Folio Vol. 37, Issue 13

YOUR GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT IN JACKSONVILLE

29

33

46

49

IntricatetheAlmighty: A Powerful Name to Live Up to but this Local Rapper Does Just That

51

Your 4th of July BBQ Recipe Book Ambar Ramirez

61

I’m reading the May17 Folio and enjoying one story after the next. From Weird Wild Stuff. We have a parrot to reading the Klara book at our Beach coffee shop. To setting up a Rowdy Pickle Ball court. The Wildlife (we caught an opposing) in our bathroom. Even the Taurus horoscope. Good work Folio. No problem with the Staycation. Just got a post card yesterday at Eco Relics. And a yellow meated watermelon at our Beaver Street Farmers Markets. We’re retired and love Jax Beach. Martha Backer. Sharing this with my friend Sonja Fitch who was featured in a Folio a few years ago. (just walked down to A1A and picked up another copy to share with Sonja)

BOUQS & BRICKS BOUQUETS BRICKBATS

To the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for being honored at the Council on Foundations’ Leading Locally conference in Denver. The organization which provides donor services, philanthropic guidance and civic leadership to the local area was recognized for its excellence in partnerships which have transformed the relationships between the public and philanthropic sectors.

To Archer Western, contractor for the I-295 and Airport Road/I-95 Project, officially known as the I-295 North Interchange Operational Improvements Project. Construction on the $177 million project started in 2016 and was expected to be completed by early 2023, but according to FDOT’s website, it’s not scheduled to open until Spring 2024. Definitely not the news residents of North Jacksonville and travelers in the area wanted to hear.

Martha K Backer

July is like a rollercoaster for you, Aries! Buckle up and enjoy the ride. New opportunities will come knocking, but take your time. Don’t jump in blindly, Aries. Remember, patience is a virtue, even for the fiery ones like you.

HOROSCOPES ARIES TAURUS

We hope Rocky Road is one of your favorite ice cream fla vors because this month might not go as smoothly for you, Taurus. You may experience some unfortunate events or feel like luck is not on your side. However, it’s important to remember that perception shapes reality. They say that ignorance is bliss, so why not just ignore your problems and enjoy the ride.

GEMINI

July beckons your mercurial mind, Gemini! Embrace the dance of duality. You have grown tired of the shallow connections you’ve been making recently, so this July, seek connections that challenge your intellect. Show them you are much more than just a pretty face.

CANCER

Hello, July, and goodbye steadiness. With Jupiter in transit, the chances of you staying exactly where you are look slim, Cancer. That said, change doesn’t have to be a bad thing … in fact it can be a good thing! Think of yourself as a cater pillar in its cocoon. Soon you will hatch and be a completely different being, a better being.

LEO VIRGO

July is your time to shine, Leo! The world is your stage, so step into the spotlight and show off your brilliance; you know you want to. But remember, you can’t have light without darkness. So embrace your inner shadows. You may be surprised by what may come of them.

Have you found time to cool down during all this heat, Vir go? If you haven’t, you better get to it! July is when your ambivert nature shines, meaning that you will be receiving a lot of party invitations. And because you don’t know how to say no, you’ll have no choice but to show up and get your groove on. I know what you’re thinking, but listen, it could be worse.

All right Libra, don’t you think you’ve spent enough time locked up in your shell. You have so much to offer the world yet you rather watch reruns and paint action figures. Surround yourself with those you love and those who support your growth. You are right at the brink of a big change, a healthy change. Don’t look back.

LIBRA SCORPIO

July stirs your depths, Scorpio. Embrace the solitude of your journey and find strength in self-reflection. Trust your intuition to navigate complex and foreign landscapes. You tend to lean on friends for support, but you may come to find you can support yourself all on your own. There’s nothing wrong with being your own best friend.

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN

How’s your bank account looking, Sagittarius? Has mermaidcore gotten the best of you? While the fictional mermaids we know and love are attracted to shiny objects, they are also quite good at being resourceful. I mean they use seashells as tops! Genius! That said, it’s more than OK to treat yourself every now and then, but it is also important to be mindful of your spending tendencies.

July carves pathways through the rugged terrain of your ambitions, Capricorn. Your disciplined mind seeks order amidst the chaos. Sometimes it’s OK to let go and see where life may take you. Being a control freak isn’t always fun, so grab a drink and enjoy the ride.

AQUARIUS

Oh, sweet, sweet Aquarius. You are so good at standing up for your friends and thinking outside of the box, but when it comes to voicing your own needs or wants, it is like you hit a wall. The practice of articulating your needs is a practice of self-advocacy and self-intimacy. Take time this month to get to know this often shunned part of yourself.

PISCES

Dive into July, Pisces, for it holds a sea of inspiration for you! Your creative waters are overflowing, so let your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to dream big and pursue those artistic endeavors. The world needs your unique touch!

Schmooze with Suze

PODCAST PICKS

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner

The podcast audio wakes up, quietly at first, and then, “Hi, I’m Suze. Here with your weekly dose of culture, values and identity, and where we tackle those topics others may consider off limits,” begins Jacksonville podcaster and self-proclaimed “Gen X mom” Suzie Becker. Becker later continues, “I’m no expert so I’m going to schmooze the experts and get their thoughts. Why? So when we engage with our kids, colleagues or the countless committees we interact with, we can do it with competence, kindness, confidence and maybe a bit of humor.”

Certainly, when Becker speaks with Jacksonville-centric guests like WJCT host turned mayoral staff member Melissa Ross, Flagler College President John Delaney, St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman and other community leaders, she readily employs competence, kindness, confidence and humor. In her podcast, aptly named “Schmooze with Suze,” Becker leads with her thoughtful, authentic conversation, one heavily equipped with strong verbal skills, a robust researching capacity and fervent curiosity.

Becker’s modern-day Socratic dialogue, whether applied in guest or solo conversation, perfectly addresses whatever’s got the Jacksonville community tossing and turning, questioning and questing for. Topics like protecting the St. Johns River, promoting everyday positivity, Becker’s Jewish background and new interfaith discoveries, parenting and volunteering appear in the New York native’s now-weekly episodes. Although episodes are a short half-hour, every minute is sweet and the conversations reach profound points quickly.

“Folio” has officially been schmoozed by Suzie Becker. Becker’s New York/ Jersey accent that irregularly enters the conversation, her self-proclaimed “superpower of communication,” deliberate followup questions, not always glamorous vulnerability, and innate desire to learn and share have spoken to us.

Listen to “Schmooze with Suze,” currently in its second season, to get a pulse for the Jacksonville community and hear your local “well-informed smartass” speak up and out about important community issues. “Schmooze with Suze” is available on Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, YouTube, Deezer and other streaming services.

Nexxt Spin

Andante (walking pace): that’s how we start, with an andante soft hip-hop beat that frames Jacksonville-based podcast, Nexxt Spin. We continue at an andante pace as podcast connoisseur Badr Milligan welcomes Spinheads (Nexxt Spin’s followers) to a new episode: “Spinheads, welcome back for another spin.” The andante melodies then bleed into an allegro (fast, upbeat) conversation between Badr Milligan (who also leads discussion on The Shortbox Podcast), Yanira Cardona or Yaya Love, Freddie Douglas and Toni Smailagic.

And the five vinyl-loving millennials’ conversation never falls flat, accelerando (accelerating) with every themed discussion question and fueled by a passion for music. The atmosphere of the podcast, which perfectly balances organization and organic spontaneity, makes listeners feel as if they’re eavesdropping on friends — well-coordinated and witty friends, that is. Consequently, the hour-long episodes breeze by at a seemingly allegrissimo (very fast) pace.

In fact, whether the discussion centers on nostalgic mood music, lighthearted disagreement on Grammy snubs or an interview with a DJ, record dealer, music journalist or musician, the podcast is brimming with banter, music from across cultures and insightful analysis of vinyl format. To put it simply, Nexxt Spin’s monthly episodes are pitch perfect for two reasons: the Nexxt Spin crew is not only well-versed in music, the industry and music fan opinions but also conducts conversation in a digestible, well-tabulated way.

Proper introductions of controversies in the music industry, sound engineering techniques, and lesser-known songs, for example, enlighten the novice listener. Even the predictable format of 1) introduction of theme, 2) light conversation around theme, 3) introduction and exhibition of records based on theme, 4) conclusion with allusion to the next month’s theme, and 5) prompt for Spinheads to respond to gives satisfaction.

As self-proclaimed Spinheads, we’re reeling at how entertaining Nexxt Spin is. As a matter of fact, “Folio” is practically begging for an encore every month, so as Badr says, “We’ll catch you next month for the next spin.”

Learn more about Nexxt Spin on Instagram @nexxtspin and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Buzzsprout, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, TuneIn and Resso and other streaming services.

These days everybody has a podcast, so we did some deep diving into the local podcast scene and found these two pearls.

4TH OF JULY

HOMETOWN 4TH OF JULY 10PM

ameliaisland.com/Calendar/Hometown-4th-of-July-Fireworks

JACKSONVILLE’S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

9:45pm

visitjacksonville.com/events/annual/fourth-of-july/

ST. AUGUSTINE FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS & CONCERT

6pm-10pm

visitstaugustine.com/event/fourth-july-fireworks-and-concert

ATLANTIC BEACH FIREWORKS & LIVE MUSIC

7 pm-10 pm

atlanticbeach-nc.com/events/july-4th-fireworks/

ST. AUGUSTINE & PONTE VEDRA - FIREWORKS OVER THE MATANZAS

9:30pm

floridashistoriccoast.com/events/holidays/july-4th/

PRIDE 4TH OF JULY

6pm-10pm moosehaven.org/american-pride-4th-of-july/

JULY 1-3

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Durham Bulls 121 Financial Ball Park milb.com/jacksonville

JULY 4

Celebration 5K 1st Place Sports 1stplacesports.com

JULY 7-10

U.S. Taekwondo National Championships Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center jaxevents.com

FREE JULY 8

Jakob Johnson Football Camp Ribault High School jakobjohnsoncamp.eventbrite.com

JULY 10-15

Topgolf Summer Academy 2023 Topgolf Jacksonville topgolf.com/us/jacksonville

JULY 14-16

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Worcester Red Sox 121 Financial Ball Park milb.com/jacksonville

JULY 15

Jacksonville Sharks vs. Albany Empire 121 Financial Ball Park milb.com/jacksonville

Jacksonville 95ers Free Agent Tryout Camp Pickup USA Fitness instagram.com/jax95ers

Jacksonville Axemen vs. Atlanta Rhinos UNF–North Rugby Fields jaxaxe.com

JULY 22

Vestcor 5K Bridges Run Prime Osborn Center 1stplacesports.com

Jacksonville Sharks vs. West Texas Warbirds Veterans Memorial Arena jaxsharks.com

NPC Dexter Jackson Classic Finals

UNF–Lazzara Performance Hall centerpodium.com/dexterjacksonclassic

JULY 25-30

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Gwinnett Stripers 121 Financial Ball Park milb.com/jacksonville

JULY 29

Jacksonville Axemen vs. Tampa Mayhem UNF–North Rugby Fields jaxaxe.com

Photo by Carson Rich

Would You Turn Down $1 Billion to Live in the U.S.?

Lionel Messi, the greatest soccer player in the world (depending on who you ask), found himself a free agent this Summer.

Following the expiration of his two-year contract and a bitter fallout with his previous club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi made the decision to not only relocate to the United States for his future playing endeavors but specifically chose to join Inter Miami C.F. Which comes as a surprise considering a team in Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal SFC, offered Messi a $400 million contract per year for two years. And that doesn’t include the added incentives he would have received with goals and assists. All together, Messi would have made close to $1 billion over the course of the two years. Not to mention, these estimates exclude the revenue Messi makes from the many brand deals.

