Audubon 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...
Photographic 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...
Violins 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...
Gold 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...
Enhancing 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...
Northeast Florida Visual Artist Marsha Hatcher
Recognized With Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award By Laura Jane Pittman On a sunny day in November, a small group gathers in the courtyard of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and are all smiles. Artist and local visionary Marsha Hatcher—the 2024 recipient of the Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award—poses for photographs with the late Ann Baker’s daughters and son and staff from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida....