JACKSONVILLE get wet this summer A Look at Our Area Beaches, Springs and Water Parks Casa Marina review | Blackwater Sol Revue | Chamblin’s Bookmine goes Uptown | G. Love interview free monthly guide to entertainment and more | august 2008 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 AUGUST 2008 | eu jacksonville monthly contents 5-13 17 14-15 feature family pages 5-13 beaches page 23 family events pages 10-11 mayport in pictures page 24 water safety page 14-15 area springs page 24 family water spots page 16 disney water parks on the cover music Photo by A.M. Stewart a better u page 25 blackwater sol revue Model: Baunfi re, local to FL, page 15 a greener u page 25 cody dickinson interview performs alternative modeling page 21 virtuous femina page 26-30 music events across the country. page 31 g. love interview A.M. creates a variety of authentic dish images spurring from the depths page 17 casa marina’s penthouse lounge theatre & culture page 19 chamblin’s uptown books of her imagination. Specializing page 18 dish update + food events in the unordinary, A.M. welcomes page 18 ingredient secrets page 32 cultural events commissions. myspace.com/ amstewartview; amstewartview@ home visual arts gmail.com page 19 olympics page 33 scapel to sketch page 20 notes from the bachelor pad page 33 art events page 22 netscapades movies page 34-35 new movie formats august 08 page 36-39 august movies + special showings 33 20 graphic by eric staniford 31 eujacksonville.com | AUGUST 2008 3 eu staff managing director Shelley Henley creative director Rachel Best Henley senior writer food editor Rick Grant Erin Thursby specialty features Jon Bosworth contributing writers Kellie Abrahamson Jennifer McCharen Laura Britton Troy Spurlin Brenton Crozier A.M. Stewart Dick Kerekes Tom Weppel Published by EU Jacksonville Newspaper. P.O. Box 11959, Jacksonville, FL 32239. Copyright 2008. Repro- duction of any artwork or copy prepared by EU Jack- sonville is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/ or omissions, the Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to info@ entertainingu.com. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For in- formation concerning advertising phone 904-730-3003 or email [email protected]. 4 AUGUST 2008 | eu jacksonville monthly IT’S HOT! IT’S People complain all the time about the heat. Welcome to Florida and if you think its AUGUST! GET WET! hot now, just wait till the end of August. We really have it lucky compared to some other Southern locations. Over 50 miles of coastline bring the easy opportu- nity for a refreshing swim in the Atlantic. We are one of the few cities that enjoy hundreds of miles of rivers, creeks and waterways where a day afl oat on the water can be enjoyed by everyone. You can travel by boat and be delighted by fi ne dining, seafood restaurants, concerts, the Sports Complex, Jacksonville Landing and Metro Park. We are also blessed to have an abun- dance of fresh water lakes nearby and nat- ural artesian springs that provide an invigo- rating dip in the naturally chilled waters. There are 34 public swimming pools in Jacksonville along with nearby state parks that feature boating, fi shing and camping. We need to appreciate our good for- tune and pay attention to the vital natural resources of waterways that abound our piece of paradise. Recent government and river activists’ efforts to reduce fertilizer runoff and regulate lawn watering have met with mixed responses from the pub- lic. Community education and heightened awareness will certainly provide the op- portunity for positive action and results that will protect our treasure for generations to come. Yes, it’s hotter than a baker’s oven, but we do have the option to leave behind the walls of air conditioned confi nement and still keep our cool. Even when you can’t make it to pool or the shore to cool off your hot spot, just step outside because every- day we get a dose of liquid sunshine from the sky compliments of Mother Nature. Get wet! And get over it. photo by a.m. stewart eujacksonville.com | AUGUST 2008 5 jacksonville beach ou might not know it today, but Jacksonville Beach began as a tent city originally called Ruby (named for the YPostmaster’s daughter) and was later renamed Pablo Beach until 1907. Like the rest of the beaches area, its development was spurred by the railroad. Henry Flagler purchased the Jacksonville & Atlantic Railroad in 1889. By the 1920s Jacksonville Beach had become a major tourist