Jacksonville, FL

Mandarin Park is a favorite place for my family; we like to go in the late afternoon. We take a cup of coffee and watch the boats come in. You can also have a lot of fun watching for Manatees here.

The Florida Times-Union features a write-up about a new report on the status of the St. Johns River. The report was furnished by the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Public Trust Environmental Law Institute of Florida.

A total of 298 violations occurred during a 20-month study period. Sanitary Sewer Overflows totaled almost 266,000 gallons of material, with the majority relating to sewage.

Increasing development in Northeast Florida may make this problem even worse in the future. The river is our greatest asset, says the Riverkeeper Web site, with “billions of dollars realized in commerce, tourism and industry.” The site notes the unique character of the river:

The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida at 310 miles and one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north, dropping less than 30 feet from its source to its mouth, or about 1 inch per mile.

The river is home to 183 species of fish and is designated as an American Heritage River, one of only 14 rivers in the entire United States to receive this prestigious national recognition, the site says.

Privately funded, the St. Johns Riverkeeper is an objective voice for our river. The organization depends on private donations, and different levels of membership that begin at modest rates are available. Visit the Web site to join and to learn more about the river. The full report is also posted there.

Above all the features I’ve found after moving to Jacksonville, the St. Johns is the most magnificent. We’ve been entrusted with an incredible resource. It’s up to us to see it stays healthy. (photo and text by Kay B. Day)

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Literacy is a challenge for some Northeast Florida residents. This is a followup to last week’s story about Literacy Pros of Jacksonville. Volunteer Michelle Worley (center) talks with authors Victor DiGenti (left) and Dorothy K. Fletcher (right) during a recent event Worley coordinated at Barnes and Noble in St. Johns Town Center.

Literacy Pros of Jacksonville, Inc., held their very first fundraiser Saturday at Barnes and Noble in the St. Johns Town Center. Customers who picked up a book fair voucher from the organization’s display tables, or those who printed the form online, could present it to the cashier at checkout. Literacy Pros would then get a percentage of the sale.

Donations are a necessity for this all-volunteer group, whether they come as cash or time. “We don’t have any staff,” says Michelle Worley. “We’re an all-volunteer group.”

The group trains individuals to effectively teach basic literacy skills, and to prepare interested tutors to become Certified Literacy Trainers.

A 1999 study by the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. found the literacy rate in Northeast Florida hovered at approximately 53 percent. According to LPOJ, almost 50 percent of adults on welfare lack a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.

The biggest challenge for volunteers, says Worley, is the “time commitment.” Worley works full-time herself, at Wachovia Bank, but she says, “The other part of my life is literacy.”

As part of their fundraiser, LPOJ invited Jacksonville authors Dorothy K. Fletcher and Victor DiGenti to talk about writing and sign their books for guests. Dorothy has contributed to literacy in a big way—in addition to being an award-winning author, she taught English and writing in Duval public schools for 35 years.

DiGenti, also an award-winning author, is a key figure in the Florida Writers Association—he’s regional director for our area. FWA has about 800 members.

Literacy Pros has parnered with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to provide workshops for inmates interested in becoming tutors. The group also works with worship groups on training tutors, as well as corporations and schools.

Literacy is one of the single greatest weapons a community can employ in dealing with poverty and the crime that often follows. If you’d like more information about Literacy Pros, visit the Web site.

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Florida Times-Union investigative reporter Beth Kormanik studied 18 months of calendars, meeting notices and minutes issued by the Jacksonville City Council. Apparently council members gathered at a number of restaurants like Woody’s Bar.B.Q., and also at bars like The Twisted Martini. The public wasn’t invited to wine or dine at these events, and if official council business was discussed, a violation of the Sunshine Law may have occurred.

On Friday, popular Times-Union columnist Mark Woods penned humorous commentary about these off-site gatherings.

State Attorney Harry Shorstein has presented the Duval County grand jury with some information about potential infringement of the law by council members. Shorstein told the Times-Union it may take “about a month” for the jury panel to decide whether further action is warranted.

The paper says council President Michael Corrigan (shown in photo above) introduced an ordinance this week to ensure compliance with the law.

