast fave has healthy, inexpensive fast food with no transfats, MSG, frying, or skin on meat. Fresh veggies, steamed brown or white rice, grilled beef, chicken, Korean short ribs. $ C L D Mon.-Sat. JJ’S BISTRO DE PARIS, 7643 Gate Parkway, Ste. 105, 996-7557. Authentic French cuisine served in a comfortable, charming setting. The scratch kitchen has fresh soups, stocks, sauces, pastries. $$ C L D Mon.-Sat. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 3611 St. Johns Bluff S., 641-6499. 4479 Deerwood Lake Parkway, 425-4060.

F See Baymeadows. BOJ winner. $ C B L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 9734 Deer Lake Court, Ste. 1, Tinseltown, 997-1955. F See Beaches. Bite Club certified. 2013 BOJ winner. $ C L D Daily OISHII, 4375 Southside Blvd., Ste. 4, 928-3223.

Japanese fusion cuisine: fresh, high-grade sushi, a variety of lunch specials, hibachi items. $$ C L D Daily SEVEN BRIDGES GRILLE & BREWERY, 9735 Gate Parkway N., Tinseltown, 9 97-1999. F Grill and brewery features local seafood, steaks, pizzas, award-winning freshly brewed ales, lagers. Dine indoors or outdoors. $$ L D Daily TAVERNA YAMAS, 9753 Deer Lake Court, 854-0426. Bite Club certified. 2013 BOJ winner. Greek restaurant serves char-broiled kabobs, seafood, traditional Greek wines and desserts. Nightly belly dancing. $$ C L D Daily TOMMY’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA, 4160 Southside Blvd., Ste. 2, 565-1999. F New York-style thin crust, brick-ovencooked pizzas – gluten-free – as well as calzones, salads, sandwiches made fresh to order, using Thumann’s no-MSG meats, Grande cheeses. Boylan’s soda. Curbside pick-up. $$ L D Mon.-Sat.

SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE

CASA MARIA, 12961 N. Main St., Ste. 104, 757-6411. F Family-owned-and-operated spot offers authentic Mexican food: fajitas, seafood dishes, hot sauces made in-house.

Specialty is tacos de asada. $ C L D Daily LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 12001 Lem Turner, 764-9999.

F See Baymeadows. $ C B L D Daily RENNA’S PIZZA, 840 Nautica Drive, Ste. 117, 714-9210.

F See Mandarin. $$ C L D Daily SAVANNAH BISTRO, 14670 Duval Road, 741-4404. F Low Country Southern fare, with a twist of Mediterranean and French, in a relaxing atmosphere at Crowne Plaza Airport. Crab cakes, New York strip, she crab soup, mahi mahi. Rainforest Lounge. $$$ C B L D Daily STICKY FINGERS, 13150 City Station Drive, 309-7427.

F See Baymeadows. $$ C L D Daily

FOOD TRUCKS

DRIFTWOOD BBQ, 412-4559, driftwoodbbq.com, facebook.com/DriftwoodBBQ Southern soul barbecue, sandwiches, subs at Pitmaster Patrick O’Grady’s truck.

Pudding, pulled pork, sides, sliders, chicken. $ L D

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 33

Bite

Sized

904-469-1271 Choose either traditional or innovative taco offerings. Photos: Caron Streibich

A New Taco in Town

Fly out to Neptune Beach for large portions of tasty Latin American fusion cuisine FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach 853-5680, flyingiguana.com

I

n a spot locals mobbed for two decades as the former Sun Dog Diner in the bustling Beaches Town Center now sits a hip, beachy taqueria.

Owner Al Mansur, of Al’s Pizza area restaurants fame, opened Flying Iguana’s doors Oct. 28, after spending more than a $1 million in renovations.

In the kitchen is Chef Josh Agan, a New England Culinary Institute graduate, who concocts an ambitious menu of Latin American-inspired dishes.

This is a copyright protected proof © Upon being seated, we were quickly supplied with complimentary chips and two homemade For questions, please call your advertising representative at I260-9770. salsas; favored the spicy verde to the milder roja.AT Shortly after we ordered tableside FAX YOUR PROOF IF POSSIBLE 268-3655 guacamole ($9) and chips, a cart containing all the requisite ingredients to concoct the creamy avocado goodness was wheeled up.

