IN THIS ISSUE
18
18
YEARS
In the Pipeline for San Marco
A recent meeting for the San Marco Merchants Association included updates on the Lasalle Street Pump Station and a new conversation about the Scottish Inns
YEARS
COMMUNITY NEWS
SAN JOSE | SAN MAR CO | ST. NICHOLAS FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS | RESIDENTNEWS.NET | FEBRUARY 2025 | VOL. 17, ISSUE 2
READ MORE ON PAGE 10
Join the Conversation
Charity Chat Kicks Off with Stories of Local Impact READ MORE ON PAGE 38
Honoring Legacy
Celebrating Past Presidents Jennifer Newman (’01-’02), Robin Robinson (’01-’02), Desiree Bailey (’21-’22), Diane Martin (’12-’13), Tim Martin (’05-’06); Second Row: Pat Andrews (’98-’99), George Foote (‘09’-’10), Rob Smith (’06-’07), Valerie Feinberg Evans (’08-’09), Andrew Dickson (’15-’16), Jon Singleton (’10-’11) and (left, back row) David Paulk (’23-’25), Terry Moore (’89-’90), Suzanne Perritt (’92-’93) and Richard Moore Jr. (’07-’08)
Principal Begley Hits the Right Note, Named 2024 Principal of the Arts
The Past Presidents of the San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS) gathered recently for a celebratory dinner to honor their collective efforts in maintaining the beauty, preservation, and quality of life in the historic San Marco neighborhood. The event, held in
the Society’s event space at Fletcher Park on Jan. 15, was a warm, intimate affair where attendees shared memories, enjoyed food and drinks, and reflected on the impact of their leadership. In its 49th year, the SMPS has long played a central role in CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) announced Christopher E. Begley, principal of Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, as the recipient of the inaugural Principal of the Arts Award for 2024. This honor recognizes principals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to arts education.
Hightower Emerging Leaders Graduate Class VIII
Caccam Wins Science Fair, Heads to Yale
Front Row: Lucy Chen, Rachel Tutwiler Fortune, Lauren Eakins, Maya Francis, Mike Hightower, 2024 Chair Belkis Plata, Leah Adams, Andrea Reyes, Brittany Norris and Sarah Mannion. Back Row: Brian Bush, Darian "Jack" Jackson, Drew Holley, Dane Bennett, Derod Moody and David Paulk.
The JAX Chamber’s Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship celebrated the addition of its latest class to the rank of alumni at its annual black-tie event last month. Class VIII graduates include Leah Adams, PRI Productions; Dane Bennett, Baptist Health; Brian Bush, Tom Bush Family of Dealerships; Lucy Chen, Cathedral Arts Project; Lauren Eakins, Walmart Health; Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, Jacksonville Public Education Fund; Maya Francis, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville; Michael Haskins, Springfield Preservation and Revitalization
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Wolfson student, Abram Caccam, took 1st place overall at the District Science Fair. Caccam, the valedictorian of his class, will be attending Yale University this fall.
Council, Inc.; Andrew Holley, England, Thims & Miller; Darian Jackson, Dapper D’s Cigars; Sarah Mannion, King & Mannion, P.A.; Eric Miller, Downtown Vision, Inc.; Derod Moody, VyStar Credit Union; Brittany Norris, City of Jacksonville; David Paulk, Jacksonville Jaguars; Andrea Reyes, Reyes Legal, PLLC; Nemiah Rutledge, Body Paradox. Held this year at the Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville, the evening also marked the end of Belkis Plata’s year as chair with Whitney Meyer, Plata’s chair-elect, stepping into the leadership position. SEE MORE ON PAGE 25
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