Northeast Florida Life

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Relocation Guide for Jacksonville and Duval County Florida

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Relocation Guide for Jacksonville and Duval County Florida Moving

Download this guide to all things Jacksonville, which also includes Duval County. You will find links to the City of Jacksonville, info on the Homestead Exemptions, Military bases, boat ramps, golf, and so much more. This guide comes as a pdf file, that you can print or save on your computer. The links are live, to make navigation easier.

Please fill out the form below.

Make sure your email is correct, as your relocation guide will be sent to you via email.

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G’s Slow Smoked BBQ in Middleburg, Fl

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G’s Slow Smoked BBQ in Middleburg, Fl

I’ve found the best BBQ ever. I’m not playing or exaggerating. The BEST. Spare ribs that fall off the bone. Collard greens that taste awesome! Before G’s, I had never tried collard greens before. I did recently try them elsewhere and I won’t say where, cos frankly, they sucked. G’s knows how to cook them long enough to be perfect, plus they include some delicious pork in their recipe. Oh, their baked beans are like no other baked beans either. I love them. I haven’t tried any of their other meat dishes, cos I love their ribs so much. I hear the brisket is really good, so maybe one day I’ll try that.

I love mom and pop places, the people who run the place are awesome, and they try to learn everyone’s names.  They are so good at remembering me, that they let my hubby know my little secret that I went there like 3 times in one week. Oh yeah, I was totally busted!! 🙂 Whenever you’re dining in, they always come up and chit chat with you. The atmosphere is as good as the food!

I wish they were open a little later during the week, but I live close to them so I still manage to eat there once or twice a week. 151So, here’s a picture of the rib basket with collard greens. Oh my, that makes my mouth water just looking at this picture.  You know I’ll be stopping by later this week. As good as my pic looks tho, it doesn’t hold a candle to seeing it in person or on G’s Slow Smoked BBQ’s website. Yeah you’re gonna want some after you check out their pics.

If you want to reach them they do have a facebook page. They’re located at 1691 Russell Road Middleburg, Fl 32068. Their hours of operation are:

Tues-Thurs  11am-3pm   Fri-Sat  11am-8pm    Sun & Mon– closed

 

Go try them out, I know you won’t be disappointed!!!

Dad’s Auto Shop in Green Cove Springs Florida

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Dad’s Auto Shop in Green Cove Springs Florida

 Dads Auto Shop

I love the mom and pop places the best, and was lucky enough to be referred to Dad’s Auto Shop. I got an oil change for a great price. While I was there, had a chance to chit chat with the owners, Mike and Jill Shalley. Good people!

Last week, I had to have some front end repairs done. Yeah me! 🙁 I stopped to get an estimate from one shop, then went over to Dad’s Auto Shop. Not only was the estimate less at Dad’s, Mike also was very thorough on determining what the issue was. While the other shop jacked my car up to get a better look, Mike did that, plus took both wheels off and found out what all the issues were.

Got the work done and I’m very happy with the repairs and the service I received. I plan on going there for any other repairs I may have in the future. Let’s face it, I drive a Chevy, so their will be issues! 🙂

Go check out Dad’s Auto Shop, the next time you need repairs or just an oil change:

Dad’s Auto Shop

904-284-0500

15 N Oakridge Ave

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm

          Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm

 

 

 

 

Heart for Homeless in Clay County Florida

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Heart for Homeless in Clay County Florida is a non profit organization that helps homeless people in Clay and Duval Counties in Heart for HomelessFlorida. They provide support in the form of food, clothing, tents, and other supplies to make it a little easier for them.

Steve White is the gentleman who started this organization.  It began during Lent in April of 2009, when Steve and his wife Angela chose to help the homeless as their mission. Here’s an article from jacksonville.com that talks about how Steve started his mission work.

I have to admit that there have been times, I’ve seen homeless people and just don’t consider them to be like me. You think they are a criminal and you’re worried they might try to hurt you. That’s not always true, not true at all. Many are just like you an me, but something happened in their life to cause them to be on the streets. Yep, sometimes that event was their own fault, sometimes the decisions they made, were not the right ones. Some, had a house and a job and just didn’t save for the future. How many people live paycheck to paycheck, with no savings at all?

One of the things I read, that Steve said that once he started talking to these people, they became his best friends. He goes there to give them food, clothing and sometimes, just some company.

