2 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020
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THE MAIL
THIS WEEK // 4.1.20-5.5.20 // VOL. 34 ISSUE 1
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MAIN FEATURE
EDUCATION GOING FORWARD
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
JASMYN stands by Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ youth Story by Brianna Bostick, Cover photo by Josh Wessolowski
COLUMNS + CALENDARS MAIL NEWS OUR PICKS ARTS + EVENTS
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PETS CROSSWORD ASTROLOGY NEWS OF THE WEIRD
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CLASSIFIEDS WEED BACKPAGE
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EDITOR • Georgio Valentino georgio@folioweekly.com / ext. 115 COPY EDITOR • Courtney Stringfellow courtney@folioweekly.com CALENDAR EDITOR • Brianna Bostick CARTOONISTS • Ed Hall, Jen Sorensen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Clark Armstrong, Nick Blank, Brianna Bostick, Rob Brezsny, Nicole Carroll, Davi, Julie Delegal, Chris Guerrieri, Laura Hampton, Janet Harper, Dan Hudak, Shelton Hull, Jason Irvin, Tristan Komorny, Mary Maguire, Sarah McLaughlin, Jennifer Melville, Lindsey Nolen, Dale Ratermann, Ryan Reno, Stephanie Thompson, Madeleine Peck Wagner, Jessica Leigh Walton
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Nobody likes what is happening, but the truth is that education is going to be fine this school year. The money is already spent. The ‘20-21 school year, however, could be in real trouble. You see, it is always education that gets the cut first during difficult times. Despite DeSantis and Corcoran’s optimistic outlook, there is no way it will be business as usual on April 15 as the amount of COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to rise. The beginning of May is looking doubtful, and it’s even money at this point that this will linger into June or the summer months before things get back close to normal. That means tax revenues that have already taken a hit are about to crater. The state’s ridiculous largess towards its corporate players leaves tourism to pay the bills, meaning it is going to be even harder to dig out of this hole. Florida will undoubtedly have to call an emergency budget session. We can expect more public school cuts and kiss those meager teacher raises goodbye. Everyone will be called on to sacrifice—well, everyone except, most likely, charter schools and voucher schools. The federal government will undoubtedly need to get involved, and we shouldn’t forget that the last federal bailout was a disaster for education. It should be seared into our collective memory. It opened the door to privatization, high-stakes testing, blame-the-teacher evaluations and Race to the Top. It might have saved jobs, but looking back at the last decade, the cure might have been worse than the disease. When there is another bailout, we have to be sure it is beneficial to education and educators. We need to bail out teachers not tests. Friends, there is going to be a lot of uncertainty in the coming months; one thing of which I am certain is that education will be the fall guy if we let it.
THANK YOU
RE.: Deal with the Devil by Susan Clark Armstrong, March 18
things that Clay County needs to know in order to prepare for the upcoming election.
Anonymous via email
“IT’S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY”
How much lower can this president sink? He is vilifying and evidently punishing the Democratic governor of Michigan for desperately pleading for necessary actions by the Trump administration on behalf of all of her constituents. And the only way this self-serving, narcissistic man—unable to process, much less understand, responsibility and concern for others—could react was to contend that she didn’t supplicate him and praise his unconscionable cover-up and delays in addressing the human impact of this insidious virus. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said medical supply vendors informed her that they were told not to send needed COVID-19 supplies to her state and later found that their shipments of personal protective equipment were being “canceled” or “delayed” and instead sent to the federal government. This man abrogates leadership by overtly asserting that this isn’t his responsibility; he blames others for his malfeasance and passes the buck to governors who depend on national leadership and coherent actions to deal with this national crisis. Then this administration, led by unquestioning Trump loyalists who are unwilling and unable to devise, much less carry out, a coherent national strategy to control this horrible threat to all of our people, have evidently chosen instead to carry out a sub-rosa scheme to torpedo the state’s efforts to fend for themselves; they are sequestering critical supplies in the hands of an unconscionable man with no compunctions about extorting fealty and groveling from those responsible governors he originally left hung out to dry. If this man can’t be impelled to a higher level of altruistic, ethical and personally responsible behavior to lead us through this devastating health and economic crisis, then our country is in very serious and hopefully not irretrievable jeopardy.
Thank you for this article. Your reporting is timely and very informative. Please continue covering the
Ted Mikalsen via email
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The mother and son were recently named winners of CURE Magazine’s national calendar contest. Their photo, “Jumping for Joy,” is one of 12 selected to appear in the cancer research magazine’s calendar. Grayzel, a Jacksonville Beach resident, is herself a survivor of oral cancer. Cohen, a New York City resident, is going viral after using his drone to arrange a rooftop date.
BOUQUET TO TACOLU When the coronavirus pandemic prompted many Jax Beach bars and restaurants to close their doors, the TacoLu crew stepped up to the plate and offered the neighborhood’s furloughed servers a free meal via a coronavirusproof take-out system (which also serves the public).
BOUQUET TO THE ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL Under Christina Parrish Stone’s leadership, the St. Augustine-based organization has announced an Arts Emergency Fund. Individual artists are eligible to receive up to $500 for basic living expenses. Arts organizations may request up to $1,000 for operating costs related to arts, culture and heritage activities. The council has earmarked a total of $10,000 for the fund.
