12/28/16: MELISSA NELSON: 2016 Person of the Year

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THIS WEEK // 12.28.16-1.3.17 // VOL. 29 ISSUE 39 COVER STORY

PERSON OF THE YEAR:

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MELISSA NELSON The most powerful woman in Northeast Florida prepares to bring her “TOUGH BUT FAIR” philosophy to the State Attorney’s Office

STORY BY CLAIRE GOFORTH PHOTOS BY DENNIS HO

FEATURED F EATURED ARTICLES

SUBDIVIDING PARADISE [10]

BY MARY MAGUIRE Groups may APPEAL DECISION to allow subdivision of Cumberland Island

DRINK 2016

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Get to know the friendly neighborhood WATERING HOLES in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

KEEP AMERICA GREAT [39]

BY SEAN T. SMITH “Unfortunately, progressives are complicit in this process, for we yearn for progress and are quick to point out areas of improvement.”

COLUMNS + CALENDARS MAIL OUR PICKS FIGHTIN’ WORDS JAG CITY NEWS MUSIC

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THE MAIL HEADS UP, NORTHEAST FLORIDA

RE.: “Common Corey,” by A.G. Gancarski, Dec. 21 LIKE A BAD PENNY SHE KEEPS SHOWING UP. Eddie Bruce via Facebook

BY THAT MEASURE, WE’RE KILLING IT

RE.: The Mail, Dec. 21 THE TERM “OREO” WHEN USED REGARDING A bi-racial individual is almost as bad as the acme of racial epithets, nigger. And it is also of the time and ilk and generation as the following: spear chucker, jungle bunny, porch monkey, tar baby, etc. To use it with regard to our Commander in Chief is, in my book worse than burning the flag (which I defended for 21 years but give anyone the right to burn it). I am not sure of the purpose of giving such racial hatred a platform. Is Folio trying to expose the issue through allowing this view access to free speech? It’s not really free if your advertisers are paying for it. But sure, we libtards are just a bunch of pussies (derogatory towards women) who get offended so easily.

Though I question your choice in giving these views a soapbox, I can try to understand why you would. Can you help me?

P.S. Keep up the good work. You must be doing something right to solicit such ire.

Mark Caprio via email Editor’s note: FW stands by its policy to provide a platform to as many opinions as possible.

EQUAL COVERAGE FOR ALL

IT IS THE DUTY OF THE NEWS MEDIA TO inform the public without discrimination. The 2016 Presidential election coverage was a complete farce. Every candidate, not just the sensationalists, deserves equal coverage. My suggestion to the newspaper industry is that a list of 100 questions is compiled and asked to all of the candidates of all the parties including Communist, Socialist,

Prohibition, etc. Starting 100 days before the election in the center of the “A” section of the newspaper with a full double page spread the question of the day would be answered by the candidates with their photo and party affiliation shown. The two pages would be equally divided amongst the candidates. This is true democratic representation and the duty of the news media.

Many brilliant people ran for office and the news media ignored them. What a horrible shame for earth. Please do what I suggest next election.

Philip Bernstein via email

BAD NEWS EVERY ELECTION DAY

RE.: “10 Ways to Comfort a Liberal,” by Claire Goforth, Dec. 20 MY ADVICE IS GET OVER IT. I’M A Libertarian so I’m always bummed out after the presidential election.

Curtis Wolf via Facebook

THE WICKED WITCH OF FOOTBALL

RE.: “Losses Continue to Define Season,” by Mark Judson, Dec. 21 I PUT A SPELL ON THEM. Lauren Peterson via Facebook

PUTTING SUBSCRIPTIONS WHERE YOUR VALUES ARE

RE.: “Crosswords,” by Johnny Masiulewicz, Dec. 14 WE CANCELLED SIX MONTHS AGO BECAUSE it wasn’t worth the cost. There are some fine people working in that organization and I hated to withdraw support for them. The owner forcing his views on the editorial staff means I’ll never go back. I come from a newspaper family, and it is unnatural not to get a paper each day.

Lewis G. Hunt via Facebook

LEND YOUR VOICE If you’d like to respond to something you read in the pages of Folio Weekly Magazine, please send an email (with your name, address, and phone number for verification purposes only) to mail@folioweekly.com, visit us at folioweekly.com, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook (@folioweekly) and join the conversation.

BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BOUQUETS TO WHITEY’S FISH CAMP Every year, locals look forward to the Whitey’s Fish Camp Boat Parade cause it is freaking awesome. But not only is it a magical night of lights, it’s also funneling money to a nonprofit safe animal shelter. Last year they raised $20,000! That buys a lot of Kibble.

BRICKBATS TO ROBBIE FOSTER Last week Action News Jax broke a story that Foster, an employee of the public defender’s office, had shown up to work 24 of 71 work days after getting a raise that nearly doubled his salary on Sept. 1, the day after Matt Shirk lost the public defender’s race. His reaction? “I really don’t think [the taxpayers] give a shit.” Guess what, Robbie? They do.

BOUQUETS TO LYNCH’S PUB After being ordered to take down the dollar bills that covered much of its wall and ceiling space from years of tips because it posed a fire hazard, Lynch’s Pub did an amazingly big-hearted (and bigger personed) thing: they donated the money to Jacksonville Firefighter Charities.

All roughly $12,000 of it.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? HOW ABOUT A BRICKBAT? Send submissions to mail@folioweekly.com; 50 word maximum, concerning a person, place, or topic of local interest.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5

BIG BASH NEW YEAR’S EVE

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If you’re reading this, that’s very good news, since it means that Donald Trump’s tweets and fat mouth haven’t hurled us into apocalyptic destruction (yet). In celebration, let’s kick 2016 to the curb with a serious throwdown. Whether your fête calls for champagne and confetti under the moonlight or cheap beer and bean dip under a bare swinging light bulb at Cousin Chank’s place, Folio Weekly has you covered. GO TO PAGE 23 TO SEE THE CELEBRATORY OPTIONS AVAILABLE to shed the despair of last year and wrap your sorry self in the hope of 2017! Can’t decide? Hit The Jacksonville Landing for live music — Radio Love and TJ & the Big Guns — a tree light show and fireworks over the river. The free fun starts at 4 p.m. until the last spark goes out over the water; jacksonvillelanding. Happy New Year!

OUR PICKS KICK IT OFF! TAXSLAYER BOWL

Every year, from August through January, there’s a stretch when many otherwise regular folks go completely out of their minds. That special time of year? College football season. At the end of the mania, there are Bowl games, and we’ve got a doozy!

The Taxslayer Bowl lets locals and fans from afar root, holler and swoon as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (smeh) take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats (yay, brah!). Also, beer is available.

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, EverBank Field, Downtown, $50-$412, ticketmaster.com.

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REASONS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

CUTE & CAMPY A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS

Work it, girl! A Drag Queen Christmas features your favorite contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race, like Naomi Smalls, Thorgy Thor, Chi Chi DeVayne, Trixie Mattel (pictured), MILK, Pearl and Roxxxy Andrews and host Bob the Drag Queen, in an evening of utter fashionable flaunting! 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Terry Theater, Downtown, $20-$150 (VIP), ticketmaster.com.

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THICK SLICE OF LOCAL MUSIC

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PIZZA FEST THREE

Enjoy not one, but two nights of killer Duval bands (and free pizza!) at Pizza Fest Three, featuring more than 20 bands including Stank Sauce, Chieforia, Traded Youth, Sin, The Ruffians, Ernest Street Mafia, The Duval Spit, Digdog, Mudtown, Jackie Stranger, Five Cent Psychiatrist, and Charlie Shuck on Saturday, Dec. 31; Forsaken Profits, DSR, Rotten Stitches, Gross Evolution, Concrete Criminals, Friendly Fire, Vicious Dreams, Dretch, Scatter Shot, The Hooliganz, A Matter of Honor and Askmeificare on Sunday, Jan. 1, both at 6 p.m., Nighthawks, Riverside, $7/night includes gorging on free pizza, facebook.com/nighthawksjax.

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LEAPS AND BOUNDS SHEN YUN 2017

Formed in 2006 in NYC by practitioners of the spiritual discipline Fallun Gong, the acclaimed dance and acrobatic troupe Shen Yun takes audiences on a colorful history of 5,000 years of Chinese culture, mythology and storytelling. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3 and Wednesday, Jan. 4, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Moran Theater, Downtown, $70-$150, ticketmaster.com.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7

FOLIO VOICES : FIGHTIN’ WORDS LENNY CURRY’S CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION has already begun, according to one senior staffer in the mayor’s office.

I reviewed the papers of Policy Director Robin Lumb last week, and Lumb had a September memo to Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart that was intended to formulate a policy strategy that plays into the strategy for re-election.

That strategy, posited Lumb, would be predicated on Curry’s “vision for Jacksonville,” a 12-page 2015 campaign document that expresses priorities, such as public safety, economic opportunity, education, neighborhoods and Downtown. “[The] next six months,” Lumb noted, need to contain “specific policy recommendations and initiatives to address key features in all policy areas” in the plan.

All of these, Lumb added, will “require funding and need to be addressed in the FY 17-18 budget … . At a minimum, we need to be seen as having done two or three significant things in each policy area by July 1, 2018.”

“Lenny Curry’s ‘Vision for Jacksonville’ will be the benchmark against which we are measured in the 2019 election,” writes Lumb.

“For obvious reasons,” Lumb adds, “it’s important that we begin to act on it.”

Indeed.

Curry, in his 18 months of office, has accomplished some of those significant things already.

Public safety was what his campaign was predicated on, of course. Curry ran against Alvin Brown, at a time when Brown was dealing with a combination of a spike in violent crime and a sheriff, John Rutherford, who laid the body bags at Brown’s feet, asserting that a lack of funding inhibited his ability to run the sheriff ’s office.

When funding did go up, Rutherford contended it went to the unfunded pension liability.

Curry committed resources to public safety — 80 new cops, 80 new community service officers, and some technological upgrades. But more will have to be committed. Sheer enforcement won’t prevent these crimes.

And effects of the Jacksonville Journey model, if it’s able to fix anything, will be felt years down the road.

Economic opportunity must also be addressed.

People in what the euphemists call “underserved communities” know the score. They live in places, often without grocery stores, sustainable industry or jobs beyond struggling retail shops in dilapidated strip malls.

As we head into what appears to be yet another infusion of liquidity into the money supply, there may be tailwinds that the Curry administration can exploit to get industry into these areas.

Donald Trump promises to spend on infrastructure, which could be significant for these areas, especially if Mayor Curry is able to parlay being a rare big-city GOP mayor into Trump committing more to this area than the previous president did.

However, it’s worth noting that one driver of economic expansion in Florida — Jacksonville included — may be on the wane.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran sees Enterprise Florida, the state’s corporate relocation incentive program, as corporate welfare. The city has lured many businesses here during the last two mayoral administrations with incentive packages through that program. If the state won’t come through, then it follows the city will have to give up even more, in tax or other corporate incentives, to do so.

Education, meanwhile, is an area that’s been trending positively for some years.

Graduation rates continue to go up in Duval and elsewhere, and while it’s inconceivable that Curry can actually run on that, it’s potentially a talking point if Curry faces a competitive bid for re-election.

When it comes to neighborhoods and Downtown, meanwhile, Curry appears to be on firmer ground.

The reinstitution of the Neighborhoods Department was a talking point in his campaign and transition committees, and that came to pass within the mayor’s first year.

Neighborhoods had a leadership glitch, when the first appointed head turned out to have a degree from an unaccredited college — but that’s been resolved.

It is, however, too early still to point to a real success the Neighborhoods Department has had – it’s more a function of reorganization than something that has shown results. Curry’s team will have to show results, and then find a way to weave them into a narrative framework.

Downtown, meanwhile, is predicated on a number of highrisk bets.

One such bet is the hope that the Duval Delegation can get $50 million out of cash-strapped Tallahassee to tear down the Hart Bridge off-ramps and route exiting traffic onto Bay Street, to open up the Shipyards, Metro Park and the Sports Complex to that traffic inflow.

The mayor has yet to lose a major political battle, but getting money from this legislature this year for that project will be tough sledding.

Curry doesn’t have to win on every issue, and if no one real steps up to run against him, it won’t matter. But for the mayor’s office, the campaign for 2019 is already underway.

A.G. Gancarski mail@folioweekly.com Twitter/AGGancarski

VISION

THING Why 2017 is PIVOTAL for Lenny Curry

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FOLIO VOICES : JAG CITY

NEW TEAM, WHO THIS?

THE POST-SEASON HOPES FOR THE JAGUARS evaporated quickly this year, but helping to end those same hopes for the Tennessee Titans is heartwarming.

Christmas and the holiday season are great, but ripping the dreams from the hearts of your hated rival…’tis the season indeed.

Interim head coach Doug Marrone made a compelling case to offer him the job permanently this offseason. Marrone was aggressive, vocal to players and in true hardass fashion (which the Jaguars lacked under Gus Bradley) banned food and hoodies from team meetings. He might not be at the top of the candidate list, but he’s certainly on that list.

The Jaguars dominated Sunday, securing their first win at Everbank in over a year. What remains to be seen is if this was a one-time fluke, or truly the team that fans and experts expected to see going into this season.

There’s a history of teams firing their head coach mid-season and coming out with a strong performance the following game, only to revert back to the mess that got their coach fired in the first place.

But for now, the Jaguars are looking hot, and this time it’s not just the heat radiating from their dumpster fire.

Quarterback Blake Bortles looked like the guy we’ve been hoping to see, but it might not be enough to save his career when a new coach takes over.

The front-runner in the hearts of many fans right now is former coach Tom Coughlin. He lives in the area and has hinted to various NFL media outlets that he’s interested in coming back to the league in some sort of role. Some fans have expressed interest in bringing Coughlin back in a more senior role, such as Vice President of Football Operations, or a related job.

Jaguars play like the team WE EXPECTED all season

Only the man with the ‘stash can decide, however.

What is certain is that Coughlin was quoted before Sunday’s victory saying he’s not a fan of Bortles.

Enough negatives though, let’s take a moment and celebrate a win. This wasn’t just a regular win either, we took control of the Titans destiny and sent those mayonnaise eaters back to Tennessee for an extended off-season. If you can’t make it to the playoffs yourself, there’s no better feeling than stopping your rivals from doing it.

Good luck to Mariota though, I wouldn’t wish a broken leg on any rival.

This win, aside from gifting us with a Victory Christmas we were surely hungover for, showed there is some glimmer of hope for the Jaguars.

Fans at the Bank certainly took notice to that hope. Spending time on Twitter before Saturday’s game had at least this fan worried a lot of folks would opt for family time over another disappointing afternoon spent with the Jaguars. The fans were present and made their voices heard though.

Have the Jaguars we believed in finally emerged in the post-Gus era? Or is this just another case of the team building our hopes, to crush them mercilessly?

I despise draft talks and the cringeworthy “next year” discussions, but at 3-12 it’s all we have. And if the Jaguars can finish the season like we played against Tennessee, dare I say it...next year might be a good year.

Don’t let us down, Jaguars.

Mark Judson mail@folioweekly.com @MarkfromJax ____________________________________ Connect with Judson at the Folio Weekly Jag City Facebook page.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9

FOLIO COMMUNITY : NEWS

SUBDIVIDING

Groups may APPEAL DECISION to allow subdivision of Cumberland

PARADISE

CUMBERLAND ISLAND IS A DESIGNATED National Seashore with strict rules to preserve a maritime forest so pristine and quiet, the National Park Service says, “You can hear yourself breathe.” Local restrictions on new development were long thought to be in step with federal protections for the barrier island hugging the last 18 miles of Georgia’s coast. As it turns out, Camden County regulations and zoning districts allow new housing and commercial projects on the island. Marinas, bait shops, museums and caretaker housing can be built — and with special use allowances — and so can hotels, motels, resorts and places of worship. The loopholes are big enough for a bulldozer to drive through.

Consider a recent decision by planning officials, whose oversight includes Cumberland Island. On Dec. 7, the board unanimously agreed to waive a rule blocking Lumar, a private ownership group, from subdividing an 88-acre parcel it owns within the National Seashore to build 10 houses.

Under the rules, all subdivisions in Camden County, Georgia, must have their lots on paved roads. In keeping with preservation

efforts, though, roads on Cumberland Island are not allowed to be paved. According to the Planning & Development Commission, this qualifies as a “hardship” for Lumar, a limited liability company whose members include wealthy and philanthropic descendants of Asa G. Candler, the founder of Coca-Cola, and they will be allowed to construct houses on sandy lanes. The Candler family has said, through an attorney, that they want to build a family compound. This means toppling trees and disturbing large tracts of land to install individual wells and septic systems.

The board’s decision has shaken environmentalists, who believed Cumberland was off-limits to new development.

In a mid-December phone interview, Alex Kearns, who chairs the St. Marys EarthKeepers, a group that has for more than 10 years worked to protect local lands and waterways from bulldozers, pollutants and other dangers aiming to compromise or destroy natural surroundings, recalled her reaction as shocked, alarmed and surprised.

“And that’s putting it mildly,” she said.

Lumar’s property is located about a quarter-mile north of the Sea Camp ferry

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dock, where day-trippers and overnight visitors leave the boat after the 45-minute ride from the city of St. Marys and get back on when they’re ready to go. In October, the island’s second dock at Dungeness, a mansion reduced to ruins by a fire years ago, was damaged by Hurricane Matthew and remains closed until further notice. The site is also adjacent to the Sea Camp campground and straddles the narrow main dirt road, where the island’s few vehicles, should they meet, must pull over to let the other pass.

One week after the vote, two yellow placards announcing the public hearing for the “hardship variance” remained tucked between sawtooth palms. On a recent trip to the island, tourists who’ve read brochures that led them to believe Cumberland Island is a conservation area — and thus protected from new construction for eons — were puzzled.

On a Dec. 15 van tour up and down the main road to Plum Orchard mansion, the Dungeness ruins, and the small church John Kennedy Jr. made famous when he married there in 1996, a guide explains the island’s history at the turn of the last century, when it was a home and playground for wealthy industrialist families, including the Carnegies of Pittsburgh, the Candlers of Atlanta, and the Rockefellers of New York.

There are frequent stops along the very bumpy road to see majestic live oak trees, some estimated to be 250 to 400 years old, whose moss- and fern-covered branches are so heavy they rest on the ground. The driver halts to let pass the flocks of wild turkeys and herds of feral horses (about 145 wild horses roam the island, according to the guide) spotted among the trees and in a large field that was once tilled for cotton that was picked by slaves. It’s now used as an airfield by a private homeowner believed to be a member of the Rockefeller family. There are so many armadillos running around, the guide says, a critter won’t be missed if someone wants to take it home. A short walk through the brush ends at an overlook of the coastal lowlands, a stunningly beautiful view of the water and golden marshland.

A discussion among the nine passengers, who each paid $45 (plus $28 for a roundtrip ferry ticket) for the “Land and Legacies” tour, about preservation versus private property rights veers into heated debate when a couple from Savannah says the Candlers should be allowed to subdivide their land and points out, presumably as justification, that the family is among the biggest donors and fundraisers for some hospitals as well as Emory University. The implications that giving money for public projects in Atlanta serves as permission for trees coming down on Cumberland Island comes as a surprise to others and, as the conversation becomes increasingly heated, the guide diplomatically

steers talk to the Timucuan Indians, a tribe that had once inhabited the island.

The proposal for construction on Cumberland was also the topic of conversation later in the day at Captain Seagles Restaurant & Saloon in the Riverview Hotel in downtown St. Marys, though there was widespread agreement in the bar that new development was a big no-no.

“Absolutely not, no, I don’t want to see that happen,” said Cindy Deen, who has been pouring drinks and serving food at the popular bar for 20 years, and is friendly enough to call customers “honey” and salty enough to sprinkle words not appropriate for polite reading into her interactions. A customer from Galveston, Texas, who grew up in St. Marys and was in the city to meet with realtors because she’s thinking of moving back to her hometown, said her grandmother worked as a maid for the Carnegies. On visits to the island, she would place her hand on the sand to feel the vibrations from the galloping wild horses.

“That was so special. Who gets to grow up like that?” asked Gordon, a retired registered nurse.

“I hope they don’t destroy that.”

Kearns called the Lumar property a conspicuous and vulnerable site and said she worries that tourists, seeking seclusion amid the wilderness, will be turned off by the buzz of new construction. Travelers, she believes, come to experience the island’s pristine forest, moss-draped oaks, and famed wild horses. On the ferry’s approach to the island that day, the tangle of live oaks among the low country’s shrubby marsh was interrupted only by the sight of a horse swimming, head and mane visible above calm water, sparkling in the morning sun. The day had started with rain, but by the time the ferry pulled away from the dock at 9 a.m., the sun was shining. The day remained chilly and windy, though, enough that riders wore jackets and hats (the smart ones had gloves).

As the ferry approached the island, travelers, who had earlier been excited to spot a dolphin popping up and down around the vessel, watched a wild horse step onto the sand and walk into the maritime forest.

Exclamations of awe and surprise followed.

Without help from a guide, passengers had witnessed one of Cumberland’s natural wonders. To Kearns, this kind of magical moment could disappear with new development. Further, she believes, any compromise of the natural experience will hurt the coffers of shops, restaurants and lodging facilities in St. Marys and, more broadly, in Camden County.

“Why is there always an effort to kill the golden goose?” asked Kearns.

As Kearns sees it, there’s one recourse.

“This decision needs to be appealed,” she said.

The deadline to do so is at 5 p.m. on Jan. 6, according to the county development office in Kingsland, with an application fee of $250.

The appeal would be heard by the County Commission and could be considered as early as Jan. 10.

In a further twist, land in the proposed development site is zoned “Conservation Preservation,” a classification Kearns calls laughable because of the variety of commercial developments, such as hotels, motels and a marina, possible under CP zoning and landuse codes. With the variance, the Lumar property owners have an open door to new construction and there’s nothing within the rules that say they must stick to housing, which, ironically, is not allowed in a CP district and would require a zoning change.

Kearns said she first learned about the proposed development on a quiet day in October while she was on vacation in Canada. It was difficult at first, she said, to understand why the request was even being considered. In 1972, Cumberland was designated a National Seashore and since then, the National Park Service, which operates under the Department of the Interior, has sheltered 36,000 acres of pristine maritime forest as well as almost 10,000 acres of wilderness. The park service also negotiated “retained rights” agreements with 21 private homeowners who will turn their land over to the park service upon their deaths or the deaths of their descendants.

According to property records, members of the Candler family have “retained rights” on the far north end of the island in the 34acre High Point estate. Some believe that the family purchased the 88-acre parcel for $3.5 million almost 20 years ago, in anticipation of losing the High Point property when their rights expire.

“It’s just incredibly hard to believe this is happening,” said Kearns.

Ahead of the meeting to consider the variance, Kearns marshaled EarthKeepers’ membership, asking members and their network of family and friends to bombard leaders with messages asking them to deny the request. More than 700 calls and emails reached county offices, she said, and more than 5,000 signatures were collected on a Change.org petition. Newspaper stories from Jacksonville to Atlanta were written about the issue. But, ultimately, the effort, while noisy and far-reaching, failed to persuade the planning board to say no.

The vote was swift, said Kearns, who spoke at the meeting, along with others, both for and against the proposal, and she questioned whether anyone in authority was listening to objections. “There was no discussion,” she said. “One board member asked if the vote was for a zoning change and he had to be corrected that they were considering a variance. Can you believe that?”

The St. Mary’s EarthKeepers are working with an attorney from the Southern Environmental Law Center in Atlanta.

William “Bill” Sapp is representing the group and, while he urged the planning board to deny the request, Sapp believes there are broader issues to consider. According to Sapp, there are close to 1,000 acres on the island in private hands that could potentially be subject to development. He’s hoping to strike a deal that would protect all of the acreage from residential or commercial building projects.

“We have to do some serious thinking about whether we want to pursue an appeal or not,” said Sapp in a Dec. 14 phone

interview. “Ultimately, we want to work with Camden County, property owners and the environmental community on a plan to address all 1,000 acres.”

