Folio Vol.36, Issue 12

2022

6.15

MIKE DROP Folio Staff

BEBE DELUXE Casey Alixandra

HURRICANE HAVEN Joseph Guiffre & Molly Britt

STAR SEARCH Folio Staff

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INSIDE...

VOL. 36, ISSUE 12

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36

Horoscopes

Unforgettable RuPaul

Kales Boucher

Rob Nicholson

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38

Artist Profile: Dallas Primavera

Voos War

Jani Day

Molly Britt

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39

Juneteenth

Every Body Talks

Jani Day

Jasmine Advanced Bodywork and Healing Center

11 Folio Sports Another Golden Era in Gainesville?

Clayton Tinkle 12 Mike Drop Duval County’s Sheriff caused

Casey Alixandra

TERESA SPENCER general manager ROB NICHOLSON sales director CASEY ALIXANDRA account executive/contributor MOLLY BRITT account executive/contributor RAIN HENDERSON creative director VINCENT DALESSIO staff writer/photo KALE BOUCHER contributor HARRY MOORE contributor

massive interference Folio Staff

JOHN M. PHILLIPS, ESQ. publisher

18 Hard Femme, Soft Butch

KERRY SPECKMAN copy editor/writer

BeBe Deluxe isn’t coming just for Jacksonville, but the world Casey Alixandra

JOSEPH GUIFFRE contributor

20 Star Search Winners

CLAYTON TINKLE contributor

Folio Staff 24

JANIE DAY intern

Fast and Furious 904 Driving in a manner that endangers the public is not cool Vincent Dalessio 25 Tedeschi Trucks Band Review Molly Britt 28 Hurricane Have: No Road, No Problem?

An ecological and sociological nightmare for residents of Summer Haven Joseph Guiffre & Molly Britt 34 June Movie Reviews Harry Moore

Behind the cover: Drop the mic, or the badge collage by Rain Henderson

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THE

MAIL

"Kevin Williamson, 59, appeared before a judge Friday with his public defender. His misdemeanor battery charge was dropped and he was charged with felony battery. We still await the addition of hate crime charges, but thank the Sheriff ’s Office and the State Attorneys for the upgraded charge. Ms. McCoy was pregnant at the time of the attack, so two lives were subject to Mr. Williamson’s violence. We demand release of the surveillance and body camera video from the Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office and State Attorney’s Office."

Amy Hanna, Phillips & Hunt, Attorney for Rayme McCoy

BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS BOUQUET to Jacksonville Historical Society & the City of Jacksonville

BRICKBAT to out of state developers, a few local landlords and Florida Government

Bravo to our historical society and the city for culminating an amazing

CBS News program “60 Minutes” featured Jacksonville as an example in March

bicentennial celebration. Complete with concerts and fireworks, the free festival

indicating that rents rose nationally in 2021 by 15% but increased a whopping

in downtown on June 11th was amazing.

31% according to a report by redfin. Florida and her cities have no rent control ordinances in place. Shame on our government officials for not protecting us

BOUQUET to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department & Atlantic Beach resident named Greg

Floridians from being ripped off.

Due to the quick actions of the brave man who wishes to keep his last name private, many lives were saved during an apartment fire that destroyed a sixunit complex. The man raced to his neighbors alerting them and assisting so everyone got out of the building safely and in time. And of course, thanks to our first responders for putting out the blaze quickly as well.

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R

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

Happy Gemini season! Now more than ever, be honest with yourself. It’s

Articulation and persuasion: definitely strengths of yours. Knowing your

OK to be a little blunt with others as you share this honesty. Remember

audience: eh, not so much. Remember no one is going to listen if you

your values, though, and let them guide your truth.

come off insensitive. Kindness is a skill to implement not just a feeling

CANCER

toward others.

You’re feeling a little tired and stuck. Don’t worry, it’s just your cue to

CAPRICORN

take a little break. It’s summer after all; give yourself a little early birthday

Money, an imaginary number on a screen but with real life consequences.

vacay.

Recently, it hasn’t really been in your favor. You could seek better financial

LEO It feels like as soon as you start to feel comfortable in your day to day life,

literacy or reject it all and live in the woods until wages are livable. (My vote, the latter.)

you start to question everything. It’s OK to re-evaluate periodically, but

AQUARIUS

don’t be scared of stability. Hard truth: you can’t be the star alllll the time

You’ve been putting in the hours at work. Maybe peel your eyes from

so you need to be cool with average-Joeness (being Kevin) sometimes.

the computer screen and invest some energy elsewhere. Join your Cap

VIRGO

friends and run away to the forest.

Harboring a crush is your favorite pastime. There’s nothing like pretending

PISCES

you’re the main character in a rom-com to add some extra something

You may be having difficulty adjusting from the softness of spring to a

to your day, but don’t let daydreams interrupt your focus on your own

scorching summer. Focus on maintaining your compassion and eye for

life trajectory.

growth. You’ll rediscover your power quickly.

LIBRA

ARIES

Later in the month, you’re on the books for some major self reflection.

Gearing up to pursue some major goals, you’ll feel a spark of motivation

In anticipation, start stretching those mindfulness muscles. Ask open-

and sustained determination come this June…if you don’t burn yourself

ended questions to those around you. Try to get a sense of the distance

out. In order to achieve the slow and steady pace, balance your efforts

between what you intend to convey to others and what they’re actually

with social time.

getting from you.

SCORPIO

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CHE

HOR O

SC

B OU

OP

BY KALE S E

TAURUS Your professional life is feeling scattered and complicated. Instead of

Feeling restless and unfulfilled, you may find it time to cut the ties holding

forcing your way through the tangle with intense rationalization, tune in

you back. This isn’t to say you should drop everyone you find annoying

to your emotional needs and desires. Let your subconscious guide you

this month. Instead, root out truly toxic situations you’re best off leaving

and things will come with ease.

behind.

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES FROM THE ARCHIVES ARCHIVES@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

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INTERN: JANIE DAY

DALLAS PRIMAVERA Dallas Primavera’s artistic evolution began when he was in elementary school.

His principal created a program allowing one person from each grade to receive art lessons for two hours every Friday afternoon. Primavera was chosen and participated throughout the third, fourth and fifth grades. He recalls that this was the first time he was ever rewarded for his actions.

During his sophomore year in high school, he worked in telemarketing recruiting people for taste tests. He was very good at his job, so he would finish his work at the beginning of his shift and then draw for the rest of it, handing in a successful recruit every 45 minutes or so.

His mom noticed his drawings and gave him a photograph of a house, asking him if he could draw it. Two days later, Primavera gave her the finished drawing, and she handed him a $400 check. The drawing had been for a friend of hers—a realtor who gave homebuyers a sketch of the house they bought. Once Primavera realized he could make money from his art, he quit his minimum wage job to draw houses for the rest of his high school years. “It was easy for me,” he said. “It was the only thing I’ve ever done in my life that came easy.”

Primavera went on to study art in college, including a stint at Florida State University and the University of Valencia in Spain—a graduation present from his grandmother. While in Spain, he fell in love with a Swedish girl and stayed in Europe for three years, painting and traveling with her—an experience that changed his life. After college, he worked as a bartender for 25 years until COVID-19 arrived, shuttering bars and restaurants. Finding himself unemployed, Primavera had time to truly concentrate on his art. It wasn’t long before he received so many commissions for work he officially quit bartending. Since then, he said, his artistic career has “branched out like a beautiful elm tree.”

He finds comfort painting at his home studio at night, when the world is asleep, especially his 5-year-old son who likes to sneak in while he’s working.

Primavera’s paintings are inspired by what happens in his daily life. When he was finishing one painting, for example, he learned his wife was pregnant, so he added a stork into the scene. “Everything has a story,” he said. “All my paintings are almost like journal entries of my mind.” In fact, on the back of each piece, he writes journal entries and/or poetry that represent where he was in his life at the time he painted it.

One truly unique part of Primavera’s art is the color-coded system he created.

On the front of each of his paintings is a key with 26 colored dots that each represent a letter in the alphabet. Throughout each piece are strings of these colored dots—a coded message for the observer to decipher and contemplate.

Primavera created this system with the hope of encouraging people to think more in a world where he feels people don’t think enough anymore.

Primavera recently finished three seasons of art shows, showcasing and selling his art throughout the state and is settling down for the summer to paint his commission pieces.

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INTERN: JANIE DAY

JUNE

TEENTH Juneteenth, also called Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and Emancipation

will also promote education by providing books, learning materials,

Day, is a holiday that takes place on June 19—the day that marks the

and information about educational services and products offered in

emancipation of enslaved African-Americans from Galveston, Texas

Duval County. Other events during Juneteenth weekend include the

in 1865. While President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation

Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant, Juneteenth Father’s Day Family

Proclamation, freeing all enslaved people in the Confederate states

Reunion BBQ/Cookout and Juneteenth Jazz at James Weldon Johnson

in 1863 (it took the 13th Amendment for slaves living in Union states

Park.

to be freed), the news didn’t make it to Texas, a Confederate state with minimal Union army presence, for two years. On June 19, 1865,

While Juneteenth is a day of celebration, Thomas emphasized it is also

Union General Gordon Granger finally arrived in Galveston, notifying

“a holiday to commemorate...to rejoice on one hand, but on the other

the enslaved people of their freedom.

hand, to reflect on where we are 157 years later and how much progress we’ve made.” This day encompasses the struggles of Black Americans,

Juneteenth is generally considered to be the longest-running African-

which is why the MLK Memorial Foundation’s events are operated “from

American holiday. Formerly enslaved Texans began celebrating this

the standpoint of reverence,” said Thomas.

monumental day in 1866, the year after their emancipation. Last year President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

“What we found out...is that prior to last year when Juneteenth was made a national holiday, people in Jacksonville knew very little about Juneteenth,” said Gary Thomas, president of the MLK Memorial Foundation, a Jacksonville-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement.

