Metro Jacksonville

Hi, my name is Kirk, and I have a problem:  I love lots of things about Jacksonville.

A little intro:  I am a serial entrepreneur and have owned a home in JAX for ten years.  I split my time between Jacksonville and Seattle, WA.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

The Jacksonville Library System is amazing.  Seattle has the second busiest library system in the US.  The only problem is, you can't get a book.  The best sellers and popular books are always checked out and the waiting list is long.  The JPL almost always has the title I am looking for, and the book appears to be rarely (if ever) opened. 

Garbage collection in Jacksonville is crazy good.  I swear that I could leave a used Abrams Tank on the curb in the evening and in the morning wake to find it collected.  In Seattle, we pay for garbage collection by the ounce.

Chamblins Book Mine is a treasure.  Seattle has more readers per square mile than any city in the US (the rain festival that runs from January 1 to December 31 every year insures that).  Chamblins warehouses nearly every title ever written, starting with cave drawings.  Okay, so I like to read.

Street parking spots in Downtown.  There are actual, available street parking spots downtown, near restaurants and businesses, that you can pull in to, park, pay $.50 an hour for up to two hours. I kid you not.

Bistro Aix.  Want to leave Jacksonville for a while?  I can think of no faster transportation system than Tom Gray's restaurant.  He works harder at sourcing fresh, organic ingredients than anyone I know or anyone I know who knows.  If Aix opened in Seattle, the waiting line would stretch to Portland (which is 180 miles away).

San Marco Theater.  I try to describe this place to Seattle friends and they are "totally, like, no way," you know?  Even if the movie sucks, the microwaved pizza and pitchers of beer rock.

Duval Public Schools.  Best. Idea. Ever.  Take all of the smartest kids with the most motivated parents and stick them in three high schools with tough teachers and an aggressive curriculum.  It's like squeezing plutonium rods together...critical mass smartness.  I will not comment about what happens to kids in other schools.

Traffic.  What traffic?

I'm glad to have found this forum and site.  Metro Jacksonville is climbing up on my favorites ladder.

Heckuva first post!

It's nice to hear my hometown recieve some praise.

Great post, Kirkols!  I agree with all of your things to like about Jacksonville except that I would cite Orsay as this city's example of dining excellence and would throw in some comments about sunshine, kayaking, and rock free beaches.  As the parent of a child who will be attending one of those plutonium enriched high schools in the fall, I'd add great public school magnet programs at  the elementary and middle school level to your list as well.

And, like you, since the title of this thread is "What I Love About Jacksonville", I'll avoid talking about what happens if you're not fortunate enough to get into one of those awesome magnet programs.  Maybe we need a new thread about public education......

Awesome post kirkols... welcome! :)

Your right about traffic, since I lived in Atl and has driven through many cities like NY, Mia, NJ, and now Boston. I like our weather and our native trees, plants, wildlife. Rivers and bridges and of course the Jags. Welcome to the forum,,,

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Welcome Kirk.  Sounds like you've been fortunate enough to spend time in some great cities during your life.  Would you care to express areas where you think Jax needs to improve?  You frequent the library, Chamblins (DT or roosevelt location?), San Marco Theatre, and Aix.... If all of Jax's citizens were like you, we'd be in better shape.  You should check out 3 Layers, 5 points theater, and 13 Gypsies as well.

Come to the meetings on Tuesday night at 3 Layers, I'd love to hear your input.

I would also add the Zoo, the Cummer and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville as some really great Jacksonville attractions.

HellO!

Quote from: kirkols on May 16, 2010, 04:56:23 PM
Hi, my name is Kirk, and I have a problem:  I love lots of things about Jacksonville.

A little intro:  I am a serial entrepreneur and have owned a home in JAX for ten years.  I split my time between Jacksonville and Seattle, WA.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

The Jacksonville Library System is amazing.  Seattle has the second busiest library system in the US.  The only problem is, you can't get a book.  The best sellers and popular books are always checked out and the waiting list is long.  The JPL almost always has the title I am looking for, and the book appears to be rarely (if ever) opened. 

Garbage collection in Jacksonville is crazy good.  I swear that I could leave a used Abrams Tank on the curb in the evening and in the morning wake to find it collected.  In Seattle, we pay for garbage collection by the ounce.

Chamblins Book Mine is a treasure.  Seattle has more readers per square mile than any city in the US (the rain festival that runs from January 1 to December 31 every year insures that).  Chamblins warehouses nearly every title ever written, starting with cave drawings.  Okay, so I like to read.

Street parking spots in Downtown.  There are actual, available street parking spots downtown, near restaurants and businesses, that you can pull in to, park, pay $.50 an hour for up to two hours. I kid you not.

