William Boling
By Victoria Register-Freeman Resident Community News Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony might serve as a suitable soundtrack for a film on William ‘Bill’ Boling’s life. The piece is known for its quiet melodies punctuated by moments of energy and excitement. Boling comes from a family of action-oriented individuals. In 1939 when he was five, his parents moved […]
Venetia named ‘A’ school
It’s another A-letter grade for Venetia Elementary School, which received an ‘A’ status for 2012. This isn’t the first time the school, located at Diaz and Timuquana roads, has won the coveted ranking. The school also earned a top grade between 2002 and 2006, and then again in 2009. School parents referenced the community’s emphasis […]
Student rewarded for kindness
Ava Grace Elsner, a 7-year-old student at Venetia Elementary School, was recognized recently for her acts of kindness. Elsner has been a big help to a special needs student in her class and was the only child at Venetia to receive the award. Elsner was referred to Venetia leadership for her acts – a contrast […]
Merritt Island in November
By Nathan & Ted Miller Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a major migratory destination for wintering ducks along our Atlantic flyway. It consists of 140,000 acres of saltwater estuaries and marshes, and freshwater impoundments, and is roughly a two-hour drive from Jacksonville. My father introduced my brothers and me to Merritt Island at early […]
Taking the plunge: Swimmers celebrate St. Johns with open water events
What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act of 1972 by getting in the St. Johns River. CWA aimed to eliminate and prohibit toxic discharges—point source pollution—and restore water quality. Congress strengthened the Act 15 years later by adding Section 319 to control nonpoint source pollution: the runoff from ranches, communities, and boatyards, with pesticides, other toxic chemicals, and […]
Merchants group hosts 5 Points cleanup
Members of the 5 Points Merchants Association and friends got their hands dirty last month during a neighborhood cleanup event. The group began the first phase of the re-landscaping of 5 Points between Post Street and the 5 Points intersection. Volunteers removed weeds and old mulch from the various beds along the street, trimmed Crepe […]
Grissett’s family donates park bench
With little public fanfare but with great love, the family of former Riverside Avondale Preservation Director Bonnie Grissett donated a Boone Park bench in her name last month. The park bench is located on the pathway near the playground at the St. Johns Avenue side of Boone Park. Bonnie, who passed away December 2010 after […]
Plans for controversial artificial reef sunk
An artificial reef planned offshore Riverfront Park in San Marco will be relocated to another site, according to District 5 City Councilwoman Lori Boyer. The reef, intended to improve on- and offshore fishing along the St. Johns River, was the source of much community alarm during the councilwoman’s September town meeting. Residents were concerned the […]
San Marco Square traffic redesign: Updated plans right on point
San Marco Preservation Society officials released a preliminary $120,000 budget for the redesign and construction of Balis Park in San Marco Square as new details about the project begin to emerge. Local engineer and San Marco Society Past President Doug Skiles shared additional facts about the park and traffic changes in San Marco Square during […]