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APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5
FOLIO: NEWS
BAD COP, BAD COP
DARRYL DANIELS’ FORMER HR DIRECTOR GOES ON RECOR SANDRA HARTLEY HAS LONG BEEN considered a human resource guru by people who know her. “She’s one of the smartest people I know,” said one officer at the Clay County Sheriff ’s Office, “and one tough broad.” (When Folio Weekly interviewed her, Hartley laughed at the “tough broad” remark. “It’s true,” she said.) She started toughening up at age 17, when she launched a career in human resources, eventually becoming the first female director of administration at the Jacksonville Port Authority. Next, she was promoted to director of external affairs (EA). Then she went to Tallahassee, where she served as president of the Florida Seaport Training and Employment Program, a grant program created by the Florida Legislature. In her not-so-spare time, she worked as an adjunct professor for the University of North Florida and St. Johns River State College. When the seaport grant ended, Hartley, still in her 40s, hoped to retire, but fate had other plans. She was asked to resuscitate an ailing nonprofit that provided clothes, shoes and counseling to at-risks kids. She kept the program afloat for 16 years, the last five years without a salary. With her extensive background, Hartley appeared ready for any challenge. Nothing could have prepared her for what was about to happen at the Clay County Sheriff ’s Office. She met Darryl Daniels through the Rotary Club of Northeast Florida. Daniels was running for sheriff, and his campaign manager, Gary Cross, had heard about Hartley’s incredible skill set. After Daniels won the election, he offered her the position of human resource director and tasked her 6 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020
with “cleaning up” the Human Resources Department. She agreed. At one of their first meetings, Daniels told Hartley that he had a master’s degree in religion and declared himself to be a “man of God.” He talked about himself incessantly, using his faith as a backdrop for his grand plans to change Clay County. “I am a Christian,” Hartley told Folio Weekly. “But I am highly suspect of individuals who try to ingratiate themselves with me by using religion. They are often the polar opposite of what they profess to be.” Still, she was excited for a new challenge, especially in human resources, her area of expertise. But an unease began to settle in her core. To add to her apprehension, her introduction to Daniels’ wife was less than auspicious. As Hartley walked to her car one day, Denise Daniels stopped her and instructed, “I don’t care what you have to do, you don’t let a woman go into Darryl’s office without you being in there.” She insisted this not once, but several times. As Hartley got into the job, she was shocked at what she saw. Tests were improvised by staff. Required reporting on immigration status was ignored. Elise Gann, the finance director (FD), had been given a great deal of authority, not typical of the position. The command staff seemed particularly concerned that she decided how monies would be spent in each department. Daniels himself was often absent. When he was in his office, so was the FD, with the door closed. The FD retained her power. At the time of this writing, Gann had not responded to an emailed request for comment.
FOLIO: NEWS Indeed, the FD made it difficult for Hartley to “clean up” the office. “HR is the keeper of the people,” Hartley explained. “I know some people thought I was trying to piss them off, but I was actually trying to save their jobs by teaching them protocols and their rights.” Although the new sheriff portrayed a friendly face to the community, Hartley described his style within the organization as “bullying.” According to Hartley, Daniels appeared to have no compassion for the men and women at the CCSO. He rearranged deputies’ shifts, which cost many deputies more than $5,000 annually. Morale began to decline within the first two months. Hartley described a kind of “whack-a-mole” scenario, in which staff were moved around constantly to “keep them wondering.” On Friday afternoons, Daniels would text officers and civilian
Sandra Hartley
employees to tell them they were being moved with no explanation. The HR director was no exception. In one such text, Daniels informed Hartley that she would be reporting to Ray Walden, the undersheriff. Several months later, in a text, she was shuffled to the Personnel and Professional Standards Department. Issues in the jail were especially concerning to the HR specialist. At a monthly command staff meeting, Daniels issued a directive. “I want inmates to be visible in the community … I want them all out working in public, so people can see them.” The detention director reminded him the inmates had to volunteer for work to accumulate gain time. The sheriff arrogantly replied, “I know I can do it, because I did it at the JSO. Put all inmates on cold meals, and the ones who volunteer get hot meals.” The room went quiet. Daniels finished his order by instructing the detention director to provide him with a report at next month’s meeting detailing how much money was saved by cutting hot meals. The detention director judiciously told the sheriff the issue needed to be revisited.
“Now, I’m not soft on crime,” Hartley said, “but jail is a punishment. Inmates should not be abused. Some may be sick or drug addicted and detoxing.” She said some may not be physically able to work, and others shouldn’t be placed in public situations. To make matters worse, some inmates were sent to clean the county pound. Being loosely supervised, many of them inhaled the cleaning fluids to get high, creating other serious problems. “The sheriff bases his success on how many inmates are in his jail,” Hartley said. And the jail was overflowing. In order to get certified, a façade was fashioned to make the jail appear in compliance with federal laws. The building was temperature controlled, and the televisions were plugged in. It appeared that everyone had a bed. After
Daniels fired several himself. He called them in, slipped a resignation letter across the table, and advised them to sign or be fired without giving any reason for the termination. Many did not know that if they were fired, they could most likely collect unemployment, but if they resigned, they could not. The sheriff had hired Angela Spears, an African-American reporter from First Coast News, to be his primary public information officer. It wasn’t long before Spears came to Hartley with disturbing news. She came from a professional setting and knew her rights, so she had documented incidents to support a civil rights complaint against Undersheriff Walden. The HR director wanted her to keep her job, and she knew if Spears filed a complaint, Daniels and Walden would find a way to make her life miserable and
“You have a warped sense of professionalism,” she told Daniels. “Do you want me to resign?” “Yes,” he answered. “You got it,” she said. “I will be gone in 30 minutes.” Hartley called her husband, who came immediately. He and several weeping employees helped her vacate her office in a half-hour. Subsequently, a young woman who worked in the Supervisor of Elections Office was hired as HR director. She had no experience in any facet of human resources. Last year, well after Hartley left, the sheriff became a tabloid headline after ordering his pregnant mistress be arrested for “stalking” (after his wife discovered their affair and followed them to a parking-lot tryst). Some in the CCSO were amused Daniels was
“Sheriff Daniels appeared to think, because he was the law, he was above the law. In my last meeting with him, I felt like I was in some kind of Looney Tunes cartoon.” the certification team left, however, televisions were unplugged, and the heat and air were set on money-saving schedules. It was hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Inmates slept atop flimsy “boats” on the hard floor. The attrition rate grew in the CCSO. Longtime employees and new hires alike were forced out. The sheriff had a ritual for getting rid of the people he wanted gone. Resignation letters were always typed up beforehand. If employees were within retirement range, he would usually enlist the others to advise them that complaints had been made against them and they could either sign the letter or be fired. Younger employees were urged to sign a resignation letter or be fired, which would look bad for future employment.
