Life in Jacksonville

A tax on rain

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:48:00 +0000

Jacksonville has levied a new fee on it's residents for Garbage Collection and Storm Water. Yes, we're being taxed on rain. Because, well, you know, it rains here. Garbage collection is also a new fee, which in the past was part of our property taxes. According to the City of Jacksonville, not anymore.

Here's the City of Jacksonville's explanation in a nutshell from their website:

When Tallahassee directed local governments statewide to reduce their property tax rates for 2007/08, the City of Jacksonville immediately lost millions of dollars in anticipated operating revenue. The crisis didn't stop there. Jacksonville also faced the inevitable and increasing expenses of operating local government.

Here's my interpretation:

You voted to lower your property taxes, and we lowered them (only because Tallahassee forced us to do it). And we're not creative enough to figure out a way to cut costs and run this city more efficiently. So we hope you're happy with your lower property taxes. Oh, and enjoy your new fees!

As I recall, Mayor Peyton was all about running this city like a business. Well in my business, when profit margins are sagging, we find ways to run more efficiently. That means bidding out business for the best rates, finding creative ways to cut costs, going the extra mile for the customer, and yes, even holding back bonuses and salary increases to the employees. The last thing a business wants to do is stick it to the customer, and consequently lose it's competitive edge.

Mr. Peyton, you are not running this city like a business. And why should you? You CAN stick it to the customer because you have a captive audience.

While the residents of Jacksonville can't necessarily "shop around" for a better city government, they can kick those city officials with a "payback" mentality out of office come next election. That is, if the residents have a long enough memory.

I was sure to include a smart ass comment on my payment stub before dropping it in the mail.

Life in Jacksonville as I know it

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:55:00 +0000

Life in Jacksonville as I know it lately has been... well, me... not being in Jacksonville. I spent most of December in California, working in my company's home offices. After a little break for Christmas and New Year's day, I'm headed back for more work. I won't return until January 20th. Two weeks is a long time to be away from home. I don't even take vacations that long! Regardless, here I sit at the airport awaiting my flight. I'll see you all in two weeks. Try not to miss me too much!

BLOG PARTY IN JACKSONVILLE

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:36:00 +0000

Just want to quickly mention an event at Club TSI this Saturday(15 Dec)... a BLOG PARTY! What happens at a blog party, you might be asking? Don't ask, because I have no idea. But I'm guessing we won't be sitting around with our laptops. Perhaps there will be some life-casting going on. That could be fun. What I do know is this; there will be live music and possibly free swag... reason enough for me to go.
Joey Marchy of Urban Jacksonville is hosting and he has more details.

Shangrala: This Is How We Communicate

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:38:00 +0000

A few months ago I went to Jack Rabbits in San Marco to hear some live music. One of the bands was Shangrala, a local group who has a musical style that seems to dominate my listening tastes as of late. They now have a new (debut) album out called "This Is How We Communicate". I've had a chance to give it a few listens and I must say I'm impressed. Overall, the music is a nice mix of well put together vocals over a rich backdrop of harmonies and contagious rhythms. The relaxed, almost mesmerizing pace of the album is balanced by just the right amount of driving guitar work.

And they do not skimp on this album. Every song is well composed; you'll find no "filler" tracks here. Most of them extend beyond the 3 minute mark. One of my favorite tracks, Zilla, is over 7 minutes. Its time signature fluctuates between a standard 4/4 beat and an oscillating 7/4. Those odd counts always catch my attention and keep the rhythm interesting. I'm always glad to hear good local talent, and this group has put me and my ears in a happy place. My recommendation; head over to Amazon's mp3 music store, iTunes, or their own site (to buy a physical CD) and listen for yourself. If you decide to get it, it will come at a decent bit rate and DRM-free from both Amazon and iTunes.

Festival of Trees

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:21:00 +0000

I got a nice email from Leah at the Junior League of Jacksonville letting me know about their Annual Festival of Trees which is going on in downtown Jacksonville right now and continues through January 4th. Here's how she described it to me:

The Festival of Trees is an opportunity for local businesses to invest in the Jacksonville community and showcase their business by sponsoring or decorating a Christmas tree to be displayed at the library the length of the event. Each tree, inspired by a beloved book, is spectacularly decorated.