Juneteenth celebrations began in Jacksonville 10 years ago, when the MLK Memorial Foundation realized few in the public sphere were acknowledging this day and its significance.

Although Juneteenth is not an official state holiday in Florida, this year’s Juneteenth will be the first that is a paid holiday for city workers in Jacksonville. Last October, the Jacksonville City Council voted 16-2 in favor of making Juneteenth a city holiday, four months after it became recognized as a federal holiday.

This year, there are numerous Juneteenth events happening around Jacksonville. For the first time, the MLK Memorial Foundation is hosting three days of family-friendly Juneteenth activities instead of one. The foundation kicks off the celebration on June 18 with the Juneteenth Freedom Walk from Eighth Street and Davis Street to the Ritz Theatre and Museum. “It’s a symbolic walk,” said Thomas. “It represents us walking from the plantation on a long torturous road to freedom.”

Following the walk, the Ritz hosts the 10th Annual Juneteenth in Jacksonville Festival, featuring vendors and entertainment. The event

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Visit juneteenthinjacksonville.com for more information.

CONTRIBUTOR: CLAYTON TINKLE

ANOTHER GOLDEN ERA IN GAINESVILLE? In March of 2022, the University of Florida hired the analytics-driven Todd

First off, the biggest edge Golden brings to the fold in Gainesville is his

Golden to fill their head coaching vacancy on the hardwood.

ability to recruit internationally. The Gators, and the SEC as a whole for that matter, don’t see a plethora of top-tier international talent in their

The move was widely regarded as an upgrade by fans and alumni alike

locker rooms. Golden’s connections to professional basketball overseas,

who had grown tired of Mike White and his lack of ability to get over the

especially in Israel, should play a massive role in attracting top foreign

proverbial hump.

talent.

White, who left the Gators in March for a job at the University of Georgia,

That professional experience will also likely bring a different brand of

was just “OK” in Gainesville … and sometimes that’s OK.

basketball to Exactech Arena. Golden is, by all accounts in the national media, very analytical and applies that to his coaching style.

Expectations are high in Gainesville, as they should be, right?

Fans, alumni and the Rowdy Reptiles can expect a transition to a lot of The Gators, after all, have won two NCAA National Championships. The

three balls and a lot of pace. The new style is expected to be extremely

Rowdy Reptiles have appeared in 23 NCAA Tournaments. Florida has

different from the grind-it-out brand the Gators faithful has seen in recent

produced top tier talent, too. Twelve players have been selected in the

memory.

first round of the NBA Draft after wrapping up their time in Gainesville.

The program has a long, storied history.

Golden’s resume isn’t exactly lengthy, and once again, that’s probably OK. After his professional playing career ended in Israel, Golden joined

What is the problem with holding newcomers to these same expectations,

Columbia University as an assistant before stopping in Auburn, Alabama

though? It is not the University of Florida’s legacy. It is Billy Donovan’s.

under Bruce Pearl, and ultimately landing at the University of San

Out of Florida’s 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, 14 of them belong

Francisco. Golden spent two years as the Dons’ assistant before being

to Donovan, who coached the team from 1996-2015. But what about the

selected for the head job in 2019.

12 players regarded as top-shelf NBA prospects? Nine of them played under Donovan. You should not even have to ask about the National

Success came quickly in the Golden State, as the Dons finished 22-12

Championships … but, yeah, they are Donovan’s too.

in Golden’s first season in the West Coast Conference. In 2022, after a rebuild due to departures in 2020, Golden led the San Francisco Dons

Donovan was going to have this success at whichever university gave

to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998. On the national

him the chance to be a head coach, that place just happened to be the

stage, Golden and his Dons pushed the heavily favored Murray State

University of Florida. Donovan was going to use whichever school gave

Racers to overtime and fell just short of the second round.

him that opportunity as a platform to catapult himself to the NBA … and that’s also OK.

If I’m looking for a key stop on Golden’s resume, it isn’t necessarily the head coaching pit stop in San Francisco. The most applicable experience

At the end of the day, Billy Donovan was, and still is, an elite recruiter.

came as an SEC assistant under Bruce Pearl, while Pearl was beginning

Players historically love playing for Donovan, and it’s easy to see why

to build a program out of nearly nothing at Auburn.

based on the success he has had.

The experience of selling an average SEC program to elite talent looking This isn’t an indictment on the University of Florida or their program. It

to compete nationally is irreplaceable for Golden in his current situation,

is, however, the catalyst to a conversation that needs to be had. Maybe,

and he will be doing exactly that from the get-go.

just maybe, we should temper expectations for the new head man in Gainesville and let him create his own legacy as opposed to expecting

Signs point to Golden having a successful career in Gainesville, but

Donovan-esque success. It’s not pessimistic, it’s realistic.

supporters must remember one thing: He’s not Billy Donovan, and that’s OK.

All right, but who is Todd Golden?

Now that we’ve set the table for Todd Golden and the expectations for his tenure at the helm of the Florida basketball team, let’s dissect the fit.

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The political capital required to achieve office often happens by hand-shake agreements in back rooms. It is all part of the illusion. While looking at the smile - your pocket is picked. Eye contact is never lost. Many of these ringmasters are wealthy, white and successful. A few are quiet and get by without bringing attention to themselves.

However, most crave the spotlight.

Folio’s “The Circus,” detailed corruption and greed in Jacksonville politics. Whether it’s born from narcissism or nepotism, politicians are either the ringmasters or, at times, the clowns. It depends on the person, but both positions require a crew of on-lookers and hangers on around them to get into office and, more importantly, to stay there.

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This week, Folio will shine the spotlight on Mike Williams and the void left by his sudden, and possibly purposeful, resignation from the Office of the Sheriff of Jacksonville.

We start with a particularly interesting character named Kent Stermon.

Professionally, Stermon is the chief operating officer of Total Military Management, a company he leads alongside Matt Connell, that provides third-party services to the Department of Defense (DoD) household goods relocation industry. In other words, they help our military families relocate when they are reassigned. According to the reviews from the Better Business Bureau’s website, TMM needs to do a better job. One reviewer described TMM as “a shell for other moving companies.” TMM “maintain no licenses and use an immoral if not illegal sub-contracting system.” The review revealed TMM’s approach to hiring the lowest bidders, while obtaining and keeping the difference. Service men and women reported broken or missing furniture. Another reviewer felt it was, “WORST MOVE OF OUR ENTIRE LIVES!” Privately, Stermon is a friend to the powerful. Stermon’s name has largely been whispered and kept out of the press, despite his posting photos of himself with the who’s who of the local GOP. The only real mention of Stermon was from a time when he and Connell rented a condo to then Congressman Ron DeSantis. This prompted an ethics complaint.

However, the complaint was never resolved as it did not make it the level of an investigation before DeSantis resigned from Congress to run for the Governor of Florida.

Ron DeSantis. Stermon served as DeSantis’ Northeast Florida campaign chair and after the election was appointed to one of DeSantis’ policy advisory committees during the transition. Once elected, DeSantis appointed Stermon to the Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s public universities.

The special treatment doesn’t stop there. The Governor’s wife, Casey DeSantis, also entered this quagmire when she flew from Tallahassee to Jacksonville on a corporate jet controlled by Mori Hosseini, another Republican donor, so that she could attend a fundraiser at Stermon’s Total Military Management. When asked to comment, Stermon told Politico, “It is always good to see my good friend, first lady Casey DeSantis for lunch. I held a successful fundraiser for the Republican party of Florida. I appreciate the First Lady’s continued friendship and support of the party.”

Some insiders say, Stermon put Jacksonville’s former Sheriff Mike Williams

Wealthy people love awards. You can’t buy them- well, not directly.

From a Mover to a Move On June 10, 2022, Sheriff Mike Williams “officially” resigned as Sheriff of Jacksonville. His resignation was prompted by the discovery that in 2021, he moved out of Duval County and into Nassau County. There are many factors which might cause a family to move. And even though Williams was the elected Sheriff for the Consolidated City of Jacksonville, that decision was personal and is his family’s business. However, by moving across the County line, Sheriff Williams made a conscious decision to leave Duval County.

Williams has since told various reporters he does not plan on coming back to Jacksonville. Except, you know, to commute to work. Many people who called him a great friend seemed shocked by the news. His tight political allies seemed to have no idea. Only time will tell if his move was politically strategic.

and Ron DeSantis together. As with DeSantis’ campaign, Stermon also chaired Mike Williams political committee. A.G. Gancarski, a writer for Florida Politics, reported that as “finance director for Williams’ 2015 campaign… (Stermon) raised $541,000. Stermon also led the reelection effort and his Political Action Committee, “A Safe Jacksonville.”

