W(h)ither Jacksonville?

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THIS WEEK // 10.2.19-10.8.19 // VOL. 33 ISSUE 27 16 MAIN FEATURE

W(H)ITHER JACKSONVILLE?

Steve Williams and #mappingjax focus attention on disappearing cityscape Cover photo by Mel Young

THE MAIL YES, JAX NEEDS TO ADDRESS RACIST PAST, BUT

RE.: Warts & All by Georgio Valentino, Sept. 25 MAYBE IT WOULD BE EASIER TO GET A POINT across by not starting an article by hurtling insults at those who disagree. And it is not just you; it is a tendency in journalism lately to downplay the opponent rather than to attempt to connect with them in a meaningful way. I get this is an opinion piece, and I agree that the “Bold New City of the South” has needed some reconciling with its past, but let’s not start a conversation with how “the usual suspects” are inherently paranoid or not lucid. Is it so far out to suggest that speaking to each other politely will allow us to move 904ward? It seems neither side is being very thoughtful on this issue.

“JaxJim” via folioweekly.com

PROPERTY RIGHTS

RE.: You Are a BETO by Tommy West, Sept. 25 I AGREE IT IS SOMEWHAT DISINGENUOUS FOR people on Neck Road to fight the Outpost housing project. After all, they have their home in the woods. However, it is completely disingenuous to claim that Gate Petroleum has a right to develop because, “For years they paid taxes.” Yes they paid taxes on land zoned for conservation, not for residential development—huge difference.

Bill Cesery via email

LOVE MAYPORT CATS

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AT A TIME WHEN PRIVATIZATION HAS TO often become an ideological cover for political payoffs, the Office of General Counsel working under Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration has, according to The Florida Times-Union, “strictly prohibited” City Council members from “discussing the minimum conditions JEA is requiring potential buyers ... to meet until the utility selects a buyer.” As one who has handled requests for proposals and selection of contractors for numerous public projects, I was well aware of the potential to devise terms that would favor certain contractors and, acting in the public trust, aimed to avoid favoritism and insisted on transparency and proper oversight of the bidding and selection process. While I strenuously object to the Curry administration and (supposedly) JEA’s efforts to privatize and sell off our city’s arguably most valuable public resource

BUT CHARTERS ARE CHEAPER

RE.: Choose & Lose by John Louis Meeks Jr., Sept. 25 Mr. Meeks seems to be indicting the public school management process more than anything else. Getting an “A” grade doesn’t mean that it is the best school for everybody. Sometimes those “A” grades are earned at the expense of many students and families. If you don’t believe that the traditional public schools manipulate enrollments and many other factors to increase their scores, then you are either not on the inside of administration, you’re naïve or you see those manipulative practices as normal business.

You don’t address why parents choose to put their children in charter schools. Parents are not stupid. They often see the monopoly of district schools for what it is. It works for some kids, but not all. What about those for whom traditional schools do not work well? A man with your extensive experience and apparent success should be leading the charge to answer that question. You are lamenting the decline of a system in which you were very successful. Not everyone is in your position.

Concerning the money, have you compared the cost of traditional public schools to charter schools? When John McKay was President of the Florida Senate, he commented that “charter schools were the biggest bargain in public education.” They are not only effective educationally for many, many students nationwide, but they are cost effective as well.

People decry for-profit management companies and the expense of managing a charter school.

Do you think that management of the public schools is free? Of course not. In fact, they are overwhelmingly more expensive than charter schools. Please explain the significant increase in administrative costs in South Florida School Districts during a time when the only significant increases in student growth were in the charter schools. Are public schools influenced by politicians, developers, bankers and newspapers? The answer is yes, constantly.

It’s not all black and white.

I appreciate your service and I applaud your success, but I think sometimes that success clouds the ability to objectively step back and see the situation for what it is. “drbilljones” via folioweekly.com

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RE.: Coffee Cats by Davi, Sept. 25 THIS GROUP IS AWESOME! WE GOT ONE OF OUR office cats, Benson the Butler, from Mayport Cats.

Love that they have a cafe now!

Lindsay Linsky via Facebook

for what in the long run would be a net public loss, I would hope that if they did compel the sale of our utility, they would welcome, rather than suppress oversight by the City Council and be totally transparent in the process. Anything less would cast severe doubt on the motives behind this effort to sell off our invaluable public utility.

Ted Mikalsen via email

BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BOUQUET TO SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL The fourth annual edition of St. Augustine’s month-long, multi-venue festival wrapped last weekend, and it was a success. More than 300 artists appeared on stages across the Ancient City. The headlining concert, featuring country music star Kacey Musgraves, raised $225,000 for local public schools and charities, including the HorsePlay Therapy Center.

BOUQUET TO LINDSEY GAST The Northeast Florida entrepreneur was recently recognized as one of the 2019 Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the Jaycees (JCI USA). The 81st annual award ceremony, a black-tie affair, took place on Sept. 28 in Corpus Christi.

Previous laureates include John F. Kennedy (1946), Elvis Presley (1970) and Bill Clinton (1979).

BOUQUET TO VILLAGE INN ST. AUGUSTINE After hosting meetings of the local Tea Party chapter for years, the St. Augustine diner has had enough. Management informed the unofficial political group last week that servers and kitchen staff had tired of the group’s vitriol, and that the Tea Party was no longer welcome.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A BOUQUET? OR MAYBE A BRICKBAT? Submit your choice to mail@folioweekly. com; 50-word maximum, concerning a person, place, or topic of local interest.

FOLIO VOICES: GUEST EDITORIAL

Photo by Dave Decker

YOU SHOULD BE YOU

SNIPFEST GEARS UP FOR ITS SECOND STATEWIDE EDITION WHAT STARTED LAST YEAR AS A HAZY SnipFest. This year, the festival expands to late-night group conversation during a five cities: Gainesville and Orlando (Oct. television commercial break eventually 4), Tallahassee and Miami (Oct. 5) and became a music festival: SnipFest. The Jacksonville (Oct. 6). BeBe Deluxe hosts subject under discussion was a friend’s the hometown event, which takes place out-of-pocket expenses for top surgery. at Rain Dogs in Five Points and features Several of us being musicians, we decided music by Geexella, GILT, sleepless, Quarter to do the only thing we knew (besides Roy, Yellow Steve and Doré. our food service jobs) and said, “Let’s To return the festival’s raison d’être, throw together a benefit show.” We gender dysphoria is akin to feeling added a second beneficiary and dates like a stranger in your own body, both in Orlando and Miami. It could easily emotionally and psychologically. For have been a slow night at St. Augustine’s those who don’t know what that feels like, Sarbez, playing to a bar crowd and pulling imagine the more familiar sensation of in $100. Instead, support from artists, body dysmorphia—the feeling of being friends and the LGBTQ+ community dissatisfied with parts of your body. (with which we proudly identify) turned That’s a small slice of gender dysmorphia. last year’s inaugural SnipFest into a Communities should help people achieve true event. (For anyone curious, the their ultimate goal, to be who and what commercial break was during Jeopardy, they want to be. This begins with social and Watson most likely won.) interactions. Try incorporating the SnipFest is a community-driven singular pronouns they/them into your festival that celebrates vocabulary for people everything and everyone you don’t know too SNIPFEST 2 under the LGBTQ+ well. It may help to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Rain Dogs, Five umbrella through art brighten someone’s Points, facebook.com/snipfest, and music. The goal is day. In some cases, $5-$15 donation to promote inclusivity however, surgery is the beyond mere tolerance only solution to gender by making unforgettable shows that dysmorphia. It can even be life-saving. include local vendors, live music, drag We want anyone who may read this shows and safe spaces for us to celebrate to know that you’re not alone. There are who we are. Our grassroots committee people across Florida (and around the relies entirely on donations, meaning no world) who support you being you. For one will ever be turned away at the door. anyone who may feel they experience The proceeds help fund top surgeries for gender dysphoria, or who are just curious trans youth (such surgeries range from about LGBTQ+ matters in general, get $3,500-$9,000). in touch with JASMYN. The Jacksonville Last year we held shows in three Area Sexual Minority Youth Network is a cities—Saint Augustine, Orlando and not-for-profit youth services organization Miami—and raised $1,800, which was for LGBTQ+ people ages 13-23. I know split between two recipients. We are from personal experience that the folks at incredibly proud to note that one of JASMYN are kind-hearted and devoted those recipients was able to go ahead people who are here specifically for you. with the surgery.

For anyone who wants to show their Since the inaugural festival went better support, see you at SnipFest.

Tristan “Tilley” Komorny than we expected—and artists, venues and mail@folioweekly.com other organizations across Florida have _______________________________ heeded the call to be a part of this second Tilley is a musician and contributing edition—it makes sense to do it bigger and writer to Folio Weekly. better this year. We are grateful to Planned Parenthood for promoting and tabling OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 7

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RIVER CITY PRIDE

This annual pride weekend features a three-mile parade through Jacksonville’s prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhoods as well as a Five Points block party and day-long festival at Riverside Arts Market.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6, rivercitypride.org, free.

PICKS THIS WEEK’S BIGGEST

& BEST HAPPENINGS

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DIDDY PRESENTS

Photo by Marc Pagani

SOUL FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL

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NOLA STYLE

Local mover-and-shaker Diddy Coffee hosts Green Cove Springs’ premiere soul session. The day-long event kicks off with a parade, then the music begins. R&B singer (and former Village People person!) Miles Jaye (pictured) headlines with retro hits like “Let’s Start Love Over.”

Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Vera Francis Hall Park, Green Cove Springs, greencovesprings.com, free.

JOHN MEDESKI’S MAD SKILLET

This Medeski, Martin & Wood side project/supergroup was born in 2015, during a New Orleans Jazz Festival jam session—and has been cooking on high heat ever since. Popular St. Augustine jam band, The Space Heaters, opens.

8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, pvconcerthall.com, $33-$58.

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GROOVY

MUSIC & MORE

The annual shindig (16 years and counting) kicks off this weekend and offers more than just jazz music. In addition to nightly concerts and jam sessions, the multi-venue festival features wine tastings and brunch. Headliner Delfeayo Marsalis (pictured) performs Saturday, Oct. 12 at Fernandina Beach Golf Club.

Oct. 6-13, Amelia Island, ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.

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1¢ LIFE OPENING RECEPTION

Photo by Zack Smith

AMELIA ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL

Take a trip back to 1964, when Pop Art was king. This exhibition presents prints and poetry from the influential art anthology 1¢ Life, which was published 55 years ago. The show runs through Nov. 9. This opening reception is inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory happenings, immersive sound-and-vision party experiences.

6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, ccpvb.org, $90/$125.

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PICKS

BY JENNIFER MELVILLE | KIDS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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TEEN GROOVE SESSION ART IN MELODY

The Main Library’s Teen Study Room hosts this multimedia exploration of visual art, music and the realm of possibility in between the two. Teens will listen to new music styles, create responsive art, and expand their minds.

4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, Main Library, 303 N. Laura St., Downtown, jaxpubliclibrary.org, free.

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BREWS & BOOS

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL & FALL MARKET

Wicked Barley’s second annual Pumpkin Festival & Fall Market is autumn fun for the whole family. There are free kids’ activities (11 a.m-4 p.m.), a pumpkin patch benefiting Atlantic Coast High School’s Autism Support Fund, live music and special beer releases for mom and dad.

11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Wicked Barley Brewing Company, 4100 Baymeadows Rd., Southside, wickedbarley.com, free.

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PUMPKIN PARTY!