We tried the sweet corn tamale cakes ($10), Produced by KATIE Checked by Sales Rep _RE SUPPORT ASK FOR ACTION topped with smoked salmon, crema and ancho chile sauce, and chorizo-and-potato empanadas ($8). Portions were generous — three tamale cakes and four empanada halves. The sweet, moist tamale cakes proved more flavorful than the somewhat dense empanadas.

With 11 tacos from which to choose, I opted for three: crispy pork belly ($4), Dirty South ($3) and five spice shortribs ($4) with homemade kimchee. The pork belly was flavored with a sweet rum-and-Coke glaze and accompanied by chunks of watermelon, pickled onions and a sprinkle of cotija cheese, while the Dirty South (a thick, creamy pimento cheese sauce, black-eyed peas, fried green tomatoes

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E OF BENEFIT

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LEAPIN’ LIZARD! See more photos from Flying Iguana at folioweekly.com/bite-sized.

and arugula) tasted like Southern comfort food wrapped in a flour tortilla.

I enjoyed the flavor and texture combinations of my tacos, even if they were a bit messy, as evidenced by many fallen bits strewn about the table.

The habanero mango glazed swordfish ($22) atop creamy sweet potato purée with fried green tomatoes and garlic spinach was tasty, and large enough for two meals.

For dessert, the sharable stuffed churros ($7) stood out. Crispy and cream-filled, these doughy sticks were generously dusted with cinnamon and sugar, and served with a small pool of warm chocolate for dipping.

With a large indoor dining area, expansive bar and two outdoor patios, there are several seating options. Service was attentive despite the crowd.

Flying Iguana is open daily for lunch and dinner, so don’t forget to peruse the impressive drink menu and partake of a choice beverage.

Caron Streibich Folio Weekly Bite Club host biteclub@folioweekly.com

The cream-filled, cinnamon-sugar-dusted churro sticks are tasty and fun when dipped in warm chocolate sauce.

34 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

Free Will Astrology

ADVERTISING PROOF

This is a copyright protected proof © ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sometimes I think too fast and too much. My logic gets sterile. My ideas are jagged and tangled.

When it happens, I head to Turtle Back Hill for a saltwater marsh hike. The trail loops around on itself, and I arrive back where I started in about 15 minutes.

Sometimes I keep walking, circumambulating four or five times. Going in circles seems to help me knit together my fragmented thoughts. Often, by the time I’m finished, my mind feels unified. Find your version of this ritual. From what I see, you need to get rounder and softer.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the movie “Clueless,” the character Alicia Silverstone plays describes someone as a “full-on Monet.”

She means the person is like a painting by French Impressionist artist Claude Monet. “From far away, it’s PROMISE OF BENEFIT OK,” says Silverstone. “But up close, it’s a big old mess.”

You may still be at the far-away point in your evaluation of a certain situation in your life. It looks interesting, even attractive, from a distance. When you draw nearer, though, you may see problems. That doesn’t mean abandon it altogether. Maybe you can fix the mess so it’s as engaging up close as it is from far away.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the mid19th century, French art was dominated by the government-sponsored Salon, whose conservative policies thwarted new trends like Impressionism. One anti-authoritarian painter who rebelled was Camille Pissarro. “What is the best way to further the evolution of French art?” he was asked.

“Burn down the Louvre,” he replied. The Louvre was and still is a major Parisian art museum. Judging from your current astrological omens, you might want to make a symbolic statement like Pissarro’s. Time to graduate from old traditions to freely seek new teachers and influences.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your power animal for the months ahead is Africa’s Bateleur eagle.

In searching for its meals, it covers about 250 square miles every day. It has a spacious scope and thinks big. Get inspired by its example. In 2014, I’d love to see you enlarge the territory where you hunt for what you want. Fate will respond favorably if you expand your ideas on how to gather the best allies and resources. As for this week, get very specific as you identify goals to pursue by exploring farther and wider.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil,” is a request that Christians make of God when they say the Lord’s Prayer. If we define “temptation” as an attraction to things that feel good even though they’re bad for us, this part of the prayer is reasonable. But what if “temptation” has a different interpretation? What if it means an attraction to something that feels pleasurable and will be healthy even though it initially causes disruptions?

