Heather Henderson Newsletter Writer email
Heather Henderson is a writer, editor and artist. Originally hailing from South Florida, she has lived in Jax for close to 20 years. Previously a staff writer at Void Magazine, she also worked as a global trade researcher and wrote about trade policy for American Shipper. Most recently, she served as assistant editor for the National Culinary Review and We Are Chefs. In her free time she loves to paint, watch bad reality shows and read. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Florida.
Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Free zoo days for kids”
Take the kids to the zoo for free this month. | Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
4 hours ago

BIT OF JOY | Free zoo days for kids

This month, the Jacksonville Zoo is offering families a budget-friendly way to meet the city’s wildest residents. Through the end…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Carvill Park pool reopens”
1 day ago

BIT OF JOY | Carvill Park pool reopens

The public pool at Carvill Park in Northwest Jacksonville was shut down close to a decade ago, and the city…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Gift cards for teachers”
July 24, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Gift cards for teachers

Know a fabulous teacher in St. Johns County? Let them know Crabby’s Beachside in St. Augustine wants to help them…

Featured image for “Casey DeSantis has edge in governor’s race, UNF poll says”
Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks at a presidential campaign event for Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2, 2023, in South Carolina. | Artie Walker Jr., AP
July 24, 2025

Casey DeSantis has edge in governor’s race, UNF poll says

Republicans polled favored the first lady slightly over U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | A sea turtle record”
Baby sea turtles head home to the ocean. | FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
July 23, 2025

BIT OF JOY | A sea turtle record

Sea turtle nesting season is in full swing, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute is reporting some promising…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Call for mural artists”
Make Space created this mural for last year's Sing Out Loud Festival. | Make Space
July 21, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Call for mural artists

St. Johns County’s Sing Out Loud Festival returns in September, and artist workshop Make Space is collaborating with the fest…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Fence removed from Clay County lake”
This fence was recently removed from Smith Lake. | North Florida Land Trust
July 9, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Fence removed from Clay County lake

A fence in Smith Lake was recently removed to let aquatic creatures swim freely.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Visit the Jax Zoo for $5”
July 8, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Visit the Jax Zoo for $5

The Jacksonville Zoo is offering discounted admission on select days in July.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Beer and Ballet”
Beer and Ballet trades the barre for the bar. | Cre8Jax
July 7, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Beer and Ballet

Beer and Ballet offers dance classes in unconventional environments.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Gelato July”
It's gelato time. | Peterbrooke Chocolatier via Facebook
July 2, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Gelato July

One of our favorite Jacksonville traditions has returned for an 11th year: Gelato July at Peterbrooke! Every Wednesday in July,…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Jax students learn from local artist”
Cathedral Arts Project students worked with local artist Scotie Cousin to create colorful critters. | Submitted
July 1, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Jax students learn from local artist

Cathedral Arts Project students recently participated in an art workshop with artist Scotie Cousin.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | New St. Augustine mural unveiled”
Recent Flagler graduates Gem Hansen and Emily Lacour painted this very St. Augustine mural at the St. Augustine Premium Outlets. | Submitted
June 30, 2025

BIT OF JOY | New St. Augustine mural unveiled

A new mural by recent Flagler College graduates Gem Hansen and Emily Lacour was unveiled last week at the St.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Mail Call”
Send a letter to a veteran in hospice care through the new Mail Call program. | Submitted
June 26, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Mail Call

A new program encourages the Jax community to send letters to veterans in hospice care.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Jacksonville Today readers love Jacksonville”
Jax-based trio Meat Wizard performs at The Walrus in September 2024. Watching a local band is one of the many ways to have fun in Jacksonville. | Heather Henderson, Jacksonville Today
June 25, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Jacksonville Today readers love Jacksonville

Jax Today readers disagree with a recent study that named Jacksonville America’s most boring city.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | 2025 Arts Awards winners”
June 24, 2025

BIT OF JOY | 2025 Arts Awards winners

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville announced the winners of its 2025 Arts Awards.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | A happy foster kitten”
June 23, 2025

BIT OF JOY | A happy foster kitten

Jacksonville Today’s What to Do contributor Amy Garrett is fostering one of the kittens from Jacksonville’s animal shelter, and she…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Jax pie shop makes national top 10 list”
Live every day like it's Pi Day at one of the country's best pie shops. | Mixed Fillings via Facebook
June 20, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Jax pie shop makes national top 10 list

Downtown pie shop Mixed Fillings ranks as one of the country’s best according to USA Today.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Wednesday night happenings”
Bring your own chair and enjoy music by the sea in St. Augustine Beach tonight. | Visit St. Augustine
June 18, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Wednesday night happenings

Enjoy your Wednesday night with these three local events.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Studying sea turtles”
JU students will join the Mickler's Landing Turtle patrol to monitor sea turtle nests in St. Johns County. | Jacksonville University
June 17, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Studying sea turtles

Jacksonville University students will study sea turtles through a new partnership with the Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Shania Twain helps feed local families”
How it feels to know you're helping 150,000 people | Submitted
June 16, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Shania Twain helps feed local families

Superstar singer Shania Twain is making a big donation to Feeding Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | VyStar Ballpark nominated for best in the country”
Memphis Redbirds players warm up before playing the Jumbo Shrimp at Vystar Ballpark on May 22. | Heather Henderson
June 12, 2025

BIT OF JOY | VyStar Ballpark nominated for best in the country

VyStar Ballpark, home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, is in the running to be named the Best Triple-A Ballpark in…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | The BRAject”
See these and more creative bras at The BRAject art exhibit at JU. | Submitted
June 11, 2025

BIT OF JOY | The BRAject

The BRAject is an art exhibit that opens tomorrow at Jacksonville University. If you go, you’ll see more than 100 bras designed…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | 25 Taps for the St. Johns”
Support local breweries and celebrate clean water with the 25 Taps challenge. | Southern Swells via Instagram
June 10, 2025

BIT OF JOY | 25 Taps for the St. Johns

The St. Johns Riverkeeper is celebrating its 25th year with a local beer challenge.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Free mobile planetarium shows”
June 9, 2025

BIT OF JOY | Free mobile planetarium shows

A break from school doesn’t have to mean a break from learning. Jax-based company Space Travel STEM is bringing its…