SYKES FAMILY FARMS CROP MAZE

Nine acres of twists and turns await at this family attraction. The fun kicks off Oct. 5 and lasts through Oct. 27. In addition to the maze, there are hayrides, farm animal encounters, a play area and more.

4-10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, Sykes Family Farms, 5995 Brough Rd., Elkton, sycofarms.com/the-maze/, $11-13 (2 and under free).

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PICKS

BY DALE RATERMANN | SPORTS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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GRAY IS THE NEW BLONDE JAX SENIOR GAMES

The final day of competition for the 2019 Jacksonville Senior Games features track and field for men and women in 11 age divisions. For other events, check out the Senior Games website.

8:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Bishop Snyder HS, 5001 Samaritan Way, floridaseniorgames.com, free.

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HANDS UP, CHIN DOWN, KEEP PUNCHING PAL BOXING

The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville (JaxPAL) sponsors this boxing championship, starring amateur youth boxers from across the Southeast.

6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Jax PAL, 3450 Monument Rd., jaxpal.org, $10-$20.

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DOIN’ IT FOR DUVAL WOMEN’S ROLLER DERBY

Home team J Villains face off against Swan City (Lakeland) in the season finale. It’s our city’s most villainous crew on eight wheels, including Blitzkrieg Blonde, Nancy Bruise and Savotage.

7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Skate Station Funworks Mandarin, 3461 Kori Rd., jacksonvillerollerderby.com, $10.

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PICKS

BY STEPHANIE THOMPSON | LIBERTY@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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4 POST-MILITARY OPPORTUNITIES ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING FOR VETERANS

Determine whether a franchise is right for you, how to set one up, and other topics, with a panel of successful franchisees. Breakfast, lunch, parking and “Your Career 2.0” book are included.

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, UNF, Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 University Dr., 904-620-5131, unf.edu, free.

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INVIGORATING START TO THE WEEKEND

VETERAN’S UNITED CRAFT BREWERY 5K/1 MILE FUN RUN

Race to the finish, and earn a pint of beer and a can of Pringles. The afterparty promises rest, relaxation and camaraderie.

9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Veteran’s United Craft Brewery, 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104, Southside, vubrew.com , $25-$35.

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Must Have Base Access

GREAT OUTDOORS

NAS JAX GREAT NAVY CAMPOUT

This annual event includes an outdoor movie, dinner, bonfire, s’mores and breakfast as well as outdoor activities and games. Limited spots available; reservations required.

Noon-9 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 5-6, Mulberry Cove Marina, NAS Jacksonville, navymwrjacksonville.com, $10.

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BY ADRIANA NAMUCHE | LATIN@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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A WORLD OF MOVIES

HISPANIC CULTURE FILM FESTIVAL

The four-day festival kicks off with an epic opening-night gala at St. Augustine’s new automobile museum. This year’s guest country: Spain.

7:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, Art n’ Motion, 283 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, hcff.online, $35.

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4 GUIDING LIGHTS

HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Hosted by the Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board, these awards recognize contributions to the community across 10 categories. Among the recipients are multimedia artist Kedgar Volta and nonprofit officer Dr. Maira Martelo.

6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, City Hall, 407 N. Laura St., Downtown, coj.net, free.

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LATIN HOUSE

SANCTUARY: LATIN RHYTHM EDITION

The Downtown disco kicks off fall with a special edition of its Sanctuary Saturdays club night. DJ Lil Yankee spins Latin house, tribal and open format.

9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Myth Nightclub, 333 E. Bay St., Downtown, mythexperience.com, $5.

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SARAH McLAUGHLIN | WELLNESS@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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LEARN, GROW, MOVE, CONNECT RIVERSIDE WELLFEST

Neighborhood organizations join forces for this inaugural open-air event promoting community connection and health awareness. Sponsors include Soluna Yoga Spa and Pure Barre. There’s also live music, courtesy of Kalani Rose and her band.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Riverside Park, 753 Park St., riversidewellfest.com, free.

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BANDS AGAINST BREAST CANCER BOOBSAPALOOZA 2019

The tenth anniversary edition of this fundraiser benefits the American Cancer Society and Jax Beach’s Two Titmice Foundation. It’s a whopper of an event, too, with 22 local bands performing on two stages throughout the day.

11 a.m.–9:45 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, Lynch’s Irish Pub, 514 First St. N., Jacksonville Beach, bit.ly/Boobsapalooza, $10/$15.

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FLOAT AWAY SOUNDBATH JAX

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Deepen your alpha/theta brainwave frequencies and improve inner peace and well-being with sound therapy. Diana of SoundBath Jax submerges attendees with sacred sound produced by percussion instruments.

11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, H2Om Float, 3546 St. Johns Bluff Rd., Southside, h2omfloatjax.com, $35.

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FOLIO: FEATURE

W(H)ITHER JACKSONVILLE? STEVE WILLIAMS HAS BEEN OBSERVING the ebb and flow of Downtown Jacksonville’s street spirit for 51 years.

The native-born business executive, artist and art patron has noted the cyclical nature of investment in the city’s delicate central business district, and he reckons it’s due for a revival—if the good ol’ boys who run this town would stop demolishing its historic structures.

Williams recently joined forces with videographer Joe Karably to do something about it. Their #mappingjax project has generated a YouTube video, a Facebook group and a lot of discussion. Now they’re figuring out how to channel the momentum into concrete change in the face of an intransigent city government.

“My interest now, at 51, is I want to see some cool sh*t here before I die,” Williams tells Folio Weekly as he sits in his office. He is CEO of a Southside sign company. It’s a role for which he was literally born. In 1962, his grandfather founded the company that would eventually become Harbinger. Control passed from grandpa to Williams’ father a decade later. Williams is now in charge.

Since taking over the company, he has merged his two passions by installing a contemporary art gallery, Florida Mining, at Harbinger HQ. 16 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

Williams is first and foremost a cheerleader for Jacksonville, the city that could be so much more than it is. There’s nothing unique about this sentiment, of course. There are a limited number of world-class cities on this Earth; the rest are just jockeying for relative position, and most feel themselves underdogs.

That said, there are underdogs and there are underdogs. Enter Jacksonville, a city half-full of folks who never seem to be able to forget that they’re just from Jacksonville. (The other half votes Republican without irony.)

Again, nothing spesh. Every city has such characters. In fact, touring rock musicians and carpet-bagging magazine editors—two demographics I know intimately—have a name for them: locals. And there is a psychology at work. At their worst, locals weaponize underdoggery to rationalize their kneejerk attachment to the place where they happened to be born or raised. But at their best, locals eschew self-pity in favor of sympathy and curiosity, soberly situating theirs in the great constellation of cities, and trying to make it the best place they can.

Steve Williams strikes me as a good local. He doesn’t proselytize (too much); he’s not territorial; he’s not more Jacksonville than thou. Then again, he

Steve Williams and #mappingjax focus attention on disappearing cityscape story by GEORGIO VALENTINO

doesn’t have to do or be these things, and such comfort in one’s skin is born of that dread luxury: privilege. More on that later.

First, Williams’ story began— where else?—in Jacksonville. When he was a child, Williams recalls, his mother brought him Downtown to while away weekend afternoons strolling and shopping.

“It was just like it is now but cooler,” Williams says. “It seemed a lot more alive.”

Williams registered another efflorescence in the 1990s, when he returned from college as an artist. This time, it was he and his peers pushing the change.

“There were no galleries Downtown,” he explains. “I was young. I said, ‘I’m gonna change this place and make it better.’ So we opened a gallery [Brooklyn Contemporary Art]. It was an amazing time. Then, after 9/11, everything just died.”

The fortunes of Jacksonville’s various neighborhoods have waxed and waned since, but without any noticeable net result. The most significant recent development has been the whittling away of Downtown. As Shad Khan and Mayor Lenny Curry seek to turn the Sports Complex into a new downtown, the real

thing has fallen prey to the wrecking ball.

The immediate impetus of Williams’ #mappingjax project was Downtown demolition, specifically the spectacular implosion of Jacksonville’s old City Hall. The 15-story mid-century modern structure came thundering down Jan. 20. Its execution was an event, with spectators watching from the Southbank and boats on the St. Johns River. The building and the neighboring former Duval County Courthouse were cleared ostensibly to make prime waterfront property available for development.

“When I saw City Hall and the Courthouse torn down—that was the moment,” Williams says. “I got married in those buildings. I pulled permits in those buildings. I don’t care who tells me how much asbestos and rats are in there. That’s negligible compared to the history. I’m offended that they tore [the buildings] down with no plan. My family is offended; my ancestors are offended. I don’t think I’m alone. Now The Landing is going. These are pieces of our history.

Three world-class structures that developers would have eaten up. And we tear them down with no plan.”

As he mentioned, next on the chopping block is The Jacksonville Landing. The scandal of the ailing festival marketplace’s sale to the City of

Jacksonville has been largely forgotten.

After years of stalemate between city officials and the building’s erstwhile slumlord owner, the latter leveraged this year’s mayoral campaign to score a payday beyond his wildest dreams.

The photo op made you want to take a shower. Then, after the mayor’s reelection (by some eight percent of the electorate), City Hall announced The Landing would be demolished to make way for ... a field. The deed will be done early next year. Public discontent is still palpable.

“It was easily fixable,” Williams says of The Landing. “It was a very nice structure. They just forgot to clean, paint and take care of property. The problem was they sold it to someone who didn’t want to keep it up. It could have been like Jamestown’s Chelsea Market or Atlanta’s Ponce City Market.”

For Williams, the Landing debacle indicates—perhaps more than previous demolitions—Jacksonville’s crisis of confidence.

“The Landing was originally intended to tell our local story,” he explains.

“There were signs telling the history of Jacksonville. The whole thing was about pride in our city. You could feel it when it first opened. And it was absolutely amendable, but nobody wanted to take that creative step—to think.”

The malaise runs deep, according to Williams. “For some reason we don’t love ourselves. Why don’t we? We’re literally the most exotic city in the South.

It could be”—here Williams gestures to

an imaginary marquee— “Jacksonville, Savanna and Charleston.”

In the absence of civic engagement, however, decisions about the future of the city, particularly its Downtown, are being made by in smoke-filled rooms by pygmy Machiavellis led by a mayor who may have been reelected but lacks a mandate. A series of controversial moves (from throwing a tone-deaf, let-them-eat-cake inaugural gala to blocking the school board’s proposed infrastructure-tax referendum) and outright scandals (Kids Hope Alliance procurement fraud and the broken campaign promise to not sell JEA) must have voters wishing they had actually left the house on March 19.

Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda.

Williams doesn’t go quite so far. He wants to be a uniter, not a divider. For him, it’s not about the people in charge, but rather the process—and this process has been rotten.

“Why is everything cloaked?” he asks rhetorically. (I’m sure he knows the answer.) “There doesn’t seem to be any plan behind the scenes, just a bunch of random incidents. Though [the impending sale of] JEA does beg the question, ‘Is there a plan being orchestrated without the public’s knowledge?’ This project [#mappingjax] is about transparency. It’s about a plan.

Where’s our plan?”

Williams first posed the question in a minute-long video that was posted online Aug. 20. This video, the spark that ignited #mappingjax, was the initiative of

videographer Joe Karably.

“For a while I’ve been wanting to do something on Jacksonville and its overarching problems,” Karably says.

“Growing up here, I’ve always felt the city could be so much more than it is.

What Steve and I immediately connected on was a shared disappointment. He’s very outspoken on social media with development, especially in the Urban Core. I more or less approached him and asked him to collaborate, to put his concerns to camera. It kind of blossomed from there.”

“Joe got tired of me barking on Facebook,” Williams laughs. “He said, ‘Let’s do something different.’ And it made a lot of sense.”