fire her. So, against her own protocol, she tried to calm Spears. “You know the undersheriff is just a redneck hick! Just let it go,” Hartley advised her. Spears was hesitant but heeded her advice. Spears was soon gone. Nine months into the job, Hartley faced something she had never faced before. She realized the sheriff was not interested in “cleaning up” anything. “Sheriff Daniels appeared to think, because he was the law, he was above the law,” Hartley said. “In my last meeting with him, I felt like I was in some kind of Looney Tunes cartoon.” So she took a stand and decided to defy someone who wanted the world to believe he had established an undisputable fiefdom.
caught with his pants down. Hartley was not. “The sheriff didn’t and probably hasn’t given any thought to that tiny little girl who had to watch her momma being dragged from her car, handcuffed, put in the back of a police car, arrested and carried to jail while she waited scared and alone for her granddaddy to come get her,” Hartley said. “He has no conscience, and that is the man who is commanding law enforcement in our county. The Clay County Sheriff ’s Office under Darryl Daniels was the most toxic place I have ever heard about or witnessed.” “The agency is ripe for a union, and they will get it unless things change.” Susan Clark Armstrong mail@folioweekly.com APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7
VIRTUAL
FRI
3 THE SHOW MUST GO ON JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY
Before COVID-19 struck, the Jacksonville Symphony was gearing up to perform at Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Kennedy Center in the context of the SHIFT Festival. The March 24 event was cancelled, but the hometown ensemble can still be seen streaming live. 8 p.m. Friday, April 3 & 10, jaxsymphony.org/live, free.
WED
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CUTTING EDGE
JACKSONVILLE DANCE FILM FESTIVAL
The fifth annual edition of Jacksonville Dance Theatre’s film festival has moved from MOCA Jacksonville to your living room—and it’s swinging the entire month of April. Among the 22 offerings is Keely Song’s Claim (pictured), which features seven pregnant performers. On demand, jacksonvilledancefilmfestival.org, $5/$10.
SAT
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SONG & DANCE VIRTUAL CABARET
Theater impresario Lee Hamby organizes this star-studded stream, featuring 40 of Northeast Florida’s finest stage performers singing songs just for you. 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 11 & 18, facebook.com/North-Florida-Theatreannouncements-casting-105588384183217, $5 minimum suggested donation. 8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020
OUR
PICKS NORTHEAST FLORIDA AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
WED
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INDIE GOLD SUN-RAY CINEMA
Its annual Sleeping Giant Festival has been postponed, but Jacksonville’s celebrated indie movie theater has found a way to keep on screenin’. The Five Points institution partners with streaming platform Film Movement to present top-shelf flicks that you won’t find on Netflix, including Polish director Jan Komasa’s dark comedy Corpus Christi (pictured). On demand, sunraycinema.com, $12.
WED
1
MUSEUM AT HOME
THE CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS
The Riverside museum, which just named Kerrie Slattery interim director, is closed for COVID-19, but its education department has prepared a handy program of virtual arts activities to keep the young ones occupied. Ongoing, Cummermuseum.org/ArtMakingAtHome, free.
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FOLIO: FEATURE
HOME AWAY FROM HOME JASMYN stands by Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ youth Story by BRIANNA BOSTICK • Photos BY JOSH WESSOLOWSKI
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“The staff is unlike any other. You just feel the vibration that resonates with the youth. I’m not just another number; they make me feel like an individual— heard and loved.”
J
ASMYN, the only LGBTQ+ center in Northeast Florida, celebrates its 26th birthday this year. In 1993, Ernie Selorio Jr., an LGBTQ+ teenager, was new to Jacksonville and feeling isolated— even suicidal—in his new surroundings. He and his sister decided to start a support group at Willowbranch Library to allow other young people experiencing the same feelings to come together and support one another. The group went from an idea to a remarkable reality that is JASMYN today. The organization is now headquartered in a Brooklyn campus comprising three large houses in which health, support and community services are available to LGBTQ+ youth, especially those experiencing homelessness. It is a community filled with like-minded people, love and support: a safe space to marshal mental and physical health. JASMYN stands for Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, and it focuses on the general well-being of young people’s lives. One aspect of that is sexual health and HIV testing, treatment and counseling. The organization hosts weekly clinics, workshops, informational sessions and support groups. The clinics offer young people resources, medication and support from other young people HIV+ as well as those who are not. They approach problems using these resources and also offer preventative measures with PrEP, or “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” a medication for high-risk individuals to take daily to prevent getting HIV. Jacksonville consistently ranks high in national HIV+ indexes, so the directors of JASMYN feel “a responsibility to connect with young people and help them make positive and appropriate healthcare links … We empower them to take control of their care,” Christina