Consider experimenting with this alternative defi nition.

Whatever leads you into temptation could deliver you from evil.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “You get tragedy where the tree, instead of bending, breaks,” said philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. You don’t have to worry about that.

The storm may howl and surge, but it’ll ultimately pass. Though your tree may bend far, it won’t break.

Two weeks from now, you won’t be mourning your losses, but celebrating your fl exibility and resilience.

Congratulations in advance!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It’s a perfect time to start reclaiming some of superpowers you had when you were a child. What? You didn’t have superpowers? Not true. Before you entered adolescence, you saw things, knew things and felt things that were off-limits, even unknown, to most adults. You had a capacity to love the world with wild purity. Your innocence let you be in close touch with animals’ intelligence and spirits of the ancestors.

Nature was so vividly alive, you could hear its songs.

Smells were more intense. The dreams you had at night were exciting and consoling. Your ability to read people’s real energy – and not be fooled by social masks – was strong. Remember?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Not all darkness is bad. You know that. Sometimes you need to escape bright lights. It can be restorative to sit quietly in pitch blackness and drink in the mystery of the Great Unknown. The same’s true for silence, stillness and aloneness. Now and then, retreat into their protective sanctuary. Dreaming big empty thoughts in the tranquil depths can heal and recharge.

The magic moment has arrived for rejuvenation.

PROMISE SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.OF 21):BENEFIT The standard dictionary says “righteous” means virtuous and highly moral. The slang dictionary says “righteous” describes someone or something absolutely genuine and wonderful. Urbandictionary.com suggests that “righteous” refers to the ultimate version of any type of experience, especially “sins of pleasure” like lust and greed. According to my analysis, next week is jampacked with righteousness for you. Which of the three definitions predominates? It’s possible you embody and attract them all.

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© 2013

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the dreams you have at night, I bet you travel remote landscapes in all kinds of weather. Maybe you recreate the voyage of Polynesian sailors who crossed hundreds of miles of Pacific Ocean and found Hawaii 1,500 years ago. Or maybe you’re hiking through Darkhad Valley, where the Mongolian steppe meets Siberia’s vast forests. It’s possible you’re visiting places where your ancestors lived or migrating to the first human settlement on Mars in the 22nd century. What do dreams like this mean? You’re trying to blow your own mind. Your deep self and your higher wisdom are conspiring to flood you with new ways of seeing reality.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It wouldn’t be too extreme for you to kiss the ground that’s been walked by people you care about deeply.

It wouldn’t be too crazy to give special allies the best gifts ever, write them love letters or show in dramatic fashion how amazed you are by the beautiful truths about who they really are. It’s a unique moment in your cycle – a time when it’s crucial to express gratitude, devotion and even reverence for those who’ve helped you see what it means to be fully alive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In a letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway described his vision of paradise. It would have a trout stream only he could fish. He’d own two houses, one for his wife and children and one for nine beautiful mistresses. There’d be a church where he could regularly confess his sins, and he’d have great seats at an arena where bull fights were held. I think it’s a vulgar version of paradise, but who am I to judge? Draw inspiration from Hemingway as you create your earthy, gritty, funky fantasy of paradise. It’s a great time to get down to earth about high ideals and dreamy hopes.

Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

© 2013

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 35

© 2013

BEAUTIFUL BLONDE Hi K_, I came over and introduced myself when you were sitting across the bar from me. We made eye contact numerous times and observed some funny people in the bar. I would love to get together and see if we have any chemistry.

