Folio Vol. 37, Issue 12

R adioactive Roads

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‘Stadium of the Future’ Renovations Could Push Jaguars and Florida-Georgia Game Out of Jacksonville Carson Rich

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Rhyme Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Positive Rap in Jacksonville

Jack Popovics

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Jacksonville MAD DADS Fighting For Change Matthew Schneider

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Trip Advisory: A Rough Guide to ‘Shrooming’ in Sunshine the State Shelton Hull

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Su’s Summer Books: Going Local With “Savage Pageant” Su Ertekin-Taner

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Radioactive Roads Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

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Juneteenth: Capsulated in Celebration, Created Through Chaos

Amiyah Golden

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The Domino Effect of DeSantis’ Drag Ban Su Ertekin-Taner

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Theater Review: “Beauty and the Beast” at Alhambra Theatre & Dining Cessy Newmon

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Artist Spotlight: Leilani Leo Ambar Ramirez

Behind the

“Radioactive Roads” Photo by Ambar Ramirez

From the Publisher

The word “toxic” gets thrown around a lot these days — it’s become a bit of a pop culture or pop psychology buzzword. Toxic friendships, toxic workplaces, toxic people and, of course, a list of pop references to toxicity can’t be complete without adding in toxic masculinity. With so many references to what’s “toxic,” have we forgotten what it really means?

Merriam-Webster has four definitions for “toxic,” but I’m just going to focus on two of them.

TOXIC adjective (tox· ic)

1 : containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation

2 : extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful

In this issue of “Folio,” you’ll find examples of both…

1: Toxic materials being placed close to our waterways — seemingly, a ticking time bomb for environmental disaster and the human consequences that will inevitably follow.

2: Laws recently aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community (largely devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his ’24 presidential campaign team) that are extremely harsh, malicious and harmful; hate- and fear-based laws that are politically motivated at the peril of so many who are already marginalized and/or victimized.

I encourage you to read about these issues. And beyond just reading about them, I encourage you weigh in on them. Let your voice be heard and make an impact right here where we call home. Consider other things in this community that are toxic — gun violence, lack of mental health resources, a school system with underpaid teachers and not enough funding, and politicians on the take who care more about their next job or payoff than the citizens they represent. Find what stirs you — speak up, speak out and show up and help in the work toward meaningful change.

To our LGBTQIA+ Friends and Allies: We support you always, and this month, especially, we celebrate PRIDE with you.

Hello dear human in charge of Bouquets and Brickbats. Yes, the May Unitary election turnout was abysmal, yes. BUT how about we make some changes for the future.. at least in Duval County rather than continue to bemoan the turnout? WE COULD WORK together (those of us concerned registered voters) to change the laws to deal with a 21st century electorate, instead of doing everything we can to suppress voting ala 1923. Here are a few ideas not in priority order.

• CHANGE THE LAW SO PEOPLE DON’T have to vote at their HOME PRECINCT ON ELECTION DAY.

• CHANGE THE LAWS AND MAKE ALL LOCAL/CITY/STATE/COUNTY ELECTION DAYS HOLIDAYS (local/state/federal).

• CHANGE THE LAWS AND ENABLE people to drop off their mail in ballots on Election day at any precinct. They sealed ballots could be placed in a secure/sealed bag/envelope and delivered to the SOE for counting on election day.

• FINALLY, PASS A LAW FOR RANK CHOICE VOTING IN FLORIDA. A story for another day.

Sincerely, an older reader of Folio who is trying to make sure EVERY REGISTERED VOTER, votes, regardless of party. Enjoy life, it’s pretty short.

Anonymous

BOUQS & BRICKS BOUQUETS BRICKBATS

To Mayor-Elect Donna Deegan for becoming the first woman mayor elected in Jacksonville’s history — and for doing so without resorting to mudslinging, trash talking and negativity like so many other politicians (OK, almost all of them). Her positive-vibes-only demeanor will be a welcome change from the dirty politics as usual around here and for healing the decisiveness of our city.

To whomever came up with the idea of having the Jaguars play outside of Jacksonville during construction of the “Stadium of the Future.” Granted, there aren’t a lot of other viable options at this point, but don’t you think we could have done what other cities have and made renovations in phases so the team wouldn’t have to play multiple seasons on someone else’s turf? Especially while city taxpayers foot part of the bill!

Weird Wild Stuff

Words by Shelton Hull

Let’s not bury the lede here: Donna Deegan actually won the mayoral race, by a pretty comfortable margin, despite the concerted efforts of the incumbent mayor, the governor, their two chief strategists, the new sheriff, a handful of alt-right websites and, last, but maybe not least, her actual opponent. This was, without question, the weirdest, wildest stuff that’s happened in local politics in many years, and it’s so nice to see Jacksonville in the news for something truly positive and uplifting. And now, back to the usual insanity …

New Jersey is lovely, but facts is facts, as they say up there: If you hang out there long enough, you’re gonna get hit with something. In this case, it was a dang ol’ meteorite, roughly four inches by six inches. A remnant of the Eta Aquarid shower, it smashed through the roof of a home in Hopewell Township at an estimated 140 miles per hour, a velocity that would have been very much terminal for anyone unlucky enough to be in its path. Thankfully, by the time it entered our atmosphere and impacted the earth, it had slowed bigly from its speed in space, which can reach upwards of 44 miles per second. At that speed, you could drop an airplane or sink a cruise ship with a projectile small enough to fit in your pocket — even if you’re a woman with those tiny pockets that the fashion industry forces on you to make you buy more purses. The funny part is that original news reports compared it to the pork roll (aka Taylor Ham), a Jersey delicacy. If it had been a pork roll, a lot of Jersey bros would’ve taken the risk of trying to catch it.

Drunk driving is wrong, and that is something we can all agree on. People will go to all kinds of crazy lengths to avoid catching a DUI; they’ll do damn near anything, ex cept to not drive drunk. A Colorado man took this to an extreme when he was pulled over in Springfield on May 15. He was going 52 mph in a 30 mph zone, but as the cop was walking toward the man’s car, he saw the guy pick up his dog and place him into the driver’s seat, then sit in the passenger seat himself. Once he was called out on that, he tried to run, badly. Despite driving drunk for

over 90 miles, he only made it about 20 yards on foot. We would normally say “allegedly” at some point here, but this seems to be one of those situations where even the most hardened “defunder” would admit that, yeah, the police are right this time. He caught several charges, along with having two active warrants, but the dog was released on its own recognizance.

We turn next to Florida, specifically St. Petersburg, where Mutts and Martinis opened last month. Not only is it the very first full-service waterpark for dogs in the state, but it’s also the first dog park of any kind that also has a full liquor bar. The whole area is very pet-friendly, in fact, with pet stores and other amenities for the hundreds of dogs who congregate there, as well as the humans they bring with them. They offer day passes, as well as full memberships. The only requirements are that the dogs are fully vaccinated and neutered. Because we all know what happens when you get a bunch of Floridians together near water, whether they’re human or not.

From St. Pete, we turn to Key Largo, where a professor at Florida Atlantic University just broke the record for most time spent underwater. He has spent the time doing experiments to learn more about the physical and psychological effects of being underwater for so long. His lodgings are at Jules’ Undersea Lodge, which is located at the bottom of a 30-foot deep lagoon. He broke the old record of 73 days in mid-May, but he intends to stay put for a while longer. He’s also hosted more than 30 adults and 15 kids during his stay. It’s unclear just how long he

Photo provided by Jacksonville Jaguars

Stadium of the Future

Renovations coming to TIAA Bank Field, Could Push Jaguars and Florida-Georgia Out of Jacksonville

Words by Carson Rich

Jacksonville’s top attraction is getting an upgrade, and it could drastically impact local events for years to come. Designs were just released for TIAA Bank Field to take on a major, multibillion- dollar renovation project that is expected to last almost four years. This news may be exciting for fans in the long run, but the biggest concern seems to be where the Jaguars will be playing during construction.