Woodhouse, JASMYN’s assistant director of health services, told Folio. The goal is to help these young people get themselves in a stable position. Jupiter Adams, a young man who was introduced to JASMYN 10 years ago, told Folio, “I can remember how comfortable everything was. It was like a home away from home.” Adams has stayed home ever since. He continues working closely with JASMYN, coordinating events and interacting with the young people with whom he relates. JASMYN not only works to create a safe learning environment for LGBTQ+ young people, but the organization also helps their parents. “Children come out to their parents and family, and the family does not know what to do. That’s where JASMYN comes in,” CEO Cindy Watson explained. JASMYN holds quarterly parent/child support sessions in which children meet in one building and parents meet in another. Each group discusses experiences, approaches and adjustment techniques in the new dynamic of their home. Sharing with people who are experiencing similar situations helps everyone. Some 60 percent of the homeless young adults in Jacksonville identify as LGBTQ+, so it’s safe to say that JASMYN is in the right place, doing the right work at the right time. One of JASMYN’s flagship events is Gay Prom, an annual happening held in May for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents. There is a “parent room” at the event where the elders can hang out with each other and continue the discourse of community and family. Another event is the Formation Ball, held every December. The shindig is modeled after the television show Pose and features a parade of “houses” created by young
people who have been thrown out of their own homes. Each house has a “mother” or “father,” and they compete every year to decide who is the most “fem” of them all (who can display the most effeminate qualities). There is also an annual student retreat weekend that focuses on social justice issues and leadership development. ACCESS, which stands for Accessing Client Centered Essential Support Services, is a valuable program that allows homeless young people time at the house to do their laundry, take a shower, have a hot meal, and hang out with members of their community. It also allows them time on a computer to look for jobs or gain access to other resources that may not be available to them elsewhere. The Healthy Relationships Retreat is hosted for young people who tested positive for HIV, and it allows them the opportunity to discuss their options and experiences as well as gain support and opportunities for the future. Not only does JASMYN provide an abundance of community and group support, it also offers private counseling for young people. This is extremely important, considering how difficult it is to find a private counselor on your own, especially when you’re experiencing homelessness. JASMYN is not only healthcentered, but it is first and foremost youth-centered. “We have a youthcentric approach,” Watson said. “We meet them where they are and focus on their empowerment.” Adams, the alumnus who remains at JASMYN as a youth counselor and coordinator, added, “The staff is unlike any other. You just feel the vibration that resonates with the youth. I’m not just
another number; they make me feel like an individual—heard and loved.” This truly seems to be a shared feeling on the JASMYN campus, and the organization has become an important part of these young peoples’ lives. They have built a community there, and JASMYN continues to grow. The campus’ newest building will offer temporary housing during crises. The facility will be equipped with the necessary tools and other resources to help youths find a job and benefit from a stable environment—a place to call home. As JASMYN grows, so does demand for its services. Yes, the community has made strides on the path of inclusivity, but we still have a long way to go. JASMYN continues to build community partnerships, making the campus—and Jacksonville—an even safer place. It plans to expand and build outside of the campus to create a meditation garden and more space for outdoor gatherings and events. “Until recently, the community was not ready to support the work we do here. We have seen that change in the last six years or so,” Watson said. “We expect the community and large city of Jacksonville to step up and respond to the challenge of homelessness.” JASMYN offers more than housing, healthcare and developmental opportunities for these young people; it offers a safe space to come and share memories and experiences. JASMYN is a powerhouse of visionaries who are working together to shape the lives of young people through empowerment, community and, most remarkably, love. Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11
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ARTS + EVENTS PERFORMANCE
TWELFTH NIGHT FSCJ’s Library and Learning Commons rebroadcasts the school’s 2012 rendition of this comedy in place of another Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing, which was scheduled to open the same weekend. ThursdaySunday, April 2-5, facebook.com/FSCJLLC, free.
BOOKS & POETRY
JAX POETRY FEST Celebrate National Poetry Month with virtual performances and classes during this annual event presented by local nonprofit organization Hope at Hand. Watch the website for updates. Wednesday-Saturday, April 1-25, jaxpoetryfest.org. A DEATH DISCUSSION Join author Ma Bones & illustrator Nick Dunkenstein as they present their new children’s poetry book Knock, Knock, Grandma’s Dead. Local death doula Susanna Massari will join them for the discussion. Watch social media accounts for updates. 12-3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Chamblin’s Uptown, 215 N. Laura St., Downtown, facebook.com/ chamblinsuptown, free. APRIL BOOK CLUB The group discusses Anita Brookner’s Hotel du Lac. Stacey Goldring of Chapter Endnotes facilitates the discussion. Watch the website for updates. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, San Marco Books and More, 1971 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, sanmarcobooksandmore.com.
COMEDY
COMEDY ZONE Huggy Lowdown & Chris Paul perform 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16; 7:30 & 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, April 17 & 18, $20-$25. The Rich Guzzi Comedy Hypnosis Show 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, $20, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, comedyzone.com.
FILM
CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ This St. Augustine staple is going digital and offering virtual movie screenings on its website. Choose from Bacurau, The Perfect Nanny, Balloon, The Whistlers and Once Were Brothers. Wednesday-Thursday, April 1-9, corazoncinemaandcafe.com, $10-$12.
ART WALKS, MARKETS
ATLANTIC BEACH ARTS MARKET Check website and social media for updates on store hours. Open daily, 1805 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, atlanticbeachartsmarket.com.
MUSEUMS
MUSEUM of CONTEMPORARY ART The local museum recently launched JAX smART Online and JAX smART Kids, a virtual way for the community to enjoy exhibits, classes, artist talks and more. The museum is closed until further notice. 333 N. Laura St., Downtown, mocajacksonville.unf.edu.