Bistro Aix.  Want to leave Jacksonville for a while?  I can think of no faster transportation system than Tom Gray's restaurant.  He works harder at sourcing fresh, organic ingredients than anyone I know or anyone I know who knows.  If Aix opened in Seattle, the waiting line would stretch to Portland (which is 180 miles away).

San Marco Theater.  I try to describe this place to Seattle friends and they are "totally, like, no way," you know?  Even if the movie sucks, the microwaved pizza and pitchers of beer rock.

Duval Public Schools.  Best. Idea. Ever.  Take all of the smartest kids with the most motivated parents and stick them in three high schools with tough teachers and an aggressive curriculum.  It's like squeezing plutonium rods together...critical mass smartness.  I will not comment about what happens to kids in other schools.

Traffic.  What traffic?

I'm glad to have found this forum and site.  Metro Jacksonville is climbing up on my favorites ladder.

(Lil Jon Voice)
WUT! OK! WUT?!

Nice first post. Jacksonville is truly a great place to live. Just think on a Friday night you can visit any number of bars, restaurants or clubs from Fernandina, to st Augustine from DT to Southside. Last Friday night we had a baseball game, football game and the Great Fire party all DT. Then wake up on Saturday and go boating, fishing, to the beach, intracoastal or river. So many things to do! thats what always gets me when I hear people say there is nothing to do here.

I am going to add to this topic with things I like or miss about Jax.

1. Consolidated government! Man in Jax when your at the airport you are in Jax, when you are at the Avenues you are still in Jax, Jags game you are still in Jax. All the police work for the same damn agency. You guys should cherish that.

2. The Navy transplants. Its an unvalued resource for international and national human imports. I am a product of it. The Navy brings people from everywhere, people from everywhere have ideas and cultures they bring to the table. The "World of Nations Fest" is probably supplied by Navy sailors and their dependents. No way in hell should Jacksonville be letting Norfolk beat them at anything. Even if its a Florida v. Virginia fight, Jax gov should be more agressive in getting not just 1 but 2 nuke carriers.

3. Flat land. I drive a stick shift, going up hills can be a pain in the ass, the scenery is nice, but walking, biking or even driving up and down hills takes good health and skill behind the wheel lol.


Thats all I got right now. 1 & 2 are very important to Jax and is probably over looked by the many people that live there.Not living there now I notice these things.

Quote from: fsujax on May 17, 2010, 11:23:13 AM
Nice first post. Jacksonville is truly a great place to live. Just think on a Friday night you can visit any number of bars, restaurants or clubs from Fernandina, to st Augustine from DT to Southside. Last Friday night we had a baseball game, football game and the Great Fire party all DT. Then wake up on Saturday and go boating, fishing, to the beach, intracoastal or river. So many things to do! thats what always gets me when I hear people say there is nothing to do here.

People who say that have no imagination or friends. Something any person will need to do ANYTHING.

Quote from: Captain Zissou on May 17, 2010, 10:15:55 AM
Welcome Kirk.  Sounds like you've been fortunate enough to spend time in some great cities during your life.  Would you care to express areas where you think Jax needs to improve?  You frequent the library, Chamblins (DT or roosevelt location?), San Marco Theatre, and Aix.... If all of Jax's citizens were like you, we'd be in better shape.  You should check out 3 Layers, 5 points theater, and 13 Gypsies as well.

Come to the meetings on Tuesday night at 3 Layers, I'd love to hear your input.

Thank you Captain and everyone for the warm welcomes.  I find Three Layers to be an oasis of coffee heaven.  I hope they will thrive and I recommend it highly.  Five Points and 13 Gypsies are both fun, quirky and deserve continued success.  I'll add to the growing list: the 5K running trail (flat and dirt!) around the lake at UNF, the miles of mountain biking at Guana River and Hanna Park and the secret pocket parks all over the city.  Hemming Plaza offers lots of people watching, chess and discussion opportunities.  UNF sponsors speakers like Neil deGrasse Tyson (for free!).  The Suns are part of the best baseball farm system and currently feature two players that may be superstars for the Marlins shortly.  The River Run is a celebration of fitness in which nearly everyone can participate.

This city has endless opportunities for anyone seeking "something to do."  There is always something to draw, photograph, record, smell, taste, see and touch.  The transit system is clean, efficient and economical. 

I can't answer your question on what needs to change.  I adapt to what is offered, offer help where I can and work to improve myself.   Every choice we make, individually, is an opportunity for growth or decline.

QuoteEvery choice we make, individually, is an opportunity for growth or decline.

What a profound statement.  Welcome Kirk.  Great first post(s)!

