Darlene's guide to Jacksonville

I read a letter in the Folio Weekly tonight about a gal who thought Jacksonville was the worst place she'd ever had to live. Well Rebekah, in the immortal words of Lewis Grizzard, Delta will have you in Cleveland by evenin'. Here are some great things about Jacksonville.

1) Avondale eateries - including Moon River Pizza, The Brick, Biscotti's and the West Inn

2) The beach and the river - All this water makes it a whole lot better during the summer.

3) The fact that it's still relatively cheap to live here. It's not Birminigham, but it's not the Northeast or SoCal either.

4) I don't care what anybody says, the traffic isn't that bad.

5) We are family - from the outpouring of support after 9/11 to the outstanding response after the Humane Society fire, this town is extremely willing to reach out and help their fellow man.

6) Downtown Jacksonville at night - the skyline is beautiful with all the bridges lit.

7) Outdoor Sports - The RITA tennis tourney, the Gate River Run or the MS 150. If you like to be outside playing sports, you can do it here just about all year round.

8) We still have seasons. We have a longer summer than most areas of the country and it is oppressively hot for the majority of it, but we do have a Spring, Fall and Winter. If you like cold weather, move to Chicago. If you like HOT weather, move to Miami - and learn a second language.

9) Skynrd - The Brickyard Road is a real place and you can go visit. If you go at sunset, you can almost see Steve and Ronnie watching over us. I'm proud that so many great bands came from this city.

10) The surrounding area is FILLED to the brim with history. St. Augustine, Ft. Caroline, Olustee. Our history and heritage are rich.

It's a great place to live!