Twenty-one students from Julia Landon Middle School participated in the Northeast Florida Regional Science & Engineering Fair (NEFRSEF) held at UNF on February 22nd.  The students who placed first and second in the school science fair were selected to showcase their projects at the regional event.  An impressive array of science projects aimed to prove scientific theories and phenomenons in the areas of chemistry, engineering, environmental science, and physics to name a few. 

Over 350 middle and high school students from Duval County took part in the event. Three Landon students were recognized for their outstanding projects. Ben Lassley placed second in chemistry for “How Do Acids Effect the Creation of Iron Oxide”;  Regan Foote placed third in chemistry for ‘The Effect of Time on the Amount of Chlorine in Household Tap Water”; and Julia Silliman placed second in biochemistry for “The Effect of PH on the Strength of Collagen”.

The mission of NEFRSEF is to promote, encourage and support scientific and engineering learning endeavors for middle and high school students. Congratulations to all of the Landon students who participated in the regional event– Emily Alesch, JC Boers,  Jesse Evans,  Brianna Fleming, Regan  Foote,  Isabella G.,  Ben Lassley,  Sean Mangum,  Kathryn McMullen,  Hazel Odell,  Ben Pippins,  Steven Pisarchuk,  Ashton Putnal,  Alphonso Robinson,  Julia Silliman,  Cole S.,  Sophia Rappaport,  Raveen Selvakumar,  Kailyn Waldeck,  Audrey Ware and Emily Waters.

Gather: Celebrate Lent with the Knights of Columbus at their Friday Fish Fry. The Knights of Columbus started the Friday Fish Frys as a way for the parish to gather during Lent. The Knights of Columbus at 1501 Hendricks Avenue will host the fish fry every Friday before Lent. It is open to the public, all ages  welcome.

Celebrate: Happy 90th birthday Theatre Jacksonville! Come share your stories and reminice about one of the oldest continually running community theatres in the country. Cocktails start at 5:30 tonight, February 26. Tickets are $70 for couples and $40 for individuals.

Honor: In honor of Black History Month, MOSH will host Rodney Hurst, well-known author of “It Was Never About a Coke and a Hot Dog”. Rodney’s lecture will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 27.

Greenscape’s annual tree sale is this Saturday, February 27th from 7 am to 1 pm.  Thousands of trees in 3 gallon containers can be purchased for $10.00 each.  Bargain basement prices for some of the regions best varieties that includes–Eagleson Hollys, Live Oaks, Hydrangeas, Redbuds, Camellias, Red Maples, Drake Elms and more.  Stop by the intersection of Emerson Street and Philips Highway and beautify your yard this weekend! Chat with some of Jacksonville’s arborists  for some free advice.

Event will take place rain, shine or chill.  Only cash or check will be accepted for payment. For more information contact Greenscape at 398-5757 or visit the website at www.greenscapejacskonville.org.

Hendricks Avenue Elementary and Julia Landon College Prep competed with 120 of the city’s top scholastic chess players in the “Jacksonville Scholastic Chess Championship” held at Jacksonville Country Day School.  Hendricks Avenue placed 3rd over-all and Julia Landon placed second overall just one point out of 1st.  Former Hendricks Avenue student, Sam Kenney, led his Bolles team to a 1st place finish in the middle school division.  Sam also place 1st in the individual competition & is now the reigning city champ in the middle school division. Ian McNeil place 3rd overall in the 3-5 grade division.  Congratulations to all of the San Marco students for their outstanding performance this year.

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If you have not been into Pulp yet, it is worth the trip. The smoothies and coffee are delicious and the walk-up window is super convenient. On a recent visit to Pulp we heard an interesting fact about its roots. Pulp is a franchise out of Dubai. The UAE import prides itself of fresh, low-fat ingredients. The San Marco Pulp follows suit offering up low fat smoothies from the freshest ingredients.

Filming b-roll for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

AIX’s renowned Chef Tom Gray has been nominated for a James Beard Award for the second year in a row. Chef Tom has made it to the semifinal list of James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards, Best Chef South category. The James Beard is the Oscar’s of the food world and is recognized as the industry’s top honor. Chef Tom is one of 20 chefs nominated in the Best Chef South category. Final nominees will be announced in March in New Orleans. The short list of finalists will be judged and winners will be announced in New York in May.

The Best Chef South semifinalists:
Zach Bell, Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court, Palm Beach, FL
Scott Boswell, Stella!, New Orleans
Aaron Burgau, Patois, New Orleans
Derek Emerson, Walker’s Drive-In, Jackson, MS
Kevin F. Fonzo, K Restaurant Wine Bar, Orlando, FL
Adolfo Garcia, Rio Mar, New Orleans
Tom Gray, Bistro Aix, Jacksonville, FL
John Harris, Lilette, New Orleans
Christopher Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, AL
Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Orlando, FL
Miles James, James at the Mill, Johnson, AR
Philip Krajeck, Fish Out of Water at WaterColor Inn & Resort, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Jose Martinez, Maison Blanche, Longboat Key, FL
Dean James Max, 3030 Ocean at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lee Richardson, Ashley’s at Capital Hotel, Little Rock, AR
Jeanie Roland, The Perfect Caper, Punta Gorda, FL
Philippe Ruiz, Palme d’Or at the Biltmore, Coral Gables, FL
Michael Schwartz, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
David and Torre Solazzo, Ristorante Del Porto, Covington, LA
Kris Wessel, Red Light Little River, Miami

Congratulations Chef Tom!!!!

If you have not been to AIX lately, tasty new dishes have been added to the menu. Now is time to see what all the accolades are about.

We are sad to report that Karls’ will be leaving San Marco Square to set-up shop in the Boutiques at the Town Center. The store anticipates the move will take place in mid-March. We will miss their amazing selection of men’s suits and women’s formal wear. We will are not looking forward the drive out to the Town Center to visit the store. With another San Marco merchant closing, it is a good reminder to shop local!

See: Shutter Island at San Marco Theatre. Show times for the weekend are 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Go Outside: Finally some warm weather. Pick-up lunch at T.A.G. and have a picnic in FEC Park. Or stop by the East Coast Church Picnic in Landon Park on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Watch: the Olympics. ice hockey, figure skating, ski jumping, bobsleigh, biathlon and more.

This Sunday, February 21, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., East Coast Church will be hosting a picnic open to the public. The family picnic will take place in Landon Park located at 1800 San Marco Boulevard. East Coast Church was established by Kevin Connell and hosts services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the San Marco Theater. Since the Church’s inception they have handed out 60 jackets to the needy, donated$1,400 to Haiti, and helped an orphanage in Uganda. No reservations are required, all ages are welcome.