Even though he reportedly rejected the $400 million contract as per TalkSPORT, Messi is poised to become the top earner in Major League Soccer (MLS), raking in an impressive $54 million. He will also receive a share of the revenue generated from the new Apple subscriptions, including the MLS Season Pass, as well as a percentage from the sales of Adidas jerseys.

In recent years, Major League Soccer (MLS) has grown accustomed to attracting prominent stars and promising talents, including iconic players such as Pelé (Brazil) and David Beckham (England). Even legendary figures from earlier generations, like George Best (Northern Ireland) and Gerd Müller (Germany), have captivated the media and raised unprecedented awareness for the sport in the United States.

All of these players came to die in the MLS (their best days are behind them).

However, Messi is different. He is two seasons removed from winning the Ballon D’or, soccer’s most prestigious trophy (similar to being MVP of the sport). He is on track to win another Ballon D’or (his eighth) after leading a mediocre team to the trophy and surprising many fans.

Soccer has played second fiddle to the other major sports in the U.S. because of the American dream (and capitalism). In fact, I remember asking my dad when I was young if I could play soccer he said, “Soccer is for communists.”

The World Cup was held in Qatar in December of 2022 when Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala led Argentina to become world champions for the first time since 1986 when a coked-up Diego Maradona (and the hand of god) defeated West Germany.

The world cup brings unprecedented activities to your country. For example, in 2022, Qatar had to build the infrastructure from the ground up to accommodate the 64 matches played across 8 stadiums over the course of a month (yikes). The tournament brought ad dollars, sponsors, and most importantly, millions of viewers worldwide.

Prior to November 2022, I could not pinpoint where Qatar was, no one could.

According to The Athletic, Super Bowl LVII received 113 million views. The World Cup final got 1.5 Billion views. Billion with a B.

Unlike American sports, where the term “world champion” is often used even when other countries aren’t competing, in this context, the title of “world champion” is truly warranted. Qatar is now a place where history was made and Lionel Messi officially became the undisputed G.O.A.T. Soccer fans worldwide will forever yearn to visit the very field where Gonzalo Montiel struck the decisive penalty, granting Argentina their coveted third star.

Similar to the storyline in the Disney movie “Miracle,” the coach posed a critical question to the team, asking what team they played for. Initially, the players responded with their colleges, but eventually, they proudly declared themselves on the United States of America team. The Argentines underwent a similar transformation, solidifying their unified commitment to a common cause.

Instead of claiming the $42 million prize, the Argentine Football As sociation (AFA) intends to establish three satellite training grounds in the United States: Los Angeles, Atlanta, and San Francisco. These satellite facilities, owned and operated by the Federation, serve as training facilities based in a foreign country. Notably, the United States Soccer Federation has yet to establish an official training ground within its borders. The significance of these satellite training grounds lies in their potential to influence players with dual citizenship. A prime example is Gio Reyna, one of the brightest stars in the U.S. soccer scene, who holds eligibility to represent various national teams, including Italy, the United States, and Argentina. The Argentinians gain considerable leverage over the United States when it comes to dual-citizenship players who remain undecided. This exemplifies the impact a World Cup can have on a country, bestowing eternal glory.

The day before the announcement, Miami tickets were $29 as Inter Miami is the worst team in the MLS (4 wins in 17 matches). After the announcement, the ticket cost skyrocketed to $459. Even though this is still the worst team in the MLS. This is only a fraction of the draw that Lionel Messi has.

On Instagram, Inter Miami had an abysmal following of around 1 million. Immediately after signing the 7-time Ballon D’or winner, they have 8.3 million followers. Football is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. The US is just getting started in the realm of Football, because once American greed meets Corruption Foot ball, the United States will be the best footballing nation on Earth.

One of the most famous athletes in the world just did. Words by Jack Popovics

UFC Fight Night: Undefeated Featherweight Ilia Topuria Proves That He Belongs In The Top 5

Words and photo by Carson Rich

UFC Fight Night put on a show in Jacksonville on June 24. This is the fourth consecutive year that Duval County has hosted a UFC fight card, and based on the audience response at this event, it’s likely not the last time. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena lit up as Ilia Topuria faced off against Josh Emmett for a chance to solidify themselves as a top-ranked featherweight contender.

The prelim fights did not disappoint as they were filled with exciting bouts and finishes from fighters looking to move their way up the rankings. Jack Jenkins vs. Jamall Emmers is worth noting as the two traded blows consistently through all three rounds. Both of their fast-paced fighting styles electrified the crowd as they took it the distance with Jenkins walking away with his 12th victory.

The next fight, Chepe Mariscal vs. Trevor Peek, went 0 to 60 in no time as both corners were throwing haymakers at each other until the very end. The crowd was the edge of their seats during this nail biting clash of two lightweights, waiting for one of them to go down. In impressive fashion, both stood their ground until the decision was made with Mariscal getting his hand raised.

The first bout in the main fight card had the audience in a chokehold, literally, as Brendan Allen defeated Bruno Silva by submission with an aggressive rear-naked choke. Silva would not let up in the first two rounds, but as soon as Allen took him to the ground, it was over. The middleweight contender locked in his fifth straight win in style once again, as this is also his third consecutive win using a rear-naked choke.

Speaking of dominating performances, David Onama captured his kodak moment during his knockout victory in the second round against Gabriel Santos. The finishing uppercut that put Santos on the ground was swift and unexpected, so much so that the crowd took a few seconds to react.

One of the most anticipated fights in the card was definitely Austen Lane in his UFC heavyweight debut against Justin Tafa. Lane has an emotional connection to the city of Jacksonville as he was drafted as a defensive end by the Jaguars in 2010 and remained with the team until 2013 before going on to play for the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.

When asked if there were any poetic feelings toward fighting in his old hometown, he commented, “I look at if from the energy of the crowd, and how that is going to be on Saturday … as far as getting poetic about it, nah, not really, man. It could be in the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. It could be in Georgia in a Waffle House at 2 a.m. in the parking lot. I just really care about the fighting.”

His reminiscent journey into this fight did not last long, however, after an accidental eye poke in the first minute caused it to be called a no contest due to the extremity of Tafa’s injury. This is not the first time a fight has been postponed for him though, as his last bout did not go on due to a torn bicep he experienced earlier this year.

The co-main event was very back and forth between flyweights Maycee Barber and Amanda Ribas. Barber attacked relentlessly at the end as she sent Ribas stumbling, finishing her off with multiple hammerfists before the referee finally called it. This fight continued her win streak to 5 now, making a statement for herself.

The main event between Ilia Topuria and Josh Emmett was a clash of two titans in the featherweight division. Topuria came into this bout undefeated with 13 wins, looking to jump into the top 5 rankings, while Emmett came off a lost title shot, making this his redemption fight. Despite the 12-year age difference, they both stood the test of time and brought it through all five rounds in a very strategic battle between veteran and challenger. In rounds three and four, there were points where it seemed like Emmett was finished, but he stood back up and kept his hands up. In the end, Emmett put on a show, but Topuria demonstrated his calm and collected skill, leading to win No. 14 while remaining undefeated.

After the fight, Topuria was asked what he thought about challenging current title holder Alexander Volkanovski, and he replied “No f*****g problem … If I think I’m the best in the world, I can beat him in Australia, in Las Vegas, in Miami, in Spain, wherever we go, I beat him. Location is no problem.” This would be Topuria’s first title shot, and his chance to prove that he is one of the best fighters in the UFC.

LOCAL COUPLE OPERATES POPULAR

LOCAL GOLF SHOP OUT OF STORAGE UNIT

Dude’s Clubs is a small Jacksonville golf shop that perfectly defines the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Running their business out of a storage unit on Atlantic Boulevard, they buy, trade and sell used equipment for well under retail prices. Despite being in such a small space, they continue to be one of the city’s best and most convenient shops amongst the local golf community.

Joe “Dude” LaBadia and Stacy Doyle started their business eight years ago, selling various items on ebay, just looking to get rid of them, when they chose to list a set of golf clubs. It sold faster than anything they’d ever put on the website, sparking the flame of what was soon to come. Not long after, they decided to rent the storage space they currently operate out of, and the word spread like wildfire.

The storage unit aspect is the biggest thing that sticks out to customers because it’s so small and hidden, you might miss it if you aren’t looking for it. This brought a little bit of skepticism the first time I pulled into the parking lot, as one would expect, but I was soon relieved when I was introduced to the two friendly faces behind the door.

When asked if they have ever wanted to change settings for a larger space, LaBadia said they were comfortable where they are, and it saves them money, as opposed to operating out of a more traditional retail space. Their unusual location is what sets them apart from similar shops and provides more of an intimate relationship with their customers.

LaBadia also talked about the struggles that they run into when running a business as small as theirs. “It’s difficult to get the name out. We’re reliant on social media at this point, but we’ve been expanding the network. We have a lot of customer referrals, and that’s really the best business we’re getting at this point, so we’re very thankful that our customers do help us out in that regard.”

Dude’s Clubs is very convenient because of the pricing. Major retail stores and online brands can drain your wallet buying just one or two clubs, a situation that often turns people away from getting into the sport. It also encourages others into the golf community by giving them the opportunity to try out equipment for half the price.

Most of their items come from others buying and trading equipment with customers, but they also receive shipments from big name companies with items that did not sell in their own stores. This is one of the most exciting things for people coming in because they can find some of the best golf brands like Callaway and Taylormade without spending $1,000.

“Our goal is not to make a ton of money off of every customer that walks in here,” said co-owner Stacy Doyle. “We obviously have to make a living, but at the same time [want to offer] affordable golf clubs so that people can put together a full set or complete their sets without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.”

The shop sells everything players could need including drivers, putters and iron sets, as well as golf bags, balls, tees and products to help take care of your set. Both LaBadia and Doyle love giving deals to their customers. For example, if you buy a driver from them, they will throw in a small bag of tees and a headcover with it, saving you even more money before you venture out to the course.

Dude’s Clubs is a one-of-a-kind shop in Jacksonville and a must-see for golfers of all levels.

Words and photo by Carson Rich

MONDAYS

• The Brix Taphouse (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Donovan’s Irish Pub, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Avondale, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Durbin Pavilion Drive, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Fleming Island, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–River City/ Northside, 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Tinseltown, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fleming Island (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Wall Street, 7 p.m.

• Treylor Park (pop culture trivia), 9 p.m.

TUESDAYS

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Fleming Island (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

• The Back 40, 7 p.m.

• Bottlenose Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Nocatee, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–San Pablo, 7 p.m.

• Harps American Grill, 7 p.m.

• Hoptinger–5 Points (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Julington Creek, 7 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill & Wings–Neptune Beach, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Southside, 7 p.m.

• Jax Craft Beer, 7 p.m.

• Jerry’s Sports Grille, 7 p.m.

• Players Grille, 7 p.m.

• Raindogs, 7 p.m.

• Sahara Cafe, 7 p.m.

• Southern Grill, 7 p.m.

• Xtreme Wings Sports Bar and Grille, St. Johns, 7 p.m.

• Culhane’s Irish Pub–Southside, 7:30 p.m.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• King Maker Brewing (Name That Tune), 7:30 p.m.

• Lynch’s Irish Pub (music bingo), 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Bar, 7:30 p.m.

• Surfer the Bar (pop culture trivia), 9:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra (music bingo), 6:30 p.m.

• V Pizza–Mandarin (pop culture), 6:30 p.m.

• The Beacon, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• Cruisers Grill, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Mandarin, 7 p.m.

• Firefly Bay, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Island Wing Company–Southside Boulevard (music bingo), 7 p.m.

• Mellow Mushroom–Jacksonville Beach, 7 p.m.

