Folio Vol. 37, Issue 10

Su’s Summer Books: “Klara and the Sun”

The Journeys of a Postcard Collector: One Man’s Quest To Archive the City’s Past Through Postcards

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From the Publisher

It’s almost here — summer break!

But … do you really take a break? Really, really take a break? Or do you overplan a vacation down to the second or schedule summer camps every waking minute of the summer for the kids? Or maybe you’re so busy there’s no time for anything resembling a break in the summer at all.

If you can’t take a week, take a weekend. If you can’t take a weekend, take a day. If you can’t take a day, take a moment. And savor it. Create space and time to be present and enjoy where you are, what you’re doing and who you are with.

One way to do that is by exploring the treasures that surround us every day right here in our own backyard. (After all, other people come here for their vacations, why shouldn’t we?)

In this issue, we share some of our favorite places and things to do in Northeast Florida and hope you take the time, as much or as little as you have, to check them out for yourself.

TAROTSCOPES

This month, we decided to switch things up a bit. Rather than the usual fortune tellings by reading the stars, we are putting your fate this month in the hands of a tarot card deck.

LIBRA

Three of Wands: The meaning of the Three of Wands suggests that you are making plans for destiny with extra conviction. This implies that the whole lot around your plans goes smoothly, as you have taken the time to turn plans into action. The symbolism inside the Three of Wands is that opportunities could widen your horizons in many areas. This pushes you to embody change and to start thinking in the long term.

ARIES TAURUS

Four of Wands: Regardless of how bad things may appear right now, Taurus, there is good all around you. Look for the silver linings within the gray clouds and take this time to create balance in your life. This card is imploring you to enjoy the comforts you currently have. Spend that much needed time with friends and family or simply set aside some time to catch up on your beauty sleep. Even flowers need rain and sunshine to bloom.

GEMINI

Judgement: The conventional Judgement card meaning focuses on the moment whilst you reflect and evaluate yourself and your movements. It is through self-reflection that you are able to have a clearer and more objective evaluation of where you are now and where you want to be. This can indicate that you are in a duration of awakening. You may want to let go of the past so you can move forward and create a new you.

CANCER

World: To come across the World in your Tarot cards is to stumble upon an exquisite team spirit and wholeness. This card is asking you to look within and truly connect with the world, with nature. You’ve traveled a long road of self-reflection, and it is finally paying off. Dance and sway with life’s rhythm, not against it. Follow the dips and the rises, the fun and the sorrows. You already have everything you need to combat anything that comes your way.

Nine of Swords: The Nine of Swords is often associated with fear and anxiety, all the things that worry you and keep you up at night. Questions are plaguing you, Libra, and you find yourself reciting all the possibilities — all the things that may occur to you. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the what-ifs , focus on what is . Find solace and comfort in those around you. Find alternative outlets for your grief and discover ways to ask for help.

SCORPIO

King of Swords: The King of Swords appearing in a reading suggests that you need to stay objective to your current state of affairs — you must establish reality with the aid of sticking to the facts. The King of Swords and his intellectual strength imply that you will need to use your mind to make your point and obtain your goals. You will need to think with your head and not your heart, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS

Hanged Man: The Hanged Man understands that his position is a sacrifice that he needed to make in order to progress forward. Much like the Hanged Man, you see the world differently, Sagittarius and often feel as though you are walking a lonely road. A road full of self-reflection. But it is time to look through a new lens. You have the advantage of being on the outside looking in. Let go and let life take you where you need to be.

CAPRICORN

Nine of Pentacles: This Nine of Pentacles card indicates that you have reached a stage in your life in which you are confident, impartial and self-sufficient. Through hard work, you are now prepared to enjoy money, enjoyment and comfort. The Nine of Pentacles conveys not only joy but also the sensation of protection and freedom that wealth can bring. Your previous challenges give you a wider scope to recognize the spiritual value of your success.

AQUARIUS

Magician: The Magician is the representation of pure willpower. It is the connecting force between heaven and Earth. When you get the Magician for your reading, it suggests it’s time to pull into your full ability without hesitation. Whether it be your new job, new enterprise venture, a brand new love, or something else. It shows that the time to take action is now and any signs of holding back would suggest lacking the courage of turning into the best version of yourself.

LEO VIRGO

Page of Pentacles: Much like you, Virgo, the Page of Pentacles is deeply tied to the Earth, nature and all of its gifts. When we meet the Page of Pentacles, we see at once that she is bold and focused. She can be the bearer of information linked to all earthly and fabric matters. It is time to listen and get to work, Virgo. Follow your ambitions and meet your goals.

Eight of Swords: The standard meaning in the Eight of Swords is that of a feeling of being trapped and victimized. This feeling of helplessness that you have, the feeling that you have no company in your life, Aquarius, has been playing against you. The good news is that these traps are matters we create ourselves, meaning we also can depart from them if we position our minds to it. See past the constrained attitude and you will find yourself in a position filled with endless possibilities.

PISCES

Five of Pentacles: Whenever the Five of Pentacles is pulled in a reading, it shows a time of hardship and insecurity. You may have been feeling deep loneliness, illness, poverty or loss. The Five of Pentacles is not a good sign in terms of questions referring to love. It may be a hallmark that the person you love is not feeling the same way. But look at this way: the universe is closing old doors so you can open new ones.

BOUQS & BRICKS

BOUQUETS BRICKBATS

To Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarkets. During National Pet Month, WInn-Dixie and Harvey’s will match every donation of pet food and supplies to the Jacksonville Humane Society through May 31. For more information, visit jaxhumane.org.

To Pulte Group. The home construction company donated a new home (mortgage-free!) to Matthew Perry, a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and Purple Heart recipient living in Jacksonville. Pulte Group’s Built to Honor Program has been providing homes to wounded veterans and their families for 10 years.

To non-voters. In the First Unitary Election in March, only one in four registered voters actually cast their ballots for mayor, property appraiser and 15+ city council seats. While we don’t know the results of the general election as of press time, we can only hope turnout was significantly better. One-quarter of the people should not be making decisions this important for the entire city.

Weird Wild Stuff

Words by Shelton Hull

Our little tour de farce begins with a dispatch from an old friend, Miss Emily Bloch, who did yeoman work as the education reporter for “The Florida Times-Union” (and served as president of the state’s chapter of Society of Professional Journalists) before moving to “The Philadelphia Inquirer” last September, where she now serves as their national news reporter. Bloch was on the scene in that capacity to report on the dumping of hundreds of pounds of pasta behind a creek in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. Residents were furious about a perceived pattern of neglect by local authorities, but wasting food is just a cardinal sin, in general. The mess was cleaned up pretty quickly, but the perpetrators remain unknown.

