The Urban Core

DON'T FORGET THE FARMS! FRAM this Saturday at RAM

2012-01-27T10:30:00.001-05:00

FRAM 2012

The Farmers' RAM

We feature Jacksonville's favorite

Farmers, Growers & Food Artists!

Every Saturday

January 7th - February 25th

10am - 1pm

Hello!

Recently, on our Facebook page, a regular visitor to RAM (Riverside Arts Market) asked, "What is the does the F stand for in "FRAM" ?

This question made me realize that perhaps we haven't fully spelled out "FRAM"...

First, to answer that person's question, the F stands for our FANTASTIC FARMERS AND FOOD, and of course RAM stands for, Riverside Arts Market.

During the Riverside Art's Market's winter season, the artists might take a break, but our Farmer's and Food Artisan's still come out every Saturday. That way, you can still get fresh produce and specialty foods practically all year round. It's also very nice to get outside. As always, our set up is in a beautiful location!

Check out our Vendor highlights and the line-up for this week.

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Highlights of the Week:

Tres Leches Desserts

Is a small bakery with homemade gourmet desserts & European dishes...All products are made from scratch using natural ingredients and no preservatives.

We opened in February of 2011 in the 1990's. I had a same style bakery in Caracas, Venezuela where I was born. We believe that there is nothing more important in life than our loved ones and there is not a better way to show them care & love than through meals. A warm & cozy meal says more than words can describe; a special sweet treat can bring the best out of people.

Among our best treats are Tres Leches Cake, Caribbean Lime Pie, Meringue Cookies, Strawberry Magnolia Cake, Chocolate Marquesa and others! Pleas

e visit our website http://www.treslechesdesserts.com and we do have a location in Springfield, and you are always welcome.

Also, since this Saturday is my Birthday we'll be giving away a small treat to anyone who purchases at least one of our products.

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BACON'S SELECT PRODUCE

Our Speciality:
Long-Lasting Lettuce

Fred Bacon of Bacon Select Produce is in his third year at the Riverside Market. He has faithfully supplied the Market with specialty long-lasting lettuces, such as Butterhead, Romaine, Oakleaf and other various lettuces. Each lettuce is harvested with its roots, allowing the plant to remain fresh & crisp for up to two weeks. His produce list also includes Mini Seedless Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Kale and Herbs. Crops in the near future include Bok Choy, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Arugula. Fred grows all of his produce in greenhouses. This controlled atmosphere allows Fred to eliminate use of pesticides and herbicides. The fresh produce is harvested the day before Market. Find Fred and enjoy his beautiful and tasty produce.

THIS WEEK AT FRAM !

Alex's Russian Bakery

Bacon's Select Produce

Black Hog Farms

Cross Creek Honey

Down to Earth Farms

Green Meadow Farms

Jay's Market Place

JD Beef

Kings Kountry

Knuckle S.

Reeds Groves

Short and Sweet

Tres Leches

Joy's International Foods

mayor's business builder

2012-01-19T15:02:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Spears, (904) 630-1977, aspears@coj.net

MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES BUSINESS BUILDER

Initiative will help entrepreneurs expand business in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jan. 18, 2012 — Mayor Alvin Brown has announced Mayor Brown's Business Builder, a program designed to help small businesses gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed and to help connect entrepreneurs with capital and credit. It will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7 at noon at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.

"Small businesses are a vital part of Jacksonville's economic future", said Mayor Brown. "They supply jobs as well as unique products and services that improve our quality of life. Helping small businesses grow is a critical task as we work together to boost the economy."

The event will feature instructional speeches from U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills and Tom and Sue Bennett, the board chairman and senior vice president of First Oklahoma Bank.

Mayor Brown's Business Builder will have useful information and networking opportunities for everyone from start-up entrepreneurs to more established small business people who are looking for avenues of growth.

Registration is free. To enroll, small business owners can fill out the registration form on coj.net.

SBA Administrator Mills, who received unanimous U.S. Senate confirmation and took office on April 6, 2009, said proper guidance is important for anyone entering the small business market.

"Jacksonville's small businesses need to have all the tools at their disposal to start or grow a business and create jobs," said Mills. She also added that Mayor Brown's office "is committed to making sure that business owners have the access to capital, the access to contracting opportunities, and the help, advice and mentoring that they need to go out and be successful. As the economy continues to recover, we must make sure that small businesses have the wind at their backs."

First Oklahoma Bank Board Chairman and CEO Tom Bennett said financing can be just as important as ideas in the small business world. First Oklahoma Bank started in 2009 and already is the fastest growing new bank in Oklahoma history. Mr. Bennett will bring 39 years of financial experience to Mayor Brown's Business Builder.

"Great ideas and innovation are at the root of America's small businesses," said Bennett. "Having access to capital and credit is critical to being able to turn those ideas into businesses that create jobs, serve people and make money."

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January is National Mentoring Month! Sign up to be a Mayor's Mentor today by visiting the website www.nefl211.org or calling United Way's 2-1-1.

SUPPORT YOUR RIVERKEEPER! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

2012-01-19T10:53:00.001-05:00

Every decade, I'll get a message from Shot Gun.

2012-01-18T18:21:00.001-05:00

Mayor's Mentors Celebrates National Mentoring Month

2012-01-18T13:51:00.001-05:00

Contact:

Meredith O'Malley Johnson, public communications officer, (904) 322-9233 (c)

City of Jacksonville mjohnson@coj.net

Jerri Franz, vice president of marketing and communications, (904) 390-3242 (o)

United Way of Northeast Florida (904) 610-1440 (c)

Connie Hodges, president, United Way of Northeast Florida (904) 390-3218 (o)

mayor's mentors

celebrates national mentoring month

JACKSONVILLE, FL, Jan. 18, 2012 – Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown and his Mayor Mentor's initiative will be celebrating National Mentoring Month in January by ramping up efforts to recruit mentors. Mayor's Mentors Rallies will be held at local businesses to recruit mentors and public service announcements will be airing on TV and radio.

Since the Dec. 7, 2012 kickoff luncheon, 524 volunteers have signed up to be Mayor's Mentors. Of those, 376 have been placed with one of the five in-school mentoring partner organizations for training and pairing with mentees. Mayor Brown set an initial goal of 500 new school-based mentors in place by April 1. This goal will be expanded as more organizations are trained and brought under the umbrella of Mayor's Mentors, as there are thousands of students in Jacksonville that would benefit from mentorship.

Mayor Brown recorded Mayor's Mentors public service announcements to air starting in January. The public service announcements are being played on WJCT, Renda Broadcasting, Clear Channel and Cox radio stations and First Coast News, CBS47/FOX30 Action News and WJXT Channel 4 television stations.

Mayor's Mentors Rallies will be scheduled in January for Brightway Insurance, VyStar, JEA, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo, EverBank, Duval Teachers United Retired Teachers, the Jacksonville Giants, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, UPS, NorthgateArinso, St. Vincent's Healthcare, CitiGroup, Gateway Community Services, Everest University, McCall's Service, the Jacksonville Alliance of Black School Educators, the Duval County Health Department and the Greater Harvest Christian Fellowship of Jacksonville.

"Mentoring only takes one hour a week and the reward is helping a child reach their full potential," said Mayor Brown. "In honor of National Mentoring Month, I encourage businesses to host a Mayor's Mentors Rally and citizens to sign up to help give a child a brighter future."

Mayor's Mentors is a public-private partnership to train and place 500 new school-based mentors with Duval County Public School students by April 1 at no cost to taxpayers. The mayor's goal is to recruit, train and match mentors with Duval County Public School students to increase on-time, next grade promotion and graduation rates. For more information on becoming a Mayor's Mentor, the public may call United Way's 2-1-1 or visit www.nefl211.org.

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January is National Mentoring Month! Sign up to be a Mayor's Mentor today by visiting the website www.nefl211.org or calling United Way's 2-1-1.

National Mentoring Month

2012-01-09T13:12:00.001-05:00

FROM YOUR MAYOR:

Dear Friend,

The New Year is off to a great start here in Jacksonville! January is National Mentoring Month. If you have yet to make a New Year's resolution, Mayor's Mentors is a great option. Resolve to give back to our community this year by donating time to help a young person reach his or her full potential.

Mentored students are 52% less likely to skip school.

By giving just one hour each week after a short training period, you will be developing a meaningful relationship that will inspire a young person to work his or her hardest in academics and in life.

Mentored students are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol.

We're off to a great start with 322 mentors signed up since December 7, but thousands of Jacksonville students could still benefit from mentoring. Please consider becoming a Mayor's Mentor today.

Your choice to become a mentor could be the difference between a young person becoming a dropout or a graduate.

For more information on becoming a Mayor's Mentor, please call United Way's 2-1-1 or visit www.nefl211.org.

Best regards,

Alvin Brown

Mayor

CoWork Jax Announces Grand Opening

2012-01-05T11:08:00.001-05:00

CoWork Jax Announces Grand Opening

Media Contact:
Elton Rivas
P: (904) 586.8678 ext. 701
erivas@coworkjax.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2012 - CoWork Jax is pleased to announce its grand opening! CoWork Jax, a local business, located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, features coworking options for freelancers, small businesses and entrepreneurs from around the Jacksonville area. Amenities include conference rooms, collaboration areas, and other tools designed to help local businesses grow. Jacksonville's first full-service coworking space is ready to open it's doors to the Jacksonville community.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown had the following to say about CoWork Jax, "Congratulations to CoWork Jax on the launch of its downtown office space. We need to do everything we can to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship and this is a great step towards that goal. CoWork Jax provides an alternative to the 9-5 work environment that will appeal to young people and entrepreneurs in a downtown location. I am confident CoWork Jax will thrive and encourage future investment in similar projects."

CoWork Jax welcomes the community to celebrate the grand opening on the evening of January 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided, and several prominent community leaders will be present to speak about CoWork Jax.

Located at 5 W. Forsyth St., CoWork Jax occupies nearly 6,000 square feet in the top floor of the historic WoolWorth building, constructed in 1916. Original features of the building have been left intact, including exposed brick walls and unique clay-tiled ceilings. Thanks to the exciting partnership with downstairs neighbors, Perdue, Inc., the space is being outfitted with beautiful contemporary furniture from Turnstone and Steelcase's coworking lines. The dedication to making the space engaging and inspiring is evident in every corner, from the cozy collaboration areas to the state of the art media:scape conference room, to the coworking desks that look over downtown towards the St. Johns river.

CoWork Jax offers a variety of membership options, with prices ranging from $25 a month to $319 month, and choices of coworking desks or dedicated desks, which come with lockable storage. CoWork also offers a limited number of three-person innovation suites for $649 a month. The space offers two conference rooms, a 100mbps internet connection, a resource library, numerous collaboration areas and all of the amenities of a traditional office, like copy/print/scan services, for coworker use. With almost a dozen reservations already made for coworking desks and nearly sold out innovation suites, momentum and excitement continues to grow for the grand opening.