• Scarlett O’ Hara’s, St. Augustine, 7 p.m.

• V Pizza–Fleming Island (pop culture trivia), 7 p.m.

• Veterans United Craft Brewery, 7 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

• Harps American Grill (pop culture), 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–5 Points, 7:30 p.m.

• Hurricane Grill–Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.

• King Maker Brewing, 7:30 p.m.

• Time Out Sports Grill, 7:30 p.m

• The Brix Taphouse (pop culture trivia), 8 p.m.

• Hamburger Mary’s (drag bingo, 21+), 8 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jacksonville Beach, 9 p.m.

THURSDAYS

• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Kava and Company–San Marco (every other Thursday), 7 p.m.

• Mr. Chubby’s Wings–Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.

• Whiskey Jax–Baymeadows, 7 p.m.

• Burrito Gallery–Brooklyn (’80s, ’90s & 2000s), 7:30 p.m.

• Flask & Cannon / V Pizza, 7:30 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–St Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

• Hoptinger–Jax Beach (music bingo), 9 p.m.

SATURDAYS

• Hamburger Mary’s (HamBingo), 2 p.m.

• Dick’s Wings–Atlantic Boulevard, 7 p.m.

• Ink Factory Brewing (Name That Tune), 7 p.m.

SUNDAYS

• Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m. (first and third Sunday)

All games are general knowledge trivia unless otherwise noted.

Monster Sharks Teeth, Fossils and Phosphate

Words by Ted Hunt

QUESTION: What do the following have in common? A fossilized 7-inch tooth from an extinct shark as long as a bowling alley, the skull of a 10,000-year-old Saber-toothed tiger with 8-inch, dagger-like fangs and phosphate in a bag of fertilizer. ANSWER: They all are found in Florida.

PHOSPHATE

Phosphate is a common element and is essential to all living things on the planet, plants and animals. It’s necessary for bone and teeth formation in humans and animals. It cannot be manufactured and there is no synthetic version — without phosphate, life would not exist.

Found naturally in ancient rock/ore deposits, phosphate is believed to have mineralized on the sea floor from the evaporation of seawater along with the skeletons and waste products of creatures living in the seas millions of years ago. It was the right natural cocktail to make phosphate rock. Then the seabed was lifted to the surface via tectonic uplift. The rock is surfaced, mined and pulverized, then an acid solution is applied to extract the phosphate. It has been used in a variety of products for more than 100 years.

Today it’s used in the production of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial applications. Over 90% of all phosphate mined is used to enrich commercial fertilizers for food production. In a world which will be home to over 9 billion people by the middle of this century, producing enough food is likely to be a substantial challenge for humanity. Agriculture soils get depleted of phosphorus over years of crop use. Out of necessity, modern farming is reliant on the phosphate fertilizer industry. Even the casual gardener and homeowner uses phosphate. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphate/phosphorus and 10% potassium/potash.

FLORIDA’S PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY

Phosphate is found on most continents. In the United States, phosphate is mined in Florida, Idaho, North Carolina and Utah. Florida accounts for 80% of the phosphate used in fertilizer in the United States and 25% of the fertilizer used worldwide. The Florida phosphate belt runs from central Florida up the state for 150 miles and is 30 miles wide. Mining began in Florida in 1883 in a region extending from Alachua County (Gainesville) down through the Ocala area into Citrus County (Crystal River). It expanded into central Florida then into northern Florida in the 1960s. Florida has 27 phosphate mines spread over several counties, but only nine are currently active.

The others are in reserve when needed. The phosphate is found between 15 and 50 feet deep and the mines are open pits.

FLORIDA’S FOSSILS AND BONE VALLEY

Florida’s phosphate beds developed on the seafloor about 12 million years ago when oceans covered most of what is Florida today. Huge whales, massive sharks, dolphins and ancient sea creatures prowled the waters over submerged Florida. Over millions of years, these sea creatures died and were absorbed in the creation of phosphate deposits.

Eventually, the seas receded and the Florida peninsula with its large phosphate beds was now dry land. Advancing glaciers forced land mammals in

North America, like saber-toothed tigers, towering mastodons, mammoths, 30-foot crocodiles, giant sloths and armadillos the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, as well as every type of bird, to flee to Florida. Here, they died, living only their skeletons, tusks and teeth to fossilize among the phosphate deposits.

There are no dinosaur fossils associated with the Florida phosphate formation. The extinction of the T. rex, raptors and the Brontosaurus occurred about 65 million years ago, well before the lands now known as Florida began to emerge from the sea.

The phosphate mines in Florida contain whole and fragments of fossilized land and marine animals. Florida has the distinction of being the richest state for vertebrate fossils from both land and marine animals east of the Mississippi River. The central Florida phosphate area with 1.3 million acres is aptly named Bone Valley.

MEGALODON SHARKS TEETH

When most of Florida was covered by ocean, the largest shark cruising above Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami was called Megalodon or Big Tooth. These monster sharks grew up to 60 feet in length, the length of a bowling alley lane. It weighed over 65 tons and had a massive jaw full of huge razor-sharp teeth that could reach over seven inches in length. It’s believed that Florida used to be a nursery area for the Megalodon, meaning where females would have their young. The great white shark is a tiny cousin that was often feasted upon by Megalodons that also ate whales.

When the Megalodons died, their cartilage skeletons and teeth settled on the seabed and phosphate deposits, and the teeth fossilized over millions of years. (Sharks do not have bones, only cartilage, which does not fossilize.) The oceans receded, exposing the Florida peninsula. The mammals that came later died, and their bones and teeth were quickly covered up by sand, mud, clay and phosphate rock, where they also fossilized. This is why you can still find Megalodon teeth mingled among other fossilized remains.

WANT TO GO HUNTING?

You will be amazed at the variety of fossils and fossilized shark teeth that Florida has to offer. Not only are they found in phosphate beds but also in many of Florida’s creeks and rivers and on its beaches. Popular hunting grounds are abandoned phosphate mines, the Peace River (near Arcadia), and Venice Beach, which has been dubbed the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” and even hosts The Venice Beach Sharks Tooth Festival each year. If you’re not one to venture out on your own, there are several companies that offer guided fossil hunts in north and central Florida and the Peace River area. While most of the mining areas are closed to the public, there are fossil clubs that have been granted permission to hunt on their properties. With luck, maybe you’ll find one of those 7-inch Meglatdon teeth or a Saber-tooth tiger fang. Happy hunting!

PLUS FREE LOCAL PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER!

THROUGH JULY 2

ABET presents “Burn This” Players by the Seat Theatre abetjax.com

THROUGH JULY 9

“All My Sons” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine limelight-theatre.org

THROUGH JULY 23

“Beauty and the Beast” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com

JULY 1-9

“The Little Mermaid” The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

JULY 8

Staged Reading: “Baby Tooth” by Drew Lewis Brown

BABS’LAB at CoRK barbaracolaciello.com

Dancing Stars of St. Johns County Flagler College–Lewis Auditorium sacspa.org

THEATER / DANCE

JULY 8-9

Bluey’s Big Play Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

“Shrek: The Musical Jr.”

Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org

JULY 13-23

“She Loves Me” Amelia Musical Playhouse, Amelia Island ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

JULY 14-15

Apex Theatre Studio’s Bard Bus presents “Twelfth Night” St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

JULY 14-AUG. 6

“West SIde Story”

Players by the Sea playersbythesea.org

JULY 15-23

“The Little Mermaid” The Island Theater, Fleming Island theislandtheater.com

JULY 21-30

High School Summer Musical Theatre Experience presents “Sister Act”

FSCJ–Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts fscjartistseries.org

JULY 22

The Grand Slam: Celebrating 5 Years of Story Slams

BABS’LAB at CoRK barbaracolaciello.com

JULY 22-23

“Much Ado About Nothing”

Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach ameliacommunitytheatre.org

ONGOING

FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

Magician Bill Abbott at the Magic Hideway

Casa Monica Resort & Spa, St. Augustine magichideaway.com

Second to Nunn

15th studio album, “Dialogue,” was released just last year. “I’ve worked with Howard Jones a couple of years ago. He’s a great songwriter and artist, but also just a really great guy, so we were happy when he was added to the tour.”

“I have a lot of friends in Florida,” she says via Zoom from her home in Santa Rosa Valley, an hour north of Los Angeles. “It’s a very laid-back, relaxed feel that I really enjoy. We’re starting the tour there, the first three shows.” They’re doing amphitheaters in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville before making their way north into Canada, then back westward and wrapping things in Australia in September. “I love amphitheaters. I love that experience. I love being outside. And then we’re doing arenas!”

The touring life is a hell of a grind, on all levels, and Berlin has done it at all levels. For this tour, they’re running a caravan of buses across the country, which is a vast improvement on the treks the band endured while making their bones on the global scene.

“I remember one [flight], it was like, from Australia to Italy, and there was just no way to do any kind of non-stop for that one, and it was literally like 27 hours,” she says. “We didn’t have first-class seats, we didn’t have flat seats back then, so you’re just messed up after all that time.”

Whether on the road or not, Nunn generally sticks to a consistent schedule, which helps with compartmentalizing the litany of tasks required to keep the machine moving on a daily basis. “In the morning, I will usually do all the accounting, making sure that everybody’s paid, and all the books look right, and we have all of the paperwork for the IRS and that stuff because that’s the business end that has to be done. Then I’ll do some reading and have lunch. Early afternoon, we do soundcheck, hair and makeup, and then the show.”

Fun fact: Terri Nunn, lead singer of the band Berlin, was one of numerous notable women who auditioned for the role of Princess Leia. Others include Kim Basinger, Glenn Close, Geena Davis, Farrah Fawcett, Anjelica Huston, Jessica Lange, Cybill Shepherd, Sissy Spacek, Kathleen Turner, Sigourney Weaver and Cindy Williams (from “Laverne & Shirley”). The life she built instead has turned out quite well, though.

Berlin has had a long, successful career since its founding in 1978, but they cemented their place in music and film history with their 1986 hit “Take My Breath Away,” a stunning Giorgio Moroder collab you will surely recall from the “Top Gun” soundtrack. The band sprang forth from Orange County, California in 1976, and Terri Nunn joined them in ‘79. She appears on their second album, “Pleasure Victim,” quite literally: Her image on the record sleeve definitely stood out in record store display cases of the era. Their most recent album, their ninth, was Strings Attached (Valley Day Recordings, 2020)

Berlin will be here as part of a lineup headlined by Boy George & Culture Club, a group that needs no introduction. “We just did a few shows with Culture Club, around this area, and they went so well that when they called, we were like, ‘absolutely.’” They are joined by veteran British singer Howard Jones, who notched nearly a dozen Top 40 hits in the ‘80s and whose

What some might call “nostalgia tours” are really serious work being put in by artists who still have a lot in the tank, even now, five decades in the game. Nunn is savoring every moment, taking nothing for granted. “These are once in a lifetime shows, for me as well. The last ones were with the B-52’s and Berlin and OMD.”

The post-pandemic market for live music grows by the week, nationwide, so bands like Berlin and their colleagues are doing tons of business, a lot of which is in advance sales, and the perks can be pretty sweet, too. “They’re big venues, so they have catering, and you really get used to that! You roll out of the bus and you get like 30 things out of a line of all kinds of options for lunch, then they clear that out and you have dinner, we get really used to that. Then we have to go home and make our own dinner, and that sucks!”

Boy George & Culture Club with special guests Berlin and Howard Jones bring the ‘80s back on July 16 at Daily’s Place. For more information and tickets, visit dailysplace.com.

Words by Shelton Hull and photo by Louis Rodiger

comedy

JULY 1

Joshua Adam Meyers

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Sketch-22, 7:30 p.m. Stetch-22 (adults only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

JULY 5

River City Comedy Showcase

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

JULY 6

Lindsey Glazer

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine jackieknightscomedyclub.com

JULY 6-8

Adele Givens

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

JULY 7-8

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. The Blue Show (adults only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

JULY 9

Christian Johnson

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

JULY 12

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

JULY 13

Comedy Night Presented by River City Comedy Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

JULY 14

Dave Landau

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

JULY 14-15

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. The Blue Show (adults only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

JULY 19

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

JULY 20

Ron Feingold

Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, St. Augustine jackieknightscomedyclub.com

JULY 21-22

T.I. Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m. The Blue Show (adults only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

JULY 26

Improv Night

Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine thecolonialoakmusicpark.com

JULY 27-30

Aries Spears

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

JULY 28-29

The Main Event, 7:30 p.m.

The Blue Show (adults only), 10 p.m. First Coast Comedy firstcoastcomedy.com

OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHTS

MONDAYS Rain Dogs facebook.com/raindogsjax

TUESDAYS Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

WEDNESDAYS Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

THURSDAYS

King Maker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Jenna ‘Su c cs ’D o esn ’ t Actually Su c k !

Now, when I got assigned to interview someone who goes by “Jenna’s Succs,” I was thrilled. I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into, but I knew it would be an interesting experience. Little did I know what an understatement that would be.

Arriving at Jenna Careme’s home studio, I found myself, once again, clueless about what awaited me beyond the gate. However, my uncertainty quickly transformed into delight as I was greeted by a vibrant, rainbow-haired jewel of a woman and a flock of chickens. After our introduction (and a few coos to the chicks), I became more aware of my surroundings. Careme’s hair was not the only thing plastered by the rainbow; oh, no, everything was rainbow. As Careme’s husband put it, it was like a rainbow had thrown up everywhere.

Careme, also known as Jenna’s Succs, is a Hospice nurse with a horticultural hobby that quickly turned into a side hustle, except rather than trying to make a quick buck, she just wants to share her plants, color and kindness for any budget. And I say any budget, I genuinely mean any budget.

“Everybody tells me I sell way too cheap, I’m not gonna lie,” Careme shared. “I do a lot of trade and barter too because I’m not trying to get rich, I’m just trying to share my creativity.”

Careme even encountered a customer who had nothing, but a lottery ticket in her possession. Without hesitation, Careme decided to take a gamble and exchanged her creation for a chance at a life-changing lottery victory (it wasn’t). Careme extends discounts to various groups, including military personnel, healthcare workers, students, seniors, “broke Joes” and “cool cats.” Essentially, if you resonate with Careme’s vibes, you’re eligible for some form of discount, despite the disapproval it may draw from her financial adviser.

The story unfolds a few years ago when Careme’s son was just a toddler. While her son was at daycare, Careme stumbled upon an old plant pot and felt an impulse to bring it to life with vibrant paint. When her son returned, his face lit up with pure excitement upon seeing the bright colors. Encouraged by his reaction, Careme’s artistic journey took off as she started painting not just her pots, but also her benches, shelves and even her shed. (Cue the rainbow throw-up comment made by her husband). Once her house, backyard, front yard, side yard and shed were filled to the brim with revamped antique pots and planters, Careme (and her husband) realized she needed to get rid of a few, and thus began Jenna’s Succs.

“I decided I’ll just try to sell it. It’s fun to make, and I just wanted to see how it does.” Careme explained. “And it has actually done pretty well. That’s the whole point behind the price too. Because there’s been plenty of times when I wanted something super cool or something rare or imported and I just couldn’t afford it.”

In Careme’s remarkable inventory, each pot, planter and everything in between has a unique story — it’s either thrifted or obtained through bartering. Such is her reputation that customers go as far as dropping off pots at her doorstep, trusting her to breathe new life into them. And for the plants themselves? Jenna’s Succs operates as a licensed plant nursery under its LLC. The plants are all homegrown with enough love to share across the globe.

As for the name Jenna’s Succs, she has her mother to thank for that.

“So, when I told my mom I was thinking about doing this, she was like, ‘Well, you gotta have a name,’” Careme shared. “She was like, ‘Oh, you should just do Jenna’s Succs.’”

But over the phone, it sounded like her mother was telling her she sucks, that was until she broke it down and explained it was S-U-C-C-S, not S-U-C-K-S. And while Careme thought it was an amazing idea, she hadn’t realized how it looked on paper, specifically on her business cards.

In a comical incident from years ago, when Careme had just acquired her business cards, she found herself at Goodwill with a cart piled high with ceramics, planters and pots. The employee at the register noticed the collection and couldn’t help but ask if Careme was doing some extreme gardening at home. When Careme explained her expertise in crafting fairy gardens and planters, the cashier asked if she had any business cards to share. It turned out that the cashier was friendly with the woman standing behind Careme in line — a small, elderly lady. Excited to share, the cashier said, “Look, she makes art!” and passed Careme’s card to her.

“This poor lady looks at it, and she goes, ‘Oh, Lord, you need Jesus,’” Careme explained. “She sets the card down and goes muttering off, talking about, you know, finding God. And I’m like, what? Oh, my God. Did she think that was like’ Jenna sucks’?”

If you don’t understand (or appreciate) the joke, then odds are you won’t be a client of Careme’s since she also offers a few racy pieces or as she puts it, “raunchy but classy.”

You can find Jenna’s Succs at local art markets across Jacksonville and online at jennassuccs.com.

ART

The Art Center Cooperative

“Summer Delights,” through July 29 tacjacksonville.org

Beaches Museum

“So You Think You Know Jax Music?” July 14-Aug. 6 jaxhistory.org

Butterfield Garage Art Gallery

• “Gwen Mehler: A Day at the Beach,” July 1-31 butterfieldgarage.com

The Corner Gallery at The Jessie

• “Ricder Ricardo: Transitory Permanence,” through Aug. 2 facebook.com/movingthemargins

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

“American Made: Paintings and Sculptures from the Demell Jacobsen Collection,” through Sept. 24

• “James McBey: Etchings,” through Oct. 29

• “Outside: In,” through Nov. 30

• Jacksonville’s Norman Studios, through Jan. 31, 2024 cummermuseum.org

FemArt Gallery femartgallery.org

First Coast Cultural Center firstcoastculturalcenter.org

Florida State College at Jacksonville

• “Where in the World …”JCVA Juried Summer Show, through July 26, South Gallery

• “Mark Sablow: 15 Years in Asia,” through Aug. 31, Downtown Gallery

• Highlights of the Student Annual, through Oct. 13, Deerwood Gallery fscj.edu/art-galleries

Gallery 725

• The Art of Chad Smith, virtual exhibition gallery725.com

Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, St. Augustine

• “Painting St. Augustine: Selections from the Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection,” ongoing

• “Freedom Is Not Free: Ax Handle Saturday,” virtual exhibition staugustine.ufl.edu

Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport jaxairportarts.com

Hillary Whitaker Gallery hwhitakergallery.com

Jacksonville University

• ”Bill Davis: No Dark in Sight,” virtual exhibition

• “Kristin Skees: Close Knit,” virtual exhibition ju.edu/cfa

Jenna Alexander Studio jenna-alexander.com

The Lightner Museum

• “Contemporary Chronicles of St. Augustine,” through Sept. 30

• “75 for 75: Lightner Museum Diamond Anniversary Exhibition,” ongoing

• “Illuminate: Lightner Museum’s Stained Glass Rediscovered,” ongoing

• “St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Henry Jackson,” ongoing lightnermuseum.org

Main Library

• “The Written Word,” through July 31

• “Natural Narrative,” through July 31 tacjacksonville.org

MOCA Jacksonville

• Project Atrium: ”Hiromi Moneyhun: Ghosts,” through Aug. 27

• “Print+: Sameness and Otherness in Contemporary Printmedia,” through Aug. 27

• ”Bo Bartlett: Earthly Matters” through Sept. 10

• “Contemporary Cartographies,” through Oct. 15 mocajacksonville.unf.edu

Ritz Theatre & Museum

• “10 Walls,” through TBA

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” permanent collection ritzjacksonville.com

St. Augustine Art Association

• Online Summer Art Sale,” July 7-Aug. 27 staaa.org

Stellers Gallery

• Works by Eileen Corse, Jim Draper, Fallon Pepper, C. Ford Riley, Alice Williams, MacTruque and Jeff Foxworthy (yes, that Jeff Foxworthy) stellersgallery.com

Touché Gallery

“Collage a Trois” with works by Noli Novak, Liz Gibson and Eric Gilyard touchegallery.com

The Vault at 330

• Featured artists include Susan Astleford, Margena Burnett, Ellen Diamond, Ed Hall, Dolf James, Harry McCormick and Denise Murphy thevaultat1930.com

Yellow House

• “Sit in Stand Up,” virtual exhibition

• “Still Not About a Hotdog and a Coke,” virtual exhibition

• “Magic, Mirth, and Mortality: Musings on Black Motherhood,” virtual exhibition yellowhouseart.org

ONGOING

Art Walk: July 5

Downtown Jacksonville lights up the first Wednesday of the month with art by local artists at hubs in James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie and Vagabond Flea at VyStar Tower from 5–9 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy live music, food trucks, street performers, free admission to MOCA and complimentary rides on JTA’s Skyway. dtjax.org

Fernandina Beach Arts Market: July 8 and 22

Amelia Island’s premier arts and crafts market comes alive the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. fernandinabeachartsmarket.com

Riverside Arts Market: July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29

Artists, artisans and makers display their original paintings, jewelry, photographs, prints and other handcrafted items every Saturday—rain or shine—from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Riverside Avenue underneath the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. riversideartsmarket.com

St. Augustine First Friday Artwalk: July 7

On the first Friday of every month (hence the clever name), more than 30 galleries around the Oldest City open their doors from 5–9 p.m. for visitors to browse exhibits and interact with artists. A complimentary trolley service provides transportation between downtown venues. staaa.org

Vilano Beach Artisan Market: July 15

Part beach party, part arts market, this monthly event includes works by local artists and locally-made products, as well as live music. The market takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 4-8 p.m. on A1A and Vilano Road. facebook.com/vilanobeachofficial

HOPPY TRAILS TO YOU.

Jacksonville’s a hoppin’ destination for those looking to tap into a thriving, flavorful beer scene.

And with the Jax Ale Trail, it’s even easier to explore our brews.

No trailhead needed for this route. Just hop on the #JaxAleTrail with our Brewery Passport found at any of the 26 (and counting) participating breweries. Consider your passport a guide to the best local pints — and a key to free beer gear.

Jacksonville’s beer scene extends beyond craft breweries. Find out more about our beer-centric restaurants, bars and activities, then start sippin’!

Explore the Ale Trail with our Brewery Passport and plan your beer-venture by visiting jaxaletrail.com.

Street Art

Words by

Su Ertekin-Taner

and photos by Amiyah Golden Jacksonville is a city of sun, of beaches, of nature trails and sky-high buildings, of rivers, of bridges and parks, yes, but Jacksonville is also a city of distinct artists and carefully-created art. View some of Jacksonville’s greatest street art treasures and don’t worry…it’s on the house.

This abstract metal sculpture, characterized by its composition of only primary colors, marries straight, fine points with necessary arches. The structure stands tall at the corner of Downtown’s James Weldon Johnson Park closest to the Wells Fargo building.

LOCATION: James Weldon Johnson Park, Downtown ARTIST: Unknown

LOCATION : N Hogan St. and W Ashley St., Downtown

ARTIST: Elena Øhlander

In this hidden Downtown niche, traditional graffiti bubble letters of various pastel hues provides an alluring color to an externally old, desolate building of patchy white brick.