Parrots, like humans, are highly complex social animals. They have demonstrated intelligence on the level of 6- or 7-year-old humans. Like humans, they also have physical and emotional issues that may preclude them from more direct forms of socialization. And according to researchers at Northwestern University, parrots, like humans, have shown such an affinity for engaging each other through video chat. Researchers have successfully taught the birds tasks, and they were able to form social bonds with the other birds in the study that continued even after the study was over. At this rate, it may be just a matter of time until one of them has to be canceled.

Drug smugglers have proven to be among the most creative craftsmen working today and — with so much money on the line — why not? We hear these stories almost weekly, nowadays, so they are always in queue for this column. This month’s example comes from Manzanillo, Mexico, a port town on the Pacific coast where the Mexican Navy confiscated about 19,000 pounds of concentrated liquid meth, concealed within 11,520 bottles of premium añejo tequila. Based on this writer’s possibly wonky math, that’s worth about $320 million, which is quadruple the sum earned by Walter White during his run as Heisenburg. Of course, we only hear about this stuff when people get caught, so who knows what kind of other crazy stuff they’re actually getting away with. It’s already a high-traffic zone, and their choice of añejo tequila brought them extra scrutiny, since it can only be made in Mexico.

Authenticity was also a concern in Antwerp, where Belgian cus toms officials crushed exactly 2,352 cans of beer by request of something called the Comité Champagne, a consortium of wine producers in the Champagne region of France, whose namesake product is fiercely defended by international law. The beer in ques tion (you see where this is going) was Miller High Life, whose slo gan, “the Champagne of Beers,” has been a source of persistent, simmering beef since its coinage way back in 1906. What’s even

funnier is that the doomed beer was destined for Germany, which presumably has more than enough beer already.

Speaking of Europe taking things way too seriously, Italy was recently taken over by Giorgia Meloni, whose right-wing Brothers of Italy party is exactly what one might imagine it to be. They took advantage of a historically-low, 26% voter turnout to seize 118 of 400 seats in the chamber of deputies, allowing them to build a decent center-right coalition government (238-162) that may hold for a couple of years, unless the leaders do something stupid … which they’ve already done, having introduced legislation imposing stiff penalties on Italians who fail to use Italian words in official communications or even fail to pronounce Italian words correctly. This response to “Anglomania” was due to reactionary conservatives fearing the imposition of non-native cultures on their own, whether those cultures are an actual threat or not. It’s a stupid, terrible idea that deserves prompt repudiation, but given the current political climate, it could succeed.

Let us conclude this installment right here at home in Florida, where a retinue of righteously pissed-off neighbors gathered to protest a series of killings that has rocked the community in and around Coral Reef Park in Palmetto Bay. After some residents complained about aggressive behavior by Muscovy ducks and Egyptian geese, two invasive but essentially harmless species, village leaders hired a firm that killed 21 of the birds, sparking an outcry. As with most living things in Florida, the legality of the killings remains in dispute. Also unclear is exactly how they were killed, although it’s generally believed that they were humanely trapped and then their necks were broken by hand, which, remarkably, is legal. The harsh blowback (which has included at least one Hitler reference and several fights) was funny but predictable. As polarized as people are in Florida these days, killing animals is an easy way to bring people together.

JACKSONVILLE JUMBO SHRIMP

WEEKEND OF

TUESDAY, APRIL 18 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Friday, May 26, 7:05PM CLASSICAL MUSIC NIGHT

Join us as we class up the joint for a night with Classical Music Night. We’ll be celebrating all night long, including a live classical music sound track for Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Florida Health Duval County. Additionally, enjoy Friday Night Lites with $2 12oz. Miller Lites, presented by Miller Lite.

Saturday, May 27, 6:35PM GIRL SCOUT NIGHT

Join the Join Shrimp for Girl Scout Night! Be sure to be one of the first 2,000 fans through the gates and you could be going home with a Six-Pack Coozie Belt, presented by 121 Financial Credit Union. Plus, stick around after the game for Saturday Night Fireworks!

Sunday, May 28, 6:05PM FOSTER FAMILY NIGHT

It’s Family FUNday and we’re proud to honor and welcome all foster families at the ballpark for Foster Family Night. We’ll have a postgame Teddy Bear Toss, with all bears being donated to foster families and foster family organizations! Come to the game early for Family Faith Night, a special program from 4 – 5:15pm, presented by FCA Fields of Faith. Plus, pre-game catch on the field, kids run the bases, face paint, balloon animals & more, presented by Baptist Health.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6 – SUNDAY, JUNE 11

TICKETS START AT JUST $5 $5

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

Su’s Summer Books: “Klara and the Sun”

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner

It finally happened. I went on a date. I say finally because I’m not an active seeker of love; I hope it floats to me. And frankly, my academic duties and work fulfill me. But I was determined to put myself out there, perhaps, discover the whole sea of fish that I am assured waits for me in my dating pool.

My prospect and I met in the stacks of the Town Center’s Barnes and Noble — a corporate bookstore whose prices and policies I usually don’t support but whose reliance on physical books and the art of surprise discovery of books (that even Amazon cannot recreate) I admire. Today’s discovery was anything but accidental, though. I searched for my prospect in the science fiction aisle. Soon thereafter, sparks flew, numbers were exchanged, and I was captivated by their ex terior beauty. Conversation was sparse, but I learned everything I had to know from my prospect’s core. That’s where their true char acter lies.

The prospect’s name, you may ask, was Ka zuo Ishiguro’s “Klara and the Sun.” The num bers exchanged? A trade of ISBN and a debit card. The exterior beauty? The front cover’s beautiful imagery and the back cover’s prom ising reviews. The core? The interior of the book which encouraged me to purchase even more than the front and back covers.

I chose “Klara and the Sun” knowing I would finish the book in a week or less—that’s the magic Ishiguro touch. I have read Ishiguro be fore: “Never Let Me Go” and “Remains of the Day” are staples in any literary lover’s book case. In the Ishiguro books I’ve devoured, sweet superficial scenes quickly mature into a tear-jerking, gut-punch of a storyline. On this day, I was ready to experience the tur bulence.

Of course, I couldn’t resist my prospect’s façade that practically begged for a second date, so I obliged enthusiastically hoping my pick of the pond wasn’t spoiled. I offered Southern Grounds as our next rendez vous location and the paperback text, being the inanimate object that it is, didn’t respond. I am used to being the more assertive partner anyway.

I drove with “Klara and the Sun” in the passenger seat to Southern Grounds, a Neptune Beach coffeeshop buzzing with families, college students and foodies. I introduced my companion to my safe space and sat outside to feel the sweet spring Florida sun, now becoming the glaring summer Florida sun, on my skin. I ordered an everything bagel and a strawberry smoothie which I would consume alongside the pages of my book.

In the beginning pages, a young sick girl, Josie, purchases robot companion Klara as a friend and guide. As Josie’s illness progresses through the pages, Klara — who narrates her and Josie’s relationship — attempts to cure the girl through negotiating with the sun which she believes to be a healing force. I won’t reveal more than that.

