The Punxsutawney Phil of J-Vegas

Winter is definitely not Jacksonville's best season. It is chilly and grey and tends to rain a lot. The beaches are abandoned. The residents of Jacksonville are grumpy and lock themselves indoors until the weather clears. The 5 minute wait at the stoplight of Highway 17 and Western Blvd. offers no entertainment.

Today I saw a sign of hope. While riding on Western to run some errands, I spotted a familiar figure in white sweatpants and a matching white warm up jacket walking towards that famous intersection. His jacket was already half unzipped to expose his bantam chest. The sun that had been struggling to burst out of the clouds all day gleamed off his bald head and glasses. Could it be? Is winter really over? Has Radio returned to entertain the gridlocked masses of J-Vegas?



It was him. I turned in to a giddy school girl, begging my car's driver to honk the horn, waving frantically and yelling his name.

The Jacksonville Ninja. Radio Rahim (or just Radio). His real name is Robert Mattocks. They say he walks from neighboring Maysville. Rumors of his death back in 2007 sent people in to a frenzy. Radio usually sets up shop on the corner of Western Blvd. and Highway 17 right by the Applebee's, although I have seen him elsewhere. Sometimes he carries a huge 80's boom box, sometimes he flies solo. He will be out there for hours, chopping and kicking, fusing karate with tai chi and throwing in some hip hop dancing.

I saw Radio for the first time on a trip to Jacksonville several years before I moved here. Shocked, I asked residents why there was a deranged man high kicking on a crowded street corner in 100 degree heat. The universal reaction I received was a proud smile followed by "Oh that's just Radio."

You rarely see Radio during the cold months. Maybe he hangs out in Maysville practicing this year's batch of kick ass ninja moves. I for one can't wait to see them. Welcome back, Radio and thanks for bringing the warmer weather with you!