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THIS WEEK // 7.15-7.21.15 // VOL. 29 ISSUE 16 COVER STORY
THE NEW FACE [14] OF HOMELESSNESS A PHOTO ESSAY BY DENNIS HO WITH INTRODUCTION AND INTERVIEWS BY KEITH MARKS
The face of homelessness is changing. Social services leaders and homeless advocates on the front lines say the battle to eradicate homelessness in Northeast Florida will require VISION, COLLABORATION, AND LEADERSHIP
FEATURED ARTICLES
GUITAR ZERO
[9]
LOSS LEADER
BY AG GANCARSKI Lane Pittman and WHITE SKIN PRIVILEGE
[12]
BY CLAIRE GOFORTH Bullishness on marriage ceremonies may be costing DUVAL COURTHOUSE more than its reputation
COMING HOME TO ROOST
[13]
BY GREG PARLIER Low taxes and unfettered growth put stress on ST. JOHNS COUNTY coffers
COLUMNS + CALENDARS FROM THE EDITOR 4 OUR PICKS 6 BRICKBATS & BOUQUETS 8 FIGHTIN’ WORDS 9 LET THERE BE LIT 10 CITIZEN MAMA 11
FILM MAGIC LANTERNS ARTS MUSIC THE KNIFE DINING DIRECTORY
22 22 25 27 31 32
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FROM THE EDITOR
LET’S RIDE: AND, NO, WE WON’T STOP TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS
THERE WAS HAND-HOLDING AND SINGING, two new slogans — one lifted from either a Kid Rock or Bone Thugs-N-Harmony song, another repeated with eyes closed as hands were being held — soaring sermons by preachers from black churches, and the new mayor demonstrating the ability to multitask — repeating words verbatim while raising his right hand. By all accounts, the Lenny Curry/Mike Williams inaugural celebration was a huge success, and the first look at a new inclusive direction for the city of Jacksonville. Except the new government didn’t look all that inclusive to two attendees. Both Madeline Caywood, a junior studying political science at the University of Kansas and Claire Goforth, a Folio Weekly contributing writer, wrote that something was glaringly absent from the July 1 celebration at the Times-Union Center: Women. In the Florida Times-Union, Caywood, who — judging from her chosen course of study — may aspire to hold public office one day, observed that “only four of 19 members of the newly elected City Council are women. A woman has never held the mayor’s office, and Jacksonville has never elected a female sheriff. Jacksonville’s women clearly are underrepresented in elected office.” Caywood artfully prefaced those facts by first restating her alignment with the mayor’s overarching message, “One city, One Jacksonville,” saying she was “captivated” by the Rev. John Guns’ sermon. On the pages of the T-U (and online), Caywood dared to wonder “where women fit into this new Jacksonville,” adding to the pastor’s message, “unity must also be fully inclusive. In order to achieve the unified city that Guns so strongly advocates, Jacksonville’s women need to be in the picture.” What picture did Caywood see at the Curry inauguration? Well, of those given mic-time at the event, the only women were Debbie Buckland (moderator) and Mama Blue (soul singer performing “A Change is Gonna Come”). Yes, Judge Angela Cox administered Curry’s oath, but the soaring rhetoric was left to the big boys. Speeches and introductions were given by one of four male pastors. Businessman Matt Connell introduced Williams. Aside from the boys’ club on the stage, many news outlets took the time to point out all the important males in attendance who either played integral roles in bringing these two men to power or will play a role in disseminating their power — your Peter Rummells, your Abel Hardings, your Sam Mousas, your Michael Munzes. In her piece, Caywood doesn’t ever say women were intentionally left out, or that the media intentionally decided to ignore the
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lack of representation. But there are all kinds of unintentional messages our society sends to women (or anyone who is not a white, Christian male, for that matter). Caywood picked up on a social cue and commented on it. Can you guess how she was treated for her contribution to the political conversation? Commenters on the T-U’s website certainly didn’t hold back. One called Caywood’s thoughts “liberal psychobabble,” while another asked, if women were underrepresented, “whose fault is that?” Another, who is apparently so infallible that the genders of politicians doesn’t cross his mind (except when he wants to use the imagery of sexual organs to make his point), said he or she is only concerned “with what’s between a civic official’s ears,” not “what’s between their legs.” Folio Weekly contributing writer Goforth covered the inauguration for this magazine. She commented on what, by omission, stood out to her. Goforth didn’t hold back, either. Included in her piece, “8 things we learned at the Curry Inauguration,” was this gem: “It is possible to say with a straight face that two white heterosexual Republican Christian males with three children apiece represent a ‘new generation of leadership’ for a city that has long been mostly governed by white heterosexual Republican Christian males with children.” The response to Goforth’s admittedly snarky piece (would you expect anything less from your local alt-weekly?), which appeared on Folioweekly.com three days prior to the T-U piece, ranged from dismissive (one commenter equated her observations to sour grapes) to quite a bit more vitriolic. So far, as both mayor-elect and mayor, Curry has hired women for several key positions within his transition team and now administration, including appointing Kerri Stewart as chief of staff (and granting her a 15 percent pay increase over what Brown’s guy, Chris Hand, made — take that, wage gap!). The top jobs, however, went to Tom Petway, and to Sam Mousa, chair of the transition and chief administrative officer, respectively. But being inclusive is not about hirings or appointments. Certainly it requires empathy and a willingness to listen. Mostly, though, it’s about getting the hell out of the way. Judging by the reactions to these two articles — one in which the writer attempted to gently pry the door open, and another that gave it a good kick — there are still quite a few people blocking the doorway. Matthew B. Shaw mshaw@folioweekly.com twitter/matthew_b_shaw
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5
Our Picks
Reasons to leave the house this week
COUNTRY
CHRIS JANSON
Young buck country superstar Chris Janson earned critical and commercial acclaim right out of the gate. His 2010 tune, “’Til a Woman Comes Along,” impressed music scribes and hit the Billboard charts. In 2012, Janson wrote Tim McGraw’s hit single, “Truck Yeah” and ramped up his game as an old-school, honky-tonkin’ rocker with his latest hit, “Buy Me a Boat,” which also gives Janson points for penning a truly hilarious song title. 6 p.m. July 16 at Mavericks at The Landing, Downtown, 356-1110, $15.
USE YOUR ILLUSION
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, watch me pull a hat out of this confused rabbit!” Local lovers of magic and all its trappings (capes!) have three events to get to, sure to tickle your Harry Houdinis (yeah — we took it there). Shenanigans: Comedy, Magic & Mischief features sleight-of-hand, illusion, juggling, and humor at 8 p.m. July 16. The Gold Medal Show features six magicians from around the world competing for the top prize at 8 p.m. July 17. The Grand Magic Show is the closing performance of the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ annual convention — we’re guessing it will most likely feature even more magic, at 8 p.m. July 18. All held at The Florida Theatre, Downtown, $18-50-$28.50 each night, floridatheatre.com.
INDIE MAESTROS MODEST MOUSE
Now well into their second decade, Modest Mouse have traveled one of the more interesting paths of indie rock. From their earliest days on K Records, to their hit-making single “Float On” in ’04 and gold-selling No. 1 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank in ’07, the band has somehow avoided veering off into career burnout and implosion. Of course, taking an eight-year break might’ve helped. Their latest release since their hiatus, Strangers to Ourselves, has already hit No. 3 on the charts and recent shows are drawing in devoted fans and curious rockers alike. 6 p.m. July 17 with openers SUNBEARS! at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., 209-0367, $48.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY ANCIENT CITY CON
Gamers, role-players, and Cosplayers unite! Ancient City Con includes hours (like, a lot) of tabletop and video gaming action, vendors selling all kinds of RPG/sci-fi/fantasy/ horror-related merchandise, Cosplay contests, panel discussions, and food trucks. July 17-19 at Prime Osborn Convention Center, Downtown, $15-$20, for details and to score tickets, go to ancientcitycon.com.
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MY CLOCK IS STUCK AT 420
PATO BANTON & THE NOW GENERATION
Pato Banton first popped up on the musical radar in the early ’80s when he worked with fellow UK ska-reggae group The Beat. Known for his highly irie singing and “toasting” (dancehall-style vocals), over the course of now53-year-old Banton’s career, he’s released 17 albums, including The Words of Christ, where he narrates the spiritually wacko text, The Urantia Book. How high is that?! 8 p.m. July 18 at Freebird Live, Jax Beach, $15, jaxlive.com.
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7
THE MAIL DIXIE DREGS
I READ WITH INTEREST YOUR RECENT ARTICLE on the Confederate battle flag (“Hate, at Full Staff,” July 1) and fully agree with Matthew Shaw’s statement that the millennial generation “may be less equipped than ever to combat the evils of ignorance.” Being ignorant, of course, does not mean that a person is not intelligent — it simply means that they do not know the facts or believe something that is not true. The docents at our museum routinely speak with people who are ignorant of the facts of all of the periods of American history, not just those of the Civil War era. This lack of knowledge seems to be especially common among people in their mid-30s and under. The Confederate battle flag is sometimes used as a symbol by ignorant people for dubious purposes. This is a fault of those people, not of the flag. People who know their history revere the flag as a symbol of the honor shown by the 300,000 Southern soldiers who died while fighting to protect their homes and families from an invading army practicing “total war” against the civilian population. This is the cause referred to on our website — to prevent the Northern states from dominating the Southern states politically, economically and militarily. Think critically, everyone should equip themselves to combat the evils of ignorance on all sides. Anonymous curator Museum of Southern History via email FYI, THE FLAG THAT YOU HAVE BOTH WRITTEN about and illustrated, with the blue stared [sic] saltire, is NOT the venerable “Stars and Bars,” it is the battle flag of the Confederacy (“The Stainless Banner”), aka the Army of
Northern Virginia battle flag, aka The National Flag (or, variously, a component thereof). It is also known as the rebel flag, Dixie flag, and Southern cross but is incorrectly referred to as the “Stars and Bars.” If you are going to write about the South, in the South, and rant on things that we’re doing wrong and you find offensive, then please, make an effort to actually learn something about the South! I, for one, will be somewhat less offended. Try Wikipedia. Stanley Radzewicz via email THE CONFEDERATE Battle Flag was carried into battle by ordinary men who feared for and were defending their homes and families from an invading army. This is a direct quote from a speech made by General Sherman on July 4, 1866 at Salem, Illinois, “…we were determined to produce results… to make every man, woman, and child in the South feel if they had rebelled against a flag of our country they must die or submit.” This horror is what the vast majority of confederate soldiers were fighting against. They were not fighting to defend slavery as over 90% of them did not have slaves. The banning of flags and symbols is reminiscent of the Fascist societies of the last century. Banning this flag because of the evil acts of a crazed person, who has no right to use it, is a gross injustice to the memory of those soldiers who fought bravely and died under this flag in defense of their homes and families. Robert Jackson via fax If you would like to respond to something that appeared in the pages of Folio Weekly, please send an email (with your name, address and phone number for verification purposes only) to mail@folioweekly.com.
BRICKBATS & BOUQUETS BRICKBATS TO NEPTUNE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT for having nothing better to do. Anyone who has seen the shiny, black, military-style, NBPD assault vehicles knows better than to F with the beach’s bad boys. After Star Spangled shredder Lane Pittman finished his July 4 performance of the national anthem on 1st street, determined NBPD officers on the scene made their way through the inebriated and mostly underage Independence Day revelers and arrested him for breach of peace. BRICKBATS TO DUVAL COUNTY CHIEF JUDGE MARK MAHON who issued a July 1 administrative order banning “demonstrations or dissemination of materials that degrade or call into question the integrity of the Court or any of its judges,” on the courthouse grounds, before retracting and re-issuing a new order, minus the “integrity of judges” part. BOUQUETS TO SENIOR LIFE FOUNDATION As reported by the Florida Times Union, in February the non-profit – which has provided over $1 million in services to the elderly – announced it would cease operations by the end of 2015 after 15 years serving Jacksonville seniors in need. The foundation and its founder, Mari Terbrueggan, have received several awards over the last few months, including the Champion of Service Award from Gov. Rick Scott, and, now, a proverbial (and actual) bouquet from Folio Weekly.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? HOW ABOUT A PROVERBIAL BRICKBAT? Send your submissions to mail@folioweekly.com. Submissions should be a maxium of 50 words and directed toward a person, place, or topic of local interest. 8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
GUITAR ZERO
ONE OF MY FAVORITE RECORD CLUB ADS BACK in the day was from 1968: The Man Can’t Bust Our Music. Except that he can. And he does. And sometimes he has a good reason. It happened most recently in Neptune Beach on July Fourth. A young man, Lane Pittman, did what guitar heroes do. He pulled out his axe and shredddddded the National Anthem. Hundreds of people crowded around. As Pittman told First Coast News, “I was so excited. I had been planning this for months and I never played the National Anthem so well.” There’s something to be said for that. I reckon. Can you picture this guy practicing, night after night, listening to the Hendrix version from the Woodstock soundtrack? That’s how I see it going down. There is something quintessentially American about that. Specifically, the intersection of white skin privilege and callow self-indulgence. You know what else is quintessentially American? Small town police reactions. Apple pie, Mark McGwire, Tiger Woods, Union Carbide and Anthony Weiner all rolled up into a sucrose surprise in a fluffy pastry shell. So American, and it got served up to Lane Pittman. Pittman got a few notes in, and then a peace officer played Name That Tune. “He said ‘if you want to go to jail then you will keep playing,” said Pittman in that same FCN dispatch. “And, I was, like, are you serious? He said you can’t play in the middle of the street. I said, can I move it back to the sidewalk?” The art of getting to yes. Pittman, who looks like a cross between Randee of the Redwoods and Don’t Tase Me Bro, somehow thought he could negotiate with a police officer. Ask D’Angelo. Ask Devanta. Ask PINAC. Ask the Jax 19.
FIGHTIN’ WORDS
Lane Pittman and WHITE SKIN PRIVILEGE
Clearly, Pittman doesn’t watch the news. Failing that, he clearly doesn’t get that his act isn’t nearly as cute as he thought it was. He finished playing the song. Then? A fan club meeting! “They walked me over to the patrol car. They told me I could leave my stuff because they just needed to speak with me. I got to the cop car and they told me to spread my legs and put my hands behind my back and I was,
When you get a warning from a cop, and persist in what you’re doing, you take a chance to defy the law. What was this chance for, exactly? Justice for D’Angelo? He wouldn’t know D’Angelo from DiGiorno. An banal act of bourgeois rebellion, with nothing at stake. No principle of justice is in play here. No higher cause. Just a “Look at me, Ma, I’m shredding.”
Pittman, who looks like a cross between Randee of the Redwoods and DON’T TASE ME BRO, somehow thought he could negotiate with a police officer. Ask D’ANGELO. Ask DEVANTA. Ask PINAC. Ask THE JAX 19. like, oh my gosh. I am getting arrested right now,” Pittman said. Who would have thunk it? In Neptune Beach, suspects get to reenact the Rick James Superfreak album cover. The cops say that people were spitting on police cars. And hollering. That’s not a good scene at all. They also say the issue isn’t the guitar-playing, but the street obstruction. Now, if you’re looking for Lane Pittman to become Henry David Thoreau, you’re likely gonna be disappointed, if this quotation is any indication. “People who know me know that I’m not that type of person to defy the law,” Pittman said. Hold up. The fact is that we all defy the law. 56 in a 55? Defying the law. Gunning it through a yellow? Defying the law. Not having everything that can go wrong actually go wrong? Defying Godwin’s Law.
He wants the charges dropped? So did about 19 people on a local bridge in December. They obstructed a roadway also. And they had an actual reason; they wanted to call attention to what they saw as institutionalized racism. Did they claim they weren’t defying the law? To be sure, they quibbled about how substantially they’d broken the law. But they knew they were making a larger point. One that required drastic action. Agree with it; disagree with it. Hate it or love it, or take a middle ground. But here’s the reality. Pittman thought he could get away with making a fool of the cops because he was a middle-class white dude who clearly has gotten away with crap like that his entire life. AG Gancarski mail@folioweekly.com twitter/AGGancarski JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9
LET THERE BE LIT For poet ANDRES ROJAS, inspiration can be found anywhere
THE PATIENT HUNGER
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FOR YEARS, ANDRES ROJAS “KEPT POETRY roped away,” he says. “It was painful even to think about it. Poetry had kicked my ass.” But poetry wouldn’t leave him alone. It was integral to his passion for landscape, his love of language, his very rhythm of being in the world. It’s not unusual now for Rojas to walk Blood Mountain briskly, along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, reciting a line aloud to work it until he gets it right. He jokes that when hikers approach, he slows his pace, mutes himself and waves. Still, the accents and beats of many of his poems reflect the rhythm of his hiking Bly Gap in North Carolina, or through Osceola Forest. Because he couldn’t keep the beats and the wilderness away, four of his “forest poems” are being published in Jacksonville’s Bridge Eight and next fall’s riverSedge. In the last four years, he’s published several poems and become poetry editor for the online Compose magazine. Though Rojas earned a master of fine arts in creative writing at the University of Florida in 1993, the tedium of submitting poems for publication and the loneliness of rejection letters cut deeply. He had a couple of poems published in the ’90s, but found himself thinking of French symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud, who gave up poetry at age 20 to wander the African deserts. Rimbaud famously said, “To become a modern man-sized industrialist is to lose one’s general lust for a poetic and artful life.” Rojas quit submitting poems and went to law school. Many of Rojas’ poems are named for specific natural landscapes. The speaker in “The Oak at Bly Gap” defines himself against what he’s not: “Not the trunk, not broken,/ bent at odd angles to the world” and “Not the blood butterfly aloft,/the sun-shade goldenrod,” but also finally, “Not not. Not all.” Other poems are set in Osceola Forest, Chattahoochee Gap Spring, and Hemming Park, where the speaker has seen a hawk and “a bile she-cat” seize prey in the urban heart of Jacksonville. “Older,/I tell her, than us,/hunger is patient.” The poem goes on to pun poet Robert Lowell’s “Ode to the Confederate Dead” against Axe Handle Saturday, when an angry white mob attacked blacks in response to peaceful lunchcounter sit-ins at Hemming Park in 1960. Though he’s walked the Georgia length of the Appalachian Trail and back, and though his poem “Mirror Memory” compares the sheen of salt left on the body after swimming in the ocean to what memory retains of experience, he says his nature poems aren’t really about nature.
“There’s a void at the core,” he says, because no one can answer the questions, “What is nature? What is it to be human? And what is the relationship between the two?” As Rojas explains how his poems are more about language than place, he sips his Belgian beer and looks to a TV above the bar to see American Pharoah win the Belmont Stakes. “Thirty-seven years!” Rojas shouts to other spectators in Silver Cow, a watering hole on King Street in Riverside, referring to how long it’s been since a horse won the Triple Crown. When we come back to our conversation, he talks about his law career with Foley and Lardner and the city of Jacksonville. He was good at it, he admits, “but I’d much rather make friends with people than fight them.” Ironically, he gave up his law career for a position with the Internal Revenue Service that gives him more time to focus on poetry. Surprisingly, his job helping Spanish-speakers understand IRS language “makes 90 percent of the people I work with happy.” I’m reminded of the true depth and girth of Rojas’ education. When he speaks like he has a doctorate in linguistics (discussing the differences between syllabic and accentual language) or in English (quoting T.S. Eliot, Susan Sontag, and John Ashbery with ease), I have to remember his doctorate is in the law. But nothing Rojas says is pretentious. He brims over with love for the nuances of language and hiking trails. When he was a child in Cuba, he recalls, “There was much more poetry in the curriculum than in the U.S. You couldn’t be a cultured person without knowing poetry.” Though his family moved to Rochester, New York, when Rojas was 13, that early grounding in poetry led to his teenage appreciation for how punk rock works differently in English than in Romance languages, to his later love for the intellectual rigor of law studies, and to his poetic explorations of wilderness. Rojas says you have to grow a poem and work out of it what you can. “A poem should multiply meaning.” He talks about nurturing a sapling or pulling the weeds away from a flower you find in a field. “You look for the opportunity the landscape presents you.” Often Rojas waits for a phrase or a line and, when it comes, “all these other things I’ve been carrying around with me attach themselves to it.” Tim Gilmore mail@folioweekly.com
CITIZEN MAMA
VACCINES AND AUTISM
The wrong conversation prevents progress
LAST WEEK, CALIFORNIA GOV. JERRY BROWN signed into law a provision that says parents can no longer claim “personal belief ” as a reason for not vaccinating their children. Pediatrician and state Sen. Richard Pan (D, Sacramento) introduced the legislation in response to the measles outbreak that began in Disneyland last December. On Friday, parents rallied against the measure, asserting that vaccines are personal medical decisions that don’t warrant government intrusion. Sen. Pan, who was attending medical school in Pennsylvania when a measles outbreak sickened 900 people in that state, would beg to differ. Since the law’s passage, the “debate” on vaccines has reemerged, accompanied by the specter of a purported link between autism and immunizations. There’s not one, and doctors won’t waste any time putting parents who say otherwise in their place. But does the rehashed vaccine debate, in which frightened parents of autistic children are vilified as “anti-science,” deserve all our attention? Writers seldom miss an opportunity to take a swipe at Jenny McCarthy, the Hollywood starlet who believes vaccines cause autism. (They don’t.) McCarthy now invites comparisons to climate-change deniers, and worse. But there’s a big difference between McCarthy and climate-change deniers. While none of us has seen the worst (yet) of rising waters and sunbaked crops, McCarthy is mother to a child who has autism. It’s a potentially devastating neuro-behavioral difference that can terrify and terrorize families. The severe effects of the disorder give rise to the anger and the passion — and science simply can’t answer anger and passion. Autism disrupts communication and other social interactions, the very things upon which all teaching is based. If you’ve ever had a child who looked right through you, who appeared to not hear you, who seemed completely unreachable — then you know the terror. To be clear, living with autism doesn’t excuse McCarthy from promoting misinformation about immunizations. Again: Our best science tells us there is no causal link to autism. Take it from me, a self-confessed, former anti-vaxer. I don’t apologize for raising questions several years ago. It was the American Academy of Pediatrics, after all — not parents of children with autism — that recommended the removal of mercury-based preservatives from baby shots in 1999. And it took nearly a decade before research finally quelled concerns about the mercury-autism link. In case you missed it, there is no link. Our best science also says there’s no link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), which has never contained mercury, and autism. That best science will never be enough for many parents who saw their child’s autistic symptoms emerge during toddlerhood, precisely the period during which booster shots are given. Science can’t address the profound sense of grief and anger that many parents feel
in the wake of their children’s diagnosis. But it’s getting to the point where the vaccine “debate” is overshadowing the conversation we should be having in this country, the conversation we’ve never had. It starts with this question: What are we doing to make our nation a friendlier place for people with autism? Some parents of young children on the autism spectrum will reject that question out of hand. They want a “cure,” an enzyme, an antidote, an anti-viral perhaps — something, anything that would reverse what they perceive as the injury or illness. We older parents don’t want to squelch their zeal, since as it’s that zeal that helps drive research. We need research. But we also know children and their families can’t wait for research. Children with autism — all children, for that matter — need teachers who understand how they learn. And they need them now. Early, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) interventions helped us connect with our child; it helped us reach him in ways he could understand, thanks to The Jericho School in Jacksonville. Accepting him — unconditionally — as a whole and complete human being, autism and all, was also key. The Option Institute in Sheffield, Massachusetts helped us on that front. It’s the social connection — or, more precisely, the difficulty connecting — that most often defines autism. We think of people with autism as being insensitive to social stimuli, as missing important social and language cues, as being aloof or cut off. We’re learning, however, that people with autism may be much more sensitive to things you and I may not even notice: the hum of the traffic outside, the whir of a ceiling fan, the nearly undetectable flicker of a fluorescent light. How does a person with autism begin to filter the marvelous and terrifyingly overwhelming nature of the world? In the midst of it all, how does he begin to decode the rest of us neuro-typical humans, when we seem to value arbitrary social rules that aren’t written down anywhere? One has to pick and choose one’s focus. The washing machine is much more predictable, more decodable, more “learnable,” perhaps, than a mother at her wit’s end. Parents of children with autism in this country still have to fight their insurance companies to get coverage for ABA-based and other services. They still have to fight their local schools to have their children taught according to science-based best practices. Talk about your science deniers. Maybe, just maybe, if a fraction of the energy that’s directed into promoting or fighting vaccine policy were instead directed toward serving people with autism, the neuro-behavioral difference would begin to lose its terror. And the other conversation could take center stage. Julie Delegal mail@folioweekly.com
Note: Each of Delegal’s three children have been fully vaccinated. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11
NEWS
LOSS LEADER Bullishness on marriage ceremonies may be costing DUVAL COURTHOUSE more than its reputation
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n June 26, marriage equality became the law of the land when the United States Supreme Court handed down Igou its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. Though the nation celebrated, it was a largely symbolic victory in many states like Florida, where same-sex marriage was legalized earlier this year. Northeast Florida, however, is another story altogether. Duval County clerks stopped officiating Duval County weddings on Jan. 5, Courthouse chapel the day that same-sex marriages were first performed in Florida. Many clerks had made similar threats but, out of 67 counties, only three followed through: Duval, Clay and Baker. To date, none has plans to resume offering this service. “These clerks are taking the wrong stance … they are standing on the wrong side of history on this one while they are withholding a service that they should have provided,” says Hannah Willard, of LGBT advocacy organization Equality Florida. At the time the courthouse decided to stop officiating weddings, the Florida Times-Union reported that Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell suggested he was guided by religious convictions. “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” he told the T-U. “Personally, it would go against my beliefs to perform a ceremony that is other than that.” He also said there wasn’t one member of his staff who would feel comfortable officiating same-sex marriages. “If he had a problem with gay marriage, then [he had] the power to hire someone that has no problem with it and they can perform the services … ,” former City Council candidate James Eddy says. Eddy also points out that construction of a wedding chapel was specifically and intentionally included in the $350 million courthouse that arches into the Downtown skyline. But Fussell has changed his tune in recent months. Now Duval County clerks don’t officiate weddings because, apparently, it’s just too dang expensive. On the day marriage equality became law in America, WOKV reported that Duval County Clerk of Courts’ Chief Operating Officer Derek D. Igou said courthouse marriage services were costing the taxpayers $60,000 annually. When Folio Weekly contacted Igou, he corrected his previous statement. “I think I looked at the net the other day … [it costs] closer to $26,000 or $27,000.” Public records provided to Folio Weekly state that for FY2012 — the last full fiscal year Duval County clerks officiated weddings — the Marriage Department’s budgetary deficit was $42,933.63. This fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, already has a projected budgetary deficit of more than twice that, $117,207.44.