I first nibbled away at the book, congruent with my treatment of the bagel. I chewed at the concise, yet captivating descriptions and the first-person narrative which never gave too much of the plotline away; the book opened and progressed like a blooming flower. Toward the middle, I began ravenously inhaling entire chapters and, of course, my bagel had long-been ingested. The science fiction novel removed me from the families, students and foodies that chattered and worked alongside me. I knew upon initial attraction to the Ishiguro title that the novel would haul me to another expertly constructed world or another iteration of ours, entirely. I heard nothing and somehow felt everything as I read. Then, the gut-punch came, and I welcomed it. Crying in a café, which would make a great title for a song, was the outcome I expected from the rendezvous and still, the pages which practically turned themselves consistently surprised me emotionally.

Hours later, I left Southern Grounds, food and novel devoured. I was satiated with my date which challenged my mind and evoked profound emotion, as well as my hearty meal. I put myself out there that spring day and what started as a superficial quick infatuation soon bloomed into a deep love.

FOLIO WEED: STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Words by Shelton Hull

Two months ago, this column offered an overview of celebrity involvement in the “cannabiz,” while lamenting current laws meant that no such products were presently available in our state. One solution, posited here, was for individual celebs to make deals with dispensaries that were already licensed to work in Florida, and then release product through them. We were ahead of the curve, as it turns out, because at that very moment, there were at least two such deals being made that we would not hear about until after publication.

The first was Fab 5 Freddy’s collab with Curaleaf, which we covered last month. The second involves a guy who was noted in the column from March, one of my favorite people ever, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, who has just recently formed a tag team with MUV. The 74-year-old living legend/ lunatic, widely considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time, has attained new levels of infamy since his official “retirement” from the ring in 2009. His name and image have been attached to lottery tickets, auto insurance, shoes, clothing, multiple fried chicken franchises and even male enhancement pills, which he has no actual use for.

A sizable portion of this hype was driven by “Ric Flair Drip,” one of many rap songs that either reference Flair or are named after him. (Killer Mike has an excellent one, as does Poodleface.) This one — by Offset (aka Cardi B’s husband and formerly a third of Migos) and Metro Boomin’ — was an instant hit, exposing the Flair brand to a whole new generation of fans. He adopted the title for his own line of cannabis products, including whole flower, pre-rolls and vape carts, all of which come adorned with artwork that makes it instantly collectible.

This stuff has been selling at a healthy pace throughout the country over the last couple of years, and the partnership with MUV gives him entry to the Florida territory, which he is quite familiar with. Flair was actually in Florida last month promoting the brand with appearances at MUV branches in Jax Beach and Orange Park. At least one reader caught a selfie with the GOAT at Sliders that week. Flair’s Duval connection goes back to at least 1982, when he beat Dusty Rhodes at the old Wolfson Park. Flair has since been back dozens of times, usually in connection with the Jaguars or some other personal appearance.

“Folio” readers may be familiar with MUV already. Actually, you certainly are, since you guys voted them Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary in this year’s prestigious Best of Jax Awards. They were also featured in this column when their San Marco branch opened on Hendricks Avenue back in 2019. The company now has two branches in Jacksonville, a third in Jax Beach, and others in Gainesville, Ocala, Palatka and St. Augustine. Those are just some of MUV’s 68 locations across Florida, any or all of which will be dispensing Ric Flair Drip going forward.

Puffco X Arizona

Any readers who might have been old-school stoners might be familiar with the Arizona beverage brand. The company first emerged as competition for Snapple in 1992, and they quickly cultivated their own cadre of customers, and that group is almost entirely different from the Snapple fans. I would count myself among that initial group who saw it randomly at the store and became lifetime fans of the product. Even now, to this day, I’ve probably drank another gallon or two, just this year, and that was before I heard from the company a few weeks ago. Well, not Arizona itself, but my friend Molly Sposato from the Grasslands Agency, a PR firm in Denver.

They have a big staff, and they’re doing a lot of interesting work with a lot of interesting people, and they reached out to me — and, by extension, you, the readers of this column — to introduce a brand new product that looks like a sippy cup with the Arizona logo on it, but it’s actually a new device for smoking with, also called a bubbler, designed and manufactured by Puffco, a company based in Los Angeles.

The cup itself is made of glass, while the lid is made of silicone rubber, with durable plastic for the mouthpiece and a ceramic bowl. Do you need this product? Of course not — no one needs any of this stuff, but it’s cute, it’s convenient, it’s collectible, and that ticks most boxes for viability in the paraphernalia market.

It functions more like a promo for Puffco, which puts out items for use with concentrates — oil, wax, shatter. Their vape pens start at $90, while the larger units run in the $300-$500 range. There are also portable bubblers, a wide variety of smaller pipes, accessories galore and even a $50 hot knife that appears almost infinitely useful. Gorgeous stuff, indeed, and certainly a fine conversation starter for your coffee table or conference room. Speaking of coffee, they also offer the “Cupsy” ($59), which is basically the same thing as the Arizona thing, except modeled to look like a to-go coffee cup. Check them out online, and tell them I said hello!

The Florida Fun Guide

Experience the Time of Your Life in North East Florida

Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri

As the world continues to navigate through uncertain times, many people are opting for staycations over traditional travel. Fortunately, Northeast Florida has plenty of opportunities for a perfect staycation with its pristine beaches, state parks, museums and nightlife. It’s the ultimate staycation that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed without ever having to leave the state.

Come explore the Flip Side of Florida

In search of a staycation filled with lazy beach days or kayaking adventures through marshes? Maybe you’re craving a hike through Boneyard Beach and a visit to that new brewery you’ve been wanting to try? Look no further than Jacksonville where all of these activities and more await you.

“Rediscover how amazing Jacksonville is,” said Katie Mitura, chief marketing officer for Visit Jacksonville. “A staycation saves the travel costs and time to get to another destination. It’s the perfect opportunity to see another side of our city from the one you may interact with daily.”

The best part? Many of the excursions are budget-friendly with little to no cost involved. Mitura shared that Jacksonville is one of the most affordable destinations in Florida.

“The best time of the year to visit Jacksonville is in October and November,” Mitura shared. “Rates are more affordable, and the weather is still perfect for outside activities. November is also Kids Free November, where for every paying adult, up to five kids get in free to our top attractions.”

We don’t know about you, but that sounds like an offer you simply can’t refuse. #gojags

The Isle of 8 Flags, Amelia Island

Looking to get away from the bustling life of the big city? Head on up to Amelia Island for a weekend of outdoor adventures.