How does someone repay that kind of loyalty? On February 18, 2016, Williams tweeted, “Happy to recognize Kent Stermon as the 2015 Citizen of the year! #communitypartner.”

Article VIII, Section (1)(g) of the Florida Constitution states, “Counties operating under county charters shall have all powers of local selfgovernment not inconsistent with general law, or with special law approved by vote of the electors.” Williams’ first statements seemed to have been poorly advised to the contrary. He thought he could move and still remain Sheriff.

The legalese off the Charter of the City of Jacksonville holds: “Section 8.03. - Vacancy. If the sheriff should die, resign, or remove his residence

13

from Duval County during his term of office, or be removed from office,

Now here we are in June of 2022. Over a year has passed since Sheriff

the office of sheriff shall become vacant.” That’s the guidance.

Williams vacated his post.

As government lawyer Chris Hand wrote (link: https://chrishandfl.medium.

An Appointment and Four Elections

com/in-defense-of-the-charter-7058f26f017a), “The Charter abides... The Charter is not just some list of recommended actions or a compilation

Someone, somewhere in a boardroom of a large shampoo company

of helpful best practices for local government officials. In the City of

once told an employee to add “repeat” to the instructions, “Wash.

Jacksonville, the Charter is the law.”

Rinse. Repeat.” Certainly, people knew how to wash their hair, but the instructions told them to repeat the process. Twice the product. Twice

The Office of General Counsel is now required to determine when he

the money. It is an illusion of necessity.

moved and what result the abandonment of Duval County had on his decisions, rulings and orders of the past. Williams might also be required

Mike Williams was elected Sheriff on July 1, 2015. He was re-elected

to refund a portion of his salary.

fairly easily on March 19, 2019. His tenure has been relatively status quo- little true progress, the same buzzwords and yet nothing to be too

Yet, the Office of General Counsel has decided to punt the ball down the

mad about. In fact, the only blip on an otherwise unremarkable tenure,

field. On the day OGC’s decision was due, Williams penned a resignation

was another DeSantis / Stermon connection. When Florida Department

letter, stating,

of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Rick Swearingen retired, Mike Williams was bandied about as a potential replacement. Williams himself quashed those rumors on March 30, 2022 when he told WJXT’s Jim Piggott, “I appreciate being mentioned but I’m not interested. My plan is to finish my term as Sheriff. Thanks.” If Williams had known he was no longer Sheriff under the Charter at the time, his decision probably would have been vastly different.

There is guidance for filling the vacancy. The Charter directs, "The vacancy in the office of sheriff shall be temporarily filled with an acting sheriff who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall serve until a successor sheriff is qualified and elected.”

The sudden retirement of Williams opened a door for Governor DeSantis.

Rumors swirled that DeSantis would either appoint T.K. Waters or the current undersheriff Pat Ivey, who was seen with Kent Stermon leading up to Williams’ retirement announcement. Rumors of meetings between the Fraternal Order of Police, Ivey and Stermon were common. Then, of

He named an official retirement date of June 10, 2022. However, it is

course, they were all seen together downtown.

a legal impossibility for a Sheriff to retire as Sheriff, when said Sheriff is no longer Sheriff. However, this move seemed to temporarily satisfy the

On June 6, 2022, DeSantis appointed Pat Ivey as interim Sheriff. In the

OGC, who released a “draft” opinion it indicated was not final.

same breath, he endorsed T.K. Waters for Sheriff.

The Zillow listing for Williams’ rental residence in Fernandina Beach,

However, that is the illusion. The ringmasters had likely met and decided

Florida said, “Entertainer's DREAM in Prestigious Golf Club Community

what they wanted. And all fingers point towards one candidate- TK

of Amelia National.” It was owned by Ellen Moser who has an address in

Waters. Even when Williams was mentioned for the FDLE appointment,

California. The Jacksonville Sheriff never bought this house, but it was his

WJXT’s Jim Piggott reported, “Political observers and some inside the

listed address when he sold his home in Jacksonville on March 4, 2021.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have suggested that it would have been JSO

It appears to be a temporary rental house. Surely, someone played golf

Chief of Investigations T.K. Waters, who’s a candidate for sheriff, and that

with him there. Someone was entertained. Someone knew he moved.

could have given him an edge in the election next year.”

The deed for the Williams’ current residence notes the property was

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

acquired on February 25, 2022 from AVH North Florida, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The recorded deed is

Waters has a political action committee, which is a bit of a spin off on

public, but we choose not to publish the address. Michael and Jodi

Williams’s PAC, A Safe Jacksonville, to which Waters was a donor. Waters

Williams are now residents of Fernandina Beach in Nassau County

PAC is named A Safer Jacksonville for All. Clever, right?

despite his being the Sheriff of Duval County.

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Under Florida law, no contributor can give more than $1,000 per election to the campaign for a candidate for local office. Since the primary and general elections are counted separately, that makes for an eventual total of $2,000 per contributor. However, political committees, registered with either the local supervisor of elections or the state Division of Elections, are not subject to these contribution limits.

As of April 30, 2022, Water’s PAC reported $830,900 in donations. Stermon was one of the first donors with donation of $12,500. The usual supporters of a “Tim

Largest Donations to T.K. Waters’ PAC A Safer Jacksonville for All

Baker” run campaign were also there. You may recall, Baker was featured in Folio’s, “The Circus.” Baker

150,000.00

GUNNER/HOUSTON LTD (Two Separate Donations)

50,000.00

GUNNSLINGER AIR LLC (Owner Affiliated with Gunner/Houston)

said Hughes and Baker delved deep into the lives of

50,000.00

FIRST COAST ENERGY, LLP

their candidates and stored information to be used

50,000.00

J.B. COXWELL CONTRACTING, INC

25,000.00

SUMMIT CONTRACTING GROUP, INC.

20,000.00

SUMMIT CONTRACTING GROUP, INC.

20,000.00

SUMMIT CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

25,000.00

PADGETT NICOLE SANZOSTI (Affiliated with Summit)

largest coming from far outside of Duval County.

50,000.00

PETWAY III THOMAS F.

$150,000 was donated by Gunner/Houston Ltd. Its

50,000.00

PETWAY IV THOMAS F.

10,000.00

PENTAGON PROPERTIES, LLC

another $50,000. That’s nearly 25% of donations

2,500.00

AUGUSTINE ASSET MANAGEMENT INC

coming from rather atypical source.

10,000.00

ADKINS ELECTRIC INC

10,000.00

POWELL KENNETH

Contracting, Inc. and Summit Contracting Group, Inc.

10,000.00

POWELL JR FITZHUGH K

added $45,000 through itself and another $20,000

19,000.00

FINEMAN HOWARD DOUGLAS

25,000.00

CAPLIN FAMILY OFFICES INC

$25,000. The vast majority of large donations come

20,000.00

MOMENTUM TRANSPORTATION USA IN

from businesses one would not expect to be heavy

15,000.00

POOLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

10,000.00

CONNELL WILLIAM M

12,500.00

STERMON KENT

worked with Brian Hughes on Lenny Curry’s campaign for Mayor of Jacksonville. “Those who knew the two

either for those they represented or against them.

The two were a formidable force and became very successful in Tallahassee and in other parts of Florida.”

In looking at the donation list, there is an extraordinary amount of money donated by contractors with the

director is listed as James G. Adams. He also is listed as a director of Gunslinger Air, LLC, which donated

Another $50,000 was donated by J.B. Coxwell

through Summit Construction Management. Padgett Nicole Sanzosti noted Summit Contracting for another

hitters in a campaign about the chief law enforcement officer of Jacksonville.

Baker has the big endorsements, which generally also coincide with his personal rolodex. Melissa Nelson, State Attorney for Florida’s Fourth Judicial District, was a guest on WJCT’s radio talk show First Coast Connect in April and said, “I’ve watched him (Waters) and I know his work. I’m proud of what we’re doing and I want it to continue, and so I’ll tell you I personally solicited him and asked him to get involved in this race because I think it matters.” In 2021, Williams and former JSO sheriff and current U.S. Rep. John Rutherford held a press conference to publicly endorse Thomas “TK” Waters as his successor.

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The other candidates up for election are special events chief (and fellow Republican) Mathew Nemeth; Assistant Chief Lakesha Burton (Democrat); Duval County School Police Assistant Chief Wayne Clark, and former PIO and television consultant Ken Jefferson.

Circus ringleader and political consultant, Baker, also added something new to the mix this election cycle. Baker’s wife, Jessica Baker, is running for House District 12. She has been endorsed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and former Sheriff Mike Williams. She has also received a donation to her PAC from Kent Stermon. Curry and Stermon also teamed up as hosts to raise money for Herschel Walker, who is running for a congressional seat in Georgia. The event noted it was a private dinner with contributions capped at $5,800 per person. As you can see, DeSantis, Curry, Williams and Stermon commonly take photos pumping each other up. They are tight. And now T.K. has the invitation to be their next made man.

It’s shampoo. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The Mike Drop Caused Massive Interference Mike Williams abandoned Duval County well over a year ago. Some will say he simply failed to update his address. Others will claim it is fraud. And some may say everything he signed was invalid. In fact, some definitely will. No matter the fall-out, whether by mistake or on purpose, Williams’ resignation is not simply a resignation. It provided an opportunity for the powers-that-be to strategically promote and place candidates who are loyal to a specific political agenda rather than candidates devoted to what is good for the City of Jacksonville.

