Seth Owen in Flux by Folio Weekly

2 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

THIS WEEK // 7.10.19-7.16.19 // VOL. 34 ISSUE 15

14 MAIN FEATURE

SETH OWEN IN FLUX A nation’s compassion allowed the gay valedictorian to pay it forward

COVER PHOTO & STORY BY CLAIRE GOFORTH

COLUMNS + CALENDARS MAIL/B&B POLITICS OUR PICKS KIDS PICKS SPORTS PICKS LIBERTY PICKS LATIN PICKS

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WELLNESS PICKS ART ARTS + EVENTS CONCERTS COOKING CROSSWORD PETS

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD I SAW U ASTROLOGY WEED CLASSIFIEDS BACKPAGE

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THE MAIL REALLY PROUD OF FOLIO WEEKLY

RE.: Referendum Now by Georgio Valentino, July 3

I’M PROUD OF FOLIO WEEKLY ALL THE time, mind you, but your editorial about the school board referendum and Terry Bork’s backpage takedown of the city General Counsel’s office are exactly what this community needs right now! Love seeing Chris Guerrieri’s work as well. Keep up the great work. Julie Delegal via email

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

RE.: Another View by Gary E. Eckstine, July 3

GARY E. ECKSTINE’S JULY 3 LETTER TO THE editor blamed a politicized teachers union and “incompetent” administrators for the loss of accreditation by Duval high schools in 1964. A Jacksonville Daily Record story from Nov. 10, 2014, written by associate editor Max Marbut and based on primary documents, refutes this libel. Titled “50 years ago: Duval County public schools to lose accreditation,” the story takes readers back to the eve of disaccreditation and cites the recommendation letter written by Herman Frick of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools—the accrediting authority. His conclusion had nothing to do with unions. “[Frick] said the basic condition that led to the decision was the county’s inadequate financial support.” Sound familiar? “Frick’s letter listed several ‘major problems related to inadequate financial support’ that led to the recommendation: Inadequate maintenance procedures; inadequate custodial care of buildings and grounds; inadequate textbooks and other instructional materials; insufficient number of teachers, particularly in elementary and feeder junior high schools; inadequate laboratory equipment, libraries and collections; schools resorting to fund-raising activities that were educationally unsound to supplement limited budgets; and a ‘fee system’ in all

schools which ‘violated basic principles of publicly supported education.’” Then, as now, the support given Duval County public schools was an embarrassment and a liability. Both the Navy and the Chamber of Commerce sounded the alarm. William B. Johnson, the Chamber’s executive vice president and general manager was quoted saying, “The inferior financial support of our local school system in comparison with those of other Florida counties and those of comparable size throughout the United States is not debatable.” He and the Chamber suggested that “improving education was the No. 1 priority for the county.” Michael Hoffmann via email

LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT WILL BE

AS THE CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC primary try to impress each other with how much of everyone’s money they want to spend, it’s appropriate to realize what is meant by taxing the ‘wealthy.’ They are not talking about taxes on wealth but on incomes. Taxes on wealth are things like property taxes, taxes on automobiles, boats, furnishings, etc. A young person from an impoverished background who hits it big in sports, entertainment or business has high income but is not wealthy. Wealth results from accumulated income, i.e. savings. Income taxes can thus be viewed as barriers to wealth. When first approved through the Sixteenth Amendment, the predictions were that the income tax rate would never go above 10 percent. It topped out at about 96 percent under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Income belongs first to the people who earn it. Government takes it away through income taxes on employees who are not necessarily wealthy. The percentage that people are permitted to keep is not government largesse; it was theirs in the first place. Roderick T. Beaman via email

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BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BOUQUET TO THE AMP The venue formerly known as the St. Augustine Amphitheatre distinguished itself once again in Pollstar’s mid-year music venue chart. With 74,226 tickets sold and a gross revenue of $3,357,823, The Amp ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 3 worldwide in the Amphitheatre category—that’s up one spot from last year’s record placement. BOUQUET TO MATT SWAIM The architectural illustrator and owner of Jacksonville-based company, Swaim Studio, was recently selected to participate in the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program, a laboratory for the innovation of new coin and medal designs. AIP artists work from their own studios and submit conceptual art throughout the year. BOUQUET TO ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH The oceanfront village follows up last week’s bouquet (for June Pride Proclamation) with another laurel, this one for its commissioners’ unanimous July 1 vote to prohibit retail stores and food service providers from using single-use plastic straws, single-use plastic bags or expanded polystyrene products, effective Jan. 1, 2020. BRICKBAT TO JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF’S OFFICE Video has emerged of a July 4 arrest during which a JSO officer can be seen repeatedly slamming a man’s head into the pavement as that man was detained and surrounded by several other officers. The Jacksonville Branch NAACP claimed excessive force and has officially called for an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? OR MAYBE A BRICKBAT? Send your submissions to mail@folioweekly.com; 50-word maximum, concerning a person, place, or topic of local interest.

4 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

FOLIO: NEWS

FAREWELL TO ROCKVILLE

CCSO INSIDERS ASK DESANTIS TO INTERVENE IN DANIELS SCANDAL THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE’S CRONIES-ONLY

urban redevelopment racket claims another victim as Welcome to Rockville moves to Daytona Beach. The major music festival has been hosted annually in the Northbank district since 2011. According to a weekend press release written on behalf of Los Angeles-based production company Danny Wimmer Presents, however, Rockville will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Daytona International Speedway in May 2020. The company cited Jacksonville “development” as a determining factor. Northeast Florida music-lovers immediately took to social media to mourn the loss, suggesting that short-sighted—even hostile—city policy had driven out the hardrock event. Some, however, held out hope that Rockville would one day return to Jacksonville, presumably after the proposed demolition and redevelopment of Sports Complex infrastructure, including the Hart Bridge ramps and Lot J. Folio Weekly spoke with DWP CEO Danny Hayes, who had good news and bad news. The bad news always comes first: The move is as permanent as it gets in the festival business. DWP has every intention to make Rockville a success in its new digs and to keep the festival there. The good news, for what it’s worth: Hayes’ company hopes to organize a new, smaller event to fill the void in Jacksonville. “We were told [Metropolitan Park] would not be available in 2020 because of construction. So for 2020, the park was simply off the table. But we also understand that,

long-term, the plan is to develop the site. We don’t really know what that means for us in terms of available footprint going forward ... The park would need to be expanded to hold the growth of the festival. My understanding is the footprint is being reduced or even eliminated. There’s too much uncertainty right now. And unfortunately, there’s no other site in Jacksonville that can accommodate all our needs and is large enough.” Hayes said the company is in the early stages of developing a new event to take place in Jacksonville “most likely in 2020, if not then by 2021 ... It just depends on determining the appropriate site and content.” This event will not be Rockville-branded, nor are there plans to rebrand the existing festival to fit its new surroundings. One Folio Weekly Facebook follower opined, “Are you at least going to change the name to Rocktona or something [because] Rockville is ours?” We put the question to Hayes. “On one hand,” he explained, “I’m flattered and proud that Jacksonville feels a sense of ownership, but changing the name is in essence starting a new festival, and we didn’t want to do that given the momentum of Welcome to Rockville.” “We respect and appreciate that people are upset,” Hayes continued. “Our relationship with Jacksonville isn’t over. This is Danny Wimmer’s hometown. His family is still there. We fought hard to have a presence in Jacksonville, and we’re not going to abandon it.”

Georgio Valentino

SET IN THEIR WAYS

NATIONAL COVERAGE FAILS TO MOVE NASSAU COUNTY ON BEACH SAFETY ON JULY 3, BOTH CBS THIS MORNING AND CBS

Evening News aired segments about the beachdriving controversy on Amelia Island, where two women sunbathers and a turtle nest have been struck by hit-and-run drivers in recent months. The incidents—and media exposure that followed—sparked intense public debate between people who believe that bringing their vehicle to the beach is a time-honored tradition that should be respected and those who maintain that beach driving jeopardizes public safety and should be banned for good. “It’s only a matter of time before somebody gets killed,” Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Len Kreger told Folio Weekly. “It’s only a matter of time before we have a fatality. What are we waiting for?” Kreger is calling for a complete vehicle ban at Seaside Park, near the Sadler Road access, the only city location where driving and parking is allowed. Under local ordinance, a study is required before officials can make any “reductions” to parking on the beach. Discussion is on the agenda for the Aug. 2 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting. Kreger said his inbox is filled with increasing resident support for a vehicle beach ban. But the proposal will be difficult to sell to his board colleagues. Commissioner Chip Ross has said he would never drive on the beach, but he knows that many locals and transplants alike are passionate about preserving tradition. Commissioner Mike Lednovich has said that around-the-clock security cameras would prevent problems, while Commissioner Phil Chapman has shown some flexibility, suggesting that people who want a prime parking space at the beach arrive early or prepare to hike with the cooler. Jacksonville attorney John Phillips, who represents the two hit-and-run victims, has called on officials to impose an island-wide moratorium on beach driving until public safety can be ensured. Phillips initiated a

media blitz to raise awareness and find the driver of a white jeep that reportedly struck his client (one of the offending drivers remains at large). Local news outlets, including Folio Weekly, have run stories. The CBS segment featured a shot of Fernandina Beach Mayor Johnny Miller standing on the beach, saying there’s “no easy answer.” In-studio, host Gayle King retorted that the decision ought to be clear: Public safety trumps tradition. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, who grew up in Fernandina Beach, stated via email on July 2 that no one has come forward with additional information on the vehicle strike. Investigators will follow any lead that comes to the office. The sheriff has previously announced additional patrols for beachfront parks during the busy summer season. Fernandina Beach Police Chief James Hurley says beachgoers should set their towels and chairs outside of the parking area when possible and suggests that sunbathers mark their location with a flag, like scuba divers do when they go underwater. He says the city has a “remarkable safety record” at the beach and that banning vehicles would send hundreds of cars and trucks to nearby roadways to park, forcing beachgoers to cross Fletcher Avenue, a busy roadway that runs parallel to the beach. That, he said via phone and email last week, would likely increase pedestrian strikes and traffic accidents, such as rear-end collisions, “while the pedestrians continue on to the beach unaffected.” Since the incidents, the city has increased daily patrols and installed a booth at the beach access for staff to distribute pamphlets outlining the rules, such as driving no more than 5 mph, keeping away from turtle nests and dunes, and no joy riding. Chief Hurley concluded, “There are no easy answers as much as people would like there be.”

Mary Maguire JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 5

FRI

12 CHASING THE DREAM THE ENDLESS SUMMER

Night Owl Cinema’s third open-air offering of the summer is Bruce Brown’s iconic 1966 film, which follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August on an epic surfing trip around the world, to find the ‘perfect wave.’ 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, The Amp, St. Augustine, staugamphitheatre.com, free.

OUR PICKS FRI

12 THE RIGHT STUFF NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

The seminal boy band headlines the Mixtape Tour, featuring fellow ’80s chart-toppers Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature. 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, Veterans Memorial Arena, Sports Complex, vystarveteransarena.com, $20-$228.

THIS WEEK’S BIGGEST & BEST HAPPENINGS

SAT

13 POST-INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY BEACHES FREEDOM FESTIVAL

Jax Beach’s annual block party is back. Every festival features live music—in this case, it’s The Band Be Easy (pictured), Let’s Ride Brass Band and more—but how many can boast a corn-hole tournament and hot-dog eating contest? Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, July 13, SeaWalk Pavilion, Jax Beach, beachesfreedomfest.com, free.

FRI

SUN

14 DIRTY REGGAE AGGROLITES

It’s a West Coast invasion! The LA-based gonzo reggae outfit joins fellow Californians, Long Beach Dub Allstars, for a cross-country tour. Mike Pinto opens. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, Surfer the Bar, Jax Beach, surferthebar.com, $35. 6 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

12 WILD THING

NIGHT AT THE ZOO

Jacksonville Zoo & Garden’s after-hours program offers live music, food trucks, games and—of course—animal encounters! 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, July 12, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Northside, jacksonvillezoo.org, $10-$14.

JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7

PICKS

BY JENNIFER MELVILLE | KIDS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

THU

PAINTS AND PAWS KIDS PAINT THEIR PETS

Bring a photo of your favorite furry friend and create a 16 x 20 keepsake canvas, a pet portrait sure to become a treasured keepsake! This kids-only class is perfect for artists ages 7 and older; registration required. Bring a snack and drink. All supplies provided! 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, Painting with a Twist, 292 S.R. 312, St. Augustine, paintingwithatwist.com, $45.

SAT

13 “GONNA LIVE THE DREAM LIKE A CANDY QUEEN” JOJO SIWA VISITS ST. AUGUSTINE

See upbeat Nickelodeon superstar and YouTube personality JoJo Siwa live at The Amp on her D.R.E.A.M the Tour. Siwa’s first EP, D.R.E.A.M., was recently released by Nickelodeon. Millions of followers on social media can’t be wrong. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, The Amp, 1340 A1A S., staugamphitheatre.com, $44-$74.

SAT

IT’S MAGICAL!

BUILD A LEGO SNITCH AT B & N

8 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

Build a Golden Snitch at this LEGO event celebrating Harry Potter! Barnes & Noble has a collection of imaginative brick-building sets inspired by movie scenes. Keep your creation and receive a coupon for a $1 M&M Blondie Blast at the store’s café. Registration required. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Barnes & Noble, 10280 Midtown Parkway, St. Johns Town Center, bn.com/legoharrypotter, free.

PICKS

BY DALE RATERMANN | SPORTS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

THU

11 NEVER BUNT, HIT DINGERS JUMBO SHRIMP BASEBALL

The Jumbo Shrimp entertain the Mississippi Braves for six consecutive days. Friday is Lion King Night, Sunday is Mac & Cheese Day and Tuesday is Big Splash Day (the stadium is transformed into a water park). 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Friday & Monday, July 11, 12 & 15; 6:35 p.m. Saturday, July 13; 3:05 p.m. Sunday, July 14; 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 16; Bragan Field, Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, 301 Randolph Blvd., milb.com/jacksonville, $5 and up.

SAT

13 NEGRO LEAGUE MEMORIES JAX RED CAPS TRIBUTE

The Durkeeville and Jacksonville Historical Societies, along with the Jumbo Shrimp baseball team, are teaming up to honor the Jax Red Caps, a team in the Negro American League and played in Jax in 1938 and 1941-’42. A multimedia program is presented at Old St. Andrews Church, and then the Jumbo Shrimp honor the Red Caps during the game against the Mississippi Braves on Bragan Field next door with a Red Caps jersey giveaway, memorabilia displays and video highlights throughout the game. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Old St. Andrews Church, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., jaxhistory.org, $15 (includes a ticket to Jumbo Shrimp game).

MON

15 BEST KIDS, BY PAR JUNIOR GOLF

Watch some of the area’s top young golfers in the North Florida Junior Amateur tournament. Boys and girls ages 10-18 compete in the grand old game. 7:15 a.m. Monday & Tuesday, July 15 & 16, World Golf Village, St. Augustine, nfjg.org, free. JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 9

PICKS

BY STEPHANIE THOMPSON | LIBERTY@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

THU

Must Have Base Access

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE SKILLS HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

This workshop helps couples (and individuals) gain emotional intelligence to improve communication skills. The goal: a healthy and mutually enriching relationship. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, July 11, Fleet & Family Service Center NAS Jacksonville, Bldg. 554, Child Street, 542-5745 to register, free.

THU

11 INTENTIONS FOR 2019 GOAL ACHIEVEMENT CHECK-UP

The interactive seminar focuses on individual goals and how to best achieve them. Hint: Achievement requires focus, patience and good time-management skills. 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, July 11, U.S. Small Business Administration District Office, 7825 Baymeadows Way, Ste. 100B, 443-1920 to register, free.

TUE

Must Have Base Access

SMARTER THAN A CPO? WINGS & TRIVIA NIGHT

The game is free, and food and beverages are available. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m.; game begins at 6 p.m. 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, Focâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sle Lounge, CPO Club NAVSTA Mayport, 1893 Baltimore St., 270-5431, free. 10 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

PICKS BY ADRIANA NAMUCHE | LATIN@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

WED

10 REGROWTH THROUGH MOSAICS CARLOS ROLÓN: LOST IN PARADISE

The Puerto Rican artist exhibits open-air work inspired by the architecture and natural landscapes of both his home island and Florida. (Pictured: Losa Criolla, 2018, ceramic tile on aluminum panel, courtesy of the artist, Salon 94, and the New Orleans Museum of Art) Through Oct. 21, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Riverside, cummermuseum.org, free.

SAT

13 FUNKNEJO DEBUT

PRIMEIRA NOITE DO FUNKNEJO

The new Brazilian musical genre debuts in Northeast Florida with an epic festa, featuring authentic food, drink and music by Matheus Duartel, Dante Correa and DJ Boné. 9 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Aramic Palace Hall, 4560 Kernan Blvd. S., $10-$20.

SUN

14 LEARN TO DANCE! DSJ SALSA SUNDAY

Dance Salsa Jax hosts a full day of salsa classes for dancers of all skill levels. 1-6 p.m. Sunday, July 14, Avondale Dance, 1080 Edgewood Ave. S., $7-$10. JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 11

PICKS

SARAH McLAUGHLIN | WELLNESS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

FRI

12 CALLING ALL WOMEN

JACKSONVILLE RESEARCHERS LAUNCH PARTY

The American Cancer Society unveils its ResearcHERS campaign, which gives women community leaders the opportunity to learn about the organization and its network; a local cancer researcher speaks. 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, 4972 Big Island Dr., St. Johns Town Center, cancer.org, free.

SUN

14 PLANT POWER CANNABIS 101

Florida locals can learn more about the medical uses of cannabis at this educational event. Gain a deeper knowledge of the plant, the latest products and their applications. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, Fluent Cannabis Care, 9901 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin, getfluent.com, free.

SAT

13 IMMERSE YOURSELF YOGA NIDRA & CRYSTAL BOWLS

Brigid Maryland Murphy leads a monthly yoga session which explores Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, a relaxing, meditative style, accompanied by the sounds of crystal bowls. 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Black Cat Yoga, 1512 King St., Riverside, blackcatyogajax.com, $20/$25. 12 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 13

FOLIO: FEATURE

SETH OWEN

IN FLUX

A nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compassion allowed the gay valedictorian to pay it forward story & photos by CLAIRE GOFORTH

14 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

Search for Seth Owen on the internet and you’ll find all the signs of a glamorous life. Here he shares a laugh with former Vice President Joe Biden. There he accepts a prestigious award. Over there he appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Hundreds of stories and dozens of television clips feature Seth Owen. His résumé is similarly packed with impressive stats: Co-valedictorian. LGBTQ activist. Georgetown University student. Congressional intern. Ambassador for the Human Rights Campaign. One of Queerty’s Pride50 trailblazing individuals. Founder of a scholarship for LGBTQ+ youth. Clearly, Seth Owen is an exceptional young man with a bright future. But right now, he’s running late. Being behind schedule is a more recent development, just one of the many small changes in the evolution of his life this last year. In this and many other ways, he’s a typical 19-year-old student finding his way in the world. “The college life has hit me,” he says, laughing. “I’m late now. I’m always running late and I’m always running out

ago, but so much has happened and his life has changed so indelibly that it feels much longer. When Owen sipped coffee at Bold Bean in Riverside last June, his life was in turmoil. Recently graduated from First Coast High School, he should’ve been preparing for the fall semester at Georgetown. Instead, he was effectively homeless, couch-surfing with friends and teachers, trying to figure out if he would even be able to go to college. A few months prior, Owen’s parents kicked him out because he refused to attend their strict Southern Baptist church any longer. He didn’t decide to leave the church because he is gay, though sitting in a pew and enduring homophobia from the pulpit must have been painful; he left because he couldn’t stomach the idea put forth in church one day that the scripture requires abused children to remain obedient to their parents. He told his family that he was willing to go to church, just not that one. His parents refused. So he packed his things and left home that night. In spite of this, at first, things still seemed to be proceeding as planned. All he had to do was finish high school, work one

“

Owen, accompanied by former teacher Zenja Key Stallworth, who is on the board of Unbroken Horizons, says he loves Georgetown with all its history and vibrancy. The stairs and all the walking, on the other hand, took some getting used to, he laughs. As he talks, it becomes clear that he hasn’t had the luxury of a typical college experience. When Owen began school, his story was still finding its way into hearts across the globe. In addition to learning a new city and adjusting to a new school and more difficult courses, he was flying out every other weekend to do press or attend events like the Human Rights Campaign dinner at which Biden made a speech about him, saying, “Stay strong, son. We have your back.” Owen soldiered on in his usual, nevergive-up fashion, but confesses that it wasn’t easy juggling school and newfound fame (he would never call himself famous, but the proof is in the Wikipedia). “It was definitely difficult, a big academic adjustment,” he says. “I would be walking up these steep stairs with papers in my face, trying to read on my way to class, eating guacamole.” Last September, he was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Owen says that being on the show was the first time that it felt real, like, ‘This is all actually

stained by the words and deeds of the past, some of which have been hard to forgive. He can’t help but recall those nights when, in the depths of depression, he’d sneak out of the house for a midnight milkshake or drive down to the beach and just stare at the waves. Or when he’d be so full of dread to put the mask back on and become someone he isn’t that he’d break down crying on his way home. Yet in spite of everything, he still longs for that familial bond. “There are times when I just wanna call my mom. Like, I don’t want to talk to anyone else but my mom. But I don’t feel like I can because I don’t feel like I can be honest with my mom. I can’t be genuine with my mom … All we want, I feel like, is our mother’s love.” To cope, Owen focuses on positive things, like a black-and-white painting of a midnight beach that hangs in the “hippie corner” of his dorm room. He spends time with friends such as Emma Chuck and Jaye Thomas, who are both on the foundation’s board. He dreams of the future—maybe law school, though he might teach for while, in part to pay homage to the teachers who practically saved his life. These days, he also writes. He’s found peace in pen and paper and thinks that one day, he might turn his experiences into a

I’m willing to put it out there and endure the criticism if it will help someone else who is going through something similar… They need to know they’re not alone and they need to know it’s overcome-able.

of clothes because I don’t wash clothes that often. ... There’s been a few times when I go and buy more underwear so I don’t have to wash them.” Unlike his classmates, Owen isn’t running behind because he overslept or lost track of time at the beach: The televised interview he was doing ran late. This weekend, he’s on a media blitz to announce the launch of the Unbroken Horizons Scholarship Foundation. Inspired by his experience, according to the website, the scholarship program is “dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ youth of all backgrounds with the opportunity to further their respective educational journeys.” Like so many LGBTQ+ people, Seth Owen is acutely aware of what it’s like to have your future threatened because of who you are. Hard work, great friends and mentors, and the generosity of thousands of strangers helped him overcome obstacles put in his path by those who would not accept him for who he is. Now he wants to help others do the same. The early spring day when Owen sat down with Folio Weekly was his second date with the publication. The first was a year

more summer at Publix, and begin his new life in Washington, D.C. But Georgetown refused to let him amend his financial aid paperwork to remove his parents’ income and anticipated support, which meant he wouldn’t qualify for the financial aid he needed. Hence, no new life, no Georgetown University, maybe no college at all. All that hard work for nothing. It was devastating. Unwilling to give up on him, Owen’s biology teacher started a crowdfunding campaign to cover tuition. By the time Owen was introduced to the world in these pages a couple of weeks later, on July 11, 2018, it had raised a few thousand dollars, well short of the $20,000 goal. Then, seemingly overnight, everything changed. From here it went to local television station First Coast News; from there it spread, going national, then international. By the time it was all said and done, more than $140,000 had been raised in his name. Better still, Georgetown gave him a full scholarship. This was living proof that dreams can come true. But dreams are not fixed, and Seth Owen has plenty of dreaming left to do. Settling into a table at Chamblin’s Uptown,