If you would like to make donations or to give any time to help with camp clean ups or moving, call 904-222-4796 or visit their facebook page : Heart for Homeless

 

 

 

 

 

Foster Closet in Atlantic Beach Florida

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Foster Closet in Atlantic Beach FloridaFoster Closet

Foster Closet is a free resource for Northeast Florida’s foster parents and relative and non-relative placements to access clothing, children’s accessories, toys and children’s furniture to help take care of the foster children entrusted to them. They also help foster kids who age out of the system, by giving them furniture, clothes, appliances, from donations made to their organization.

I’ve seen Tammy (the founder) deliver furniture with other volunteers and help set up a young adult in her new apartment. She was all set with furniture, appliances, groceries and more.  The smile on this young lady’s face was priceless.

Foster parents get a bad rap and despite what you may have heard on the news, most foster parents are good people and do not receive much money from the foster care organization. They open up their homes and hearts to these kids. It’s not easy work, because these kids have come from broken homes and sometimes act out because of the abuse they have endured. The checks they receive every month barely cover the care of the foster child.  Many times, the kids are pulled from the homes with just the clothes on their back, because of their situation is urgent and the social workers need to get the kids out of the home quickly.

If you would like to make donations, you can visit the Foster Closet’s website. Your donation can be monetary, clothing, furniture, etc. You can volunteer your time as well.

Contact information:

Call before coming: 31 Sailfish Drive East
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
904-382-5959 Tammy@FosterCloset.org

Will 2013 be the last year in Florida for Daylight Savings Time??

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Will 2013 be the last year in Florida for Daylight Savings Time??

 Daylight Saving may go bye bye

That question may become a reality if Sen. Danny Soto’s Sunshine Protection Act passes. If it does pass, then it will take affect January 2014 and when we spring forward March 2014, it will be the last time and Florida may become the 3rd state, not to practice Daylight Savings.

So, what does this mean for us Floridians? It means the sun will stay out longer in the evenings, so those of us who grill in the winter will be able to see what we are burning. Oops, I mean grilling. An extra hour of light will mean more Vitamin D, less driving in the dark, more play time for the kiddos and no more rembering to spring forward and fall back. Heck,our state is the Sunshine State, so it only makes sense to pass it. 🙂

I know on First Coast New’s facebook page, they had posted this article and alot of people were wondering who cares, and why weren’t they concentrating on more important things. I think it’s kind of nice to read about something different, and less stressful.

So, what do you think?

 

 

What’s up with all these red light cameras popping up in Orange Park, Florida?

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 What’s up with all these red light cameras popping up in Orange Park, Florida?

If you travel on Highway 17 (Park Ave) through Orange Park, I’m sure you have seen these red light cameras popping Any colours you likeup. They have been installed at Kingsley and Park, Loring and Park, and Kingsley and DeBarry. They will start issuing warnings in mid-March, then 30 days after they start running the red light cameras, the real deal will be issued at $158 a pop. Ouch.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with red light cameras, they are cameras that take pictures of vehicles, whose driver runs a red light. The ones in Green Cove Springs takes pictures and videos. You run a red light and later get an invitation to send in your hard earned money to pay for that little mistake. I know, they can keep their invitation! 🙂

Some people don’t like these cameras and feel it’s an invasion of privacy, however the cameras only take a picture of the car, not the driver. Me personally, I’m good with those cameras. I can’t tell you how many times I’m sitting on 17, heading south towards Fleming Island and my light is green, but I can’t go, because the drivers making left turns, haven’t quite gotten the message that red means to stop.

Don’t get me wrong, those left hand turn signals need to last longer, so more people can get through it before it changes to red. I’m partial to something being done, since the only 2 car accidents I’ve had were caused by a driver making a left turn and not yielding and slamming into the side of my car. The 2nd time, my kids were in the car with me, so if these cameras reduce the number of accidents that happen, then let’s put some more up!

 

Animal shelters in Northeast Florida

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Animal Care and Protective Services in Jacksonville Florida

Hailey

 

That’s my doggy, Hailey on the left. Attached to her head is my son’s hand. He was trying to make it look like the couch had a hand scratching her head. It kinda worked. 🙂

We got Hailey from the shelter in Jacksonville about 8 years ago. She is the sweetest dog ever. For the longest time, I was not a dog person and never wanted a dog. I did not have good experiences as a kid with dogs and was almost attacked by one. I always preferred cats.

Then kids came along and eventually they wanted a dog. How dare they! So, I started to warm up to the idea, but I didn’t want a dog that barked alot. I love the peace and quiet. The search began. Thankfully, it wasn’t a long search. I went online to start my search and decided it was best to visit the shelters instead.

