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Jacksonville, FL is a town with a great mix of outdoor and indoor activities for you and your friends to do. Whether it's learning something new at the Museum of Science and History, checking out the wetlands at the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, or grabbing a bite to eat, your days are sure to be filled with excitement. When you find yourself in need of a sugar boost, be sure to also check out some of the town's dessert spots! more 5 Sweet Spots for Dessert in Jacksonville, FL 1. Biscottis Biscottis is open daily and serves sweet treats as well as lunch and dinner. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing or celebrating a special occasion. Biscottis sells a mix of cakes and cheesecakes, with available cakes including German chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse, rum pecan pound cake, and salted caramel chocolate cake. If you're craving cheesecake, we suggest the restaurant's white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. 2. TC Unique Treats TC Unique Treats has the goal of bringing something unique to the table and creating a great customer experience. The shop is open Wednesday-Sunday and offers a variety of treats including ice cream, waffles, sundaes, and cinnamon bites. TC Unique Treats' ice cream is homemade and available flavors include U Drive Me Bananas, Butter Me Up, Tough Cookie, and Plain Jane. If you're in the mood for a unique waffle, consider trying the shop's red velvet waffle. 3. Mixed Fillings Pie Shop Mixed Fillings Pie Shop is a specialty pie shop that makes pies using crowd-pleasing recipes. The shop has a fun speakeasy-style location and is tucked between a stag-horn plant and the ruins of a one-time garage. The shop's chef has been a private chef for celebrities, actors, and professional athletes, and her pies reflect her experience. Available sweet pie flavors include brown butter pecan, caramel apple, cherry, and peach. 4. Amaretti Amaretti is a family-owned bakery where all goods are made from scratch and with love. The shop is open Tuesday-Sunday and has a menu that changes daily and seasonally, so there is always something new for you to try. Amaretti's sells cookies, cakes and pies, coffee, breakfast pastries, and other sweets. If you're looking to start off your day with something sweet, consider trying the shop's pecan sticky buns or cinnamon rolls. 5. Mumuyi Bakery Mumuyi Bakery is open Wednesday-Monday and believes that good times deserve great food. The shop sells a mix of treats including towel cakes, cake cups, cake rolls, mochi, pancakes, and specialty treats. Some of Mumuyi Bakery's available towel cake flavors include matcha with honey red beans, Oreo salt creme, and mixed fruit. If you're looking for a sweet drink, consider trying the shop's black sugar boba! Once you've gotten your sugar in for the day, it's a great time to keep the day going strong by looking for a new car. Stop by Tom Bush MINI today and have a look at our inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles! We enjoy helping drivers find the car that is the perfect match for them by taking the time to understand exactly what our customers are looking for.

We all go to the dentist and doctor for regular checkups because we want to catch potential problems early on. The same reasoning stands when maintaining the health of your Mini Cooper's brakes. Any minor problems with your brake fluid, brake pads, or any other brake components can become dangerous on the road if not promptly repaired. Let's take a look at how often you should visit your local Mini dealer for routine brake service. more How Often Should Your Mini Cooper Get Brake Service? It Varies From Driver to Driver There isn't really a one-schedule-fits-all for brake system servicing. The brake pads on Mini Coopers last for a good 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on your driving style and terrain. Other potential problems like brake fluid leaks, warped rotors, and brake fade from overheating also depend on just how much you're pressing that brake pedal. So it's important to establish your driving style and terrain before you decide how often to have your brakes seen. Normal Versus Extreme Conditions If you live in a quiet suburban town, surrounded by mostly flat farmland, and you rarely take your car into big, bustling cities, then you won't be using your brakes all that much. Under these conditions, you'll probably only need your brakes seen once a year. But if you live in mountainous terrain with many downhill stretches of road and plenty of sharp corners, then your brakes will be under far more pressure. You might want to have your brakes checked every six months instead. The same goes for frequent urban commutes in heavy stop-and-go traffic, which also require a lot of braking. What's Your Driving Style? Your personal style of driving may involve more braking or less. There's a none-too-healthy driving habit called "riding the brakes" that involves keeping your foot on the pedal for unnecessarily long stretches of time, especially when driving downhill. If you're guilty of this habit, then your brakes are under a great deal of daily pressure, and you might want to have them checked more often. Regularly carrying or towing heavy loads also wears down brakes faster. This is because a heavier vehicle simply requires more friction and force to slow and stop. Whenever You Visit Your Mini Dealer You can ask a trusted technician at your local dealership for advice on your particular driving style and terrain. It's generally a good idea to coincide your brake checkups with your other trips to the dealership, such as your annual engine diagnostic, or your biannual visits for tire rotation and oil changes. When You Noticed Brake Problems It goes without saying that if you ever suspect problems with your brakes, have them promptly inspected and fixed. Potential problems include worn-down brake pads, damaged rotors, fading brake power, and leaking brake fluid. The "check brakes" light on your instrument panel with almost always alert you to any such issues. To have a certified professional inspect your brakes today, pay a visit to Tom Bush MINI. We're a trusted local dealership that's been providing the region's Mini drivers with outstanding vehicles and customer service for over twenty years.

