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Inside Jacksonville
This semester I had the opportunity to create some great news packages about local people and organizations in the Jax community. Check them out! INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
Since 1999, Casbah Café has been a popular go-to spot for Middle Eastern food. From freshly-baked meat pies to Baba Ghannouj, the cuisine is authentic to its Mediterranean roots. “We always prep our food according to our culture. Whatever it tastes like in the Middle East, we get almost the same taste,” said Nicola Barakat, the owner of Casbah Café. The restaurant replicates the Middle Eastern atmosphere, thus offers many amenities such as limitless Hookah flavors and weekly entertainment, such as belly dancing. Belly dancer Rayne Dunbar currently performs for crowds and has been doing so for the past 10 years. More than dancing, she enjoys decadent foods from the unique restaurant. “My favorite dish to order is the hummus. What makes the culture so unique is the environment—truly one of a kind,” she said. On the other side of the spectrum, Blue Bamboo, combines Southern and Asian cuisine. The owner, Dennis Chan calls it “Hip Asian Comfort Food.” “My family has been in the restaurant business for over 80 years”, said Chef Chan. The Chef opened house in 2005 and residents enjoy this pan-Asian fare. This distinct taste of food incorporates quality cooking techniques that he mixes with an Asian twist. “In my classic French training they teach you to use mirepoix to build every sauce,” said Chan. “And that is onion, a carrot, and a celery product. Well in Asian cooking, the foundation is ginger, garlic and scallion. So I call that the Asian mirepoix.” Chan garnered the Golden Spoon award and was voted Best Food in Jacksonville. There are plenty of places in restaurants where you can get a taste of international cuisine; you just have to be willing to step a little outside of your comfort zone. LEE HIGH SCHOOL’S EVAC PROGRAM Kristal Alston EVAC : Evacuating the Cave of Hopelessness What started off as a Leadership course for ninth graders quickly turned into a sanctuary of hope for 15 Lee High School students. These guys are making history all over the Internet, the White House, and in the local community. They call themselves EVAC. “Evac is short for evacuating the cave of hopelessness,” says sophomore Allan McCoulogh. “Mrs. Donofrio always says to dream big.” The purpose of the class is for each student to turn their personal tragedies into a positive light for the community. They meet with officials to discuss what a typical day looks like in their shoes. They also share their personal stories of loss, loneliness, and uncertainty. More than anything, their teacher Amy Donofrio, loves doing it and will continue to support these hopeful young men. “They had the potential in them all along”, says Donofrio.“They’re just now putting on the shoes and walking in them.” The students, who at one point had no intention to go to college, are now making plans to pursue higher education and change the world one official at a time. “A year and a half ago, I saw myself as a deadbeat nothing,” says McColough. “Now I see myself as someone who can change the community. I can change the world if I wanted to.” The students have a great support system. Faculty, staff, and mentors stand behind this brotherhood. Mentor Wade Johnson has been part of the movement since its Genesis, as he calls it. He was once in the students’ shoes himself, so he can offer plenty of advice, as well. “They just need someone to talk to them, be there for them, you know, pray for them.” Evac won’t stop here. The class has future dreams to make a book, be on a talk show, and make it back to the White House. LAND ADVENTURES Kristal Alston Diamond D. Ranch is located off Normandy Boulevard where they are abundant with amenities for outdoor lovers. From a petting zoo to horseback riding, the Ranch is ideal for those who appreciate nature. Tour Guide, Meghan Hughes, said that you don’t have to be an equestrian to enjoy the ride. “They don’t have to worry about doing much because our horses are so good, they know the routine, they know the work,” Hughes said. There are many options for trail rides at the ranch. Whether you take a two-hour ride or a half day ride, this experience can be a great way to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. “It’s just something different. It’s good to get out here with your family and get back to just having fun outdoors with your family and friends,” Hughes said. Down the road from Diamond D Ranch, is Whil’s Paintball, a park that opened three years ago. It’s a place where people of all ages, family and friends alike can come take part in the intense sport. Owner Whil Arntzen emphasizes that safety comes first on the field. “A lot of my referees are out there. All we care about is your safety and having fun,” Arntzen said. Like horseback riding, paintballing doesn’t require experience and at Whil’s Paintball there are three different levels of experience to choose from. They start off young kids with first level pump guns which are low impact. Tashia Redublo and her family enjoy spending their time in the field together and for them it allows them to let off some steam. “Just getting the stress out and running around and going crazy [is a fun time],” Tashia Redublo said. Redublo also says paintballing encourages her kids to step outside and be active and take a break from their technology. |