Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why is Jacksonville’s M.A.D. D.A.D.S. closing after 23 years?
Coming up: The Front Bottoms - 10 Years of Back On Top on the Jacksonville Patch calendar
Hello again Jacksonville! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why is Jacksonville’s M.A.D. D.A.D.S. closing after 23 years?
- How an Eastside daycare came back after a devastating 2023 fire
- Why Jacksonville Hanukkah events added extra security this year
Also on today's calendar: The Front Bottoms - 10 Years of Back On Top and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Jacksonville? Post it to Jacksonville photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 67 and low of 58 degrees.
- Thursday: A passing afternoon shower, temps: high: 75, low: 64.
- Friday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 73 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. After 23 years, Jacksonville's MAD DADS to shut down this month (jacksonville.com) — A long-standing anti-violence group, Jacksonville’s M.A.D. D.A.D.S., is shutting down its local chapter on Dec. 31 after 23 years of community work. Leaders say they’re stepping aside for new organizations and confirm President Donald Foy resigned for health reasons, while staff stress they’ll still support local families during the transition. 
2. Eastside daycare back in business after devastating fire in 2023 (news4jax.com) — Families on Jacksonville’s Eastside have their Kinder Kollege Learning Center back nearly two years after a refrigerator-sparked fire displaced 55 children. Owner Natasha Griffin rebuilt the daycare to its original layout and is still navigating insurance and product-responsibility challenges while serving the community again.
3. Extra security at Jacksonville Hanukkah celebrations after mass shooting in Australia (actionnewsjax.com) — Jewish organizations across Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach increased security at Hanukkah events this week, coordinating with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after a deadly shooting at a celebration in Sydney, Australia. Local leaders stressed resilience and the importance of “bringing light to darkness,” even as global antisemitic incidents continue to rise.
4. Jacksonville attorney jailed after bond revoked in 2023 perjury case (news4jax.com) — A Jacksonville attorney is now in Duval County Jail after a judge revoked his bond in a 2023 perjury-related case, meaning he’ll await trial behind bars. Another local lawyer explains how bond conditions work and why the allegations of witness tampering are so serious for the legal community.
5. Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree brings hope to Florida families during the holiday season (firstcoastnews.com) — Right now, more than 5,000 Jacksonville children with incarcerated parents are eligible for gifts and personal notes through Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas program. The ministry partners with local churches and volunteers to deliver presents that help kids feel remembered, while also strengthening family bonds and supporting better reentry outcomes for moms and dads coming home.
📸 Around Jacksonville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Jacksonville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- The Front Bottoms - 10 Years of Back On Top
FIVE , 1028 Park St , Jacksonville
8:00 pm - Santa Claus at Top Dawg Tavern
Top Dawg Tavern - Jacksonville, 13820 OLD ST AUGUSTINE RD STE 417, JACKSONVILLE, Florida 32258
6:00 pm - Live Music from Dennis Miller at Top Dawg Tavern!
Top Dawg Tavern - Jacksonville (Bartram Park) , 13820 Old St Augustine Rd , Jacksonville
7:00 pm - Perreoland | Jacksonville - 18+
FIVE , 1028 Park St , Jacksonville
8:00 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Jacksonville Public Library held in the Ann & David Hicks Auditorium 303 N Main St Jacksonville, Florida 32202
8:45 pm - Breakfast with Santa - Orange Park
Adamec Harley-Davidson Orange Park , 1520 Wells Rd , Orange Park
8:30 am - 17th Annual Cool Side of Yuletide Holiday Concert
Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church , 4001 Hendricks Ave , Jacksonville
2:00 pm - Enjoy Sunday Brunch with Live Music from Katmanduo at Top Dawg Tavern!
Top Dawg Tavern - Jacksonville (Bartram Park) , 13820 Old St Augustine Rd , Jacksonville
10:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
📣 Jacksonville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Board of County Commissioner's Meeting
Nassau County Calendar , 96135 Nassau Place , Yulee
9:00 am - Music & Movement In-Person
Green Cove Springs Library , Green Cove Springs - Children's Department , Green Cove Springs
10:30 am - Music and Movement In-Person
Orange Park Library , Orange Park - Meeting Room A , Orange Park
10:30 am - Baby Storytime: Cookies In-Person
Fleming Island Library , Fleming Island - Children's Activity Room , Fleming Island
10:30 am
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I have five fresh chicken pot pie dinners if anybody is in need of food just don’t want them to get thrown away if anyone is hungry!!
Chimney lakes off argyle forest. Willing to deliver if needed!! (Nextdoor Longleaf 6) - Praying for the unhoused persons the ones without heat and the animals outside with no shelter.
Thanking God for the Blessings he has bestowed upon me. Remembering to be Thankful and Greatful for what I have even if its not everything I desire… (Nextdoor Beachwood)
- 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫-𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝-𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey and Chief Alan Parker shared details about an... (X: JSOPIO)
- #FBI Jacksonville wants to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. Remember, while you're doing your shopping, whether it's online or in the... (X: FBIJacksonville)
- Travel America / Petro - TA Operating, LLC posted a job opening for Porter - PT in Jacksonville. Apply here.
- Remington posted a job opening for Sales Manager- Jacksonville Hilton Garden Inn in Jacksonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jacksonville here.
Ok Jacksonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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