Florida has had a “Sunshine Law” in some form or another since 1909 with the passage of the Public Records Law. At the present time, the City Council Web site has an expansive collection of information available.

Hopefully, the Grand Jury will a close look at what Kormanik found. Rules for conducting the city’s business in an open and public manner are non-negotiable. (text by Kay B. Day; Corrigan photo from City of Jacksonville Web site)

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Recently, the Mounted Unit of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office hosted a “Family Fun Day.” The families were invited to tour the Mounted Units facilities. They also watched equestrian and canine demonstrations and learned about JSO’s Aviation Unit.–photo courtesy of City of Jacksonville press room

Typical zoning and rezoning matters as well as addressing the way citizens can change the city charter will be visited by the Jacksonville City Council at the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 12, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at 117 W. Duval St., City Hall, 1st Floor, Council Chambers.

Jacksonville is for the most part a well-run city. It’s a daunting task to manage a city this big—the Chamber of Commerce likes to remind us we’re the largest city in land mass in the contiguous United States.

Another item on the agenda relates to auditing the tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, clerk of the courts and sheriff a minimum of once every five years. This is an accountability matter; it seems to be a good management tool.

Council will also give a nod to Jacksonville’s 185th birthday—our city was founded by Isaiah Hart on June 15, 1822.

The public can attend council meetings. If you aren’t inclined to go, you can take a look at the preliminary agenda on the city Web site.

Note: We’ve had severe storms rolling through since early this morning. I’m posting late today because it’s been necessary to shut down the computer. Jacksonville has some sensational lightning shows, and this morning’s was a real piece of work.

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Tuesday’s severe storm brought much needed rain. At least one Mandarin neighborhood had trees fall; one car fell on a truck in Greenland Oaks, according to The Florida Times-Union.

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Despite a couple of drenching storms this week, our area is still in the throes of a drought. JEA has issued a report about our water supply, including conservation tips and results of testing for various unappetizing substances. The good news is our water is safe.

Water conservation practices are recommended routinely. The Florida Times-Union asked readers if they’d turn in a neighbor for breaking the liquid Golden Rule: water lawns no more than two days a week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Some readers would; others would not.

Months ago, Folio Weekly did a story on Jacksonville residents who use more than their share of water. Way more. Some of these individuals are high on whatever scale the upper crust uses to determine social ranking. The stats were amazing—many of the homes and pools had serious water leaks; the owners simply chose not to address them. The result, other than a whopping water bill, is a complete waste of a natural resource. FW content is not archived online, but that article was a real eye-opener.

The report that came in my mailbox Thursday is an accountability tool detailing the status of water pouring through 3,590 miles of water distribution mains ranging from two to 36 inches in diameter. Reports on testing of each grid are provided. You can learn answers to all sorts of exciting questions you didn’t know you had. Does my water contain above-average levels of arsenic? How about fecal coliform and E. coli? Where’d all that sodium come from?

In addition to test sample results, a variety of conservation tips are offered. You can even learn why our water often leaves spots on your drinking glasses and windows (spots are harmless).

JEA is our water utility. The St. Johns River Water Management District handles permits, resource maps and land acquisition to protect wetlands.

Jacksonville’s water source is the Floridian aquifer, one of the major sources of groundwater in the United States. If we’re smart, we’ll be good stewards. It’d be hard to do without water. (photos & text by Kay B. Day)

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Car buffs can have a field day Saturday, June 2, at the Jax511 event at the St. John’s Town Center. Members of the First Coast Car Council will bring their classic rides to the event for a Show ‘N Shine from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Jax511 event officially runs from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Twenty lucky registrants selected at random will compete in a scavenger hunt. Top prize: a brand new 2007 Chevy HHR provided by Nimnicht Chevrolet. Runners up will win gift cards and gas cards. According to information at the jax511.com Web site, registration is over and the 20 hunters will be randomly selected from those who completed the contest form on the Web site. The scavenger hunt runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Rules and prizes are posted at the Web site pages.