LOCATION: N Hogan St. and W Church St., Downtown

ARTIST: Unknown

One of Øhlander’s signature characters hides in her blue and white polka-dotted collar. The character is framed by a hat with another, younger character and a dark blue background that makes

the art pop.

Øhlander and Galski team up for an impressive creation in which a futuristic, sci-fi-inspired purple portal fashioned with words in various languages encases one of Elena Øhlander’s strong, feminine characters. The piece is surrounded by a murky green crackling with lightning.

LOCATION: N Hogan St. and W Church St., Downtown

ARTIST: Elena Øhlander and Chris Galski

This monochromatic grayscale piece at the heart of Downtown showcases a pelican-looking creature of hyperbolic proportion with dozens of fish in its mouth. Two hooded figures surround and tend to the pelican, propping open its mouth for feeding and providing baskets full of fish. Note: Phlegm incorporates a metal railing on the side of the building into the piece as the structure helps uphold the giant pelican’s neck.

LOCATION: 140 W Monroe St., Downtown

ARTIST: Phlegm

This tribute to sculptor, educator and activist Augusta Savage mimics the sculptor’s piece “The Harp” which portrays a harp constructed of Black singers. Antonaccio’s use of texture in this monochromatic piece adds an extra layer of tribute and magnificence to the stories-high work.

LOCATION: 229 N Hogan St., Downtown

ARTIST: Andrew Antonaccio

In this Veal piece, a woman clad in a well-draped silk shrug-nightgown and a textured dress tousles her hair. The pink undertones of the woman’s skin and clothes contrast beautifully with a turquoise background mimicking shrubbery.

LOCATION: N Hogan St. and W Church St., Downtown

ARTIST: Jenn Veal

Thin metal spirals and lily-pad-like sheets of red sit atop orangey-yellow stems. This metal bouquet, sitting squarely in the middle of James Weldon Johnson Park, alludes to Floridian flora.

LOCATION: James Weldon Johnson Park, Downtown

ARTIST: Will Cobb

This mosaic totem pole captures bits of Jacksonville life. The names of counties and communities in Jacksonville, the hand drawn images of palm trees that circle the pole, and the colorfully tiled structure all highlight the singularity of Jacksonville.

LOCATION: James Weldon Johnson Park, Downtown

ARTIST: Unknown

You might have come across these ombre columns on your drive through Downtown Jacksonville. This particular pillar blends a beautiful wave of dark blue into a neon yellow; the colors are mediated by a gray that fills the rest of the space.

LOCATION: All around Downtown, but concentrated near James Weldon Johnson Park

ARTIST: Cecilia Lueza

A multi-colored insect-like sea creature fit with orange spikes races through the ocean’s waves and possibly even its coral. The creature is tailed by large green fish and a sea turtle as well as a larger, bubbling wave.

LOCATION : 228 3rd Street North, Jacksonville Beach

ARTIST: Shaun Thurston

This playful rooster mural on the side of restaurant Coop 303 hints at some of the dining options inside. The rooster’s bright blue eyes stare at visitors coaxing them into the building. A small shadow of a chicken rests below the rooster’s tail.

LOCATION: 303 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville Beach

ARTIST : Anthony Rooney

Located on the side of the Jessie Ball duPont Center, this acrylic and mixed media wall art depicts a bit of Filipino culture in Jacksonville. The images of Filipino Americans dancing, painting, tending to elders, cooking, filmmaking, guitar playing, etc. all outline the various contributions of this distinct group to our community. This piece reminds passersby the rich diversity of our city.

LOCATION: Jessie Ball duPont Center, Downtown

ARTIST: Grace Bio

In this mural above the defunct Ann Teague’s Lamp Supply, a young couple opens a box, possibly a present, on their kitchen table while a birthday cake with candles lit lies awaiting consumption. The style of this piece leans impressionist with its hazy approach to painting: very little is completely defined in the mural.

LOCATION: 112 E Forsyth St., Downtown

ARTIST : Unknown

Located on the side of the Burrito Gallery Downtown, this mural portrays a set of buildings (perhaps, inspired by Downtown Jacksonville) of diverse color leaning into one another as the concrete that sustains them crumbles. Truque truly captures the essence of the phrase “swallowed by the city” with this painted piece.

LOCATION: 21 E Adams St., Downtown ARTIST: Mac Truque

The centerpiece of this image is a Frankenstein of sorts: a heart, a moth and a lantern all merge together above a banner that reads “esperanza,” or “hope” in Spanish. Gold rays radiate from the heartmoth-lamp which is also mounted on a map. With his fine-line precision and mostly monochromatic approach to this mural, Puerto Rican muralist Diaz makes a comment on the illusive nature of the “American Dream” while using the lamp to represent hope.

LOCATION: N Main St. and E Adams St., Downtown ARTIST: Alexis Diaz

Thurston’s surrealist mural, fittingly placed above bookstore Chamblin’s Uptown, depicts islands of soil and roots floating in a blue sky above a desert-like terrain. On the islands, small trees of white flowers and even animals, like a buck, lie stationed.

LOCATION: 215 N Laura St., Downtown

ARTIST : Shaun Thurston

Traditional bold and graphic graffiti writing lies overtop a setting of sand, water, palm trees, a setting sun and a surfboard meant to represent Jacksonville Beach. This graffiti piece is fittingly located on the side of Graffiti Burger Bar.

LOCATION: 265 5th Ave N, Jacksonville

Beach

ARTIST : unknown

A flamboyant red, orange, yellow collection of ceramic tiles grace the exterior of the Jessie Ball duPont Center. The characteristic Floridian ray of sunshine plasters itself onto the walls in the form of these well-laid and thought-out tiles.

LOCATION: Jessie Ball duPont Center, Downtown

ARTIST: Taylor Hardwick

A reader’s side profile is shown: their frizzy hair is splayed every which way as they appear to be caught up in their page-turning task. Clouds in the background and some in the foreground of the picture create a dusky environment. The Parsons’ mural is mounted on eight separate structures protruding from the building.

LOCATION: Jessie Ball duPont Center, Downtown

ARTIST: Chris Parsons

Possibly, the cutest of the pieces on this list is this pastel French bulldog layered onto a checkered pastel pink background. Of course, the charm of this multicolored bulldog piece increases exponentially with its many added doodles of rainbows, flowers, swirls, etc.

LOCATION: 2nd St. N and 12th Ave N, Jacksonville Beach

ARTIST: Miko Creations

Words and interview by Carson Rich

Rachael Sage is a woman of many talents who has been inspiring people all over the world through her music. An award-winning singer songwriter in her own right, she’s also worked with Grammy winners Judy Collins and Sarah McLachlan. We had the chance to chat with Sage recently to find out more about her career, life and inspirations.

FOLIO: Diving into your discography, there are so many genres that your songs can fit under from pop to rock and folk to R&B. Which is your favorite, and also what is one genre that you have not tapped into yet but hope to in the future?

RACHAEL SAGE: It would be true to say that I tend not to think about genre at all when writing and recording my music. When inspiration strikes, as an artist I feel my job is in service to the song … which is often, but not always, a story. I think genre is sort of more about vibe, landscape and environment, and one song might benefit from a super-poppy approach while another just feels like it wants to be more stripped-down and folky. It’s a cliché that we think of our songs as children but in terms of this question there’s a good parallel in that part of a parent’s role is to nurture and not force their kids to be who they want them to be. You offer opportunities, and see where they lead! I would say the same thing about songs because I might approach a composition as a ballad initially, and then decide three months later in the studio it’s an uptempo. Somehow — and partly I think it’s craft but also a bit of magic — you just know when a certain genre or style feels “right” and the arrangement clicks …

In the future, I do think it would be fun to make a full-on rock record, whether old school rock ‘n roll or some hybrid of rock and spoken word. I’ve dabbled in that direction here and there but never made a whole album that rocked out start to finish. Beyond that, I would love to make a whole album with just voice and string quartet. We’ll see!

FOLIO: What inspires you as an artist? Is there someone you look up to or an incident you often find yourself looking back to?

RACHAEL: I am inspired by every aspect of life as an artist because being an artist is a way, I believe, of looking at and processing the world. It’s never been any single thing but rather a language and a means of coping with the hardships as well as the blessings that each day brings. That said, I’ve certainly written my fair share of love songs, as well as songs about empowerment, summoning courage and from time to time, songs that attempt to cast light on social injustice as well. I try to balance writing about my own life with also chronicling the experiences of others. In my training as an actor, I was often encouraged to summon my own emotions and experiences to convey other characters, and I am

sure that I must do the same — even subconsciously — within my writing. Ultimately, I suppose I’m inspired by all the myriad ways we as human beings go through hoops to connect with one another even under duress and the beauty of how music itself can help us transcend trauma and fuel our wildest imaginings!

FOLIO: If you could work with any musician, who would it be and why?

RACHAEL: I would love to work with Elvis Costello! I think he has had the most fascinating and impressive career full of the most unexpected collaborations, and his entire sensibility has helped guide me as a songwriter … for many years. I have listened to his many albums as a soundtrack to so much of my life, but moreover, I just connect so much to his aesthetic and the way he thinks, lyrically as well as musically. It would be an enormous honor, but at this point in my life, I think I would actually be grounded enough to hold my own — so it would be, above all, fun, I’m sure! And of course, that’s what making music should be all about...

FOLIO: Through your work you have always tried to inspire and advocate for people everywhere, whether it is for the LGBTQIA+ community or in relationships in general. What is the main message you try to promote in your music?

RACHAEL: Thank you for highlighting that. It’s true that I feel a sense of responsibility to advocate for and hopefully uplift all kinds of people including the LGBTQIA+ community, women in general, as well as those who feel marginalized or, like, that haven’t had a voice or a place at the table, so to speak. As a kid I was badly bullied, and there was never any logic to it; I spent so much precious energy trying to circumvent and outwit meanness, tying my mind and spirit in knots to do so and ultimately I just had to “wait it out” and endure it. It was a tough five or so years where all I really felt I had to get me through was the arts: dance, music, acting — and thankfully also my loving family. So the main message I try to promote in my music is, naturally, compassion and empathy. We all bleed the same blood, and as I was taught in Hebrew school, “every person is a universe.” If we could only remember that all the moments of our lives, what a different universe it would be!

FOLIO : While on tour, what is your favorite place to eat and what did you have there?

RACHAEL: My favorite cuisine in general is Middle Eastern, and along our travels we’ve happened onto amazing restaurants in places like Edinburgh, Scotland or Bath, England. I love Turkish, Moroccan or really any kind of Middle Eastern food and am basically addicted to hummus and love haloumi, couscous and tzatziki. But to be honest, I adhere to a very strict diet most of the time as my cancer experience taught me a lot about “clean eating” — so I’m just happy when I can get a decent spinach or kale salad and some good fresh veggies!!

Southern Sounds

THE WORLD.”

FOLIO : Over the course of your career, you have released 14 solo albums. How has your approach changed during that time when it comes to making new music?

RACHAEL: My forthcoming album, “The Other Side,” will inexplicably be my 15th full-length album. Where all that time went, I truly don’t know … it has absolutely flown by! I can still remember being in the studio with my first band in the late ‘90s and being so determined to get the perfect live take where everyone played their best, all at the same time. I was a purist back then and had a lot more ego attachment to playing without making mistakes. Now, I would probably listen to a take with a mistake and evaluate it more objectively like: “This isn’t perfect, but it has a good energy and I believe it … so I’m going to leave that in there.” I think my approach now is more organic and to some extent, I suppose I’ve mellowed! I am more interested in discovery and surprise and less in capturing a pre-existing plan exactly as I may have been harboring it. That’s not to say I don’t deliberate over arrangements and instrumentation, but I just think I’m a bit more open and looser about it now. I also think I’ve gotten better at letting collaborators “do their thing.” A good idea is a good idea — and as I really learned while making my spoken-word/jazz album “Poetica” during lockdown, sometimes it’s about having a conversation with fellow musicians as much as it is about refining your own inner monologue. Working on that project definitely shifted my musical DNA!