Karably predicted that the video format would resonate with disenchanted residents in a different way than the written word. “In this day and age,” he says, “videos are more relatable than your standard op-ed piece. People are more likely to connect to a video, especially how we’re framing it, with Steve speaking directly to the camera, to the audience.”

In addition to the policy critique, the camera also allowed Karably to document the disappearing architecture for posterity.

“A lot of it was intended to be a criticism of how things currently are with demolition and things we perceive as poor and/or shady choices on the part of the city,” he explains. “At the same time, it’s very much serving as an archiving process. As unfortunate as the situation with The Landing is, I know at least from my perspective, trying to film and document as much of it while it’s still around is important.”

The video was a hit, generating more than 100 shares and 300 comments on Facebook. Next, on Sept.10, Williams and Karably started a Facebook group, #mappingjax. Its 1,800 members share posts relating to architecture, policy and best practices as well as memories and personal reflections on place. What next?

“I’d like to build the group and hear from folks, hear what they want and what they need,” Williams says.

“What I’m most proud of is that there are people from every corner of the city [in the group]. I’ve been working diligently to build relationships with as many people as I can, by listening. I’m trying to bring people together. That’s where I think I can really do some good: getting some people together and having conversations, meeting in the middle a little bit better than what we’ve been doing.”

The answer is sufficiently vague

to merit caution on the part of some participants. Artist and Folio Weekly contributor Madeleine Peck Wagner, for example, doesn’t see a clear path forward IRL. “I hate to sound like a pessimist, but I’ve seen this cycle before—outrage tied to optimism trying to become action— and I’ve seen it dissolve,” she says. “It feels like this is another optimistic project that’s going to get dashed. It doesn’t feel that there are applicable solutions, at least not applicable to the Jacksonville political machine.”

Above all, Wagner wants to see some deliverables. “To start with optimism, big ideas, is what Jacksonville needs,” she explains. “Steve is good at that. And Steve is good at listening. But then what?

If we’re talking about a mapping project, where’s the map? Where’s the thesis?

Where’s the hypothesis? I’m curious and I’m hopeful, but I’m not optimistic.”

There have been other criticisms of #mappingjax, too, notably that Williams is too present in the discussion. There has been talk—which he neither confirms nor denies—of political aspirations. Williams says that he wants to be where he’s most useful.

“I’m ready to put 15 years into hard work here,” Williams says. “A lot of people have said, ‘Steve for mayor,’ and I’m not saying no. But is that the best way for me to serve? I can’t answer that right now. The reason I’m raising my voice is to find out. I don’t know how other people experience the world. I want to hear from them.”

Karably is sensitive to the undercurrent of criticism. “I think there were a lot of initial misconceptions about what #mappingjax is or was,” he notes.

“For me, there are no ulterior motives, no hidden agendas. We’re not trying to put Steve in an authoritative position.

His voice is one of many voices. Pairing that voice with my curiosity is the core of it. As a documentary filmmaker, I’m curious. I want to hear and tell other people’s stories.”

And that’s where things stand as Williams and Karably gear up to release a second #mappingjax video online.

Williams says they are also considering ways to bring the digital discussion into the real world, and expand its scope beyond the Downtown developments that spurred their initial video.

“The project has shifted,” Williams says, “from archiving to letting everyone have a voice. We want this to be about community building, not just what Steve and Joe think.”

Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 17

FOLIO A+E : FILM

Historical drama “Muerte en Berruecos” is one of 70 films showing at the Hispanic Culture Film Festival.

HOLA HOLLYWOOD!

FILM FESTIVAL BRING HISPANIC CULTURE TO THE FIRST COAST

A

seasoned entrepreneur who always in Northeast Florida was held last year in reaches for the stars, Eugenio Jacksonville. This year, however, Maslowski Maslowski has a new vision. As decided to move the festival to St. Augustine. founder and director of the Hispanic Culture Each year, the film festival highlights one of Film Festival, he dreams of making St. the world’s 21 Hispanic countries. In 2019, Augustine the Hollywood of Hispanic films Spain is the “guest country” because of its in the U.S. During a four-day festival held at special connection with St. Augustine and the Corazon Cinema and Café, Maslowski because it has an impressive film culture. Spain will take the first step toward realizing his is the home of many actors and directors, dream when representatives from Spanishincluding Pedro Almodovar, Alejandro speaking countries around the world Amenabar, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and converge on the First Coast.

Antonio Banderas.

“I want this to be the Telluride or the Once Maslowski decided to move the Sundance for the Hispanic film industry,” he festival to St. Augustine, finding the right told Folio Weekly. location to screen the films was the next step.

Though born in Venezuela, Maslowski also The Corazon Cinema and Café seemed like a lived in the Soviet Union before immigrating natural fit, and owner Karla Wagner agreed. In to the U.S. in 1998. His family settled in addition to hosting the film festival, Wagner Miami, and in 2017, he traded life in an served on the film selection committee. increasingly crowded South Florida for a home This year, the festival features 70 entries in Northeast Florida. from seven Spanish-speaking countries in Maslowski has been around the world, addition to Canada, the United Kingdom but he never strays too far from his and the United States. The offerings include Hispanic roots. He founded the film festival documentaries, film shorts and feature-length with two related goals in mind: to showcase films. Spanish-language films are subtitled. the work of Hispanic The festival also boasts filmmakers, and to help HISPANIC CULTURE FILM FESTIVAL special events and parties Americans understand Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 3-6, Corazon Cinema including meet-and-greets & Café, St. Augustine, hcff.online more about the Hispanic with actors, directors and world and its people. producers.

“We want to educate Americans about what As the festival grows, Maslowski hopes to it means to be Hispanic because everybody see all 21 Hispanic countries entering films, thinks that all Hispanics are the same.” and as they bring their films to the U.S., he For instance, many people do not hopes they will also bring their art, their music know that 21 Latin American countries and their cuisine. are represented under the umbrella of “The good thing about the film industry is “Hispanics,” according to Monica Hernandez, that it is magic,” he says. “In two hours, it can president of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber transport us to wherever we want. You can go of Commerce. It’s a big tent. “We have to the past, or you can go to the future. You whites; we have blacks; we have Asians,” she can travel geographically. You can be seeing explained. “It’s a diverse pool of individuals something in Miami, or you can be looking at with different views, different political something in Japan or Africa.” standpoints and different religions.”

With the magic of cinema, Maslowski In her role, Hernandez finds tools to hopes the films showcased in the Hispanic help Chamber of Commerce members grow Culture Film Festival will do for Spanishtheir businesses. She sees the film festival speaking cultures what My Big Fat Greek as a great way to celebrate Hispanic culture Wedding did for Greek culture in America. and raise awareness of the growing Hispanic “That was an interesting way to see how community in Northeast Florida. the Greek culture integrated into America,” “As a business owner,” she said, “you want he said. “This is the concept we’re talking to make sure you’re tapping into that Hispanic about here. How do we integrate all the community because of the buying power they Hispanics, so they feel that they are 100 have … and they are customers that you will percent American?” potentially have.”

Laura Hampton The first Hispanic Culture Film Festival mail@folioweekly.com 18 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

ARTS + EVENTS

Jacksonville visual artist Maiya Elaine’s debut solo show BREACH traces an inner journey of healing, growth and recovery after suffering loss. The show opens with a reception, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, Brew Five Points, brewfivepoints.com, free.

PERFORMANCE

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS Neil Simon’s coming-of-age comedy runs through Oct. 13 at the Alhambra Theater & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd., Southside, 641-1212, alhambrajax.com, $38-$61.

ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN Irving Berlin’s Western musical starts the season off and runs through Oct. 20 at the Limelight Theater, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, 825-1164, limelight-theater.org, $27, $10 for students.

FALL INTO FALL Every Wednesday through Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m., Players by the Sea hosts an improv-based acting program directed by Barbara Colaciello, for middle and high-school students. 106 N. Sixth St., Jax Beach, 249-0289, playersbythesea.org, $320/student. The Fall Musical Theatre Intensive program runs through Nov. 16; visit the website for more details.

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL Lee Hamby directs this comedic adaptation of the hit movie, The Silence of the Lambs. FBI agent Clarice Starling enlists imprisoned cannibal Hannibal Lecter to catch a serial killer. Hilarity ensues! Filled with naughty satire and twisted characters, the show “not for children or the faint of heart.” Runs through Oct. 5, The 5 & Dime, A Theater Company, 112 Adams St., Downtown, the5anddime.org, $27.

CLASSICAL & JAZZ

MATTHEW HALL The pianist plays every Thur., Fri. and Sat. at the Corner Bistro & Piano Bar, 9823 Tapestry Park Cir., Ste. 1, Southside, 619-1931.

JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY: OPEN HOUSE & FREE CONCERT Join the Jacksonville Symphony and enjoy a free concert at this open house celebration. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Times-Union Center for Performing Arts, timesunioncenter.com, 300 Water St., Downtown, free.

BOOKS & POETRY

TERRY DEAN The author reads and signs copies of her book What’s Next?, at the Book Loft, 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, thebookloftofamelia.com.

BOOKS & BITES Six women authors (Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb and E. Knight) discuss their contributions to the historical anthology, Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution’s Women.

Lunch provided. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, Peck Center Auditorium, 516 S. 10th St., Fernandina Beach, ameliaislandbookfestival.org/ book-bites, $10 suggested donation to benefit the

Amelia Island Book Festival’s Authors in Schools Literacy Program.

COMEDY

COMEDY ZONE LOL Comedy Night with Patrick Carson 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, $10. One of the most popular comedians on the road right now, D.L Hughley will performs 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3; 7:30 & 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 8 & 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd., Mandarin, comedyzone.com, $35-$65.

THE GYPSY COMEDY CLUB WITH JACKIE KNIGHT Crash Course Comedy Show featuring Jonathan Mann, Joey Nickle, Bill Kilpatrick and Matt Watts, 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, $15. Jerry Harvey and Wayne Felber take the stage 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, $15, 830 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, thegypsycomedyclub.com.

LAUGH LOUNGE COMEDY SHOW Voted #1 Comedy Club in Northeast Florida, Laugh Lounge hosts the best stand-up comedy from all over Florida and the nation. The next show is 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 337 E. Forsyth St., Downtown, laughloungejax.com, $16.

ART WALKS, MARKETS

RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Every Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., local artists, vendors, crafters and musicians commune together in the heart of Riverside. 715 Riverside Ave., riversideartsmarket. com, free admission.

ATLANTIC BEACH ARTS MARKET Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., this artist co-op hosts more than 90 vendors, a learning studio and a vintage market. Alice Krepley teaches a basket weaving class 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3, $55; Amanda Holloway leads a two-day mosaic tile workshop 10 a.m.-noon Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6, $50; Amanda Bruton demonstrates acrylics pour and resin coasters 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, $55.

1805 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach, atlanticbeachartsmarket.com.

DIG LOCAL NETWORK Farmers’ markets: Beaches Green Market, 2-5 p.m. Sat., Jarboe Park, Florida Blvd. & A1A, Neptune Beach; Midweek Market, Wed., 3-6pm, in Bull Park, 718 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach; ABC Market, Fri. 3-6 p.m., 1966 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach..

MUSEUMS

BEACHES MUSEUM & HISTORY PARK 381 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach, beachesmuseum.org. The fifth annual fest takes place Nov. 9 & 10. Artist Annelies Dykgraaf’s exhibit, Water. Life. Art. runs through Nov. 11.

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART & GARDENS 829 Riverside Ave., cummermuseum.org. Innovation and Imagination: The Global Dialogue in Mid to Late 20th Century Art runs through December.

