Reta, 56, and her husband Frank, 66, are steeped in family traditions that began in the Avondale/Murray Hill area. They live in Avondale on Ingleside Avenue in his grandparents’ home (Louie and Francis Rocher), just three blocks from Edgewood Avenue Christian. The two Houghton children were the third generation to attend Ruth Upton Elementary on Dancy Street and their daughter also attended what was the former Lackawanna Elementary nearby on Lenox Avenue where Grandmother Rocher went to school in the 1920s. Reta, retired Navy and former teacher, now volunteers at The Teacher Depot where Lackawanna was located.

“We met in the Navy, have been married 29 years and in Jacksonville for 21 years. Frank is retired and after I retired in 2003 I started helping out at The Teacher Depot when it first opened about 16 years ago. It was first located in San Marco on Nira Street, then at John Gorrie Elementary and then moved to Lenox about five or six years ago. I’ve been involved on nearly a fulltime basis, every weekday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and sometimes a Saturday,” she said.

Houghton’s husband also volunteers to help her with Teacher Depot projects, especially building small (30 inches) to large (5 foot) totem authentic totem poles for teachers and media specialists to use in the classrooms or libraries every year. “It’s a huge project and we never know how they will turn out. Each is totally unique. The rule is we keep it traditional and authentic – Gator or Seminoles are okay – but absolutely no pink paint!” Houghton said.

The Depot collects and warehouses donated materials of all kinds given by individuals and businesses throughout Jacksonville. The items are then distributed for free to local teachers and schools. Donated items include art, office, paper and science supplies, furnishings, equipment, student incentives and an alphabet of miscellaneous, new or still-useful supplies. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Depot operates with one paid employee and dedicated volunteers. Approximately $20.5 million worth of supplies have been donated since the Depot opened in 1996. The donations become part of a valuable recycling program, going to good use by students and teachers instead of ending up at the city landfills, according to Houghton.

“We have community, church and civic groups come to volunteer, sorting and organizing donations of all kinds. They also watch the business section of the newspaper to see if a corporation is moving or closing,” she said. “When a large company moves, changes names or downsizes we are often able to salvage so many useful supplies such as pens, pencils, envelopes, office equipment or furniture. We also contact the Better Business Bureau, local companies and civic clubs to inform them that we can make great use of unwanted items that could be used by schools. Many of them now contact us with donations.”

The Depot holds open house dates when teachers are invited to come and shop through the supplies during three-hour time slots. Then teachers can pull their vehicles up around the Depot’s circular drive and volunteers will load their selected supplies, Houghton said.
“I have so much fun helping teachers find what they need and giving them ideas about what they can do with the craft and art materials. It’s like a big toy store,” she said. “I love to re-purpose and craft things or figure out what something could be used for. You have no idea what all I can make out of a toilet paper roll!”

Houghton is also an artist who volunteers to teach art classes at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She believes that art is fundamental to education and that it enhances all learning. Providing teachers with creative ideas and art projects for their students gives her special joy and fulfillment.

“Cultural literacy and art are so important in learning. Art teaches perspective, sequence, analysis and how to basically solve a problem,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be difficult or perfect. It should just be fun and something everyone, student or adult can do. It may give students who struggle in academics, something they can do and enjoy with success.”

The Depot always needs volunteers and offers training and flexible schedules for volunteer jobs that last about an hour up to a day or longer.
“We have a 92-year-old volunteer who has helped out for years, so you are never too old to volunteer and there are all kinds of different jobs and projects to choose from whether it’s an individual or a group,” Houghton said.

Bob around age nine in White Springs, with another family showing off their new Ford Coupe’

By Victoria Register-Freeman

Author and award winning architect Robert C. “Bob” Broward stood recently in his former San Marco office and greeted family, friends, former colleagues and admirers. The office, repurposed by his daughter Kristanna Broward Barnes and architect Catherine Duncan, is now available for rent as creative space to architects, engineers, contractors, graphic designers, and other folks who want to be in an exciting studio environment. Forty-eight years of good karma is listed on the rental brochure as one of the office’s many attributes.

If, as the dictionary says, positive actions produce good karma, Bob Broward provided such actions. A father of two and grandfather of five, he has a recognized legacy of architectural excellence, having received over 40 merit and honor awards including three “Test of Time” awards. In 2011 he was selected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architecture, his profession’s highest award. In early 2012, he was inducted into the Florida Artists’ Hall of Fame.

