Jacksonville Equestrian Center
Published February 22, 2012 | 
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a great place to hold a large event. The center itself is located way down on Normandy Boulevard just past the Cecil Field Commerce Center. We visited there last week to attend the RV Show. The RV show was great but a little overwhelming. All the RVs, camping trailers and pop-up campers were new models in all shapes and sizes and price ranges. There were some door prizes, vendors and lots of people. We went there on a Thursday because we were wanted to avoid large crowds for the weekends and senior citizens were half price. We are looking for an RV for “Our Great Adventure” this summer and needed to get more information on the types and prices of camping trailers and RVs. It was a last minute decision so we didn’t get to post it before the event and we didn’t bring our camera so no pictures : (
We would also like to tell you about an email we received:
Hi,
I would like to inform you that there is an effort going on to improve the 295/Normandy location. This location is like the gateway to District 12 on the Southside. We would like to see a fountain in the pond and some flowers planted around it. This area could be dedicated to the World War 2 soldiers, sailors and marine who stormed Normandy beaches. I am in touch with CPAC on this issue. Ill keep you posted of progress. Please post on your site to see if you get any response. I also have setup CecilSpacePort website. This area needs something it can be proud of.
Jim
This sounds like something the people in this area needs to get together and hold a fund-raiser for to ensure that it gets created. There are less and less World War II veterans still around and it is so important to remember their sacrifice and commitment to this country. I do not condone war but I will not allow my family and friends to be hurt if I can help it. I would fight for them and I know that most of those who joined the fight did so to help keep their family and friends safe from aggressors. If there is a citizens group out there that would take up this cause you might want to consider creating a funding project on Kickstarter.com Below is our Kickstarter project you can use as an example:
Westside Flea Markets
Published January 18, 2012 | There are several flea markets located on Jacksonville’s Westside Area but one we are familiar with is the Johnson Family Indoor Family Flea Market located on Ramona Boulevard next to I-10. The flea market is in an Old Home depot building. They offer lockable garage style spaces with two tables for vendors. The rates are fairly reasonable at $17 per day or $50 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you opt to take the weekend rate you can bring your stuff in on Friday and lock it up at the end of the day and on Sunday empty out your space. They also have monthly rates at about $200 a month. Those rates are subject to change so please call ahead for reservations and information. The building has heat/air and wireless service available. There is also a small restaurant in the back that has some good food at average prices that is family owned and operated. They offer a discount for vendors. The building is opened Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. The people are friendly and helpful if you have any questions.
The bad is that there is only one bathroom area. The women’s bathroom really could use some updating. There are several halogen lights that whine real loud in the area we were in and the air was turned off 2 hours before closing. Sadly, the wireless network was not working when we were there so we cannot say anything about that. The garage areas are not painted or cleaned up in anyway once a vendor leaves. The monthly vendors are encouraged to paint the walls, put down some kind of flooring or carpeting on their own. The place has some problems but it does have some potential. There is an open air market feel to the place that we liked.
There are several websites still active out there for the Johnson Family Indoor Flea Market but the last one is supposed to be the current one in service. It was created by one of the vendors but has been updated since October last year. The Management was doing some marketing promotions each month to help out the vendors and you will have to contact them to see if they are still doing that.
Oldest Version of the Johnson Family Flea Market
http://johnsonsfamilyfleamarketjacksonville.com/
Second Version of the Johnson Family Flea Market
http://www.johnsonsfamilyfleamarket.com/page/page/1002752.htm
Current Version of the Johnson Family Flea Market
http://thejohnsonsfleamarket.com/
Calling All Potential Writers, Poets and Limericks Writers. Our sponsor Jolene’s Books and More is sponsoring a Contemporary Limericks Contest. The contest is open to all U.S. Residents over 18. There is a small application fee but you can submit up to 5 different limericks for consideration. The winners will be paid $50 for 1st place and $20 for second and have their limericks and names posted on the website and published in the end-of-the-year Contemporary Limericks Book! They have created a website for submission and contest rules at: http://all-about-limericks.jolenesbooksandmore.com
Westside Neighborhoods
Published May 1, 2010 | While cruising the web I came across the Metro Jax website. They have done a series of articles and pictorial reviews of various neighborhoods throughout the Jacksonville Florida area. They are worth a look or two.
