GoLO Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Zoo  offers many specials and promotions and there really is: “More to see.  More to zoo”. In preparation for their centennial celebration – May 2014, the zoo is featuring a “small sliver of Jacksonville Zoo History” each month – starting in June 2011 and continuing for 36 months. You can help in the collecting and sharing of that history by sending “remembrances and pictures” via online@jacksonvillezoo.org.

From June 2011 “History – Before there was a zoo”:

Jacksonville Zoo History 1914-2014
Featured June 2011
Alan F. Rost, Biological Programs Registrar and unofficial Zoo historian

There were several events that occurred from 1888 to 1914 that stimulated public interest for a Zoo in Jacksonville.  Three of these events were examples of collections of animals exhibited in the Jacksonville area.

In 1888 Jacksonville was the host to the Sub-Tropical Exposition of 1888.  The Exposition included exhibits of live deer, bear, and alligators.

In the late 1890s Charles D. Fraser opened an ostrich farm in Fairfield (very roughly the area east of Everbank Stadium to the St. John’s River which was annexed into the city of Jacksonville in 1887).  After 1901 he move to Phoenix Park and changed the name to the Florida Ostrich and Alligator Farm, which featured racing ostriches pulling drivers in sulkies.  The Ostrich Farm moved to St. Augustine in the 1920s.
“>

In 1907, Dixieland Park opened in south Jacksonville featuring Bostock’s Arena of Wild Animals.  Bostock had over 400 animals on display, including 87 lions, and elephants and camels for children to ride.  Dixieland Park closed in 1908.

Research by Chris Farley, Springfield Historian, has also revealed that there were animals used during Jacksonville’s Silent Film period which were let loose and became part of the Springfield Park Zoo when it was located along Hogans Creek.

The July 2011 history feature: The “Springfield Park Zoo” opens

Jacksonville Zoo History 1914-2014
Featured July 2011
Alan F. Rost, Biological Programs Registrar and unofficial Zoo historian

Our Zoo was founded by Jacksonville Park Commissioner Sydney C. Smith on May 12, 1914 in a park near Third and Broad Streets in Springfield (just north of downtown).  The animal collection began with the donation of a young red deer stag by John F. May of the State Insurance Company, and most of the early animal collection was composed of domestic animals.  The animal collection quickly grew to include over 85 specimens representing over 20 species including exotics such as monkeys and parrots.  By 1916 the Springfield Zoo included a monkey island exhibit and an enclosure for black bears.

These (and many other) great vintage Jacksonville postcards are available on website: http://www.cardcow.com/viewall/65023/

So check out all those deals and activities at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and when you visit and see the monkeys and ostriches, remember they were part of Jacksonville’s rich history. For almost 100 years the Jacksonville Zoo has been “More to see. More to zoo” – and it was first in the Springfield Historic District.

Jerome Brown’s barbecue sauces have gone from being handmade in his restaurant’s kitchen to being mass-produced for sale in 14 Sam’s Club stores.

Great story via Barbecue sauce gets ready to spread.

Every business needs a Katrina Brown. With a degree in business and finance, and huge personality, she pushed her father to patent and market his barbecue sauce.

“He always had a good attitude, and I’ve always wanted to be just like him,” she said. “So I said: ‘You know what? People should have your sauce on every table.’ I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool, Dad, to walk into the store and see your face on the bottle?’ ”
Read more at Jacksonville.com.

Though the Historic Springfield restaurant on Main St. is closed and currently being used for manufacturing, we’re hoping (and pleading) it’ll reopen when their new plant on Commonwealth is operational. The original location – Jerome Barbeque and Wings at 1551 Edgewood Ave. W is still open and getting rave reviews.  Be sure to support and share this local success story. And for business savvy – contact Katrina Brown. She really is the driving force to getting her dad’s face on the bottle and his great sauce in Sams and Walmart.

Great video of 2011 4th of July – and Historic Springfield community.
Score keeping for the 4^th Annual Springfield Heritage Throwback Baseball: East vs West,  will be on a newly restored scoreboard – thanks to Springfield resident, Andrew Macris. This 4th of July special neighborhood event is being held at the newly named (thanks to Andrew) “Heritage Field” in J. Henry Klutho Park. Game begins at 4:30 following a children’s parade around the bases.

