Jacksonville. Where Florida Begins.

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . . Have you noticed that the holiday season begins earlier each year?  There were Christmas trees popping up in stores before we dressed our children in their Halloween costumes. 

While I'm sure this early arrival of the holidays may have some of you anxious, I'm quite excited about it this year.  Who knows if it's the early cooler weather or my new bundle of joy, but I'm ready. 

And for those of you with me, St. Johns Town Center is ready too.  While the fantastic Jacksonville Light Parade, Nov. 29, is the official kick-off to the season in town, St. Johns Town Center is getting a jump on all celebrations.  Saturday, Nov. 15, the Town Center invites families to the "Lighting of the Great Tree."

The event features live music, strolling entertainment and tasty food samplings leading up to lighting the majestic Christmas tree.  Holiday costumed characters, carolers, balloon artists and more will entertain the crowds starting at 5 p.m. and live entertainment begins at 7 p.m.  Santa comes to the Town Center too.  Event is celebrated in the courtyard near Cantina Laredo. 

I for one can't wait for this great excuse to start the holidays and my holiday shopping before we cut into our Thanksgiving turkey.  There are so many great events coming to Northeast Florida this holiday season.  More information on upcoming holiday celebrations is available on the Visit Jacksonville homepage.  

Let's talk cupcakes!  Famed cupcake bloggers, "Cupcakes Take the Cake", discovered a Pittsburg bakery calling for a dedicated Cupcake Week, Sep. 21-27.  I love holidays, especially those ending with dessert, and who wouldn't want to celebrate a holiday starting the dessert itself.  Cupcake bakeries are super trendy and Jacksonville is in on the bake sale.  

Camicakes was Jacksonville's first cupcake-only store.  The owner, Andra Hall, opened her first store at the Orange Park Mall.  Recently, Hall opened a second location in the Tinseltown area, along Southside Boulevard.  Let me tell you how excited I was to stumble upon this delicious eatery. 

The bakery invites you in with the sweet smells of homemade goodies and a case of doily-lined plates with beautiful, colorful cupcakes.  There are many flavors to choose from and it was near impossible for my companion and me to just choose two to share.  Some of the unique flavors featured include Sweet Potato, Red Velvet, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream and of course the Classic Cami.  This classic is what old-fashion cupcakes are all about - moist, spongy yellow cake topped with a swirl of bright pink butter crème frosting.  It was fabulous!!

It's been recommended that I try Vanilla's Cupcakery in the historic Avondale district.  I can't wait to try this bakery and any others that pop up in Northeast Florida.  Make sure to celebrate Cupcake Week and get out and try some of our local dessert treasures. 

It's on this day that I feel especially patriotic. I'm always one to get goose bumps during the national anthem at football games, but today, for reasons I shouldn't need to explain I feel especially devoted to the good old USA.

Making plans today for the coming fall and in this patriotic mood, I noticed many military celebrations in Jacksonville over the next few months. Jacksonville's military history is lengthy and today the military pride is going strong. Here are some events coming up. I hope to see you at a few.

Honoring our Veterans Pow Wow, Pig Out and Iron Horse Car Show, Oct 10-12 - Veterans Pow Wow Host drum is Billy Evens Horse; Pig Out barbecue competition sanctioned by Florida Barbecue Assoc. and Classic car show hosted by Sunshine State Chevelles & Paso Fino drill teams.

Jacksonville Salutes the U.S. Navy, Oct. 11-13 - Held along the Downtown waterfront, event commemorates the 233^rd anniversary of the U.S. Navy in Jacksonville and the 20^th anniversary of the Navy Memorial. Festivities include live entertainment at The Jacksonville Landing, tours aboard an USS Naval ship, Navy memorial rededication ceremony and more.

NAS Jacksonville Airshow, Oct. 25-26 - Ground displays, activities and air performances, featuring the famed Blue Angels are scheduled at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Family Art Fest & Salute to the Troops, Nov. 8-9 - The event will showcase the arts and culture of Jacksonville, while saluting active duty military personnel and veterans. Festival is taking place in historic St. Nicholas at Midtown Centre Office Park.

Veteran's Day Parade, Nov. 11 - The City of Jacksonville honors America's heroes with a fantastic parade through Downtown. Marching bands sound the drums as lively balloon floats soar above the streets.

For more information on any of these events call (904) 798-9111.