Sapp, who has been an environmental lawyer for SELC since 2007, said success will be difficult to attain. “I think it’s a significant challenge,” he said. “A lot of community support and trust is needed.”

The Georgia Sierra Club’s Coastal Group in Savannah will support the appeal effort, says Chair Karen Grainey. The organization wrote to Camden officials objecting to the variance and there are plans, she said, to attend the County Commission meeting if the appeal is filed.

Grainey called the proposed development for Cumberland Island a “heavy footprint” and she questioned the sanctity of protections offered by the federal government.

“What’s off limits?” she asked. “Maybe we should build houses in front of Old Faithful in Yellowstone.”

Grainey said she was encouraged by an editorial in Savannah’s daily newspaper that called Camden County’s decision “unfortunate,” particularly because the publication is controlled by the conservative ownership group that also owns and operates The Florida Times-Union. On Dec. 8, Savannah Morning News wrote that Cumberland “should be protected from potential degradation, not exposed to it.”

In Jacksonville, St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman said the issue is outside the scope of her organization’s reach and impact. But personally, Rinaman said, she is opposed to new development that would compromise Cumberland Island’s natural habitat.

“Cumberland Island is a jewel because it’s so pristine and, to me, it should stay that way,” she said in a Dec. 14 phone interview. The EarthKeepers are expected to receive support from the Amelia Island EarthKeepers and Sierra Club, Nassau County Group.

The National Park Service doesn’t seem to have any leverage. Cumberland Island Superintendent Gary Ingram wrote to county Planning & Development director Eric Landon, who recommended approval of the variance, on Dec. 6, saying the development on the island could have an “adverse impact on visitors’ experience and enjoyment” and he hopes Lumar’s future plans “are compatible with park values.”

Ingram questioned the “Conservation Preservation” zoning classification, calling it “very restricted” and, as he understood it, the zoning would not allow residential or most commercial services. Further, he said, the variance request did not include any zoning changes. “It is in the best interest of the goals and purposes of the park for Cumberland Island as a whole to be preserved and protected,” he said.

There is some belief — and hope — that the variance to subdivide the land is a harmless effort for estate-planning purposes.

Stephen Kinney of the Kinney & Kinney law firm in St. Marys, who represents Lumar, didn’t cite that as a reason. In a Dec. 16 email to Folio Weekly, Kinney says his clients understand there are people opposed to their development project but they have Cumberland Island’s best interest at heart.

“My clients respect the viewpoints of all, even though their opinions may differ,” said Kinney. “The Lumar owners do share with them a deep respect and love for the beauty and heritage of Cumberland.”

Mary Maguire mail@folioweekly.com DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11

The most powerful woman in Northeast Florida prepares to bring her “TOUGH BUT FAIR” philosophy to the State Attorney’s Office 2016 PERSON OF THE YEAR

STORY BY CLAIRE GOFORTH

T

PHOTOS BY DENNIS HO

he news that she has been named Folio Weekly’s Person of the Year for 2016 solicits an honest, endearing and amusing reaction from the honoree.

“Oh, no! But I haven’t done anything yet!”

Melissa Nelson protests, seeming stunned, then expresses sincere, gracious thanks for the honor.

Though Nelson is right, she’s also wrong.

While she hasn’t been sworn in yet, and thus hasn’t technically “done anything”; the moment she announced her candidacy for the office of State Attorney, Melissa Nelson catapulted into the hearts and hopes of people all over the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which comprises Duval, Nassau and Clay Counties.

Overnight she became the champion of those who had grown disillusioned by the scorched-earth approach to prosecution that had characterized the State Attorney’s Office under the leadership of Angela Corey. People who don’t regularly follow the minutiae of the local criminal justice system were drawn to Nelson’s campaign; thousands even switched their party affiliation just to vote for her in the Aug. 30 Republican primary.

12 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

Over these past eight months, Melissa Nelson has given people hope, which her win proves is far more powerful than fear.

Chatting with her over coffee, it’s easy to understand what drew voters in. Campaign talking points have a way of diluting the personality, but not Nelson’s. She is who she is, unflinchingly: frighteningly intelligent, funny, thoughtful, compassionate and kind.

Though a person of her intellect certainly has a depth that one conversation and a couple thousand words can’t capture, she doesn’t come across as calculating or guarded. She is authentically herself, an obscenely rare thing in politics.

On the campaign trail, she wowed voters by talking about how prosecutors have to balance their responsibility to keep the public safe by pursuing appropriate punishments with the constitutional and other legal and human rights of the accused, which many perceive to be a dramatic departure from justice under Corey. Over the past eight years, people have perceived a distortion of the local arm of the criminal justice system, which has focused far too much on punishment and far too little on prevention, rehabilitation and fairness – for both the victim and accused. There were larger forces at play, a national trend with a local arm in Corey’s office, which utilized a tough-oncrime approach that has been tough on the

community, and kept the circuit at or near the top of the conviction rates for Florida’s circuits. But for eight long years, justice has seemed secondary to winning.

As she prepares to take office, Nelson tells Folio Weekly that she is prepared to see the conviction rate take a nosedive, in part because of tactics that the previous administration used to artificially inflate the rates and in part because she recognizes the nuances of circumstance and background that may not make the same stiff penalties appropriate for every individual. She is cognizant of the costs of litigation and incarceration and believes in rehabilitation.

As evidence of her commitment to blind justice, Nelson is actively pursuing funding to start a “conviction integrity unit” that will seek out and reverse wrongful convictions. If she is successful, this unit would be the first of its kind in the Southeast, the Florida Times-Union recently reported. She’s hired a grant writer to help find funding for such initiatives. She’s also determined to implement and, in some cases, reinstitute strategies to keep kids out of the system and, if they do end up on the punitive side of the law, to seek outcomes focused on fairness rather than purely punishment.

It is this kind of thinking, and her willingness to make tough decisions that might not look great on paper to some, but will alleviate the suffering of many, that separates her from many prosecutors. She represents a new approach to criminal justice, which many believe is sorely needed in Northeast Florida.

THE ROAD TO 311 W. MONROE ST. BORN MELISSA WILLIAMSON ON JUNE 14, 1972, Nelson grew up in Tallahassee, where she learned the value of service from her father, a career law enforcement officer who retired as a U.S. Marshal. On the campaign trail, she spoke of how inspired she has been by her father’s career serving the community.

The granddaughter of World War II veterans, Clay Today reported in June that Nelson

fondly recalled taking long walks with her grandfather as a girl, during which they would feed apples to horses in a nearby stable and her grandfather would share life lessons and other kernels of wisdom. “Much of my character and the way I live my life comes from lessons I learned from him,” the article quoted her as saying of her grandfather, who passed away in 1997.

Nelson went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and juris doctor degree from UF’s Levin College of Law. Always exceptional – those who know her frequently remark on her intellect – Nelson admits that she did struggle in one class as an undergraduate: English.

“If I come back in my next life, I want to write, but I’m just not a talented writer… I would struggle to make B’s in English,” she said.

Her first job after graduating from law school in 1997 was with the local SAO. In August, Jay Plotkin, who was involved with hiring her, told the T-U, “She was a superstar, there’s just no other way to describe it.”

She began trying misdemeanors and worked her way up the ladder until she was handling the most challenging homicide cases. Over her 12 years with the office, she prosecuted several notable cases, perhaps most memorably that of Jason Andrew Simpson, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the ax murders of Archie Howard Crook and Kimberli Michelle Kimbler.

After leaving the SAO in 2009, less than a year after Corey took office, Nelson made the switch from criminal to commercial litigation, as well as Title VII and Title IX claims and whitecollar criminal defense, joining the local office of McGuireWoods, a well-respected international law firm with 23 offices scattered across the U.S. and Europe. Some attorneys struggle after changing areas of practice, but not Nelson. Just 16 months after she was hired, the Jacksonville Business Journal wrote a piece about how she’d helped attract new clients to the firm and grown

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE >>>

State Attorney Melissa Nelson represents a new approach to criminal justice, which many believe is sorely needed in Northeast Florida.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 13

2016 PERSON OF THE YEAR

<<<< FR << FROM ROM O PPREVIOUS REVIVIVIOU RE OUSS OU its practice. In June, McGuireWoods Chairman Richard Cullen, a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of Virginia, told Clay Today that Nelson was a “star” in the firm.

During her seven years with McGuireWoods, Nelson was mostly out of the limelight with one very visible exception.

Nelson was on the pro bono team of attorneys who defended Cristian Fernandez, the 12 year old whom Corey’s office charged as an adult with the first-degree murder of his two-yearold half brother, a case that earned Corey’s office significant press, much of it negative.

Fernandez is the youngest person ever charged with first-degree murder in Jacksonville history and is one of the youngest nationwide.

Fernandez eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter as a juvenile. After the plea was reached, attorney Hank Coxe credited Nelson and attorney Buddy Schulz for spearheading the negotiations, the T-U reported.

The hours can be just as long, but it’s no secret that private practice is far more lucrative and typically less stressful than the job of state attorney. Nelson could have spent the rest of her career working the ladder at McGuireWoods, probably getting rich in the process; instead, she chose to reenter public life and take on an enormous personal and

professional challenge – and a pay cut. prof pr “I “ felt called to do this and compelled to do it. it I believed this was important to all of us,” she ssh he says. “And I have been troubled; having come com from that office, I care a lot about it. I care care about the work of the office. I’ve been troubled by the decisions and I thought, I can trou u keep keep p complaining about this or I have the power pow w to do something about it.”

She S discussed the possibility of running for f the office with her family, whom she says was and continues to be wholly supportive, and did a lot of soul searching. (There was also some relatively quiet fundraising, research and polling.) Then, with the filing deadline looming, she made her decision.

“It was a scary decision. It was a very scary decision. But once I made it – though the decision was difficult, challenging – but once I made it the weight of the world was off me and I was at such great peace ‘cause I knew what I was doing was the right thing.”

From the very start, Nelson’s campaign focused on positive messaging, highlighting her record as a prosecutor, offering guidance on the future of the circuit’s criminal justice system under her leadership and not excessively trading barbs with Wes White, the other Republican contender, and Corey.

There were many who breathed sighs of relief when Nelson crushed the Aug. 30 primary, trouncing Corey by 38 points. The remaining candidate, Kenny Leigh, a write-in whose candidacy was widely assumed to have been a ploy by Corey’s camp to close the race to Republicans, soon withdrew, and, with no Democratic challenger, it became official: Melissa Nelson will be the next State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. She will be sworn in next month.

And Justice for All: State Attorney Melissa Nelson and Cindy Cribbs, whom Nelson calls her “right hand,” in the Duval County Courthouse.

14 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

Sitting down for coffee recently at one of her favorite spots in Jacksonville’s urban core, where everyone seems to know her by name, she gives the impression of a woman who is capable of mentally moving a thousand miles an hour while seeming to be at a standstill.

Though she’s very, very busy getting things in order for when she takes over next month, Nelson doesn’t seem rushed or pressed for time; she lets the conversation run its course through a wide variety of topics, from her philosophy of criminal justice – the oft-repeated “tough but fair” moniker that was a hallmark of her campaign – to her family, gardening, composting, singing, dancing, reincarnation and some of the plans she’s in the process of finalizing for how she will run the office.

Nelson laughs as she relates how her family might never have been if Jason Nelson, her husband, didn’t give her a second chance after a “terrible blind date.”

“He was not going to call me again and it took two weeks but the couple who set us up kept telling him I had been on a C game and I had an A game and to give me another chance,” she says.

After he did finally call, they had what she calls “a very traditional courtship.”

Thirteen years of marriage later they are the parents of three, a daughter, aged 10 and two boys, ages nine and seven, with whom they enjoy a home life that sounds more than a little bit idyllic. They grow vegetables, compost their food waste, have “a ton of fruit trees” and three egg-laying hens. Though, if their dog has anything to do with it, the hens might not last.

“Our dog, he’s a hysterical dog, he’s an awesome dog, he would never hurt anything,” she says. “We lost a chicken, we were like

‘What happened?’ then we see the dog throwing the chicken into the canal.”

She laughs then sobers, thinking of the poor chicken.

THE ULTIMATE DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM ONE OF THE GREATEST BURDENS THAT WILL rest squarely on the shoulders of the slender, elegant brunette who soon will officially be the most powerful woman in local politics – told this, Nelson laughs and says that she’s going to start using that line on her kids – is deciding when to pursue the death penalty.

As a prosecutor has successfully tried capitol cases, Nelson clearly supports the death penalty but she is acutely aware that there is no one-size-fits-all punishment for homicide.

With her as the top prosecutor, her office will carefully consider the facts and circumstances before pursuing death.

Nelson tells FW that she will have a fourperson panel within the SAO that reviews all potential death penalty cases. After the prosecuting attorney reviews the evidence and decides that they believe death is the appropriate penalty, they will argue this decision to the panel, which will then issue its recommendation. Nelson will have the final say, of course, but by placing stopgaps in the process and creating a procedure that demands careful review of all such cases by many minds, rather than just one or two, it is almost without question that fewer capitol cases will tried and fewer people will be sentenced to death in the circuit.

This should come as a relief to those who have taken issue with the keep-no-prisoners philosophy that has characterized the SAO’s

People who don’t regularly follow the minutae of the local criminal justice system were drawn to Nelson’s campaign; thousands even switched their party affiliation just to vote for her in the Aug. 30 Republican primary, where she trounced Corey by 38 points.

pursuit of the death penalty in recent years.

An August report by The Fair Punishment Project, a joint initiative of Harvard Law School’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice and its Criminal Justice Institute, found that Duval County was one of 16 “outlier” counties nationwide that doles out a lion’s share of death penalties. From 2010 to 2015, the researchers found, Duval was responsible for approximately one-quarter of all the state’s death penalty cases – in spite of comprising just five percent of its population.

Regardless of Nelson’s personal approach to capitol cases, the recent Florida Supreme Court decision overturning the state’s death penalty law for failing to require juries to unanimously recommend death will significantly hinder the ability of prosecutors statewide to successfully argue for sentencing someone to death. (Previously, only a pure majority vote was required.) On Dec. 22, the court decided that inmates who were sentenced after the 2002 ruling in Ring v. Arizona are entitled to new sentencing hearings if the jury decision to sentence them to death was less than unanimous. Prior to the ruling, Nelson said that 60 inmates who were sentenced in the Fourth Circuit were potentially affected. Her team will now begin reviewing those among the 60 who were sentenced after Ring v. Arizona - 30-40 according to the T-U - and decide whether to re-seek the death penalty or commute their sentence to life in prison.

There are those who will see a decision to commute a death row inmate’s sentence to life without a fight as being “soft” on crime. But Nelson seems prepared to weather criticism and continuously endeavor to better herself and her office if the criticism is warranted. Asked if she

plans to have a more open relationship with the press than the previous administration, she says she does and talks briefly of the public’s right to access information through the press. And, if the media perceives it is getting the silent treatment or her office isn’t being forthcoming or timely answering questions or public records’ requests, she says, “You’ll let me know.”

In recent years more focus has turned towards racial bias in criminal justice.

Recently, a comprehensive year-long Sarasota Herald-Tribune investigation found that black defendants in Florida serve far more time than whites for the same crimes, even when they score the same points in formulas that are intended to set criminal penalties, which is supposed to standardize verdicts and minimize the effects of bias. Asked what role, if any, she believes prosecutors have in minimizing racial bias in the criminal justice system, Nelson, who had already read the piece, mentions a training she recently attended on implicit racial bias in prosecutions, which she says was “eye-opening.” In what seems typical Nelson fashion, she is bringing what she learned to the SAO by planning to provide a training program for all her attorneys on implicit racial bias.

“All of us who believe that we are not [biased], we all harbor certain views of the world based on our own experiences, so we have to be vigilant in making sure that we are always being fair,” she says.

It’s this kind of thinking and honesty that made Melissa Nelson an easy choice for the Folio Weekly 2016 Person of the Year.

“I’m very humbled. Wow. I hope this time next year, I’m not the loser of the year.”

Claire Goforth claire@folioweekly.com DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15

Join us for DRINK 2016 and get to know the friendly neighborhood WATERING HOLES throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

Jacksonville Beach is home to The Wine Bar, which offers an outstanding selection of wines as well as delicate craft cocktails and friendly, personalized service.

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA BEACH & YULEE CIAO ITALIAN BISTRO 302 Centre St., 206-4311, ciaobistro-luca.com Fine Italian bistro fare. Beer, wine. Specialty drink: Prosecco Natale — Prosecco, elderflower essence, a dash of pear juice, splash of citrus, sprinkle of basil.

THE CRAB TRAP 31 N. Second St., 261-4749, ameliacrabtrap.com Fresh local seafood, steaks. Specialty drink: Signature cocktails.

KARIBREW BREW PUB & GRUB 27 Third St. N., 277-5269, cafekaribo.com Beers, spirits, pub food. Specialty drink: Black & Stormy — black rum, ginger beer, a bit of lemon and sage.

THE SALTY PELICAN BAR & GRILL 12 N. Front St., 277-3811, thesaltypelicanamelia.com Local seafood, Mayport shrimp. Specialty drink: Pete’s Cable Car — sweet-and-sour iteration of the Sidecar, spiked with rum and Grand Marnier and a sugar rim.

THE SURF RESTAURANT & BAR 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711, thesurfonline.com Seafood, steaks, nightly specials. Specialty drink: Beers on tap.

AVONDALE & ORTEGA HARPOON LOUIE’S 4070 Herschel St., Ste. 8, 389-5631, harpoonlouies.net Locally-owned-and-operated American pub; burgers, fish sandwiches. Specialty drink: Anything Cold.

SOUTH KITCHEN & SPIRITS 3638 Park St., 475-2362 12 taps, 20 cans, domestic, local, imports. Specialty drink: Ice Pick — Hanger 1 Buddha’s Hand vodka, double-strength tea, lemonade.

BEACHES AL’S PIZZA 303 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-0002, alspizza.com New York-style and gourmet pizzas. Full bar, beers on tap.

AZURÉA 1 Ocean Blvd., AB, 249-7402, oneoceanresort.com Oceanfront dining. Extensive wine list. Specialty drink: Smoke On The Rye — Redemption rye whiskey, cardamom bitters and a bourbon-apple reduction topped with toasted lemon twist.

BO’S CORAL REEF 201 Fifth Ave. N., Jax Beach, 246-9874, bosclub.com Specialty drink: The Hot Jorge — in-house

16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

creation combines muddled jalapeno and mint with watermelon vodka and a sugar rim.

ENGINE 15 BREWING CO. 1500 Beach Blvd., Ste. 217, JB, 249-2337, engine15.com Gastropub fare. Craft beers. Specialty drink: Any Brew Flight.

FLASK & CANNON 528 First Ave. N., JB, flaskandcannon.com Specialty drink: What The Dickens? — cognac, pineapple-infused rum, Velvet Falernum, bitters and fresh passionfruit syrup. Victorian decorum in a glass.

FLYING IGUANA TAQUERIA & TEQUILA BAR 207 Atlantic Blvd., NB, 853-5680, flyingiguana.com Latin American, Southwestern-influenced fare.

Specialty drink: House Above the Clouds — Ron Zacapa 23 rum, housemade ancho chili syrup, Fee Brothers orange bitters.

GINGER’S PLACE 304 Third St. S., JB, 249-8711 Specialty drink: The Rocket Bomb — Smirnoff Ice with a shot glass of Blue Curaçao and raspberry vodka dropped inside, topped with a touch of grenadine.

GREEN ROOM BREWING 228 Third St. N., JB, 201-9283, greenroombrewing.com Specialty drink: Quetzalcoatl — imperial red with

notes of cassava root, chocolate, poblano and serrano peppers.

HARMONIOUS MONKS 320 First St. N., JB, 372-0815, harmoniousmonks.net American-style steakhouse. Specialty drink: Naked Pear — melon liqueur, pear vodka, sweet-and-sour mix, Sprite, and a splash of pineapple.

HOPTINGER BIER GARDEN & SAUSAGE HOUSE 333 First St. N., JB, 222-0796, hoptinger.com Modern “Baverican” bier garden. 62 craft beer taps.

Specialty drink: Hopslinger — St. Augustine Gin, citrus, maple, cherry bitters, Grand Marnier, and a splash of soda.

MEZZA RESTAURANT & BAR 110 First St., NB, 249-5573, mezzarestaurantandbar.com Near-the-ocean eatery; casual bistro fare. Specialty drink: Basil Grapefruit Martini — fresh basil, simple syrup, Square basil vodka and grapefruit juice.

OCEAN 60 RESTAURANT, WINE BAR & MARTINI ROOM 60 Ocean Blvd., AB, 247-0060, ocean60.com Continental cuisine, fresh seafood. Specialty drink: The Butterfinger Martini — vanilla vodka, white Godiva chocolate, Frangelico, Half & Half and crushed Butterfinger.

PETE’S BAR 117 First St., NB, 249-9158 Beaches institution. Specialty drink: Inexpensive cold beers, full bar.

POE’S TAVERN 363 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 241-7637, poestavern.com American gastropub. 50-plus beers, hamburgers, fish tacosl. Specialty drink: Moscow Mule — Reyka vodka, fresh limes and Gosling’s Ginger Beer, stirred in copper.

RAGTIME TAVERN & SEAFOOD GRILL 207 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 241-7877, ragtimetavern.com Seafood; blackened snapper, Ragtime shrimp.

Specialty drink: Atlantic Beach Lemonade — freshsqueezed lemonade and vodka, along with a few extra ingredients.

THE SHIM SHAM ROOM 333 First St. N., Ste. 150, JB, 372-0781, shimshamroom.com Seasonal bar bites. Specialty drink: The Pisco Sour — Pisco Porton, lemon juice for sour, a little syrup for sweet, and velvety egg whites to coat the palate.

SLIDERS SEAFOOD GRILLE & OYSTER BAR 218 First St., NB, 246-0881, slidersseafoodgrille.com Seafood; fish tacos, gumbo, Key lime pie. Specialty drink: The Beach Cruiser — rum, pineapple, orange juice, grenadine and ginger ale.

THE WINE BAR 320 N. First St., JB, 372-0211, thewinebar.us Wine, beer, appetizers, cigars. Specialty drink: Pincho — Argentina’s best-selling white wines, with just enough soda water to make it fizzly-licious.

ZETA BREWING COMPANY 131 First Ave. N., JB, 372-0727, zetabrewing.com Tapas, flats, burgers. Specialty drink: Zangria — banana liqueur, peach schnapps, agave nectar, a splash of Sprite, and Pinot Noir.

DOWNTOWN, SPRINGFIELD & NORTHSIDE 1904 MUSIC HALL 19 N. Ocean St., 1904musichall.com Extensive beer and wine selections.

BAY STREET BAR & GRILL 119 E. Bay St., 419-3550, baystreetbarandgrill.com Specialty drink: Tully on the Rocks (Tullamore Dew over ice).

Fresh ingredients create expertlycrafted libations as a perfect compliment to the fine dining experience that makes Orsay in Avondale a perennial favorite.

THE CANDY APPLE CAFÉ & COCKTAILS 400 N. Hogan St., 353-9717, thecandyapplecafe.com Specialty drink: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie — creamy concoction from Sweet Pete’s confectioners, Don Q rum, peanut butter almond milk, housemade sea-salt caramel, Godiva chocolate liqueur and a tasty chocolate coin.

DOS GATOS COCKTAILS & MARTINI LOUNGE 123 E. Forsyth St., 354-0666, dosgatosjax.com Specialty drink: The Edinburgh — muddled lemon, lime, orange and basil, Glenlivet 12 and elderflower liqueur.

ELEMENT BISTRO & CRAFT BAR / MYTH NIGHTCLUB 333 E. Bay St., 438-5173, elementjax.com Local crafts on tap. Specialty drink: Bay Street Julep — Old Forester Classic 86, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, house-made simple syrup, and fresh mint; garnished.

HOURGLASS PUB 345 E. Bay St., hourglasspub.com Specialty drink: Black Widow — MacKenzie’s black cherry hard cider mixed with Green Room Brewing’s Count Shak-u-la Stout.