He has been a mentor to many aspiring architects, an Adjunct Professor of Design at the University of Florida, and an advocate for historic preservation. His work exhibited a reverence for nature long before that stance was a popular one. As he is fond of saying, “Everything is a habitat for some living creature.”

Asked to identify the source of his reverence, Broward points to two factors. “First, my family home was on River Road in San Marco, but that road was an unpaved stretch of dirt when I was a boy. It led to the swamp which is now a park. I was the youngest of six children in my family, youngest by nine years, and there were no neighbors until the mid-30s. Even though I was not allowed the swamp, its mystery and lure were irresistible. With Craig’s creek running through it, it became my personal playground. During the day I could see the critters. At night, I could hear alligators bellow and occasionally a panther scream. It was a time before television when we created our own images.

“Second, after a tour flying B-17’s with the Air Force, I enrolled at Georgia Tech to study architecture. I had always loved to draw and remember selling my original drawings of houses with wide eaves to my mother for two cents. I think I charged other folks five cents.  At Tech I was reading a copy of Architectural Forum and saw the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. I knew that was the kind of architecture I wanted to create. His buildings were a part of the environment rather than an intrusion.”

Broward went to Lakeland, where Wright was building Florida Southern College and found a job laboring on the site. As a result of that contact, Wright awarded Broward fellowships to study at both of his compounds, Taliesin East, in Wisconsin, and Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Broward grins when he relates how he inadvertently tipped “the master’s” bulldozer over in a bold but failed attempt to impress Wright.

Honoring Wright’s legacy, Broward’s buildings use open space, natural forms and natural materials to embrace the environment. An excellent example of his style is the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington.

“I went out and spent the night on that site before I began to work on the project,” Broward recalls. “It faces a pool of water that reflects the building and curving members of the structure attach it to the land. There is also a nature walk designed as a memorial to one of the church members. I had survived a serious car wreck before I began work on the church and I felt that I had been given a second gift of life which allowed me to express gratitude by giving back. I put so much into that building. Every little detail came out of my heart.”

Another detail of the Unitarian Church was the inclusion of a wall hanging by Jacksonville fiber artist, Memphis Wood. Broward frequently commissioned the work of other artists for his projects. “Memphis Wood was a teacher of mine at Landon when I was in high school. She was a young red-head and quite a lady. Another teacher I remember fondly is Harold Bess, my drafting teacher.”

Broward’s connection with water has informed his architecture. One warehouse he designed has a roof that collects water and shoots it forward in an aesthetic spray. “High winds and heavy rains are normal for us. I would like to see architecture in Jacksonville relate more to the city’s location. We’re on the river, a big water park. It’s such a magnificent river and it‘s not respected enough. ”

At the other end of the architectural style spectrum, Broward has worked to preserve numerous historic structures. Having authored a book in 1983 on Henry John Klutho’s influence on Jacksonville’s architecture, Broward was a consultant for the restoration of Klutho’s St. James Building when it was turned into Jacksonville’s new City Hall in the mid-‘90s. Broward also restored the interior of the marble bank that is now in disrepair. He tried three times to help restore the Downtown Laura Street Trio, a group of structures that has been cited as crucial for Jacksonville’s historic urban identity.

Broward’s stories of early Jacksonville capture a city that is unknown in historic photographs. “My father, who held the record for river crossings, ran the St. Johns River ferry that provided access to both banks of the river. He went to work at 3 a.m. and finished at 3 p.m. seven days a week. If something happened and he had to call in a substitute there was only one, Mr. Westcott, a Dutchman who lived in a boat house off the Southside docks where Prudential is now. I remember walking those docks and seeing lots of people living there. It was the Depression and folks were poor, really poor. I have never seen a picture of the boat houses, as they were called.”

Asked what advice he would give aspiring architects, Broward pauses for a moment and looks out his living room window at the panoramic river view he and wife Myrtice Craig enjoy from their home. It is evident that this is a question he has been asked many times, one that he takes seriously from a legacy perspective. “I would tell them to be prepared to devote their life to their craft. Architecture is not a business; it is an art. You must never be half-hearted in its practice.”

Brief swim breaks will keep you cool during the long journey

By Nathan & Ted Miller

Experiencing a boat crossing from the east coast of Florida to the Bahamas can be a lot of fun. There is something magical about a family vacation in a tropical destination, and running the ocean to get there.