My name starts with T. When: Nov. 14. Where: Jacksonville Ale House. #1316-1204 BEAUTIFUL LADY EATING ALONE OUTSIDE ISU! Plum/purple T-shirt, rolled-up jeans shorts, sandals. We were both eating alone at outside tables. Me: In a white T-shirt and plaid shorts. I should have least said hi or hello and I’m kicking myself now! I think you’re beautiful! I’d love to talk and see. When: Nov. 23. Where: The Loop @ St. Johns Ave. #1315-1127 IN LINE It’s been so many years. Forgetfulness caught up with me. I apologize for thinking I was blowing you off when all I wanted to do was catch up! We were in line together at Publix; you remembered me from HS. I felt like such a jerk as you sped away in your maroon VW. When: Nov. 3. Where: Publix @ Tinseltown. #1314-1127 GATORS IN OAKLEAF ISU at the bar, in blue jeans and a black shirt. Blond hair and oh so gorgeous smile. It was early evening; you spoke to the bartender often. Our eyes met when I got up to leave. I wore tan cargo pants, a black short-sleeved shirt and glasses. When: Nov. 10. Where: Gators @ Oakleaf. #1313-1127 HOLIDAYS AND A SUBSPECIES OF BEINGS We chatted for a good bit in line at the veg fest. You compared your name to a holiday and mine to a group of people? Took me a minute to get your meaning. Should have taken you up on your offer to stick around. When: Nov. 9. Where: Riverside Park. #1312-1113 ANIME TALK IN CHAMBLIN You: Pretty blonde, light blue eyes with a tan-ish scarf. Me: Wearing a single braid on one side, in a blue dress and a raccoon backpack. First, we bonded over a love for “Loveless,” then you recommended “Clamp School Detectives.” I wish I’d asked for your name. :) When: Nov. 6.

Where: Chamblin’s Uptown. #1310-1106 BLACKSHEEP BARTENDED FRIDAY NIGHT You’re really cute slinging those drinks. I got a to-go order from you on Friday night around 8. I’m sorry you have to deal with creepy old men all of the time but you seem to handle yourself well. :) When: Nov. 1. Where: Blacksheep. #1309-1106 DOWNTOWN TSI SUNDAY BEERFEST GIRL “C” from Orange Park has a womanly adorableness; has a friend “M.” Me: Helping my friend get out of jail Sunday evening; stopped for a quick beer to kill time. Left for about 20 minutes; came back to talk more! Let’s chat a third time. When: Oct. 27. Where: Club TSI Discotheque. #1306-1023 DOGTOBERFEST Gator Woman walking Minnie Mouse, you were talking with handsome guy in Life Is Good shirt and brindle dog with a bandana. You left way too early; Fate was knocking! Even shy pups need love. When: Oct. 26. Where: Dogtoberfest. #1305-1023 JACKSONVILLE ZOO, MOM AND KIDS You: At the zoo with 2 children. ISU by the maze, then children’s play area. We passed a few times. I wanted to introduce myself; sorry I didn’t. Me: Guy who made eye contact with you as much as I could to see if there was interest. With my three beautiful little boys. Was there mutual attraction/interest? When: Oct. 19. Where: Jacksonville #1307-1023 DIDN’T DREAD LOOKING AT YOU You: Brown dreadlocks, cute

36 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 4-10, 2013

smile at Yoga Fest. Me: Colorful dress with a screaming baby in a stroller. You asked me what I did to the kid. When: Oct. 12.

Where: Riverside Arts Market. #1306-1023 PEGASUS GALLERY’S GODDESS You: Covered in tattoos, eyes to get lost in, tiny hands, buns to die for! Me: Redhead bombshell, can’t get enough, drooling over sexy you. The moment ISU smile, had to have you. Want to wake up to your beautiful face, make you feel special. Be my bite-sized goodness. I adore you. When: Oct. 10. Where: Pegasus Gallery, St. Augustine. #1302-1016 I SAW U Connection Made!

SEARCHING FOR SHARK TEETH You: Digging in sand, searching for shark teeth; looked as beautiful as I’ve ever seen you. You’re curious about the world; your curiosity’s sophisticated, inspiring, sexy. I think about you every day; hope I cross your mind now and then. Wish I was your missing shark tooth. When: Sept. 2. Where: Jacksonville. #1302-1016 FROM COLD SHOULDER TO PINING AFTER YOU We shared a picnic table, you snapchatting away. I yelled at you, I’m that drunk girl. I gave you the cold shoulder, but hey girl, can I take ya on a date and a half? Four and a half? When: A date and a half ago. Where: Park Place Picnicking. #1300-1009 PETERBROOKE BOY You: With Peterbrooke bag, pink tissue.