Carlos Rolon: Lost in Paradise, through Oct. 21.

Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art, through Dec. 1.

Edmund Greacen & World War I runs through Dec. 15. Free admission Tues. 4-9 p.m. and first Sat. of the month.

KARPELES MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY MUSEUM 101 W. First St., Springfield, karpeles-weebly.com.

Jerrod Brown’s exhibit Aurora Tribute runs through October. The Bible, a manuscript exhibit of pages from the Gutenburg Bible and the first edition of the King James Bible, runs through Dec. 28.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART JACKSONVILLE 333 N. Laura St., mocajacksonville.unf.edu. Abstraction to Figuration: Works from MOCA is open at the T-U Center, with works by Memphis Wood, Mary Ann Bryan and Nancee Clark. Camp/Wall/Flock, Khalid Albaih’s new installation, runs through Oct. 27. Of Many Ancestors runs through Dec. 28.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY 1205 Museum Cir., Southbank, themosh.org. Astronaut: Your Journey Begins on Earth runs through Jan. 4.

The second annual A Taste of the Philippines event showcases local Filipinx-American culture with art, food and cocktails, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, $40/$50.

GALLERIES

The ART CENTER COOPERATIVE 9451 Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 430, Regency Square, tacjacksonville. org. Mommy & Me workshop, an introduction to visual art for toddlers, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, $20. Portraiture classes 1-4 p.m. every Sat. The main gallery displays works by member artists.

The ART STUDIO & GALLERY 370A A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, beachesartstudio.org.

Meet the artists at First Friday Art Walk 5-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4.

AVILES GALLERY 11-C Aviles St., St. Augustine, 728-4957, avilesgallery.net. Members are Joel Bagnal, KC Cali, Byron Capo, Hookey Hamilton, Ted OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 19

ARTS + EVENTS Head, Paula Pascucci and Gina Torkos.

BUTTERFIELD GARAGE ART GALLERY 137 King St., St. Augustine, butterfieldgarage.com. Mike Fitzgerald, an artist whose focus is sea life subjects, is October’s featured artist.

CATHEDRAL ARTS PROJECT/HEATHER MOORE COMMUNITY GALLERY 207 N. Laura St. Ste. 300, Downtown, capkids.org. By the Water, new works

by Alma Ramirez on display through Oct. 25.

CRISP-ELLERT ART MUSEUM Flagler College, 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, flagler.edu/crispellert.

Jamilah Sabur’s exhibition Memory Palace opens 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 with a walkthrough and reception.

The CULTURAL CENTER at PONTE VEDRA BEACH 50 Executive Way, ccpvb.org. 1960s-themed Pop Art and poetry exhibition 1¢ Life opens 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. CUTTER & CUTTER FINE ART GALLERIES 25 King St., St. Augustine, cutterandcutter.com.

PAStA FINE ART GALLERY 214 Charlotte St., St. Augustine, pastagalleryart.com. Oldest established gallery in St. Augustine celebrates its 35th anniversary.

SOUTHLIGHT GALLERY 1 Independent Dr., Ste. 113, Downtown, southlight.com.

THRASHER-HORNE CENTER for the ARTS 283 College Dr., Orange Park, thecenter.org. Sweet Homegrown Traditions, an exhibit honoring Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Van Zant family legacy in Clay County, runs through Nov.9.

EVENTS

AIGA JACKSONVILLE’S DESIGN & MUSIC FESTIVAL Second annual design and music festival showcases the power of design and AIGA’s influence in shaping the music industry, with live performances, art and food vendors.

5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, CoRK Arts District North, 2689 Rosselle St., Riverside, jacksonville. aiga.org, $5-$15.

SAUCY SUNDAYS Charlie Bravo hosts Afrobeat and barbecue mini-festival plus live taping of New Jax City: Uncut with live music and interviews.

7-10:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6, Get Candid Studios, 903 Edgewood Ave. W., Northside, vipsquadnation. com, $10.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL & FALL MARKET Wicked Barley Brewing Company hosts second annual market 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 4100 Baymeadows Rd., Southside, wickedbarley.com, free admission.

JACKSONVILLE ART WALK: NIGHTMARE on LAURA STREET Downtown Jacksonville’s First Wednesday Art Walk spans 15 blocks and dozens of venues. This Halloween-themed edition

features Geexella, South City Live, Nico Suave and a Halloween mural. 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, jacksonvilleartwalk.com, free.

ST. AUGUSTINE ARTWALK The Art Galleries of Saint Augustine association organizes the Ancient City’s monthly First Friday Artwalk, featuring live music, food and drink at participating venues. 5-9 p.m. artgalleriesofstaugustine.com, free.

BERNIE at PRIDE Bernie supporters are set to rally and then march in the River City Pride parade. 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Willowbranch Park, 2870 Sydney St., Riverside, free.

TURTLE TROT The Doug Stuber Memorial Turtle Trot 5k & 1-Mile Kid’s Fun Run was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. The rescheduled event begins 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Main Beach Park, Amelia Island, ameliarunners.com/turtle-trot, $30.

CALAVIDA MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Green Cove Springs’ annual multi-day, multi-venue arts festival is back with music, dance, theater, story-telling, vendors and food trucks. Check the website schedule of events, calavida.com.

OKTOBERFEST EVENTS

SEABEE OKTOBEEFEST Seabee Historical Foundation’s OktoBEEfest (get it?) event features craft beer and friends, both old and new. 4-9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, Veterans United Craft Brewery, 8999 Western Way, Ste. 104, Southside, vubrew. com, $10.

BEACHES OKTOBERFEST Billed as Florida’s largest Oktoberfest, the annual event boasts cornhole tournaments, bratwurst eating contest, a beach clean-up, a stein hoisting contest and live performances by The Expendables, The Hip Abduction, Honey Hounds, Swimm, Flipturn, The Supervillians, Split Tone, Miles from London, Ella Jet & Future Soul, The Dog Apollo, Three Star Revival, S.P.O.R.E., Faze Wave, Wait What, Billie Monarch Band, The Quickening and Back to Rock Student Band. Need more? It’s pet-friendly, too, with a Dogtoberfest program and yappy hour.

Noon Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 12 & 13, Seawalk Pavilion, Jax Beach, beachesoktoberfest.com, free admission, VIP $30/$100.

OKTOBERFEST ON MAIN STREET Historic Springfield hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration bringing together local food trucks, artists, music and vendors 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Springfield Historic District.

OKTOBERFEST 2019 BEACH Engine 15 Brewery Company and River City Chicks host their Oktoberfest extravaganza 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 1500 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach, engine15.com.

Organized by the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board, the fifth annual edition of ENVIROFEST features information, interactive art, yoga and live music by Arvid Smith (pictured)—all in the Cummer Museum’s idyllic open-air gardens. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Riverside, cummermuseum.org, free.

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CONCERTS

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Photo by Zack Smith

New Orleans-based vibraphonist MIKE DILLON and his band marry mid-century jazz, easy listening and other retro sounds with punk rock. Local acts The Lord, Otis Saunders and Uncle Marty open. 8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 4, Sarbez, St. Augustine, sarbezstaugustine.com, $8/$10.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

SALTY PELICAN, 12 N. Front St. Bryan Ernst Oct. 2. Shawn Layne Oct. 4. Davis Turner Oct. 5. Kevin Ski Oct. 6. Davis Turner Oct. 8.

SJ BREWING COMPANY 463646 S.R. 200, Yulee Tracie Mattox Oct. 5.

The SURF, 3199 S. Fletcher Ave. Brian Ernst Oct. 4.

Sam McDonald Oct. 5. Brian Ernst Oct. 6.

ST. AUGUSTINE

THE BEACHES

(All venues in Jax Beach unless otherwise noted) COOP 303, 303 Atlantic Blvd., AB Cyrus Quaranta Oct. 4.

FLYING IGUANA, 207 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach 5 O’Clock Shadow Oct. 4 & 5.

GREEN ROOM Brewing, 228 Third St. N. Big Jeff Oct. 4. Wes Cobb Oct. 5.

GUSTO, 1266 Beach Blvd. The Groov, every Wed. LYNCH’S, 514 N. First St. Boobsapalooza Oct. 5.

MUSIC in the Courtyard, 200 First St., NB Live music every Friday and Saturday.

DOWNTOWN

1094 MUSIC Hall, 19 Ocean St. N. Duval is for Lovers, Oct. 3. It Takes A Village Tour Oct. 5. Islander, Funeral Portrait, Dropout Kings Oct. 8.

The FLORIDA Theatre,128 E. Forsyth St., Scott Stapp, Oct. 3.

The JUSTICE Pub, 315 E. Bay St. Forsaken Profits, Mudtown, Chrome Fangs, Fauna Fae Oct. 4. Tuff Turf, Lake Disney, Tendyr Brothers Oct. 7.

MYTH Nightclub, 333 E. Bay St. FIGURE Oct. 4.

VETERANS Memorial Arena Thomas Rhett Oct. 4.

VOLSTEAD, 115 W. Adams St. Claire Vandiver Oct. 4.

FLEMING ISLAND, GREEN COVE

BOONDOCKS, 2808 Henley Rd. Zeb Padgett Oct. 2. Paul Wane Oct. 3.

Mark Johns Oct. 4. Dixie Highway Oct. 4.

Austin Williams Oct. 5. Whiskey Heart Oct. 5.

WHITEY’S Fish Camp, 2032 C.R. 220 Jimi Graves Oct. 3.

Neon Whiskey Oct. 4 & 5. Southern Rukus Oct. 5 & 6. Cliff Dorsey Oct. 6.

INTRACOASTAL, ARLINGTON

JERRY’S Sports Grille, 13170 Atlantic Blvd. Sidewalk 65 Oct. 4.

MANDARIN

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

IGGY’S, 104 Bartram Oaks Walk, Ste. 101 JC on the Patio Oct. 3.

Jason Evans Band Oct. 4. Neon Whiskey Oct. 5. Ginger Bearded Man Oct. 6.

ORANGE PARK PONTE VEDRA

PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL, 1050 A1A N. John Medeski’s Mad Skillet, The Space Heaters Oct. 5.

TAPS, 2220 C.R. 210 Dennis Miller Oct. 2. Red Level Oct. 4.

RIVERSIDE, WESTSIDE

NIGHTHAWKS, 2952 Roosevelt Blvd. Parallel Motion,

22 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

Suwannee

Doomsday Rejects, Discordant Generation Oct. 5.

RAIN DOGS, 1045 Park St. Snipfest: Doré, geexella, GILT, sleepless, Quarter Roy, Yellow Steve Oct. 6.

AMELIA ISLAND, FERNANDINA

HOUNDS, from LON STAR REV GARY LA The QUIC Pavilion, J NAHKO & Backyard DEPRESS CHEAP T BAY FAC WILLIE, R IYA TERR Surfer th TROMBO ZAC BRO TOMATO The WOO GRETCHE TRAVERS CHICAGO BILLY CU YOUNG T STRICK O FACE to F St. Augu CARRIE U Veterans RUMOUR KYLE COX ROBERT SKIN & B ROTTING Oct. 22, 1 The MOV The ALLM Ponte Ved

The AMP, 1340C A1A S. Papadosio, S.P.O.R.E, Guavatron Oct. 4.

Night Market featuring Chillula Oct. 8.

ARNOLD’S, 3912 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Jason Evans Band Oct. 5.

COLONIAL QUARTER 33 St. George St. Greye Oct. 4. I-vibes Oct. 5.

NOBBY’S, 10 Anastasia Blvd. Tuff Turf, Pocket Vinyl, The Ned, The Dewars Oct. 8.