"We're excited to finally open the doors and allow the community to make this space their own. CoWork Jax has been nearly a year in the making, and it's an honor for us to bring this business to the local community," says Elton Rivas, co-founder and "Chief Coworker" for CoWork Jax. "We've seen a tremendously positive response to our plans and pricing, and many people have taken advantage of the ability to reserve their spot before the space even opens."

CoWork Jax also looks forward to being a stop on the First Wednesday Art Walk. People are encouraged to drop by and say hi during the evening of February 1 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For more information about CoWork Jax and to register for a space you can visit them online at CoWorkjax.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/coworkjax, on twitter @coworkjax, or
by phone at 904.568.8678.

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About CoWork Jax
CoWork Jax is a coworking venture led by Zero Confines, LLC. CoWork Jax was created to build a space where a community of inspired, independent workers can collaborate and grow their business. The space will have coworking workspaces, dedicated workspaces, collaboration rooms, web conferencing tools, a library, lounge, and innovation suites. CoWork Jax will offer daily, weekly, and monthly memberships to the coworking space. For more information on CoWork Jax, visit www.coworkjax.com.

Zero Confines is an launch agency that leads and supports the launch of products, services, businesses, and initiatives. Zero Confines, LLC has offices in Jacksonville, FL, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC. Additional information on Zero Confines can be found at www.zeroconfines.com.

Happy New Years! Ride the Skyway! 2012! WOOOOOT!

2011-12-30T10:09:00.001-05:00

My awesome firm decided to take a break this week for the holidays, mostly because we are awesome. To be clear there was a lot I had to do, like start a blog. And I wasn't all that jazzed about finding affordable care for my little ones whilest I blogged. To be frank, it really just doesn't exist unless your granny is in town. You know what I mean. I digress.

The not-that-unexpected upside was that hanging with my kids has been super fun and amazingly rewarding. They never cease to amaze and thrill me.

Yesterday, I needed to run an errand downtown. I asked the kids if we should go carless and take the Skyway. They were OVER THE MOON. To be fair, we are a Skyway family, possibly one of many? We have a Skyway track right by our place and I learned yesterday that my kids track the Skyway cars. When we boarded yesterday by boy said, Dad what car on we on? I said 109 why? He said he has never been on 109 and last time he was on 101. I was amazed. Who remembers that kind of stuff?

Kids do. And they had an awesome time. I was super enthused to answer a ton of downtown questions. Most of which I knew the answers too. My daughter, on the way into our one-of-the-best-in-America main library, said, Dad, we are city people. You know what kiddo? I think you are right. She said the park (Hemming) was crowded, and I answered most good parks are if the weather is nice. It was a perfect day. The kids were excited to see chess boards as we just learned to play. But no time for that now.

After getting our books and media from the library with help from Mr. Josh and Mr. Chaka, we headed to our errand at Burrito Gallery. On the walk back to the Skyway we took a look at the figurines at Jacobs and walked past Chew for the last time. We will miss you!

On the way home, I asked this question.

Your dad has ridden the Skyway in a banana suit before. Can you guess why?

BREAKING! THE SKYWAY WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 2AM FOR NEW YEARS EVE!

RIDE IT!

EverBank Deal? ADVISORY: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-12-19T08:38:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Spears, (904) 630-1977, aspears@coj.net

MAYOR BROWN AND BUSINESS LEADERS

SET TO MAKE MAJOR DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Dec. 19, 2011 — Mayor Alvin Brown will join with local business leaders this morning to make a major economic announcement about Downtown Jacksonville.

WHO: Mayor Alvin Brown and local business leaders

WHAT: Major Economic Announcement about Downtown Jacksonville

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 19

9:30 a.m.

WHERE: 301 W. Bay St., 2^nd Floor -- 32202

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WJCT Classic Film Series - Rebel Without A Cause 12/7

2011-12-05T14:06:00.001-05:00

WJCT's Electro Lounge will be presenting the second week of its Wednesday night film series this Wednesday, December 7th with a screening of "Rebel Without A Cause," the classic film starring James Dean and Natalie Wood.

The doors to the concert hall will open at 6pm each week, with the films beginning at 7pm. Prior to the film's start this week, local jazz band Tropic of Cancer will entertain guests in the concession area.

A $5 admission fee will be collected at the door. Any dollar contributed over the requested $5 will be matched by an anonymous donor to WJCT and will be used to support WJCT 89.9 FM.

Other movies in the series include:

"The Misfits"—December 14^th"Holiday Inn"—December 21^st

Mayor Brown Encourages Participation in Dec. 5 Ultimate Tealgate Party Events

2011-11-21T11:03:00.001-05:00

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Spears, (904) 630-1977, aspears@coj.net

MAYOR BROWN ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN

JAGUARS "ULTIMATE TEALGATE PARTY" EVENTS

Game-day activities to take place downtown prior to Jaguars' Monday Night Football game on Dec. 5

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Nov. 21, 2011— Mayor Alvin Brown joined Touchdown Jacksonville Team Teal Commissioner Tony Boselli and Chair of Game Day Experience Lenny Curry in announcing the Ultimate TEALgate Party for the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday Night Football game on Dec. 5.

Mayor Brown has proclaimed Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 as "Ultimate TEALgate Day" in support of the Jacksonville Jaguars' Monday Night Football game against the San Diego Chargers. To create a fun environment for all to enjoy, the Jaguars and others will host festivities at various locations throughout downtown.

In addition to hosting an exciting football game that evening, the Jaguars will hold a special game-day experience for fans before kickoff. The pregame events will combine the enthusiasm of a pep rally with interactive activities for the whole family.

"The Jaguars are a crucial part of our city's identity. We are fortunate to have an NFL franchise because it puts Jacksonville on a national stage," said Mayor Brown. "The Ultimate TEALgate Party is a great way to celebrate our team for all that it gives to our community."

Since the Dec. 5 Jaguars game will be televised nationally, the mayor's proclamation urges Jaguars fans to fill EverBank Field to demonstrate their enthusiasm for this game and show the national audience how Jaguars fans feel about the team.

Free live entertainment, special deals and family-friendly activities will be taking place at the stadium before the game and all Jaguars supporters, ticket holders or not, are invited to be a part of the fun. Live entertainment will be in the Pepsi Plaza with a Dave Matthews Tribute band, Jaguars D-Line and an appearance by Jaxon de Ville. The ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown to Kickoff show will be displayed on an LED screen. A complete listing of activities can be found at www.coj.net.

Those attending the game are encouraged to show their support for the Jaguars by wearing the color teal. Tickets to the game are still available and can be purchased by calling (904) 633-2000 or logging onto www.jaguars.com.

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Gingerbread Extravaganza

2011-11-18T16:00:00.001-05:00

Gingerbread Extravaganza is

November 30^th through December 22^nd

This event is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit…

The Historical Society's Gingerbread Extravaganza

The city's most creative holiday event, the Gingerbread Extravaganza, opens Wednesday, November 30 at Jacksonville Historical Society headquarters, Old St. Andrew's. The three week Extravaganza showcases traditional gingerbread houses along with other gingerbread creations built by area chefs, architects, school groups and individuals.

"You'll see the most amazing gingerbread creations at this show," said Historical Society Executive Director Emily Lisska. "The Extravaganza presents a gingerbread wonderland. Past shows have even included the stadium, Times Square, and grand carousels. Visitors can engage in a scavenger hunt to add to the fun."

Dozens of entries are expected for this year's Extravaganza including at least six entries featuring local historic buildings, all created from gingerbread and confection. The Carnegie Library and the city's oldest house, the Richard House, are among the creations. Other entries include storybook, fantasy, traditional and religious themes and, of course, the holiday theme reigns throughout the show.

The adjoining Merrill Museum House is dressed for the holidays and offers a look at Jacksonville life a century ago. The Extravaganza's gift shop showcases area history with Jacksonville themed Christmas ornaments and, in some cases, local history books no longer in print or in short supply. Another show highlight is a video featuring Jacksonville Christmases past.

The Extravaganza, sponsored by the Jacksonville Historical Society, is in its fourth year at the society's Old St. Andrew's, 317 A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, immediately across from the Veteran's Memorial Arena.

The Extravaganza runs November 30 through December 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily except Sunday, with a requested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children. Parking is free. For information or large group scheduling, phone, 665-0064 or visit www. jaxhistory.com.

# # #

THANKS!

2011-11-18T09:20:00.001-05:00

THANKS!

I know that Thanksgiving is not this weekend, but it will be here before we get to see you again so I just want to share my THANKS now.

These past few weeks the Community Giving Tent has been hosting local non profits that are collecting items for the people and pets they serve. And it's been inspiring at times to see people share what they have with these groups! It reminds me just how lucky we are to have something to share - and for that I am thankful.

Over the past year, many of our vendors have helped not only RAM, but the local community in MANY ways. Because of the generosity of RAM food vendors and farmer/growers, many homeless people have had good food to eat, and even an opportunity to help out and make a few dollars to support themselves. And our artists have donated numerous items and their time to help many local causes, including RAM - and for that I am thankful.

RAM volunteers are always great, but this year they have been even more outstanding! More people are donating their time to help make RAM a fun and great place to spend a Saturday - and for that I am thankful.

We've been fortunate to have the support of some SUPER groups and businesses like the City of Jacksonville, The Florida Times Union, WJCT, WJXT, MacTech Pro, The Crowne Plaza, U Store It, BikeJax, Regions Bank, and Traditions Realty. Through their support we have been able to try new projects and maintain a quality Market - and for that I'm thankful.

And, I have been lucky enough to work with some of the most dedicated people, and am part of a fantastic team that sees the vision and does whatever it takes to keep us moving forward in a positive direction - and for that I'm thankful.

It's easy to get caught up in the daily rat race and forget to see all the good things that surround us. Luckily we have Thanksgiving once a year to remind us to stop and answer the question "What are YOU thankful for?"

Come out to RAM this Saturday and share in the gratitude!

See you there!

Teri

This Week on the River Stage....

10:30 - 11:50am: Zach Tremblay (Alt-Singer, Songwriter)

12:15 - 1:00pm: Buddy Sherwood School of

Dance (Children's Dance)

1:30 - 3:30pm: Underhill Rose (Americana)

For more information, visit our website at: www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

"GOLO" and "Shop Small"

on Black Saturday, Nov. 26th!

Last year, the GoLo movment was started in our area, with shops in Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, Downtown, 5 Points, Murray Hill, and Springfield all participating.

The idea was to encourage people to shop locally, and by doing so support local small businesses and the local economy. (Not to mention the added benefit of getting unique quality items!)

This year, you may be hearing "Shop Small" - a similar idea that American Express is marketing. (Yep, we are an area of trendsetters!)

So, what's it all about? Well, it's simple - after you've gotten up at O'dark thirty to beat the mad rush on Black Friday, and you've visited all the malls, BigMarts, and chain stores to buy the same old stuff everyone is buying, go home and de-stress, then on Saturday visit your local merchants, and RAM, of course.

Buy something creative and unique. Buy something hand made by local artisans, or grown by local growers. Buy something from the cool little place on the corner - the only one of it's kind in the entire world. Buy something REAL, that's one of a kind. Buy something SPECIAL!

