The Hill had this to say in their post on Perfect Rack, the new pool hall in Murray Hill

The space itself has a simple but elegant decor with a seated bar area and 11 brand new Olhausen pool tables. There are 5-6 flat screen televisions on the walls so you can catch sports or news. There is little to no wall decorations, the owners are trying to decide certain themes.

One wall near the bar will be dedicated to local artists displaying work for show or sale. Also tucked away in the corner are two electronic dart boards, maybe I can convince management to switch these out for genuine dart boards where you have to actually keep your own score.

Check out the post Perfect Rack Billiards – Now Open to get more info on pool pricing, hours, food and the unique bar.

Found on a wall in San Marco

Here is what you should be reading from around the local news and blogosphere:

The Hill is reporting on the new gaming machine joint that opened on the First Block in Murray Hill.

This gaming room is comprised of 60 automated machines, and is not to my knowledge affiliated with the proposed billiard parlor located two doors down at the old Woods Pharmacy.

Flog writes that downtown Jacksonville is overhauling it’s parking meter policy to be more user friendly. Ron Barton and Suzanne Jenkins are the legislative heroes but downtown businesses are the real heroes. Too little too late for Moon Colony Razorblade.

The decision comes in response to nearly a year’s worth of continuous, vehement protest from a dozen or so downtown merchants, who say the urban core’s parking meters should have limits of at least three hours (if they must be kept at all), and that parking enforcement employees should relax.

Karen Brune Mathis says Downtown should look at neighbors

Try as it might, it watches its neighboring neighborhoods flourish, to growing degrees, while it struggles. There’s Riverside to the southwest, Springfield to the north and San Marco across the river on the Southbank.

Metro Jacksonville lists 10 Reasons to Think Local – Buy Local – Be Local

The Hill has an interesting post on how a historic designation for Murray Hill might impact the neighborhood. Last night the Murray Hill Preservation Associating hosted Jim Overton, the City of Jacksonville Property Appraiser to discuss how a Historic Designation would affect the neighborhood of Murray Hill.

It would in my opinion slow the housing renovation drive in Murray Hill. Not to mention all those who are improving their property without the require permits, but hey improve away as long as it does the same to my property values. For me though, I like the idea. I wouldn’t mind taking the extra time and care to navigate the COA and permitting process to improve my property, but I can’t speak for those around me who I hope are planning on improving theirs soon. But long story short…..Imagine NO VINYL SIDING ALLOWED.

This is pretty cool Bo Concept, a store at St. John’s Town Center that sells modern danish furniture, linked to Urban Jacksonville in their most recent newsletter. Cool eh?

Don’t forget, Dog Days in the Park tomorrow. Me, you, dunking booth, 10:00. See you there.

Fashion Forward tonight (29th), Florida Theater (Allegretti)
SRG makes inroads in San Marco (Daily Record)

tags: jacksonville, bo concept, springfield, murray hill

Heavenly Noise will be playing at Aura Thai in Murray Hill after 10 on Saturday the 16th. Heavenly Noise is:

A little bit of soul, a little bit of funk and a whole lotta love!! We’re a dynamic duo spreading a positive word about love, life and the magic of the Universe.

Also check out this review from the Hill on Aura Thai.

tags: jacksonville, heavenly noise, aura thai, murray hill

Oh Springfield monkey, where have you gone?

For all you Hillies, Tonight (Thursday August 24th) Murray Hill Preservation Association is hosting Gary and Joel Miller from the Miller Appraisal Group come to talk about the real estate bubble and how it is affecting our neighborhood and the City of Jacksonville. Nice!

Thanks to The Hill for the heads up. You can get all the details, times, location etc. at The Hill.

Nobody seems to have a cumulative plan for the environmental clean up of Hogan’s Creek or its parks.

Daniel Blanchard plans to document his efforts to get someone, somewhere to do something with this problem we have in the parks in and around Downtown/Springfield. Read the full post here. Dan, good to have you back man.

Week In Review special edition: Behind The Homicide Numbers
Part One (MP3) and Part Two (MP3)

Tonight (Thursday August 24th) at Moon Colony Razorblade
Rickolus, astronautalis, bio-wolf, and 1/2 of go-nugget are playing at the store at 8 pm.

Stunningly good content from Metro Jacksonville below:
Mayor’s Springfield Town Hall meeting video (Metro Jacksonville)
Jimmy Midyette interview, democrat running for city council. (Metro Jacksonville)
Downtown breakfast solutions (Downtown This Week)

The Hill’s post Billiards at the First Block details the events surrounding the propsed conversion of Woods Pharmacy to a Pool Hall.

This proposed use has created quite a stir with the residents here in Murray Hill. Many have voiced their opposition at the public meetings or just to themselves and neighbors in private. Their main argument is that particular area of the neighborhood, being so visible, does not need, nor does anyone want, a dark, seedy pool hall, attracting unsavory characters at all hours of the night.

And who knew the retail strip of Edgewood that welcomes people to the neighborhood had such an awesome name, The First Block?

Can The Hill hang in there? Will The Hill end up in the blog graveyard? Only time will tell.

tags: jacksonville, murray hill, woods pharmacy