This is a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday season and to spend some quality time with friends and family. How about taking it all in at the upcoming ArtWalk on Wednesday December 5th? Or you can attend the Night of Lights Party on December 7th. This fundraiser will feature music from the Paxson School for Advanced Studies Music Ensemble, a live and silent auction, and food from some of Jacksonville's finest restaurants. Tickets are required for the party, but all other events are open to the public and completely free.

The Junior League has lined up several other events including Children's Story Time and Craft Hours, book readings by local authors and other notables, and a holiday lecture series to round it all out. It sounds like they've put a lot of work into planning this and I hope you make a point to enjoy the festival in one form or another.

The Junior League of Jacksonville has all the dates, times, and other details on their site. If you're interested in attending the Night of Lights Party, you can order your tickets here.

Go. Be merry. 'Tis the season after all!

Book Review - Historic Photos of Jacksonville

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:10:00 +0000

Recently, I got my hands on a copy of a book titled "Historic Photos of Jacksonville" by Carolyn Williams. If I were to judge a book only by it's cover, I would note that the 10 x 10 hard cover, the sewn binding, the appealing dust jacket, and the quality paper and printing all make for an attractive book, worthy of my coffee table or book case. But as we all know, it's the content that really matters. So without delay, I dove right in to find out what was hiding behind the cover.

What I found were photographs, culled from the archives, and lots of them. They are the heart of this book, and they took me back in time when Jacksonville was but a frontier town, and the world was a different place. They bear witness to the cycle of progress, destruction, and rebirth of a city that even today continues to evolve. I found myself rediscovering Jacksonville through the photographers lens; it's citizens, structures, and ideas.

The book is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on different historic periods. The sections are preceded by a short narrative that describes the time period in which the photographs were taken, and each photograph has a short caption describing the location or setting. This collection begins with the Civil War era, and continues up through the Sixties. Events like the Great Fire of 1901 and the rebuilding of Jacksonville that followed, the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, World War II and the Military significance of Jacksonville are all offered in a perspective that only photographs can bring.

After reading through the book, I found that I had a new appreciation for the city I call home. A better understanding of what Jacksonville was in the past and how it progressed to what it is today. I lent the book to a few of my friends who also enjoyed it as much as I did. If you are or ever have been a citizen of this fine city, or you simply enjoy historic photographs, "Historic Photos of Jacksonville" would make an excellent addition to your collection. You can pick up a copy at your local book seller, or from online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or directly from the publisher. You won't be disappointed.

Do not feed or harass alligators

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:28:00 +0000

Last weekend, I explored Amelia Island via bicycle. It's so easy to get caught up in life, work, etc, and forget the beauty that lies in our own backyard. I need to do this more often. Who's with me?

Talleyrand Music and Arts Festival

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:22:00 +0000

I just learned of an upcoming event that has me very excited. The Talleyrand Music and Arts Festival is happening at Metropolitan Park on the St. John's River on Saturday November 10th. Following is a description taken from the event web site:

The Talleyrand Music and Arts Festival will fill a void in Northeast Florida’s cultural belly by presenting hip diverse music and art at Metropolitan Park - a beautiful 27 acre outdoor facility which sits on the banks of the St Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. This one day festival will feature a broad range of artists and musicians including indie, jam, hip-hop and acoustic performers. Talleyrand will feature over 20 national acts performing on three stages. Metropolitan Park’s urban setting surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of the St Johns River will foster a unique experience for both fans and artists.

Two favorites of mine immediately caught my eye: Spoon and mc chris. Two completely different styles of music, both of which occupy a good chunk of space on my iPod. I have some time to check out the twenty something other acts that will be there, as long as I get on the stick. Or on the emusic, or iTunes, or the new and totally awesome amazon mp3 music store.

Tickets are $37.50 advance or $45 at the gate. You can get advance tix at Nicotine Skate Shop, CD Connection, or Jack Rabbits. Um... you can also get them at Ticketmaster... if you like to waste your money... $37.50 + $7.00 convenience charge + $1 building facility charge = $45.50... may as well buy your ticket at the gate. /rant

So who's coming with?