Fussell
It turns out that the 1,998 marriage ceremonies — which cost $30 per couple — performed by clerks in FY2014 generated nearly $60,000 of revenue. The budgetary deficit next year will likely be even higher because between Oct. 1, 2014 and Jan. 2, 2015 — the last day clerks officiated weddings — those ceremonies generated $10,470 in revenue. The claim has also been made that this was on the table long before same-sex marriage was legalized. “People are not believing it was true … [But] discussions were going on three to four months before,” Igou says. There is no reason to doubt that statement. U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle overturned Florida’s same-sex marriage ban on Aug. 21, 2014. The decision did not go into effect until four months later. Mr. Igou also says that officiating weddings interfered with clerks’ other duties, such as filing marriage licenses. Igou says that the courthouse wedding chapel remains available to anyone who would like to get married there, as long as they provide their own officiant. As much criticism as Fussell has weathered in this matter, it is easy to imagine that even he has grown weary of the topic. Unless he reverses his decision, however, it will come up again and again when he runs for re-election in 2016. Perhaps he would have better served his own interests and those of the citizens of Duval County by following the example of Nassau County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller John A. Crawford who, in response to the legalization of same-sex marriage, the county’s website quotes as saying: “For as long as anyone can remember, legally-eligible couples making application for either a license to marry or requesting that the clerk’s office perform a civil wedding ceremony have been provided those services with dignity, professionalism and utmost courtesy in Nassau County. I believe that as a constitutional officer and as an officer of the court, it is my duty to uphold both the letter and the spirit of the law, to serve every citizen who lawfully seeks our services.” Claire Goforth mail@folioweekly.com
NEWS
COMING HOME TO ROOST
Low taxes and unfettered growth put stress on ST. JOHNS COUNTY coffers
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aybe it’s the mythical promise of everlasting youth originating from Juan Ponce de Leon’s infamous search for a fountain. Maybe it’s The New York Times’ 2014 quality of life study ranking St. Johns County in the top 4 percent nationally, and tops in Florida. Or maybe it’s Florida’s top-ranked school district (for now). Whatever the reason, people are moving to St. Johns County, the nation’s 11th-fastestgrowing county, en masse. And county infrastructure is struggling to keep up. “We have one of the higher qualities of life and lowest tax bases in the state, and that’s just not a sustainable model,” says county spokesperson Michael Ryan, county communications manager. Similarly, the St. Johns County School District ran out of permanent student seats years ago, but keeps getting more students by the thousands, without significant funding to pay for them. County staff pitched a sales surtax to the Board of County Commissioners in February as a way to raise revenue to address crumbling roads, deteriorating fire engines, fire stations, ambulances and libraries. They have a $250 million shortage for “vital” infrastructure projects, according to county staff, including fire engine and ambulance replacements, upgrades at a fire station in the northwest portion of the county and a library in Hastings. Plus, without a new tax, staff said, they would have to cut services or implement user fees at beaches, parks, libraries or social services to make up an immediate $700,000 shortfall in next year’s budget — which is due this month. “People want to move here and the reality is, people bring a demand for services. Services cost money,” Ryan says. On June 16, the County Commission voted 3-2 to keep a one-cent sales tax referendum from getting on a special election ballot this November. The referendum would have raised the sales tax to 7 cents on the dollar and brought in $23.6 million for capital needs in transportation and fire services and to maintain or increase services. To Commissioners Jay Morris and Rachael Bennett, it was the only way. But Commissioners Bill McClure, Jeb Smith and James Johns disagreed. McClure says he thinks using sales is a regressive way to tax, and he didn’t want to risk spending $200,000 on a special election that wasn’t guaranteed to produce new revenue. Smith, in his first budget season as a commissioner, said he thought there were things the county could cut out of the budget, and user fees would be preferable to a sales tax. Johns, who was appointed by Governor Rick Scott in April to replace Cyndi Stevenson, who had been elected to the Florida House of Representatives, said he felt county staff wasn’t specific enough about where they would spend the funds, despite months of meetings and workshops. St. Johns County’s sales tax is the lowest in the state. Of the nine counties that don’t add a sales surtax to the state sales tax of 6 cents on the dollar, St. Johns is the only one without a gas tax, has the highest median household income by about $10,000 a year, and has by far the lowest percentage of people living in
Without an increased sales tax, St. Johns County School Board Chair Beverly Slough says the district will need 75 more portables like these (pictured), bringing the district total to 300.
poverty, at 9.6 percent, according to 2013 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. But for now, a sales tax is off the table in Florida’s wealthiest county. Commissioners discussed alternative ways to balance the 2016 budget, like fees for beach parking, at a budget workshop July 6. Commissioners Bennett and Morris expressed frustration at having to implement user fees, but Morris said their hands are tied. “Once we took the sales tax referendum off the ballot for voters to decide on, we truly have no choice. We have to make cuts, and implement user fees,” the District 4 Commissioner said at the workshop. “This is a BandAid approach. We’ve done nothing to address the main problem.” County Administrator Michael Wanchick told commissioners that the county will have to address the shortfall again next year, even if they can agree on a 2016 budget this year. “This will get us to next year, although not without cost to the community,” he said. That cost may come in the form of a $5 parking fee in off-beach parking lots, expected to raise $500,000, and the elimination of a water quality project in the western part of the county, potentially easing the burden on farmers to reduce agricultural runoff dumped in the already-polluted St. Johns River. Eliminating the water quality project would involve turning away $400,000 in matching state grant funds, and the environmental impact is not yet clear, though Commissioner Smith of District 2, which includes much of the farming community near Hastings, proposed the cut because he said the project was unnecessary. The Commission plans to hold a workshop to discuss the details of the project soon. Meanwhile, denied the ability to work with the county on a sales tax referendum, the school district is seeking a half-cent sales surtax of its own in a November special election. The district, which has been ranked the highest-performing school district in the
state for six years, is also the fastest-growing, and is predictably falling way behind on capital projects. Like every other Florida school district, St. Johns was put in a bind by diminished state funding and falling property values during the recession. Further, St. Johns has seen an explosion of student population, including 16,000 more last school year, a number that’s the equivalent of a brand-new large high school, straining their already-bursting facilities. At two kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools that just finished their first year, Valley
“We’ve got to find another funding source to FIND SEATS FOR ALL THESE CHILDREN who keep coming to St. Johns County.”
—ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR BEVERLY SLOUGH Ridge Academy and Patriot Oaks Academy, the district is installing 38 portable classrooms this summer because of overcrowding. “We’re a critical mess,” says School Board Chair Beverly Slough. “The state has put us between a rock and a hard place. We’ve got to find another funding source to find seats for all these children who keep coming to St. Johns County.” Without the sales tax, Slough says, the district would have to continue to “pour good money into bad” by spending another $6 million a year leasing and installing 75 more portables, bringing the district total to 300 portables. Portables hurt teacher collegiality, and that results in hurting kids, Slough says. “That collegiality is what generates new ideas that help kids learn. Plus, there are safety concerns.” The district also needs more funds to renovate and maintain its existing strained facilities, Slough says. The schools’ referendum has to pass through the County Commission at its July 21 meeting, and Slough expects it to pass. County staff will present its 2016 budget at the same meeting. Greg Parlier mail@folioweekly.com JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 13
the new face of A PHOTO ESSAY BY DENNIS HO WITH INTRO
THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS IS CHANGING • SOCIAL SERVICES LEADERS AND HOMELESS ADVOCATES ON THE FRONT LINES SAY THE BATTLE TO ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA WILL REQUIRE VISION, COLLABORATION, AND LEADERSHIP 14 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
Homelessness has a new face. Of the more than 100,000 students who attended Duval County Public Schools last year, 2,100 did not have a home to return to after the school day ended. As of this writing, there are 57 families on the wait-list for a spot at the Sulzbacher
Center — the largest and most comprehensive homeless services provider in Northeast Florida — in Downtown Jacksonville. The changing face of this issue brings about new challenges for the community of social service agencies dedicated to serving the
f homelessness
DUCTION AND INTERVIEWS BY KEITH MARKS homeless. Many First Coast agencies are comprehensive and organized. The best ones today operate farms, street teams, culinary programs, healthcare facilities, computer labs, and jobreadiness courses. They also fortify strategic partnerships with a wide range of political
and business leaders. It is a modern, holistic approach. This issue of Folio Weekly features a series of photos taken in and around Downtown Jacksonville by our photo editor Dennis Ho. They represent a monthslong project to portray homelessness the way it looks
today; specifically, what it looks like in the urban core. In addition, Folio Weekly sought out a few of Downtown Jacksonville’s social services leaders, hoping they would use the opportunity to speak directly to our community of readers, giving all a fresh perspective on the important issue. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15
“I’d strongly recommend that the community gain a better understanding of the people who are homeless. They’d be surprised how those stories may closely resemble their own, minus mistakes, medical diagnosis.” — TILLIS DEVAUGHN, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, JACKSONVILLE DAY RESOURCE CENTER
TILLIS DEVAUGHN • PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE JACKSONVILLE DAY RESOURCE CENTER, A HUB OF RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED OF A PLACE OF RESPITE DURING THE DAY FOR MANY DOWNTOWN.
Folio Weekly: If people in the community want to alleviate the situation, what are some ways they could make a difference? Tillis DeVaughn: “In all thy getting, get an Understanding.” I’d strongly recommend that the community gain a better understanding of the people who are homeless. They’d be surprised how those stories may closely resemble their own, minus mistakes, medical diagnosis. Is there an easy answer, a magic wand, to eradicating homelessness? The easy answer lies within the hope of the rebirth of visionary leadership. Question: How do you eat an elephant? Historic answer: “One bite at a time!” 16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
My answer: It Takes A “Village.” Yes, the panacea lies within the spirit of Ubuntu! I am convinced that a viable solution resides dormant in a collaborative co-op between the corporation and community. It takes teamwork to make a dream work ... How does Jacksonville’s homeless situation compare to that of other major cities? Jacksonville is unique in that it has the most popular city for veterans to retire because of its geographical location, weather and cost of living. It’s also become a popular place of nomadic interest. To find out more about the Jacksonville Day Resource Center, go to jacksonvilledayresourcecenter.org
the new face of homelessness Many people who are homeless work, but do not earn enough to maintain a home on their income. The majority of people who are homeless are usually hidden, especially if they have children. — DAWN GILMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EMERGENCY SERVICES & HOMELESS COALITION
DAWN GILMAN • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES & HOMELESS COALITION (ESHC), A LEAD ENTITY FOR A COALITION OF 40-PLUS SERVICE-PROVIDING AGENCIES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA; ALSO A DESIGNATED LEAD AGENCY FOR THE HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONTINUUM OF CARE GRANT AND A GRANTEE FOR THE VA SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROGRAM. Folio Weekly: What are the most misunderstood aspects of homelessness in Downtown Jacksonville? Dawn Gilman: Some people you assume are homeless have a home. Many people who are homeless work, but do not earn enough to maintain a home on their income. The majority of people who are homeless are usually hidden, especially if they have children. Approximately 24 percent of the homeless population in Jacksonville is tri-morbid, meaning they have a chronic serious medical condition, a mental health issue, and/or substance abuse issue. It is the last group that’s most likely to remain homeless for a longer time without outside assistance. If people in the community want to alleviate the situation, what are some ways they could make a difference? If you ask a homeless person what they need, the overwhelming majority will say a job and a place to live. If you are a business owner or make hiring decisions, you could work with one or more provider to give someone an opportunity to work. If you are a landlord, you could work with the coalition on housing someone you might not otherwise consider. What does the future of Downtown look like in regard to homelessness? The goal of the coalition is to make homelessness brief, rare and nonrecurring. The future
of homelessness is getting to functional zero. Functional zero means we will reduce the rate of homelessness so that we can identify and assist anyone within 30 days. Is there an easy answer, a magic wand, to eradicating homelessness? Yes, and it is called enough affordable housing. Affordable for someone living on 50 percent or less of area median income. Is there a way of understanding the economic impact of this issue? The current method of crisis intervention is extremely expensive and is not designed to resolve a housing crisis. For a small percentage of homeless persons, cycling through crisis stabilization units, jail, detox, hospitals including ER to ICU beds, and social service programs can easily cost the community $100,000 to $1,000,000 a year. How does Jacksonville’s homeless situation compare to that of other major cities? Our population has more families with children than other cities outside of Florida. We are also starting to see both younger and older persons. This may be part of a national trend but we’re not sure. To find out more about the Emergency Services Homeless Coalition of Northeast Florida, go to eshcnefl.org. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17
We do not have a higher-than-normal preponderance of homeless people in Downtown compared to any other major cities — we just do not have many other people Downtown. — CINDY FUNKHOUSER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, SULZBACHER CENTER
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the new face of homelessness
CINDY FUNKHOUSER • PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SULZBACHER CENTER, THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDER IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA, OFFERING STREET OUTREACH, DAILY MEALS, SAFE SHELTER, CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE, MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE AS WELL AS SCATTERED-SITE HOUSING. Folio Weekly: Is there an easy answer, a magic wand, to eradicating homelessness? Cindy Funkhouser: Yes, jobs and affordable housing. No. 1: Businesses must be willing to give a homeless person a chance and we need to add a vocational track back in all public schools. Not everyone has to go to college to make a good living and we as a society need to stop looking down on [vocational] trades. Can you speak to how politics and homelessness are tied together? The systemic issues mentioned above get very little attention by politicians in general. Poor people have no power and no voice. It is up to advocates to be their voice but, similarly, non-profits have little power and do not make campaign contributions or endorse candidates. This is why we need the members of the business and philanthropic community to partner on these issues. Many do, especially by being active on our boards. After analyzing the impact that chronically homeless people have on the economy ($30-$50k per year per person), the state of Utah
decided to give housing to some homeless people. What are your thoughts on this approach to addressing the homelessness issue? I completely support this approach and actually have a similar pilot program in progress where I partner with JSO, the PD, SA, jail, judges, Housing Authority and probation office. We are using the Housing First model to house 25 of the chronically homeless, frequent misdemeanor arrestees. The project is called the CHOP program. How does Jacksonville’s homeless situation compare to that of other major cities? I would say we have more homeless families. On the plus side, we have a very collaborative nonprofit community, especially homeless providers. We work as a team and the results have been evidenced by the drop in veteran and chronic numbers … What we are missing is a champion at City Hall and in the business community. As mentioned earlier, without these two sectors FULLY engaged, we will never see results like those in Utah. To learn more about the Sulzbacher Center, go to sulzbachercenter.org. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19
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NEWS & MEDIA Local Hero
Best Local Weirdo Best Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida in 2015
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Best Reason to Love Northeast Florida
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Kayak/Canoe
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A&E // FILM MARK RUFFALO hits a career high in his portrayal of a husband and dad living with bipolar disorder
MOOD ENHANCEMENT T
o watch Infinitely Polar Bear is to marvel Cam in Cambridge, Massachusetts, so she can at the talent of Mark Ruffalo, an actor who attend graduate school in New York City. Cam, appears at home in drama (The Normal with a full bottle of lithium medication in the Heart) and action (Avengers: Age of Ultron), cabinet and daunted by the task of caring for and whose star is clearly on the rise. He’s two preteen girls for 18 months (Maggie visits been good before, as Oscar nominations for most weekends), accepts his new responsibility Foxcatcher and The Kids Are with open arms and few clues. All Right suggest, but he’s never What’s great about Ruffalo’s INFINITELY been better than he is here. performance is that Cam is POLAR BEAR Ruffalo plays Cam a caring, devoted father who **** Stuart, a highly intelligent happens to be manic-depressive, Rated R manic-depressive who’s as not a manic-depressive who unpredictable as he is loving. tries to be a good father. This It’s 1978, and his wife Maggie (Zoe Saldana) is key, because we never doubt his love for his loves him but is rightfully concerned about his wife and children, only his ability to care for erratic behavior, such as chasing a car wearing them. If the story were more focused on the only red underwear in the dead of winter. And disease, we’d see him in doctors’ appointments so it’s with great trepidation that Maggie leaves and more emphasis would be given to his their daughters Amelia (Imogene Wolodarsky) treatment, which would be less interesting and Faith (Ashley Aufderheide) behind with and have minimal emotional impact. But
OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL AMERICAN MOVIES AND WESTERNS PRACTICALLY grew up together. In fact, the first American narrative movie was Edwin S. Porter’s The Great Train Robbery, and Western films were among the most popular during the silent screen era and for decades later. The fourth Academy Award for Best Picture went to Cimarron, a 1931 Western. Though far from dead, it must be admitted that Westerns rarely make good box-office these days. For instance, Slow West (with Michael Fassbender and Kodi-Smit McPhee) received considerable acclaim at various festivals earlier this year but had an extremely limited release. The same was true for Tommy Lee Jones’ The Homesman last year. A child of the ’50s, when Westerns dominated TV screens and still galloped respectably across theater screens, I’m excited about finally seeing the two new Westerns on DVD. Until then, though, I’ll revisit two earlier films, both about the early days of Hollywood when Westerns were in flower. Hearts of the West (1975) stars a young Jeff Bridges as an aspiring writer of pulp Westerns who, through a series of mischances involving a phony correspondence school for novelists, becomes an extra in Hollywood B-Westerns of the early ’30s. His mentor on the set, a grizzled veteran of the pulps as well as cowboy movies, is played by a post-Mayberry Andy Griffith. With Alan Arkin as a conniving director and Blythe Danner (Gwyneth Paltrow’s mom and neardouble) as the enterprising love interest, Hearts of the West is loaded to the barrel with talent and charm. Howard Zieff (My Girl, Private Benjamin) elicits lots of laughs and nostalgia from his premise, 22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
and his two stars – Bridges as a naïve tenderfoot and Griffith as a likable cynic – fit their roles like six-shooters in quick-draw holsters. The movie ends with a real shoot-out, of sorts, with the wounded but delighted hero riding off with the girl into the night (if not the sunset), but in an ambulance instead of on a horse. Despite its elegiac title, Blake Edwards’ Sunset (1988) has great fun with Hollywood myth and hokum, pairing real-life Wyatt Earp (James Garner) with silent Western superstar Tom Mix (Bruce Willis) in a tale of skullduggery among Tinseltown bigwigs. Easily identifiable as the villain at the start, Malcolm McDowell plays ruthless producer Alfie Alperin (modeled on Charlie Chaplin) whose former screen persona was a lovable clown, The Happy Hobo (like Chaplin’s Little Tramp). More a straightforward detective film than a comedy, Sunset still skewers Hollywood lore with
watching Cam handle two active young girls (both Wolodarsky and Aufderheide make their film debuts here, and they’re wonderful) feels organic and unforced, a man out of his element and plagued by his own mind but always doing his best for his girls. In fact, sometimes he does too much. A running joke is Cam’s attempt to be a good neighbor in their apartment complex. He doesn’t grasp the social conventions involved: It’s nice to carry a woman’s (H. Tod Randolph) groceries to her unit, but then offering to help put groceries away and peel onions for dinner is too much, and horribly embarrassing for his daughters. If only that were the worst of his conduct. Other questionable moments range from smoking too much to not getting the girls up in time for school to leaving them behind to go out drinking. Writer-director Maya Forbes based Cam on her own father; the story comes from her girlhood experiences. What’s true and what’s artistic license only Forbes knows — but it doesn’t really matter because everything that happens serves the story well. It’s impressive that Forbes doesn’t succumb to the shortcomings that plague other first-time directors (bloated story, too many characters, pacing issues, etc.), and keeps the film moving at a brisk pace for an 88-minute run time that’s neither too long nor too short. There are no plot holes, no gaps of logic, and no scenes that feel tedious or unwanted. Everything is nicely explained, and we care about the good people involved as they navigate this tumultuous time. At no point is it maudlin or overly sentimental. Thank you, Maya Forbes, for understanding exactly what your movie should be and executing that vision extremely well. Dan Hudak mail@folioweekly.com
MAGIC LANTERNS
liberal doses of humor. The movie ends at the first Academy Awards show in 1929 with real guns blazing all over the place, as Earp and Mix take on the bad guys. In real life, Tom Mix and Wyatt Earp really were friends – Earp was a paid consultant on some Westerns – but the former Tombstone marshal died months before that Oscar show. And Chaplin was certainly no murderer. But so what? The two pals ride off into the sunset, one on a train and the other on a horse. Echoing a recurring tagline throughout the film, the closing title card reads: “… and that’s the way it really happened. Give or take a lie or two.” You might say the same for all the movies today that open with the solemn declaration: “Based on a true story.”
