Jacksonville. Where Florida Begins.

Downtown Jacksonville isn't just for the weekday rush, the occasional visit for Jaguar football games or concerts at Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena.  Downtown has a lot to offer on Saturday and Sunday too before the sun sinks into the St. Johns and the Bay Street nightlife lights up.

Depending on what your scene is here are a few suggestions . . .

If you're looking for a huge, stick to your ribs breakfast with a side of live music, then the Bluegrass Brunch on Saturday at Gas Knob Pub is for you.  Brunch at this new restaurant, located in the Sports Complex downtown, features Irish favorites like the Pig and Chicken - two slabs of toast loaded with sausage fresh from Ireland, scrambled eggs, all smothered in cheese.  There's also the Yankee breakfast and Black Bean Cakes for our less meat-inclined friends.  Everything we ordered was delicious and the Bluegrass band was outstanding.  Don't be alarmed if patrons show up with their own instruments - the Pub didn't over book the stage - they're just on there way to the Pub's outdoor patio for Saturday's "open air jam." 

Jacksonville's Main Library is four floors of books and other materials, of course, but it also offers incredible programs, usually at no cost.  My family and I enjoy Mother Goose storytime Saturday mornings in the Children's Library.  It's a free event with a great storyteller, sing-alongs and a visit from the library's talking owl.  There is also Family Art Time and for the teens their own Poetry Club in the Teen Study Room.  Adults will enjoy a variety of events.  September events include a discussion with author Rodney Hurst as a part of the African American Collection Author Series, Books Alive, where films inspired by great books are previewed and art collections throughout the library.  Stop by Shelby's Café for a steamy cup of coffee, pastry or made-to-order breakfast favorite. 

Sunday is for art enthusiasts and their little apprentices.  The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville welcomes families to Bank of America Family Free Day.  Museum admission is free all day for children and accompanying adults.  I can't wait to take my little one to the ArtExplorium Loft.  I understand the "loft" is hands-on fun for kids.  There are also two large art studios for creative art-making experiences for teens, adults and families.  MOCA exhibits feature artwork from 1960 to present.  Visiting exhibits are always fantastic! 

For more ideas on how to explore Downtown this weekend log on to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/ or call (904) 798-9111.

Jacksonville Foodies, listen up!  Eat Up Downtown, Jacksonville's dining week, has been extended another week through Aug. 31 at participating restaurants.  Make the most of this extension because when can you get a three-course dining experience for $25?  Check out the scene on a date, dinner with friends or for a family feast at one of these great establishments:

b.b.'s
Bourbon Bayou
Café Nola @ MOCA
Juliette's Bistro
Koja Sushi
Mongo's Flat Hot Grill
Plaza III Steakhouse
The Wine Bar - Southbank
The Twisted Martini
University Club
Wine Cellar

Dining prices are per person and do not include tax or gratuity.  To learn more about the featured menus at each of the participating restaurants, go to http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/.  Eat, Drink and be Merry!

Are you hungry to experience Downtown dining?  Then gather your friends and make plans for Eat Up Downtown, Jacksonville's Downtown dining week August 18-24. Guests can enjoy a three-course meal for only $25 at more than 18 participating restaurants. With no passes to buy or coupons to carry - all you have to do is make reservations at the restaurant of your choice!  Whether you're a sushi fanatic or a steak lover, there is something for everyone in Downtown! 

For a great view of the Downtown skyline, why not have dinner at the River City Brewing Company located along the St. Johns River.  Their main courses for the week include cedar plank salmon, roasted chicken and shrimp scampi. 

Treat your special someone to an affordable, romantic dinner at Plaza III, The Steakhouse where the main courses range from Cajun seared tuna, filet mignon and grilled chicken florentine.  Experience an upscale dining experience at one of the region's top steakhouses, located inside the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.  

Make your plans now to take advantage of the fantastic dining options in Downtown - reservations are recommended at each location, as Eat Up Downtown Week attracts locals and visitors alike to experience new foods and find the latest "hot spot" for dining. 

Dining prices are per person and do not include tax or gratuity.  To learn more about the featured menus at each of the participating restaurants, go to http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/.

 One rainy afternoon my husband and I decided to venture out to the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).  We'd visited similar museums as children and were curious to see if we would enjoy it as adults.  So, with our three-month old son in tow we headed to Downtown Jacksonville's Southbank, where the MOSH looms over the St. Johns River. 

