Hey friends,
In today's edition:
🍕 Restaurant spotlight: a Riverside pizza joint that's earned national bragging rights
🌧️ Why this week's rain matters more than usual
🧹 How to get your crew on the field for the Jumbo Shrimp first pitch
🏡 The Riverside Avondale Home Tour returns this weekend
🎶 Eric Church, BBQ, and a packed events lineup
— Austin
🍕 Restaurant Spotlight: Carmine's Pie House
Found in: Riverside (2677 Forbes Street)
If you haven't made the pilgrimage to Carmine's Pie House yet, consider this your sign to GO. Tucked into Riverside since 2010, this little neighborhood pizza pub has quietly built a national reputation — Yelp once ranked it the #2 Chicago-Style Pizza restaurant in the entire country, and once you taste the deep dish, you'll understand why people genuinely rearrange road trips around it.
Here's what this means:
The deep dish is the headliner — thick, buttery, and the closest thing to actual Chicago we've got on this side of the country (and yes, I've done the comparison)
The NYC thin & crispy is just as solid if deep dish isn't your thing — their 16" pie is one of their most-ordered items
It's casual, family-run, and the staff treats you like a regular by your second visit
Portion sizes are no joke — one entrée is comfortably 2-3 servings (plan accordingly, or take leftovers home and thank yourself later)
The Pepperoni Bread appetizer alone is worth a stop
Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm. They take dine-in, takeout, and delivery via DoorDash.
P.S. Save room for the tiramisu. Trust me on this one.
🌧️ Jacksonville Just Had Its Driest Stretch Since 1871 — and the Rain Finally Came
Source: News4Jax / Jacksonville Today
If your lawn has been looking a little crunchy lately, there's a reason. From August 25, 2025 through April 4, 2026, Jacksonville International picked up just 11.17 inches of rain — the driest 223-day stretch on record going all the way back to 1871. The average for that window? 27.36 inches. We're sitting more than 16 inches in the hole.
The good news: yesterday's rain finally brought us some relief, and more is on the way through Thursday.
Here's what this means:
Northeast Florida is officially in extreme to exceptional drought (the highest categories on the scale)
The St. Johns River Water Management District has us under a Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage — landscape watering is still capped at once a week
Burn restrictions remain in place; even with the rain, fire risk is still elevated
We'd need almost 2 feet of rain to fully erase the deficit, so this week's storms are a chip-away, not a fix
Expect breezy, cooler weather through the rest of the week — highs in the 60s
P.S. If you've been putting off washing your car… maybe wait one more day.
🧹 City Updates: Jax Litter League Wants YOUR Crew
Mayor Deegan officially kicked off a new round of the Jax Litter League — and honestly, this one's fun. It's a citywide team cleanup competition running March 27 through July 3, and the winning team scores something pretty unbeatable: throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Jumbo Shrimp game on July 7, plus a private suite for the night.
Here's what this means:
Teams of up to 20 people — perfect for a neighborhood crew, your kid's class, your book club, or your office
You pick your spots: streets, parks, waterways, wherever needs love
It's part of Mayor Deegan's "Keep Jax Cute — Don't Pollute" initiative
Even if you don't form a team, the city has ongoing cleanup events — the next one is April 18, 9–11am at 701 E. Beaver Street
P.S. Group text your neighbors. Worst case, you spend a Saturday morning outside. Best case, you're standing on the mound at the Baseball Grounds.
🏡 Featured This Weekend: The Riverside Avondale Home Tour
This is the spring tradition for nosy neighbors (and I say that with love, because I am one). The 52nd Annual RAP Home Tour is back this Saturday and Sunday, featuring 11 stunning private homes across Riverside and Avondale that you'd otherwise never get to peek inside.
Proceeds go directly to RAP's preservation work — the same nonprofit that's been protecting Riverside's historic fabric since the 1970s. Rain or shine.
