The Last Statesman Reflecting on the life of Tommy Hazouri.
Shelton Hull
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Art Walk returns with a rebooted outlook on the street festival.
It’s time to make skating legal again in Downtown Jax. The first Jacksonvilleever camp/cheugy roundup.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 ENTERTAINING YOU SINCE 1987
TERESA SPENCER general manager ALOSZKA creative director BARRIENTOS staff writer NICHOLSON
copy editor
New music recs from the local scene. 28.
Gym. 36. Meet
Zoos are vaccinating their animals. No one is mad. 16.
ISA
sales director OMAROSA M. NEWMAN contributor SHELTON HULL contributor MOLLY BRITT contributor CASEY ALIXANDRA contributor
Are you f——— kidding?
VOL. 35, ISSUE 9 QUINN GREY contributor
ARIEL RADEMEYERWILLIAMS
JOHN
It’s time to legalize skateboarding in DTJax. 18.
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JOHN M. PHILLIPS, ESQ. publisher
BULLETIN BOARD
KERRY SPECKMAN
Hard work at the Edge Rock True Form, a real living, breathing, punk band. 30.
Tommy Hazouri changed the Jacksonville political landscape. 12.
The mail is spicy this time around, with letters from both sides of the aisle. 6.
archival intern KASEY BATCHELOR post punk intern (unf) HARRY MOORE asst. photographer JOHN LAWLESS audio/video NIKESHA ELISE
VINCENT DALESSIO staff writer // sales ROB
contributor HEATHER BUSHMAN contributor SATYEN (SAM) MADKAIKER asst. photographer TERRY & SHARI JAYMES contributors
and an honest effort helps you get to the top
Burne Wilton Hill, III
His death has challenged my spirituality, my soul and my ability to comprehend life as I know it.
Burne Hill was better than his ending. No one deserves to die because someone prioritizes a quick $100 over another person’s life. It’s shouldn’t be a choice when that choice could kill a mother, a father, a husband, a wife, a sister, a brother, a child or a dear friend. But that’s what is happening. As a commUNITY, we are our brother and sister’s protectors. We owe each other more than yelling and screaming. Right now, getting vaccinated is one of the ways we can unite to help those who need the most help. An act of generosity that is free for everyone.
This morning I went and saw the sunrise and as I was coming back to my apartment, I really wanted to do something different.
My friend, Burne Hill’s last text to me was, “Been a hard week in here.” He sent it from his hospital room where he was fighting both COVID-19 and pneumonia. He died on August 31, 2021.
I am going to end this with my friend Burne’s words:
We have narrowed down his exposure to a sick uber driver who just wanted to make $100 before going home to go rest. That’s it. That brief moment in time lit the match that orphaned a little girl and destroyed his friends and family. No matter what you believe, the most fragile in our midst depend on some level of compassion and trust to Burne’ssurvive.lastfew years were impossibly difficult, yet he handled them with minimal complaint. I know this because I was also his lawyer. When clients come to me, they become friends. When friends come to me, they get both a friend and a lawyer. Burne’s journey was particularly hard. He fell down defective stairs and underwent multiple surgeries, after which he developed a stutter. His life no longer compared to the one from before. A trial date was coming in 2021 and we both looked forward to telling his story and holding RLI Insurance Company and Edward White as responsible as a jury desired. They offered him money but it didn’t even compare his surgery bills.
August 12, 1969 – August 31, 2021
While Burne waited for the courts, his body grew weaker and weaker until that fateful night in an Uber. His going from the biggest smile in any room to a senseless and tragic death has left me doubting everything I thought I knew. I still haven’t shaken it.
Think about doing something different. So, what I would like to do is I would like to challenge everybody today, a Thanksgiving Day challenge. It could be all weekend long, pass it to all of your friends. And all you do is you go to Facebook, you hit the little go live button and give 30 seconds of what you are thankful for. I am thankful for all of my friends…I’m thankful for God…. I’m thankful for Sydney’s love…I’m thankful for my best friend Mike Hollis…I’m thankful for my apartment, my job…. I’m thankful for my health. I’m very thankful for the ability this morning to get up and open my eyes and have a fresh start. The small things like that really do matter to me. A lot of people do not have that opportunity, didn’t have that opportunity today. So, what I would like to do is encourage everybody to do a Facebook live post of what you’re thankful for. Take 30 seconds and let’s see if we can do this. Just speak from the heart, 30 seconds what you’re thankful for. Have a wonderful day.
Burne Wilton Hill, III was not just my friend, but a friend to everyone who met him. His smile and laughter drew you in. His kindness kept you wanting more. He’d walk across the street to help a stranger but he wouldn’t just give the shirt off of his back, he’d add his shoes and his last dollar, too. Burne Hill served in the military valiantly. He volunteered regularly. And he loved his daughter Sydney more than she will ever understand.
PerfectlyPeace said. Rest peacefully Burne.
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THINK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
BURNE HILL AND JOHN M. PHILLIPS
JOHN M. PHILLIPS PUBLISHER
Congrats are in order to Edward Waters *UNIVERSITY* as it has now completed another level of accreditation. On top of that, the city’s most recent investments in the new stadium and infrastructure will help make it a destination for both students and community members.
BOUQUET TO EDWARD WATERS
BOUQUET TO JUDGE JOHN COOPER
BRICKBAT TO JAGS SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
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YELL AT US: MAIL@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM
YOU’RE ALREADY HERE. TOO.CUSTOMERSPOTENTIALARE,TERESA@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM With a reach of over 200,000 people each issue, Folio puts your business all over town.
After a tough first loss to the Houston Texas, the official Twitter account for the Jaguars deleted several fans from its list of those it followed and changed its default message to, “We don’t make roster decisions, we just post the memes.” The team will not “own it” overnight, but they can own being gracious to fans and media, like Folio Weekly, who was turned down for season credentials. Grow up.
Judge John Cooper has stepped in to stop the many DeSantis overreaches and powergrabs when it comes to our schools. This is more than just a policy issue––it’s about home rule and local control over what happens in our communities and cities. We need to elect leaders that put us first, not their own self interest.
BRICKBATS + BOUQUETS
Yes, it won’t be easy to change the names of the county and city. It wasn’t easy taking down monuments, they are still not down in Duval County. It wasn’t easy changing the racist names of our schools, Andrew Jackson High is still not changed. Yes, we still have seven bridges honoring Jim Crow, white supremacy politicians. Why is Folio not the leading voice on this hate that continues to label our city a backwater southern city who continues to celebrate white supremacy.
To conclude that this chant and the name Duval and Jackson should remain on our county and city is absurd. Knowingly to continue to reward white supremacy heroes with honors and chants? Really! Are you f——— kidding?
FROM: Bob Rutter, Northside Coalition
What a fantastic iconic front page. What a fantastic letter from the publisher. What a fantastic article (DuVal vs Duval).You
RE: RIGHTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Not so fast my friends.
FROM: Dick Michaelson
The only thing that is happening with this climate change group of people is the rich ones are getting richer. Al Gore is a good example of this. No country in the world can afford to go green like the progressives want. And even if the United States did, do you really think China and Russia are going to follow? I do not think so. The United States will pick up the bill for all of this and the way Biden is going we will be broke in another 6 months. The government did not get involved in the car business when we were converting from horse and buggies to the automobile and they should stay out of the alternative energy business now. What’s next, Population Control because people seem to be the problem (oh wait, China is doing that ).
Global Warming brought us out of the ice age. If you go to the center of the country and dig a hole you can find sea shells, how do you think they got there? Climate change has been happening for millions of years and I for one hope it never stops. We can make the earth dirty but we can not destroyLookit. what happened last year. In Venice, Italy the dirty water became clear and cities around the world with smogg cleared up in just 30 to 60 days. Can we make the world dirty? Yes and we could do better and clean it up but not at the cost of our economy trying to support a carbon neutral world. I did not say the United States because we would be paying the bill for the world.
The people on the left that do the most complaining usually have the biggest cars and biggest house and the biggest lifestyle. Carbon Neutral will impact the middle and lower income Americans a lot more then it does for the Wealthy Progressives.
THE MAIL
have continued the historical excellence of Folio leading the way in educating its readers on the true social and racial history of North East Florida. The new ownership of Folio should be applauded, as you have taken this responsibility to a higher level.The facts of this article by Mr. Dalessio shines a huge light on this subject. This history has been swept under the rug for generations.
6 RE: YOUR LAST COVER STORY
Send letters to mail@folioweekly.com.
Mr. Easy, the EASY part is changing the chant now that you understand the historical facts behind that name. It would be fantastic if you not only came up with a new chant but also new names for our city and county that all citizens can be proud of. Come on Folio be the leader, change the names and declare to the world we are a bold new city ready for the 21st Ignoringcentury!thefacts is not an option.
OCT.
SCAN EVENTS.MORE
THECENTER.ORGTHRASHER HORNE CENTER
DAILYS PLACE
THE QR CODE FOR EVEN
TIAA BANK FIELD
Trevor Lawrence. Urban Meyer. A new beginning. Blah-blah-blah. Rebuilding from the ground up. Franchise QB. This is our year. Blahblah-blah. Duval Til We Die. F*ck you, TItans. Myles Jack Wasn’t Down. Blah-blah-blah. The Jaguars open the 2021-2022 home season … DUUUUVAL!!! … Sept. 19 against the Denver Broncos with games against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 26, and Tennessee Titans, Oct. 10. P.S. Minshew you already, Gardner.
