Columns

Local Folks: Emily Johnson

Local Folks: Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson is a third-generation Jacksonville native who’s holding onto a dream and working hard to fulfill it. “My goal is to eventually live in Five Points,” she said. Johnson is a full-time occupational therapy assistant at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, formerly Orange Park Medical Center. She began working there last year after having […]

Animal House: First Duval Public School Police K9 Maverick

Animal House: First Duval Public School Police K9 Maverick

K9 Maverick, the first Duval County School Police (DCSP) K9 and Northeast Florida’s first Firearms Detection K9, was sworn in by DCSP Chief Greg Burton on Wednesday, May 31, at Cline Auditorium. The new Duval County School Police Honor Guard presented the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. The two-year-old Belgian Malinois received his DCSP […]

Local Folks: Numa Saisselin

Local Folks: Numa Saisselin

Since 2012, Mr. Numa Saisselin has been president of downtown’s historic Florida Theatre, a non-profit organization and one of the most attended theatres in the world. “Our business is better than it’s ever been,” he said. Numa and his wife, Laurie, moved from New Jersey to Avondale 10 years ago specifically for his position at […]

Animal House: Kittens, Kitnapping & Krusaders

Animal House: Kittens, Kitnapping & Krusaders

When a gorgeous, but gaunt, tabby cat with swirly fur appeared at Connie Williams’s home begging for food, Williams rushed to feed her distressed visitor. While the cat would approach and meow for food, it would run if Williams attempted to pet her. Thus began a daily routine between the nervous cat and the retired […]

Local Folks: The Burnham Family

Local Folks: The Burnham Family

Jen and Brandi Burnham are the owners of Lush Leaves, a San Marco plant nursery. They opened their Hendricks Avenue doors in 2019. In addition to selling organically grown houseplants there, they offer workshops and classes, host discussions at local garden clubs, and plan vendor events that promote other businesses within the community. “Our outside […]

Animal House: Pet Program Comforts Hospice Patients

Animal House: Pet Program Comforts Hospice Patients

The smile of joy on the face of a hospice patient who sees his or her beloved pet coming through the door for a visit, lifts the spirits of anyone privileged to witness the sight. Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Pet Peace of Mind Program volunteers make these visits possible for patients who can no […]

Local Folks: Khoranhalai J. Washington

Local Folks: Khoranhalai J. Washington

Khoranhalai J. Washington’s first name is Hawaiian, though she is a native of Durham, North Carolina and still has 144 cousins there. Six years ago, she married a Navy man from Tallahassee, Florida, Dean Washington. For four years, the Washingtons lived on the NAS JAX base near Ortega, while Dean was stationed there. “We would […]

Local Folks: Emily Bellock

Local Folks: Emily Bellock

Emily Bellock is a native of Connecticut who moved down to the Jacksonville area for a job with the PGA Tour. She lived at The Beaches, at first, before moving to Riverside about a decade ago. Over the years, she has held a variety of titles within the PGA organization. Today, Emily is the director […]