Here is one for the westsides Lake Shore Area:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-mar-urban-neighborhoods-lake-shore
The article features various pictures throughout the Lake Shore area with a little bit of information about each shot. Not much else but some really great pictures.
Here is a article on the fairly new area of Oakleaf:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-apr-suburban-jacksonville-oakleaf
There are lots of pictures of the neighborhoods, condos, shopping malls and recreational areas located within this planned community on the Westside.
We consider the Ortega Area as the beginning boundary for the Westside area along the St. Johns River.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-feb-exploring-ortega The neighborhood starts at the Ortega River bridge, runs along Roosevelt Boulevard and ends just before NAS Jacksonville.
They Also did a pictorial feature on the Cecil Field Commerce Center:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-apr-suburban-jacksonville-cecil-commerce-center The article has pictures old and new as well as history of NAS Cecil Field and what businesses are currently there.
We hope you enjoy the pictures and historical information in the articles. We sure did!
New Year Turning Over A New Leaf
Published January 8, 2010 | Jacksonville Florida’s Westside Residents know that the old year was pretty bad but are hoping that the New Year will bring new opportunities. There is a lot of construction going on along I-10 as well as the Cecil Field Area which is supposed to bring new jobs. Most of the people who live or have lived on the “Wild Westside” are looking to get jobs nearer to their homes. I noticed the other day while traveling on I-295 during rush hour that there are lots of people going from the Westside to the Southside to work. Never mind the fact that the commute is a “killer” with that many people going in the same direction at the same time but it is bad for the environment, bad for your nerves and costly as well. Now there is supposed to be the Cecil Spaceport. There is an unofficial website that has been set-up at: http://cecilspaceport.com/index.html but there is nothing on it yet. You might want to bookmark it though and check periodically to see if and when jobs will be opening up. FCCJ also has a campus in the Cecil Commerce Area that specializes in Aeronautical training. Getting into FCCJ is fairly easy for those who have graduated from a Duval County School and live here than any of the other schools. Going to school on the Westside will be more convenient for residents in the area, save time, save money and save the environment as well. Now that FCCJ is a 4 year institute you may even be able to get your Bachelor’s degree there as well. The future really should be about learning about space, being able to fly a space type vehicle as well as being able to build and maintain one.
Another website you might want to add to your favorites is: http://www.cecilfieldspaceport.com/ This website has been up and running for a while now and seems to have more information about the upcoming Spaceport that has been approved by NASA. So, now is the time to get training and an education in this exciting new field. Don’t let them bring in outsiders to take jobs away from us. You want to get a job that is close to home to save money, to save the environment and to give yourself and your family a good future!
Jacksonville Westside Farms
Published December 9, 2009 | When I was growing up I thought that most of our produce came from farms around town. There use to be a lot of family farms on the north and westside of Jacksonville. I went looking for information about farms on the Westside to do a feature for this blog. Now I know that times are very tough right now and the family farm is being pushed out due to so called “PROGRESS” and the construction of new homes but can we really do without the family farm or even local farmers? With the prices of food, gas, etc. don’t we really need to go back to some of the basics of life? To that end I am looking for information about small family farms on the Westside. I believe there is still some room on the Westside of Jacksonville for small farmers to thrive and supply some of the other Jacksonville residences with much needed organically grown produce. If you are such a farmer or know of someone who is we would like to hear from you!
I have sent out some emails to some of the people who sell at the local farmers markets around town and hope to get some responses however I don’t believe that any of them are on the Westside. There is one listing for the Oakleaf GreenMarket but it closed for the season at the end of November and their website is still under construction. There are other “Open-Air” markets opened one day a week in Mandarin, The Town Center and the Beaches area. There is also the year-round Farmers Market on Beaver Street. Come-On Westsiders! What are you doing to promote your local farmers in your area?