Built in 1994, Jacksonville’s stadium has played a major role in hosting some of North Florida’s biggest events. It is known for being home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the annual Florida-Georgia football game, the AEW and college football’s Gator Bowl. In 2005, it was also the site of Super Bowl XXXIX.

Renovations are nothing new for the venue. Since its opening, it has been through three name changes and two significant construction projects that helped build it into what it is today. The organization’s newest project will be, by far, the biggest one yet.

The team recently chose HOK Architects out of St. Louis to design the entire project. HOK has had quite the experience before taking on Jacksonville with prominent work including the construction of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the $755 million renovation of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The Jaguars unleashed their new stadium designs on June 7, revealing a list of new features that will help solve existing problems. These additions include a new Floridian park that flows directly into an elevated 360-degree concourse, and a shade canopy, which has been the biggest hope for local fans. The outside of the venue will have a reflective metallic look that decreases temperatures 10 to 15 degrees, helping keep fans cooler in the Florida heat. The stadium capacity will also expand to upwards of 70,000 and can fit more when the field opens up for concerts.

Based on a questionnaire “Folio” posted on social media prior to the design reveal, the biggest wish for the new stadium was shading for the seats. This has been a growing issue due to the heat that Jacksonville receives during the NFL season, and it will finally be resolved with the renovations. The two pools and large video boards will remain in the stadium, as they are both things that the city is proud to have.

Mayor-Elect Donna Deegan issued a statement on the new design rollout and what it means for the city of Jacksonville: “It’s a beautiful vision for economic revitalization. Infrastructure, especially in our older historic neighborhoods, will be one of the key priorities of my administration. I look forward to the coming negotiations and a deal that is good for taxpayers which keeps the Jaguars in Jacksonville for generations to come.” “Folio” reached out to the Jaguars public relations team for further commentary and have yet to receive a response.

For the city of Jacksonville, this means that future events could potentially be moved to another location. This affects not only the organizations affiliated with the stadium but also the people who generally attend them.

“Folio” conducted a poll to find out how locals feel about the renovations being planned for their home field: 45% of respondents believe the city is in need of a new stadium, 32% do not see the point in changing anything with 24% responding it does not really matter to them.

If the renovations push events out of the city, it would have huge repercussions on business owners across the city, especially in the Downtown area. Local bars and fan attractions would miss out on a great deal of revenue on game days that they were always able to look forward to coming into NFL seasons in the past.

As far as the Jaguars go, season ticket holders may have to travel farther or rethink their purchase all together depending on where the new location is set. The temporary stadium’s size is also a huge deciding factor for fans, as this could potentially lead to a large decrease in fan attendance. The current stadium has a capacity of around 68,000 people, making it the largest venue of its kind in Northeast Florida. One possibility being considered is Hodges Stadium at UNF, which currently holds around 12,000. Without putting significant funding toward renovating their stadium, it’s not a feasible option.

Rumor has it the temporary replacement could be Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. This possible solution would not only satisfy but could also increase attendance since it is capable of holding almost 89,000 people.

This location would also help negotiations regarding location of the Florida-Georgia game. For years, the game has been played in Jacksonville because it is a neutral site between the two universities, but since they won’t have that for a few years, a compromise may be in the works. Fans agree they would like to see the games during those years played on each other’s turf, taking turns so they each have an equal chance of having “home-field advantage.”

The result of the renovations project aims to allow for a large expansion of events to be hosted in Jacksonville. As of right now, the most prominent events held there are Jaguars home games, the Florida-Georgia game and the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. After the stadium is finished, there are hopes of attracting high-profile events like the College Football Playoff, the Men’s NCAA Final Four and international soccer games. The addition of these events could generate huge amounts of revenue for the city and local businesses and bring more visitors to Downtown and the Urban Core in general.

While the renovation plans for TIAA Bank Field are slated to change the course of local events for almost four years during construction, the “Stadium of the Future” presents a bright outlook for Jacksonville. For now fans can sit back and enjoy the last two seasons cheering on the home team at home.

Brace yourself for a month filled with surprises that are sure to test your patience, Aries. It’s like the universe wants to see just how much you can handle. But hey, who needs calm and stability when you can have chaos and unpredictability, right?

HOROSCOPES ARIES TAURUS

Buckle up, Taurus! June is going to be a wild ride for you with celestial chaos unleashing its full force. Relationships are like a rollercoaster this month, and you’re in for some heart-pounding twists and turns. Prepare for passionate arguments, intense make-up sessions and unpredictable emotions. Or avoid the whiplash all together and have some very necessary alone time.

GEMINI

Ah, Gemini, your social calendar is going to be bursting at the seams this month, since it is your month, after all. Get ready for superficial conversations and a whirlwind of small talk. Don’t worry, though, because nobody can juggle shal low friendships quite like you!

CANCER

This month, emotions will flow like a never-ending river. Get ready for dramatic scenes, tearful monologues and a touch of passive-aggressive text messaging. Don’t forget your trusty tissue box and a good therapist on speed dial.

LEO VIRGO

Leo, it’s your time to shine ... or so you think. But be prepared for some unexpected shade coming your way. Your spotlight might get stolen and your dramatic moments overshadowed. Oh well, who needs constant attention when you can handle a little ego bruising, right?

June brings chaos and disorder to your meticulously organized life, Virgo. Prepare for missed deadlines, misplaced documents and a computer crash at the worst possible moment. Embrace the chaos; perfection is overrated anyway.

Indecisive Libra, brace yourself for a month of agonizing over every little choice. Should you wear blue or green socks today? Which dessert should you order? The struggle is real, but remember, it’s just socks and sweets, not life-altering decisions.

LIBRA SCORPIO

Oh, Scorpio, your mysterious and brooding nature is going to be in full swing this month (like every month, right?). You’ll be the embodiment of all things intense and secretive. Just be careful not to scare people away with your intensity. A little darkness goes a long way; too much might send them running for the hills! But we all know you’re a baby underneath.

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN

June will be a rollercoaster ride of unpredictability even for you, adventurous Sagittarius. Your travel plans might be derailed, your GPS will lead you astray, and your passport might mysteriously disappear. Just go with the flow and embrace the unexpected detours. Oh, and don’t forget to wear a seatbelt.

Capricorn, it’s time to put your serious face on and tackle those responsibilities with an iron fist. The world needs someone to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, and who better than you? Just don’t forget to loosen up once in a while because fun is highly overrated, right?

AQUARIUS

June is a month of social madness for you, Aquarius. Prepare for endless invitations, conflicting schedules and FOMO on steroids. Just remember, it’s OK to say no sometimes and enjoy a cozy night in with your favorite conspiracy theory shows and a bowl of popcorn.

PISCES

Ah, dreamy Pisces, prepare for a month of escapism and floating through life in your own little bubble. Reality is overrated anyway, so why not live in your fantasy world? Just be careful not to completely lose touch with the real world. Remember, bills and responsibilities tend to burst bubbles, so keep at least one foot on the ground. (Or plan to marry rich!)

Words by Jack Popovics and photo by Amiyah Golden

Music takes all forms and styles from soul-stirring harmonies of a cappella to the raw energy and urban narratives of drill rap.

Drill rap is a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in Chicago in the 2010s. What distinguishes drill from other rap styles is its gritty and raw nature with aggressive lyrics and trap-influenced beats. The lyrics often revolve around the harsh realities of street life, reflecting the experiences and struggles of the artists themselves. Drill rap is notorious for its explicit depiction of violence, rivalries and confrontations. A majority of the songs are dedicated to dissing other artists and detailing the singer’s actions or intentions toward rival gangs. The intense and menacing energy of drill rap has attracted a dedicated fan base, drawn to its authenticity and unfiltered lyrics.

Jacksonville has become an epicenter of drill rap with local rappers preaching violence as much as Martin Luther King Jr. preached peace. Numerous songs have emerged from artists across Jacksonville, proudly showcasing acts of violence against rival gang members and fellow rappers. One instance involves local artist Foolio, who openly confronted multiple rappers and gang affiliates, including teenage rapper Corbin Johnson. In Foolio’s track titled “Beatbox Remix/Bibby Flow,” he explicitly mentions Johnson with the lyrics, “Corbin got kidnapped, they found his bones, he was rotten (where’s Corbin?),” alluding to Johnson’s mysterious disappearance that occurred several years prior.

