Church of the Good Shepherd to host Evensong

The Episcopal Church will host "A Choral Evensong" in observance of All Saint's Day at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

The music of Baynon, C.V. Standford, Bainton and William Smith of Durham will be performed. Organists Shannon Gallier and John Barry and the parish's Chancel Choir will perform. The Rev. Doug Hodsdon is the officiant.

A wine and cheese reception will follow in Craig Hall. The parish is at 1100 Stockton St., in Riverside.

Saturday at RAM

THIS WEEK
As if RAM isn't batty enough, our Halloween party should kick off this wild weekend. Vendors will have treats for the kiddies who come dressed for frights! And your pets may also find a few treats if they don their best costumes. And don't forget your costume either as we are having a costume contest! We are certain to see plenty of Gators and Dawgs. We will have our biggest line-up of street performers ever, ten musical groups and zombies dancing on the stage. And if they aren't scary enough you should stop by and get your flu shot.

We have a ton going on this weekend! Magician tournaments. World class entertainment, new farms, returning farms and friends, new artists, new food vendors, and an all around great time. And the Art League will be offering classes for $20.

COMING UP
We'll be helping the city celebrate the Week of Valor on November 7. RAM will be honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros with many activities and cool equipment/displays. And on November 21 we'll be celebrating Biketoberfest. Did you know the we are the only large market in the country with FREE BIKE VALET. This is courtesy of BikeJax! Of course there is more, there always is and there are always a few surprises.

The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

Riverside Fine Arts Series – 11/05

Riverside Fine Arts Series
presents
The King’s Singers
Thursday, November 5, 2009
8pm
Church of the Good Shepherd

Gardening in Northeast Florida

Interested in adding a little punch to your landscape? UNF has a class that should fit the bill. Starting this Wednesday (10/28) and running every Wednesday through November 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Classes at the UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive. Learn how to give your garden a professional look. (904) 620-4200 or www.ce.unf.edu.

CD-R Reliability Caution

Have you been backing up all your music, home movies, and personal photos to CD-R or DVD-R media? For safety's sake, you might want to consider moving that data to a hard drive.

According to this article: Checked Your CD-Rs Lately? on Tech ARP, you may want to verify your data is still intact and recoverable. Dr. Adrian Wong describes that a number of his archived CD-Rs, which are less than 10 years old, are coming up corrupt or difficult to read.

Dr. Wong's overall conclusion is that, despite what the manufacturers say about lifespan, you should use caution if you're storing important files to CD-Rs. "If you have something important to keep, back up OFTEN and use MULTIPLE storage options!" Follow the link to his article above, it's a good read.

Today it has become cost effective to back up to a hard disk drive. The cost per gig of storage has become incredibly affordable. Aside from choosing an external USB hard drive, consider storage that offers some RAID features in the form of NAS (Network Attached Storage) or perhaps a Windows Home Server.

Here are a few links to manufacturers that offer a variety of storage choices, from desktop to rack-mounted NAS solutions, proprietary RAID options with considerable flexibility and even drives that will float in the water and withstand a fire.

Buffalo Technologies
Net Gear
Data Robotics Inc.

IO Safe

Thanks to Integra House for this great article!

Eco-Art Event

R.Roberts Gallery is hosting an evening for naturalists and wildlife art lovers. From 6- 9 p.m. special guest, Robert E. Hall, will present the Audubon Centennial Edition of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America” along with a film highlighting the important contributions Audubon made to the areas of wildlife art and North American bird cataloging.

This presentation will also include a wine and cheese reception. Your $10 donation at the door will benefit St. Johns Riverkeeper. Please RSVP to R.Roberts, (904) 388-1188, by October 22.

5 Points Horror Fest

The 5 Points Theatre has really been delivering the goods, haven’t they? And for Halloween, what more could you ask for but a Horror Fest? It runs from October 23 through October 30th and features a wide mix of films. You will find true classics like the original Frankenstein from 1931, the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and An American Werewolf in London to documentaries like Zombie Girl. Also on tap are some independent films including Dead Snow and Pontypool as well as plenty of shorts throughout the week. Local film makers are well represented. Be sure to catch local film maker Don Barton Wednesday (10/28) for a screening of his film Zaat. And to wrap the week up, Friday night offers a costume party and a screening of Halloween. For a complete schedule, visit their site!