On Saturday, Nov. 26th, RAM will be the best place to GOLO. And, we won't charge you to come and look, or to park. AND, there is great entertainment all day!

Why go anywhere else? Just GOLO!

For more info about where you can GOLO visit: www.golojax.com

RAM: The BEST Place to be on a Saturday!

Want to do something fun while helping make RAM the Best Place to be on a Saturday? VOLUNTEER!

We always need a variety of help throughout the day on Saturdays, as well as on RAM event committees and in the office.

So, GIVE a little bit of YOURSELF, and join the

RAM Volunteer Nation!

Groups, Clubs, and Individuals are welcome!

For more information

Email Torrie

Volunteers@RiversideArtsMarket.com

Only 5 more RAM-Days before Christmas!

GIVE A LITTLE:

This Week at the Community Giving Tent @ RAM

PLEASE bring items to RAM for the following groups who will be collecting this Saturday:

Boys & Girls Club

Art supplies,
kids games,
stuffed animals, etc.

City Rescue Mission

Sheets and pillowcases
Socks
Canned Goods

Visit our website for a list of participating non-profits and their Wish Lists.

RAM Stuff

You Want To Know

YOU can be one of the first official RAM-Fan VIPs! Memberships are available starting THIS Saturday. It's a great way to show your support for RAM AND get special offers and opportunities for an entire year!

SANTA IS COMING TO RAM starting Nov. 26th! Photos with people and pets will be available. All proceeds benefit the Springfield Animal Care And Rescue Club.

Looking for a particular RAM vendor?

Do you want to know which artists will be at RAM this week? The roster will be posted on the RAM website each Friday. Go to the Vendor Highlights Page for the listing.

ALL KINDS of Entertainment!

Every week there are some superb, and often award-winning performers at our "in-Market" stage areas. Magicians, jugglers, and entertainers of all kinds come to RAM for YOU! Find out who will be here this week -

You won't want to miss out on ALL the fun!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

Riverside Arts Market
2623 Herschel St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

BIG NEWS: Mayor Brown to Present Government Reform Legislation to City Council Today at 1:30 p.m.

2011-11-08T10:11:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Spears, (904) 630-1977, aspears@coj.net

MAYOR BROWN TO PRESENT GOVERNMENT REFORM LEGISLATION

TO CITY COUNCIL

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Nov. 8, 2011 — Mayor Alvin Brown will present his Government Reform Legislation to City Council today.

WHO: Mayor Alvin Brown

Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Hyde

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 8

1:30 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall, Council Chambers

117 W. Duval St., 1^st Floor

Mayor Brown will be available for media questions immediately following the conclusion of the meeting in the atrium of City Hall.

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ART WALK NOVEMBER 2011

2011-11-03T11:27:00.001-04:00

Citywide Recycling Event, America Recycles Day, Nov. 15

2011-11-03T09:13:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Jennifer Savage, City of Jacksonville,

(904) 630-3404, jsavage@coj.net

Andrew King, Southland Recycling Services,

(904) 732-3212, aking@republicservices.com

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, KEEP JACKSONVILLE BEAUTIFUL

AND SOUTHLAND RECYCLING SERVICES CELEBRATE SECOND ANNUAL

"AMERICA RECYCLES DAY"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 3, 2011 – The City of Jacksonville, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful and Southland Recycling Services will celebrate Keep America Beautiful's second annual America Recycles Day in Jacksonville with a communitywide recycling collection event. In 2010, the partnering agencies collected more than 23,000 pounds of paper, plastic and aluminum products, which is used for the production of new goods instead of going into the landfill. This year, traditional recyclables will be collected along with used cell phones, iPods and chargers, gently worn shoes and teacher supplies.

WHEN: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

WHERE: Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St. – 32202

Parking: directional signage will be posted. Residents may either pull through the loop to drop

off materials or they may park in the main parking area, on the west side of the building along Bay Street, and carry materials to the drop off area.

WHAT: To encourage more residents to recycle and raise the awareness of the importance of recycling, the City of Jacksonville, KJB, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, and Southland Recycling Services are partnering to hold a communitywide recycling event. Southland Recycling Services will have equipment on site to collect recyclables for processing and to shred paper documents. Additionally, cell phones, iPods and chargers will be collected for donation to Hubbard House for refurbishing or recycling; gently worn shoes will be collected for donation to Soles4Souls, which provides shoes to people in need; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will collect plastic grocery bags; and the Teacher Supply Depot will be collecting items for Duval County Public Schools, teachers and students.

All materials listed below will be collected at America Recycles Day. Residents are asked to recycle and keep these items, many of which are valuable resources to others, from going to the landfill.

Recyclables:

Cardboard

Chipboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)

Packing paper

Junk mail

Magazines

Catalogs

Newspaper

Plastic bottles

Aluminum cans

Mobile shredding materials:

Documents will be immediately shredded on-site at the drop off point and sent to the Southland Recycling Services facility for processing.

Invoices

Credit card statements

Cancelled checks

Bank statements

Tax records or related information (outside of retention dates)

Computer paper

White office paper

Copy paper

Colored office paper

Forms and files

Fax paper

Envelopes

Reusable materials:

Mobile phones/chargers

iPods

Gently worn or new shoes

Plastic grocery store bags

Teacher supplies:

Three-ring binders

In/out trays

Calculators

Envelopes

File folders

Glue/paste

Hanging files

Hole punches

Ink pads/stamps

Magnets

Mouse pads

Note pads

Blank paper (all kinds)

Project folders

Markers

Pencils

Pens

Rulers

Scissors

Staplers/staples

Staple removers

Stationery

Tape dispensers/tape

Wire baskets

Styrofoam (egg cartons, punch outs, meat/vegetable trays, sheets of Styrofoam)

Plastics (film canisters, forks, spoons and knives, Plexiglas, self-sealing bags, Styrofoam, straws)

Miscellaneous items:

Beads

Beakers/flasks

Buttons

Carpet squares

Fabric samples

Games

Mylar

Nails

Pie tins

Promotional items

Puzzles

Shoe boxes

Shoe strings

Student incentives

Telephone wire

Test tubes

Toothpicks

Toys

Vinyl

Wallpaper books

IMPORTANT: This drop off event is for Jacksonville/Duval County residents only. Commercial/business recyclables will not be accepted. Other than cell phones and chargers, no electronic waste will be accepted at this event. Absolutely no liquids or household hazardous will be accepted at this event. Residents may take those items to the city's Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2675 Commonwealth Ave. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The facility is closed on Sunday. For more information or to arrange for special handling of unusual material, call (904) 387-8847.

BACKGROUND: Keep America Beautiful's America Recycles Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 15. More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States. The celebration focuses on informing and educating; getting neighbors, friends and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when they all work together; and making recycling bigger and better 365 days a year.

America's leading companies and organizations support recycling through sponsorships and partnerships with America Recycles Day 2011. Sponsors include: ALCOA, Waste Management, Anheuser-Busch, LG, Nestle Waters, O-I, PepsiCo, American Chemistry Council, GLAD, Johnson and Johnson, Earth 911 and Disney Friends for Change. Partners include: National Recycling Coalition and the Environmental Protection Agency. Bank of America is supplying volunteers for Jacksonville's America Recycles Day.

To learn more about America Recycles Day, visit www.kab.org and click on "America Recycles Day." To learn more about Southland Recycling Services please visit www.recycleitjacksonville.com. For more information about Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, visit the city's website at www.coj.net, keyword search "Keep Jacksonville Beautiful" or call (904) 630-CITY.

###

Stay in touch with the City of Jacksonville:

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

Join the JAX Chamber at Art Walk!

2011-10-20T09:34:00.001-04:00

Nosferatu

2011-10-17T15:21:00.001-04:00

http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/nosferatu/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N-DrKgjit4I

http://www.5pointstheatre.com/images/sized/images/uploads/nosferatu-175x175.jpg

We kick off the 3rd 5 Points Horror Fest with the very first vampire film! This Friday, October 21st at 7 pm.

F.W. Murnau's classic silent film is presented with new music performed by Tony Steve and Bob Moore.

Tony Steve teaches percussion and contemporary music at Jacksonville University. Bob Moore is a composer whose music has been widely performed, published, recorded, commissioned and awarded.

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

BEST BET THIS YEAR!!!!! Great Live Music Worth Sharing! (TIX ONLY $15 for this event!)

2011-10-13T16:22:00.001-04:00

OK. RUN, DON'T WALK AND GET TICKETS TO THIS SHOW NOW! I've seen both Balthrop and Valerie June and must say its worth 3 times the ticket price to see this show. I cannot recommend enough. Really.

Can't see this email? View it in a browser

Advance tickets are only $15

CLICK HERE...
http://www.BalValJax.eventbrite.com

ATYPICAL ARTS PRESENTS
"Shares" not "Shows"... So Join In & Pass It On!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITE - THE MORE THE MERRIER!

FOR TICKETS & INFO...
http://www.BalValJax.eventbrite.com
(bring a few friends - get a free ticket!!)

view email in browser | unsubscribe | update your profile | forward to a friend

You have received this email because you are either a friend, neighbor or colleague and/or have previously attended an Atypical Arts event (or one of your friends recommended you to us). Thanks for your support! Jimmy Saal & Dr. Felicia Snead

Atypical Arts Presents

1828 Powell Place

Jacksonville, Florida 32205

LOCAL PUMPKINS FOR SALE AT UPTOWN THIS SATURDAY

2011-10-13T09:33:00.001-04:00

Uptown Market in Historic Springfield and Black Hog Farms have been working together for some time now. If you've ever had our delicious farm fresh eggs you know this. You can also subscribe to Black Hog's CSA and pick up at Uptown. Their CSA pick ups start at just $17!

Anyhow, we'll have much more exciting news in the coming weeks but for now:

LOCAL PUMPKINS FOR SALE THIS SATURDAY AT UPTOWN!!

It is also Bottomless Mimosas every Saturday!

SLOW FOOD / FARM TO TABLE / DOUBLE FEATURE!

2011-10-12T14:53:00.001-04:00

Black Hog Farms Farm to Table Double Feature

Dinner at 7:00pm at Patio Pastiche in Fairfax prepared by chefs Eric and Donna with Black Hog Farm Products then movie "Farmageddon" at Five Points Theater at 9:00

Dinner includes Beer and Wine (Beer from Intuition Ale Works) and Black Hog Farm T-Shirt

Cost is $50.00 for non Black Hog Farm members and $45.00 for members.

Profits to benefit Slow Foods First Coast

To Make a reservation call 904-484-6931 or email info@blackhogfarm.com

Tony Rodrigues - New Works

2011-10-12T14:18:00.001-04:00

Tony Rodrigues, one of the finest painters working in Jacksonville, will be exhibiting his latest works at nullspace gallery (109 East Bay Street). The show, entitled The Sweet Mundane, opens on Friday, October 21 at 6 pm and will run through November 13th.