Drill rap has tragically claimed the lives of numerous emerging artists in Jacksonville and across the country. Even friends and family members have found themselves caught in the crossfire of these rivalries. Because of this, one local artist has taken it upon himself to make a change in the local hip-hop scene.

Born in the Bronx, Mal (pronounced “mall”) Jones has been exposed to the urban lifestyle from a young age. He and his family moved around during his childhood until they eventually settled in Jacksonville. Jones has had a passion for hip-hop and poetry for as long as he can remember. When he was younger, he would meet up with other artists to host freestyle events, which is what prompted him to start Lyricist Live.

“I’ve always been the rapper who was communicating with other rappers, whether we were collaborating, doing songs or doing cypher just rapping together,” Jones said. “Cypher is just a circle of emcees trading perspectives through hip-hop lanes. I would get us all together and host those things.”

Originally, Lyricist Live was a positive, podcast-style cypher, but Jones believed he would be more effective spreading his message on the streets of Jacksonville with an open mic where anyone could join. Jones sets up in downtown Jacksonville once a month as part of Art Walk to play beats and welcome other artists to join. He creates a safe, non-judgmental outlet for the community to come together in a positive environment. The only rule to participate in Lyricist Live is no cursing. Jones knows that life can be very difficult, and he gives people a platform to speak their minds about the current state of the world.

“I’ve had 70-year-old men out there rapping on the microphone with a 10-year-old,” Jones shared. “I’ve had teenagers rapping with their little sister. It touches all demographics and all kinds of people, all cultures.”

Jones was the first hip-hop artist in Florida to be labeled a folk artist by The Florida Folklife Program and Division of Historical Resources. Folk artist means that the art is passed down from one generation to the next, as his father taught him. Jones shared that freestyle rap turned into a family tradition while traveling in the car together. This is why, he believes, he was recognized as a folk artist — approaching hip-hop from an educational perspective, highlighting its heritage and the tradition of passing it down through generations.

As evidence of the impact he’s making in Jacksonville and beyond, Jones was recently featured on the ABC News docuseries “IMPACT” in an episode called “United States of Drill: Rap, Beef, and Bullets” (S1, E26) now streaming on Hulu. The show also profiled a talented young rapper from Jacksonville named Amari Murrell, who was among the first performers to make use of Jones’ platform. “Tough guys don’t last long,” Murrell said, which is also a lesson conveyed by Jones to the youths he mentors. When asked about how he instills this value in aspiring young rappers, Jones simply referred to local media’s frequent coverage highlighting the unfortunate consequences of gangs and the association between drill rap and violence.

“You can show any of those stories and show that is a path you do not want to be on,” Jones explained. “If you need to express yourself or get your word out, you have the responsibility to stay safe and not promote violence.”

Jones explained that the best thing to do to keep young artists from going down a dark path is to support productions like Lyricist Live. He has visited nearly every school in Duval County using educational rap to teach children how to stay safe. He even partnered with JEA addressing water conservation and electrical safety.

“Support Lyricist Live and things like it,” Jones added. “Don’t let the trash have all the cash flow.”

Lyricist Live is a project with a history of fostering positivity, and Jones empowers young artists to explore the expressive and creative power of music and lyrics. By providing a platform for this self-expression, as well as encouragement and personal growth, Lyricist Live has touched countless lives, instilling a sense of confidence, inspiration and hope in the hearts and minds of the youth of Jacksonville and beyond.

Check out the “Folio” exclusive interview with Mal Jones.

UV RATED: SUNBURN CANNABIS COMES TO 5 POINTS

Words by Shelton Hull

The corner of Park and Lomax streets sits at the center of historic 5 Points, which has been the epicenter of the city’s alternative culture for the past half-century, at least. It was inevitable that the neighborhood with probably the highest concentration of stoners per square foot would have its own dispensary by now, but the fact that it has only happened just now is more than curious. The building that once housed Fans & Stoves is currently home to Sunburn Cannabis.

Readers familiar with the area may not be familiar with the name, since that space was originally slated for use by Med Men. The bright red storefront and covered windows were a fixture of the strip for years, but the place never actually opened, even though it should have done so well before the pandemic. Now, that’s a long story.

MedMen opened their first dispensary in Florida in June 2019. That was in West Palm Beach, and they added eight more branches within the following year. The 5 Points location would have been the 10th, but it never actually opened. They moved into the former home of Fans & Stoves, which moved around the corner to Lomax Street. Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) approved their application in March 2019, and it was slated to open before the holidays, some 3 1/2 years ago. Thankfully, they never got around to covering up the iconic Shaun Thurston mural on the side of the building, which was actually one of the very first notable mural projects in the city and one that inspired dozens of such pieces around Northeast Florida in the two decades since it was first painted. But significant work had been done on the space, and it seemed to be right on schedule before the work halted. And then the pandemic happened.

Med Med closed their locations in Jax Beach and four other locations in May 2020, leaving only three Florida stores open, while the 5 Points location remained unfinished. And locals heard nothing else about it until Sunburn Cannabis emerged almost spontaneously. This key loss for corporatized cannabis was just as key a gain for the independent operators, at least as independent as one can be under the existing rules. Sunburn has locations in eight different Florida cities. Even if you don’t live in a city with an existing dispensary, they also offer delivery service to 10 zones that include all 67 counties in the state.

It’s a fresh aesthetic within the genre, at least as it manifests locally. The space is noticeably less sterile than its peers, with the usual antiseptic white linoleum replaced by gorgeous hardwood floors and ceilings that would be welcome in anyone’s home. They also have pool tables and tables with tablets displaying their wares. Of course, all the product is behind the counter, inaccessible without a medical marijuana card, but anyone over 18 is free to walk around.

As much as one might like the product itself, true stoners will appreciate the extensive lore that attaches to the brand, all of which is detailed on their site.

Like virtually all dispensaries in Florida, Sunburn offers extensive discounts that rotate every few days, as well as regular discounts for seniors, veterans and first-time customers. The location ensures copious foot traffic, and that will only increase now that summer is here.

Sunburn’s Twitter account surprisingly has fewer than 700 followers, and they follow no one. But company founder Brady Cobb has more than 14,000 followers on his personal account. The main account recently announced on that they were opening their second grow operation in Florida. Just two days later, Bill Murray himself was seen wearing their t-shirt at his Caddy Shack golf tournament. If all this leads to a Bill Murray appearance in 5 Points someday, that would be just swell!

Sunburn’s set up in a neighborhood in transition. 5 Points, which was the hub for alternative culture in Northeast Florida for decades, has slowly evolved in a slightly more corporatized direction signified by the arrival of Hoptinger in what was the old Fuel Coffeehouse spot years ago. That has driven a shift in the demographics of the strip, at least at night, along with an overall spike in foot traffic, which Sunburn — situated mere feet away from the iconic streetlight and new surrounding roundabout — has already benefited from.

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.

Jacksonville MAD DADS Fighting For Change

Words by Matthew Schneider

For years, gang violence and illegal drugs ran the streets of Omaha, Nebraska, destroying communities and endangering the lives of innocent bystanders. In May 1989, a group of parents decided enough was enough: It was time to take action. In an attempt to deter this behavior, MAD DADS was founded.

MAD DADS, Men Against Destruction — Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder, has since expanded nationally with chapters in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Jacksonville. The grassroots organization continues to spread its message through programs designed to attract, challenge and prepare its members to be vocal, visible and vigilant in restoring safe communities and healthy families.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the president of the MAD DADS Jacksonville chapter, Donald Foy, to gain a better understanding of MAD DADS and its involvement in the Jacksonville community.

Before the Jacksonville chapter was established, the national MAD DADS president, George Spencer, came to Jacksonville following extensive acts of violence taking place in the community, asking Foy personally to establish a MAD DADS chapter in Jacksonville. When I spoke with Foy, he explained that he initially turned down the offer due to his existing commitments in the community.