GALLERIES
The ART CENTER COOPERATIVE Tune-In exhibition’s call to artist deadline is extended to August 4. Works by featured member artists are on display on social media. Gallery open by appointment only. Email info@tacjacksonville. org to schedule. 9501 Arlington Expy., Ste. 430, Arlington, tacjacksonville.org. CUTTER & CUTTER FINE ART GALLERY New oil paintings by Royo are on display. Gallery open by appointment only. Call to schedule. 25 King St., St. Augustine, cutterandcutter.com, 342-1473. CUTTER & CUTTER at PONTE VEDRA Gallery open by appointment only. Call to schedule. 333 Village Main St., Ponte Vedra Beach, cutterandcutter.com, 395-3759. FEMART GALLERY Visitors are encouraged to visit the gallery’s Facebook page and website, as 14 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020
the staff temporarily transitions to sharing art online. 10 S. Newnan, Downtown, facebook.com/ femartgallery. GALLERY 725 The Art of Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Chad Smith exhibition is on display on the gallery’s website. Private tours available upon request. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1250 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, gallery725.com, 345-9320. GRAY 1908 GALLERY Jenna Alexander’s The Flower Map of the United States and Florals Month by Month are available online. Prints and notecards by the local artist are on display and available for purchase at Juniper Market, which is still open for carry-out. The gallery is closed, at this time. 73 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, jenna-alexander.com. HASKELL GALLERY Women Artists: Visual Experience, a year-long effort showcasing the work of more than 90 women in an around Northeast Florida, runs through April 6, Jacksonville International Airport, 2400 Yankee Clipper Dr., Northside, jiaarts.org. SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY Incomparable painter, sculptor and photographer, Pablo Rivera’s work is on display. Gallery open by appointment only. Call to schedule. 1 Independent Dr., Ste. 113, Downtown, southlightgallery.com, 438-4358. STELLERS GALLERY Rotating works by C. Ford Riley, Dennis Campay, Enrique Mora, Mike Perry and other member artists are on display. Private tours available upon request. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 1990 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, stellersgallery.com. BUTTERFIELD GARAGE New works by member artists are on display and available for purchase online. Gallery open by appointment only. 137 King St., St. Augustine, butterfieldgarage.com. YELLOW HOUSE Visitors are encouraged to visit the gallery’s Facebook page and website, as the staff temporarily transitions to sharing art online. 577 King St., Riverside, yellowhouseart.org.
EVENTS
TRADITIONAL HEALING WITH NATURE’S PLANTS The Garden of Eatin’ hosts this event for those wanting to learn how to promote healing and wellness with traditional methods of herbal medicine. Call or text 386-9721891 for registration and location information. 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, Fruit Cove, gardenofeatinplants.com, free. ONLINE BAKING CLASSES Create a delicious masterpiece in the comfort of your kitchen with the guidance of Baking History, which will be sharing videos on social media through the month of April. 4 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. Fridays, bakinghistory.org, free. DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES Celebrate the decades, beginning with the ‘20s, with a virtual dance party. Watch the website for updates. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, crescendoamelia.com, $15-$100. TWIST AT HOME Painting with a Twist has two virtual workshops scheduled for the month of April. As always, materials are included. Call or text the store to schedule a time to pick your kit up. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 4; 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 10, 1525 San Marco Blvd., San Marco, paintingwithatwist.com, 399-8399, $30-$40. SURVIVING to THRIVING Originally scheduled to open at Babs’ Lab on Friday, April 24, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville is working to create a digital platform for artists to share their work, which showcase the journey of healing from the effects of sexual violence. Visit facebook.com/ WomensCenterofJacksonville for updates on where to view the exhibit.
FOLIO PETS
ADOPTABLES
KANE
Who’s a good boy? I’m a good boy! I’m a sporty, fun dude with a heart of gold who enjoys playtime, chew toys and snacks. My love languages are fetch and butt scratches, and I love a good snuggle. Think we sound like a match? Stop by the JHS Adoption Center at 8464 Beach Blvd. and bring me home!
PETS LIKE ME
HAYDEN
DAVI BARKS WITH A BLIND COUSIN PEOPLE SAY BLIND DOGS SEE WITH THEIR hearts. I look at my new friend Hayden, a sweet Labrador retriever who happens to be completely blind, and think maybe they are right. As we gently rub noses, I have no doubt that she sees me just as clearly—maybe more—than any sighted dog. She may not see my face, but she can read my heart. Davi: How did you become blind? Hayden: My vet believes I was born blind, because when I had eyes (my mom had them both removed, because I separately developed glaucoma in each of them, and it hurt me, so taking the eyes out was the best option), my retinas were detached. What is it like to live a life with a vision disability? Well, I bump into some things, but as long as my mom doesn’t move items in the house, I get around really well. I know where objects are, and when I get down from mom’s bed, I smell my way through doorways to go outside. It’s like a maze. Luckily, the world has so many cool smells; that’s what I like to do when I am awake: sniff around! How do other dogs react to your impairment? They are very nice to me. I think they know I can’t see, so most dogs are really helpful and gentle. I confuse them sometimes, though, because I like to play, and when I do a play bow, I don’t always know where they are—I sometimes do it in the wrong direction. What senses do you rely on most? I listen a lot, like when my tummy tells me I am hungry, which is all the time! I also have a superpowered nose, so I sniff around more than the other dogs in my house.
How do you stay active? These days, I like to go on walks around my neighborhood. I also like to meet new people and old friends.
ADOPTABLES
PEPPA
What challenges do you face in your everyday life? For a long time, I had a fatty tumor on my hip that made me wiggle my butt a lot when I walked. I finally had it removed, so now my biggest challenge is finagling more treats. How did you learn to safely navigate life at home? In the beginning, my mom walked me through the house. But once I figured out the layout, I was fine—though sometimes I run into the other dogs. Do you dream? Yes! Sometimes I dream I am swimming, but most of the time I dream of treats and belly rubs. What one thing do you wish you could see? My mom. I give her kisses all the time to let her know I love her.
Sweet, curious and friendly. Looks a little bit like a cow. Likes: dozing in the sun, munching on chicken-flavored treats and climbing cat trees. Loves: head and cheek rubs and chin scratches. Looking for: a feline fanatic with an empty lap who won’t stop petting me until I say so. Visit jaxhumane.org to learn more!
