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.

Celebrate National Hat Day at RAM!

The already colorful Riverside Arts Market (RAM) will take on an even more kaleidoscopic appearance this weekend as thousands of hat-wearing visitors and vendors will show off their most special chapeaux. The display of unique headwear is in honor of National Hat Day. Everyone – visitors, artists, farmers, food vendors, and entertainers – are asked to wear a special hat to the Riverside Arts Market this Saturday, June 20th. Prizes will be awarded to the persons wearing the best hats.

The focus of the Riverside Arts Market is artistic expression, and the 160 artists who display their works each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. present a wide array of artwork from oil paintings and sculpture to hand-made gifts. With over one football field’s area of covered space beneath the bridge, the artists can exhibit without having to worry about rain or the hot sun, since it is an all-weather market (an especially nice feature this weekend, which is forecasted to be HOT). The Riverside Arts Market is free and has over 1,000 free parking spaces next to it.

The market also has a huge fresh produce section in its Farmer’s Market, and many visitors come every week to select their locally grown fruit and vegetables. Strawberries, organic lettuce, Vidalia onions, peaches, blue berries, and goat cheese have been the biggest hits in recent weeks. There are also food vendors who sell ready-to-eat meals from shrimp creole to barbeque, which can be eaten in the riverfront dining area while listening to free music.

After a full day at the market, you can rest up for Dancing in the Streets in the evening!

Dancing in the Streets

Saturday, June 20th

Avondale comes alive in this yearly event! Line music with The BayStreet Band 5 - 8 pm
Vintage cars, dining, shopping and of course dancing!

Hosted by the Avondale Merchants Association. For more information call 338-3194 or visit their site.

Living in older neighborhoods is good for your health!

People who live in the most walkable neighborhoods weigh an average of 8 pounds less than people who live in the least walkable areas, according to a recent study of Salt Lake City neighborhoods. The study, done by the University of Utah, found that neighborhoods built before 1950 are generally more walkable than newer areas, because they were designed primarily for pedestrians, not cars. "Adding a decade to the average age of an area's housing decreases women's risk of obesity by about eight percent and men's by 13 percent," notes lead researcher Ken Smith, PhD. This is because neighborhoods built before 1950 tend to have sidewalks and other characteristics that make them more accessible to pedestrians, including being more densely populated and having restaurants and other businesses nearby.

In an interview with WebMD, Smith says the growing emphasis on designing pedestrian-friendly places for people to live, work, and play could have a large, positive impact on health in the future. He cited a recent report from the Brookings Institution predicting that by the year 2030, half the buildings in the United States will have been built since 2000.

Other studies have also found a link between physical health and living in older neighborhoods. A 2007 study at Stanford University found that people who are trying to increase their physical activity are more than twice as likely to succeed if they live in older, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. So . . . get out and walk, Riverside! Out the door, Avondale! Just living here makes you healthier!

3rd Thursday Celebration

The third time is the charm, if you missed the 1st Wednesday Jacksonville Art Walk and the 1st Friday Walk in 5 Points, then do not miss Avondale’s newest excuse to party.

Join us this and every third Thursday of the month from 5-8.

Featuring art being created on the streets, amazing food & drink specials at our fine and casual dining restaurants, complimentary cocktails and wine tastings in many of our historic shoppes, incredible one-night-only boutique sales and MORE. Plan a date for this wonderful new monthly event!

“Ladies, the home of Washington is in your charge.”

Mount Vernon (Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey)

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a great story about the home of George Washington – how it was almost lost and and how it was saved by a mother and her daughter and the amazing women of the Mount Vernon’s Ladies Association. Read more about Mount Vernon Ladies Association here. And about the three most influential women of that organization here.

You will be inspired and realize that with determination, persistence and hard work, almost anything can be accomplished!

Summer Garden Concert Series at The Cummer

Parrothead Night with Riptide
Sunday, June 7, 3-7pm

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.

This Weekend!

This Friday is First Friday in Five Points. Among the usual funs things to do is Anomaly's 4th Birthday Party! Stop in and wish them happy birthday and enjoy… tasty treats… delicious drinks… stylish threads… plus, the one and only, nickFRESH playin all your jamz. Flux Gallery has work from Heather Blanton, Logan Zawacki, Leigh-Ann Sullivan, Mario Peralta, Aimee Dodds, and Patrick Morris. And Logan unveils his new book- The Excavation of Mushroon Island. Could this be proof that the Super Mario Brothers mythology existed a long time ago on a lost chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean?

Start your Saturday with the Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren bridge… music… art… food… art… fun… and… ART! 10am-4pm. Stop in early for the best selection! Don't miss our featured Acoustic/Folk/Rock performer Lauren Fincham with Mike Pearson from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Also appearing are Domenic Patruno at 10:30am and Dr. Jeff and Mr. Mike at 11:15am.

And if you don't get enough art at RAM, stop in at Bogda Gallery for the Franklin Matthews opening from 8-11pm. Bogda is located at 1253 McDuff Avenue acroos the street from Lee High School.

Trips for the History Book - Summer 2009

Tupelo Elvis Festival
June 5-7 • Tupelo, MS

Appalachian String Band Music Festival
July 29 - August 3