In 2002 a triple homicide left the Jacksonville community outraged. The Kirkland boys, ages 12 and 13, were riding home from football practice with their aunt when they were mistakenly targeted and tragically killed in an act of gang retaliation. After realizing no one was willing to do anything about it, Foy took matters into his own hands.

“The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, ‘You do something about it,’” Foy explained.

The Jacksonville chapter has been up and running ever since, having just celebrated its 20-year anniversary on April 15.

Foy explained that MAD DADS’ ultimate goal is for the Jacksonville community to be crime-free, violence-free and drug-free through community programs and citizen involvement.

One program especially close to Foy’s heart is the Merchant Seaman Program (MSP). MSP employs young adults in careers where they can excel in a positive direction and make an honest living.

“We put about 90 guys at work as merchant seamen,” Foy said. “We have them working from the Gulf of Mexico to Japan, China and Africa, all of them working on the boat, having created a career as merchant seamen.”

Foy said adolescents who are attracted to and consumed by our current culture of violence are often poverty-stricken and come from single-parent homes. When these children see someone behind the wheel of a luxury car or wearing expensive clothes obtained through the illicit trade of narcotics, they feel inclined toward pursuing a similar path in life.

“If we asked them to stop selling drugs, then we have to offer them something to go right along with that,” Foy explained. “They get a career making good money as a merchant seaman. You can’t ask them to stop selling drugs for a McDonald’s job.”

Another way MAD DADS impacts the Jacksonville community is through its annual summer youth basketball program. For the last 10 years, MAD DADS has used basketball to better prepare 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds for life as adults.

“It’s a 12-week program where we meet with them and teach them life skills, and we know most of them love basketball,” Foy said.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MAD DADS can only continue to operate with support from the community.

“Never feel that you don’t have something to offer your community. You could help us out with the life skills program,” Foy said. “If you’re not athletic, you could always help us by going to the streets and knocking on doors helping these families get justice. And overall, you can always give a [monetary] donation to MAD DADS.”

For more information on MAD DADS and to learn how you can contribute, visit maddadsjax.com. Additionally, Foy reminds everyone, if they see something, say something: Call Crime Stoppers at (904) 398-3775, and you can remain anonymous. It doesn’t take much to change a life. Get in touch today and start making a difference.

Photo provided by Donald Foy

Trip Advisory: A rough guide to ‘shrooming’ in sunshine stAte

Words by Shelton Hull

There has been a popular resurgence of interest in hallucinogenic mushrooms in recent years, particularly here in Florida. A big factor in that boom has been the state’s massive military veteran community, which has seized upon the plant’s usefulness for treating PTSD and other psychological issues, including addiction to alcohol or even harder drugs. That has been happening for years, decades even, mostly off the record and under the table. But the new generation of veterans, who’ve been plagued by a mental health epidemic, resulting in tens of thousands of suicides over the past 15 years with Florida accounting for about 10% of the total — are vigilant about embracing what can bring relief to their peers, and that’s what brought this subject to the forefront.

Before we get into the details of the current shroom scene in Florida, let’s first talk about what the words actually mean. When you say “shrooms,” in the colloquial sense of the word, you could be referring to any number of different but interrelated varieties of mushrooms, each of which has their own unique properties and potential applications.

Psilocybin was banned by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which remains the standard by which all drugs are defined on the federal level, but amarita muscaria is legal. You’re not allowed to sell them specifically for eating, but one man’s loophole is another man’s noose, as has proven true in Florida from the jump. And so it goes with shrooms.

When you hear references to mushrooms as a commercially available (i.e., legal) product, they are most likely talking about amarita muscaria, which is native to Siberia but has been popular in the U.S. for many years. You have surely seen them, most likely in either “Smurfs” or “Super Mario Bros.” (They actually feature prominently in the new Mario movie, as any true fan would insist on.)

This is what they’re selling in Ybor City, and that is why you’re reading this right now. Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary opened as a straight hemp dispensary (Tampa’s first) back in 2018, then started selling shrooms in September 2022. Not just actual shrooms in the form of mushroom caps, capsules and gummies but also spores, mycology cultures, entire grow kits and even mushroom/hemp joints. At one point, you could even buy the mycelium to grow your own psilocybin, but since the product was only legal for research purposes, they were banned from selling to anyone who expressed any interest in actually consuming the product. They also sold a whole range of “functional mushrooms” like Lion’s Mane and Reishi, prized for their brain boosting properties and widely available in teas, coffees and energy drinks at almost every grocery store.

Chillum has been reaching out to “Folio” for months now (thanks to The Specktator for being the first of many to alert me to the company’s existence way back on Sept. 18). Their Facebook page has more posts about psychedelics than it does about cannabis, at least in recent months, and it’s actually pretty useful. After getting tons of questions about this from readers, we’ve finally got some answers for you.

With amarita muscaria being unregulated and dispensaries being highly regulated, it was inevitable that the Florida Department of Agriculture would investigate, which they began doing in December. Chillum eventually halted sales of most mushroom products in mid-January, saying that certain ingredients might be poisonous, leaving only the grow kits, mycelium and supplements for sale. (They’ve also launched LearnEuphoria.com to help wise up the marks on this complicated subject.)

True, all psychedelic mushrooms are essentially low-grade poison, as most (non-cannabis) drugs are; the trippy feeling you get is technically a reaction to the poison, which won’t kill you, but can definitely ruin your weekend. While it’s technically impossible to overdose on any psychedelic mushroom, the effects can vary wildly between different people or even different samples from the same batch. The days of foraging for shrooms in the wild, tromping through cow pastures in the dead of night, are mostly long gone. That’s a good thing because it’s easy to pick the wrong thing, especially at night, especially when you’re not an expert.

Having access to legal shrooms removes some risk of bad outcomes with reliable supply and consistent dosages. That’s why more communities are moving in that direction. The movement began in Denver, which legalized psilocybin mushrooms via Ordinance 301 in May 2019; Oregon joined them in November 2020, and then the rest of the state of Colorado last November. Other cities to legalize include Cambridge, Detroit, Oakland, Santa Monica and Seattle. Many of the activists involved in this are veterans of the movement that’s had similar success with cannabis, and that is true here, as well. For example, Chillum owner Carlos Hermida is himself a founder and deputy director of the Suncoast chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Will Florida move in a similar direction? Nope, no time soon, anyway. Let’s see about getting cannabis fully legalized here first, and maybe we can revisit the subject of shrooms after the next governor takes over in January 2027. Hopefully by then, Democrats will have found a way to flip the legislature blue and then we can talk. Speaking of which, now that we’ve covered the basics, you readers can school me on the details, and we’ll follow up on this subject later this year. As the old newsmen say, this is a developing story…

SU’S SUMMER BOOKS “SAVAGE

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner

This particular Thursday, I was hungry for some visceral verbs, some vibrant adjectives describing incisive nouns. I was starved for novel storylines and intriguing layouts, some collection of words that takes time to digest. Really, I was itching for some provocative poetry, and I found it in Jessica Q. Stark’s “Savage Pageant.”

I open the striking cover of a tapir framed by a mustard yellow background at the Ponte Vedra Bold Bean where the coffee is craft and the menu is current. With my iced vanilla latte and fresh sourdough sesame bagel on either side of my current literary fixation, I sit in the Scandinavian-esque coffee shop and the meal begins.

This month, I decided to go local with my servings of syntax: Originally from California, Stark is an assistant professor in the English department at UNF who I met at the Women Writing for (a) Change June Book Festival. The festival, like the organization itself, highlights female and nonbinary authors in the Jacksonville community. Over 30 authors and literary magazines gathered to celebrate historically marginalized voices, promote their writing, and sell and sign books.

Among the Jacksonvillian texts, I noticed “Savage Pageant” almost immediately, drawn to the beguiling title and cover art. My reading of the first couple pages and love of poetry exacerbated this innate pull.