Pat McLeod mail@folioweekly.com
A&E // FILM LISTINGS FILM RATINGS
Jack Parsons **** Gram Parsons ***@ Estelle Parsons **@@ Alan Parsons *@@@
SCREENINGS AROUND TOWN
SUMMER MOVIE CLASSICS National Lampoon’s European Vacation, with Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, screens at 2 p.m. July 19, The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, $7.50, 355-2787, floridatheatre.com. NIGHT OWL CINEMA Paddington runs 8 p.m. July 19, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., free, 471-1965, staugamphitheatre.com. SUN-RAY CINEMA Minions, Trainwreck, and Me, Earl and the Dying Girl screen at 1028 Park St., 5 Points, 359-0049, sunraycinema.com. The punk rock documentary Salad Days screens on July 23.
this go-’round, Steven Soderbergh has ceded the director’s chair to longtime artistic partner Gregory Jacobs, whose work on the acclaimed Behind the Candelabra you should in no way take as evidence that the Magic Mike series is aimed at anything other than normal, red-blooded heterosexual females. — S.S. MAX Rated PG Director Boaz Yakin’s film is the story of a dog that comes home – without his Marine buddy, who died in the line of duty. Costars Josh Wiggins, Thomas Haden Church and Lauren Graham. — S.S. ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL ***@ Rated PG-13 Director Alfonso Gómez-Rejon’s adaptation of Jesse Andrews’ young-adult novel pulled off the rare sweep of Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival. Response there was rapturous from critics and attendees. Then, prior to its recent New York release, critics elsewhere began seeing it. And the pendulum of enthusiasm swung radically in the opposite direction. In some ways, it’s a quintessentially Sundance-y hit, a quirky com-dram about high school senior Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) whose strongest connection is with Earl (RJ Cyler); they make slapdash parody/homages to their favorite classic films. Greg’s mother (Connie Britton) learns his classmate Rachel (Olivia Cooke) has leukemia – and Greg is expected to be nice to her, whether he likes it or not. — S.R.
MINIONS **@@ Rated PG The diminutive yellow knuckleheads from Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 finally get their own movie. Minions offers up the backstory of the yammering creatures, who have been the underlings, uh, minions for some of the most nefarious villains throughout history. Taking place in 1968 (years before their roles as helpers and devotees of baddie Gru in Despicable Me), the Minions must aid and abet the world’s first female supervillain, Scarlet Overkill (the voice of Sandra Bullock), who plans to take over the British monarchy. While Minions is hardly a groundbreaking animated comedy, the little kids will laugh at the slapstick antics of the small yellow blobs and have a fine time, probably. And isn’t that all that really matters? — MaryAnn Johanson SELF/LESS Rated PG-13 Wealthy old fossil transfers his mind and soul into a hot young himbo’s body, only to find out that the donor’s consciousness has unfinished business that must be attended to. Sound compelling? It sure worked when it was the Rock Hudson vehicle Seconds, and an episode of the 1970s NBC series Circle of Fear, and 32 percent of all short stories published in science-fiction magazines in America during the 20th century. But hey, none of them had Ben Kingsley or Ryan Reynolds. Those guys don’t just jump at any el cheapo genre script you toss at them, do they? Behind the director’s megaphone is Tarsem Singh, the guy R.E.M. used to keep hiring to do their videos
because his turban pissed off the red states. Oh, and he also made a movie in which Jennifer Lopez entered the mind of a killer. Now there’s a body-swap scenario to chew on. — S.S. SPY Rated R The Paul Feig/Melissa McCarthy collaboration casts her as a CIA agent in the thick of an international crisis. Costars Jude Law, Rose Byrne and Jason Statham. — S.S. TED 2 Rated R The faux-furry hero is married and wants a baby. The legal system demands he prove he’s human. Amanda Seyfried, Mark Wahlberg costar. — S.S. TERMINATOR: GENISYS **@@ Rated PG-13 Ah-nuld’s back! But even he can’t save this latest installment of the cyborg-happy franchise. In movies like this we usually complain that the action is great but the story doesn’t hold together. Terminator: Genisys has the opposite problem, and in 2015 that’s unforgiveable. We can accept a so-so story if the action is exciting, but a good story with lame action is a bore. And a boring Terminator is not worth paying to see. — D.H. TRAINWRECK **@@ Rated R Reviewed in this issue.
THE CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ While We’re Young, costarring Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts, screens through July 16 through at 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, 679-5736, corazoncinemaandcafe.com.. Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles opens July 17. Woman in Gold screens through July 23. Who Owns Water screens July 21. LATITUDE 360 MOVIES Get Hard and Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 screen at Latitude 360’s movie theater, CineGrille, 10370 Philips Highway, Southside, 365-5555. IMAX THEATER Terminator Genisys, Galapagos 3D and Humpback Whales screen at World Golf Village Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, St. Augustine, 940-4133, worldgolfimax.com.
NOW SHOWING
ALOHA **@@ Rated PG-13 Bradley Cooper plays Brian, an Air Force vet-turned-private military contractor who returns to Hawaii to negotiate a blessing from locals for a new Air Force base. Brian’s boss Carson (Bill Murray) wants to dominate outer space with satellites and rockets. Carson’s relationship with the Air Force is supposed to be mutually beneficial: They get access to his stuff, he gets legitimate support and space to operate. Danny McBride and Alec Baldwin have fun in extended cameos as Air Force officers. Writer/director Cameron Crowe’s story is a muddled bore. A love story between Brian and his Air Force liaison, peppy Allison (Emma Stone), is predictable. The only interesting relationship is between Brian and ex-girlfriend Tracy (Rachel McAdams); romantic feelings linger in spite of her marriage to Woody (John Krasinski) and two kids. — Dan Hudak ANT-MAN **@@ PG-13 Paul Rudd stars as a former con man who helps his mentor (Michael Douglas) save the world (what else?) in this big screen adaptation of the popular Marvel comic about the tiniest hero around! FAITH OF OUR FATHERS Rated PG-13 Kind of a tear-jerker but still interesting. Two young men (David A.R. White, Kevin Downes) travel to the Vietnam veteran memorial in our nation’s capital; their fathers knew each other and fought together in the Asian jungles. INFINITELY POLAR BEAR **** Rated R Reviewed in this issue. INSIDE OUT ***G Rated PG Brightly hued central characters and a high-concept premise might suggest a simplistic, gag-filled story, but director Pete Docter has packed emotional complexity into this terrific adventure. Inside us all is an emotional “control room,” with physical manifestations of those emotions responding to the things that push our metaphorical buttons by pushing literal buttons. For 11-year-old Riley (Kailyn Dias), a girl whose parents (Kyle MacLachlan, Diane Lane) have just moved the family from Minnesota to San Francisco, those emotions take the form of Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Anger (Lewis Black). As Riley struggles to adjust to her new home and new surroundings, Joy and Sadness inadvertently wind up whisked away to the far reaches of Riley’s subconscious, trying to preserve the happiness of Riley’s “core memories” and make their way back. — Scott Renshaw JURASSIC WORLD **@@ Rated PG-13 “Nobody’s impressed by a dinosaur anymore,” says operations manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the early moments here, and how true that is for moviegoers as well: Visual effects are leaps and bounds beyond what they were in 1993 when Jurassic Park was a box-office smash, and that film’s two ho-hum sequels caused fans to grow weary of the Jurassic world. So executive producer Steven Spielberg and director Colin Trevorrow have something great with this fourth outing, right? The franchise should’ve remained extinct. Jurassic World is a big, humorless, drab movie. Costars Judy Greer, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Chris Pratt, Omar Sy and Vincent D’Onofrio. — Dan Hudak MAGIC MIKE: XXL Rated R Now that’s how you title a sequel. And nobody’s taking any chances in the plot department, relying instead on that hoary old staple of the “reunion/retirement tour” that brings our weenie-wagging heroes back together for one last run. Hey, it worked for The Who and Danny Glover about seven times apiece! I can’t wait to hear Channing Tatum groan “I’m gettin’ too old for this dick” – moments before an acid bomb planted by a Latino drug cartel blows his dressing room to smitheroonies. For
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A&E // FILM
Comedian AMY SCHUMER’s big screen debut is a bumpy ride with far too few funny stops along the way
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULDN’T T
works with professional athletes. Amy and rainwreck is Amy Schumer’s shot at the big Aaron don’t hit it off at first, but gradually fall time. The comedienne, whose show Inside in love. Complications ensue. Amy Schumer airs on Comedy Central, has In comedy, shock value can work for a proven herself whip-smart and subversive, quick laugh, but if the reason we’re shocked unafraid to use humor to expose honesties remains onscreen, he/she/it needs to continue about women and society that others often to be funny for the scene to work. To wit, “shush” under the rug. As the writer and star basketball star LeBron James has an extended of Trainwreck, the pressure is squarely on her cameo as Aaron’s patient, and his scenes to deliver. So does she? misfire because he’s asked to do too much, like Sort of. It’s a decent movie, not great. give advice to Aaron and ask Amy what her Perhaps even “good” if you’re really in the intentions are. In other words, mood for a vulgar female-driven they asked King James to act! And romantic comedy. On her TV TRAINWRECK he’s not an actor, so criticizing show, Schumer is unrestrained **@@ him for not playing the scenes and topical due to the flexibility of Rated R well is unfair. The real blame goes the sketch format, but here she’s to Schumer (as the writer) and forced to isolate her focus on a Judd Apatow for putting him in this position single storyline and, as a result, the humor and not ensuring that he succeeds. It is their occasionally feels desperate. For example, responsibility to make sure James comes across Schumer’s character has a misogynist/racist/ effectively, and he does not. homophobic/cantankerous father, Gordon, played by Colin Quinn, and all his jokes are Apatow’s directorial efforts have been offensive. The movie didn’t need to go that an absolute trainwreck since Knocked Up route to get laughs, especially when there are (2007), with Funny People (2009) and This is plenty of comedic opportunities within the 40 (2012), dull comedies that didn’t live up premise of a promiscuous woman who’s not to their potential. Apatow was theoretically looking for Mr. Right but finds him anyway. smart, then, to yield writing duties to Schumer (this is the first time he’s directed Far too many comedies have been centered something he didn’t write), because this lets on an irresponsible guy who likes drinking him get out of his own way and focus on and hooking up and sees no reason to change directing. Yet again he falls short because his ways, only to meet “the one” and quickly the story, though it has some unexpected change his ways. Trainwreck switches the twists, plays out in the safe, traditional ways genders and puts Schumer in the lead as Amy, we expect. And though it’s funny at times, an uninhibited magazine writer who eagerly the humor overall tends to go more for the cheats on her boyfriend (John Cena) because surprise laugh rather than the organic laugh, she doesn’t think monogamy is feasible. She and as a result often feels forced. drinks and smokes weed, but is good enough You’ll certainly enjoy parts of Trainwreck, at her job that boss Dianna (Tilda Swinton) but not enough of it to feel satisfied. Leaving asks her to profile a sports doctor even though the theater with the clear sense that you Amy hates sports. Her co-workers (Vanessa should’ve laughed more is a definite sign that Bayer, Jon Glaser, Randall Park, and an intern this underwhelms. played by Ezra Miller) don’t understand why Dan Hudak she’s given the assignment, but off she goes to mail@folioweekly.com meet Dr. Aaron Connors (Bill Hader), who
24 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
A&E //ARTS
ELABORATE LIVES
PLAYERS BY THE SEA presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s masterful tale of loyalty, betrayal, and love
A
Aida is a “rock-and-roll re-imagining of a ccording to playbill.com, Aida, which classic love triangle: Aida, a Nubian princess, was originally titled Elaborate Lives: The is captured by an Egyptian captain, Radames. Legend of Aida, was pop superstar Elton He soon falls in love with her and saves John’s first attempt to write directly for the her from a life of hard labor by giving her musical theater stage. as a handmaiden to the Egyptian princess It all began when John and lyricist Tim Amneris, his future bride.” Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita) Akers, who has been with Players by the Sea (PBTS) since May 2013 and now holds scored blockbuster success with the animated the title of theater-wide associate director, feature-length film The Lion King — prompting has directed past plays such as Dog Sees God: Disney execs to request a follow-up. Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, The Lyons, John declined, so Disney sweetened the and Almost, Maine. pot and suggested a Broadway production Akers has had his hand in Aida being instead. The result was Aida, which staged locally since January 2014 when the premiered on The Great White Way in March theater was deciding on the 2000 and has won numerous current schedule. He also Tony Awards. AIDA performed in the play when Today, the play has been 8 p.m. July 17 and 18 at he was a student at Douglas retired from Broadway, Players by the Sea, Anderson School of the Arts. but is still performed in Jax Beach, $28; through “The Summer Musical international productions Aug. 8, playersbythesea.org was the last of our choices and regional theaters, and we were looking to select including a run at Players by a musical that would be accessible to a wide the Sea in Jax Beach, July 17, 18, 23-25 and variety of patrons,” he says. “And that would 31 and Aug. 1, 6, 7 and 8. fall in line with our mission of ‘enriching the “Aida is deeply rooted in the themes of community through excellence in theater.’ ” loyalty, responsibility, betrayal and love,” says To emphasize the mission’s objective, the show’s director, Bradley Akers. “It is a the theme for PBTS’s 2014-2015 season is story about a love between a leader and her “Creating Community.” people, a forbidden love between leaders of And, as Akers explains, “Aida deals with opposing countries and a fight to practice the questions: ‘When is all of the unrest love with no consequences.” enough? When are we going to push aside With music direction by Zeek Smith, the differences and work together as one choreography by Nichole Ignacio and a cast community?’ When people leave the theater, I that includes Kerri Alexander (Aida), Devin want them to remember that love does win.” Reardon (Radames) and Sadie La Manna Without giving too much away, Aida can (Amneris), Aida aims to please. It’s a twobe summarized as being about three people hour long play with 22 musical numbers and dealing with conflict, turmoil, pride and rigorous costume changes. bounded love. “This show has a lot of curb appeal “There was one night where I was driving for both the Jacksonville talent and for home from the theater and I turned on the Jacksonville audiences,” says Akers. “The Aida soundtrack,” Akers says. creators of this musical dreamed up really “The moment that I heard the music of exquisite situations that are fulfilling for a the first number, I instantly knew I wanted to director and cast to sink their teeth into and direct the show. I whipped out my phone very they set it in a location that is a dream for quickly and sent a message to our Executive theatrical designers to explore.” Director saying, ‘Please let me direct Aida. Based on Giuseppe Verdi’s 19th-century I’m in love with it.’ And the rest is history.” opera of the same name, the story of the beautiful woman and her various loves and Kara Pound losses, according to the theater’s website, mail@folioweekly.com
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 25
A&E // ARTS & EVENTS PERFORMANCE
AIDA Players by the Sea presents the Tony-winning classic love triangle, based on Verdi’s opera (music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice), 8 p.m. July 17 and 18 at 106 Sixth St. N., Jax Beach, 249-0289, $28; through Aug. 8, playersbythesea.org. SWAMP RADIO IN ST. AUGUSTINE This installment of the Northeast Florida-geared live radio show, “Celebration of All Things Summer,” features singer/songwriter Shea Birney, writer Laura Lee Smith, restaurateur Ned Pollack, percussionist Charlotte Mabrey, and local band Herd of Watts, 7:30 p.m. July 18 at Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., $25; $20 students, seniors, military, swampradiojax.com. SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Alhambra Theatre & Dining stages the family-geared musical revue, based on Dr. Seuss’ characters, through Aug. 2. Executive Chef DeJuan Roy’s themed menu (Cat in the Hat pizza, Sam I Am meatloaf) is featured; 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 641-1212, $35-$59, alhambrajax.com. THE MURDER ROOM The River City Players community theater presents the farce by Jack Sharkey, 7 p.m. July 14-16 and 2 p.m. July 19 at Scarlett Hill Theatre, Larimer Art Center, 216 Reid St., Palatka. Admission $15, limited seating; reservations, 377-5044. SHENANIGANS: COMEDY, MAGIC & MISCHIEF Sleight-ofhand, illusion, juggling, and comedy by Ivan Pecel, Eric Buss, John Shryock, Mari Lynn, and Greg Shibley, 8 p.m. July 16 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $28.50; $18.50 younger than 12. THE GOLD MEDAL SHOW Six magicians from around the world, Master of Ceremonies Ice McDonald and a closing performance by Emmy-winning magician David Cox, 8 p.m. July 17 at Florida Theatre, 355-2787, $28.50; $18.50 younger than 12. GRAND MAGIC SHOW The closing show of the annual convention of International Brotherhood of Magicians features magical performances by Ted and Marion Outerbridge, Tom Mullica, Ken Scott, and Soma at 8 p.m. July 18 at The Florida Theatre, 355-2787, $28.50; $18.50 younger than 12. DAMSEL OF THE DESERT OR A VILLAIN FOILED BY VIRTUE Fernandina Little Theatre stages Fred Carmichael’s self-described “old-fashioned mellerdrammer,” 7 p.m. July 18, Atlantic Recreation Center, Fernandina Beach, 277-2202, ameliaflt.org.
CLASSICAL, CHOIR & JAZZ
FRIDAY MUSICALE Violinist Piotr Szewczyk performs, 7:30 p.m. July 17 at 645 Oak St., Riverside, free, 355-7584, fridaymusicale.com. JAZZ IN PONTE VEDRA The Gary Starling Group (Carol Sheehan, Billy Thornton, Peter Miles), 7:30 p.m. Thur., Table 1, 330 A1A N., 280-5515. JAZZ IN MANDARIN Boril Ivanov Trio, 7 p.m. Thur.; pianist David Gum, 7 p.m. Fri., Tree Steakhouse, 11362 San Jose Blvd., 262-0006. JAZZ IN ATLANTIC BEACH Guitarist Taylor Roberts, 7 p.m. Tue. & Wed., Ocean 60, 60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-0060, ocean60.com. JAZZ IN AVONDALE The Von Barlow Trio and Third Bass, 9 p.m. Sun., Casbah Café, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966. JAZZ IN AMELIA ISLAND Guitarist Taylor Roberts, 6-9 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Salt, The Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy., Fernandina Beach, 277-1100.
COMEDY
JULIAN MCCULLOUGH McCullough’s been on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and NPR’s This American Life; 8 p.m. July 16 and 8 and 10 p.m. July 17 and 18 at The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, $15-$18, 292-4242, comedyzone.com. MICHELLE MILLER Miller’s been on Mom’s Night Out; 7:30 and 10 p.m. July 17 and 18 at Latitude 360, 10370 Philips Hwy., Southside, $15, 365-5555, latitude360.com.
CALLS & WORKSHOPS
PRINCESS SIMPSON RASHID GALLERY TALK Acrylic painter Rashid discusses “Controlled Spontaneity,” 6 p.m. July 21, Ritz Theatre & Museum, 829 N. Davis St., Downtown, 807-2010, ritzjacksonville.com. CALL FOR ARTISTS An Aug. 14 deadline has been set for applications to exhibit at the St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, held Nov. 28 and 29, 824-2310, festival@staaa.org. ART AND IDEAS DISCUSSION Joelle Dietrick and assistant curator Jaime DeSimone discuss Dietrick’s creative process, career, and Project Atrium installation, 7:15 p.m. July 17, Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, 333 N. Laura St., 366-6911, mocajacksonville.com. CUMMER WRITERS WORKSHOP Celeste Kruger’s workshop is held noon-4 p.m. July 18 at Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, $100, cummermuseum.org. JOHNNY CASH MUSICAL AUDITIONS Limelight Theatre auditions for the musical Ring of Fire, with 38 Cash songs, 2 p.m. July 25, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164; limelight-theatre.org. PBTS ADULT ACTING CLASSES Gary Baker discusses auditioning, character work and acting choices, 6:30 p.m. every Tue. through Aug. 11; Baker teaches an improv class 6:30 p.m. every Thur. through Aug. 13; Players by the Sea, 106 Sixth St. N., Jax Beach, 249-0289, $150 each course, playersbythesea.org. FLORIDA CIVIL RIGHTS HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS Florida Commission on Human Relations accepts nominations for the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Deadline July 15; fchr. state.fl.us/outreach/florida_civil_rights_hall_of_fame. JAX BY JAX The locally based literary organization accepts applications for its November 2015 event. Deadline Aug. 1; jaxbyjax.com.
26 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
BEGINNING ACTING CLASSES Sinda Nichols holds class 1 p.m. July 20 and 27, Amelia Musical Playhouse, 1955 Island Walkway, Fernandina, 277-3455, $15/class, ameliamusicalplayhouse.com. AMELIA ISLAND MUSEUM SEEKS WWII ITEMS The Museum of History seeks items for Florida in World War II. Items display 3-4 months. 261-7378, ext. 102 or email gray@ameliamuseum.org. MUSICIANS NEEDED Amelia Musical Playhouse seeks musicians for its upcoming production of Rocky Horror Show. 277-3455, dilljill@msn.com.
ART WALKS & MARKETS
WEDNESDAY MARKET Local produce, arts, crafts, clothing, food, live music, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 15, St. Johns Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, free, 347-8007, thecivicassociation.org. JAXSON’S NIGHT MARKET Street food vendors, craft beer, local farmers, and artisans and crafters, 5:30-9 p.m. July 16, Hemming Park, Downtown, facebook.com/JaxsonsNightMarket. NORTH BEACHES ART WALK Galleries of Atlantic and Neptune beaches open 5-9 p.m. July 16, from Sailfish Drive, Atlantic Beach to Neptune Beach, Town Center, 753-9594, nbaw.org. RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Local and regional art, a free yoga session 9-10 a.m., local music – Dennis Fermin, Dalton Cyr, Dixie Rodeo, and Marathon Runner starting 10:30 a.m. July 18 – food artists and a farmers’ row, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Sat. under Fuller Warren Bridge, 715 Riverside Ave., free admission, 389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com. COMMUNITY FARMERS & ARTS MARKET Baked goods, preserves, crafts, art, handcrafted jewelry, 4-7 p.m. every Wed., 4300 St. Johns Ave., Riverside, 607-9935. DOWNTOWN FRIDAY MARKET Arts & crafts, local produce, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Fri., Jacksonville Landing, 353-1188.
MUSEUMS
AMELIA ISLAND MUSEUM OF HISTORY 233 S. Third St., Fernandina Beach, 261-7378, ameliamuseum.org. Portraits of American Beach is on display. AMERICAN BEACH MUSEUM American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia St., Fernandina, 277-7960, nassaucountyfl. com/facilities. The Sands of Time: An American Beach Story, celebrating MaVynee Betsch, “The Beach Lady,” is on display. CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 829 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, cummer.org. Whitfield Lovell: Deep River is on display through Sept. 13. Reflections: Artful Perspectives on the St. Johns River, through Oct. 18. All Together: The Sculpture of Chaim Gross, through Oct. 4. British Watercolors exhibits through Nov. 29. Public garden tours, 11 a.m. every Tue. and Thur. Free admission 4-9 p.m. every Tue., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every first Sat. KARPELES MANUSCRIPT MUSEUM 101 W. First St., Springfield, 356-2992. The Addams Family: Part Two, through Aug. 26. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, 366-6911, mocajacksonville.com. Project Atrium: Joelle Dietrick, July 17-Oct. 25. Southern Exposure: Portraits of a Changing Landscape, through Aug. 30. In Time We Shall Know Ourselves: The Photographs of Raymond Smith, through Aug. 30. The Art Aviators Exhibition, through Aug. 16. Phil Parker’s Assemblage/Collage, in UNF Gallery through Aug. 30. Free admission 4-9 p.m. every Thur. in summer.
GALLERIES
THE ART CENTER II 229 N. Hogan St., Downtown, 355-1757. Kenny Balser is the featured artist. TAC GALLERY AT THE LANDING 2 W. Independent Drive, Downtown, 355-1757. The opening reception for the exhibit Images of Nurture is held 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 16. BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY 137 King St., St. Augustine, 825-4577. The exhibit Sam Kates: Coastal Connections VI is on display through Aug. 2. THE CULTURAL CENTER AT PONTE VEDRA BEACH 50 Executive Way, 280-0614, ccpvb.org. Memories in the Making, works by artists with dementia, is on display through July 17. FIRST STREET GALLERY 216-B First St., Neptune Beach, 241-6928. Silk Paintings by Beth Haizlip, through Aug. 25. HAWTHORN SALON 1011 Park St., Riverside, 619-3092, hawthornsalon.com. Sara Pedigo’s Brimming with Casual News exhibit runs through August. HUBLEY GALLERY 804 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 429-9769. The opening reception for an exhibit of new works by Mary Hubley, Natalia Andreeva, and Maria Struss is 5 p.m. July 18. The exhibit is on display through August. RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM 829 N. Davis St., 632-5555, ritzjacksonville.com. Through Our Eyes 2015: Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey (An Artistic Revolution), works of 20 local African-American artists, through July 28. ROTUNDA GALLERY St. Johns County Admin. Bldg., 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, 471-9980. St. Augustine Camera Club’s Annual Photography Show, through July 23. SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY 201 N. Hogan St., Ste. 100, Downtown, 553-6361, southlightgallery.com. Members Choice and works by featured artist Theresa Segal, through August. ST. AUGUSTINE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 10 W. Castillo Dr., 825-1053, staugustine-450/tapestry. Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America, through Oct. 4.
