Toluu

Urban Jacksonville

A blog about Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield, LaVilla, Brooklyn, the Southbank and San Marco.

Shop Local: The Urban Jacksonville Holiday Gift GuideDecember 8 2008

There are lots of benefits to buying local: less packaging and package waste, no shipping costs, which uses less fuel and it promotes/supports the local community. Here are my gift picks for this buy local holidazzle!

The Royal Treatment Record Store

www.myspace.com/theroyaltreatmentdjs
1520 Main Street, Springfield

$30 - 3 CDs and T-Shirt make the Royal Treatment holiday gift pack! (pictured above) CDs: The N Word, Tough Junkie and Willie Evans Jr.

Deals on vinyl records too!

• Alligator (local St. Augustine band)
• The Smile Rays - Party Place EP
• Beastie Boys - License to Ill (still wrapped)
• Beck - Mellow Gold

Anom

The Springfield Community Garden Rises AgainNovember 17 2008

Lately I’ve been wondering what’s going on with the Springfield Community Garden. Here’s an update:

We’re just now getting things replanted. There are currently about six folks tending plots in the garden. A number of the other folks who signed up for the class dropped out without telling me, so we actually have a few plots still open, although it’s late in the season at this point.

There was supposed to be a workday on Saturday, but I’m not sure if it happened or now. Does anyone know? They are also in the process of getting nonprofit status similar to the Beaches Local Food Network. I don’t want anyone to get too excited, but there are also talks to get another Farmers Market going. It would most likely be in the lot between The Pearl and the Garden.

Also, I received an email from a woman named Michelle G to tell me she started her own blog to chronicle the garden and talk about other green things in Jacksonville: http://greenjax.blogspot.com

Halsema Building Under Contract by SRG/MeeksNovember 13 2008

The troubles of Craig Van Horn have been many and varied. Most recently JaxScene documented that Craig hasn’t paid JEA $15,000 he owes on an electric bill. This non-payment may force the residents of the building out, including a local salon.

The tenants in 121 E. 8th Street including myself are currently all running around, meeting people and making phone calls. JEA was here last week trying to find our water valve so they can cut it off. Why? Our landlord, Craig Van Horn, has not been paying his bill.

There may be a silver lining to the Craig Van Horn legacy with the proposed purchasing of the Halsema building by Mack Bissette (SRG) and Jack Meeks (Meeks, Ross, Selander, CPAs). It is “under contract to be purchased”. SRG/Meeks still have to do due diligence including inspections and environmental. Provided due diligence doesn’t turn up anything unexpected, contract should go through. The Halsema building is located about 30 yards from 121 E. 8th Street so maybe there�

Springfield Pawn Shops Will Thrive During An Economic DownturnNovember 12 2008

Springfield residents who cheered the closing of a Main Street pawn shop last month will be sad to learn that pawn shops actually thrive in a economic downturn. I assumed the closing had to do with the economy or the Main Street construction.

What you can’t see in the picture below is that the pawn shop actually relocated to Arlington. It’s possible changing neighborhood demographics in Springfield are making the pawn business less lucrative. Or maybe not as lucrative as the crumbling outer-ring suburb of Arlington.

After looking into this more I’ve determined pawn shops in Springfield will thrive during this economic downtown and will serve a vital purpose. What many people fail to realize is pawn shops serve as financial institutions for many in the neighborhood who can’t get bank account or who don’t trust banks to lend them money. So I don’t see these businesses leaving anytime soon.

“W

Riverside Artists Market Approved By City Council 14-0November 11 2008

Portland’s Saturday Market Draws 70K people a year.

I was looking though my news for the last couple of weeks and I found the biggest story of the month, but one of the least talked about: The Riverside Artist Market.

I’ve been hearing about this market for a while now, but it was never clear whether it would happen. As of last night, it’s a reality, the City Council approved it 14-0. I’m happy to see this overwhelming sign of approval. Having the City throw support behind a potentially transformative event isn’t just good for local artists, it’s good for the perception of Jacksonville.

Resolution expressing the city’s support for the creation of the Riverside Artists’ Market under the Fuller Warren Bridge. The resolution also encourages the city, and state departments of transportation and environmental protection, to collaborate on this effort. Bill No. 2008-914 Action: Approved, 14-0. tip: Jacksonville.com

So we might see weekend trolley/buss service to the market. Not sure why the EPA would need to be involved, maybe because the market will be so