ORIOLES NEST, 9155 C.R. 13 Rumble Street Oct. 4.

SARBEZ, 11 Anastasia Blvd. The Mike Dillon Band, The Lord, Otis Saunders, Uncle Marty Oct. 4.

TRADEWINDS, 124 Charlotte St. Blistur Oct. 4 & 5.

SAN MARCO, NORTHBANK

BISTRO AIX, 1440 San Marco Blvd. Vibe Live Oct. 4. Ace Winn Oct. 5.

GRAPE & GRAIN Exchange, 2000 San Marco Blvd. First Friday Jazz with Al Maniscalo Quartet Oct. 4.

JACK RABBITS, 15280 Hendricks Ave. Giuda, Mercy Mercy, Chemtrails Oct. 4. Absence of Despair Oct. 5.

MUDVILLE Music Room, 3104 Atlantic Blvd.

Brett Bass & Melted Plectrum Oct. 4.

SOUTHSIDE, BAYMEADOWS

WHISKEY JAX, 10915 Baymeadows Rd. Mojo Roux & Friends Oct. 6.

SPRINGFIELD, NORTHSIDE

PALMS Fish Camp, 6359 Heckscher Dr. Taylor Shami Oct. 3.

Double Down Oct. 4. Eric Alabiso Oct. 5. Bill Rice Oct. 5.

Michael Ward Duo Oct. 6. Barrett Thomas Oct. 6.

Ciaran Sontag Oct. 7. Ryan Campbell Oct. 8.

SHANTYTOWN, 22 W. Sixth St. Metal Mondaze: Pillars, Insalubrious, Deathwatch 97, Brides Oct. 7.

ELSEWHERE

SPIRIT of SUWANEE MUSIC PARK, 3076 95th Dr. Justin Spivey Band Oct. 5.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

GUIDA, MERCY MERCY Oct. 4, Jack Rabbits PAPADOSIO, S.P.O.R.E. Oct. 4, The Amp Backyard Stage JOHN MEDESKI’S Mad Skillet: Will Bernard, Kirk Joseph, Terence Higgins Oct. 5, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall SWAMP ASH Oct. 5, Lynch’s Irish Pub ABSENCE of DESPAIR Oct. 5, Jack Rabbits The SLOCAN RAMBLERS Oct. 6, Café Eleven BUILT to SPILL, PRISM BITCH, The PAUSES Oct. 9, Jack Rabbits MARTY STUART The Pilgrim Oct. 10, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall CATFISH & the BOTTLEMEN, JULY TALK Oct. 10, The Amp Backyard The TOASTERS, The SCOTCH BONNETS Oct. 10, Surfer the Bar CHRIS STAPLETON, BROTHERS OSBORNE, KENDELL MARVEL, DAVE COBB, MORGANE STAPLETON Oct. 10, Veterans Memorial Arena Suwannee Roots Revival: SAM BUSH, DEL McCOURY BAND, KELLER & the KEELS, SAMANTHA FISH, The TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS, VERLON THOMPSON, OTEIL & FRIENDS, LEFTOVER SALMON, DONNA the BUFFALO, KELLER WILLIAMS’ PETTYGRASS, WE BANJO 3, JOE

GREENSK JASON IS SPECIAL the Suwa MATISYA SWITCHF JULIAN M CLINT BL THE LUBB POST MA SQUIRRE STEVE HO WYNONN ROOTS o Oct. 30, J

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epless,

. 4.

Oct. 5.

Oct. 5.

CRAVEN & the SOMETIMERS, The HILLBENDERS, JIM LAUDERDALE, REV. JEFF MOSIER, BRETT BASS & MELTED PLECTRUM, CORBITT BROS., JON STICKLEY, The LEE BOYS, SAUCE BOSS, BELLE & the Band, The DUNEHOPPERS, The GRASS IS DEAD, BRUCE COCKBURN, The SELDOM SCENE, HORSESHOES & HAND GRENADES, LONELY HEARTSTRING BAND, DUSTBOWL REVIVAL, LIL SMOKIES, BALKUN BROTHERS, SHINY RIBS, KATIE SKENE & the COSMIC BAND, NIKKI TALLEY, JASON SHARP, QUARTERMOON, WHETHERMAN, TORNADO RIDER, The ADVENTURES of ANNABELLE LYNN, LEE HUNTER, JEFF BRADLEY Oct. 11-14, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park BERT KREISCHER Oct. 11, The Florida Theatre MAGGIE ROGERS, JACOB BANKS Oct. 11, The Amp STEVEN PAGE TRIO, DEAN FRIEDMAN Oct. 11, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Florida Indie Fest: BRENT BYRD Oct. 12, Dog Rose Brewing CAIN’T NEVER COULD Oct. 12, Hemming Park Beaches Oktoberfest: The EXPENDABLES, The HIP ABDUCTION, HONEY HOUNDS, SWIMM, FLIPTURN, The SUPERVILLAINS, SPLIT TONE, MILES from LONDON, ELLA JET & FUTURE SOUL, The DOG APOLLO, THREE STAR REVIVAL, S.P.O.R.E., FAZE WAVE, WAIT WHAT, The HEADTONES, GARY LAZER EYES, IVAN PULLEY BAND, BILLIE MONARCH BAND, The QUICKENING, BACK to ROCK Student Band Oct. 12 & 13, SeaWalk Pavilion, Jax Beach NAHKO & MEDICINE for the PEOPLE, NATTALI RIZE Oct. 12, The Amp Backyard Stage DEPRESSOR DEADBLO, TEAM DEATHMATCH Oct. 14, Jack Rabbits CHEAP TRICK, ZZ TOP Oct. 16, The Amp BAY FACTION, MONS VI Oct. 16, Jack Rabbits WILLIE, REBA & the BOYS Tribute Oct. 16, Alhambra Theatre IYA TERRA, The RIES BROTHERS, FOR PEACE BAND Oct. 16, Surfer the Bar TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE Oct. 17, The Amp Backyard ZAC BROWN BAND Oct. 17, Daily’s TOMATOBAND, CUSTARD PIE, STEPHEN PIGMAN Oct. 17, Jack Rabbits The WOOD BROTHERS Oct. 17, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall GRETCHEN PETERS Oct. 18, Mudville Music Room TRAVERS BROTHERSHIP Oct. 18, Jack Rabbits CHICAGO Oct. 18, Daily’s Place BILLY CURRINGTON Oct. 18, The Amp YOUNG THUG, MACHINE GUN KELLY, KILLY, POLO G, YBN NAHMIR, STRICK Oct. 19, Daily’s Place FACE to FACE, LAGWAGON, H20 Oct. 19, The Amp Backyard Stage St. Augustine RECORD FAIR Oct. 20, The Amp CARRIE UNDERWOOD, MADDIE & TAE, RUNAWAY JUNE Oct. 20, Veterans Memorial Arena RUMOURS of FLEETWOOD MAC Tribute Oct. 21, The Florida Theatre KYLE COX, ROCKO WHEELER Oct. 21, Jack Rabbits ROBERT RANDOLPH & the FAMILY BAND Oct. 22, The Florida Theatre SKIN & BONZ Oct. 22, The Amp Night Market ROTTING OUT, CANDY, KNOCKED LOOSE, SEEYOUSPACECOWBOY Oct. 22, 1904 Music Hall The MOVEMENT, The LATE ONES, ELOVATERS Oct. 23, Surfer the Bar The ALLMAN BETTS BAND, JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR, JD SIMO Oct. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Suwannee Hulaween: The STRING CHEESE INCIDENT, BASSNECTAR, GREENSKY BLUEGRASS, ANDERSON.PAAK & the FREE NATIONALS, JASON ISBELL & the 400 UNIT, UMPHREY’S McGEE, G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE, LETTUCE, MAGIC CITY HIPPIES Oct. 24-27, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park MATISYAHU Oct. 24, The Amp Backyard Stage SWITCHFOOT Oct. 24, The Florida Theatre JULIAN MARLEY & the UPRISING Oct. 25, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall CLINT BLACK Oct. 25, Thrasher-Horne Center THE LUBBEN BROTHERS Oct. 25, Hemming Park POST MALONE, TYLA YAWEH, SWAE LEE Oct. 25, Vets Mem Arena SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS Oct. 26, Prohibition Kitchen STEVE HOFSTETTER Oct. 27, Jack Rabbits WYNONNA & the BIG NOISE Oct. 27, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ROOTS of a REBELLION, CLOUD9 VIBES, The HEAD CHEESE Oct. 30, Jack Rabbits

ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY Oct. 31, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall BRETT YOUNG Nov. 1, Baseball Grounds SAMMY HAGAR & the CIRCLE, NIGHT RANGER Nov. 1, The Amp SATSANG, JOHNNY WAYNE MUSIC Nov. 2, Jack Rabbits DREAMERS Nov. 2, 1904 Music Hall BRETT BOLLINGER Nov. 2, Prohibition Kitchen HERE COME the MUMMIES Nov. 2, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall OLD DOMINION, SCOTTY McCREERY, RYAN HURD Nov. 2 & 3, The Amp WE WILL ROCK YOU Queen Musical Nov. 3, The Florida Theatre DEMONS Nov. 4, Jack Rabbits ROY ORBISON & BUDDY HOLLY Tribute Nov. 6, The Florida Theatre The KRICKETS Nov. 7, Café Eleven BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY Nov. 7, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY Nov. 8, Times-Union Center STING Nov. 8, Daily’s Place ELVIS COSTELLO & the IMPOSTERS Nov. 8, The Amp The MIGHTY O’JAYS, GERALD ALSTON, The MANHATTANS Nov. 9, The Florida Theatre Porchfest: MAGGIE KOERNER, ALANNA ROYALE, MAMA BLUE, SPADE McQUADE, KING EDDIE & PILI PILI, CHRIS THOMAS BAND, OUIJA BROS., TAD JENNINGS, LET’S RIDE BRASS BAND, BRENT BYRD BAND Nov. 9, Springfield Porches The RACONTEURS, MARGO PRICE Nov. 9, The Amp RUNAWAY HOME Nov. 9, Story & Song Bookstore .38 SPECIAL, BRETT MYERS, The CURT TOWNE Band, PINTO GRAHAM Nov. 9, Thrasher-Horne Center The JAPANESE HOUSE Nov. 12, Jack Rabbits AUTHORITY ZERO Nov. 12, 1904 Music Hall Coast2Coast LIVE ARTIST SHOWCASE Nov. 13, Jack Rabbits The DOOBIE BROTHERS Nov. 13, The Amp Led Zeppelin Tribute: ZOSO Nov. 14, Surfer the Bar SUSTO Nov. 15, Jack Rabbits The SAUCE BOSS BILL WHARTON Nov. 15, Mudville Music Room GREG GUTFIELD Nov. 16, The Florida Theatre DWIGHT YOAKAM Nov. 17, The Florida Theatre The Last Waltz Tour: JOHN MEDESKI, JAMEY JOHNSON, LUKAS NELSON, DON WAS, WARREN HAYNES, TERENCE HIGGINS, MARK MULLINS & the LEVEE HORNS, CYRIL NEVILLE, DAVE MALONE, BOB MARGOLIN Nov. 17, The Amp JONAS BROTHERS, BEBE REXHA, JORDAN McGRAW Nov. 17, Veterans Memorial Arena FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, THREE DAYS GRACE, BAD WOLVES, FIRE from the GODS Nov. 18, Veterans Memorial Arena MIRANDA LAMBERT, MAREN MORRIS, ELLE KING, PISTOL ANNIES, ASHLEY McBRYDE, TENILLE TOWNES, CAYLEE HAMMACK Nov. 21, Veterans Memorial Arena The FAB FOUR Beatles Tribute Nov. 22, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall SARA BAREILLES Nov. 22, Daily’s Place CRYSTAL BOWERSOX Nov. 23, Café Eleven JOE BONAMASSA, ANTON FIG, MICHAEL RHODES, REESE WYNANS, PAULIE CERRA, LEE THORNBURG Nov. 23, The Amp MASON JENNINGS Nov. 23, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall JOHN OATES, The GOOD ROAD BAND Nov. 24, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The PEYTON BROTHERS Nov. 30, Mudville Music Room REHAB GALAGA TOUR Nov. 30, Jack Rabbits ARIANA GRANDE Dec. 1, Veterans Memorial Arena KEITH HARKIN Dec. 3, Culhane’s Southside LEONID & FRIENDS (Chicago tribute) Dec. 6, The Florida Theatre TRISHA YEARWOOD Dec. 7, The Florida Theatre AMANDA ANNE PLATT & the HONEYCUTTERS Dec. 7, Mudville JIMMY BUFFETT & THE CORAL REEFER BAND Dec. 10, Veterans Memorial Arena TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Dec. 12, Veterans Memorial Arena TOM MASON & the BLUE BUCCANEERS Dec. 14, Mudville Music Room LEANN RIMES Dec. 15, The Florida Theatre HORTON’S HAYRIDE Dec. 20, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall The ISLEY BROTHERS 60th Anniversary Dec. 22, Times-Union Center BLACKBERRY SMOKE Dec. 30, The Florida Theatre