happening, this is my life.’ The episode was a hit, earning a nomination for a GLAAD Media Award. Ever-humble, he claims that he was “super nervous” to the point that he had trouble picking out his socks. (Owen is something of a sock aficionado; on the day of his interview with FW, he wears blue socks with DeGeneres’ face on them that he calls his “Ellens.”) Many would cherish the glitz and glamour of appearing on a nationally syndicated show, but for Owen, the most precious memory is the kindness and humanity shown him by DeGeneres. “She gave me the best hug ever … I got there, and she hugged me, and I thought it would be like a brief hug and she sat there and she held me for a few moments, and I just felt so much love and support.” He adds, “I think that was the most impactful thing about my experience.” It’s easy to forget that the reason why so many people know Owen’s face and name—he was once recognized four separate times while dining in a Jacksonville Olive Garden—is actually heartbreaking: His family rejected him because of who he is. And no amount of adoration from strangers, or awards, or speaking engagements can change that. Things got so bad between him and his parents that, for a time, they were not on speaking terms. By the spring, they were back in contact. The relationship remains

book. Though it was a shock that his story resonated with so many people, it made him appreciate the good that it could do. “Writing through the stuff, I’m doing it for me right now. I’m willing to put it out there and endure the criticism if it will help someone else who is going through something similar,” he says. “They need to know they’re not alone and they need to know it’s overcome-able.” Launching the Unbroken Horizons Scholarship is another way that he has chosen to give back. Life has taken much from him; life has also given him a lot. Owen says that he probably wouldn’t have received the level of response that he did had he been someone else, that his white privilege helped him in ways that are difficult to quantify, but undeniable. So he’s resolved to bridge that gap for others who might not be as fortunate as he’s been. The thing about Seth Owen that sticks with anyone who meets him is his mindfulness. Everything that he has been through—all the pain, the struggling, the hard work, the hate and the love—has forged a young man with greater depth and wisdom than many will attain in a lifetime. And he’s still evolving. “I feel like a different person every morning when I wake up,” he says. Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 15

FOLIO A + E “L ord, what fools these mortals be!” So says the mischievous sprite Puck, in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Raines Carr, associate director of Ponte Vedra’s Apex Theatre Studio, tends to agree. Carr is directing a contemporary adaptation of the play, which follows a fugitive Athenian couple as they flee into a forest realm ruled by the fairy King Oberon. Lines like this keep the whimsical, woodland comedy relevant more than 400 years after its Elizabethan premiere. “Shakespeare is more relevant today than ever,” Carr told Folio Weekly. “He’s been described as the most human human. The things he writes in this play in particular—women trying to find their autonomy in a world defined by men—if that’s not 2019, I don’t know what is.” There’s another reason why this play is timeless: The Bard of Avon’s psychedelic masterpiece was never really of its time from the start. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is ostensibly set in classical Greece, a couple of millennia before Shakespeare put quill to parchment in 16thcentury London, and the action unfolds in the verdant ether of Oberon’s forest, the unknown, the subconscious. Anticipating Friedrich Nietzsche and Syd Barrett, Shakespeare suggested that a rich, Dionysian green was the necessary complement to austere Apollonian blue. “The play is not really set anywhere,” Carr explained. “It’s just a dream world. It takes place in the forest at night because that’s when these crazy dreams happen, and the play is about those dreams and the things that flood into our minds and create fantasies. So there are contemporary objects along with all these fairies and characters from ancient Athens.” The production is part of Apex Theatre Studio’s now-annual Bard Bus program, launched last year to kill two birds with one stone. It’s a summertime exchange between Apex and schools across the nation, but it’s also an excuse to tour Shakespeare across Florida off-season. After its premiere run in St. Augustine, Carr takes the Bard Bus and A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach and Brunswick, Georgia. The play’s principal characters are performed by visiting young artists, student actors brought in from universities across the country. Many of these players have Northeast Florida roots, like Chandler Bryant (Oberon), a Douglas Anderson School of the

ARTS & EVENTS CONCERTS Live & Local

LIME & LIMPID GREEN

THE BARD BUS HITS THE ROAD WITH WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S MOST VISIONARY PLAY Arts graduate who now studies acting at the University of North Carolina. The supporting cast comprises advanced Apex students, local youths between 10 and 16 years old. It’s a

mutually beneficial relationship; the visiting artists get to work during the summer doldrums, and the apprentices observe and participate. “It lets our students interact with

Top Row, L to R: Chandler Bryant as Oberon & Jessica Brock as Titania Bottom Row, L to R: Salka Corring as Moth & Leila Warren as Mustardseed

PG. 17 PG. 19

older, professionally minded actors who are going places,” Carr said. “They’re there to listen, learn, discover the work ethic and see what it takes to be an actor at a different level.” The arrangement is in keeping with the organization’s mission. Apex Theatre Studio isn’t your traditional theatre company; it’s a youth theater laboratory founded in 2013 by Jacksonville-based theater-maker Ian Mairs to supplement the dwindling artistic programs offered at underresourced Florida schools. Carr joined up a couple of years ago. After studying in Alabama and working in Los Angeles, Carr returned to his native Jacksonville and contacted Mairs. “I used to go see Ian’s plays when I was a teenager in [Jacksonville],” Carr recalled. “He and Michael Emerson would do shows together. They were my idols when I was a teenager. We worked together on one of his plays in college. Twenty years later, I called and told him I was moving back to the area, if he needed any help.” Among his other duties, Carr helped launched Bard Bus last summer with a production of As You Like It. He and Mairs decided to follow up with another comedy before delving into Shakespeare’s brutal tragedies (King Lear might be coming this winter). Carr trimmed the play’s usual two-anda- half-hour running time down to 80 minutes. The performance is preceded by a set of live music by a different local band each night. The drama itself is accompanied by a live soundtrack. “It’s really fast-paced,” Carr said, “and really funny. Everyone tends to think of Shakespeare as this highfalutin’ playwright, but he wrote to the lowest common denominator as well. Once you figure out what the characters are saying, you’re thinking, ‘This is so naughty and so funny!’” Georgio Valentino mail@folioweekly.com

Photo by Alex Harris

APEX THEATRE STUDIO PRESENTS “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” • 8 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday, July 16 & 17, The Amp, St. Augustine, staugamphitheatre.com, $10-$15 16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

ARTS + EVENTS THE HIGHWAYMEN

Author GARY MONROE gives a Boardwalk Talk, discussing the hardscrabble emergence of self-taught artists who often sold their paintings on the side of the road–hence their moniker–in The Highwaymen: Florida’s African-American Landscape Painters, 6 p.m. July 11 at Beaches Museum, 381 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach, 241-5657, beachesmuseum.org, members free; nonmembers $5 donation. (Shown: Back Country Scene, by original Highwayman artist Harold Newton, 1934-’94.)

PERFORMANCE

THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD Writer and actor Al Letson remembers “the summer of hate,” when he was in the midst of the 2017 Berkeley protests, at 8 p.m. July 12 and 9 p.m. July 13 at The 5 & Dime, 112 E. Adams St., Downtown, eventbrite.com, $20. SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE FESTIVAL The one-act play fest runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 13 at The 5 & Dime, 112 E. Adams St., Downtown, 637-5100, the5anddime.org, $40 all-access; walk-up $10 half-hour before show; Al Letson show prices, check with website. THE LITTLE MERMAID Princess Ariel is one conflicted mermaid–she wants to be with the human prince, yet she lives under the sea. Will love prevail? 7:30 p.m. Wed., Thur. & Fri., 1:15 & 7:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun., through July 28, Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., 641-1212, $40-$61, alhambrajax.com. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The company’s Bard Bus offers an 80-minute, high-energy version of a romantic rave, with music, magic, puppetry and clowning. Raines Carr, artistic director Pre-show activities include food trucks, improv games and Bad Dog Mama. 8 p.m. July 16 at Apex Theatre Studio (in Ponte Vedra Concert Hall), 1050 A1A N., $10/$15, apextheatrejax.com. Music by Folk Is People at July 17 production.

BOOKS & POETRY

LORI ROY The Edgar Award-winning author reads from and discusses her new thriller, Gone Too Long, 7 p.m. July 12, The BookMark, 221 First St., Neptune , 241-9026, bookmarkbeach. com. DONNA LEE OVERLY The author launches her third book, The Hitch: Knots That Bind, 1-4 p.m. July 12, The Book Loft, 214 Centre St., Fernandina, 261-8991, thebookloft.com. TOMI LAHREN Author and conservative pundit Lahren reads from and signs copies of her newest book, Never Play Dead: How the Truth Makes You Unstoppable, 7 p.m. July 10 at Books-A-Million, 1910 Wells Rd., Orange Park, 215-2300, booksamillion.com, $30. TERROR IN REAL LIFE Co-author Brad Kuhn– who wrote Dirty Work: The Untold Story of My Secret Mission to Steal back TWA Flight 847 from Hezbollah with Richard Vaux, the man who experienced the mission, hosts a book launch party, 6-8 p.m. July 13 at River of Grass, 8472 Concord Blvd. W., Jacksonville. MICHAEL FAY The author reads from and signs copies of his book, Black jade, 1-4 p.m. July 13, The Book Loft, 214 Centre St., Fernandina, 2618991, thebookloft.com. OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by Johnny Masiulewicz, with poetry, spoken word, song & more. Held July 31 and every last Wed., Chamblin’s Uptown Café, 215 N. Laura St., Downtown, 674-0868.

COMEDY

THE COMEDY ZONE LOL Comedy Night with Ozrick Cooley is 7:30 p.m. July 10, $10. Veteran Comedy central funnyman Roy Wood Jr. is on 7:30 p.m. July 11, 7:30 & 10 p.m. July 12 & 13, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, 292-4242, comedyzone.com, $25. JACKIE KNIGHT’S COMEDY CLUB Comics Dean Napolitano and Marcus Crespo appear 8:30 p.m. July 12 & 13, Gypsy Cab Company, 830 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, 461-8843, thegypsycomedyclub.com, $15. COMEDY SHOW Zach Bennett hosts several comics at 8 p.m. July 12, Corazon Cinema, 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, $10.

ART WALKS, MARKETS

ARTRAGEOUS ARTWALK Fernandina Beach’s art walk, organized by Island Art Association, is held the second Saturday of the month. 5-8 p.m. July 13, Fernandina Beach, islandart.org/ artrageous-artwalk. RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Local & regional art, produce, crafts and music by FSCJ Summer Musical Theatre, Swing Bone, SideTrack, Sketchy Raccoon, 10 a.m. July 13 below Fuller Warren Bridge, free admission, 389-2449, riversideartsmarket.com.

MUSEUMS

AMELIA ISLAND MUSEUM OF HISTORY 233 S. Third St., Fernandina, 261-7378, ameliamuseum. org. Portraits of American Beach is on display. BEACHES MUSEUM & HISTORY PARK 381 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach, 241-5657, beachesmuseum.org. Boardwalk Talk: Gary Monroe discusses The Highwaymen: Florida’s African-American Landscape Painters, 6 p.m. July 11. Sand, Soul & Rock-n-Roll: Music at the Beaches through July 21. CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 829 Riverside Ave., 356-6857, cummermuseum.org. Art for Two: Go With the Flow: French Moderns is July 13. French Moderns: Monet to Matisse runs through Sept. 6. Carlos Rolón: Lost in Paradise runs through Oct. 21. Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art, through Dec. 1. Edmund Greacen & World War I runs through Dec. 15. Free Tuesday is July 16. KARPELES MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY MUSEUM 101 W. First Street, Springfield, 356-2992, karpeles.weebly.com. Darwin: On the Origin of Species and Other Matters is on exhibit through August. LIGHTNER MUSEUM 75 King St., St. Augustine, 824-2874, lightnermuseum.org. America’s Castles: Highlights from the Collection is on permanent display. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., 366-6911, mocajacksonville.unf.edu. Of Many Ancestors exhibits through Dec. 28. Micro-Macro: Andrew Sendor & Ali Banisadr, Invisible Cities: Paintings by Nathan Lewis exhibit.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY 1025 Museum Cir., Northbank, 396-6674, themosh. org. Expedition: Dinosaur, with cool interactive stuff, is up through Sept. 2. Hands-on exhibit Creation Station is open. The RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM 829 N. Davis St., Downtown, 807-2010, ritzjacksonville.com. Virtual Harlem exhibit runs through July 21.

