NOTES FROM FLORIDA TRUST CONFERENCE

Keynote Speaker Robert McNulty Challenges our Notions of Sustainable Communities

Last week at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Orlando, the keynote speaker, Mr. Robert McNulty of Partners for Livable Communities, challenged our notions of sustainable development. He boldly asked the audience to think of our heritage as the infrastructure for the future. Outlining the country's greatest challenges--the economy, immigration, our aging population, and the growing concerns surrounding health and obesity--he asked us to think of our heritage as a sustaining resource.

Mr McNulty's notion of sustainability, or "livability" as he calls it, encompasses more than just green building. He defines livability as, "the sum of the factors that add up to a community's quality of life--including the built environment, economic prosperity, social stability and equality, educational opportunity, and cultural entertainment and recreational possibilities."

He provided several examples of creative ways various nonprofits have worked to highlight the connection between a community's heritage and its future opportunities, and, as I listened to this presentation, I could not help but think, "RAP is already doing this work!"

Our members have long understood the critical relationship between a community's past and its future and, although RAP's efforts connecting the two have not always made a straight line, where we've done it well we have been able to add real depth to the community experience.

With Riverside Arts Market, RAP created not only an attractive venue for the arts and a source of locally grown fruits and vegetables, but also an event that brings together people of all ages. Our popular Spring Tour of Homes pays homage to the community's unique historical architecture and proffers examples as to how homes can be successfully rehabilitated while maintaining their architectural integrity. Our award-winning podcast gets people moving by encouraging them to rediscover the neighborhood and its stories via alternative methods of transportation, such as bicycles and by walking.

As a newcomer to the organization, I'm proud that RAP's efforts have positioned it ahead of the curve, and I am excited to get to work on new programs that continue the mission of enhancing and sustaining this community. The road ahead looks very promising, indeed.

Riverside Arts Market reopens March 5th!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 1, 2011 – Riverside Arts Market (RAM) Grand Reopening will be held this Saturday March 5, 2011. The season kicks off with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand new, two hundred foot RAM boat dock. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:15 AM. Jacksonville’s own Mayor Peyton will arrive via water taxi to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Boaters are encouraged to arrive with decorated boats, banners and signs at the dock by 10:15 to participate in the festivities. Stanton College Preparatory School’s highly talented drum line will entertain the crowd on the Riverwalk throughout event.

Located beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge in Riverside RAM features hundreds of artists, musical entertainers, street performers and fresh produce and food vendors. RAM will remain open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM every Saturday until the close of the 2011 season.

“Although this is only our third year in operation the Riverside Arts Market has quickly become a Jacksonville, as well as a regional, favorite. The support of the community for RAM shows how much our community cares about the culture of our amazing city,” said Executive Director of RAM Teri Coutu, “the new boat dock is just one more example of RAM’s impressive growth and how it is evolving into a vital hub in our city.”

This 2011 season of RAM will showcase new and returning artists, musicians, street performers and vendors. RAM’s River Stage will feature local and regional entertainers throughout market hours. RAM’s 2011 season includes special “theme days” such as Riverkeeper Day, Bike Day, and Yoga Day. In addition, several special events are planned including the return of Toyota’s Farm to Table Tour, and Oktoberfest.

RAM is currently accepting applications for volunteers, sponsoring partners and vendors. For more information about RAM, applications or upcoming events please visit the website at www.riversideartsmarket.com.

RAM Art Gallery Wants Your Art

Based on Dolf James’s incredible Imagination Squared project, the RAM ART GALLERY had a successful debut year in 2010, and is returning this year when the Riverside Arts Market reopens March 5th. The gallery’s mission is to showcase the diverse talent of our outstanding local artists, and to benefit those artists financially while enriching the Market visitor’s experience. It also happens to be a terrific opportunity for local artists who want to display their work at the Riverside Arts Market, but just don’t have the time to operate a full booth.

Now that the RAM Art Gallery is about to reopen, we need more art!
$36 buys two "squares" (9" x 9" x 2" wooden boxes) and the exhibit fee for 4 weeks minimum at RAM (artists sets price and keeps sales proceeds), plus multiple weeks display at Elemental Gallery in the Landing and at Biscottis Restaurant in Avondale
(25% sales fee).

We need 96 works of art for the March 5, opening. We have about 50 now and need yours!

We define "artist" as anyone who purchases our kit, creates something, and is willing to have it put on display. If that's you, great. If not, pass this on to someone who might like the opportunity.

Kits are available at:

RAP offices, 2623 Herschel Street (Riverside), Tue-Fri, 10 am-2 pm.
Elemental Gallery, Jacksonville Landing, Mon-Sat. 307-1885.

So what goodies can you can expect at FRAM today?

FRAM continues this morning from 10 am till 1 pm (and every Saturday through February). Here are some of the great items you can expect:

Cross Creek Honey - 2 floral varieties of honey, orange blossom, tupelo and
Years End Bold (wildflower), skin care products that are made with Cross
Creek Honey and our beeswax, and Cross Creek honey beeswax candles.

