RAM - Saturday, November 7 - 10am-4pm

THIS WEEK
We'll be helping the City celebrate the Week of Valor this weekend with an Acrobatic Circus honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros.

One of the stars of the show will be a 1926 antique LaFrance Hook and Ladder antique fire engine on display. It will be joined by the city's largest modern fire truck, a big red battle station in which kids will enjoy getting to sit in the rear cab. At the nearby riverfront, the Jacksonville Fire Department's impressive fire boat, "Marine One," will be on display for viewers and will perform demonstrations of its high firing water cannons.

Veteran firemen will be on the scene to discuss the history of firefighting in Jacksonville, and there will be a book signing for the Jacksonville Historical Society's award-winning book, The Great Fire of 1901. There will also be displays of historic fire-related memorabilia from the Jacksonville Fire Museum and an extensive showcase of antique uniforms, equipment, badges and historical pieces from our local police.

We have a ton going on this weekend! Magician tournaments. World class entertainment in Rocco the Acrobat (gravity-defying stunts of Chinese pole balancing, acrobatics, juggling, a unicycle and more) The Leroy Sisters (mutant clowns, dancing, singing & comedy) and The Rick, Rocket and Daisy Show (circus dogs, unicycles and acrobatics). Oh yes, there's more. The Fabulous Clown Family, balloon artists, belly dancers, and eight different musical groups performing in the market. This week's headline musical act on RAM's River Stage will be acclaimed songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Kristi Stice. And David Ferman, the 16-year-old national champion juggler is back. 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
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.

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!

Grow Your Own Organic…

…with a little help from some Friends!

You have probably seen Down to Earth Farm at RAM and bought some of their wonderful products. If you haven't, take it from me, you are really missing out! They are getting ready for the upcoming fall season and will be seeding very soon and want to share the love. They will be offering ready- made-garden trays for those interested in organic transplants for their garden. For $25 you get a 72 cell tray (or $15 for 36) chock full of fall veggie plants started in an organically certified growing medium. The trays may include broccoli, cauliflower, red and green cabbage, kohrabi, red russian and dino kale, brussels sprouts, butterhead and romaine lettuces, cilantro, dill and basil. You can also get squash (patty pan and yellow/green zephyr) and cucumber seedlings as well. Their first planting will be the first week of September which means the trays will be ready for market by the end of September to beginning of October — perfect timing for your fall garden.

If you are interested in a tray (or two) visit their site and fill out an order form so that they can plant accordingly. Happy eating!