“On Amelia Island, do as much or as little as you like,” Amy Boek, chief marketing officer of Visit Amelia Island expressed. “Pristine waterways, gorgeous beaches, and stunning scenic beauty make it a nature lover’s paradise, perfect for adventure or relaxation. But it’s also home to a rich collection of cultural, historic, natural, athletic, artistic and culinary treasures with endless ways to enjoy them.”

You can set sail with fishing, cruising, and sightseeing charters and rentals, or take to the skies with hang gliding, tandem skydiving and private helicopter tours. For a unique experience, try horseback riding on the beach or along a scenic coastal state park. There’s also a variety of trails, attractions, tours, parks, beaches, spas, shops, sports and other activities to explore throughout the island.

“Amelia Island has a stellar collection of award-winning resorts, inns, hotels, vacation rentals and campgrounds for every taste and type of traveler,” Boek said. “Stay downtown, right on the beach, in the thick of it all, or well out of reach.”

Home to a growing community of 90 independently-owned restaurants and charming seaport character, this island is the perfect destination for a memorable staycation.

The Not-So-Ancient City, St Augustine

If you’re looking for a relaxing and historic getaway, St. Augustine, Florida is the perfect destination for a staycation. Known as the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a charming city filled with cobblestone streets, historic landmarks and beautiful architecture. Spend your days exploring the city’s iconic attractions, such as Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Lightner Museum, or simply relax on the stunning beaches nearby. With a wide array of delicious restaurants, lively bars and unique shops, St. Augustine offers everything you need for an unforgettable staycation.

“Although I am not a St. Augustine native, I have lived and worked in the Oldest City for 20 years,” Kara Pound, owner of Old City Public Relations, shared. “I always point people to the abundant nature that surrounds us. Take a kayak tour with Earth Kinship and explore our peaceful waterways, explore Anastasia State Park and hike the Ancient Dunes Trail, go fishing at Genung’s Fish Camp, and head to one of our white, sandy beaches to relax and unwind.”

St. Augustine boasts an amazing array of local shops and vendors scattered throughout its streets. If you’re seeking a place to stay other than your own home, consider booking a room at one of the area’s many historic bed and breakfasts. Pound even recommended some of her dining picks: “I always recommend my favorite restaurants such as The Floridian for Southern comfort food with a twist, the Elkhouse Eatery for unique dishes that you cannot get anywhere else in town, Beachcomber for being one of the only beachfront restaurants in the area, and Sunset Grille for their consistency and amazing service.”

There is something for everyone in this not-so-ancient city in Florida.

SUMMER STAYCATION GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ONE: JAX BEACHES

BROUGHT TO YOU BY &

• ONE OCEAN WEEKEND GETAWAY

• FOUR PACK GUIDED TOUR WITH ART BIKES JAX

• KAYAK AMELIA ADVENTURE

• JUMBO SHRIMP TICKETS

• $100 CASH - CUMMER MUSEUM

GIVEAWAY TWO: JAX BEACHES

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

&

• THE SALT AIR INN & SUITES WEEKEND STAY

• BEACH LIFE RENTALS GIFT CERTIFICATE

• THE PIER ADMISSION

• $100 CASH - CUMMER MUSEUM

THREE: AMELIA ISLAND

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

&

• TWO-NIGHT STAY AT OCEAN COAST HOTEL AT THE BEACH

• LUXE PICNICS FOR TWO BY LES BOHO

• THE AMELIA RIVER CLUB GOLF FOURSOME

• TWO AMELIA RIVER CRUISE TICKETS TO CUMBERLAND

• PAM BELL BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

• MOCAMA BREWING TOUR TASTING FOR TWO

• FOUR PACK GUIDED TOUR WITH ART BIKES JAX

• $100 CASH - CUMMER MUSEUM

• WEEKEND STAY AT THE LOCAL

• TWO TICKETS FOR BRUNCH SAILING EXPERIENCE WITH ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING

• TWO TICKETS TO MAGIC HIDEAWAY

• FOUR PACK GUIDED TOUR WITH ART BIKES JAX

• $100 CASH - CUMMER MUSEUM

Welcome to Folio’s Summer like no other. The suits in this 2023 spread are from Keeks Vintage swim collection and Arcane Swim. Keeks Vintage is an ethically sourced second-hand clothing company, suited and tailored for everyone. Arcane Swim is a sustainable swimwear brand that uses biodegradable fabrics and is all about body positivity. Special thanks to Beach Life Rentals for providing us with all of our beach needs: Bikes, surfboards and a very convenient golf cart.

In need of new swimwear for the season? Head over to Arcaneswim.com or Depop.com/Kiley_davis. If you have a fun beach day planned, head over to Beach Life Rentals for all the essentials.

Photos by Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez

GET ROWDY AT THE ROWDY PICKLE

Words and photos by Carmen Macri

For reasons beyond me, pickleball has become the next big thing. Everyone I encounter seems to play the game or knows someone who does. As the popularity of the sport has surged in Jacksonville (especially during the pandemic), the limited number of courts have become crowded with players sometimes waiting for hours for their turn to play. Given Florida’s unpredictable weather, constructing an indoor court appeared to be a logical solution. That’s why Ryan Roach, owner of The Rowdy Pickle, did just that.

The Rowdy Pickle is the newest addition to Jacksonville’s sports scene as an indoor pickleball court that promises to bring a new level of excitement to the sport. They offer a unique and energetic atmosphere for players of all levels to come together and enjoy the game. Seasoned players as well as beginners just starting out will find The Rowdy Pickle is the perfect place to pick up a paddle and join in on the fun.

“In the middle of the summer, it feels like it’s 120 degrees, and it rains every afternoon,” Roach said. “And at the Beaches, we have a lot of wind, so it [Rowdy Pickle] is just more of a climate control type of place where people could rent it out and have their own space to get away from the crowd.”

Roach first caught wind of pickleball a couple of years and decided to give it a try. He found some open courts in the Jacksonville area and purchased a $20 paddle from Amazon without hesitation. Since none of his friends was into it, Roach went solo and ended up playing a few matches with some “old ladies” who knew how to navigate the court. After a few months of getting his “ass whooped,” he noticed the sport began picking up traction around Jacksonville.

“Courts [were] getting really packed and having to wait an hour and a half between each game, just to have these old ladies kick my ass …” Roach explained. “I mean they really just dominated me.”

After each match, Roach discovered that he enjoyed the sport even more, but he despised the extended waits and the capricious weather. Some of his friends were driving up to 45 minutes to another court to avoid the wait. The lack of courts and long waits to play, which were only getting worse, not to mention Florida’s fickle weather (especially in the summer) gave him an idea: Why not build an indoor pickleball court?

In September, construction commenced in Atlantic Beach on what would become The Rowdy Pickle. As a first-time business owner with limited funds, Roach made it a DIY project. He also wanted to get the facility up and running by summer and spent most of his days (and nights) working at The Pickle. Juggling that with his other full-time job, he had his hands full.