Black Hog Farms - Swiss chard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips,
rutabaga, kale, collards, cauliflower

Dips2go - full line of rubs (poultry/ seafood, creole, pork and
southwestern) along with Cream of Asparagus soup, Tomato Basil Bisque soup,
black bean soup and southwestern Tortilla soup. All 10 of our dips as well
as a bread dipping spice and 2 glazes. They will offer a $2.00 discount on any
purchase of 3 items for anyone who mentions this post.

Magnolia Farms - goat cheese (chevre'), yogurt and feta.

Ortega Elementary - veggies grown at the school garden by Ortega Elementary
Students

Reeds Groves - large variety of citrus and other produce

Seven Trees Nursery - large variety of potted plants, hanging baskets, and
succulents

See You Under the Bridge!

RAP Podcast: Episode #1

This inaugural one-hour, two-mile tour starts at the popular Riverside Arts Market, and guides listeners through a small slice of this large, beautiful and architecturally diverse neighborhood.

The tour features some of Riverside’s oldest and most interesting homes—including a haunted house that once played host to Mary Todd Lincoln, a grand Jacobethan mansion built for the owner of Maxwell House Coffee, and the erstwhile office of Leonard Skinner, the former coach who gave his name to Jacksonville’s most famous band.

Download the audio file or Subscribe in iTunes
If you'd like to print out a map of the walking tour, you can access it here.

Non-iTunes Instructions

Once you click the download link above, the audio file Riverside-Avondale-Tour-Episode-1.m4a will be saved in your downloads folder. If you want to load the file into your MP3 player, just launch your music program, click Add to Library, and select the audio file.

Get Ready for TWO Days of Oktoberfest Fun at RAM--next weekend!

There's so much going on next weekend that we couldn't fit all the fun into just one day.  Join us at RAM Friday night, Oct. 15th, for beers, bands, German food and one heck of a food fight. (The Aetna Healthy Food Fight, that is.  It's an Iron Chef-type cooking contest that will take place on the 15th and 16th at RAM. The winner gets an all-expenses-paid trip to LA to compete in the finale with Bobby Flay!) 

Then return Saturday for an Oktoberfest-themed Arts Market. After a brief break to clear out all the art vendors, the market will reopen at 5pm Saturday for more music and more MUNICH. Check the RAM website for concert days and times. See you under the bridge!

Renoir and the Impressionists Show Opening at Avondale's R.Roberts Gallery

The fine folks over at R. Roberts Galley in the Avondale Shops are debuting a terrific new show of rare original Impressionist art next week, and they're throwing a party to celebrate that will also benefit the Riverside Arts Market!

The Travelhost VIP Hospitality Gala is on Monday, Sept. 27th, from 5:30 to 8 pm at the gallery, which is located at 3606 St. Johns Avenue.  Billed as "An extraordinary evening of cocktails, delicacies, networking and art," the party will showcase a rare collection of paintings, drawings, etchings and lithographs by such Impressionist Masters as Renoir, Manet, Cezanne and Pissarro. (And yes, they'll be available for purchase!)  It's part of a whole week of exhibitions and educational events.  If you'd like to join in the celebration, please RSVP to 388-1188, as space is limited.

Cool video from Dog Day

Pulled this off a national feed for public television.  Includes a nice review of some of the superior local services available for our canine friends. Enjoy.

Watch the full episode. See more Picture This.

Your Dog Can Do Better Than This Guy

Cute (but weird!) video made by a RAM fan to inform one and all about the rules of the 2nd Annual Dog Day Parade at the Riverside Arts Market tomorrow. Prizes for the best costume (your dog's, not yours), as well as special dog-themed vendors, doggie wading pools, and a canine Yappy Hour. This was a blast last year!

Awesome moves at RAM Breakdance competition

In case you missed some of the insane moves at the Summertime in the City b-boy dance-off last Saturday at RAM, you can catch all the action on RAM-TV!


B-Boy Battle Breakdance Competition at RAM from RAM on Vimeo.

Bring Your Plastic Bags (and old cell phones, chargers, papers, etc.) to RAM this Saturday

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host an Easy As One collection in Jacksonville on Saturday, June 26, at the Riverside Arts Market. DEP will collect paper to be shredded and recycled by Shred-it of Jacksonville, retail plastic bags to be recycled by Wal-Mart and used cell phones and chargers (working and non-working) to be donated to the Hubbard House.

Participants who bring in 15 or more plastic bags for recycling will receive a reusable shopping bag. Those who bring a cell phone or paper for recycling will receive a day pass to any Florida State Park. While supplies last.

Easy As One - Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. is an environmental awareness campaign by DEP that highlights easy actions each one of us can take to make sustainable practices part of our daily lives at home, at school, at work and at play. As the lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship, DEP encourages citizens to adopt green habits that protect Florida's air and water quality, conserve water and reduce waste. A sustainable Florida depends on the collective efforts of citizens, groups, businesses, industry and government.

The collection will take place June 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Riverside Arts Market, Riverside Avenue at Interstate 95, Jacksonville.

