Dolan Home Group

Dolan Home Group

Spend Leap Year Weekend at the Beach

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What can you do with the last weekend of February in 2016? The extra day falls on a Sunday and the weather is supposed to be back to perfect Florida weather with plenty of sun and a cool breeze. It’s the perfect weekend to spend on the beach.
Community First Seawalk Music Festival, Feb. 27 and 28 The 4th annual Community First Seawalk Music Fest returns on on February 27 & 28, 2016. The festival celebrates our rich and diverse local resources with all local artists, crew, volunteers and food vendors. This free, two-day event is held on the beach at the Seawalk Pavilion; located on Ocean Street, just behind Jacksonville Beach City Hall.

Beachcomber Restaurant in St. Augustine Enjoy a meal and the view when you eat at the local favorite Beachcomber. Order the red beans and rice or the steamed shrimp and you can’t go wrong!
Players by the Sea Feb. 27 and 28 at 8:00 p.m. Blocks from Jacksonville Beaches, take in a show at Players by the Sea. Mothers and Sons is the story of Katharine and her grief over her son’s death from AIDS twenty years earlier. This compassionate play examines the transformative power of forgiveness and our evolving definitions of marriage and family. Tickets are $23 for general admission and $20 for senior, student, or military discounts.
Enjoy your weekend and remember to wear sunscreen! We would love to see how you are enjoying your extra day in February. Post a picture on our Facebook page.

What to do Thanksgiving Weekend

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Enjoy old traditions and make some new ones with family and friends. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous this weekend. After watching the game on Thursday, plan a few festive activities.

Do some local shopping at Riverside Arts Market. Enjoy Small Business Saturday at the Riverside Arts Market with more than 100 locally-owned, small businesses and thousands of unique gift ideas in a single location. Bring visiting friends and family to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of North Florida’s favorite outdoor arts and entertainment venue this Thanksgiving weekend, then walk over to the Cummer Museum and Gardens.

Decorate your home for the holidays. “Haul out the holly”—Whether you are ready to deck your home in twinkle lights or prefer a subtle wreath on the front door, we would love to see your favorite ways to decorate. Pop over to our Facebook page and post a picture. Live Christmas trees are for sale at many locations in Jacksonville.

Visit St. Augustine for the Nights of Lights.  Make a point to see St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Festival. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights feature millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s oldest city. Ripley’s is offering train rides with a reserved time.

Watch the Community First Jacksonville Light Boat Parade. Saturday, 7PM Downtown Jacksonville. Whether you’re a seafarer or landlubber, you are sure to be dazzled by the annual Community First Jacksonville Light Boat Parade. The parade has become a tradition for thousands of families and out-of-town guests who eagerly await the transformation of the St. Johns River. Boats of every shape and size are adorned with decorations that captivate senses and stimulate imaginations. This enchanted night is topped off by a fireworks display like no other, featuring the signature bridge “waterfalls.” Admission is free. For more information, click here.

We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and a great weekend.

6 Ways to Make Your Move to Jacksonville Easier

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Moving to a new city can be stressful. You’re leaving behind familiar stores and places—not to mention friends and family! Jacksonville is a diverse city perfect for families, young professionals, retirees and entrepreneurs. You’re bound to feel at home in no time if you follow our tips:

  1. Try the local cuisine. Chains can be good when you need something familiar but it’s not much fun to venture into a new part of town and stick to the basics. You won’t want to miss local favorites like Metro Diner or Poe’s Tavern.
  2. Make connections before you arrive.  Whether you are moving from Tampa or Boston, chances are you already know someone who lives in Jacksonville or St. Augustine. Mention your upcoming move to your circle of friends and you may snag an invite to lunch with an old friend.
  3. Find the local chapter of national organizations. Jacksonville is home to many non-profit organizations and has scores of chapters of national organization. You can get involved with Toastmasters or Rotary Club to make new friends.
  4. Get to know your neighbors. Many communities host monthly events for residents. This is a good way to get to know others who may be new to town.
  5. Find people with similar interests on Meetup, through Facebook Groups, or even LinkedIn Groups.
  6. Sign up for alerts about nearby events. Receive information in your inbox about upcoming events in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Both cities have a thriving tourism industry and a lot of options for locals as well.

We know that whether you come to Jacksonville with a new job, to join family and friends, or to retire, you will find many things to do to keep you engaged in the community.

Last Day to Register!

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Last day

 

Today is the last day to register to win 2 VIP tickets to Brew at the Zoo! This popular fundraiser for Jacksonville Zoo sold out for the 9th annual time. Attendees will enjoy unlimited tastes of over 100 craft and import beers and sample food and drink from over 40 local restaurants.

The cause is great and the entertainment is pretty good too. Best of luck to our more than 100 entries! You can still enter to win 2 VIP tickets until MIDNIGHT on 9/15/15.

For more information about the contest and to enter, click here.

 

Broward’s Beautiful Butterfly House

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Architect Robert Broward’s contributions to Jacksonville are seen around the city. His passing earlier this year was a great loss. He was a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright and known for many signature buildings still standing in Jacksonville. His design for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Art Museum, both in 1965, are phenomenal examples of his talent and personality.

Another of his great works in Jacksonville is Arlington’s Butterfly House on Wildwood Rd. This home was in the 1957 Parade of Homes and was designed as a spec house. Wayne Wood, lead author of “Jacksonville Architectural Heritage: Landmarks for the Future,” describes Broward’s approach as a lofty philosophical one designed to educate the public. He created the home as the beginning of a movement to what is now the ranch style house.

Photo provided by Wayne Wood
Photo provided by Wayne Wood

The “Butterfly” nickname for the house is so-called because of the inverted roof. Broward designed the roof to harness the Florida rains to flow into the front fountain and create a breathtaking piece of art.

The bedrooms are across the front with private gardens for each. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light and a connection to nature. The existing wrought iron was not part of the original structure. Broward kept the home as open as possible and created rooms that naturally flowed into the next.

On either of the side exterior walls, concrete planters provided the perfect space to add greenery to the concrete modular units that make up the house. Most of the planters are still there but some have been broken off by vandals.

This will be a gorgeous home once it is again returned to its original glory. Read more about the fate of the Butterfly House in the Times-Union article by Tiffanie Reynolds.

http://jacksonville.com/current/southside-beaches/2015-08-15/story/fate-historic-butterfly-house-uncertain-home-market

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-06-28/story/architect-robert-c-broward-1926-2015-one-our-regional-treasures

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