EVENTS
LEGO FAN FESTIVAL
OCT. DAILYSPLACE.COM15
BROTHERS
As a huge fan of Daryl Hall and John Oates, I am both eager and tentative about seeing H20’s “dedicated theatrical performance paying respect to ‘The Greatest Duo in Rock and Roll History’” (which, is, in fact, a fact). It is a risk, however, I am more than willing to take. PRO TIP: Do not ever use the phrase “blue-eyed soul” in front of Daryl. Not sure about Pretend Daryl.
H20—THE HALL AND OATES PROJECT
Three things I learned about the Jo Bros today: 1) Nick is addicted to green tea frappucinos; 2) If a film is ever made about the band, Joe wants to be played by Johnny Depp; 3) The third brother’s name is Kevin.
ONGOINGJAGUARS.COM
OCT. 9
BRICKUNIVERSE.COM/JACKSONVILLE
JAGS, BABY!
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FAIRGROUNDS2
If you love interlocking plastic bricks, prepare to get your blocks knocked off. The two-day celebration promises an “ultimate Lego fan experience” with giant, to-scale replicas of the Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower, and other mind-boggling displays and attractions; meet and greets with Lego artists; vendors and more.
JONAS
“Art Walk is a key part of our mission to promote Downtown Jacksonville as a great place to live, work, visit and invest,” said Hardwick. “We’re thrilled to relaunch this beloved event to support our local arts scene and showcase all Downtown has to offer.”
The6.event, programmed by Downtown Vision in collaboration with local businesses, has occurred every first Wednesday of the month since 2003, drawing thousands of people into the wonder of the urban core.
programs.“Ithadtaken
Lexi Brantman
The organization took the time off as an opportunity to breathe new life into Art Walk. An updated layout features three hubs: James Weldon Johnson Park will host Downtown Vision’s programs, the Jessie Ball DuPont Center will curate local art and performers with a focus on equity and community, and the VyStar Breezeway will host the Vagabond Flea Market’s local handcrafted goods. Each area, along with the businesses along the way, will have its own programming.
COMMUNITY
Art Walk often features vendors and displays.interactive
After an 18-month hiatus, Art Walk will return to Downtown Jacksonville on Oct.
on a life of its own,” said Katherine Hardwick, Downtown Vision’s VP of marketing. “What we’re looking at for this reboot, and having time to think about it mindfully and talk to businesses and artists, we are going back to a more organic traditional art walk format and less of a block party.”
ISA BARRIENTOS
“We’re encouraging them to bring in artists that fit their vibe and their mission instead of pigeonholing them into working with us,” Haley Tinkle, who oversees Art Walk.
The Main Library and MOCA will resume their first Wednesday events. Southlight Gallery, The Volstead, Mag’s Cafe, Ruby Beach Brewing, Phillips and Hunt, and many more will have their own programs. An interactive map on the Downtown Vision website will have information on each venue for a personalized Art Walk experience.
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The organization is offering stipends to participating businesses to bring in their own programming on the first Wednesday in an effort to highlight Downtown’s diversity and everything it has to offer.
Art Walk Returns
After 18 years, the Jacksonville staple is rebooting.
Before 2020, Art Walk’s attendance was steadily declining, and businesses began closing before the event began that evening. Attendees were staying in place in the streets instead of walking through the
Recently, Poe’s Tavern celebrated their 10 year anniversary for their Atlantic Beach location. In honor of this milestone, the restaurant set up 4 days full of live music, rafles, and specials. It’s no doubt that the character and one-of-a-kind theme of Poe’s Tavern, along with their delicious eats and drinks, has allowed them to serve the Atlantic Beach community for 10 years and counting. Whether you’re a fan of Edgar Allen Poe or just in need of a great meal, Poe’s Tavern is a must.
Named after the infamous and troubled writer Edgar Allen Poe, Poe’s Tavern in Atlantic Beach has been serving the people of North Florida for 10 years. Poe’s Tavern first started with their location on Sullivan Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, in 2003. It wasn’t until the summer of 2011 when Poe’s Tavern came to the Atlantic Beach area. Ever since, Poe’s has been a well-deserved favorite amongst locals. The tavern can be found at Atlantic Blvd. and 3rd St., just blocks away from the beach.
Reintroducing Poe’s Tavern, a gothic take on bar food BATCHELOR
KASEY
A “goldbug” burger from Poes Tavern.
EATING GOOD
Hungry, Nevermore
Poe’s Tavern is an American gastropub, most popular for their wide selection of both craft and local beers, as well as their gourmet burgers. Poe’s typically offers an array of 50+ beers to their patrons at any given time. Poe’s notorious burgers are ground in-house and served with fresh, hand-cut fries. Inside the restaurant, Edgar Allen Poe posters, art, and snippets of his writing can be found all over the walls, even in the bathrooms where Poe’s work is narrated. You can also see notorious quotes from the writer along the walls, both inside and outside the tavern. Items on the menu are also in reference to the writer, such as the “Gold Bug Burger,” “Amontillado Burger,” and “Tell-Tale Heart Burger.” There’s also a specialty cocktail coined “Poe’s Punch” containing Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Trader Vic’s coconut rum, Bols apricot brandy, pineapple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, a splash of grenadine, topped with a pineapple and orange slice.
TommyRepresentative.Mayor.Councilman.Hazouri. the life of Shelton Hull 12
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Jacksonville, Florida in the 1980s was a very different city than it is today, both in terms of the physical landscape and its political culture. These are two things that Hazouri had a huge effect on, and that effect will continue to be felt for years to come. The Jackson High and JU grad spent his last years helping to shepherd the city into the next stage of its evolution. Local news outlets have covered his life and death exhaustively, and you should read it all. Hazouri was very good at cultivating personal relationships with the media, some of whom knew him for more than 40 years, so pretty much everyone has their own unique perspective, including me.
Bottom: 1984 dedication of the First Coast Highway.
1944 - 2021
In some ways, it was very on-brand for Tommy Hazouri to die on a Saturday morning, his loss somewhat overshadowed by the 20th anniversary of 9/11. In fact, his final social media post, mere hours earlier, paid tribute to the Americans lost that day. Just as so many aspects of the former mayor’s life managed to slip under the radar, so too does his death come with much less fanfare than some of his peers. Hazouri (1944-2021) never was one for fuss. Although quite adept at tooting his own horn (as one must be in that business), it’s not like he was up before dawn, polishing said horn every single day.
No, generally-speaking, Hazouri let his work speak for itself. The man loved to work––some might say that he loved it too much, and that he might still be here if he had just retired. Instead, we saw a septuagenarian with new lungs sitting around in a stress-filled City Hall that can be the stuff of nightmares for a germaphobe, even on a good day. There were no good days in 2020 and 2021. Several council-folk were struck ill by the pandemic. Thankfully, everyone survived, and thankfully Hazouri somehow never caught covid himself, which is a minor miracle. But, then again, minor miracles were his specialty.
Tommy Hazouri was born in Jacksonville in 1944. His family was an early part of the city’s Lebanese-American community, whose influence can be felt in almost every aspect of public life, from the law to business to, of course, politics. There are around a million Americans of Lebanese descent, and Florida has the country’s third-highest concentration, behind Michigan and California. His ethnicity was a factor when running for mayor in 1987, but voters didn’t care, and he became the first non-WASP to ever assume the Hazouri’sposition.political career began before most of us were born; he was practically a kid himself. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1974, at the age of just 27, representing District 20. He served there until 1986, when he began making plans to run for mayor. The incumbent, Jake Godbold, was restricted by term limits, but in many ways, he never really stopped being the boss of this city. Hazouri’s efforts to moderate that influence was, by some accounts, the impetus for what some have called a “blood feud” that ran hot
Florida State Archives
Top: 1978 portrait of then House of Representatives member Tommy Hazouri.
bill to every voter in Jacksonville and still got housed by Austin in the primary, and there is no shame in that.
Whereas most politicians, especially from the executive branch, would settle down into a dotage defined by corporate boards and big-money speechifying, Hazouri spent the remaining 30 years of his life finding other ways to serve the people. He eventually returned to elected office, serving on the Duval County School Board from 2004 to
Above: Hazouri (left) taking the oath of office.
After that, he ran for City Council, which was unusual, to say the least. While his fans viewed it as a selfless and a wellintentioned step backwards, cynics viewed it as a sad, desperate grab for relevancy. Hazouri positively thrived in that situation. His final year in politics was spent as City Council President in the 2020-2021 term. It would turn out to be one of the most tumultuous years in local history, defined mainly by the social justice protests that led to name changes of six local schools and a number of public spaces. 2020 was also the year of the pandemic, and it was the year in which Hazouri’s health began its final downturn.
Hazouri was beaten by Ed Austin in 1991. He would be the last mayor elected as a Democrat until Alvin Brown, 20 years later. He would run again in 1995, losing to John Delaney, and then again in 2003, when he lost to John Peyton. His time on top ended prematurely, for reasons largely not his fault. Hazouri was caught up in the shifting demographics that changed local politics forever. He could have mailed a $100
2012. During that time, he served as board Chairman and Vice Chairman, restoring some credibility to a board that had suffered through constant controversy and upheaval that dated back seemingly to the Bronze Age, and which continues to this day.
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A lung transplant in July 2020 didn’t keep him down as long as it would most people, but the transplant didn’t seem to take, which led to his final illness. Hazouri spent a few days fighting complications at the Mayo Clinic before opting for home hospice
and cold for 30 years, only achieving mild status as both men began wrestling with their mortality.Hazouri served as the third mayor of consolidated Jacksonville (the 61st since the city’s founding in 1822) from 1987 to 1991. His term was short, but eventful. He closed down the paper mill that was the source of the city’s notoriously noxious atmosphere, and he removed the toll bridges. The latter effort was funded by a half-cent gas tax increase. Such a middling sum, along with a $96 increase in the garbage fee, would prove to be his undoing, further exacerbating his alreadycontentious relationship with a business class that, as you know, will go above and beyond in support of their interests.