The ride home was short and long: shortened because I found my gluttonous self gorging on the text, elongated because I was immersed in thought all the while. Half of the book forfeited itself to me on this ride, and I read the other half now in between nibbles of my staple bagel.

And, oh! The content is so filling despite the poetry book’s relatively short length. Stark narrates the disturbing past of animal theme park and training center called Jungleland USA — its mistreatment of animals for profit and its harmful spotlight on the Hollywood spectacle — while also discussing the journey of her first pregnancy. With every poem, the two events

amalgamate coming to a peak, in my opinion, in the titular poem “Savage Pageant: 33 Weeks.” Finally, the pregnant body becomes performative, and the animal’s performance objectifies the animal body.

Overall, Stark writes in the name of theater; she herself is an actress equipped with full, tender verbs, a wealth of history, spoken brilliance and an essential understanding of irony. Her poetry frames itself as a spectacle with its “act” introductions, the timelines of Jungleland’s history mimicking the play’s program, the inclusion of a theatrical mentor found in philosopher Guy Debord quotes, the countdown of her pregnancy (which, in itself, is campy), the necessary withholding of information that fills the space, and the variance of poetic format (Google images marking Jungleland’s location, a play script, content from an online forum, speckled words, text that’s been struck through, etc.), all of which provides a necessary inconsistency for a ravenous audience. Stark’s writing is a well-tailored play; it is an act and composed of acts.

Of course, some poems distinguished themselves from the others for me. I leaned toward “Name Numerology K-Hole: 11 Weeks” for its reinterpretation of “name”; “A Note for Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer” for its snappy critique of entertainment; “B. Know Your Symptom: 17 Weeks” for cutting, dangerous phrases; and of course, the titular “Savage Pageant: 33 Weeks.”

I finish digesting now — both the bagel and pages are nowhere in sight. I know this breakfast catered to all my senses: The book weighs heavily in the palm; I whisper rhythmically phrases from the poems; the variance of form gratifies the eye; the phrases are meaty, muscled, and there is a certain umami flavor to poetry that doesn’t abide by the fundamental, the moral.

Stark’s “Savage Pageant” is a beach, coffeeshop, patio, car, library, bench, airplane, bed, campus read. Wherever you choose to consume, prepare yourself for a long-lasting, strong, thrilling aftertaste.

Radioactive Roads

How Far Will the Florida Government Go to Save a Quick Buck

On May 1, 2023, House Bill 1191 was passed by the Florida Senate to be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval. House Bill 1191 proposes “alternative ways to use certain recyclable materials that currently contribute to problems of declining space in landfills.” The “certain recyclable materials” include phosphogypsum, a waste product from manufacturing fertilizer that releases radon, an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil and water. With the use of phosphogypsum, however, the more radon is released than what normally occurs in nature. Inhaling radon gas leaves radioactive particles in the lungs, which can gradually contribute to the development or escalation of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 21,000 deaths a occur each year from lung cancer caused by radon. The state government and Mosiac Inc, a mining and fertilizer company based in Tampa, are pushing to use phosphogypsum in future paving plans, putting countless residents and local wildlife at risk.

To provide some context, when sulfuric acid is used to dissolve phosphate rock for the production of phosphoric acid, which is primarily used in fertilizers and various other applications, a byproduct called phosphogypsum remains. According to the EPA, the state of Florida alone accounts for around 80% of the global capacity for phosphate production, making it the largest phosphate-producing region worldwide. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that phosphogypsum has been prohibited in road construction for more than three decades due to its significant detrimental effects on the surrounding environment. Consequently, one might wonder why the Florida government intends to reintroduce it into our road surfaces. Great question.

The Florida government’s excuse for reintroducing phosphogypsum into pavement plans is due to “declining space in landfills”. Though phosphogypsum is not located in an average landfill; it is held in a gypsum stack that can be found in waste sites across Florida. A gypsum stack typically appears in the form of a towering mound or hill. The outer surface of the stack is usually

covered with a protective lining or clay cap to prevent the escape of contaminants with lined reservoir ponds filled with wastewater surrounding the area. But the protective linings are not guaranteed to prevent an ecological disaster. In March 2021, the reservoir surrounding the former Piney Point phosphate plant located in Tampa Bay leaked causing a breach in the reservoir’s containment walls. According to The Florida Museum, to avoid large-scale collapse and to lower water levels to prevent major flooding, untreated, acidic wastewater was pumped into Tampa Bay. While the wastewater was not radioactive itself, it had high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus which aided in the ongoing toxic algal blooms around the area killing local sea life. Dozens of residents in Manatee County and the surrounding area were evacuated as the event unfolded.

Despite the occurrence of sea life destruction and the need for local residents to evacuate as a result of the leak, both the Florida Government and Mosiac Inc. persist in their desire to incorporate the radioactive fertilizer waste into upcoming pavement projects.

Mosaic Inc. has raised thousands of dollars into campaign funds for Republican parties across the state and is endorsing bills that would allow the use of radioactive fertilizer waste in road construction. The largest gyp stack owned by Mosaic Inc., New Wales, can be found in Mulberry, Florida, and stretches across 704 acres. In 2016, a massive sinkhole was exposed at the New Wales stack and more than 200 million gallons of contaminated water leaked into the aquifer. It is incidents like these that are raising concerns among environmentalists and residents near these toxic tanks about using phosphogypsum in our roads.

Among the local environmentalists raising concerns about House Bill 1191 is St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman. Rinaman is an unwavering champion and resounding voice for the St. Johns River, boldly confronting the imminent

Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri

threat of our imperiled rivers and aquifer. Armed with the indomitable power of her voice and highly respected position, Rinaman fervently ignites awareness and inspires change.

“This is just going to spread this cancer-causing toxic material on top of our very vulnerable aquifer, threatening our drinking water, as well as our waterways,” Rinaman shared. “The road workers are at the greatest risk because they’ll be expected to work with this radioactive material. And anyone visiting could be potentially exposed to it, whether they’re enjoying our springs that are fueled by the aquifer or drinking water. It puts us as residents at risk, as well as visitors to the state of Florida.”

Under the Trump administration in 2020, the EPA approved the use of toxic waste in road construction. But in 2021 the agency withdrew its compliance following a lawsuit from environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity. Phosphogypsum is high in radium-226 which is one of the most problematic elements — and it has a 1,600-year half-life. When radium decays, it forms radon, meaning this toxic waste material could not only seep into our groundwater supply but also affect our air quality.

“One of the big risks is the exposure theory and the actual construction itself,” Rinaman explained. “You have that short-term being a potential risk and then it can sink and soak in if it’s used underneath a roadway. If the roadway breaks up, it can actually re-expose it. So, I mean, there’s risk in the very near term as well as over the course of time.”

Despite all of these detrimental effects, whether it be an ecological disaster or risking the health of workers and residents, the Florida government and

Mosaic Inc. are still pushing for the use of phosphogypsum in future pavement projects. So, the question remains: Why? Rinaman believes that corporate welfare is the backbone of House Bill 1191. Since Mosaic has raised thousands of dollars into campaign funds for Republican parties across the state, the fertilizer lobby seems to have a tight grip on the Florida government.

“They’re basically controlling the politics of this,” Rinaman said. “So, they’re not looking at Floridians’ health, not today, nor well into the future. They’re just looking at offsetting the cost [of road construction].”

One of the few to vote against this bill during committee hearings was Florida House Representative Angie Nixon. Upon hearing about House Bill 1191, Nixon, who lives in Jacksonville, did her own research and found that voting “no” was an easy decision.

“These are all issues that are being ‘tested’ but based on the research I’ve done, I’m not even comfortable with the idea because according to medical experts, it causes cancer,” Nixon explained. “And I know that they will more than likely test it in marginalized communities.”

Unfortunately, Nixon and her Democratic colleagues were outnumbered. The House Infrastructure Strategies Committee approved the bill on May 1 with an amendment extending the deadline for the suitability studies from January to April 1, 2024. That means the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been authorized to undertake demonstration projects using phosphogypsum in road construction projects as well as conduct studies on using the toxic waste material as “construction aggregate material.”