Get Wild in Memorial PArk

R. Roberts Gallery is throwing a "Where the Wild Things Are" party in Memorial Park on October 18th from 1-4pm to celebrate the upcoming movie and Maurice Sendak's amazing children's book. The best part of the party is a special photography shoot where your child can be MAX, King of the Wild Things! Costumes will be provided for the shoot.

Also on tap for the party will be art activities, apple bobbing, games & prizes. Don't miss this great family outing!

Saturday, October 17 at RAM

THIS WEEK
The weather this weekend should finally feel like fall. It should be a great day to take a walk along the river. Vikings will descend upon RAM this weekend to celebrate Viking Week. We'll have a 10th century replica fjord utility boat on display. The Sons of Norway will also be there. Some will be dressed in full Viking regalia, while others will dressed in Bunads (native Norwegian dress). You'll be able to purchase Nordic delights including jars of lingonberries, Norwegian chocolate bars and lefse. And what kind of market would we be if we didn't have plastic Viking helmets so everyone can get in on the act?

The Jaguars are back again. They are home against the Rams this weekend and need everyone's support. There is also the regular assortment of amazing artisans and talented performers to entertain.

COMING UP
October 31 is Halloween and we are encouraging everyone to come in costume. We will be having a contest with multiple categories for best costumes. Don't forget about your four-legged friends! We are also encouraging the vendors to have treats for the kids so they can trick or treat while you do a little shopping. We'll be helping the city celebrate the Week of Valor on November 7. RAM will be honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros with many activities and cool equipment/displays. And on November 21 we'll be celebrating Biketoberfest. Did you know the we are the only large market in the country with FREE BIKE VALET. This is courtesy of BikeJax! Of course there is more, there always is and there are always a few surprises.

The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

Friday Nights Out At The Derby House

When Fuel closed its doors some felt that it left quite a music void in 5 Points. The Times-Union has a nice story about the newest place to catch some live music in the district. It's a different vibe to be certain but a very welcome one. Last week featured the Florida folk sounds of Ron & Mary. This week an out of town act Bill & Eli. The entertainment runs from 7 to 10 with an open mike in the last hour. With the nights finally cooling off a little, sitting outside on the deck at the Derby House with friends, drinks and food sounds like just the thing to kick off the weekend.

The RAP blog

Congrats to Urban Jacksonville for winning “best blog” in folioweekly's Best of Jax 2009. That's three years running! If you haven't paid them a visit, drop on by but do come back wbecause Urban Jacksonville gave us an honorable mention in their own list of blogs that they would bring with them if they were stranded on a desert island. Sorry Señor McTasty, I don't think your ice cream would make very long on that island!

¡Viva Cinema!

The 2009 Jacksonville Latino Film Festival Oct. 15-18 comes to 5 Points! Four days of movies in the 5 Points Theatre, parties, workshops and panel discussions are scheduled. Opening night (10/15) features a very special showing of the film Crude followed by a Q&A with director/producer Joe Berlinger. You do have to leave the district for the FREE opening night party at Twisted Martini, but the Landing is just a short walk along the river. The workshops are Saturday (10/17) at MOCA. The festival is presented by Winn Dixie, ¡Viva Cinema! will celebrate the best in Latino Filmmaking. This is a Jacksonville Film Events program in association with the NY Int’l Latino Film Festival.

Gardening Geeks

Organic gardening and buying local are all the rage these day… and good for you! Just look at the successes realized at the Riverside Arts Market. Doing it yourself can be quite rewarding as well. And relaxing, if you don't let the bugs get to you. For all of you home gardeners, here's an interesting blog that relates gardening to geekiness. It's a fun read that might just make you realize that you have a little geek in you after all!

