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Hometown 505

On this episode of Hometown, the TAILS program matches local shelter dogs and inmates for training and rehabilitation. Family Foundation’s 1000 in 1000 program develops personalized strategies to help the working poor escape poverty. And local musician Monique Mancera performs her song, “Know Where to Go”. But first, We Care’s Beaches Health and Wellness program partners with local organizations to …

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“untitled” by Ava Kirlew

Artist: Ava Kirlew Genre: Photography Bio: A film photographer from downtown Jax. Piece: untitled Piece Description: Downtown Jacksonville Web: Ava Kirlew – Instagram

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“Livin the Dream” by Tim Jawidzik

Artist: Tim Jawidzik Genre: Music Bio: I am a Jacksonville resident for the last 14 years. Just recently i have gotten back into playing and writing after a “raise the family hiatus”. Piece: Livin the Dream Piece Description: Original song Web: Tim Jawidzik – Facebook

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“Sailor w Table and Sinking Ship, Hunting Tara” by Troy Eittreim

Artist: Troy Eittreim Genre: Painting Bio: Troy Eittreim is an award winning painter and digital artist. He holds a B.F.A. in painting and illustration from The Savannah College of Art and Design. He’s had ten solo exhibitions within FL and GA. Eittreim has work in the University of North Florida Carpenter Library collection. He has shown in FSU and FSCJ. …

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“Shoot to Shoot Again” by She’s The Sheriff

Artist: Scott Lepore Genre: Music Bio: I am a multi instrumentalist writing and recording songs under the moniker She’s the Sheriff (named after the Suzanne Somers cop sitcom). I grew up in southern NH but have lived on Amelia Island for 17 years. Music has been and always will be one of my biggest passions. Piece: Shoot to Shoot Again …

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“To Darwin in his Garden” by Arliss Ryan

To Darwin in his Garden by Arliss Ryan Did you stagger that day the truth burst its bonds and launched you from your desk Eyes blinking chest exploding at the enormity of the knowledge that possessed you? Years of suspicion and data finally evolved into facts: Eons Eruptions Islands that rose and fell Seashells thrust a mile into the sky …

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“Preciosa” by Aida Correa

to watch “Preciosa” by Aida Correa. Artist: Aida Correa Genre: Spoken Word Bio: I’m a Brooklyn born “New YorRican” mom, grandma, artist and poet with a passion to empower individuals from all walks of life through my paintings, writing and poetry. My current project, LoveBuilt Studio is a creative living arts studio designed to continue the vision of empowering people …

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“Unconscious in Eden” by Marquel Butler

UNCONSCIOUS IN EDEN Or Adam, Eve and the Time Machine Written by: Marquel Andre Edited by: Amanda Iglesias and Lana DiCostanzo They were both dying to live. Both in their mid-twenties, these two young adults. They felt like they weren’t advancing, almost as if they were pet hamsters on a never-ending treadmill. Sure, they were working and pursuing school in …

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“Spencer Mae” by Scott Ennis

Artist: Scott Ennis Genre: Painting Bio: I am an artist, a civil engineer and a Jacksonville native. I primarily paint with oils on canvas. I also work with watercolors, pencil and pen. When I’m not painting I spend time with my wife Lasa, throw the ball for our dog, Spencer, and spend time with friends in Avondale. My most recent …

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“ZIRKLE DAM – Little Satilla River” by Wayne Morgan

Artist: Wayne Morgan Genre: Photography Bio: I live in the Southeast Georgia County of Brantley. In 1999, I had heart issues that required a pacemaker when I was 35 years old. I started taking a camera with me hunting and fishing and finally put my gun and rod and reel down. I go out several days a week looking for …

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“Job Well Done” by Kudos the Kid

Artist: Kudos the Kid Genre: Music Bio: Kudos the Kid is an indie hip hop duo out of Jacksonville, Fl. While their music is rooted in hip hop, it is defined by experimentation and exploration. With certainly no lack of energy or style, Kudos the Kid utilizes the juxtaposition of melodies and big hooks against gritty vocals to create songs …

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“Moon-Cycle” by Diane Thompson Cortese

Artist: Diane Thompson Cortese Genre: Other Bio: I create touchable art because sometimes kids just don’t listen. Inspired by my two little boys and their zest for unusual ideas and all things colorful, I create paintings, sculptures and assemblages, often using upcycled materials. Piece: Moon-Cycle Piece Description: Acrylic/mixed media on reclaimed wood (18″x19″)

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“Egan’s Creek” by Kate Merrick

Artist: Kate Merrick Genre: Painting Bio: Lifelong artist, gardener, cyclist, peace activist, beach lover, yoga enthusiast, I live for art & my grandchildren & all children. Piece: Egan’s Creek Piece Description: A small watercolor done in Fernandina Beach for 1 day in my 365 day Creative Challenge 2016. Web: Kate Merrick – Website Kate Merrick – Facebook

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“Plarn” by Carmen Barfield

Artist: Carmen Barfield Genre: Other Bio: I create items out of Plarn, the plastic bags one throws away after going to the store. I weave them together to make balls and then use my needles or hooks to make items. I use aluminum cans as well. I crochet and knit them together using only the bags and cans. No two …

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“Reaching Out” by Marcelo Murillo

Artist: Marcelo Murillo Genre: Photography Bio: I’m absolutely obsessed with photography, it is all I can think of all day and night. My journey into photography started when I was young and would always be the picture taker on our family vacations and events. A few years back I decided to purchase a DSLR and I have not looked back …

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“Honky Tonk City” by Christine Schub