GALLERIES

THE ART STUDIO & GALLERY 370A A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 295-4428, beachesartstudio.org. Michael Doyle is the featured artist for July. AVILES GALLERY 11-C Aviles St., St. Augustine, 728-4957, avilesgallery.net. Members are Joel Bagnal, KC Cali, Byron Capo, Hookey Hamilton, Ted Head, Paula Pascucci and Gina Torkos. BOLD BEAN SAN MARCO 1905 Hendricks Ave., 853-6545. Tiffany Manning’s works, Flow State, are exhibited. BREW 5 POINTS 1026 Park St., 5 Points. New collection of art by Dustin Harewood, Mark Creegan, Toni Smailagic, Malcolm Jackson, Chad Landenberger, Mark George, Elena Øhlander, Blakeley Anne Miller, Madeleine Peck Wagner, Thony Aiuppy and more is on exhibit. BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY 137 King St., St. Augustine, 825-4577, butterfieldgarage. com. New works by photographer Per Hans Romnes display. Jim Rivers’ handcrafted furniture is shown. CoRK ARTS DISTRICT 2689 Rosselle St., Riverside, corkartsdistrict.com. Artists showing a variety of artistic mediums are Kallie Martin, Gillian Harper, Kenny Wilson, Alison Fernandez, Deja Echols, Rachel Cazares and Ansley Randall. The CULTURAL CENTER at PONTE VEDRA BEACH 50 Executive Way, 280-0614, ccpvb.org. Dinner with an Artist features local artist Anna Miller, 5:30 p.m. July 12. Anna Miller’s Light Refractions and First Coast Plein Air Painters’ Impressions of the Southeast exhibit through Aug. 3.The Market features artisan-made goods–paintings, jewelry, ceramics, wearable art, handsewn purses, handcrafted home goods, more. CUTTER & CUTTER FINE ART GALLERIES 25 King St., St. Augustine, 810-0460, cutterandcutter.com. Salvador Dali – Beyond Reality Three and The Art of Dr. Seuss exhibits run through July 28. FLORIDA MINING GALLERY 5300 Shad Rd., Mandarin, 268-4681, floridamininggallery.com. Full Send exhibits. GRAY 1908, 73 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, 850-384-3084. Local artist Jenna Alexander’s series, The Flower Map of the United States, is on display. HASKELL GALLERY Jax International Airport, 741-3546, jiaarts.org. The Connector Bridge exhibits works by Memphis Wood, Charlie Brown and Stephen Heywood. JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17

ARTS + EVENTS AUTHOR APPEARANCE

UNF professor of English

CHRIS GABBARD reads from and

signs copies of his book about his son, A Life Beyond Reason: A Father’s Memoir, in which he describes how raising a son with traumatic brain injury changed not just Gabbard’s life, but his understanding of life. 6:30 p.m. July 11 at San Marco Books, 1971 San Marco Blvd., 396-7597.

MAKERSPACE GALLERY Main Library, 303 N. Laura St., Downtown, 630-2665, jaxpubliclibrary.org/jax-makerspace. Reclaimed: Life Beyond the Landfill has art made with repurposed waste objects. Artists include Clifford Buckley, Malath Albakri, Keshauna Davis, John Drum, Zac Freeman, Donald Gialanella, Aisling Millar McDonald, Khamil L. Ojoyo, Lana Shuttleworth and Wendy Sullivan. On display through Sept. 22, free. PLANTATION ARTISTS’ GUILD & GALLERY 94 Village Cir., Fernandina, 432-1750, artamelia. com. Fresh and Bold exhibits through July 20. ROTUNDA Gallery St. Johns County Admin. Bldg., 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, 471-9980. New mosaics by Manila Clough depict birds and plants native to Northeast Florida, through Sept. 19. SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY 1 Independent Dr., Downtown, southlight.com. The Three Graces, works by Nofa Dixon, Dee Roberts and Nancy R. Schultz, is on display. STELLERS GALLERY AT PONTE VEDRA 240 A1A N., Ste. 13, 273-6065, stellersgallery.com. Works by Ellen Diamond and Thomas Hager are on display. STELLERS GALLERY 1990 San Marco, 396-9492. Katie Re Scheidt’s abstract works, and works by Dennis Campay and C. Ford Riley display. WORD REVOLT ART GALLERY 1249 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, 888-5502, wordrevolt.com. Surf Art, featuring works by Josiah Nichols, Mike Kaufmann, Beth Hazlip, Valerie Steece, Joe Hunt and Annabelle Usher is on display. The YELLOW HOUSE 577 King St., Riverside, 419-9180, yellowhouseart.org. A Simple Show, with works by Sarah Crooks, Doug Eng, Crystal

Floyd, Karen Kurycki, Andrew Kozlowski, Khalil Osborne, Tatitana Phoenix, Lorn Wheeler, Kirsten Williams and One Heart Jax, is up through July 20.

EVENTS

GAME NIGHT Tic-tac-toe, dominoes and all the faves for the family, plus crafts, a DJ, live music by Super Martin Bros. and Miss Marie’s Kids, are featured 6:30 p.m. July 12 at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, 370 Zoo Pkwy., Northside; check website for admission details, jacksonvillezoo.org. WHITE OAK SATURDAY SAFARI The Conservation Center offers a wildlife staff-guided tour of the center, to see giraffes, okapi, rhinos, cheetah and more, 10 a.m. July 13 at the center, 581705 White Oak Rd., Yulee. Tickets are $125; reservations at 225-3396, whiteoakwildlife.org. FIRST COAST FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY david johnson, Unitarian Universalist Justice Florida board of directors, discusses “Florida’s legislative Dissapointments in 2019 and a Progressive Agenda for 2020,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 15 at Buckman Bridge Unitarian Church, 8447 Manresa Ave., Orange Park, 268-8826, firstcoastfreethoughtsociety.org; free parking.

NOW SHOWING • NOW SHOWING • NOW SHOWING Equal parts film critic and performance artist, JOE BOB BRIGGS has been celebrating cult films and fandom for decades. He comes to Northeast Florida to present his latest show, HOW REDNECKS SAVED HOLLYWOOD, 7 & 10 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at Sun-Ray Cinema, 1028 Park St., Five Points, 359-0049, sunraycinema.com, $18. Vist FolioWeekly.Com to read our interview with Joe B.B.

SUMMER CLASSICS SERIES The annual series marks the 50th anniversary of that trippy classic, Easy Rider, with Peter Fonda, Jack Nichlson and Dennis Hopper, 2 p.m. July 14 at The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Ste. 300, Downtown, still $7.50; 10/$45; 355-2787, floridatheatre.com. The series runs through Aug. 25. FREE MOVIES Ripley’s shows family friendly flicks. Aquaman runs 8:30 p.m. July 10, Colonial Oak Music Park, 33 St. George St., St. Augustine, 824-1606, colonialquarter.com/music, free. CORAZON CINEMA & CAFÉ A triple header creature feature offers Creature from the Black Lagoon (65th anniversary!), Kilted Creature, and Revenge of the Creature as well as Ancient City Ghostbusters, Master of Scaramonies Ed Tucker, Bagpipe Swamp Metal Tribute at 5:15 p.m. July 13; check website for ticket info. Long Shot and Loopers: The Caddie’s Long 18 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

Walk run. Throwback Thursday: My Dear Secretary, noon & 6:45 p.m. July 11. Rocketman and Biggest Little Farm start July 12. Notra-Dame de Paris, July 13. 36 Granada St., St. Augustine, 679-5736, corazoncinemaandcafe.com. WGHF IMAX THEATER Toy Story 4, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Great Bear Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef run. World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine, 940-4133, worldgolfimax.com. NIGHT OWL CINEMA The classic quest–to find the perfect wave–is the gist of The Endless Summer, screened 7 p.m. July 12, The Amp, 1340 A1A S., free, 471-1965. SUN-RAY CINEMA Trolls, Echo in the Canyon and Spider-Man: Far from Home screen. How Rednecks Saved Hollywood starts July 11. Secret Life of Pets runs July 17. 1028 Park St., Five Points, 359-0049, sunraycinema.com.

CONCERTS

SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE

PALMS Fish Camp, 6359 Heckscher Dr. The Last Resort July 10. Taylor Shami July 11. Billy Bowers July 12. Ciaran Sontag July 13. Michael Ward Duo, Lisa & the Mad Hatters July 14. Barrett Thomas every Mon.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

R&B queen MARY J. BLIGE has been fusing smooth soul and gritty hip hop for nearly 30 years–selling some 50 million albums along the way. Her Royalty Tour rolls into NEFla this weekend. 8 p.m. Sunday, July 14, Daily’s Place, Sports Complex, dailysplace.com, $60.50-$251.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA

SALTY PELICAN, 12 N. Front St. Davis Turner every Thur. SJ Brewing Co., 463646 S.R. 200 Shawn Layne July 13 SLIDERS, 1998 S. Fletcher Ave. Midlife Chryslers July 12. Firewater Tent Revival July 13. Pili Pili Wed. Tad Jennings Thur. STORY & SONG Bookstore, 1430 Park Ave. Tina & Her Pony July 13 The SURF, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave. JC Hornsby July 12. Davis Turner July 13. The Macys Wed. Kyle Freeman Tue.

AVONDALE, ORTEGA

CASBAH Café, 3628 St. Johns Ave. Goliath Flores every Wed. Jazz every Sun. Live music every Mon.

THE BEACHES

(All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted)

BLUE JAY Listening Room, 412 N. Second St. The Volts July 12. Taylor Roberts Quartet July 13 COOP 303, 303 Atlantic Blvd., AB Barrett Thomas July 13 FLYING IGUANA, 207 Atlantic Blvd., AB Beach City July 12 & 13. Samuel Sanders July 14 GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd. The Groov every Wed. Murray Goff every Fri. Ventura Latin Band every Sat. LEMON BAR, 120 Atlantic Blvd., NB Dara Sweatt July 11 MEZZA, 110 First St., Neptune Beach Gypsies Ginger every Wed. Mike Shackelford, Steve Shanholtzer every Thur. Mezza Shuffle Boxband every Mon. Trevor Tanner every Tue. MOJO Kitchen, 1500 Beach Blvd. Damon Fowler July 12 MUSIC in the Courtyard, 200 First St., NB John Austill July 12. Jimmi Mitchell July 13 RAGTIME Tavern, 207 Atlantic Blvd., AB Rebecca Day July 10. Four Play July 11. Love Monkey July 12. Bay Street July 13. The Invasions July 14 SURFER the Bar 200 First St. N. Sidereal July 12. Long Beach Dub All Stars, The Aggrolites, Mike Pento July 14 WHISKEY JAX, 950 Marsh Landing Pkwy. Dalton Ammerman July 10. Blistur July 11. Top Shelf, Str8-Up July 12. Box 543 July 14. The Groov every Tue.

DOWNTOWN

1904 MUSIC Hall, 19 Ocean St. N. Emarosa, Lizzy Farrall July 10. Josh Card, Jackie Stranger, Jordan Foley & the Wheelhouse July 12. Chris Webby, Jarren Benton, Locksmith, EKOH, Chez July 13 DAILY’S Place, Sports Complex RMary J. Blige July 14 DOS GATOS, 123 E. Forsyth DJ Hollywood every Thur. DJ NickFresh every Sat. The FLORIDA Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St. Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Kenny Lattimore, Aubrey Logan July 12. Eddie B. July 13. Kirk Franklin July 15 The JUSTICE Pub, 315 E. Bay St. Martin Atkins, DJ Oedon July 11. Flo.wav, L.O.V.E. Culture, Crynomas, Cap 6 July 12 MYTH Nightclub, 333 E. Bay St. Walshy Fire, Romeo, SubLo July 12. DJ Loose Leaf, Romeo, Boogie Mane, Killoala, Valhalla July 13. DJs Bird, Q45 every Thur. VETERANS Memorial Arena, 300 Randolph Blvd. New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Naughty by Nature July 12

FLEMING ISLAND, GREEN COVE

BOONDOCKS, 2808 Henley Rd. Tiffany Sweet July 10. Clint McFarland July 11. Lisa & the Mad Hatters July 12. Whiskey Heart July 13 WHITEY’S Fish Camp, 2032 C.R. 220 Jimi Graves July 11. Area 51 July 12. Boogie Freaks July 13. Cliff Dorsey July 14

INTRACOASTAL

CLIFF’S, 3033 Monument Rd. Last Stand July 10. Blistur July 12 & 13. Andy Toomey Trio July 17. LifelIne July 19 JERRY’S, 13170 Atlantic Blvd. Spektra July 12. Yowsah July 13

MANDARIN

ENZA’S, 10601 San Jose Blvd. Brian Iannucci every Wed., Sun. & Tue. Carl Grant every Thur., Fri. & Sat.