Seeing the classic vehicles FCCC members bring is worth the trip. I visited the council’s Cruise-In in the Julington Creek area and really enjoyed seeing all those incredible cars. I talked with members like Buddy Marable, whose ’55 Chevrolet drew a lot of admiration. Marable worked in car sales and says he enjoys the Cruise-Ins because, “Everybody is friendly. There aren’t any snobs.”

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will also have a tent at the event.

Jacksonville now becomes part of the 511 family, joining other cities across the nation and in Florida like Tampa and Orlando. The service is a great way to stay informed about traffic with “real-time” updates, and is accessible by phone or at the Web site.

Photo of classic cars at the First Coast Car Council Cruise-In by Kay B. Day.

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Ethiopia ranks eighth among the world’s 22 countries with a high tuberculosis burden, according to USAID. Photo courtesy of the World Health Organization.

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The Florida Department of Health has issued an alert to our state’s residents and visitors. For those who have questions about the XDR-TB (extensively drug-resistant) case, or for those who may have traveled on one of the flights taken by the individual who is now in quarantine, a 24/7 hotline has been established.

The hotline number is 1-800-4TB-INFO. A lot of information about TB can be found at the DOH Web site.

DOH also says local health departments in the Sunshine State “will give the highest priority to individuals who were on one of the flights with the individuals currently in isolation, and who need evaluation and testing.” DOH encourages anyone on these flights “to seek TB testing and evaluation.”

The DOH alert references “individuals currently in isolation.” I’m assuming that plural noun individuals isn’t a typo and may refer to the passenger’s wife, but that is an assumption on my part.

The World Health Organization says that one in three people in the world is infected with dormant TB germs (i.e. TB bacteria), but people become ill with TB only when the bacteria become active. Information at the WHO Web pages says, “TB can usually be treated with a course of four standard, or first-line, anti-TB drugs. If these drugs are misused or mismanaged, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) can develop. MDR-TB takes longer to treat with second-line drugs, which are more expensive and have more side-effects. XDR-TB can develop when these second-line drugs are also misused or mismanaged and therefore also become ineffective. Because XDR-TB is resistant to first- and second-line drugs, treatment options are seriously limited. It is therefore vital that TB control is managed properly.”

The New York Times ran a story Wednesday about the Georgia man who exposed fellow passengers on different commercial flights, starting with a flight to Paris from Atlanta on Air France 385 on May 12.

One of Jacksonville’s most well-known hospitals, Shands, is located on a site where in 1922, Duval Hospital on Jefferson Street became a tuberculosis sanitarium.

And one of America’s most colorful gunfighters, Doc Holliday, died of TB.

WHO offers some small comfort to those who may be exposed to this disease. TB is spread when the sick person coughs, or sneezes, or simply talks, because these actions propel TB bacteria into the air. A person needs only to breathe in a small number of these germs to become infected.

However, only a small proportion of people will become infected with TB disease.

For those who’ve been exposed, take DOH advice to heart. Seek testing and evaluation by a healthcare professional.

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In Florida, Memorial Day means more than somber ceremonies and outdoor grilling. That day is one of the last worry-free days Floridians have where warm weather is concerned.

Hurricane Season starts Friday, and Jacksonville’s Fire and Rescue Emergency Preparedness team wants city residents and travelers to head off as much confusion as possible if a big one hits.

Now is the time to set aside canned food and organize your emergency kit, learn evacuation routes and establish a rendezvous point for you and loved ones who may be in different places.

If you have pets, or if you have special needs, use the city Web site to register now.

If you have an abundance of the stately oaks we enjoy in our neighborhood, trim them. There’s nothing like a monster-sized limb landing on your roof to shake you up when the wind is howling like a banshee.

I’ve lived through two serious hurricanes, both of them when our home was in South Carolina. One of those storms, Hugo, literally turned on us. Every forecaster in our area except for TV weather man Jim Gandy said the storm wouldn’t be too serious for those of us in the central part of the state. But Hugo hit Charleston as a Category 4 storm, roaring inland, destroying one billion board feet of timber. I was nine months pregnant with our second child. I will always remember that night—it will be the stuff of stories I tell my grandchildren if I am lucky enough to have some one day.