Welcome! I'm also a big fan of Chamblins Book Mine and the Public Library. I can go online, log in to jaxcat.com, and put books on hold. If they don't have a book, they will almost always get it. They email me when it's available and I just pop in to the University Park Branch in Arlington and pick it up. And Chamblins! It's like going into one of those magic shops in a Harry Potter movie.

Anyone who is a fan of old books should visit Jerry's Bookshop in the old Town and Country shopping center, right at the foot of the Mathews Bridge. I've known him for over 15 years, and he has had a copy of just about everything ever published at one time or another. Plus, Jerry is as knowledgeable as anyone I've ever heard of when it comes to old authors, publishing houses, etc.

That and the riverwalk are 2 things I love about Jacksonville. And the beach. There's 3.

here are several that come to mind immediately;

1) I'm not the biggest beach person, but there are some fantastic beach spots where you can have the entire beach to yourself;  Hannah Park, Little & Big Talbot Islands, areas of Amelia island

2) Many incredible natural areas just a 15 minute drive from downtown;  Ft. George Island (definitely check out the off-road Segway tours & Kingsley Plantation), Timucuan preserve, Hugenot park

3)  Hundreds of miles of waterways to explore with a kayak or canoe.

4)  Easy pace of life and friendly people.  I can still say Hello or Good Morning to a perfect stranger without someone assuming I have an ulterior motive.

5)  Riverside!  I love my neighborhood and being able to walk or bike anywhere I would want or need to go without having to leave my bubble.  I've lived in Jax most of my life and this is the only neighborhood where I have felt part of a truly special community.

Quote from: fieldafm on May 17, 2010, 12:01:10 PM

QuoteEvery choice we make, individually, is an opportunity for growth or decline.

What a profound statement.  Welcome Kirk.  Great first post(s)!

Couldn't agree more. All the input in this forum make me think that MetroJax needs a running thread for positive contributions that highlight great things about Jacksonville. I believe the contributors to MetroJacksonville have by far the most insight into the hidden treasures of the city and appreciate the little things. A running thread would be great for visitors headed to the city and an alternative to the T-U and Folio.

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

Things I like:  Orsay, Blue Fish oyster bar, Biscottis, an open minded and accepting population ( for the most part), the best beaches in the US, and the superior road system.   Things I do not like: the proximity of those Navy bases that cause the airport to be far out in the middle of nowhere, an undereducated and unskilled labor force ( and if you own a business here you know what I'm talking about), the extreme summer heat and humidity  and the lengthy duration of those summers.

Thanks for the positve post about Jax and welcome.

I grew up in Jax, moved away for roughly 14 years, and moved back about 10 years ago.  The things I missed most while away, and throughly think are positive assets of the city are the laid back life style, the beaches, the many different waterways to put a kayak in, the fishing and the weather.  This city usually gets the short end of the stick, but for most people, it easier to complain about something than it is to hand out a compliment.

Also, I am amazed that nobody has jumped down your throat about your parking meter statement.  Any time I have mentioned them, I felt like I should be belly down on a platter with an apple in my mouth from the comments that follow.

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

There's positives and negatives to every city. Most on here may bash, but they(I) only want the best for our city. All cities have good and bad areas Jax is no different. Surround yourself with outgoing and positive people and you will find no matter where you live can be an adventure. Jax has alot of hidden gems most don't know about. Hope you enjoy your stay and welcome to all new comers.

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays. 

Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on May 17, 2010, 05:58:52 PM

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays.  

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

Quote from: Coolyfett on May 17, 2010, 11:33:11 AM

2. The Navy transplants. Its an unvalued resource for international and national human imports. I am a product of it. The Navy brings people from everywhere, people from everywhere have ideas and cultures they bring to the table. The "World of Nations Fest" is probably supplied by Navy sailors and their dependents. No way in hell should Jacksonville be letting Norfolk beat them at anything. Even if its a Florida v. Virginia fight, Jax gov should be more agressive in getting not just 1 but 2 nuke carriers.

I really love number 2; especially the nuke carriers issue.  We've always had two carriers at Mayport not one; so they should put two there.  And yes, there are a lot of Navy transplants that stick around after their tour or retirement and make Jax home. Nothing wrong with that but leave your northern, western, and midwestern mannerisms where you came from!

I am odd in that I spent over 70% of my Navy career in Jax, but, I am a Floridian; yes weird but I am and was at home all those years though I was in the Navy...and I loved it!!!

"HU"

Quote from: heights unknown on May 17, 2010, 06:14:24 PM

Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on May 17, 2010, 05:58:52 PM

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays. 

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

Number 5 imo is why we have the problems that we have.

And I will add, the Jaguars!

+5 internets to Keith-N-Jax.

Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on May 17, 2010, 06:25:59 PM

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

Number 5 imo is why we have the problems that we have.
[/quote]

Yep,  if only we could have less of a blend of character and history than we already have, then maybe we would be more in line with the rest of Florida.

History maybe,,character what character,,just MO as I said. This city has no character, especially when it comes to its downtown area.

A lack of characteristic, would be a characteristic.

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

Are you holding a jag kitten in your avatar?

   
    ^      _____
  /    \   |       |
  |    |   |       |
  |    |   |       |  I LUV JAX!!!
  |    |  /         \
  |    | /           \
_________________

Quote from: Bativac on May 17, 2010, 02:02:00 PM
Anyone who is a fan of old books should visit Jerry's Bookshop in the old Town and Country shopping center, right at the foot of the Mathews Bridge. I've known him for over 15 years, and he has had a copy of just about everything ever published at one time or another. Plus, Jerry is as knowledgeable as anyone I've ever heard of when it comes to old authors, publishing houses, etc.

That and the riverwalk are 2 things I love about Jacksonville. And the beach. There's 3.

I can't believe I didn't know about Jerry's Bookshop! That's not far from my house, I'm going to check it out right away!

Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on May 17, 2010, 05:58:52 PM

Quote from: VAgent on May 17, 2010, 04:15:43 PM
It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays. 

I was born and raised in Tidewater but have spent the most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin. I'm eager to return to the South.

Thanks for the continued positive comments, too. I have traveled a lot and know that no city is all champagne and roses, as each has its challenges. The naysayer bloggers I've referred to are primarily on other JAX websites -- specifically the news websites -- and not so much on the Metro Jacksonville website. If the Metro Jacksonville website bloggers were anywhere near as consistently negative (and hateful toward other people), I'd have stopped reading it ages ago.

Quotethe most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin.

Where?  Spent some time there myself... :)

Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 18, 2010, 10:08:21 AM

Quotethe most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin.

Where?  Spent some time there myself... :)

I'm in Racine, just south of Milwaukee ... north of Chicago.

My top 10 reasons to love Jacksonville:

1) The most attractively situated city in America, possibly the world.  I will not argue about this.  Absolutely beautiful vistas all over the city.

2) Paradise for outdoor activities, eco-tourism, etc. with the climate, beaches, river, and preservation lands.

3) Professional football that is easy to love, with an easily accessible and beautiful stadium and the most fan-friendly organization in pro sports.  (VAgent and anyone else who might be relocating, I cannot recommend Jaguar games enough)

4) Architectural heritage that has seen too much neglect and destruction, but among the remains are buildings and architectural styles unique to the region and some remarkable groupings.

5) An underappreciated and distinctive history with battles for colonial control, the Civil War, one of America's largest metropolitan fires (followed by one of its most dramatic reconstructions), the rise of the silent film industry, civil rights milestones, the birthplace of a genre of music...not many cities can lay claim to all of that.

6) Despite what the Times-Union message board or the daily parade of hate in Vic Ketchman's mailbox would lead one to believe, this is one of the friendliest cities in the country, no question about it.

7) Clark's Fish Camp, Jenkins' BBQ, Metro Diner, Three Layers, Beach Road...I enjoy eating in Jacksonville, and there are no shortage of establishments with a healthy side of character to accompany the food.

8) Distinctive neighborhoods within shouting distance of downtown.

9) A developing arts and music scene calling out for greater recognition.

10) Downtown by night, especially on or from the water.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who experiences any combination of these 10 elements and comes away with less than warm feelings toward Jacksonville just isn't human (or is a gasbag sportswriter looking for a cheap regional stereotype joke).  :)

I guess 8 and open parentheses = smily face with sunglasses.  Oh well...

That's a great list! Thanks.

The Florida Theater
Jax Symphony Orchestra
Times Union Center
Art Walk
The pocket parks throughout the neighborhoods near downtown
The downtown skyline at night
Stately old homes and churches
Sally Industries
Peterbrooke Chocolate
Mayport shrimp!

Excellent! I am hoping to get involved with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Chorus. I've been singing with the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.

1. ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD
2. SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILROAD
3. SOUTHERN RAILWAY
4. FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY
5. JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL COMPANY
6. JACKSONVILLE TRACTION COMPANY
7. RAILWAY EXPRESS COMPANY
8. SEABOARD COAST LINE
9. CSX
10. NORFOLK SOUTHERN
11. RAIL AMERICA
12. TALLEYRAND TERMINAL
13. FIRST COAST RAILROAD
14. WATCO SHORTLINES
15. MUNICIPAL DOCKS AND TERMINALS RAILROAD
16. ATLANTIC AND EAST COAST TERMINAL COMPANY
17. JACKSONVILLE AND ATLANTIC
18. JACKSONVILLE MAYPORT AND PABLO BEACH
19. JACKSONVILLE ELECTRIC RAILWAY
20. MAIN STREET RAILWAY
21. JACKSONVILLE AND LA VILLA RAILWAY
22. NORTH JACKSONVILLE STREET RAILWAY
23. ORTEGA TRACTION COMPANY
24. DUVAL TRACTION COMPANY
25. SOUTH JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL RAILWAYS