EVENTS
BOOK SIGNING Authors Vivian Browning and Sallie O’Hara sign copies of their book, Vilano and the North Beaches (Images of America), 4-6 p.m. July 15 at Aunt Kate’s Restaurant, 612 Euclid Ave., Vilano Beach, 540-0402, 829-1105, vilanobeachfl.com. PFLAG OF JACKSONVILLE MEETING PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered Persons)
meeting is 7 p.m. July 16, Christ Church of Peace, 1240 S. McDuff Ave., Westside, 737-3329; donations of food for JASMYN food bank, toiletries for Necessities For Living, which provides basic items for those with HIV/AIDS, are accepted, pflagjax.org. ANCIENT CITY CON The RPG and Cosplay extravaganza includes tabletop and video gaming action, all kinds of RPG/ sci-fi/fantasy/horror-related stuff, Cosplay contests, panel discussions, and food trucks, July 17-19, Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Downtown, $15-$20, details and tickets at ancientcitycon.com. KIDS’ NATURE DETECTIVES WORKSHOPS Ages 6-12; featuring hummingbirds and dragonflies, hands-on activities and take-home goodies, 1 and 2 p.m. July 17, St. Johns County Public Library Main Branch, 1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, 827-6950. Also 1 and 2:30 p.m., Hastings Branch Library, 6195 S. Main St., Hastings, 827-6970, sjcpls.org. JACKSONVILLE ARMADA VS. NEW YORK COSMOS Local football faves Armada take on New York Cosmos, 7:30 p.m. July 18, Baseball Grounds, 301 Randolph Blvd., Downtown, tickets start at $14, 633-6100, ticketmaster.com. MOTORCYCLE SWAP MEET Accessories, live music and food, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 19, St. Augustine Flea Market, 2495 S.R. 207, 824-4210, staugustinefleamarket.com. ST. JOHNS RIVERKEEPER PUB CRAWL Fourth annual Save Our Water pub crawl starts 2 p.m. July 19, Mellow Mushroom, 3611 St. Johns Ave., Avondale, stops at Silver Cow, Dahlia’s Pour House, ZenCog, AleWife Craft Beer & Bottle Shop, and ends at O’Brothers Irish Pub, 8 p.m.; raffle drawing for a new kayak. Admission $10; stjohnsriverkeeper.org/events/risingtides-save-our-water-pub-crawl. FIRST COAST FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY The Society presents UNF sociology professor Dr. David Jaffee, who discusses “The Politics of Neoliberalism,” 6:30 p.m. July 20, Buckman Bridge Unitarian Church, 8447 Manresa Ave., Orange Park, 419-8826, firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org. SUPERHERO CINEMA IN FRUIT COVE Bartram Trail Branch Library screens a PG-13 superhero movie, 3 p.m. July 20 and 27, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove, 827-6960; popcorn provided, bring (non-alcoholic) beverages, sjcpls.org. SENIOR HEALTH & LIFESTYLE EXPO Deercreek Country Club holds a senior-geared event, with free health screenings, information booths, a fashion show, food, and dancing, 11 a.m.3 p.m. July 21, 7816 Mc Laurin Rd. N., Southside, 404-7857. DEPRESSION/BIPOLAR SUPPORT The local chapter of nonprofit Depression Bipolar Support Alliance meets 6-7:30 p.m. every Tue., Baptist Hospital Pavilion, fifth floor, Rm. 3, 800 Prudential Dr., Southbank, dbsalliance.org. DAILY EVENTS Hemming Park offers free yoga, group fitness, live music, across from City Hall, 117 W. Duval St., Downtown; for schedule, go to hemmingpark.org/hemming-park-events. SUMMER ART CAMPS IN ST. AUGUSTINE The St. Augustine Art Association offers five sessions this summer for grades 1-6 and ages 12 and older. For more info, go to staaa.org. JR. WATERMAN’S SUMMER CAMP Black Creek Guides holds sessions July 27-31, Aug. 3-7, 10-14 and 17-21, with SUP lessons, safety and techniques, for ages 7-15. For fees, details and descriptions, go to blackcreekguides.com. SUMMER ART CAMP AT THE CUMMER The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens holds camp for elementary and middle school kids, with printing, drawing, painting, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., through July 24. $200; $140 members, 356-6857, cummer.org.
Jazz guitarist extraordinaire TAYLOR ROBERTS performs every Wed. and Thurs. at Ocean 60 in and every Fri. and Sat. at Salt, located at The Ritz-Carlton.
A&E // MUSIC
LONG JOURNEY HOME Celebrated Texas singer-songwriter ROBERT EARL KEEN takes us on a roots trip with his latest release
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obert Earl Keen likes to keep you guessing. In the past 30 years, the Texas-born singersongwriter has released 17 critically lauded studio and live recordings, an estimable track record for any artist. Yet while Keen has been labeled mainly as a country musician, his career has traveled through swift and unpredictable phases. This kind of refreshing indifference to trends and label demands have always kept Keen out of step with the somnambulant cowboy boot shuffle of pop country. But almost unsurprisingly, this very same adventurous approach in a sometimes-staid singer-songwriter scene has garnered the now59-year-old Keen a legion of fans as in tune with his outlaw romance anthem “The Road Goes on Forever” from his 1989 album West Textures as they are with the yearning, introspective balladry of “Paint the Town Beige,” from 1993’s A Bigger Piece of Sky. Keen’s latest album, The Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions, continues his tradition of taking detours from the main highway. A 20-song collection that runs the gamut from traditionals to songs by Jimmie Rodgers and Richard Thompson, The Happy Prisoner is fueled by a whip-sharp band and tight performances, and is a de facto tip of the hat to Keen’s earliest days as a musician. Folio Weekly spoke to Keen at his home in Texas, where he’d just returned from a run of shows in Nashville. During the course of our conversation, we talked about his bluegrass roots, the creative rewards of never fitting in, and the primary audience for his songs.
Folio Weekly: What compelled you to go full-tilt bluegrass on this new record? Robert Earl Keen: Well, I really started out in music in bluegrass. I learned how to play guitar behind a contest fiddler. And you know, I spent hours not really singing them but playing these songs: “Tom and Jerry,” “Grey Eagle” and “Lime Rock.” And you get a pretty good sense of how to play the guitar when you spend hours and hours behind one person pretty much playing the same thing. [Laughs.] Right outside the door of a fiddle contest, there’s always a bluegrass band, and I was already a fan of bluegrass, so to be able to just step out the door and play it was fantastic. I always had a great love in my heart for not only the music but also the communal effort in bluegrass, where you can go from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon and everybody knows how to play “How Mountain Girls Can Love”; you just kick it off. In some ways I think it’s corny, but I’m really just paying tribute to the music that I started out with. It seems like, at times, there’s an unrecognized parallel between bluegrass and traditional jazz, where you have these recognizable and almost-expected chord changes, but those are used as a kind of launching pad to just go off and improvise. Absolutely and you’re one of the few people that I’ve spoken to who gets that connection. The two true American forms of music are bluegrass and jazz and they have a lot of similarities. There
is that communal feeling, there is that idea that one guy from the West Coast can meet up with a guy from the East Coast and they can meet anywhere and jam together. That really doesn’t happen in country music and rock music; it happens in jazz and bluegrass. On the new record, you cover everyone from Bill Monroe and Jimmie Rodgers to Richard Thompson. And you figure with bluegrass, you already have a tremendous body of material to explore. What were your criteria for picking the tunes for the record? I wrote down 100 tunes that I knew. We recorded 28 and we got down to picking 20 to put on the CD; I chose them, somewhat, on account of them all having a somewhat different place on the bluegrass spectrum. I really wanted to show people some of the nuance in bluegrass music, where it’s not all in
ROBERT EARL KEEN & HIS BAND
7 p.m. July 19, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, $40-$50, pvconcerthall.com
“G” and it’s not all about how fast you can play: ready, set, go, and win. Certainly show some of the spiritual side that influences bluegrass but also that kind of jangly, jump-up-and-down style we did on “Hot Corn, Cold Corn.” In the end, I chose each one because they showed a different facet of the music. It’s interesting to me how people can have a real cartoonish view toward the music, like hillbillies drinking “corn squeezins’,” kind of bullshit. But bluegrass can have a dark and even baleful quality. I mean, one of Dock Boggs’ greatest recordings, “Pretty Polly,” was about murder. When you got older, did you become more drawn to that darker side of the music?
Oh, yeah, absolutely. I’m a lyric guy first, so the story is the most important aspect. As a matter of fact, if there was a reason why I didn’t do this earlier, it’s because I never considered myself a bluegrass singer. I just finally got comfortable enough with my voice where I just didn’t give a shit. But the story is the deal. I mean, there’s always drama in bluegrass songs. And it’s pretty heavy, heart-wrenching drama. You seem like the kind of songwriter, Texas or otherwise, whose body of work can be drastically different from record to record. From West Textures and A Bigger Piece of Sky to Walking Distance to The Rose Hotel, these are very distinctive recordings for someone who’s identified with a certain brand of music: country. Over the arc of your career and albums, do you think you’ve made very decisive shifts or has it been more intuitive? Brute force and ignorance. [Laughs.] Yeah, man, I just did stuff. For instance, I never really fit it anywhere. Well, I do think that when I was with Sugar Hill Records, [label owner] Barry Poss always got a kick out of how I was just doing things. And he really enjoyed that. He told me that he thought I was one of the most interesting artists he’d ever had because I was so proactive with everything. So he just let me do what I wanted to do. And most of those records I usually did on my own and then leased them to him. But when I worked with some other labels, I could just never stand the restrictions and never really could understand. Part of it, really and truly, is ignorance because I could never really understand what they were looking for, this whole business of hits and things like that. Sometimes I really believe that it’s all completely subjective. I do know that some songs really have that “stick,” that “MalcolmGladwell-social-science-stick.” [Laughs.] But at the same time, I think there’s a lot of guesswork going on that’s branded as expertise and that’s bullshit. But I never did really fit with labels and they recognized that so I just did what I wanted to. And at the same time, I’d get frustrated because I received very little attention, but that was the tradeoff since I could do what I wanted to. As the works of an alleged country artist, your songs can have a real strong sense of poetics. Are you ever overly self-conscious of keeping a kind of populist flavor to your work while not sacrificing the poetics? I’m of the mind of not trying to talk down to my audience, or any audience. And if they decide that they’re not with me, I’m still standing. I like the wordplay, man. I’m really trying to find ideas that haven’t been touched on, although I think by now every idea has somehow been touched on. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m cognizant of when I’m “stepping out too far” and I’ve certainly lost some people on certain ideas. But I just love the actual act of writing — but as far as an audience, and this sounds self-absorbed, but I really write for me and I’m entertaining myself. Daniel A. Brown mail@folioweekly.com JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 27
A&E // MUSIC
NOT BY ACCIDENT
my own songs, which required singing, which I was horrible at. But, you do something long enough, you get better. By 18, I was playing open mics and had a small set list of originals.” Shortly before her 22nd birthday, Saddler migrated from Jacksonville to the Nation’s Oldest City. She thought the scene seemed more welcoming with a closer sense of community among musicians. “The music scene in St. Augustine is unreal,” she says. “For such a small town, it’s bursting at the seams. Not only with singer-songwriters who do what I do, but for bands of all genres. And everyone is writing original music. It’s ever-changing, everevolving and ever-growing in numbers.” In 2013, Saddler released her debut album The Restless Windstorm. This past January, her sophomore attempt, The Gallows, came out. She was also one of the musicians featured in Local Honey, an album and documentary based on the St. Augustine music environment f someone were to compile a list of produced last October. the hardest-working musicians in St. “Currently, I’m thinking of recording the Augustine, Chelsea Saddler would next album live, as there is nothing like a live undoubtedly earn a top spot. At just 28 years performance,” she says. “I have about 30 to 40 old, Saddler is constantly gigging, recording, originals that have yet to be recorded. I hope to networking and growing. achieve this by the beginning of 2016.” It’s this work ethic that has secured Saddler Her music is a combination of folk, rock a European tour in October and placed and Americana, and Saddler’s progressed her among the most sought-after singerfrom being a tween with unsure vocal stylings songwriters in the area. to a confident woman with “I think success as a musician to non-musician is CHELSEA SADDLER with something to say. Check out her YouTube channel — selling out arenas and being on COLTON McKENNA 8 p.m. July 21, Café Eleven, especially the tunes “Portland the radio,” she says. “Success for St. Augustine Beach, $10, on the Telephone” and me is a number of things. First originalcafe11.com “Morning Song.” off, it’s being happy and grateful Most recently, Saddler’s that I am able to support myself been spending a lot of time in New Orleans, with my ability to play music. Secondly, it’s about including most of June. making other people happy with music. If you’re “NOLA is extremely inspiring and very laidnot happy on stage, the audience isn’t, either.” back,” she says. “I’ve really gotten a chance to sow Before heading across the pond, Saddler some seeds there. The songwriting community will continue the summer and early fall reminds me a lot of St. Augustine — very talented gigs around Northeast Florida, including and very encouraging. It’s nice to walk into a a performance on Tuesday, July 21 at Café place and have someone tell you they’ve heard of Eleven, with Colton McKenna. you — especially being a newcomer to the city.” Born and raised on Jacksonville’s Southside, With an upcoming European tour kicking Saddler first picked up a “parlor-sized guitar” off this fall, plenty of original material for around the age of six. another album or two and the local music “It was mostly a toy, but it still tuned,” community behind her, there’s no telling what Saddler remembers. “My mom and my the future holds for Chelsea Saddler. sister were standing in the doorway when I “Success as a musician, for me, is finding strummed the open strings in perfect time. that balance of being to perform well every ‘She’s good,’ my mom said.” time and not getting burnt out,” she says. “I But it was Saddler’s musician dad who think through traveling and playing I have ultimately pushed her to take up found that. St. Augustine is always going to be the instrument. “I remember other kids not taking it home base but, in my travels, I have found a seriously and wondering what the hell was the new love for my craft. It’s amazing.” matter with them,” she says of taking guitar Kara Pound lessons in middle school. “I began to write mail@folioweekly.com
Singer-songwriter CHELSEA SADDLER’s hard work pays off with a new album and European tour
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28 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
Indie-folk duo GOOD GRAEFF, featuring twin sisters Brooke and Brit Graeff, performs at Underbelly on July 15 in Downtown Jacksonville.
LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC CONCERTS THIS WEEK SPADE McQUADE 6 p.m. July 15 at Fionn MacCool’s Irish
Pub, Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 176, Downtown, 374-1247. SUMMER BLOCK PARTY Third annual, with five finalists of Rock This Block singing contest vying for Grand Prize, plus food, drink and games, 5 p.m. July 15 at Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 Randolph Blvd., Downtown, free, jaxevents.com. DENNY BLUE 6 p.m. July 15 and 22 at Paula’s Beachside Grill, 6896 A1A S., Crescent Beach, 471-3463. Music by the Sea: THE COMMITTEE 6 p.m. Bonez food service, concert 7 p.m. July 15, St. Augustine Beach Pier & Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., free, 347-8007, thecivicassociation.org. SHANIA TWAIN 7 p.m. July 15 at Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown, 630-3900, $45-$135. AMERICA IDOL TOUR LIVE! 7:30 p.m. July 15, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $49.50-$64.50. GOOD GRAEFF 8 p.m. July 15 at Underbelly, 113 E. Bay St., Downtown, 699-8186. CHRIS JANSON 6 p.m. July 16 at Mavericks at The Landing, 2 Independent Dr., Downtown, 356-1110, $15. MARATHON RUNNER, SUNSPOTS, GOODMORNING LOVE, The WILDERNESS 7 p.m. July 16 Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, 398-7496, $7. FONQUÉTE 7 p.m. July 16 at Southern Roots Filling Station, 1275 King St., Riverside, 513-4726. THE BAND BE EASY 7:30 p.m. July 16 at Latitude 360, 10370 Philips Hwy., Southside, 365-5555. CRY HAVOC 9 p.m. July 16, 1904 Music Hall, 19 N. Ocean St., Downtown. MODEST MOUSE, SUNBEARS! 6 p.m. July 17 at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S., 209-0367, $48. PRINCE ROYCE 8 p.m. July 17, Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater, 300 W. Water St., Downtown, 633-6110, $28.50-$68.50. BRYCE ALASTAIR BAND, PIANO, TOM BENNETT BAND 8 p.m. July 17, Jack Rabbits, $8. MR. LOW 8 p.m. July 17, 1904 Music Hall, $8 advance; $10 day of. LEGIT, SYLENT VYLENTZ, INFAMOUS SKIZZA REYTON, BLACK TRIBE, MIKE SB, TSUJINO 8 p.m. July 17 at Freebird Live, 200 N. First St., Jax Beach, 246-2473, $8. CHROME HEART 10 p.m. July 17 & 18 at The Roadhouse, 231 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, 264-0611. WASABI RUSH 10 p.m. July 17 & 18 at Flying Iguana, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680. DAYGOS 10 p.m. July 17 at Whiskey Jax, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Southside, 634-7208. Riverside Arts Market: DENNIS FERMIN, DALTON CYR, DIXIE RODEO, MARATHON RUNNER Starts at 10:30 a.m. July 18 at 715 Riverside Ave., 389-2449. SAM PACETTI CD Release, LON & LIS WILLIAMSON, GABE VALLA 7 p.m. July 18 at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, $10 advance; $15 at the door. MARY MARY & FRIENDS 7 p.m. July 18 at T-U Center’s Moran Theater, Downtown, 633-6110, $40-$75. THE BIG LONESOME, VICTOR FLORENCE 8 p.m. July 18, Burro Bar, 100 E. Adams St., Downtown. STARBENDER, 187, REHAB HOLIDAY 8 p.m. July 18, Jack Rabbits, $8. PATO BANTON & THE NOW GENERATION 8 p.m. July 18, Freebird Live, $15. SEIZE THE DAY 10 p.m. July 18, Whiskey Jax.
ROBERT EARL KEEN & HIS BAND 7 p.m. July 19 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., 209-0399, $40-$50. ROUND EYE, HAVANIA WHAAL, MR. CLIT & the PINK CIGARETTES 8 p.m. July 19, Burro Bar. TREES on MARS, ARCADENCE, VELOCIRAPTURE, LETTERS to PART, TOURIST TRAPS, MR. NEVER & the SCARS 8 p.m. July 19 at Shantytown Pub, 22 W. Sixth St., Springfield, 798-8222. VALISE, BRENT BYRD 8 p.m. July 20, Jack Rabbits, $8. METAL MONDAZE: BLOODFUCKERS, 187, C&CK, ANS 8 p.m. July 20, Shantytown Pub. CHELSEA SADDLER, COLTON McKENNA 8 p.m. July 21, Café Eleven, 501 A1A Beach, St. Augustine Beach, 460-9311, $10. E.N. YOUNG (Tribal Seeds) 8 p.m. July 21, Jack Rabbits, $10. POYNTE, OSARA 8 p.m. July 22, Burro Bar. KID ETERNITY, KEVIN LAWSON, CONNOR HICKEY, CHARLIE SHUCK 9 p.m. July 22, Shantytown Pub. LOADED GUNS, 100 WATT VIPERS, AUTOMATIK FIT 8 p.m. July 22, Jack Rabbits, $8.
UPCOMING CONCERTS
KID ETERNITY, KEVIN LAWSON July 22, Shantytown Pub SLIGHTLY STOOPID, DIRTY HEADS, STICK FIGURE July 23, St. Augustine Amphitheatre The CRAZY DAYSIES July 24, Freebird Live HELLZAPOPPIN July 24, Mavericks at The Landing SHANE MYERS July 24, Whiskey Jax KEIKO MATSUI July 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall FORT LOWELL RECORDS SHOWCASE July 24, Burro Bar WHY ME? July 24, Culhane’s Irish Pub KACEY MUSGRAVES July 24, The Florida Theatre PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE, FIREFALL, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION July 25, The Florida Theatre TAD JENNINGS July 25, Whiskey Jax UNKNOWN HINSON, RUSTY SHINE July 25, Jack Rabbits Connection Festival: 311, JULIAN MARLEY, MATISYAHU, BALLYHOO!, NEW YORK SKA-JAZZ ENSEMBLE, WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, STANK SAUCE, SKYWATER, JAH ELECT & THE I QUALITY BAND, CLOUD 9 VIBE, ASKMEIFICARE, HOLEY MISS MOLEY, YAMADEO, HERD OF WATTS, WESTER JOSEPH’S STEREO VUDU July 25, Metropolitan Park ROB THOMAS, PLAIN WHITE T’s July 25, St. Augustine Amphitheatre JAKE MILLER, JASMINE, ALEX ANGELO July 26, Freebird Live PLANES MISTAKEN for STARS, ZULU WAVE, DREDGER July 27, Shanghai Nobby’s SEALION, PARTY STATIC July 27, Burro Bar FIFTH HARMONY, DEBBY RYAN & the NEVER ENDING, NATALIE LA ROSE, BEA MILLER July 28, The Florida Theatre EMMET CAHILL July 29, Culhane’s Irish Pub ROCKY VOTOLATO, DAVE HAUSE, CHRIS FARREN July 29, Jack Rabbits DON’T CALL ME SHIRLEY July 30, Whiskey Jax PINK for PRESIDENT, STATUS FAUX, 187 July 30, Burro Bar NONPOINT, ALLELE, NEW DAY July 30, Freebird Live PATHOS PATHOS, NORTHE, LE ORCHID, SUNSPOTS July 31, Underbelly WHITESNAKE, THE DEAD DAISIES July 31, Florida Theatre MEDAL MILITIA (Metallica tribute), SHOT DOWN in FLAMES (AC/DC tribute), FOREVER OUR RIVALS July 31, Freebird Live KING SUNNY ADE & his AFRICAN BEATS July 31, PV Concert Hall
MY MORNING JACKET, MINI MANSIONS Aug. 1, St. Augustine Amphitheatre The STOLEN, AVENUES Aug. 1, Jack Rabbits LENNY COOPER Aug. 1, Mavericks at The Landing COUNTING CROWS, CITIZEN COPE, HOLLIS BROWN Aug. 2, St. Augustine Amphitheatre AUTHORITY ZERO, COUNTERPUNCH, RUBEDO, ONE SMALL STEP Aug. 2, Jack Rabbits JORMA KAUKONEN Aug. 6, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall SCARAB (Journey tribute) Aug. 6, Freebird Live FLOETRY Aug. 6, Ritz Theatre & Museum BHAGAVAN DAS Aug. 7-9, Karpeles Museum GENERAL TSO’S FURY, BRICKS GRENADE Aug. 7, Jack Rabbits Elvis Anniversary Bash: MIKE ALBERT, SCOT BRUCE & the BIG E BAND Aug. 8, The Florida Theatre JOY BLOODY JOY, URSULA Aug. 8, Jack Rabbits LEE COMBS, DJ D-XTREME Aug. 8, Club TSI WHITNEY PEYTON Aug. 9, Underbelly CHRISTINA PERRI, COLBIE CAILLAT, RACHEL PLATTEN Aug. 11, The Florida Theatre UNIVERSAL SIGH Aug. 12, Jack Rabbits HippieFest 2015: The FAMILY STONE, RICK DERRINGER, MITCH RYDER & the DETROIT WHEELS, BADFINGER & JOEY MOLLAND Aug. 13, The Florida Theatre KULT OV AZAZEL, SECRETS SHE KEPT, NEVERBAPTIZED, SATURNINE, The NOCTAMBULANT Aug. 13, Burro Bar An Evening of The Doors Greatest Hits: THE ROBBY KRIEGER BAND Aug. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NO MORTAL BEFORE, PALM TREES & POWER LINES Aug. 14, Jack Rabbits JIM LAUDERDALE & his BAND Aug. 14, P.V. Concert Hall HOR!ZEN Aug. 14, The Roadhouse NEPHEW TOMMY Aug. 14, Florida Theatre The ROCKY HORROR Show Aug. 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 1904 Music Hall DARYL HANCE, EUGENE SNOWDEN Aug. 14, Underbelly Women Who Rock Show: MAMA BLUE, KIM RETEGUIZ & the BLACK CAT BONES, The CAT McWILLIAMS BAND Aug. 15, Freebird Live SUBLIME WITH ROME, REBELUTION, PEPPER, MICKEY AVALON Aug. 16, St. Augustine Amphitheatre “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC Aug. 16, The Florida Theatre NASHVILLE PUSSY, VALIENT THORR Aug. 16, Jack Rabbits COLLEEN GREEN, WET NURSE, PUNANI HUNTAH, NUT BEAST, HEAVY FLOW, MF GOON, MENTAL PATIENTS Aug. 17, Shanghai Nobby’s COMMUNITY CENTER Aug. 18, Jack Rabbits LA LUZ, BOYTOY, The LIFEFORMS Aug. 19, Burro Bar LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND Aug. 20, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts TIM McGRAW, BILLY CURRINGTON, CHASE BRYANT Aug. 20, Veterans Memorial Arena DJ BABY ANNE Aug. 21, Underbelly Campout Concert Series: STRATOSPHERE ALL-STARS, SIR CHARLES, ZOOGMA, GREENHOUSE LOUNGE X2, DYNO HUNTER, VLAD the INHALER, MZG, S.P.O.R.E., BELLS & ROBES, MATTHEW CONNOR Aug. 21 & 22, Suwannee Music Park CLAY WALKER Aug. 22, Mavericks at The Landing LIL DUVAL Aug. 22, The Florida Theatre LEISURE CRUISE Aug. 24, Jack Rabbits
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 29
LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC SAM PACETTI (pictured) holds a CD release party for his latest album, Origins: Exploring a Musical Lineage, with LON & LIS WILLIAMSON and GABE VALLA at Limelight Theatre on July 18 in St. Augustine.