All five mayors who followed Hazouri came to rely on his instinct, his insight, his imprimatur, as did two generations of political talent on both sides of the aisle. Whether it was Austin with the River City Renaissance, or Delaney and Peyton with the Better Jacksonville Plan, or the Super Bowl, or the HRO, or the recent efforts on behalf of Afghan refugees, Hazouri was there, in word and in deed, indeed. His willingness to do business with Lenny Curry (particularly on the pension deal in 2017) helped ensure that there was no real possibility of a Democrat beating him a couple years ago, but he still used his council spot to help advance progressive causes in a variety of areas.
Daniel Davis, Al Ferraro and Matt Carlucci served on the council with him; both are former council presidents, and the latter served under him when Hazouri was mayor. All three face an insurgency led by the great Donna Deegan, longtime news anchor, former congressional candidate and a cousin of Hazouri himself. If she wins, they will be the first set of blood relatives to ever hold the top position in local politics, and that seems entirely possible.Who was Jacksonville’s greatest mayor? That’s a subjective question, with no real wrong answer. But there is no question that Tommy Hazouri was our greatest ex-mayor, in the same way that Jimmy Carter is our greatest ex-president. No one leveraged the credibility of the spot to consistent political gain, across the 30 years he spent doing other things.
Our team at Folio learned that Tommy Hazouri passed away after this issue was closed and headed to the printer. After hearing the news, I messaged our longtime writer Shelton Hull and asked that he prepare something to honor the life of Mr. Hazouri. Shelton poured his heart and soul into the attached piece. When I first announced Folio 2.0, one of my goals was to continue independent and local storytelling. And there is no deadline or story more important than the loss of such a fine man.
From the Publisher:
care near the end of August, and that was the last that most of us heard from him. While some colleagues privately expressed hope that he could recover and return to the chamber, it was not to be. In the end, Hazouri chose to go quietly, almost discreetly. He chose dignity,Hazouri’son-brand.death leaves John Delaney as the senior partner among our former mayors; all those who served before 1995 are now gone. There was talk of him maybe running again in 2023, but given his age, his health and family problems, that was not meant to be. If Hazouri had been ten years younger, he would’ve probably run again, and his odds of winning would be a firm 50/50. Instead, we have three main contenders whose own political careers were all shaped by Hazouri’s influence.
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We contendersthreehavemain for mayor whose own political careers were all shaped by influence.Hazouri’s
The death of Tommy Hazouri (preceded by his predecessor, Jake Godbold, less than two years ago) closed the door on an entire chapter of local history. The bare-knuckle scraps and the backroom brawls that shaped our political culture four decades ago are now over, and with the benefit of hindsight, we can now look back and declare a clear winner: Tommy Hazouri, who carried our city’s ambitions on his back, until he could do it no longer. RIP.
This month’s letter from the publisher is about losing a good friend. I couldn’t let it stand alone without this postscript. Jacksonville lost a good friend, a stoic leader and an all out legend. I knew and respected him greatly.Tommy and Burne were similar in their final wishes. In the City and family’s announcement, it said, “As we grieve Tommy’s passing…we ask that you honor his memory by doing something good today…There are infinite opportunities to help each other in our daily lives, but only a finite number of days to do.”
I could not have put it better. Love and compassion to his family, his friends and everyone who knew him.
P.S. comes from the Latin postscriptum, which literally means “written after.” It’s a thought that comes after a letter has been completed.
Animal inoculation is nothing new. One of first documented animal vaccines was developed by French chemist Louis Pasteur in
More importantly, zoo animals might face a bigger risk than house pets or animals in the wild. Research from the CDC shows that some animals, including primates and big cats, are more susceptible to catching COVID-19 than others. These animals in particular can not only contract COVID, but experience symptoms and get seriously ill.
In Jacksonville, vaccine administrations are planned for these “at-risk” animals, of which the zoo has plenty. The Southern black howler monkey, the Malayan tiger, and the hometown hero himself, the jaguar, are just a few of the animals housed there, and all have been deemed susceptible to catching COVID-19.
At least, 38% of Americans can’t. Neither can 31% of Floridians, or 40% of Duval County residents. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health, that’s the number of people over 12 years old who haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19, and with impending inoculations for big cats and primates at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, it seems our genetic cousins have the upper hand.
We’ve got 300,000 years’ worth of science, history and culture to back those claims, not to mention the ability to survive and thrive in ever-changing circumstances. In our relatively short time on this planet, we’ve shaped the physical and social landscape in a way no other species has, earning our status as the Earth’s most advanced. And if the countless innovations and discoveries weren’t enough proof of human prestige, at least we can say we’re smarter than the animals. Except, we can’t.
The Jacksonville Zoo announced that it plans to vaccinate some of its animals for COVID-19, joining a host of other zoos across the country giving their inhabitants the big stick. Jacksonville’s hardly the first to make the move — Illinois’ Brookfield Zoo started at the beginning of the month, the Oakland Zoo administered its first doses back in July, and the San Diego Zoo was vaccinating its apes with trial immunizations as early as March.
16 Humans: top of the food chain, apex predators, the most intelligent and developed creatures to walk the Earth.
The push to vaccinate zoo animals.
It’s also a matter of how the virus spreads. Research on how contagious animals are is, as of now, inconclusive, but research on how contagious humans are (read: very) is crystal clear. The Jacksonville Zoo currently doesn’t require masks or proof of vaccination to visit, and with hundreds of people making the trip daily, there’s no telling what those without proper protection are leaving behind. Yes, the animals are separated from patrons by sheets of glass or sectioned off in special enclosures, but zoo staff often have direct contact with them for feeding and other routine measures. It just takes one infected employee to spread the virus across the entire zoo.
After all, that gorilla outbreak in San Diego started with a single asymptomatic zookeeper.
One Man’s Predator is Covid’s Prey
A start date and long-term plans for the vaccinations are unknown as of now. Folio reached out to the Jacksonville Zoo multiple times for more information but did not get a response.
HEATHER BUSHMAN
So why just zoo animals? Why not vaccinate every beloved family dog or feral racoon rummaging through trash in the alleyway dumpsters? For one thing, the healthcare decisions of these animals are made by zoo employees—some of them licensed medical professionals—and not private citizens. Getting vaccinated is a choice, and though the animals themselves aren’t making the decisions, the people in charge of them are. That means Fido’s anti-vax owners can still keep their pooch far away from the clutches of the evil injection, but the local monkeys are left at the mercy of modern medicine.
As for the question of why the zoo has chosen to vaccinate its inhabitants, we can take a pretty good guess: vaccines, even in animals, are proven safe and effective.
These vaccines, made specially for animals, were developed by the veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. In a press release, the company said they began working on the vaccine last year, when the first dog to catch COVID tested positive in Hong Kong. After a cluster of gorillas at the San Diego Zoo tested positive for the virus in January, Zoetis distributed over 11,000 doses of their experimental vaccine to almost 70 zoos and more than a dozen sanctuaries, conservatories and other institutions across 27 states.
But vaccines have never gone down easy, animal or otherwise. Even in the 1800s, there was pushback—insistence that inoculations would drive human recipients “like dumb animals to the shambles,” as one anti-vaccine pamphlet in Montréal put it. The pamphlet dates back to 1885, right in the middle of the smallpox epidemic, and warns of the “tyranny of doctorcraft,” among other atrocities. In modern terms, it sounds a lot like those “infringements on freedom” pundits and patriots love to reference.
Of the more than 369 million COVID vaccine doses administered in the United States, the CDC only reported 7,218 deaths. That’s only 0.002%, and according to the CDC, it’s difficult to link those deaths directly to vaccines in the first place. Compare that to a 1.6% death rate in the US for those diagnosed with COVID, and the riskier choice is glaringly apparent. Add the fact that you’re 15 times more likely to die from COVID if unvaccinated and that choice becomes impossible
Take a cue from our furry friends at the zoo. No dangerous conspiracies, no fear mongering, no mRNA discourse from overnight internet experts—just a safe and scientifically supported decision made for the betterment of the community. Right now, our spot at the top of the food chain is in jeopardy, so get the shot: if not for the health and safety or yourself and those around you, then for your pride.If not, we may just be one-upped by the animals.
to ignore.The reality is the delta variant is surging, and its mountain of a projected peak makes molehills out of last summer’s highest points. Duval County reported its highest number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic this August, and though they’ve recently decreased, they’re still extremely high. And with back-to-school and football season in full swing, there’s no telling what the coming weeks will bring.The safest, most effective way to stop the spread is to get vaccinated. If every CDC PSA or government promotional tactic or celebrity endorsement isn’t enough to convince you, consider this your wakeup call: get the vaccine, and if you’re still saying no to the stick, at least wear a mask.
Vaccines, even in animals, are proven safe and effective.
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1879, a chicken cholera immunization that was quickly followed by a sheep and cattle anthrax vaccine in 1881. Since then, animal vaccines for a variety of diseases have been developed alongside human ones. In fact, vaccines for rabies, distemper, hepatitis and more are now considered commonplace for house pets.
When News4Jax reported that The Jacksonville Zoo would be vaccinating its animals, the response was less than enthusiastic. One brave soul took a stab at the anti-vax crowd with an appeal to high death rates among the unvaccinated, but the attempt was lost in a sea of“Genocide,”outrage. one commenter wrote under the article. “Infection by injection.”It’sabold, if socially irresponsible, claim. It’s also not accurate.