Cheers
webmistress
Jax4Kids
Published October 1, 2009 | If you want to know what to do on Jacksonville Florida’s Westside Area check out the JAX4KIDS website. It is loaded with great information about what to do and when special events are coming. They have things listed by dates, types of events and the sides of towns. This is a great website to add to your bookmarks or favorites. Some of the places to visit are listed below:
Bowling Alleys – Westside
Jax Lanes West
904-781-4422 / 6526 Ramona Blvd
http://www.jaxlaneswest.com/index.html
Bowl-O-Matic Phoenix Lanes
904-387-3569 / 2600 Blanding Blvd
www.phoenixbowling.com
Cassat Batt Bowl
904-389-2360 / 1838 Cassat Ave
Fellow Bowlers Comments Page
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Cecil Aquatics Center Pool
Swim indoors at Cecil Aquatics Center. This heated pool is open to the public and open all year long, except on major holidays. Free. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 9am – 8pm; Friday, 8am – 6pm; Saturday, 9am – 6pm; Sunday, 1pm – 6pm. Note: The pool is closed for maintenance from 2pm – 3pm Monday – Saturday.
904-573-8994 / 13611-A Normandy Blvd /
www.coj.net
Crystal Springs Road Park
40-acre park with nature trails, exercise course, picnic tables, grills, a pond, playground, tennis courts, and multi-purpose play fields.
Admission is free.
Park hours are 5am – 10pm.
904-693-4909 / 9800 Crystal Springs Rd /
www.coj.net
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rails to Trails
14 miles of trail along the former CSX railway line. Features a paved path for walking, running, or in-line skating. Plenty of shade along much of the trail. The East entrance is two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave, on Imeson Road. Two additional trails are currently under construction: one for mountain biking and another for riding horses. NOTE- Be prepared to stop at points where highways intersect the trail.
904-630-4100 / East Entrance: two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave on Imeson Road;
West entrance: North of Route 90 on Brandy Branch Rd /
www.coj.net
103rd Street Sports Complex
This city-owned park features a lighted asphalt Go-Kart track with bleachers, grills, restrooms, and parking. Use of the track is free. However, riders must have their own Go-Kart and equipment. Spectators are also welcome to come on race and non-race days. For more information or race schedules, contact the North Florida Kart Club.
Their website is http://www.nfkc.us/php/
904-219-8729 / 10244 103rd St / 103rd Street Sports Complex
Ringhaver Park
The park includes a two-mile asphalt path with wooden bridges, providing access to the Ortega River Nature Preserve for walkers, joggers and the handicapped. There are also softball and soccer fields, a covered picnic area, and an all-child playground.
Open 5am – 10pm.
904-630-4100 / 5198 118th St /
www.coj.net
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
(Formerly Westside Regional Park)
“With 509 acres, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is among the largest of all Jacksonville parks. It features a nature center and outdoor classroom, picnic area with grills and playground equipment, biking trails, a series of hiking and nature trails, and an elevated platform from which to view wetlands, soaring bald eagles, and other birds. Along the trails you will see evidence of Jacksonville’s past in the form of a 16-foot wide brick road built in the early 20th century.
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is headquarters for the city’s park naturalist who will gladly set up a nature walk or program for your organized group, club, school, or class.
All programs are free of charge and can be scheduled by calling 904-573-2498.”
Call ahead for park hours.
904-573-2498 / 7000 Roosevelt Blvd /
www.coj.net
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Adventure Landing
Two 18-hole miniature golf courses, Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Arcade.
904-771-2803 / 4825 Blanding Blvd /
Diamond D Ranch
Ranch and forest horseback riding for all ages. 1 hour trail ride – $35. 2 hours – $65. Or pack a lunch and go for half day – $140. Children under 7 years of age – a parent or adult can hand lead a pony while child rides in the saddle around the ranch and can see all kinds of animals, such as water and bison buffalos, deer, goats, sheep, lama, antelope, ostrich, cows, horses and many more. Over-night stays available in the their bunkhouse. Call to make a reservation.
904-289-9331/ 5903-1 Solomon Rd /
www.diamonddranchinc.com
Doing Dishes
Paint your own pottery studio. No lessons needed. $6 per person plus pottery.