DONOVAN FRANKENREITER Aug. 25, Freebird Live The OUTLAWS, BLACKHAWK Aug. 28, The Florida Theatre TRIBAL SEEDS, The EXPANDERS, ARISE ROOTS Aug. 28, Mavericks at The Landing STEVE FORBERT TRIO Aug. 29, Mudville Music Room MEAN MARY Aug. 29, Lohman Auditorium RICK SPRINGFIELD, LOVERBOY, The ROMANTICS Aug. 30, St. Augustine Amphitheatre ALICE COOPER Sept. 1, The Florida Theatre PONCHO SANCHEZ Sept. 5, Ritz Theatre & Museum GWAR, BUTCHER BABIES, BATTLECROSS Sept. 9, Freebird Live DOYLE BRAMHALL II Sept. 9, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall DAVID LEIBE HART, DIG DOG, VULGARIANS Sept. 16, Underbelly LUKE BRYAN, RANDY HOUSER, DUSTIN LYNCH Sept. 17, Veterans Memorial Arena RUNAWAY GIN Sept. 18, Freebird Live REO SPEEDWAGON Sept. 24, The Florida Theatre DELBERT McCLINTON Sept. 25, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall HELMET Sept. 25, Jack Rabbits BRITTANY SHANE Sept. 25, Mudville Music Room HOUNDMOUTH Sept. 30, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BOOKER T. JONES Oct. 3, Ritz Theatre & Museum AMELIA ISLAND JAZZ FEST Oct. 8-15, Fernandina Beach TORO Y MOI Oct. 8, Freebird Live ANI DiFRANCO Oct. 9, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
RANDY WESTON’S AFRICAN RHYTHMS Oct. 10, Ritz Theatre BONZ (Stuck Mojo), A.M.M. Oct. 10, Jack Rabbits The VIBRATORS Oct. 11, Jack Rabbits FRED HAMMOND & DONNIE McCLURKIN Oct. 11, Veterans Memorial Arena The Princess Bride: An Evening with CARY ELWES Oct. 11, The Florida Theatre NEW FOUND GLORY, YELLOWCARD, TIGERS JAW Oct. 13, Mavericks The WINERY DOGS Oct. 14, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NOAH GUNDERSON Oct. 14, Colonial Quarter BUDDY GUY, SHEMEKIA COPELAND Oct. 14, Florida Theatre CHRIS TOMLIN, REND COLLECTIVE Oct. 16, Vets Memorial Arena SUZANNE VEGA Oct. 16, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The SENSES, The PHILTERS Oct. 16, Jack Rabbits DEF LEPPARD, FOREIGNER, NIGHT RANGER Oct. 17, Veterans Memorial Arena DEBORAH HENSON-CONANT Oct. 17, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LITTLE BIG TOWN, DRAKE WHITE & the BIG FIRE Oct. 17, St. Augustine Amphitheatre The CHARLIE DANIELS BAND Oct. 22, The Florida Theatre TAB BENOIT Oct. 22, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall MARCIA BALL & her BAND, AMY SPEACE Oct. 23, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall MARK KNOPFLER Oct. 27, St. Augustine Amphitheatre
KEPI GHOULI, MEAN JEANS, QUEEN BEEF, HEAVY FLOW Oct. 29, rain dogs ALL HANDS ON DECK Nov. 8, The Florida Theatre REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND, BRYCE ALASTAIR BAND Nov. 8, Jack Rabbits ADRIAN LEGG, DAVID LINDLEY Nov. 12, P.Vedra Concert Hall AMERICA Nov. 13, Thrasher-Horne Center JAKE SHIMABUKURO Nov. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall STRAIGHT NO CHASER Nov. 17, The Florida Theatre The DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND, NEW BREED BRASS BAND Nov. 21, Ritz Theatre & Museum This is Not a Test Tour: TOBYMAC, BRITT NICOLE, COLTON DIXON, HOLLYN Nov. 22, Veterans Memorial Arena SCOTT BRADLEE’S Postmodern Jukebox Nov. 28, Florida Theatre RONNIE MILSAP Nov. 29, The Florida Theatre LUCERO Dec. 3, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NICHOLAS PAYTON Dec. 5, Ritz Theatre & Museum KANSAS Dec. 6, The Florida Theatre LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III Dec. 11, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BRIAN REGAN Dec. 13, The Florida Theatre The TEN TENORS Dec. 22, The Florida Theatre JOHN SEBASTIAN Jan. 8, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall CHRISTIAN McBRIDE Jan. 16, Ritz Theatre & Museum The TEMPTATIONS, The FOUR TOPS Jan. 21, Florida Theatre SHAWN COLVIN Jan. 29, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall JOHNNY MATHIS Jan. 31, The Florida Theatre WHO’S BAD: Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Feb. 5, Florida Theatre PATTY GRIFFIN, SARA WATKINS, ANAIS MITCHELL Feb. 13, The Florida Theatre SUN RA ARKESTRA Feb. 20, Ritz Theatre & Museum ADAM TRENT Feb. 21, The Florida Theatre BLACK VIOLIN March 3, Ritz Theatre & Museum ROGER McGUINN March 4, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall CECILE McLORIN SALVANT March 31, Ritz Theatre CELTIC NIGHTS: SPIRIT OF FREEDOM April 6, Florida Theatre NAJEE April 9, Ritz Theatre & Museum LET IT BE: A Celebration of the Music of The Beatles April 10, The Florida Theatre
LIVE MUSIC CLUBS
AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH
DAVID’S Restaurant & Lounge, 802 Ash St., 310-6049 John Springer every Tue.-Wed. Aaron Bing 6 p.m. every Fri. & Sat. GREEN TURTLE TAVERN, 14 S. Third St., 321-2324 Buck Smith Thur. Yancy Clegg Sun. Vinyl Record Nite every Tue. SLIDERS, 1998 S. Fletcher, 277-6652 Live music Wed.-Sun. SURF RESTAURANT, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711 DJ Rock July 16. Colby Ward July 17. Touch of Grey July 18. Darrell Rae July 19. Bluff 5 Band July 22. Live music Fri. & Sat.
AVONDALE, ORTEGA
CASBAH CAFÉ, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966 Goliath Flores 9 p.m. every Wed. Live jazz every Sun. Live music every Mon. ECLIPSE, 4219 St. Johns Ave. KJ Free 9 p.m. Tue. & Thur. Indie dance 9 p.m. Wed. ’80s & ’90s dance at 9 p.m. every Fri. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200 Barrett Jockers July 16. Carl & the Black Lungs July 17. DiCarlo July 18
THE BEACHES
(All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted)
BILLY’S BOATHOUSE, 2321 Beach Blvd., 241-9771 Billy Bowers July 16 & 19. Bad Habits July 17. Beau Knott & the Burners July 18 BRASS ANCHOR PUB, 2292 Mayport Rd., Ste. 35, Atlantic Beach, 249-0301 Joe Oliff 8 p.m. July 15 CULHANE’S IRISH PUB, 967 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 249-9595 Why Me? 8 p.m. July 24 ESPETO Brazilian Steakhouse, 1396 Beach Blvd., 388-4884 Steve & Carlos 6 p.m. July 16 FLYING IGUANA, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680 Wasabi Rush 10 p.m. July 17 & 18. Ryan Crary July 19. Red Beard & Stinky E every Thur. FLY’S TIE IRISH PUB, 177 Sailfish Dr. E., A.B., 246-4293 Live music most weekends FREEBIRD LIVE, 200 N. First St., 246-2473 Legit, Sylent Vylentz, Infamous Skizza Reyton, Black Tribe, Mike SB, Tsujino 8 p.m. July 17. Pato Banton & the Now Generation 8 p.m. July 18. The Revivalist, Bobby Lee Rodgers July 23. The Crazy Daysies, Four Barrel Band, The Offshore 8 p.m. July 24 HARMONIOUS MONKS, 320 First St. N., 372-0815 Live music 9 p.m. every Fri. & Sat. Dan Evans, Spade McQuade 6 p.m. every Sun. Back From the Brink 9 p.m. every Mon. LILLIE’S COFFEE BAR, 200 First St., N.B., 249-5181 Joe Oliff July 16 LYNCH’S IRISH PUB, 514 N. First St., 249-5181 Resinated 10 p.m. July 17 & 18. Dirty Pete Wed. Split Tone Thur. Ryan Crary, Johnny Flood Sun. Be Easy Mon. Ryan Campbell Tue. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1018 Third St. N., 241-5600 3 the Band July 15. Squeedlepuss July 16. Brady Clampitt July 17 MEZZA Restaurant & Bar, 110 First St., N.B., 249-5573 Neil Dixon every Tue. Gypsies Ginger every Wed. Mike Shackelford & Steve Shanholtzer every Thur. MONKEY’S UNCLE, 1850 S. Third St., 246-1070 Chilly Rhino 10 p.m. July 17 NORTH BEACH BISTRO, 725 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 372-4105 Dan Evans 7 p.m. July 16. Backtracks 51 July 17. Kurt Lanham July 18. Live music every Thur.-Sat. RAGTIME TAVERN, 207 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 241-7877 Neil Dixon July 15. The Druids July 16. Sidewalk 65 July 17. Austin Parks July 18. 3 the Band July 19. Live music Thur.-Sun. SLIDERS SEAFOOD GRILLE, 218 First St., N.B., 246-0881 Live music Thur., Fri. & Sat. WIPEOUTS GRILL, 1589 Atlantic Blvd., N.B., 247-4508 Amy Vickery 7 p.m. July 16. Kurt Lanham 9:30 p.m. July 17
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ZETA BREWING, 131 First Ave. N., 372-0727 The Firewater Tent Revival 10 p.m. July 17
DOWNTOWN
1904 MUSIC HALL, 19 Ocean St. N. Cry Havoc 9 p.m. July 16. Mr. Low 8 p.m. July 17. Professor Whiskey July 18 BURRO BAR, 100 E. Adams St. The Big Lonesome, Victor Florence 8 p.m. July 17. Round Eye, Havania Whaal, Mr. Clit & The Pink Cigarettes July 19. Poynte, Osara July 22. Fort Lowell Records Showcase July 24. Live music Fri. & Sat. DOS GATOS, 123 E. Forsyth St., 354-0666 BlackJack every Wed. DJ Brandon every Thur. DJs spin dance music every Fri. DJ NickFresh Sat. DJ Randall 9 p.m. Mon. DJ Hollywood Tue. FIONN MacCOOL’S, Jax Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1247 Spade McQuade 6 p.m. July 15, 22 & 24. Jimmy Solari 8 p.m.-mid. July 17. Chuck Nash 8 p.m. July 18. Live music Wed.-Sun. JACKSONVILLE LANDING, 2 Independent Dr., 353-1188 El Conjunto Tropical 8 p.m. July 17. Latina Hot Summer Fiesta 5 p.m.-mid. July 18. 418 Band 4-9 p.m. July 19 MARK’S DOWNTOWN, 315 E. Bay, 355-5099 DJ Roy Luis Wed. DJ Vinn every Thur. DJ 007 every Fri. Bay Street every Sat. MAVERICKS, Jax Landing, 356-1110 Chris Janson, Steven Flowers Band 6 p.m. July 16. Saliva July 22. Joe Buck, DJ Justin every Thur.-Sat. UNDERBELLY, 113 E. Bay St., 699-8186 Good Graeff 8 p.m. July 15. The Firewater Tent Revival July 18
FLEMING ISLAND
WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198 The Remains 9 p.m. July 17 & 18. Live music every Fri. & Sat. DJ Throwback 8 p.m. every Thur. Deck music every Fri., Sat. & Sun.
INTRACOASTAL WEST
CLIFF’S Bar & Grill, 3033 Monument Rd., 645-5162 Bill Ricci 5 p.m. July 17. Live music every Fri. & Sat. JERRY’S Sports Grille, 13170 Atlantic Blvd., 220-6766 Don’t Call Me Shirley 7:30 p.m. July 17. Retro Katz July 18 YOUR PLACE, 13245 Atlantic Blvd., 221-9994 RadioLove July 16
MANDARIN, JULINGTON
DAVE’S MUSIC BAR & GRILL, 9965 San Jose,575-4935 Scott Verville 6 p.m., Blues Jam 9 p.m. July 17. Bonnie & Clyde every Tue. Open jam every Wed. Joe G & Friends Thur. HARMONIOUS MONKS, 10550 Old St. Augustine, 880-3040 Open jam Blues Monday 7 p.m. every Mon. SAUCY TACO, 450 S.R. 13, 287-8226 Stu Weaver 7 p.m. July 18
VINYL FRONTIERS
JONATHAN GRANT BERLIN MAY BE BEST KNOWN AS the frontman for giddy psychedelic indie-pop band SUNBEARS! The group recently appeared with The Flaming Lips on With A Little Help From My Fwends, a tribute to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album, and released their own new album, both available on vinyl. This may have something to do with Berlin’s new-found love of lathing his own records. The old medium, currently in resurgence thanks to a joint effort by hipster fetishists and geezer audiophiles, has a romance all its own. Whereas CDs are slowly slipping into the wastebin of history (a fate once predicted for vinyl), vinyl discs have remained alive. Barely breathing, but alive. Berlin has taken it upon himself to offer his services to local musicians interested in making vinyl a part of their catalogs. It’s not cheap, but Berlin says since there are so few companies offering vinyl production, he’s at the forefront of an industry rebirth. We recently talked to him about the past, present and future of vinyl.
Folio Weekly: Why you decided to undertake such a demanding process? Jonathan Grant Berlin: I remember the first vinyl record I ever came into contact with. It was about 1988, I was 5 years old, and out of a magazine fell this little one-sided flexi record. I remember asking my dad what this thing was. I asked him how we could hear the music, and he told me that you had to have a record player, but we didn’t have one. Then my dad did something magical. He took a piece of paper and made a cone out of it. He then took one of my mom’s sewing needles and piece of duct tape and fastened the sewing needle to the tip of the cone. He set the record in the middle of our dining room table’s Lazy Susan, taped the
LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC
ORANGE PARK, MIDDLEBURG
CLUB RETRO, 1241 Blanding Blvd., 579-4731 ’70s & ’80s dance 8 p.m. every Fri. & Sat. DJ Capone every Wed. THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959 John Michael Tue.-Sat. THE ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611 Chrome Heart 10 p.m. July 17 & 18. Live rock music 10 p.m. every Wed. DJ Big Mike 10 p.m. every Thur. Live rock every Fri. & Sat.
PONTE VEDRA
PUSSER’S Grill, 816 A1A, 280-7766 Rebecca Day 7 p.m. July 18 TABLE 1, 330 A1A N., 280-5515 Jon Beringer & Curtis Benton July 15. Gary Starling July 16. Chicos Lobos July 17. Paxton & Mike July 18. Ryan Crary & Johnny Flood July 22
RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE
ACROSS THE STREET, 948 Edgewood Ave. S., 683-4182 Emma Moseley Band 10 p.m. July 17. The Happy Faced Mistakes, Status Faux July 18. Backwater Bible Salesmen open mic 8 p.m. every Mon. DJ Rafiki every Tue. MURRAY HILL THEATRE, 932 Edgewood Ave. S., 388-7807 Words Like Daggers July 16. Aaron Gillespie, William Becket, Nathan Hussey, Samuel Sanders 7:30 p.m. July 17 RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969 Coolzey 9 p.m. July 17 RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET, 715 Riverside Ave., 389-2449 Dennis Fermin, Dalton Cyr, Dixie Rodeo, Marathon Runner 10:30 a.m. July 18 SOUTHERN ROOTS Filling Station, 1275 King St., 513-4726 Fonquéte 7 p.m. July 16
ST. AUGUSTINE
BARLEY REPUBLIC, 48 Spanish St., 547-2023 Live local music every Thur.-Sun. CAFE ELEVEN, 501 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 460-9311 Chelsea Saddler, Colton McKenna 8 p.m. July 21 THE CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St., 826-1594 Ain’t Too Proud to Beg July 17. Oh No 7 p.m. July 18. Vinny Jacobs July 19 MILL TOP TAVERN, 19 St. George St., 829-2329 Back From the Brink 9 p.m. July 17 & 18. John Winters 1 p.m. July 19 PAULA’S BEACHSIDE GRILL, 6896 A1A S., Crescent Beach, 471-3463 Denny Blue open mic jam 6-9 p.m. July 15 TRADEWINDS LOUNGE, 124 Charlotte St., 829-9336 Spanky July 17 & 18. Live music 9 p.m. every Fri. & Sat.
SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK
INDOCHINE, 1974 San Marco Blvd., 503-7013 Dance Radio Underground, Sugar & Cream, Black Hoodie, Bass Therapy Sessions, Allan GIz-Roc Oteyza, TrapNasty, Cry Havoc, every Sat.
record down, and gave that thing a spin. Then he set the needle down on the record, holding the cone in his hand. And wouldn’t ya know, out of that cone, crackly and mysterious-sounding, came Dick Clark’s voice. I’ve been in love ever since.
JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave., 398-7496 Marathon Runner, Sunspots, Goodmorning Love, The Wilderness 7 p.m. July 16. Bryce Alastair Band, Tom Bennett Band July 17. Starbender, Rehab Holiday July 18. Valise, Brent Byrd July 20. E.N. Young (The Tribal Seeds) July 21. Loaded Guns, 100 Watt Vipers, Automatik Fit July 22 MUDVILLE MUSIC ROOM, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., 352-7008 Cassidy Kinsman July 18. Sam Pacetti, Gabe Valla 7:30 p.m. July 24 THE PARLOUR, 2000 San Marco Blvd., 396-4455 Live music every Thur.-Sat. RIVER CITY Brewing Co., 835 Museum Cir., 398-2299 Live music 8 p.m., Steve & Eden 10 p.m. every Fri.
SOUTHSIDE, BAYMEADOWS, ARLINGTON
BAHAMA BREEZE, 10205 River Coast Dr., 646-1031 Tropico Steel Drums July 15 & 16 CORNER BISTRO, 9823 Tapestry Park Cir., 619-1931 Matt Hall every Wed.-Sat. Steve Wheeler every Fri. LATITUDE 360, 10370 Philips Hwy., 365-5555 DJ Trdmrk 5 p.m., Rusted Diamond 7 p.m. July 15. Be Easy 7:30 p.m., DJ Fellin 10:30 p.m. July 16. Darrel Rae 5 p.m., The Katz Downstairs 8:30 p.m. July 17. Boogie Freaks July 18 MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1800 Town Center Blvd., 541-1999 Charlie Walker July 16. Robbie Lit July 17 MY PLACE BAR & GRILL, 9550 Baymeadows Rd., 737-5299 RadioLove 10 p.m. July 17. Fat Cactus Mon. Live music nightly OVINTE, 10208 Buckhead Branch Dr., 900-7730 Taylor Roberts, Chris Thomas July 19 SUITE, 4880 Big Island Dr., Ste. 1, 493-9305 DJ Lu Ong July 19 WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., 634-7208 Chris Woods July 15. Daygos 10 p.m. July 17. Seize the Day 9 p.m. July 18. Shane Myers 9 p.m. July 24. Tad Jennings 9 p.m. July 25. Melissa Smith & Friends open mic every Thur. Mojo Roux Blues 7:30 p.m. every Sun. Kassyli country jam 8 p.m. every Mon. WILD WING CAFÉ, 4555 Southside Blvd., 998-9464 Chris Brinkley July 15. X-Hale July 16. Live music every Fri. & Sat. WORLD OF BEER, 9700 Deer Lake Ct., Ste. 1, 551-5929 Live music Fri. & Sat.
SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE
SHANTYTOWN, 22 W. Sixth St., 798-8222 Trees on Mars, Velocirapture, Arcadence, Letters to Pat, Tourist Traps, Mr. Never & the Scars July 19. Bloodfuckers, 187, C&CK, ANS July 20. Kid Eternity, Kevin Lawson, Connor Hickey, Charlie Shuck July 22 THREE LAYERS CAFE, 1602 Walnut St., 355-9791 RadioLove 5 p.m., Anton LaPlume 7 p.m. July 17
THE KNIFE
How many vinyl albums have you released? I’ve personally released five projects on vinyl, three of which SUNBEARS! guitarist Walter and I have cut ourselves. Walter and I got into it for purely selfish reasons. We wanted to put our music on vinyl. We wanted to be able to cut just one record if we wanted to. So we started looking into what that would take.