Over the years I have heard great stories shared by my wife of the crossings she experienced earlier in her life.
Her family began making crossings when she was around the age of 10 and continued through high school and well into her college years. Her family shared this passion with another family, and they traveled together many times through the years. Some crossings were made in their sports fisherman, while others on a sail boat. Either way, the memories and experiences shared by these friends and family members created lifelong memories and many great stories along the way.

One story she recently shared was about a time they were in route to the Abacos. This particular trip they were traveling by sail boat. The two families left out of Jacksonville and were well into the several hundred mile trip to Hopetown. As the evening went on and the kids went to bed, the parents stayed up to navigate and look out for ships passing in the international waters. My wife, who was 10 at the time, remembers it being very rough and windy.

At some point well into the night, the dinghy they were pulling became untied and floated off. Time had passed before anyone noticed it was gone. Once it went missing, they were determined to find it.

My wife remembers waking up to loud fathers pulling out charts, listening to the weather channel and discussing tides and currents.
Once they determined the projected location, they turned around and went to go find it…in the middle of the ocean.
Miraculously, it was right where they thought it would be.

Making the 200 mile run to the Abacos from the central east coast of Florida can be a lot of fun. On a calm day, the first leg (a 60-mile run to West End) can be achieved in just over an hour. Once through customs, the remaining 140 miles can be spent island hoping and with brief swim breaks to cool off. Make sure you watch the time. You want to be pulling into your destination with plenty of daylight to spare.
Technology has changed a lot over the years. Crossings many years ago were performed with compasses and headings. Understanding tides and currents was also important. Today, we have GPS and chart plotters on high definition monitors that show your ships exact location which overlays on an image of a map.

There are many safety devices one should plan to take for a crossing.
First items are signal flares. Boats that are a certain length are required to carry flares anyway. But it is important to keep in mind signal flares have an expiration date. This date should be checked before you leave and new ones should be purchased if your current ones have expired.

Carrying an extra portable hand held VHF and GPS is also a good idea. In the event of a power loss (along with your ability to use the ships electronics), the portable VHF will help you radio for help and the GPS will allow you to give your location.
Traveling many miles from land means that an effective use of flairs and radio communication through with a VHF radio may not be possible. This is when Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are critical.
Both devises use satellites to transmit your distress signal. Once activated, the satellites will send your distress call to the coast guard, giving your exact location. Both devises offer built-in GPS for accuracy, but they do have some differences.
EPIRBs (though NOAA) are registered to your vessel. In the event your EPIRB is activated and the distress signal is received, the coast guard will know the make and description of the vessel they are looking for. EPIRBs can be manually activated with a push of a button or automatically activated within a few seconds of becoming in contact with water.

Either way, a distress signal can be sent very quickly for satellites to pick up and transmit your location.
PLBs, on the other hand, are registered to an individual, not the vessel. However, the distress signal works the same way as the EPIRBs. Some people prefer the portability of a PLB over an EPIRB. PLBs are smaller and since they are registered to you and not your vessel, you can carry with you on other vessels or use while enjoying other outdoor activities like camping or hiking.

The battery life of a PLB once activated (24 – 36 hours) is slightly less than that of an EPIRB (up to 48 hours), so some people prefer the longer life of an EPIRB. Both antennas need a clear line of sight to the sky to ensure a clear transmission. EPIRBs will keep afloat, enabling the antenna to point upward continually. PLBs will need to be positioned or held with the antenna upright. Either way, carrying a device that is monitored by satellites is a wise decision.

It is important to know the details of the devices if you are looking to purchase one. Some PLBs do not have a built in GPS feature. These units are slightly less expensive than the GPS models and also slightly less accurate with our exact location. They will still have an accuracy of several hundred feet, which is still effective being many miles from land. But the GPS devices will have an accuracy of several feet.
Inflatable rafts are certainly a good idea as well. These are pricy, staring around $1,000.00. Along with the initial shock of the purchase, these devices have mandatory schedules of inspection and recertification (every one to three years, depending on the manufacture) which will also run several hundred dollars each time. This does get expensive but certainly well worth it in the event you have to ditch.

Speaking of ditching, a ‘ditch bag’ is a must. A ‘ditch bag’ is a bag that is easily accessible and allows you to carry very important items in one place. You never know when or how quickly you may have to depart your vessel. The less you have to think about the better.

Ditch bags are designed to store the following items:
• Flair kit
• Hand held GPS
• Hand held VHF
• Extra lithium batteries
• Flashlight
• Strobe lights (attachable to your life vest)
• PLB or EPIRB
• Sun screen
• Motion sickness medication
• First aid kit
• Drinking water

Carrying extra mechanical supplies with you can also be a good idea. Extra propellers prop nuts and washers, prop wrench, fuel filters and engine oil are all great to have with you. These supplies may become very important in the event you need them while you are crossing. Once safely in the Bahamas, finding boat parts on land may be difficult as well.