attraction, complete with a boardwalk, hotels and eventually an amusement park. by erin thursby, photos by daniel goncalves The hotel was built in the 20s, and was a hangout for colorful gangsters such as Machine Gun Kelly If you want to stay at a hotel that captures Jax Beach’s sense of history, stay at the Casa and Al Capone, who stayed there on their way down to Miami and Cuba. Historical photos and prints Marina (691 1st St. N., 904-270-0025). Rooms can go for about $139 right now, but they do vary adorn the hallways, showing you Jax Beach as it was in the old days. Check out our review of their depending on the season. Almost every beautifully decorated room has a fabulous view of the ocean. locally treasured tapas lounge on page 18. Fishing is a very popular pastime at the Beaches, whether off the Jacksonville Beach Pier (503 1st St. N., 904-241-1515) or on a charter boat. The phone book is full of charter boats, but you might want to check out the light tackle experts of Enterprise Fishing Charters (904-241-7560, enterprisefi shingcharters.com). The outfi t is actually run by a guy named Captain Kirk. The Captain is a bit of local celebrity, since he can be heard on AM radio every Saturday morning (1010AM The Outdoors Show, 7-10 am). The Pier attracts more than just fi shermen. Surfers also venture around the pier to catch waves. If you’ve never surfed and want to learn, don’t despair! You won’t be out there on your own if you don’t want to be. COS or Clean Ocean Surfboards on Jacksonville Beach across from the Jackson- ville Pier will rent you a board and will give you lessons. It’s something couples can do together ($60) or that you can learn on your own with one of their surfers ($50). Eastcoast Rental (1617 1st St. N., 904-349-0997) rents surfboards, boogie boards, skim boards, kayaks, bikes and other beach items. So if you’d like a bicycle to fi t in with the beach cul- 6 AUGUST 2008 | eu jacksonville monthly ture, you won’t have to strap yours to your car. When the sun goes down and you’re done with all your watersporting, check out Players-by-the-Sea (playersbythesea.org). You can reserve seats ahead of time for their current play or musical, but you can also give them a call or check the website when you know you’re coming for the weekend to see if they have any events going on. Another dry land activity worth trying is the Pablo Historical Park & Beaches Historical Museum (425 Beach Blvd., 904-241-5657). Their main ex- hibit will stoke your nostalgia, with separate sections for each of the beaches areas. Currently they’ve got a great exhibit on the history of surfi ng on Jackson- ville Beach. eujacksonville.com | AUGUST 2008 7 neptune & atlantic beach t’s true that Neptune and Atlantic are separate beaches that are right next to each other. The I communities supported by their beaches are very different from each other, but because the Beaches Town Center bisects the two, I mention them together. This section of shops is what visitors see. by erin thursby, photos by daniel goncalves On the Neptune Beach side of the Town Center is Sun Dog Café, Mezza Luna and Pete’s Bar. Pete’s is hallowed ground for dedicated drinkers. Sure it’s a hole in the wall, but pool is only 25 cents, and the drinks aren’t unreasonably priced! Also, Pete’s was established in 1933, making it Neptune Beach’s most historic bar. It’s not trendy or fancy. It’s a real bar for real men (and women). The crowd is a mix of regu- lars who have been patrons for 50 years, college kids, the occasional yuppie looking for a genuine experi- ence and tourists. Just down the street from this rough hewn drinker’s paradise is Cobalt Moon, your Neptune Beach stop for all that is metaphysical. They hold classes in tai chi and yoga. Call (904) 381-0501 for more info on all the available classes and services. If you want to stay at a funky beachside hotel/motel, try the Seahorse Inn (120 Atlantic Blvd., 904- 246-2175). It’s a cheap alternative within walking distance of all the action on Neptune and Atlantic, with a sand and surf attitude. Don’t expect 5-star accommodations, but do expect a vintage beach stay that you just might love. Even if you don’t stay there, their odd little Lemon Bar is worth checking out. You’ll also fi nd art galleries on the Neptune Beach side, such as First Street Gallery. 8 AUGUST 2008 | eu jacksonville monthly beaches events ongoing & upcoming beaches events Beaches Art Walk Second Tuesday of each month from 5 pm – 8 pm, 9 varied venues.