Protestors say they’ll rally outside Jacksonville City Hall this afternoon, demanding a return to curbside recycling.
The city suspended curbside recycling services several months ago. Like in many other American cities, the pandemic has caused a worker shortage that forced Mayor Lenny Curry to triage. To make sure the trash and yard waste keeps getting picked up, his administration says they had to pause recycling.
People committed to recycling have been taking their items to drop-off points. Still, frustration is building as city officials send mixed messages about whether these recyclable materials are taken straight to landfill or properly recycled.
Guest: WJCT News Reporter Claire Heddles.
Barr Weaver family gives to refugees
Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, and their children and grandchildren, are donating a combined $500,000 to Catholic Charities Jacksonville and Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida.
The fund will help 400 refugees become self-sufficient after relocating to Jacksonville.
Guest: Laura Cook, Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida.
Cardiac first aid
Spoiler alert - “Sex and the City” reboot.
Many fans of “Sex and City” watched in disbelief as Mr. Big, a heart disease patient, died at home in Carrie’s arms after a cardiac event. However, the American Heart Association believes Carrie could have taken specific actions to help save Mr. Big’s life.
Guest: Amber Wilson, executive director, First Coast Market at American Heart Association.
What’s Good Wednesday
- VyStar Credit Union is spreading cheer this holiday season with a special performance from one of today’s most uniquely talented live entertainers. VyStar presents “Jason Woods’ A Christmas Carol,” a one-person holiday storytelling experience. The show is set for Wednesday, Dec. 22, outside the VyStar Tower at 76 S. Laura St. in downtown Jacksonville. The performance will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the community.
- Ring in the New Year with live music and opera during the festive season of Nights of Lights in St. Augustine. First Coast Opera will present Verdi’s La Traviata on stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College.
- In 2019, the Douglas Anderson Orchestra joined a consortium of other high school and college orchestras to commission Kenji Bunch to compose a string orchestra and harp piece. Shortly after, COVID-19 affected this process, inspiring Mr. Bunch to change his approach. The top of his score read “to the children of the pandemic era, in admiration of their unbreakable resilience.” The DA Chamber Orchestra joins some of the very best high school orchestras in the nation in preparing this work for the first time. The performance is at 7 p.m. Thursday at D.A.’s DuBow Theater.
- A Florida author has written the first book about a fascinating piece of local history. Jada Wright Greene has researched historic homes and sites focused on African Americans. Through her work with the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation, she was introduced to the world of historic homes. Green’s new book, "Florida’s Historic African-American Homes," shares the history of historic homes in African American communities, including here in Jacksonville.
