Jacksonville Magazine, August/September 2021

Things We Love Right Now / Jax Trivia / Whitewater Rafting in the Smoky Mountains

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JAX FILES SMALL TALK

Newsworthy Nuggets to Chew On This Month O In July, the Florida Department of Economic

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Opportunity released a report saying Florida has experienced 14 consecutive months of job growth— gaining more than 900,000 jobs since the height of the pandemic. For nearly a year, the state’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate (5.9% at the time). The leisure and hospitality sectors have experienced the most job growth this summer, with some 42,000 hires in June alone. And there are still lots of jobs out there, with more than 528,000 availabilities posted online across the state that month.

I often walk along the river during lunch. It’s a nice break in my day. I took this picture of the Main Street Bridge back in February of this year. The air was nice and chilly. The water was dark that day, calm but a little frightening in a weird way.

— Shalene Estes

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CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Do you have an image of Northeast Florida you’d like share with our readers? Submit your photo and the story behind it to mail@jacksonvillemag.com for the opportunity to be featured on this page.

O The state’s job offerings are growing, and so is

Florida’s overall population, especially in the First Coast. In 2010, Jax was home to 823,146 residents.

By 2020, the number swelled to 920,570, representing nearly 12% expansion in population, or 97,000 new arrivals—and that’s during a period of time when the nation’s population barely moved, up less than one-half percent. According to the Census Bureau, Florida’s population grew more than 15% in the last decade. Conversely, West Virginia, Illinois, New York, and much of New England actually shrunk. Probably why your new neighbors speak with funny accents.

O One more note on size. Jacksonville has the

second biggest home lot size in the country, behind only Indianapolis. The median lot size in Jax is over 9,100 square feet, an average of nine times the equivalent figure for Philadelphia, says a new study by Yardi.com. In terms of outdoor living space, Jacksonville ranked fourth, with a median home size of 1,812 square feet. However, in many new neighborhoods, city residents are losing yard space. New homes built in the last decade occupy about 30% of the lots on which they sit. Homes constructed in the 1970s, the year when home lots peaked at 11,151 square feet, occupied 16% of the plot. Who wants more grass to mow anyway?

O Researchers at the University of Florida soil

On the Waterfront

2021 SouthEast Development Group, LLC All Rights Reserved

Developer interest in Downtown Jax remains high and a number of proposals have been announced of late. Among them is SouthEast Development Group’s master plan for what it calls Riverfront Jacksonville. Utilizing some of the space left vacant by the Landing, the multi-building project calls for more than 700 multifamily and condo residential units and 200-plus hotel rooms, as well as assorted commercial, retail and restaurant space. In total, the multi-year plan will bring more than 2.3 million square feet of mixed-use property to the city’s central business district—even more than was originally envisioned. “Since we debuted the Riverfront Jacksonville vision plan on June 1, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community and our peers in the commercial real estate and development industries,” says Steve Atkins, managing director of SouthEast Development. “As a result of many conversations with our financial team and prospective partners within the multifamily real estate, we are confident that increasing the number of housing units is the right decision to bring much-needed density to Downtown.” u

and water sciences department recently found that crayfish exposed to low levels of antidepressant medication behaved more “boldly,” emerging from hiding more quickly and spending more time searching for food. While we don’t have to fear crayfish swamping area pharmacies for new prescriptions of Prozac, the scientists believe it could be a problem in the wild, as low levels of antidepressants are found in many natural water bodies—often winding up their because of improper disposal of medications by people.

O Comedian George Lopez has come to Jackson-

ville. Well, at least his line of street tacos has. In June, Lopez and partner Nextbite, a nationwide virtual restaurant operator, began offering tacos to diners utilizing delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. There is no actual restaurant here.

Instead, the service contracts with local eateries to produce the tacos—not under the name of the restaurant, but using George’s. u JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM

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FIVE THINGS

1

Music to Your Ears The fifth annual Sing Out Loud Festival returns September 10-26.