A child feeds a giraffe at the zoo.
Additional anti-vax propaganda from the era takes similar stances: the horrors of forced vaccinations, the threat to personal liberties, the danger of the vaccines themselves. Almost 140 years later, smallpox is a thing of the past, but the arguments against vaccinations are startlingly present. Despite life-saving science that’s wiped out a host of deadly diseases, resistance to it is seemingly impossible to eradicate.It’sa tale of two pandemics—one physical and one psychological—and Duval County isn’t innocent in either of them. In the former, cases are rising rapidly with no mask or vaccine mandate in sight, and in the latter, opposition to those masks or vaccines is stronger than ever.
Mayor Lenny Curry Skating Downtown, via COJ.
It’s Time to Make Skating Legal in Downtown Jacksonville
mail@folioweekly.com
For two days in November, skateboarding will be a sporting event. The rest of the year it’s more of a crime than a sport, especially in Downtown.
Now I’m not saying that skateboarding should be a free-for-all, but creating spaces for skaters to congregate and operate would benefit both the skate community and the Urban Core. Take, for example, cities like Malmo, Sweden and Bordeaux, France that have taken progressive approaches to a decades old issue by using skateboarding to revitalize dead spots within their cities. Rather than letting an empty plaza rot and be overrun by riffraff, why not let the skate community populate these areas?
The post went viral in the skate community for numerous reasons, one being the song the mayor quoted was meant to bring awareness
The purpose of Curry’s post, though, is something worth celebrating: Street League Skateboarding (SLS) will host the Super Crown World Championship in November along the banks of the St. Johns, right in the heart of Downtown. Some of skating’s top athletes will be funneling into the city to compete, including 2021 Olympic medalist Jagger Eaton. Hosting the championship in Jacksonville is great for publicity and exposure for the city, as well as inspiration for people to pick up a deck and join the skate community. But Curry called it a “sporting event,” and that doesn’t sit right with me.
COMMENTARY
to racial profiling and police brutality, not pushing a longboard mongo for a block. Personally, I think Weird Al Yankovic’s parody of the song would have been much more appropriate for Curry to use:
Leo Valls, a French professional skateboarder, coined the phrase “skate urbanism,” which he defined as “[exploring] skateboarding as an integrated part of public space, in a way that cities and skaters
FOR TWO DAYS IN NOVEMBER, SKATEBOARDING WILL BE A SPORTING EVENT. THE REST OF THE YEAR IT’S MORE OF A CRIME THAN A SPORT, ESPECIALLY IN DOWNTOWN.
Mayor Lenny Curry seems to think that it’s okay.
“They see me strollin’, They laughin’, And rollin’ their eyes ‘cause I’m so white ‘n’ nerdy.”
To some skateboarders, the Urban Core is forbidden fruit. Still, skaters rip through Downtown spots under the cover of darkness, forced to dip out at the first sign of authorities. To the majority of the skate community, Downtown remains mostly untouchable. Legendary skate spots like Friendship Fountain, James Weldon Johnson Park (formerly known as Hemming Park) and the Main Street ledges have been canceled by city ordinances and skate stoppers (metal brackets bolted to curbs, walls, railings, etc. to prevent skaters from riding on certain architecture), all while Mayor Lenny “Let’s Roll” Curry poses for photo ops pretending to be a champion for the skate community.
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One of the best parts of being a skateboarder is the never ending hunt for the perfect spot, but the hunt here in Jacksonville is often thwarted by police, “No Skateboarding” signs and fines.
Skaters reposted the image to their Instagram stories and mocked Curry, some even putting a clown emoji over his face. Although I’m no fan of shaming people away from the skateboard community, I think the response to his post was appropriate.
VINCENT DALESSIO
While skating on public streets in Jacksonville is not illegal (as long as skaters follow the traffic laws, that is), street skating isn’t exactly encouraged either. I can conservatively say there are at least 100 “No Skateboarding” signs scattered throughout the Urban Core. As recently as 2016, then-City Council Member Bill Gulliford even tried to get a bill approved to make it illegal to skate in Downtown entirely. Basically, street skaters are forced to break the law if they want to practice their craft.
Curry posted such a photo—standing on a board in the middle of a Downtown street with his arms raised in victory—to his personal Instagram account in June to announce the Street League Skateboarding Championship coming to Jacksonville in November. “I’m in,” he wrote and used the hashtag #TheySeeMeRollinTheyHatin, a lyric from Chamillionaire’s song “Ridin’.”
There are plenty of spots that could be viable Downtown locations for this to come to fruition like Riverfront Plaza, where SLS will be building a temporary park for their competition. Although it is rather unlikely SLS will leave the build behind, the park itself would be a perfect place to begin skate urbanism integration in Jacksonville.Rather than dropping millions of dollars into a 13-story-tall, stainless steel piece (aka the derp sculpture), why not put a small portion of the money into building skateable features throughout the park? It’s a much better way to bring our community together than bonding over which words we think we see in a piece of art. If the park’s purpose is to create a public space for the entire community to congregate, let’s do it in a way that all cultures in our community can enjoy. And as a city with some of the best skate parks in the state, not to mention the world’s oldest operating skate park (the iconic Kona State Park), Jacksonville needs to recognize street skating as a sport too, instead of just a subculture—or a crime.
MASK UP, JAX!
Bordeaux sets an ideal framework Jacksonville could follow.
19 can mutually benefit.” Valls has been the driving force behind a team of skaters partnering with the French government to make Bordeaux more skater friendly after years of zero tolerance toward those pushing wood. Now, the city has implemented skating into long-term city planning through permanent skateable sculptures that also work for general use such as granite benches and metal reinforced ledges that hold up against skateboard trucks.
“Skateboarding is about physical activity like a sport, it’s a cultural outlet for people, it’s a way for us to communicate about the city by shooting photos and videos, it’s a question about tourism,” Valls told Monster Children magazine, “and it was a way for people to meet up and create social cohesion, interact and activate dormant places.”Apublic skate plaza in the streets is the centerpiece for any solid skate city. Barcelona has MACBA and San Francisco with Embarcadero. James Weldon Johnson Park (the first and oldest city park in Jacksonville) used to be that place for local skaters. The perfect square rails, ledges and stair sets once dominated the terrain skated in local skate videos like Clyde Singleton’s 411vm Rookie Pro video from 1995. Although people still find ways to get clips in Jacksonville, it’s time local skaters had another centerpiece.
WEAR A MASK WASH YOUR HANDS SOCIAL DISTANCE
Skate urbanism can work in Jacksonville because the skate community is experiencing unprecedented growth, and the inner city has untapped potential for new skaters. Integrating skating into city planning would bring skaters into the Downtown area, possibly creating an influx of tourism, facilitating traffic into local businesses and creating potential for new businesses to arise.
If you are a tenant living in Florida and need to draft a response to an eviction lawsuit that can be filed in court, visit www. floridaevictionhelp.org.
NEWS
However, following the rent moratorium tenants were still concerned about the after effects. “One concern is that many tenants, even those who have returned to work, still can’t get caught up on the rent. The moratorium did not forgive rent, and for the most part allowed landlords to continue charging late fees. The balances are simply too high to overcome,” says Mary DeVries, Division Chief of the Housing Unit at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA). JALA is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to those who cannot afford them. According to DeVries, their clients are still reporting issues with accessing rent assistance causing delays in payments. Some landlords are not accepting said assistance programs as payment for anyone because of this.
If you’re a landlord struggling to collect rent and looking to evict your tenant, you must provide all notices then file a suit in court. Following that, further steps must be made if the court permits the eviction. Tenants must draft up a response to the lawsuit, as well. DeVries hope is that, “rent assistance will be made available in the future to address past debts. Hopefully, landlords will have to agree to update records relating to the debt in exchange for said assistance.” If you are facing possible eviction in response to the pandemic, visit jaxlegalaid.org for more information.
Many wondered if the moratorium would actually help longterm, or if short-term solutions were going to cause problems when it was terminated, like the previous one for rentals. While the eviction moratorium did help by temporarily halting evictions for families that were hit with hardships during the pandemic, DeVries states, “these moratoriums were not paired early enough with sufficient rent assistance programs for tenants and landlords. Many tenants have returned to work, but they still couldn’t catch up with all their unpaid bills, including rent.”Now there is not much protecting tenants who are still struggling. Tenants who are facing eviction are now being rendered homeless, are in huge amounts of debt, and will most likely have problems securing housing in the future due to their financial difficulties. So what can these tenants do now? JALA is offering their aid and depending on the issue they offer individual advice and counsel, host legal assistance clinics, and provide direct representation to families. Their website offers many resources for those facing eviction and ways to gain more knowledge about the Whileprocesstenants are suffering greatly, many landlords are also suffering financially. Landlords feel they are given no assistance while tenants’ bills are going unpaid causing financial difficulties for themselves. While billions of dollars has been allocated for assistance programs nationally, most of it has not been given out.
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The Incoming Housing Crisis
With unemployment hitting an all time high in 2020, people were wondering how they were going to afford to pay their rent, so the Center for Disease Control announced their first order on September 4, 2020 that ensured a temporary halt would be placed on residential evictions to prevent further spread of COVID-19. This rent moratorium was supposed to end on December 31, 2020, but was later extended until January, which changed to March, then June, then extended and ended in July 2021. The moratorium provided $46.5 billion for emergency rental assistance.