Tony's paintings are an enchanting blend of comforting, painterly images juxtaposed with line drawings from instructional manuals that he collects. Changing the context and combining the disjointed images creates an entirely new layer of meaning. The works which harken back to a simpler time, are pleasing and unsettling, simultaneously. Tony's work has been exhibited in galleries around the country, at our own Museum of Contemporary Art, and at The Cummer Museum. It is a special honor to have him at nullspace. We look forward to seeing you!

Jefree Shalev

nullspace

5 Points Theatre Media Update 10/7/11

2011-10-10T09:32:00.001-04:00

We have a lot of special events coming up in October!

1. We're hosting a special showing of the local agriculture doc Farmageddon on Saturday, October 15th at 5, 7 & 9 pm!

http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/farmageddon-1/

2. Our 3rd annual Horror Fest will be Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd. http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/Horror_Fest/

Here's the lineup:

10/21 at 7 pm - the original vampire film Nosferatu, with a new live score by Tony Steve and Bob Moore (our resident silent film guys)

10/21 at 9:30 pm - Norwegian mockumentary Trollhunter

10/21 at 11:30 - a newly restored version of the classic 1979 Italian classic Zombie

10/22 at 5 pm - locally made horror short films

10/23 at 7 pm - low-budget semi-classic Special Dead with director Tom Phillips

10/23 at 9 pm - new release Hobo with a Shotgun

10/24 at 7 pm - a newly restored version of Zaat with producer Don Barton and surviving cast

3. Surviving Mommie Dearrest, a one woman show from Christina Crawford, plays October 24th and 25th. http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/surviving-mommie-dearest/

4. A short film festival organized by Cinemania founder Sharon Cobb plays Wednesday, October 26th. http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/short-film-fest/

5. Live sensation Balthrop, Alabama returns to the theatre. They combine an Americana sound with a live drawing project on the big screen. It really has to be seen to be believed. http://www.5pointstheatre.com/movie/Balthrop-ALA/

Media Advisory: Mayor to Talk with Secretary LaHood Today Re: Economic Development

2011-10-05T13:04:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Spears, (904) 630-1977, aspears@coj.net

MAYOR BROWN AND U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

SET TO TALK ABOUT JOB GROWTH

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Oct. 5, 2011 — Mayor Alvin Brown will join U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on a conference call to talk about economic development.

Economic growth is Mayor Brown's top priority. One of his major initiatives is the expansion of Jacksonville's ports. Secretary LaHood toured JAXPORT with the mayor in July 2011. Mayor Brown was also recently named chair of the Metro Exports and Ports Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Before being appointed Transportation Secretary in 2009, LaHood was a member of Congress (R-Illinois) from 1995 to 2009.

WHO: Mayor Alvin Brown and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

WHEN: Today, 1 p.m.

DIAL-IN: (800) 288-8967

Ask for the Florida call

WHAT: Conference Call to Discuss Economic Development

###

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

Urban Agriculture Forum - Oct 6

2011-10-05T13:01:00.001-04:00

ALERT!

On Thursday, Oct 6 at 6 pm, Sustainable Springfield (http://www.sustainablespringfield.net/) is hosting an Urban Agriculture Forum (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=184794941592995) at the JEA Conservation Center in Springfield.

Amanda Searle, the President of Sustainable Springfield, and Kevin Songer, a local green roof expert and urban agriculture champion, are organizing the forum to educate the public about the benefits of growing our own food and about their efforts to change the codes to allow chickens and other urban agricultural practices.

What: Urban Agriculture Information Forum

When: Thursday, October 6 at 6 pm

Where: JEA Conservation Center

970 N. Main Street, Jacksonville 32202

Host: Sustainable Springfield (www.sustainablespringfield.net)

Purpose: To inform the public about urban agriculture and the opportunities that exist to amend our local zoning codes to support and promote these practices for the benefit of our community.

What is urban agriculture? The simple definition is the growing of food and the raising of animals within and around cities. This can include residential and community gardens, urban farms, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and aquaculture. Urban agriculture can provide significant environmental, economic, and health benefits to a local community and its residents.

Searle and Songer have been meeting with City Council members and collecting petitions to garner support for local urban agriculture policy changes. They have found support from a really diverse group of people who sign the petition - from Tea Party supporters who are interested in self-sufficiency to health advocates to environmentalists who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

I have been really impressed with what they have both accomplished locally. Sustainable Springfield has a community garden and youth garden in Springfield. They host cooking in season classes and have a gleaning program. They have done so much in a short period of time with only volunteers.

Kevin Songer installed an incredible green roof on the renovated offices of Breaking Ground Contracting (http://breakinggroundgreenroof.com/) and grows his own food and raises chickens, turkeys, and geese. Amanda also raises chickens and goats at her home in Springfield and makes her own cheese!

I have been surprised and pleased with how fast urban agriculture and the local food movement are spreading. There is just so much interest in local and sustainably grown food. In just the last few years, community gardens, school gardens, and farmer's markets have sprouted up everyone.

As you know, many restaurants are now using local produce and meats and are hosting farm-to-table events.

Urban Agriculture Forum - Oct 6

2011-10-05T12:59:00.001-04:00

ALERT!

On Thursday, Oct 6 at 6 pm, Sustainable Springfield (http://www.sustainablespringfield.net/) is hosting an Urban Agriculture Forum (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=184794941592995) at the JEA Conservation Center in Springfield.

What: Urban Agriculture Information Forum

When: Thursday, October 6 at 6 pm

Where: JEA Conservation Center

970 N. Main Street, Jacksonville 32202

Host: Sustainable Springfield (www.sustainablespringfield.net)

Purpose: To inform the public about urban agriculture and the opportunities that exist to amend our local zoning codes to support and promote these practices for the benefit of our community.

As you know, many restaurants are now using local produce and meats and are hosting farm-to-table events.

The press release from Sustainable Springfield is attached.

It would be great if you could help promote the event to your friends and colleagues.

I am just helping to promote this as a personal supporter of urban agriculture and a fan of the work of the folks organizing this event.

I hope you are well!

Jimmy Orth

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

Gallery Show This Friday Shaun Thurston vs Squid Dust at Versus Gallery 5 Points

2011-09-28T14:21:00.001-04:00

Shaun Thurston is a native of Jacksonville Florida whose childhood walls served as his first canvas and the impulse to draw on anything and everything has remained a constant ever since. With the swampy florida woodlands as his backyard, his teenage years were formed, balancing nature's peaceful influence with frequent caffeine-fueled bus rides into the city. Graffiti and skateboarding culture captured his attention, while art school gave him the discipline necessary to hone his artistic impulses. Primarily self-taught, Thurston graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and attended Florida School of the Arts for two years before transferring with a portfolio scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design after winning 1st place in S.C.A.D.'s annual sidewalk chalk competition. In 2001, he decided that six years of Art Education was enough; his roots in graffiti and street art as a whole still remained his strongest inspiration.

Shaun lived in Atlanta from 2007 to early 2010, where he continually showed and participated in group shows in various well known galleries around town, Beep Beep Gallery, Youngblood Gallery, Alcove Gallery, Swan Coach House Gallery, Jenny Henley Studios, Mint Gallery and Wonderroot, to name a few. He has performed live painting for Sneaker Pimps, painted murals for the Living Walls Conference and developed a reputation for consistently creating work that was above and beyond expectations. While in Atlanta, he spent the little time available when he was not working on a project doing free lance stage design work, broadening skills that would later be useful in his private artistic endeavors.

Shaun Thurston has since moved back to Jacksonville with intentions of securing full-scale studio space, to propagate a collection of public works and has continued to create his original artwork in various studios throughout the last eleven years. He is currently a partner in the popular art-space, Thief in the Knight, located downtown on Adams Street, where he has created a progressive mural that seems to have new life with each month that passes. He recently completed a prominent mural in historic 5 points on Lomax street, sponsored by Riverside Avondale Preservation, which is his second wall to win Folio-weekly's Best of Jax award. Most recently, he was commissioned by On Ideas Advertising Agency for a series of paintings that now hang in their main office space downtown.

Squid Dust is a native of Northeast Florida who has been painting zombies, creatures, and abominations since 2006. In that time his work has been seen on Burro Bags, Arturo Clothing, Dog & Pony Show Prints, as well as many group shows around the Jacksonville area. Growing up in the woods of Clay County, Squid Dust spent his childhood drawing, listening to heavy metal, watching cartoons, and building forts in the forest behind his house. Now, years later, these continue to be some of his primary influences. With his newest work he is expanding on the imagination and mythology that comes from growing up in the woods and what it means to be a kid with a trail.

for more info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Versus-Gallery/148770878480259

Nice haircut.

2011-09-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

Hiccup.

NEWS RELEASE: Library e-books for Kindle now at JPL

2011-09-27T09:28:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Kathy Lussier, APR, (904) 630-7595-office

(904) 759-5643-cell, klussier@coj.net

Orin Heidelberg, (904) 630-0495, orinh@coj.net

LIBRARY e-BOOKS FOR KINDLE NOW AVAILABLE AT

JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Free downloads via library website

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 26, 2011 – The Jacksonville Public Library is excited to announce that its e-book collection is now compatible with the Amazon® Kindle. Customers can download popular and classic e-books at no cost to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app such as iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ and more.

To get started, visit www.jaxpubliclibrary.org and click on the rotating image of the Kindle, or click on e-books and More at the bottom of the home page. Downloads are free with a valid library card. Users must have an Amazon account to use the service but do not need to have a checking account or credit card on file to use the account.

Kindle users can browse the library's collection of bestselling and classic e-books from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using a library card and select "Get for Kindle" to deliver e-books to their Kindle device or any device running the free Kindle app.

There are currently more than 3,000 Kindle titles available through the library's website. The library will continue to build its e-book collection, so keep checking back for more titles. The library also offers more than 30,000 e-books and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphone, MP3 player and e-book reader like the Barnes & Noble® Nook™ and Sony® Reader.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of e-books, audiobooks, music and video. OverDrive delivers secure management, DRM protection and download fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers and thousands of libraries, schools and retailers serving millions of end users. OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 as a company that matters most in the digital content industry. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio. For further information, go to www.overdrive.com.

