Free JSO community concerts this Sunday!

This Sunday, Sept. 19th, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is planning to Cover the Town With Sound during a day of free community concerts. Small groups of JSO musicians (including string, woodwind and brass quintets) will perform at venues throughout the greater Jacksonville area, including two concerts right here in our neighborhood. Kudos to the JSO for a great idea that kicks off the new Symphony season in style while fostering community pride in our city.

Performances are scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. and each program will run for 45 minutes. Locations and start times are subject to change. 

Neighborhood Locations and musicians include:

Downtown
Jacksonville Main Public Library - 303 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Harp/Violin Duo: Kayo Ishimaru, harp and Max Huls, violin


Riverside

Riverside Presbyterian Church – 849 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Woodwind Quintet: Rhonda Cassano, flute, Claudia Minch, oboe, Marci Gurnow, clarinet, Anthony Anurca, bassoon, and Aaron Brask, French horn

Check here for additional locations.

A New Face in Five Points?

Preservationists have long debated whether modern architecture has a place in designated historic districts. Some historic neighborhoods welcome good modern design for the contrast and vitality it can bring; others would prefer to bar the door and throw up a Do Not Disturb sign. 

Here in Riverside Avondale, where many of our historic structures are themselves symbols of architectural innovation and radical (for its day) design, the question isn’t really whether a contemporary infill building is “allowed,” but rather whether it can be designed to complement the neighborhood’s human-scale and historical context.*

The answer to that question is taking shape in plans for a prominent pie-shaped lot in Five Points. A local development group is seeking City approval for a distinctly modern building, to be located at 1534 Oak Street, that will contain a ground-level restaurant, a rooftop bar, offices and a handful of residential units. The site has been a vacant lot for several years. *(Had the developers needed to tear down a designated historic structure to build their building, this would have been another issue entirely.) Technically, the property falls just outside the historic district’s boundaries; however, it lies within the area covered by the Riverside Avondale Zoning Overlay, and thus is subject to certain design guidelines.

Here at RAP, we’ve been talking with the developers and listening to our neighbors. Many of you welcome the project. Others want more information about how issues like parking and public space will be addressed before they form an opinion. And some of you have already placed your orders at Giglio’s for that big Do Not Disturb sign. 

We’ve stated our position here. What’s yours?

Support the Riverside Trolley Service

JTA is hosting a public hearing Friday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 - 6 p.m. at the JTA administrative offices at 100 N. Myrtle Avenue. The purpose of the hearing is to present proposed changes to the transit system (including Riverside Trolley) that go into effect September 6, 2010, and get public feedback.

Proposed changes include combining the Riverside Trolley and the WS1 (Ortega-NAS) to create one route from downtown along Riverside Avenue to King Street, then south on St. Johns Avenue to Herschel Street, and west onto San Juan to Roosevelt Boulevard, then north to FSCJ Kent Campus.
The headway would be 30 minutes. During the lunch time, an additional vehicle is being considered to increase frequency to 15 minutes. The Ortega portion between FSCJ Kent and NAS main gate would be served by a Community Shuttle during peak hours only. A new NAS Community Shuttle would operate on base during peak hours connecting at the main gate with the Ortega Community Shuttle.

Support for the proposed Riverside Trolley service is critical to its continued success, so please take a moment to comment on the proposed new Riverside Trolley Service. If you can't able to attend the public hearing, you can submit their comments on the proposed route before the public hearing at the www.JTAFLA.com website or simply by clicking here.

13 Gypsies featured on the Food Network

Last night, our very own 13 Gypsies was featured on the Globetrottin' episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! Guy Fieri, the spiky-haired host of “Triple D,” visited the tiny eatery in February and hung out in Chef Howard Kirk’s kitchen, watching as Chef Howard prepared house-made fresh chorizo with sautéed dates and pears, house-cured tasso ham, and Roman gnocchi with mushroom sauce. You can recreate Chef’s Roman gnocchi at home by following his recipe on the Food Network’s website. Eatjax.com attended the taping – you can read about her experience and see behind-the-scenes photos here.

If you missed seeing 13 Gypsies last night, the episode will re-air on the Food Network on the following dates and times: May 21 @ 9:00PM; May 22 @ 12:00AM; May 30 @ 3:00PM

Photos courtesy of Cari Sanchez-Potter of www.cari-viCARIous.com

The Spring Tour Of Homes

The annual Spring Tour of Homes is this weekend – April 24th and 25th. Some of Riverside Avondale's most beautiful homes will open once again for a two-day self-guided tour. Take our photo gallery tour for a preview.

Why not do the Home Tour by bike? On Saturday, April 24th at 10 am, City Cycle is offering a free guided ride of the featured homes. The tour starts at City Cycle on Park Street (between King and James) and is a great way to avoid parking hassles—not to mention that someone will watch your wheels while you’re checking out all the great architecture and inspired decor. Call Drew at 356-BIKE for more information.

Check out the RAP Home Tour iPhone app! Navigate to interactivejax.com from your iPhone, iPad, iTouch or Android mobile browser.

Visit the RAP site for all the details. >>

New Place a Treat for your Senses

I recently had the pleasure of stopping by Bakery Moderne on Stockton Street not once but twice. It is a relatively new place selling classic pastries and desserts baked fresh daily. I had heard good things about the shop and can now confirm that they are all true! One my first visit, I scored a chocolate croissant fresh and hot straight from the oven.

