Jacksonville's Westside Information Blog

Archive for the ‘Jax Westside Local Businesses’ Category

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!

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

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 /

www.adventurelanding.com

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

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!