Filing a boat plan with others is important. Giving information like your departure port, time of departure, arrival port and estimated time of arrival is always a good idea.  Inform them you will check in via email or phone call by a certain time and this will ensure someone will know quickly if you don’t arrive. The departure and arrival port information will also give the coast guard a projected route which could help narrow in on our location.

Many Bahamian islands have fresh water restrictions. Water is available at marinas but you have to purchase. For example, water in the Abacos can be purchased for around $.50 per gallon. Have a plan to effectively and efficiently wash your vessel if needed.
Also, ice can be very expensive. It was recently recommended by a fried to take six half-gallon milk jugs full of water and freeze before your crossing. You can re-freeze as needed over there which can drastically cut down on the amount of ice you have to purchase.
Meat and poultry can be hard to find on some Bahamian islands and expensive when you do. Taking a good cooler packed with your food and ice (along with your homemade ice packs) is a great way to insure the quality of your food and your meals stay at a reasonable price.
One of the first things I hear when people discuss crossing to the Bahamas is “there is safety in numbers.” Travel with a group if at all possible. It will be a lot more fun.
More importantly, it will be safer!

Holly Keris – photo
courtesy of Max Marbut

By Kate A. Hallock
Resident Community News

One of Jacksonville’s gems in both art and gardens has put the same creative effort into designing
a parking lot as it does into its exhibits and collections.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has designed an experience that starts in the parking lot across Riverside Avenue and leads the eye – and the visitor – straight to the portals of the Museum.

Following on the heels of the re-opening of the lot in late March, the  Cummer also threw open the figurative doors of the Olmsted Garden, the last of three beautiful but different places of earthly delights. First developed in the early 1930s by the renowned landscape firm Olmsted Brothers for homeowners Waldo and Clara Cummer, the garden was maintained by the firm until 1958 when it sold the property to Barnett Bank. For several decades employees of the bank used the garden property as a place for picnics and recreation, including a shuffleboard court.

After the Museum was established, it bought the property in the early 1990s and used it for a summer camp, creating faux archeological digs, according to Holly Keris, chief curator. “The Museum staff ‘planted’ archeological items from various periods so that children could get involved in uncovering history.”

The revival of the original Olmsted Garden has been nearly a decade in the making. Although Olmsted the architect didn’t document the results with “as-built” drawings, correspondence between the firm and Clara Cummer, as well as archival photos, provided a good blueprint for the Cummer’s current staff and contractors to create a near-faithful 21st century facsimile.

“Some plant types are simply no longer available nearly 90 years later,” said Keris. “Some, like junipers, just don’t do well in Florida climate. It was more important to have something that will grow into the right size and proportion than to find exact matches.”

The plants were sourced from a number of locations, including a particular variety of Heirloom roses grown only in Oregon. Keris often finds herself in the position of having to turn down the well-meaning offers of residents who want to give plants and trees from their homes.
The Cummer put Keris in charge of the restoration in order to continue the curatorial and archival mindset that she brings to the museum’s art collections. “All the gardens are registered with the National Registry of Historic Places,” Keris noted. “So it was important that it’s bound to the integrity of the historical precedent set by the Olmsted Brothers.”

Even the new parking lot is a work of art! Brick pavers and planters provide form for the function

Aside from three majestic oak trees, the curved stone wall at the back of the property, the pergola and the feature wall that separates the Olmsted Garden from the Italian Garden, almost everything else is brand new. One historic piece – the Mercury statue – was tracked down in Melrose, FL and returned to sit proudly in the center of the garden.

Keris isn’t resting on laurels though. The third phase of the renovation project – the outdoor TreeCup Café and sculpture garden – was recently launched, with a target completion of October 2013. By that time the Museum’s chief curator will be a new resident of Riverside, much closer to the work and the place she loves.

Emily Riera, Mary Anne Freeman and Allison York

Generations spend countless hours on annual Cowford Ball

By Julie Kerns Garmendia
Resident Community News

What else but a labor of love could result in more than $6.6 million raised in nearly 20 years for one cause?
The American Cancer Society’s (ACS- Duval County) held the 18th annual Cowford Ball, Viva Las Cowford, Apr. 27 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds with the goal of raising $525,000. Proceeds will fund patient services, prevention education, early detection and cancer research, according to Therese Yanochik, ACS Area Director for Leadership Giving.