Less than a week later, my wife dropped in to pick up some soda bread for an Irish dinner. Unfortunately, they do not make that kind of bread on a regular basis – their regular artisanal breads are Cuban, ciabatta, French baguettes and challah, but owner/chef Nat took care of us and made two loaves just for us. For all of you looking for some good bread to go with your St. Patricks Day meal, they do plan to have some this week.

I haven't made it in for lunch yet but will soon. I hear that their menu changes often, so check their Facebook page or give them a call for the daily special. They are open every day except Monday at 7am, 9am on the weekends.

A Treat for House Fans – No Not THAT House!

The 5 Points Theatre has a special treat for film lovers as they are screening Obayashi's "HAUSU". The Brooklyn Rail claims the film as "one of the most coveted cult films to emerge from the fantastic realm of Asian cinema." Also described as "hallucinatory head trip about a schoolgirl who travels with six classmates to her ailing aunt’s creaky country home, only to come face to face with evil spirits, bloodthirsty pianos, and a demonic housecat. House seems like it was beamed to Earth from another planet."

This film looks like a Friday night treat that is not to be missed. The film airs Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:00pm at the 5 Points Theatre in Riverside.

Making News Across the Sea

The Riverside Avondale area was recently the subject of a nice article in The London Financial Times. While describing much of the homes in Jacksonville as "cookie cutter" style and indistinguishable from the rest of Florida, the district brings praise for its preservation efforts yielding “one of the largest collections of early to mid-20th-century residential architecture in the country”. It is a great article peppered with bits about Klutho, the preservation laws, the housing market and Al Letson. Read the article.>>

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.

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.

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.

WHERE
Church of the Good Shepherd (located at the corner of Stockton St. & Park St.). The meeting will take place in the Worsham Room (enter parking lot from Forbes St.).

WHEN
Tuesday, September 8 at 7 PM.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
We need all interested residents - homeowners & renters - at the organizational meeting.

Please also consider if you are willing to serve as a Block Captain. The time requirements are minimal (3 to 4 hours a month) but the rewards are great as we work to make Riverside “crime free”.

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

RAP is working to help establish a Neighborhood Watch Program. This pilot program is for those living in the area north of College Street to I-10 that are located between Stockton Street on the west and Margaret Street on the east are included. Once the program is working smoothly we plan to expand it if there is interest. For now, those in the area mention, please attend this meeting. We need your input.

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.

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.

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.

19 Studios… One Colorful Party!

Saturday, May 30, 10am–6pm and Sunday, May 31, noon–4pm

The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville will be touring the studios of artists working in Downtown, San Marco, Riverside, Avondale and Ortega this Saturay and Sunday. Most of the stops are in Riverside and Avondale! Many of Jacksonville’s best known and emerging artists have been convinced to let you into their studios to let you see where they create their work. They are offering optional guided or self-guided tours. And once you have been inspired, there is a great after party and auction at our very own Bold City Brewery. If you haven't been to their brewery on Rosselle Street this is the perfect time to give it a try! Tickets can be purchased by calling MOCA at 366-6911 ext. 208 or stopping by R. Roberts Gallery.

So join MOCA for an inside view of the creative life.

Stockton Street Eastbound Ramp to Close

NOTICE TO TRAVELING PUBLIC
Due to construction activities associated with the I-10/I-95 Interchange Reconstruction, the on-ramp to I-10 eastbound from Stockton Street will close on or about June 1, 2009 and will remain closed until project completion in winter 2011.

Critical facts that you should know:

• Traffic traveling to I-95 northbound will be detoured to Irene Street, then Claude Street to Edison Avenue, then Forest Street, utilizing the I-95 northbound on-ramp at Forest Street and Myrtle Avenue (See map below)
• Traffic traveling to I-95 southbound will be detoured to Irene Street, then Claude Street to Edison Avenue, then Forest Street to Park Street to I-95 southbound (See map below)
• Overhead clearance at Forest Street under I-95 is 14’- 4” (See map below)
• Traffic should allow for 10 minutes of additional travel time to account for this detour
• Access to I-95 southbound ONLY from Stockton Street will be restored in the fall 2009

Signs will soon be posted at the Stockton Street ramp giving the specific date of the closing. For further information concerning this ramp closure please visit the project website at:
www.thebigi.info

You may also contact the FDOT’s public information officer: Michael Goldman at (904) 360-5457.

Heart of Jacksonville African Violet Society

May 17th at 1:30pm
Monthly meeting at the Garden Club of Jacksonville
1005 Riverside Ave. • (904) 406-5819
The event is free.

Saturday, May 16
11:30am

Jacksonville Film Festival

Three years in the making, this cinemaverite feature from acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berliners (Brother's Keeper, Paradise Lost, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster) is the epic story of one of the largest and most controversial legal cases on the planet. An inside look at the infamous $27 billion "Amazon Chernobyl" case, Crude is a reallife high stakes legal drama set against a backdrop of the environmental movement, global politics, celebrity activism, human rights advocacy , the media, multinational corporate power, and rapidlydisappearing indigenous cultures. Read more from the Times-Union>>

Chaturanga is the story of a love that is caught between conflicting worlds of ideas. The lead protagonist Sachish fleets from radical positivism to religious mysticism in his quest for life's meaning. However, his search ultimately yields nothing but crushing disillusionment. This is because he cannot square his abstract ideals with the powerful presence of two women in his life. Read more from the Times-Union>>

Visit the Jacksonville Film Festival's website for more films at the Five Points Theatre and for all the up-to-date info.