“I’m sure if you follow the money, you will find your answer,” Nixon said. “There’s probably a company that has donated to my Republican colleagues that want to use this material to save money on construction costs — because those in power are bought and paid for.”

House Bill 1191 sponsor Lawerence McClure informed his colleagues the measure would unleash the potential of utilizing phosphogypsum in a beneficial manner, according to a WUSF Public Media article. Further, McClure mentioned phosphogypsum is safely used in roads and concrete around the world including like Russia and China. An opposing argument for using phosphogypsum in road construction and agriculture is that it would be considered more environmentally friendly. Rather than facing the risk of another leak with large amounts of phosphogypsum being held in gyp stacks across the state, it would be “safer” to disperse the radioactive material in roads.

Doug Chambers, executive vice president and director of radioactivity and risk studies at SENES Consultants Limited in Richmond Hill, Ontario, has been working in the area of environmental radioactivity and risk assessment for more than 30 years studying both radioactive and non-radioactive substances. Chambers realizes that while the use of phosphogypsum is dangerous if used inappropriately, the EPA study that prohibits the use of the material is outdated and excludes the use of other toxic waste materials that are used in agriculture currently.

“In their 1992 analysis, the EPA assumed a lifetime of 70 years of exposure, and yes, that is indeed possible but it is highly unlikely,” Chambers explained during House Hearing 108 to Congress. “In their Exposure Factors Handbook,

a document prepared by EPA based on national data and surveys, EPA recommends a duration of exposure of 30 years, which according to the EPA is the upper 95th percentile. In other words, only five people out of 100 might live longer in a single home than 30 years.”

During the same hearing, Michael Lloyd, research director of chemical processing at the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research in Bartow, has done extensive research on the subject of phosphogypsum and specifically how it can be used for road building. Under sponsored research, Lloyd along with his team built two secondary roads in Polk County and Columbia County to test how phosphogypsum reacts environmentally and in construction. Both have been tested environmentally with the Polk County road still being consistently tested today.

“The [EPA] ban on agriculture was based on averaging the use in California for soil treatment and using it for agriculture in this part of the country,” Lloyd explained during the hearing. “The two uses that were used to get an average are totally unrelated.”

Although certain researchers argue that the appropriate utilization of phosphogypsum results in negligible short-term consequences, environmentalists maintain their concerns about the potential long-term effects. They emphasize the extended use of phosphogypsum could lead to the contamination of air, water and soil, posing significant risks such as the development of cancer among construction workers.

AFFORDABLE. FAMILY. FUN. AFFORDABLE. FAMILY. FUN.

JUNETEENTH: CAPSULATED IN CELEBRATION, CREATED THROUGH CHAOS

Words by Amiyah Golden and Art by Hope McMath

From picnics and rodeos to art exhibits and cinema, promotions of events labeled as Juneteenth celebrations don’t necessarily equate to a joyous history.

While Juneteenth originated in Texas on June 19, 1921, the pain of the past surpassed borders, serving as a sad reminder for many people of not only the initial enslavement of their ancestors but also the two additional years of illegal captivity that they faced following the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is recorded as the oldest tradition in the United States that honors the freeing of enslaved people, but it was not federally recognized until June 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan legislation into law.

“The emancipation of enslaved Black Americans was not the end of our nation’s work to deliver on the promise of equality — it was only the beginning,” Biden said in his official White House statement. “On Juneteenth, we recommit to our shared work to ensure racial justice, equity and equality in America.”

The national resurgence of the holiday was sparked after the 2020 summer of protests related to the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of law enforcement. The discourse surrounding police, Black lives and the historical remnants encouraged the embrace of Black history — history that I, as a Black woman, did not even know about.

Juneteenth was not discussed in any of the classrooms I sat in. So, as the highly symbolic holiday of Juneteenth is blanketed in barbecues and fashion shows, it will forever remain as a mortifying reminder of the system of power that was established and the implications that continue to prevail.

While Juneteenth marked new beginnings for Black Americans, it was just a mere stepping stone in the direction of proper autonomy.

From 1865 to 1877, freed slaves were met with the Reconstruction period, an era of proposed reintegration. But the attempt was short-lived as many “Black Codes” were put into place to further restrict their newfound liberation. Entrenched with government and social obstacles, Black people would soon be introduced to severe racial segregation throughout the Jim Crow era. These local and state statutes did not just simply place racial partitions in

restaurants and churches but also denied Black Americans the right to vote, limited job opportunities and hindered educational pursuits. With these restrictions also came acts of unprovoked violence and unjustified arrests.

The Jim Crow era stifled much Black success and growth, but Black achievement was not null and void.

Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District was the place to be in the early 1900s. Referred to as “Black Wall Street,” it was considered the most affluent Black community in the United States at the time. After the purchase of 40 acres of land by the affluent, Ottawa (O.W.) Gurley, a former school principal and store owner, a community of 9,000 other successful Black Americans, filled with doctors, lawyers, educators and business owners integrated into a deemed “safe space” with the aspiration to thrive. Tulsa was the epicenter for Black flourishment until May 30, 1921, when Black Wall Street came to a devastating end.

As a white mob flocked to the county courthouse with the intention to lynch a Black teen, efforts from citizens to stop the mob led to a struggle between two men that erupted in gunfire. This is cited as the preface for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a mass genocide that left an estimated 300 people dead.

Yet another prominent historical account of racial desolation that I wasn’t informed about until the recent re-acknowledgement of Juneteenth. This holiday goes far beyond the emancipation of my ancestors: It reignites the conversation around the work that must be done to inform, remember and prevent any other occurrences of devastation.

The fight for total freedom loomed way past June 19, 1865. Although, this day was a step in the right direction, it was just the introduction to a long fight in civil progression and equality.

We celebrate Juneteenth with pride, but we also remember the egregious errors that held 250,000 people captive for an additional 2½ years.

We celebrate Juneteenth to express Black joy.

We celebrate Juneteenth because we are grateful for the liberation that our ancestors so tirelessly fought for and the freedoms we are now granted.

JOIN US & CELEBRATE!

THE DOMINO EFFECT OF DESANTIS’ DRAG BAN

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner

On May 17, Florida turned a deeper shade of red. Now signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate Bill 1438, blatantly coined Florida’s “anti-drag bill,” defines restrictions on public food service establishments and lodging establishments that admit children to “adult live performance[s],” or “any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience which … depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities” like “lewd content, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”

The law, signed just days in advance of DeSantis’ announcement of his presidential bid, outlines permitting provisions: a “governmental entity” may not issue a permit to persons who plan to conduct “adult live performance[s]” and may punish permit recipients who conduct such performances with a first degree misdemeanor. Further, SB 1438 grants the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation the authority to fine, suspend or revoke the venue’s license, as well as giving the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco the authority to revoke or suspend its liquor license, and in doing so, plunges Florida into crimson territory.

Indeed, InCahoots Nightclub owner Staci Ybarra and activist, philanthropist and award-winning drag performer Karrissa T. Wade are seeing red.

Wade and Ybarra attribute blemished businesses and pride to the law’s cloudy language, specifically its vague treatment of “adult live performance.” For Ybarra, the drag community is “being put on hold”: venues, like Hamburger Mary’s, that feature drag performers are becoming more cautious of their attendees and events for fear of having their licenses revoked. While Ybarra knows her 18+ nightclub won’t be affected, she vocalized her anger for other LGBTQ businesses that are: “I think it’s offensive that you’re willing to snatch a business’s liquor license,” she added, “That to me is disgusting that you are using your political opinions to destroy a businesses.”

A slew of pride events are also canceling across the state. So far, victims of this law’s language include Tampa, St. Cloud, Port St. Lucie and Treasure Coast pride: Wade hopes these dominoing cancellations won’t affect Jacksonville’s October pride. “We are seeing quite a few venues that are starting to close down and worry and some of my [venues] are putting things on hold,” she said. “A lot of people are looking to see how this is going to pan out … but now is not the time to cancel Pride.”