The ACS, local cancer survivors, their loved ones, families, friends and other caring volunteers have come together to present the annual event since 1995.

Yanochik described volunteer leaders who serve year-round for the event as tireless advocates passionate about the cause. They often work side-by-side with several generations of their families for the event. This year’s Ball Chairman Susan Williams and Ball Publicity Chairman Mary Anne Freeman are typical examples.

Williams began helping the society because of her family’s experience with cancer and to spread the word about patient services ACS offers. She and co-chair husband Jay logged countless hours to ensure the vintage Vegas-style Ball was a success.

Julie Pope, Lynn McClow, Bunny Manning, Susan and Jay Williams, Francy Robertson, Randle Marchman, Hugh Owen

“Two years ago, Bunny Manning, chairman at the time, asked if I’d serve as vice chairman. I had been caring for my parents and had been unable to do any volunteer work. I knew nothing about the society although our youngest daughter, Carolyn, now 26, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 11. She’s fine now. Coincidentally, our other daughter, Lindsey, 30, began to volunteer at about the same time for Relay for Life,” she said. “My eyes are wide open now. I’m constantly learning about all the things ACS does. I’m on a mission to get the word out about their services and programs.” The Williams live in Ortega. Susan, the daughter of the late Idwal and Peggy Owen, grew up on McGirts Blvd.
Williams goes full force for ACS, recruiting extended members of her family to volunteer. Her brother Hugh Owen worked as one of the main builders for the event, her sister-in-law Amy Williams (husband is Jamie – they live in Venetia) worked as a financial volunteer and another sister-in-law, Mary Owen, was co-chair of the display committee. Jay’s sister Moody Baker volunteered and her husband, noted artist Tim Baker donated artwork. The Bakers live in Ortega.

“Our family is close; we don’t branch out far…and volunteering for the American Cancer Society and Cowford Ball is a family affair. They can’t get rid of me; I plan to keep right on working and since this is a year-round effort – we start planning for the next year right after the event – there’s always plenty to do!” she said. Susan trained other ACS volunteers, locally and elsewhere, in major event management.
Publicity chair for the Ball was Mary Anne Freeman, a 26-year breast cancer survivor and 25-year volunteer for the ACS. Like Susan, Mary Anne wants to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35, when my twins were nine. My mother and her sister (my aunt) both died of it at age 46. My aunt’s granddaughter developed breast cancer in 2010 at age 29. After her diagnosis, we discovered that I and my twin daughters all carry the BRCA -1 (breast cancer) genetic mutation. During that testing my daughter Emily Riera was diagnosed with breast cancer – she was 31,” Freeman said. “My other twin daughter, Allison York, opted for preventive mastectomy. My daughters are 35 now and doing fine.”
Freeman is a former chair of the ACS Duval Unit. She also volunteers with the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and Reach to Recovery Volunteer Visitation Program. She’s an advocate traveling to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to share her story and urge legislators to fund cancer research and raise awareness of uninsured and underserved cancer patients.

The Children’s Champion Award Luncheon began eight years ago and since has honored Mayor John Peyton, Delores Barr Weaver, Ed Burr, Pamela Y. Paul, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, John Baker, and Joannie and Russell Newton. The honorees are outstanding child advocates and have dedicated time, talent, philanthropic dollars, and passion to make Jacksonville a better place for the area’s youngest citizens.

In addition to honoring a child advocate, the event raises money for programs provided by ECS. Episcopal Children’s Services is one of North Florida’s largest not for profit child-focused organizations serving children from birth to age 5 in Northeast Florida. Last year ECS provided services to over 27,000 children in Duval, Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Union, St. Johns, and Putnam counties.
“Betsy has made extraordinary contributions to children in our community,” said ECS CEO Connie Stophel.

While her philanthropy extends beyond Florida, her extensive community support in Jacksonville includes The Betsy Lovett Courtyard at the Main Library, the Betsy Lovett Performing Arts Center at The Bolles School Bartram Campus, and the Betsy Lovett Surgery Center at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. She has supported numerous child-focused organizations that help at-risk youth. Her greatest joy is personally interacting with children…providing hands-on contributions.

“Through her generous support, Betsy has enhanced the lives of thousands of local children. We couldn’t be more thrilled to honor Betsy at this year’s luncheon,” said Stophel.