“I was getting quotes with prices, trying to find contractors and paint, ’cause I was gonna do it myself,” Roach explained. “It was the most hectic thing ever. And I’ll never paint again. The stuff that I was using just kept breaking. It was just a pain in the ass.”

That’s when Roach called for backup. Luckily for him, he knows two incredibly talented artists, Jonny Middlebrook and Martin Torres, who were able

to lend a helping hand to finish up the final touches with beautiful floor-toceiling murals surrounding the inside of the building. Once the interior was finished, Roach was ready for the public to get their game on. The grand opening was held this March and the turnout was something he never expected.

“I have 61 members already, and it’s only been two months,” Roach said.

As the only private climate-controlled court in Jacksonville, The Rowdy Pickle offers a range of membership options to suit different needs. (Dropins are also available, but with so many players clamoring to get on the court, membership is the way to go.)

The Rowdy Pickle is just the beginning of Roach’s journey. Because of its location, The Rowdy Pickle cannot expand, but that doesn’t mean it stops there. Roach is already looking into opening up another indoor pickleball court somewhere farther inland or even in another city.

“I want to open up a new facility and hopefully have many more courts,” Roach explained. “It would be a different business model. I would offer a lot more open play and less membership restrictions. Then hopefully turn this into more of an exclusive club where there are really high-end games.”

Roach expressed his desire to have a greater variety of games, including golf simulators and cornhole, to increase the level of entertainment. He wants to offer a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, taking advantage of the (sometimes) pleasant weather in Florida. He also wishes to have six to eight additional game areas but finds it challenging to do so in Jacksonville with the limited real estate.

“With Rowdy, I want people to have a good time,” Roach explained. “I want people to be able to bring their own coolers, drink and get rowdy without having to sit in 120-degree weather.”

Roach is determined to live up to his “Rowdy” reputation and make the most of it. After all, the name was born out of his wild ways, so why not put it to good use, have some fun and make some money?

Photos by Lex Peek

WILDLIFE IN THE CITY

Words by Kerry Speckman

Austin Huhn will never forget his first day of on-the-job training in Orlando as a wildlife removal expert.

“We’re walking up to the client’s house and before we even get to the door, two 200-pound dudes come out sweating bullets, looking like they just saw a ghost,” he recalled. “One guy looked at me with his sunglasses down, like, ‘Oh, boy.’”

The homeowners had been experiencing issues in their bathroom and called the plumbers, who were obviously not prepared for what they were about to find.

“We walk in the bathroom. The toilet’s tipped over. One of the guys puts his glasses down again, looks at me and goes to get a camera,” Huhn said before he and his boss pulled out a 2½-foot iguana from between the floor and the sewage pipe.

“The poor, poor thing. He looked like he was a second away from death. It was coming out of the sewer system into the toilet but couldn’t get out because of the S curve,” he added. “No one had any idea until the plumbers saw it and ran out of there.”

Huhn, on the other hand, was hooked. He continued training and working in Orlando and South Florida before opening Jax Wildlife Removal with business partner Andrew Spinato in 2009.

Unlike most pest control companies that simply place traps and cart off unwanted critters, Jax Wildlife Removal uses a number of techniques to get animals to leave the space on their own, then work to eliminate the issue from happening again.

Simply trapping the animal and removing it, he said, isn’t a long-term solution. “Once an animal has been there, they feel like they live there, so they’re just going to keep coming back. Then what

are you going to do? I want to come there, solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.”

Using special equipment, tricks of the trade and even some science, Huhn can usually get the unwanted houseguest off the premises without having to trap it or touch it. “We use exclusion methods, where we give the animal a way out and deny them entry back in,” he said. “The animal leaves on its own terms and we prevent it from returning.”

After the intruder is gone and verified (sometimes by a wildlife camera set up in their former “home”), Huhn cleans up the space and then begins the most critical part of the job: sealing up any point(s) of entry, which could be something as simple as a rotted soffit.

A typical day for Huhn (as if there is such a thing) involves the usual suspects — raccoons, birds, opossums, squirrels, rats — but have also included bats (one found in a homeowner’s shower) and snakes (frequently found in garages but also found hidden in a yoga mat). Even when he’s off the clock, he’s doing something to help animals, like escorting turtles trying to cross busy streets.

Huhn is passionate about what he does, not only to help homeowners regain control of their living spaces but also to protect the animals that wander in. “I’ve always been into animals. As a kid, I used to go to the Miami Serpentarium and nerd out,” he said. “It’s definitely a specialty service, and each client is different. Each situation is different. The animals are different. Like I tell people, you wouldn’t call a mechanic for a plumbing job.” Or a plumber for an iguana removal.

Andrew Bachmann had a stroke of genius upon his arrival in Jacksonville in 1993: Why spend the time studying the city’s rich history when he could simply learn from vintage postcards instead?

“I just thought it was a great way to learn about the history of the new city that I had just moved to,” Bachmann explained. He also had a good friend from Miami who had been collecting vintage postcards for years whose passion and collection also swayed him.

Since moving to Jacksonville, he’s collected roughly 7,000 postcards — 3,500 of which are from Jacksonville.

“After only a couple of years, I probably knew more than most locals after exploring and reading up on all the different topics of the cards,” Bachmann said.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Bachmann’s collection is being able to see what the streets we walk today looked like years ago. Bay Street, for example, was once a hub for horse-drawn carriages, while the Jacksonville Beach Pier was replete with shops, restaurants and rides, including a rollercoaster. Looking through his collection truly feels like going back in time.

For the past 30 years, Bachmann has been collecting postcards as a hobby.

The Journeys of a Collector: the City’s Past Words and

However, he recently realized his hobby could also be a way to make some extra cash since postcard collecting has gained popularity with individuals and businesses looking for vintage memorabilia of their city or establishment from back in the day.

Bachmann always makes it a point to visit local antique shops while out and about to check out their postcard collections. Even if a particular postcard doesn’t interest him personally, he knows that it might attract someone else’s attention. Bachmann has had the luck of purchasing a postcard for as little as 25 cents and selling it for over $100.

“I went into an antique shop, and here was an antique dealer that had no idea what the value of his postcards was worth,” Bachmann explained. “He had them for a dollar a piece and had about 75. I bought them all and wound up selling the postcards for over a thousand dollars.”

To the average person, a simple postcard might not look like much, but to a seasoned collector with decades of experience under his belt, Bachmann knows exactly what to look for. Much like anything else, there are different eras of postcards. Bachmann explained the different types as well as how to pick them out from a bunch, essentially being able to approximate a postcard’s age without a written date.