When August 2021 came around and people were still struggling with the effects from the rent moratorium, the CDC made a second order to begin on August 3, 2021 which would halt evictions in communities with heightened transmission following the recent developments in
So what kind of solutions are out there for those facing evictions? According to DeVries, “Families who have been evicted are going to need help addressing the debts owed to former landlords, as well as addressing the records that exist relating to those debts so that they can access housing in the future.” As a tenant who’s behind on their rent, the first step is to ask the landlord for more time to come up with the money. If the landlord agrees, make sure you get it in writing and understand exactly what you’re agreeing to. There are programs offering rental assistance, but as previously mentioned, these programs have had delays in payments so be sure you do your research.
Last year’s difficulties following COVID-19 breakouts impacted so many around the world. Businesses, employees, students, and so many more had to face the effects of the pandemic’s hit to the economy. The housing market faced major issues when tenants who were financially impacted by COVID-19 were struggling to pay their rent.
MOLLY BRITT
COVID-19. The eviction moratorium was set to expire on October 3, 2021, however, it was terminated on August 26 by the United States Supreme Court. So, the moratoriums have both expired, what now?
No one is sure what will happen when the eviction moratorium ends.
students have to educate themselves by attending school in the midst of the pandemic. The wide distribution of vaccines to individuals ages 12 and up allows students flexibility in wearing a mask or not at school. Although the benefits of in-person learning enable students to interact with others and have a hands-on learning environment, there remains the risk of spreading the virus among one’s peers and Thereteachers.isascent of uncertainty and fear within the air regarding the circumstances. Regardless, we, as students, must choose the path we believe is safest for ourselves, our families and all those around us. Even within the pandemic, we are still a community of students working toward expanding our knowledge and self-growth of spreading kindness and compassion to one another.
To Mask or Not to Mask
Last year, the quarantine not only set me back on my school work but also set me back socially. I felt left out. I missed out on talking with friends, sitting with them at lunch or even gossiping about the latest news. In contrast, this year, I now have the opportunity to remain in school which aids myself and other students mentally.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all, and if there is one thing our community can agree on, it’s that its vast impact does not stop at education.Students have switched gears from in-person learning with handson education and making new friends to an isolated, virtual school back to “brick and mortar” school all in the span of two years. We have been patient toward the back and forth learning environments which took away from what was normal two years ago to an education within a screen. The toll from the pandemic limited not only our educational experience but also our social events ranging from football games to homecoming to even graduation. However, the majority of students once learning online have now returned to the classroom.
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The contrast between the last school year and 2021-2002 is significant. For instance, the regulations for coming into contact with COVID-positive students differ from last school year. This year, students who are not vaccinated must self-quarantine for seven consecutive days from contact. Those who are fully vaccinated may remain at school.
In St. Johns County, students are left to their own devices.
COMMUNITY ARIEL RADEMEYER
vaccine distributions for ages 12 and older. As a junior at Nease High School, interactions with my peers regarding the pandemic vary from person to person. I encounter students wearing masks coming from distance learning enjoying their time at school. The majority of students do not enjoy waking up at 7 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. to attend school, but they do appreciate seeing their friends and communicating with ease to theirNonetheless,teachers.
Our Florida high schools have chosen these avenues in relation to
American Legion Post 129 is a place to connect and gather.
For more than 75 years, Ocean Beaches American Legion Post 129 in South Jacksonville Beach has been a pillar of the Beaches community. Whether it’s hosting blood drives, collecting school supplies or supporting veterans and their families, its members have contributed countless hours of their time and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Legion and its program and services.
“I stood there and talked to him, and he started crying … He was so happy that I just listened … that he knew somebody who had been there [who] could equate to what he was saying,” said Maichle, who is in his fifth year as commander of Post 129 and also serves as vice commander of Florida’s 5th District. “I was glad to to be there, but it was tough. It’s hard to listen sometimes. It’s even harder to talk about it.”
losses veterans experience after leaving the military. Fostering those connections is one of the post’s main objectives.
“American Legion is, as we call it, just a family, and we try to take care of our own,” he continued. “Our post has got a reputation of being the friendliest post on the First Coast. I’ve had people from other posts from outside the state come in and say they could not believe how they were welcomed and how it was easy to talk the people there.”
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As part of their commitment to fostering fellowship, Post 129 makes special efforts to engage younger servicemen and women. All too aware of the stereotypes about members who socialize at a Legion post—“a bunch of old guys sitting around drinking and smoking” talking about World War II, Korea and Vietnam—Maichle invites younger members to visit the post to meet others their age, even those with children. (His three granddaughters, all under the age of 12, are already members of the American Legion Auxiliary, which is open to male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion). He also encourages members of all ages and backgrounds to interact—for the common good.“Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide because of the perils of what they see and what they’re involved in when they go to war or when they’re involved in the military outside the country,” he said. “[The Post] is some place somebody can go to talk.”
The Friendliest on the First Coast
Founded in 1919, The American Legion was chartered by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization focusing on serving military veterans, service members and their communities. Since then, the organization, which includes The American Legion Auxiliary and The American Legion Riders, has grown to 2 million members with more than 13,000 posts worldwide. With its efforts resulting in the establishment of the Veterans Administration and passage of the GI Bill of Rights, as well playing a vital role in the growth of the National Heart Association and founding of the National Association for Mental Health, The American Legion is considered one of the most influential nonprofits in the nation. It’s also the country’s largest wartime and veterans service organization.
KERRY SPECKMAN AND ROB NICHOLSON
That sense of camaraderie, Maichle said, is one of the greatest
Scan the QR code to watch the full interview.video
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a police officer for more than 20 years, Joe Maichle knows all too well the value of The American Legion to servicemen and women and their families. He recalls one particular experience while volunteering at an event for a local veterans support group when he was introduced to a vet in a hallway.
COMMUNITY
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After a summer movie season with a somewhat limited number of releases, in comparison to years past, the fall promises to be full of exciting releases both in theaters and at home. From explosive blockbusters to artistic awards contenders, there is something for everyone. Here is a breakdown of some of the highlights on the way:
The Many Saints of Newark
Add these new releases to your must-watch list.
CULTURE
A full-fledged horror film from British filmmaker Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver). The mysterious trailer didn’t reveal much of the plot, but it appears ghosts, possessions, creepy men and time travel are all involved in this tension-filled cocktail. Oct. 29 only in theaters
This sequel to the 2019 animated reimagining of the creepy and kooky family sees the titular group hit the road on vacation. A spooky time for all ages just in time for Halloween season. Oct. 1 in theaters and PVOD
Writer/producer David Chase returns to the world of wise guys in this to his iconic series, The Sopranos, which follows a teenaged Tony Soprano and the mobster Dickie Moltisanti who loomed largely over the show. The late James Gandolfini’s son, Michael, takes over the part of Tony. Oct. 1 in theaters and HBO MAX
Tom Hardy’s parasitic alien-goo monster is back for a sequel to the 2018 film. This time Venom must face off against the far more vile and monstrous villain, Carnage, who becomes the host of a deranged serial killer played by Woody Harrelson. Oct. 15 only in theaters
The French Dispatch
The critically-acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve brings a new adaptation of Frank Herbert’s influential sci-fi novel to the screen. This space epic follows a young nobleman, played by Timothee Chalamet, who is entrusted with protecting the future of his family and people. The supporting cast includes Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Jason Momoa and Josh Brolin—and should be viewed on the largest screen possible. Oct. 22 in theaters and HBO Max
Last Night in Soho
Fall Movies Preview
HARRY MOORE
Dune, via Warner Brothers. Jawline via T. Chalamet.
Dune
Eternals
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Halloween Kills
The Last Duel
Wes Anderson returns with his usual cast of featured players, including Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, for this film about an American magazine based in France during the 20th century. The film’s structure is broken up into a series of short stories that should allow for the director’s whimsical style to flourish in full. Oct. 22 only in theaters
The MCU goes mythical. Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao brings her accomplished visual style from the arthouse to the biggest franchise in film. Eternals follows an ensemble of god-like beings who have been overseeing human history and must now come together to intervene in the world’s fate. Nov. 5 only in theaters
Ridley Scott directs this medieval epic set in 14th century France about the last legal duel. The film boasts an impressive cast including Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck—and reunites Damon and Affleck as screenwriters for the first time since the modern classic Good Will Hunting. Oct. 15 only in theaters
The Addams Family 2
No Time to Die
Originally slated for release in April 2020, this is the highly anticipated final outing for Daniel Craig as James Bond. Featuring recent Oscar winner Rami Malek as the villain and acclaimed filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, the film should prove to be a truly epic send off for Craig. Oct. 8 only in theaters
Michael Myers returns yet again for another murderous rampage. Jamie Lee Curtis is back for the second part of this trilogy for the recently revived franchise. Oct. 15 only in theaters
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Martin loves the connections she builds with her bar guests as she guides their Salt Life experience from start to finish. Her regulars –along with everyone else that walks into her bar – love her too. At 21 years old, her good spirits and playful personality flow naturally with the aquatic art and surfboards that line the walls. She has great passion for sparking joy in others that goes beyond“Youservice.get to talk to them, know what’s going on with them, as opposed to just bringing them their food… That’s my favorite part,” MartinThoughsaid.
Splash of agave
Maci Martin wakes up at the crack of dawn every day and begins her studies. She’s working on her mechanical engineering degree at UNF, and most mornings are taken up with books and lectures on physics and chemistry.Bymidday, she changes into her tank top and denim shorts ensemble and heads over to the beach for her bartending shift at Salt Life. She sets up the bar and starts pouring beers and mixing cocktails for the guests. Being a top bartender at one of Jax Beach’s best establishments as well as a full-time student might seem exhausting to some, but to Martin, it’s all good fun. The coastal environment fosters a sense of relaxation, her colleagues are her best friends, and everyone at the bar is there for a good time. Life is salty and sweet.