IGGY’S, 104 Bartram Oaks Walk Robby & Felix July 11. The Groove Coalition July 12. Lisa & the Mad Hatters July 13. HoneyHounds July 14

ORANGE PARK

CHEERS, 1138 Park Ave. Little Green Men July 12. City of Bridges July 13 The ROADHOUSE, 231 Blanding Blvd. Apollo Electric, Tom Bennett July 13. DJ Jamie every Thur.

PONTE VEDRA

FIONN MacCOOL’S, 145 Hilden Rd. Boogie Freaks July 12. Trevor Tanner July 13 PONTE VEDRA Concert Hall, 1050 A1A Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters July 15 TAPS, 2220 C.R. 210 Chuck Nash July 10. The Litt Family Band July 12. Bush Doctors July 13

RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE

The LOFT, 925 King St. Josh Kemp every Thur. & Fri. DJ Wes Reed every Thur. & Sat. NIGHTHAWKS, 2952 Roosevelt Che Fest: Unearthly Child, Purely Red, The Chrome Fangs, Electric Water, Friendly Fire, SnOre July 12. Vale, Corrupted Saint, Carnal Ruin, Saturnine, The Noctambulant July 13. SideHustle, Leisure Chief, Stephen Pigman July 14. Vulvodynia, Cognitive, Scumfuck, Heirless, In Shackles, Strangled to Death July 15 RIVERSIDE Arts Market, 715 Riverside Ave. Swing Bone, SideTrack Duo, Sketchy Raccoon July 13

ST. AUGUSTINE

The AMP, 1340C A1A S. JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. the Tour July 13 ARNOLD’S, 3912 N. Ponce de Leon Cottonmouth July 13. DJ Alex every Fri. The CELLAR UPSTAIRS, 157 King St. Tony Scozzaro July 11. Jolie, Chillula July 12. Wes Register, Paper City Hustlers July 13. Vinny Jacobs July 14 MUSIC by the SEA, St. Aug. Beach Pier JW Gilmore July 10 Planet SARBEZ, 115 St. George St. Laurel Lee & the Escapees, Chemtrails, Davis & the Loose Cannons July 13 MEEHAN’S Irish Pub, 48 Spanish St. Walt (Those Guys) July 11. Mike Cook July 12. Donny Brazile, Kelp July 13. Spade McQuade July 14 PROHIBITION Kitchen, 119 St. George St. Southern Tide, Josh Gilbert July 11. Let’s Ride Brass Band, G.W. Souther July 12. The Raisin Cake Orchestra, Pressure July 13. Sam Pacetti, The Willow Wacks July 14. Lucio Rubino July 15. Colton McKenna July 16 SHANGHAI NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd. The Crack Rock Opera, Chemtrails July 12. The Ned, Hopeless Otis, Half My Home, AC Deathstrike July 15 TRADEWINDS, 124 Charlotte St. Livestream July 12 & 13

YES, ASIA, JOHN LODGE, CARL PALMER’S ELP LEGACY, ARTHUR BROWN July 18, The Amp LAUREL LEE & The ESCAPEES July 18, Mudville Music Room DIERKS BENTLEY, JON PARDI, TENILLE TOWNES July 18, Daily’s Place OH, SLEEPER July 18, 1904 Music Hall The ROLLING STONES, The REVIVALISTS July 19, TIAA Bank Field YOUNG the GIANT, FITZ & the TANTRUMS, COIN July 19, The Amp HURRICANE PARTY CD release, The DOG APOLLO July 19, Jack Rabbits BRETT BASS & MELTED PLECTRUM, RUSTY SHINE, SALT & PINE, REMEDY TREE July 20, Hemming Park LAUREL LEE & the ESCAPEES July 20, Riverside Arts Market The MOWGLIS, PETAL, ARMS AKIMBO July 20, Jack Rabbits PIG FLOYD TRIBUTE July 20, Thrasher-Horne Center DON MCLEAN & His Band July 20, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ANUEL AA July 20, Daily’s Place PEACE & LOVE TOUR: PAISLEY CRAZE July 20, Florida Theatre SUBLIME WITH ROME, MICHAEL FRANTI, SPEARHEAD, COMMON KINGS, SERANATION July 25 & 26, The Amp CBDB, FIRST CASE SCENARIO, SELF-HELP BOOKS, JAY JR. July 25, Jack Rabbits SACRED OWLS, DEATHWATCH ’97, WALK with WOLVES, 13 BLOODSHOT July 27, Rain Dogs PRINCE DADDY & The Hyena, The OBSESSIVES, RETIREMENT PARTY July 27, 1904 Music Hall IRATION, PEPPER, FORTUNATE YOUTH, KATASTRO July 27, The Amp RUNNERS HIGH, PALOMINO BLOND, BOSTON MARRIAGE, BOBBY KID, GOODFIRES, BLURRY July 28, Jack Rabbits DONAVON FRANKENREITER July 29 & 30, 1904 Music Hall BLINK 182, LIL WAYNE, NECK DEEP July 29, Daily’s Place LUKE BRYAN, COLE SWINDELL, JON LANGSTON Aug. 1, Veterans Memorial Arena BLINK 281, HEART SHAPED BOX Tributes Aug. 1, Surfer the Bar IYANLA VANZANT Aug. 2, The Florida Theatre WHY DON’T WE Aug. 2, Daily’s Place AL MANISCALCO QUARTET Aug. 2, Grape & Grain Exchange WIDESPREAD PANIC Aug. 2, 3 & 4, The Amp TRAIL DIVER Aug. 3, Lynch’s DIRTY HEADS, 311 Aug. 4, Daily’s Place MOE., BLUES TRAVELER, G. LOVE Aug. 7, Daily’s Place STR8-UP Aug. 7, St. Augustine Beach Pier STICK to YOUR GUNS, COUNTERPARTS, YEAR of the KNIFE, TERROR, SANCTION Aug. 9, 1904 Music Hall The DOLLYROTS BORROMAKAT Aug. 9, Jack Rabbits LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND Aug. 9, Florida Theatre TILIAN PEARSON, BRENT WALSH, LANDON TEWERS, RIVALS Aug. 11, 1904 Music Hall The NTH POWER, SIDE HUSTLE, BEN STROK & the FULL ELECTRIC Aug. 12, 1904 Music Hall NICK JORDAN, JAEHROSS Aug. 13, Jack Rabbits REBELUTION, PROTOJE, COLLIE BUDDZ Aug. 14 & 15, The Amp ELIZABETH & the GRAPES of ROTH Aug. 14, St. Augustine Beach Pier JOSH WARD Aug. 15, Jack Rabbits BRAD PAISLEY, CHRIS LANE, RILEY GREEN Aug. 16, Daily’s UMPHREY’S MCGEE, MAGIC CITY HIPPIES Aug. 17, The Amp STEWART TUSSING Aug. 17, Mudville Music Room ARCHWAYS album release, RICKOLUS Aug. 17, Jack Rabbits BUSH, LIVE, OUR LADY PEACE Aug. 18, Daily’s Place COLT FORD, BRETT MYERS, WADE B. Aug. 21, Surfer the Bar TYLER CASSIDY Aug. 21, The Justice Pub

BREAK SCIENCE, MARVEL YEARS, VLAD the INHALER Aug. 22, 1904 Music Hall TESSA VIOLET Aug. 23, Jack Rabbits TRIBUTE: A Celebration of The ALLMAN BROTHERS Aug. 23, 1904 Music Hall PENTATONIX, RACHEL PLATTEN Aug. 24, Daily’s Place The ADVENTURES of ANNABELLE LYN Aug. 24, Mudville Music Room VAMPIRE WEEKEND, CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM Aug. 25, The Amp SOUTHERN CHAOS Aug. 28, St. Augustine Beach Pier CHRIS BROWN, TORY LANEZ, TY DOLLA $IGN, JOYNER LUCAS, YELLA BEEZY Aug. 30, Veterans Memorial Arena SAWYER BROWN Aug. 30, Thrasher-Horne Center ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES in the DARK Aug. 30, PVC Hall Bold City Beer Fest: The FRITZ, ZACH DEPUTY, TRAIL DIVER, BONNIE BLUE, BEN STROK & the FULL ELECTRIC, TALLER TREES Sept. 1, Riverside Arts Market PETER FRAMPTON, JASON BONHAM Sept. 4, Daily’s AL MANISCALCO QUARTET Sept. 6, Grape & Grain HILLSONG UNITED Sept. 7, Veterans Memorial Arena RHETT & LINK Sept. 7, The Florida Theatre AMY GRANT Sept. 12, The Florida Theatre CHRIS YOUNG, CHRIS JANSON, LOCASH Sept. 12, Daily’s ONYX FEST II Sept. 14, 1904 Music Hall UB40, ALI CAMPBELL, ASTRO Sept. 14, Daily’s Place LOCAL NATIVES Sept. 20, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall KASEY MUSGRAVES Benefit Sept. 21, The Amp PUDDLE of MUDD, SALIVA, TRAPT, SAVING ABEL, TANTRIC Sept. 21, Thrasher-Horne Center ALAN JACKSON, WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN Sept. 21, Veterans Memorial Arena BRANTLEY GILBERT, MICHAEL RAY, LINDSAY ELL Sept. 27, Daily’s Place GRANDSON, NOTHING, NOWHERE Sept. 28, PV Concert Hall GATLIN BROTHERS Sept. 29, The Florida Theatre BAD SUNS, LIILY, ULTRA Q Sept. 30, PV Concert Hall GUNS N’ ROSES Oct. 1, Veterans Memorial Arena SCOTT STAPP Oct. 3, The Florida Theatre THOMAS RHETT, DUSTIN LYNCH, RUSSELL DICKERSON, RHETT AKINS Oct. 4, Veterans Memorial Arena GUIDA Oct. 4, Jack Rabbits JOHN MEDESKI’S MAD SKILLET Oct. 5, P.V. Concert Hall BUILT to SPILL, PRISM BITCH, PAUSES Oct. 9, Jack Rabbits OTEIL & FRIENDS, LEFTOVER SALMON, DONNA the BUFFALO, KELLER WILLIAMS’ PETTYGRASS, The HILLBENDERS, JIM LAUDERDALE, VERLON THOMPSON, REV. JEFF MOSIER, BRETT BASS & MELTED PLECTRUM, CORBITT BROS., JON STICKLEY, The LEE BOYS, SAUCE BOSS, BELLE & the Band, QUARTERMOON, BRUCE COCKBURN, The SELDOM SCENE, HORSESHOES & HAND GRENADES, DUSTBOWL REVIVAL Oct. 10-13, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park The TOASTERS, The SCOTCH BONNETS Oct. 10, Surfer CHRIS STAPLETON, KENDELL MARVEL, DAVE COBB, J.T. CURE, DEREK MIXON, MORGANE STAPLETON Oct. 10, Veterans Memorial Arena BERT KREISCHER Oct. 11, The Florida Theatre MAGGIE ROGERS, JACOB BANKS Oct. 11, The Amp STEVEN PAGE Oct. 11, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall NAHKO & MEDICINE for the PEOPLE Oct. 12, The Amp Backyard Stage BENISE Oct. 13, The Florida Theatre CHEAP TRICK, ZZ TOP Oct. 16, The Amp ZAC BROWN Band Oct. 17, Daily’s Place CARRIE UNDERWOOD Oct. 20, Veterans Memorial Arena The ALLMAN BETTS BAND, JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR, JD SIMO Oct. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall CLINT BLACK Oct. 25, Thrasher-Horne Center BASTILLE Oct. 26, Daily’s Place ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY Oct. 31, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