The void left by Williams seems like it might be a mistake. Maybe Williams simply didn’t know the rules of the Charter. Or is this what DeSantis, et al want us to see?

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Discover new music from emerging & established artists working in rock, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, electronic, modern global & more.

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CONTRIBUTER: CASEY ALIXANDRA

BeBe Deluxe isn’t coming just for Jacksonville. She’s coming for the world.

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With her brilliance and quick wit, BeBe Deluxe entertains people.

tighter box, and if we don’t say things in the most palatable and

But look beyond her beauty and electric blue hair, and you’ll find

sweet, harmonious way, then we are labeled a bitch. And I’m here

an educated and fierce being who inspires anyone who meets

to say it's OK to be a bitch. I’ve been doing it a really long time,

her. Deluxe’s presence and confidence are to be admired.

and I look good doing it.

For years, Deluxe has been speaking for equal rights for

What was your inspiration for the video and what do you

the LGBTQ community, but now she is taking it to the next

want viewers to take from it?

level through song. Her music is many things, liberating and controversial and speaks the truth.

My hope is that when people see the video, they will be able to look past how extreme it is upon first viewing and understand that

Deluxe doesn’t have to demand attention. It comes naturally. But

all I’m doing is turning a crude mirror towards these conservative

what she is demanding now is respect for her and all trans women

politicians who every single week have a new violent bit of

and trans men. Whether she’s speaking her truth or singing it,

legislation to restrict our medical rights, restrict our social rights,

BeBe Deluxe makes people stop and listen.

just try erase us entirely.

While many pop stars struggle to have it all, BeBe Deluxe is

So I’ve created a video where we kidnap somebody out of the

overqualified, and she is coming—with a debut album, HARD

safety of their gender, we put a new gender onto them, we force

FEMME, SOFT BUTCH, dropping this fall and a new video.

them into a marriage they didn’t agree to, we force them into surgeries that aren’t right for them. And then inevitably when we

What inspired the album and how did you come up with the

are done, we kill them. And if you don’t like the message that I’m

title?

saying, maybe you should look within.

I came up with HARD FEMME, SOFT BUTCH at a time in my

As a trans woman, what do you wish to accomplish when this

transition where I was really trying to pinpoint who I am and not

album is released?

the projections of what other people think I am. I would say that my entire career, if not my entire life, I felt torn between these

I think as a transwoman, my number one thing to accomplish is

two contrasting divides. One was that I needed to be the thing

survival. But as a transwoman releasing this album in Jacksonville,

I was assigned at birth. This very strong, take no shit from no

Florida, I hope that people will hear it and enjoy themselves, see

one, take no prisoners, alpha man. And the other part when I

a little bit of themselves in it, see other people they know in it.

started to discover my queerness, I was being pushed to be softer, palatable, an educator, someone who has to turn the other cheek

But most importantly understand that we are living, breathing

and has to make themselves the most palatable version so they

people. Not all of us make pop albums, not all of us tell jokes,

can survive. You do that enough times to where you realize it’s

not all of us put on outfits. Some of us are just trying to live and

just not going to work out.

exist and survive. And I think the most important thing that I want people to understand about trans people, is that we really do

So HARD FEMME, SOFT BUTCH is announcing to the world, not

exist. We are not just buzzwords that you can use for click bait.

just me, but anybody is allowed to be a contradiction. Anybody

We are not just something you can debate about with your friends.

can be hard and feminine at the same time. Anyone can be soft

We are thriving, living, breathing tax paying people, who are really

and butch at the same time.

starting to get pissed off.

Tell us about the single “HARD FEMME.”

To watch more of our interview with BeBe Deluxe, scan the QR code

I often find that being a woman, cis or trans, you’re constantly expected to be everything. You have to be soft and dedicated and accommodating and palatable. But you also have to be strong and fierce and independent, and you need to be able to take care of yourself—while being hot and fuckable. And I just find that those kinds of pressures of femininity are always so present instead of giving any kind of grace for how difficult it actually is for being a woman in society. We’re put into an even tinier and BEBE DELUXE INTERVIEW

BEBE DELUXE LINKTREE 19

Clay County Fair/Folio’s Star Search 2022 winners

Emery Williams First Place, Junior Division

Williams stole the show with her electric performance during this year’s Star Search competition. At only 11 years old, she seems like a pro but in fact, this was only her second time participating in a talent competition. Her strong voice, pure tone and infectious energy are certainly what helped her to take home the top prize.

When did you begin singing?

Age two, literally in my crib.

Who are you influenced by musically?

Definitely Katy Perry and Whitney Houston. They are two of my favorites.

What is your favorite part of performing?

I love the energy of the audience and love using the whole stage, which is kind of funny as I once suffered from extreme stage fright.

I started working with a vocal coach, and she has helped me to overcome the fear and working with her has really increased my confidence.

What do you want people to know about you?

That I am kind and big hearted. I really enjoy helping others. I was bullied as a small kid at school, and after that experience, I feel it is really important to always be nice to others. I love school and plan to continue my education into college studying marine biology and language arts. I love being funny too. I’ve been told by many that I should consider being a comedian. You never know, I just may do that someday.

Any future plans we should know about?

I just started taking electric guitar lessons. I also have been singing with the band BLISTER which has really made me appreciate and love rock music more. I am currently working on my first cover single “Candles” by Cassadee Pope. I project completion by the fall. I am really excited about it.

Liv Southwick

Second Place, Junior Division Liv surprised the audience and judges by putting on a show-stopping a cappella performance of “I’d Rather Be Blue Over You.” She picked the song, which became popular by way of the Broadway hit musical Funny Girl, due to her love for Barbra Streisand and roller skating.

Southwick is no stranger to musicals as she has been cast in 10 different shows over the last four years. But hitting the stage in the 2022 Star Search contest was a first for her, as it was her first time participating in a singing competition.

We asked her about any plans this summer to participate in community theater, musicals or talent competitions. She stated that she intends to work on her vocals all summer long while taking some time off from the theater scene. She will be enjoying family road trips, swimming, riding her bike and spending time with friends before she enters high school this fall.

We will not be surprised if we see her on Broadway someday. She is seemingly on the right path with her desire to become a top musical theater actress with her accomplishments thus far.

Lillian Michel

Third Place, Junior Division Accompanying herself on ukulele, Michel lit up the stage with her beaming personality, booming voice and smooth tone.

Inspired by artists like Melanie Martinez and The Jackson 5, Michel started performing in singing competitions several years ago at the suggestion of her drama/choir director Evan Gould. “He has pushed me to go beyond my limits,” she said. He was onto something as she has placed in seven of the 10 talent shows and junior thespian competitions she has entered thus far.

Michel looks forward to the future as she is entering high school soon and that will open the door to many more opportunities to pursue when it comes to singing and theater. She plans to enjoy some fun this summer drawing, painting, skateboarding and playing Xbox with her friends. She will be performing in a play this summer at The Island Theatre in Fleming Island and is auditioning for other local musicals this fall. We think she has a real shot at accomplishing her dreams of being a singer, songwriter and maybe an actor if she keeps moving forward.

Heather Dockery First Place, Adult Division

Euphonious! If we could only use one word to describe Dockery’s voice, that would be the one. The audience and judges were astonished with her range, stage presence, beautiful appearance, and the fact that every single note she sang seemed to literally mesmerize the crowd. It was obvious she was seasoned, and the stage was like home to her. All of this made it a clear path to her winning first place in the adult division.

It’s obvious you’ve been performing for many years… when did you get started?

I started singing when I was a little girl in the car with my mom and at church. I really got going when I was in a wheelchair as a 13 year old. I suddenly couldn’t walk and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. My mom would wheel me up to the piano and I would sing. We would harmonize and sing like the Judds. Singing was one of the only things I could do at the time being completely immobilized. Eventually, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and [had] major brain surgery. The healing process was difficult, of course, but singing made it go smoother and kept my spirits up.

Are you OK now?

Well, yes, I am but I still undergo scans on a regular basis to keep an eye on things, to make sure it doesn’t come back. It really changed my life. Facing your own mortality is really scary. It’s been a long journey recovering, and it’s really like a miracle that I am OK. I really believe that by the grace of God, I survived. I am blessed to have two children of my own now. I am blessed to be able to sing with them just like my mom and I did. We sing Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash together, oh, and, of course, gospel. The little things you are grateful for in life… your whole perspective changes after going through something like that. I try to always keep a positive outlook … It makes me feel good to be kind to people and help when I can.

I really like to make people smile. That’s a gift in itself.

Your voice has a blues feel with some country flair. Who has influenced your sound?

My list of favorites is long but gospel as a format is my favorite, and artists like Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton top the list.

What’s next for you?

My main focus is raising my children right now. But I do plan to work on some more singles. I have six that I have completed so far. I will also enter some more contests, perform at some fairs and sing in church as often as possible this coming year. I hope that I am invited to perform at the Suwanee River Music Fest again. That was an amazing day. To be on the stage opening for some amazing artists/bands was such an incredible feeling. Billy Ray Cyrus was the headliner that night and the crowd’s energy was like no other.