About the Jacksonville Public Library

The Jacksonville Public Library is an American Star Library, selected from 7,268 public libraries nationwide by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. The Jacksonville Public Library provides programs and services to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations with a collection of more than 3 million materials. More than 5 million people visited Jacksonville Public Libraries last year. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.

jaxpubliclibrary jaxlibrary

-###-

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

2011-09-19T22:21:00.002-04:00

I got into the CVAC pod at New Hope Wellness Clinic today. You may have heard about it recently in the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post.I was invited by New Hope Wellness to a few sessions this afternoon. Thinking it may help my fitness for my Burrito Gallery Cyclones Over 30 B Soccer Club I was more than happy to try it. New Hope is on the corner of Atlantic and Hendricks at the end of the building with Wilson and Wilson optometrists. You can turn by Landon Middle (Thacker) or off Hendricks itself.
View Larger MapThe pod at New Hope is a prototype with brand new machines to follow. It was very 1970's playboy magazine full page ad chic. It looked like it had gotten some use but not shabby. The fact that it seemed like it was well worn was actually comforting. The space was spare as New Hope is just starting up. The experience was surreal. I am glad I watched the video from the Wall Street Journal seen here:You go through a presentation and waivers that are pretty clear and not overly scary. There is a panic button to press if you need out and I'd have been TOTALLY comfortable using it if I was not comfortable. You get large cup of water so you can swallow which helps keep your ears from getting plugged up. I found out right away that I'd have to pop my ears the entire time with yawns and nose pinches, etc. I am sensitive that way on flights and once I got the hang of it by about the middle of my 20 minute session, it was no big deal. I do feel some pressure still in my ears and I do feel something. In one of the videos I saw online someone said it helped with peripheral vision and I believe that. My vision seemed clearer this afternoon. You watch a screen that shows the altitude you are climbing and descending. Each little session is 5 minutes and four sets of those is most popular. I want to continue to try the CVAC to see if there are any other results. There are some pretty interesting claims besides the 3 grand slams etc. If you are interested in checking it out for yourself, Jacksonville is one of the few cities that will have CVAC in the near term. You can call them at (904) 858-0111.

Your Library: Making Life Easier for Students and Parents

2011-09-13T14:15:00.001-04:00

Fwd: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

2011-09-13T11:23:00.001-04:00

Another, less clear response.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gulliford, William <Gulliford@coj.net>
Date: Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Subject: RE: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES
To: Tony Allegretti <theurbancore@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email regarding the library budget. As a father of four and a grandfather of eight I too am concerned about education and literacy in our community and I understand the library's part.

We have made reductions in many areas including the Jacksonville Journey, the Sheriff's budget, the library budget and others. We have not dictated how the library needs to affect those reductions, although it has been suggested closing one day a week. If indeed the focus is on children then if there are any closures, those schedules should consider the times children are in and out of school.

I believe that there are operational charges assessed to the library that are excessive. I pledge we will attempt to correct that situation in the upcoming year to the benefit of the service funding side of the library. We are facing extremely difficult financial times and I would submit to you that over the next several years it will get tougher. This year the situation is the result of five conditions.

1. The economic environment
2. The fact we did not start with a balanced budget and it was estimated we were $14M in the hole at the outset. Additionally an increase in taxes and fees is not an option with so many people suffering the dire economic consequences of unemployment, foreclosures and business closings.
3. What I view as an excessive amount of debt that the City is carrying and the corresponding debt service cost each year.
4. The pension issue which cost us at least $6M in additional money in this budget.
5. The operational costs of the City.

We must attack and solve the last three items for the benefit of the services our City government renders to its citizens including the library.

I applaud your passion, commitment and support of the library. I hope that equates to even more citizen volunteering for the library as we try to get through these tough economic times.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,

Bill Gulliford
City Councilman, District 13

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Allegretti [mailto:theurbancore@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 4:37 PM
To: Gulliford, William
Subject: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

The Mayor's balanced Budget proposed a $900,000 cut to public libraries. Now the City Council is acting to more than triple those cuts.

Please do not cut the public libraries beyond the original proposed cut of $900,000. Additional cuts will rip apart the fabric of our community.

Our city suffers a serious deficit in literacy.

Reading comprehension is our biggest problem.

Over the past 5 years, more than 100 positions have been lost within the Jacksonville Public Library System, if the additional cuts over the $900,000 are enacted then an another 32 full-time jobs will be lost.

It is not acceptable for the City Council to now increase the proposed 2011-2012 library cuts from $900,000 to $3.4 million and thereby close ALL twenty-one libraries on TWO OR THREE DAYS every week and with limited hours of service on other days.

THANKS FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING!

Tony

Tony Allegretti
1478 Riverplace Blvd
Jacksonville, Fl 32207
theurbancore@gmail.com

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

Fwd: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

2011-09-13T11:21:00.001-04:00

More responses from City Council.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lumb, Robin <RLumb@coj.net>
Date: Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Subject: RE: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES
To: Tony Allegretti <theurbancore@gmail.com>

Mr. Allegretti:

When I ran for office I promised to observe common sense spending priorities that emphasized public safety, libraries, parks and important infrastructure needs.

As the budget process moves forward I will do my best to preserve as much funding for our libraries as possible.

The Mayor's proposed budget called for a total of $905,902 in reduced spending for libraries, a 2.2% overall budget cut.

Give the current economic environment this did not appear unreasonable.

The additional $2 million in cuts, however, is excessive and I will work to undo them when City Council considers the final budget.

Best regards,

Robin Lumb, Council Member
Group 5 - At Large

Donna Barrow
Executive Council Assistant to
Councilman Robin Lumb, At-Large, Group 5
904-630-7144
117 W. Duval St, Suite 425
Jacksonville, FL 32202

"Please note that under Florida's very broad public records law, e-mail communications to and from city officials are subject to public disclosure."

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Allegretti [mailto:theurbancore@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 4:37 PM
To: Lumb, Robin
Subject: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

The Mayor's balanced Budget proposed a $900,000 cut to public libraries. Now the City Council is acting to more than triple those cuts.

Please do not cut the public libraries beyond the original proposed cut of $900,000. Additional cuts will rip apart the fabric of our community.

Our city suffers a serious deficit in literacy.

Reading comprehension is our biggest problem.

Over the past 5 years, more than 100 positions have been lost within the Jacksonville Public Library System, if the additional cuts over the $900,000 are enacted then an another 32 full-time jobs will be lost.

It is not acceptable for the City Council to now increase the proposed 2011-2012 library cuts from $900,000 to $3.4 million and thereby close ALL twenty-one libraries on TWO OR THREE DAYS every week and with limited hours of service on other days.

THANKS FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING!

Tony

Tony Allegretti
1478 Riverplace Blvd
Jacksonville, Fl 32207
theurbancore@gmail.com

--
Antonio Allegretti
www.theurbancore.com
HEY NEW DIRECT PHONE NUMBER!
(904) 4 MY TURN
(904) 469-8876

NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

2011-09-12T23:12:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Crescimbeni, John <JRC@coj.net>
Date: Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Subject: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES
To: "theurbancore@gmail.com" <theurbancore@gmail.com>

Tony:

Thank you for your email about the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) – an issue it appears we agree on!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I need to state up front that (in addition to serving on the City Council) I also serve as Vice President of the Friends of Jacksonville Public Library – an organization whose sole purpose is to raise money for the JPL system. With that said, I am a strong advocate for (and supporter of) the JPL.

As you probably know, the budget for the JPL was reduced significantly by the Finance Committee during the recent budget hearing process held at City Hall. As a member of the Finance Committee, I want to provide you with some background on the budgetary process and what specific reductions were made by the Finance Committee.

Budget Background

Please note the budget for the JPL includes a number of expenses which fall into what I describe as three basic categories. Those three categories are controllable costs, internal service charges and indirect costs.

Controllable costs are those expenses that are within the control of the JPL Board of Trustees and Executive Director. Controllable costs include salaries, employee benefits, utilities, books and materials.

Internal service charges are expenses of other units of city government allocated to the JPL by the mayor. Internal service charges include cost allocations from Fleet Management, the Information Technologies Department (ITD) and the Office of General Counsel – to name a few.

Indirect costs are the most difficult to explain. According to the glossary for the City of Jacksonville Annual Budget, indirect costs are "administrative and overhead expenses attendant to the performance of a service that are not actually considered to be an integral part of that service." The indirect cost allocation permits the library to reflect a true cost of doing business by adding the fractional expense of such city administrative functions as payroll, accounting, building use, administrative services, among the variety of support provided by other General Fund departments.

It is important to note that the JPL is the only city department assigned an indirect cost allocation. The indirect costs are computed annually but are based on "actual" expenditures from two years prior. The JPL needs the indirect cost allocation because that figure is often required on grant applications for state and federal funding. The grant applications require that the JPL show the true cost of doing business when compared (by the grant agency) to other libraries competing in the pool. Failing to show the indirect cost would result in lower funding from these external providers as many grants are matching fund grants (such as the State Aid to Public Libraries Grant from the Florida State Library Division). The JPL's need for a computed indirect cost allocation (for grant application purposes) has resulted in that same figure being included with each year's annual budget.

The indirect cost allocation (since FY 2005) has been as follows;

FY 04-05 FY 05-06 FY 06-07 FY 07-08 FY 08-09 FY 09-10 FY 10-11

2,591,869

2,803,964

5,185,474

6,872,583

8,936,376

8,213,899

The complete JPL City Council approved budget for the 2010-11 (current) fiscal year is summarized as follows;

Salaries 14,309,242

Employee Benefits 4,051,866

Expendable Accounts 2,880,304

Books and Materials 3,107,629

ITD Network and Computer Charges 5,559,251

Internal Service Charges 1,480,568

Indirect Cost Allocation 8,213,899

Total 39,602,759

Development of JPL's 2011-12 Budget

Up until Mayor Brown took office and presented his FY 2011/12 budget to the City Council (on July 15, 2011), the library budget had been a moving target.

In March, the Peyton administration requested that the Library Board of Trustees submit a 2011-12 budget that reflected a 15% reduction from this year's City Council approved budget (of $39.6 million). The 15% reduction request computed to $5,940,414. However, the 15% reduction request from the Peyton administration was accompanied with instructions that the reduction could not be taken from the indirect cost or internal service charge line items. Instead, the reduction could only come from controllable costs – a pool that totaled only $24,349,041. Therefore, a $5.9 million reduction from only controllable costs wasn't a $15% reduction, it was actually a 24.2% reduction.

As directed, the Board of Library Trustees complied a budget reduced by $5.9 million and submitted it to the administration in April. To meet the $5.9 million reduction, all libraries would curtail service hours to 40 hours per week, Tuesdays through Saturdays (no Sunday hours anywhere), and the Maxville Branch would be closed altogether. In addition, 78 full-time positions and 25 part-time positions would be eliminated.

During the review process, the administration requested JPL to submit a second - less severe - budget that would maintain status quo at all locations, but would eliminate all costs that would not affect current service hours. JPL submitted a second budget which would only eliminate approximately $425,000 by cutting janitorial and security contracts, maintenance contracts on equipment, hardware and software licensing fees, and operating supplies. This second budget was incorporated in Mayor's Peyton's preliminary budget submittal to Council in May via Ordinance 2011-307.

On June 24, the Budget Office requested JPL to submit a third budget with a reduction in the amount of $2 million - above and beyond the $425,000 submitted in April. The new reduction amount of $2,425,000 from the FY 2010-11 (current) Council approved budget represented a reduction percentage of 6.1% overall (or 9.9% of controllable costs). A third budget reflecting this reduction was submitted to the administration on July 5, 2011.