OCKLAWAHA

^ock, you're an interesting dude, but i think perhaps a little too singleminded...

best things about jacksonville that are still here (we've lost a lot ov nifty things, even in my brief lifetime):
some previously-mentioned bookstores (i love chamblin and jerry's, but they've already been heartily recommended).
jack rabbits.
park system (recently discovered the arboretum--fun little trails around a lovely lake).
urban decay (if you're into that sort ov thing, which i am--it's depressing that these buildings are falling apart, but they do it so beautifully; shades ov albert speer).
klutho's legacy.
MOCA.
the downtown public library (from both a reading and an architecture perspective).
kosta's pizza italian (their homemade italian dressing alone is more than worth the trip, and the rest ov the food is delicious as well).

Quotekosta's pizza italian (their homemade italian dressing alone is more than worth the trip, and the rest ov the food is delicious as well).

An often overlooked and unsung gem in 5 points to be sure.  I've gone there with my family since I was a child and still love it.  I would take Gus' entrees over Al's any day.  Just not the pizza... never order the pizza.

Quote from: KuroiKetsunoHana on May 18, 2010, 03:20:52 PM
^ock, you're an interesting dude, but i think perhaps a little too singleminded...

best things about jacksonville that are still here (we've lost a lot ov nifty things, even in my brief lifetime):
some previously-mentioned bookstores (i love chamblin and jerry's, but they've already been heartily recommended).
jack rabbits.
park system (recently discovered the arboretum--fun little trails around a lovely lake).
urban decay (if you're into that sort ov thing, which i am--it's depressing that these buildings are falling apart, but they do it so beautifully; shades ov albert speer).
klutho's legacy.
MOCA.
the downtown public library (from both a reading and an architecture perspective).
kosta's pizza italian (their homemade italian dressing alone is more than worth the trip, and the rest ov the food is delicious as well).

I'm interested to hear some of the things you like that are no longer with us.  Your list is a great one, so I'd like to hear more.

a few things i miss:
club 5 (i know, the building has been restored to its movie theater glory--i'd personally rather have the venue).
theory shop (ms. faircloth on occasion set things aside for me that she thought i might like--i found some really good stuff that way that i'd've never found out about in a store with less personal customer service).
tilt at the landing (especially the built-in shooting gallery).
the old downtown public library (the building's still there, but last i heard still in limbo).
...and i know there are some restaurants i miss, but at the moment i can't place a single one--i must not be hungry enough.

oh what I miss .....
Creole Queen in 5 Points
LeOrient for raw fish and everything else
Wag's Record Hound
Ben and Jerry's in the landing
Metropolis
and Moto Lounge

oh yeah...5 Points Lounge before it became Wallstreet

undergroundgourmet --- talk about a blast from the past!  i remember going to wag's record hound when i was in high school.  the store was in a strip mall on kingsley avenue - across the street from orange park high school.  i remember buying lots of cassettes, albums and cds from that place. henry reminded me of a cross between the simpson's comic book guy and otto the bus driver.  i have since wondered what had happened to him...

I'll play that one a little more seriously... what I miss?

Wooden bridges where Blanding crosses McGirts Creek!
Peterson's 5 and 10 in 5-points
Milligan Burger (local chain)
Bluff Landing in the woods on the Ortega River where it is rumored that 1/3 of Jacksonville was conceived (God knows I did my part!)
The old Prison East of imeson
NAS JAX, Fields (Arlington), Edgewood (Murray Hill) Hobby shops, and a long ago downtown hobby shop.
Acosta Bridge (which they promised to save part of in a city park... LIARS!)
The old ships rotting at Pottsburg Creek and the Intercoastal Waterway
Jacksonville Terminal when it would have put JIA and OIA to shame in a day.
Imeson Airport, wouldn't you think they could have saved the terminal?
Air ships, the Navy Patrol Blimps that would float over our skies.
Sears Downtown and the fresh roasted nuts dept that scented the whole store
Dizzyland Amusement Park on beach - (The orange dinosaur is all that's left)
Kiddyland on Blanding, (see Dizzyland but a tad smaller)
Storybook Land, it was in town and like the one in Tampa but I'll be damned if I remember where (it might have been called "Miss Muffet Land."
Oriental Gardens, San Jose
Propeller driven fighters at NAS, Cecil, Mayport, etc... (God what a sound in the early AM warm ups)
Iveys, Furchgotts, Rosenblooms, Cohen Brothers, Morrison's...  ALL DOWNTOWN!
The streetcar barn and powerhouse, Skyway facility and TU sites today.
Dad's fricking huge wooden power boat with the inboard Chrysler V-8 in it! (like a private PT boat)
Singing Dixie - no matter the race or color, anywhere!
Shipyards on both banks of downtown
Those cool old Havana Car Ferries that rotted away on the Southbank (near the present School board)
Hemming Plaza, when it was HEMMING PARK
Ortega Village and Fairfax when they had that 5-points vibe going on...
The bakery in Venetia Village
Long lost childhood friend MATT SKEINS, and the cool HOUSE OF BARGAINS STORES his dad owned.
Beach Midway
Green Cove Springs NAVAL STATION and LEE FIELD
Kingsley and Strickland Beaches (Clay County)
Yukon, Bayard, Springfield, Marietta, South Jacksonville, etc... railroad depots
Also railroad towers at Myrtle, Grand Crossing, Beaver Street, etc...
Florida life when we were "THE CITY and THE OLD MONEY".
LaVilla
Fairfield
Brooklyn
........................hell