Accidents unfortunately do happen. Whether is a runaway shopping cart in the parking lot, a fallen tree branch, or anything in between, your Mini has been damaged. After you get over the shock and surprise, the next feeling is how do you get your car repaired. As your Mini dealer, we have a Mini-certified repair facility available for distressing times like these. We'd like to tell you about the steps in your car's collision repair process. more 5 Steps in a Collision Repair at Your Mini Dealer Arrival The first step in the process is the arrival of your car at or state-of-the-art collision center in Jacksonville, FL. We will confirm your contact and other details, and we will also check your car in. If you're arranging the repair with your insurance company, we'll also ask for their details so the quote can be sent to them. Assessment Our technicians will assess the damage to prepare a quote for the repair work. Depending on the type and scope of the damage, our technicians will examine eh interior and exterior of your car to confirm the full extent of the damage. We will also connect your car's computer to our diagnostic system to check for any other problems. Once we've thoroughly examined your car, we'll prepare a report on the damage to be repaired, the cost, and the timeframe for completion of the repairs. The assessment of the damage will be video recorded to ensure that it shows a complete record of the damage. Confirmation to Proceed If you're arranging the repairs, we'll advise of our assessment of the damage and provide a quote for the repair work. If your insurance is arranging the repairs, we'll liaise with them to make the process as simple and hassle-free as possible for you. Once we've received confirmation from either you or our insurance company, we'll move on to the repair work. Repairs Out technicians will already have a blueprint for the work that needs to be completed. Our spares department will have arranged any parts required, and our paint shop will have prepared the paint. All the damaged parts will be removed for repair or replacement. Technicians will then prepare the replacement parts and repair or replace any wiring or other components. We will have matched the color of your vehicle, and any parts will be sprayed in the identical color. We can match any original Mini color. We also only use original MIni parts in all of our repairs. This ensures the high-quality result that you deserve. Return The moment you've been waiting for. Your car will have been completely restored to its original condition. We will also have thoroughly cleaned it, and your car will be waiting for you to collect it. Once you've viewed the repairs and you're satisfied with the result, we return the keys and your car will be ready to go. If your Mini sustains any damage, call us right away at Tom Bush MINI. Our experts will return it to perfect condition.

With its storied past, unique neighborhoods, and location along the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, FL is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the state. The city is well known for its many golf courses, but it's also home to a vast park system and a vibrant culture. You'll want to make sure to add these exciting local attractions to your itinerary while you're in the famous river city! more 4 Favorite Local Attractions to Discover in Jacksonville FL 1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens This 122-acre zoo is situated by the Trout River and showcases thousands of animal and plant species from Australia, Asia, and Africa, along with a variety of local wildlife. When visiting the Plains of East Africa, you'll be able to observe savannah dwellers, like the southern white rhinoceros, African elephant, and imperial zebra. The elusive Florida panther can be found in the Wild Florida exhibit, which also features a large reptile house. Beneath the Giraffe Outlook is the Savannah Blooms botanical garden, a recreation of a South African oasis that houses a variety of aquatic plant life. Visitors can take in a scenic view of the river at the Trout River Plaza's beautiful Greek-style garden. 2. Kingsley Plantation Located on Fort George Island, this well-preserved historical site offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a 19th-century plantation owner and the slaves who worked in its fields. You can visit the main house, barn, and slave cabins and learn about them through the available guided tours. You'll also hear the story of Zephaniah Kingsley, the master of the plantation, and his wife Anna, one of his freed slaves who ran the Laurel Grove plantation. 3. Museum of Science and History Popularly known as "the MOSH," this science museum is also dedicated to the history of the First Coast region, where many of the first European settlers landed. Interactive exhibits, such as the JEA Science Theater, will teach visitors about the science of explosions or let them have an up-close encounter with local wildlife at the Naturalist's Center. The Currents of Time exhibit focuses on 12,000 years of Native American history. During each spring, summer, and winter season, a one-day MOSH Discovery Camp is held there for younger school children. While at the camp, they'll have fun learning about natural sciences through supervised experiments and take part in arts & crafts classes. 4. St. Johns River Ferry One of the most fun ways to learn about Jacksonville while enjoying its gorgeous scenery is taking a ride with this friendly ferry service. In addition to providing transport across the river, they'll take passengers on sightseeing tours that range from 60 to 90 minutes in length. The most popular tour is the Sunset Cruise, where you'll get to see the city dramatically light up after the sun goes down. On the fourth Thursday of every month, the ferry hosts prominent community figures who guest speak about important local issues. Jacksonville is full of spectacular sights and experiences! Before you head out on your next trip in Jax, visit Tom Bush MINI today and check out an amazing inventory of new and pre-owned MINI vehicles!