Tall, dark, handsome (dirty blonde), gray shirt/pants. You walked in the Loop, look confused, didn’t buy anything. I’ll help you find where to go. Me: On lunch, young professional, gray skirt, white shirt, brown hair, light brown eyes that met yours a time or two. Smiled at each other on sidewalk. When: Oct. 3. Where: San Marco. #1301-1009 READING JUXTAPOSE Me: Long brown curly hair, freckles and tight black pants. You: Denim & tattoos. We made eye contact several times. Maybe I’m lucky enough for you to read this! When: Sept. 26. Where: Barnes & Noble @ Town Center. #1299-1002 STAY As brief as it was, it was still worth it. That one moment when you and I shared eye contact was all it took. My heart fluttered and my words stuttered. I couldn’t get “Hello” out.

But as long as you and I exist, you will be in my prayers. When: My birthday. Where: Library. #1298-1002 PUB OUTLAW You: Beautiful, long dark-haired; in that black OUTLAW dress. Must say NEVER seen a dress worn so well.

Me: Just hanging out playing pool. Would love to see you come through that door and suck the oxygen out of that place ONCE again. You’re plain AMAZING. When: Sept. 20. Where: The Pub. #1297-1002 PLAYING WITH SARAN WRAP You: Half-Asian? Beauty in your green apron, wrapping containers filled with coffee goodies.

Me: Wearing a Boston hat, joking about the I Saw U’s. Hey girl. There’s a first and a half for everything. When: Sept. 18.

Where: Starbucks @ Baymeadows. #1296-0925 BLONDE WITH A FEDORA I walked up to the sub line not knowing that a tall, beautiful blonde would be finishing her order before me. We briefly made eye contact; you walked away. I ordered my sub without toppings, hoping I’d run into you at checkout. Maybe next time. When: Sept. 1. Where: Publix Subs @ Atlantic Blvd. #1295-0918 WILD CHILD You: Brown-eyed brunette wearing black at the Wild Child show. Me: Checkered shirt and jeans, with a PBR, trying to pay attention to the music and failing. The songs were good, but your dancing was better. Maybe next time I can join? When: Sept. 15. Where: Jack Rabbits. #1294-0918

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110 “Can’t you take a joke?”

“Monster-in-Law” star 113 Emulate “SNL” D-Day code name 120 “But is it ___?”

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Informal Georgia Sobriety Tests

Rachel Gossett blew a .216 alcohol reading in Loganville, Ga., in November, but that was probably a formality after an officer witnessed her attempt to put a cheeseburger from a Waffle Shop onto her foot as if it were a shoe.

And Rashad Williams, 38, was charged with DUI in Atlanta in October after he crashed through the front of a Walgreens drugstore and then, according to a witness, calmly exited his vehicle (which was sticking halfway into the building) and resumed drinking next door at the Anchor Bar.

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In October, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro created a “Vice Ministry of Supreme Social Happiness” to coordinate the welfare programs begun by late President Hugo Chavez. Critics charged, however, that there’s much to be unhappy about, given the country’s annual rate of inflation (near 50 percent). An Associated Press dispatch quoted one critic who said she would be happy enough if only stores weren’t constantly out of milk and toilet paper. Another skeptic said he looked forward to maybe a “Vice Ministry of Beer.”

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The Environmental Protection Agency, already revealed in June to have allowed a contractor to maintain taxpayer-funded “man caves” (TVs, appliances, couches, videos, etc.) hidden in a Washington, D.C.-area warehouse, made the news again during the government shutdown in October when soup, with a 1997 expiration date, was found during the shutdown in an EPA employees’ refrigerator. Furthermore, in September, former high-level EPA executive John Beale pleaded guilty to defrauding the agency of $900,000 in salary, expenses and bonuses dating back to the 1990s by claiming work orders (including secret projects for the CIA) that no one at EPA appears ever to have tried to verify.

Read more News of the Weird items at folioweekly.com/weird.