Upon entry I must admit we were a bit overwhelmed - it seemed that every children's group in Jacksonville was visiting the museum that day.  After wading though the sea of children and buying our museum passes, which were buy one get one free with a Destination Deals coupon we entered our first exhibit - Atlantic Tails.  This exhibit is great for children who can touch and feel many items here.  Our favorite part was fun facts about sea life plastered on the wall.  Did you know the Blue Whale, the largest mammal feeds on the smallest form of life, plankton?  The first floor also includes an indoor zoo of sorts with owls, snakes and other Florida wildlife in the "Florida's Naturalist" exhibit and beautiful aquariums in "Water Worlds."  The neon lights shining out and colorful fish swimming about were the most interesting and entertaining parts for our son. 

The "Currents of Time" exhibit on the second floor is the best part for the adults.  It's an interesting walk winding through the museum taking you through 12,000 years of history!  From the Timucua Indians who were Northeast Florida's earliest inhabitants to Jacksonville's bid and win for the Super Bowl.  We enjoyed photographs and stories about Jacksonville's survival through the Great Depression and how tourism began to thrive with the expansion of railroads from the North.  It was the first time I'd seen photographs of Dixieland Amusement Park and ostrich farm, Jacksonville premier entertainment prior to WWII.  I also learned that Jacksonville was consolidated 40 years ago.  I had no idea Duval County and Jacksonville had been one jurisdiction for so long.  The final curve of history features Florida Times-Union newspaper front pages with important stories from our recent past.  By the way, children will also love this floor as it hosts national traveling exhibits and is now inhabited by "Insect Giants." 

So, overall MOSH is worth a trip even without the kids, or with a three-month sleeping in his stroller.  Next time we'll have to check out the Planetarium - the only one in Northeast Florida.  Here's an insider tip - buy your Planetarium tickets early, as many shows had sold out once we arrived in the late afternoon.  Click here to learn more about MOSH.

Finally.. football season is here!  The Jacksonville Jaguars reported to training camp last week, officially kicking off the 2008 season.  Camp is open free to the public through August 6 with two practices held each day and trust me; there is nothing better than watching players battling it out on the field to make the team.  It's also a great, affordable way to experience the Jaguars!

At Monday's practice, the highlight of the night was the Oklahoma drill - with one on one matchups between a defensive player versus an offensive player each trying to keep the other from scoring.  Over 3,000 people showed up to watch the excitement as it's always the highlight of camp for players and fans. The hands-on drill always gets the team pumped up and the crowd goes wild watching the action. 

After practice, as the players walk back to the stadium they normally sign autographs and stop for pictures.  I've got a growing collection of player autographs and pictures over the years just from hanging around after practice. I'm still missing an autograph and picture with my favorite player, Fred Taylor though!  He's a tough one to catch!  It's also a great place for kids to have a "brush with greatness" to see their favorite players up close and personal - even if it just for a brief moment! 

Call the Jaguars Fan Training Camp Hotline at (904) 633-6525 for the daily practice schedule.  Tickets are also on sale now for the preseason games, August 9^th against the Atlanta Falcons and August 16 against the Miami Dolphins.  So, break out your teal and black clothes - and get in on the action of Jacksonville Jaguars football! 

The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. It's not just the cookouts and beach parties or the day off of work. To me, it's about so much more... the pride and patriotism I feel toward my country and the men and women who have fought and still fight for our freedom. I am the type of person who cries during "The Star-Spangled Banner" and during Lee Greenwood's classic, "I'm Proud to Be an American."

This year's "Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks" 4th of July celebration in Jacksonville brought local residents and Florida visitors together to celebrate our nation's birthday. From live outdoor concerts at Metropolitan Park to ice skating at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to parties at The Jacksonville Landing, downtown Jacksonville was packed with enthusiasts for the red, white and blue.

By nightfall we were invited onto the Infinity Cruise Yacht, which was docked along the Jacksonville Riverwalk in perfect view of the fireworks. We found a perfect spot just in time for the Grande Dame of the occasion and my favorite part of Independence Day... the fireworks! I am continuously amazed by the light show overhead in Downtown Jacksonville each time I get the chance to see it.

Jacksonville, Florida definitely KNOWS fireworks. The spectacular display over the St. Johns River during Super Bowl XXXIX invited the world into our party and, since then continues to dazzle during any celebration as fireworks and Jacksonville go hand-in-hand. These aren't your backyard sparklers, but a fabulous spectacle full of greens, blues, reds and golds that wows the crowd.

During the fireworks, patriotic songs rang out from the Times-Union Center and inspired many a tone-deaf reveler to participate. I even joined in with the singing, much to the dismay of my friends.

As usual, I choked up at the sights and sounds of Independence Day and can't wait for next year's "Freedom, Fanfare and Fireworks" 4th of July celebration (or even the next opportunity for fireworks, which, thankfully, is often in Jacksonville, Florida)!