Setting Hearts Aflutter
SAVE THE DATE
APR 25th
COMMUNITY NEWS
YARD GOLF & LAWN PARTY
RIVERSIDE | AVONDALE | ORTEGA | MURRAY HILL
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FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS | RESIDENTNEWS.NET | APRIL 2026 | VOL. 19, ISSUE 4
Pam Montemurno with Kimberly Sarumi and Terry Williams
Vladimir Kara-Murza Headlines Florida Forum
Vintage Vibes Take Center Stage
Kendra McCrary with Karen and Don Wolfson
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and former Russian political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza took the stage Feb. 3 for The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Florida Forum Speaker Series. Recently released in a historic 2024 prisoner exchange, Kara-Murza shared insights following his 2022 arrest for opposing the war in Ukraine. The series, sponsored by Florida Blue, Landstar and The Claxton Bank, supports a new outdoor play area for pediatric behavioral health patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Downtown Vision brought vintage Florida to life with its Swamp Soirée, where guests enjoyed lively entertainment, local bites and handcrafted cocktails while supporting Placemaking Jax and its community-driven Downtown activations.
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RAP Home Tour Returns The 52nd annual RAP Home Tour returns April 11 and 12, inviting guests inside 11 of Riverside Avondale’s most beautiful homes. The weekend kicks off April 9 with a Twilight Party at this year’s featured home, 1954 Greenwood Ave., offering an evening of food, drinks and neighborhood charm.
Council Leadership Race Takes Shape Ahead of May Vote
History Comes Alive at Inaugural Great Fire Gathering
Celebrating the GOOD Among Us
The race for City Council leadership is heating up as five members announce bids for president and vice president ahead of the May vote. With an emphasis on collaboration and unity, candidates are making their case to lead the council into the 2026-27 term.
As the 125th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1901 approaches, the Jacksonville History Center will debut its inaugural Great Fire Gathering on May 1. Set at its newly renovated campus, the evening will feature a low country boil, live music, cocktails and awards honoring those shaping the city’s past and future.
Selected from Circles Magazine, these 20 individuals reflect the heart of Jacksonville, where generosity and purpose come together. Resident News will feature them in a special series over the next several months.
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Daniel Breaks Ground on New Cottage
STEP INSIDE — PAGE 17
Daniel CEO Lesley Wells and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Judge Timothy Corrigan pose beside a rendering of the new cottage at the March 11 groundbreaking ceremony.
Daniel – Florida’s longest-running child-serving agency – is expanding its on-campus facilities with the addition of a new residential cottage for children experiencing emotional and behavioral problems. Daniel held a groundbreaking for the cottage on Wednesday, March 11. Once completed, the 6,325-square-foot house will serve as a safe, stable environment for up to 12 children. Daniel President and CEO Lesley Wells celebrated the groundbreaking alongside donors and board members, including Chairman Judge Timothy Corrigan. “The children we serve deserve updated spaces where they can feel safe, cared for and ready to heal,” said Wells. “When we can provide them with a modern, uplifting environment, it makes all the difference in their journey toward recovery and stability.” The development team on this project includes ShayCore and PQH Group Design. Daniel anticipates a fall move-in date for this new living space.
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