J A C K S O N V I L L E  !


OCKLAWAHA

^ would you settle for whistling Dixie?

How about the Milk Bar and the free range chickens around the science museum?  I have recently seen a new herd of chickens on the side of the Beach Blvd Expressway near Parental Home Road.

I didn't know one could herd chickens!

OCKLAWAHA

^ anything is possible in J-Ville!

Quotetilt at the landing (especially the built-in shooting gallery).

I loved the shooting gallery.  Many a quarter went towards perfecting my aim.

1. The pocket parks on the ends of the streets in Riverside and Avondale. Even when they put shrubs and gates up to cover them (which is even better because then no one else goes there).
2. Larry's Giant Subs. Nuff Said.
3. Traffic.. it's really not that bad. Have you ever driving in L.A.? Jax is a walk in the park.
4. Wall Street Lounge.. to be able to walk in on any random night of the week and it be either SLAMMED or dead empty and still be able to grab a drink. It's the only hole in the wall in Jax I would call home.
5. Being able to say "Hey, I feel like going to the beach!" and being there 20 minutes later.
6. Saying "Hi there, how's your day going?" to nearly anyone, anywhere in town and them giving you a sincere answer.
7. The car shuffle on any street in Riverside. Where you're traveling down Forbes and you and the opposing car both pull to your respective sides. Then it becomes a competition to see who's nicest first and lets the other guy through. And then you both WAVE and smile!

Welcome aboard Kirkols!

Herding chickens is easy Ock............try milking one!

^ damn it!  why didn't I think of that line? . . . and I really don't want an answer to that softball.

Yeah, maybe so CS, but I bet milking a rooster would be even harder!

Is this sort of like a "Heffer Bull"?  ... There REALLY is such a thing you know!

OCKLAWAHA

What do I love about Jacksonville? In no particular order:

>Familiarity with its history, places and people (Two years downstate not knowing what streets went where made me appreciate this immensely.)
>"Mild" winter (as northerners call it) and hot hot hot summer
>The skyway
>Porches, particularly on the front of bungalows and craftsman-style homes
>Jenkins Quality Bar-B-Q and Lou Bono's Barbecue
>Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
>Driving into town on the Hart bridge in the evening, when all the lights are aglow. (How I look forward to the end of bridge work!)
>The Jaguars
>Hemming Park
>The elegant angles of the Independent Life tower, and the way the glass panes reflect back on each other.
>The multiple corner offices of the AT&T building
>The smell of the river in the evening when the breeze lifts off the water
>Gliding down the Main Street Bridge ramp on a bike after a long climb to the top
>Watching movies on the grounds of Jessie Ball duPont/Treaty Oak Park
>The small-town feeling that pervades this big city
>Dos Gatos, Lit, Burrito Gallery, The Sinclair
>WJCT
>Pocket parks on the river, particularly the one at the end of Holmesdale in Saint Nicholas
>The Great Fire monument
>The Florida Life building (I dream of living on the top floor of the restored building)
>Southern grace and charm
>Spanish moss dripping lazily from ancient live oaks
>The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

and on and on ...

I love...

The smell of roasting coffee beans when Maxwell House fires up in the morning
The sound of P-3s flying overhead
Many of the parks around the city
Budweiser brewery tours (free! Gotta love that!)
The Riverwalk
The Fountain
Walking across the Main Street Bridge just because I can
Metro Park concerts
ANYTHING they get scheduled in the TU Moran Theater
The Florida Theatre... it's one of the few movie palaces left, isn't it?