Collector: One Man’s Quest to Archive Past Through Postcards

photos by Carmen Macri

The Pioneer Era of postcards lasted from 1893 to 1897, followed by the Private Mailing Card Era from 1898 to 1901. The Undivided Back Era took place from 1901 to 1907, while the Divided Back Era emerged between 1907 and 1914. From 1915 to 1930, the White Boarded Era ruled the postcard world, and the Linen Era followed from 1930 to 1944. Finally, we entered the Chrome Era, also known as the Modern Era, which started in 1945 and continues to this day. Tthe Golden Era of postcards or the “Collecting Era,” Bachmann said, was between 1893-1916.

“I’m basically preserving history that is slowly disappearing,” Bachmann explained. “It’s harder and harder to find the good cards.”

Bachmann doesn’t limit himself to shopping at vintage stores across the country when it comes to sourcing postcards. He also attends postcard conventions in the area, where he can sift through other collectors’ castoffs. The vendors are usually veteran collectors who, due to age or other reasons, are looking to pass on their cherished collections to others who share their passion.

Bachmann’s attention is particularly drawn to the Alligator Border Series, which features city illustrations encircled by three or four alligators. Of the 165 postcards in this series, Bachmann owns the majority, but his collection is particularly noteworthy for the 23 cards depicting Jacksonville. He held

onto these special postcards and sold the other 140 for $17,000, including one for $295. Clearly, Bachmann’s sharp eye for postcard treasures has paid off handsomely.

Although the Alligator Border cards may be the most valuable, they are not Bachmann’s top pick. He has a soft spot for postcards that showcase restaurants from the 1900s, whether through photographs or illustrations. For Bachmann, there is something truly intriguing about glimpsing into the everyday life of people back then.

“My favorites are kind of like the restaurants, the interior shots. I like some of the landscape scenes,” Bachmann explained. “If you’re going through a whole box of cards and all of a sudden, one or two stand out and it’s like the wow factor. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?”

Bachmann is currently working on a new project — a photo book that will showcase his most impressive postcards. Back in 2007, he published a postcard history book called “Jacksonville Revisited,” but it was printed in black and white. Now, he’s reviving the book project to create a stunning, full-color gallery book that will feature his best pieces.

With his passion for postcards and his eye for detail, it’s no doubt that this upcoming book will be a visual feast for the eyes.

ZarahY FormerFootballPlayer

FILM REVIEWS

Words by Harry Moore

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

Despite their recent standing on shaky ground, Marvel has once again kicked off the summer movie season with an exciting and surprisingly emotional entry to their cinematic universe with the closing chapter in James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy — which also signifies a broader chapter being closed for the MCU. Events pick up in the first Guardians film since the Avengers defeated Thanos with our titular band of heroic weirdos having spearheaded a growing community of misfits on the abandoned celestial giant head-turned-planet Nowhere. Within the group, Peter “Star Lord” Quill (Chris Pratt) is drinking his way through the grief of losing his love Gamora (Zoe Saldana) who was killed, only for a past version of herself to come back with no memories of Quill or the other Guardians. Elsewhere Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is reflecting on his traumatic past, and the action is kicked into gear when he is gravely injured by the superbeing Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), and the remaining team must set out on an adventure to save their furry friend.

Upon its release back in 2014, the original “Guardians of the Galaxy” was considered to be an incredibly risky creative swing for the then burgeoning Hollywood powerhouse with the characters hardly amongst the A-list of Marvel comics. Nine years later, the space outlaws are now household names and the series has arguably had the strongest influence on the tone for the MCU going forward. And that is largely due to writer/director James Gunn, who has now helmed all three of the “Guardians” films and was gifted the opportunity to mold the series in his own distinct voice, a luxury rarely afforded the creatives working for Marvel Studios. With “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Gunn joined an illustrious group of directors who have taken the reigns of an entire superhero trilogy with Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man”) and Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight”) having already blazed that trail. But unlike those genre-defining heavyweights, Gunn has saved the best for last with a film that will have the majority of audiences misty eyed and satisfied with that rarest of things in modern blockbuster filmmaking — an honest to God ending.

Unlike other recent films in the MCU, “Guardians Vol. 3” has no mandates to set up future adventures or introduce characters who will be important in a later installment. Gunn was allowed to tell a story that focuses solely on this beloved, already established team, giving each of the characters their own arcs and fitting farewells. The chemistry amongst this group of actors has been a highlight of this series from its first installment and has given the characters a believably emotional familial bond that pays off in spades in this closer. Star Lord remains the best role of this blockbuster phase of Chris Pratt’s career (though I doubt Pratt will ever manage to surpass his role of Andy Dwyer on “Parks and Recreation,” a top contender for the Sitcom Dummy Hall of Fame), and this may be his most rounded performance as he seamlessly balances his character’s humor, cockiness and level of emotion the part required.

The supporting cast is equally strong. As Drax the Destroyer, Dave Bautista nimbly made the move from the wrestling ring to the movie screen and has established himself as an actor with an unmistakable screen presence that is now regularly sought after by some of our most celebrated modern auteurs. Zoe Saldana is as reliable as she is in every role, as Chukwudi Iwuji creates a detestable villain in The High Evolutionary. Karen Gillan’s Nebula has man

aged to fly under the radar with one of the most well realized performances of the entire Marvel Universe, while Pom Klementieff is perhaps the discovery of the franchise as she brought Mantis to life with an abundance of heart and humor, making her among the most endearing characters of the series. And then there is Rocket Raccoon, the central focus of Vol. 3 and an immediate fan favorite. Voiced by Bradley Cooper, Rocket had been previously used primarily as comic relief, but here his backstory is told with such pathos that he becomes one of the most heart-breaking characters in all of superhero cinema. Even if it is undeniably manipulative, seeing the torment that that cute little CGI baby raccoon went through will impact any viewer with even the slightest hint of feelings toward animals.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the perfect curtain call for these characters, managing to be both a funny and heartfelt final ride with this crew. And much like his Guardians, Gunn will be flying off into the forever and beautiful sky to take over the rival DC studios. And based on recent evidence, it is clear that Marvel will be missing Gunn far more than Gunn will miss Marvel.

“Evil Dead Rise”

The “evil dead” return once again, abandoning their usual cabin in the woods for a Los Angeles highrise. As in the other “Evil Dead” movies, the fleshbound book of the dead is naively read aloud and the dead soon arise and attack those closest to them. What separates “Evil Dead Rise” from the others, is that instead of attacking a group of college friends looking to party, the deadites come after a young family.

The reunion between estranged sisters Beth (Lily Sullivan) and Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) is swiftly cut short when Ellie’s son Danny (Morgan Davies) reads from a mysterious book he finds in their apartment building’s basement. Ellie is soon attacked and possessed by an evil spirit that turns her into an undead monster who sets out to turn her former family into the evil dead alongside her. Sam Raimi’s original “Evil Dead” films are iconic stalwarts of the horror genre and have had influence on filmmakers who may have never even seen them, such was the bold inventiveness of the craft that the young Raimi displayed with those films. So, it is somewhat remarkable that writer/ director Lee Cronin was able to breathe new life into the “Evil Dead” series whilst still staying reverential to the Raimi movies. Much like those other films, Rise revels in cartoonishly excessive gore and violence, pushing the limits on what may be considered bad taste for a studio produced horror movie. But it is from blood-soaked roots that the “Evil Dead” was born and “Rise” lives up to those traditions with this brisk, splatter-filled thriller.