The Actual 2011-12 JPL Budget as proposed by Mayor Brown

On July 15, 2011, Mayor Brown delivered a balanced budget to the City Council which included a $905,502 reduction to the budget of JPL as compared to the current year's budget. The mayor's proposed JPL budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year is summarized as follows;

Salaries 14,253,352

Employee Benefits 14,253,352

Expendable Accounts 2,446,453

Books and Materials 3,107,629

ITD Network and Computer Charges 4,750,996

Internal Service Charges 1,391,039

Indirect Cost Allocation 8,624,606

Total 38,696,857

Finance Committee Action Impacting the 2011-12 JPL Budget

The JPL budget was reviewed by the Finance Committee on August 25, 2011. Following discussion about the same, Committee Chairman Richard Clark stated that closing all libraries one day a week was more equitable than closing certain branch libraries – as has been suggested (or threatened, depending on your perspective) in the past. Chairman Clark offered a motion to reduce the JPL budget by amount equivalent to the savings achieved by closing all libraries on Monday - or $2.9 million. Barbara Gubbin, the Executive Director for JPL who was present for the JPL budget hearing stated that in anticipation of a Council Member moving to reduce the JPL budget by an amount equal to the savings achieved by closing all libraries one day a week, she had run the calculation and the actual cost savings would only be $2.1 million. Although the Finance Committee voted to approve the Clark motion, I did not support this reduction.

On August 30, 2011, the Finance Committee conducted a final wrap-up meeting for the budget hearing process. Although I was excused (out of town) and did not attend the meeting, the Finance Committee adopted a motion to require all components of city government to absorb the additional cost resulting from the City Council's recent action to accept (not waive) the October 1, 2010 actuarial study for the General Employees Pension Plan (GEPP). Accepting the actuarial study will, effective October 1, 2011, raise the employer (city's) contribution rate on all salaries paid to GEPP participants from the current 13.5% level to 17.22%. The overall impact of accepting the actuarial study results in a $5.8 million deficit in next year's budget, and the JPL's pro rata share of that deficit is estimated to be $476,000. Unless reversed, the Finance Committee's motion will require an additional cut of $476,000 from the JPL budget.

At the regular Finance Committee meeting held on September 7, 2011, we worked on wrapping up a few loose ends relating to the budget. During the discussion, I offered a motion to restore the $2.1 million cut to the JPL budget. Although my motion received a second, my motion failed by a vote of 2-5.

All tolled, the Finance Committee reduced the JPL budget (during the budget hearing process) by nearly $2.6 million. Combined with Mayor Brown's original proposed reduction of $905,502, the total reduction to the JPL budget (as compared to the current fiscal year) is approximately $3.4 million – or a reduction of nearly 8.6%. Furthermore, if you remove the $8.2 million indirect cost (a phantom cost that is never shown for any other city department or division in the general fund) from the current budget, next year's $3.4 million cut actually represents a 10.8% reduction.

Going Forward

As you will see from the attached spreadsheet (which depicts the mayor's proposed 2011-12 budget for the JPL as of July 15, 2011, as well as JPL expenses for each fiscal year beginning with and since FY 2004-05), the library management team has done a remarkable job in reducing "controllable" costs from $25.5 million in 2005, to $24.4 million in 2011. However, an examination of "internal service charges" and "indirect costs" (costs passed on to the JPL by the city which JPL has no control over) quickly reveals that indirect costs have more than tripled: from $5 million in 2005, to $15.2 million in 2011 – this year's budget.

Furthermore, inasmuch as an 8.6% reduction was not asked of all other components of city government, I feel the JPL is being unfairly targeted to carry more than their fair share of reductions – particularly when considering JPL's controllable costs are actually lower now than they were in 2005. In addition, it is important to note that the Finance Committee completed the budget hearing process with more than an $8.9 million surplus. Of this amount, $5 million was applied to facilities capital maintenance expenditures and the remainder ($3,932.043) was applied toward road resurfacing – both on a pay-as-you go basis. (Funding used for facilities capital maintenance and road resurfacing projects is ordinarily borrowed.)

To wrap up, please be advised that a public hearing on the proposed millage rate (bill number 2011-404) and the proposed budget (bill number 2011-405) will be held at tomorrow night's City Council meeting (September 13, 2011), beginning at 5:00 PM in the City Council chambers at City Hall. As a library supporter, I encourage you to consider attending the meeting to voice your concerns about the proposed reductions to the JPL.

In closing, I apologize for the length of this reply, but hope you find the information herein to be useful. In addition, I want to thank you again for writing to me on behalf of the Jacksonville Public Library.

John R. Crescimbeni

City Councilman, At-Large, Group 2

Office of the City Council

City Hall at St. James

117 West Duval Street, Suite 425

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

(904) 630-1381

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Allegretti [mailto:theurbancore@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 4:37 PM
To: Crescimbeni, John
Subject: NO on Additional cuts for LIBRARIES

The Mayor's balanced Budget proposed a $900,000 cut to public libraries. Now the City Council is acting to more than triple those cuts.

Please do not cut the public libraries beyond the original proposed cut of $900,000. Additional cuts will rip apart the fabric of our community.

Our city suffers a serious deficit in literacy.

Reading comprehension is our biggest problem.

Over the past 5 years, more than 100 positions have been lost within the Jacksonville Public Library System, if the additional cuts over the $900,000 are enacted then an another 32 full-time jobs will be lost.

It is not acceptable for the City Council to now increase the proposed 2011-2012 library cuts from $900,000 to $3.4 million and thereby close ALL twenty-one libraries on TWO OR THREE DAYS every week and with limited hours of service on other days.

THANKS FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING!

Tony

Tony Allegretti

Jacksonville, Fl 32207

theurbancore@gmail.com

Fall Peek, City Harvest, Record Fair, All Tomorrow's Parties

2011-09-09T21:37:00.000-04:00

With sunbaked summer behind us, the Flea and Smorgasburg hit their fall peak starting now: Perfect weather for trying on clothes and jewelry, riverside seabreezes (Williamsburg), Fort Greene foliage, and snack-filled picnics on the bleachers or lawn. We also wind down our second amazing SummerStage season with huge Wilco and Ray LaMontagne shows, and gear up for good times at some very special partner events in September and October.

Friday, Sept. 16, the Flea teams up with the Dumbo Improvement District for "Under the Archway," a day of Flea food and Oktoberfest beer in the historic and majestic Archway under the Manhattan Bridge. The next day, City Harvest's "The Brooklyn Local" gala event at Dumbo's Tobacco Warehouse will feature 75+ artisanal food vendors (many curated by the Flea/Smorgasburg), a Tasting Tent hosted by the Prime Meats/Frankie's Franks, kids cooking demos, and more. (Plus it's only 5 bucks to get in.) And Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, there will be a slew of Flea food vendors at All Tomorrow's Parties' "I'll Be Your Mirror" music festival in Asbury Park, NJ, headlined by Portishead and Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. Shangri-La!

The Flea has been all over the press lately: in addition to the Flea Ink below, Travel + Leisure will name us one of the four best markets in the world this month (with London, Paris, and Bangkok) and Bon Appetit features Smorgasburg in its September issue.

As always, stay tuned to the blog for What's New (Murray's Cheese, industrial furniture, tarot, etc.) and more special events; follow us on Facebook and Twitter; and of course see you at the Flea!

________________________________
RECORD FAIR + INDEPENDENT LABEL MARKET: BROOKLYN

The Flea's 4th annual Superstar DJ Record Fair will have your head spinning like a 45: This year we've partnered with London's Independent Label Market for its U.S. debut on Sat., Oct. 8--inside Smorgasburg. Vintage records sold by your favorite artists and DJs, combined with special-edition and collectible records from New York's top record labels, whose booths will be manned by their owners. (Don't be surprised if some

cool artists/bands show up too.) Plus, we're throwing a blowout kids disco party with Mister Saturday Night's Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin as MCs (Noon-2pm); artist Lois Blamire will be doing album-cover face-painting all day; and you can snack at the Smorg while you shop. It's chicken and waffles for cratediggers--total overload.

Who's selling? At ILM: 4AD, Angular, Captured Tracks, Dead Oceans, DFA, Domino, Fool's Gold, Jagjaguwar, Kanine, Mexican Summer, Minimal Wave, Sacred Bones, Secretly Canadian, Terrible, Throne of Blood, True Panther, Wierd, XL, and Young Turks. At the Superstar DJ Record Fair: Zeke Baker, EAT Records, Halcyon, Killer Diller, Justin Carter + Eamon Harkin, Neurotic Drum Band (Ulysses + Selway), Piotr Orlov, Bert Q (Other Music), Sepiatone, Sound Fix, Stooz Records, Aaron Van Deursen, and Robert Watlington. There's still room for more, so if you're interested in selling, drop us a line.

This year we're grateful to three of New York's top music entities for helping make the record fair a success: MTV Hive, MTV's home for passionate music fans, featuring mp3s, videos, interviews, live events and more; The Daily Swarm, the daily destination for those addicted to music news; and Other Music, New York City's best record store, which is partnering with us for the 4th straight year, including a booth with its employees selling their own records.

________________________________
UNDER THE ARCHWAY

On Friday, Sept. 16, we team up with the DUMBO Improvement District for a day of Flea food and Oktoberfest beer in the historic and majestic Archway under the Manhattan Bridge. We're going to activate this unique public space and help knit together the neighborhood by getting residents and workers out for a fun Friday hang. Nosh on Mile End's smoked Peking Duck (!), which they're debuting at "Under the Archway," Landhaus' succulent BLTs and lamb burgers, Brooklyn Oyster Party's local shuckers, and Rachel's Pies, including her Pennsylvania Dutch "Shoofly" molasses pie. The event runs from noon to 9pm, with beer beginning to flow at 3pm; the Archway is located at Adams and Water St. The event is, like, totally free.

________________________________
Photo by Joe Hume

FLEA INK

The Flea on CNBC's "How I Made My Millions" (starts at 19:30)

Vendor David Sokosh is #2 in Brooklyn Magazine's "The Brooklyn 20" (right)

People's Pops profiled in Portfolio

Fleasters in frocks in the Times Styles section

Our blogger Jane Lerner's Smorgasburg diary on Fathom

The Williamsburg food scene, via AP

Smorg tour on TV Tokyo (video)

Summer Flea trends on Full Frontal Fashion

Marvelous market pics on Cool Material

Flea cameo on Discovery Channel's "Dirty Money."

________________________________

BROWN ADMINISTRATION RESPONDS TO COMMENTS BY LT. GOV. CARROLL ON OUTER BELTWAY PROJECT

2011-09-02T20:43:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "PublicInformation" <PublicInformation@coj.net>
Date: Sep 2, 2011 8:20 PM
Subject: BROWN ADMINISTRATION RESPONDS TO COMMENTS BY LT. GOV. CARROLL ON OUTER BELTWAY PROJECT
To: <COJMEDIAUPDATES@list.coj.net>

State Senator Tony Hill, who sponsored legislation to facilitate the Outer Beltway project, responded to remarks made by Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll about the Outer Beltway Project on behalf of the Brown Administration:

"On Thursday, Mayor Brown spoke with Governor Scott and met with Florida Secretary of Transportation Prasad and District Secretary Mosley. He told all of them he supports the goals of the Outer Beltway project and welcomes the jobs and infrastructure it will create that will help grow JaxPort and move our regional economy to the next level. As you know, Mayor Brown strongly believes in public-private partnerships. Mayor Brown also reminded them of his strong opposition to tolls. He does not support tolls. He is not opposed to the project moving forward because Jacksonville residents will continue to have free roads they can use to access neighborhoods near the Outer Beltway."

