The First Coaster
Photos | Stories | Spotlights
NE Florida’s Amazing People & Their Authentic Stories
A curated collection of jaw-dropping photography and uplifting stories illuminating the people, places, and arts that make our community so special.
Learn more about NE Florida’s Amazing People & Their Authentic Stories
Want to know the people and places that make Jacksonville so interesting?
OK so, we are not a news organization. We are photographers, writers and promoters of everything good living the First Coast Life. Our website is not run by media hungry suits. We are you. These are the stories submitted by you, lightly edited, and sprinkled with some of the best images by local photographers in the area. It’s a Local “Life Magazine” with a little “Readers Digest,” and a Directory showcasing business sponsors that would appreciate our support. Enjoy – and tell us how we can do better!
Cover Worthy
Beautiful Images
Experience the region through the eyes of First Coast Life photographers
"Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it and you’ll start believing in it."
Spotlight Artists & Nonprofits
Spotlight Photographers & Musicians
Spotlight Businesses & First Coasters
First Wednesday Art Walk
The First Wednesday of Each Month from 5-9 p.m. in Downtown Jacksonville
Downtown Vision has proudly hosted the First Wednesday Art Walk since 2003 to welcome people to DTJax and celebrate the community’s deep pool of creative talent.
Art Walk has returned after a break due to the pandemic and now takes place monthly! We invite you to bring your family, friends and coworkers for a self-guided tour of Downtown’s northbank core on the first Wednesday of every month. Explore three major hubs: James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie (duPont Center) and Vagabond Flea at The Breezeway at Vystar Tower, and all the businesses and public art between. Art Walk runs 5-9 p.m., rain or shine. Masks encouraged.
We’re a group of poets celebrating 20 years together using a critique format with one aim: to be better writers.
No dues, no long-term obligations, but sympathetic writing assistance, and lots of laughter. Anyone who wants to write well is invited to come to our meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 2 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Library.
Read our first collective book, A Gathering of Poets, listed on Amazon Books. Contact accidentals@comcast.net to get on our notification list.
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It all started with a question published in a local newspaper: would anyone like to form a poetry group? Ten of us met at the Ponte Vedra Library and have been meeting at 2 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month ever since. Some of us have died, but nobody’s ever quit. We have 15 loyal writers with the single aim of making our writing the best it can be. We’re a critique group in the best sense of that term. Sympathetic, encouraging, laughing at our goofs and celebrating our victories. We’ve published a collection of our writings and are about to debut a second anthology. We are open to anyone who is serious about writing well and will consider starting an evening group for working folks.
Contact us at accidentals@comcast.net.
The Art Galleries of St. Augustine (AGOSA) makes up the diverse art galleries and museums located in St. Augustine, Florida. Each one showcases outstanding collections of local, regional, national & international artists.
Every First Friday of the Month | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
As of January 1, 2022, AGOSA is now part of the St. Augustine Art Association a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1924. The mission of the Art Association is to promote and enhance the arts in the area through exhibits, involvement in community projects, publicity, networking and other opportunities for artists.
Our events have cultivated a reputation for St. Augustine as an “Art Destination” among both locals and visitors.
FAQs
Q; HOW DO I GET STARTED ON THE ARTWALK?
A: You can start the free, self-guided Artwalk tour at any AGOSA Member Gallery, and see as few or as many as you’d like between 5-9PM on First Fridays. Most galleries feature changing monthly exhibits, refreshments and live music. Or tour our fine galleries throughout the month using our brochure and Artwalk map!
JACKSONVILLE GRASS STAINS VOLLEYBALL TOURNMENT!
Tournament Date: Oct 8 and 9th 2022
When: Saturday registration starts @ 800am balls in the air @ 830am
Sunday registration starts @ 800am balls in the air @ 830am
What: Grass 2’s
Saturday 10/8 Men’s and Women’s 2 vs 2
Sunday 10/9 Coed 2 vs 2
Where: Losco Regional Park
10931 Hood Road South Jacksonville FL 32257
Who: 3 Different Division ONLY: Open/AA, Single A, and Masters (45+)
Cost: $30per person for all divisions
Prizes:
MORE TEAMS MORE MONEY
Open/AA Division Payout for 1st & 2nd Place will be 75% of money brought in from that division and Master’s Division will be 50% of money brought in from that division.
Prizes will be awarded to 1st place finisher in the Men’s and Women’s Single A Divisions. At least 5 teams are needed to make a division. If there aren’t enough teams to make a lower division, all teams will play in the same division “If they choose too” and the payout will increase.
All rules and playoff bracket will be discussed at the captains meeting prior to 1st game.
For more information on the tournament, or to register a team contact Ray Jenkins by email at raywilly2@yahoo.com or PM on Facebook
The friendliest farmer’s market in Florida.
With nearly 40 vendors and growing every week, this is a MUST SEE Amelia Island or Fernandina Beach experience!
Organic produce, friendly farmers, wonderful chefs and many other delights await you at this farmer’s market in historic, downtown Fernandina. Each week we mix up our local musicians, our non-profit organizations, and a traditional brick-and-mortar shopkeeper, too.
Our local residents tell us, “Every weekend feels like a reunion!”
2nd and 4th Saturday every month.
"When you create a difference in someone's life, you not only impact their life, you impact everyone influenced by them throughout their entire lifetime. No act is ever too small. One by one, this is how to make an ocean rise."
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
Calling All Local Businesses
Storytelling is the New Selling
First Coast Life offers its clients a unique experience in helping them STAND OUT in this new Connection Economy
Come Be a Part Of ...
Thank you for checking out our new community website!
We’re on a mission to perpetuate positive energy to as many people as possible, and a passion to share LOCAL stories and imagery of everything beautiful and good living the first coast life.
This site is a “digital platform” for you to tell YOUR story!
And stay up to date with all of the amazing “First Coasters” and their inspirational & uplifting life stories – every week.
Glenn Shuck Publisher