Painting With Fire

I imagine that she wakes up in the morning to the sound of hummingbirds outside of her window. She looks out on the deck that overlooks the Highlands in North Carolina and waves to the bears and deer she calls friends. There’s no doubt that there is something ethereal about Penny Pollock; it’s as if she were a real-life Disney princess. A multi-talented one at that. Pollock and I connected over a Zoom call, which can often feel detached (vs. an in-person interview), but as soon as the camera turned on and I heard Pollock’s voice, I was filled with immense joy.

Pollock was born and raised in the coastal town of Rye, New York, surrounded by beauty and nature. With a high-profile model for a mom and a stepmother working on the retail side of fashion, Pollock becoming a designer and working in fashion was basically written in the stars. After studying a few semesters of art at the University of Denver, Pollock decided she needed to experience more culture, more life. She packed her bags and left her life in America to study at a fashion design school in Europe.

“I always loved textiles. My mother was a model; she was on all the billboards for Coca-Cola during the ’50s, and so she loved fashion. And I have a stepmother who owned a lot of designer maternity stores. She was the first one to kind of get that concept,” Pollock shared. “For me, it was just, I think, kind of part of my cell makeup,”

After finishing her studies in Europe, Pollock moved to Manhattan, New York, where she worked as a fashion stylist. Once she got a taste of the glitz and glamourous lifestyle that New York City is notorious for, Pollock saw a real opportunity to make a name for herself while also doing what truly made her happy.

“I have always loved kids and loved animals so, first of all, I said I’m just going to do freelance styling for kids because nobody does it,” Pollock said. “And so I worked a lot with Hershey; I worked with McDonald’s. Then I became head of licensing for Barbie and became a fashion director for a Barbie magazine that we started. It was great fun and I loved it.”

Pollock stuck with Barbie for a long time before she moved to Dallas where she worked as a fashion director for a design company, which gave her the chance to travel a lot (more on that later). Eventually, she wound up in California where she designed shoes and handbags — and owned an avocado ranch. At this point of the interview, I had to ask Pollock what is something she hasn’t done to which she comically replied “math.”

While her professional accomplishments have been impressive, Pollock was always meant for something more. From a young age, she was drawn to indigenous and Native American art. And so, like anyone who has a thirst for knowledge and culture, Pollock fed her inner child and traveled the world: 132 countries to be more exact. During her travels, Pollock connected with many artisans and craftspeople who would lead her down a new path of art.

“Even as a young child, Native American art, their production, their crafts and just each tribe … I was so interested in it,” Pollock shared. “I just love indigenous cultures, and we can’t have storytelling in culture stop or come to a halt because it would be tragic. And so I try and incorporate in my work, textiles [and] emotions to bring in the sense of different cultures.”

Though this bird loved to spread her wings and travel, Pollock eventually settled down in Jacksonville and Highlands, where she began to study ceramics and primitive pottery. Through Zoom, Pollock shared with me some of her

Words by Ambar Ramirez and photos submitted by Penny Pollock

pottery pieces scattered around her nest: a gorilla with wired flies floating around its head that she made in honor of her time in Uganda; “The Buzz of Life,” a figure with a beehive for hair as a commentary on how society is often distracted by the business of life; and, my personal favorite, a figure with intentionally placed holes symbolizing some of Pollock’s own personal tragedies and disappointments — but within each hole are jewels representing the beauty within darkness. Each piece tells a story, each one worth listening to.

Making pottery can be tedious and Pollock most definitely has a gift for it, but she found another way to continue telling stories that didn’t take nearly as long to create. Encaustic painting dates back to the 5th century B.C. when the Greeks “painted” beeswax on ship hulls to repair damage and keep them from sinking. The Romans also practiced encaustic painting as part of their mummification process by creating portraits of passed loved ones on the wood that covered the deceased’s face. And now Pollock, along with many artists around the world, uses this ancient technique to tell stories.

“Encaustic painting is using beeswax, tree resin and pigments that are all melted. Everything has to be melted,” Pollock said. “Then I add pigments to it that look like little ice cubes, but they’re color, right? And you paint with the pigment and the encaustic medium mixed together when it’s hot, and you have to use a propane torch that adheres it to the wood.”

Pollock loves that she can finish a painting in a day as opposed to waiting for pieces to dry to then bisque fire them, then glaze and fire them again. This technique also allows Pollock to incorporate other mediums she loves like textiles and dried botanicals. What I love about these pieces is how unique they are, not only in their completed form but also in Pollock’s artistic process. Unlike many artists who leave the meaning behind their work up to interpretation, Pollock writes down the meaning on her blog before she even starts painting. She shared an excerpt from her journal that she wrote for her recycled paper piece “Spring and the Hummingbirds,” which uses dried botanicals, flowers and “parables.”

“The hummingbird symbolizes, for us, to enjoy the lightness of being and to savor the sweetness of life. Lift up negativity whenever and wherever it creeps in and express love more fully in daily endeavors. Spring is always a welcome season, not only for weather changes after a long winter of hibernation, but also life-wise,” Pollock shared. “Spring gives us humans a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Spring is a new dawn for all of us. Let’s take advantage of it and blossom.”

Before ending the Zoom call with Pollock, I had one last question for her: Why are the subjects of her paintings mostly women?

“I have such a thirst for connection with women and their traditions, their food, their families, their clothing choices. Because of my background, because of their botanicals and because of, honestly, their kindness and their openness,” Pollock expressed. “When one travels the world and you see the generosity of people who are not suspicious, not threatened by you but want to embrace you, want to take you off the street and invite you in for dinner, want you to be a part of their family [and] are so proud of what they have when they have, in our terminology and our American paradigm, so little. But in reality they have so much power.”

Within Pollock, there is so much love and joy for living. It’s expressed in her art and her words. And maybe she gained this contagiously positive energy from traveling and experience, but I think she was born this way. A human hummingbird.

The Girls Review The Killers

Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri

CARMEN: Let me just start by saying … holy shit.

AMBAR: Holy shit indeed. Let’s paint the picture. We found out at 4 p.m. that we got tickets to go see The Killers perform at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre — at 7:30 p.m..

CARMEN: So naturally, we booked it out of the office and sped home to change and hit the road. Upon arrival, Ambar and I found out that we did not score just any old seats, no, we were in the pit.

AMBAR: IN. THE. PIT.

