The Black Bean Cuban Cuisine will be taking Moe’s spot in the Square. Black Bean Cafe is real cuban food made by real cubans. The menu looks pretty tasty – cuban sandwiches, empanadas, croquetas, tostones…Vamos a echar un pie! (Cuban slang for Let’s party!)

by Gary Lee Webber, Senior Pastor

Southside Baptist Church

I traveled to a third world country this summer. My heart was broken by the poverty and despair of the people I met on the busy city streets. The more time I spent with the nationals the more I recognized how much they value friendship and family. In the absence of the material these sweet people focused more on the relational. My feelings quickly moved from pity to envy.

Upon my return to a US airport I was immediately overwhelmed with the abundance we so often take for granted. I watched people in busy terminal restaurants leave more food on a plate than many of my new friends would see in a week. The 60 inch flat screen plasma TVs mounted every 50 feet throughout the airport contained story after story of the depths and despair of the current US recession. Along the busy terminal there were kiosks displaying jewelry and all of the latest electronics. A news stand had magazines and newspapers all of which proclaimed gloomy reports about the condition of the American economy. Such irony had been lost on me until then.

While I was readjusting to the wealth of my surroundings, I was also struck with the isolation of the people by whom I was surrounded. In the middle of this huge mass of humanity I felt alone. People were walking past talking on their cell phones or listening to their iPods. Every table in the busy airport restaurants were full with people dinning alone.

My realization was startling. Surrounded by wealth, we fear a financial poverty we do not know only to ignore a relational poverty that separates and isolates us all. My friends in the third world are relationally wealthy where we are stricken with relational poverty. My question has since been which is worse?

This Thanksgiving I am acutely aware of both the tremendous need in the world and the abundance with which I am blessed. I am thankful and mindful of the words of Jesus, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Greenscape, the non-profit leading the way for landscape change in Jacksonville, has recently moved into South Jacksonville City Hall. Greenscape was located on Emerson Street before moving into South Jacksonville City Hall.

“It is an honor to be in this building that was so respectfully and lovingly restored by the San Marco Preservation Society. We are delighted to call this office our home,” said Anna Dooley, Executive Director of Greenscape.

Since 1975, Greenscape has been hard at work planting trees and shrubs to improve Jacksonville’s tree canopy. In San Marco, Greenscape planted a significant number of Bradford pear trees and crape myrtles along San Marco and Hendricks Boulevard.

“We have improved the landscaping in many areas of San Marco over the years and look forward to future projects in our new neighborhood,” said Dooley.

Dance Trance is hosting another free class tonight from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Grab some friends and go shake your booty and burn off some calories before next week’s Thanksgiving feast.

This weekend, Market in the Square is helping neighbors get prepared for the holiday season that is just around the corner.

The Poinsettia Man will be at Market in the Square beginning this Saturday through Saturday December 19^th. $1 from every poinsettia sold will be donated to the San Marco Preservation Society. The Poinsettia Man is bringing only the biggest and most gorgeous poinsettias to Market in the Square. Stop in and pick some up for you or for a hostess gift.

Find your zen at Market in the Square before the chaos of the holidays sets in. Brenda Star Bailey will be hosting yoga at 10:00 a.m. in the Gazebo in the center of Balis Park.

And as always, Market in the Square will have a selection of fresh produce and plants and other edible goodies. See you this Saturday.

Yes Lakewood is a little south of San Marco. But with a new Cruisers Grill in the shopping center on the corner of University and San Jose Boulevard we will be hanging out in Lakewood a little more than normal. That’s right beach burger legend Cruiser’s has opened a location at 56113 San Jose Boulevard. The burgers, the fries, the ranch dressing in a five minute drive from San Marco – what a great Monday.

Desiree Bailey, of the San Marco Book Store, delighted dozens of children with classic children’s tales like Horton Hatches the Egg at Market in the Square last Saturday. Due to the overwhelming success of story time, Market in the Square plans to host story time again in the near future.

Desiree Bailey

Children at Story Time

Market in the Square Story Time

The weather is going to be perfect this weekend – get out and enjoy the neighborhood.

Shop: Back by popular demand – The Bath & Linen Shoppe. Spoil yourself with luxury linens. New towels are a great way to refresh any bathroom.

Read: Bring the kids to story time at Market in the Square. The neighborhood weekly farmer’s market is hosting its first ever story time this Saturday at 10:00a.m. in the Gazebo in Balis Park.

Watch: The Men Who Stare At Goats at the San Marco Theatre. Showtimes: 4:45, 7:10 and 9:15.

Donate: San Marco D.O.G. is raising money for local food banks. Stop by Market in the Square Saturday, in Balis Park 9:00a.m. – 1:00p.m., and purchase the first ever San Marco D.O.G. t-shirt to benefit First Presbyterian Church and Peace Presbyterian Food Bank. Come early – sizes and quantities are limited.

Market in the Square is back this Saturday, November 14^th, with stories for the kids and fresh produce and plants and edible treats for the adults. Desiree Bailey, of the San Marco Book Store, will hold story time at 10:00 a.m. Bring the kids to the Gazebo in the center of Balis Park join in a fun filled, outdoor story time event!

This week Market in the Square will be filled with the season’s freshest vegetables and fruits, as well as gorgeous orchids, succulents to start your xeriscape garden, fresh baked breads and flowers by the stem.

Join us in Balis Park, in the heart of San Marco Square, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

This week’s vendors:

San Marco Health Foods

Blue Planet Cooperative

Maria Bakery

Cross Creek Honey

Dazed and Confused Succulents

Jaxma Orchids

Floral Inspirations

San Marco D.O.G.: selling San Marco D.O.G. t-shirts to raise money for area food banks