904-388-7088 / 1026 Edgewood Ave. South /
www.doingdishes.com
Home Depot Kids’ Workshops
Free “How-To Clinics” designed for children ages 5-12. Offered the first Sat of each month between 9am and 12 noon. Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits. The kits are designed to be both educational and practical. Teaches do-it-yourself skills and tool safety.
904-782-6208 / 855 Lane Ave S /
www.homedepot.com
Jungle Quest
Jungle Quest is a safe, fun and experiential challenge that teaches self confidence, responsibility, problem solving and teamwork. The jungle, which includes four private party rooms, a toddler area and an observation area for parents, is open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm.
Available for birthday parties, drop-in play, groups and special events, Jungle Quest features:
* Zooming Zip Lines: 75 feet long, suspended 17 feet in the air
* Traverse Swinging Bridges: 15-feet-long rope bridges suspended seven to nine feet in the air
* Rock Wall: 20-feet-high
Located across the street from JAX NAS Yorktown Gate
Jungle Quest / 904-779-7572 / 4616-1 Sub Chaser Court /
www.junglequest.net
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Chamblin Book Mine
A used and rare books store. Customers can exchange books for others they wish to read. Features a big kids book section with kid-sized tables where children can sit and enjoy the book offerings.
Hours are Mon-Sat, 10am – 6pm.
904-384-1685 / 4551 Roosevelt Blvd /
www.chamblinbookmine.com
Posted in Jax Westside Horse Riding, Jax Westside Kids Stuff, Jax Westside Local Businesses, Jax Westside Parks | 
Jacksonville Westside Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Westside Bowling, Jacksonville Westside Horseback Riding, Jacksonville Westside Kids Workshops, Jacksonville Westside Parks, Jacksonville Westside Pottery | 
Leave a commentPromoting Local Businesses
Published February 20, 2009 | We hope you are enjoying our blog. Now that the holidays are over hopefully we will have more time to add some new and exciting content for all of those who live, work and/or play in Jacksonville, Florida’s Westside Area. We will be traveling around the different areas, taking pictures, interviewing the locals, and posting to the blog. We are still working towards getting all the different resources for our neighbors on the different pages. We apologize for the updates taking so long.
We will start things off by promoting one the new businesses serving the Westside Area in Anderson Air Systems, LLC. They have a website now and is run by uncle. He is just getting started in this business on his own but has worked in the Air Conditioning & Heating field for a very long time. So check out the website and if you need a new Heating & Air Conditioning system installed or repaired I would recommend him. He has been servicing our Heating & Air Conditioner for over 15 years.
If you know of any repair or service businesse that you would recommend then by all means please make a comment. We would all appreciate a recommendation for services and repairs to save money and/or time and to feel like we can trust them to do the job right and quickly the first time. However, please make sure you would actually recommend them to your friends and relatives as we are striving to make this blog a reliable source of information!
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- Public speaking seminar Saturday in Orange Park highlights connections to business success May 17, 2012A workshop this weekend will highlight the importance of public speaking and its connection to running a successful business. “The Performance of Public Speaking” will run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 1738 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park and it costs $55 to attend. The event is being run by Jessie Shternshus who owns the Improv Effect and will feature tips […]Drew Dixon
- Women tied up and held against her will in Jacksonville home May 16, 2012A 38-year-old Jacksonville woman told police a tale of a weekend of terror — tied up, punched and forced in a wicker trunk from Saturday to Tuesday in a trailer on Machelle Drive. The result was the arrest of a 49-year-old Westside man she had been living with a few months, according to the Sheriff’s Office arrest report. Bobby George Moses is charged with f […]Dan Scanlan
- Clara White Mission to host celebrity chef event for the homeless Friday in Jacksonville May 16, 2012The Clara White Mission 18th Annual Miracle on Ashley Street celebrity chef and servers event is set for Friday. Celebrities from around the Jacksonville area will take part in the fundraising event designed to raise money for the homeless mission. Tickets cost $20 and the mission this year is celebrating the success of their culinary arts and janitorial env […]Drew Dixon