For more information about Easy as One, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne or follow on Twitter, www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne.

The Sonic Equivalent of A.A. Milne

We've been huge fans of Justin Roberts's music since he led a chorus of dancing kiddies in the pre-school equivalent of an indie mosh pit at the Riverside Arts Market last year. It was the most exuberant fun we had at RAM all year--and that's saying something!

Today marks the release of Roberts's newest album, Jungle Gym, and we just have to give the man some props (although we had to get in line behind the New York Times). From this charming music video for Obsessed by Trucks to the unbelievably catchy Pop Fly, Roberts's music is warm, often wry, always imaginative and consistently smart. He's the sonic equivalent of A.A. Milne (wish we could claim credit for the catchy phrase, but that goes to NPR's All Things Considered, which gave Jungle Gym a rave review today). If Riverside's alt-indie pre-teens had a troubadour, it would be Justin Roberts. Check him out.

Lots to do this weekend!

There are some cool options on tap for this weekend (aside from the ever-popular Riverside Arts Market--but you already know about that one, don't you?!?). The Mayport Fishing Village is hosting a Historic and Cultural Fest from 10 am till 4 pm that, among other great educational offerings, will also feature a fish fry. YUM.

Also, the Springfield Garden Community is hosting a talk on Community Gardens at 1 pm at the Zimmerman Overlook of the Main Library.

Then, on Sunday from 4 pm till 6 pm, RAP is hosting a Social at the fabulous new Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Avondale. $5 drink specials for RAP members--and that includes wine, margaritas and martinis! Light refreshments, too. Come mingle with your neighbors and meet new friends.

A Special Treat at RAM this weekend!

As if the Riverside Arts Market wasn't special enough, this weekend you are in for a very special treat. The acclaimed NYC-based vocalist Morley, in town to perform for a sold-out private event, will also play a free public concert on the main stage at 11am on Saturday, March 20th. She will be accompanied onstage by the highly regarded "Global Soul" guitarist/vocalist Tomas Doncker. This will be your only opportunity to see and hear this amazing artist before she flies back to NYC that afternoon to continue working on her next record. Just so everyone knows, Morley is NOT on tour. She flew down from NYC specifically to play for us. Morley has recently played at New York City's Blue Note and Lincoln Center and has an upcoming show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music! A special thanks to Atypical Arts for making this happen!

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.

This Weekend at RAM

THIS WEEK
Project Backpack will be back at the Market this week collecting backpacks and gift cards for Jacksonville's foster kids. By donating, you'll also be eligible to win two great tickets ...and a parking pass to the Jaguars home game against Buffalo on Nov.22. (Thank you Delores Weaver!!) Stop by the Project Backpack booth for details. Time's running out! Project Backpack will only be at RAM for for the next 2 Saturdays.

Fresh off last week's win, the Jacksonville Jaguars will at the Market selling tickets and will have a drawing for a signed item for anyone that purchases tix at the Jaguars table. They will also have a set of pads/uniform so that everyone can see the new helmet and uniform up close. Check em out on Farmers Row.

Magnolia Farms has gone PUMPKIN CRAZY. Be sure to check out the Jacksonville Weavers Guild at booth 011 (by the office)! I bet weaving by the river would be very therapeutic. Lets see! Need some insight on your future? Kiti Komatsu reads palms and reads them well. But did you know that she gives all her tip donations to RAM!

As always we have great food, great performers and, of course, great art! You can always check out the RAM web site for the latest news!

COMING UP
The Toyota Hybrid Farm to Table Tour comes to RAM Saturday, October 10. Toyota created the Farm to Table Tour to highlight farmers markets around the country and the benefits they offer their communities, and to celebrate the food produced by each market's farmers and vendors.

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.

This Weekend at RAM

Summer's in full swing and we've got some pretty cool stuff (again) at RAM this weekend. Jacksonville's very own River City Band Satin Swing Ensemble jazzes things up on the River Stage starting at 10:30. Then at 1:30 we're proud to have Warren Floyd rock the house. Floyd has played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and shared the stage with a long list of rock royalty--from The Marshall Tucker Band to Bonnie Raitt to the Dixie Chicks. When you're walking around the market, look out for yoga demos by Tara Rawson, local honey, fresh tomatoes, belly dancers, orchids, ripe peaches, goat cheese, olive bread and chocolate croissants, beignets, shaved ice and lots of cool art to inspire and enjoy. Take a pedicab ride to Five Points, visit the Cummer or stroll the Riverwalk when you're done. It is sure to be another great Saturday.

This Weekend at RAM

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.

More RAM News

RAM is so fortunate to have such support from our community from our own RAMROD committee (you know who you are!) to the recently announced sponsors. RAM is so pleased to announce its two founding sponsors, Winn-Dixie and WJCT. We are very grateful for their commitment to the Riverside Arts Market and for their investment in the cultural enhancement of our city.

And a great big thanks to Michael and Julie McKenny for their generous support of the Children's Creativity Corner. This high-energy art learning center will be housed under a huge tent near the RAM Food Court.