Those are feelings you just don’t get to have in life very often. I will definitely be pursuing opportunities like that as often as possible.

22

Dakota Higdon

Second Place, Adult Division Colorful and calming, simply a good ol’ boy, Higdon is a true talent. Being the only contestant who performed an original song and accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, this young man is someone who we may end up seeing on CMT or at the Grammy Awards someday.

Higdon spent 13 years playing baseball, including outfield and catcher at Lake-Sumter State College and UNF. Once baseball was over, he needed to dedicate his life to something else. He wasn’t quite sure what that would be. As fate would have it, his mom won a guitar in a raffle (signed by country artist Tracy Lawrence no less), which she gave to Higdon. He was instantly hooked, sitting in his room for hours, teaching himself to play until his fingers bled. It wasn’t long before he decided to try his hand at songwriting. Now 28, Higdon’s obsession has become a golden opportunity as he’s played over 150 gigs and counting.

He said the song he performed on the Star Search stage came naturally as he was homesick working on the road for several weeks at a time when he wrote it. “Putting the words together, having an understanding of what people go through in life,” he said. “That’s what country music is all about,” he said.

His original song called “Someday” is available on iTunes, and he is currently working on his first album called Legends and Liars. “The song which the album is named after is all about a trip I made to Nashville. Literally, when you are sitting on a bar stool, you are likely to be speaking to a legend on your left and possibly a liar on your right.” The album is expected to be out soon, and it will include eight original songs he has written. He has a story to tell and the album is his voice to share his story with the world.

23

STAFF WRITER: VINCENT DALESSIO

Fast cars are cool. Driving your fast car in a manner that endangers the general public? Not cool.

Over the last few months Jacksonville news outlets have reported on

For example, there are a few groups who host car meets that are safe and

local law enforcement’s crackdown on street racing. If you haven't heard

usually feature a JSO officer on site. Clinton Armstrong of Gear Bangin’

the news or heard them ripping down your street, let me clue you in: The

and Trae Staker of Staker Productions are two car community leaders

underground car scene has been growing bolder and bolder by taking

who host car meets with careful planning and attention to detail and are

car meets to residential areas and highways around the area. Southside,

located on private property.

Kernan, Beach, Atlantic and J. Turner Butler are just a few areas where local speed demons push their vehicles to their limit, race against other

Jacksonville has a long history in fast cars and auto racing. The

car enthusiasts and take over intersections to rip donuts, burnouts and

development of the Jacksonville Speedway back in 1947, featuring a half-

rev their engines. To me, it sounds like Jacksonville should be the setting

mile dirt track, was the city’s initiation into legal car racing. The Speedway

for the next Fast and Furious.

eventually became a stop on the NASCAR circuit and the site where Wendell Scott became first Black man to win a NASCAR Grand National

The biggest event that caught my attention was when multiple car

race back in 1963. This business eventually went under and has since

groups took to downtown, blocking streets in front of the police station,

been turned into a housing development.

seemingly in retaliation to the recent crackdowns. According to reports, it took officers a dangerously long period of time to navigate their way

Today, legal racing is championed by the few raceways still in operation,

through the crowd to get to the middle of the meetup to begin dispersing

and the future looks bright with talks of a new speedway reopening in

the crowd. Aside from the danger that comes with reckless driving,

Callahan, featuring a dirt track and eventually a drag racing strip. Keep

blocking roadways, especially in a bottleneck like downtown, increases

your eyes on Facebook groups and messenger boards for the next event

response times for other first responders, like EMTs and Fire Rescue,

going down and experience what car culture should be like.

putting others in need of emergency attention at risk.

The 904 Banditz, although they aren’t alone, are one group who have been running these illegal car meets for well over a year, taking to their YouTube channel and social media to post videos of their “events.” Most of their older posts brag about how they are “untouchable by JSO,” but their new posts, ironically, promote hashtags like #freeus, as well as mugshots and screen grabs from their time in the court system.

Florida Highway Patrol, via Twitter on May 9, reported making 157 arrests and citations around illegal street racing. This “takedown” is ongoing with more arrests following suit throughout the month of May. A state senate committee approved a bill that would make it a first degree misdemeanor to participate in “street takeovers” including passengers in the cars and bystanders on the side of the road.

The car clubs behind these illegal street meet-ups are not only putting everyone on the road at risk, but their moment in the spotlight on local news and being on law enforcement’s radar, gives the general population the idea that everyone who likes fast cars is irresponsible, while also damaging the reputation of law-abiding local car clubs. Groups like the 904 Banditz claim there’s nowhere to have their meetups legally, but other local car groups beg to differ.

24

CONTRIBUTER: MOLLY BRITT

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND REVIEW Grammy Award winner Tedeschi Trucks has produced renowned albums throughout the years. Applying a mix of blues and rock music, they take their music to a higher level, aiming to create a lasting experience with their listeners.

Following the pandemic, the 12-piece band featuring Derek Trucks and wife Susan Tedeschi have announced the release of an album and film series they plan to release throughout 2022.

The band’s four-part album and film series, I Am the Moon, is an ambitious feat for the band while also creating an intimate energy for listeners, as it follows The Story of Layla and Majnun, a Persian poem written by Nizami Ganjavi in the 12th century.

The poem was originally the subject of Eric Clapton’s doubleEP with Derek and the Dominos back in 1970, and inspired “Layla,” widely considered one of the great rock songs of all time. It was Tedeschi Trucks vocalist Mike Mattison who came up with the idea of revisiting the poem and discussing it from Layla’s point of view, wanting to know “what Layla feels about it.”

Trucks sat down to discuss the release of their new album series and how the band used the source material as a “writing exercise” during COVID lockdown to come up with ideas. “It just became this really interesting puzzle to put together of how to make the music flow and the story flow in, kind of, a general arc of the individual records and the whole project. In some ways, it was kind of a happy accident,” said Trucks.

The album and film series emphasize changes band members faced during isolation. The process of creating this series, he said, allowed a unique universal perspective that the listeners can gather from the various songs: “There’s something honest and weirdly revealing about the whole thing.”

Tedeschi and Trucks, who live in Jacksonville (Trucks is a native), will be releasing the albums one by one with a coinciding film for each. The emotionally-driven first album titled Episode I and corresponding film, Crescent, were released earlier this month with an exciting fan response. As a fellow Jacksonville local, I look forward to the journey the band takes me on with this series.

Photos by Malique Pye

25

I WAS TIRED OF LIVING WITH MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand, UNTIL NOW! Dr. Turpin provides patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

If you're suffering from Fibromyalgia, you understand this sentiment all too well.

Local Jacksonville resident Kate R. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

"I was angry all the time because of all the things I couldn't do anymore because of my Fibromyalgia. That anger cycled through depression and affected everyone around me, my husband more than anyone. It made our lives miserable."

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body. To make things complicated it affects everyone's body a little differently. To make things even more complicated, those effects can change on a daily basis.

Sometimes you're plagued with widespread muscle pain and fatigue, and other days it's a headache and heightened sensitivity to touch.

"I could barely stand to have the light weight of bedsheets touching me, much less a hug from my husband." explains Kate.

This is what it's like to suffer from Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make everyday life incredibly difficult. Mundane, daily tasks are nearly impossible.

And too often, these symptoms are only made worse because practitioners find it difficult to understand and even more troublesome to treat. It's characterized by widespread pain in muscles and tissues rather than inflammation of the joints.

Then your primary care doctors suggest dietary changes, pain linaments and prescription medications to the point where your life is no longer ruled by Fibromyalgia.

It's now ruled by difficult routines and pill regimens that are supposed to aid in avoiding flare ups.

Kate put it this way, "My life was no longer my own."

Eventually, Kate did her own research and discovered that acupuncture can improve the quality of life in Fibro patients.

Determined to find the best, she discovered Riverplace Acupuncture Integrative Health led by Dr. Jann Turpin.

Dr. Turpin has been successfully treating difficult to manage, chronic pain cases for almost 12 years.

She uses the time tested science of acupuncture and integrates it with modern medical advancements that encourage healing and recovery. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that is commonly used to reduce various forms of pain.

Acupuncture works by reducing inflammation, stimulating the release of endorphins and offers much needed symptom relief for Fibromyalgia.

Then Dr. Turpin skillfully layers other non invasive therapies like ATP Resonance Biotherapy™ and O3 Regenerative Therapy™ for amplified, long-lasting results.

"I feel like a new person. My husband comes with me to my appointments.

He spends most of it thanking Dr. Jann for giving him back the woman he married. And for the first time since we moved here, one of my neighbors told me I looked good! It's a miracle she treated my Fibro, I don't know how else to explain it."

If you're looking for a doctor and a practice who not only understands your diagnosis but also has a proven solution for chronic pain, look no further than Riverplace Acupuncture Integrative Health (RAIH).

Kate describes RAIH almost as enthusiastically as she does their treatments. "I love it here!"

Voted Folio's Best of Jax 2021, Dr.

Turpin's success stories have been repeatedly featured on social media and can be viewed by finding her on Facebook or Instagram, @RiverplaceAcupuncture!

Additional information about Dr. Turpin and her various treatments can be found by visiting RiverplaceAcupuncture.com or by calling (904) 720-8887.