Scan the QR code to view the full bartender of the month video.
Martin checks all the boxes of a beach bartender: beauty, brains and beverages.
21/4 oz sour mix
2. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
1/2 oz lemon juice
“It’s people coming back from the beach, people about to head out for the night,” said Martin. “It’s a very cool, laid-back energy. I really like it.”
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11/4 oz Tito’s Vodka
Splash of soda
3/4 oz Chambord
ISA BARRIENTOS
Bartender of the Month: Maci Martin
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1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously.
she’s only been bartending for two years, Martin is remarkably confident and speedy in her work.When it’s time to go home, Martin will study some more and watch some anime before dinner and drinks with friends, and go to sleep and do it all again the next day.
Laid Back Lemonade
ON THE FOLIO LOCAL PLAYLIST.
LOCALLYLISTEN
It would be easy to speak about The Black Toilet in comparison to other conceptual rappers like Earl Sweatshirt or Tyler the Creator, but who most came to mind over and over again while streaming The Middle of Said Winter is Kate Bush - particularly her 1985 opus Hounds of Love, a concept record about floating through the ocean at night. That record, much like the Black Toilet’s The Middle of Said Winter looked for layers and deepness in movement.
THE MIDDLE OF SAID WINTER THE BLACK TOILET
For fans of Solage, Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and King Krule.
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
New Music Radar by John Aloszka
Through a collaboration with Winterland Presents, a Jacksonville based record label, “Persian Rugs” is available to order as a 7” vinyl, perfect for spinning while you lay on your own floor (a persian rug if you have one) at home. If vinyl is a thing of the past to you, you can stream Sailor Goon wherever your music comes from.
PERSIAN RUGS SAILOR GOON
TRACK OF THE MONTH
Sailor Goon, who was recently anointed as a Folio Artist to Watch in our last issue, wades through an oozy, reverb drenched soundscape that pulls from jazz, funk, R&B and pop on “Persian Rugs.” Telling a familiar story in an unfamiliar way, “Rugs” unpacks a love that may be unrequited, may be all fluff, and may be fleeting. Just like its namesake, the lyrical patterns are complex, weaving more of an open ended question than a firm answer.
Winter blends ambience and loudness to their extremes, repeating lines until they drone out until transition suddenly into the next song, a haphazard sonic that sounds as lost as its protagonist.Thegloss of a conceptual record is still there, as is an obvious care for making introspection sound outwardly appealing, and at times humorous. This is most evident on “No Fields / Who Ya Love,” which ends with a self aware tirade about hitting notes that breaks the fourthThere’swall. 22 songs, and the record runs 40 minutes. So if you’re looking for a radio style banger, save yourself the disappointment. But if you allow yourself to get lost, much like its protagonist, you may find something useful.
As Hounds of Love does, Middle of Said Winter runs through the wild in search of answers about love, loss, and the world. In a post about the record, Toilet positioned the music as a story of a man who traveled the world in search of answers, except no matter where he went he was always in the same place, “regardless of location.”
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CANCER It’s your nesting period—much of your energy will go toward making a beautiful home. Choose creation over consumption. You’ll be charming, though rather dramatic, in matters of love.
AQUARIUS Expect some travel on a plane, perhaps an astral one. Take a moment to find yourself and define yourself there. You will be beautiful in the eyes of the world.
PISCES You’ll find some hidden treasure in the form of a return—you feel that you’ve made good and you can run with that. You might find inspiration in a religious service.
CAPRICORN At the top of your game in the middle of the day, you’ll find that work flows smoothly and your network is secure. Make some time for your family and your home.
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ARIES A relationship will run its course and another, more passionate and deep, will come to you. Your reflection will shift, too, and it will actually feel like you.
TAURUS Our minds make monsters out of piles of clothes. You’ve got it together in the eyes of the world, but the psychic clutter sees through it. It will only take a day or two.
GEMINI Pleasure and amusement will move to the top of your list, and they’ll be best expressed on canvas or in song. You’ll be in your best spirits at work.
VIRGO Walk the neighborhood with your best face on. Money matters could catch up to you if you don’t balance your spending habits soon. Hold your valuables close in the meantime.
LEO You’ll have a million ideas running through your head, your feet will feel a little restless. Take a long walk, stop, find a friend and talk. At the core of it all is a sweet nostalgia.
SCORPIO The comfort that you’ve built in your home won’t quite feel warm until you sit in it, silently, alone. Find a new kind of love in the cold air outside, just beneath the setting sun.
It’s in the Stars by Isa Barrientos
SAGITTARIUS The comfort that you’ve built in your home won’t quite feel warm until you sit in it, silently, alone. Find a new kind of love in the cold air outside, just beneath the setting sun.
LIBRA You’re in the clear to finally make it a good year. Beware of the superficial—keep moving toward your higher purpose. A partnership will turn a new leaf.
30 TRUE FORM turns the pit into a playground MUSIC KASEY BATCHELOR 30
The demo consists of three tracks titled “The Storm,”“Life’s Terms” and “Just Like Me.” Filled with fast, clean riffs and gritty vocals, the songs, recorded with John Howard at War House Recordings in Gainesville, helped set the tone for the band’s style and aggressive sound with ease.
of Pain show in South Florida was probably one of the most memorable shows we’ve played in my opinion. South Florida is always super welcoming and the shows there never fail to be the best of the best,” said Hudgins.
“Definitely the show when we played a surprise set at Rain Dogs. That was the show where Magnitude headlined. We only played like two songs on a whim but it was a really, really good time,” Hudgins said.
The future is full of exciting things for True Form. They perform in Atlanta Sept.13 with Restraining Order, Symbiote, Sterilize and Prime Suspect. On September 23, they hit the stage at Archetype in Jacksonville with Magnitude, Koyo, Soul Blind, Kharma, Point of Contact and Burning Strong. In the mean time, the band is also currently working on their next EP.
True Form, started in 2018, ultimately helped save the city’s hardcore scene. Composed of Griffin Hudgins (vocals), Joel Cedeno (guitar), Reed Cothren (guitar), Nick Dilts (bass) and Jarod Whalen (drums), True Form gave hardcore fans a band to get behind that was authentic and represented a new era within the community.
True Form started by mostly playing shows locally, eventually performing in Miami, at the annual FYA Fest in Tampa and touring the East Coast. Their 2019 tour with Method of Doubt hit cities like Philadelphia and New York, helping to bring back real hardcore fun—a uniting force. The most fun show they’ve ever played, though, according to Hudgins, was right here in Jacksonville.
One of the key components of True Form’s inception is IOU Records. Short for “It’s On Us!” IOU Records is a DIY hardcore record label based out of South Florida started by multi-instrumentalist Jesse Inman. With 28 releases under its belt including Result of Choice’s “Through My Eyes,” Method of Doubt’s “Accepting What We Know” and Field Agent’s “The Voice of a Few,” IOU Records is a shining example of hardcore’s doit-yourself spirit in action. Other notable bands who have released music through IOU Records include Be All End All, Big Mack and Madhouse.
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With the release of their demo in 2018 through IOU Records, True Form became a band that proudly represents Jacksonville.
In 2019, Control, True Form’s debut EP (recorded at Shed Studios in Jacksonville), was released by IOU Records. With a powerful and clean sound, Control further solidified the band’s message of authenticity, growth and remaining true despite turmoil. They played a record release show in early March 2020 at The Justice Pub with Point of Contact, The Limit, Shining Hour and Infiltrate. As part of the release, they also played in Miami at Space Mountain alongside Method of Doubt, Seed of Pain and The“TheBoss.Seed
“We wouldn’t be where we are or even exist if it weren’t for IOU Records. We love everybody who’s a part of it,” said Cedeno.
“We started writing the demo a good year before it was released when I had a lot of time on my hands. We weren’t even writing under the band name True Form at the time,” Hudgins said.
The hardcore scene in the city of Jacksonville hasn’t always been characterized as strong, unified or even prevalent to the average person. The community itself, with few and far between, has mostly been its own secluded world. Over the years, countless bands have come and gone, and with them members of a somewhat lost and disconnected community. What was once a scene without a general direction or sense of stability eventually grew to become an open playground of comradery, unity and self-expression. In terms of hardcore, True Form put Jacksonville on the map.
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THE CHEUGY CAMP YEARBOOK
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Just think how many lives could have been saved if folks had simply listened to the hippies and made pot their drug of choice. The 70,000 a year killed by drunk driving and drug overdoses might still be with us. The untold number of families devastated by drugs and alcohol might have been preserved. The millions arrested for pot possession could have avoided prison if only the moralists had just minded their own business.Mark Twain once said: “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” It’s astonishing how much saner America has become about marijuana since my hippie days 50+ years ago. Let’s hope for a full recovery soon.
Many of us came from middle class families ruined by alcohol. To paraphrase Neil Young, we’d seen the bottle and the damage done. We wanted no part of it. So, as we had done with other facets of the culture we inherited, we looked for a better way, a safer saner way to escape reality, a way that didn’t transform ordinary people into raging abusers and lifelong addicts. Pot was the answer, and we loved her from the start. Like a giggling little girl in a cotton dress on a Spring day, she taught us to play, to laugh, to dance, and to sing. She opened a hidden door into a brighter world filled with adventure and pleasure. She showed us how to party without becoming our parents.