More than 100 free and ticketed performances are held at venues throughout St. Johns County by a artists such as The Cactus Blossoms, Yola, Mayday Parade, Cedric Burnside and John Paul White (pictured). In addition to the live music performances, the St. Augustine Record Fair is set for September 26 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Vinyl lives!

2

Clean Living Do your part to keep Jax beautiful. The St. Johns Riverkeeper

hosts its next McCoy’s Creek Cleanup outing September 18, 9-11 AM. Participants should bring water, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.

FIVE

THINGS WE

LOVE right now

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Clean Living

The inaugural Florida Fin Festival, a benefit for Jacksonville University’s marine research institute OCEARCH, swims into Jax Beach September 18 and 19. Bands take the Seawalk Pavilion stage as vendors and educators fill the park, with an aim to educate attendees about sharks and how to better understand them within the ocean’s ecosystem. For example, Sharknado the movie is not based on a real-life event. Free with VIP tickets for sale.

Work gloves and boots are recommended, too.

Trash bags and camaraderie are provided. You will get wet and dirty, but Mother Nature will thank you for it.

Up the Creek There’s a new way to experience the beauty of Black Creek, even if you don’t have a boat. In July, a service named PADL set up paddleboard rental stations at Camp Chowenwaw Park in Clay County. The service is similar to popular bike share apps like Citi Bike. Using an app, paddleboards can be unlocked and rented for use in the 150-acre recreation area in Green Cove Springs. When done, return the board and paddle and click to end the rental.

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Street Scene The heart of historic Avondale is the two-block stretch of shops and

restaurants along St. Johns Avenue. The cozy retail district hosts “Music on the Avenue” the last Friday of the month, featuring local musicians, shopping, eats and cold drinks. The next two dates are August 27 and September 24, 4-8 PM. Music is free, shopping and dining local is extra. And admirable. u

1. ALYSSE GAFKJEN

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BEACH DAY

beach day

Let’s Eat

SEPTEMBER

The words “pristine” or “unspoiled” are used often to describe Florida nature parks and forestland.

Yet, just as often the words aren’t particularly accurate because there are so many people visiting the state’s many wilderness areas each year. So, while it wouldn’t be true to say Anastasia State Park is “pristine,” few would argue it doesn’t have some of Northeast Florida’s prettiest shorelines, containing 1,600 acres of sand with nary a home or condo in sight.

Before You Go The park opens at 8 AM 365 days a year and closes at sundown. Entry is $8 per vehicle, with a limit of 8 people per car. Cyclists get in for just $2. An annual pass to the entire state park system is $60 per individual and $120 for a family (up to eight).

Road Trip: Jacksonville to Anastasia State Park Duration: 43 miles (about one hour)

When You Visit

A In addition to the broad, soft sand beach, Anastasia State Park encompasses a myriad of coastal habitats—tidal marshes, maritime hammocks, and rolling dunes. As such, native plants and animals thrive here, including scores of bird species. Pets are not permitted on the beach.

A Park vendor Anastasia Watersports rents kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and sailboats for use in the Salt Run lagoon.

Fees range from $20 to $55, depending on the type of watercraft selected. Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and all sorts of wildlife frequent the protected tidal marshes.

A The massive walls of the Castillo de San Marcos in St.

Augustine were constructed using huge blocks of coquina rock quarried on the island. Remnants of the quarry remain inside the park. The archaeological site dates to the 1700s.

A Hikers and bikers find four miles of beach to explore.

The Ancient Dunes Trail is relatively flat and accessible but there’s little protection from the sun so dress accordingly.

Hats and plenty of water are essential. Keep a sharp eye out for the Anastasia beach mouse, an endangered species believed to only exist within the park.

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A The St. Augustine Amphitheatre (The Amp)

backs up against the park’s western boundary. Concert goers/ campers can walk to a show and back in minutes. The campsite offers three sets of permanent restrooms with showers and the stage is so close you may hear performances while inside the park. .

A Hurricane Dora is partially responsible for the shape and size of the park today. The 1964 storm pushed tons of sand ashore and connected what was once a small island to Anastasia, creating the sandy point that extends out into the inlet linking Matanzas Bay with the Atlantic Ocean.

