The Chamber of Shipping of America recognized 97 vessels owned or operated by Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. with certificates of environmental achievement.
The association’s award honors companies for operating vessels without any environmental incidents, which displays a commitment to respecting the waterways.
The vessels have a combined 992 years of service without an environmental incident like reportable spills or port citations. Of them, 43 have served at least 10 years without incident.
UNF professor awarded $2.2M federal teaching grant
University of North Florida professor Otilia Salmon has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant will aid the college’s efforts with Duval County Public Schools to address the growing demand for well-trained teachers to support the rising number of English language learners in public schools.
That number has risen while qualified English for Speakers of Other Languages — ESOL for short — certified teachers has remained low.
It’s the largest grant the UNF College of Education and Human Services has received and will establish the ESOL Career Ladder for Student Success project that will address the need.
“Research data clearly show that students who struggle with English are exponentially more likely to fail academically, be held back one or more grades and/or drop out of school,” said Salmon in a news release.
The model will provide a career ladder for bilingual paraprofessionals who wish to complete their degrees, according to the release.
Deck the Chairs seeks volunteers
Organizers of the 4th Annual Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs are looking for volunteers to help build displays and decorate the lifeguard chairs featured in the holiday exhibit.
This year’s event will be Nov. 25-27 in Latham Plaza and the Seawalk Pavilion area of downtown Jacksonville Beach.
For information, visit deckthechairs.org/volunteer.
Airport installs animal relief area
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to introduce its newest amenities for animals traveling with their owners.
One could call them potty stations.
Federal regulations mandate animal-relief areas must be installed on the post-security side of terminals, which will benefit travelers accompanied by their animals along for the trip.
The ribbon-cutting is at 10 a.m. and will feature aviation officials and representatives from K9s For Warriors, Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc., Pet Paradise and others.
For more information, visit flyjacksonville.com.
Tomm joins Heritage Capital Group
Heritage Capital Group has added Charlie Tomm as a principal.
His primary focus will be advising clients on mergers and acquisitions transactions, strategic planning, corporate finance and value enhancement.
Tomm was president and CEO of Brumos Automotive from January 2009 until March 2016, when the company’s assets were sold to Fields Auto Group.
He previously was president and CEO of the Coggin-Courtesy subsidiary of Asbury Automotive Group.
Heritage Capital Group is an investment banking and financial advisory firm serving middle-market and emerging growth companies.
Small Business Saturday next week
Small Business Saturday will be celebrated nationwide Nov. 26 and Downtown Jacksonville is getting in on the action.
Several restaurants and stores throughout the core will participate 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
They are: Burrito Gallery Brooklyn, Chamblin’s Uptown, Daniel James Salon, Drybar Jacksonville, Hollywood Cuts, The Hyppo Pops, Indochine, the Museum of Science and History, The Pink Nickel, Spliff’s Gastropub, Top Notch Barbershop and Wolf & Cub.
Others are participating at the weekly Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Jaguars players, mayor to talk quality at town hall
Throughout the 2016 NFL season, many players have taken part in politically geared demonstrations and conversations regarding equality.
Members of the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to continue that dialogue Tuesday.
Jaguars cornerback Prince Amukamara, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum and long snapper Carson Tinker will take part in a town hall meeting at EverBank Field with a goal to foster positive relationships among NFL athletes, law enforcement, military, youth and city leaders.
Mayor Lenny Curry, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief T.K. Waters and retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Victor Guillory will join the players for the discussion moderated by Marcus Pollard, team director of player development and youth football.
The discussion will be 7-8:30 p.m. and live-streamed on jaguars.com.
The Elbow Jam is Thursday
The Elbow Jam, once known as The Elbow Bender, is returning Thursday to Downtown’s entertainment district to highlight local music, art and entertainment.
Outdoor entertainment includes two stages, six bands, a live mural painting, dance performances, an Insta Ramp, food trucks and more.
Additionally, 15 bars and restaurants will feature other programming and specials.
The free event will be 7-10 p.m. at 21 E. Adams St. in the lot next to Burrito Gallery and at 233 E. Bay St. next to the Blackstone Building.
Other venues will be open throughout the evening.
JTA buses now have free Wi-Fi
All Jacksonville Transportation Authority fixed-route buses now have complimentary Wi-Fi hotspots.
Customers can use the data-free time on JTAconnect to catch up on work, school, social media and more.
Before the expansion, the service was available only on the First Coast Flyer Green Line. All JTA vehicles, excluding Connexion and the Skyway, offer the service.
To log on, users should choose the JTAconnect network and follow directions. It is an unsecured server and does not require a password.
The drive is the next part of the authority’s technology push.
In 2014, the authority introduced the NextBus app that provides real-time bus route information. In 2015, it instituted the MyJTA mobile ticketing app.
For more information, visit jtafla.com.
Art in the Park on Saturday
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department will host its “Art in the Park” event at 10 a.m. Saturday at Boone Park, 3700 Park St.
The free, all-ages event will feature arts and crafts like painting, drawing, basket weaving and more.
For more information, visit coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation.
Episcopal breaks ground on new stadium
Episcopal School of Jacksonville broke ground Monday on a 1,000- seat stadium as part of its Lead the Way campaign goal of building new athletic facilities. The 8,000-square-foot stadium is the centerpiece of the school’s McCormick Sports Complex and will include offices, concessions stands and meeting spaces.