-Abel

_______________________________

Abel Harding

Director of Communications

Office of Mayor Alvin Brown

e: aharding@coj.net

o: 904-630-7377

c: 904-535-4781

t: @AbelHarding

Connect with Mayor Alvin Brown

f: http://facebook.com/mayoralvinbrown

t: http://twitter.com/mayoralvinbrown

Click here to receive news releases and advisories from the City of Jacksonville.

Please note that under Florida's very broad public records law, e-mail communications to and from city officials are subject to public disclosure.

A GIANT Day at RAM!

2011-09-02T10:37:00.001-04:00

A GIANT Day at RAM!

Whew! Last Saturday was INCREDIBLE! I absolutely LOVED meeting all our canine "RAMblers!" And our first Movies Under the Bridge offered a really nice evening to cap off the day!

This Saturday is Jacksonville Giants Day at RAM! Our very own American Basketball Association team, the Jacksonville Giants, will be at the Market. If you didn't see them last year when they went undefeated, you definitely don't want to miss them this year. Stop by and meet the players, hang out with Mr. Biggs, and support the team!

Do you realize how COOL it is that you can come to RAM and buy some of the best handmade products available AND be part of a sports day? Where else does that happen?

Today, I want to let you in on a little secret, but you have to promise to tell everyone - there are some special offers and prizes that can be won when you follow Riverside Arts Market on Facebook, or "tweet" with me on Twitter. (RAMDirector) If you don't like getting discounts or free stuff, don't worry about what you just read. But if you do...Sign up RIGHT NOW! Many of our vendors are logged in, too, so it's a real RAM community!

Ok...you are now armed with all the info you need to have a SUPER Saturday from morning to night! So...

See you there!

Teri

This Week on the River Stage

10:30 am Mike Bernos, Rockin' Blues/Folk

11:45 Red Afternoon, Americana

2:30 Jerry Maniscalco, Acoustic Folk-Rock

For more information, visit our website at:

www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

Looking for a good time.... Our volunteers have a great time in the hottest spot in the coolest place!

Come on down and have a great time with us! We could use your helping hands every Saturday! You would help us set the stage for great time for our 2-legged and 4-legged friends with set up, water sales, artist relief specialist, greeters and break down.

Come as a team or individual
Business and Non-profit teams welcome!
Get community service hours for school
Help your neighborhood market
Have fun!

We have many special events that we could use some extra help! Including Dog Day (27th), Literary Day ( 9/17), Bike Swap, Strut Your Mutt (9/24) and Oktoberfest (October 21st and 22nd).

Email Torrie at: Volunteers@RiversideArtsMarket.com for more information.

Thanks for considering Riverside Arts Market for your volunteer time.

FREE Movie Under the Bridge THIS Saturday Night!

THIS Saturday, in celebration of Jacksonville Giants Day at RAM, we will be showing SPACE JAM.

Movies Under the Bridge offers Free Admission, Free Parking, and some great family-friendly movies! In addition, food and beverages are available so you can have dinner and make it a great night out. It that isn't enough, the pre-movie entertainment will start about an hour before sundown - you will LOVE the performers we have lined up!

Mark your calendars and meet us every Saturday night for the next 8 weeks - IT's A DATE!

9/3 - Space Jam

9/10 - Karate Kid

9/17 - The Lion, the Witch,

and the Wardrobe

9/24 - The Goonies

10/1 - Alice in Wonderland

10/8 - Cars

10/15 - The Spiderwick

Chronicles

Click here for a PDF poster for your fridge!

Movies begin at sundown. Titles are subject to change.

BUY ART SQUARES!

The countdown for this year's RAM Art Gallery begins. So, if you have had your eye on a square or two, you better buy them now or you will have to wait until next year!

There are MANY great art squares available from some of the area's best artists.

Stay Tuned and we will let you know when the project will be starting up again. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what's next from our local artists!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

Riverside Arts Market
2623 Herschel St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

News Release: City of Jacksonville, PRI Productions and Jacksonville Jaguars Present TealTown Downtown Block Party, Friday, Sept. 9

2011-08-31T15:25:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Christina Langston

904-630-3690

Langston@coj.net

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, PRI PRODUCTIONS AND JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

PRESENT TEALTOWN DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY

Jacksonville, FL Aug. 31, 2011– The City of Jacksonville, PRI Productions and the Jacksonville Jaguars are proud to present the TealTown Downtown Block Party, to take place on Bay Street on Sept. 9, 2011. The street festival, which spans from Liberty to Market streets, begins at 6 p.m. and will celebrate the first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans to be played on Sunday, Sept. 11 at EverBank Field. Football fans will revel in the excitement with a variety of activities and enjoy happy hour beverage specials at many downtown establishments.

"Jaguars fans, it's go time! This block party is a great opportunity to show our team that they have our support," said Mayor Alvin Brown. "I encourage everyone to come downtown and enjoy the street festival. I also hope our Jaguars fans purchase their season and game day tickets."

The TealTown Downtown Block Party includes interactive games including a football toss, ladder ball and cornhole. A photo booth and temporary tattoos will be available to make memories and show Jaguars pride. Special appearances from Jaxson de Ville, the ROAR, D-Line, Jaguars players and many more will add to the excitement. A Jaguars exhibit that allows fans to see what it's really like inside the Jaguars locker room will also be a highlight. The block party will continue with live entertainment by Chroma until 11 p.m.

Participating downtown establishments will be offering happy hour beverage specials from 5-7 p.m. and 11 p.m.-midnight on Sept. 9 for those who present the promotional card, which is available throughout downtown and through the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events. Participating establishments include Mark's, Dive Bar, Club TSI Discotheque, Olio, The Ivy Ultra Bar, Northstar "The Pizza Bar," The American Café, Benny's Steak and Seafood, Burrito Gallery, Burro Bar, Chicago Pizza, Cinco de Mayo, City Hall Pub, De Real Ting, Dos Gatos, Happy Landing, Hooters, Koja Sushi, LIT, Mavericks, Vito's Italian Café and Zodiac Bar and Grill. After the block party, make plans to stay downtown and enjoy the nightlife scene in The Core.

Street closures for the TealTown Downtown Block Party will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 9. Bay Street between Liberty and Market streets will be closed. Bay Street will reopen at 3 a.m. on Sept. 10. Several parking options are available throughout the downtown area including the courthouse parking lot, Hyatt Regency parking garage and the Jax Center parking garage on Bay Street.

For more information on the TealTown Downtown Block Party, call (904) 398-8179 or visit Facebook.com/PRIPRODUCTIONS and click on the events tab. For game tickets, call the Jacksonville Jaguars at (904) 633-2000 or visit www.jaguars.com.

###

Christina Langston
Public Relations Manager
City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events
117 W. Duval Street, Suite 280
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: 630-3690
Fax: 630-3693

They are always with us!

2011-08-31T13:01:00.002-04:00

Twin Tower Cameos from Dan Meth on Vimeo.

Press Release: JAXUSA Partnership and Northeast Florida Regional Council Launch Innovate Northeast Florida Project

2011-08-31T12:38:00.001-04:00

JACKSONVILLE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Press Release

CONTACT: Jackie Artybridge, (904) 280-7960, jackie@clockworkmarketing.com

COMPANY CONTACT: Lisa Daniel, (904) 366-6626, lisa.daniel@myjaxchamber.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAXUSA PARTNERSHIP AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL

COUNCIL LAUNCH INNOVATE NORTHEAST FLORIDA PROJECT

Northeast Florida Residents and Businesses Invited to Complete Online Survey

and Share Opinions on Region's Future Economy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2011) – JAXUSA Partnership, formerly known as Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership, and the Northeast Florida Regional Council launched the Innovate Northeast Florida website and officially kicked-off the project today. The website, www.innovatenortheastflorida.com, provides an overview of the project and invites residents and businesses to voice opinions about Northeast Florida's future economy through a brief online survey.

"The strategies resulting from this study will lead to our region's most targeted economic development initiative," said Innovate Northeast Florida co-chair Bob Rhodes, an attorney with Foley & Lardner. "To ensure that Innovate Northeast Florida represents the vision of all residents of our region, we want everyone to participate in the survey."

As part of the study, organizers are conducting focus groups and one-on-one interviews with government, civic and business leaders today through Friday, Sept. 2. Announced earlier this year and funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and WorkSource, the study will help the region's economic development organizations identify the most promising business sectors that will stimulate future economic growth and create detailed marketing and business development implementation plans to grow those industries in the region.

"This project will ensure the alignment between our economic development efforts and workforce strategy," said Innovate Northeast Florida co-chair Elaine Johnson of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, who also chairs WorkSource. "We need to have the right talent with the right skill-set ready when attracting companies to the region."

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. In addition, business managers and owners are invited to also answer a short set of questions related to the area's business climate. The business survey follows the resident survey and takes another five to 10 minutes to complete.

The deadline to complete the survey is Oct. 1, 2011. All survey responses will remain confidential, and no individual surveys will be shared with any outside parties. A summary of the survey results will be posted on the Innovate Northeast Florida website in November. Additionally, the website will be updated regularly with project news and reports. The Innovate Northeast Florida strategy is expected to be finalized in March 2012 and presented to the public in April 2012.

A team of national consultants are helping to facilitate the strategy, including Avalanche Consulting, McCallum Sweeney Consulting, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and Infinity Global Solutions.

"The study will allow us to focus our efforts on recruiting the top performing sub-clusters within the industries that currently dominate Northeast Florida," said Amy Holloway, president of Avalanche Consulting. "We will also look at how the existing targets are evolving and what new sectors will play a role in the region's future economy."

A link to the online survey and more information about Innovate Northeast Florida is available at www.innovatenortheastflorida.com.

About the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce is the business membership organization whose purpose is to drive quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. www.OpportunityJacksonville.com.

About JAXUSA Partnership

JAXUSA Partnership is a regional economic development partnership comprised of almost 200 top private sector investors in Northeast Florida in partnership with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, JEDC, JEA, JAXPORT, JAA, JTA, WorkSource and the regional county partners – Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

About the Northeast Florida Regional Council

The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) is a dynamic network of local governance, serving seven counties - Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns – and their 27 municipalities. NEFRC provides visionary leadership and coordination between counties and governmental agencies to preserve and enhance the quality of Northeast Florida's natural, man-made, economic, and social environment.

###

Tami McClaran

Clockwork Marketing Services, Inc.

4400 Marsh Landing Blvd., Ste. 8

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Telephone: (904) 280-7960

Fax: (904) 280-2567

tami@clockworkmarketing.com

www.clockworkmarketing.com

www.whatsupjacksonville.com

Mac + PC Tech Pro Pics

2011-08-28T21:04:00.001-04:00

Pics courtesy of Kevin Monahan.