FOLIO: If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you?

RACHAEL: Paper, Sharpies and a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Assuming food and water weren’t an issue, I think I could get by just spending my days drawing, writing and reading poetry.

“I AM INSPIRED BY EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE AS AN ARTIST, BECAUSE BEING AN ARTIST IS A WAY, I BELIEVE, OF LOOKING AT AND PROCESSING

CONCERTS

JULY 1

Jeezy, Boosie & Friends: State of Emergency Tour VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jaxevents.com

Red Corvette: A Prince Tribute Band Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

“Heat Fest” presented by Dean Winter and the Heat Bier Hall at Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Lovesong (The Cure Tribute) and First Wave Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Medal Militia (Metallica Tribute), “Pantera Experience” and Legions Blind Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 5

Matchbox Twenty Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

JULY 6

Riley Green St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Starletta and Riot House Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 7

Violence System Jack Rabbits jaxlive

JULY 8

Gerardo Díaz Jacksonville Equestrian Center ticketon.com

The Ries Brothers w/Matt Walden and The Hulagans 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

Chris Rudasill and Jackie Stranger Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 9

Star Collar, Matcha and Sauce Pocket 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

Obituary w/200 Stab Wounds and Tribal Gaze Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 11

Louis Tomlinson St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

JULY 12

Harbour w/Sylmar and guests Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 13

Dierks Bentley: Gravel & Gold Tour Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

Bit Brigade and Limo Scene Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

Brotality with Amongst The Giants, Inner Sanctum and Divide Inside Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

JULY 14

David Brighton’s Space Oddity Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org

Trixter Acoustic, Kamenar and Jerry Sible Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 15

An Evening With Chest Fever

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

The Mean Violets, London On Fire and Stella Soul

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 16

Boy George & Culture Club, Howard Jones & Berlin Daily’s Place Ddailysplace.com

Barenaked Ladies St. Augustine Amphiteatre theamp.com

Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel Bier Hall at Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Hobo Johnson and Maddie Baker Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 18

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness w/ special guest Flor Ponte Vedra Concert Hall pvconcerthall.com

Buckcherry Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 19

Emily Davis, Tori Nance, Bethany and the Cryin’ Wolves

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 20

Young the Giant St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

JULY 20

Darius Rucker Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

JULY 21

Demon F*ck, Visceral Autopsy & Splitlip

Jack Rabbits jaxlive.com

JULY 21 & 22 Yellowcard Daily’s Place dailysplace.com

JULY 22

Virginia Sweet and Graves B’Hamala Jack Rabbits Live jaxlive.com

Stephen Stanley w/Ivey Asher & Nick Rodriguez Murray Hill Theatre murrayhilltheatre.com

JULY 23

Michael Franti & Spearhead St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Endbringer, Yosemitein Black and more 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

JULY 26 Steel Panther Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 27

Goo Goo Dolls with special guest O.A.R. St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

JULY 28

John Fogerty St. Augustine Amphitheatre theamp.com

Jackson Browne Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts jaxevents.com

Two Ince Voices, Augustus Wolfe Barnas and guests Jack Rabbits Live jaxlive.com

Kash’d Out Underbelly underbellyjax.com

JULY 29

First Coast Music Festival 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

NEW MUSIC RELEASES

Made For You By Amiyah Golden

JULY 7

“Slugs of Love”

Little Dragon

“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”

Taylor Swift

JULY 14

“Portraits”

Birdy

JULY 21

“Starcatcher”

Greta Van Fleet

Little Dragon continues to create music that is far from the ordinary. The Swedish band releases their sixth studio album, “Slugs of Love” calling it their, “…finest work yet.” With music that spans the spectrum, this album guarantees a unique sound.

As Swift continues to re-record her previous albums, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” is the third installment of her taking back ownership of her music. The album will feature all the original hits like “Back to December” and “Sparks Fly” but will also feature new songs in collaboration with Fall Out Boy and Hayley Williams of Paramore.

“Get Up”

New Jeans

The singer known for hits such as “Skinny Love” and “Not About Angels” releases “Portraits,” a follow-up to the 2021 release of her LP “Young Heart.” Expect nothing less than evoking lyrics and a beautiful accompaniment from the UK singer.

“Austin”

Post Malone

If you love Led Zeppelin, Greta Van Fleet’s modern embodiment will leave you speechless. Their latest release, “Starcatcher,” is expected to be nothing short of amazing with every song transporting listeners into a new realm.

Fans may be in for something a bit different from Howard. With the influence of electronic beats, “Is It?” shifts from his usual neo-folk sound with plenty of variety. Born out of a serious health scare for Howard, the new release is being descried as a “sonically splintered album… [capturing] Howard working through the moments of seismic shift.”

With hits such as “I Fall Apart,” “Congratulations” and “White Iverson” Post Malone releases his fifth album, “Austin.” With singles like “Mourning,” fans can expect a variety of music from the singer/rapper on this upcoming project.

“Sundial”

The Chicago rapper releases her new album, “Sundial,” this July. While no specific date has been announced, it is certainly a project worth waiting for. With impactful lyricism, Noname continually crafts a sound that’s invoking and thoughtful with an emphasis on real world events, ideas and experiences.

With influences drawn from the indie rock scene of the 2010s, timeless film scores and… whales, the captivating sound of Flipturn is sweeping the world by storm.

My introduction to the indie rock sensation occurred in 2018 when Flipturn emerged victorious in a battle of the bands contest, earning them a coveted spot to perform at the prestigious Okeechobee Music Festival.

By sheer accident, I stumbled across them when I ventured away from my group in search of a quick bite, and as luck would have it, my favorite food truck happened to be stationed near the stage they were on. As I approached, the crowd was modest yet buzzing with energy. While waiting in line for my food, I found myself captivated by their distinctive sounds that echoed through the air. I wound up staying for the whole set and thus began my (healthy) obsession with Flipturn.

Fast forward five years, as luck would have it (again), I was able to sit down with the band for a “Folio” feature. Instead of delving into the mundane questions that have been asked countless times before, I decided to spice things up and present them with a set of more entertaining questions that would tell us a bit more about each member.

For a basic history lesson, the group got together when they were just teenagers in Fernandina Beach where frontman Dillon Basse, bassist Madeline Jarman and lead guitarist Tristan Duncan would meet in Jerman’s garage after class for a light-hearted jam sesh. When the trio began writing and releasing tracks like “Chicago” and “August” (which topped the Spotify new artist chart,) their reputation skyrocketed, quickly transforming them into a mustsee band across the entire state. As their popularity grew, so did the band as they welcomed guitarist/synth player Mitch Fountain and drummer Devon VonBalson. Since then, the group embarked on a journey of headlining their own electrifying shows, while also hitting the road for nationwide tours alongside acts like Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Mt. Joy (both of which happen to be among my personal favorites).

Words and photos

Flipping The Music Scene

With the foundation set, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and dive right in. Already knowing where they drew most of their inspiration from (except for the fact that I hadn’t quite caught wind of their affinity for whales just yet), I couldn’t help but wonder: If they had the chance to collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

“Prince, definitely Prince,” VonBalson said quickly. “We kind of feel like he watches over us. Like he’s our guardian angel. That’s our little pre-show ritual. We get ready to Prince.”

Simply getting ready while listening to Prince is not where the story ends. A few years back in Gainesville, the band was playing at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville where the weather had shown to be not too promising for their performance. So they turned to prayer and sought divine intervention from Prince himself. I mean, who wouldn’t try to amp up their spirits for a rainsoaked performance by blasting “Purple Rain”?

“I was like, let’s huddle, let’s pray to Prince,” VonBalson shared. “And we did. And when we took the stage, I swear to God, it stopped raining and it was

an amazing set. So we just kind of decided after that, oh, we need to do this every time.”

So now you know, prior to walking on stage, Flipturn is summoning the spirits of a legendary artist before each show.

After reminiscing, Fountain was excited to share some inspiration behind one of their tracks from their “Shadowglow” album released last year. The track adored by millions was initially written as a gag.

“There’s a song called ‘Whales,’ and it started as a joke,” Fountain explained. “It was just an annoying, pitchy piano riff. It was a stupid song at first, literally made to annoy the band, and it turned into an actual song.”

The enchanting masterpiece we now know as “Whales” was originally referred to as “The Monkey Song” due to Duncan’s spontaneous serenade about monkeys along with the off-key keyboard melody. However, it was only when Jarman added her mesmerizing bassline to the mix that they collectively realized they might have an actual song on their hands. Fountain switched

by Carmen Macri

Scene With Flipturn

the pitchy keyboard to a guitar riff while VonBalson decided to incorporate pitched whale sounds into their musical tapestry and thus, “Whales” was born.

Whenever they reflect on the evolution of their music as a band, they fondly recall that moment. In the early days, the group consisted of bright-eyed high school graduates, eager to create music. As they journeyed together and matured as both individuals and musicians, their sound naturally matured alongside them.

“As the years have gone by, we kind of learned to take away and add things to our style,” Jarman explained. “We just think more cohesive as a band and of a song as a whole.”

Basse chimed in on the matter, as well.

“I feel like over time as you write more and more, you start to find what’s you, rather than what you were inspired by,” Basse expressed. “I’d say that the newest album is very much what I think is us. It’s the first album, I’d say, that’s a really good portrayal of us.”

Back to the outside-the-box interview questions, I asked the band, “If you were on Death Row, what would your final meal be?” Because really, what could possibly capture their true essence more accurately than their last culinary preferences before facing the grim reaper? It’s a crucial detail that every true fan must know.

They were happy to oblige. Duncan made an unconventional selection with Zaxby’s Buffalo chicken tenders. Jarman chose the Brussels sprout tacos from Taqueria Cinco, while VonBalson’s took a sweet turn with the French toast from The Fox with two sunny-side-up eggs and a side of bacon (way to keep it local!). Basse chose his father’s swordfish. And last but not least, Fountain chose chicken fried rice. Special shout out to the band’s manager, Sam Heekin, who claimed the Five & Dime from Maple Street Biscuit Company with the gravy on the side.

Maybe they should write a song about that.

“I’d say that the newest album is very much what I think is us. It’s the first album, I’d say, that’s a really good portrayal of us.”

Powerful Name to Live Up to but This Local Rapper Does Just That

Words and photos by Amiyah Golden

With lyricism that reflects life and a flow so fluid, IntricatetheAlmighty upholds the right to bear such a name. With an equally powerful birth name, Ephraim Riggins creates “music for heroes” putting an imaginative spin on rap while taking listeners on a trip through the multiverses.

In 2010 the wordsmith knew music was the path for him. Sitting in his dorm at Florida A&M University, fascinated with poetry, his love for the art of rap continued to grow.

“The feeling that I got was rapturing. It grabbed me so heavily I knew this was something that I’m supposed to be doing,” Intricate said. “I just didn’t know how to go about it.”

After graduating college, that feeling still resided within him. “I [had] to figure out and do what it is that makes me feel alive and what makes me feel purpose. And that’s what I got from rap. It was just figuring out how.”

Intricate has since then figured out the equation to his “how” by breaking through in the rap scene. Winning rap contests, releasing multiple projects and performing throughout the city, IntricatetheAlmighty is one to look out for.

When I first heard him perform, I was truly taken aback. I had to look around to see if what I was witnessing was real. With the skills Intricate possesses, you would think he was just stopping in as a favor from his sold-out tour. I genuinely couldn’t believe someone so talented was performing two feet away from me — which continues to prove the immense talent that dwells in this city.