INDOCHINE 21 E. Adams St., Ste. 200, 598-5303 1974 San Marco Blvd., 503-7013, indochinejax.com Thai, Southeast Asian cuisine. Specialty drink: Dark ’N’ Stormy — bottom layer of ginger beer with lime, combined with Kraken Black Spiced Rum in a tall glass.

INTUITION ALE WORKS TAPROOM 929 E. Bay St., 683-7720, intuitionaleworks.com Specialty drink: Easy on the Eyes IPA — crisp, lowABV session IPA with a hoppy, floral flavor.

MARK’S DOWNTOWN NIGHTCLUB 315 E. Bay St., 355-5099, marksjax.com Specialty drink: Sidecar Named Desire — freshly squeezed lemon, Courvoisier, Tuaca (honey vanilla citrus liqueur), shaken with ice, in a martini glass, with half-sugar rim and a lemon twist.

MAVERICKS LIVE 2 Independent Dr., Jax Landing, 356-1110, mavericksatthelanding.com Specialty drink: AUCDD (All You Can Drink Drafts).

THE VOLSTEAD 115 W. Adams St., 414-3171, thevolsteadjax.com Specialty drink: Baked Apple Sazerac — combination of apple, absinth and cinnamon.

ZODIAC BAR & GRILL 120 W. Adams St., 354-8283, thezodiacbarandgrill.com Mediterranean/American fare. Specialty drink: Zodiac Punch — four fruity flavors of Cîroc Vodka – peach, pineapple, coconut and berry – with orange, pineapple and cranberry juice in a tall glass.

MANDARIN & JULINGTON CHEERS SPORTS BAR & GRILL 11475 San Jose Blvd., 262-4337 Specialty drink: Johnny Vegas Bomb — Patron Silver, watermelon Schnapps and Red Bull concoction.

DON JUAN’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 12373 San Jose Blvd., 268-8722, donjuansjax.com Specialty drink: Agave Nectar Margarita — organic agave nectar and fresh lime juice splashed on the rocks with Partida Blanco.

ENZA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 109, 268-4458, enzas.net Italian cuisine, veal, seafood. Specialty drink: Tolloy Pinot Grigio, white wine.

HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS 3055 C.R. 210, Ste. 101, 230-6445 12795 San Jose Blvd., 260-8338 Specialty drink: The Hurricane Category 5 — two shots of rum, orange and pineapple juice, grenadine and a 151-proof floater.

PICASSO’S PIZZERIA 10503 San Jose Blvd., 880-0811, jaxpicassos.com Gourmet pizza, calzones. Specialty drink: Wildewood Pinot Noir.

UPTOWN KITCHEN & BAR 1303 Main St. N., 355-0734, uptownmarketjax.com Farm-to-table, daily specials. Specialty drink: Houseinfused Spicy Margarita — tequila, datil peppers and Carolina Reaper, rum-soaked strawberries.

ORANGE PARK & FLEMING ISLAND CHEERS BAR & GRILL 1580 Wells Rd., 269-4855 Specialty drink: Vegas Bomb — Patron Silver and watermelon schnapps, energy liquid.

THE HILLTOP 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959, hilltop-club.com Fine Southern-inflected dining. Specialty drink: Bourbon on the Rocks.

THE ROADHOUSE 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611, roadhouseonline.net Wings, burgers, 75-plus imported beers. Live music.

Specialty drink: Tooty Fruity Cindy Shooty — grape vodka and fruit juice.

WHITEY’S FISH CAMP 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198, whiteysfishcamp.com Gator tail, freshwater catfish. Specialty drink: The Blue Gator — fruity mix of vodka, Blue Curaçao, pineapple, orange slice garnish.

RIVERSIDE, FIVE POINTS & MURRAY HILL ALEWIFE CRAFT BEER BOTTLESHOP & TASTING ROOM 1035 Park St., 575-4951, alewifebottleshop.com Specialty drink: Beer Flights — Smoked Peach Short Weisse, Lagunitas Born Yesterday, Avery’s Old Jubilation and Founders Breakfast Stout.

BIRDIES FIVE POINTS 1044 Park St., 356-4444, birdiesfivepoints.com Specialty drink: A Golden Girl (Rose, Blanche, Sophia, Dorothy) — base is Stiegl’s Grapefruit Radler, paired with a liqueur with a splash of soda water.

BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT 1534 Oak St., 380-3091, blacksheep5points.com New American fare. Specialty drink: The Dusty Boot — Buffalo Trace bourbon, Jerry Thomas bitters and the juices of lemon and lime, rim of smoked sea salt and cracked black pepper.

BOLD CITY BREWERY’S TAPROOM 2670 Rosselle St., 379-6551, boldcitybrewery.com Specialty drink: Barrel-aged Roxy — Imperial Cream Ale, poured from the nitro tap in the brewery’s taproom.

BREW FIVE POINTS 1024 Park St., 374-5789, brewfivepoints.com [ CONTINUED ON PG. 18 ] DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17

Brett’s Waterway Café has a long and storied history as one of the best places for drinking and dining in Fernandina Beach.

18 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

[ FROM PG. 16 ] Specialty drink: Hipster Speedball — four ounces of cold brew made from PT’s coffee (Topeka, Kansas), 12 ounces of Intuition’s King Street Stout in a pint glass.

HOBNOB FOOD & SOCIAL EXCHANGE 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 110, 513-4272, hobnobwithus.com New Unity Plaza spot; four cocktails on draft.

Specialty drink: Unitiki Plaza — Light rum, dark rum, spiced rum, amaretto, cognac, allspice dram, lime juice, pineapple juice, orange bitters.

IL DESCO • 2665 Park St., 290-6711, ildescojax.com Specialty drink: The Daiquiri – made with Zaya Gran Reserva 12-year-old rum, fresh-squeezed lime juice and housemade pineapple syrup (sweetened with Sugar in the Raw).

RAIN DOGS. 1045 Park St., Riverside, 379-4969 Specialty drink: A revolving selection of $2 cans – Old Milwaukee, Miller High Life, Genesee Cream Ale. RESTAURANT ORSAY 3630 Park St., 381-0909, restaurantorsay.com French/Southern American bistro. Specialty drink: Crucial Taunt — Flor de cana rum, housemade Thai chili-infused Aperol, pineapple-ginger shrub (a drinking vinegar), lime juice, lime wedge, Thai-chili pepper.

BISTRO AIX 1440 San Marco Blvd., 398-1949, bistrox.com Wood-fired oven-baked/grilled pizza, steaks, seafood. Specialty drink: Double Secret Probation Cocktail — Bourbon, Branca Menta, in-house clove syrup, freshly muddled rosemary and lime, ginger beer, and black walnut bitters.

HAMBURGER MARY’S BAR & GRILLE 3333 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1, 551-2048, hamburgermarys.com Wings, entrées, gourmet burgers. Specialty drink: 44-Ounce Martini.

KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO 1402 San Marco Blvd., 396-2344, kitchenonsanmarco.com Gastropub. Local and national craft beers, specialty cocktails. Specialty drink: Dirty South — Carve vodka, bleu cheese olive, pickled okra.

SIDECAR 1406 Hendricks Ave., 527-8990, drinksidecar.com Specialty drink: A $6 Classic — Vesper, Manhattan, Negroni, Old-Fashioned, etc.

ST. AUGUSTINE

SOUTHSIDE & BAYMEADOWS

ANCIENT CITY BREWING 3420 Agricultural Center Dr., Ste. 8, 429-9654, ancientcitybrewing.com Specialty drink: Beer Tasting Flights.

BARLEY REPUBLIC IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE & RESTAURANT 48 Spanish St., 547-2023, barleyrepublicph.com Burgers, Irish faves. Specialty drink: Naughty Aussie — Kookaburra coffee, Irish crème and Cruzan vanilla rum over ice.

GYPSY CAB COMPANY 828 Anastasia Blvd., 824-8244, gypsycab.com Urban cuisine. Specialty drink: $3 Margarita.

MARDI GRAS SPORTS BAR 123 San Marco Ave., 347-3288, mardibar.com Sports bar fare. Specialty drink: Florida Afternoon Storm — The Kracken black spiced rum, Barritt’s ginger beer, lime juice, lime wedge.

ODD BIRDS • 33 Charlotte St., 679-4933 Specialty drink: The Canario – Old Forrester bourbon, Falernum (a syrupy almond liqueur), housemade ginger-turmeric syrup and Angostura bitters, served shaken with crushed ice and a lemon peel clothespinned to the rim of the glass.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT 106 St. George St., 824-1090 200 beers from around the world, rotating drafts.

Specialty drink: Kasteel Rouge — 8-percent, sweet blend of sophisticated quadruple Kasteel Donker and black cherry liqueur.

SANGRIAS WINE & PIANO BAR 35 Hypolita St., 827-1947 Specialty drink: The Matanzas — a mix of two other house sangrias, garnished with a mix

BELLA VITA 3825 Baymeadows Rd., 646-1370, bellavitajax.com Specialty drink: Tiramisu Martini – Absolut vanilla vodka, Kahlua and crème de cocoa.

MOXIE KITCHEN + COCKTAILS 4972 Big Island Dr., 998-9744, moxiefl.com Contemporary American cuisine. Specialty drink: The Rhumbie — Añejo rum, Drambuie, Turbinado sugar, aromatic bitters and fresh pineapple/lime juice.

TAVERNA YAMAS 9753 Deer Lake Ct., 854-0426, tavernayamas.com Greek fare. Specialty drink: Iced Tea — Crown Royal, Captain Morgan, Coca-Cola and apples.

TIME OUT SPORTS GRILL 13799 Beach Blvd., Ste. 5, 223-6999, timeoutsportsgrill.com Pizzas, wings, wraps. Specialty drink: Garden Mule — muddled cucumber, citrus vodka, ginger beer, and a lime garnish.

VETERANS UNITED CRAFT BREWERY 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104, 253-3326, vubrew.com Specialty drink: Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale – caramel malt with a perfect pinch of noble hot bitterness.

WICKED BARLEY BREWING COMPANY 4100 Baymeadows Rd., 379-7077, wickedbarley.com Brewing to fill 20 taps. 100 yearly test batches.

Specialty drink: Drink Me CPA — Copper pale ale, 4.9 percent ABV, dry hopped with more than three pounds of hops per barrel.

of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, cinnamon apples.

SAN MARCO, ST. NICHOLAS & SOUTHBANK

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19

The Mustard Seed Cafe Inside Nassau Health Foods, The Mustard Seed is Amelia Island’s only organic eatery and juice bar, with an extensive, eclectic menu featuring vegetarian and vegan items. Daily specials include local seafood, free-range chicken and fresh organic produce. Salads, wraps, sandwiches and soups are available – all prepared with our staff ’s impeccable style. Popular items are chicken or veggie quesadillas, grilled mahi, or salmon over mixed greens and tuna melt with Swiss cheese and tomato. Open for breakfast and lunch, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Sat. nassauhealthfoods.net

833 T.J. Courson Road 904-277-3141

The Patio Place The Patio Place features a full service wine bar and full menu for an experience that combines eclectic global tastes and drinks with a whole lot of atmosphere enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Thriving on a philosophy that features uniqueness, The Patio Place is perfect for relaxing after a workout, grabbing a quick lunch, sharing a memorable dinner out, enjoying happy hour or late evening get-togethers with friends, and having a pleasant afternoon sweet snack with coffee or tea. Stop by and discover why The Patio Place is sure you’ll decide it’s the place for you.

416 Ash Street 904-410-3717

Moon River Pizza Moon River Pizza treats customers like family.

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

925 S. 14th Street 904-321-3400

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

Call for your next special event.

1998 S. Fletcher Ave. 904-277-6652

Beach Diner This local diner chain has been serving great food with top-notch service in Jacksonville for 18 years.

The new Amelia Island location is sure to be your new favorite! Our menu includes breakfast, salads, and sandwiches. We are open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Find us on Facebook!

2006 S. Eighth Street 904-310-3750

Cafe Karibo Homemade sandwiches, salads and soups are served in a relaxed atmosphere in this charming building in the historic district. Delicious fresh fish specials and theme nights (Pad Thai and curry), plus vegetarian dishes, are also featured.

Karibrew Brew Pub & Grub – the only one on the island – offers onsite beers and great burgers and sandwiches.

27 N. Third Street 904-277-5269

29 South Eats This chic, neighborhood bistro has it all – great ambience, fantastic food, an extensive wine list and reasonable prices. The eclectic menu offers regional cuisine with a modern whimsical twist and Chef Scotty Schwartz won Best Chef in Folio Weekly’s 2007 Best of Jax readers poll.

Open for lunch Tue.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for dinner 5:30-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu., till 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. 29southrestaurant.com.

29 S. Third Street 904-277-7919

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

Open at 11:30 a.m. daily.

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

T-Ray’s Burger Station T-Ray’s offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items. In addition to an outstanding breakfast menu, you’ll find some of the best burgers you’ve ever put in your mouth. The Burger Station offers a grilled portabello mushroom burger, grilled or fried chicken salad and much more. The spot where locals grab a bite and go!

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

202 S. Eighth Street 904-261-6310

Jack & Diane’s The locals’ favorite hangout! Dine inside or on the patio of this cozy, renovated 1887 shotgun home in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.

From the crab & shrimp omelet to the steak & tomato pie, “The tastiest spot on Centre” offers food with attitude and unexpected flair.

Live music elevates your dining experience to a new level. Come for breakfast, stay for dinner!

You’ll love every bite!

708 Centre Street 904-321-1444

Amelia Island is 13 miles of unspoiled beaches, quaint shops, antique treasures and superb dining in a 50-block historic district less than one hour north of Jacksonville 20 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

FOLIO A + E

T

he hypnotic, deep-groove funky soul of The Nth Power is a big draw on the jam band circuit.

On the group’s website, the New Orleans-founded quartet claims that it’s “on a mission to share the light.” There’s no doubt that the group’s music is designed to uplift the listener; that goal is accomplished as much through the group’s engaging arrangements as through the thoughtful, contemplative (and often spiritually focused) lyrics of its songs. Musically, The Nth Power has been variously described as “a cross between Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and the Isley Brothers” (Okayplayer.com) and “a gospel-funk blend of the sacred and the profane” (Burlington Free Press).

The group emerged as the fruitful result of what was initially thought of as a one-off jam at the 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest. Backing trumpet player Jen Hartswick (who’s also a member of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio’s solo band), the four original members immediately recognized the potential they would have as a team. The Nth Power quickly coalesced around those core members.

Vermont native guitarist Nick Cassarino lives in New York City; his varied musical background was initially in free jazz and gospel, but years of regular live gigging moved him in the direction of more popular styles like R&B and funk.

Drummer Nikki Glaspie more than earned her street credibility as drummer for Beyoncé; Glaspie spent five years in that capacity, including a world tour.

Glaspie was, for a time, also the drummer in Ivan Neville’s New Orleans-based funk-jam band Dumpstaphunk.

FILM Nun Flicks ARTS Local Theatre Preview MUSIC Butch Trucks LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC CALENDAR

MAXIMUM MUSICAL DEGREES New Orleans supergroup The Nth Power delivers SPIRITUALITY AND SOUL onstage and on two new albums

Bassist Nate Edgar has a long, impressive pedigree as well, having held down the bottom end for Groovechild, Dub Apocalypse and many other groups.

New Orleans native Nigel Hall rounded out the original lineup, and the keyboardist served as the charismatic and soulful front man on the quartet’s earliest recording. The first release from The Nth Power was 2013’s Basic Minimum Skills Test. Nominally an EP, the six-song disc ran more than a half-hour, and introduced listeners to the group’s carefully crafted yet loose-feeling musical approach. Deeply soulful tracks like “Spirits,” “Feel” and “I See Love” established the band’s direction; the voices

of Hall and Cassarino blended seamlessly atop a kinetic musical underpinning.

The group endured a potentially major setback when acclaimed keyboardist and vocalist Hall left, first to play with Lettuce and then to pursue a solo career. Hall’s replacement is Courtney J’Mell Smith, an accomplished keyboardist whose work bears the influence of jazz-funk master George Duke.

PG. 22 PG. 24 PG. 26 PG. 27

The Nth Power rebounded quickly, with the release of not one but two albums from the group in 2016. The studio album Abundance dropped in November, and a change from the earlier EP is evident. Cassarino takes the spotlight as lead vocalist, giving the group a signature sound that now leans a bit more in the direction of jam circuit favorites like the Dave Matthews Band.

The soulful element remains very much at the center of the music.

Released simultaneously with Abundance is a live set, To Be Free: Live. The nine-tune recording captures highlights from a pair of July dates in Boston and another in Brooklyn.

Remarkably, only three of To Be Free: Live’s songs are live versions of Abundance tracks (and none are from the ’13 EP); instead, the live album is mostly new material, demonstrating the group’s wealth of creativity.

Back in March 2016, The Nth Power went to Asheville’s Echo Mountain Studios where they cut an hour-long installment for the Echo Sessions YouTube series. The set featured Ghanian djembe master Weedie Braimah joining in as a short-term fifth member, and previewed songs from Abundance.

While the Echo Sessions set features a well-behaved in-studio audience — thus not fully capturing the excitement and exuberance of live performance by the New Orleans combo — it’s an excellent instruction to the band, and can serve as a subdued preview to the group’s Dec. 30 show at The Ritz Theater in La Villa.

Bill Kopp mail@folioweekly.com

THE Nth POWER

8 p.m. Dec. 30, The Ritz Theatre & Museum, La Villa, $17, ritzjacksonville.com

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 21

FOLIO A+E : MAGIC LANTERNS Two conventinspired dramas are SECOND TO “NUN”

SERIOUS HABITS

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22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

ast year’s winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film was Ida, the first Polish entry to be so honored. This year, French film The Innocents may be nominated in the same category and may well win. Both are remarkable, sharing similar subjects and settings, though quite different in approach.

In each case, though, the result is profoundly moving and memorable.

Set in 1960s Poland, Ida is the story of young orphaned novice Ida (Agata Kulesza) who, about to take her vows to become a nun, is told by the Mother Abbess she must first meet with her aunt, of whose existence Ida was unaware. Traveling to the city, Ida learns from her Aunt Wanda (Agata Trzebuchowska) that she’s actually Jewish, her parents and brother murdered during the German occupation, along with Wanda’s infant son.

With her cynical, hard-drinking and promiscuous aunt, a Resistance fighter during the war and a stern judge for the People’s Court under the Soviet regime, Ida travels to her one-time family home to try to recover her family’s remains. The journey to their shared past is revelatory and transformative for the women, though in quite different ways.

Filmed in stark but stunning blackand-white, Ida is visually and thematically engrossing. Besides its Best Picture Oscar, it was also nominated for Best Cinematography, a highly unusual nod for a foreign film, but understandable in this case. The film’s compositions often frame its characters, particularly Ida, in a diminutive or uncentered position in regard to setting and environment.

The story is about individuals nearly subsumed by their environment.

Director Pawel Pawlikowski created a masterpiece of nuance and intelligence that challenges interpretation as much as it evokes emotion. Both actresses, particularly the younger Kulesza, are simply unforgettable, their characters more imbued by their presence and gestures than by dialogue.

The final scene evokes Truffaut’s famous conclusion to The 400 Blows, in which a long tracking shot follows his adolescent rebel as he runs to an ambiguous confrontation with an uncertain future. Ida’s future might seem even more dubious to some viewers, but her experiences have been more profound than Truffaut’s young hero, and this time the camera precedes and faces her on the long path she has chosen.

Certainly provocative and open to interpretation, Pawlikowski’s ending seems far more affirmative to me than not. Still, like Ida as a whole, it’s beautiful and unforgettable.

The Innocents, taking a different approach to a similarly themed subject, is just as memorable, though far less nuanced. Based on true events, the story focuses on Mathilde (Lou de Laage), a young French doctor with the Red Cross in Soviet-occupied Poland in December 1945, and her efforts to aid nuns in a nearby convent, many of whom have become pregnant after being raped by invading Russian soldiers.

Unlike Ida, the French film (directed by Anne Fontaine) focuses on several different thematic dilemmas arising from various characters’ conflicting beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Committed to aiding the unfortunate women, Mathilde must first overcome their shame and reluctance to expose themselves to physical examination and possible scandal. Then there’s the real problem of what to do with the babies, which leads to two of the film’s most excruciating and exultant moments.

The Innocents has more characters, and so explores in more complicated variations the conflict between religious faith and secular humanism — a key component of Ida. In The Innocents, the reluctant nuns must decide whether to allow help from Mathilde’s Jewish colleague. Moreover, there’s the abiding question of God’s will and the existence of obvious evil.

Two of the very best films I’ve seen this past year, Ida and The Innocents are testaments to the power of the human spirit and the role of cinema as art as well as entertainment.

Pat McLeod mail@folioweekly.com

NOWSHOWING SUN-RAY CINEMA Manchester by the Sea, The Eagle Huntress and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are currently screening, 1028 Park St., 359-0049, sunraycinema.com.

CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ Café Society runs through Jan. 5. TBT features Sabrina, noon Dec. 29 and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, noon on Jan. 5. Nanook of the North plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 29 for Cult Thursday. The Gold Rush screens Dec. 28Jan. 5. 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, 679-5736, corazoncinemaandcafe.com.

IMAX THEATER Rogue One: A Star Wars Story IMAX 3D and The Polar Express, Robots 3D, America Wild: National Parks Adventure, A Beautiful Planet, Extreme Weather and Secret Ocean run at World Golf Village IMAX Theater, St. Augustine, 940-4133, worldgolfimax.com.

ARTS + EVENTS PERFORMANCE

COME BLOW YOUR HORN Alhambra Theatre & Dining opens its 50th season with a production of Neil Simon’s (their firstever was back in ’67), about a young man who goes to live with his swingin’ older brother in Manhattan, Jan. 4-22. Dinner 6 p.m.; brunch noon, with a themed menu by Executive Chef DeJuan Roy; at 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, $35 plus tax, 641-1212, alhambrajax.com.

MOSCOW BALLET: GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER The acclaimed Moscow Ballet is joined by local dancers for the holiday classic, 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $31.50-$178.50, floridatheatre.com.

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS Your favorite contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race hit the stage, 8 p.m. Dec. 29 at Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Terry Theater, 300 W. Water St., Downtown, 633-6110, $20-$150 (VIP), ticketmaster.com.

SHEN YUN The acclaimed dance and acrobatic troupe tells a colorful history of 5,000 years of Chinese culture and storytelling, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 4 at Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Moran Theater, 633-6110, $70-$150, ticketmaster.com.

COTTON PATCH GOSPEL This religious-based musical, with music by Harry Chapin that places the Gospel of Matthew square in the heart of modern-day, rural Georgia, is staged 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 30 and 31 at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, $15, limelight-theatre.org.

CLASSICAL & JAZZ

TBA BIG BAND The community big band performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at Mudville Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 352-7008, $10, raylewispresents.com.

The NTH POWER The New Orleans soul-jazz-jam-band supergroup performs 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at The Ritz Theatre & Museum, 829 N. Davis St., Downtown, 807-2010, $17 plus charges, ritzjacksonville.com.

ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL CHOIR Organist Tim Tuller conducts the choir in a concert, including works by Rutter, Palestrina and Chilcott, 5 p.m. Dec. 31 at 256 E. Church St., Downtown, 356-5507, jaxcathedral.org.

NYE WITH STEVE REINEKE: SINATRA – THE BEST IS YET TO COME Pops conductor Reineke and vocalists Montego Glover and Tony DeSare join the Jacksonville Symphony for a concert of Frank Sinatra hits, 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at T-U Center’s Jacoby Symphony Hall, 354-5547, $27-$77, jaxsymphony.org.

JAX SYMPHONY NYE AFTER PARTY Following the performance of Sinatra – the Best is Yet to Come, the symphony closes out 2016 with music by The Chris Thomas Band, champagne, and an unrivaled view of the fireworks over the St. Johns River, 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at T-U Center’s Jacoby Symphony Hall, 354-5547, $25, jaxsymphony.org.

COMEDY

MARK KLEIN Funnyman Klein is on at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, 292-4242, $12-$15, comedyzone.com.

