PhillipMilano's blog

Click here for a searchable database of the 2007-2008 FCAT grades.

Faced with about $86.6 million in lost revenue and rising costs, the Duval County School Board is looking into cuts that would affect individual schools and employees. Suggestions include dropping middle school athletics; stopping magnet school bus routes; slashing funding for art, music and P.E. by $1.7 million; cutting health care benefits by $6 million; and reducing workdays for employees. We want to know: are these the right cuts? Should there be different options on the table? Should there be cuts at all? How concerned are you about what's being suggested? Give us your opinion.

News submitted by the Mike Peterson Foundation:        12 local students named Stars of the MonthFoundation’s “Just Read It” program celebrates reading improvements
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 4, 2008) – The Mike Peterson Foundation is honored to announce this month’s 12 winners of its “Just Read It” program, a reading incentives program developed in partnership with Duval County Schools. Students in grades three through eight have the opportunity each month to be named a Star of the Month, honoring their achievements in reading. Winning students will receive a VIP tour of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, in addition to a private meet and greet with Peterson and a personalized award on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
March winners are:
Elementary School CategoryAntonio Singleton 3rd grade St. Clair Evans Academy Najee Whyte 3rd grade Ramona Blvd. ElementaryVanessa Ruales 4th grade Twin Lakes AcademyDarius Shivers 4th grade West Jacksonville ElementaryBiala Alfirjani 5th grade Brookview ElementaryZoya Williams 5th grade Louis Sheffield Elementary
Middle School CategoryDerriniquka Smith 6th grade Jefferson Davis MiddleMichael Ball 6th grade DuPont MiddleAl Prince 7th grade Fletcher MiddleMegan Nelson 7th grade Joseph Stilwell MiddleTimothy Stewart 8th grade Mayport MiddleTyler Taylor 8th grade Landmark Middle      

Hey users, let's hit this one out of the park: 

We want to know how you feel about the parks in your part of Jacksonville. Are there enough? Are they big enough? Is there enough to do in them, or do they need more programs and equipment? What about maintenance and cleanliness? Be specific about what's needed and where.

Give us your thoughts and let's get some real feedback and ideas generated that might help where help is needed - and give a shout-out where one is needed as well.

Just back from lunch with Dan, we were looking for some good pulled-pork, and the place where we were headed was closed so we wound up at Hickory Chips Smokehouse at 2789 Park St., about a half-block west of European Street Cafe in the Park & King shopping area. After some tasty, smokey BBQ, onion rings and slaw, we're both very stuffed and satisfied. Props to owner Chip Coates and crew, who've been manning the place since July, when it opened in a spot formerly occupied by a seafood place. We hear they've got some good beef brisket, and Dan wants to try that next. 

Westsiders (and everyone else): SafeHouse of Jacksonville needs your help. With only 9 days to its Westside Christmas Party, donations of toys for the children are slim, officials say. Toy drop-offs are at SafeHouse of Jacksonville (3325-8 Plymouth St. off Edgewood and Roosevelt Blvd.), Murray Hill Theater on South Edgewood Ave., and Snap Fitness, 1661 Riverside Ave. Or contact Lottie or Joe Howell at 425-4228 or 708-7167, or e-mail safehouseofjax@aol.com. Visit www.safehousejax.com for more details. The party is at 9 a.m. Dec. 22 at the Teamsters Local Union #512, 1210 N. Lane Ave.

Hello! Welcome to your new site at MyWestsideSun.com. This is the place to go to 24/7 for the latest updates on news, happenings, entertainment and lifestyle activities in the Westside area. We'll be working to help spur a conversation with you, and also hope to get you conversing with each other.

That's chiefly what this new effort is all about: helping you help us and the community, by being the eyes and ears of the area. Let other users know what's going on with your organization, on your block, in your school, in your church or in your home.

And give us your opinions on the Westside and the topics important to it. That's what "hyper-local" is all about! So what are you waiting for? Start filling us all in.