Dr. Turpin is now accepting new patients but only for a limited time. To protect her availabiltiy for existing and future patients, only 10 new fibromyalgia patients will be accepted before June 28, 2022 so call (904) 720-8887 now to schedule a consultation.

Visit www.RiverplaceAcupuncture.com to learn more and to take advantage of their NEW PATIENT OFFER!

HURRICANE HAVEN: NO ROAD, NO PROBLEM? An Ecological and Sociological Nightmare for Residents of Summer Haven

Photo

by Jani Day 28

CONTRIBUTOR: JOSEPH GUIFFRE & MOLLY BRITT The unincorporated town of Summer Haven is along A1A between St.

maintained by St. Johns County. The area remained susceptible to

Augustine Beach and Marineland. Summer Haven is perched on a razor

erosion and storm damage, so much so that Summer Haven was included

thin bit of barrier island sandwiched against the saltwater waves of the

in a special federal program called The St. Johns County Shore Protection

Atlantic Ocean and a tributary of the Matanzas River called the Summer

Project, first authorized in 1984. The program has allowed the USACE

Haven river. The houses here are on the beach, not along the beach,

and FEMA to regularly maintain the beach and dunes by placing sand

the houses here are quite literally on the water. The high tide mark on a

dredged from the Intracoastal Waterway and the Summer Haven river

normal day reaches within 30 feet of the stilted homes. Over the years,

onto the affected areas. The United States Congress reauthorized the

the already naturally narrow barrier island has been slowly eroding.

St. Johns County Shore Protection Program in 1999, following Hurricane

Beach access is riddled with blocked off sea turtle nests and dunes.

Floyd. Between 1992 and 2019 a total of 10 beach restoration projects

Docks with no access to water and some houses on stilts may not be

were completed on the 2 miles of beach in Summer Haven that has

there much longer. With almost every major storm that comes along the

seen recurring extreme erosion. The dredging and beach restoration

coast, more and more of Summer Haven slips away into the ocean. St.

projects in that 22 year period placed approximately 2.5 million cubic

Johns County, the State of Florida, and the federal government have put

yards of sand on this small stretch of beach alone, according to public

a lot of manpower and money into changing that.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection data. The cost of those projects collectively are hard to pinpoint but in a study released by the

Located off of what Florida residents know as A1A is a strip of road

USACE in 2017 put a $78 million price tag on the next 50 years of beach

called Old A1A, but do not be tricked though; there is no road. Old A1A

re-nourishment and damage mitigation.

splits from State Road A1A and veers along the beach, where multiple beachfront homes are located. However, the beachfront view became

The last 20 years have tested the resolve of the residents of Summer

much closer than residents anticipated following many hurricanes and

Haven, the St. Johns County government, and the federal agencies

heavy storms throughout the years. What used to be an actual road along

tasked with rebuilding the beaches over and over again. It would appear

the beach has eroded to what is now a simple route in the sand—only

that neither the ocean or the people fighting against the waves show any

accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles. No four-wheel drive? No access,

sign of backing down. In 2004 after Hurricane Jeanne the USACE rebuilt

even if you live there.

Old A1A after it was heavily damaged and repaired the roadway yet again only 4 years later. In 2008 Tropical Storm Fay revealed that erosion

The battle between the sea and the sand has been a problem in Summer

was a threat not only to roads of Summer Haven but the land itself. The

Haven since people began building houses there in the 1890’s. Prior to

2008 storm caused massive amounts of sand to be ripped from the

the paving of Old A1A in the 1920’s the only way to get to the fledgling

beach in a complete breach of the dune system, creating a new inlet into

resort town was by boat or by going up the beach. Old A1A was then

the Summer Haven river. The land was topped by waves wiping entire

built, like in many places in Florida, right along the waterfront, creating

dunes from the landscape and depositing that sand into the Summer

a dreamlike experience of driving just above the crashing waves for the

Haven river. The water in the channel of the river was fully replaced by

new motor tourists passing through the area. The road also allowed

sand. The bridge over the river became a bridge over sand. The breach

for people seeking a place to build a beach house and an easy way

located about a mile south of the Matanzas Inlet turned the main part of

to get up and down the shore. Major development of the greater area

Summer Haven into a temporary island. The Tropical Storm Fay breach

around Summer Haven and up the St. Johns County coast began in

was eventually filled in by natural processes. 2011 also saw Hurricane

the 1950’s. In the autumn months of 1962 several severe storms known

Irene cause a complete washover in the southern end of Summer Haven.

as the Ash Wednesday nor'easters passed through the area and the town of Summer Haven was declared a disaster area. Following the Ash

By this time after multiple repairs to Old A1A, which had been transferred

Wednesday storms the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

to St. Johns County by the state in 1979, had been completely destroyed.

constructed a barrier called a revetment out of chunks of granite along

The residents on the southern end of Summer Haven sued the County

1,800ft of beach on the northern end of the Summer Haven peninsula,

for failing to maintain the road. The first court decision came down in

close to the mouth of the Matanzas Inlet. The revetment would protect

favor of the county which said that duty to maintain the roadway was

the beach from being washed away further and guard against Old A1A

subject to what St. Johns County deemed reasonable and the county did

and the houses of Summer Haven from crumbling into the water. In

not find rebuilding a road after every major storm to be reasonable. The

1964 Hurricane Dora, the strongest storm to hit the St. Augustine area

precedents set by this case have caused much concern, as expressed

in modern memory slammed into the coast. Dora caused major damage

by people like Attorney Thomas Ruppert of the Florida Sea Grant. The

all the way up to Jacksonville. In response the USACE constructed an

2011 Summer Haven case set forth a precedent wherein more affluent

additional 1,070ft of granite revetment along Old A1A to protect the

communities would receive funding for projects meant to mitigate

roadway. By the early 1970’s the placement of a major roadway right

the effects of Climate Change and less would go to underprivileged

on top of the beach was deemed too risky due to the frequent storm

communities. The southern section of old A1A has not been repaved

damage. A1A was rerouted 800ft into the mainland onto the other side

and remains a part of the current beach. Then came Hurricane Matthew

of the Summer Haven River. This left Old A1A to serve as a shorefront

in 2016 and another breach that occurred 1000ft away from the first one

road for the people living on the beach but remained a public roadway

caused by Tropical Storm Fay. The breach in 2016 caused by Matthew

29

Photo by Jani Day

Photo by Jani Day 30

Photo by Joseph Guiffre

Photo by Joseph Guiffre 31

illicated an emergency response by St. Johns County and the USACE

The buyout program would offer up what seems like a solution to the

and a large-scale, multi-year, multi-million dollar project was initiated.

never ending problem at Summer Haven. The land would be turned

Bulldozers worked rapidly to close the breach with dredged material from

into a preserve, allowing the dune systems to grow and shrink naturally

the Summer Haven river, which was still clogged with sand. The breach

and act as a refuge for endangered wildlife. Instead of fighting the wind

was closed and sand from the river was used to slowly rebuild the beach.

and waves to protect houses, Summer Haven would act as a natural buffer against storm surge to protect homes inland. The buy and preserve

According to one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, sand

option would also help the Summer Haven river which has been filled with

silted into places surrounding the areas of erosion at the southern tip

sand for years. The river is as contentious as the beach renourishment.

of Summer Haven between the years of 2008 and 2016, resulting in

Photojournalist Walter Coker, who has been fishing the Summer Haven

natural sand dunes being formed. The county spent millions attempting

river since the 1980’s wants to see the river restored and the county put

to rebuild them over the years only to dig up the dunes and put the river

the money to better use; “If they could put the river back as it was I’d be

back.

all for it, but they can’t, and that's been proven several times now, yet they persist”. The resolve of the St. Johns County Government has been

By 2021, the remaining dune rebuilding and vegetation replacement

proven time after time. During a red hot housing market in the fastest

was recently completed and the woes of Summer Haven and its beach

growing county in Florida, the motivation can be easily understood. The

seemed to have finally ended. Then in the fall of 2021 another severe

questions must be asked how much more money and resources will

nor’easter blew in. The years of work rebuilding the dunes were swept

be thrown at battling the waves of the Atlantic. The St. Johns County

away almost over night. As during previous storms, the river behind the

Board of County Commissioners called for yet another study, at a cost

dunes became a stream of sand. The 2021 storm caused yet another

of $400,000 as of April 2022. The Board did not respond to a request

breach in the dunes in almost the exact location of the previous two

for comment.

breaches once again creating an inlet from the Atlantic Ocean to the Summer Haven river. It would seem that the millions of dollars spent

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes the county

since 2016 had little effect. Summer Haven has been declared the most

should let nature take its course, referencing other inlets in the area that

volatile beach in Florida due to the constant changes in topography and

have a “history of opening and closing.” The resident says “it’s a dynamic

the human activities meant to stop it. A National Park Service survey of

barrier island and it wants to be dynamic…. We can close it up, we can

coastal engineering projects in the Matanzas Inlet area found that the

keep filling it up, but it’s just going to keep breaking through.”

likely cause of the repeated breaches on Summer Haven are humancaused. The study found evidence that the concrete bridge over the

The shifting sands of Summer Haven stand as a testament to the power

Matanzas Inlet is preventing the inlet from migrating, a natural process,

of mother nature and also to the persistence of people to hold on to what

when that is prevented by infrastructure or human intervention the inlet

they’ve built. Summer Haven is a microcosm of what will happen globally

will try to open in a new area.

as sea levels rise. On this strand of sand exists an opportunity to lead the way into the stark reality of Florida’s future with reasonable solutions.