 

Downtown Jacksonville isn't just for the weekday rush, the occasional visit for Jaguar football games or concerts at Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena.  Downtown has a lot to offer on Saturday and Sunday too before the sun sinks into the St. Johns and the Bay Street nightlife lights up.

Depending on what your scene is here are a few suggestions . . .

If you're looking for a huge, stick to your ribs breakfast with a side of live music, then the Bluegrass Brunch on Saturday at Gas Knob Pub is for you.  Brunch at this new restaurant, located in the Sports Complex downtown, features Irish favorites like the Pig and Chicken - two slabs of toast loaded with sausage fresh from Ireland, scrambled eggs, all smothered in cheese.  There's also the Yankee breakfast and Black Bean Cakes for our less meat-inclined friends.  Everything we ordered was delicious and the Bluegrass band was outstanding.  Don't be alarmed if patrons show up with their own instruments - the Pub didn't over book the stage - they're just on there way to the Pub's outdoor patio for Saturday's "open air jam." 

Jacksonville's Main Library is four floors of books and other materials, of course, but it also offers incredible programs, usually at no cost.  My family and I enjoy Mother Goose storytime Saturday mornings in the Children's Library.  It's a free event with a great storyteller, sing-alongs and a visit from the library's talking owl.  There is also Family Art Time and for the teens their own Poetry Club in the Teen Study Room.  Adults will enjoy a variety of events.  September events include a discussion with author Rodney Hurst as a part of the African American Collection Author Series, Books Alive, where films inspired by great books are previewed and art collections throughout the library.  Stop by Shelby's Café for a steamy cup of coffee, pastry or made-to-order breakfast favorite. 

Sunday is for art enthusiasts and their little apprentices.  The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville welcomes families to Bank of America Family Free Day.  Museum admission is free all day for children and accompanying adults.  I can't wait to take my little one to the ArtExplorium Loft.  I understand the "loft" is hands-on fun for kids.  There are also two large art studios for creative art-making experiences for teens, adults and families.  MOCA exhibits feature artwork from 1960 to present.  Visiting exhibits are always fantastic! 

For more ideas on how to explore Downtown this weekend log on to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/ or call (904) 798-9111.

 One rainy afternoon my husband and I decided to venture out to the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).  We'd visited similar museums as children and were curious to see if we would enjoy it as adults.  So, with our three-month old son in tow we headed to Downtown Jacksonville's Southbank, where the MOSH looms over the St. Johns River. 

 

Upon entry I must admit we were a bit overwhelmed - it seemed that every children's group in Jacksonville was visiting the museum that day.  After wading though the sea of children and buying our museum passes, which were buy one get one free with a Destination Deals coupon we entered our first exhibit - Atlantic Tails.  This exhibit is great for children who can touch and feel many items here.  Our favorite part was fun facts about sea life plastered on the wall.  Did you know the Blue Whale, the largest mammal feeds on the smallest form of life, plankton?  The first floor also includes an indoor zoo of sorts with owls, snakes and other Florida wildlife in the "Florida's Naturalist" exhibit and beautiful aquariums in "Water Worlds."  The neon lights shining out and colorful fish swimming about were the most interesting and entertaining parts for our son. 

The "Currents of Time" exhibit on the second floor is the best part for the adults.  It's an interesting walk winding through the museum taking you through 12,000 years of history!  From the Timucua Indians who were Northeast Florida's earliest inhabitants to Jacksonville's bid and win for the Super Bowl.  We enjoyed photographs and stories about Jacksonville's survival through the Great Depression and how tourism began to thrive with the expansion of railroads from the North.  It was the first time I'd seen photographs of Dixieland Amusement Park and ostrich farm, Jacksonville premier entertainment prior to WWII.  I also learned that Jacksonville was consolidated 40 years ago.  I had no idea Duval County and Jacksonville had been one jurisdiction for so long.  The final curve of history features Florida Times-Union newspaper front pages with important stories from our recent past.  By the way, children will also love this floor as it hosts national traveling exhibits and is now inhabited by "Insect Giants." 

So, overall MOSH is worth a trip even without the kids, or with a three-month sleeping in his stroller.  Next time we'll have to check out the Planetarium - the only one in Northeast Florida.  Here's an insider tip - buy your Planetarium tickets early, as many shows had sold out once we arrived in the late afternoon.  Click here to learn more about MOSH.