Mmmmmm morning coffe roasting downtown...  Definitely a top on the list!

Quote from: newzgrrl on May 20, 2010, 06:05:22 PM
What do I love about Jacksonville? In no particular order:

>The Florida Life building (I dream of living on the top floor of the restored building)

Greatest.  Skyscraper.  Ever.  If I lived in Jax I'd say you'd have to fight me for that opportunity  :)

And wasn't she lovely?

(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1057530&id=1555145841)

We should all start a fan club - or maybe work together to come up with a restoration plan!

I can not list would I love about Jacksonville because it would be too long. But i just love everything. People just down us because were not a tourist destination like very other Major city in Florida. In my opinion that what makes us unique. We have the opportunity to create our own indentity. To me Jacksonville is just somehwere nice to live. PERIOD. We complain and complain, but there are city in worse shape than we (Detroit as an example). Hater's can say what they may, but we are still the most populous city in the state of Florida.

The only negative about the city is the generations of misguided leadership. If we can elect a mayor and city council that has a vision and a plan, this city would take off. The Mayoral elections next year are very crucial.

Quote from: Ocklawaha on May 18, 2010, 09:17:52 PM
I'll play that one a little more seriously... what I miss?

Wooden bridges where Blanding crosses McGirts Creek!
Peterson's 5 and 10 in 5-points
Milligan Burger (local chain)
Bluff Landing in the woods on the Ortega River where it is rumored that 1/3 of Jacksonville was conceived (God knows I did my part!)
The old Prison East of imeson
NAS JAX, Fields (Arlington), Edgewood (Murray Hill) Hobby shops, and a long ago downtown hobby shop.
Acosta Bridge (which they promised to save part of in a city park... LIARS!)
The old ships rotting at Pottsburg Creek and the Intercoastal Waterway
Jacksonville Terminal when it would have put JIA and OIA to shame in a day.
Imeson Airport, wouldn't you think they could have saved the terminal?
Air ships, the Navy Patrol Blimps that would float over our skies.
Sears Downtown and the fresh roasted nuts dept that scented the whole store
Dizzyland Amusement Park on beach - (The orange dinosaur is all that's left)
Kiddyland on Blanding, (see Dizzyland but a tad smaller)
Storybook Land, it was in town and like the one in Tampa but I'll be damned if I remember where (it might have been called "Miss Muffet Land."
Oriental Gardens, San Jose
Propeller driven fighters at NAS, Cecil, Mayport, etc... (God what a sound in the early AM warm ups)
Iveys, Furchgotts, Rosenblooms, Cohen Brothers, Morrison's...  ALL DOWNTOWN!
The streetcar barn and powerhouse, Skyway facility and TU sites today.
Dad's fricking huge wooden power boat with the inboard Chrysler V-8 in it! (like a private PT boat)
Singing Dixie - no matter the race or color, anywhere!
Shipyards on both banks of downtown
Those cool old Havana Car Ferries that rotted away on the Southbank (near the present School board)
Hemming Plaza, when it was HEMMING PARK
Ortega Village and Fairfax when they had that 5-points vibe going on...
The bakery in Venetia Village
Long lost childhood friend MATT SKEINS, and the cool HOUSE OF BARGAINS STORES his dad owned.
Beach Midway
Green Cove Springs NAVAL STATION and LEE FIELD
Kingsley and Strickland Beaches (Clay County)
Yukon, Bayard, Springfield, Marietta, South Jacksonville, etc... railroad depots
Also railroad towers at Myrtle, Grand Crossing, Beaver Street, etc...
Florida life when we were "THE CITY and THE OLD MONEY".
LaVilla
Fairfield
Brooklyn
........................hell

J A C K S O N V I L L E  !


OCKLAWAHA

Is "story book land" where all the streets are named after kiddie books? If so, then you are thinking of Cedar Hills. Theres a section over there thatss named like that.

When Dizzyland and Kiddyland become Gooney Golf?

Hmm - there was a run of neighborhoods in the Wesconnett area that had (sometimes) unusual "themes" - The only ones that I can remember by name are Confederate Point (Battles) & English Estates (Authors) - that tied into yet another that utilized all car makes ("Toyota", "Renault", "Triumph", "Volvo", etc.).  As far as the Fairy Tales go, I remember "Boy Blue", "Bo Peep", "Tinkerbell","Miss Muffet", "Jack Horner", etc.....Could make for yet another interesting history lesson - or, zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Ah yes, English Estates. This was the neighborhood where the "English Estates Posse" originated. These were the wonderful bunch of teenage adventure seekers that decided it would be great fun to drop chunks of concrete on cars travelling on 295 in the early 90's.