No matter how you pronounce it, you can likely agree that Caribbean cuisine is among the tastiest in the world. Take advantage of these Jacksonville, FL Caribbean restaurants to indulge in this delicious food. more 5 of the Best Caribbean Restaurants in Jacksonville, FL 1. Star's Caribbean Restaurant When you step into this rustic locale, you may feel as if you walked right into an authentic Jamaican market. Jamaican jerk spice livens up traditional favorites like chicken and gives them a distinctly Caribbean spin. You can also enjoy favorites such as stewed cabbage to get your veggie fix. The affordable price comes with generous portions to match, and each dish is carefully crafted by culinary masters obviously committed to their craft. 2. Spices Caribbean Restaurant Rice, peas, incredible stews, jerk, curry, and other Caribbean specialties are always on the menu at this destination that lives up to its spicy name. Complement your meal with a thirst-quenching punch or other beverages made with fresh fruits native to the lands. Faithful customers also can't stop raving about the tender oxtails and additional meat dishes that leave your tastebuds tingling long after your meal is done. The authentic ambiance and exceptional customer service make this mealtime trip something special. 3. De Real Ting Café Come for the delish Caribbean dishes and stay for the festive atmosphere. The laid-back vibe is perfectly in tune with life on the islands. And the toe-tapping music, from reggae to calypso, will have you taking to the on-site dance floor and showing off your moves and your grooves. But perhaps the best part of this café is the sense of community that makes you feel like family. 4. Sunrise Caribbean Gourmet Restaurant Fresh, hot, spicy, and, of course, off-the-charts delicious are just some of the words satisfied customers use to describe this location that meets its gourmet billing. Whether you're dining in or driving through, you'll receive a meal made from the finest, freshest ingredients and prepared by experts who know their Caribbean by heart and taste. Sunrise also serves up a bakery brimming with your favorite breads and desserts prepared with a Caribbean flair. Don't leave without trying the scrumptious bread pudding to top off your meal. 5. Bahama Breeze Island Grille Few better places exist to enjoy a lunch in the Florida sun than the outside patio of Bahama Breeze. You can also venture inside and order some of the best mixed drinks in the business, made with sugar cane and fresh Caribbean juices. Happy Hour is truly the happiest time in Jacksonville when you're enjoying a drink and swinging away to the live Caribbean music. Stay relaxed and stay safe by drinking responsibly and in moderation while you're sipping those cocktails. And, of course, do not indulge if you are underage or if you are planning to drive. Do, however, secure your fill of the crisp, flavorful seafood that brings the taste of the Caribbean Sea straight to you. Favorites include coconut shrimp, extra-spicy firecracker shrimp, a tangy jerk shrimp pineapple bowl, tequila-glazed salmon, and a house special seafood chowder that'll leave you wanting more. Why not enjoy your family outings, date nights, and lunch stops in a beautiful new ride? Drop by Tom Bush MINI and browse our menu of inviting autos.

