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FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS
LEADING LADIES
ST. NICHOLAS DECEMBER 2022, VOL. 15, ISSUE 12
San Marco Art Festival returns to Balis Park
Mr. and Mrs. Claus greeted children in San Marco Square during the festival.
Reet Bilanchone, Nesti Tona, Rula Carr and George Foote
Churches Provide Hunger Relief
Artists and art lovers filled San Marco’s Balis Park the weekend following Thanksgiving — Nov. 26 and 27 — for the 24th annual San Marco Art Festival. The art featured at this free festival covered a variety of mediums, from paint and printmaking to fused glass and metal sculptures. More than 20 artists participated. Artist Nesti Tona was the winner of the 2022 San Marco Art Festival Poster contest and his art was featured on posters advertising the festival. Traffic on either side of Balis Park remained open throughout the weekend, allowing impromptu stops from motorists who happened to be passing by San Marco Square as well as guests who planned a visit to the festival.
Storage Wars Return SMPS prepares Town Hall meeting to discuss PUD request for self-storage facility
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Five local churches joined forces Nov. 13 for the CROP Hunger Walk, held at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (SJPC). SJPC, Faith United Methodist, Hendricks Ave Baptist, Geneva Presbyterian and St. Mark’s Episcopal participated in the event. One quarter of the funds raised went toward local support through United Community Outreach Ministry. The other 75% went to Church World Service, an international organization that provides life-saving support like emergency food, along with the seeds, tools and programs to help families feed themselves in the future.
A Town Hall meeting is in the works for the San Marco community to weigh in on the newest development regarding the proposed multi-unit self-storage facility for the Southbank area. A bill was first introduced in 2021, sponsored by Council Member Reggie Gaffney, The Resident reported, “to permit self-storage facilities in portions of the downtown overlay where they’re prohibited today, provided the facilities meet strict design standards…” The bill was later withdrawn this past July after being met with strong opposition, both from the community and city council members. The Resident reported, “Opponents of the bill argued for months that relaxing the overlay’s existing prohibition on self-storage facilities would welcome conflicts with the existing and very active neighborhoods of high-density residential, restaurant, retail and recreational land uses.” Attorney Steven Diebenow represents the Atlanta-based developer wishing to install the storage facility in the San Marco area. After the withdrawal of the bill, Diebenow now plans to use a Planned Unit Development (PUD) approach instead. “The [San Marco Preservation Society] has invited the applicant to present the plans for the PUD request at our board meeting in January,” said SMPS President Lauren Carlucci. “We also plan to host a town hall meeting in January where all residents can listen to the presentation, ask questions, and give feedback on the proposed project. Community engagement matters…” The closed meeting presentation at SMPS is scheduled to take place on Jan. 9, prior to a public hearing before the City Council, though at the time of print, it was unconfirmed whether or not the Town Hall would take place before the public hearing as well. A date has yet to be confirmed for the January Town Hall meeting. The Resident will report on updates as they become available.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) First Coast Chapter National Philanthropy Day Co-Chairs Brittany Fowler (left) and Kacie Smyth led the festivities during the 2022 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel, Nov. 14. SEE MORE ON PAGE 6
THE POWER OF PINK Marica Pendjer and Kelly Wood were among the special guests at Underwood’s Jewelers in San Marco for a recent trunk show benefitting Pink Ribbon Jax. SEE MORE ON PAGE 30
RESIDENTS URGED TO REPORT NOXIOUS ODORS, CONTACT OFFICIALS City officials are encouraging citizens to continue making odor complaints, even while the residential study is ongoing. District 14 City Council Member Randy DeFoor said the study sensors can be moved if calls reporting an odor provide evidence for a better location. Reporting the odor while it is active will also help pair the complaint with incoming data from the study. Neighbors can help officials track any noxious odors by calling in a complaint by phone to 630-CITY (2489) or electronically at www.myjax.custhelp.com. Readers can also email odor@residnentnews. net to share tips for future stories.
TOPS ON THE TEES
It was a big day for Daniel Kids, as the organization celebrated the 22nd Hank Haynes Golf Classic, Oct. 24, at San Jose Country Club. The 1st Place Low Gross from Florida Pension Group of John Pomroy, John Hudson, Landon Strickland and Steve Carter were on hand during a day of successful fundraising and festivities that raised more than $186,000 to benefit the nonprofit. SEE MORE ON PAGE 40
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