Luncheon tickets and table sponsorships are available by calling ECS at (904) 726-1500.  Website is www.ecs4kids.org.

On Tuesday, Apr. 30, Mayor Alvin Brown and new executive director Jen Jones accepted the deed to Jacksonville Unity Plaza, Inc., the future urban public square that will operate under a unique public-private partnership between Hallmark Partners and the City of Jacksonville. The partnership is part of a redevelopment agreement that obligates the private developers of 220 Riverside to donate the Unity Plaza property, establish the 501(c)(3) non-profit and fund the basic operations of the non-profit entity that will manage the property as a community ‘central park.’

The proposed Unity Plaza will be adjacent to the housing and retail space currently under development at 220 Riverside in the city’s Brooklyn area north of Riverside. Hallmark Partners are also committing a portion of the rents from retail space to fund the cost of operating the facility, including full-time staff and programming.

“This project is an iconic Central Park for Jacksonville. It’s too easy to just look at this as a real estate deal; that so dramatically understates what we’re doing,” explained Alex Coley, principal and co-founder of Hallmark Partners. “We believe we are bringing a heartbeat, a new central focal point, to the city. We are bringing our living room to life in the community.”

Approximately the size of a football field and able to accommodate more than 1,000 people, Unity Plaza will support more than 260 days of programming and special events throughout the year.

Jones noted, “This will become known as the place to go in Jacksonville. It sits in such a phenomenal location to create a nucleus for the historic districts and Downtown. It’s the perfect logistical space for the heartbeat.”
Jones is owner of and lead designer at Jen Jones Art Consulting in Avondale and is a member of the Board of Directors for Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“We are so excited to have someone of Jen’s caliber breathing the life we’ve had in our hearts for such a long time into this project,” said  Coley. “We’ve studied this for a long time and seen how other people do it and could not have found a more ideal fit than Jen.”
“I have been a major a community volunteer and advocate for my entire career, including bringing major monumental art opportunities to Jacksonville,” Jones said. “Unity Plaza is an incredible opportunity to bring every piece of what I love into one space and give back to the city.”

“While we are pleased with the responsiveness of our security officials, we request your support in alerting us to any activity that you may see during non-school hours. In the meantime, we will maintain an increased security presence to ensure that persons understand the commitment we hold to maintaining a safe and secure campus for all attending or visiting John Stockton Elementary School.” If you have questions, please contact McEarl at (904) 381-3955.

In support of McEarl’s communication, Lee Norville, president of the Ortega Forest Association, said, “Ortega Forest is one of the greatest subdivisions in America, and John Stockton Elementary is one of the jewels in our crown. The recent vandalism is a shame but it happens everywhere. However, the vandalism in Ortega Forest has dropped significantly since we installed security cameras at each entrance,” Norville said. “We hope that residents will come forward with vehicle descriptions and times of the incidents so that we might review the surveillance video and catch the vandals.”

The Ortega Forest Association also has a website, and sends email alerts regarding suspicious persons, lost pets, acts of vandalism, etc. “We are a vigilant group and the distribution of Principal McEarl’s letter to our residents will make everyone keep a watchful eye and hopefully put an end to these unfortunate acts,” Norville concluded.

At ribbon cutting, left to right: Board of Library Trustees Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins; Board Member Jackie Perry; Board Member Ronnie King; Branch Manager Sharon Kirkes (holding scissors); Library Director Barbara Gubbin; Region Manager Marshelle Berry; Friends of the Murray Hill Library Vice President for Social Media John Louis Meeks

The Jacksonville Public Library celebrated the opening of a new e-classroom at the Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Apr. 13. Created from a niche space, the e-classroom at the library will be used for computer classes in English and Spanish, e-reader instruction, and sessions on navigating online government services.

The Webb Wesconnett Regional Library reports the highest computer usage of all the branches – second only to the Main Library. The e-classroom at the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library was funded through a State Aid to Libraries grant.

The self-contained e-classroom, constructed out of a Steelcase post and beam system with surrounding privacy walls, will accommodate up to 10 students and an instructor. The lab is outfitted with 10 computers, a printer, new desks, chairs and a state-of-the-art interactive whiteboard and projector system for instructional use.

A variety of core classes will be offered year round such as introductory courses in how to use a computer, Windows, Internet, keyboarding, e-mail, MS Word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint; intermediate classes in MS Word and MS Excel; e-instruction, e-government, downloading library e-books and “Petting Zoos” to learn about the Kindle, iPad, Nook, and other tech devices.