On December 1, 1938, the ever-helpful FBI released a movie called “Reefer Madness” that “exposed” the dangers of marijuana. Bill and Mary get stoned with some friends, leading to hallucinations, sex, and murder. The real craziness started in 1915 when California (of all places) made pot possession a felony punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. Dozens of State and Federal laws soon followed. California weed arrests climbed from 5,000 in 1960 to 37,000 in 1967. The FBI reports that over 10 million Americans have been arrested for pot possession since 1996. Now that is madness!
Stewart Rogers is the Co-Author/Editor of What Happened to the Hippies? published by McFarland Press. He can be reached at Stewart@WhatHappenedtotheHippies.com.
Reefer Madness
Trading the bottle for the
blunt WEED STEWART ROGERS
As Dylan would say, “Everybody must get stoned!” And we did, starting in the 60’s and, for many, continuing to this day. After all, we were hippies. To hear some folks tell it, you couldn’t be a hippie unless you smoked pot, as though we belonged to a secret society with decoder rings, a hippie handshake, and a flag with five leaves. I guess you could say that getting stoned was our patriotic duty.
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If you’re like millions of Americans, you’ve smoked marijuana at least once and don’t need my explanation of the experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing something extraordinary. Imagine feeling mellow and dreamy, yet insightful and aware, while connecting with other folks in happier, more accepting ways. Everything is funny. Music is awesome. You can dance and sing and laugh for hours or sit quietly in a corner contemplating the wonderfulness of an ordinary object suddenly revealing itself to you for the first time.
You would have thought that ordinary folks would have applauded our discovery. After all, weed is, without doubt, the safest of recreational drugs. Cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and opiates are proven killers. To my knowledge, no one has ever overdosed on THC or randomly murdered anyone under its influence. Within a few hours of getting high, stoners are much more likely to be making love than making trouble.
At last, straight folks are coming to their senses. The percentage of adults who support marijuana legalization has exploded from 12% in 1969 to 83% today. In recent surveys, 70% of the general public believe that marijuana use is less of a health risk than alcohol or cigarettes. In 1946, the American Medical Association defined marijuana as a dangerous drug. In 2018, they changed their minds and affirmed that pot has therapeutic benefits. Today, 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized pot for all uses. Another 20 states have approved it for medical use only. According to recent surveys, 35 million Americans smoke herb on a regular basis. Another 20 million smoke occasionally. That’s more than the number of cigarettes smokers, placing it second behind alcohol as America’s favorite recreational drug.
an experience simply sitting in a chair in a dark room?
“I don’t think the experience we provide (and many others) is going to go away anytime soon,” said Massett.
King said it best: “I think people underestimate how wonderful the theatres are.”
CASEY ALIXANDRA
“We try to support the movie theaters right now in this weird limbo phase but not as many movies are coming out so it gets a bit difficult,” said movie advocate Casey King. “Watching movies at home is nice and all, but it doesn’t feel like as much of an activity or an experience.”
“I will say that perhaps movie theater prices are also a contributing factor,” King said about the growth of streaming films at home. “When HBO gives you a few days to watch a movie for free in your own home, that does sound a tad appealing considering it’s almost 20 bucks for one movie ticket, and the theatres have upcharged their food so much in order to make a profit.”
Streaming won’t kill movie theaters, movie theaters will.
For many, the theaters aren’t just rooms with huge screens and Dolby sound. For movie lovers, it’s a place of adventure. When those lights die down, all seem to be transcended to wherever the screen takes them. Then after, when the movie is over and it’s time to go back to the vehicles, the sky always leaves ticket buyers shocked. Time felt like it stopped once the movie started. How could they have had such
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Films have brought every emotion to audiences. It’s one of the few places where anticipation and excitement go hand and hand. While there is a fear for the survival of theaters, it’s the ticket buyers that are truly saving them.
While the online streaming services are succeeding, avid movie watchers are making a promise they will always go to the theaters.
CULTURE
“THE PANDEMIC OR STREAMING ISN’T GOING TO KILL MOVIE THEATERS. MOVIE THEATERS WILL ONLY GO AWAY IF THEY DON’T CHANGE THEIR COURSE.”
There are pros and cons to watching new movies, whether at the theaters or at home. At home, it can be cheaper. There is no worry about missing scenes when needing to go to the bathroom. Plus, no obnoxious noises coming from the back of the room.
“We used to go to the movies all the time, that was most of our dates,” said King. “My husband and I had our first date at the Regal Theatre on Philips [Highway], we saw Harry Potter. We would keep all our tickets as keepsakes. Sometimes if we liked the movie a lot, we’d see it multiple times with different people.”
It seems like yesterday when there was only one way to see new theatrical releases. If you wanted to go see a new movie, you literally had to go to a movie theater: home of buttered popcorn and huge movie screens. Today, online streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max make first-run, original movies accessible from the comfort of your own home and creating a new competitor for traditional movie theaters. This new challenger can do what the theaters can’t, simply, be in your living room. Online streaming services have certainly become a threat. But how“Themuch?pandemic or streaming isn’t going to kill movie theaters. Movie theaters will only go away if they don’t change their course,” said Tim Massett, co-owner of Sun-Ray Cinema in 5 Points.
For the Love of Film
On the other hand, there is a magic about the theaters. The shared screams and laughs from strangers all around, solidifying that you are all sharing the same emotion from the movie. And the spontaneous applause when that movie was that good!
on this page are
of Jon Dang. SPORTS 36
Photos courtesy
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IT’SABOUTALLTHECLIMB DALESSIO
Hard work and an honest effort helps you get to the top at the Edge Rock Gym. VINCENT
If gyms are the heart of the climbing community, then routesetters are the brain. Although gyms are the vessel in which climbers can get their fix of movement, routesetters are the ones who put the sport in their hands, literally. Routesetting combines physical movement with aesthetic and intentional placement of holds creating a unique product; an interactive installation meant to challenge climbers both physically and mentally. A route in climbing is a complex sequence of movements that take a climber from the bottom of the wall to the top using a variety of different holds. In a gym setting, these holds are often molded plastic meant to imitate holds found on real rock outdoors and the potential for shapes are endless.
Each route set goes through a difficult grading process where setters climb their creations and give them a numerical rating based on level of difficulty. In bouldering, problems are graded on the Hueco scale which is an open-ended system that currently ranges from V0 all the way up to V17 (boulders at The Edge usually range from V0-V10+).
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There’s a quote posted in the gym by the founder of the American V-Grade system, John Sherman, “with hard work and honest effort, any problem is within reach. Learn to mistrust ratings, and pity those who are a slave to them.”
Climbing is not the easiest to get started on one’s own, so it takes community stewards to spread their wings and take new climbers under them. The Edge is a great representation of this and is a safe space for people from all walks of life to come together. The gym is working to create a more inclusive environment through the routes they set and the setters they employ. The setting team is a mix of men and women varying in strengths and creating a group that covers the spectrum of climbers.Fullford said, “Route setters are here to serve the climbing community which is rapidly diversifying, and this means to best serve our community we have to do the same. A diverse routesetting team
Rock climbers in Florida are a unique bunch. Without natural rock formations to practice their craft locally, climbers travel hours to get to real rock—or a few minutes to a man-made version.
“I wish I could eliminate grades in the climbing gym, and I know this is a shared thought among many in the routesetting community nationwide,” Fullford explained. “Grades are a great tool for tracking progress, but every climber has fallen victim to the ego trap of disliking a climb because they didn’t agree with the grade, no matter how good the climb actually was, or avoiding a higher grade climb because they didn’t want to fail. Grades are subjective and you can almost never get a consensus because everyone has different strengths and weaknesses,”
If you’ve never been to a rock climbing gym before, let me set the scene for you.
The head route setter at the Edge Rock Gym, Evan Fullford, explained it like this, “Outdoor climbing is a great source of inspiration for routesetting, and it’s really where all this started, but indoor climbing has evolved into its own sport. This has allowed routesetters to get more creative and experimental with their climbs, and not limit themselves to just copying real rock. If you can set climbs in your gym that are fun, challenging and help people progress as climbers, then you can build a culture of positivity, encouragement and try hard.”
Employees at the Edge curate the routes by drilling in plastic molds.
The oldest and most established rock climbing gym in Jacksonville, The Edge Rock Gym has made quite a name for itself since transforming an old YMCA into a climbers’ paradise. Colored pieces of plastic cover the realistic rock wall, masked people covered in a white chalk greet you upon arrival and a thick haze fills the air. The Edge is one of two rock climbing gyms in Jacksonville, the other being Beaches Rock Gym, so it stays packed to the gills. The opening of a new gym in St. Augustine, Stone Climbing, is a testament to the growth of this community.
The Edge Rock Gym boasts 35-foot walls for roped climbing and smaller walls for bouldering. Bouldering is a form of climbing where no rope is involved and walls are much shorter, but just because the walls are smaller doesn’t mean it’s easier, as these movements tend to be more physically and mentally demanding. I had the opportunity to hang out with the setting team as they prepared their first wall for their annual Boulder League, an 8-week competition where teams test their skills and strength on different terrain. Although climbing movements find origin on real rock, indoor climbing has endless potential.
means more diverse climbing, which makes the sport accessible to more people and creates a better overall climbing experience.”
“At The Edge we’ve really tried to promote the idea that you should try anything you feel drawn too, regardless of whether you think you should or shouldn’t be able to do it.”
Indoor climbing gyms are the main gateway for introduction of new Florida climbers, as well as being the centerpiece for the Florida community as a whole. Rock climbing’s introduction into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics has created unparalleled interest in the sport, and gyms are experiencing a boom in new climbers in stark contrast to the lull that plagued gyms during COVID lockdowns.