NYE CELEBRATION AT THE COMEDY ZONE This annual fave NYE celebration features comedy by Mark Klein and Danny Johnson, a prime rib and crab leg buffet, DJ and dancing, party favors, and champagne toast at midnight; starts 6:30 p.m. (first dinner) and 8:30 p.m. (second dinner); comedy show 9:45 p.m., $75 each dinner per person. Comedy show with all the bells and whistles, minus dinner, starts 9 p.m.; $45, The Comedy Zone, comedyzone.com.

DONNELL RAWLINGS Comedian Rawlings, best known as “Ashy Larry” on Chappelle’s Show, is on at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at The Comedy Club of Jacksonville, 11000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 646-4277, $25-$35, jacksonvillecomedy.com.

NYE AT THE COMEDY CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE This 2016 sendoff features comedy by Donnell Rawlings, dinner (ham, turkey and prime rib carving station), dancing, party favors and champagne toast at midnight; starts 8 p.m. Dec. 31, The Comedy Club of Jacksonville, $65-$70, jacksonvillecomedy.com.

CALLS & WORKSHOPS

JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN’S CHORUS Auditions for the new season are held by appointment only at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 5, 5 p.m. Jan. 9 and 4 p.m. Jan. 10 at 225 E. Duval St., Downtown, 353-1636 ext. 1; jaxchildrenschrous.org/audition.

NEW TOWN URBAN FARM Urban Geoponics and New Town are developing a large community garden at Pearce and West Third streets, in the New Town/Edward Waters area, Northside. It will provide fresh produce and a hands-on, open-air center of learning for the community and area students. Urban Farm meets 10 a.m.1 p.m. every Sun. Details, call Diallo-Sekou at 706-284-9808.

ART WALKS & MARKETS

WHITE HARVEST FARMS & FARMER’S MARKET Local organic, fresh produce, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every Sat. at 5348 Moncrief Rd., Northside, 354-4162; proceeds benefit Clara White Mission, clarawhitemission.org.

WINTER RAM Some of Riverside Arts Market’s artists, food artists and local, seasonal produce are featured, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sat. under the Fuller Warren Bridge, 715 Riverside Ave., free admission, 389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com.

UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT The self-guided tour features galleries, antique stores and shops open 5-9 p.m. Dec. 31 and every last Sat. in St. Augustine’s San Marco District, 824-3152.

FIRST WEDNESDAY ART WALK The downtown art walk, held

5-9 p.m. Jan. 4 and themed Interactive Art, features more than 60 live music venues, businesses, culinary arts venues and hotspots spanning 15 blocks in Downtown Jacksonville. iloveartwalk.com.

MUSEUMS

AMELIA ISLAND MUSEUM OF HISTORY 233 S. Third St., Fernandina, 261-7378, ameliamuseum.org. It Came from the Attic: The Lesesne House is on display.

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 29 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, cummermuseum.org. David Ponsler: Chasing Shadows, displays through Oct. 4. Folk Couture: Fashion & Folk Art, works by 13 artists inspired by Folk Art Museum, displays through Jan. 1. Lift: Contemporary Expressions of the African American Experience, works of local artists Thony Aiuppy, Glendia Cooper, Ingrid Damiani, Overstreet Ducasse, Dustin Harewood, Marsha Hatcher, Hiromi Moneyhun, Princess Rashid, Chip Southworth, Roosevelt Watson III, through Feb. 12.

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

Photographic works by Will Dickey, staff photographer for The Florida Times-Union, display through Dec. 30.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., 366-6911, mocajacksonville.unf.edu. The MOCA Student Residency Exhibition, works by MOCA’s inaugural student-in-residence Mary Ratcliff, is on display through April 2. The Project Atrium: Nicola Lopez installation, A Gentle Defiance of Gravity & Form, a skyscraper-like construction that combines steel and printed imagery, displays through Feb. 26. Leaves: Recent Prints & Sculpture by Donald Martin is on display through Jan. 22. Retro-Spective: Analog Photography in a Digital World and Breaking Ground: the Donald and Maria Cox Collection display through Jan. 8.

WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM 1 World Golf Pl., St. Augustine, 940-4133, worldgolfhalloffame.org. Grace & Grit – Women Champions Through the Years is on display.

GALLERIES

THE ART CENTER GALLERY Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 139, 233-9252, tacjacksonville.org. Figure drawing classes, 7 p.m. every Tue. The juried exhibit Unity in Diversity is on display Jan. 4-March 2.

THE CULTURAL CENTER AT PONTE VEDRA BEACH 50 Executive Way, 280-0614, ccpvb.org. Visions: Ancient & Modern, works by Mary Lou Gibson and Worley Faver, displays through Jan. 5.

DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS’ CAMPUS GALLERY 2445 San Diego Rd., San Marco, 346-5620, duvalschools.org. Works by DASOTA students are featured.

FIRST STREET GALLERY 216-B First St., Neptune Beach, 241-6928, firststreetgalleryart.com. Watercolorist Sandra Baker Hinton’s Coastal Colors displays through Jan. 4.

GALLERY 1037 Reddi-Arts, 1037 Hendricks Ave., Southbank, 398-3161, jacksonvilleartistsguild.org. The Jacksonville Artists Guild presents Les Quatre Amis, works by Princess Simpson Rashid, Annelies Dykgraaf, Cookie Davis and Marsha Hatcher, through December.

HUBLEY GALLERY 804 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 429-9769. Mary Hubley’s Toescape is on display.

MONROE GALLERIES 40 W. Monroe St., Downtown, 8810209, monroegalleries.com. Works by Jami Childers, Barbie Workman, Amber Angeloni, Zara Harriz, Amber Bailey and First Coast Plein Air Painters are displayed.

NASSAU COUNTY LIBRARY 25 N. Fourth St., Fernandina Beach, 277-7365, nassaureads.com. The Art of the Japanese Print, through Dec. 30.

PLUM GALLERY 10 Aviles St., St. Augustine, 825-0069, plumartgallery.com. New works by painter Sara Pedigo and assemblage artist Barbara J. Cornett display through February.

ROTUNDA GALLERY St. Johns County Admin. Bldg., 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, 471-9980. The Betty Griffin Center: A Day Without Violence exhibit runs through Jan. 26.

SUBLIME ORIGINAL GALLERY The DeLO, 420 Broad St., Downtown, 901-5515, sublimeoriginal.com. Life is Beautiful: An Exhibition of Works by Linda Broadfoot, Jim Draper, Thomas Hager, Chris Leidy and Steven Lyon displays through Jan. 9.

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY Bank of America Tower, 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 150, 438-4358, southlightgallery.com. Tom Schifanella’s Primal Light: Landscape Photography of Iceland and Peace On Earth, works of 18 collaborative members, display in December.

ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION 22 Marine St., 824-2310, staaa.org. Florida Forever! through December.

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

(all events Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted)

FAMILY EVENTS

BEACH BLAST OFF 2017 The 11th annual celebration features fireworks, kids zone, carnival rides, mechanical bull, photo booth, food, champagne, beer and wine, live music by Papercutt, Old Enough 2 Know Better, Oh No and Prom Kings, 4-10 p.m., St. Augustine Beach Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., 669-5670, sabevents.com.

NOON YEAR’S EVE The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens celebrates, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with entertainment, party favors, prizes and an apple juice toast at noon, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, free with general admission, 757-4463 ext. 390, jaxzoo.org.

HAP-PEA ALL YEAR The LMNO Peas celebrate the New Year at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 11112 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 8, Mandarin, 886-9904, stores.barnesandnoble.com.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 23

FOLIO A+E : ARTS

Artist Series presents Kinky Boots May 2-7

L

ocal theatre lovers have a wealth of quality productions in the upcoming year.

For openers:

second star on the right and straight on ‘til morning. January 13-14, 19-22, 26-29 at Theatre Jacksonville, theatrejax.com.

• ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING is • celebrating 50 years, starting with • the return of the first production ever • performed at the theatre, Neil Simon’s • Come Blow Your Horn, on January 4.

’NIGHT MOTHER

• ARTIST SERIES presents one of • its best top-to-bottom seasons in • years, including the return of The • Book of Mormon.

• THE 5 & DIME is moving to a • permanent home in the Urban • Core. The nomadic theatre • company will open at 112 E. • Adams St. (near the former • location of Burro Bar), just in • time for its fundraiser cabaret • show LIVE at The 5 & Dime: An • Evening of Song on January 20 • and 21 at 8 p.m.

As we dream of a parallel universe where The 5 & Dime, Chomp Chomp, and Burro Bar could have all existed in the same strip of Downtown Jacksonville, mark your calendars for these productions in 2017:

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

The 5 & Dime goes into full production mode at its new East Adams home with Bradley Akers sitting in the director’s chair for Marsha Norman’s ’night Mother — winner of the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Tracy Letts — who later won the Pulitzer for 2007’s August: Osage County — earned his bones in 1993 with Killer Joe. This dark comedy examines trailer park tropes and a contract killer plot that takes some surprising turns.

Letts’ story was optioned for a Matthew McConaughey film that received an NC-17 rating in 2011 and past stagings have gone for shock effects. But the genius in Letts’ play lies in the fast-paced story and the relationships between these characters. March 17-18, 23-26, 30-31 and April 1, at Players by the Sea, playersbythesea.org.

KICKING INTO A NEW

YEAR ON STAGE

After staging the famous characters of Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle earlier this season, Theatre Jacksonville takes on the origin story of another British creation in Peter and the Starcatcher.

Starcatcher might be the optimal word for theatregoers buzzing about a cast that includes former Folio Weekly Best of Jax actor Daniel Austin, Jason Collins who recently drew raves for Let’s Kill Greg, from Al Emerick and Ron Shreve, among others.

The play, which won five Tonys, is based on the novel by author and humor columnist Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and looks to finally reveal the origin behind Peter Pan, Wendy, the Lost Boys, and Captain Hook.

Director Roxanna Lewis and musical director Erin Barnes create the magical prelude to Neverland that goes beyond the 24 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

KILLER JOE

Jacksonville stages will offer NO SHORTAGE of storylines in 2017 The 5 & Dime will occupy 3,400 square feet of space after completion — with a planned 2017 season featuring two musicals, four plays and two cabarets.

In ’night Mother, Lindsay Curry takes on the Kathy Bates role of Jessie Cates, while Brooks Anne Meierdierks steps into Anne Pitoniak’s role as Thelma Cates from the 1983 Broadway cast.

The mother-daughter drama opens with Jessie telling her mother that she intends to commit suicide. Jessie’s reasons and the lives the two women have led are laid bare through their dialogue. February 17, and running for three weekends through March 4, at The 5 & Dime, the5anddime.org.

DREAMGIRLS

The Alhambra knows how to wow audiences with dreamy voices.

In August, Dayna Richardson and Sarah Sanders (also known as Mama Blue) carried the day in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. They’ll be a tough act to follow, but we’re betting Alhambra director Tod Booth brings talent to the stage again as The Dreams learn the price of fame and international acclaim in DreamGirls.

April 12-May 21 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining, alhambrajax.com.

KINKY BOOTS

Artist Series presents a 2017 season that’s creating much more buzz than its comparatively weaker 2015-’16 edition.

This season runs the gamut from the return of hilarious obscenity from The Book of Mormon in January to the contemporary Rodgers and Hammerstein version of Cinderella in June. But the show guaranteed to rock the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts is sure to be Cyndi Lauper’s first foray into musical theatre. Kinky Boots is inspired by true events in the only way a musical based on a British film based on a BBC documentary TV series can be based on a true story. Help in Broadway musicals often arrives from magical places in sturdy stilettos. And somehow, someway, Lauper is now an Oscar away from completing an EGOT. (For those keeping score of Emmys, Grammys and Tonys.)

Tuesday, May 2-7, at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, fscjartistseries.org.

David Paul Johnson mail@folioweekly.com

ARTS + EVENTS FOR THE GROWNUPS

ALHAMBRA THEATRE The Piano Men Tribute, featuring music of Elton John, Billy Joel and Jerry Lee Lewis, is staged. Crescendo Amelia Big Band performs. A Champagne reception and hors d’oeuvres, three-course table-served dinner, midnight Champagne toast and balloon drop, and midnight breakfast buffet are featured.

Formal wear. Tickets are $129 per person; reservations required. Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 641-1212, alhambrajax.com.

AZUREA RESTAURANT A gourmet five-course prix fixe menu with wine pairing option, 6-10 p.m. at One Ocean Resort & Spa, Atlantic Beach, 249-7402, oneoceanresort.com/holidayspecials.aspx EXTRAVAGANZA AT MYTH The party is held 5 p.m.-3 a.m.; DJ Money Gud, Donnie Lowe, Jon Kinesis, Wali Sadeq, Mike Shea, Don Brad, Lowkey, Skyhye, Flvkez, Sub-Lo, The Raisin Cake Orchestra perform. Complimentary midnight champagne toast, balloon drop, 333 E. Bay St., Downtown, 707-0474, mythexperience.com.

JACK RABBITS Live music by The Heavy Pets, The Groove Orient, Blackwater Grease, Vlad The Inhaler, Cat Party, 8 p.m.

Dec. 31, Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, 398-7496, $20 advance; $25 day of.

BLACK & WHITE GALA The Gala features food buffets, an open bar, live music, dancing and fireworks, and champagne toast, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., The Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway; $250; black and white attire encouraged; masks provided. 277-1100.

UNITY PLAZA The band Be Easy performs 9 p.m.-midnight, Unity Plaza, 220 Riverside Ave., $10, 904tix.com.

RESTAURANT DORO Ring in 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the new restaurant, 106 First St., Neptune Beach, 853-6943, restaurantdoro.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE RIVER BASH The second annual bash features an open bar, Champagne, private VIP access, music, food and fireworks, 9 p.m.-1:45 a.m., Deep Blue (above Fionn MacCool’s), 2 Independent Dr., The Landing, $90 per person, jacksonvillelanding.com.

CORAZON CINEMA & CAFE Dress in James Bond or Bond girl style; a Champagne welcome, dinner, popcorn and a screening of Goldfinger are featured, 8 p.m., Corazon Cinema & Café, 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, $15, 679-5736, corazoncinemaandcafe.com.

WICKED BARLEY BREWING COMPANY The inaugural party features special batch releases, extended hours, food specials and a complimentary sparkling cider toast at midnight, 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Wicked Barley, 4100 Baymeadows Rd., 379-7077, wickedbarley.com.

MAVERICKS LIVE CELEBRATION The 11th annual Smokin Aces Party features party favors, a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop, 8 p.m., Mavericks Live, Jax Landing, 2 Independent Dr., Downtown, $10-$15; tables $50 per seat; reservations 660-8511, VIP 814-335-4208, mavericksatthelanding.com.

KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO The award-winning gastropub offers a three-course prix fixe dinner, 5-11 p.m., 1402 San Marco Blvd.; $50 per person plus tax and gratuity; reservations 396-2344, kitchenonsanmarco.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH A champagne toast, giveaways, balloon drop, breakfast at midnight and live music by Boogie Freaks are featured, Whitey’s Fish Camp, 2032 C.R. 220, Fleming Island; $10; reservations 269-4198, whiteysfishcamp.com.

FIONN MACCOOL’S IRISH PUB Live music by The Super Group is featured 8 p.m., Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Landing, 2 Independent Dr., Downtown, 374-1547, fionnmacs.com.

FLYING IGUANA NYE PARTY The Gootch entertains at 10 p.m., Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680, flyingiguana.com.

EVENTS

HOLIDAY NUTCRACKER DISPLAY All kinds of Nutcrackers – like from the much-loved ballet – are on display for holiday viewing, in the windows of Hooshang Oriental Rugs, 3571 St. Johns Ave., Avondale, 384-7111, hooshang-rugs.com.

ST. AUGUSTINE ECO TOURS One-hour excursions in six or 12-passenger vessels daily, 6-7 p.m. and 7:30-8:30 p.m., along Matanzas River, leaving from Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, $35; details 377-7245, staugustineecotours.com.

JAX BEACH DECK THE CHAIRS A multimedia-holiday show with more than 40 lifeguard chairs decorated and an enhanced 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, programmed music, dancing lights and light projections, is held at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. every Fri., Sat. and Sun. in December (except Christmas); deckthechairs.org.

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS VILLAGE The family-friendly compound includes Santa’s workshop, letter-writing station, haymaze, hayrides, carousel rides, craft barn marketplace, food trucks, performances, and one-million-plus lights, 5-10 p.m.

Tue.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. and Sun., through December at 17255 Normandy Blvd., Northside, $22; $12 ages 3-13, kids 3 and younger free, jacksonvillechristmas.com.

JAX ILLUMINATIONS HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW The fourth annual drive-thru show is a mile-long drive through a millionplus lights, 6-9:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1, Morocco Shrine Center, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Southside, $20; 7-passenger max, $2.50 each additional, jaxilluminations.com. ____________________________________________ To list an event, send time, date, location (street address, city), admission price, contact number to print to Daniel A. Brown – email dbrown@ folioweekly.com or mail, 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 103, Jacksonville FL 32202.

Items run as space is available. Deadline noon Wed. for next Wed. printing.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 25

FOLIO A+E : MUSIC “The one thing I pound into every one of them is to go back and listen to The Allman Brothers At Fillmore East, up until the time that Duane died, because that’s when we were really, really, really innovating,” says Trucks. “That’s when we were playing, you never knew what was going to happen next. Then after Duane died, [guitarist/singer] Dickey [Betts] kind of took us from that jazz direction in a country direction and that spontaneity just kind of went by the wayside. And I hate to say it, but I think the worst thing that ever happened to the Allman Brothers was success.”

The Allman Brothers, in fact, enjoyed their greatest success after the deaths of Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley (who, eerily enough, perished in a 1972 motorcycle accident), after a revamped lineup made the 1973 album, Brothers and Sisters. That classic topped the album charts and produced the hit single “Ramblin’ Man” and turned The Allman Brothers into one of the biggest bands going in the mid-’1970s.

DONNA THE BUFFALO and BUTCH TRUCKS & THE FREIGHT TRAIN BAND

7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, $28.50 advance; $31.50 day of (SRO), pvconcerthall.com

STAYING RIGHT ON TRACK T

he Allman Brothers Band may be over — at least as an ongoing active band. But Butch Trucks is doing his best to keep the spirit of that long-running and influential group alive with his new group, Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band.

The Allman Brothers Band (ABB) played its last show in October 2014, but after taking several months to relax at his home in France, Trucks got the itch to play music again.

“I got to thinking about halfway through 2015, ‘I ain’t dead yet,’” Trucks tells Folio Weekly. “So I told my wife, I’m going to head back over [to the United States] and I’m going to put together another band. And we are going to play music like the Allman Brothers did, because nobody else is doing it.”

The band members Trucks (who shared drumming duties in the ABB with Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson) found for his Freight Train band include a pair of musicians with 26 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

Legendary drummer Butch Trucks rolls winning boxcars with his NEW SUPERGROUP, the Freight Train Band

noteworthy résumés. Guitarist/singer Damon Fowler has recorded five blues-centered solo albums and is part of a blues supergroup, Southern Hospitality. Keyboardist Bruce Katz leads his own band and, over the course of a three-decade career, has performed on more than 70 albums by other artists.

Joining those core members are guitarist Chris Vitarello (also a member of the Bruce Katz Band), guitarist/singer Heather Gillis and percussionist Garrett Dawson. Locals can check out the band when they open for Donna the Buffalo on Dec. 29 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.

The main aspect of the ABB that Trucks wanted to revive was the kind of spontaneous improvisation of that group’s concerts, especially when the original lineup was together from 1969 until original guitarist and band leader Duane Allman’s death in a motorcycle accident on Oct. 29, 1971.

But drug use, internal issues and other problems split the band in 1976. The group reunited from 1978 to 1982, split again, and then reformed in 1989, eventually settling into a post-2000 lineup anchored by Gregg Allman and guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks (Trucks’ nephew).

Though the October 2014 shows were billed as the final shows for the group, Gregg Allman, in an interview with me this past summer, said he could see the ABB reuniting for a tour next year or in 2018.

Trucks isn’t ruling out the idea, but said Gregg Allman’s health will be a key factor. If Allman (who had to cancel a run of shows with ZZ Top this past summer) gets his health stabilized, Trucks could see a reunion happening.

“I would love to do one more round,” Trucks said of an ABB reunion tour. “I would absolutely love it.”

As it is, he’s loving what he’s hearing and seeing on stage with his Freight Train Band. In particular, Trucks feels his new group is recapturing some of the spontaneity and adventurous spirit of the original Allman Brothers Band. The band’s live repertoire, which includes several ABB classics, a few covers and songs written by the band members, is suited to the kind of improvisation and unpredictability Trucks treasured in the early ABB concerts.

He noted that Gillis is asserting herself as third guitarist and following the lead of Les Brers, a second new group Trucks started that includes several Allman Brothers alumni.

“She [Gillis] started coming to listen to Les Brers, and [guitarists] Jack Pearson and Pat Berguson, they play like Duane and Dickey did back in those early days,” Trucks said. “One of them will be playing, and the other one will hear something and he’ll just step right in and they’ll start trading stuff and they’ll start intertwining stuff and playing melodies and this, that and the other, and it’s different all the damn time. And what Heather has started doing [in the Freight Train Band] is when she hears Chris or Damon doing something, she’ll start doing that. Then before you know it, you’ll have all three of them throwing licks around, and it’s really incredible.”

Alan Sculley mail@folioweekly.com

Fort Lauderdale jam band dudes THE HEAVY PETS (pictured) perform with THE GROOVE ORIENT, BLACKWATER GREASE, VLAD THE INHALER, and CAT PARTY Dec. 31 at Jack Rabbits, San Marco.

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC CONCERTS THIS WEEK

SPADE McQUADE 6 p.m. Dec. 28, Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub, Jacksonville Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1247.

BACKUP PLANET, JOHNNY GREENLIGHT, GONE TO PLAID 8 p.m. Dec. 28, 1904 Music Hall, 19 Ocean St., Downtown, $8 advance; $10 day of.

MEDAL MILITIA (Metallica Tribute), AUTOMATIK FIT 8 p.m. Dec. 28, Jack Rabbits, 1528 Hendricks Ave., San Marco, 398-7496, $10.

ROSEDALE 8 p.m. Dec. 28, Planet Sarbez, 115 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 342-0632.

DONNA the BUFFALO, BUTCH TRUCKS & the FREIGHT TRAIN BAND 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., 209-0399, $28.50 advance; $31.50 day of (SRO).

The SUPERVILLAINS, DANKA, DR. SCIENCE 8 p.m. Dec. 29, Jack Rabbits, $10.

3 the BAND 9 p.m. Dec. 29, Flying Iguana, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680.

MIKE SHACKELFORD, STEVE SHANHOLTZER 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 30, Mudville Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., St. Nicholas, 352-7008, $10.

BRET MICHAELS, LITA FORD 8 p.m. Dec. 30, The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, 355-2787, $39-$79.

FLAGSHIP ROMANCE, SPICE & the PO BOYS 8 p.m. Dec. 30, Jack Rabbits, $8.

EVAN MICHAEL & the WELL WISHERS 10 p.m. Dec. 30 & 31, Flying Iguana.

Pizza Fest Three: TOUGH JUNKIE, TERRAIN, CHIEFORIA, TRADED YOUTH, SIN, THE RUFFIANS, ERNEST STREET MAFIA, THE DUVAL SPIT, DIGDOG, MUDTOWN, JACKIE STRANGER, FIVE CENT PSYCHIATRIST, CHARLIE SHUCK 6 p.m. Dec. 31, Nighthawks, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd., Riverside, $7.

The HEAVY PETS, The GROOVE ORIENT, BLACKWATER GREASE, VLAD the INHALER, CAT PARTY 8 p.m. Dec. 31, Jack Rabbits, $20 advance; $25 day of.

Pizza Fest Three: FORSAKEN PROFITS, DSR, ROTTEN STITCHES, GROSS EVOLUTION, CONCRETE CRIMINALS, CONSEQUENCE, FRIENDLY FIRE, VICIOUS DREAMS, DRETCH, SCATTER SHOT, The HOOLIGANZ, A MATTER of HONOR, ASKMEIFICARE 6 p.m. Jan. 1, Nighthawks, $7.

PSYKOTRIBE, MY MISSING HALF 8 p.m. Jan. 2, Jack Rabbits, $8.

