First Coast YMCA plans to build new Riverside Y

Friday, October 19th, 2012, 2:58pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- YMCA officials, volunteers and community leaders placed three stakes in the ground on the water-front lawn of the Yates Family YMCA on Riverside Avenue when the organization announced Friday their plans to build a new Riverside Y.

The Yates Family YMCA, located on 221 Riverside Ave., has been serving the downtown area for more than 60 years.

Numerous attempts have been made to remodel the facility through the years, but those options are no longer cost effective to meet the demands of modern operation, said Vice President of Communication Nikos Westmoreland with First Coast YMCA in a press release.

The new three-story gym will be 80,000 square feet with a glass front overlooking the St. Johns River. First Coast YMCA also plans to return its corporate headquarters to the new facility.

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Tuesday is final chance to register for November election

Submitted by Claire Simms, Reporter

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012, 6:54pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tuesday is the final day to register to vote ahead of the November election. Many Supervisor of Elections offices will have extended hours to help accommodate the last minute rush.

"We see this always in a Presidential cycle," explained Jerry Holland, Supervisor of Elections for Duval County. "We'll probably have between 30 and 40,000 people that will have registered in the last 30 or 40 days and so, it's exciting to see this many people get involved in it."

Extended Hours:

Duval County-open until 7:30 p.m.

St. Johns County-open until 7:00 p.m.

Clay County-open until 5:00 p.m.

According to Holland, voters do not need to bring identification to register, but they will need a photo I.D. on Election Day. As of Monday, the number of voters registered reflected a more conservative population than in the 2008 election cycle.

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Local doctors on meningitis outbreak: Epidural procedure is safe

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Friday, October 5th, 2012, 7:43pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Pain management doctors will give patients an epidural in the spine to relieve back pain. The recent outbreak of fungal meningitis involving patients using this procedure has raised concerns.

Dr. Timothy Sternberg with Heekin Orthopedics performs spinal epidurals and wants to reassure patients the procedure is safe, if administered by a trained certified physician.

"This current mini epidemic is definitely a problem with a certain type of medication," said Sternberg, "It is not with the procedure."

Dr. Sternberg said the steroid used in the procedures that resulted in death and illnesses in several states was contaminated with a fungus.

"When you talk to your doctor, you need to know if the drug is coming from a reputable pharmaceutical company," said Sternberg.

Sternberg said to ask your healthcare provider "Who is doing the procedure? Is the person train and certified?"

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At Tonight's Art Walk Hundreds Put Their Worst Face Forward

Submitted by Kate Heller on Wednesday, October 3rd, 9:58 am

Local artist, Kedgar Volta, will present ǝɯ embellished tonight, Wednesday, October 3, at downtown’s Hispanic Art Walk from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on the corner of West Monroe and North Laura Streets, across from the Jacksonville Public Library (333 North Laura Street). ǝɯ embellished is a public art project that challenges viewers to examine how self-perception aligns with public perception when we abandon our usual appearances.

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Brunet-García Accepting Grant Applications

Submitted by Kate Heller on Tuesday, October 2nd, 10:04 am

Applications for Brunet-García’s third annual re:solveSM initiative are now available online. re:solveSM is the Brunet-García grant program that gives charitable organizations the opportunity to engage the agency’s pro-bono marketing, advertising and public relations services.

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JU Orthodontists Set the Record Straight During National Orthodontic Health Month

Submitted by rdaigle on Monday, October 1st, 4:51 pm

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Orthodontists at Jacksonville University are taking time during October’s National Orthodontic Health Month to educate the public and clarify best practices for the maintenance of your smile.

Dr. Mark Alarbi, dean and program director of the Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics, said there are many myths that need to be busted regarding orthodontic care, but one of the most common misconceptions is that parents need to wait for their children to loose all of their baby teeth before evaluating the need for braces.

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Mellow Mushroom approved for Avondale

Submitted by Claire Simms, Reporter

Friday, September 28th, 2012, 6:50pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Late Thursday night the Jacksonville Planning Commission approved a plan by regional restaurant chain Mellow Mushroom to move into the historic Avondale area, with some changes.

"Ultimately, I'll be happy and I'm quite confident that the neighborhood will be happy too," said Mellow Mushroom and property owner John Valentino.

However, neighbors have been pushing to have the restaurant scaled down for months and could appeal the commission's decision. A grassroots group called "We Love Avondale" said their biggest concerns were having enough parking to accommodate the large restaurant and making sure the development fits into the area.

"You know, we're not against John Valentino or Mellow Mushroom," shared Tommy Donahoo, a member of We Love Avondale. "We know he's a very successful businessman, but we just don't feel this is a proper fit for our area."

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