SAN MARCO, NORTHBANK

GRAPE & GRAIN, 2000 San Marco The Band Be Easy July 12 JACK RABBITS, 15280 Hendricks Ave. Prideless, Audio Hive, Ruffians July 12. Iraqiana, Dre Rose, Rab G, Ticostory & Shae, Awkward Groove, Bain, Bood Davis July 13 MUDVILLE Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd. NFFN 10th Anniversary Showcase: Larry Mangum, Ken & Cee Cee, Laura & Pat July 10. Ronnie Gainey, Mike Shackelford, John Shilby, Dean Spry, Brian Homan, Carole Senn, Jody Fabick July 12. TBA July 15

SOUTHSIDE, BAYMEADOWS

BAHAMA BREEZE, 10205 River Coast Dr. King Eddie & Pili Pili every Thur. Chillakaya every Fri. & Sat. Karibbean Flavor every Sat. & Tue. VETERANS UNITED Craft Brewery, 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104 Brenna Erickson July 12 WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd. Casey Mitchell July 10. Mandalla Band July 12. Oversized Load July 13. Mojo Roux, Kim Wade July 14. Cassidy Lee July 16 XO Lounge, 3535 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S. Miles Jaye July 12

Photo: Antonio Dixon

He’s been nominated for no fewer than nine Grammys and he’s wailed onstage with chart-toppers like Richard Marx. And now smooth-jazz saxophonist DAVE KOZ (center) and his band give us Summer Horns, a horn-forward selection of classic tunes. 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, The Florida Theatre, Downtown, floridatheatre.com, $39-$73. JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19

FOLIO COOKING

DALE RATERMANN’s Folio Weekly Crossword presented by

Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society

San Marco 2044 San Marco Blvd. 398-9741

Ponte Vedra

THE SHOPPES OF PONTE VEDRA

330 A1A North 280-1202

Avondale 3617 St. Johns Ave. Voted Best Jeweler in FW’s 388-5406 Best of Jax readers’ poll!

FOLIO WEEKLY CROSSWORD 1

word—ya word d—yya know, know know kn ow,, what wh hatt I’m I’m writing wri riti iti ting ng about abo boutt here!). The term mojo is also said to have derived from the Gullah word moco, meaning witchcraft. So mojo also means magic. “Watch out, ladies, I got my mojo back. None of you are safe from my charms” might’ve been crooned by any ’50s blues singer. Gullah is the language spoken in the Low Country and Sea Islands of South Carolina, Georgia and even our own Amelia Island, the final Sea Island. Throughout these islands, the African and American languages were combined to form the Gullah dialect. So we have it both ways here in NEFla. We get our mojo on, we got mojo, and we use mojo to make some magic—especially if you use my mojo marinade for your next meal!

CHEF BILL’S MOJO MARINADE

Ingredients • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tsp. cumin • 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped • 2 oranges, juiced • 4 limes, juiced • 2 oz. olive oil • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 2 Tbsp. ground chipotle powder • Salt & pepper to taste Directions 1. Mix all the ingredients. 2. Coat a boneless pork butt with half the marinade, cover and refrigerate. Until we cook again,

Chef Bill Thompson cooking@folioweekly.com

Email Chef Bill, owner/chef of Amelia Island Culinary Academy and Island Kitchen, at cooking@folioweekly.com, to get cheffed up! Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Cooking Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

FOLIO COOKING’S GROCERY COMMUNITY EARTH FARE 11700 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin 11901 Atlantic Blvd., Arlington GRASSROOTS NATURAL MARKET 2007 Park St., Riverside JACKSONVILLE FARMERS MARKET 1810 W. Beaver St., Westside NASSAU HEALTH FOODS 833 T.J. Courson Rd., Fernandina

NATIVE SUN NATURAL FOODS MARKETS 11030 Baymeadows Rd. 10000 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin 1585 N. Third St., Jax Beach PUBLIX MARKETS 1033 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine 2033 Riverside Ave. THE SAVORY MARKET 474380 S.R. 200, Fernandina

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ROWE’S 1670 Wells Rd., Orange Park 8595 Beach Blvd., Southside FERNANDINA BEACH MARKET PLACE Art & Farmers Market, North Seventh Street WHOLE FOODS 10601 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin

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Wild bunch Noon, in a way UF frat letter Red sky, to a sailor Clears the windshield Gangster’s gun Talcum, e.g. Fine linen “Teflon Don” Channel 30 fish carton? Four-lap runner Exploits “Anything ___?” Ex-Jag Simmons Vet’s affliction Capone foe

DOWN 1 Soup kitchen offering 2 “Gotcha!” 3 “Sweet” age 4 A few 5 Texter’s gratitude 6 ____-la-la 7 Deadly ’85 hurricane 8 Misogynistic 9 Lip-____

1 Villain’s greeting 5 Surfers “hang” them 9 Catches flies at Bragan Field 14 River 671 miles longer than St. Johns 15 Golf target 16 Black Sea resort 17 Tijuana Flats spell? 19 Silk substitute 20 Chess wins 21 Sister’s girls 23 Poet’s “prior” 24 “Nothing to it!” 27 Marley classic: “____ It Up” 30 Naval yes 31 HS subj. 32 Bo Derek was this 34 Kerfuffle 35 Crow’s nest cry 37 ____ Kippur 39 Nobleman 41 Local horn duty? 45 East Coastline Drive hotel 48 AAA service 49 Israeli airline 53 One-star

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ACROSS

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I GO GOTT MY M MOJO OJO OJ O ON … H HAVEN’T AVEN AV EN’T EN ’TT LLOST OSTT MY M OS MOJO OJO OJ O … go pick up some Cuban mojo. Mojo … just what the heck does that word mean, anyhow? Is it really a word? Is it pronounced moe-jo? And what does “have your mojo on” have to do with a food item? Well, if these questions have been keeping y’all up at night, good ol’ Chef Bill is here to put an end to your insomnia. The term mojo likely came from in Spain or maybe Portugal; it refers to a sauce that originated in the Canary Islands. This sauce was made with a combination of garlic, pork lard, citrus and chili pepper. So there’s where you get the food-based meaning. And leave it to those nations of great explorers to discover—not medicine, not science, not gems or gold—but a true treasure instead: A Sauce. I can just imagine the King and Queen of Spain’s excitement when the explorers brought them this exquisite, rare discovery. “That’s awesome. Now you guys go find us something cool to drink with this sauce and stop by the castle this Sunday. We will have tapas!” Anyhow, eventually, as the ship crews of these great nations of explorers made their ways across the Atlantic and arrived in the New World, they brought with them not only a few pesky European diseases, but this awe-inspiring flavor treat known as mojo. If you’re thinking this mojo sauce was the first item to be offered in the Columbian Exchange, then we are really on the same page, you hyper-intelligent, thoughtful reader you! Thus, mojo sauce is also associated with Cuban cuisine, such as the famous mojo marinated roast pork, and is commonly found throughout the Caribbean and even … you know it … Florida! The Canary Islands’ influence is found where this spicy, delectable sauce is used. Things on the other side of the meaning of mojo represent a fascinating bit of local history and etymology (i.e., history of a

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MOJO MAGIC! CHEF BILL MASTERS THE MYSTIC ART OF MARINADE

10 Pro Football Hall of Famer in Edgewood Cemetery 11 Elite player 12 Old Pontiac 13 ___ Marco 18 Latin I verb 22 REM part 25 Gem 26 We all have them 28 Bride’s reply 29 Gov. DeSantis 33 Magic org. 36 BHO successor 38 Yoga need 40 Tin Man’s prop 42 PIN requester 43 Love letters 44 Little stick

45 Game of Thrones net. 46 Autumn veggie 47 With skill 50 Easy to read 51 Befuddled 52 Some paints 55 Uneven 56 Add muscle 58 Ratio words 61 Renowned 63 Icy coating 66 JEA electricity carrier 68 “Olly olly ___ free!” 69 SUV maker 70 Crude matter 72 They mark the spot 73 Tom Petty: “Girl on ___”

SOLUTION TO 7.3.19 PUZZLE D A D A

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FOLIO PETS

LOCAL PET EVENTS & ADOPTABLES PIN UP PAWS CALENDAR St. Augustine Humane Society’s ninth annual pet photo contest & calendar, this year themed “Pets Ahoy,” is now underway. So get your favorite furry (or scaly) friend and dress them up to get in on the fun–and the fundraising efforts, since proceeds benefit the Society’s programs. Voting ends Aug. 17, the big reveal is Nov. 7. Go to pinuppaws. com for all the deets. (Hint: We think a nauticalstyle outfit would be awesome.)

ADOPTABLES

FLORA

DON’T BE A FREAK OFF THE LEASH

DAVI DISCUSSES OUTDOOR COURTESY–AND THE LAW I RECENTLY HAD A NERVE-WRENCHING

experience while hiking with my mom. As we traveled along the trail, I noticed a large dog running toward us: ears alert, tail up, and eyes focused on me. Despite my best effort to “bark bark bark” and my mom’s command for the dog to “get outta here!” the dog forged in fury. My life flashed before my eyes. I couldn’t help but fear I was about to fall victim to someone’s bad judgment. Just before all heck broke loose, the dog’s owner came running behind him, shouting “Gunner, halt!”—and he obeyed. He halted. Fortunately, I haven’t seen that same dog off-leash in the park since then, but he won’t be the last to do that. Even with laws that require dogs to be secured, especially when on public grounds, dogs are let loose and unsupervised on a daily basis. Too many dog owners seem to be operating under the false assumption that there’s nothing wrong with allowing their dogs to run free because their dogs are “friendly” and won’t harm anyone—as though that makes their illegal and dangerous choice acceptable or legal. While your dog might be the director of the canine social committee, not every dog appreciates being bumrushed by some fanatical Fido they don’t know. Some dogs are downright offended—or terrified—and will react with snarls, growls and lunges toward Mr. Congeniality. The best solution to this problem: a dog leash. Keeping your dog on a leash is not just good fashion sense: It’s the law. In Florida, there are 67 counties, most of which have a dog leash law in place— for several very good reasons. If your dog is under your control— and his own control—he’s less likely to get into danger. A leash will help

you keep an eye on your dog and, ultimately, protect him from poisonous plants, wild animals and loose rocks on a path or cliff. Other dogs can be mean. Just walk through any dog park and you’ll see this is true. Some dogs have bad behavior, and some are just plain malicious. I know I wouldn’t want to have to deal with that. It’s common courtesy. If you’re walking on a trail or down a road, it’s important to take others into consideration. Some people don’t like dogs, some are allergic, and some are flat-out afraid of them. Whether or not your dog is loose, you’re still responsible for cleaning up after him. However, if he’s loose, you may not see he’s lifting his leg on someone’s car or pooping outside a restaurant. It’s the responsible thing to keep him where you can see him. Believe me, I get the allure of being able to run wild, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK. From personal experience, I can guarantee your dog would rather be outdoors hiking on a leash than sitting home. I’m certainly not miserable, under-exercised or being punished when I hike on a leash. I am happy, excited about our adventure, and safe. If you feel your dog is craving the off-leash experience, find a designated park that allows off-leash activity. Otherwise, be respectful of others and keep your dog on a leash. Davi Davi the Dachshund wants all his pals— and even dogs who may not be pals—to stay safe and happy when they’re out and about. He’s also keenly aware it’s a law! Subscribe to the Folio Pets Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

FORGET FAUNA, I’M THE ONE FOR-A YOU! Just as my name suggests, I’m quite colorful. Unlike my name, I cannot be found in nature–I’m a one-of-akind feline only at Jacksonville Humane Society! Come over and pick me for your new best friend. JHS is open 7 days a week, on the Southside.