Drawing inspiration from Lupe Fiasco and Andre 3000, Intricate embodies a protégé of the two legendary artists. That and the ability to yield range and variety in his music, Intricate reflects the same abilities that differentiate the good from the great.

With an upcoming project in the works, Intricate’s imagination goes beyond the scope of today’s hip-hop. Merging film and music, his prospective project continues to broaden the horizons of his discography.

To keep up with IntricateTheAlmighty and his music, follow him at @Intricate93 on Instagram.

Your 4th of July BBQ Recipe book

For days spent out in the sweltering sun by the pool and grill. For nights spent lounging at the beach or in your backyard, watching as the fireworks light up the night sky. Recipes for your Fourth of July.

Words by Ambar Ramirez

~Cocktails~

[RASPBERRY-LIME CHAMPAGNE PUNCH] from purewow.com

*8 Servings

Ingredients:

⅓ cup sugar

⅓ cup water

¾ cup lime juice, preferably freshly squeezed

½ cup vodka

2 cups tonic water

2 cups raspberries

1 lime, sliced

1 bottle Champagne or sparkling white wine

Directions:

• Bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium heat in a small pot. Stir to make sure the sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature.

• Stir the cooled simple syrup with the lime juice, vodka and ton ic water in a large pitcher. Add in the raspberries and lime slices.

• Add Champagne just before serving. Best served chilled.

Notes:

Perfect for those hot summer days when you want something refre shing but also sophisticated. Bonus, it only takes about 10 minutes to make.

~On the grill~

“BarkMasters BBQ is a BBQ private chef service, husband-and-wife team, that merges American and Laotian cultures and cuisines. Rather than share some standard American BBQ recipes with you, let me share with you a recipe I reverse-engineered from my wife’s Laotian family that is always a hit at our backyard cookouts. It’s a very simple marinade but packs a lot of flavor, and a little goes a long way.” –

David Horton

[Laos (Asian) Grilled Chicken Wings]

Yields enough marinade for about 20 large uncut wings. (Remember: a little goes a long way.)

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. black pepper

2 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. paprika

¼-½ cup oyster sauce

1 tbsp. seasoning soy

2 tsp. Squid brand fish sauce

Instructions:

• Use full uncut 3-piece wings with drum, flat and tip if possible. Larger wings work best. Use Asian “seasoning soy” not Kikkoman sushi soy. If using sushi soy, reduce or dilute it as it is stronger.

• Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk togeth er. Place wings in a separate medium-large/large mixing bowl and pour mar inade over the wings. Mix marinade to coat all the wings. Cover the mixin g bowl with plastic wrap and place into the fridge for about 1-2 hours befo re cooking. (Optional: use a gallon Ziploc bag for wings with marinade, remove all the air. I find it’s harder to get all the wings in bags, though, because they’re so big, so a larger bowl typically works best).

• If possible, mix the wings and marinade about every 30 minutes to coat all the wings. DO NOT leave marinade on for much longer than 2 hour s, NEVER leave overnight, as the marinade will overpower. (If using chicken drumsticks or thighs, reduce marinade time by 30 minutes, as those cuts ab sorb more than wings).

• Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill wings for about 15-20 minutes on each side or until internal temp is about 175 degree or grill a little longer to achieve an outer char.

[Firecracker Strawberries]

from delish.com

*Yields 10

Ingredients:

3 cups strawberries

4 cups vodka

1½ cup marshmallow creme

1 cup blue Pop Rocks

Directions:

• If you would like some extra smoke flavor on the wings, you could smoke them on a lower setting (200 degrees) for about 30-60 minutes a nd then hit them with high grill heat for a shorter time each side to caram elize the sugars and give a char.

• Place strawberries in a large bowl and pour in vodka until the berries are fully submerged.

• Place in the refrigerator and let soak for at least one hour. D rain strawberries, reserving vodka for future use.

• Pat berries dry with a paper towel. Microwave marshmallow creme for 10 seconds. Dip berries first in marshmallow creme then Pop Rocks.

Notes:

Doubles as a dessert … one that will keep the party going. For quicker prep time, prep the strawberries the night before. Skip the vodka all toge ther to keep the kids distracted.

BITE BY BITE

Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com

Rice + Noodles Korean Restaurant riceandnoodles.net

Anejo anejococinamexicana.com

Angie’s Subs facebook.com/angiessubs

Aqua Grill aquagrill.net

Azurea at One Ocean azurearestaurant.com

Barbara Jean’s on the Water barbarajeansonthewater.com

Caffe Andiamo caffeandiamo.com

Cantina Louie cantinalouie.com

Coop 303 coop303.com

Engine 15 Brewing Company engine15.com

The Fish Company Restaurant and Oyster Bar thefishcojax.com

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar flyingiguana.com

The G.O.A.T. Tapas & Bar thegoatjax.com

Hawkers eathawkers.com

JJ’s Liberty Bistro jjbistro.com/ponte-vedra

BEACHES

Kamiya 86 kamiya86fl.com

Marker 32 marker32.com

Mezzaluna mezzalunajax.com

Seven Wonders Restaurant 7wondersbakery.com

Tabouleh Cafe taboulehcafe.com

Mojo Kitchen mojobbq.com/mojo-kitchen

Nona Blue Modern Tavern nonablue.com

North Beach Fish Camp thenorthbeachfishcamp.com

Oaxaca Club theoaxacaclub.com

O-Ku o-kusushi.com

Palm Valley Fish Camp palmvalleyfishcamp.com

Poe’s Tavern poestavern.com

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant safeharbor-seafood.com

Salt Life Food Shack saltlifefoodshack.com

Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach Salumeria104.com

Singleton’s Seafood Shack singletonsseafood.com

Sliders Oyster Bar slidersoysterbar.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

TacoLu tacolu.com

Two Dudes Seafood Restaurant twodudesrestaurant.com

Valley Smoke BBQ valleysmoke.com

MURRAY HILL

Bellweather bellwetherjax.com

The Bread and Board thebreadandboard.com

Burrito Gallery burritogallery.com

Cowford Chophouse cowfordchophouse.com

De Real Ting Cafe facebook.com/derealtingcafe

Estrella Cocina estrellajax.com

The Happy Grilled Cheese thehappygrilledchees.wixsite.com/grilledcheese

Indochine indochinejax.com

Juliette’s Bistro at Marriott Jacksonville Downtown marriott.com

Ocean Street Tacos oceanstreettacos.com

On The Fly Sandwiches & Stuff (food truck) ontheflyjax.com

Sweet Pete’s sweetpetescandy.com

Spliff’s Gastropub spliffsgastropub.com

Berndt Ends BBQ facebook.com/berndtendsbbq

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro bluebamboojacksonville.com

ChopHouse Thirteen chophouse13.com

Julington Creek Fish Camp julingtoncreekfishcamp.com

Kazu Japanese Restaurant kazujapaneserestaurant.com

Le Petit Paris French Cafe lepetitparisjax.com

Masala Indian Cuisine jaxmasala.com

One Night Taco Stand onenightjax.com

Picasso’s Pizzeria jaxpicassos.wixsite.com/jaxpicassos

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe tazikis.com

Umami Japanese Curry & Ramen umamijax.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

Buchner’s Bierhall buchnersbierhalle.com

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

El Jefe Tex Mex eljefejax.com

Fired Up Pizza woodfireduppizza.com

Maple Street Biscuit Company maplestreetbiscuits.com/murray-hill

Moon River Pizza moonriverpizza.net

Murray Hillbilly murrayhillbilly.com

Vagabond Coffee Co. vagabondcoffee.com

& AVONDALE

Aloha Waffle Bar alohawafflebar.com

Green Papaya Pan Asian Cuisine greenpapayaus.com

Junior’s Seafood Restaurant juniorsseafoodrestaurant.com/north-jacksonville

Joseph’s Pizza josephspizza.com/northside-full-menu

Masala Mantra masalamantrajax.com

Ship 2 Shore Seafood & Steak ship2shoreseafood.com

13 Gypsies 13gypsies.com

904 Tacos facebook.com/904tacosfivepoints

Ale Pie House alepiehousefl.com

Arepa Please arepaplease.com

Black Sheep blacksheep5points.com

Biggie’s Pizza biggiespizzajax.com

Biscottis biscottis.net

Blue Orchid blueorchidthai.com

Bold Bean boldbeancoffee.com

Brew Five Points brewfivepoints.co

Corner Taco cornertaco.com

Cuisine 76 & Bar cuisine76andbar.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

The Fox Restaurant facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant

Hawkers eathawkers.com

Homespun Kitchen homespunkitchen.com

Iguana on Park iguanaonpark.com

Jazzy’s Restaurant & Lounge jazzysrestaurant.net

Josephine josephineavondale.com

Kickbacks Gastropub kickbacksgastropub.com

MOJO No. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar mojobbq.com/mojo-no-4

The Mossfire Grill mossfire.com

Nacho Taco nachotaco.net

Pizza Cave facebook.com/pizzacave5pts

Restaurant Orsay restaurantorsay.com

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Sake House sakehousejax.com

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

Sushi Cafe sushicafejax.com

Sweet Theory Baking Company sweettheorybakingco.com

Taqueria Cinco taqueria5points.com

SAN MARCO

Bar Molino barmolino.com

bb’s bbsrestaurant.com

The Bearded Pig thebeardedpigbbq.com

Bistro AIX Restaurant and Lounge bistrox.com

European Street Cafe europeanstreet.com

Flavors of Thai flavors-of-thai.business.site

Fuji Sushi jacksonvillefujisushi.com

The Local thelocaljax.com

SPRINGFIELD

1748 Bakehouse 1748bakehouse.com

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery facebook.com/CrispysSpringfieldGallery

The Dreamette dreametteicecream.com

The District thedistrictspr.com

III Forks 3forks.com/location/jacksonville

SOUTHSIDE

Catullo’s Italian catullos.hrpos.heartland.us/menu

Culhane’s Irish Pub culhanesirishpub.com

The French Pantry thefrenchpantryfl.com

WESTSIDE

The Juicy Crab thejuicycrabjax.com

The Fox Restaurant facebook.com/thefoxrestaurant

The Potter’s House Soul Food and Bistro thesoulfoodbistro.com

Matthew’s Restaurant matthewsrestaurant.com

The Metro Diner metrodiner.com

The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille theolivetreemediterraneangrille.com

Peterbrooke peterbrooke.com/pages/san-marco

Southern Grounds southerngrounds.com

Taverna taverna.restaurant

Town Hall townhalljax.com

V Pizza vpizza.com

Hola Mexican Restaurant holajax.com

Strings Sport Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar meetatsilkies.com

Waafa and Mike’s Cafe facebook.com/waafaandmikes

Prati Italia pratiitalia.com

Mr. Potato Spread mrpotatospread.com

Midtown Table midtowntable.medurebrothers.com

Taste of Thai tasteofthaijax.com

Puerto Plata Restaurant puertoplatarestaurant.com

Sushi Bear sushibearjax.com

Trent’s Seafood jltrents.com

The Amazing Amazing Thai

Words and photos by Su Ertekin-Taner

The car pulls off on the Gate Parkway exit, heading toward one particular small strip mall not a minute away. Thai food is on the mind today, something authentic and inarguably delicious, and this new find comes with high recommendations from friends. I pull into Amazing Thai.

The exterior is nothing eye-catching. In fact, the sans serif font — a bold and blocky font typically used for small signs of the restaurant name — begs to be overlooked, forgotten. The fairly sparse surroundings (an Ikea across the street and rows of neighborhoods) doesn’t help. Even the many restaurants of the St. Johns Town Center seem miles away. But something about Amazing Thai encourages me, prepares me for a delectable flavor profile: perhaps it’s the packed parking lot that I barely find a space in. So in spite of that uninspiring bold and blocky font and secluded location, I enter.