Vincent Dalessio
CLUES
ACROSS Some UF Warrington College degs. McCain’s running mate Peony Asian Bistro Louis sight Billy Joe” City Council Smith rights org. of counties? Henry-esque of Bailey” dog Unification of cities Pinellas and Volusia counties? lake on Chagall Theatre Ballet Khan’s whale
FOLIO-KU
HERES THE DEAL: Solve this puzzle like a regular sudoku, but instead of using numbers, use the letters B-A-L-D-W-I-N (for the Duval County town) to fill each row, column and coloredirregularly-shapedsection.
56
jeté, e.g. 8 ”Let’s shake on that!” 9 ___ Dame 10 Shad
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riches 11 Killer
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16 Ex-Jax
62 Buffalo’s
63 Tipsy 64 Rubberneck
cities in Lee and counties?Miami-Dade 43 Special insight 44 WJXT news hour 45 Common soccer tie 46 Turn to 000 49 Bro or sis 51 Words of defeat 52 Driver who won the Daytona 500 and Indy 500 54 ”Beetle
12 Potter’s oven 13 Desert Storm missile 21 Poisonous 22 Col. Sanders’ chain 25 Kitchen gadget 26 Take-out order? 27 Big name in baseball cards 29 Muscat native 31 Ice house 32 Property claims 33 Map in a map 35 Army bunk 37 Prior to now 40 Lavatory 41 Former Florida Citrus spokeswomanCommissionBryant 42 Fit in well 47 Consequence 48 Summit 50 Dipsomaniac 53 Cries of pain 55 No-tell motel visit 56 Underwood’s stones 57 Russian range 58 Old Italian bread 59 Forum wear 60 Said “uncle” 61 Area theatre chain 65 Caribou kin
23 Speakers brand 24 Skillful 25 Rehab step 28 ”___, a deer...” 30 Chuy’s bowlful 34 O.
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38
15 ”___
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FOLIO CROSSWORD
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10
39 FORKIDSTHE
Brought to you by Phillips & Hunt
*Tennessee Titans
Projected 2021 record: 12-5
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Notable departures: CB Malcolm Butler, TE Jonnu Smith, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Corey Davis
Notable departures: QB Philip Rivers, OT Anthony Castonzo, OLB Justin Houston, S Malik Hooker
Notable additions: OT Marcus Cannon, RB Mark Ingram II, LB Christian Kirksey, QB Tyrod Taylor
Texans QB Deshaun Watson is currently in a tough situation. After requesting a trade from the Texans, Watson was accused of doing some
2020 record: 1-15
Can the rookies save the Jacksonvlle Jaguars?
Notable additions: QB Trevor Lawrence [R], CB Shaquill Griffin, WR Marvin Jones Jr., S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Roy Robertson-Harris, WR/RS Jamal Agnew, RB Travis Etienne [R]
Notable additions: WR Julio Jones, EDGE Bud Dupree, CB Caleb Farley [R]
Projected 2021 record: 1-16
Projected 2021 record: 6-11
Notable additions: QB Carson Wentz, OT Eric Fisher, DE Kwity Paye [R]
After the retirement of Philip Rivers, the Colts searched for a QB and decided on trading for Wentz, who enjoyed his best season in Philadelphia under then-head coach Frank Reich. Wentz was horrible last season in Philly, and the Colts hope that he will be able to improve, although that is not a given. Castonzo also retired, and the Colts signed Fisher, who is still rehabbing from a torn Achilles, to replace him. Paye is a rookie who should provide an instant impact and help the already great defense. The Colts will just barely miss the playoffs but will continue to improve.
Houston Texans
AFC Predictions
2020 record: 11-5
Notable departures: QB Gardner Minshew, MLB Joe Schobert, CB Sidney Jones IV, WR Keelan Cole
horrible things to multiple people, which I will not go into detail about. With his future on the team being up in the air, my prediction is based on the assumption that he doesn’t play and is replaced by Tyrod Taylor. Taylor isn’t bad, but he’s not as good as Watson. The Texans lost two of their best receivers, and J.J. Watt finally made it out of Houston. The team signed a number of low-impact free agents to one-year deals, which typically signifies the team is going to let the season go to the wayside. They have a high chance of getting the first overall pick in the 2022 draft and will begin to try to fix their ruined franchise after this season.
After finishing last season with the worst record in football, the Jaguars drafted Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, who is expected to be the player the franchise has needed to turn itself around. Lawrence looked great in the Cowboys preseason game and he, as well as backup C.J. Beathard, gave the Jaguars the sign that it was time to move on from Gardner Minshew, who was traded to the Eagles. Shaquill Griffin will form a powerful corner duo with 2020 first-round pick C.J. Henderson, and Marvin Jones will improve an already stacked receiver room that contains DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr. Following the injury to Etienne in pre-season, 2020 breakout player James Robinson will once again be the main running back for the team. Overall, the Jaguars have greatly improved but will still show some growing pains this year as this young team finds its traction.
Scan the QR code to read the full predictions.NFL
The Titans now have one of the most unstoppable offenses in the league with physical receivers A.J. Brown and Julio Jones leading the pass catching side and 2020 rushing champion Derrick Henry leading the ground game with QB Ryan Tannehill under center. The team did lose underrated TE Jonnu Smith to the Patriots, leaving Anthony Firkser to start. Their offense will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. On the flip side, the defense has made strides but is still going to be a bottomtier unit. Dupree was overpaid after tearing his ACL, as the edge rusher was significantly helped out by having T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward pull all the offensive linemen, giving him inflated sack numbers. In addition, the secondary is still relatively rough, but now instead of Malcolm Butler, the team has raw rookie Caleb Farley. The Titans will win the division due to their elite offense.
The sun is setting earlier each day, one can practically taste the pumpkin spice in the air and weekends are once again filled with the sounds of whistles and call disagreements. It’s football season, baby. We’re running down what to expect in the AFC South, and we hope we’re wrong!
2020 record: 11-5
2020 record: 4-12
Notable departures: DE J.J. Watt, WR Will Fuller, C Nick Martin, WR Randall Cobb
QUINN GREY
Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected 2021 record: 10-7
Indianapolis Colts
Bands and musicians, be on the lookout for our second annual Battle of the Bands competition! Entry and voting will open in October.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
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THE FOLIO WEEKLY RETURNS!
@FOLIOWEEKLY
42 BE BOLD. GO GREEN. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT NORTHFLORIDAGREENCHAMBER.ORG The North Florida Green Chamber makes being green cool and convenient. Our creative tools and innovative programs bring our business community together on green initiatives while connecting you with thoughtfully sourced resources, news and data. JOIN A COMMUNITY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Become a North Florida Green Chamber member today! @NorthFloridaGreenChamber North Florida Green Chamber @northfloridagreenchamber @green_north FOLLOW US BUYERS’ CLUB GREENSOLARMARKETPLACECOLLECTIVE ADVOCACY SUSTAINABILITY COACH YOU BELONG IN THE GREEN MARKET PLACE
This is starting to drive a wedge between my wife and I. She wants to be there for her children and I’ve had enough of them. Seriously? Why would a grandparent be financially responsible for their grandchildren? I’ve never heard such a thing.
SHARI: Also, try explaining to your stepson that you need the money you’ve earned. You may have to pay for long-term care when you’re older and that’s no small thing. If you don’t have money for that, you could end up being a burden for him and his siblings. That should get his attention.
I will be going to lunch soon (one on one) with him and I have to address it. Can you help me sort this out? Is there anything I can say to get my point across without looking like a jerk?
TERRY: Reason number 10001110 why I’m happy we don’t have children. SHARI: Wow, I agree. If we did have children, we’d be in jail by now.
REPLY:
My step-wife’s kid expects us to pay for his children’s college education.
TERRY: I’m having a change of mind here. I’m starting to think you should sit down and firmly say NO. Then go home and have it out with your wife. She actually may be the problem here.
TERRY: I’d almost rather be in jail than feel financially responsible for every family member from here to eternity.
FUNDING GRANDCHILDREN?THE
DEAR DUMBS:
Love the podcart. It’s something I look forward to every week. Blah Blah Blah.
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ADULT ADVICE SHARI AND TERRY JAYMES LISTEN ON APPLE MUSIC
Theo ST. AUGUSTINE
SHARI: Terry, I’m not sure that’s going to work. It’ll just piss everyone off. Go to lunch, tell the stepson you have an incurable disease that will require lots of doctor bills and you need all the money you’ve got. In fact, you might be needing to borrow some from him.
TERRY: Great idea Shari. Put HIM on the spot. Then make the loser pay for lunch. I can’t believe how angry your situation makes me Theo. I hope your wife has your back on this. I would also let your wife know what your plan of attack is. If you don’t have her full support you may have to come up with a different plan.
SHARI: Theo, I would explain to your stepson that you’re not independently wealthy. Sure, it’s something he already knows but vocalizing it will drive home the point. I’d also ask him what he thinks HIS duties as a parent are. If he’s not responsible for their college then why is he feeding them and clothing them? Maybe he should just send you the bill for that, too.
TERRY: This scares me for a lot of different reasons. I’m sorry Shari and I are not in total agreement on this one. We usually are. That just proves how complicated this situation is. Personally I think you should come up with a united stance before you go to lunch and then take it from there. Please let us know what happens. I have a feeling we’re not done with you.
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Let’s get to it. My wife and I have a blended family. Her 33 year old son informed us that he thinks it’s our responsibility to pay for his kids college education when the time comes. Mind you, we are not swimming in cash. We are your average family doing our best to make sure our retirement goes the way we visualize.