This Weekend at RAM

THIS WEEK
The best arts market of all time, ever™ is back this weekend with a major promotion. The Toyota Farm to Table Tour will be an amazing day for all of us. Some of the city's top chefs will be showcasing their culinary art utilizing our RAM farmers. Urban Jacksonville interviews one of the chefs lists the chefs in recent posts. RAM was selected as one of the few markets in the country to be a part of this promotion and we are super proud. There is so much to see as well as lots of free (sample sized) eats from these superb restaurants: Chew, Uptown Market, Eleven South, Taverna, Pastiche, Richard Nunn, Biscottis, Burrito Gallery, Orsay, Cafe Du Marche, Sweet Pete, and Bistro AIX.
 
Checking out the chef's and their farms, taking a Hybrid (Prius or Highlander) test drive, and earning a free herb start will be a lot of fun Saturday, but it is not nearly all you can do!

In addition to all the great art, food and crafts, be sure to stay and enjoy Dr. Wayne Wood's always phenomenal 17 ring circus of entertainment (including Dot Wilder and world record magicians and jugglers!), the Jacksonville University Lacrosse Teams and the Jaguars will be selling tickets.  And this is the last weekend for Project Backpack. Please don't forget to bring your new backpacks and gift cards. You can win Jags tix AND a parking pass!

COMING UP
The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

What Does “Walkability” Say About Your Neighborhood?

Written by Erica Stewart

Given the dearth of positive real estate news as of late, I was happy to read the new report by Joseph Cortright for CEOs for Cities. The finding: homes that are located within walking distance to neighborhood amenities including shops, restaurants, schools, libraries and public transportation have higher property values.

In Cortright’s report, “Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Values in U.S. Cities,” he examined real estate data in 15 major markets and determined that in 13 of those markets, high levels of walkability were connected to higher home values. His methodology used Walk Score, which measures the proximity of amenities such as restaurants, parks, coffee shops, grocery stories, etc. to calculate “Walk Scores” for the 15 markets. A Walk Score of 100 is the most pedestrian-friendly while 0 is car heaven. Scores of 70 and above indicate high levels of walkability. Cortright found a one-point increase in a Walk Score correlated to an increase in home values from $700 to $3,000, depending on the density of the city being researched. >> Read the rest of the article at the National Trust's blog Preservation Nation.

R. Roberts

Lots of great events coming up at R. Roberts Gallery including Jacksonville Historic Society Show on October 9 & 10. For more information on this show or other upcoming events visit their site.

Jacksonville Historic Society Benefit and Contemporary Photography Show

October 10 • R. Roberts Gallery • 6-9pm

Over 40 photographic works from the original archives will be on display with a book signing and meet & greet with the Masucci family who compiled the original anthology of Jacksonville's Historic Photographic archives. The images included in this show were originally photographed using primitive glass slides in the early 1900's by suffragist and Susan Masucci's great aunt, Leah Mary Cox. A display of original glass slides will be on view. This hard-to-find book and many others can be purchased from the Jacksonville Historical Society's bookstore.

This show will also feature Art Nouveau heirloom jewelry commissioned specifically for this important Jacksonville exhibition by Perle du Bois and contemporary works of photography by Leigh Ann Sullivan, Heather Blanton, James Crichlow, Ted Johnson, Bob Willis and Tiffany Manning.

Farmers Market to open in San Marco

Once again, RAM has spawned a new venture. Due to the wild success of the Market, San Marco has decided to get in on the act. Starting this Saturday, San Marco Preservation will launching its own farmers market in Ballis Park. It will be focused entirely on local food and plants. Their market will be open from 8am to noon each Saturday. Who said it isn't easy being green?

KELLEY KUNZ

For Kelley Kunz, a 41-year-old Jacksonville physical therapist, completing an Ironman triathlon has been a "lifelong goal." Read the Times-Union article to see that she not only succeeded in her goal, but did a whole lot of good for the community while she was at it.

At Bogda this Saturday Night

If you are looking for something a little different,
this Saturday from 8-11pm,
Jack Diablo and Unit 6 Productions present an evening
of psychedelic vibes and metaspiritual evaluation
as one of the finest assemblages of local creatives
ever to occupy one room explore their darkest fears
and brightest hopes through artistic interpretation
of the spirit animal.

Totem.

(if you got 'em)

First Fridays at 5 Points

On the First Friday of every month 5 Points is different. It's our monthy block party with live music, art, dining, shopping and entertainment in every direction. First Friday in 5 Points, this and every First Friday. See what makes us different.