By: Sasha Koresh

---

Happy Medium Books Café is blending literature, coffee culture and community in Jacksonville’s
historic Riverside neighborhood.

Located at Park and King, the independent bookstore offers a wide selection of new and gently
used books for both adults and children; but owner Dana Shutters said the vision goes beyond
simply selling books.

“This space is meant to feel welcoming,” Shutters said. “We want people to stay awhile,
discover something new and feel like they’re part of a community.”

Purchased in November 2023 by Shutters, a retired teacher and librarian who recently moved to
the Riverside area, the woman-owned shop has quickly become a gathering place for readers,
neighbors and coffee lovers. Shutters said her background in education helped shape the
store’s focus on conversation and connection.

Bookseller Debbie Rozier said working at Happy Medium feels different from a traditional retail
job.

“I like working here because customers really take their time,” Rozier said. “They talk about what
they’re reading, ask for recommendations… and come back to tell us what they thought.”

In addition to its shelves of fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles, the café serves a light menu
featuring hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and lemonades. Guests can also choose from
house-made pastries prepared fresh empanadas, which offers quick but high-quality options for
those meeting friends or settling in with a new novel.

Happy Medium also hosts book clubs and community events, further strengthening its role as a
neighborhood hub.

As independent bookstores increasingly focus on experience alongside retail, Happy Medium
Books Café continues to grow as a space where books, coffee and community come together in
the heart of Riverside.

---

By: Osaremen Uwaifo

---

As more people turn to Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell items locally, safety concerns are also on the rise. In Jacksonville, police say some meet-up transactions have escalated into robberies.  

Scrolling for a deal may seem harmless, but meeting a stranger from the internet can quickly turn dangerous. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Christian Hancock says incidents tied to Facebook Marketplace are something the city continues to see.  

“It is an issue that we’ve seen here in Jacksonville and should know that there are things that you can do to protect yourself, and that’s why we’re here,” Hancock said. 

He adds that crimes are not always minor.

“Typically, it’s robberies, armed robberies, the theft. They do get violent…someone gets hit, someone gets battered. Those are the ones we typically see,” Hancock said. 

That’s why law enforcement urges buyers and sellers to rethink where they meet. Hancock recommends using one of JSO’s six designated safe exchange zones across the city. If unable to meet there, he also advises to meet at locations that are well-lit and monitored. Public places such as busy gas stations, banks and libraries can also be utilized as alternatives.  

Some users say they take extra precautions of their own.  

“I check the reviews, I make sure that I text them first and ask as many questions as I want,” said LC, a frequent Facebook Marketplace user. “I try to take my girlfriend or someone that I know…just for the buddy system.”  

Others say they even change how they present themselves online.  

“Typically, I’ll use the account of a man, so no one gets an idea or two,” Emma, another user, said. 

Safety experts say in addition to meeting in public, buyers and sellers should avoid sharing personal information, trust their instincts and never feel pressured to complete a transaction. If a situation feels unsafe, leave immediately and contact the police. 

---

By: Ryan Luke

---

July 29th, 2024, a day that seems insignificant to most people, was the start of an 18-month long road to recovery for one University of North Florida Women’s Basketball players, Aexa Washington. Washington, who was fresh off a strong Freshman season—where she was named to the 2024 All-ASUN Freshman Team—was playing pickup basketball in the off-season when she suddenly tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).  

Washington said that initially the injury took a significant mental toll. But in the months that followed, it also taught her a valuable lesson about how many things she had taken for granted. A discovery that the talented player used to find her purpose and motivate the next part of her life, which would be in the training room and not on the court. 

In this new setting, Washington prioritized her mental health and began viewing herself as more than just an athlete. To support this, she began journaling and talking to those around her that had dealt with similar setbacks.  

However, even with all of the support surrounding her and her best efforts to not soak in the negatives of the situation, fear still lingered in the back of her head. This fear was different though, as Washington wasn’t worried that she would tear her ACL again, but rather that she would not be the same person as before.  

When she finally returned to the court, Washington made a concerted effort to give herself grace, let her mind be free, and to remember to breathe. The result of this being Alexa Washington reinventing herself and reaching new heights as she leads the UNF Ospreys in both minutes played and assists.  

All of which is proof that not even a strenuous, year-and-a-half long recovery process can keep her from the game she loves.  

---