ADOPTABLES
MISSY
What advice would you give to dogs who are visually impaired? Keep a big smile on your face, and walk slowly until you know the lay of the land. A blind dog leads a different life than that of a sighted dog, but it’s by no means a lesser life. Make a few slight changes to the way you interact with them, and visually impaired dogs can adjust quite well to their new situation. Wherever they are, they teach lessons in courage and kindness, proving they don’t need all five senses to do so. Davi the Dachshund mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to Folio Weekly Magazine’s Pets Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters
Calm, polite and easygoing. Official JHS camp dog. Likes: going on nature walks, being petted and exploring the great outdoors. Loves: chillin’ with people of all ages and napping. Looking for: a home with a soft bed and lots of love. Stop by 8464 Beach Blvd. today to meet me! APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15
FREEWILL ASTROLOGY
DALE RATERMANN’s Folio Weekly Crossword presented by
Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society
San Marco 2044 San Marco Blvd. 398-9741
Avondale 3617 St. Johns Ave. 388-5406
Ponte Vedra
THE SHOPPES OF PONTE VEDRA
330 A1A North 280-1202
Voted Best Jeweler in FW’s Best of Jax readers’ poll!
April Fool’s Edition
FOLIO WEEKLY CROSSWORD 1
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End of verse Orsay's escargot Sheepish ___ Paulo UNF lab dish Plant again Type Top story Mooring spots Atl-to-Jax dir.
FWIW part Kagan appointer Break up Soccer zilch Boxcar riders Nary a soul Farah org. Raise Pound division Start of a Florida DOWN verse Fourth out of four, 1 As a whole 2 Leg bone like the Jags 3 Croats, e.g. Fuddy-duddy 4 "Small world" ISP choice 5 Timely benefit Verse, Part 2 6 Somewhat Lawn starter 7 Slam-dancing "Hold on!" area Florida State Rep. 8 Back in the Navy Hattersley 9 "Uncle!" Opening rounds 10 Common thing Fixed a draft 11 Ex-Florida State Smoothie berry Senate President Delhi dress Gaetz Sizzling sound 12 Business abbr. Verse, Part 3 13 PGA prop EST, CST, ___ 21 UFO pilots Get the show on 22 "Down in front!" the road 25 Old PC system Simple choice
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): By the time he was 55 years old, Thomas Hardy had written 18 novels and many poems. But during the last 32+ years of his life, he never wrote another novel. According to one theory, it was because he was discouraged by negative reviews. I suspect you may be at a similar juncture in your life. Maybe it’s time to give up on a beloved activity that hasn’t garnered the level of success you’d hoped for. April fool! It is most definitely not time to lose hope and faith. Rededicate yourself to your passionate quests.
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ago, Maxim Gorky and Vladimir Lenin were listening to a Beethoven sonata together. “I can’t listen to music too often,” Lenin told his companion. “It affects your nerves, makes you want to say stupid, nice things.” This is crucial advice for you to heed in the coming weeks. Don’t you dare listen to music. April fool! Lenin was half-mistaken, and I half-lied. Music makes you smarter and nicer, and those will be key assets for you to cultivate in the coming weeks. So yes, do listen to a lot of music.
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oracle comes from poet Octavio Paz: “The path the ancestors cleared is overgrown, unused. The other path, smooth and broad, is crowded with travelers. It goes nowhere. There’s a third path: mine. Before me, no one. Behind me, no one. Alone, I find my way.” April fool! Although this passage may be mostly accurate for the rest of 2020, it’s too melodramatic. Carry out its advice with meditative grace and effervescent calm.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A century
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Get all wrinkly Slanted font Oui's opposite Henry VII et al. Gators cheer Desert respite Iran currency Penniless iPhone voice Not final, in law Pre-Q queue Conifers Mudbath site Shrimper's gear Minshew pass, briefly
SOLUTION TO 3.18.20 PUZZLE L O S S
I O T A
L O A F
A C T I I
B L A S T
T B A R
S O S O
C O R N S T A L K S
T C L L I O R G A Z A R I H A R M P E A D M P S A N D Y E T S U N A C R I V A A R O P A S E B E
U B E R
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P A S T S A U P S A T U G N E D T R M A A D
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W I D E S P D R H E S A D S O O R K E R R A
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Theologian John Wesley (1703–1791) embodied the liberal values that Christ actually taught. He advocated for the abolition of slavery, prison reform, the ordination of women priests, and a vegetarian diet. He gave away a lot of his money and administered many charities. To accomplish his life’s work, he traveled 250,000 miles on horseback and preached 40,000 sermons. Make him your role model for the coming weeks. April fool! I lied a little bit. Although most of what I just recommended is a good idea, the part about traveling long distances, either on horseback or by other means, is not. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The neurotic but talented French novelist Marcel Proust observed, “Everything vital in the world comes from neurotics. They alone have founded religions and composed our masterpieces.” With that in mind, and in accordance with current astrological omens, cultivate your own neurotic qualities in their extreme forms of expression during the coming weeks. April fool! I was kidding. You can generate creative breakthroughs in the coming weeks by being poised and composed—not extra neurotic.
A C E S
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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Author Leon Edel wrote a five-volume biography of renowned author Henry James. In the course of his research, he read 15,000 letters that were written by James. He came to have a profound familiarity with the great man. In accordance with current astrological omens, choose a worthy character about whom you will become equally knowledgeable. April fool! I half-lied. It’s true that now is an excellent time to deepen your understanding of people you care about. But don’t get as obsessed as Edel!