We had a great time at the Grand opening of the corporate support office of Mac + PC Tech Pro. There were small business folks, family, and even a congressperson!

Don't hesitate to go and "like" the best Apple and PC consulting and service business in Jacksonville!

Enjoy your weekend!

2011-08-26T12:18:00.001-04:00

CALL TO ARTISTS!

2011-08-24T14:21:00.001-04:00

This looks like a great opportunity. Design THE poster for the 500 year anniversary of Florida! (and get like $2500- which would have been a LOT 500 years ago).

Found this website while checking this Viva Florida thing out. Very nice.

Click here for call to artists.

Cecil Field Trip

2011-08-24T12:19:00.001-04:00

Mind Jar

2011-08-23T10:21:00.001-04:00

mindjar.amr Listen on Posterous

A quick cut from this morning's interview of Tommy Hobin by the amazing Melissa Ross on today's First Coast Connect. Social Media Vs. Search Engine Optimization.

Posted via email from the urban core

Tommy from Mind Jar

2011-08-23T10:07:00.001-04:00

Scenes from my run.

2011-08-20T12:10:00.000-04:00

New

2011-08-17T23:01:00.002-04:00

New Blog Alert: Social-Effects

2011-08-15T12:31:00.003-04:00

You may or may not know that I love the digital world when it comes to messaging and marketing. In my opinion there is no better way to grow word of mouth for great brands and great causes than the interwebs, yes?

So. I'm really excited about our new product called Social-Effects. I am heading up this effort to take our principles, vision, mission, etc. at Keymer and deploy them within the awesome and growing number of tools available to business. We've had what one can only call unbridled success with our clients and look forward to more.

We are staying on top of things that can be crucial to your business success. Social media provides you with audience building, promotion, communication, and monitoring/measuring tools for free. You can't afford not to look really.

Please, stick Social-Effects in your reader and don't hesitate to holler at me for more info.

One may ask, how many blogs have you? Not enough I say! Seriously, blogs are the absolute best way to position your business/ideas and publish/own the conversation. There is not one business out there that cannot benefit from a good blog.

Plus, some stuff on my personal blog (you are at it right now) I can't post to Social-Effects, like this amazing cheat sheet to the Facebook Terms of Use (in bro-speak). I have already referenced this a few times. It comes in handy and is hilarious. Such is the gift of social media.

I'm pretty sure this is like half price Historic Springfield.

2011-08-12T10:06:00.001-04:00

2 great price reductions in Springfield. I can say without reservation these are on one of the best blocks in the district. I used to live there.

RAM: Really Awesome Munchies!

2011-08-12T08:31:00.001-04:00

RAM: Really Awesome Munchies!

No, of course we are not changing our name! RAM still stands for Riverside Arts Market. BUT, I was looking back at past newsletters and realized that I have not done justice to the SUPERB food artists and food vendors we have at the Market. Everyone knows, at least I hope so, that we have great art and entertainment every Saturday. AND, it's worth coming to RAM every week just to see and hear all the wonderful artistic expressions. But, when you are hankering for something to curb your hunger, RAM offers some fantastic food for all tastebuds!

I can honestly say that I have not had one bad food item from any RAM vendor, and I try them ALL, believe me! If I could eat anything I wanted without gaining weight, I would have the most incredible, tastebud-tantilizing-tour of RAM food every Saturday!

For instance, this would be ONE of my RAM Menus on a Saturday:
Pre-Breakfast -

Large, half-caff, hazelnut or mint coffee with cream and sugar

Chocolate croissant and/or chocolate chip cookie (I love to dunk sweet yummies in my coffee!)

Breakfast

Egg, cheese and veggie wrap

Piece of fudge for dessert (You have to have dessert, right? We need the sugar to keep us moving all day at the Market!)

Lunch 1

Strawberry smoothie

2 Samosas

Fusion taco with sweet potato and black beans on the side

Cupcake "du jour"

Lunch 2

"Teri Burger" (Crab cake sandwich with grilled veggies, cheese, and sauce.)

French fries

Fresh dill pickles (I like them very tart)

Lemon or limeade

Afternoon snack

Kettle Korn

Sno cone (I love blueberry, strawberry, or coconut flavors!)

Fruit punch

Pre-dinner appetizers

Jamaican meat patty

Olive...anything (I LOVE olives!)

Pre-dinner meal

Hotdog or sausage

Lumpia

Water (We all need water during the day at some point!)

Take-home dinner (Who feels like cooking after spending a great day at RAM?)

Pizza

A couple of knishes

Peanut brittle for dessert

Take-home food items for the week

Fresh fruits and veggies from our farmers

Frozen filets and meats

Honey (I don't usually like honey but there are some GREAT flavors of REAL honey at RAM!)

Bread, bread, and more bread - with some pita thrown in for sandwiches

Cakes, pies, and cookies (Weekday breakfast of champions!)

Beef jerky (I have always liked that stuff - does that mean I'm a cowgirl?)

Dog treats (For my dog-nephews and dog-nieces)

WOW! I am getting hungry just thinking about it! I can't wait to get to RAM on Saturday and wallow in the swallowin'!

Come out and join us for all the great food, art, and entertainment this Saturday! Your senses will thank you!

See you there!

Teri

This Week on the River Stage

10:30 am Back in the Boondocks, Theatre excerpts

11:45 The Afterwhile Americana Folk/Bluegrass

2:30 Garrett on Acoustic, Singer/Songwriter

For information on other musical acts and street performers, check out our website at: www.RiversideArtsMarket.com/Entertainment.html

Give a hand to our volunteers!

We are fortunate to have some of the BEST volunteers in the city and they deserve a big hand of applause! If you want to be part of the greatest Saturday market, we want you!

We are always looking for volunteers to give a few hours or more while having fun at the Market.

Come as a team or individual
Business and Non-profit teams welcome!
Get community service hours for school
Help your neighborhood market
Have fun!

Email Torrie at: Volunteers@RiversideArtsMarket.com to sign up or learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Upcoming Events @ RAM

This is a partial list of some of the GREAT activities that will be coming up this year. Mark your calendar and "Stay Tuned" for more fun festivities!

If you are local business interested in being a part of these upcoming theme days, please email us. There are MANY partnership opportunities available!

Aug. 27 - The ARF BARKET - National Dog Day at RAM!

Sept. 17th - Book/Literary Day - Local Authors are invited to apply to sell, sign, and read from your books!

Sept. 24th - Bike Day 2 - Supporting the Power of the Pedal!

Oct. 1 - Yoga Day @ RAM. Two yoga classes, three workshops, and several demonstrations to help you stretch and breathe!

Oct. 22 - Oktoberfest @ RAM. Beer, German food, and Music to bring out the oompah in you!

Tour the John Gorrie School!

THIS Saturday, August 13th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., J. Wayne and Delores Weaver will open the doors to the beautifully restored John Gorrie Junior High School, now transformed into luxury condominiums, as a fundraiser to benefit two organizations that they value: Riverside Avondale Preservation and

Habitat for Humanity

Buy an early bird ticket online now!

Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 the day of the tour) and include a "Taste of the Neighborhood." Various area restaurants and shops will open their doors and allow ticket holders a free taste or sample of what they have to offer.

BUY ART SQUARES!

The countdown for this year's RAM Art Gallery begins. So, if you have had your eye on a square or two, you better buy them now or you will have to wait until next year!

There are MANY great art squares available from some of the area's best artists.

Stay Tuned and we will let you know when the project will be starting up again. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what's next from our local artists!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

Riverside Arts Market
2623 Herschel St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

Uptown economic recovery!

2011-08-11T06:52:00.001-04:00

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2011-08-10T22:16:00.000-04:00

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More from the Front (London)

2011-08-10T13:06:00.000-04:00

Hi,

It was a lot quieter last night. I reckon the kids have shocked themselves at how much they have got away with and, now the first rush of blood to the head has gone, they are beginning to worry about the consequences.

The main problems were up in Salford, Manchester and three guys were hit by a car in Birmingham and killed while protecting their property.

A lot of the stories of “anarchy” now are probably bogus – normal everyday crime that is being connected to the riots. On Monday, for example, there was a stabbing in Manchester and a double decker bus was set on fire. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “I don’t want anybody to blow this out of proportion – this is just a normal night up here.”

The Turkish community in Dalston are out patrolling in force with baseball bats etc. and not one incident has been reported against Turkish property in that area. Good for them. I heard on the radio this morning from a group of blokes in Manchester protecting their property. When asked why they were wearing masks, one said, ‘In case we catch one of the little b-stards’. I really hope they manage it.

Also, the English Defence League are claiming that hundreds of their members are protecting estates in South London as the police are incapable.

David Cameron has just said that the police are authorised to use “baton rounds”. All p-ss and wind – they have had that authority all along at the discretion of their force commander. Just political bullsh-t.

Update on Croydon: I didn’t realise the extent of the damage but rows of shops have been burned out. I saw an aerial photo of a burned out block which looked like Forbidden Planet but I am probably wrong.

JD

London Calling

2011-08-09T12:39:00.001-04:00

A note from a friend in London

Hi,

Just a quick update. This place has gone nuts. Conscious of the fact that I don't want to be seen as a croaker, in some areas it is what I imagine the end of the world would look like. Tottenham, Clapham Junction, Edmonton, Enfield, Ealing, Walthamstow, Lewisham, Hackney are all crazy.

In Croydon, the bars and shops around my old flat (including the newsagents where I use to nip to get my emergency early morning bogroll) have all been smashed up. Down the road, McDonalds was trashed and Lidl looted (where are the chavs going to get their "tea" from?). A continuous line of masked kids streamed out of Argos carrying TVs while, 50 yards away, riot police stood watching. The reaction of the police was probably similar to the reaction of the navy when the Iranians captured crewmembers of HMS Cornwall in 2007: Do sod all and wait for somewhat up the command chain to make a decision.

All evening yesterday you could hear sirens screaming through the night but there was an eerie feeling that, should you have needed to dial 999, nobody would have come. A mile or so to our east, three or four plumes of smoke showed where Croydon was going up in smoke. When I got home and turned on the telly I realised that the biggest plume was this gorgeous old furniture store that had apparently been there for 140 years – right opposite Deano's flat.

Last night it spread to Birmingham, followed by Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool (a usual suspect…). I cannot imagine Glasgow not following in the next couple of days. There are frantic calls to "send in the army" from various idiots. I dare say your average squaddie would grab a TV or two for himself. There were 6,000 cops on the streets of London last night and later there are expected to 16,000. They are also talking about "rubber bullets". A bit premature as they haven't even used CS yet.

There's a little old lady who lives opposite us who must be petrified so Angela is popping over today to make sure she knows we are keeping an eye out for her.

It's quieter at the moment but everyone is expecting it to kick off again in a few hours. Helicopters drone overhead although, let's face it, they're full of Sky and BBC cameramen. Unfortunately the weather for the next few days continues fine.

I must admit, I am quite enjoying it. It's the closest thing we've had to the Blitz in my lifetime.

Cheerio,

1534oakstreet.com site meeting

2011-08-09T08:44:00.000-04:00