Welcome to The Jacksonville Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Jax Classic event throughout the week

• Upcoming Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performance

• A deep-dive into the life of Zora Neale Hurston

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened."

– Lao Tzu

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Jacksonville beach is known for its fishing pier and surf culture?

A) Atlantic Beach

B) Neptune Beach

C) Jacksonville Beach

D) Ponte Vedra Beach

Answer to Last Week's Trivia

The city of Jacksonville was founded in B) 1822.

News

💼 Business

Global retailer Primark opened a North Jacksonville distribution center, with the company also announcing store leases in four states. (link)

Carlisle Companies agreed to sell its St. Augustine-based subsidiary for $2 billion. (link)

Brooks Rehabilitation announced a $26 million expansion at its Bartram campus.(link)

The city approved a permit for a $4.6 million expansion of the Mayo Clinic in Florida. (link)

🏒 Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed kicker Riley Patterson to a reserve/futures deal. (link)

A discussion on the greatest Super Bowl with input from historians and Hall of Fame voters. (link)

Analysis of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024, highlighting challenges in WR and other positions for voters. (link)

Overview of sports categories covered in Jacksonville, including baseball, basketball, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. (link)

🏦 Finance

Southeastern Grocers completed the sale of Fresco y Más to Aldi, involving 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores. (link)

CSX reported a dip in earnings and revenue for Q4 but the CEO remains encouraged by volume and demand. (link)

Kaman Corp. was bought out by private equity for $1.8 billion, impacting its Jacksonville facility. (link)

Pinnacle Bank set ambitious goals for the Jacksonville market, expecting significant growth. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏈 Jax Classic – Day 1
121 Financial Ballpark, Jacksonville
Friday, Feb. 23rd | 2:00 PM | (More Info)

🐂 PBR – Unleash The Beast
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville
Feb. 23rd - 24th | 7:45 PM | (More Info)

🏈 Jax Classic – Day 2
121 Financial Ballpark, Jacksonville
Saturday, Feb. 24th | 12:00 PM | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Donavon Frankenreiter
Underbelly, Jacksonville
Monday, Feb. 19th | (More Info)

🎷 Jacksonville Symphony: Music of the Knights
Jacoby Symphony Hall At Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, Feb. 23rd | 11:00 AM & 7:30 PM | (More Info)

🎸 Young, Gifted, and Black
Ritz Theatre - FL, Jacksonville
Saturday, Feb. 24th | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

Family

🎪 Jax Classic – Day 3
121 Financial Ballpark, Jacksonville
Sunday, Feb. 25th | 12:00 PM | (More Info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Retro-futuristic 1950s style Jacksonville with modern technology.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Jacksonville Historical Events

1565 - Spanish forces capture Fort Caroline and rename it San Mateo

In 1565, the brief French dominion over the region came to an abrupt and violent end as Spanish forces, led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, swiftly moved to assert their authority in the contested territory. Menéndez de Avilés, tasked with expelling the French and fortifying Spain's claim to Florida, saw Fort Caroline as a direct threat to Spanish interests and shipping routes. In a decisive military action, Menéndez and his forces besieged the fort, exploiting a moment when the French were vulnerable after a failed attempt to attack the newly established Spanish settlement of St. Augustine.

The attack on Fort Caroline was brutal and conclusive, marking a significant shift in the power dynamics of the region. The Spanish forces overwhelmed the French defenders, many of whom were away with Jean Ribault in an attempt to confront the Spanish threat. The victory was thorough, and the Spanish showed little mercy, signaling the ruthlessness with which colonial powers often asserted their dominance. In the aftermath of the capture, the Spanish renamed the fort San Mateo, in honor of St. Matthew, aiming to erase the French presence and solidify their control over the area.

The fall of Fort Caroline and its renaming to San Mateo marked not just a military victory for the Spanish, but also a strategic maneuver in the broader context of European colonial rivalry. It underscored the volatility and transient nature of early colonial settlements, where claims and control could shift rapidly with the tide of military fortunes. The events of 1565 would echo through history, shaping the cultural and geopolitical landscape of the region for centuries to come, as European powers continued to vie for dominance in the New World.

Famous People From Jacksonville

Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)

Early Life and Passion for Storytelling (1891-1904)

Zora Neale Hurston was born in 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama, and raised in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns to be incorporated in the United States. Hurston's early life in Eatonville, surrounded by a rich African American cultural and folkloric tradition, profoundly influenced her literary and anthropological work.

Education and Harlem Renaissance (1905-1927)

Hurston moved to Baltimore for high school and later attended Howard University, where she became one of the earliest initiates of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and co-founded the university's student newspaper. Her move to New York City in the 1920s coincided with the Harlem Renaissance, a period of vibrant African American cultural and artistic expression. Hurston's literary talent flourished as she immersed herself in this dynamic environment.

Anthropological Fieldwork and Literary Ventures (1928-1936)

Hurston's interest in anthropology led her to Barnard College, where she studied under Franz Boas. She conducted fieldwork in the Caribbean and the American South, collecting African American folktales, songs, and oral histories. Her work as an anthropologist deeply informed her literary creations, leading to the publication of her early works, including "Jonah's Gourd Vine" and "Mules and Men."

'Their Eyes Were Watching God' and Literary Recognition (1937-1941)

Hurston's most famous novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," was published in 1937. The novel, celebrated for its rich portrayal of African American female experience and its innovative use of dialect, is considered a seminal work in African American and American literature.

Further Writings and Academic Pursuits (1942-1950)

In the 1940s, Hurston continued to write and publish fiction, including "Moses, Man of the Mountain" and "Seraph on the Suwanee." She also contributed articles to magazines and worked on her autobiography. Despite facing financial and personal challenges, Hurston remained dedicated to her craft and intellectual pursuits.

Later Years and Struggles (1951-1959)

Hurston's later years were marked by financial difficulties and health issues. Her contributions to literature and anthropology were increasingly overlooked, and she worked various jobs to support herself. Despite these challenges, Hurston's commitment to storytelling and cultural exploration never wavered.

Death and Posthumous Recognition (1960)

Zora Neale Hurston passed away in 1960 in relative obscurity. However, her work was later rediscovered and gained widespread acclaim, thanks in part to the efforts of author Alice Walker and others who recognized Hurston's significant contributions to literature and anthropology.

Key Achievements:

• Authored seminal works in African American literature, including "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

• Contributed to the preservation of African American folklore and cultural traditions through her anthropological fieldwork.

• Played a pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance, shaping the movement's literary and cultural landscape.

• Left a lasting impact on future generations of writers and scholars, inspiring a renewed interest in her work and in African American cultural studies.

Zora Neale Hurston's journey from the vibrant town of Eatonville to her influential role in the Harlem Renaissance is a testament to her extraordinary talent, intellectual curiosity, and enduring impact on American culture. As an author and anthropologist, Hurston celebrated the richness of African American life and traditions, challenging conventions and paving the way for future explorations of identity, culture, and storytelling. Her legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of voice and the importance of cultural preservation in understanding our shared human experience.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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