UPCOMING CONCERTS The MOTHER GOOSES Jan. 6, Jack Rabbits MICHAEL BOLTON Jan. 11, The Florida Theatre DAMIEN ESCOBAR Jan. 12, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall WIMPY RUTHERFORD & the CRYPTICS Jan. 13, Nobby’s Winter Jam: CROWDER, BRITT NICOLE, TENTH AVENUE NORTH, ANDY MINEO, COLTON DIXON, THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH, NEWSONG, OBB, SARAH REEVES, STEVEN

MALCOLM Jan. 13, Veterans Memorial Arena LEWIS BLACK Jan. 13, The Florida Theatre DWEEZIL ZAPPA Jan. 13, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall HENRY ROLLINS Jan. 14, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LOS LOBOS Jan. 15, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BOYTOY Jan. 15, Rain Dogs PINK MARTINI Jan. 17, The Florida Theatre DOYLE BRAMHALL II Jan. 17, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall MIKE DOUGHTY, WHEATUS Jan. 18, Jack Rabbits DR. JOHN & the NITE TRIPPERS Jan. 18, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE Jan. 20, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ORDINARY BOYS: A tribute to the music of The Smiths & Morrisey Jan. 21, 1904 Music Hall PETER BRADLEY ADAMS Jan. 22, Café Eleven BILLY CRYSTAL Jan. 25, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Moran Theater JEANNE ROBERTSON Jan. 21, The Florida Theatre ELVIS LIVES Jan. 24, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts GLADYS KNIGHT Jan. 25, The Florida Theatre LEE BRICE, JUSTIN MOORE, WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN Jan. 26, Veterans Memorial Arena KATHLEEN MADIGAN Jan. 27, The Florida Theatre J BOOG, JEMERE MORGAN Jan. 27, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall KENNY ROGERS, LINDA DAVIS Jan. 28, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts The BEACH BOYS Jan. 28, The Florida Theatre HEATHER MALONEY Jan. 29, Café Eleven KURT VILE & the VIOLATORS, LUKE ROBERTS Jan. 30, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall VOCALOSITY Feb. 1, The Florida Theatre CHRISTIE DASHIELL Feb. 2, Ritz Theatre ARLO GUTHRIE Feb. 2, The Florida Theatre TOM RUSH Feb. 3, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall PAT METHENY, ANTONIO SANCHEZ, LINDA OH, GWILYM SIMCOCK Feb. 3, The Florida Theatre SARA WATKINS Feb. 4, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BOSTON POPS ESPLANDE ORCHESTRA Feb. 4, TimesUnion Center for the Performing Arts GAELIC STORM Feb. 8, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE Feb. 9, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER Feb. 9, Jack Rabbits The BABES Feb. 11, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ANDERS OSBORNE, The GHOST of PAUL REVERE Feb. 11, Mavericks Live Lincolnville Porch Fest: CHELSEA SADDLER, TELEPATHIC LINES, RIVERNECKS, The WOBBLY TOMS, GHOST TROPIC, AMY HENDRICKSON, SAND FLEAS, ROBBIE DAMMIT & the BROKEN STRINGS, NESTA, RAMONA QUIMBY, KYLE WAGONER, EARLY DISCLAIMERS, LONESOME BERT & the SKINNY LIZARDS, KENSLEY STEWART, The WILLOWWACKS, ASLYN & the NAYSAYERS Feb. 12, St. Augustine

UNDER the STREETLAMP Feb. 12, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall AL DI MEOLA Feb. 14, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall YES Feb. 15, The Florida Theatre ANDY McKEE Feb. 15, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall MATT PRYOR, DAN ADRIANO Feb. 16, 1904 Music Hall THREE DOG NIGHT, AMERICA Feb. 16, The Florida Theatre RICHARD THOMPSON Feb. 16, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The PAUL THORN BAND Feb. 17, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The PIANO GUYS Feb. 17, The Florida Theatre TOBYMAC, MATT MAHER, MANDISA, MAC POWELL, CAPITAL KINGS, RYAN STEVENSON, HOLLYN Feb. 17, Veterans Memorial Arena TRAE CROWDER, COREY RYAN FORESTER, DREW MORGAN Feb. 18, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BEAUSOLEIL avec MICHAEL DOUCET Feb. 19, Café Eleven SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & the ASBURY JUKES Feb. 19, The Florida Theatre COLIN HAY Feb. 22, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall JOE BONAMASSA Feb. 22, The Florida Theatre TONY BENNETT Feb. 22, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts PENNY & SPARROW Feb. 22, Café Eleven MINDI ABAIR Feb. 23, Ritz Theatre MANHATTAN TRANSFER, TAKE 6 Feb. 23, The Florida Theatre FOREIGNER, KANSAS Feb. 24, St. Augustine Amphitheatre ELIZABETH COOK, DALE WATSON Feb. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LUKE BRYAN, BRETT ELDREDGE Feb. 25, Veterans Memorial Arena OLD 97’s, BOTTLE ROCKETS Feb. 25, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall PEPPER, LESS THAN JAKE, The ATTACK, The BUNNY GANG Feb. 25, St. Augustine Amphitheatre DENNIS DeYOUNG, JACKSONVILLE ROCK SYMPHONY Feb. 26, The Florida Theatre AGENT ORANGE, GUTTERMOUTH, The QUEERS, The ATOM AGE Feb. 26, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Party JUSTIN HAYWARD, MIKE DAWES Feb. 27, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall TAJ EXPRESS Feb. 28, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts AMOS LEE Feb. 28, The Florida Theatre MARC COHN March 1, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall PIERCE PETTIS March 2, Café Eleven The WEIGHT, members of THE BAND March 3, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LUCINDA WILLIAMS March 4, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The GROWLERS March 4, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Party SPYRO GYRA March 5, The Florida Theatre KT TUNSTALL March 5, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY, DWIGHT YOAKAM March 7, St. Augustine Amphitheatre EARTH, WIND & FIRE March 9, St. Augustine Amphitheatre TAJ MAHAL March 10, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall KODO March 11, The Florida Theatre

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 27

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC Killer Mousse! Hair metal icons BRET MICHAELS (pictured) and LITA FORD perform Dec. 30 at The Florida Theatre, Downtown.

CLINT BLACK March 12, The Florida Theatre NEWSBOYS March 12, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts AUDRA McDONALD, JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN’S CHORUS March 12, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts’ Jacoby Symphony Hall The CHARLIE DANIELS BAND March 16, The Florida Theatre IGOR & the RED ELVISES March 16, Café Eleven Anastasia Music Festival: The DEL McCOURY BAND, DAVE GRISMAN’S BLUEGRASS EXPERIENCE, SAM BUSH, ELEPHANT REVIVAL, FRUITION, CABINET, JEFF AUSTIN BAND, The TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS, MANDOLIN ORANGE, JOE PUG, SIERRA HULL, The BROOMESTIX, DUSTBOWL REVIVAL, JON STICKLEY TRIO, GRITS & SOUL, NIKKI TALLEY, TAYLOR MARTIN, STEVE PRUETT March 16-18, St. Augustine Amphitheatre GET THE LED OUT March 17, The Florida Theatre

ADAM SAVAGE, PILOBOLUS SHADOWLAND March 21, The Florida Theatre The HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS March 21, Veterans Memorial Arena 24 Karat Gold Show: STEVIE NICKS, PRETENDERS March 23, Veterans Memorial Arena I Love The ’90s Tour: VANILLA ICE, NAUGHTY by NATURE, SUGAR RAY’S MARK McGRATH, BIZ MARKIE, ALL-4-ONE, YOUNG MC March 24, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CHEYENNE JACKSON March 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall 1964: The TRIBUTE March 25, St. Augustine Amphitheatre AIR SUPPLY March 26, The Florida Theatre RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER March 26, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND March 30, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

DINOSAUR JR. March 31, Mavericks Live JIM BRICKMAN March 31, The Florida Theatre RICK THOMAS April 1, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall XIU XIU April 1, The Sleeping Giant Film Festival STEVE MILLER BAND, LOS LONELY BOYS April 2, St. Augustine Amphitheatre ANA POPOVIC April 5, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall LEO KOTTKE, KELLER WILLIAMS April 6, The Florida Theatre LITTLE RIVER BAND, JACKSONVILLE ROCK SYMPHONY April 7, The Florida Theatre ALAN JACKSON, LEE ANN WOMACK April 8, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Legends of Southern Hip Hop: SCARFACE, MYSTIKAL, 8 BALL & MJG, TRICK DADDY, BUN B, JUVENILE, PASTOR TROY, ANDRAE MURCHINSON April 8, Ritz Theatre SHOVELS & ROPE, MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ April 8, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NuSoul Revival Tour: MUSIQ SOUsLCHILD, LYFE JENNINGS, AVERY SUNSHINE, KINDRED the FAMILY SOUL April 8, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts BUDDY GUY, The RIDES (Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Barry Goldberg) April 9, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CHRIS BOTTI April 18, The Florida Theatre Wanee Music Festival: BOB WEIRD & the CAMPFIRE BAND, TREY ANASTASIO BAND, WIDESPREAD PANIC, GOV’T MULE, DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, DR. JOHN & the NITE TRIPPERS, JJ GREY & MOFRO, LES BRERS (BUTCH TRUCKS, JAIMOE, OTEIL BURBRIDGE, MARC QUINONES, JACK PEARSON, PATE BERGERON, BRUCE KATZ, LAMAR WILLIAMS JR.), JAIMOE’S JASSSZ BAND, BLACKBERRY SMOKE, LEFTOVER SALMON (MUSIC OF NEIL YOUNG), MATISYAHU, The GREYBOY ALLSTARS, KELLER WILLIAMS’ GRATEFUL GRASS, PAPADOSIO, TURKUAZ, PINK TALKING FU (MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE & PRINCE), PINK TALKING FISH, KUNG FU, DJ LOGIC, BOBBY LEE ROGERS TRIO, DEVON ALLMAN BAND, The MARCUS KING BAND, YETI TRIO, BROTHERS & SISTERS, BUTCH TRUCKS & the FREIGHT TRAIN BAND April 20, 21 & 22, Suwannee Music Park MJ LIVE! April 20-23, Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts TOWER of POWER April 22, The Florida Theatre RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS April 23, Veterans Memorial Arena NATHANIEL RATELIFF & the NIGHT SWEATS April 26, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Welcome to Rockville: SOUNDGARDEN, DEF LEPPARD, A PERFECT CIRCLE, The OFFSPRING, MASTODON, CHEVELLE, SEETHER, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, PIERCE the VEIL, COHEED & CAMBRIA, ALTER BRIDGE, The PRETTY RECKLESS, AMON AMARTH, EAGLES of DEATH METAL, HIGHLY SUSPECT, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, IN FLAMES, GOJIRA, IN THIS MOMENT, MOTIONLESS in WHITE, ALL THAT REMAINS, NOTHING MORE, RIVAL SONS, BEARTOOTH, EVERY TIME I DIE, ATTILA, STARSET, DINOSAUR PILE-UP, I PREVAIL, KYNG, CROBOT, VOLUMES, SYLAR, FIRE FROM the GODS, AS LIONS, BADFLOWER, GOODBYE JUNE, FRANK CARTER & the RATTLESNAKES, COVER YOUR TRACKS, The CHARM The FURY April 29 & 30, Metropolitan Park STEVE WINWOOD May 5, St. Augustine Amphitheatre ERIC CHURCH May 5, Veterans Memorial Arena BASTILLE May 7, St. Augustine Amphitheatre CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S OVO Aug. 2-6, Veterans Memorial Arena TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL Sept. 16, Veterans Memorial Arena DELFEAYO MARSALIS Sept. 29, Riverside Fine Arts Series

LIVE MUSIC CLUBS

AMELIA ISLAND + FERNANDINA

ALLEY CAT Beer House, 316 Centre St., 491-1001 Dan Voll every Wed. John Springer every Thur. Brian Ernst Fri. LA MANCHA, 2709 Sadler Rd., 261-4646 Miguel Paley 5:30-9 p.m. every Fri.-Sun. Javier Parez every Sun. SLIDERS Seaside Grill, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652 King Eddie & Pili Pili 6 p.m. Dec. 28. Tad Jennings Dec. 29.

South Mouth, Josh McGowan Dec. 30. JC & Mike, Davis Turner, Michael Hewlett Dec. 31. Mark O’Quinn Jan. 3 SURF Restaurant, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., 261-5711 Katfish Lee 3 p.m. Dec. 29. Jon Bon Jovi tribute Kenny Holliday to Oliver family 6 p.m. Dec. 30

AVONDALE + ORTEGA

CASBAH Café, 3628 St. Johns Ave., 981-9966 Goliath Flores every Wed. Live jazz Sun. Live music 9 p.m. Mon. ECLIPSE, 4219 St. Johns Ave. KJ Free 9 p.m. every Tue. & Thur. Indie dance 9 p.m. every Wed. ’80s & ’90s dance Fri. MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200 Live music every Thur.-Sat.

THE BEACHES

(All venues are in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted) BLUE TYPHOON, 2309 Beach Blvd., 379-3789 Billy Bowers 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28. Live music most weekends BLUE WATER Island Grill, 205 First St. N., 249-0083 Live music every weekend BRASS ANCHOR Pub, 2292 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, 249-0301 Joe Oliff 8 p.m. Dec. 28. Live music on weekends CASA MARINA HOTEL, 691 First St. N., 270-0025 The Chris Thomas Band Dec. 28 THE COURTYARD, 200 First St., Neptune Beach, 241-1026 Live music 7 p.m. Dec. 28 CULHANE’S IRISH PUB, 967 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-9595 DJ Hal every Sat.

28 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

LIVE + LOCAL MUSIC Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 853-5680 3 the Band 9 p.m. Dec. 29. Evan Michael & The Well Wishers 10 p.m. Dec. 30. The Gootch Dec. 31 GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd., 372-9925 Groov 7:30 p.m. every Wed. Murray Goff Fri. Under the Bus every Sat. Gene Nordan 6 p.m. every Sun. HARBOR TAVERN, 160 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, 246-2555 Live music weekends HARMONIOUS MONKS, 320 First St. N., 372-0815 Live music most weekends LYNCH’S Irish Pub, 514 First St. N., 249-5181 The Dirty Gringos 10 p.m. Dec. 30. Dirty Pete 10 p.m. Dec. 31. Dirty Pete 10 p.m. every Wed. Split Tone every Thur. Chillula every Sun. Be Easy every Mon. Krakajax every Tue. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1018 Third St. N., 241-5600 Ben Lewis 9 p.m. Dec. 29 MEZZA Restaurant & Bar, 110 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-5573 Gypsies Ginger every Wed. Mike Shackelford, Steve Shanholtzer every Thur. Mezza Shuffle every Mon. Trevor Tanner Tue. RAGTIME Tavern, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7877 Live music every Wed.-Sun. SEACHASERS, 831 First St. N., 372-0444 Cowboy Rolex 8 p.m. every Thur.

SOUTHERN GROUNDS & CO., 200 First St., Neptune Beach, 249-2922 Jazz Corner 6 p.m. every Tue. WHISKEY JAX, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy., 853-5973 Murray Goff 6 p.m. every Wed. ZETA BREWING, 131 First Ave. N., 372-0727 Live music every Thur.-Sat.

CAMDEN COUNTY, GA.

CAPTAIN STAN’S Smokehouse, 700 Bedell Dr., Woodbine, 912-729-9552 Acoustic music 6:30 p.m. every Sat.

DOWNTOWN

1904 MUSIC Hall, 19 Ocean St. N. Backup Planet, Johnny Greenlight, Gone To Plaid 8 p.m.

Dec. 28.

DE REAL TING, 128 W. Adams St., 633-9738 De Lions of Jah 7 p.m. Dec. 30. Live music most weekends DOS GATOS, 123 E. Forsyth St., 354-0666 DJ Brandon every Thur. DJ NickFresh every Sat. DJ Randall every Mon. DJ Hollywood every Tue. FIONN MacCOOL’S, Jacksonville Landing, 374-1247 Spade McQuade 6 p.m. Dec. 28.

The Super Group Dec. 31. Live music every Fri. & Sat. MARK’S Downtown, 315 E. Bay St., 355-5099 DJ Shotgun 10 p.m. every Sat. MAVERICKS LIVE, Jax Landing, 356-1110 Smokin Aces Dec. 31. Joe Buck, DJ Justin every Thur.-Sat. MYTH Nightclub, 333 E. Bay St., 707-0474 DJs Lady Miaou, Booty Boo, Cry Havoc, Some Dude 9 p.m. Glitz Wed. Q45, live music Wed. EDM every Thur. Eric Rush every Fri. DJ IBay Sat. Bangarang & Crunchay Sun. THE VOLSTEAD, 115 W. Adams St., 414-3171 Swing Dance Sundays 7 p.m.

FLEMING ISLAND

MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 1800 Town Ctr. Blvd., 541-1999 Felix Chang 9 p.m. Dec. 29. Live music most weekends WHITEY’S Fish Camp, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198 Boogie Freaks 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Live music every Thur.-Sun.

INTRACOASTAL

CLIFF’S Bar & Grill, 3033 Monument Rd., Ste. 2, 645-5162 The Remedy Dec. 28. Rusted Diamond 8 p.m. Dec. 30. Fratello Dec. 31. Open mic every Tue. Live music every weekend JERRY’S SPORTS BAR & GRILLE, 13170 Atlantic Blvd., 220-6766 Rick Arcusa Dec. 30. Party Cartel 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 31

MANDARIN

ENZA’S Italian Restaurant, 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 109, 268-4458 Brian Iannucci Dec. 28 IGGY’S SEAFOOD SHACK, 104 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 101, 209-5209 Live music every Fri. & Sat. DJ Greg every Wed. TAPS BAR & GRILL, 2220 C.R. 210, St. Johns, 819-1554 Chuck Nash 8 p.m. Dec. 28

ORANGE PARK + MIDDLEBURG

DEE’S Music Bar, 2141 Loch Rane Blvd., Ste. 140, 375-2240 Lee Blake Dec. 30. DJ Daddy-O every Tue. The HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959 John Michael on the piano every Tue.-Sat. The ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611 Bandontherun Dec. 28. DJ Big Mike Dec. 29. Roger That 10 p.m. Dec. 30 & 31. Live music every weekend SHARK Club, 714 Park Ave., 215-1557 Digital Skyline 9 p.m. Dec. 28. Live music most weekends

Local faves EVAN MICHAEL AND THE WELL WISHERS perform Dec. 30 & 31 at Flying Iguana, Neptune Beach.

PONTE VEDRA

PUSSER’S GRILLE, 816 A1A, 280-7766 Live music every Fri. & Sat. TABLE 1, 330 A1A, 280-5515 Gary Starling Jazz Band 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29

RIVERSIDE + WESTSIDE

ACROSS THE STREET, 948 Edgewood Ave. S., 683-4182 Live music weekends BRIXX, 220 Riverside Ave., 300-3928 Live music every Thur. & Fri. HOBNOB, 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 10, 513-4272 Live music every Fri. NIGHTHAWKS, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd. Pizza Fest Three: Tough Junkie, Terrain, Chieforia, Traded Youth, Sin, The Ruffians, Ernest Street Mafia, The Duval Spit, Digdog, Mudtown, Jackie Stranger, Five Cent Psychiatrist, Charlie Shuck 6 p.m. Dec. 31. Pizza Fest Three: Forsaken Profits, Dsr, Rotten Stitches, Gross Evolution, Concrete Criminals, Consequence, Friendly Fire, Vicious Dreams, Dretch, Scatter Shot, The Hooliganz, A Matter Of Honor, Askmeificare 6 p.m.

Jan. 1. Live music most weekends RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969 Live music every weekend UNITY PLAZA, 220 Riverside Ave. Live music every weekend

ST. AUGUSTINE

CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St., 826-1594 Evan D 2 p.m.

Dec. 28 DOS COFFEE & WINE, 300 San Marco Ave., 342-2421 Live music every weekend MARDI GRAS, 123 San Marco Ave., 823-8806 Root of All, Big Logic, The Truth Serum, Love Chunk 9 p.m. Dec. 31.

Fre Gordon, acoustic open mic 7 p.m. every Sun. Justin Gurnsey, Musicians Exchange 8 p.m. Mon. PLANET SARBEZ, 115 Anastasia Blvd., 342-0632 Rosedale 8 p.m. Dec. 28 SHANGHAI NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd., 547-2188 Live music most weekends TEMPO, 16 Cathedral Pl., 342-0286 Douglas Arrington 8 p.m.

Dec. 29 & 30. Jax English Salsa Band 6 p.m. Dec. 30. Jazzy Blue, Bluez Dudez Dec. 31. Open mic 7:30 p.m. every Wed. TRADEWINDS LOUNGE, 124 Charlotte St., 829-9336 Live

music 9 p.m. Dec. 30 & 31. Carrick, Wilson Hunter Band every Wed. JP Driver every Thur. Elizabeth Roth every Sat. Keith Godwin & the Rio Grande Band every Sun. Mark Hart, DVB every Mon. Mark Hart, Those Guys every Tue. Live music every night

SAN MARCO

JACK RABBITS, 1528 Hendricks Ave., 398-7496 Medal Militia (Metallica Tribute), Automatik Fit 8 p.m. Dec. 28. The Supervillains, Danka, Dr. Science 8 p.m. Dec. 29. Flagship Romance, Spice & The Po Boys 8 p.m. Dec. 30. The Heavy Pets, The Groove Orient, Blackwater Grease, Vlad The Inhaler, Cat Party 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Psykotribe, My Missing Half 8 p.m. Jan. 2 MUDVILLE Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd., 352-7008 Mike Shackelford, Steve Shanholtzer, Billy Bowers 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30

SOUTHSIDE + BAYMEADOWS

CORNER BISTRO & WINE BAR, 9823 Tapestry Park Circle, 619-1931 Matthew Hall 8 p.m. every Thur.-Sat. GREEK STREET CAFÉ, 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., 503-0620 Tavernalive 6 p.m. every Mon. MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 9734 Deer Lake Ct., 997-1955 Charlie Walker Dec. 29. Darren Corlew Dec. 30. Live music every Thur.-Sun. WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., 634-7208 Melissa Smith open mic every Thur. Blues jam every Sun. Murray Goff, Country Jam every Wed.

SPRINGFIELD + NORTHSIDE

BOSTON’S, 13070 City Station Dr., 751-7499 Shayne Rammler 9 p.m. Dec. 29 MELLOW MUSHROOM Pizza Bakers, 15170 Max Leggett Pkwy., 757-8843 Live music most every weekend SANDOLLAR, 9716 Heckscher Dr., 251-2449 Live music every Fri.-Sun. SHANTYTOWN PUB, 22 W. Sixth St., 798-8222 Live music every weekend

_________________________________________ To list your band’s gig, please send time, date, location (street address, city), admission price, and a contact number to print to Daniel A. Brown, email dbrown@folioweekly.com or by the U.S. Postal Service, 45 W. Bay St., Ste. 103, Jacksonville FL 32202. Events run on a space-available basis. Deadline is at noon every Wednesday for the next Wednesday’s publication.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 29

FOLIO DINING

At Mojo Kitchen in Jax Beach you can enjoy unique barbecue and some of the best side dishes around. photo by Madison Gross

AMELIA ISLAND + FERNANDINA BEACH

29 SOUTH EATS, 29 S. Third St., 277-7919, 29southrestaurant.com. Historic downtown bistro’s Chef Scotty Schwartz serves traditional regional cuisine with a modern twist. $$ L Tu-Sa; D M.-Sa; R Sa THE AMELIA TAVERN, 318 Centre St., 310-6088, theameliatavern.com. Contemporary hand-crafted, locally sourced comfort fare: local shrimp, small/big plates, organic greens, sandwiches. $$ FB TO D M; L & D Tu-Sa; Brunch Su. BEACH DINER, 2006 S. Eighth St., 310-3750, beachdiner. com. Innovative breakfast: Eggs on the Bayou, fish-n-grits; French toast, riders, omelets. Lunch fare: salads, burgers, sandwiches, shrimp & crabmeat salad. $ K TO B R L Daily BRETT’S WATERWAY CAFÉ, 1 S. Front St., 261-2660. F On the water at Centre Street’s end, it’s Southern hospitality in an upscale atmosphere; daily specials, fresh local seafood, aged beef. $$$ FB L D Daily CAFÉ KARIBO, 27 N. Third St., 277-5269, cafekaribo.com.