Riverside Avondale Preservation 52nd Annual Home Tour | Saturday, April 11 (10 AM–4 PM) & Sunday, April 12 (12–4 PM) ($25–$30) Location: Self-guided across the historic Riverside/Avondale district Description: Peek inside 11 of the neighborhood's most beautiful private homes during one of Jax's favorite spring traditions. Bonus: guided bike tours via Art Bikes Jax and tuk tuk tours via Go Tuk'n for the full experience. Get tickets here →
📅 Events This Week
🎶 Live Music & Concerts
The Band Perry | Wednesday, April 8, 8 PM ($) Location: Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach Description: Country fans, this one's for y'all — intimate venue magic just a short drive from Jax. Tickets & info →
Jimmie Vaughan | Thursday, April 9, 7 PM ($) Location: Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach Description: Blues guitar legend bringing that smooth Texas swing — a treat for music lovers in the area. Tickets & info →
Eric Church: Free The Machine Tour with Ashley McBryde | Friday, April 10, 7:30 PM ($$) Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Downtown Jacksonville Description: The big one. Expect "Springsteen," "Drink in My Hand," "Talladega," and the new tracks from Evangeline vs. The Machine. Built for big sing-alongs. Get tickets here →
Gamble Rogers Folk Festival | Friday–Sunday, April 10–12 ($) Location: St. Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton (easy drive from Jax) Description: Celebrate Florida folk music heritage with 40+ performances, workshops, food trucks, and vendors — a chill, rootsy weekend escape. Tickets & info →
American Heroes Concert | Check site for date & time ($) Location: See event page Description: Military tribute concert benefiting the Fleet & Family Support Program — a meaningful night out. More info →
🍖 Food & Drink
4th Annual Railyard BBQ Challenge | Sunday, April 12, 12–5 PM ($25, VIP available) Location: Myrtle Avenue Brewing, 633 Myrtle Ave N Description: Sample BBQ from backyard pitmasters, vote for your favorite, drink craft beer, listen to live music. Benefits The Empowered Kitchen. Pro tip: the VIP ticket gets you in an hour early plus a free beer and voting tokens. Get tickets here →
🌽 Markets
Jax Beach Farmers Market | Tuesdays, 3–7 PM (FREE) Location: Latham Plaza, Jacksonville Beach Description: Fresh produce, local goods, and a classic beach-town atmosphere — perfect for a quick after-work stroll or grabbing ingredients for dinner.
Earth's Farm and Market | Saturday, April 11, 10 AM–2 PM (FREE) Location: Northside Jacksonville Description: Sustainable working farm with fresh produce, eggs, and local goods — a great Saturday morning stop with a more rural feel.
Springfield Farmers & Arts Market | Saturday, April 11, 11 AM–5 PM (FREE) Location: 1352 North Main Street, Springfield Description: Local growers, artisans, and makers gather for a relaxed community market with live vibes and kid-friendly fun in historic Springfield.
Atlantic Beach Farmers Market | Sunday, April 12, 10 AM–2 PM (FREE) Location: Jack Russell Park, Atlantic Beach Description: Sunny Sunday staple with fresh finds, baked goods, and that laid-back Beaches feel — ideal for a relaxed weekend morning.
Jacksonville Farmers Market (Beaver Street) | Daily, dawn to dusk (FREE entry) Location: 1810 W Beaver St, Jacksonville Description: Florida's oldest continuously operating farmers market, with wholesale vibes, Mayport shrimp, herbs, and produce for a quick stock-up any day this week.
👨👩👧 Family-Friendly
Mutt March 2026 | Sunday, April 12, 8 AM (FREE / donation-based) Location: Hodges Stadium, University of North Florida Description: Pet-friendly fundraising walk and festival for Jacksonville Humane Society — bring the pups for a fun morning supporting our four-legged neighbors. Register here →
Homeschool Day: "The Powerful Potato" | Check site for date & time ($) Location: Wesley Wells Farms, St. Augustine area Description: Farm lesson, u-pick, hayride, and a potato-themed animal feed bag. Great for homeschool families and young kids who love hands-on learning. More info →
Clay County Fair | Wrapping up through April 12 ($) Location: Clay County Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs Description: Last call for rides, livestock, live entertainment, and that classic fair food you've been thinking about. Tickets & info →
🎨 Arts & Community
Arts & Crafts Show at St. Augustine Beach | Saturday–Sunday, April 11–12 (low-cost entry) Location: St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park Pavilion, St. Augustine Beach Description: Browse handmade art, crafts, and local creations steps from the ocean — a relaxed creative weekend escape just south of Jax. More info →
Taste of St. Augustine | Sunday, April 12, 11 AM–4 PM ($5 admission) Location: St. Augustine Amphitheatre Description: Sample signature dishes from the area's best restaurants, vote in the TOStA awards, enjoy live music and kids' activities — a tasty easy day trip from Jax. Get tickets here →
Amelia River Waterfront Park Grand Opening | Saturday, April 11, 2–4 PM (FREE) Location: 251 South Front Street, Fernandina Beach Description: Celebrate the brand new riverside park with community festivities — perfect if you're up for a short scenic drive and some fresh outdoor space. More info →
CAR-B-QUE Classic Car Show & Barbecue | Saturday, April 11, 11 AM–2 PM (FREE / donation) Location: One Church Jacksonville Beach Description: Classic cars, good food, and beach-town community vibes — ideal for car enthusiasts or families wanting a chill Saturday morning by the sand. More info →
Florida All Breed Horse Show Series | Friday–Sunday, April 10–12, starting 8 AM (FREE to spectate) Location: 13611 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville Description: Watch beautiful horses and riders compete right here in town — family-friendly spectator fun with that classic equestrian energy. More info →
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See you Friday, Austin
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