CARMEN: IN THE PIT!

AMBAR: So, of course, since we were about to be face to face with the love of our lives, Brandon Flowers, we had to get a li’l drinky drink (another li’l drinky drink). Unfortunately, the drinks cost $48 and in the rush of making our way back to the pit, I accidentally tipped 30%. So I was broke for the rest of the night, but rich in experience.

CARMEN: After Ambar got robbed, we walked back into the crowd just in time for the openers to walk on stage looking like they walked right out of the ’70s. Palm Palm was their name and rock and roll was their game.

AMBAR: After 30 minutes of pretending to know their songs, the lights dimmed and we knew that the moment we had been waiting for all of our lives was just around the corner. During our lovely intermission, Carmen and I started a bet. What song would The Killers open with?

CARMEN: Unfortunately for Ambar, I’ve been to quite a few concerts. I know how this thing goes. They NEVER open with their most popular song. So, Ambar made a (very confident) bet that they will open with “Mr. Brightside.” With all my years of experience, I said they would close with it.

AMBAR: I feel attacked.

CARMEN: So, when “My Own Soul’s Warning” began playing, I knew I had it in the bag.

AMBAR: In my defense, I thought they would start with their most popular song to get the crowd hyped up, but I guess that’s my own personal strategy. Start off strong and slowly let them down. The Killers, though, did not let us down.

CARMEN: Like every man I have ever met.

AMBAR: Whoa, this is getting real personal. But on a serious note, did you know that The Killers are Mormon?

CARMEN: Let me tell you one thing about me: The Mormon lore is something that I find deeply fascinating. But, anyway, let’s actually review the concert. After every song, we found ourselves thinking there is no way they can top this and then they do. They perfectly blended their classics with their more recent releases.

AMBAR: They weren’t joking when they said don’t blink, you might miss something ’cause, of course, with my peanut-sized bladder, I just had to go pee as soon as they started to perform “Human.” So, there I was screaming at the top of my lungs in the bathroom stall while Carmen was dancing her li’l heart away. Alone. What an isolating experience. Heaven really ain’t close in a place like that.

CARMEN: Listen, I was SCREAMING at Ambar while she was skipping off to the bathroom. I even tried to get the people surrounding us to scream for her too, but alas, it was too late. And she missed arguably the best song of the night. Alone. In the bathroom. What an isolating experience.

AMBAR: Sprinting! I was sprinting away. And I sprinted back, almost losing all of my front teeth in the process.

CARMEN: I think I missed a few chapters. Did you fall?

AMBAR: Keyword there is “almost.”

CARMEN: Anyway, once Ambar returned, a moment that brought the entire crowd to tears happened. Someone in the crowd held up a sign saying “‘For Reasons Unknown,’ I drove 1,500 miles to play drums for you.” So, once it was time to play that song, Flowers stopped the show to call the audience member to the stage.

AMBAR: I actually teared up. Not to mention that the impromptu drummer was absolutely killer (pun intended).

CARMEN: After the song and a few selfies later, the show continued. But like most concerts, the band exited the stage for a fake encore. And I have to admit, they almost had me fooled. I believed they truly weren’t going to perform “Mr. Brightside” or “All The Things I’ve Done.”

AMBAR: They really saved the best for last.

CARMEN: I don’t think I have seen a crowd as electric in my entire life. Everyone was jumping in unison. Screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs. Confetti was soaring through the sky covering us from head to toe.

AMBAR: Just imagine it. We went from listening to these songs on our tiny mp3 players as kids to years later, hearing them live. My soul physically left my body. I died and was reborn.

CARMEN: I will be dealing with post-concert depression until I see them again, sadly.

Photo by Chris Phelps

Solve this puzzle like a regular sudoku, but instead of using numbers, use the letters T-R-UC-K-S (for the local Trucks family musicians: Butch, Derek, Duane, Melody and Vaylor) to fill each row, column and box.

WORD SEARCH

SOWUOCEBCP

C B U M P E D Q A Q

A A K P I I S Z T D

M S M I T U O S C U

P E D R C S U H H U

I B O E H T T R E U

W A U H E R H I R V

L L B W R I P M W A

F L L E O K A P Z L

BASEBALL UMPIRE DUUUVAL PITCHER CATCHER SHRIMP STRIKE SCAMPI DOUBLE SOUTHPAW

Dear Dumbs,

Dear Dumbs,

First of all, love the podcast and your relationship.

I realize up front that my situation may seem silly to you, but I’m getting weird vibes from my wife. I’m 6’6” and weigh 272 pounds. My wife is 5’6” and 130 pounds. This is important to the story.

I want to know if this is my mind messing with me or not. My wife is a chef. She has a very popular YouTube cooking channel with 400K subscribers. For our entire 12 years of marriage she lovingly hooks me up when plating the food. For example, if there are three chicken thighs, she serves me two. When I notice and thank her, she always says, “You’re bigger than me.”

Lately she has stopped doing this. She is keeping the larger portions for herself and just the other day she (and this is where I look real bad) made lamb burgers and gave me the one with the smashed bun. I actually saw her look at the bun and purposely give me the uglier burger.

For some reason this seemed spiteful to me. In writing it’s hard to express the whole vibe. The smirk, the body language, everything says, “I’m kind of over this guy.” I’m really curious to what Shari thinks. I know Terry is going to screw with me so let me have it, Dumbs! -S.C.

TERRY: Wait. I can’t mess with him?

SHARI: I’m sure you can, Terry. Just chill.

TERRY: OK. Let me stop laughing and listen to where you take this.

SHARI: It’s funny because this is actually a thing. Because of our size difference I always give you the larger portion. I even go a step further and give you the better napkin too.

TERRY: I do the same thing! If I’m setting the table and one of the paper towels didn’t tear off the roll right, I give myself that napkin. But I take it a step further, though; I do the same thing with the toilet paper.

SHARI: You’re gross.

TERRY: You’re welcome.

SHARI: Let’s get serious here for S.C. If this is now an everytime thing, I think there may be something to this. If she’s rushed or preoccupied, there’s nothing there to be concerned about.

TERRY: She looked at the crappy bun, smirked and purposely gave him the ugly burger. Pack your bags, S.C.

SHARI: I think this deserves a conversation. Maybe you should just ask her, “Have I done something to upset you?” When she says, “No. Why?” Tell what you’ve witnessed and be prepared for one of two things. She’s going to laugh at how ridiculous this is, or you’re going to have a long, uncomfortable talk.

TERRY: Be packing your bags while the conversation is underway.

SHARI: For you own mental health, you must communicate with your partner at all times. Please let us know how it went. I want to keep getting the good toilet paper.

THURSDAY MAY 25

5:30PM – 7PM

100 Festival Park Ave. Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Tickets are free, but seating is limited. Reserve your seat today! WJCT.ORG/EVENTS