Beaches Trolley back and rolling
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority launched the summer season of the Beaches Trolley over the weekend. This year will feature increased frequency with stops every 15 minutes.
The service runs from the South Beach Regional Shopping Center to Atlantic Boulevard with trips that cost $1.50. The authority also is offering one-, three-, seven- and 31-day STAR Cards that allow unlimited rides during those times. The cards are available online.
Through Labor Day, the service will be in operation 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. The schedule is different for holidays.
Caliendo joins Hyatt as GM
Gino Caliendo has joined Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront as general manager.
Caliendo has more than 33 years of experience in the hotel industry, all with Hyatt, and served in the same role for the chain in San Antonio, Texas.
He will oversee all aspects of the Downtown hotel’s operations. Of special focus will be the hotel’s ongoing initiative to support Downtown development and the city’s growth. He will partner with convention, tourism and development officials to support that cause.
He takes over for Dan King, who headed west to be general manager of the hotel where Caliendo worked.
Career and job workshops next week at urban core libraries
The Jacksonville Public Library is partnering with CareerSource Northeast Florida to host free career and job workshops for teens at urban-core library branches.
The next is 3:30 p.m. June 3 at the Brown Eastside Branch, 1390 Harrison St., on the topic of creating a resume. The other will be 4 p.m. June 5 at the Dallas Graham Branch on the topic of interviewing skills. A similar workshop was held Thursday at the Brentwood Branch.
A job and resource fair will conclude the series 2-5 p.m. June 13 at the Dallas Graham Branch, where attendees can learn about local job and volunteer opportunities and filling out applications.
For more information, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
Manufacturing and energy camps scheduled at FSCJ
Florida State College at Jacksonville will have two manufacturing and energy summer camps next month intended to introduce students to the technologies that help make the world greener.
The free sessions will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 9-13 and June 16-20, with half-days on Fridays. Participants will be students in grades 9-11. Lunch is provided.
Students will perform several projects that include air, water and energy to help build an understanding of how the programs work.
Registration and additional information can be found at fscj.edu/community-engagement/summer-camps.
Jaguars OTAs underway
Jacksonville Jaguars players began organized-team activities Tuesday that will stretch through June 13.
One session, the 11:25 a.m-1:25 p.m. June 5 event, is open to the public.
The rest are restricted to media.
The first preseason game is Aug. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field.
Two local women appointed to state council for infants, toddlers
Gov. Rick Scott made 14 appointments and three reappointments to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers. Two of the appointees are from Northeast Florida. Kim Carr, 56, of Jacksonville, is the supervisor of the parent infant program with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Her appointment began Tuesday and ends Jan. 1, 2017. Misty Porter, 32, of St. Augustine, is a parent liaison for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and a parent adviser for the Parent Infant Program. Her term began Tuesday and ends Jan. 1, 2016.
FSCJ looking for TED speakers
Florida State College at Jacksonville faculty and students are looking presenters with “ideas expanding on lessons learned beyond the traditional classroom” for TEDxFSCJ.
It’s a licensed, independent TED program — derived from Technology, Entertainment and Design — of events based on the original four-day conference almost 30 years intended to support “world-changing ideas.” The TEDx programs are local, self-organized and create a TED-like experience.
The college’s main event will be Sept. 27 at Wilson Center for the Arts at the South Campus. It will be directed by Jose Lepervanche, professor of supervision and management, and student Keith Walters.
The call for presenters is an opportunity for community leaders, educators and alumni with ideas to reach local and worldwide audiences.
Applications and more information available at TEDxFSCJ.com.
Job fair Tuesday at Prime Osborn
Jobseekers can head Downtown next week when JobNewsJax.com hosts a job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Early entry for military veterans and family starts at 9:30 a.m.
Dozens of companies will meet and interview candidates for fields like accounting, banking, cosmetology, hospitality, insurance, real estate and security. Employers interested in participating should contact Andy Lemister at (904) 296-3006.
Parking and admission are free. For more information or to pre-register, visit jobnewsjax.com.
Professional dress and resumes are strongly encouraged.
Three new businesses open at St. Johns Town Center
Fab’rik, Madewell and Zoe’s Kitchen are the newest tenants at St. Johns Town Center. Simon Property Group Inc. announced Tuesday that fashion-forward retailer fab’rik will open its first Jacksonville store in August and “promises to bring high style with heart, without the sticker shock, to the First Coast.” The 1,500-square-foot boutique will sell designer denim, casual tops, dresses, handbags, shoes and accessories. Madewell has opened in 3,000 square feet of space, selling women’s clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. Zoe’s Kitchen has opened in a 2,400-square-foot space, offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Jacksonville ranks 30th on ‘fit list’
The seventh annual American Fitness Index recently showed Jacksonville ranks 30th in its “Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas.” Conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine, the study reflects preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic diseases conditions, community resources and policies that support physical activity.
Jacksonville scored 46.6 out of a possible 100 points. Washington, D.C., topped the list with a 77.3.
In Florida, Miami placed highest by coming in at No. 26 with a 49. Tampa tailed Jacksonville by placing No. 31 with a 46 and Orlando reached No. 42 with a 40.8.
The American College of Sports Medicine, which calls itself the largest sports medicine and science organization in the world, partnered with the WellPoint Foundation for the data.
St. Augustine business wins 2 awards
The St. Augustine Distillery and Ice Plant Bar recently won two awards, both relating to preservation.
The Adelaide Sanchez Award for Preservation was given by the city of St. Augustine, while the company received the Florida Preservation Award for restoration and rehabilitation from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
The plant was built from 1917-24 and manufactured ice that was a byproduct from steam boilers used to produce electricity next door. The group who opened to the upscale/specialty lounge preserved much of the exterior and interior.