I ended up at the shelter on the westside of Jacksonville. I didn’t know it at first, but my baby girl, was inside waiting for me. I signed in and made my way down the room, lined with dog cages on each side. Oh the barking. I believe I mentioned I did not want a dog who barked alot. About half way down to the left, I saw a beautiful little dog just sitting there. Not barking. At all.

I told one of the workers that I wanted to hang out with this quiet one. Found out she was a girl, german shepherd mix, was in there with her brothers. She was only about 6 months old.

So we went to an area that some benches where you can hang out at. So for awhile, I hung out with her. She was so timid. He eyes were sweet and the way she looked at me, I could tell she was trying to figure out if I was going to hurt her not. I decided this was the dog for us. Or actually truth be told, God had already decided she was a Graham Cracker.

She was so timid, one of the employees had to carry her to my car. The kids loved her, she was scared to death of my husband Hailey and friendAndrew, but eventually once she realized she could trust him, and he was not going to hurt her, she became his buddy. It sure makes you wonder what these poor animals have been through, at the hands of cruel humans.

Fast forward it 8 years and Hailey is thriving and our family is complete with her. She’s still not a barker and she hates to take baths. My morning routine is to take a walk with her around our neighborhood.

Now if you’re wanting to add a four legged friend to your family, please check out the shelters! The shelter Hailey was at, is not a no kill shelter, and it is terrible to think of an animal being euthanized just because they were in the shelter too long.

I know there are some people out there who want to have pure breeds as pets. I’m not going to say don’t buy a pure breed, but what I will say, is go to the shelters first and see if you find one there. Sometimes pure breeds end up there.

So here are some shelter locations:

The Animal Care and Protective Services Center

2020 Forest St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Click here for Map
Phone: (904) 630-CITY (2489)

 

Mandarin Adoption Center

10501-3 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32257
Phone: (904) 683-8922
Fax: (904) 683-8527

 

Safe Animal Shelter

2913 County Road 220 • Middleburg, FL 32068
Open To Public: Tuesday – Saturday • 12 Noon – 5pm or by appointment
Phone: (904) 276-7233

 

Clay County Animal Care & Control
3984 State Road 16 West
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
(904) 529-5273

 

Road Construction between CR 220 and Henley road in Lake Asbury, Green Cove Springs

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Road Construction between CR 220 and Henley road in Lake Asbury,

Green Cove Springs

I know you have seen the blue sign stating it was to begin Summer 2012 and it still hasn’t begun! Well, the word from public works is that it is to begin March 2013. They didn’t answer the question of when it’s ending, but I will check back at a later date.

They are making it into 4 lanes with an open median. Also, I was told, and this makes me happy, is that at the intersection of CR 220 and CR 209, there will be a right turn lane, 2 through lanes and a left turn lane. Sweet. We really need that right turn lane only, because I see too many times of the current right hand lane being backed up, because of one person at the front going straight. Yeah for the simple things!

Want an update on the road construction on Henley?

The pin (A) is not in the correct spot, the intersection is little farther north. 


View Larger Map

How Long Do I Have To Put Up With Construction on Henley Road in Lake Asbury Green Cove Springs, Florida???

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How Long Do I Have To Put Up With Construction on Henley Road in Lake Asbury Green Cove Springs, Florida???

Construction on Henley Road

 Construction started in December 2011, so right now, we are three months into it. I have to admit, orange is NOT my favorite color at all, so I’m already tired of seeing the orange cones. 🙂

The contract for this project is for two years, but the construction company is really pushing for a year and 6 months. I’m pushing for that too! Scroll down for updates on the changed completion dates.

If you’re curious or you’re just nosy like I am, and want to know what they are doing, the Clay County Florida Gov’t website has a drawing of the plans.

There have been changes made. Instead of a median as you will see in the drawings, there will be an open center lane. Also some of the pond locations have changed. If you want more info, you can contact Shawn Thomas at 904–541-3815

 

The speed limit has dropped down to 35 mph. I know, that sucks! 🙂 I have seen some motorcycle officers with radar multiple times. Tickets in constructions zones are alot more expensive (I might speak from experience), so slow down and save yourself a few dollars. More importantly, slow down to save a life of one of the workers. They have a tough job working in the heat all day long, plus they are so close to the road, that a speeding or reckless driver could cause them some injuries or death. Let’s look after these guys and gals, who are making our future commute much better!

***UPDATE: The estimated completion date is now around October 2013.

***UPDATE 6/5/2013: The estimated completion date is now late July to August 2013. Woohoo!

I’m sure you’ve seen some activity on the corner of Henley and Sandridge, well folks, that is a gas station that’s being built.

 

 

 

 

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