But fear won’t be the salve for this law; neither will permanent adaptation. The only salve is equality which necessitates the representation, protection and courage of the drag community: Ybarra sees drag queens fighting against the law by voting, writing letters to politicians, starting lawsuits. In Cahoots itself will host a Pride party on Stonewall Weekend and continue its drag performances five nights a week. “They’re not stopping us, honey!”

Meanwhile, Wade hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden of job loss in the LGBTQ and drag community with the Your Love Drag Fund. The fund will offer job training, education and programs to teach ways to supplement income. They also plan to spread drag’s love across Jacksonville through drag brunches and performances while encouraging their community to vote, protest and call their political leaders.

“We will not back down. We will not go quietly in the night. We’re not going to be silent. We’re going to be out there, and we’re going to be ourselves,” Wade pronounced. “[The law is] totally unconstitutional, and it can be fought. And it will be fought.”

On the topic of Jacksonville Pride, Wade added, “If you [Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation] cancel our permits, and you’re more than welcome to do so, I will raise the funds up to book a private venue, a private party and do it my way. If it’s a private event, there ain’t a damn thing you can say about it.”

Regardless, allies must act to overrule a developing history of hate and help drag blossom. “It’s up to our younger individuals, it’s up to our community, our allies to say, ‘we support you, we love you, and we’re not going to let this happen to you.”

Scan the QR code to read the full version of this article.

In Your Own Words

What Does Pride Mean to Me?

Karrissa T. Wade

“Pride, to me, means being able to express to other people, ‘Hey, I see you. You’re not alone. You are loved and you matter. We care.’ I think the first Pride I ever saw and went to was incredible to me. Being a pastor’s kid, I was constantly being told how horrible I was, how condemned I was, how God could never love someone like me. I was able to see other people like me. Other people expressing themselves. Other people being happy. And I thought to myself, finally, I’m exactly who I’m supposed to be. Exactly the way God created me. I’m loved! I matter! I belong! And that’s what Pride is. It’s not about wearing rainbows and running around the streets and dancing and laughing. Although that is an incredible thing about enjoying Pride. It’s about showing other people that they’re not alone. Don’t be afraid! You are loved! You are just the person you’re supposed to be! You matter. And if no one else has told you they love you today, I love you. And people can say, ‘How can you love someone you’ve never met?’ My response is how can you hate someone you’ve never met and do not know? Love will always win! Love will always prevail, and you are loved!”

If you have a story to tell, email team@folioweekly.com. We are here to listen and share your voice.

PLUS FREE LOCAL PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER!

THEATER REVIEW: “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” AT ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING

Words by Cessy Newmon

A beauty in a little town with a beastly secret hidden in the neighboring woods. What more could you want as the premise for a family show? How about incredible music and voices that make you want to sing along with the beloved score?

“Beauty and the Beast” is the second show of what is considered the Disney Renaissance ushered in by the team of musician Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman. Because Ashman died very young — he never finished “Aladdin” – when the stage version was being created, Disney turned to Sir Tim Rice for additional lyrics. Rice had finished “Aladdin” upon Ashman’s death and went on to team with Menken for the stage adaptations for both “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”

Belle (Kathryn Nash) lives in a provincial town in France. Unlike the other women of the village, she has aspirations beyond marriage and children. Over its 13-year run on Broadway, the role has been portrayed from a quirky, comedic style to a more dramatic ingénue. There is no right or wrong. Nash is more ingénue styling with a tremendous belt and gentility toward the Beast that wrenches your heart as she declares her love for him. By contrast, Joshua Bond brings a quirkiness to the Beast that quickly turns him loveable.

Gaston is the town heartthrob, and Nathan Haltiwanger does a great job of making you want to hate him despite dashing, almost-too-perfect looks and a great voice. As LeFou, Anthony Llerandi is Gaston’s perfect jester.

Because of the Prince/Beast’s arrogance as a youth, his whole castle is enchanted, including the servants. Alec Hadden as Cogsworth is the head of the household. Mrs. Potts (Lisa Valdini Booth) has probably the most iconic moment in the title song of the show, which she brings home wonderfully. Rodney Holmes (Lumiere) is uplifting in “Be Our Guest,” but his counterpart’s comedic talent as Babette (Natalie Brower) tends to steal the scenes. Jennifer Hudson as Madame de la Grande Bouche has a voice that soars. And the show stealer of them all is Chip with young Kat DeCicco being an obvious crowd favorite that evening.

There are quite a few additional cast members rounding out the “Beauty and the Beast” ensemble, as well as understudying for various leads. The voices in the troupe are a wonderful blend. Their dance talent got a chance to shine in “Be Our Guest” and “Human Again.”

Shain Stroff has taken the Alhambra’s set design up a notch using a revolving carousel to change scenes. The costuming was creative and beautiful. The tableware in “Be Our Guest” was colorful and fun, and Belle’s ball gown was stunning.

For fans who may have seen the show previously, the Alhambra’s version is abbreviated. For instance, the song “Maison des Lunes” has been omitted. The advantage of an abbreviated version is the young audience not having to stay up too far past their bedtimes.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit alhambrajax.com.

Artist Spotlight: Leilani Leo

Words by Ambar Ramirez

Some individuals spend their whole lives with a clear vision of what they want their future to look like. They dress a certain way, read certain books and choose specific classes and majors to ultimately reach their dream job. But for others, the journey toward discovering one’s purpose unfolds differently — allowing their purpose to find them. This is precisely how it transpired for artist Leilani Leo.

While Leo was born on the West Coast in California, she’s always called Jacksonville her home. Leo grew up around performative art with her mother being a fire-breather, but she had no plans to become an artist. In fact, Leo said her only experience in the arts was “being a performer and helping her kids with science projects.” Instead, Leo ultimately ended up being a “corporate lady” (her words not mine).

But the world has a funny way of working. If Leo hadn’t worked in law or for insurance companies for all those years, she wouldn’t have been forced to find a creative outlet outside of her corporate life. And she wouldn’t have taken her first art class in 2011 or learned being an artist isn’t necessarily something you are born with.

“I never really did art until I met my first art teacher who taught me that painting was different than drawing, [that] it didn’t have to be scary,” Leo shared. “That’s how I came to do more of the mixed media pieces … even though technically I’m an oil painter, at least that’s what I would call myself.”

It was what we call a full circle moment. Something sparked within Leo once she realized you didn’t have to know how to draw to paint. The same way her mother would make tapestries and performance costumes, Leo had done the same with her kids but with science projects and embroidery.

“My mom would probably have never had called herself an artist, but she would find ways,” Leo recalled. “Like she made all our costumes and things, she would play [at] parties and things like that, but I think that probably led me more into being a performer.”

Funny enough, being a performer also gave Leo an upper hand when she started becoming an artist. She could skip the whole part of being afraid to share and show her pieces publicly. And it was actually during a “Folio” Artwalk party that I first met Leo when she was one of the featured artists. Her large mixed-media pieces unfolded a story the longer you looked at them, and I just knew I had to meet the painter behind the brush.

“I was just like, ‘Look what I did’,” Leo said. “Especially at 37, I understand art. You realize that art is subjective, not everybody’s going to like it.”

Before the pandemic Leo and a group of artisans traveled every full moon to set up at art shows in different locations. They called themselves Gypsy Moon Traveling Artists.

“We had done about three of them [art shows], and we were doing really well,” Leo shared. “And then the pandemic happened and then it was just kind of like putting butts in seats — what I was good at — was no longer a good thing.”

Leo settled down for a while. She set aside her paintings. Her daughter gave birth to her first grandbabies, and she was able to spend time with her family and take a step back from the arts for a while. But not being able to showcase her work during the pandemic and losing business just as it was really starting to pick up, Leo knew other artists must have been going through the same thing.

“I knew I wanted to help other artists somehow,” Leo said.

And that she did. Even without a brick and mortar location, Leo has found ways to give artists a platform to publicly share their work in welcoming environments. For instance, Leo organized an artist spotlight at Tabula Rasa Brewing for the whole month of June, along with what she is calling the “Tropical Vaudeville” a variety show on June 25. She has also organized a couple of other events for artists throughout the month of June, running until August.