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Formed around the core duo of vocalist Bella Beyer and guitarist Alex Bonyata, Tampa’s THE YOUNG SOMETHING bring their ethereal indie rock to Northeast Florida. Trash Boy, EJ Hervey and Brendan Morrison open. 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5, Spliff’s Gastropub/1904 Music Hall (courtyard), Downtown, 1904musichall.com, $10.

OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 27

28 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 29

FOLIO FOOD

Brian and Brandye Mackey welcome customers.

Photos by Laura Hampton

WHO’S GOT THE MUNCHIES?

I

t’s lunchtime on a busy payday Friday. At Mackey’s Munchies, owners Brian and Brandye Mackey sing “Happy Birthday” to Miss Bonnie, an 80-year-old customer whose smile broadens at the sight of her festive balloons—courtesy of the proprietors.

At first, the warm gesture seems at odds with the simply decorated eatery, located in a nondescript strip mall off Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park.

Then “Miss Mackey” notices someone new has entered the restaurant.

“Hey, Honey,” she beams with a genuine smile that courses through her entire body and escapes through her cheerful, singsong voice. “Welcome!”

Then it becomes clear; that’s what Mackey’s Munchies is all about. The heart of the family-owned eatery, Brandye serves up love and kindness while Brian, the soul of the operation, supervises the creation, execution and service of mouth-watering Louisianainspired dishes.

“My wife and I complement each other,” Brian told Folio Weekly. “She has a gift for conversation.”

Both U.S. Navy veterans, the couple met while serving in Virginia. In the Navy, Brian was a Mess Management 30 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

The duo behind Mackey’s Munchies bring Cajun fare to Clay County

Specialist (MS) while Brandye provided their descendants, known as Cajuns ground support for Navy aircraft. (from the French word, Acadian), When it comes to cooking, the Mackeys make up a significant portion of south turn traditional gender roles on their Louisiana’s population. head. Brandye admits to marrying Historically, Louisiana residents of Brian (“a little bit”) because he was Acadian descent were also considered such a good cook, and she confesses Louisiana Creoles, but today, Cajuns he didn’t “marry Miss Mackey for her and Creoles are distinct. Though Cajun cookin’.” food is spicier, and Creole dishes “I’m his muse,” she said. “I tell him incorporate more tomatoes and okra, what I like to eat, and he cooks it.”

Brian said the main difference is rooted Growing up in in economic status.

Plaquemines Parish, “Cajun is mostly MACKEY’S MUNCHIES Louisiana, Brian had cooking off the land,” 868 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, a front-row seat to Brian said. “They will 458-4246, mackeysmunchiesop.com some of the most take one chicken and unique cuisine in feed 10 to 15 people. the U.S. Though Creoles are the his mother and aunt (the cooks in his aristocrats. They are the fancy, schmancy family) did not let him in their kitchen Spanish and French. Their dishes are until he was about 30 years old, the more refined, with a lot of sauces.” aromas and flavors of his native land As a southern Louisiana native, were rooted in his soul.

Brian embraces both cultures and Louisiana was claimed by the French uses their influences in his culinary in 1682, and though the territory creations. The menu at Mackey’s was passed on to the Spanish in 1763 Munchies reads like a stroll down and to the United States in 1803, the Bourbon Street with classic N’awlins region still maintains a heavy French favorites including gumbo, jambalaya, influence. The migration of French étouffée, red beans and rice, po’ boys, Canadians in the mid-1700s changed muffulettas and beignets. the region’s culture irrevocably. Today A guest at any house in Louisiana

might be served one of these local favorites, but Brian is quick to point out that they would all be different.

“Cooking in Louisiana is basically regional,” he said. “Everybody makes gumbo differently; there are so many variations you can’t even count.”

And that’s how it is at Mackey’s Munchies. When you walk through the doors, you’re not a customer; you’re a guest. As a guest, you are treated to madefrom-scratch dishes served with a side of nice. And though you will recognize many of your Louisiana favorites, they will be made with a Mackey twist.

“We serve what we like to eat and share it with the ones we love,” Brandye said.

Since the Mackeys do not eat pork, they use turkey Andouille sausage in their Cajun recipes. The collard greens and red beans and rice are made with smoked turkey, and on “Soul Food Wednesdays,” Brian has been known to add ox tails to the menu.

“We’re African American, so we do soul food,” Brandye said. “ox tails are not a traditional New Orleans dish, but again, we serve food that we like to eat.”

There are some exceptions to the “serving food we like to eat” rule. As the Mackeys have gained loyal customers,

first in their Fleming Island location and now in Orange Park, they have made some menu adjustments to accommodate their patrons. Brian added a muffeletta to the menu because “Mr. Brown,” a regular customer who lived in New Orleans for many years, requested it.

“That’s a hard one for me because I hate olives,” he said. “But, we do a pretty good job.”

In addition to creating new menu items for regulars, Brian has modified some of his recipes to suit local tastes. When many of his Fleming Island patrons said they avoided flour, Brian experimented with the base for his red sauce. Now, he uses sautéed vegetables to thicken it.

“It makes the sauce smooth, and the added bonus is it’s gluten-free,” he said.

By far, Brian’s favorite menu item is a shrimp po’ boy.

“I think shrimp po’ boy goes hand-inhand with New Orleans,” he said.

A traditional sandwich from New Orleans, the po’ boy’s origins are unclear.

What is known is that the dish became popular with farmers, dock workers and other “poor boys” who frequented restaurants around the French Quarter.

Louisiana dialect being what it is, the name was eventually shortened to Po’ Boy. Though traditionally stuffed with fried shrimp or oysters, the po’ boy can technically be served with any type of filling because as Brian says, “It’s all about the bread.”

The couple delayed opening their restaurant for three weeks while they waited on a shipment of authentic French bread from Leidenheimer Baking Company, one of two primary sources for po’ boy bread in Louisiana.

“I had a guy who tried to make me some bread locally, but it’s just not the same,” Brian said. “It’s about the water.

Our water’s different.”

Though Brian has help in the kitchen, he still cooks all the dishes made in his restaurant. For him, time spent in the kitchen is relaxing, and when he cooks, he’s fulfilling his destiny.

“I understand why I’m here; I’m here for service,” Brian said. “That’s what God created me for.”

Anyone walking into Mackey’s Munchies expecting to be served delicious Louisiana-inspired food will not be disappointed, but they will walk out with more than a full stomach because the Mackeys have a vision that goes beyond owning a successful business. Brian wants people to feel like they’re dining with family as soon as they walk through the door, and Brandye likes the challenge of turning a surly customer into a smiling friend in minutes. It’s the couple’s own little protest against all the strife and division in the world today.

“I’m gonna love the hell out of these people,” Brandye said. “Love is infectious just like hate is.”

BREAKING IT DOWN with CHEF BRIAN MACKEY What is your food philosophy?

If you’re not going to do it right, stay out of the kitchen. A lot of people get into this business and their mindset is how much money can I make? For me, I want to know how many smiles can I gain? I want people to really love the food, so that’s why I take it personal. I need my food to represent where I’m from because that’s what it’s about.

What did you learn in culinary school that you didn’t learn from your mama?

Technically, they do things a little differently. My mother was always a pinch of this, a pinch of that. That’s the kind of cook that I really am. I love cooking like

that, you know, seasoning and tasting my food. When I went to school it was really easy. I had already cooked over 10 years. Basically, it was just to acquire more knowledge. I call myself a sponge. Explain it to me once, and I’m gonna do it.

All your sandwiches come dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles and Mackey Sauce. What is Mackey Sauce?

I can’t tell you about that. I’ve been making that sauce a long time, but all I can tell you is it’s a mayo-based sauce.

Laura Hampton mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to Folio Weekly’s Food Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 31

FOLIO PETS

LOCAL PET EVENTS & ADOPTABLES PAINT YOUR PET WITH OUR PUPS This pet portrait class is led by professional artists.

Participants paint their best friend on 16”x20” canvas, and take the results home with them.

Don’t have a pet, or want a new one? No worries, JHS will have adoptables on hand. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Painting with a Twist, 268 Solana Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, paintingwithatwist. com, $55, online registration required.

OFFICIAL PARS FORE PAWS TOURNAMENT Clay Humane’s popular golf fundraiser returns for its 13th annual edition. The Captain’s Choice event spans the entire day and all 18 holes.

Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place scores as well as longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin. Noon-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, Eagle Landing Golf Club, 3989 Eagle Landing Pkwy., Orange Park, clayhuman.org, $100/$360.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

ADOPTABLES

SADIE

HOW TO ADDRESS ACHING ANAL GLANDS YOU’VE SEEN IT, YOUR OTHERWISE well-behaved pooch doing the booty scoot along the floor.

Now you’re wondering why they do it—and how you can get it to stop. It’s easy to assume that bouts of scooting are simply your dog’s way of scratching their tush, but be advised: If you’ve noticed this peculiar behavior, or excessive licking of the hindquarters, it’s likely that your dog’s anal glands need attention.

It’s a common complaint. Dogs have two anal glands (one on each side of the anus) that produce a stinky, oily substance. The only real function they serve is in doggy communication: They’re what dogs sniff when they say hello to each other.

Yes, dogs chat with their fannies. That aroma emanating from the anal region is a unique form of canine identification. It may seem like a gross, inappropriate behavior to humans, but to dogs, it’s a natural way of greeting that provides some key insights. The glands also excrete scent whenever your dog goes number two. They make it easier for your pet to pass stools— and mark territory. When they’re working properly, these glands are emptied every time your dog does their business.

Unfortunately, things don’t always function properly. If your dog’s poo is too soft or small, it won’t provide enough pressure to empty the sacs. If the glands fill until they become uncomfortable, your pup might drag their bottom across the floor to get relief. Other 32 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

signs of anal sac irritation include licking and biting their backside as well as general preoccupation with their heinie.

Not only are impacted anal glands painful, but if ignored, they might become infected and abscessed. Treatment for this condition requires antibiotics. If the abscessed glands rupture, they might need surgery to repair.