THE KNIFE
What is the current state of vinyl pressing? How many places are doing it these days? I think there’s only a couple handfuls of pressing plants in the States. I could maybe rattle off five from the top of my head. That being said, everyone wants vinyl now. In my experience, especially lately, SUNBEARS! has barely moved any CDs at all. It’s all been vinyl or digital. That kind of thing is translating for everyone now, too. So plants are backed up, turn-around times are reaching five months in some cases at some plants. It’s a blessing and a curse. How intense and time-consuming is the process? You have to know what you are doing. I’m not breaking a sweat or anything when I’m cutting records, but it’s not something you can just dive right into. I think Walter and I have been cutting records on our lathe here at Twin Hill Studio for two years now, and I still feel like I’m learning. It’s like that, you know. Every record I cut, I become that much more acclimated to the process. When cutting records, the process is at best in real time. I’ve heard of some people doing highspeed cuts, but that lowers your quality when you’re playing back. The best thing to do is take
your time and do the cut right. That’s how I feel, at least. Right now, I’m working on doing half-speed cuts to raise fidelity. That’s my next adventure. Is the vinyl resurgence a hipster fad, or will it find longevity? It’s definitely a hipster fad, but I’m pretty sure it will find longevity. It never really went away. I was buying vinyls of my favorite albums 15 years ago, but it was definitely harder to find. What’s your ultimate goal with this project? One of the dreams I had for this record lathe coming to Jacksonville would be that Jacksonville artists could come into the studio one morning, record two songs, and walk away with a 7-inch in hand at the end of the day. That’s what I want. Sun Records style. John E. Citrone theknife@folioweekly.com _______________________________________ For more info, go to twinhillrecords.com or email atlathe@twinhillstudio.com. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 31
At Annie Ru’s Café in San Marco, you’ll encounter friendly, smiling service and tasty, authentic soul food. Photo by Dennis Ho
DINING DIRECTORY AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH
29 SOUTH EATS, 29 S. Third St., 277-7919, 29south restaurant.com. F In historic downtown, Chef Scotty Schwartz serves traditional regional cuisine with a modern twist. $$ L Tue.-Sat.; D Mon.-Sat.; R Sun. BARBERITOS, 1519 Sadler Rd., 277-2505. 463867 S.R. 200, Ste. 5, Yulee, 321-2240, barberitos.com. F Southwestern fare; burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salsa. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BRETT’S Waterway Café, 1 S. Front St., 261-2660. F Southern hospitality, upscale waterfront spot; daily specials, fresh local seafood, aged beef. $$$ FB K L D Daily CAFÉ KARIBO, 27 N. Third St., 277-5269, cafekaribo.com. F Family-owned spot in historic building. Veggie burgers, seafood, made-from-scratch desserts. Dine in or on oak-shaded patio. Karibrew Pub next door. $$ FB K TO R, Sun.; L D Daily CHEZ LEZAN Bakery Co., 1014 Atlantic Ave., 491-4663, chezlezanbakery.com. Fresh European-style breads, pastries: croissants, muffins, cakes, pies. $ TO B R L Daily CIAO Italian Bistro, 302 Centre St., 206-4311, ciaobistroluca.com. Owners Luca and Kim Misciasci offer fine dining: veal piccata, rigatoni Bolognese, antipasto. Specialties: chicken Ciao, homemade meat lasagna. $ L Fri., Sat.; D Nightly DAVID’S Restaurant & Lounge, 802 Ash St., 310-6049, amelia islanddavids.com. Fine dining in historic district. Fresh seafood, prime aged meats, rack of lamb. $$$$ FB D Wed.-Mon. DICK’S Wings & Grill, 474313 E. S.R. 200, 491-3469. 450077 S.R. 200, Callahan, 879-0993. BOJ. SEE PONTE VEDRA. ELIZABETH POINTE Lodge, 98 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-4851, elizabethpointelodge.com. F BOJ winner. Award-winning B&B. Seaside dining, inside or out. Hot buffet breakfast daily. Homestyle soups, sandwiches, desserts. $$$ BW B L D Daily JACK & DIANE’S, 708 Centre St., 321-1444, jackanddianes cafe.com. F In renovated 1887 shotgun house. Jambalaya, French toast, mac-n-cheese, vegan/vegetarian items. Dine in or on porch. $$ FB K B L D Daily LULU’S at Thompson House, 11 S. 7th St., 432-8394, lulusamelia.com. F Po’boys, salads, local seafood, local shrimp. Reservations. $$$ BW K TO R Sun.; L D Tue.-Sat. MARCHÉ BURETTE, 6800 First Coast Hwy., 491-4834, omnihotels.com. Old-fashioned gourmet food market and deli, in the Spa & Shops, Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Continental breakfast; lunch features flatbreads. $$$ BW K TO L D Daily MOON RIVER PIZZA, 925 S. 14th St., 321-3400, moon riverpizza.net. F BOJ winner. Northern-style pizzas, 20+ toppings, by the pie or the slice. $ BW TO L D Mon.-Sat. THE MUSTARD SEED CAFÉ, 833 TJ Courson Rd., 277-3141, nassaushealthfoods.net. Casual organic eatery, juice bar, in Nassau Health Foods. All-natural organic items, smoothies, juice, herbal tea. $$ TO B L Mon.-Sat. THE PECAN ROLL Bakery, 122 S. Eighth St., 491-9815, the pecanrollbakery.com. F The bakery, near the historic district, offers sweet and savory pastries, cookies, cakes, bagels and breads, all made from scratch. $ K TO B L Wed.-Sun. THE PIG BAR-B-Q, 450102 S.R. 200, Callahan, 879-0101, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. SEE SOUTHSIDE.
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PLAE, 80 Amelia Village Cir., 277-2132, plaefl.net. Bite Club. Bistro-style venue serves whole fried fish, duck breast. Outside. $$$ FB L Tue.-Sat.; D Nightly THE SALTY PELICAN Bar & Grill, 12 N. Front St., 277-3811, thesaltypelicanamelia.com. F BOJ winner. 2nd-story outdoor bar. Owners T.J. and Al offer local seafood, Mayport shrimp, fish tacos, po’boys, cheese oysters. $$ FB K L D Daily SLIDERS Seaside Grill, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652, slidersseaside.com. F Oceanfront; handmade crab cakes, fresh seafood, fried pickles. Outdoor dining, open-air 2nd floor, balcony. $$ FB K L D Daily TASTY’S FRESH Burgers & Fries, 710 Centre St., 321-0409, tastysamelia.com. Historic district. Freshest meats, hand-cut fries, homemade sauces, hand-spun shakes. $ BW K L D Daily T-RAY’S Burger Station, 202 S. Eighth St., 261-6310. F BOJ winner. In an old gas station; blue plate specials, burgers, biscuits & gravy, shrimp. $ BW TO B L Mon.-Sat. THE VERANDAH, 6800 First Coast Hwy., 321-5050, omni hotels.com. Extensive menu of fresh local seafood and steaks; signature entrée is Fernandina shrimp. Many herbs and spices are from onsite garden. $$$ FB K D Nightly
ARLINGTON, REGENCY
DICK’S Wings, 9119 Merrill Rd., 745-9300. BOJ. SEE P. V. LARRY’S SUBS, 1301 Monument Rd., 724-5802. F SEE O.P.
AVONDALE, ORTEGA
FLORIDA CREAMERY, 3566 St. Johns Ave., 619-5386. Premium ice cream, waffle cones, milkshakes, sundaes and Nathan’s grilled hot dogs, served in a Florida-centric décor. Low-fat and sugar-free choices. $ K TO L D Daily THE FOX Restaurant, 3580 St. Johns Ave., 387-2669. F Owners Ian & Mary Chase offer fresh diner fare: burgers, meatloaf, fried green tomatoes, desserts. Breakfast all day. Local landmark for 50+ years. $$ BW K L D Daily HARPOON LOUIE’S, 4070 Herschel St., Ste. 8, 389-5631, harpoonlouies.net. F Locally owned and operated for 20+ years, the American pub serves 1/2-pound burgers, fish sandwiches, pasta. Local beers. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM, 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200. F Bite Club. BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. MOJO NO. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 3572 St. Johns Ave., 381-6670. F BOJ. SEE BEACHES. PINEGROVE Market & Deli, 1511 Pine Grove Ave., 389-8655, pinegrovemarket.com. F BOJ. 40+ years. Burgers, Cuban sandwiches, subs, wraps. Onsite butcher cuts USDA choice prime aged beef. Craft beers. $ BW TO B L D Mon.-Sat. To get your restaurant listed here, just call your account manager or Sam Taylor at 904.260.9770 ext. 111 or staylor@folioweekly.com.
DINING DIRECTORY KEY
Average Entrée Cost $ = Less than $8 $$ = $8-$14 $$$ = $15-$22 $$$$ = $23 & up BW = Beer/Wine FB = Full Bar K = Kids’ Menu TO = Take Out B = Breakfast R = Brunch L = Lunch D = Dinner Bite Club = Hosted free FW Bite Club tasting. fwbiteclub.com. 2014 Best of Jax winner F = FW distribution spot
RESTAURANT ORSAY, 3630 Park St., 381-0909, restaurant orsay.com. BOJ winner. French/Southern bistro; emphasis on locally grown organic ingredients. Steak frites, mussels, pork chops. Snail of Approval. $$$ FB K R, Sun.; D Nightly SIMPLY SARA’S, 2902 Corinthian Ave., 387-1000, simply saras.net. F Down-home fare, from scratch: eggplant fries, pimento cheese, baked chicken, fruit cobblers, chicken & dumplings, desserts. BYOB. $$ K TO L D Mon.-Sat., B Sat.
BAYMEADOWS
AKEL’S, 7825 Baymeadows Way, 733-4040. F SEE DOWNTOWN. AL’S Pizza, 8060 Philips, Ste. 105, 731-4300. F SEE BEACHES. BROADWAY Ristorante & Pizzeria, 10920 Baymeadows Rd. E., 519-8000, broadwayfl.com. F Family-owned-&operated. Wings, calzones, brick-oven-baked pizza, subs. $$ BW K TO L D Daily INDIA’S Restaurant, 9802 Baymeadows., Ste. 8, 620-0777, indiajax.com. F BOJ. Authentic cuisine, lunch buffet. A variety of curries, vegetable dishes, lamb, chicken, shrimp, fish tandoori. $$ BW L Mon.-Sat.; D Nightly LARRY’S, 3928 Baymeadows Rd., 737-7740. 8616 Baymeadows Rd., 739-2498. F SEE ORANGE PARK. NATIVE SUN Natural Foods Market & Deli, 11030 Baymeadows Rd., 260-2791. SEE MANDARIN. PATTAYA THAI Grille, 9551 Baymeadows, Ste. 1, 646-9506, ptgrille.com. Family-owned Thai place serves traditional fare, vegetarian, new-Thai; curries, seafood, noodles, soups. Low-sodium, gluten-free, too. $$$ BW TO L D Tue.-Sun. SAUSAGE PARADISE Deli & Bakery, 8602 Baymeadows Rd., 571-9817, spjax.com. F Innovative new spot offers a variety of European sausages, homestyle European dinners, smoked barbecue, stuffed cheeseburgers. $$ TO L D Mon.-Sat. THE WELL Watering Hole, 3928 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 9, 737-7740, thewellwateringhole.com. New bistro has local craft beers, wines by the glass or bottle, champagne cocktails. Meatloaf sandwiches, pulled Peruvian chicken, homestyle vegan black bean burgers. $$ BW K TO D Tue.-Sat. WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows, Ste. 135, 634-7208, whiskeyjax.com. New gastropub has craft beers, burgers, handhelds, tacos, whiskey. $$ FB L D Sat. & Sun.; D Daily. ZESTY INDIA, 8358 Point Meadows Dr., 329-3676, zesty india.com. Asian/European fare; tandoori lamb chops, rosemary tikka. Vegetarian cooked separately. $ BW TO L D Tue.-Sun.
BEACHES
(Locations are in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted.)
AL’S PIZZA, 303 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-0002, alspizza.com. F New York-style, gourmet pizzas, baked dishes. All-day happy hour Mon.-Thur. $ FB K TO L D Daily ANGIE’S SUBS, 1436 Beach Blvd., 246-2519. ANGIE’S GROM, 204 Third Ave. S., 246-7823. F BOJ winner. Subs made with fresh ingredients for more than 25 years. One word: Peruvian. Huge salads, blue-ribbon iced tea. $ BW TO L D Daily BEACHSIDE Seafood Restaurant & Market, 120 Third St. S., 444-8862, beachsideseafood.info. Full fresh seafood
DINING DIRECTORY market; baskets, fish tacos, daily fish specials, Philly cheesesteaks. Dine indoors; 2nd-floor open-air deck. $$ BW K TO L D Daily BOLD BEAN Coffee Roasters, 2400 S. Third St., Ste. 201. F BOJ winner. SEE RIVERSIDE. BREEZY Coffee Shop Café, 235 Eighth Ave. S., 241-2211, breezycoffeeshopcafe.com. Casual, family-owned. Fresh baked goods, espressos, locally roasted Costa Rican organic/Breezy Bold coffees, vegan/gluten-free options. Sandwiches, local beer, wine, mimosas. $ BW K TO R L Daily BUDDHA THAI Bistro, 301 10th Ave. N., 712-4444, buddhathaibistro.com. Proprietors are from Thailand; every authentic dish is made with fresh ingredients. $$ FB TO L D Daily CANTINA MAYA Sports Bar & Grille, 1021 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 247-3227. F Popular spot serves margaritas, Latin food, burgers. Sports on TVs. $$ FB K L D Tue.-Sun. CULHANE’S Irish Pub, 967 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 249-9595, culhanesirishpub.com. F Bite Club. Upscale pub owned and run by County Limerick sisters. Shepherd’s pie, corned beef; gastropub fare. $$ FB K R Sat. & Sun.; L Fri.-Sun.; D Tue.-Sun. ESPETO Brazilian Steakhouse, 1396 Beach Blvd., 3884884, espetosteakhouse.com. Just relocated, serving beef, pork, lamb, chicken, sausage; full menu, bar fare, craft cocktails, Brazilian beers. $$ FB D Daily EUROPEAN STREET Café, 992 Beach Blvd., 249-3001. F BOJ winner. SEE RIVERSIDE. FLYING IGUANA Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 207 Atlantic Blvd., N.B., 853-5680 F Latin American, Southwest tacos, seafood, carnitas, Cubana sandwiches. 100+ tequilas. $ FB L D Daily HARMONIOUS MONKS, 320 First St. N., 372-0815, harmoniousmonks.net. F SEE MANDARIN.
signature tuna poke bowl, fresh rolled sushi, Ensenada tacos, local fried shrimp, in modern open-air space. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SLIDERS Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar, 218 First St., N.B., 246-0881, slidersseafoodgrille.com. Popular beach-casual spot. Faves: Fresh fish tacos, gumbo. Key lime pie, ice cream sandwiches. $$ FB K L Sat. & Sun.; D Nightly SNEAKERS Sports Grille, 111 Beach Blvd., 482-1000, sneakerssportsgrille.com. BOJ winner. 20+ beers on tap, TVs, cheerleaders. Happy hour Mon.-Fri. $ FB K L D Daily SURFWICHES Sandwich Shop, 1537 Penman Rd., 241-6996, surfwiches.com. Craft sandwich shop has steaks and hoagies made to order. $ BW TO K L D Daily TACOLU BAJA MEXICANA, 1712 Beach Blvd., 249-8226, tacolu.com. BOJ winner. Fresh, Baja-style fare: fish tacos, tequila (more than 135 kinds) and mezcal. Bangin’ shrimp, carne asada, carnitas, daily fresh fish selections. Madefresh-daily guacamole. $$ FB K R Sat. & Sun.; L D Tue.-Fri.
DOWNTOWN
AKEL’S Delicatessen, 21 W. Church St., 665-7324, akelsdeli.com. F New York-style deli offers freshly made subs (3 Wise Guys, Champ), burgers, gyros, breakfast bowls, ranchero wrap, vegetarian dishes. $ K TO B L Mon.-Fri. THE CANDY APPLE Café & Cocktails, 400 N. Hogan St., 353-9717. Sandwiches, entrées, salads. $$ FB K L, Mon.; L D Tue.-Sun. CASA DORA, 108 E. Forsyth St., 356-8282. F Chef Sam Hamidi has been serving genuine Italian fare for 35+ years: veal, seafood, gourmet pizza. The homemade salad dressing is a specialty. $ BW K L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. CHOMP CHOMP, 106 E. Adams St., 762-4667. F Chefinspired street food: panko-crusted chicken, burgers, chinois tacos, bahn mi and barbecue. $ L Tue.-Sat.; D Thur.-Sat.
GRILL ME!
JENNIFER POIRER Larry’s Giant Subs, 4479 Deerwood Lake Parkway, Southside BIRTHPLACE: Orange Park
YEARS IN THE BIZ: 1
FAVORITE RESTAURANT: The Brick in Avondale BEST CUISINE STYLE: Italian GO-TO INGREDIENTS: Chicken, rice and pasta IDEAL MEAL: Chicken marsala WON’T CROSS MY LIPS: Anchovies. INSIDER’S SECRET: Offering fresh food – healthful deli meats and cheeses. CELEBRITY SIGHTING AT LARRY’S: Denard Robinson CULINARY TREAT: Dreamette’s Chocolate ice cream
LARRY’S, 657 Third St. N., 247-9620. F SEE ORANGE PARK. LILLIE’S Coffee Bar, 200 First St., N.B., 249-2922, lilliescoffeebar.com. F Locally roasted coffee, eggs, bagels, flatbreads, sandwiches, desserts. Dine inside or out, patio, courtyard. $$ BW TO B L D Daily THE LOVING CUP HASH HOUSE, 610 Third St. S., 422-0644. New place; locally sourced fare, locally roasted coffee, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, healthful dishes – no GMOs or hormones allowed. $ K TO B R L Tue.-Sun. MELLOW MUSHROOM Pizza Bakers, 1018 Third St. N., Ste. 2, 241-5600, mellowmushroom.com. F Bite Club. BOJ winner. Hoagies, gourmet pizzas: Mighty Meaty, vegetarian, Kosmic Karma. 35 tap beers. Nonstop happy hour. $ FB K TO L D Daily METRO DINER, 1534 Third St. N., 853-6817. F BOJ winner. SEE SAN MARCO. MEZZA Restaurant & Bar, 110 First St., N.B., 249-5573, mezzarestaurantandbar.com. F Near-the-ocean spot, 20+ years. Casual bistro fare: gourmet wood-fired pizzas, nightly specials. Dine inside, on patio. $$$ FB K D Mon.-Sat. MOJO KITCHEN BBQ Pit, 1500 Beach Blvd., 247-6636, mojobbq.com. F BOJ winner. Pulled pork, beef, chicken, Carolina-style barbecue, Delta fried catfi sh, sides. $$ FB K TO L D Daily M SHACK, 299 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 241-2599, mshack burgers.com. F BOJ winner. Burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes. $$ BW L D Daily NORTH BEACH Bistro, 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 6, A.B., 372-4105, nbbistro.com. F Bite Club. Chef-driven kitchen; hand-cut steaks, fresh local seafood, tapas. Happy Hour. $$$ FB K R Sun.; L D Daily OCEAN 60 Wine Bar, Martini Room, 60 Ocean Blvd., A.B., 247-0060, ocean60.com. BOJ winner. Continental cuisine, fresh seafood, dinner specials, seasonal menu in a formal dining room or casual Martini Room. $$$ FB D Mon.-Sat. POE’S TAVERN, 363 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 241-7637. Gastropub, 50+ beers, gourmet hamburgers, ground in-house, cooked to order; hand-cut French fries, fish tacos, Edgar’s Drunken Chili, daily fish sandwich special. $$ FB K L D Daily RAGTIME Tavern & Seafood Grill, 207 Atlantic Blvd., A.B., 241-7877, ragtimetavern.com. F For 30+ years, iconic seafood place has served blackened snapper, sesame tuna, Ragtime shrimp. Daily happy hour. $$ FB L D Daily SALT LIFE Food Shack, 1018 Third St. N., 372-4456, saltlifefoodshack.com. BOJ winner. Specialty items:
FIONN MacCOOL’S Irish Pub & Restaurant, Jax Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1547, fionnmacs.com. Casual dining with an uptown Irish atmosphere, serving fish and chips, Guinness lamb stew and black-and-tan brownies. $$ FB K L D Daily OLIO Market, 301 E. Bay St., 356-7100, oliomarket.com. F From-scratch soups, sandwiches. Home to duck grilled cheese, seen on Best Sandwich in America. $$ BW TO B R L Mon.-Fri. SWEET PETE’S, 1922 Pearl St., 376-7161. F All-natural sweet shop has candy made of all natural flavors, no artificial anything. Several kinds of honey. $ TO Daily ZODIAC Bar & Grill, 120 W. Adams St., 354-8283, thezodiac barandgrill.com. Mediterranean cuisine, American fare, paninis, vegetarian dishes. Daily lunch buffet. Espressos, hookahs. Happy hour Wed.-Sat. $ FB L Mon.-Fri.
FLEMING ISLAND
GRASSROOTS Natural Market, 1915 East-West Pkwy., 541-0009. F BOJ winner. SEE RIVERSIDE. MELLOW MUSHROOM Pizza Bakers, 1800 Town Center Blvd., 541-1999. F Bite Club. BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. MOJO SMOKEHOUSE, 1810 Town Center Blvd., Ste. 8, 264-0636. F BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198, whiteysfishcamp.com. F Real fish camp. Gator tail, freshwater catfish, daily specials, on Swimming Pen Creek. Tiki bar. Come by boat, bike or car. $ FB K TO L Tue.-Sun.; D Nightly YOUR PIE, 1545 C.R. 220, Ste. 125, 379-9771, yourpie.com. F Owner Mike Sims’ idea: Choose from 3 doughs, 9 sauces, 7 cheeses, 40+ toppings. 5 minutes in a brick oven and ta-da: It’s your pie. Subs, sandwiches, gelato. $$ BW K TO L D Daily
INTRACOASTAL WEST
AL’S Pizza, 14286 Beach, Ste. 31, 223-0991. F SEE BEACHES. APPLEBEE’S, 13201 Atlantic Blvd., 220-5823. SEE MANDARIN DICK’S, 14286 Beach Blvd., 223-0115. F BOJ. SEE P.V. LARRY’S, 10750 Atlantic, Ste. 14, 642-6980. F SEE O.P. OCEANA DINER, 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 3, 374-1915, oceanadiner.com. Traditional American diner fare served in a family atmosphere. $ K TO B L Daily TIME OUT Sports Grill, 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, 223-6999, timeoutsportsgrill.com. F Locally-owned-and-operated. Hand-tossed pizzas, wings, wraps. Daily drink specials, HDTVs, pool tables. Late-nite menu. $$ FB L Tue.-Sun.; D Nightly
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 33
DINING DIRECTORY JULINGTON CREEK
THE ANNEX, 1508 King St., 379-6968, annexjax.com. Adjacent to Silver Cow; serves 46 craft beers & ciders, wines. Bigscreen TVs, games. Retro candy bar. Happy hour 4-8. $$ BW D Daily. APPLEBEE’S, 8635 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 201, 771-0000. 6251 103rd St., 772-9020. 843 Lane Ave. S., 378-5445.
DICK’S Wings & Grill, 525 S.R. 16, Ste. 101, 825-4540. BOJ winner. SEE PONTE VEDRA. METRO DINER, 12807 San Jose Blvd., 638-6185. F BOJ winner. SEE SAN MARCO.
MANDARIN, NW ST. JOHNS
ORANGE PARK
ARON’S PIZZA, 650 Park Ave., 269-1007, aronspizza.com. F Family-owned restaurant has eggplant dishes, manicotti, New York-style pizzas. $$ BW K TO L D Daily DICK’S WINGS, 6055 Youngerman Cir., 778-1101. BOJ winner. SEE PONTE VEDRA. THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959, hilltop-club.com. Southern-style fine dining. New Orleans shrimp, certified Black Angus prime rib, she-crab soup, desserts. Extensive bourbon selection. $$$ FB D Tue.-Sat. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1330 Blanding Blvd., 276-7370. 1545 C.R. 220, 278-2827. 700 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 15, 272-3553. 1401 S. Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs, 284-7789, larryssubs.com. F For 30-plus years, they’ve piled ’em high and served ’em fast. Hot/cold subs, soups. $ K TO B L D Daily THE PIG BAR-B-Q, 1330 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 170, 213-9744, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. SEE SOUTHSIDE. THE ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611, roadhouseonline.net. F For 35-plus years, the rock & roll bar for locals has been serving wings, sandwiches, burgers, quesadillas; 75-plus imported beers. A large craft beer selection is also available. $ FB L D Daily SNACSHACK, 179 College Dr., Ste. 19, 682-7622, snacshack.menu. F The new bakery and café offers bagels, muffins, breads, cookies, brownies and snack treats. $$ K BW TO B, L & D Daily
PONTE VEDRA
AL’S PIZZA, 635 A1A N., 543-1494. F SEE BEACHES. DICK’S WINGS & GRILL, 100 Marketside Ave., 829-8134, dickswingsandgrill.com. F BOJ winner. NASCARthemed; 365 kinds of wings, 1/2-lb. burgers, ribs. $ FB K TO L D Daily LARRY’S SUBS, 830 A1A N., 273-3993. F SEE ORANGE PARK. PUSSER’S BAR & GRILLE, 816 A1A N., Ste. 100, 280-7766, pussersusa.com. F BOJ winner. Bite Club. Caribbean cuisine, regional faves: Jamaican grilled pork ribs, Trinidad smoked duck, lobster macaroni & cheese dinner. Tropical drinks. $$ FB K TO L D Daily RESTAURANT MEDURE, 818 A1A N., 543-3797, restaurant medure.us. Chef David Medure offers global flavors. Small plates, creative drinks, happy hour. $$$ FB D Mon.-Sat.