Set Up Camp Overnight camping is permitted. Fee is $28 per night, plus a $6.70 reservation charge, and includes water and electricity hookup.

There are 139 campsites and all are within walking distance to the beach.

ISLAND BEACH SHOP & GRILL Located inside the park, the counter-service restaurant offers an assortment of casual eats, burgers, wrap sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos and veggie tacos.

The Anastasia dog ($6.25) is covered with cheese, jalapeños and onions. There are snow cones and ice cream for the kids, strawberry daiquiris, Bud Light and chardonnay for adults. Covered outdoor seating is a nice plus.

The shop sells ice, drinks, beach toys and souvenirs.

PACK A PICNIC There are three designated picnic areas with some cover and tables and restrooms. Pavilions may be rented for group outings.

The St. Augustine Farmers Market at the Amphitheatre is open 8:30 AM-12:30 PM on Saturdays.

There’s also Winn-Dixie and Publix supermarkets just a short drive south on Hwy. A1A.

SUNSET GRILLE Nearby, Sunset Grille is a St. Augustine Beach institution, dishing out a mostly seafood menu and cold drinks for 30 years.

Coconut shrimp, broiled oysters, tuna tacos and Minorcan conch chowder share space with chicken and waffles and spicy Datil pepper chicken wings. Look for a seat on the upstairs deck.

ISLAND DONUTS Early-risers flock to this family-run bakery serving more than 30 kinds of doughnuts, as well as breakfast sandwiches (bagels, croissants or English muffins) stuffed with sausage, bacon, cheddar and egg. Coffee, hot tea, and cold beverages to go. u

JAX FILES

TRAVEL

Smokies If You Got ‘Em

Wings & Things Perhaps the only thing prettier than a butterfly on a lovely summer day is a butterfly fluttering next to an ice-cold beer and some barbecue.

The three-day Butterfly Experience festival returns to the Dunwoody Nature Center in late August. New this year is the adults-only component, Butterflies & Brews, August 20. Tickets are $30 and include eats and drinks from Porter Brew and Que, as well as access to the nature center’s butterfly tent.

Dunwoody is a northern suburb of Atlanta. No doubt the serenity of the “Pollinator Pathway” will be a welcome respite after driving I-10, I-75 and I-285 to get there. Hey, bartender!

A

FTER ‌ A LONG, HOT AND HUMID SUMMER, there is something especially enjoyable about a vacation escape to the mountains. For Northeast Floridians, mountains are something that require several hours of travel at a minimum, with the closest destinations being in Georgia and North Carolina. Lying in the eastern shadow of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and tucked against the banks of the Tuckasegee River is Bryson City. More of a small town than a city, the North Carolina outpost is seven hours from Jacksonville by car, but the drive north and west transports Floridians—and others used to flat terrain and limited vistas—to experiences that can’t be had at home.

There are a handful of attractions in the area. The Fontana Dam (seen in the movie The Fugitive), the tiny Appalachian Rivers Aquarium, Deep Creek Winery and numerous scenic overlook points.

Waterfalls pepper the landscape so make sure you set aside time to visit a few at least. The Road to Nowhere Tunnel is a local oddity that many make the long trek up Lakeview Drive to see. The tunnel is kind of creepy and not much to see, truth be told, but the drive to it is beautiful.

The Nantahala River is the region’s epicenter for rafting and kayaking. As such, several outfitters have set up shop near the water’s edge, including Whitewater. For a lazier day on the water, head to Deep Creek for a gentler, though just as picturesque, afternoon of river floating. Ziplining is popular here, too. The Nantahala Canopy Tour course traverses 11 zip lines and seven sky bridges, with the highest platforms providing true bird’s-eye views of the surrounding forest.