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Notorious white separatist Craig Cobb is currently soliciting like-skinned people to move to his tiny town of Leith, N.D. (pop. 16), to create a deluxe Caucasian enclave, but at the urging of a black TV host, he submitted to a DNA test in November to “prove” his lineage — and turned up 14 percent black (“SubSaharan African”). He’s vowed to try other DNA tests before confirming those results. Bobby Harper, previously Leith’s only black resident, was gleeful: “I knew there was one other black person in town.” (In mid-November, Cobb and an associate were charged with seven counts of terrorism, for walking menacingly through Leith wielding a long gun.)

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Backpage Editorial We’re Not So Exceptional

There’s little difference between us, our religions, our countries and our ideals

I

was not at all surprised when I read that Clay County School Superintendent Charles Van Zant Jr. was trying to siphon money to pay for pet projects supporting his political point of view, that “American exceptionalism” is real, it should be taught in schools, and textbooks should be rewritten to reflect that belief.

Though the idea of “exceptionalism,” American or otherwise, is a myth, I don’t blame Van Zant for believing it’s true and trying to teach this fantastic idea to schoolchildren. That’s because part of what makes us human, one of the things we all share, is that we want this fantasy to be true. People, all people, want to believe they’re special. That the gods they believe in are real, that their country will stand forever, their children are destined for greatness, their football team is the best, their ancestors were superior, and the things they build will last forever.

Unfortunately, overwhelming scientific and historical evidence points in the other direction. The truth is, there are six billion of us on the planet, which makes us common, and there’s very little difference, if any, between us, our religions, our countries and our ideals. If there is such a thing as “American exceptionalism,” then ask yourself why we’re in the throes of the identical dynamics that have brought low a dozen or more great powers that, like us, had every reason to believe they, too, were exceptional. The answer is, while the American experience has taken place in a different time and place than Rome or Spain or Babylon, ultimately, people are people.

The globe is littered with remnants of civilizations which have already completed the exact same cycle America is in today. Detroit is the first ruin in the U.S. to be abandoned; it won’t be the last. All over the U.S., there’s crumbling infrastructure and unsustainable development sure to meet the same fate. In fact, there’s an undeniable and identical cycle that befalls all civilizations — especially great ones — and all the evidence shows we’re in the very midst of that downfall. Another symptom of this decline, of which many of us are keenly aware, is the bloated state of government and the parasitic nature of the economy of Washington, D.C. Who would argue that our capital has become infested with lawyers, lobbyists and brokers who do no practical good for the country? Ours is not the first great capital city to be choked by a parasitic economy threatening the nation’s well-being. Rome, Athens, Alexandria, the Hague, Madrid and Antioch, to name only a few, were capitals whose parasitic economies signaled a nation (empire, city-state) in decline. The Spanish, in a desperate effort to save the “Castile from the growth of a monstrous Capital that was draining away [its] lifeblood,” according to Kevin Phillips in his book “Arrogant Capital,” attempted to move the capital city, to no avail. “Reformers continued to fulminate in vain against the growth of an unchecked Capital,” Phillips continues. Sounds like the Tea Party or even the Occupy Movement. How can America be “exceptional” when the dynamics being played out here have been played out dozens of times in the past in other parts of the world?

This is the first of many flaws with the idea that America is different, better, than other countries.

Another cornerstone to the idea of “American exceptionalism” is a dedication to the Judeo-Christian ethic, implying there’s something particularly special about these two religions and their ethics. There are many problems with this assumption; most notably, many of the same prohibitions in those religions also appear in both Sumerian and Egyptian codes, which predate Mosaic Law by 1,000 years or more. And monotheism was a well-traveled idea by the time the Jews assembled the Old Testament around 600 B.C. In addition, the notion that man had no understanding of morality for the first 100,000 years of his existence, and then Moses showed up with his stone tablets and set everyone straight, is laughable. If that weren’t enough reason to disavow the idea that the Judeo-Christian ethic is “exceptional,” modern scholarship has completely discredited the New Testament, proving it’s nothing more than a fable. Don’t take my word for it; read the book “Zealot,” essentially a compendium of modern scholarship on the subject.

Some devotees of the idea of “American exceptionalism” would argue Judaism and Christianity are superior to Islam, saying the Quran contains passages advocating violence against non-Muslims. Christians who suggest the Old and New testaments are void of the exact same idea aren’t familiar with their own religion. There are 10 million Muslims in America; why aren’t they running around engaging in jihad against Christians? Given all this, it’s easy to conclude there’s no difference among religions. In fact, I’d go one step further and say there’s no such thing as religion, only culture, and what is culture but circumstance?