Human intervention can prevent impacted glands from infection (and provide sweet relief). The procedure is called manual expression, and it’s a task that can be performed by a veterinarian. It entails gently squeezing the sac to empty its contents. You could do this for your dog at home, but given the ick factor involved, it’s best left to the pros.

Scooting is one possible sign of anal gland problems, but the behavior could also be caused by parasites or allergies. Or, it could simply be an itchy butt. Typically, a dog with impacted anal glands will scoot more than once or twice, and will lick or bite their backend as well.

Cats have anal glands as well, and although they tend to develop issues less often than dogs, be sure to keep an eye on your feline friends.

While it’s not pleasant to think about, anal gland problems are common enough that it pays to be aware. The next time you see your pet scooting or chewing their rear, take note. Your pet will appreciate the relief you can provide.

Davi

Subscribe to Folio Weekly Magazine’s Pets Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

HEY THERE! I’M A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CUTIE, and I have impeccable manners. I’m also a big fan of long snuggle sessions. I like eating food, being held and hanging out with other animals. I’m looking for a family to give all of my love. Maybe yours? Come visit me at 8464 Beach Blvd.

FALL MEGA PET ADOPTION First Coast No More Homeless Pets organizes this epic, seasonal adoption extravaganza. More than

ADOPTABLES

APPA

HI, I’M APPA! I’M SEVEN YEARS OLD. I’M an extremely happy-go-lucky doggo looking for my new best friend. I enjoy going on long car rides, exploring the great outdoors, being cuddled and soaking up as much love as possible. Visit jaxhumane.org/adopt for more information on how to meet me!

1,000 dogs and cats convene at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds to find forever homes. Parking and entry are free. 10 a.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6, Jacksonville Fairgrounds, 510 Fairgrounds Pl., Sports Complex, fcnmhp.org.

Moon River Pizza

Brett’s Waterway Café

925 S. 14th Street 904-321-3400

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

Moon River Pizza treats customers like family.

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

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

Casual resort wear. Open at 11:30 a.m. daily.

The Mustard Seed Cafe 833 T.J. Courson Road 904-277-3141

T-Ray’s Burger Station

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

202 S. Eighth Street 904-261-6310

T-Ray’s offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items. In addition to an outstanding breakfast menu, you’ll find some of the best burgers you’ve ever put in your mouth. The Burger Station offers a grilled portabello mushroom burger, grilled or fried chicken salad and much more. The spot where locals grab a bite and go! Now serving beer & wine. Open Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sundays.

The Pointe Restaurant 98 S. Fletcher Avenue 904-277-4851

The Pointe, located at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, is open to the public daily from 7 a.m.–10 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. for lunch.

Sunday brunch is served one Sunday each month from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Oceanview indoor and outdoor seating is available. Please call the Inn to reserve a table or to enquire further about the restaurant.

Amelia Island is 13 miles of unspoiled beaches, quaint shops, antique treasures and superb dining in a 50-block historic district less than one hour north of Jacksonville OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 33

DALE RATERMANN’s Folio Weekly Crossword presented by

Serving Excellence Since 1928 Member American Gem Society

San Marco 2044 San Marco Blvd.

398-9741

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

Ponte Vedra

THE SHOPPES OF PONTE VEDRA

330 A1A North 280-1202

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD CREME DE LA WEIRD It started out innocently enough. A road-tripping couple stopped in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, on Sept. 18 to let their deaf pup relieve himself. As they stretched their legs, they wandered over to the Tiger Truck Stop petting zoo to visit Caspar the Camel, and the man started throwing treats inside. But when their dog breached the fence to get at the treats, the woman, ignoring “No Trespassing” signs, followed. As she chased the dog, her husband shoved the camel and swatted him with his hat. That’s when Caspar settled his 600-pound camel booty right on top of the woman. She told officers from the Iberville Parish Sheriff ’s Office that she did the only thing she could do: “I bit his balls to get him off of me.” Deputy Louis Hamilton Jr. cited the couple for leash law violations and criminal trespassing. “The camel did nothing wrong,” Hamilton told The Advocate. “The camel has never been aggressive.”

AMISH PARADISE A Trumbull County, Ohio, sheriff ’s deputy pulled over an Amish buggy on Donley Road early on the morning of Sept.

15. The officer had noticed a few oddities about the vehicle. For one, there were two Amish men inside who were drinking, and on the buggy’s roof rode a 12-pack of beer. What’s more, according to Fox 8, the old-fashioned conveyance sported an unlikely convenience: a stereo system with speakers. As soon as the buggy came to a stop, the two men jumped out and escaped into heavy woods near the road.

Meanwhile, the horse, trailing the buggy, took off. The officer caught up with the horse and had the buggy towed; the drivers were still at large. The buggy “is a vehicle, it’s on the roadway and the ... laws do apply,” said Chief Deputy Joe Dragovich. “You’re not allowed to drink and drive or operate a buggy.””

MYSTERIOUS Two football-crazed fans of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes couldn’t quite pull off a planned heist in Lawrence, Kansas, on Sept. 16. Pulling up to a McDonald’s, the two ran inside, grabbed a life-size cardboard cutout of Mahomes and bolted, stuffing the promotional piece into their car. Lawrence Police spokesman Patrick Compton told the Lawrence Journal-World that they received the call about the theft as they were working a car crash nearby—in which one of the vehicles just happened to have a Mahomes cutout in the back seat.

BRIGHT IDEA Paul Nixon, 51, is sought in Harris County, Texas, on charges of felony aggravated perjury after taking a novel approach to divorce. Nixon filed for divorce in February but forged his wife’s signature and the name of a notary on the legal papers, the New York Post reported. A judge declared the divorce final in April. The wife didn’t find out until May, when she noticed strange spending habits of his. “She started finding things showing that he was spending money on jewelry, so she confronted him and he told her that they were actually divorced,” Constable Mark Herman said. “They are still married. The fraudulent divorce papers have been retracted.” Nixon, could face 10 years in prison if they catch him.

COMPELLING EXPLANATION Kristine, 45, and Michael, 43, Barnett of Lafayette, Indiana, adopted a six-year-old Ukrainian-born girl, Natalia Grace, with dwarfism in 2010. Nine years later, much to their confusion, they are charged with abandoning her. Within their first few weeks as a family, the Barnetts noticed that Natalia seemed to be older than they had been told, with a sophisticated vocabulary, pubic hair and menstrual periods. A doctor ordered bone density tests to check her age, and results suggested she was at least 14. So they began to treat her like a teenager. Then, the Barnetts claim, Natalia began making death threats against them. At a psychiatric hospital where she was treated, she told doctors she was much older and wanted to kill her family. “She was standing over people in the middle of the night. We had to hide all the sharp objects,” Kristine Barnett told The Daily Mail. In 2012, they legally changed her age (from eight to 22) and helped her get benefits so she could continue to receive psychiatric care, and in 2013, with Natalia living independently in an apartment, the Barnetts and their son moved to Canada.

Soon after, they lost touch with the girl. But inexplicably, a second set of bone density tests, performed in 2010, surfaced, arguing that Natalia was at that time just eight years old, and she told police herself in 2014 that she had been “left alone” when her parents moved to Canada. Michael and Kristine Barnett surrendered to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff ’s Department on Sept. 18 and 19, charged with abandonment. weirdnewstips@amuniversal.com

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FOLIO: I SAW U

LAST CONQUISTADORS

by JIM MINION

Tired of Tinder? Getting bored with Grindr?

Come home to the original matchmaking app: I Saw U. Visit folioweekly.com/isawu to submit a sighting for print or to respond to one of these fine I Saw U suitors. It’s fun, safe and confidential.

If you really want to C N B seen, join us at one of our weekly #FindYourFolio Happy Hours.

Visit folioweekly.com/happyhour for more information.

Rules ’n’ Regs

Each entry must have your (real) full name, email address and phone number.

Don’t worry, none of that stuff is printed. The real fun starts with a FIVE-WORD HEADLINE. Make it short, snappy and accurate so the apple of your eye will 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. Make it interesting! Tell when and where the ‘sighting’ was and BAM! True love (or a reasonable facsimile) is within your grasp!

CURLY-HAIRED GODDESS, CROSS TATTOO Me: After work, in shirt, cerulean blue tie, getting wine. You walk by: amazing dark hair, ink on your back revealed by short top. Our eyes caught for a moment. Did it happen; are you real? When: Aug. 13. Where: Trader Joe’s. #1735-0814 HARLEY QUINN & THE JOKER You: Stunning woman; sexy hair falls over right eye, amazing laugh; you smiled at me (day 2), I was in love for the last time. Me: A guy who’ll love you better than anyone. Where: Work.

When: Aug. 1. #1733-0807 YOU & BELLA Me: Short curly hair, brown eyes, mischievous dog in tow. You: Hanging with your dog and friends. You saved my seat. Would love to sit next to you again. Where: Brewhound, Neptune Beach. When: July 20. #1732-0807 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, vertical-striped 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 36 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | OCTOBER 2-8, 2019

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 reality, use this space, see where power takes us? More if interested. When: April 3. Where: Regal Avenues 20. #1724-0410

EPISODE 4.1: LA FLORIDA! Menendez tried to listen to Cdr. Liu’s message while figuring out how not to die. Live first seemed the wisest method.

He tapped the controls on his forearm panel. All his suit thrusters engaged.

Slamming into reverse after plunging at 200 kilometers an hour has quite an effect on a body. Just before he passed out, he glimpsed the subject of Liu’s frantic message. The hulk of the Helios jutted from the beach less than two kilometers away.

When Gabriel woke, he thought he was back home floating above the lunar surface, inspecting Loreon’s dome. He wondered why he had had a nightmare at work. As his clarity returned, he realized he was hovering above water. Looking up, he saw the Helios again. About 150 meters to his right, there were four roofed turrets standing above the water, what might have been part of a submerged pier or bridge.

Just then, his emergency thrusters began to gasp and sputter.

He lurched downward and stopped several times before plunging into Earth’s primal brine. A four-legged creature was visible under the surface. Gabriel’s view changed to thousands of bubbles swirling before him as if in low gravity. Feeling the stern grip of gravity ease, and he drifted through space just like back home. His mellow momentum was halted by a clank against his helmet. He jerked away and thrashed, remembering the creature.

Turning to see what had stopped him, he was horrified.

A fanged face with a human-like stare snarled and gnashed at him. Its great paw gripped something. Now it seemed the creature stared over him, not at him.

Menendez turned back to look at what the creature was focused on, fearing what would be more threatening to this beast than he was. Nothing was there. He spun back to the creature, but it had not moved.

He could now see; this lion had not moved in 400 years. Engraved in the white stone beneath the lion statue was: “1513 ST. AUGUSTINE 1924.” Returning his gaze to the man-like face, he thought, “What is this place?”

E4.2: TOUCHDOWN JACKSONVILLE Gliding down to Earth for the first time, Mikhail Mischenko knew something was seriously wrong, not just the-Earth-has-been a-wasteland-for-a-century-and-our-shipblew-up wrong. He knew something more fundamental was amiss with the Earth;

things that should have worked on the Lariat didn’t. No technology seemed to work reliably. He wasn’t sure what that meant.

Mikhail had never used an actual parachute. No training sim could compare to this. Feeling as heavy as the sky looked, he marveled that this blanket on strings could slow his mass against this gravity.

But he could also feel the openness. “Now this is space,” he mused.

Two parallel shorelines were visible below. The outer shore was more or less a two-kilometer-wide sandbar over which waves rolled toward the inner shore.

Waves passing over this outer shore then skimmed across a counter-flow of water of an amber-brown hue, running north.

