The city and Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 524, will host the eighth annual Purple Heart Day Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Veterans Memorial Wall.
The event will feature music from the Navy Band Southeast, a special recognition for WWII Purple Heart recipients and a walk down the Purple Heart Trail.
Free parking is available near EverBank Field in Lot N.
Thomas named to Communities In Schools board
Communities In Schools of Jacksonville has named David Thomas Jr. to its board of directors.
Thomas is director and general manager of BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Mayport, leading a production workforce in the maintenance and modernization of U.S. Navy ships. Before that, he spent 30 years in the Navy, retiring as an admiral.
“His enthusiasm for our mission will not only motivate Communities in Schools staff, but also prompt others in the community to become invested or drop dropout prevention efforts,” said organization CEO Steve Gilbert.
Mayo Clinic receives transplant distinction
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has been recognized as one of the first facilities in the country to receive the Blue Distinction Centers+SM designation in the area of transplant care.
Awarded through Florida Blue as part of a national program, it recognizes hospitals shown to deliver high-quality specialty care based on objective, transparent measures for patient safety and health outcomes developed with input by the medical community.
It also was recognized for care and services in the areas of cardiac care, hip and knee replacements and spine surgery.
Mayo Clinics across the U.S. perform about 1,800 transplants a year.
JTA shuttle rolls on for football season
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will resume its Stadium Shuttle Service starting Friday when the Jacksonville Jaguars kick off the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The service operates Downtown from the Prime Osborn Convention Center Lot, 1005 Forsyth St., and Kings Avenue Parking Garage, 1003 Kings Ave., to EverBank Field. The season pass is $51, while single-game passes are $7.
Several suburban locations also return.
They are: the Beaches at Wingate Park, 277 Penman Road S.; in Mandarin at 3011 Marbon Road; and in Southside, 7020 Philips Highway. Season passes for those are $87, with single-game passes $12.
The service is no longer operating from the Orange Park lot at 450 Park Ave.
The Beaches and Mandarin locations are only available for regular season games.
Service begins two hours before kickoff and ends one hour after the game is over. Friday’s game starts at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit jtafla.com or call (904) 630-3100.
JaxBiz endorses Shine and Willie for Duval County School Board
JaxBiz, the nonpartisan political organization of the JAX Chamber, has endorsed two Duval County School Board candidates for the upcoming elections.
They are: Scott Shine in District 2, which represents the Beaches and areas west of the Intracoastal Waterway, and Daryl Willie in District 4, which represents north from Springfield and parts of Northwest Jacksonville.
Both were interviewed Friday and overwhelmingly selected, according to a news release.
“The Duval County schools are making tremendous strides under Dr. (Nikolai) Vitti and we need leadership on our School Board that will support … and push to move the schools forward — not stand in the way of progress,” said Mike Hightower, JaxBiz board chair of directors.
Deadline extended Hispanic Leadership Awards nominations
The city’s Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory board will present the 2014 Hispanic Leadership Awards on Oct. 6 as part of its “Es Mi Vida” Hispanic Heritage Month. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Aug. 15.
The awards recognize people in the categories of government, business, education, health, faith-based, nonprofit, music, art and culture, visionary leader and lifetime achiever.
A nomination form is available at coj.net/MHAAB or email [email protected] .
The 11-member board works to promote city service to the growing Hispanic community while advising the mayor and his staff about specific needs.
Sauer wins $6 million project in Maryland
Jacksonville-based Sauer Inc. was awarded a $6 million maintenance building project for Baltimore County in Fullerton, Md.
The project is a two-story, 21,000-square-foot facility for public utilities maintenance that also serves as a 24-hour command center during emergencies.
The first floor includes areas for vehicle maintenance and parts, a kitchen/break room, lobby, women’s and men’s locker rooms and a truck wash. The second story houses administrative offices and conference rooms.
It is expected to be completed later this year.