Leadership Jacksonville, in partnership with Lindsey Films, received a silver award the 35th Annual Telly Awards for a documentary on philanthropist and executive Robert Shircliff.
The documentary was part of the organization’s Jacksonville Legacy Series.
The Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional and national cable TV commercials and programs in addition to video and film productions, online commercials, video and film. More than 12,000 entries were received from across the U.S. and several countries.
“We are delighted to again receive this recognition for the Jacksonville Legacy series, which allows local leaders to pass along their leadership legacy to future generations,” said Jill Langford Dame, Leadership Jacksonville executive director. “While the content is most important, we want a quality production and this award confirms that we have succeeded.”
Leadership Jacksonville spearheads the series.
Last year’s documentary on Fran Kinne won a bronze Telly Award for documentary excellence and another bronze in educational programming.
City Environmental Symposium at UNF
The city Environmental Protection Board and the University of North Florida will partner to present the 2014 Environmental Symposium Friday at UNF’s Herbert University Center.
This year’s theme is “Moving Toward a Clean, Green City” and will offer a number of informational sessions.
The event also will feature the 2014 State of the River Report. The report details the health of the Lower St. Johns River Basin based on indicators like water quality, fisheries, aquatic life and contaminants.
The River Accord 2014 Annual Report also will be released. The 10-year, $700 million cooperative among local, state and regional groups is aimed at restoring the lower basin. It includes investments for river access, upgrading wastewater treatment facilities and expanding reuse efforts.
Several awards will be handed out, including:
• The Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award to Richard Maguire, posthumously. The former board counsel had more than 20 years of service to members of the regulated industry about environmental regulations.
• The Christi Veleta Environmental Award to Quinton White, Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute executive director. White has been a longtime supporter of the St. Johns River and city Waterways Commission, and is a founding member of the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
• The EPB-DCPS Environmental Champion Award to Amanda Polematadis of Landmark Middle School. She started a Green Champions program that has garnered support from fellow teachers and students. It also helped move Landmark from the lower tier of all schools in recycling into the top tier.
• Individual Award to Pamela Fellabaum, a public servant who has worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection since 1986.
• Governmental/Institutional Award to the Duval County Public Schools Green Champions. The group was founded in 2010 to engage earth-friendly teachers and staff to promote green, sustainable behavior throughout the school district.
• Community/Civic Award to The Late Bloomers Garden Club. The group comprises female community leaders who have a passion for improving and protecting the quality of the environment. They do so through programs and outreach in the areas of horticulture, conservation, civic improvement and education.
• Business Award to Citi. The company launched the Green Team in 2013 to increase the impact of its overall commitment to the environment.
Arlington River Bridge traffic change
The Florida Department of Transportation’s $11.5 million project reconstructing the Arlington River Bridge is nearing completion of Phase I, which will cause a temporary traffic shift tonight.
Traffic signals will be placed differently to accommodate the new traffic pattern and speeding fines are doubled.
Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution when switching to the temporary bridge and area residents could hear extra noise.
Following the shift, the contractor will begin driving test piles for the new bridges from east to west, followed by demolition of the existing bridge.
The project began in fall 2013 and is scheduled to be done in fall 2015.
JTA using IdeaString to gather input from residents
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is partnering with IdeaString to engage area residents to share ideas and be a part of the conversation in changing public transportation. IdeaString is an online platform where people come together to connect and create ideas.
“JTA is leveraging IdeaString’s crowdsourcing, mind mapping, big data analytics and game mechanics technology platform to identify the very best ideas from the Jacksonville community, then bring the best ideas to life,” said Genevieve Bos, CEO IdeaString.
A five-day, 24-hour virtual conversation is scheduled Aug.18-22 at newsystemjta.com. Officials are asking people to spend 10 minutes three times during the week to answer questions.
“We want to hear from current and potential riders,” said JTA CEO Nathanial Ford.
For more information, visit jtafl.com.
Benson Fihla coming to Florida State College at Jacksonville
Executive Mayor Nkosinathi Benson Fihla of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in South Africa will take part in an event at 9 a.m. Friday at the Downtown campus of Florida State College at Jacksonville.
He will be engaging students and educational staff through a guided discussion of the life of Nelson Mandela, in conjunction with the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association. The free event is extended to Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Edward Waters College and all Duval County public schools.
Benson Fihla played a key role in the liberation struggle alongside other prominent leaders such as Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Raymond Mhlaba. He was elected to Parliament in 1994 and in his role as executive mayor in March 2013.
The city and Sister Cities Association are hosting a citywide fundraising banquet to celebrate Mandela’s life from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Hyatt Riverfront.
Tickets are $75, with funds raised aiding the health care of children and adults who live in the municipality.