Hikers are quick to notice the lack of humidity in the air, and likely the change in altitude from sea level in Jax to about 1,800 feet in Bryson City. Of course, the higher you go the thinner the air. Days can be hot in August and September, but the evenings usually provide a cooling respite. Pack for all sorts of weather and don’t forget swimwear. And a good pair of walking shoes. u 20 |

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PIGGING OUT It won’t open until 2022, but preschoolers are already squealing with delight in anticipation of the World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park at Legoland resort in Winter Haven, near Orlando. There are Peppa Pig attractions in England, Italy and Chicago but none built to this scale. The standalone park will feature multiple rides, interactive attractions, themed playscapes, daily live shows and water play areas—including pig-appropriate “muddy puddles—all based on the globally popular Peppa Pig brand. Peppa, her brother George, friends Rebecca Rabbit and Suzy Sheep will be there, as well as Mommy and Daddy Pig. Adjacent but separate from Legoland, tickets will be required for entry. Annual passes are being offered at $75. Specific opening dates have yet to be released. Boosters say it’s going to be “oinkstastic.” u

TOP LEFT: BRYSON CITY TDA & CHAMBER

You haven’t come all this way to sit inside. The Smokies are an outdoor adventurer’s playground providing near-endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and white-water rafting. Hit the trails on your own or hitch along with a guided group (Carolina Bound Adventures, for example). Arguably the signature excursion out of Bryson City is the “raft and rail,” a combo rail ride and whitewater adventure. You’ll start aboard the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad for a slow and winding ride across Fontana Lake and deep into the Nantahala River Gorge. Coming back down, things get much wilder and wetter, as the return trip sees you bouncing and sloshing through the river in an inflatable raft. Did we mention mountain river water is really cold?

operating room.

“A procedure which started as an alternative to patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgical replacement has now become the default choice for almost all patients—with very few exceptions,” says Dr. Siddharth Wayangankar, MD, a structural interventionalist at the Baptist Heart Hospital with expertise in coronary, peripheral and structural interventional procedures.

“At Baptist Heart Hospital, we have an exemplary team of structural interventionalists, surgeons, imaging experts, and anesthesiologists who work together to provide customized care for all patients.”

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement “It’s a great example of translation of science. The TAVR valve (aforementioned aortic valve procedure) is advanced through the leg veins and deployed into a previously deployed albeit failed surgical valve or ring in mitral position. Hence called mitral valve in valve (mitral ViV) or Mitral valve in ring (Mitral ViR). This has already revolutionized care for patients who had prior mitral valve surgery and now present with failed surgical valves,” says Dr. Wayangankar. “Instead of a high-risk re-do operation, this procedure provides a low-risk and sophisticated way of treating such conditions. Most patients go home in one or two days after the procedure without an incision on the chest.”

MitraClip Device The MitraClip device is used to treat a common heart valve disease known as mitral regurgitation or leaky mitral valve. When one suffers from mitral regurgitation, blood flows in two directions rather than one—properly, from the ventricle and through the aortic valve and backward into the atrium.

WEDDING Amelia Musical Playhouse AUGUST 19, 20, 21

Inserted through a leg vein rather than through open-heart surgery, the MitraClip is attached to a small area of the mitral valve and allows for blood to flow on both sides of the clip while reducing the flow of blood in the wrong direction caused by leakage or regurgitation.

WATCHMAN Device The WATCHMAN is relatively new in heart technology, having been approved by the F.D.A. in 2015 and is used in patients who cannot tolerate long-term blood thinners. This heart implant device aids in reducing or preventing the risk of strokes caused by an irregular heartbeat or heart arrhythmia known as atrial fibrillation (AFib).

“Over the last year, the device has become available at most heart centers and has been approved for its stability in treating atrial fibrillation while also having a decreased procedure time for implantation,” says Dr. Greene. “Currently, the most common treatment plan for those living with AFib is the prescription of blood-thinning medication.

However, blood thinners have significant side effects, such as the risk of internal bleeding or high blood pressure. With this, the device is a great alternative; being an outpatient procedure allows the patient to get back to work within 24-48 hours while also decreasing the risk associated with blood thinners.”

