The 2014 class of Leadership Jacksonville (pictured) recently graduated, making way for the 2015 class the organization has named.
“Like previous classes, this year’s graduating class is comprised of some of the best and brightest leaders in Northeast Florida,” said Deborah Moore, EverBank senior vice president and marketing director and Leadership Jacksonville board of directors president.
The yearlong program brings close to 55 leaders from throughout the community to learn about Northeast Florida and build relationships with other leaders to analyze community concerns. Selection to the program is competitive and criteria include leadership skills, community involvement and a time commitment.
The 2015 class will have a retreat in August and May, nine daylong programs and independent course work. For more information, visit leadershipjax.org.
Bell named Acosta vice president
Acosta Sales & Marketing, a full-service sales and marketing agency in consumer-packaged goods, has named Christine Bell vice president of contracts.
She will lead strategic planning and initiatives for client contracts. She most recently was an associate at Driver, McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne practicing corporate law, mergers, acquisitions, business law, contracts, intellectual property and government procurement law.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law and two bachelors’ degrees from the University of Florida in business administration and public relations.
JTA to continue public meetings on senior, ADA fares
The Jacksonville Transportation hosted the first two of four public meetings and hearings on proposed changes to senior and Americans With Disabilities Act-approved fares on fixed route systems.
The next is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Monday at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Kent Campus, Room D120, 3939 Roosevelt Boulevard. The last is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the school’s South Campus, Lakeside Room, 11901 Beach Blvd.
The public hearing for the fare change is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the Main Library. Authority staff will be on hand to answer questions. For additional information, visit jtafla.com.
Jacksonville Public Education Fund to host education forum
Education will be the topic when the Jacksonville Public Education Fund hosts a panel discussion Thursday on the role of the Duval County School Board featuring three former members.
Trey Csar, Jacksonville Public Education Fund president, will moderate the discussion of former members Martha Barrett, Betty Burney and Nancy Broner, which is 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Friday Musicale, 645 Oak St.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk about what can be done to increase the number of people who vote during school board elections. Districts 2, 4 and 6 are on the ballot Aug. 26.
For information, visit jaxpef.org.
Volunteers needed for beach cleanup
The city and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful are partnering with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol for its annual July 5 Beaches Cleanup after the Independence Day holiday.
The event is 7-9 a.m. where the ocean meets Atlantic Boulevard, Beach Boulevard and 16th Avenue South. Volunteers will remove litter and debris along the shoreline, with litter collection bags and gloves to be distributed.
Participants must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult. Participants also should wear sturdy footwear, wear sun protection and bring their own drinking water. The cleanup will be canceled only for inclement weather.
Advance registration is not required. For information, call Keep Jacksonville Beautiful at (904) 630-3420 or the Beaches Sea Patrol at (904) 613-6081.
Deegan returns to television with JTA
Donna Deegan is returning to the airwaves. The longtime TV anchor has been chosen to anchor the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Making Moves show, which covers transportation news and information.
She begins July 1 and replaces Joyce Morgan-Danford, who left to pursue a City Council position.
“Everybody knows Donna Deegan. She’s a television icon in these parts,” authority CEO Nathaniel Ford said in a news release.
The show features transportation experts and local and national political figures talking about the importance of the industry and issues that affect Northeast Florida.
“I’m thrilled with this opportunity to keep my hands in the television business and do so with such a highly respected show like Making Moves,” Deegan said in a release. “I’m very much looking forward to educating the community on the many important transportation initiatives that are on the horizon.”
It airs at 1 a.m. Thursday on ABC TV-25 and the first Tuesday of every month at WJXT TV-4.
‘Groove at the Zoo’ starts Saturday
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will host its inaugural “Groove at the Zoo” summer concerts starting Saturday and ending in August.
The after-hours concert series on the facility’s Great Lawn will have music, food and activities, with the first being Saturday featuring a string quartet from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with Stingray Bay and Giraffe Overlook free of charge, with the main area costing $20 per ticket for members, $25 for non-members.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will include classical movements and fan favorites such as Simon & Garfunkel’s “At the Zoo.” Guests will have the opportunity to meet the performers during intermission.
Guests may bring blankets and chairs as well as their own picnic dinner, to purchase a French-style basket from the zoo’s “Catering in the Wild” for $15.95 each. All baskets must be ordered in advance. There also will be a cash bar for beer and wine.
For tickets, call (904) 757-4463 ext. 200. For more information, visit jacksonvillezoo.org.