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR Council) and the Springfield Mommies’ Group are sponsors of this popular event and are pleased to announce this is the first park use with access to restored bathrooms in the base of the historic Klutho Bandstand.
The Springfield Mommies’ Group is also throwing a birthday party for the USA! They’ll have a huge birthday cake and will be selling the slices along with ice cold drinks. Kids can cool off with some fun water activities including water balloons, a water gun filing station and a sprinkler to run through.

Come watch downtown fireworks from Klutho Park in Historic Springfield.

Bring your picnic and lawn chair and spend a wonderful 4^th of July – “heritage” style – in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Jacksonville.

It’s a great rivalry – east vs west – of Main Street – and there’s always room for team members. Andrew is the organizer for the eastside team. Westside organizer is Dan Blanchard – dblanch100@gmail.com (also game/teams co-founder and downtown parks advocate). Contact Dan for information or the SPAR office: 904-353-7727 – sparoffice@sparcouncil.org.

Click here for great article and photos from past games on metrojacksonville – and check out this photo gallery from 2010.  Don’t forget to wear your red, white and blue.

Just for fun… check out this video: http://youtu.be/1KF59txLZlU

GoLO (shop locally) when looking for a sweet treat or hosting a party. Sivada’s Cupcakery in Avondale (near The Loop) has over 20 varieties of cupcakes - each uniquely flavored and decorated. Specialty menu items include Crème Brulee, Boston Cream, Tiramasu and Chocolate Mousse. The Crème Brulee and Tiramisu probably draw the most repeat customers, but every cupcake is full sized in cake style and flavor.

Great little shop and terrific personal service by owner Alex Davis and his mom (sweetest lady ever). Orders can be placed online, emailed or called in.

Hours:
Monday – Friday 11am- 6 pm
Saturday 11 am – 5 pm
4000 St. Johns Ave., Suite 27
Jacksonville, FL 32205
Telephone: 904-647-7586
Email: alex@sivadascupcakery.com

Sivada’s Cupcakery has been in business over three years and will be a specialty destination for many more to come. These one-of-a-kind delicacies will make any day and every occasion special. Visit this shop once, and it’ll be your special place too. They provide a punch card – “Buy 11 Get 1 Free” – another sweet treat.

(p.s. Ask Alex’s mom how they came up with the name.)

If you are looking for a suitable place to hold your wedding reception or other celebration, look no further! The Springfield Woman’s Club, 210 W. 7th Street in Historic Springfield is the perfect place for a gathering of up to 125 people. Just a short distance from downtown, North Main Street, and Interstate 95, it is easy to reach from any part of Jacksonville or the surrounding areas. The fountain and gardens make a beautiful background for perfect wedding photographs. The lovely Klutho Park and Bandstand is close by – just a carriage ride – which could also be a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.

The century-old building, originally the Springfield Presbyterian Church, has been carefully restored to preserve its ambiance. It has polished wood flooring, with a real cathedral ceiling, and an understated decor with a hint of Victorian style. This allows your florist and wedding planner to decorate according to your wishes.

There is a fully equipped kitchen for food preparation and renters are able to bring in their choice of caterers.

A lovely setting for perfect receptions – at a price that makes this unique venue a real treasure.

Monday through Thursday —$350.00
Fridays and Saturdays —$550.00
Sundays —$400.00
Additional Consecutive Day—Half Price

Hourly Rates
Monday—Thursday Only
$75 First Hour
$50 Each Additional Hour

Daily Rental Hours —9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Midnight

Call and reserve your special event: 904-633-9308

E-mail: siawc@yahoo.com

The Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club also has a busy event calendar with outstanding activities. Put “A Vintage Evening at the Club” wine tasting on your calendar:

April 14, 2012
From 4:30 to 7:30 pm at The Woman’s Club
210 West 7th Street
For further information and to purchase tickets: Click here.

This event includes a wine education (how to drink it, not how to make it). Six to ten vintage natural wines from all over the world will be offered for tasting by PRP Wine International, a full service boutique wine company.