One plan put forth by the USACE and St. Johns County is to buy the remaining houses in the affected area of Summer Haven and demolish them. Buyouts are fairly common solutions for people who have property in places where natural disasters are frequent. “It’s totally voluntary and would be handled by FEMA”, Mr. Ruppert says. The question of a buyout raises other concerns; like how to value the property, and issue of the taxpayer's burden. “When you buy a house on the beach you assume the risk of erosion and now of sea level rise and when those properties are impacted, the taxpayers are the ones paying for the bailout”, says Ruppert. The houses that remain and continue to be lived in would need massive repairs, upgraded protections, demand county services like roads, and would need new infrastructure, like plumbing and electricity.

“Septic tanks are another thing to look at, the houses there currently could be seeping sewage directly into the Summer Haven river and the Atlantic Ocean”, Mr. Ruppert points out. There have not been studies conducted showing increased pollution in the river as of the time of this publication. Beyond the ecological impact, Ruppert says the implications of providing bailouts to wealthier landowners over the less affluent is problematic.

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June Movie Reviews

vacancy in the near future, but it’s Powell as Hangman, the spiritual successor to Val Kilmer’s Iceman, who really pops off the screen as the charming foil to Rooster. Miles Teller finally lives up to the promise he showed in earlier work such as Whiplash and The Spectacular Now, at times coming toe to toe with the star at the center of this universe. But it is Cruise who shines brightest in the film, rolling back the years to bring out the charisma that made him the biggest movie star in the world after the release of the first Top Gun 36 years ago.

Top Gun: Maverick should become the new blueprint for legacy sequels that arrive decades after their predecessor. It is an exciting film that is respectful of Tony Scott’s work but still manages to do its own thing that, in some ways, surpasses the original. A crowd-pleasing big budget adventure that hits all the right notes for a summer blockbuster.

Top Gun: Maverick After more than 30 years, Tom Cruise has returned to his most iconic characte with the thrilling and long-awaited sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

Cruise stars as the hotshot fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who after a long and decorated career still hasn’t progressed beyond the rank of captain, and still has his need for speed. After disobeying a direct order, Maverick is reassigned to the Top Gun Naval Academy to train a group of the Navy’s most skilled young pilots for a dangerous mission.

Amongst the group of cadets is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick’s former RIO (radar intercept officer) Goose, who died on a mission several decades earlier. Tensions are high in the training group, with Rooster struggling to come to terms with his past with Maverick behind him and the ongoing rivalry between Rooster and fellow pilot Jake “Hangman” Seresin (Glen Powell). Will the new class of pilots be able to find some comradery and accomplish their mission?

Top Gun: Maverick is able to succeed where many other long gestating sequels stumble. Maverick is very respectful of Tony Scott’s film, but the new release manages to sidestep becoming an endless stream of loving homages and recreations of scenes from the original. Though, as the opening credits featuring Kenny Loggins’ “Highway to the Danger Zone” from the original film blaring at full volume should let you know; Top Gun: Maverick knows how to push the right nostalgia buttons. Director Joseph Kosinski deftly handles the airborne action sequences, shooting and cutting the speeding aircrafts like a jet fueled orchestra, accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s new take on Harold Faltermeyer’s classic score. The flight sequences look phenomenal. Captured with IMAX cameras, they are easily legible and the objectives of the scenes are well communicated.

Top Gun: Maverick is also impeccably cast, each actor perfectly suits their role; from the briefly seen Ed Harris as the gruff Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain to the no nonsense Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson played by Jon Hamm, who spends the entire runtime in his “that’s what the money is for!” zone. The young crew of pilots (played by Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Greg Tarzan Davis, Lewis Pullman and Danny Ramirez) are all charming and believable in their parts. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see any one of them snapped for an upcoming superhero

34

Men Filmmaker Alex Garland has established himself as the preeminent purveyor of darkly twisted, horror-infused science fiction with his films Ex Machina and Annihilation. But those films are just table settings for the grotesqueness of his latest film, the visceral and challenging Men, which like many effective horror films deals with grief and trauma as its core themes. The film picks up with Harper (Jessie Buckley), a woman who is heading for a retreat to the countryside in the aftermath of a shocking personal tragedy. However, whilst in the idyllic county setting, a creeping sense of dread takes over her, as she believes she is being stalked by someone, or something, from within the surrounding woods, as her fears and dark memories trap her in a living nightmare. Garland’s singular flair for psychological horror is on full display here, creating some unforgettable images of out of this world trauma that plays out like a terrifyingly vivid dream. Buckley, who is becoming something of a critical darling following her acclaimed performances in Wild Rose and The Lost Daughter, gives another strong turn here, as a woman being pushed to the brink of her sanity. Men is a tense and daring horror film that is likely to spark some intense debates and discussion as it takes a lot of risks in its narrative and visuals from a transgressive filmmaker whose career is just blooming.

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35 JJS-000119_JuneFolioAdHlfPg-10x6.375_rsg.indd 1

6/9/22 1:20 PM

CONTRIBUTER: ROB NICHOLSON and filmmaker during the 1980s, where he worked at Atlanta's famed Plaza Theatre. In 1982, he debuted on an Atlanta public access variety show called The American Music Show, on which he made frequent appearances in the years following. He also participated in underground cinema, helping create the low-budget film Star Booty and an album by the same name. In Atlanta, RuPaul often performed at the Celebrity Club as a bar dancer or with his band, Wee Wee Pole. RuPaul also performed as a backup singer to Glen Meadmore along with drag queen Vaginal Davis. RuPaul's first prominent national exposure came in 1989 dancing as an extra in the video for "Love Shack" by the B-52's.

Meanwhile, I had started up at WRAS Atlanta, 88.5 FM, the voice of Georgia State University as an overnight DJ/Announcer. I eventually worked my way into some daytime shifts and added in The Georgia Music Show on Saturday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.. The main point of the time slot was to showcase bands and performers who were playing that night around Atlanta. This is when I really got to know RuPaul personally.

Initially participating in gender bender style performances, RuPaul performed solo and in collaboration with other bands at several New York City nightclubs, most notably the Pyramid Club. He appeared for many years at the annual Wigstock drag festival and appeared in the documentary Wigstock: The Movie. In the 1990s, RuPaul was known in the UK for his appearances on the Channel 4 series Manhattan Cable, a weekly series produced by World of Wonder. This is where his partnership with World of Wonder began and is still in effect today.

He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his

UNFORGETTABLE RUPAUL I will never forget the first time I saw RuPaul. I was in Atlanta and had just started at Georgia State University. My roommates suggested I try a nightclub on Peachtree Street called Weekends, a 24-hour dance club that rocked on …well… the weekends. I walked into the club and headed for the dance floor. And there, who do I see but this monolith of a human being on the Go-Go Box. Blonde hair, high heels and a tight dress that clung to this 6’4'' person. I asked a friend, “who is that?” and he said, “That is RuPaul.” RuPaul worked as an attraction at the all-night Weekends disco in Atlanta during the mid-1980s. The crowds loved his sexy costumes and graceful moves.

RuPaul, in full, RuPaul Andre Charles, (born November 17, 1960, San Diego, California, U.S.), carved out his place in popular culture as perhaps the most famous drag queen in the United States from the 1990s and early 21st century. His parents were both from Louisiana. He was named by his mother; "Ru" which came from roux, the term for the base of gumbo and other creole stews and soups. According to Finding Your Roots, his DNA composition is 70% African and 30% European.

At 15, RuPaul and his sister Renetta moved to study performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. In the ensuing years, RuPaul struggled as a musician

36

debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.

RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.

RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the

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Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).

ON SALE NOW

RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States, with Fortune noting him as "easily the world's most famous drag queen." For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received eleven Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. In 2017, he was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022.

The point of all of this is that RuPaul has always done RuPaul.

I can remember him running off copies of books he authored on copiers at the University. He performed in bands, in drag, and wherever he could find an audience. Some phrases that I have never forgotten that RuPaul coined are: “If you don’t love yourself who's gonna love you” and “with hair, heels and attitude I am through the roof”. The only difference is that he does everything on a much larger scale now.

JUNE

BBQ 17 ROBBY KRIEGER OF 21 DIRTY DANCING SUMMER MOVIE CLASSICS THE DOORS 27 RANDY RAINBOW 21 TOYING WITH 28 MONSTERS, INC. SCIENCE SUMMER MOVIE CLASSICS FREE SUMMER THEATRE

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JOHNSON-REYES

The video attached to this article is a behind the scenes look at

JULY

RuPaul when he joined Heather Murphy and I for the Georgia Music Show getting ready for a show that night at Club Velvet in downtown Atlanta.