F In historic building, family-owned café has worldly fare, made-from-scratch dressings, sauces, desserts, sourcing fresh greens, veggies, seafood. Dine in or al fresco under oak-shaded patio. Microbrew Karibrew Pub has beer brewed onsite, imports. $$ FB K TO R, Su; L Daily, D Tu-Su in season 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 THE CRAB TRAP, 31 N. Second St., 261-4749, ameliacrab trap.com. F Nearly 40 years, family-owned-and-operated.

Fresh local seafood, steaks, specials. HH. $$ FB L D Daily DAVID’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE, 802 Ash St., 310-6049, ameliaislanddavids.com. Steaks, fresh seafood, rack of lamb

DINING DIRECTORY KEY AVERAGE ENTRÉE COST $ $$

$

< $10

$$$

10- 20

$$$$

$

$

20-$35 > $35

ABBREVIATIONS & SPECIAL NOTES BW = Beer/Wine

L = Lunch

FB = Full Bar

D = Dinner Bite Club = Hosted Free Folio Weekly Bite Club Event F = Folio Weekly Distribution Spot

K = Kids’ Menu TO = Take Out B = Breakfast R = Brunch

To list your restaurant, call your account manager or call or text SAM TAYLOR, GO Folio Weekly publisher, at 904-860-2465 (email: staylor@folioweekly.com).

30 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

and ribeye, Chilean sea bass, in an upscale atmosphere. Chef Wesley Cox has a new lounge menu. $$$$ FB D Nightly DICK’S WINGS & GRILL, 474313 E. S.R. 200, 310-6945. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE ORANGE PARK. GREEN TURTLE TAVERN, 14 S. Third St., 321-2324, greenturtletavern.com. Legendary hangout in a historic shotgun shack; Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dogs, pub fare, cold beer, bourbon selection, chill vibe. $ FB L D Daily JACK & DIANE’S, 708 Centre St., 321-1444, jackanddianescafe.com. F Renovated 1887 shotgun house.

Faves: jambalaya, French toast, pancakes, mac & cheese, crêpes. Vegan items. Inside or porch overlooking historic area. $$ BW K TO B L D Daily LA MANCHA, 2709 Sadler Rd., 261-4646. Spanish, Portuguese fare, Brazilian flair. Tapas, seafood, steaks, sangria. Drink specials. AYCE paella Sun. $$$ FB K TO D Nightly LARRY’S SUBS, 474272 S.R. 200, 844-2225. F SEE ORANGE PARK. LECHONERA EL COQUÍ, 232 N. Second St., 432-7545. New Puerto Rican place. Chulleta kan kan (pork chops), Tripletta churosco sandwich, more. $ FB TO L D Tu-Su MOON RIVER PIZZA, 925 S. 14th St., 321-3400, moonriverpizza.net. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Authentic Northern-style pizzas, 20+ toppings, pie/slice. Calzones, salads. $ BW TO L D M-Sa THE MUSTARD SEED CAFÉ, 833 Courson Rd., 277-3141, nassaushealthfoods.net. Casual organic eatery, juice bar, in Nassau Health Foods. All-natural organic items, smoothies, juices, herbal teas, coffees, daily specials. $$ K TO B L M-Sa NANA TERESA’S BAKE SHOP, 31 S. Fifth St., 277-7977, nanateresa.com. Everything’s made with organic ingredients when possible. Cupcakes, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, pastries, specialties. $ TO Tu-Su PABLO’S MEXICAN CUISINE, 12 N. Second St., 261-0049, pablosmg1.com. In historic district; authentic Mexican fare: chimichangas, fajitas, burritos, tacos, daily specials, vegetarian. $$ FB K TO D M-Thu; L & D F-Sa THE PATIO PLACE, 416 Ash St., 410-3717, patioplacebistro. com. Bistro/wine bar/crêperie’s menu of global fare uses crêpes: starters, entrées, shareables, desserts. $$ BW TO B L D Tu-Su POINTE RESTAURANT, 98 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-4851, elizabethpointelodge.com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. In award-winning inn Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. Seaside dining, open to public. Dine in or out. Hot buffet breakfast daily, full lunch menu. Homestyle soups, specialty sandwiches, salads, desserts. $$$ BW K B L D Daily THE SALTY PELICAN BAR & GRILL, 12 N. Front St., 2773811, thesaltypelicanamelia.com. F ’16 Boj Winner.

2nd-story outdoor bar. Owners T.J. & Al offer local seafood, fish tacos, Mayport shrimp, po’boys, cheese oysters. $$ FB K L D Daily SLIDERS SEASIDE GRILL, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 277-6652, slidersseaside.com. F 2016 BOJ Winner. Oceanfront.

Award-winning handmade crabcakes, fried pickles, fresh seafood. Open-air 2nd floor balcony, playground. $$ FB K L D Daily TASTY’S BURGERS & FRIES, 710 Centre St., 321-0409, tastysamelia.com. In historic district, fresh fast-food alternative. Fresh meats, handcut fries, homemade sauces/ soups, handspun shakes. $ BW K L D Daily T-RAY’S BURGER STATION, 202 S. Eighth St., 261-6310. F Family-owned-and-operated 18+ years. Blue plate specials, burgers, biscuits & gravy, shrimp. $ BW TO B L M-Sa TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ, 463909 S.R. 200, Ste. 6, Yulee, 468-7099, tropicalsmoothie.com. Flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps. Smoothies: classic, superfoods, supercharged, indulgent. $ TO B L D Daily

DINING DIRECTORY ARLINGTON + REGENCY

DICK’S WINGS, 9119 Merrill Rd., Ste. 19, 745-9300. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE ORANGE PARK. LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1301 Monument Rd., Ste. 5, 724-5802. F SEE ORANGE PARK. SID & LINDA’S SEAFOOD MARKET & RESTAURANT, 12220 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 109, 503-8276. Pick a whole fresh fish, have it cleaned, filleted, cooked to order. Dine in, take out.

Housemade sauces. $$ K TO L D Daily

AVONDALE + ORTEGA

CHOMP CHOMP, 4162 Herschel St., 329-1679. Relocated.

Chef-inspired: The Philadelphia Experiment (sweet pork over arugula), panko-crusted chicken, burgers, Waldorf salad, bahn mi, Southern fried chicken, The Come Up (portabella mushroom, green tomato salsa, almonds). Curry Chomp chips, pasta salad.

HH. $ BW L D Mon.-Sat. THE FOX RESTAURANT, 3580 St. Johns Ave., 387-2669.

Owners Ian and Mary Chase offer fresh fare, homemade desserts. Breakfast all day; signature items: burgers, meatloaf, fried green tomatoes. $$ BW K L D Daily HARPOON LOUIE’S, 4070 Herschel St., Ste. 8, 389-5631, harpoonlouies.net. F Locally owned & operated 20+ years.

American pub. 1/2-lb. burgers, fish sandwiches, pasta. Local beers, HH. $$ FB K TO L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM, 3611 St. Johns Ave., 388-0200. F Bite Club. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. PINEGROVE MARKET & DELI, 1511 PineGrove Ave., 389-8655, pinegrovemarket.com. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. 40+ years. Burgers, Cubans, subs, wraps. Onsite butcher, USDA choice prime aged beef. Craft beers. Fri. & Sat. fish fry. $ BW TO B L D M-Sa RESTAURANT ORSAY, 3630 Park St., 381-0909, restaurant orsay.com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. French/Southern bistro; local organic ingredients. Steak frites, mussels, pork chops. $$$ FB R, Su; D Nightly SIMPLY SARA’S, 2902 Corinthian Ave., 387-1000, simplysaras.net. F Down-home fare from scratch: eggplant fries, pimento cheese, baked chicken, fruit cobblers, chicken & dumplings, desserts. BYOB. $$ K TO L D Tu-Sa, B Sa

BAYMEADOWS

AL’S PIZZA, 8060 Philips Hwy., Ste. 105, 731-4300. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. INDIA’S, 9802 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 8, 620-0777, indiajax. com. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Authentic cuisine, lunch buffet. Curries, vegetables, lamb, chicken, shrimp, fish tandoori. $$ BW L M-Sa; D Nightly LARRY’S SUBS, 8616 Baymeadows Rd., 739-2498. F SEE ORANGE PARK.

GRILL ME!

EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 992 Beach Blvd., 249-3001, europeanstreet.com. F SEE RIVERSIDE. FAMOUS TOASTERY, 311 N. Third St., 372-0712, famous toastery.com. Corned beef hash, gluten-free pancakes, bacon, omelets, eggs, toast. Wraps, Bloody Marys, mimosas, peach Bellini. $$ FB K TO B L Daily THE FISH COMPANY RESTAURANT, 725 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 12, AB, 246-0123, thefishcojax.com. Bite Club.

Oyster raw bar, fresh local seafood, Mayport shrimp, crab, lobster. Homestyle desserts. Patio; all-day HH Sun. $$ FB K TO L D Daily FLAMING SEAFOOD & SHAO KAO BBQ, 1289 Penman Rd., 853-6398. New place (is it Chinese? Barbecue? Seafood?) serves meats and vegetables, spiced, skewered on bamboo sticks – like Chinese street food. $ BW TO L D Daily FLYING IGUANA Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 207 Atlantic Blvd., NB, 853-5680, flyingiguana.com. F Latin American: tacos, seafood, carnitas, Cubana fare. 100+ tequilas. $ FB TO L D Daily GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd., 372-9925, gustojax.com. Classic Old World Roman cuisine, large Italian menu: homestyle pasta, beef, chicken, fish delicacies; open pizza-tossing kitchen.

Reservations encouraged. $$ FB TO L R D Tu-Su The HASH HOUSE, 610 Third St. S., 422-0644, thelovingcuphashhouse.com. Locally sourced, locally roasted coffees, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian; no GMOs/ hormones. $ K TO B R L Daily LARRY’S Subs, 657 Third St. N., 247-9620. F SEE O. PARK. MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 1018 Third St. N., Ste. 2, 241-5600, mellowmushroom.com. F Bite Club. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Hoagies, gourmet pizzas: Mighty Meaty, vegetarian, Kosmic Karma. 35 tap beers. Nonstop HH. $ FB K TO L D Daily METRO Diner, 1534 3rd St. N., 853-6817. F ’16 BOJ. SEE SAN MARCO. M SHACK, 299 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 241-2599, shackburgers.com.

Burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes. Dine in/out. $$ BW L D Daily NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI, 1585 Third St. N., 458-1390. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE MANDARIN. PARSONS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, 1451 Atlantic Blvd., NB, 595-5789, parsonsseafoodrestaurant.com. The landmark place moved; still serving local seafood dishes, sides, specialty fare. $$ FB K TO L D Tu-Su POE’S TAVERN, 363 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 241-7637, poestavern.com. Gastropub, 50+ beers, burgers, fish tacos, Edgar’s Drunken Chili, daily fish sandwich special. $$ FB K L D Daily RAGTIME TAVERN SEAFOOD & GRILL, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 241-7877, ragtimetavern.com. F 30+ years, iconic seafood place. Blackened snapper, sesame tuna, Ragtime shrimp. Daily HH, brunch Sun. $$ FB L D Daily

DARIN BALL

Seachasers

831 1st St. N. • Jax Beach Born in: Grand Rapids, Michigan Years in the Biz: 20 Fave Restaurant: M Shack Fave Cuisine Style: American Fave Ingredients: Any seafood with Asian spices Ideal Meal: Blackened grouper with roasted potatoes and asparagus (simple man) Will Not Cross My Lips: Raw oysters Insider's Secret: Bring a doctor’s note when you call out sick Taste Treat: Chicago dog METRO DINER, 9802 Baymeadows Rd., 425-9142. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE SAN MARCO. NATIVE SUN Natural Foods Market & Deli, 11030 Baymeadows Rd., 260-2791. 2016 Best of Jax Winner.

SEE MANDARIN. THE WELL WATERING HOLE, 3928 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 9, 737-7740, thewellwateringhole.com. Local craft beers, glass/ bottle wines. Meatloaf sandwich, pulled Peruvian chicken, vegan black bean burgers. $$ BW K TO L M-F; D Tu-Sa TEQUILAS, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 101, 363-1365, tequilasjacksonville.com. New Mexican place has casa-style dishes made with fresh, spicy hot ingredients. Vegetarian option. Top-shelf tequilas, drink specials. $$ FB K TO L D Daily WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd., Ste. 135, 634-7208, whiskeyjax.com. Gastropub. Craft beers, gourmet burgers, handhelds, street fare tacos, signature plates, whiskey. HH. $$ FB L D F-Su; D Nightly

BEACHES

(Venues are in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted.)

AL’S PIZZA, 303 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, 249-0002, alspizza.com. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. NY-style gourmet pizzas, baked dishes. 28+ years. All day HH M-Thu. $ FB K TO L D Daily ANGIE’S SUBS, 1436 Beach Blvd., 246-2519. ANGIE’S Grom Subs, 204 Third Ave. S., 241-3663. Fresh ingredients, 25+ years. Huge salads, blue-ribbon iced tea. Grom has Sun. brunch, no alcohol. $ K BW TO L D Daily BEACH DINER, 501 Atlantic Blvd., AB, 249-6500. SEE AMELIA. BEACH HUT CAFÉ, 1281 Third St. S., 249-3516. 28+ years.

Full breakfast menu all day (darn good grits); hot plate specials Mon.-Fri. $ K TO B R L Daily CRUISERS GRILL, 319 23rd Ave. S., 270-0356, cruisersgrill. com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Locally owned & operated 20+ years. Half-pound burgers, fish sandwiches, big salads, award-winning cheddar fries, sangria. $ BW K TO L D Daily

SALT LIFE FOOD SHACK, 1018 Third St. N., 372-4456, saltlifefoodshack.com. Specialty items, tuna poke bowl, fresh sushi, Ensenada tacos, local fried shrimp. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SEACHASERS, 831 First St. N., 372-0444, seachasers.com.

Four areas: First Street Bar, Music Room, Beach Bar, Dining Room. Daily HH. In or on patio. $$ FB L D Daily SLIDERS SEAFOOD GRILLE & OYSTER BAR, 218 First St., NB, 246-0881, slidersseafoodgrille.com. Beach-casual spot. Faves: Fresh fish tacos, gumbo. Key lime pie, ice cream sandwiches. Brunch Sun. $$ FB K L Sa/Su; D Nightly SURFWICHES Sandwich Shop, 1537 Penman Rd., 241-6996, surfwiches.com. Craft sandwich shop. Yankee-style steak sandwiches, hoagies, all made to order. $ BW TO K L D Daily THIS CHICK’S KITCHEN, 353 Sixth Ave. S., 778-5404, thischickskitchen.com. Farm-to-table restaurant serving healthful, locally sourced clean meals. Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian options. $$ TO L D W-Sa V PIZZA, 528 First St. N., 853-6633, vpizza.com. Traditional Neapolitana artisan pizza from Naples – Italy, not Florida, made with fresh ingredients. $$ FB TO L D Daily

CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

CAPTAIN STAN’S SMOKEHOUSE, 700 Bedell Dr., Woodbine, 912-729-9552 All kinds of barbecue, sides, hot dogs, burgers, desserts. Dine in or out on picnic tables. $$ FB K TO L & D Tu-Sa MALSONS BBQ, 1330 Boone Ave., Kingsland, 912-882-4355.

This is real barbecue – smokers onsite. Burgers, wings, plates, ribs, sausages, beans. Dine in or out. $ K TO L & D Daily SALT.PEPPER.THYME, 105 N. Lee St., Kingsland, 912-5100444, saltpepperthyme.net. Varied American Southern fare.

Dine in or out. $$ BW K TO L W; L & D Th-S STEFFENS RESTAURANT, 550 S. Lee St., Kingsland, 912-729-5355, steffensrestaurant.com. Southern scratchmade menu. $-$$ K TO B, L & D M-Sa; B & L Su

BITE-SIZED Authentic DIM SUM on Blanding

SILVER STAR IS A SHURIKEN

GET YOUR CHOPSTICKS OUT, JAX, BECAUSE Silver Star Chinese Restaurant on Blanding Boulevard may be one of the best Chinese restaurants around. Hear me out — yeah, I know, you’ve heard it before. I’m not saying they do everything right; who does? But they’ve got some tricks up their sleeves you’re going to want to taste.

First, they do Dim Sum. Already a win, as few spots in town (read: two) do so. Silver Star has a decent selection; each tray ($4.25) includes three or four pieces per order, so you can afford to be adventurous.

Better yet, they have something that, as far as I’m aware, none of the other spots have: Soup Dumplings. These delicious morsels (you get four) aren’t easy to make and aren’t common outside of authentic spots.

Why are they so special? They start off looking like regular Dim Sum, but be careful as you scoop them up — there’s soup inside. I know it sounds crazy, but along with the pork filling, there’s a savory broth. Caution: Don’t just pop the whole thing in your mouth — it’s hella hot. You’re going to want to scoop it up with your spoon, and nibble on an edge as you drink the soup. Then, once it’s cooled down a little, feel free to go to (China)town. If you need a refresher on the finer points of the best way to eat it, your server will be happy to instruct you. An order of soup dumplings comes with a strong aged black vinegar which adds another level of flavor — though I don’t think it needs it.

CHEFFED-UP SILVER STAR CHINESE RESTAURANT

5016 Blanding Blvd., 778-8500, facebook. com/SilverStarChineseRestaurant We also ordered a wide selection that comes out when ready (no cart). Of the watercress, mushroom shu mai, steamed barbecue pork buns and shrimp dumplings, our favorite was by far the pork buns. Feel free to dip any of these in the vinegar and see how the taste changes.

While Silver Star’s soup dumplings would be enough to make me come back again and again, there’s more. They have a really respectable regular menu, too. You can get decent sesame chicken and chow fun at lots of spots, but Silver Star has Egg Foo Young. Oh, Egg Foo Young, how I’ve missed you! This omelet-type dish is tucked under a blanket of sauce.

Right now you’re thinking, “Heck, I can make an omelet at home.” Well, no, you can’t, not like this. One very important factor: The sauce. This stuff is ridiculously addicting — if you have to ask for extra on the side, blame me. I don’t mind. It’s a rich, thick brown sauce and all efforts to figure out what makes it so good have been unsuccessful.

Egg Foo Young is definitely one of those dishes that’s more American Chinese than something you’d find on the streets of Beijing, but I tend not to argue with delicious. I prefer the vegetable version, but you can order it with shrimp, pork or chicken — whatever you fancy.

The staff at Silver Star are ultra-kind. Queenie, who helps manage the place, will walk you through any questions you may have about the menu. She’ll seat you and, if you give her a heads up that you’re there for Dim Sum, you’ll get a sheet detailing the dim sum selection. There aren’t a lot of options in NEFla for Chinese food and this place has been around since 1978, according to their Facebook page. So if you crave Chinese, definitely check it out.

Brentley Stead biteclub@folioweekly.com DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 31

DINING DIRECTORY PINT-SIZED

Highlights from the local BREWING WORLD

BEERS

IN REVIEW THIS TIME OF YEAR, WRITERS ALL OVER THE world like to look back and reflect, which can be a harrowing experience. The news is not always good and rehashing it is not always pleasant. In the craft beer world, however, 2016 was another banner year. Nationally and locally, craft beer is still growing and thriving. Here in Northeast Florida, there were several stories illustrating this.

JANUARY Engine 15 Brewing Company took the first step to open a tap room at its Downtown brewing facility on Myrtle Avenue by filing for a zoning variance.

FEBRUARY Folio Weekly begins running a new beer column — Pint-Sized — written by yours truly. The NEFla beer community rejoices.

MARCH St. Augustine welcomes its second craft brewery when Bog Brewing Company opens just outside the historic district, on West King Street.

The new brewery plans to operate on a new philosophy — rotating taps, rather than a few core and specialty beers.

Veterans United Craft Brewing Company brings home a Florida Brewers Guild bronze medal for its Raging Blonde Ale. APRIL Amelia Tavern on Fernandina Beach’s Centre Street opens in a sleek, modern space.

Foodies and beer lovers alike agree the brewpub is a welcome addition to the historic district.

MAY Drawings for the Bay Street satellite location of Bold City Brewing Company are released. The new space will allow brewers more creativity to produce specialty beers in a smaller brew system.

Harris Meadery officially obtains licensing, setting the stage for local mead to hit the local market.

Details of new Jax Beach brewery, Southern Swells Brewing Company, are released. The brewery plans to open by year’s end.

JUNE After months of legal wrangling, Engine 15 gets approval to sell beer at its Myrtle Avenue brewery.

JULY Wicked Barley Brewing Company opens its doors. The brewpub features gourmet pub fare along with craft beer and, soon, hard cider and mead.

AUGUST Harris Meadery debuts its first release, the award-winning Key Lime Pie Mead.

Plans are released for Main & Six Brewing Company in the Springfield National Historic District. However, the fight for zoning variance has yet to begin.

SEPTEMBER Intuition Ale Works opens its new brewery and tap at the corner of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and Bay Street. The brewery has a rooftop beer garden with views of EverBank Field and the St. Johns River.

Jacksonville’s original hometown brew Jax Beer makes a brief comeback at European Street Cafés. The limited release was a test by current owner Pabst. A permanent return may be brewing.

The owner of three King Street bars releases details for Bearded Buffalo Brewing Company, with two locations: a small tap room and brewery on King Street and a large brewery and tap room in the former Phoenix Lanes on Blanding Boulevard.

OCTOBER Engine 15 opens its Downtown taproom and beer garden to the public.

Main & Six Brewing Company wins approval from the Land Use & Zoning commission to open on Main Street.

DECEMBER Springfield’s second craft beer brewery, Hyperion Brewing Company, gains council approval to open on Main Street.

That’s a lot of activity for just one year. Already, 2017 looks to be even busier, with at least three more brewery openings and a host of other beer events. With all this going on, local craft beer lovers will have plenty beer things to do all year long.

Marc Wisdom marc@folioweekly.com

PINT-SIZED

DOWNTOWN

AKEL’S DELICATESSEN, 21 W. Church St., 665-7324. 50 N. Laura St., Ste. 125, 446-3119, akelsdeli.com. F NYC-style deli. Fresh subs, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, wraps, vegetarian, breakfast, signature dressings. $ K TO B L M-F THE BANK BAR B Q & BAKERY, 331 W. Forsyth St., 388-1600, thebankbbq.com. 28 years’ experience means barbecue done right. Onsite bakery has specialty cakes. $ TO L & D M-F CANDY APPLE CAFÉ & COCKTAILS, 400 N. Hogan, 353-9717, thecandyapplecafeandcocktails.com. Chef-driven Southern/ French cuisine, sandwiches, entrées. $$ FB K L Daily; D Tu-Sa CASA DORA, 108 E. Forsyth St., 356-8282, casadoraitalian. com. F Chef Sam Hamidi serves Italian fare, 40+ years: veal, seafood, pizza. Homemade salad dressing. $ BW K L M-F; D M-Sa FIONN MACCOOL’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT, Jax Landing, Ste. 176, 374-1547, fionnmacs.com. Casual dining, uptown Irish atmosphere; fish & chips, Guinness lamb stew, black-andtan brownies. $$ FB K L D Daily INDOCHINE, 21 E. Adams St., Ste. 200, 598-5303, indochine jax.com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Thai, Southeast Asian cuisine. Signature dishes: chicken Satay, soft shell crab; mango, sticky rice dessert. $$ FB TO L D M-F; D Tu-Sa LANNA THAI SUSHI, Jax Landing, Ste. 222, 425-2702, lannathaijax.com. Fresh herbs, spices, sushi, shrimp, specials.

HH. $$ FB K TO L M-F; D Nightly OLIO MARKET, 301 E. Bay St., 356-7100, oliomarket.com.