P E T S
S T E P
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): About 2,000 years ago, a Roman woman named Sulpicia wrote six short love poems—a total of 40 lines—that are still being
analyzed and discussed by literary scholars today. In the next four weeks you, too, could generate a small burst of beauty that will still be appreciated 2,000 years from now. April fool! I lied about the “small” part. The burst of beauty you create in the immediate future could actually be quite large, as well as enduring.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Louis Aragon (1897–1982) was an influential novelist and a pioneer of surrealistic poetry. Much of his writing had a lyrical quality, and many of his poems were set to music. He also had a belligerent streak. Before the publication of one of his books, he announced that he would thrash any writer who dared to review it in print. Success! There were no critical reviews at all. I recommend his approach to you in the coming weeks. April fool! I lied. I would never suggest that you use violence to accomplish your aims. And besides that, the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to solicit feedback of all varieties, even the critical kind. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I hesitate to be so blunt, but it’s my duty to report the facts. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you should have as many orgasms as possible in the next 15 days. You need to tap into the transformative psychological power that’s available through monumental eruptions of pleasure and releases of tension. April fool! What I just said is true, but I left out an important component of your assignment: Be loving and responsible as you pursue your joyous climaxes, never manipulative or exploitative or insensitive.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Ancient Greek orator Demosthenes was renowned for his skill at delivering powerful, charismatic speeches. While he was still learning his craft, he resorted to extreme measures to improve. For example, there was a time when he shaved just half of his head. It made him ashamed to go out in public, forcing him to spend all his time indoors practicing his speeches. Consider a similar strategy right now. April fool! I was just messing with you. It’s true that the coming weeks will be a good time to minimize your socializing and devote yourself to hard work in behalf of a beloved dream. But shaving half your head isn’t the best way to accomplish that.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to tell as many lies as possible if doing so helps you get what you want. I hereby authorize you to engage in massive deceptions, misrepresentations, and manipulative messages as you seek to impose your will on every flow of events. April fool! I lied. In fact, everything I just said was the exact opposite of your actual horoscope, which is as follows: You have a sacred duty to tell more of the truth than you have ever been able to tell before.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Fifteen minutes before the Big Bang occurred, where was the matter that now constitutes your body and my body? And what time was it fifteen minutes earlier? Questions like these are crucial for you to ponder in the next two weeks. April fool! I lied. In the immediate future, you’ll be wise to be as concrete and specific and pragmatic as you can possibly be. Focus on personal questions that you can actually solve, not abstract, unsolvable riddles.
Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com
NEWS OF THE WEIRD FLORIDA Police in Pinellas County, Florida, responded to the Clearwater Mall late on March 22, where witnesses had reported a woman screaming in a parked car. According to an arrest affidavit, the officers discovered the woman and Robert Janisch, 21, “wrestling with each other” in their birthday suits. The couple told police that after they had intercourse, the woman went to urinate outside the car, using a napkin to wipe herself, which she then accidentally threw on Janisch, prompting an argument. The affidavit stated the argument escalated to the point that Janisch choked his girlfriend, but he contended the marks on her neck occurred earlier at the beach. WFLA reported Janisch was arrested for domestic battery. SIGNS OF THE APOCALYPSE (AS IF WE NEEDED MORE) Steward Gatt, also known as Stewy the Snake Catcher, was summoned to a yard in Ardeer, Victoria, Australia, in mid-March, where he bagged up a female tiger snake in order to relocate it in the wild. But when Gatt opened the bag a short time later, he discovered the snake had given birth to several offspring— one of which had two heads. According to United Press International, Gatt took the snakes to Direct Vet Services and had them checked over. The one-headed babies were fine, but the two-headed specimen had to be euthanized; “these animals are not generally viable so it was euthanized on humane grounds,” the clinic posted on its Facebook page. Mom and babies were returned to the wild according to plan. OOPS Vicar Simon Beach, 61, of St. Budeaux Parish Church in Plymouth, England, was uncomfortable enough as he launched into his first virtual church service on March 22, calling it “surreal.” But as he leaned into the camera to deliver the final portion of his sermon, he looked to his left and calmly deadpanned, “Oh dear, I’ve just caught fire.” Beach had leaned a bit too close to one of several nearby candles and ignited his sleeve. “I just felt my arm getting a bit hot,” he told
Metro News. The flame damaged his sweater and shirt, but did not burn his skin. Beach was teased a bit by fellow vicars, who razzed him for being “on fire for Jesus.” “People have laughed and laughed, really,” Beach said. CRAFTING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS Steve Walton of Shotley Bridge, England, took a bad spill in 2018 and, after a series of surgeries, had to have the lower part of his leg amputated in January. He was scheduled to be fitted with a prosthetic leg in mid-March, but his appointment was delayed because of the coronavirus crisis. That was when his wife, Atchari, went to work, making a leg for him using a bucket, fiberglass resin and wood. The first attempt kept falling off (“It was more akin to something Long John Silver would wear,” Walton said), but Atchari refined her project using a moon boot, and it worked. “My wife is very practical. She can turn her hand to anything,” Walton told the BBC. “I am not going to use this regularly, but it will be good for getting around the house for the next three to six months. There are people far worse off than me at the minute.” NOT FUNNY Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarket in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, had “a very challenging day” on March 25. A woman who claimed she had the coronavirus, later identified by police as Margaret Chirko, “came into the store and proceeded to purposely cough on our fresh produce, and a small section of our bakery, meat case and grocery,” he wrote on Facebook. While the staff “did the best they could to get the woman out of the store as fast as possible,” he said, the health department had to help disinfect the store, and the “twisted prank” resulted in the loss of $35,000 worth of food. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office has charged Chirko with threatening to use weapons of mass destruction and making terroristic threats. It is not known whether the woman has COVID-19. weirdnewstips@amuniversal.com
APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17
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NO PASS ZONE
PUFF, PUFF, PASS? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
STONERS MUST SOCIALLY DISTANCE THEMSELVES IN THESE END TIMES