Quote from: AmyLynne on May 21, 2010, 10:48:06 PM
Is "story book land" where all the streets are named after kiddie books? If so, then you are thinking of Cedar Hills. Theres a section over there thatss named like that.

When Dizzyland and Kiddyland become Gooney Golf?

Good guess AmyLynne, but this was a real honest to gosh amusement park of the 1940-50's era.  The highlight of the park was a concrete playhouse built like a giant shoe.  I also remember giant toadstools, a "house of sticks", etc...  When I knew it, it was already old, seems like the place was in some state of decay, but still VERY popular with the younger set.  Myself, I was too young to recall how we got there or what part of town it was in, but it was local and for some reason the Willow Branch-Boone Park area's seem right to me. I think it also might have had a little steam train ride ?? but I'm not sure (Yeah, I know WEIRD!) But the train at Kiddyland on Blanding, is said to have come from Miss Muffet Land, then again, perhaps it wasn't from the local one??

Quote from: blizz01 on May 22, 2010, 12:17:03 AM
Hmm - there was a run of neighborhoods in the Wesconnett area that had (sometimes) unusual "themes" - The only ones that I can remember by name are Confederate Point (Battles) & English Estates (Authors) - that tied into yet another that utilized all car makes ("Toyota", "Renault", "Triumph", "Volvo", etc.).  As far as the Fairy Tales go, I remember "Boy Blue", "Bo Peep", "Tinkerbell","Miss Muffet", "Jack Horner", etc.....Could make for yet another interesting history lesson - or, zzzzzzzzzzzz.

My first hands-on the Live Steam Hobby, was on Miss Muffet Lane.  A friend there owned a complete outdoor railroad, and sold my dad a couple of small pieces of equipment to forever pollute my mind with filthy thoughts,
thoughts like being covered from head to toe in coal dust!  Pretty filthy eh?

I would like to hear from LAKE and our other urbanists on this, but these neighborhoods were named CORRECTLY!  There is nothing worse then a random bunch of meaningless names in a strange town. Most towns have a system of 1St Street, 2Nd Street, 3Rd Street etc...  but we seem to have either lost the art or surrendered to the self promoting developers any sense of the cross streets. Proper naming from the CENTER of town or a development would be (for example)  SOUTH - Ash, Birch, Cedar, Dogwood, Elm, etc...  NORTH - Archerfish, Barracuda, Catfish, Dolphin, Eel, etc...

Quote from: cayohueso on May 22, 2010, 02:43:10 AM
Ah yes, English Estates. This was the neighborhood where the "English Estates Posse" originated. These were the wonderful bunch of teenage adventure seekers that decided it would be great fun to drop chunks of concrete on cars travelling on 295 in the early 90's.

Easy there mate, us boyz from N.B. Forrest are a creative lot! Hee Hee!


OCKLAWAHA

My uncle used to live in English Estates. 

I vividly remember the English Estates Posse.  JSO stopped me once crossing over one of the I 295 overpasses during the 'rock days'.  We were traveling on bikes from a friends house to an Ed White football game and we had to prove to JSO that we weren't the thugs from EEP.  I think my tshirt 'Westside:  The Bestside!!' probably had something to do with it, hahaha.

QuoteMilligan Burger (local chain)

Nice referance Ock.  Everytime we go to Harpoon Louie's, my dad will tell a story about the old Penny Burgers.

QuoteDad's fricking huge wooden power boat with the inboard Chrysler V-8 in it! (like a private PT boat)

Don't know if you knew, but Huckins built a few PT boats for the Navy.  They were of very high quality.  I actually have some of the original literature Huckins had for the Pentagon brass in charge of procurement of the boats. 

QuoteImeson Airport, wouldn't you think they could have saved the terminal?

Used to live off Heckshire and while the airport had closed long before... two of my best memories growing up were going to the drag races at the old airstrip at Imeson.  And also going to the old Sears outlet store and buying a Commodore 64.  What a breathtaking machine that was at the time, lol.  Still have it to this day!

San Marco Theatre is the BEST!  Welcome.

What I love about Jax?
Hmm,that blonde girl riding a horse down Beach/Atlantic blvd.

Quote from: Bostech on June 02, 2010, 03:11:46 AM
What I love about Jax?
Hmm,that blonde girl riding a horse down Beach/Atlantic blvd.

Racist.

The micro brewed beer. We got Bold City supplying a huge portion of the town, along with the two Gordon Biersch restaurants Seven Bridges and Ragtime.

And some people have already pointed out that we generally have low traffic problems, but I also wanna mention our lanes. Whenever I visit my birth city of Louisville KY, I seriously long for Jax roads when I’m driving around. Everywhere you go there, the lanes there are so freaking narrow it feels like you’re navigating a bus down the sidewalk.