One Month Later...

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:29:00 +0000

One thing that I am certain of is that I lack discipline (when there's not a pay check involved). My last post was one month ago today. Obviously there has been a lot happening in Jacksonville during that time. There has also been a lot happening in my life during that time. Work events, home life, and everything in between has distracted me from contributing to this blog. I am still determined to make this a long term effort and keep it going.

Last night at Jack Rabbits

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:00:00 +0000

I'm still working on my first cup of coffee, but if I remember correctly, there were a total of six different acts last night. A lot of variety and good music was going on all night long. If you went, then you know.

I went mainly to see Shangrala and they did not disappoint. I spoke to Brian Jerin (guitar & backup vocals) after the show and he seemed to think they were a bit off, but I didn't notice. There are too many variables involved with a live performance to expect perfection, but there's an energy that goes with it that you can't get from a studio recording.

Speaking of studio recordings, I asked about their upcoming release, "This is How We Communicate", and he said they're trying to have it ready for consumption sometime in October. They were originally shooting for a September release, but they're still finishing up some tracks that they decided to add and working on production. I'm cool with that. I'll wait a little longer if it means getting a few more tracks and a more finished product. When it's ready, it should be available on Shangrala's myspace page, iTunes, and my personal favorite, eMusic.

UPDATE: According to the band's myspace blog entry, the album should be out sometime in December.

American National Rugby League: Championship Final

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:47:00 +0000

The American National Rugby League Championship Final is happening right here in Jacksonville this Saturday, August 25th at Hodges Stadium at UNF. The two teams that made the cut are the Connecticut Wildcats, undefeated in the last two seasons, and the Aston Delco Sports Club Bulls. These two teams have somewhat of a rivalry going, seeing as this will be the fifth year in a row they have faced each other in what might be considered the Super Sunday of Rugby (except it's on a Saturday).

I'm not a Rugby fan in any sense of the word. In fact all I know about the sport is what I've heard on the street. And word on the street is it's a rough and tumble game, full of violence, blood, and other various forms of gore. Not that I'm into that kind of stuff, but it sounds like a spectacle I should not miss. You know, since I'm expanding my horizons and all that.

The deets:

$5 admission ($1 of that will be donated to the Jamaican Rugby League to assist them with the rebuilding effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean)

$1 Beers (I'm assuming soft drinks and other snacks will also be available, but the beer was the only thing mentioned on the official site)

Prizes to be given away during the half-time raffle.

Gates open at 5:00pm for a planned 5:45pm kickoff.

Who's coming with?

Local music: Shangrala

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:14:00 +0000

Some of you might be familiar with this local group of talented musicians, but I discovered Shangrala just a few months ago through Virb, and ever since, I've been wanting to hear more from them.

According to their profile page; "Layered with complex levels of melodies to create an enormous, almost symphonic sound, Shangrala transports you from the smoky club where you're watching them to some ethereal plane that is exciting." After listening to some of their tracks, I would agree with this description. This Friday will be my first opportunity to hear them live and I'm anxiously looking forward to it.

It also seems they are getting ready to release an album in mid-September, titled "This Is How We Communicate"

Give them a listen to on Virb or Myspace, or join me at Jack Rabbits and hear them live this Friday. map

Cleo's Sandwich Shop: Best Taco Salad in Town

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:54:00 +0000

When you hear "sandwich shop" you probably don't think "taco salad", but that's the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear mention of Cleo's Sandwich Shop. Also, I begin to salivate... immediately. It's a natural reaction.

Many people who work north of town are familiar with Cleo's, but for those of you who aren't, trust me when I tell you it's worth a little trip off the beaten path to give it a try. The first thing you'll notice is that it's not your standard-issue cookie-cutter strip-mall lunch-spot. This place is one-of-a-kind (ok enough with the hyphens). The small red building is unassuming and nestled among other cozy looking houses and structures, one of which is a barber shop. The next thing you'll probably notice is a bunch of hungry folks lined up out the door waiting to place their order. What's good, you ask? Most people, including me, will tell you it's the taco salad. Sure, they actually do serve excellent sandwiches and burgers too, but honestly, most come for the best thing on the menu.