SHARKS: MISUNDERSTOOD CREATURES OF THE SEA Learn about the shark species that roam our waters, from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at Ponte Vedra Library, 101 Library Blvd., sjcfl. us. Free to attend; registration required–call Kelly Ussia, 209-0335. ST. AUGUSTINE HUMANE SOCIETY FREE SPAY & NEUTER SERVICES The Society’s surgery program, possible through a grant from Florida Animal Friends Inc., offers reduced fee or free services for owners who qualify. For details, go to the Humane Society, 1665 Old Moultrie Rd., St. Augustine, call 829-2737 ext. 100 or email cbessett@staughumane.org. The program runs through Aug. 20. BYOB CATTLE DOGS! Bring Your Own Breed honors the Australian breed, 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Kanine Social, 580 College St., Brooklyn, 712-6363, kaninesocial.com. Then it’s Frenchie Friday, for French Bulldogs, noon-2 p.m.

ADOPTABLES

CADILLAC

YOU KNOW I GOT THAT BASS, BASS! When I see other pups, I just laugh and shine, ’cause that don’t have that boom that’s hooked in mine. Yes, my name is inspired by a ’90s roller-rink jam. Like the song, I’m a fun-loving classic, at one place only. Meet me at Jax Humane Society, open every day at 8464 Beach Blvd. on the Southside.

July 13. BYOB Doodles is noon-2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. All dogs must have proof of up-to-date rabies, bordetella and distemper. Dogs over six months old must be spayed/neutered. Records can be uploaded by registering at kaninesocial. com or bring with you (a cell phone photo of records may be accepted). JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 21

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

FOLIO: I SAW YOU

PRECOCIOUS

Hey, Folks! Didja know it’s Nude Recreation Week?

THE CLASSIC HEADLINE

Little Sebastian Swenson of Blaine, Minnesota, wanted Reese’s candy and he wanted it NOW. So on the morning of June 11, the 4-year-old climbed into the front seat of his great-grandfather’s Hyundai Santa Fe and drove at low speeds to a nearby gas station, where police met him. To accomplish this, according to Fox9, he had to reverse out of the driveway and navigate winding residential streets before getting onto a busy four-lane avenue in rush-hour traffic. Along the way, he dinged a few mailboxes and a tree, but he arrived safe and sound. Blaine police Capt. Mark Boerboom told the news crew, “I’ve never seen a driver this young before operating a vehicle.”

Police officers in Manchester, New Hampshire, were called to a local hotel on June 28 after Matthew Williams, 35, of Nashua was reported to be behaving “erratically”—shouting, throwing things and “acting aggressive,” according to Fox News. Officers called in a K9 unit, and when the dog entered the hotel room, Williams allegedly “wrapped his arms around the dog and struggled with him,” eventually growling and biting the dog on the top of the head, police said. Williams was charged with resisting arrest, simple assault and willful interference with police dogs; authorities said the dog was not harmed.

NIGHTMARE NEIGHBOR

Zack Pinsent, 25, from Brighton, England, hasn’t dressed in modern clothing since he was 14 years old. Instead, he makes and wears clothes that were popular in the 1800s. “At 14, I made the symbolic decision to burn my only pair of jeans in a bonfire. It was a real turning point,” Pinsent told Metro News. On a typical day, Pinsent wears a floral waistcoat and knee-high leather riding boots, along with a jacket with tails and a top hat. He explains that his obsession started when his family found a box of his great-grandfather’s suits. He now researches, designs and sews clothing for himself and other history buffs, to great response: “I’ve been all over the world and people are inquisitive and appreciative,” he said.

After her husband suffered a stroke in 2012, Junghee Kim Spicer, owner of the Yakima (Washington) Arts Academy, increased the number of piano students she taught in her home, angering neighbor Paul Patnode, who complained and forced Spicer to get a permit that limited the hours and number of students she could teach each day, reported the Yakima Herald. Spicer complied, according to court documents, but Patnode, unsatisfied, sued her and lost that case in 2014. Undeterred, Patnode changed tactics: From November 2015 through March 2016, he parked his diesel pickup truck next to Spicer’s home, remotely revving the engine and setting off the truck’s alarm each time a student walked by. Spicer and her husband won a $40,000 settlement in their resulting lawsuit, and on June 25, the Division III Court of Appeals upheld that ruling. Chief Judge Robert Lawrence-Berry wrote: “(Mr. Patnode) intended to achieve through harassment what he had been unable to achieve through legal means.”

TECHNOTOT

Two-year-old Rayna McNeil of San Diego is an early adopter of online shopping. In late June, as Rayna played with her mom’s mobile phone, she managed to purchase a $430 couch from Amazon. Mom Isabella McNeil told KNSD she had been scrolling through some couches on her phone before handing it off to Rayna, but she didn’t realize the toddler had made the purchase until a few days later, when she got a “Your couch has shipped” alert. “I didn’t remember ordering a couch,” she said. It was too late to cancel the order, so McNeil plans to resell the item locally. “Lesson learned,” McNeil said. She will make sure apps are closed in the future.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

EXTREME

Michael Wardian, 45, chose the hottest day of the year so far in Washington, D.C., to tackle a longstanding goal of his: He ran all the way around the Beltway—89 miles. Wardian, of Arlington, Virginia, started at 1:30 a.m. on June 29 and ran for almost 18 hours, according to Fox 5 DC. “You’re like, ‘I want to do this but it’s never a good time,’” Wardian said. “So we just did it when we had the time.” Temperatures on June 29 reached 96 degrees.

FAIL

In Rybnik, Poland, a 68-year-old woman who was completing the “maneuvers” part of her driving exam struck and killed a 35-year-old driving examiner on June 24. Police believe the victim was testing another candidate at the time, the Daily Record reported. Deputy Police Commissioner Ryszard Czepczor said it was unknown how the accident happened; the woman was in a state of shock afterward, “and because of that, speaking to her would be quite difficult.” weirdnewstips@amuniversal.com

Friday, July 12 is Different Colored Eyes Day! Saturday, July 13 is National French Fries Day! Sunday, July 14 is Shark Awareness Day! The eyes are the window to the soul, no matter the color. And we all love us some fries, amirite? You know every day is Carcharodon Carcharias beware day–ever see those pics of the waters around the pier? Dudes surfing six feet from hell? Then … you know it: Find love with FW’s ISUs. COME LANDSCAPE MY LAWN You looked better than your work truck; maybe FCLC a lawn company? Me: dark pink top, light pink jeans, long brown hair. Parked green jeep beside you. I passed, you smiled, I smiled. Meet for a drink? Where: St. Johns Town Center Target parking. When: June 26. #1731-0703 WAITRESS ZEUS PIZZA Zeus Pizza San Marco waitress, April 21. Where: Zeus Pizza San Marco. When: April 21. #1730-0529 CUTE CHICA @ COFFEE PLACE You: Beautiful, getting coffee w/friend near lunch, verticalstriped pants, white top, short blonde hair. Locked eyes for a second; I got goosebumps. Me: In booth w/friend, red shirt, grey shorts, short black hair. BE AT SRFS MAY 19, 1 P.M. When: May 10. Where: Southern Roots Filling Station. #1729-0515 SHOPPING 4 LOVE You: Handsome bearded man, in tie, with gallon water bottles. I’ve seen you shop on Fridays after work. Me: Blonde woman, sundress/leggings, purposely going down the same aisles you do. I’m shy, so please say something! When: April 12 & 26. Where: WalmartMarket @ San Pablo. #1728-0515 A GIRL NEEDS CHECKING OUT Bearded, dressed professionally, confident walk that damn near made me gasp. You in holds area, me in red summer dress. You glanced at me; checked out before I could speak. Check me out? When: May 1. Where: Pablo Creek Library. #1727-0508 GYM BODY Over months saw you lose many pounds. Buzz-cut male, weeping angel tattoos on back of legs. Saw you sneaking glances when I did glute exercise. Be a gentleman first and take me to lunch after gym? When: April 20. Where: Bailey’s Gym, Loretto & San Jose. #1726-0501 TONY PACKO’S FAN Pumping gas and my T-shirt amused you. You asked about it and we talked briefly. Would like to talk more. When:

April 8. Where: Fleming Island Daily’s/Shell Gas. #1725-0501 ATTRACTIVE CHURCH WOMAN Your group sat in front of me. You: Attractive, long hair, glasses, beverage. We locked eyes near sermon’s end. I’ll sit in same area next few Thursdays. I go to 5:22 Sunday services, too. Coffee sometime? When: March 21. Where: Church of Eleven22, San Pablo. #1726-0417 BE MY ENDGAME? MCU CAPTURE You: Buttery bowtie alpha stud manager. Me: Thanos purple high-tops, interested in your gauntlet. Rewind time, never stop, soul search this reality, use this space, see where this power takes us? More theories if interested. When: April 3. Where: Regal Avenues 20. #1724-0410 TRAFFIC CONE TROUBLE You: Trying to lure a pesky orange traffic cone out from under your front bumper. Me: Lent a hand, wrestled an obtrusive pylon out; you cutely muttered of being embarrassed. I’m free next Friday if you run it over again. When: March 29. Where: Gate Parkway Starbucks. #1723-0403 SHRINERS CIRCUS JUMP ROPE MIME You: Being a great guy helping the mime/clown. Me: Blown away by your jump-roping and your body. The bumbleverse can’t keep up with me, but I think you could. Didn’t see a ring; single? When: March 17, 1 p.m. Where: Shriners Circus. #1722-0403 MAYORS RACE, DONATING BLOOD, LAKEWOOD You: Braces, with dog. Me: Eating clam chowder. Any chance you are free for coffee, breakfast or happy hour? When: March 9. Where: Riverside Publix. #1721-0320 SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS I’d like to meet a smart, handsome man. I like golf, tennis and disco dancing. I’m retired, no small kids. If you enjoy the same things, let’s meet and see what develops! We’ll discuss when & where when you reply. #1720-0313

HERE’S HOW, PLUS RULES ’N’ REGS

Each entry must have your real, full name, real address, city, state & ZIP, contact phone number and your real birthday. (It’s an Excel thing.) None of that stuff is printed. Start with a FIVE-WORD HEADLINE so they’ll recall you and/or the event. Then, describe them, yourself and other folks if applicable, and what happened or didn’t happen, so they recognize a magical moment. NO MORE THAN 40 WORDS! Make it interesting. (None of this ‘you were cute. I wore a black T-shirt.’) Tell when and where the ‘sighting’ was and BAM! True love–or a reasonable facsimile–is within your grasp! Email the whole thing to mdryden@ folioweekly.com (a real person); grab the next FW issue and get ready to pitch and woo! Find love with Folio Weekly’s legendary ISUs! FOLIO WEEKLY helps you connect with a person you’ve seen and want to get to know. Go to folioweekly.com/i-saw-u.html, fill out the FREE form correctly (40 words or fewer, dammit) by 5 p.m. THURSDAY for the next Wednesday’s FOLIO WEEKLY. 22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | JULY 10-16, 2019