A tingly lemongrass aroma fills the air and I know I’ve come to the right spot. I sit down and look around carefully then practice some numerology: six tables in total, two waiters, three seated groups (soon to become five), about 10 photographs of iconic Thailand landmarks like the Grand Palace in Bangkok and five or so Maneki-neko (or “lucky cats”) waving to me near the entrance. Sure enough, one lemongrass oil diffuser behind my head, and one menu before me. I dive in.

Immediately, I jump to the noodle section of the menu, skipping the soups, salads, entrees, curry dishes and more elaborate house specials. I crave calories today. The pad thai, perhaps the most replicated of Southeast Asian dishes due to a nationwide fascination with Thai food, beckons and I oblige, of course. I also add the titular dish “Amazing Thai” to my order which embeds a choice of meat or veggies in a house-made peanut sauce with steamed broccoli. And eventually, I cave into the veggie spring rolls.

But other dishes catch my eye in my selection journey. The tom yum chicken or tofu soup (a tangy traditional Thai soup with lemongrass, Thai chilies and chili paste, lime leaves, fish sauce and choice of meat), the pad prik (a sauteed mixture of Thai chili, veggies, bamboo shoots and meat), the pad see-ew (stir-fried rice noodles with chili paste, veggies, Thai basil, egg and meat) and the pineapple fried rice (stir-fried rice with pineapple, raisins, cashews, curry powder and meat) draw me in. But traditional Thai flavors with influences from surrounding countries like Laos, Cambodia, India and

Malaysia appear throughout the menu. Coconut milk infused dishes, Thai chili dressed meat, lemongrass flavored soup, a large incorporation of fresh fruit into dishes entice me visually — and in a gustatory sense, I’m sure, if I were to try these dishes. For now, I focus on the food which has arrived, already eating with my eyes.

My eyes, which have completed most of the digesting now, foreshadow the explosive taste of this pad thai, the best pad thai I’ve had in Jacksonville. The rice noodles are cooked and stirred perfectly with the bean sprouts, egg, peanuts and chicken. The sauce of tamarind paste, fish sauce and palm sugar is spread evenly among the noodles, allowing every bite to pack a flavorful punch. The sprinkled peanut adds a necessary crunchy element to the dish, and the side of lime, which I squeeze on the noodles, intensifies the taste. The palate of sweet, tart and salty merges so beautifully in my mouth. I am complete in this pad thai.

I eat a bit of the Amazing Thai, as well, and a completely new flavor profile ruptures the remaining taste of the pad thai. The rich, thick peanut sauce that coats the veggies is luxurious, slipping and sliding in my mouth like velvet on hardwood floor. I look forward to feeling the warmth of the sauce in my mouth after I digest. The spring rolls, too, are delicious in their own right with a well-crisped outside and soft, warm veggie belly.

Having grown up among primarily Turkish food, I’m certainly not the judge of authenticity for any other culture despite my hours long attempt to educate myself on Thai flavors. Nevertheless, I know the culture of home-cooked foods, the hours spent chiseling and remodifying dishes to represent the flavor profile that ancestors first dreamt up, the devotion to the architecture and look of a meal, and the love infused in the dishes. At Amazing Thai, I sense this devotion, thoughtfulness, amazingness; the restaurant is wellnamed.

The Amazing Thai may not have an eye-catching exterior, but inside the cultured, deliberate chefs and their traditional Thai food showcase the marvels it holds.

NIGHTLIFE

ARLINGTON

Cliff’s Bar and Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com

Cuba Libre Bar cubalibrejax.com

BEACHES/PONTE VEDRA

Blue Jay Listening Room bluejayjax.com

The Brix Taphouse jacksonvillebeachbar.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Flask & Cannon facebook.com/flaskandcannon

Fly’s Tie Irish Pub facebook.com/Flystieirishpub

Green Room Brewing greenroombrewing.com

Grey Matter Distillery Greymatterdistillery.com

Gusto Gustojax.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Ink Factory Brewing inkfactorybrewing.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Julep Palm Valley facebook.com/JulepPalmValley

Lemon Bar & Grille Lemonbarjax.com

Lynch’s Irish Pub lynchsirishpub.com

Mango’s mangosjaxbeach.com

Mavi’s Waterfront Bar & Grill mavijax.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern monkeysuncletavern.com

Palm Valley Outdoors Bar and Grill palmvalleyoutdoors.com

Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel casamarinahotel.com/penthouse-lounge

Ragtime Tavern ragtimetavern.com

Refinery Jax Beach refineryjaxbeach.com

Reve Brewing revebrewing.com

The Ritz Lounge Theritzlounge.com

The Shim Sham Room shimshamroom.com

Southern Swells Brewing Company southernswells.com

Surfer The Bar Surferthebar.com

Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/vooswar

DOWNTOWN 1904 Music Hall 1904musichall.com

The Bier Hall intuitionaleworks.com/bierhall

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Dos Gatos dosgatosjax.com

Intuition Aleworks intuitionaleworks.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Justice Pub facebook.com/thejusticepub

Live Bar facebook.com/livebarclubjax

Manifest Distillery manifestdistilling.com

Ruby Beach Brewing rubybeachbrewing.com

Underbelly underbellyjax.com

The Volstead thevolsteadjax.com

FLEMING ISLAND

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com/fleming-island

Mercury Moon facebook.com/mercury-moon

Mr. Chubby’s Wings mrchubbyswings.com

Sunset Tiki Bar the-sunset-tiki-bar.business.site

Whitey’s Fish Camp whiteysfishcamp.com

INTRACOASTAL WEST 9 Zero Pour 9zeropour.com

MVP’s Sports Grille facebook.com/mvpssportsgrille

The Spot Hookah Lounge thespothookahloungejax.com

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MANDARIN/JULINGTON CREEK/ FRUIT COVE

2nd Bay Brewing 2ndbaybrewing.com

Comedy Zone comedyzone.com

Iggy’s Grill and Bar facebook.com/IggysGrill

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

Legacy Ale Works legacyaleworks.com

Monkey’s Uncle Tavern facebook.com/monkeysunclemandarin1

Rack’em Up Sports Bar facebook.com/rackemupsportsbar

Time Out Sports Grill timeoutsportsgrill.com

MURRAY HILL Buchner’s Bierhalle buchnersbierhalle.com

Fishweir Brewing Company fishweirbrewing.com

The Flamingo theflamingojax.com

Perfect Rack Billiards Perfectrackbilliards.com

Silver Cow silvercowjax.com

The Stout Snug thestoutsnug.com

The Walrus thewalrusjax.com

NORTHSIDE

Coppertop Bar and Restaurant coppertopbarandrestaurant.com

Four Fathers Distillery fourfathersdistillery.com

ORANGE PARK/MIDDLEBURG

57 Heaven facebook.com/57HeavenOP

Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant bigdawgsrestaurant.com

Cheers Park Avenue cheersparkave.com

The Daq Shack thedaqshack904.com

Dee’s Music Bar and Grill facebook.com/musicbarandgrill

The Fresh Spot Lounge thefreshspotlounge.com

LeaderBoard Arcade leaderboardarcade.com

Locals Pub localspub.co

Nakama Anime Bar nakamabar.com

Park Avenue Billiards parkavenuebilliards.com

Pinglehead Brewing Company pinglehead.com

Southern Social Whiskey Bar & Lounge southernsocialbar.com

RIVERSIDE/AVONDALE Birdies facebook.com/birdiesfivepoints

Bold City Brewery boldcitybrewery.com

Brick Restaurant brickofavondale.com

Burlock & Barrel burlockandbarrel.com

Casbah Cafe thecasbahcafe.com

Dart Bar & Games facebook.com/DartBarJax

Eclipse Bar & Nightclub facebook.com/EclipseBarJax

The Garage garagejax.com

The Green House thegreenhousebar.com

Hoptinger Bier Garden + Sausage House hoptinger.com

Jazzy’s Restaurant & Lounge jazzysrestaurant.net

Kanine Social Taproom kaninesocial.com

Keg & Coin kegandcoinjax.com

Kingmaker Brewing kingmakerbrewing.com

Lemonstreet Brewing Company lemonstreetbrewing.com

The Loft loftjax.com

Myrtle Avenue Brewing facebook.com/myrtleavebrewing

Park Place Lounge park-place-lounge.business.site

Rain Dogs instagram.com/raindogs5points

River & Post riverandpostjax.com

Rogue Bar facebook.com/rogue.bar.1

Root Down facebook.com/rootdownjax

Tabula Rasa Brewing tabularasa.beer

Wall Street Lounge facebook.com/thewallstreetlounge

Wildcrafters facebook.com/wildcraftersjax

SAN MARCO/ST. NICHOLAS

Aardwolf Brewing Company aardwolfbrewing.com

Bar Molino barmolino.com

Breezy Jazz House breezyjazzhouse.com

Cuba Libre Ultra Lounge cubalibrebar.com

Fore Score Golf Tavern forescoregolf.com

The Grape & Grain Exchange grapeandgrainexchange.com

Hamburger Mary’s hamburgermarys.com/jax

Kava & Company kavaandcompany.com

The Mudville Grill themudvillegrill.com

The Players Grille playersgrille.com

Posting House posting.house

Sidecar instagram.com/sidecarjax

Tabula Rasa Brewing tabularasa.beer

SOUTHSIDE/ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER Austin Karaoke facebook.com/austinkaraoke

Bottlenose Brewing bottlenosebrewing.com

Culhane’s culhanesirishpub.com

Island Girl Cigar Bar islandgirlcigarbar.com

Jax Craft Beer jaxcraftbeer.com

Secret Tiki Temple secrettikitemple.com

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery 7bridgesgrille.com

Trio Lounge Triohookahlounge.com

Veterans United Craft Brewery vubrew.com

Wicked Barley Brewing Company wickedbarley.com

WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel AloftJacksonvilleTapestryPark.com

SPRINGFIELD

Crispy’s Springfield Gallery crispysspringfieldgallery.com

Historically Hoppy Brewing Company historicallyhoppy.com

Hyperion Brewing hyperionbrewing.com

Shantytown Pub facebook.com/shantytownjax

Strings Sports Brewery stringssportsbrewery.com

ST. AUGUSTINE

Ancient City Brewing ancientcitybrewing.com

Arnold’s Lounge arnoldslounge.com Beacon Listening Room beaconstaug.com

Cellar Upstairs Bar at San Sebastian Winery Sansebastianwinery.com

Dog Rose Brewing dogrosebrewing.com

The Original Café Eleven originalcafe11.com

Prohibition Kitchen pkstaug.com

Tradewinds Lounge tradewindslounge.com

WESTSIDE

Lillian’s lillianssportsgrill.com

The Phoenix Bar & Bowling facebook.com/thephoenixjax

The Steel Pony facebook.com/STEEL-PONY

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Time Out Sports Grill (Beach Blvd), 7:30 p.m.

Give a Toy. FeeL the Joy.

VirtuaL TOY & DONATION DRIVE Now untiL JuLy 25, 2023

Christmas in July is a month-long community-wide campaign to raise funds for activities, experiences and toys for Wolfson Children’s patients.

Every year, corporations, civic organizations, groups and individuals — like you — help bring some midyear holiday cheer to the kids who need it most.

You can make Christmas in July a little brighter when you visit ChristmasJuly.com and *virtually* fill Santa’s sleigh by making a donation or shopping our Amazon wish list will make a lasting impact on a child visiting Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

“Maxwell Coffehouse” By Patricia Nunez