Artist: Christine Schub Genre: Painting Bio: I am a self taught artist who works primarily with oil paint on linen, cotton canvas or Duron board. I enjoy depicting the urban/industrial landscape in an abstract fashion. Piece: Honky Tonk City Piece Description: “Honky Tonk City” is a colorful interpretation of a city celebrating it’s best and brightest energy. Web: Christine Schub …

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“The Bride-To-Be” by Hal Padgett

Artist: Hal Padgett Genre: Photography Bio: A native of the Florida panhandle, I moved to the First Coast 14 years ago. Neptune Beach and I make a good match. Most of my photos are snapped on the boardwalk, sands, and fishing pier in downtown Jacksonville Beach. Piece: The Bride-To-Be Piece Description: Looking down from the north railing of the pier. …

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“Take it Back” by Stephen Mason

Artist: Stephen Mason Genre: Music Bio: Songwriter – Country, with occasional mixture of folk/rock with a blues overtone recorded with minimal tracks; however, still a full sound. While living in Chesapeake, VA, I studied chord and scale theory under instruction of “Lewis McGehee”- one of Tidewater Virginia’s finest acoustic players; of course that doesn’t mean I can play like Lewis, …

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“The Dragon, The Pig, & The Red Tiger” by Artur Nistra

Artist: Artur Nistra Genre: Other Bio: Artur Nistra has lived in the United States since 1999 when he first arrived in New York City from Rio de Janeiro looking for a new life in the Big Apple. After moving to Florida in 2003, Artur earned an Associate of Science degree in Graphic from Florida State College, later acquired his Bachelors …

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“I’m Gonna Need My Heart Back” by Brett Foster

Artist: Brett Foster Genre: Music Bio: For the past 30 years, Brett has played music, literally, all over the world (Africa, Bahamas, England, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Thailand, and throughout the United States). He’s recorded 3 studio albums (Grace Face, How Sweet The Sound, Brokendown Bus) and is soon releasing his 4th record. Brett’s acoustic solo show is both …

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“Purple V Shawl” by Donna Morris

Artist: Donna Morris Genre: Other Bio: I first took weaving classes in college. After I retired 2 years ago from teaching I decided to go back and weave again. I use a lot of hand dyed natural fibers in my weavings along with fun fur, tinsel and other interesting items. I recently attended Convergence 2016in Milwaukee, Wis where there were …

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“Rising” by Leslie Kirkwood

Artist: Leslie Kirkwood Genre: Photography Bio: I grew up playing in Jacksonville’s unspoiled woods and creeks. Now I capture images of Nature’s art—wildlife and native plants—in urban settings, finding beauty in small details and unexpected places. I live, work and photograph in Neptune Beach. Piece: Rising Piece Description: With a powerful stroke of its wings, the heron rises from the …

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“untitled” by David Hill

Artist: David Hill Genre: Painting Bio: I’m 58 years old I am been painting for 18 months I am self-taught and make my own canvases and frames. Piece: untitled Piece Description: It’s a scene with a mama wolf and her three pups. Dened up in a forest scene in the winter.

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“Tree of Life” by Emily Blue

Artist: Emily Blue Genre: Painting Bio: Recent transplant from ATL, loving living in the thriving art community on Amelia Island. Hoping to further my career and one day thrive as an artist in the north Florida community. Former pigeon wrangler & whitewater photographer extraordinaire, I have held more jobs than boyfriends, always searching for my next inspiration… Piece: Tree of …

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“The Verdict” by Moliere Dimanche

Artist: Moliere Dimanche Genre: Painting Bio: After serving 8 1/2 years in Florida State prisons, mostly in confinement, I am now a student at Florida School of the Arts on a full scholarship. My work submitted to you represents my time spent incarcerated, making the most of a bad situation. I draw things that have meaning to me with humor …

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“Blue Shutter and Bananas” by Wendy Tatter

Artist: Wendy Tatter Genre: Painting Bio: I am an artist from Saint Augustine, Florida. I work with wax and dyes to create my paintings. Using layer after layer of beeswax and paraffin , alternating with cold water dyes, my paintings emerge. I was a gallery owner downtown in Saint Augustine for 7 years, then on Saint Augustine Beach for 2 …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Lynn Sherman

Lynn Sherman serves as director of community engagement at Baptist Health where she leads community benefit initiatives that are designed to develop strategies to improve the health and quality of life for families. Under her leadership, the nationally recognized Tipping the Scale Mentoring Adolescent Advocacy and Intervention Mentoring Program has touched the lives of more than 1,500 teens and received …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Rachel Rippey, M.S.

Rachel Rippey, M.S., is the project coordinator for Project Achieve, an inclusive higher education initiative for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Florida State College at Jacksonville. FSCJ is a member of the Florida Consortium on Inclusive Higher Education (along with University of Central Florida, Florida International University, and University of South Florida, St. Petersburg), which coordinates state-wide efforts …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Travis Pinckney

Travis Pinckney is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of the College R-E-D culture. Ten years ago Travis was filling buckets of water from his church for he and his mother to take a bath, earning poor grades in high school, and entrusting drug dealers as his mentors. He made a sharp turn when he saw his close mentor go …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Ronnie King

Ronnie King is certified software engineer and owner of Scratchwerk, LLC, which provides Java development and staffing services, as well as personalized training for entry-level programmers. King is an active community volunteer and is currently the Vice-Chair for the Board of Library Trustees. As co-founder of the MyVillage Project and the MyVillage Project Community Fund, King is helping to bring …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Amy Buggle

Amy Buggle founded DLC Nurse & Learn in 1989 as a child care center to serve children with disabilities and medical complications. DLC now provides year round education, nursing care, and therapies to children of all abilities, giving them and their families the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. More than 140 children each year attend the inclusion preschool, after-school …