Making your next new vehicle a Mini lets you ride with the most advanced car safety features that will help keep you and your passengers safe. Here are some of the features that the vehicles you'll find at your local Mini dealership come equipped with. Each of them enhances your own safe driving habits to protect you and everyone else on board throughout the course of your travels. more 6 Impressive Car Safety Features in Vehicles at Your Mini Dealership 1. Dynamic Stability Control No matter how careful you are on the road, everybody could benefit from having an extra helping hand keeping you safe. That's exactly what you get from every new Mini's dynamic stability control system. Selective brake pressure acts automatically to help keep you in full control of the vehicle at all times. 2. Adaptive Cruise Control Mini designed their vehicles to make highway driving a whole lot easier, utilizing the on-board camera to help maintain a consistent amount of separation between your vehicle and other drivers. This ensures that you always have time to react if somebody stops short, helping to reduce the risk of a collision. 3. Head-Up Display One essential part of staying safe on the road is maintaining constant focus on the road. Glancing away even for a second to check on things like your speed limit or fuel level can take your focus away at a crucial moment. This system mitigates that risk by projecting much of the vehicle-critical data you need right onto the lower portion of your dashboard so it is easily accessible. 4. Ultra-Rigid Body Construction While a number of the features in your Mini will help you prevent an accident from occurring in the first place, you'll also have the protection you need in the worst-case scenario. The frame of the vehicle is built to disperse force to keep everyone on board safe. Your vehicle also features a rollover protection bar that automatically deploys to keep everyone on board safe. 5. Smart Airbags You'll be surrounded by safety when you're on board a Mini, with up to eight different airbags located throughout the vehicle. Ceiling-mounted, side-impact, side-curtain, and knee airbags help to minimize the impact that anyone on board feels if a serious collision occurs. In more extreme impacts, they'll also stay inflated longer to keep everyone protected from broken glass. 6. Crash Sensor System In the event of an accident, your Mini is ready to step in to make a stressful situation a little easier for you and a whole lot safer. Your doors will automatically be unlocked to allow for quick evacuation of the vehicle, and both the interior and exterior hazard lights will automatically engage. If the airbags also deployed, the fuel pump will be disabled to ensure maximum safety. Mini shows their commitment to your safety with all of these protective features. Our team can tell you more about the ways our vehicles work with you to make every drive that much safer. Stop by Tom Bush MINI today!

Your battery has several important jobs, and the most crucial is providing the power to start your ignition. When you turn the key, and you hear the almost immediate purring of your engine, your battery is doing its job. Batteries have a limited life, and they will wear out in a few years. When you need a new car battery, come into your Mini dealership, and we'll replace it for you. These are some signs you may need a new battery. more Time for a New Car Battery? Visit Your Mini Dealer Today Old Battery A car's battery lasts 3 to 5 years on average, although it's possible under ideal conditions for a battery to last a few years beyond that. Environmental conditions can play a huge role in your battery's longevity. Regular cold conditions, for example, will cause your battery to degrade faster. We advise that you have your battery checked at least every three years to make sure it's still working correctly and can carry a charge. Strange Smell Your battery contains sulfuric acid, which is used in chemical reactions to provide an electrical charge and to allow the battery to be recharged. When a battery gets older, some of the acidic vapor can escape from the casing. If you have a strong rotten egg smell in your car, come and see us and our technicians will replace your battery. Corroded Terminals It's easy to look for signs of corrosion. If you open the hood and you see a white or gray powder on the terminals, this is a sign that your battery is starting to corrode. Sometimes, the acidic vapor escaping from an old battery mixes with moisture in the air and forms an acidic salt. This salt is drawn to the terminals of your battery. You can clean the terminals, but once your battery starts to corrode it will need to be replaced. Damaged Battery Case The sensitive internal components of your battery are protected by a tough outer casing. A battery case is usually rectangular, but it can also be square in shape. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can cause the battery casing to warp. This damage to the casing can allow sulfuric acid to escape, and this can cause additional damage to the battery and to surrounding components. Damaged Alternator Your battery may be healthy, but if you have a dead alternator it will cause your battery to die too. A battery has a very limited electrical storage capacity, and one of the functions of the alternator is to recharge the battery. Without the alternator, your battery won't recharge and it will quickly run out of power. Our technicians will test both the alternator and the battery to find the cause of the problem. A dead battery always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Fortunately, there are always signs that your battery is getting weaker. If you have a battery problem, call our service center right away at Tom Bush MINI.