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MATTHEW

FOWLER with Riley Moore Intuition Ale Works • OCTOBER 9

“Currently trials are being performed to compare the device against routine anti-coagulation therapy (contrary to its clinical indication today),” says Dr. Wayangankar. “If the results are favorable, it will completely revolutionize care of atrial fibrillation patients where most AF may end up benefitting from this device.”

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become easy to forget that there are many health-related topics to be addressed, including heart management. As heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the country, we must continue implementing healthy lifestyle choices and adequate stress management into our daily lives. New technologies and treatments are great, but the fight starts with you. u

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“As the name suggests, it’s a clip akin to the one we use to hang clothes to dry. The clip grabs the edges of each of the mitral valve leaflet and brings them together, thereby reducing the leakage,” says Dr. Wayangankar.

“This is an excellent option for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (leakage) who are at high risk for standard open-heart surgery.

“When the mitral valve becomes ‘leaky,’ it can lead to an increase in blood pressure or fluid build-up in the lungs, leading you to experience shortness of breath and difficulty with exercise,” says Dr. Greene. “The mitral valve can become leaky for various reasons such as the natural process of aging or common heart diseases such as high blood pressure and hypertension.”

PERFECT

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“This device is the most common because it has been around the longest and can be completed without having to undergo openheart surgery,” says Dr. Trevor Greene, a specialist in cardiovascular disease at Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville. “The aortic valve is an essential valve located on the left side of the heart and can become thin over time. As the aortic valve becomes tighter or thinner, a build-up of calcium occurs, leading to restricted blood flow. When this occurs, the valve must be replaced.”

Most patients go home the next day with dramatic improvement in their symptoms.”

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Jacksonville Magazine’s 2021

CHARITABLE REGISTER Spotlighting local nonprofit organizations, fundraising events & reasons to give back and get involved. Plus, allow us to introduce the people leading some of the region’s most notable charitable causes—the Faces of Philanthropy in Northeast Florida.

PHOTOS BY CORINNA HOFFMAN

N

OW IN ITS 18TH YEAR, JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE’S Charitable Register is a resource for readers looking to

support the First Coast’s many nonprofit organizations, give back to the community and otherwise help make the region a better place in which to live. This annual special section is designed to provide details on numerous charities including information about their respective missions and how people can contribute to each— whether that be attending a fundraising event, making a donation or rolling up their sleeves and pitching in.

The pandemic has been hard on many non profit organizations, grassroots groups that rely on community involvement and especially fundraising events, scores of which have been cancelled for more than a year. But the work continues and these and other local charitable causes need your support perhaps now more than ever.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Please check to confirm all information regarding events listed here. Dates are subject to change due to the pandemic.

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DLC Nurse & Learn CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Heather Corey, CEO PHYSICAL/MAILING ADDRESS:

4101-1 College St., Jacksonville, FL 32205 PHONE NUMBER: 904.387.0370 WEB: dlcnl.org MISSION STATEMENT: DLC Nurse & Learn provides

year-round high quality education, nursing care, and therapies to children of all abilities so that children and families have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

DLC Nurse & Learn provides year-round high quality education, nursing care, and

Downtown Ecumenical Services Council CHIEF EXECUTIVE: David Clark, Executive Director MAILING ADDRESS: 215 N. Ocean St., Jacksonville 32202 PHONE NUMBER: 904.358.7955 WEB: descjax.org MISSION STATEMENT: To proclaim the love of Jesus

Christ by meeting the needs of people in emergency situations or experiencing poverty.

therapies to children of all abilities so that children and families have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

904-387-0370 4101-1 College Street Jacksonville, FL 32205

www.DLCNL.org Finding Freedom Through Friendship

DLCNL

@DLC_NL

@DLC_NL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Jody Greenlee, Executive Director PHYSICAL/MAILING ADDRESS:

95023 Sandpiper Loop, Amelia Island, FL 32034 PHONE NUMBER: 859.312.3964 WEB: finding-freedom-through-friendship.org MISSION STATEMENT: Finding Freedom through

Friendship empowers and sustains the socio-economic development of destitute women and children in Egypt and Guatemala.

Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Liz McCoy, Executive Director PHYSICAL/MAILING ADDRESS:

214 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 PHONE NUMBER: 904.515.5098 WEB: jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to transform James Weldon Johnson Park into a modern, urban space that engages diverse communities and restores vitality to our city’s public square. We accomplish this by adding and maintaining landscaping and amenities and providing daily programming.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

• The second annual Slow N Low BBQ Showdown, a Stop the Violence event, is free to attend. However, the purchase of a $10 wristband allows patrons to sample barbecue form more than 20 pit masters, plus a BBQ plate at the Slow N Low tent. Set for August 28, noon to 8 PM, inside the park.

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• Coming in early 2022 is the HEAL Back YARD Bash & Bobby Weed’s Golf Gig, set for Friday, February 25 at The Yards, 254 Alta Mar Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach.

Registration opens at 2 PM, the scramble golf tournament tees off at 3 PM, followed by the Back YARD Bash at 6:30 PM.

Growing up as a diabetic you can’t do a lot of things. You can’t indulge in birthday cake at parties, or pizza on special field trips, you can’t even eat the candy you win from the treasure box at school on Fridays. But sometimes I just had to eat it anyway.

I grew up in a big family so my mom couldn’t always catch me in the act to scream, “NO!” and chase me down with my insulin shot.”

• The HEAL Autism Walk @ The Zoo takes place Sunday, April 24, 2022, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

7:30 AM registration, 8:30 AM walk begins.

Kendra and her caregiver Lance are residents at the Gabriel House of Care.

Kendra recently received a pancreas and kidney transplant from the Mayo Clinic after being a diabetic for 26 years.

She was diagnosed at just age six. As an adult, Kendra had two options: 1. Go to dialysis the rest of her life or, 2. Get a kidney and pancreas transplant.

Jacksonville Children’s Chorus CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Darren Dailey, President & Artistic

Director PHYSICAL/MAILING ADDRESS:

10131 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32225 PHONE NUMBER: 904.353.1636

Kendra and Lance searched for a decent place to stay and found the Gabriel House of Care.

WEB: jaxchildrenschorus.org MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Jacksonville

Children’s Chorus is to provide a high-quality choral music education for children of diverse backgrounds, fostering teamwork, self-discipline, accomplishment and pride while filling an important cultural need in the community and sharing the beauty of the choral art form through artistically excellent performances.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

• As the city’s leading chorus for children, it comes as no surprise that the organization truly shines with its schedule of concert and other musically inclined special events including The Cool Side of Yuletide Saturday, December 18, at 2 PM, and Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing” on February 26, 2022. The Chorus also hosts River City Dancing With The Stars on Saturday, April 30, 2022, beginning at 7 PM, at the UNF Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF campus.

4599 Worrall Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224

(904) 821-8995 gabrielhouseofcare.org

“We met so many generous and kind people that are going through the same things you are. Guests are like one big happy family here. The Gabriel House saved my life in many different ways. We don’t know what we would’ve done if we didn’t have this house.

”

• Funded $2.4 million for local schools, programs and camps • Gifted 500 iPads for education and 200 trikes for exercise & fun

Jacksonville Women’s Network CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Helen D. Jackson PHYSICAL/MAILING ADDRESS:

P.O. Box 47078, Jacksonville, FL 32247 PHONE NUMBER: 904.858.3799 WEB: jaxwomensnetwork.com MISSION STATEMENT: We support and accelerate the

advancement of women in both personal and professional endeavors.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

• The JWN Speaker’s Forum features a discussion by activist and mental health advocate Mariel Hemingway October 7, 5:30-8:30 PM, at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel. The theme of the evening and Hemingway’s talk is “Unstoppable: Sharing Her Family’s Story and Her Message of Hope.” She discusses her own personal journey from depression to a life filled with purpose and passion, as well as the tragic deaths of her grandfather Ernest and sister Margaux.

“Living normal day with first bike ride with pretty girl.”

Davis typed this on a HEAL iPad, his first time riding a HEAL trike with Emma.

Both non-speaking, now riding and communicating thanks to our donors.

