New CEO for Leadership Jacksonville
Gracie Simendinger is succeeding Jill Langford Dame as the new Chief Executive Officer for Leadership Jacksonville. Dame announced her retirement in March of this year after serving as CEO since 2013. In a press release issued in June, Simendinger stated, “I am deeply invested in the future success of our city. I believe fully in […]
Local Folks: Sam and Kiley Efron
Sam and Kiley Efron are the owners of San Marco’s multi-award-winning Italian restaurant, Taverna. Sam serves as executive chef, and Kiley as wine director. But these local folks aren’t only business owners and residents of the area; they are fervent fans. Sam is a native of Jacksonville, a Mandarin High School graduate. He met Kiley […]
Animal House: Disabled & Special Needs Pets Can Be Perfect Companions
Disabled and special needs pets can become the best companions of all, according to Jacksonville’s Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) staff, fosters, rescuers, and owners who share incredible stories. They describe these animals’ resilience and determination to heal, recover and adapt to challenges. Whether born with birth defects, chronic diseases, hit by cars, severely […]
Local Folks: The York Family
Andria and Tom York are no strangers to the residents of Jacksonville. Andria works for the mother company of TIAA. Tom is the president of CastleWise Realty and Insurance located in the One Call building in San Marco. Before that, he was with Citizens Property Insurance. Some might even know that when Andria and Tom […]
Local Folks: Lauren Carlucci
As of May, Lauren Carlucci is the newly elected president of the San Marco Preservation Society, this role following her one-year stint as vice president. She’s a natural fit for the organization, folks agree, and some are curious to know how she got there. As a Jacksonville University student, Carlucci changed her major seven times […]
Animal House: Wildlife Rescue Coalition Relocates Founder Barbara Tidwell Retires, Welcomes New Director
The Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida (WRC) has begun a new chapter of progress in its mission to save local wildlife, said founder and president, Barbara Tidwell. Tidwell, who recently announced her retirement, has devoted the past twenty-five years to leading the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. She will continue serving as a board member, advisor, […]
Local Folks: Susan Painter and Rick Pariani
Susan Painter and Rick Pariani have been married for 45 years. She is a retired teacher who had taught art in St. Johns County schools for many years. How apt that she retained her maiden name, Painter. Pariani is a landscape architect retired from Davidson Companies. They bought their Avondale home five years ago, commencing […]
Animal House: HUMMINGBIRDS
Hummingbirds flash their tropical parrot feathers of metallic emerald green, ruby red, and silver-gray as they zoom across Jacksonville yards. Their flight speeds are so fast, the eye can barely follow. Homeowners or gardeners can easily attract these fascinating, tiny acrobats and help keep the fragile birds safe and healthy. Hummingbird feeders provide unlimited opportunities […]