F Scratch soups, sandwiches. Duck grilled cheese, seen on Best Sandwich in America. $$ BW TO B R L M-F; D F & Sa URBAN GRIND COFFEE COMPANY, 45 W. Bay, Ste. 102, 866-395-3954, 516-7799, urbangrind.coffee. Locally roasted whole bean brewed coffees, espressos, pastries, smoothies, bagels. Chicken/tuna salad, sandwiches. WiFi. $ B L M-F. URBAN GRIND EXPRESS, 50 W. Laura, 516-7799. SEE ABOVE. ZODIAC BAR & GRILL, 120 W. Adams St., 354-8283, thezodiacbarandgrill.com. 16+ years. Mediterranean cuisine, American fare, paninis, vegetarian dishes. Daily lunch buffet.

Espressos, hookahs. HH M-F $ FB L M-F; D W-Sa

FLEMING ISLAND

DICK’S WINGS, 1803 East-West Parkway, 375-2559. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE ORANGE PARK. GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET, 1915 East-West Parkway, 541-0009. F SEE RIVERSIDE. MELLOW MUSHROOM, 1800 Town Ctr. Blvd., 541-1999. F Bite Club. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. TAPS Bar & Grill, 1605 C.R. 220, Ste. 145, 278-9421, taps publichouse.com. 2016 BOJ Winner. 50+ premium domestic, import tap beer. Burgers, sandwiches, entrées. $$ FB K L D Daily WHITEY’S FISH CAMP, 2032 C.R. 220, 269-4198, whiteys fishcamp.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 Tu-Su; D Nightly

INTRACOASTAL WEST

AL’S PIZZA, 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 31, 223-0991. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. DICK’S WINGS, 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 32, 223-0115. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE ORANGE PARK. GERMAN SCHNITZEL HAUS, 13475 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 40, 221-9700, germanjax.com. Authentic German/fusion fare: schnitzels, plus bratwurst, stroganoff, käsesspätzle. 13 German beers in bottles, on tap. Bar bites, cocktails. Outdoor BierGarten.

HH Tu-Thur. $$ FB L & D Tu-Su LARRY’S, 10750 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 14, 642-6980. F SEE ORANGE PARK SURFWICHES SANDWICH SHOP, 14286 Beach Blvd., Ste. 29, 559-5301. SEE BEACHES.

MANDARIN + NW ST. JOHNS

AKEL’S DELI, 12926 Granbay Pkwy. W., 880-2008. F SEE DOWNTOWN. AL’S PIZZA, 11190 San Jose Blvd., 260-4115. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. BARKING SPIDER PUB, 10092 San Jose Blvd., 260-3102.

Casual laid-back hang. Bar fare: hot dogs, chicken fingers, Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, cheese sticks. HH. $ FB D Nightly BEACH DINER, 11362 San Jose Blvd., 683-0079. SEE AMELIA. CRUISERS, 5613 San Jose Blvd., 737-2874. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. DICK’S WINGS, 100 Marketside Ave., 829-8134. 965 S.R. 16, 825-4540. 1610 University Blvd. W., 448-2110. 10391 Old St. Augustine, 880-7087. 2016 Best of Jax Winner.

SEE ORANGE PARK. ENZA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT, 10601 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 109, 268-4458, enzas.net. Family-owned; Italian cuisine, veal, seafood, specials. $$$ FB K TO D Tu-Su FIRST COAST Deli & Grill, 6082 St. Augustine Rd., 733-7477.

Pancakes, bacon, sandwiches, burgers, wings. $ K TO B L Daily JAX DINER, 5065 St. Augustine Rd.,739-7070. New spot serves local produce, meats, breads, seafood. $ TO B L Daily METRO DINER, 12807 San Jose Blvd., 638-6185. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Dinner nightly. SEE SAN MARCO. NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI, 10000 San Jose Blvd., 260-6950, nativesunjax.com. F 2016 BOJ Winner. Organic soups, baked items, sandwiches, prepared foods. Juice, smoothie, coffee bar. All-natural beer/wine. $ BW TO K B L D Daily TAPS BAR & GRILL, 2220 C.R. 210 W., Ste. 314, 819-1554.

2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE FLEMING ISLAND. V PIZZA, 12601 San Jose Blvd., 647-9424. SEE SAN MARCO. WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 10601 San Jose, Ste. 22, 288-1100, wholefoodsmarket.com. Prepared-food dept. 80+ items, full & self-service bars: hot, salad, soup, dessert. Pizza, sushi, sandwich stations. Grapes, Hops & Grinds bar. $$ BW K TO B L D Daily

ORANGE PARK

DICK’S WINGS & GRILL, 6055 Youngerman Cir., 778-1101, dickswingsandgrill.com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner.

NASCAR-themed restaurant serves 365 varieties of wings, plus half-pound burgers, ribs, salads. $ FB K TO L D Daily

32 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

THE HILLTOP, 2030 Wells Rd., 272-5959, hilltop-club.com.

Southern fine dining. New Orleans shrimp, certified Black Angus prime rib, she-crab soup, desserts. Extensive bourbon selection. $$$ FB D Tu-Sa LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 1330 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 165, 276-7370. 1545 C.R. 220, 278-2827. 700 Blanding Blvd., Ste. 15, 272-3553. 5733 Roosevelt, 446-9500. 1401 S. Orange Ave., Green Cove, 284-7789, larryssubs.com. F Larry’s piles ’em high, serves ’em fast; 36+ years. Hot & cold subs, soups. Some Larry’s serve breakfast. $ K TO B L D Daily METRO DINER, 2034 Kingsley Ave., 375-8548. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Dinner nightly. SEE SAN MARCO. THE ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd., 264-0611, road houseonline.net. Sandwiches, wings, burgers, quesadillas for 35+ years. 75+ imported beers. $ FB L D Daily THE URBAN BEAN COFFEEHOUSE CAFÉ, 2023 Park Ave., 541-4938, theurbanbeancoffeehouse.com. Locally-owned&-operated. Coffee, espresso, smoothies, teas. Omelets, bagels, paninis, flatbread, hummus, desserts. $$ K TO B L D Daily

PONTE VEDRA BEACH

AL’S PIZZA, 635 A1A, 543-1494. F 2016 BOJ Winner.

SEE BEACHES. BEACH DINER, 880 A1A N., Ste. 2, 273-6545. SEE AMELIA. LARRY’S SUBS, 830 A1A N., Ste. 6, 273-3993. F SEE ORANGE PARK. METRO DINER, 340 Front St., Ste. 700, 513-8422. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE SAN MARCO. TRASCA & CO. EATERY, 155 Tourside Dr., Ste. 1500, 395-3989, trascaandco.com. Handcrafted Italian-inspired sandwiches, craft beers (many locals), craft coffees. $$ BW TO L R D Daily

RIVERSIDE, 5 PTS + WESTSIDE

13 GYPSIES, 887 Stockton St., 389-0330, 13gypsies.com.

2016 Best of Jax Winner. Authentic Mediterranean cuisine: chorizo, tapas, blackened cod, pork skewers, coconut mango curry chicken. Breads from scratch. $$ BW L D Tu-Sa, R Sa AL’S PIZZA, 1620 Margaret St., Ste. 201, 388-8384. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. BLACK SHEEP, 1534 Oak St., 355-3793, blacksheep5points.com.

2016 BOJ. New American, Southern; local source ingredients.

Specials, rooftop bar. HH. $$$ FB R Sa & Su; L M-F; D Nightly BREW FIVE POINTS, 1024 Park St., 714-3402, brewfive points.com. F Local craft beers, espresso, coffees, wine.

Rotating drafts, 75+ can craft beers, tea. Waffles, toasts, desserts, coffees. $$ BW K B L Daily; late nite Tu-Sa BRIXX WOOD FIRED PIZZA, 220 Riverside Ave., 300-3928, brixxpizza.com. Pizzas, pastas, soups. Gluten-free options.

Daily specials, buy-one-get-one pizzas 10 p.m.-close. $$ FB K TO L D 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 Tu-Su CUMMER CAFÉ, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, cummer.org. 2016 BOJ Winner.

Light lunch, quick bites, locally roasted coffee, espresso-based beverages, homemade soups, sandwiches, gourmet desserts, daily specials. Dine in or in gardens. $ BW K L D Tu; L W-Su DERBY ON PARK, 1068 Park St., 379-3343, derbyonpark. net. New American cuisine, upscale retro, historic building.

Oak Street Toast, shrimp & grits, lobster bites, 10-oz. gourmet burger. Dine inside or out. $$ FB TO Brunch Sa/Su; B, L D Tu-Su EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 2753 Park St., 384-9999. 130+ import beers, 20 on tap. Sandwiches. Outside dining at some EStreets. $ BW K L D Daily FIVE POINTS TAVERN, 1521 Margaret St., 549-5063, fivepointstavern.com. New American cosmopolitan place serves chef-curated dishes in a relaxed environment. $$ FB TO L & D Tu-Su GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET, 2007 Park St., 384-4474, thegrassrootsmarket.com. F Juice bar uses certified organic fruits, veggies. Artisanal cheeses, 300 craft, import beers, 50 organic wines, produce, meats, vitamins, herbs, wraps, sides, sandwiches. $ BW TO B L D Daily HAWKERS ASIAN Street Fare, 1001 Park St., 508-0342, hawkerstreetfare.com. 2016 BOJ Winner. Authentic dishes from mobile stalls: BBQ pork char sui, beef haw fun, Hawkers baos, chow faan, grilled Hawker skewers. $ BW TO L D Daily HOBNOB, 220 Riverside Ave., Ste. 110, 513-4272, hobnob withus.com. Unity Plaza. Global inspiration, local intention – ahi poke tuna, jumbo lump crab tacos. $$ FB TO R L D Daily IL DESCO, 2665 Park St., 290-6711, ildescojax.com.

Authentic Italian cuisine; wood-fired pizzas, pasta, baked Italian dishes, raw bar, spaghetti tacos. Daily HH. $$-$$$ FB K TO L D Daily JOHNNY’S Deli & Grille, 474 Riverside Ave., 356-8055. F Casual; made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, breakfast. $ TO B L M-Sa KNEAD BAKESHOP, 1173 Edgewood Ave. S., 634-7617. Locally owned, family-run. Made-from-scratch creations: pastries, artisan breads, savory pies, specialty sandwiches, soups. $ TO B L Tu-Su LARRY’S SUBS, 1509 Margaret, 674-2794. 7895 Normandy, 781-7600. 8102 Blanding, 779-1933. F SEE ORANGE PARK. LITTLE JOE’S Café, 245 Riverside Ave., Ste. 195, 791-3336.

Riverview café. Soups, signature salad dressings. $ TO B L M-F METRO DINER, 4495 Roosevelt Blvd., 999-4600. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE SAN MARCO. MOON RIVER PIZZA, 1176 Edgewood Ave. S., 389-4442. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE AMELIA ISLAND. M SHACK, 1012 Margaret St., 423-1283. SEE BEACHES. RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St., 379-4969. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Local-centric bar food: boiled peanuts, hummus, chili, cheese plate, pork sliders, nachos, herbivore items. $ D Nightly SOUTHERN ROOTS Filling Station, 1275 King St., 513-4726, southernrootsjax.com. 2016 BOJ Winner. Fresh vegan fare; local, organic ingredients. Specials, on bread, local greens/rice, change daily. Sandwiches, coffees, teas. $ Tu-Su SUSHI CAFÉ, 2025 Riverside Ave., Ste. 204, 384-2888, sushicafejax.com. F 2016 BOJ. Monster, Rock-n-Roll, Dynamite Roll. Hibachi, tempura, katsu, teriyaki. Inside/patio. $$ BW L D Daily

TAMARIND THAI, 1661 Riverside Ave., Ste. 123, 329-3180.

SEE DOWNTOWN.

ST. AUGUSTINE

AL’S PIZZA, 1 St. George St., 824-4383. F 2016 BOJ. SEE BEACHES. CRUISERS GRILL, 3 St. George St., 824-6993. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. DICK’S WINGS, 4010 U.S. 1 S., 547-2669. 2016 BOJ. SEE ORANGE PARK. THE FLORIDIAN, 72 Spanish St., 829-0655, thefloridian staug.com. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Updated Southern fare; fresh, local ingredients from area farms. Vegetarian, gluten-free option. Signature fried green tomato bruschetta, blackened fish cornbread stack; grits w/shrimp/fish/tofu. $$$ BW K TO L D W-M GAS FULL SERVICE Restaurant, 9 Anastasia, Ste. C, 217-0326. Changing menu; fresh, local, homemade. Meatloaf, veggie/traditional burgers, seafood, steaks; seasonal, daily specials, made-from-scratch desserts. $$ BW K TO L D Tu-Sa GYPSY CAB COMPANY, 828 Anastasia Blvd., 824-8244, gypsycab.com. F 33+ years. Varied urban cuisine menu changes twice daily. Signature: Gypsy chicken. Seafood, tofu, duck, veal. $$ FB R Su; L D Daily MARDI GRAS SPORTS BAR, 123 San Marco Ave., 347-3288, mardibar.com. Wings, nachos, shrimp, chicken, Phillys, sliders, soft pretzels. $$ FB TO L D Daily MBQUE, 604 Anastasia Blvd., 484-7472. Southern-style.

Milkshakes, kale salad. Housemade rubs, sauces. Platters, ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, sausage. $$ BW K TO L D Daily MELLOW MUSHROOM, 410 Anastasia Blvd., 826-4040. F Bite Club. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. O’LOUGHLIN PUB, 6975 A1A S., 429-9715. Family-owned-andoperated. Authentic fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, corned beef & cabbage, bangers & mash, duck wings. $$ FB K TO L D Daily SALT LIFE Food Shack, 321 A1A Beach, 217-3256. SEE BEACHES. METRO DINER, 1000 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., 758-3323. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Serving dinner nightly. SEE SAN MARCO. SHANGHAI NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd., 547-2188. Cubanstyle, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. $$ FB

SAN MARCO + SOUTHBANK

BEACH DINER, 1965 San Marco Blvd., 399-1306. SEE AMELIA. THE BEARDED PIG SOUTHERN BBQ & BEER GARDEN, 1224 Kings Ave., 619-2247, thebeardedpigbbq.com. 2016 BOJ. Barbecue joint Southern style: brisket, pork, chicken, sausage, beef; veggie platters. $$ BW K TO Daily BISTRO AIX, 1440 San Marco Blvd., 398-1949, bistrox.com.

F Mediterranean/French inspired menu changes seasonally.

250+ wines. Wood-fired oven baked, grilled specialties: pizza, pasta, risotto, steaks, seafood. Hand-crafted cocktails, specialty drinks. Dine outside. HH M-F. $$$ FB L D Daily EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ, 1704 San Marco Blvd., 398-9500.

SEE RIVERSIDE. FUSION SUSHI, 1550 University Blvd. W., 636-8688, fusionsushijax.com. F Upscale; fresh sushi, sashimi, hibachi, teriyaki, kiatsu, seafood. $$ K L D Daily INDOCHINE, 1974 San Marco Blvd., 503-7013. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE DOWNTOWN. KITCHEN ON SAN MARCO, 1402 San Marco Blvd., 396-2344, kitchenonsanmarco.com. Gastropub serves local, national craft beers, specialty cocktails. Seasonal menu, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. $$ FB R Su; L D Daily METRO DINER, 3302 Hendricks Ave., 398-3701, metrodiner. com. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. Original upscale diner in a historic 1930s-era building. Meatloaf, chicken pot pie, soups.

This one serves dinner nightly. $$ B R L D Daily PIZZA PALACE Restaurant & Pizzeria, 1959 San Marco Blvd., 399-8815, pizzapalacejax.com. F Family-owned-&-operated; spinach pizza, chicken spinach calzones, ravioli, lasagna, parmigiana. Dine outside. HH. $$ BW K TO L D Daily TAVERNA, 1986 San Marco Blvd., 398-3005, tavernasan marco.com. Chef Sam Efron’s authentic Italian; tapas, woodfired pizza. Seasonal local produce, meats. Craft beer (some local), cocktails, award-winning wine. $$$ FB K TO R L D Daily V PIZZA, 1406 Hendricks Ave., 527-1511, vpizza.com. True artisan Neapolitana pizzas, fresh ingredients. $$ FB to L D Daily

SOUTHSIDE + TINSELTOWN

ALHAMBRA Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., 641-1212, alhambrajax.com. Open 50 years. Executive Chef DeJuan Roy’s themed menus. Reservations. $$ FB D Tu-Su The CHATTY CRAB, 9041 Southside Blvd., Ste. 138C, 888-0639, chattycrab.com. Chef Dana Pollard’s raw oysters, Nawlins low country boil, po’ boys, 50¢ wing specials. $$ FB K TO L D Daily DICK’S Wings, 10750 Atlantic Blvd., 619-0954. 2016 BOJ. SEE ORANGE PARK EUROPEAN Street Café, 5500 Beach, 398-1717. SEE RIVERSIDE. GREEK STREET CAFÉ, 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Ste. 106, 503-0620, greekstreetcafe.com. Fresh, authentic, modern; Greek owners. Gyros, spanakopita, dolmades, falafel, nachos.

Award-winning wines. $$ BW K TO L D M-Sa LARRY’S Subs, 3611 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., 641-6499. 4479 Deerwood Lake Pkwy., 425-4060. F SEE ORANGE PARK. MARIANAS GRINDS, 11380 Beach Blvd., Ste. 10, 206-612-6596. Pacific Islander fare, chamorro culture. Soups, stews, fitada, beef oxtail, katden pika; empanadas, lumpia, chicken relaguen, BBQ-style ribs, chicken. $$ TO B L D Tu-Su MELLOW MUSHROOM, 9734 Deer Lake Ct., 997-1955. F Bite Club. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES. M SHACK, 10281 Midtown Pkwy., 642-5000. SEE BEACHES. OVINTE, 10208 Buckhead Branch Dr., 900-7730, ovinte.com.

Italy, Spain, Mediterranean. Small plates, tapas, charcuterie: ceviche fresco, pappardelle bolognese, lobster ravioli.

240-bottle/wines, 75/glass; craft spirits. $$ FB R, Su; D Nightly TAVERNA YAMAS, 9753 Deer Lake Ct., 854-0426, tavernayamas.com. F Bite Club. Charbroiled kabobs, seafood, desserts. Greek wines, daily HH. Bellydancing. $$ FB K TO L D Daily TOSSGREEN, 4375 Southside, Ste. 12, 619-4356. 4668 Town Crossing Dr., Ste. 105, 686-0234. Salads, burritos, bowls; fruit, veggies, chicken, sirloin, shrimp, tofu. $$ K TO L D Daily

DINING DIRECTORY SPRINGFIELD + NORTHSIDE

450077 S.R. 200, 879-0993. 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE ORANGE PARK. HOLA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 1001 N. Main St., 356-3100, holamexicanrestaurant.com. F Authentic fajitas, burritos, specials, enchiladas, more. HH; sangria. BW K TO L D M-Sa LARRY’S GIANT SUBS, 12001 Lem Turner Rd., 764-9999. SEE ORANGE PARK. MELLOW MUSHROOM PIZZA BAKERS, 15170 Max Leggett Pkwy., 757-8843. F 2016 Best of Jax Winner. SEE BEACHES.

ANDY’S GRILL, 1810 W. Beaver St., 354-2821, jaxfarmers market.com. Jax Farmers Market. Local, regional, international produce. Breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, drinks. $ B L D Mon.-Sat. BARZ LIQUORS & FISH CAMP, 9560 Heckscher Dr., 251-3330. Authentic fish camp, biker-friendly, American-owned.

Package store. $ FB L D Daily DICK’S WINGS & GRILL, 12400 Yellow Bluff Rd., 619-9828.

CHEFFED-UP

Skip the shortcuts and make some MEMORIES, already

THE LONG WAY

ROUND BITE-SIZED THE KITCHEN TIME IS REALLY FLYING, FIRST THANKSGIVING, then Christmas and here comes the New Year. I’ve read that most people put on a bit of weight this time of year. Boy, do I get it. Food is such a huge part of the holiday season, it seems all we do is eat. Kinda like the entire year in my world, as tasting and eating are a big job requirement. And that’s cool by me.

What’s not so cool is the pedestrian, premade shortcuts people take these days.

Not to be a hater, but have you ever seen that one “cooking” show where the blonde hostess just opens packages and modifies them a little bit? I think it’s called something like “Sorta Homemade” or “Almost Edible.”

What an atrocity. Let’s take heavily salted, highly processed packaged food and make it “homemade” by adding more processed packaged crap to it. Look, honey, I “made” it myself. YUCK. If you’re going to do it, do it right — don’t waste your time. Which brings me to what’s really bugging me today: premade gingerbread house kits. I’ve been seeing these things more and more the last couple of years and my only reaction: LAME! These kits are almost as bad as folks buying manufactured jack o’lanterns. Nothing more clearly says, ‘I’m lazy but love cutesy stuff.’

The whole point of themed holiday crafts such as these is the process of making them.

They’re expressions of craft or some pent-up, never-realized talent. They represent time spent with your families — you know, those people in your house hiding behind their cell phones. There are myriad reasons why we make real gingerbread houses, and the result is of minor importance.

Reason No. 1: the aroma. Combined with the woodsy scent of a real Christmas tree

(don’t get me started on artificial ones), your house becomes a magical place: a winter wonderland even without the snow. Reason No. 2: joy. The kind of joy that only comes from spending time in your house with your children (see, I do have a mushy side).

Reason No. 3: self-satisfaction, the kind that only comes by finishing a project that brings happiness to all. And reason No. 4: It’s just darn cool, and you get to eat tons of candy for days and days.

All in all, it takes only a few extra hours to make gingerbread from scratch and chef up your holiday. Don’t be a lazy shoemaker; go for it. You’ll be glad you took my sage advice.

Here’s a super-easy recipe for royal icing, the glue to hold your masterpiece together.

CHEF BILL’S ROYAL ICING

Ingredients: • 3 egg whites • 1 pound confectioner’s sugar • 1 tsp. real vanilla extract Directions: 1. Place egg whites and vanilla extract in 1. a mixer. Beat at low speed until frothy.

2. Gradually add the sugar; when it 1. begins to turn shiny, increase to high 1. speed, and beat until stiff peaks begin 1. to form.

Until we cook again,

Chef Bill Thompson cheffedup@folioweekly.com ____________________________________ Contact Chef Bill Thompson, the owner of the Amelia Island Culinary Academy in Fernandina Beach, at cheffedup@folioweekly. com to find inspiration and get you Cheffed Up! DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 33

PETS LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE FOLIO

W E E K LY

FOLIO LIVING

KENNY HOLIDAY PERFORMS 30 “BON JOVI TRIBUTE” DEC

The Surf Restaurant, Bar & Beach Motel

PET

LOVERS’

GUIDE

DEAR DAVI

Davi shares his NEW YEAR’S resolutions

NO IFS, ANDS OR

EXCESSIVE BUTTSNIFFING

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NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH 2017 LOFT & Rogue • DJ Wes Reed

NEW YEARS EVE Restaurant Doro

2ND ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE RIVER BASH Jacksonville Landing

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA Crescendo Amelia Big Band

THE NEW YEAR IS A CHANCE FOR HUMANS – and dogs – to hit the reset button and start fresh. For me, I’ll be wagging in the New Year with these resolutions – let’s hope I stick to them: I will observe boundaries at the dog park: Instead of rushing the gate, I will wait patiently and let dogs enter safely - no one likes to be ambushed. I will also accept that not every dog wants to play with me or be sniffed. I have been growled at a few times, which is disappointing, not to mention scary, but I have to learn my limits.

I will stress less and nap more: As a dog, you’d think I would have a laid-back life. I do, but even I get stressed sometimes. There’s the mailman – what’s up with him anyway?

The garbage truck isn’t much better. Not to mention things that go bump in the night. I always have to be on high alert and ready to confront that knock at the door. I resolve to let it go and get more sleep.

I will not roll in stinky stuff: Just because I like the way it smells, doesn’t mean others enjoy the stench. Besides, reeking of death usually requires a bath, so there’s that.

I will not eat dog park poop, and then lick my human’s face: Let’s face it, it’s nasty.

