Business Features
Creative Heroes behind the ‘Save Our Parks’ Response
By Sheri L. Webber On December 4th, while many Floridians were focused on the holidays and all that comes with the season of giving, Senator Gayle Harrell filed Senate Bill 80, the State Park Preservation Act, to halt the present and future possibility of constructing golf courses, pickleball courts, ball fields, and more in Florida state parks. Harrell’s legislation, if enacted, would ensure prioritization of “conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses” in state parks. The bill also requires public hearings for all updated...
read more1000 Friends of Florida Wants to Befriend You
An advocacy organization that holds the government accountable while educating citizens about a better future for all Floridians. By Kayla Byrd Founded in 1986, 1000 Friends of Florida is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that educates Floridians on government planning for land management and conservation projects. By working at the legislative level and providing input on proposed bills, 1000 Friends of Florida keeps citizens empowered and in the loop on the proposed ways the government intends to use their land. Headquartered in...
read moreAudubon Florida A Century of Conservation & Community
By Laura Riggs Florida Scrub-Jay, Helen & Allen Cruikshank Sanctuary, Florida Audubon Florida, celebrating its 125th anniversary, is a cornerstone of the state’s conservation movement. From its roots in combating the plume trade at the turn of the 20th century to its current advocacy for imperiled species and habitats, the organization has consistently championed science-based solutions to Florida’s environmental challenges. This commitment to scientific rigor and grassroots engagement defines Audubon’s approach,...
read morePhotographic Memory Mark Krancer: A Life Worth Living
By Kate A. Hallock Mark Krancer smiles a lot. On a photo assignment, he’ll tell his clients that he’s living the dream, but that wasn’t always the case. Krancer knows how addiction can put you in a bad place. He also knows how a positive passion can save your life. From drugs to digital camera, Krancer turned his life around 10 years ago to eventually create a successful business and achieve world renown. Robin Patton proudly claims she discovered Krancer. In 2015, as Memorial Park Association’s publicity chair, Patton began to...
read moreViolins of Hope
By Lorrie DeFrank Seventy lovingly restored string instruments that symbolize resilience and unity following indescribable horror will be showcased in a series of events in Jacksonville. Violins of Hope: Building Bridges Through the Power of Music will feature instruments that were played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, each with its own story that will be shared to educate the community and inspire understanding. Presented by Jacksonville Symphony as a highlight of its 75th anniversary season, the project will...
read moreGold Star Restaurants
Making Jacksonville a Foodie Destination Our annual Gold Star restaurant list spotlights new locally owned dining options and old favorites that offer exceptional quality and consistency. As we continue to explore the diverse dining options in our community, we are reminded of the incredible resilience and dedication of the restaurant industry. This year’s Gold Star list is a celebration of those who have remained steadfast in their commitment to delivering exceptional quality and consistency, as well as those who have...
read moreEnhancing Education with The Arts
The arts play a pivotal role in education. Involvement in the arts supports a student’s social and emotional learning and empowers them to succeed inside school and out. Not only do arts programs motivate children to come to school, but they also help reduce stress, sharpen communication, and fuel social and emotional development. Jacksonville is fortunate to have a wealth of arts education programs across all art forms that allow our students to not only learn how to express themselves in the classroom but support their future career growth....
read morePublisher’s Note
With a new year brings hope. Hope for the new year elevates feelings we experience when we foresee a path to a better future. Hope acknowledges the significant obstacles and deep pitfalls along that path. True hope has no room for delusion. Violins of Hope During the Holocaust all most people had was hope. Hope is a powerful desire that can have a profound impact on an individual’s life as well as the world at large. Examples of such hope are the 70 lovingly restored string instruments symbolizing resilience and unity following...
read moreCarson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
Gainesville’s Hidden Gem By Cinda Sherman / Photos by Rafael Hernandez @grip24 People often think of Gainesville as a college town surrounded by natural wonders and cold springs. Yet, it’s so much more. Gainesville has a strong and vibrant art scene that embraces the arts on almost every street corner. There’s the Harn Museum, one of the largest university art museums in the South, with permanent collections focused on Asian, African, modern, and contemporary art, as well as photography. The University of Florida’s Phillips Center features...
read moreFor the Love of Manatees
By Eva Dasher On a bright summer day, when the temperature hasn’t yet chased everyone indoors and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is teeming with excited children recently released from school, I peer into a tank at the Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC) and spot two manatees gently swirling around each other in the lettuce-covered water. “We have two manatees in here right now. One is Applejack, we just microchipped her today because she is going to be released soon. She came here with two calves. One of them is at the Georgia...
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