1 1

JOSH TURNER SPYRO GYRA

AT THE WJCT SOUNDSTAGE

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour” will be in

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X-MEN

Jacksonville on Tuesday, July 12, at the Florida Theatre. While

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FAIRY TALES OF GRIMM

RuPaul is not traveling with this Tour of Drag Race the show stars RuPaul’s Drag Race favorites Asia O’Hara, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Lady Camden, Plastique Tiara, Rosé, Vanessa Vanjie, and Yvie Oddly.

at Album 88 Atlanta by Rob Nicholson and Heather Murphy

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AND AUTOMOBILES 6 SUMMER MOVIE CLASSICS

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Scan to watch RuPaul Interview

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RACE THE BRIAN MCKNIGHT 4 EL GRAN COMBO TED NUGENT LA BAMBA

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LEAGUE, FIREFALL AND ORLEANS 24 THE PRINCESS BRIDE

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CONTRIBUTOR: MOLLY BRITT

VOO SWAR, WHERE PAST MEETS PRESENT Located down a quiet street in Mayport is a bar that prides itself on being a building block for the community through generations. Voo Swar Restaurant and Lounge has been open since 1963; a time where segregation was still running rampant not only in the streets of Atlantic Beach and Mayport, but everywhere in the United States. So, it became a place where African Americans could gather without facing judgment and rejection.

Late owner Earnest Davis began building Voo Swar around 1961, but it took a decade building the place by hand to get the space operational. He gathered necessities piece by piece, walls were built brick by brick and concrete was poured from what he gathered from various resources around him. Davis wanted to create a place where those who were unwelcome around most of the beaches could come and gather without worries of retaliation.

Before the restaurant was built, black sailors would step off the ships and attempt to visit local places for a drink. Even after segregation, they were refused services and made to feel unwelcome. Davis had the idea to build a place where they could come after getting off the ships and be welcomed, where all would be welcomed. After saving up money for years, he began his dream but not without hardships.

The building and owner faced retaliation in the form of police, who worked to run the place out of town. Mayor Billy Howell convinced attorney Sam Jacobson to represent Voo Swar and defend it against those who wanted it gone. Customers would stop in for meals, and police would come and kick everyone out.

The Voo Swar became a place of celebration; a place where the beaches’ mayors would gather, and sailors would stop by after hearing about it from all over. Murals were painted and people of all races were welcomed. Davis’s son, Lewis Washington, has since taken over operations of the restaurant, wants everyone to know “about the history of the place and check it out.” Pictures are hung in honor of Davis, even his favorite chair is on a pedestal, letting visitors know he is watching over it.

The restaurant and lounge offers a welcoming environment with food, drinks, dancing, and comedy shows. It gives off an eclectic and comfortable vibe, letting customers know they can let loose and have fun.

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CONTRIBUTOR: CASEY ALIXANDRA

EVERY BODY TALKS Everyday medical corporations are telling the public what the right

“We create an environment for the people that work here to not be

decisions are to healing one’s body. While medicine has saved millions

overworked, which is what corporations do to individuals,” said Sheila.

of lives, sometimes listening first to what the body is saying is just as

“How can they be good for a client, how can they be good to help other

beneficial.

people, if they are overworked or strained? We want to be a group of advanced therapists and to be well established. We are big on self-care.”

Here in Jacksonville, advanced therapists at Jasmine Advanced

said Sheila.

Bodywork and Healing Center are interpreting what the body needs most. With both owners having impressive backgrounds in massage

Teamwork and communication is vital to the staff. Not just for them, but

therapy, it’s safe to say that they are masters of understanding what the

for their clients as well. If a therapist is working on their client and feels

body needs.

another therapist may be better suited to treat them based on their experience and skills, they discuss it with the client.

“We want to make [clients] understand that this work is important, and it’s changing people’s lives. It’s beneficial, it’s helpful, and it’s probably

“Our place is for people to remain on the upbeat and to know that if they

the missing puzzle [piece] in a lot of ways,” said co-owner and massage

treat their bodies pristinely and take care of their bodies, their bodies are

therapist Sheila Jasmine. “We want to tell the body to turn around. We

going to find a way to heal,” said Sheila. “We feel that the knowledge,

educate the body. We support and hear [clients] in ways that they need,

the information, the skills, everything that we have, and the work that we

that they don’t get everywhere else.”

do is vital. It’s an important part of people’s healing and getting better.”

Jasmine Advanced Bodywork and Healing Center owners Chad and

We live in a world, where many are taught that a pill can cure the pain.

Sheila Jasmine both have over a decade of experience. For Chad,

Jasmine Advanced Bodywork and Healing Center teaches clients that

he will soon be surpassing 20 years of dedication. Chad’s work has

selfcare alone can do more.

been channeled through everyday people and on professional athletes including Jacksonville Jaguars players, only proving that his skills should

“That’s mainly what we are doing. We are doing body work and then

be felt and seen.

hoping that people can come to grips with not just relying on the system,” said Chad. “We want to offer a center to get healthy an alternative way.”

“When I’m working on somebody, I don’t feel like I’m working.

Whatsoever,” said Chad.

This is a place for all. A place to get energy work, clinical and/or medicinal massages. Not only for adults, but for children and canines. This is a

When speaking with Chad, there is pure excitement and passion when he

place to guide you to what you need.

talks about the different treatments and possibilities for healing the body.

Sheila radiates warmth, empathy and understanding. When opening

“If you want to be moved by the work and then take it to new levels, you

those doors, clients will feel heard. Mentally and physically.

know, physically mentally, emotionally, all that stuff, you choose body work that is going to move you,” said Chad.

Chad and Sheila Jasmine are not only partners at Jasmine Advanced Bodywork and Healing Center but partners in life, in love with each other and the need to help people heal from the inside. Adept with so much knowledge, they further their passion for healing through gatherings and classes that create real relationships with those who participate.

“We learn so much of each other because of all that stuff we talk about.

Sometimes I don’t tell [Sheila] how much she’s taught me, but she really has,” said Chad.

Even working at Jasmine Advanced Bodywork and Healing Center is a delight. The Jasmines want other massage therapists to feel rejuvenated and ready to work. To heal others, you must be giving positive energy as well.

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DOWN 1 Jumbo Shrimp hitting stat 2 Restrict 3 You might have interest in one at SouthState Bank 4 American Kennel Club divisions 5 Felon's flight 6 Agenda entries 7 Taboo 8 Trevor Lawrence mistakes, briefly 9 WJXX net.

10 Paint layers 11 TIAA Bank postings 12 Mark for rejection 13 Evaluate 15 Part of MOCA 21 "___ Haw" 23 Mai ___ (cocktail) 25 U.S. Rep. Rutherford 27 Russian range 29 Hit the bottle 30 Pain-in-the-neck wear?

31 Carve in stone 35 Manipulative sort 37 Florida Senate staffer 39 Therefore 40 Klutz' cry 41 Wreck 42 Stud site 45 Not accidental 46 Quickly, in music 47 ACT alternative

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ACROSS 1 TV brand 4 Russian pancake 9 Ghana's capital 14 City for All Seasons 16 Portends 17 Unit in a bar graph 18 bestbet supply 19 Carryall 20 "Dinosaur Explorer" site, initially 22 Fish story 23 JU frat letter 24 Myth Nightclub LP spinners 26 City of Bright Tomorrows 28 "Yer lyin'!"

30 VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena brew 32 USN rank 33 "___ Thin Air" 34 Inflict pain 36 Church area 38 City of Five Flags 41 Oracle 43 "Try":..."try" again?

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42

ADULT ADVICE SHARI AND TERRY JAYMES

I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your podcast every

TERRY: I’m so sorry you have to go through this.

Monday. It’s my favorite along with my Gang of Two tee shirt.

SHARI: I have some definite thoughts here, Sherry. I have a little experience with I have a pretty serious situation I’d like to get your thoughts on.

this.

I’ve been married for 11 years, and I believe my husband’s drinking

TERRY: Wait. What?

is really becoming a problem. Before we got married he had a DUI. Because of that I’ve always paid close attention to the amount he

SHARI: Not with you, ya dork. My stepfather. Remember? We had to do an

drinks. I don’t pester him about it. I just make a mental note.

intervention with him.

Over the past year or so he seems to be drinking more, and in

TERRY: I will never forget. Your brother cracked open a beer during it. Classic.

February he was hit with his second DUI. Thank God nobody was

Before we get to that, I would get a place to go with your kids every time this

hurt. When he drinks socially, it's always to excess. Even though

happens. They don’t need to see that.

he tells me he’s “only had a couple of beers,” his demeanor tells a different story.

SHARI: Yes. Take care of the kids first. Then you have to address his situation.

Even though we had no clue how to perform an intervention, I believe it worked.

We have two sons who see him in that state when he comes home, and they immediately retreat to their room. This breaks my heart,

TERRY: Yep. I’m pretty sure drinking a Bud Lite at 1 isn’t part of the plan. But yes,

and for that reason alone I feel like something has to be done.

he did pull it together after that.

I don’t necessarily want a divorce, but if he doesn’t grow up, I will

SHARI: I believe you have to give him a chance to save it. But everything has to

be forced to leave. The drinking and the lies that come with it are

be on the table.

reason enough. I’m just not sure how to handle this. Do I leave when he’s hammered? Do I stage an intervention and give him a chance?

TERRY: I would learn how to do a proper intervention though. I think we just got lucky. It’s a serious issue with serious consequences.

Sherry P. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

SHARI: I feel for you, Sherry. Please do all you can to help but stick to your guns.

And Terry is right. If an intervention is in yours and his future, please do it right and bring in a professional.

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