SINCE THIS JOB PAYS ME BY THE WORD, let’s begin by stating the obvious: This whole coronavirus situation has been, to put it mildly, extremely stressful for almost every human being walking the earth. There are certain particulars of general interest, such as the need for social distancing and washing hands like you’re Pontius Pilate with OCD. We’re all keen to flatten the curve (which is unusual for a state whose people love to accentuate curves—often with illegal silicone injections in someone’s garage). The physical challenges are obvious, but less so is the exponentially enhanced degree of mental strain; it can be devastating to a population in which so many are already on the edge. It’s the kind of calamitous, catchall crisis upon which everyone can superimpose his or her own set of fears. People are wondering if they’ll still have jobs after this, and there are no easy answers. Hell, there aren’t any answers. In some cases, it might be better if someone just said, “Yeah, you’re screwed.” Instead, the current ambiguity can drive you crazy. We are all learning how easily everything can be lost. Every industry is under siege, with individual companies within each industry fighting their own personalized battles. If you’re an independent contractor, like me, lifestyles that were already unpredictable on a day-to-day basis have become like self-immolation in a funhouse mirror: equal parts painful and utterly bizarre. In times like these, even the most ardent drug warriors may find themselves wishing they had a little something to take the edge off. In moments of crisis, and also celebration, it’s natural to gather with friends and commiserate with cannabis. But, as with everything else, our habits must change. Blunts, joints, spliffs, one-hitters,
water pipes and dab rigs are all forbidden. The virus is spread by bodily fluids, so there can be no sharing of implements, no shotgunning and no hotboxing. Take a tip from the Rasta community, where it has long been common practice for people to roll their own. Fun fact: there are fewer than 20 cases of coronavirus currently in Jamaica, which has a population of nearly three million. This is a much lower percentage than most other countries. Why? I have no idea. There’s a lot of disinformation floating around, so let’s be clear: The cannabis plant and products derived from it have absolutely no effect on preventing or treating COVID-19. However, it can be useful in dealing with things like muscle soreness or cramping, to say nothing of the decisive effect it can have on mental health, which is something we must all be (literally) mindful of. Since we’re seeing shortages of hand sanitizer, I’d suggest making your own: one part pure aloe gel (buy a bottle, or just pulverize plant pulp) and two parts rubbing alcohol (good luck finding any of that). Add a couple drops of essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint—a squirt of CBD oil is nice, too, and the same goes for your hand soap. As it stands, it seems likely that we’ll be sequestered for at least a couple of weeks and, personally, I’m already stir-crazy. The communal aspect of pot use is a major part of the culture, but social distancing protocols mandate we shelve all that—for now. Do not despair. The next few weeks will be the weirdest of our lives, but everything will be okay in the end. Probably. Shelton Hull mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to the Folio Weed Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters
FOLIO VOICES: BACKPAGE
APRIL IS THE CRUELEST
ST. AUGUSTINE CELEBRATES NATIONAL POETRY MONTH IN AN AGE OF ISOLATION I REMEMBER THE DAY CLEARLY WHEN news of Kurt Cobain’s suicide was on the cover of every newspaper. It was early April 1994; I was 27, and Kurt, the voice of my generation, was 27. While I was riding home that day on the Metro-North commuter train, I opened my notebook, and a poem poured out. I brought the poem to an open mic reading at alt.coffee on Avenue A in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. With shaking and sweaty hands, I shared my words, and the audience cheered me on. So here we are, 26 years since the death of “Hurt Kurt.” His lyrics were profoundly poetic, and it is fitting to acknowledge this during National Poetry Month. In April 2009, writer Glenda Bailey-Mershon called together poets and writers from the St. Johns Cultural Council database to align with the Academy of American Poets and observe the month officially. The result was an open mic called Ancient City Poets, where I served as master of ceremonies. Based on that success, we started up a monthly series, which has been running ever since. It can be said that the Backstreets Coffee House scene handed the baton to the Ancient City Poets. Backstreets hosted a weekly Monday night open mic that was facilitated by Michael Theeke and Kat Vellos for many years. They lit the fire, and we ran with the torch. Recently, there have been dialogues about creating an umbrella group called the Saint Augustine Literary Society, spearheaded by author Lance Carden. His hope is to unify the various writer groups and organizations, earn St. Augustine a City of Literature designation, and appoint a poet laureate. (In the meantime, it is quite evident that I am the unofficial poet laureate of this “quaint little drinking town with a fishing problem.”) In the best of circumstances, writers create in isolation, but then they come out of their cocoons and share their words with an audience. The benefits of this cathartic exercise are profound. “I look forward to the whole process,” said Ruthie Van Alstine, who travels from
Jacksonville to attend Ancient City Poets. “I take the prompt, sit and write a poem or haiku with the theme. Afterward, I stop by on my son for a visit and then pick up takeout food on my way back to Jacksonville.” There is always the anticipation of that knock-out line. “I think one attraction is that you never know exactly how the reading will go,” said longtime reader Antoinette Libro. “It’s always different, even if slightly. There are surprises in store and that moment of truth, when someone goes up to the mic and gives us whatever he or she’s got to give. Poets tend to search for the truth and sometimes find it.” Now, however, with the outbreak of COVID-19, the once-innocent act of gathering in company is fraught. A monthly clockwork face-to-face ritual, so instinctual, is not possible during these times. I have accepted the challenge to celebrate National Poetry Month in isolation by pairing 18 Ancient City Poets with 18 artists from the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery on King Street. Loretta Leto is on board as the coordinator of this project, dubbed PAM Jam: “poets, artists and musicians spreading joy.” Writers and artists are creating poems and paintings by collaborating with each other through text messages, phone calls, social media and email. The finished poems will be read at an October event. The event will migrate from the virtual to the physical world later in the year with a series of events. T.S. Eliot’s words in “The Waste Land” certainly ring true: “April is the cruelest month.” Cruel, because poets and poetry fans cannot gather in the flesh. The best we can do is move forward through the haze, dream about tomorrow, and set our sights on future days.
Chris Bodor mail@folioweekly.com __________________________________ Bodor lives in St. Augustine and is a member of the Ancient City Poets.
FOLIO WEEKLY welcomes Backpage submissions. They should be 1,200 words or fewer and on a topic of local interest and/or concern. Send your submissions to mail@folioweekly.com. Opinions expressed on the Backpage are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Folio Weekly. APRIL 1-MAY 5, 2020 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19