Scanning to the south and west, he observed three towers of bare steel grouped within a wide tarmac, all standing above the flood. The facility reminded him of the port station on Marius Hills colony at home. Tracking back north and east, he could see a great grove of tall buildings near the inner shore which created a defiant peninsula jutting into the amber flow. In the center of the abandoned city, there was an obelisk of black glass. The steel frame of a pyramid stood at the pinnacle of the building. Caught on the peak of the pyramid, a Lariat parachute flapped like a flag. Having earned minutes of parachute expertise, Mikhail steered his flying blanket toward this strange aerie.

Lifting his legs to clear the edge of the building, he touched down on the roof. His feet gained purchase and he ejected his chute. Garcia and Lamont were standing there, their tiny, bare heads poking out of their suits. Before he could ask why their helmets were off, he found out. A wave of stunning nausea spun him to his knees. An invisible hand squeezed his guts, the contents of which spewed out, filling his visor. He blindly groped for the release, then his helmet clunked and sloshed to the floor.

“Welcome to Earth, moon-dweller.”

Anna greeted, spreading her arms in a partial bow.

“Welcome to Jacksonville, in fact,” Donovin added.

With guttural breaths, Mikhail blatted, “Holy shit, this place is horrible!”

Donovin presaged, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure this Jacksonville landing will go down as one of the worst ideas in history.”

TO BE CONTINUED

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1956, the U.S. federal government launched a program to build 40,000 miles of high-speed roads to connect all major American cities. It was completed 36 years later at a cost of $521 billion. In the coming months, I’d love to see you draw inspiration from that visionary scheme.

According to my analysis, you will generate good fortune for yourself as you initiate a long-term plan to expand your world, create a more robust network, and enhance your ability to fulfill your life’s big goals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Every time my birthday season comes around, I set aside a day to reflect on my life. I begin by visualizing recent events, then luxuriously scroll in reverse through my entire past. It’s not possible to remember every single scene and feeling, of course, so I allow my deep self to highlight significant moments. I bestow a blessing on every memory that comes up, honoring it for what it taught me. Dear Libra, now is an excellent time for you to experiment with a similar celebration.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurusborn YouTube blogger Hey Fran Hey has some good advice for her fellow Bulls, and I think it’ll be especially fresh and potent in the coming weeks. She says, “Replacing ‘Why is this happening to me?’ with ‘What is this trying to tell me?’ has been a game changer for me. The former creates a hamster wheel, where you’ll replay the story over and over again.

Victimized. Stuck. The latter holds space for a resolution to appear.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Depression is when you think there’s nothing to be done,” writes author Siri Hustvedt. “Fortunately I always think there’s something to be done.” I suspect that the riddles and mysteries you’re embedded in right now are so puzzling and complicated that you’re tempted to think that there’s no solution. Even more importantly, I’m here to inform you that there is indeed something you can do, and you are going to find out what that is sooner rather than later.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “The soul has illusions as the bird has wings: It is supported by them.” So declared French author Victor Hugo. I don’t share his view. In fact, I regard it as an insulting misapprehension.

The truth is that the soul achieves flight through vivid fantasies and effervescent intuitions and uninhibited longings and non-rational hypotheses and wild hopes—and maybe also by a few illusions. I bring this to your attention because now is an excellent time to nurture your soul with vivid fantasies and effervescent intuitions and uninhibited longings and non-rational hypotheses and wild hopes.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “How inconvenient to be made of desire,” writes Sagittarian author Larissa Pham. “Even now, want rises up in me like a hot oil. I want so much that it scares me.” There are indeed times when the inner fire feels excessive and unwieldy and inopportune. But I’m happy to report that your mood in the coming weeks is unlikely to fit that description. I’m guessing that the radiant pulse of your yearning will be brilliant and warm, not seething and distracting.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I know people of all genders who periodically unleash macho brags about how little sleep they need. I urge you to rebel. The dilemmas you face are very solvable if and only if you get sufficient amounts of sleep. Neuroscientist Matthew Walker says that some of the greatest athletes understand that “sleep is the greatest legal enhancing performance drug.” Top tennis player Roger Federer sleeps 12 hours a day. During his heyday, world-class sprinter Usain Bolt slept ten hours a night and napped during the day.

Basketball champion LeBron James devotes 12 hours a day to the rejuvenating sanctuary of sleep.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Actor and dancer Fred Astaire was a pioneer in bringing dance into films as a serious art form. He made 31 musical films during the 76 years he worked. At the height of his career, from 1933 to 1949, he teamed up with dancer Ginger Rogers in the creation of 10 popular movies. One witty critic noted that although Astaire was a bigger star than Rogers, she “did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and while wearing high heels.” You may soon be called on to carry out tasks that are metaphorically comparable to those performed by Rogers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your number one therapy in the coming weeks?

Watching animals. Relax into a generously receptive mode as you simply observe creatures doing what they do. The best option would be to surrender to the pleasures of communing with both domesticated and wild critters. If you need a logical reason to engage in this curative and rejuvenating activity, I’ll give you one: It will soothe and strengthen your own animal intelligence, which would be a tonic gift for you to give yourself.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I envision the next twelve months as a time when you could initiate fundamental improvements in the way you live. Your daily rhythm twelve months from now could be as much as twenty percent more gratifying and meaningful. It’s conceivable you will discover or generate innovations that permanently raise your long-term goals to a higher octave. At the risk of sounding grandiose, I predict you’ll welcome a certain novelty that resembles the invention of the wheel or the compass or the calendar.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Literary critic William Boyd declared that Aquarian author Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) was “the best short-story writer ever.” Another contemporary critic, Harold Bloom, praised Chekhov’s plays, saying that he was “one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theatre.” We might imagine, then, that in the course of his career, Chekhov was showered with accolades. We’d be wrong. “If I had listened to the critics,” he testified, “I’d have died drunk in the gutter.” Persevere.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Pisces-born Dorothy Steel didn’t begin her career as a film actress until she was 91 years old. She had appeared in a couple of TV shows when she was 89, then got a small role in an obscure movie. At age 92, she became a celebrity when she played the role of a tribal elder in Black Panther, one of the highest-grossing films of all time. I propose that we make her one of your inspirational role models for both the coming weeks and the next twelve months. Why? Because I suspect you will be ripening fully into a role and a mission you were born to embody and express.

Rob Brezsny freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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FOLIO WEED

MARIJUANA MILESTONE FOLIO WEED TURNS 100!

WHEN I TELL PEOPLE THAT I WRITE ABOUT cannabis for a living, the typical response is “Oh, wow, I know someone that you really need to talk to!” They’re usually right, too. This week’s column marks the 100th installment in the series, so I’d like to commemorate the occasion with some general observations about the process, and about the job in general.

The first column ran on August 30, 2017. It was the brainchild of our esteemed publisher, Mr. Sam Taylor. He and theneditor Claire Goforth picked me to write it, and it continued when Georgio Valentino took over last year. The succeeding couple years have been my most productive ever, by far, and the pot column has been about 25 percent of it. In that time, not one column has ever been rejected by the editors, and I’ve only missed a deadline twice (I think).

The first few columns were as much about educating myself as anyone else. There is a unique complexity to the cannabis beat: It’s law, it’s science, it’s economics, it’s politics, and it never stops. There has long been a dense array of coverage already available, but as far as Florida goes, we got in pretty early, and there’s so much going on that keeping it fresh is never a problem. Actually, a lot of the columns were written simply because readers wrote in with their own ideas. Thanks!

I would guess that it takes an average reader about ten minutes to read an average column (give or take a few, depending on how familiar one might be with the subject matter). If you’re one of those special people who has actually read all 100

columns so far (if there is such a person, I haven’t met them; so by all means, holla if ya hear me), you’ve invested 1,000 minutes into the gimmick, or roughly 17 full hours.

Ponder that for a moment. It takes me about an hour to get the column just right, so I’ve spent basically an entire calendar week writing it. This is time we will never get back!

We’ve featured dozens of local businesses, and thrown a spotlight not just on activists and entrepreneurs, but moms, veterans and seniors. They’re the real heroes of this story, because they changed the face of the debate and forced the political establishment to rethink the propaganda that had been fed to them for generations. Like other states that have embraced this new reality, Florida has seen nothing but positive results since Amendment 2 went into effect, and all the false fears and cooked-up conjecture that inhibited progress on this issue for so long have now been finally and permanently discredited.

The bottom line is that lives are better for our cannabis-forward neighbors and their activism. The results speak for themselves. It’s been a pleasure to help chronicle this process, and I look forward to continuing for years to come. The politicians might not be quite so enthused, but that’s okay. They’ll be fine.

Shelton Hull mail@folioweekly.com Subscribe to the Folio Weed Newsletter at folioweekly.com/newsletters

OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 41

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FOLIO VOICES: ESSAY CONTEST

Aurora Robbins stands in front of Alex Eaves’ upcycled tiny home

WE, FUTURE STEWARDS OF THE EARTH TODAY’S TEENS STEP UP TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THE EARTH IS 4.5 BILLION YEARS

old. Humans have only been around for roughly 200,000 years—a tiny fraction of the Earth’s existence—yet we’re destroying its natural beauty and resources day by day as “growth” becomes king. The major environmental problems in the world today come from greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming, and our failure to protect nature.

Global warming is the current increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, water and surface. Human activities produce greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere and cause many of the problems our planet faces today. More than just melting ice, this changes climate patterns throughout the world.

For example, animals are migrating from the equator toward the poles in order to find more comfortable living conditions. However, a lot of animals may go extinct as they are not able to compete in the new conditions.

The average global temperature has increased by about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 100 years.

The worst thing is that increased dryness and volatility serve as natural fuels for wildfires. Right now, for example, the Amazon rainforest is ablaze, and has been burning at an alarming rate for more than a month. If these types of disasters keep occurring, our planet will burn out.

Global warming is a pressing issue that has not been dealt with yet.

Pollution is also an issue that needs to be dealt with. Our rivers and oceans are being treated as garbage cans for human waste. Littering is often a criminal offense, punishable by a fine. The good news is that this is an easier problem to address than global warming: Just pick up after yourself! Right now there is a giant island of trash—mostly plastic— floating in the Pacific Ocean. This is a completely preventable situation, but it is out of control.

What my generation can do to address these issues is to actively participate in more recycling and reuse of materials. Instead of creating litter, use things that can be recycled or, better yet, reused. Instead of single-use packaging and fast-food containers, we should be demanding things made out of previously used items, or bringing our own reusable mugs to local establishments. Did you know that it takes 713 gallons of water to manufacture one T-shirt? Countless tons of tees end up in landfills each year.

This is just a small example of waste that can be addressed by recycling and reuse. Instead of buying new clothes, we should shop at thrift stores and recycle clothes and household items.

I have a friend who went even further with this way of living. Alex Eaves built his whole house out of recycled and reused materials. He lives in an old U-Haul box truck that has been upcycled into a really nice camper home. He travels the country talking about re-use and screening his documentary film, Reuse! Because You Can’t Recycle the Planet. It’s a really great message for teens and young adults who are concerned about the planet that we share.

If teens today can focus on the environmental message that Stetson Kennedy cared so much about, if we can work together to save our Mother Earth by reducing greenhouse gases and reusing the planet’s resources instead of wasting them, we will be able to save this planet not only for us, but for those who come after us.

Aurora Robbins mail@folioweekly.com _______________________________ Robbins is a 10th grader in St. Johns County. She is the winner of the Stetson Kennedy Foundation’s Earth Kinship Essay Contest. Celebrate Kennedy’s 103rd birthday 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 5 at Beluthahatchee Park, 1523 S.R. 13, Fruit Cove, stetsonkennedy.com, free.

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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