HELPING ENRICH AUTISTIC LIVES

HJKGH

HealAutismNow.org • 904.716.4198 The HEAL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID 20-1944817

“Unstoppable: Sharing Her Family’s Story

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Sand Between Their Toes Local photographer celebrates Northeast Florida’s shoreline and the dogs who love to play there.

PHOTOS BY RAZVAN BALOTESCU

Charlie Mix Breed

B

orn in Romania, Razva Balotescu moved to the U.S. in his twenties to begin his career as a family physician. While he still practices medicine, his passion for photography often lures him outside to Jacksonville’s watery landscapes. While exploring, he frequently notices that he’s not alone. Many of the region’s canine residents enjoy the sand and surf as much as the good doctor.

Camera in hand, he began capturing still images of some of these four-legged beachgoers. These photos of pooches running, leaping, splashing and generally soaking it all in have been compiled in a new book, Beach Dogs (160 pages,

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$49.99), set to be released later this summer.

Inside the coffee table-style book are photos of dozens of dogs—Millie the Bernadoodle, Nadia the Vizsla, Cody the Cocker Spaniel, and more.

Oh, and lots and lots of tennis balls. too.

“As a doctor, my focus is on lifestyle, and I find photography goes hand in hand with health and wellbeing,” says Dr. Balotescu. “Observing and exploring combined with photography is a form of therapy. My interest in photography began when I started noticing, then carefully searching to capture naturally occurring patterns in the sky and in nature. The patterns of the movement reveal the power of nature

and its beauty, which evokes an emotional response. Photography is a dynamic art form.

One picture in a room changes the entire room’s energy.”

Though a physician by training, Balotescu is an accomplished lensman, specializing in landscape photography. His work is available for purchase in area galleries including Village Arts Framing and Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach and Archway Gallery in Atlantic Beach. “Beach Dogs has been an exciting adventure from conceptual idea to realized publication,” he says. “I offer my sincere gratitude to those who traveled with me along the way.”

Maisy Sheepdoodle

Beau

Goldendoodle

Leon Bulldog

Canyon Black Lab

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Tuck

Husky & Poodle Mix

Alli Pitbull

Mora

German Shepherd

Molly

Hound & Whippet Mix

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Allie Lab Mix

Igor Mix Breed

Ace Mix Breed Mutt

Nadia & Austin Vizsla

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innovative design for guests to relax. Enjoy luxury accommodations like plush mattresses and a 55inch flat-screen TV in each room, perfect for you and your pet to snuggle up and watch a movie when the day is done.

Dog Park: BrewHound Dog Park + Bar Is there anything better than sipping on a cold beer while you play fetch with your pup? This vision is exactly what inspired our favorite dog park, Brewhound. By combining the three best things (dogs, drinks and the great outdoors), Brewhound makes it possible to kick back and enjoy an evening out with your dog by your side. With space for both members and non-members to roam, Brewhound is the perfect space for both you and your pup to make new friends at either The Yard or The Porch. The Yard is a member-based, offleash dog park providing your furry friend with space to explore dog-friendly turf and a splash pad as well as a separate fenced area for smallsized friends. The Porch is a free space for guests to enjoy locally sourced craft beer, specialty coffee, canned beer and spirits alongside good conversation and wagging tails.

Does your canary have a cold? Is your parrot suffering from a parasite? Does your Red Lory need routine blood work? Well, lucky for those of you living in the Bold City, Exotic Bird Hospital on Old Kings Road has been dedicated to excellence in avian and exotic animal health care since 1995.

Birds not really your thing? No problem. The team at EBH also cares for more out of the ordinary pets such as tortoises, chameleons, snakes, hamsters, sugar gliders, hedgehogs and chinchillas. Want to see more about these unusual creatures? Follow @EBHJax on Facebook for stories about lizards swallowing plastic fingernails, bird lice and more.

Bird Food & Feeders: Wild Birds Unlimited Touted as specializing in “bringing people and nature together through the hobby of backyard bird feeding, nature products and local expert advice,” it’s clear that our readers are rabid fans of Wild Birds Unlimited. A retail store that got its start in Indiana in 1981, Wild Birds Unlimited has two locations in Northeast Florida including in Julington Village and the Argyle Village Shopping Center.