RIVERSIDE, 5 POINTS, WESTSIDE
13 GYPSIES, 887 Stockton St., 389-0330, 13gypsies. com. BOJ winner. Authentic Mediterranean peasant cuisine updated for American tastes; tapas, blackened octopus, risotto of the day, coconut mango curry chicken. $$ BW L D Tue.-Sat. AKEL’S DELICATESSEN, 245 Riverside Ave., 791-3336. F SEE DOWNTOWN.
AL’S PIZZA, 1620 Margaret St., 388-8384. F SEE BEACHES.
34 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
BLACK SHEEP Restaurant, 1534 Oak St., 355-3793, black sheep5points.com. New American with a Southern twist; locally sourced ingredients. Rooftop bar. $$$ FB R Sat. & Sun.; L D Daily BOLD BEAN Coffee Roasters, 869 Stockton St., Stes. 1 & 2, 855-1181. BOJ winner. F Small-batch, artisanal coffee roasting. Organic, fair trade. $ BW TO B L Daily
photo by Rebecca Gibson
ZETA BREWING COMPANY makes “fusion” elementary
BITE-SIZED
AKEL’S Delicatessen, 12926 Gran Bay Pkwy. W., 880-2008. F SEE DOWNTOWN. AL’S Pizza, 11190 San Jose Blvd., 260-4115. F SEE BEACHES. APPLEBEE’S, 14560 St. Augustine Rd., 262-7605, apple bees.com. Completely remodeled in the area – new look, new appetizers (half-price after 10 p.m.) Most are open until midnight or later. $$ FB K TO L D Daily ATHENS CAFÉ, 6271 St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 7, 733-1199. F Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), baby shoes (stuffed eggplant). Greek beers. $$ BW L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. BROOKLYN PIZZA, 11406 San Jose, Ste. 3, 288-9211. 13820 St. Augustine Rd., 880-0020. Brooklyn Special. Calzones, white pizza, homestyle lasagna. $$ BW TO L D Daily THE COFFEE BARD, 9735 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 13, 260-0810, thecoffeebard.com. New world coffeehouse has coffees, breakfast, drinks. $$ TO B L D Tue.-Sun. DICK’S WINGS, 10391 Old St. Augustine, 880-7087. F BOJ winner. SEE PONTE VEDRA. GIGI’S RESTAURANT, 3130 Hartley Rd., 694-4300, jaxra mada.com. In Ramada. Prime rib, crab leg buffet Fri. & Sat., blue-jean brunch Sun., daily buffets. $$$ FB B R L D Daily HARMONIOUS MONKS, 10550 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 30, 880-3040, harmoniousmonks.net. F American steakhouse: Angus steaks, burgers, ribs, wraps. $$ FB K L D Mon.-Sat. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 11365 San Jose Blvd., 674-2945. F SEE ORANGE PARK. NATIVE SUN Natural Foods Market & Deli, 10000 San Jose Blvd., 260-6950, nativesunjax.com. F Organic soups, sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, prepared foods. Juice, smoothie and coffee bar. All-natural, organic beers, wines. Indoor, outdoor dining. $ BW TO K B L D Daily THE PIG Bar-B-Q, 14985 Old St. Augustine Rd., Ste. 108, 374-0393, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. SEE SOUTHSIDE. WHOLE FOODS Market, 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 22, 288-1100, wholefoodsmarket.com. F Prepared-food department, 80+ items, full-service/self-serve hot bar, salad/soup/dessert bar, pizza, sushi, sandwich stations. $$ BW TO L D Daily
SEE MANDARIN.
BREW FIVE POINTS, 1024 Park St., 714-3402, brewfive points.com. F Local craft beer, espresso, coffee and wine bar. Rotating drafts, 75+ canned craft beers; sodas, tea. Rotating seasonal menu of waffles, pastries, toasts, desserts to pair with specialty coffees, craft beers. $$ BW K B L Daily CORNER TACO, 818 Post St., 240-0412, cornertaco.com. Made-from-scratch “Mexclectic street food,” tacos, nachos, gluten-free, vegetarian options. $ BW L D Daily. DERBY ON PARK, 1068 Park St., 379-3343. New American cuisine, upscale retro atmosphere in historic landmark building. Shrimp & grits, lobster bites, 10-oz. gourmet burger. Dine inside or out. $$ FB TO Weekend brunch. B, L D Tue.-Sun. DICK’S Wings & Grill, 5972 San Juan Ave., 693-9258. BOJ
BEER FUSION
alone at Zeta – the pretzels by themselves were IN CITIES ACROSS AMERICA, THE CRAFT beer scene has been fermenting now for years, each enough to keep me licking my fingers. The beer region providing its respective locals with its own cheese dip was, naturally, made with Zeta’s craft unique variety of beer options. Northeast Florida beer, and only made the pretzel sticks better. is no different. And as the first wave of local So, how about that beer? I couldn’t leave a breweries moves from infancy to adolescence, brewery without trying at least one, so I ordered there is bound to be more variety on the horizon. two. Oliver, our helpful waiter, suggested Zeta’s ZETA BREWING COMPANY is at the corner Power to the Porter and American Garage, a of First Avenue North and Second Street, a short brown porter and an IPA. Power to the Porter had delicious coffee and chocolate notes that bike ride from anywhere in Jax Beach. The brewery and foodery often hosts live music and, made it hard not to gulp. American Garage was smooth for an IPA, absent the bitter, hoppy when coupled with the giant bar that takes up intensity I’ve experienced with many IPAs. most of the center, one can imagine its alter Zeta’s entrées proved ego as a weekend hotspot. that this brewery is wise Zeta has been filling ZETA BREWING about much more than just hungry stomachs for more COMPANY beer. The specialty Zeta than two years, but the shift 131 First Ave. N., Jax Beach, Total Carne pizza ($12) was, to brewing happened just last 372-0727, zetabrewing.com as the name hinted, totally year, thanks to brewmaster meaty, with bacon, chorizo, Chris Prevatt. Beer is the pepperoni, ground beef, and name of the game for Prevatt, Italian sausage. Best of all, the dough also had a former chef who’s now a brewmaster. spent beer grains. On one side of the restaurant, the cogs of The cavatappi and bratwurst pasta ($13) the brewery itself are visible through glass was creamy and savory, with local sausage, windows. I chose a seat on the patio, which tomato, basil, and garlic in a Creole sauce. Next, gives diners a view of beachgoers and the I ordered a beef tenderloin taco ($3.50) with impending apocalypse that is a summer horseradish. Unfortunately, there was no beer thunderstorm. The patio has a more rustic feel infusion with the pasta and taco, but the dishes than its beachy exterior would suggest, with a were fabulous enough I didn’t miss it. wood-beamed ceiling and minty-hued walls. This satisfying meal culminated in bread At Zeta, diners have the option to pudding ($5) made with Zeta’s Ruby Beach incorporate beer into every aspect of their raspberry wheat ale. This bowl of warm meal, which is exactly what I did. First came gooeyness was topped with pieces of bacon the hummus ($7). “Beer-flavored hummus?” and ... wait for it ... caramel bourbon cream you’re thinking. Think again. Zeta found a way sauce. Beer, bacon, bourbon, and bread, all in to reuse beer grains and, as a result, created the best starter hummus I’ve had. The hummus one dish? Yes. I’ll be honest – the word “beer” doesn’t fill was piled around Zeta’s spent-beer-grain me with the same giddiness as it does others. tabbouleh, and served with pesto flatbread pita Still, I felt right at home, what with Oliver’s help chips. The mildly flavored hummus was subtle and the salty breeze from the open window. enough to allow the spicy tabbouleh to be the Zeta’s versatile menu ensures that, beer-lover hero of the dish. or hardened cynic, any diner can be satisfi ed. Next on the beer-food menu was beer Rebecca Gibson cheese dip, accompanied by soft, salty, and mail@folioweekly.com buttery pretzel sticks ($5). One can live on bread
BITE SIZED
DINING DIRECTORY winner. SEE PONTE VEDRA. EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 2753 Park St., 384-9999. BOJ winner. 130+ import beers, 20 on tap. NYC-style Reuben, sandwiches. Outside dining at some. $ BW K L D Daily GRASSROOTS Natural Market, 2007 Park St., 384-4474, thegrassrootsmarket.com. BOJ winner. F Juice bar; certified organic fruits, vegetables. 300+ craft/import beers, 50 wines, produce, humanely raised meats, deli, raw items, vegan, vitamins, herbs. Wraps, sandwiches. $ BW TO B L D Daily HAWKERS Asian Street Fare, 1001 Park St., 508-0342, hawkerstreetfare.com. BOJ winner. Authentic dishes from mobile stalls. $ BW TO L D Daily JOHNNY’S Deli & Grille, 474 Riverside Ave., 356-8055. F Casual spot; sandwiches, classic salads, homefries. One word: Reuben. $ TO B L Daily KNEAD BAKESHOP, 1173 Edgewood Ave. S. Locally-owned, family-run; made-from-scratch pastries, artisan breads, pies, specialty sandwiches, soups. $ TO B L Tue.-Sun. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1509 Margaret St., 674-2794. 7895 Normandy Blvd., 781-7600. 8102 Blanding Blvd., 779-1933. F SEE ORANGE PARK. METRO DINER, 4495 Roosevelt Blvd., 999-4600. F BOJ winner. SEE SAN MARCO. MONROE’S Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, 4838 Highway Ave., 389-5551, monroessmokehousebbq.com. Wings, pulled pork, brisket, turkey, chicken, ribs. Sides: beans, baked beans, mac-n-cheese, collards. $$ K TO L Mon.-Sat.; D Fri. MOON RIVER PIZZA, 1176 Edgewood Ave. S., 389-4442. F BOJ winner. SEE AMELIA ISLAND. MOSSFIRE GRILL, 1537 Margaret St., 355-4434, mossfire. com. F Southwestern fish tacos, enchiladas. Happy hour Mon.-Sat. upstairs lounge, all day Sun. $$ FB K L D Daily O’BROTHERS Irish Pub, 1521 Margaret St., 854-9300, obrothersirishpub.com. F Traditional shepherd’s pie with Stilton crust, Guinness mac-n-cheese, fish-n-chips. Patio dining. $$ FB K TO L D Daily THE PIG BAR-B-Q, 5456 Normandy Blvd., 783-1606, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. SEE SOUTHSIDE. RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969. Bar food. $ D SILVER COW, 1506 King St., 379-6968, silvercowjax. com. Laid-back, cozy, subdued spot serves craft beers, wines. Nightly specials. Happy hour 4-7. The full menu is ever-expanding. $$ BW L D Daily. SOUTHERN ROOTS Filling Station, 1275 King St., 513-4726, southernrootsjax.com. Healthy, light vegan fare made fresh daily with local, organic ingredients. Specials, served on bread, local greens or rice, change daily. Coffees, teas. $ Tue.-Sun. SUSHI CAFÉ, 2025 Riverside, Ste. 204, 384-2888, sushicafejacksonville.com. F Sushi variety: Monster Roll, Jimmy Smith Roll; faves Rock-n-Roll, Dynamite Roll. Hibachi, tempura, katsu, teriyaki. Indoor or patio. $$ BW L D Daily
ST. AUGUSTINE
AL’S PIZZA, 1 St. George St., 824-4383. F SEE BEACHES. APPLEBEE’S, 225 S.R. 312, 825-4099. SEE MANDARIN. AVILES, 32 Avenida Menendez, 829-2277 F In Hilton Inn Bayfront. Progressive European menu; made-to-order pasta night, chophouse nights, breakfast buffet. Sun. champagne brunch, bottomless mimosas. $$$ FB K B L D Daily BARLEY REPUBLIC, 48 Spanish St., 547-2023, barley republicph.com. Old City’s only Irish gastropub in historic area has fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, lambburger, craft beers and spirits. $$ FB K TO L D Daily CANDLELIGHT SOUTH, 1 Anastasia Blvd., 819-0588. Casual spot offers fish tacos, sandwiches, wings, desserts, sangria, daily specials. $ BW K TO L D Daily THE FLORIDIAN, 39 Cordova St., 829-0655, thefloridian staug.com. Updated Southern fare, fresh ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten-free. Fried green tomatobruschetta, grits with shrimp, fish or tofu. $$$ BW K TO L D Wed.-Mon. GYPSY CAB COMPANY, 828 Anastasia Blvd., 824-8244, gypsycab.com. F Local mainstay for more than 25 years. The varied menu changes twice daily. Signature dish: Gypsy chicken. Seafood, tofu, duck, veal. Sun. brunch. $$ FB R Sun.; L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM, 410 Anastasia Blvd., 826-4040. F Bite Club. BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. METRO DINER, 1000 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., 758-3323. F BOJ winner. SEE SAN MARCO. MOJO OLD CITY BBQ, 5 Cordova, 342-5264. F BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. SALT LIFE Food Shack, 321 A1A Beach Blvd., 217-3256, saltlifefoodshack.com. BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES.
ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER
APPLEBEE’S, 4507 Town Center Pkwy., 645-3590. SEE MANDARIN.
BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE, 4910 Big Island Dr., 807-9960. Upscale Northern Italian fare, wood-grilled and oven-roasted steaks, chops, seafood. Dine indoors or al fresco on the terrace. $$$ FB K TO R Sat. & Sun.; L D Daily M SHACK, 10281 Midtown Pkwy., 642-5000, mshack burgers.com. F BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. OVINTE, 10208 Buckhead Branch Dr., 900-7730, ovinte. com. European-style dining influenced by Italy, Spain and the Mediterranean. Small plates, entrée-size portions, selections from the cheese a charcuterie menu. $$$ BW TO R D Daily
SAN MARCO, SOUTHBANK
BASIL THAI & BAR, 1004 Hendricks Ave., 674-0190, basilthaijax.com. F Authentic Thai dishes include Pad Thai,
a variety of curries, tempuras, vegetarian dishes, seafood, stir-fry and daily specials. $$ FB L D Mon.-Sat. BISTRO AIX, 1440 San Marco Blvd., 398-1949, bistrox. com. F Mediterranean and French inspired cuisine includes steak frites, oak-fired pizza and a new raw bar with seasonal selections. $$$ FB TO L D Daily DICK’S, 1610 University Blvd. W., 448-2110. BOJ. SEE P.V. EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 1704 San Marco Blvd., 398-9500. BOJ winner. SEE RIVERSIDE. $ BW K L D Daily FUSION SUSHI, 1550 University Blvd. W., 636-8688, fusionsushijax.com. F Upscale sushi spot serves a variety of fresh sushi, sashimi, hibachi, teriyaki, kiatsu. $$ K L D Daily THE GROTTO Wine & Tapas Bar, 2012 San Marco Blvd., 398-0726. F Artisanal cheese plates, empanadas, bruschetta, cheesecake. 60+ wines by the glass. $$$ BW Tue.-Sun. HAMBURGER MARY’S Bar & Grille, 3333 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1, 551-2048, hamburgermarys.com. F Wings, sammies, nachos, entrées, specialty drinks, burgers. $$ K TO FB L D Daily KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO, 1402 San Marco Blvd., 396-2344, kitchenonsanmarco.com. New gastropub has local and national craft beers, specialty cocktails and a seasonal menu focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cuisine. Now serving Sunday brunch. $$ FB L D Daily MEZZE Bar & Grill, 2016 Hendricks Ave., 683-0693, mezzejax.com. Classic cocktails, fresh basil martinis, 35 draft beers, local/craft brews, Mediterranean cuisine. Hookah patio. Happy hour. $$ FB D Daily MATTHEW’S, 2107 Hendricks Ave., 396-9922, matthews restaurant.com. Chef Matthew Medure’s flagship. Fine dining, artfully presented cuisine, small plates, martini/wine lists. Happy hour Mon.-Fri. Reservations. $$$$ FB D Mon.-Sat. METRO DINER, 3302 Hendricks Ave., 398-3701, metrodiner.com. F BOJ winner. Original upscale diner. Meatloaf, chicken pot pie, soups. $$ B R L Daily MOJO BAR-B-QUE, 1607 University Blvd. W., 732-7200. F BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. PIZZA PALACE, 1959 San Marco Ave., 399-8815, pizzapalacejax.com. F Family-owned; homestyle faves: spinach pizza, chicken spinach calzones, lasagna. Outside dining. $$ BW K TO L D Daily TAVERNA, 1986 San Marco Ave., 398-3005, taverna sanmarco.com. Chef Sam Efron’s authentic Italian; local produce, meats. Craft beers, handcrafted cocktails. $$$ FB K TO R L D Daily
SOUTHSIDE, TINSELTOWN
360° GRILLE, LATITUDE 360, 10370 Philips Hwy., 365-5555, latitude360.com. F Popular place serves seafood, steaks, burgers, chicken, sandwiches, pizza. Patio, movie theater. $$ FB TO L D Daily AKEL’S DELICATESSEN, 7077 Bonneval Rd., 332-8700. F SEE DOWNTOWN.
ALHAMBRA Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., 641-1212, alhambrajax.com. USA’s longest-running dinner theater; Chef DeJuan Roy’s themed menus. Reservations. $$ FB D Tue.-Sun. APPLEBEE’S, 5055 JTB Blvd., 296-6895. SEE MANDARIN. BARBERITOS, 4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., Ste. 106, 807-9060. F SEE AMELIA ISLAND. DANCIN DRAGON, 9041 Southside Blvd., Ste. 138D, 363-9888. BOGO lunches, Asian fusion menu. $$ FB K L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & Grill, 10750 Atlantic Blvd., 619-0954. BOJ winner. SEE PONTE VEDRA. THE DIM SUM ROOM, 9041 Southside Blvd., Ste. 138D, 363-9888, thedimsumroom.com. Shrimp dumplings, beef tripe, sesame ball. Traditional Hong Kong noodles, barbecue. $ FB K L D Daily EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 5500 Beach Blvd., 398-1717. BOJ winner. SEE RIVERSIDE. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 3611 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., 641-6499. 4479 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., 425-4060. F SEE ORANGE PARK.
MELLOW MUSHROOM, 9734 Deer Lake Ct., 997-1955. F Bite Club. BOJ winner. SEE BEACHES. MONROE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR B-Q, 10771 Beach Blvd., 996-7900, monroessmokehousebbq.com. SEE RIVERSIDE. THE PIG BAR-B-Q, 11925 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, 619-0321, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. Popular fourth-generation barbecue place, family-owned for 60+ years. The signature item is mustard-based “pig sauce.” $ BW K TO B, L D Daily TAVERNA YAMAS, 9753 Deer Lake Ct., 854-0426, tavernayamas.com. F Bite Club. Char-broiled kabobs, seafood, wines, desserts. Belly dancing. $$ FB K L D Daily TOMMY’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA, 4160 Southside Blvd., Ste. 2, 565-1999, tbopizza.com. F New York-style thin crust, brick-oven-baked pizzas (gluten-free), calzones, sandwiches. Boylan’s soda. Curbside pick-up. $$ BW TO L D Mon.-Sat. THE VISCONDE’S Argentinian Grill, 11925 Beach Blvd., Ste. 201, 379-3925. The area’s only Argentinian place. Traditional steaks, varieties of sausages, pasta, sandwiches, empañadas, wines. $$$ BW TO L D Tue.-Sun.
SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE
HOLA Mexican Restaurant, 1001 N. Main St., 356-3100, holamexicanrestaurant.com. F Fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, daily specials. Happy hour; sangria. $ BW K TO L D Mon.-Sat. LARRY’S, 12001 Lem Turner Rd., 764-9999. SEE O.PARK. THE PIG BAR-B-Q, 9760 Lem Turner Rd., 765-4336, thepigbarbq.com. Bite Club. SEE SOUTHSIDE.
FREEWILL ASTROLOGY
REBEL WILSON, DR. SEUSS, OVERSET NICKI MINAJ & SOUL WRANGLING ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Stop Making Sense” was the name of the 1980s film and music soundtrack produced by Talking Heads, and now it’s the central theme of your horoscope. Your brain would benefit from a thorough washing. Scour it clean of all the dust, cobwebs and muck that have accumulated since its last scrub a few months ago. One of the best ways to launch this healing purge is to flood all the neural pathways with a firehose-surge of absurdity, jokes, and silliness. As the wise physician of the soul Dr. Seuss said, “I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells.” TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When you read a book with footnotes, you tend to regard them as being of secondary importance. Though they may add color to the text’s main messages, you can probably skip them without losing much meaning. According to my astrological omen-analysis, footnotes carry crucial information important to know in the days ahead, both metaphorically as you live your life and as in the literal act of reading books. Pay close attention to afterthoughts, digressions, and asides. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The English word “quiddity” has two contrary definitions. It can refer to a trivial quibble, or the essential nature of a thing – the quality that makes it unique. In the weeks ahead, you’ll get several invitations to engage with both kinds of quiddities. Your first task? Cultivate an acute ability to know which is which. The second? Be relentless in avoiding trivial quibbles as you home in on the essential nature of things. CANCER (June 21-July 22): “A poet must not cross an interval with a step when he can cross it with a leap.” That’s an English translation of an aphorism written by French author Joseph Joubert. Another way to say it, still meaning the same thing, might be, “A smart person isn’t drab and plodding as she bridges a gap, but does it with high style and brisk delight.” Another alternative: “An imaginative soul isn’t predictable as she travels over and around obstacles, but calls on creative magic to fuel her ingenious liberations.” Use these during upcoming adventures. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): July’s barely half-over, but your recent scrapes with cosmic law have already earned you the title of “The Most Lyrically Tormented Struggler of the Month.” Another few days of this productive mayhem and you may be eligible for the Guinness Book of World Records. You could even be chosen as “The Soul Wrangler with the Craziest Wisdom” or “The Mythic Hero with the Most Gorgeous Psychospiritual Wounds.” Or you could just walk away from it all. Even if you’re tempted to stick around and see how much more entertaining chaos you can overcome, it may be better not to. You’ve done enough impossible work for now. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): ““People who have their feet planted too fi rmly on the ground have diffi culty getting their pants off,” said author Richard Kehl. That’s good advice for you in the coming weeks. To attract the help and resources you need, you can’t afford to be overly prim or proper. You should, in fact, be willing to put yourself in situations where it would be easy and natural to remove your pants, throw off your inhibitions, and dare to be surprising. If you’re addicted to business-as-usual, you may miss opportunities to engage in therapeutic play and healing pleasure.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “A failure is a person who has blundered but is not able to cash in on the experience,” wrote American author Elbert Hubbard. In light of this, you’re likely to achieve at least one resounding success in the weeks ahead. At this juncture in your destiny, you know just how to convert a past mistake into a future triumph. A gaffe that once upon a time brought anguish or woe will deliver fully ripened teaching, letting you claim powerful joy or joyful power. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Mary Ruefle describes reading books as “a great extension of time, a way for one person to live a thousand and one lives in a single lifespan.” Are there other ways to do that? Watching films and plays and TV shows, of course. You can also listen to and empathize with people as they tell you their adventures. Or you can simply use your imagination to visualize what life is like for others. However you pursue this expansive pleasure, Scorpio, I highly recommend it. You are set up to absorb the equivalent of many years’ experience in a few short weeks. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian rapper Nicki Minaj goes after what she wants. She told Cosmopolitan she’s “high-maintenance in bed.” When she has a sexual encounter, she demands to have an orgasm. In accordance with the current astrological omens, follow her lead – not just during erotic adventures, but everywhere else, too. Ask for what you want, preferably with enough adroitness to obtain what you want. Keep in mind: To get exactly what you want, you must know exactly what you want. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): College basketball player Mark Snow told reporters “Strength is my biggest weakness.” Not interested in what he meant – just want to hijack it to recommend it as your meditation in the weeks ahead. What ways might your strength temporarily be a weakness? If you rely too much on power you already have and skills you’ve already mastered, you may miss important clues about what to learn. The most valuable lessons ahead could occur as you practice humility, innocence and receptivity. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler says to Scarlett O’Hara: “I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken – and I’d rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.” Your oracle for the near future? Adopt an approach that’s the exact opposite of Rhett’s. Patiently gather broken fragments and glue them together. The result will be better than new. The mended version will be superior to the original. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Australian actress Rebel Wilson has been in several successful movies, like Bridesmaids, Bachelorette, and Pitch Perfect. But she didn’t start out to be a film star. Mathematics was her main interest. Then, while serving as a youth ambassador in South Africa at 18, she contracted malaria. At the height of her sickness, she hallucinated that she’d one day be “a really good actress who also won an Oscar.” The visions were so vivid, she decided to shift her career path. You’ll soon experience a version of her epiphany. During a less-thanspectacular phase, you may get a glimpse of an intriguing future possibility.
Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 35
Overset for the web
IT PAYS TO FAIL The enormous compensation CEOs of large corporations get is partly justified by their bringing prosperity to shareholders, but last year (a great one for most investors), two of the nation’s best-paid chief executives “earned” big raises despite presiding over losses: Philippe Dauman of Viacom Inc. (paid $44.3 million, stock lost 6.6 percent) and Jeffrey Immelt of General Electric (an 88 percent raise to $37.3 million, stock lost 6.7 percent). Transocean CEO Steven Newman earned only $14.2 million, according to a June Wall Street Journal report, but that was a 2.2 percent boost — for stewardship resulting in one of 2014’s biggest flops — Transocean’s 59.9 percent loss for its shareholders.
NEATEST CAR TRICKS OF THE MONTH In June, a 79-year-old woman in Markgroeningen, Germany, hit a ditch coming down a hill and flipped through a wall into the second floor of a storage depot, resulting in only minor injuries. In May, a woman going 100mph on a freeway near Leicester, England, lost control of her car, which somehow wound up in a tree about 20 feet above the roadway. She and a passenger climbed down and walked away. And in July, a car speeding over a ramp sailed off a road in Durban, South Africa, crashing back-end-first through the roof of a one-story house, resting with the front end pointing straight up. Neither driver nor resident was hurt. ONE FLAW IN THE GAME PLAN YOUNG Gary Elliott,HELLO, 19, was arrested shortly after LOVERS (aka ISU writers)! someone ripped in the ceiling of Al’s The limit fora hole ISU notices is 40 words ONLY. No messages with more than Army Navy store in Orlando, Florida, and — keep your message short & sweet. Thanks! 40 words will be accepted. Please expertly shimmying down a rope, then back up —And maderemember: off with aboutNo 70 names, guns in a addresses, bag. phone numbers or email addresses “It must be Spider-Man,” wasused proprietor Neal – unless want to connect! will ever be or shared Crasnow’s first thought. However, minutes after ARLINGTON PUBLIX: BIGcame BROTHER COMPARIN’ TATTOOS AT DUNKIN’ DONUTS? the burglary, Elliott to a police officer’s You: Purple shorts, brown hair, white T-shirt, the walking Me: Too shy to talk further; noticed your foot tattoo; attention on thelonger street, bleeding, carrying around with— little brother. When:away July 1.on Where: Arlington complimented it. You: Petite, cute in adorable summer large bag and pedaling his “getaway” River Publix. #1534-0708 dress! Mentioning tat, seeing that smile made my day! vehicle, which was a genuine tricycle (yes — Wanna stay, chat a bit? When: May 26. Where: Dunkin’ three wheels!). DOING IT YOURSELF Donuts, U.S. 1 & JTB. #1522-0603
you
Saw you at the sweat fest at Shantytown Wednesday performing/dirty rapping. You have an amazing presence. You: hair, Tecate, denim. Me: Red T-shirt, High Life, NOWGreen THAT’S SERVICE glasses. you’d neverpolice seen yourself in the In May,You at mentioned the very moment in Akron, ISawUs. When: July 1.(with Where:a Shantytown. #1533-0708 Ohio, had begun warrant) searching the
home of Andrew Palmer, 46, for evidence of
JOE ADAMS BLDG. ELEVATOR TOGETHER drug-dealing, a UPS driver appeared at thedress, door You: Totally beautiful, sweet girl. Awesome business to makeMe: a routine delivery — 5’11”. of four nametag. Handsome, dark hair, Youpounds about myof marijuana. day. I was late for doctor appt.; got off 2nd fl oor. You went up. Love to meet you. When: June 17, 3:45 p.m.Shepherd Where: Joe Chuck Adams Bldg. #1532-0708 weirdnews@earthlink.net
I CAN’T WEIGHT Me: Tall, blonde and flirtatious. You: Handsome and muscular. You were working on your fitness and I was your witness. Maybe we should get sweaty together? ;) When: April 20. Where: Retro Fitness. #1521-0527 UNFORGETTABLE I pay great attention to small things, I feel so blessed that you were in my presences. Did you come back just to see me? I hope so, ’cause I love seeing you. In any color white, blue, coral … When: May 11. Where: Parked. #1520-0520
LONG-HAIRED BEAUTIFUL BREW BARISTA You: Coffeemaster behind bar. Me: Shy, brown-haired guy on laptop. ISU pulling shots, serving beer, grinding coffee with a beautiful smile on your face. Hoping we can do some grinding of our own soon. When: June 25. Where: BREW 5 Points. #1531-0701
VOTE FOR ME You: Widespread Panic shirt. You said you may actually vote Republican if Billary gets nomination. Wanted to speak more, but you had to get home to dogs and pet pigeon. Let’s get naughty in voting booth! ;). When: May 7. Where: McDonald’s. #1519-0513
BREAKFAST MAN I’ve seen you: Big, strong-looking guy, glasses, low cut, walking with co-workers to Scotties downtown and Skyway. Me: 6’5” blonde-haired guy diggin’ you. Let’s buy lotto tickets together. Winner chicken dinner! When: June 15. Where: Downtown Jax. #1530-0624
VILANO PUBLIX; PULLED GROIN MUSCLE! Produce/dairy around 8 a.m. You live St. Augustine, injured groin surfing Puerto Rico. Left, came back; so flustered talking you forgot eggs. You: PT, work, fishing, watch fi ght. Me: to beach. Should’ve given my number! When: May 2. Where: Vilano Beach Publix. #1518-0506
K____ , NAS PHARMACY Blond hair in bun, glasses, white suit, turquoise top. We talked in line, parking lot. You: Had very bad day; drive black Sorrento. Want to make sure you’re OK. Me: Gym gear, red pickup truck. When: June 15. Where: NAS Pharmacy. #1529-0624 FUN IN THE SUN You: Getting out of pool; put on loud orange shirt. Flag tattoo. Started reading Harlan Coben novel. Me: Tan in black two-piece trying to get your attention. Hope to see you again. Let’s skinny dip? When: June 6. Where: Green Tree Place. #1528-0617 DRIVE BY I saw Clark Kent in the parking lot. Me: Driving by. You: Walking to your car; you’re really super-looking. I bet you get that a lot, though. When: June 5. Where: Bailey’s Gym. #1527-0617 BREATHLESS AT BIG LOTS You: Beautiful, short hair, coral outfit, buying plastic bins, in Mini-Cooper. Me: Tall guy, striped polo, khakis. Let you ahead; bought pens to write number for you; you left soon. Needed coral party item, never expected perfect coral. When: 2 p.m. June 4. Where: Merrill Road Big Lots. #1525-0610 STUNNING FRECKLED REDHEAD; BE MY MODEL? My jaw dropped! Your stunning looks, beautiful skin are amazing! Didn’t have business card with me; would you consider modeling for a photo shoot? Your schedule, preference. Let me build your portfolio! When: May 11. Where: Town Center Publix. #1525-0610 TAG YOU’RE IT Me: Brunette, maroon Jeep. You: Smokin’ hottie in the white Nissan truck. Playing cat and mouse over the Intracoastal. Catch me if you can ;). When: May 30. Where: Beach Boulevard Bridge. #1524-0603 SEXY BLONDE, BOSTON CONCERT You: Very sexy, Sect. 101, Row I, with cute friend, “dates.” We took selfies together; chemistry unmistakable. Me: Sect. 101, Row K; mature gent; a lot more fun than your date. Sealed with a kiss. When: May 24. Where: St. Augustine Amphitheatre. #1523-0603
36 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
MR. MATRIX You: Dorky in a really sexy way. Me: Drew Barrymore look-alike. Stopped at your booth and heard you say you originally came up with the idea for “The Matrix.” You can give me your red or blue pill anytime, stud! When: April 10. Where: One Spark. #1517-0415 JUICE BAR BABE You: Incredibly cute girl working juice bar. Braided blonde hair, nose ring. Your favorite is Pineapple Julius. Me: Suave, long-haired Adonis, right arm tattoo, sees you from afar, often there. Let’s meet, talk about more you like. When: April 3. Where: Baymeadows Native Sun. #1516-0408 ENDLESS LOVE You: Handsome, buff, bald man, best smile, driving ivory Cadillac. Me: Short, long hair, blue-eyed girl who works your conversions; my heart melts when I see you. Let’s meet so I can convert you over to a real woman! When: March 4. Where: Baymeadows business. #1515-0408 SMILE’S FOREVER, HOWEVER Bumped into me, Underbelly’s bar, Art Walk. Dark hair, brilliant smile. Taking hygienist work home with you? Talked about smiles, other thing. I’ll make other thing last. You left with friends; didn’t get number. Let’s make smiles! When: April 1. Where: Underbelly. #1514-0408 BEAUTIFUL SOCCER HOOLIGAN You: Blonde, glasses, ripped rolled-up jeans, yellow sweater, Armada scarf, temp cheek tattoo. Me: Dark hair, glasses, full sleeves. You behind me, half-time refreshment line. We smiled in section 141 top. Let’s sit side-by-side. When: March 28. Where: EverBank Field. #1513-0401 HAITIAN GENTLEMAN IN PINK Mr. I make airplanes crank for a living. Ms. Blonde alone on corner reading Folio Weekly ISU impatiently waiting; meanwhile collecting the worst pick-up lines. White boy was smooth; you, however, have my attention. When: March 28. Where: Outside De Real Ting. #1512-0401
HOLD ME, THRILL ME … UH … NEVER MIND The Japanese report a decline of intimacy (for instance, a recent estimate found about a quarter of 30-year-olds had never had sex with another person) — convenient for a Kyoto research institute’s announcement in June that it had developed a huggable, human-sized, featureless pillow (resembling Casper the Friendly Ghost), with skin-like texture, as an embraceable intimacy substitute. For those who had actual lovers, the “Hugvie” (retailing for $80) has a mouth slot for a cellphone to enable running sweet talk with a remote “companion.” I AIN’T NO DAMN SURFER BOY! Scotty and Beverly Franklin of Springfield, Missouri, are trying to tempt cowboys to wear leather boots retrofitted to open-toed sandals. KHOU-TV (Houston) reported the Franklins will sandal-up your favorite pair of shitkickers for $75. THINK ABOUT IT, DUMBASS One of 2015’s more reviled consumer products is a gun-shaped iPhone case, which so alarms police that it suddenly in early July became hard to find, even at the online Japan Trend Shop, which previously offered models from $5 to $49. Asked one officer, “Why would you want to make yourself look like a threat [to cops]?” LIKE FATHER, NOT LIKE SON In a recent BBC documentary, the son of renowned cosmologist Stephen Hawking (Tim, now 36) revealed his dad is “hugely competitive” and showed him “no compassion at all” when he was growing up. Tim said two of his few avenues of coping with such a famous, oblivious father were when he used to race around in his dad’s specialized (and expensive) wheelchair (pretending it was a go-kart) and, for those
deliciously awkward moments, adding cuss words to his father’s synthesized speech software.
NOW THAT’S TOLERANCE LIKE JESUS TAUGHT In a June YouTube video reported by various news sites, Tempe, Arizona, pastor Steven Anderson (Faithful Word Baptist Church) prayed for God to “rip out the heart” of Caitlyn Jenner, for whom Anderson expresses “a perfect hatred” for announcing she was no longer Bruce. YEAH, THAT’S COMFORTING On his 700 Club TV program in June, Pat Robertson patiently explained to a grieving mother why God could have allowed her 3-yearold son to die of illness — that God saw the big picture and knew, for instance, that the kid could have become a serial killer or contracted a hideous disease, and that she should be relieved that God took him early. CAN’T HELP SHOWING OFF Esteban Rocha, 51, was arrested in June in Placerville, California, charged with exposing himself to a woman — about 25 minutes after Rocha left Placerville Police Department, where he’d dutifully gone to register his location so that police could keep track of him. ARMED AND CLUMSY More folks who can’t avoid shooting themselves accidentally: Adam Hirtle, 30, Colorado Springs, Colorado, checked into a hospital on June 10 after intentionally shooting himself in the foot with a .22-caliber handgun — twice — because he was “curious” to see how it felt with and without his boot to compare pain levels. JUST PART OF THE JOB While a custom fitting was prepared, Alyeska Pipeline was “servicing” a leak in the transAlaska Pipeline by sending an employee twice a day in June to mop up the oil with rags. TAP THIS Jeremiah Raber, 38, recently began a crowdfunding campaign for a kids’ sports version of his “Nutshellz” jockstrap — according to Raber, the strongest such apparel in the world, made from breakthrough “Dyneema” (supposedly half the weight of Kevlar but twice as strong). Recently, using a “.22 long rifle,” Raber had business partner Matt Heck shoot him directly in the delicate area, but according to Raber, he felt just a “tap.” Chuck Shepherd weirdnews@earthlink.net
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Together, we will gure it out. JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 37
BACKPAGE EDITORIAL
FOLIO WEEKLY PUZZLER by MERL REAGLE. Presented by
SAN MARCO 2044 SAN MARCO BLVD. 398-9741
PONTE VEDRA
THE SHOPPES OF PONTE VEDRA
330 A1A NORTH 280-1202
NOTE: The last names of this puzzle’s nine theme answers can become bird names if you trade a new letter for the one that’s there. The “new” traded letters, when arranged correctly after the F below, spell an alternate two-word title for this puzzle (10 letters). F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. What is it? Answer next week.
ACROSS
1 Game of throwns? 6 High-tech eye surgery 11 Still-in-development apps 16 On ___ (cutting down) 21 Cain’s eldest son 22 Duck 23 Cold outburst? 24 Dancer’s driver 25 Host who does “Thank You Notes” 27 Charlie’s Angels star for one season 29 Pulp Fiction first name 30 Knickers wearer 31 Glowing 32 Decks, briefly 33 NL Central team 34 Blossom visitor 35 Independence Day co-star 38 “Where Is My Man” singer 41 Lohengrin heroine 42 Before surgery, briefly 44 400 years before Ike’s election 45 Write indelibly 46 Album inserts 49 Tuna on a menu 51 Block’s partner 54 Role for Madonna 57 Ridiculous 59 First African-American golfer to play the Masters 63 Support column 64 Cuba on film 66 Pallor cause 67 Part of ICBM 68 Oscar nominee for 2014’s Wild 70 Screwdriver, for one
1
2
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4
5
71 Apple’s Cook, e.g. 72 Delphine author Madame de ___ 75 “___ said before ...” 76 Actress Perez 79 Name-dropper’s word? 80 Queen, in Spain 81 Build up 83 Mysterious characters 85 Top pick, briefly 88 Actress in The Verdict and House of Games 91 Best Picture of 2012 95 Final notice 96 Batting avg., e.g. 97 Addams Family nickname 98 Gore Vidal novel 99 Bear in the sky 100 Film critic-historian 105 Diverse grouping 106 Wisconsin city 108 Hoopla 109 G, for one 111 Per this puzzle’s note, where all the “trading” in it usually occurs? 120 Some hoppers 121 Open, as a brewski 122 Down-and-out 123 Encourage 124 Sting 125 Rich in content 126 Soviet spacecraft 127 Unkempt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
DOWN
According to law, in writs Wolfman, some nights Book after Acts Network with guest programmers, briefly In a timid way Approach in a subtle way Completely Besmirches Excited answer to “Who wants ...” Fictional reporter Catch some rays Seconded NPR’s food blog
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8
9
26
29
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36
E G G T E E I S T D A H T T A I S G E T E O N T H I Y S E O A V U N E R A N A R E G E V E
A I T C O E M F A I R
C A N S T M G R
M I S S M
T R E A T T O S E D E R S E D I T O R
43
33
58
75
59
107
E T H A N
Y A E D T S I
60 61 62
82
70 77 78
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83
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90
91 92 93 94
97
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101 102 103
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111
112 113 114 115
120
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38 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 15-21, 2015
E X I T
66
76
89
100
S L I M E
52 53
69
96
99
K Y S E R
45 51
81 88
E K I N G
40
44
68
80
C R A I N
34
39
65
72 73 74
L I B
C A R R A L L Y
R O S S I
28
64
67
D E A
B E S T
N D A O O N S S A
24
57
63
T B S P S
A D D E L U E M B S C I T A R T Y F A A S T S H E T I L E R A T E V A T R A C A B O R I O P R S S A B E Q U A T S E A A R A O F I G A D L T E E
23
49 50
54 55 56
P E T A
B A S T E R
16 17 18 19 20
38
46 47 48
95
R A S S K I A H O R M E I M C H A P O O M R Y H L B O B E A S A M E T O B A H N O S P O T O S O U P E G D Y H E H E S M A B R I E M A R A N
11 12 13 14 15
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85 86 87
H G E U E K T L O T S U A R F M A T A L A C A K OW N K O A C T Y R S A W M A U P T S U E E S R Y I S E
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71
Recent events reflect progress; STETSON KENNEDY would tell us there’s still work to be done
69 Impervious to oxidation, as patio furniture 14 Moviefone’s owner 73 Store hours word 15 Summer starter 74 Biscotti flavoring 16 Safe havens, old-style 77 Raw fish dish 17 Morse character 78 Benedict’s conclusion? 18 Shortly 80 Upfront fee 19 And so on and so forth, 81 Clue-sniffer in films briefly 82 Mex. miss 20 “... the Lord ___ away” 84 1936 Hitchcock thriller 26 Help-page feature 85 Quarters 28 Ordinal suffix 86 Lot’s uncle 36 Spot on a horse 87 Guts 37 An East of Eden twin 89 “Bizarro” cartoonist 39 Iranian coin Piraro 40 Powell’s Dames co-star 90 Friction reducer 43 Wide view 92 Court decisions 44 Small CD 93 Yankees 47 Often-followed car 94 Formation of mountains 48 Hockey great 100 Kareem, at UCLA 101 Like Rod Stewart’s voice 50 Was allowed to vote 102 Banned spray 52 New Zealand parrot 103 Io and Callisto, e.g. 53 Borrower 104 Reactor safety agcy. 54 Totally awesome 107 Cheep digs? 55 Hollywood crosser 110 “Can we get back to the 56 Choir voice subject, please?” 57 Marker letters 112 “This is so good” 58 Benz add-on 113 Word on a buck 60 Key of Beethoven’s 114 Label for Nilsson Ninth, briefly 115 Krazy ___ 61 A, to Mozart 116 Vintage auto 62 Do a lawn chore 117 Map reader’s aid 64 Hoedown attendee 118 University URL ender 65 Watchdog warning 119 VW followers 68 Simple shelter Solution to R Moving Day (7/08/15)
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10
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AVONDALE AVENUES MALL 3617 ST. JOHNS AVE. 10300 SOUTHSIDE BLVD. 388-5406 394-1390
Birds with Friends
6
21
WHAT WE DON’T YET SEE
SOUTHSIDE
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LIKE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, I sat fascinated, watching the breaking television news about recent events that confirm that our nation is, in fact, moving toward real equality and justice for all our people. Stetson Kennedy’s empty chair stood as a silent reminder of his life’s work to secure those benefits for individuals and groups who had been denied the basic rights and protections of our Constitution. Emails started pouring in from Stetson’s friends and colleagues, assuring our family that his striving had not been in vain and remarking how gratified he would be to have lived to see this evolution in our nation’s social and political consciousness. Stetson would have applauded the Supreme Court’s ruling that disparate treatment of any group of people is de facto, if unintentional, racism. The Court confirmed that legislation that provides health insurance to millions of previously uninsured Americans is constitutional. The Court prevented states from denying to any American the right of a legal life commitment to the person he or she loves. The tragedy in Charleston quickened the consciences of Americans who had not previously understood that an emblem of valor for Confederate soldiers had been distorted into a racist terrorist symbol that promoted the denial of civil rights to African Americans in the 1960s and inspired violence against them to this very month. The American public recognized the fear and revulsion that this flag created for Americans whose families had been threatened, abused, and sometimes killed, for seeking to exercise their basic rights of citizenship. Then our president reminded the nation that, by grace, we had been blind to the implications of various policies, but now we can see how to remedy them. Stetson often said he didn’t fault people for what they were raised to believe, but he worked as a journalist and activist to convince them to reconsider how we treat each other and the natural world of which we are stewards. The most frequent question that people asked Stetson was how the son of a Southern family with a long pedigree through the Civil War and back to the American Revolution had dedicated his professional life to working for justice for African Americans. Stetson disliked that question and often mentioned the violence against his African-American caretakers as an influence. But many white Southerners whose caretakers had been abused did not develop the views or take the risks that he did. Each time I heard that question and his reticent answer to it, I believed, as our president reminded us, that grace allows some among us to recognize misjudgments that others accept as the way our society should operate. Stetson would undoubtedly disagree with the theological explanation of grace. However, from the cradle roll at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville to adulthood in that congregation, he had grown up with the invocation “If you did it not unto the least of these my brothers, you did it not unto me.” Stetson took that admonition seriously. The important question is not why Stetson Kennedy believed and acted as he did. What we should instead ask is, “What do we still fail to see
to create the Beloved Community in our region, in our state, and in our country?” Now is the time for meaningful public conversation about needs of fellow citizens that we and our elected officials haven’t acknowledged or remedied. Some are obvious: • Contaminated drinking water from the failing septic tanks of African-American families in West Augustine and the industrial pollution of drinking water in Northwest Jacksonville • Inadequate services for homeless people throughout Northeast Florida, including reduced funding for the Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville • Reluctance to include the acknowledgment of the rights of gays and lesbians in Jacksonville’s Civil Rights Ordinance • Limited facilities throughout Northeast Florida for mental health and drug and alcohol addiction • Denial of voting rights to felons who have served their sentences and re-entered society • Disenfranchisement of elderly poor people by failing to provide assistance to help them to obtain the necessary voting identification • Refusal of our governor and legislature to extend Medicaid for millions of poor Floridians • Gerrymandering districts contrary to the intent of the Fair District Amendment, limiting the election of minorities outside minority-“packed” districts • Maintaining a minimum wage that keeps low-income workers in poverty • Diverting funding specified by the constitutional amendment for the protection of environmentally sensitive land to other unintended uses • Refusal to pass legislation that assures the public the right to speak in public hearings • Diverting millions of tax dollars to provide vouchers so that 80 percent of students receiving them may attend religious schools that re-segregate them into classrooms that teach sectarian views of science and history • Failure to enact voting reform that reduces the unprecedented impact of private money on elections. The list is long and resources are limited, but in this present spirit of public openness, we must affirm that policies promoting individual and corporate gain must be balanced by policies promoting the common good. Stetson believed that increasing income inequality was the greatest threat to democracy that our nation faces. Stetson would be 100 years old next year, but his voice and vision are as timely as ever. As he demonstrated in his own life, the legacy of being a Southerner who lived with Jim Crow segregation is always to ask, “If we could be so wrong about that, what else do I not see?” May we have the grace to keep asking. Sandra Parks mail@folioweekly.com _____________________________________ Parks is the widow of Stetson Kennedy and is the Stetson Kennedy Foundation chairman. Parks served on the St. Augustine City Commission and St. Johns Cultural Council board of directors.
Folio Weekly welcomes Backpage Editorial submissions. Essays should be no more than 1,200 words and on a topic of local interest or concern. Email your Backpage to mail@folioweekly.com. Opinions expressed on the Backpage are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or management of Folio Weekly.
JULY 15-21, 2015 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 39