“I love bringing creatives together; it’s my passion,” Leo shared. “Sometimes, too, it’s really just showing someone the way. I like to call it a facilitator or the band promoter.”

In the same way Leo has a passion for highlighting local artists and talent, her art highlights the beauty in the world. She wants viewers to feel empowered after viewing her colorful pieces. Still, her pieces beg viewers to look closer to find where our beauty and faults intertwine. Her art highlights human nature.

“For me, it was about finding that, although it can be beautiful, there’s a little bit of not so beautiful things behind it,” Leo explained. “And that just comes with us as a human race. And culture, culture is important to me and just people in general.”

Photo by Katie Farrow Grant &

“Plastic Beach” by Leilani leo

The girlies attempt a prison break

AMBAR: What do girls love more than toxic men and horoscopes? Escaping prison (naturally). A prison-themed escape room, that is.

CARMEN : I mean, escaping a toxic relationship is damn near escaping prison.

AMBAR: We decided to put our delusional minds to good use and sign up for an escape room at the Escape Game in St. Johns Town Center. Now, I’ve done a couple of escape games and may even go as far as to say that I am an escape room enthusiast but nothing could have prepared me for “Prison Break.”

CARMEN: I’ve done one other escape game and didn’t even make it out of the first room, so, expectations were very, very low, though I was excited. But like my colleague said, nothing could have prepared us for “Prison Break.”

AMBAR: Before the timer even started, we were shocked (and slightly scared) to find out that we were to start the game in separate prison cells. Dark, grimy, and a little too realistic prison cells.

CARMEN : No. Literally. Dark, dingy, slimy, dirty, dark and dirty little prison cells. I walked in first and was fully expecting Ambar to follow me in until the staff member shut and locked the door behind me yelling “Good luck.” I didn’t even have a flashlight. Just a pair of dirty socks. (I’ll explain later.)

AMBAR: Did I mention that this is one of the hardest rooms at Escape Game?

CARMEN: The first part of the game was to figure out how to break out of our own cells to meet up in the main cell room. The only advice the staff member gave us before leaving us to rot like the criminals we are, was “communicate with each other,” which if you know anything about us, communication is not our forte.

AMBAR: Now we won’t give away too much just in case you want to go experience this yourself, but communication is key. Literally. You have to communicate to find the master key (that is not in either of the prison cells) that will allow you to move on to the next challenge. Also if you decide (for whatever reason) to take on this escape room for a first date, just know that whoever gets the master key holds the power. Meaning, I could have left Carmen to live out the rest of her days thinking about her crimes.

CARMEN: There were keys hidden in unspeakable places that made me wish I brought a tub of hand sanitizer. Speaking of hand sanitizer, I really could have used some when I realized I had to pick up a pile of dirty socks (as if someone wore a pair for a week straight out in the wilderness with no shoes on) and throw them out of my cell into a basket. (Don’t ask.)

AMBAR: Once we (semi) successfully made it out of the cells, we did a celebratory dance and took a little too long to realize that the clock was still ticking. We weren’t safe just yet. Actually, we still had a long way to go.

CARMEN: When I tell you, these clues were hidden to the point neither of us were confident we were supposed to be touching/pulling/grabbing/ throwing things. But once we realized pretty much nothing was off the table, we started to get the hang of it … That was until the secret door opened and we were met with the blue lock, nozzles, switches, pipes and tic-tactoe. (Again, don’t ask.)

AMBAR: That f***ing blue lock.

CARMEN: All I will say is the staff member had to pause our time because while we had the correct passcode, that stupid f***ing lock WOULD NOT OPEN. We wasted 15 precious minutes on this lock.

AMBAR: Shoutout to our staff member (aka God) for pausing the timer. Even though as soon as the clock stopped ticking, the lock magically clicked open, and we were onto the next puzzle.

CARMEN: Again, we don’t want to give away too much but be prepared for a jump scare.

AMBAR: After going through what felt like a near-death experience, we went through a tunnel and knew not to get too excited because like with any game, there’s always a final boss. And this final boss was chess, puzzles and maps. Every girl’s nightmare.

CARMEN: I was floored. I was ready to give up and go back to my cell. We had five minutes in a room that had 30 minutes worth of challenges. I’ve never played chess, and after this, I never will.

AMBAR : Somehow by the grace of God (aka our staff member), we completed all the challenges and escaped prison with two seconds to spare. TWO SECONDS.

CARMEN: Remember when I said these clues and challenges were so realistic we weren’t positive we were actually supposed to be doing them? The final challenge was to physically cut a wire. Literally, cut a wire inside of an electrical box. Ambar was terrified we were about to get kicked out when the door swung open.

AMBAR: And in came God. I never believed in religion, but I guess prison

Zarah Y Former Football Player

"It just heals up so much better. To the point I’m more functional now than I have been in years!”

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.

Solve this puzzle like a regular sudoku, but instead of using numbers, use the letters N-A-R-D-OW-I-C-K (for Nardo Wick, the hiphop artist from Jax) to fill each row, column and box.

COLOR BY NUMBERS

1

YELLOW 2 — GREEN 3 — ORANGE 4 — RED 5

BLUE

Dear Dumbs,

You guys are so fun and funny. It’s just a hoot listening to you and cheering your relationship on. We want you to go the distance. It gives us all hope.

Speaking of hope, there is no hope for my sister. I’m 37 and the middle child. My sister is the youngest at 28. She’s a beautiful girl inside and out. Well, that is until she decided she was going to be a social media influencer.

I can deal with the decision she made to embellish the way her life appears. The professional photo shoots. The trips she really can’t afford to take. The new wardrobe. She seems to be getting a big following and for the most part I’m very proud of her and impressed with her dedication and vision.

Now, I hope you’re sitting down for this one. She recently took it way too far. My mother passed away on April the 11th. We had a service for her a couple of weeks later. It was an open casket event, and my sister was the last one to view her body. I was watching the procession of mourners walk by my mother and saw my sister lagging at the end of the line. She had expressed her displeasure over the whole open casket thing, but it was my mother’s request to be buried in the dress she wore on my mother and father’s first date so we honored it. I watched her stand over my mother saying her last goodbyes and it was very emotional to watch. That is until she took out her cell phone and posed for a selfie with my mom.

WTF? What was this bitch thinking? When I took her aside she said that she shares everything about her life and that people need to see this side of her.

What would you do? So far she hasn’t posted it. A bunch of us had asked her not to post it out of respect for everybody involved but she never agreed not to post it saying that’s a decision for her to make and that she is just waiting for the right time.

Love you both.

Linda L NYC, NY

TERRY: First off, thank you for sharing such a personal story. Secondly …. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!

SHARI: Normally I would take this opportunity to scold Terry here, but … LOLOLOLOLOLOL!

TERRY : Let me catch my breath. OK, at the risk of sounding old here, I will never understand this social media game. I post all the time and I have a modest following. So thank you for the great idea on how to boost my numbers. You better hope I die first, Shari.

SHARI: Today more so than others. Anyway, I believe you did the right thing by explaining how painful her actions are to the entire family and maybe that’s the reason she didn’t post it.

TERRY: True. She had to save some face by telling everyone it would be her decision not theirs. There is an online trend of the poster posting a picture of themselves holding their loved one’s hand in their final moments. I think that’s creepy as hell even though I think they believe they’re being respectful. Your sister sure took that idea and ran with it.

SHARI: Linda, I don’t think she will post it.

TERRY: It does have that vibe. But I think you need to be prepared if she does.

SHARI: Yes. Get the family together to discuss the very real possibility and how to move forward should it happen.

TERRY : Great idea, Shari. This attention-starved, content-driven world we live in is only going to get worse. For that reason alone, I don’t think your sister realizes how serious this is. I also don’t think she’s made up her mind yet.

SHARI: Please let us know if anything goes down.

TERRY: Yes! A family meeting is definitely in order.