WBU locations offer up everything from eco-tough classic hopper feeders and squirrel-proof feeders to nesting products and dozens of different types of bird food. Whether its cardinals, Blue Jays or your run-of-the-mill Morning Dove, Wild Birds Unlimited can help you find just the right gear for future bird sightings.

Carpet Cleaning/Odor Removal Company First Coast Home Pros Owning a pet inevitably means there will be messes. Dirty paws coming in and out the back door, a potty-training pup who just couldn’t hold it, an extra-large hairball… and on it goes. And, despite having a house covered in tile and hardwood,

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it’s your indoor carpets that seem to be targeted the most. With so many cleaning products on the market, it can be a challenge to pick the best one that removes stains and odors. So, why not leave it to the pros? First Coast Home Pros was established in Jacksonville over a decade ago and has since proven that they’re the best in the business to handle even the dirtiest of carpets and smelliest of odors. Their service area spans from Yulee and Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine.

DogGie Daycare: Central Bark Choosing the ideal daycare for your pup requires much research. After all, they’re family, and you want the people taking care of your pets to treat them like family, too. Central Bark, located on San Jose Boulevard, does just that through their Enrichment Doggy Day Care. Each pup is treated to a fun-filled day of activities customized for their needs. Exercise, play, socialization, learning and rest are all part of the Central Bark curriculum.

Oh, and of course some TLC from their loving staff. Central Bark offers different daycare packages that can include training and enrichment add-ons to make your dog’s day as educational and relaxing as you’d like.

Dog-Friendly Hotel: Aloft Sure, you could spend time searching for a pet sitter or pay for boarding your pet before a vacation, but why do that when you can bring your pet with you? ALoft is not only accommodating to you, but your furry friend too! So whether you’re traveling through the Bold City, enjoying a staycation or need to get away, ALoft makes it possible without worrying about what to do with your pet. With two locations in Jacksonville, including Jacksonville Airport and Tapestry Park, you can rest easy knowing that your pet can explore the city by your side. This boutique hotel provides Urban-inspired decor, accessible technology and

Dog training is so much more than teaching your furry friend how to sit or stay or fetch that tennis ball on the lawn. Maggie Marshall Dog Training has spent more than ten years helping dog owners better understand and communicate with their pups through proven training methods. Maggie boasts an expansive portfolio of training, qualifications and certifications to ensure clients get the most value out of training sessions with their dogs.

She offers private, virtual and group trainings for puppies and adolescent dogs and she will work with clients to tailor a program best suited for your unique situation. Now who’s ready to be a good boy? You are… yes, you are!

Emergency Services: First Coast Veterinary Emergency Peace of mind is knowing that in an emergency with your family’s pet, First Coast Veterinary Emergency is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. While emergencies are rare, often times they happen when most standard veterinary practices are closed. Located in Jacksonville Beach, FCVE provides quality care round the clock. Their vets and staff are trained to handle urgent illnesses and injuries, and the onsite surgical suite and intensive care unit means almost all emergencies can be addressed in one location. Now you can rest easy that even the most accident-prone of pets will be taken care of, should the need arise.

Equine Vet Services: Jacksonville Equine Northeast Florida has a surprisingly large equestrian community, and these magnificent creatures need specialized veterinary care that usually isn’t offered in a standard pet clinic. The professionals at Jacksonville Equine Associates meet a great need from the First Coast to Southern Georgia.

They are also affiliated with the University of

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Avian Veterinary Services: Exotic Bird Hospital

Dog Training Service: Maggie Marshall Dog Training

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Lilly

American Staffordshire Terrier

Taylor & Jess with Diamond & Belle Diamond: Pitbull Belle: Wheaton Terrier

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Diamond, our pitbull may be tough looking, but Belle rules the house! One look from Belle, and everyone knows their place, including where to sit on the couch. Their personalities could not be more different, but what they have in common is their absolute love and devotion to our little family.

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