October 13-17, 2009

If preservation is your passion, then I know you wouldn't want to miss this. You will learn about the challenges and successes that shaped Nasheville from frontier hardships, Civil War battles, civil rights struggles, and the development of American music. See how they make the New South energy thrive in their Main Street communities. Learn about the challenges they faced as they worked with plantations and farms, town squares, battlefields, city streets, historic African-American institutions, 19th and 20th century neighborhoods, and music venues from intimate bars to the world-famous Ryman Auditorium.

In the workshops you will learn to identify economically, socially and environmentally sustainable practices to invigorate your preservation efforts; expand your knowledge and think in a different way about Modernism + Recent Past resources with new strategies and approaches; and implement your plans with tips and trade secrets from finance and real estate experts.

And when the conference is over, you'll be armed with successful tactics and lessons from colleagues across the country so you can come home recharged with ideass and energy for Riverside and Avondale. Visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation for more information.

Sheriff Calls Emergency Neighborhood Meeting

This is reposted from an email I received today. Please try to attend.

Sheriff Rutherford has called for an emergency meeting this Monday evening, July 13th, at Ortega United Methodist Church on Roosevelt, 7 p.m. This will be a joint meeting of zones 4, 5 and 6. This area includes Ortega Farms both north and south of Timuquana, Ortega, Ortega Forrest, Avondale and Riverside.

Please let all of your neighbors know about this meeting and encourage them to attend. Come early! I have a feeling this will be standing room only. Everyone is so upset about all of the recent crime in our area and I am thankful that the Police are willing to speak to us on this emergency basis.

I heard just yesterday afternoon that we had another home robbery at the corner of Salonica and Ortega Farms on Wednesday afternoon. The robber took off with guns, jewelry and electronics. Also, a couple was walking past the condos at Ortega Farms and Timuquana three nights ago and they were also robbed by someone passing by in a car. Ortega Forrest has also had several incidents this week.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to neighbors that may not be included on my address book for e-mails concerning crime in our neighborhoods. I will be happy to include them for future mailings. Just respond to this e-mail and I will include your address in my book.

Come to the meeting and come early...ready to ask questions and hear what the Sheriff has to tell us about what is happening in our neighborhoods.

Linda Kelly
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for Ortega Oaks Lane

Annie Lytle may soon see new life

We have all seen this kind of thing happen beore in Jacksonville – a beautiful old, historic building lost through neglect. In this case it isn't for the lack of trying. Public School No. 4 has a lot stacked against it. Built in 1918, it overlooked Riverside Park before construction of the I-95/I-10 interchange isolated the building. It closed in 1960, then was used by the school system for administrative offices until 1971. The building has been vacant ever since. Over the years many grand ideas have been proposed for the old school. One of the more recent ideas, condos, came about during the building boom a few years back but further expansion of I-95, the historic landmark designation and the rumored asbestos problems put a halt to the idea.

Today, the latest idea is for converting the building into 33 residential housing units for senior citizens 55 years old and up. Developer Carlton Jones, president of Renaissance Development Group, also wants to add on to the building and create another 100 units. He said ideally the renovations could start in about nine months. >>Read more at the Daily Record.

This Weekend at RAM!

The River Stage will be very busy again tomorrow. Tyler Denning starts things off singing and playing guitar at 10:30am. Matt McLaughlin takes stage at 11AM, and then Players by the Sea presents a special excerpt from the musical 'Hair' at 11:30. Will Pearsall, our featured performer, finishes the day playing acoustic/blues/folk music from 12:30 to 3:30pm. See you under the bridge!

History is at home at the Row

The Riverdale Inn is one of those preservation success stories that we all like to hear and wish we would hear more often. Once abandoned and home to squatters, this stately Victorian home was just one of many grand estates that lined Riverside Avenue. Sadly only two remain but this one is home to a fine bed and breakfast so you can see and apprciate what once was. You can also stop in for dinner at The Row or drinks at The Gum Bunch Bar. Check out their website to read more about the history of this wonderful place or read the recent T-U article to discover how the Riverdale Inn came to be.

Due to the amazing success of the Riverside Arts Market, The Row Restaurant is now serving lunch on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a few blocks away. Regularly, the restaurant opens for dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Afternoon tea is available with a reservation from 1-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information on the bed and breakfast call 354-5080 or visit www.riverdaleinn.com.

En Garde!

Are you looking for something new to try that will keep you sharp both physically and mentally? Fencing may be just what you were looking for all along and we have one of the best resources in the country right here in Avondale! People come from all over the country to train at the Jacksonville Fencing Club. There was a recent article in the Times-Union about the club that offers a pretty good look at the sport and the club. Coach Raul Toro offers classes for people of all ages starting at age 8. They are also offering a youth fencing camp this summer on July 20th -24th and July 27th -31st at Episcopal High School and may still have a few spaces left.

Summer Garden Concert Series at The Cummer

St. Johns River City Band and Downtown Fireworks
Saturday, July 4, 7-10pm

Members and Non-members: $10 per person
Free for children under three
Rain or Shine. No Refunds.

Guests are allowed to bring blankets, chairs, food and alcoholic beverages.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from
TreeCup Café.

To purchase tickets, call (904) 899-6012.

Party on the 4th

A call to Action from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

CONGRESS TO VOTE ON GROUNDBREAKING INCENTIVE

Support Historic Preservation:
Tell Your Representative to Pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act this Friday. We need your help to ensure its passage because it includes -- for the first time ever -- incentives for building owners to make their homes and properties more energy efficient while respecting their historic character.

New legislation encourages energy upgrades for historic and older homes with financial incentives that have NOT been offered before. Support this bill!

Currently, homeowners can only get a tax credit for buying new products to weatherize their homes; the credit only applies to NEW materials like replacement windows. If, however, you hire someone to fix your existing windows, often a viable and more sustainable choice, the tax credit doesn’t apply. We think that’s wrong. Take action to change that today.

This bill includes the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program (REEP), which would provide financial incentives in the form of state block grants to help owners of homes and businesses save money on energy upgrades, including weatherization or window repair. And, it would provide additional incentives for owners of older and historic properties to make these upgrades in keeping with the historic character of our homes, buildings, and neighborhoods.

Our effort to support this critical legislation is a key element in our ongoing work with Congress to address the needs of owners of older and historic homes. Homes represent the single largest group of historic structures in our towns and cities.

The Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program will provide $2.5 billion to communities throughout the country to help owners of older and historic homes renovate and weatherize their homes.

By taking action today, you join us in the first step to providing tangible help to those on the front lines of preservation -- owners of historic homes and buildings -- and educate Americans that in many cases the “greenest” building is one that has already been built.

Click here to tell your representative to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act.