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

FOLIO WEED

CHERRIES, GOLD CHAIRS, HOLY QUESTS & PLATYPUSSES/PLATYPI ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’re in the Land of Green Magic. That’s potentially good news, but you must be cautious. In this Land, seeds of extraneous follies and seeds of important necessities both grow extra-fast. Unless you’re a careful weeder, useless stuff springs up, occupying too much space. So be firm in rooting out blooms that do you no good. Nurture only the best and brightest. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Eight years ago, researchers in Kerala, India went to Padmanabhaswamy Temple and climbed down into centuries-old vaults deep beneath the main fl oor. They found a disorganized mess of treasure: gold and precious gems. There were hundreds of chairs of gold, baskets of gold coins from the ancient Roman Empire, and a fourfoot-tall solid gold statue of a god, among many other valuables. I like bringing these images to your attention because I have a theory: If you’re aware, you’ll be more alert to undiscovered riches in your life and psyche. You’re closer than ever to unearthing those riches. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Children need to learn certain aptitudes at certain times. If they don’t, they may not be able to master those aptitudes later. For example, if infants don’t get the experience of being protected and cared for by adults, it’ll be hard for them to develop that capacity as toddlers. This is a good metaphor for a developmental phase you’re going through. In my astrological opinion, 2019 and 2020 are critical years to be more skilled at the arts of togetherness and collaboration; upgrade your abilities to get the most out of intimate relationships. How’s it going so far? CANCER (June 21-July 22): Vantablack is a material made of carbon nanotubes. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it’s the darkest stuff on the planet. No black is blacker than Vantablack. It reflects a mere 0.036 percent of the light that shines on it. Because of its unusual quality, it’s ideal for use in the manufacture of certain sensors, cameras and scientific instruments. Unfortunately, the artist Anish Kapoor owns exclusive rights to use it in the art world. No other artists can incorporate Vantablack into their creations. Do NOT follow Kapoor’s selfish example in the weeks ahead. In my astrological opinion, it’s crucial to share your prime gifts, special skills and unique blessings with the world. Do not hoard! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Hi, I’m Rob, and I confess I’m addicted to breathing air, eating food, drinking water, going to sleep and getting high on organic, free-trade, slavery-free dark chocolate. I also confess I am powerless over these addictions. Be inspired by my silly example and make a fun but serious effort to face your fixations. Astrological omens suggest it’s a good time. What are your addictions? What habits are hard to shake? What conditioned responses enslave you? What traps snare you? The time’s right to name these compulsions, and make an audacious break for freedom. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When ripening cherries near the end of the process, they’re quite vulnerable. If rain falls during those last few weeks, they can rot or split, making them unmarketable. So cherrygrowers hire helicopter pilots to hover over their trees right after it rains, using the downdraft from the blades to dry the valuable little fruits. It may seem like overkill, but it’s what works best. Be on the lookout for like protective measures in your ripening process. Your motto should be: Take care of valuables by any means necessary.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t relax. Don’t shy away from challenges. Don’t apologize for a holy quest, tone down an ambition or stop pushing to get better. Not now, anyway. Just the opposite. Pump up the volume on your wants. Be bigger, bolder, braver. Take maximum advantage of opportunities arising, and cash in on benevolent conspiracies in your vicinity. Now is one of those exceptional moments when tough competition is good for you, when the pressure to outdo your previous efforts can inspire. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I can’t decide whether to compare your imminent future to a platypus, kaleidoscope, patchwork quilt or Swiss army knife. Your adventures could bring you random jumbles or melodic mélanges–or a blend of both. So I’m expecting provocative words, pure flukes and multiple options. There’ll be crazy wisdom, alluring messes and indefinable chances. To ensure your life is more of an intriguing riddle than a confusing maze, stay attuned to what you feel and think, and communicate that information with tactful precision. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Every year, thousands worldwide go to hospital emergency rooms for relief from kidney stones. Many treatments are invasive and painful. But in recent years, a benign alternative has emerged. A peer-reviewed article in a scientific journal showed evidence that many patients spontaneously pass kidney stones simply by riding on roller coasters. I doubt you have a problem like kidney stones in the weeks ahead, but any psychological diffi culties you have can be solved by going on other thrilling adventures. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In his book The Histories, ancient Greek historian Herodotus told the story of a six-year war between the armies of the Medes and the Lydians in an area that today corresponds to Turkey. The conflict ended suddenly on a day when a solar eclipse occurred. Everyone on the battlefi eld got spooked as the light unexpectedly dimmed, and commanders called an immediate cease-fire. In the spirit of cosmic portents precipitating practical truces, respond to upcoming lunar eclipse on July 16 and 17 with overtures of peace, healing and amnesty. It’s time to reach out to a worthy person or group from whom you’ve been alienated. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): My astrological colleague Guru Gwen believes that Aquarians should get scolded and penalized unless they agree to add more rigor and discipline to their rhythms. My astrological colleague Maestro Madelyn feels Aquarians need to have their hands held and their problems listened to with grace and sympathy. I suppose both Gwen and Madelyn want to accomplish the same thing: to get you back on track. I’m more in favor of Madelyn’s approach than Gwen’s.

STATE OF PLAY

WHAT’S THE PATH FORWARD IN FLORIDA? SUMMERTIME IS GENERALLY A SLOW TIME for politics, except in election years. I anticipate that next summer will be the craziest that we’ve seen in 50 years, an oscillating creep-show curve guaranteed to make grown men weep and children use language that will get them slapped. I don’t really blame them, though, because the future—their future—is very much in doubt. Their predicament was the subject of my favorite viral tweet of the year: “Baby Boomers did that thing where you leave a single square of toilet paper on the roll and pretend it’s not your turn to change it but with a whole society.” (Thanks, @ ItsDanSheehan!) But that’s next summer. Right now, much of the political action has cooled down in the sweltering heat. The cannabis issue is simmering on the back-burners of state legislatures around the country. The upward trend of legal laxity is not as pronounced as it was last year, but that’s largely because so much significant ground has already been gained. New Mexico recently became the latest state to decriminalize marijuana, effective July 1. It’s not technically legal, but the penalty for possession of a half-ounce or less now carries a mere $50 fine. Hawaii is expected to follow suit—or, rather, lack of suit—any day now. New Mexico is the 14th state to embrace decriminalization, which for decades was touted as a fair compromise between activists who would prefer full legalization and the moralists who still insist on the state standing in formal opposition. NM’s governor has already begun laying the groundwork for a legalization push next year. Several other states are doing the same. There are currently 11 states in the

legal category. The most recent initiate was Illinois, whose governor signed the law into effect on June 25. Even better, not only does the legislation legalize, it also expunges all prior convictions for possession of 30 grams or less, while those caught holding more than 30 grams but less than 500 can seek redress by petitioning the courts. This is probably the most solidly progressive revision of the existing laws yet seen in this country, and it will be really interesting to see how this does (or doesn’t) affect the situation on the ground in places like Chicago. As we’ve seen, there are basically two approaches to pursuing the cannabis agenda on the state level. States with progressive electorates—like New Mexico and Illinois—can coax bills through their legislatures, then have Democratic governors sign them. This isn’t happening anytime soon in Florida. The best option is to use the petition process to get legalization on the 2020 ballot, where observers anticipate a flood of left-leaning voters brought in by the presidential election. The only problem: As noted recently in this column, petitioneers are way, way behind, in part because of changes to the petition process (changes designed to this very end) and in part because the business interests associated with the cannabis industry have been suspiciously slow to help fund these efforts. Feel free to speculate on why that is. Shelton Hull mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to the Folio Weed Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): As a self-taught rebel poet with few formal credentials, I may not have much credibility when I say to get better licensed, certified and sanctioned. According to my astrological omen-analysis, the months ahead are a good time to make plans to get education or training you lack, find out what it would take to be more professional and then be more professional and to begin pursuing credentials to get more power to fulfi ll dreams. Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com JULY 10-16, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 23

CLASSIFIEDS

YOUR PORTAL TO REACHING 95,000+ READERS WEEKLY NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 932.7055(1) (b), the Office of the Sheriff will sell via online auction the following listed property, which has been forfeited to the Office of the Sheriff. The auction will take place Friday, July 19, 2019 to Friday, July 26, 2019 on www.govdeals.com. The property will be sold to the highest bidder. The property was confiscated or obtained with funds pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, Florida Statutes 932.701-706. Said property may be inspected at the JSO forfeiture warehouse located at 1087 Haines Street the week of July 2226, 2019 by appointment only (904) 630-8711. Property to be auctioned: 2002 Chevrolet S10 EZ Go Golf Cart 2007 Chevrolet Impala 2001 Toyota Camry 1999 Ford E350 2004 Cadillac CTS 1992 Oldsmobile 98 2000 Honda Civic 2002 Ford Expedition 1999 GMC Yukon 2006 Mecury Montego THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF MAINTAINS THE RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE, REMOVE, OR ADD TO THIS LIST AS NEEDED

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AND TO SET MINIMUM BIDS. Auction can end or be terminated at any time without prior notice. All items sold as-is condition and carry no warranty. Payment will be conducted through www.govdeals.com and is subject to the terms and conditions therein.

HEALTH SUFFERING FROM AN ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription PainKillers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW 855-266-8685. (AAN CAN)(1/2/19)

MISCELLANEOUS NEED A ROOMMATE? Roommates.com will help you find your Perfect Matchâ&#x201E;¢ today! (AAN CAN)(12/12/18)

FOLIO VOICES : BACKPAGE

EXECUTIVE OVERREACH

CURRY’S SCHOOL BOARD ACTION VIOLATES THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND THE FLORIDA STATUTES

LAST WEEK, FOLIO WEEKLY PUBLISHED

my Backpage Editorial regarding the ethics and legality of the Jacksonville General Counsel’s opinion stating that Duval County Public Schools must first obtain the approval of the City Council and the mayor before its sales tax referendum can be placed on the November 2019 ballot. Then, last week, Mayor Lenny Curry stated that he wants the referendum to be delayed until November 2020, and that he would not approve it unless the school board gives him year-by-year projections for the sales tax revenue, the total cost for the work, and a cost analysis per location including transparent accounting. However, in my opinion, in making these demands, Curry is violating the Florida Constitution and the Florida Statutes. Turning first to the Florida Constitution, Article IX, Section 4(b) states that “the school board shall operate, control and supervise all free public schools … and determine the rate of school district taxes.” As such, it is clear that Curry is violating the Florida Constitution when he attempts to control the school board’s maintenance plan. Simply put, he has no role in operating, controlling or supervising our free public schools or in determining the rate of school district taxes.

Considering Florida statutory law, Curry is first violating Section 1001.42, which sets forth a school board’s power in Florida. Of particular importance here is subpart 11(c): “Maintenance and upkeep of school plant. Provide adequately for the proper maintenance and upkeep of school plants, so that students may attend school without sanitary or physical hazards, and provide for the necessary heat, lights, water, power, and other supplies and utilities necessary for the operation of the schools.” As such, it is the school board’s duty to make sure that students have adequate power and utilities, the major problem for which the school board referendum was conceived to address. Then, Part 12 of Section 1001.42 makes clear that the school board alone has the financial power to assure that students have adequate educational facilities. Consequently, Curry is violating section 1001.42 when he attempts to control the terms of the school board’s maintenance plan or its power to adequately finance our county’s educational facilities. Second, Curry is also in violation of Section 212.055(6). Subpart (a) states that the school board can levy sales taxes. Subpart (b) states that it can prepare a resolution that

shall include a brief and general description of the project that the sales tax will fund. Subpart (c) states that the school board will assure that the school board’s plans for using the sales tax revenue satisfy the other requirements set forth in that subpart. Finally, subpart (d) states that the Department of Revenue shall distribute the money collected from the sales tax to the school board. As such, it’s clear that the statute gives the school board all of the powers and duties to prepare both the referendum and the plans for spending sales tax revenues. Significantly, subparts (b) and(c) make it clear that the school board is supposed to prepare the resolution and the plan for the use of the sales tax revenues before the resolution and plan are even sent to the City Council and the mayor to be put on the ballot. Accordingly, Curry is violating this statute when he claims that he can prevent the school board’s referendum from being placed on the ballot unless he approves of the school board’s maintenance plan. As for the City Council and the mayor’s duty to choose the election date, the General Counsel’s opinion correctly notes that they have that power under section 212.055(6).

However, they do not have the absolute discretion to choose any date for the election. In 1998, the Florida Attorney General made that clear in in Att. Gen Opin. (AGO) 98-29, which states, “It should be recognized, however, that it is the school board, not the county, seeking to impose the surcharge and, accordingly, the board of county commissioners should work together with the school board to determine a date that is amendable to that governmental body.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word ‘amendable’ means ‘willing to accept.’ Thus, the Attorney General’s opinion establishes that the City Council and the mayor should be willing to accept the School Board’s suggestion that the referendum vote should occur this November. Based on the foregoing, it is my opinion that Curry is violating the Florida Constitution and Florida statutory law when he attempts to hold the school board’s referendum hostage until his demands are met. Terry D. Bork mail@folioweekly.com ________________________________ Bork is a Jacksonville-based attorney with more than 30 years’ experience.

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.

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