I selected the video above from youtube.com because although I didn’t experience this storm, the sound on the video is similar to sounds I heard the night Hugo paid us an unwelcome visit. If I have such an experience again, I will definitely be as prepared as possible.

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Sunday was slightly overcast, but it was still a good day for the beach. As we headed south on US Highway 1, we smelled smoke and saw plumes rising from the north.

By evening we heard news reports of a fire at a city composting center. The site is on Davis Creek Road, south of Florida 9A.

I talked to Lt. Mike Perry, with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department this morning. “It’s under control,” he says. “Basically, our game plan hasn’t changed.” They plan to let the fire burn itself out.

Crews are completely surrounding the site right now. Peery says the material is too dense and the two acres that are burning are too large to remove the material. “We’ve been on it for 18 hours,” he says.

The smoke isn’t widespread right now, because of the wind direction. The smoke is going “straight up.” But Peery says the winds are supposed to “pick up” later this afternoon. There will be an increased risk of “spark fires.”

Traffic isn’t impeded in any way at present.

The fire started on Sunday about 2:15 p.m. Peery says right now, they have “no idea” how it started.

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Take a moment today to honor America’s fallen fighters. The freedom we enjoy rests on their comrades’ shoulders. Read today’s special tribute to America’s fallen warriors at Current Events Watch.

Jacksonville will honor those in the military who have given their lives in defense of our country during Memorial Day weekend and on the Monday holiday.

The city’s Memorial Day Observance ceremony will be held Monday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Wall, 1145 East Adams Street downtown. Ten local heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice will be honored. A concert precedes the ceremony. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the St. Johns River City Band and Don Thompson chorale will perform.

The ceremony includes keynote speakers, presentation of colors, family tributes, wreath presentation, a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and musical tributes.

For those who can’t attend, the City of Jacksonville Web site provides suggestions for ways to observe this special day.

On Saturday, May 26, the city presents the 2007 Spring Music Festival. Gates open at Metropolitan Park at 6 p.m. Music begins at 7:30 p.m. and the movie “Hoodwinked” follows the concert. Music is by Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band; Belushi is the voice of the Woodsman in the movie. Admission is free. For full details, visit the Music Festival page at the city Web site.

Today’s Florida Times-Union has additional listings of area events. Pick up a newspaper or visit the T-U Web page for more information about things to do.

Many of us will celebrate with family and friends as we remember the men and women who protect us. Have a safe, happy holiday!

Photo of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall is from press pages at the City of Jacksonville Web site.

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Film Festival promises lively entertainment

Jacksonville was once known as “Hollywood East.” The Florida Memory Project says The Sunshine State has been the location for “countless films” since the early 1900s. Classic films like “The Flying Ace” (1926) and “Basic” (2003) starring John Travolta were shot in Jacksonville.

The fifth annual Jacksonville Film Festival May 17-20 pays homage to the industry’s history and present in our city. This year’s celebration features a screening of “Polyester” (1981) in Odorama. A festival spokesperson says special scratch-and-sniff cards will be handed out. I can’t tell you what you’ll smell, but it sounds quirky enough I’d be willing to try it. A special highlight on Saturday, May 19, includes director John Waters offering live commentary on his film. The film features heart throb Tab Hunter, a name well-known to Boomer fans. Festival events are held at various downtown venues. For complete information on screenings, programs and locations, visit Jacksonville Film Festival on the Web.

It’s all about the weather

Today is bright and sunny with very little smoke. Yesterday was a different story. The acrid smell of wildfires hung over the city yesterday, with cloudy conditions and wind making things even worse. Mid-afternoon, storms rolled in, dropping hail and much-needed rain. What meteorologists call a “microburst” brought winds estimated at 60+ m.p.h. to the North Side. Some homes sustained damage, but no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, the wildfires rage on. For complete information about the current fire situation, visit the Florida Division of Forestry Daily Report on the Web.

There’s good news, though, because the weekend forecast calls for sunny skies, temperatures in the 80s and a nice breeze—picture perfect weather for having fun in The River City. Enjoy!

“Polyester” poster used with permission,©JacksonvilleFilmFestival, 2007

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