Even the name is strange: coprophagia. My mom goes through the roof every time she sees me devour a pile. It might taste good to me, but it’s a gross habit.

I will introduce myself in more appropriate ways: I will resist acting tough and barking at other dogs when I’m leashed. That goes for strangers and skateboarders, too!

PET TIP: SONIC REDUCER DEC

31

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Wicked Barley Brewing Company

34 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

I will not freak out every time my human leaves the house: I must remind myself that she is coming back. She ALWAYS comes back. I have to stop acting like it’s the end of the world.

I will tolerate the outfits and homemade bandannas my human makes me wear: She goes out of her way to make these things, so I’ll just put up with the way they feel and the teasing from other dogs. I will even try to smile when she takes photos of me before showing them to her friends.

I will not hamper my human from typing on the keyboard when she is writing: Whether writing about ME or XYZ, I won’t nudge her while she is busy working.

I will beg less: I’ve got begging down to a science, but it’s just rude. I promise to reserve begging for worthwhile things, like long walks and fried eggs.

I will love unconditionally: By declaring my love for my human and my friends, openly and completely every day, I can make the world a better place.

As for my cat friends, they gave me a crazy look when I asked about their resolutions. They said they are perfect the way they are and see no reason to change.

Whatever.

Davi mail@folioweekly.com ____________________________________ Davi the dachshund might not like party hats, but he’s going to be a sport about wearing one this New Year’s Eve BEFORE YOU FIRE UP THAT SLAYER, WU-TANG Clan, or Jim Nabors record at a skull-rattling volume, keep in mind that your pets are very sensitive to sound. How sensitive? Due to their heightened sense of hearing, when the speakers are cranked both cats and dogs can suffer from conditions including noise trauma, which can produce temporary or permanent hearing loss, stress, and even affect their potty activity. Any sound within the range of 1.0 to 16.0 kHz (about the same level of an M-16 and blasting music) can damage the cochlea in cats and dogs.

So turn that music down or wear headphones – but don’t crank the jams so much that you go deaf!

PET EVENTS KITTY WISH TREE • Help make a kitty’s wish come true – donate cat food, litter, toys, and cleaning supplies. To be a special Santa for these adoptables cats, stop by the Cats Angels Inc. SPCA Thrift Store & Adoption Center, 709 S. Eighth St., Fernandina Beach, 321-2267, catsangels.com.

ADOPTABLES

GUMBY

LOOKING FOR MY POKEY • If you love green Claymation cartoons, I’m the one for you!

I’m a very docile dog who can sit, shake and high-five. I don’t even need a treat to do my tricks. I’d love to ring in 2017 with you! Please come meet me at the Jacksonville Humane Society today! For info, go to jaxhumane.org.

PET ADOPTION • More than 60 cats and kittens and more than 40 dogs and puppies are looking for forever homes at Wags & Whiskers Pet Rescue, 1967 Old Moultrie Rd., St. Augustine, 797-1913, 797-6039, petrescue.org. All animals are spayed or neutered and are fully up-to-date on shots when they leave the facility.

KATZ 4 KEEPS ADOPTION DAYS • Adoption days are held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 7 and 8, at 935B A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, 834-3223, katz4keeps.org.

ADOPTABLES

DIPPY

I DIP, YOU DIP, WE DIP • There’s nothing I love more than a classic dance jam. Macarena, Cupid Shuffle — you name it, I’ll bust a move.

Especially if you have tuna. Or Fancy Feast. Or catnip. (Yassss … catnip.) If you need more fun in your life, please come adopt me right meow at the Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd. on the Southside!

CBC4Kids • Celebrate birds while engaging youth and their families in real Citizen Science, 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 7 at Camp Chowenwaw Park, 1517 Ball Rd., Green Cove Springs, eventbrite.com. A free binocular boot camp, intro to birding and 90 minutes on the trail with experienced birders/naturalists and a follow-up program are featured. Bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, hat and sunscreen; binoculars and field guide if you have them. Sponsored by Duval Audubon Society and Camp Chowenwaw. ___________________________________ To list a pet event, send the event name, time, date, location (complete street address and city), admission price, contact number/website to print, to mdryden@ folioweekly.com – at least two weeks before the event.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 35

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

DALE RATERMANN’s Crossword presented by

BABOONS, HENRI MATISSE, SHEL SILVERSTEIN & JOHN MUIR

Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society

San Marco

Ponte Vedra

The Shoppes of Ponte Vedra

Avondale

2044 San Marco Blvd.

398-9741

330 A1A North

3617 St. Johns Ave.

280-1202

388-5406

FOLIO WEEKLY CROSSWORD

Dale celebrates the holidays!

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini gymnast Marisa Dick has created a signature move that’s never been used by any other gymnast. To start her routine, she leaps up off a springboard and lands on the balance beam doing a full split. The technical term for this bold maneuver is “a change-leg leap to free-cross split sit,” though its informal name is “The Dick Move.”

The International Federation of Gymnastics has certified it in its Code of Points, so it’s official. In the next few months, you’ll produce one-of-a-kind innovations in your sphere.

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, “A certain type of perfection can only be realized through a limitless accumulation of the imperfect.” Let’s amend that so it’s exactly suitable for you in 2017. The new, Taurus-specific version: “A messy, practical, beautiful type of perfection can be realized through a patient, faithful, dogged accumulation of the imperfect.” To live up to this motto’s promise, make damn good use of every partial success.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): I hope you’ll be as well-grounded in 2017 as you’ve ever been, maybe even since your past life as a farmer. You’ll go a long way toward mastering the arts of being earthy, practical and stable. To do it right, though, work on a seemingly paradoxical task: cultivating a vigorous, daring imagination — as you may have done in a past life as an artist. Your ability to succeed in the material world thrives as you nurture a relationship with fantasy realms, and vice versa. If you want to be the boss of reality, dream big and wild, and vice versa.

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Even if you don’t think of yourself as an artist, you’re always working on a major art project: you. You may underestimate the creativity you call on as you shape the raw material of your experience into an epic story. I must tell you the power and glory of this heroic effort. Is anything more important? Not for you. In 2017 you’ll take craftsmanship to the highest level ever. Keep author Nathan W. Morris’ advice in mind: “Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece, after all.”

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Solution to 12.21.16 Puzzle O R G A V I O L A B L E D E O D E H O N E A W A R R E G A A L E S

F R I J I N O V A R E N D R E 36 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017

A G L O W

N A R C K I S T E T T A O P R L E B B S

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Renowned Italian sculptor Donatello’s favorite piece was “Lo Zuccone,” a marble statue of Biblical prophet Habakkuk. As Donatello carved his work-in-progress, he addressed it. “Speak, damn you! Talk to me,” he was heard to often say. Did the stone respond? Judging from the beauty of the final product, I’d say yes. One art critic testified that “Lo Zuccone” is a “sublimely harrowing” tour de force, a triumph of “forceful expression” and “one of the most important marble sculptures of the 15th century.”

You’ll have Donatello-like powers of conversation in 2017. If anyone can communicate creatively with stones — and rivers, trees, animals, spirits and complicated humans, for that matter — it’s you.

E R G E O D

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) turned out to be one of the supremely influential artists of the 20th century. But he was still struggling to make a living well into his 30s. The public’s apathy toward his work demoralized him. At one point, he visited his dealer to reclaim one of his unsold paintings.

It was time to give up on it, he felt, to take it off the market. But when he arrived at the gallery, his dealer informed him that it had finally been bought -- and not by just any art collector, either. Its new owner was Pablo Picasso, an artist whom Matisse revered. It’s quite possible you’ll have comparable experiences in 2017. Don’t give up on you!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The self in exile remains the self, as a bell unstruck for years is still a bell,” writes poet Jane Hirshfield. These words are important to hear as you prepare for 2017. I sense that in the past few months, your true self has been making its way back to the heart of life after wandering on the outskirts.

Any day now, a long-silent bell will start ringing to herald your full return. Welcome home!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In accordance with your astrological omens for 2017, I’ve taken a poem that Shel Silverstein wrote for kids and made it into your horoscope. It’ll serve as a light-hearted emblem of a challenging but fun task you should attend to in the coming months. Here it is: “I’ve never washed my shadow out in all the time I’ve had it. It was absolutely filthy I supposed, so I peeled it off the wall where it was leaning and stuck it in the washtub with the clothes. I put in soap and bleach and stuff. I let it soak for hours. I wrung it out and hung it out to dry. And whoever would have thunk that it would have gone and shrunk, for now it’s so much littler than I.” SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Walk your wisdom walk in 2017. Excite us with your wisdom songs and gaze at our broken reality with wisdom eyes. Play wisdom tricks, crack wisdom jokes and erupt with your wisdom cures. The world needs you to be a radiant swarm of lovable, unpredictable wisdom! Your future needs you to conjure a steady stream of wisdom dreams and exploits! You don’t have to wait until the wisdom is perfect. Don’t worry if it’s supremely practical. Your job? Trust your wisdom gut, to unleash your wisdom cry, to revel in wisdom magic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As I was thinking about your astrological omens for 2017, I found a wildly relevant passage by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Memorize its message and repeat at least once a day for the next 365 days. “Nothing can hold you back — not your childhood, not the history of a lifetime, not even the very last moment before now.

In a moment you can abandon your past. And once abandoned, you can redefine it. If the past was a ring of futility, let it become a wheel of yearning that drives you forward. If the past was a brick wall, let it become a dam to unleash your power.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist John Muir regarded nature as his church.

He lived outdoors for weeks, communing with the wilderness. He noticed that not many others shared his passion. “Most people are on the world, not in it,” he wrote, “having no conscious sympathy or relationship to anything about them — undiffused, separate, and rigidly alone like marbles of polished stone, touching but separate.” Is there anything about you that even partly fits that description? If so, 2017 will be an excellent year to address the problem. You’ll have immense potential to become more intimate and tender with all components of the Great Mystery. What’s the opposite of loneliness?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Seven Chilean poets were frustrated by their fellow citizens’ apathy toward the art of poetry.

They sarcastically dramatized their chagrin with a performance for baboons. Santiago Zoo authorities arranged for the poets’ safety, keeping them in a protective cage within the baboons’ habitat. The audience seemed to be entertained, at times listening in rapt silence, other times shrieking raucously. I’m sure you can empathize with the poets’ drastic action. How many times have you felt you don’t get the appreciation you deserve? I bet that will change in 2017. You won’t have to stoop to performing for baboons.

Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD HOLES AGAINST HUMANITY

The rebellion against the absurdities of Black Friday this year by the organization Cards Against Humanity came in the form of raising money to dig a pointless hole in the ground. During the last week of November, people “contributed” $100,573, with Cards digging initially for 5.5 seconds per donated dollar. In 2015, according to an NPR report, Cards raised $71,145 by promising to do “absolutely nothing” with it, and the year before, $180,000 by selling bits of bull feces.

Asked why Cards doesn’t just give the money to charity, a spokesperson asked why donors themselves don’t give it to charity. “It’s [their] money.” [NPR KUOW Radio, Turnwater, Wash., 11-27-16]

HEY, YOUR SHOE’S UNTIED! (MADE YA LOOK!)

A note in The New York Times in October mentioned a website that comprehensively covers everything worth knowing and wondering — about shoelaces. Ian’s Shoelace Site shows, discusses and rates lacing methods, how to mix lace colors, how to tie (comparing methods, variations and ratings), lengths of laces (how to calculate, which formulas to use, what to do with excess lengths), “granny knots,” aglet repair and much more — neatly laid out in dozens of drawings for the shoelace-challenged — because no one wants to commit a shoelace faux pas. [http://bit.ly/1mVIpDO]

GET OVER IT

Though the 2016 presidential election was more volatile than usual, one reaction to the outcome was the apparent ease with which some in America’s next generation of college-trained leaders were sidelined by self-described emotional pain. The Wall Street Journal reported that special attention was given by administrators at Tufts University, the University of Kansas and Ivy League Cornell, among other places, where young adults could “grieve” over the election and seek emotional support, such as use of “therapy dogs” in Kansas and, at the University of Michigan, Play-Doh and coloring books for distraction.

[Wall Street Journal, 11-9-16]

SO … GET A LOAN

The county executive in Cleveland, Ohio, complained in November of lack of funds (because the county’s credit is “maxed out”) for needed renovations to its wellknown sports and concert venue, Quicken Loans Arena.

WHERE’S BRAD PITT WHEN YA NEED HIM?

In November, after a companion asked Victoria Vanatter, 19, what blood-sucking was like, she let him slice her arm with a razor to have a taste, but the two then argued, and Vanatter allegedly grabbed a knife and slashed him for real. Police in Springfield, Missouri, arrested her after both people were stitched up at a hospital. [Cleveland Scene, 11-30-16; Springfield News Leader, 11-18-16]

NEVER SATISFIED

The most recent city to schedule a civicminded conference with community leaders to discuss options for affordable, accessible housing in a meeting place that was highly unfriendly to the non-ambulatory was Toronto, in November. The first proposed site required a seven-step walk-up, but after complaints, officials relocated to a building whose only rest room was in the elevator-free basement. [Toronto Star, 12-7-16]

GET OVER IT, PT. II

The Space World theme park in Kitakyushu, Japan, opened a popular (with visitors) iceskating rink in November, but was forced to close it two weeks later for being unpopular (with social media critics). The park put 5,000 fish and other sea animals in the ice deck of its “Freezing Port” rink so skaters could look down as they glided along, gazing at nature’s marvels (all dead in advance, bought at a fish market). Still, the park manager apologized for grossing out so many people and closed the exhibit, melting the ice and conducting an “appropriate religious service” for the fishes’ souls. [CNN, 11-28-16] Chuck Shepherd weirdnews@earthlink.net

Folio Weekly Magazine can help you connect with that surfer hunk you almost talked to at the Young Vegan Professionals meet-up, or that gum-crackin’ goddess at Target who “accidentally” dropped a jasmine-scented kazoo in your cart. Just go to folioweekly.com/i-saw-u.html, fill out the FREE form correctly (40 words or fewer, dammit) by 5 p.m. Friday (for the next Wednesday’s FWM) – next stop: Bliss!

No left or right swipe here – you can actually use REAL WORDS to find REAL LOVE!

One: Write a ive-word headline so they’ll recognize you, or them, or the place.

Two: Describe the person, like, “You: Blonde, hot, skanky, tall.”

Three: Describe yourself, like, “Me: Redhead, boring, clean, virgin.”

Four: Describe the encounter, like, “ISU with your posse at Dos Gatos.”

Five: Hook up, fall in love, reserve a church*. No names, emails, websites, etc. And fer chrissake, it’s forty (40) words or fewer.

Holidays are here … lingering under mistletoe again, all on your lonesome?

Pathetic. Reach out through the seasonal magic of Folio Weekly ISUs! ENGLISH MUFFIN HELLO, COOL MOOSE U: Carmine’s shirt, prettiest art admirer ever. Me: Tattooed brow, food maker. Made your hello with a smiley-face flag. Art is an experience we can enjoy together. When: Dec. 7. Where: Cool Moose Café Riverside. #1636-1214 DAYCARE DAD ISU when I drop off my daughter. You drop off your little one. Coffee? You: Tallish, tattoos, work boots you take off before entering baby room, absolutely adorable; single? Me: Red hair, always hoping I see you. When: Almost every day. Where: Kids World Academy. #1635-1214 CROSSWORD QT You had orange socks and an orange Element.

You got a cappuccino (or two) and started with a crossword. Your laptop had an Equality sticker on it … either you really like math, or we should meet. Maybe both. When: Nov. 29. Where: Bold Bean, Riverside. #1634-1207 CARMELO’S SILVER FOX You: Tall, handsome, older gentleman with an exceptional British accent! Me: Tall brunette who visits frequently. You’re flirty, but let’s make it official! Tea time? When: Nov. 11. Where: Carmelo’s Pizzeria, St. Augustine. #1633-1207 MY HOT, SEXY NEIGHBOR You: Tall, white sports jersey (No. 12, I think), flag tattoo. Me: Brunette, sunglasses, busty. While checking mail ISU on balcony playing darts, smoking cigar. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Throw your dart at me anytime. When: Oct. 25.

Where: Coquina Bay Apartments. #1632-1026 A YEAR AGO, OCEANWAY PUBLIX Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. Talked in checkout line. Me: Kinda muscular, blue Never Quit shirt. Please forgive my walking away. You: So smokin’ hot I couldn’t believe it; black vehicle.

Let me be your somebody! When: Nov. 25, ’15.

Where: Oceanway Publix. #1631-1026

MY BUD LIGHT/MARLBORO MAN You: Handsome man working the grill, drinking Bud Light and cooking some good-looking meat on Saturday. Me: Drinking Captain and Coke and fighting the desire to take advantage of you.

Hoping you “grill” again soon! When: Aug. 27.

Where: Downtown. #1627-0928 NEED HELP MOVING? First time ISU, you were moving from your apartment; we caught eyes. Met again, exchanged names. Wanted your number but it’s been so long since someone made me speechless. Come by sometime? You: Pretty. Me: Intrigued. When: Sept.

14. Where: Off JTB. #1626-0921 FIRST WATCH EARTHQUAKE You: Stunningly beautiful lady, long brown hair, shorts, athletic top, waiting for second party Sunday morning. Me: Tall, dark, handsome guy, kinda cop-looking. Tried to buy your breakfast; you hadn’t ordered. Really wanted to say hello.

When: Aug. 28. Where: First Watch Beach Boulevard. #1625-0907 TRADE PORSCHE FOR BEACH CRUISER? Drawn to your physique, adored biceps as you chilled with friend! You complimented my Porsche. Offered trade for your cruiser. Didn’t ask for number. WOD together on next bring-a-friend day?! When: 4 p.m. June 5. Where: Zeta Brewing bicycle stand. #1616-0622 DANCING TO THE BONES You are L. from Ponte Vedra. I’m R, leading band at Conch House on Friday, Aug. 12. We said quick hello as you left. Really want to connect with you. Hopefully cosmos will agree. When: Aug. 12.

Where: Conch House, St. Augustine. #1624-0817 FLOWERS IN MY HAND Very surprised to see you. Positive memories flooded back, so let’s have lunch and catch up. S. When: July 6. Where: Publix Pharmacy. #1623-0810

CUTE BARTRAM PARK RUNNER We’ve seen each other. You: Dark hair, blueeyed hottie, running. Me: Dark blonde, ponytail, walking. Today you said, “Sorry about that.” I smiled, not sure of meaning – sorry about crude car guys. Points – you’re a gentleman. Single?

When: Oct. 17. Where: Bartram Park. #1630-1026

DO YOU SEEK UNIQUE? You: Beautiful brunette, Walmart sugar aisle, beautiful arm ink work; said you got it in Riverside. Me: Dark chocolate gentleman, captivated by smile, breathless looking into beautiful eyes. Too shy to get number. Meet for lunch? When: July 16. Where: Walmart Avenues. #1622-0720

SALMON POLO, RIVERSIDE PUBLIX Going to check-out – bam! ISU. Handsome man. Facial hair. Fit. Smiled, made eye contact.

Thought, “I’ll never see him again.” I pull from lot; you walk in front; noticed your right arm tattoo.

No bags? When: Oct. 3. Where: Riverside Publix. #1629-1012

HANDSOME, KIND GENTLEMAN ISU Saturday 1 a.m. You: Extremely handsome, cool hat, T-shirt, jeans; forgot wallet; complimented my white dress. Me: Long blond hair, green eyes, too shy to ask name or if unattached. Love to meet formally! When: July 17.

Where: Walmart San Jose. #1621-0720

BRUNETTE BEAUTY WALKING TO BEACH Tall brunette walking her most white with mixed colored medium-sized dog. Snake-design comfortable pants, gorgeous body. Me: Waking up, starting day. You were first thing I saw from inside my house. Let’s walk together! When: Sept. 30.

Where: Davis St., Neptune Beach. #1628-1005

WE ARE READY FOR U You: Handsome man following, watching me, saying hi, calling, hanging up before u speak.

Me: Want to hear your heart. My dog and condo await. Don’t be afraid. Everything will be OK. We love you. When: 2012. Where: Neighborhood. #1620-0720

*or any other appropriate site at which folks can engage in a civil union or marriage or whatever …

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 37

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FOLIO VOICES : BACKPAGE EDITORIAL

KEEP

EVEN BEFORE PRESIDENT Obama took office, the conservative machine was firing up, churning out messages of gloom and doom and manipulating public opinion from behind the curtain. The Tea Party, with the rhetoric and imagery they employed of “taking America back,” was grounded in the pervasive idea that the country had somehow been taken (where did it go?) and that true patriots could liberate it with white-powdered wigs, muskets, and American flag bumper stickers. For the last eight years, obstructionist Republicans in Congress, bolstered by the alt-right media, engaged in a propaganda war designed to undermine faith in our nation.

Unfortunately, progressives are complicit in this process, for we yearn for progress and are quick to point out areas of improvement. The far-right uses this mentality against liberals with a gleeful kind of evil judo, making progressives appear somehow unpatriotic for being skeptical, creating the perception across middleAmerica that Democrats are the party of pessimists. Now, more than ever, progressives must deliver a message of hope.

America is great, in spite of our deep divisions; the ultimate irony of Trump’s victory is that the candidate who promised to “Make America Great Again” is poised to do quite the opposite.

We are a nation of immigrants, and our strength is now, and always was, built upon diversity. The United States is a rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Throughout our history, each successive wave of immigrants has brought innovation, manpower, and desire to succeed that elevated America to superpower status. American universities continue to attract the best minds from around the world, and our cities remain the top destination for entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, and freethinkers.

America gave the world the gifts of jazz, blues, rock-and-roll, Maya Angelou, and

it is largely a culture of optimism and decency. We cheer for the lanky cowboy who is quick with a gun, standing tall against the army of villains and impossible odds. We recall our essential goodness, and that the United States stopped Hitler when good and evil hung in the balance. While we have made grave mistakes as a nation, we are still capable of great things, for it is our people who make us great, not our politicians. We have reason to hope.

Often maligned, the emerging generation of millennials should make us smile. This is the least racist generation in history, hungry for change and vocal in their quest for social justice and solving environmental issues. Young voters propelled Obama to the Oval Office, inspired by a message of hope and change, and mobilized again in record numbers behind Bernie Sanders.

The next generation embodies the ideals that have always made America great: a desire to do what is right and good, the determination to speak out against wrong, and the discipline to mobilize and act. These are the values that won a revolution, gave birth to our democracy, and shaped America into a beacon of light in times of darkness.

Trump’s ascendance to power is chilling, and millennials have the opportunity to fulfill the promise of their generation, combating climatechange deniers, protesting systemic racism, advocating for LGBTQ rights, and working to ensure women’s rights are not trampled on. More than at any other time since the Civil War, the United States is in grave danger from within. We must organize, vote, and make our voices heard, for we are not alone. There are more good people than bad.

Now is the time to remember what makes America great, for we are still the same country that we were before the election. This is the season to fight for liberty and truth.

Today is the day the battle for the American soul, and it is up to you and me to ensure that our great nation remains great.

Sean T. Smith mail@folioweekly.com _____________________________________

AMERICA GREAT Donald Trump will be our next president because he CONNED VOTERS into believing that he will “Make America Great Again.”

He rode a boiling wave of manufactured pessimism, fear, and self-loathing, staking his entire candidacy on the UNDERLYING MESSAGE that America is not great, a false narrative we’ve heard so many times that it was easy to believe the lie.

President Barak Obama. From the former slaves who built the South, the Chinese workers who constructed our railways and opened the West, to the Italians and Irish who invigorated our cities, diversity defined America and transformed the world. We’ve never stopped being a melting pot, and while many of those on the far right would like to portray our increasing diversity as a threat, it is one of the key reasons that America is great.

Our founding fathers aspired to create a “shining city on a hill,” and in many ways they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, for from our great diversity springs a uniquely American culture that shapes the world.

American culture is a reflection of our values. Springsteen, Superman, and Luke Skywalker are global icons, sculpting the way people see America and the world we share. Our culture crosses borders and permeates the collective global psyche, and

Sean T. Smith is a thriller author living with his wife and children in Riverside.

DECEMBER 28, 2016-JANUARY 3, 2017 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 39