Weathering the ups and downs of First Coast meteorology
Behind the bright lights of WJXT-TV Channel 4 studios, the fancy satellite maps and weather graphics, the stage make-up and perfectly coiffed hair, Rebecca Barry looks every bit the seasoned TV meteorologist. In reality, the 27-year-old, who grew up in a Georgia town with no street lights, started her TV career while she was still attending graduate school at Mississippi State University (she’s also a proud alumna of Jacksonville University). In addition to doing the weather on weekend broadcasts, Barry, who lives Downtown, works as a weather producer at WJXT and fills in for her fellow meteorologists. For more on Barry, stay tuned…
• In middle school, Barry did the morning announcements for the school’s TV news program. After learning news reporting was a real job, she decided she wanted to be an anchor. Prior to that she wanted to be an astronaut and/or President of the United States.
• She claims to own “the cutest dog on the planet,” a chihuahua/pomeranian mix named Baxter after Ron Burgundy’s dog in the movie Anchorman.
• Growing up on a farm in rural Georgia, Barry spent most of her childhood years outdoors, which helps explain why she didn’t own a TV until she was in college. • Her nickname “Scooter” was given to her by former Channel 4 assistant sports director Sean Woodland. And that’s all you’re getting out of her on the matter.
• She “dabbled” in fishing as a kid, but it wasn’t until she met Capt. Don Dingman, local fishing guide and host of his own fishing show, that she got hooked—-not only on the sport but on Captain Don, too. (They’ve been dating since late summer.)
• At 5’4”, Barry has a penchant for high heels, though obsession is probably closer to the truth considering she owns more than 200 pairs of shoes.
• Despite occasional phone calls or e-mails from viewers about her poor weather forecasting skills or “frumpy” outfits, she loves her job. “It’s so great to wake up every morning and be excited to go to work,” she says. “I’m doing exactly the job I want to do.” Which is good because nice shoes aren’t cheap.
For more than a decade, Jacksonville Magazine has partnered with a number of professional organizations in an effort to bring our readers the city's most respected service providers practicing in a variety of professions, including doctors, lawyers, wealth managers and dentists. 
Nearly 2,000 Readers cast a ballot in this year's poll. Here are their selections of over 100 people, places and things we love (or love to hate) in the Bold New City of the South, including hair salon, bar eats, organic foods, dance club, pet stuff and more. 