I came to this conclusion quite by accident. I like to read, especially about history, but I have a terrible memory. Because of that handicap, I’m always trying to boil what seem like complicated phenomena down to their essence.

It’s easier, after all, to remember one big idea than a million little ones. This probably sounds a bit ironic and sad — someone with an interest in history who cannot remember anything.

However, as is often the case, our shortcomings often lead us to opportunities otherwise missed.

The lesson I have learned from all the reading and thinking about history is that people do the same stuff over and over; therefore, we can draw the conclusion that people are basically the same. What accounts for any differences between people isn’t something as innate and ephemeral as dedication to a certain religion or which continent their ancestors came from, but a result of their circumstances, including geology, geography and geopolitical forces. In fact, if you give folks roughly the same set of environmental circumstances, their “civilizations” will develop in exactly the same ways, go through the same processes, come to the same conclusions and end in exactly the same ways.

How else do we explain the similarities between peoples of the Eastern and Western

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Share your opinion about this Backpage Editorial or write your own at folioweekly.com/backpage-editorial.

hemispheres? The Mongols were horse people who followed game across the Asian Steppe on horseback, lived in makeshift huts, and held religious beliefs and rites of passage, which were almost identical to those of various American Indian tribes. The Aztec, Maya and Inca built roads and pyramids, mummified the remains of leaders and prominent members of society and enslaved captured tribes for labor just like the Egyptians did. They also shared an interest in astronomy and had political and religious hierarchies, which included rulers, usually male, claiming legitimacy through a This is a copyright protecte blood relation to god(s). There was no crosscultural germination of ideas. These people For questions, please call your advertising rep were separated by oceans for 10,000 years, and they ended up creating eerily similar FAX YOUR PROOF institutions, buildings and civilizations.

One cynical, possibly accurate, reason that the idea of “exceptionalism” still exists, despite all evidence to the contrary: It is a rationale for SUPPORT the Produced by _KL PROMISE OF BENEFIT ASK FOR ACTION haves to continue their reign of superiority over the have-nots. It gives one group justification to do something that’s wrong, like making unjust war. It’s much easier to convince a nation that it’s a good idea to kill members of another nation if we think we’re better than they are. In the editorial cartoons of American newspapers before World War I, Germans were portrayed as inhuman creatures and called Huns. Ironically, a dozen years later, Germans were doing the same thing to the Jews as a rationale for taking all their property and turning them into slaves or worse.

Even earlier, popular media in America engaged in the same kind of disparagement of AfricanAmericans in an effort to convince the nation that blacks were inferior, making it just to enslave them and/or worse.

Today, though a lot more subtly, the media engages in the same sort of manipulation.

This time, the people painted as “exceptional” are the wealthy. This props up the idea that the growing economic gap between rich and poor is perfectly natural. If you’re wealthy, then you’re “exceptional”; if you’re not wealthy, you’re “unexceptional” and don’t deserve access to healthcare or education. CEOs are treated as folk heroes. Bill Gates is portrayed as some sort of wizard rather than just a motivated guy who was in the right place at right time. When the wealthy break laws, they rarely go to prison.

This tendency to want to believe in “exceptionalism” lurks in each one of us. It’s ironic that part of what makes us identical is the fact that we all want to believe we’re not. That it is false is not the only reason we should resist the transmission of the idea of “exceptionalism” to future generations: It’s a dangerous idea.

At various times in history, it’s served as the rationale for war, genocide, imperialism and the enslavement of one group of people by another.

ADVERTISIN

R

Eric M. Mongar Sr.

Mongar is a Jacksonville resident living on the Westside.

Folio Weekly welcomes Backpage Editorial submissions. Essays should be at least 1,200 words and on a topic of local interest or concern. Email your Backpage to themail@ folioweekly.com or snail mail it to Denise M. Reagan, Editor, Folio Weekly, 9456 Philips Highway, Ste. 11, Jacksonville FL 32256. Opinions expressed on the Backpage are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or management of Folio Weekly.

DECEMBER 4-10, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 39