If you're looking for ways to stay in shape, Jacksonville is a great place to be. Parks and trails are abundant, along with gyms and studios for fitness enthusiasts. Here are some of the best ways to stay fit in Jacksonville, FL. more Fitness in Jacksonville, FL: 4 Great Ways to Stay in Shape 1. Go for a Run One of the best ways to stay in shape is to go for a run. Routes like the Riverwalk and Beach Avenue are perfect for a morning or evening jog. Not only will you get some exercise, but you'll also enjoy the fresh air and scenic views. Check out the Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department website if you're unsure where to start. They have a comprehensive list of all the parks and trails in the city and information on which ones are best for running. 2. Hiking Trails Jacksonville has plenty of hiking trails if you're looking for a great outdoor workout. One of our favorites is the Willie Brown Trail, located in the beautiful Timucuan Preserve. This 2-mile trail is perfect for families, and it offers stunning views of the marsh and the preserve's wildlife. The Robert W. Loftin Nature Trails is another excellent option for hikers. This trail is part of the UNF trail system, and it features over 500 acres of natural habitat with trails that wind through the forest and swamp. The trails take you through some of the most scenic areas in Jacksonville, looping around Lake Oneida with fascinating views of wildlife and native plants. Located in the Sawmill Slough Preserve, the trails offer lots of shade and well-maintained pathways for all activity levels. 3. Take a Yoga Class Yoga is a great way to stay in shape, and Jacksonville has plenty of yoga studios to choose from. Not only will you get a good workout, but you'll also learn some valuable breathing techniques that can help you relax and de-stress. If you're unsure where to start, try the Jacksonville Arboretum, which offers yoga classes from the team at Harmony Mind Body & Spirit. Their classes are kid-friendly and open to all. If you'd like to do yoga on your own, you can access the Jacksonville Arboretum yoga app from your mobile phone. The app recommends yoga poses to try by Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller! 4. Swimming If you're looking for a low-impact workout, swimming is a great option. Jacksonville has several pools that are open to the public, and most of them offer swimming lessons for all ages. The Cecil Aquatic Center is a great place to swim in Jacksonville. It has an Olympic-sized pool that's great for laps, as well as a diving area. The center also offers swimming classes and a variety of fun activities. These are just a few of the best ways to stay in shape in Jacksonville. No matter what your skill level is, you'll be able to find something that fits your needs in this city. While you're exploring Jacksonville, stop by Tom Bush MINI and check out our new cars. We'll be happy to set up a test drive!

Do you remember the last time you replaced your engine air filter at your MINI dealership?  Air filters help your engine work correctly and clean out pollutants that cause problems. It's always a good idea to make sure you have a clean filter in your car. Listed below are a few reasons why your MINI may need a new car air filter. more Do You Need to Replace Your Car Air Filter at Your MINI Dealership? 1. Your Owner's Manual Recommends It It's easy to forget about your car and its upkeep until it stops working. You can expect your MINI to last a very long time if you take good care of it. A clean engine air filter is essential for ensuring your car works at its best. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your car in top shape. You will find the easiest way to stay on top of repairs is to check your vehicle manual regularly. The MINI recommended maintenance schedule will tell you when to replace the air filter and other parts. 2. The Air Filter Looks Dirty When an engine air filter becomes dirty, your vehicle might not be operating at full capacity. Whenever you open your hood, look for dust or debris on top of the filter. If you find dirt on top of the filter, it is probably time to replace it. Air filters may get dirtier than usual in certain driving conditions, like traveling on gravel and dirt roads. If you drive your MINI under dusty road conditions, you may need to change your air filter. 3. Check Engine Light Turns On The check engine light alerts drivers of problems in their vehicles by illuminating when something goes wrong. The lack of air in the engine can result in carbon buildup, which causes the light to come on. 4. The Car Runs Roughly If your car is slow to respond when you press the gas pedal, or if the vehicle is not accelerating as it should, it might be time to replace your air filter. Your engine air filter might just be clogged with dirt and debris from the road and not doing its job correctly. Your MINI's performance can decrease drastically if your air filter is missing, collapsed, or damaged. This scenario can cause a drop in fuel efficiency and even shut down some vehicle functions. 5. You See a Drop in Fuel Economy An air filter that has stopped working can result in a decrease in fuel efficiency. If your gas mileage has gone down significantly — this could be because a dirty air filter has led to more resistance in the system and therefore requires more fuel to operate. 6. You Smell Gas When You Start Your Car Your vehicle's fuel-injection system requires clean air to work efficiently. The engine can't burn all of the fuel if there is too much dirt in the system. The gas smell might be coming from leftover gasoline or debris stuck in the air filter. No matter how great a car is, it cannot operate optimally without a clean air filter. Stop by Tom Bush MINI for a vehicle inspection and get your air filter checked!