Once inside, you will be greeted by some of the nicest ladies I've ever had the privilege to know (If they aren't nice to you, then you are probably a very very bad person). Seating inside is fairly limited because the place is pretty small, but if the inside is full, there are gazebos outside, nicely screened in, where you can enjoy your lunch. So place your order, collect your little wooden spoon (the number written on it is your order number), and wait for heaven on a plate.

In the seven or so years I've been going to Cleo's, I've almost always ordered the taco salad. So I'll make a few observations on that and leave the sandwich reviews to someone else. On the plate (or in your to-go box), you'll find a perfect combination of shredded iceberg lettuce, seasoned ground beef and beans, shredded cheddar cheese, onions (or not), and even jalapeños if you want, tossed in a nice ranch dressing and resting on a generous pile of crunchy tortilla chips. And of course there is a bottle of hot sauce on every table in case you want a little more kick to your salad. I think of it as a Tex-Mex inspired Florida original and I love it. And so do a lot of other people, as evidenced by the crowd that shows up at lunch time. They serve breakfast too by the way.

If you have room after lunch, or even if you don't, try the banana pudding or peanut brittle. Both are made from scratch and with much love. You can always get some to go and eat it later at the office... that's what I do. And when you go, be sure and say hi to Charlie and the rest of the ladies at this fine establishment.

You can find Cleo's at 1438 Eastport Road in Jacksonville, FL. I believe you can even phone in your order ahead of time at (904) 757-7264. And finally, here's a map. Now go and enjoy.

Blogged with Flock

Happy Hour @ Shantytown Pub

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:00:00 +0000

(The bar from my perspective - Robocop playing on the TV)

Some might confuse my quest to "broaden my horizons" with checking out all the bars in town to which I haven't yet been. Either way, Shantytown Pub is my new discovery. May not be new to some of you, but it is to me, so hence this post. Shantytown opened up their doors in Springfield last November. My first time there was during a brief visit last Saturday. I stopped in with a friend. We both thought it seemed like a cool place, unfortunately we were on a schedule and couldn't stay long. So today I stopped by to check out the happy hour action.

A few observations: It's small. DAMN SMALL*. But this place makes small seem neighborhood-y and cozy. Locals seemed to be the main category, but they were chatty and seemed friendly. I even ran into someone I knew. Bonus points. Pints of Yuengling are 2 bucks on Wednesdays. More bonus points.

* The inside is small, but there is a rather large patio out back.

(The tiny stage - taken with my crappy camera phone)

I checked out their list of happenings and they seem to have a varied schedule of acts on different nights. If you are looking for live bands of all different styles in a very intimate setting, this is a good place. I didn't stay for the main act tonight, but I did see an act of sorts. I'm not sure if it was an opener or just some guy who happened to get on stage. He had a device that made different buzzing sounds... reminded me of a radar detector. He held it up to the mic and people gathered around the stage to watch and listen. After a few minutes of some really experimental music, he stopped, and people clapped! I was moved.

I still need to check out this place during the main event and experience the whole enchilada, but so far, I give it a thumbs up.

Shantytown is located in Springfield on 6th at Main Street.
Read a more in depth and thorough review of Shantytown at Urban Jacksonville.

Cheers!

Blogged with Flock

Japanese Invasion at TSI

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:24:00 +0000

Japanese Invasion at TSI

I've just learned from Urban Jacksonville about a show at Club TSI this Friday night. Elekibass is a Japanese 60's throwback pop band, and that alone sounds too good to miss. Add to that two other bands, Casper and the Cookies & Jaguar Club, and it sounds like a fun night. I'm going. Who's coming with?

Blogged with Flock

There IS life in Jacksonville...

noreply@blogger.com (gojeffrey) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:44:00 +0000

I want to put myself out there. Explore what Jacksonville and the surrounding area has to offer. Find the obscure, seek out the undiscovered, experience the alternative to the "mainstream" de rigueur activities in this town. Not that there's anything wrong with mainstream, I'm just more interested in venturing off the beaten path for purposes of this blog, and for my own personal enjoyment and discovery of Jacksonville.

Comments or ideas anyone?