The Jacksonville Civic Council supports the latest City Council human rights ordinance proposal.
Ed Burr, chair of the Civic Council, said in a letter to council President Lori Boyer the legislation “represents a Jacksonville solution to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
He said it makes a statement about the city’s commitment to fairness and equity for all and is essential to the economic future of the community.
The latest legislation is co-sponsored by council members Aaron Bowman, Tommy Hazouri and Jim Love. It expands the city’s anti-discrimination laws to protect members of the LGBTQ community.
The proposal exempts religious organizations, including churches, mosques, schools of religious instruction and nonprofits affiliated with them. In addition, businesses with fewer than 15 employees are exempt.
Burr said those exemptions address concerns voiced by local faith leaders and small business owners.
He also said the expanded HRO will “strengthen the economy, attract people and businesses to Jacksonville and advance a culture of fairness and respect for all.”
“It is the right thing to do for our community and the right time to do it,” Burr added.
A public hearing is scheduled Tuesday at the council meeting.
Café launching special cocktails tied to FSCJ Artist Series
Last year, The Candy Apple Café & Cocktails teamed up with the FSCJ Artist Series to present a specialty cocktail inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera.”
This year, the restaurant is launching the Cocktail Artist Series, which is five limited-edition cocktails available in the restaurant during The FSCJ Artist Series season.
It began with “The Elder” in honor of “The Book of Mormon,” which runs through Sunday.
Jaycees honor 13 outstanding young professionals
The Jaycees will honor 13 men and women Thursday as the inaugural winners of the Jacksonville Outstanding Young Professional Awards.
The event is 7:30 p.m. at the Salem Centre in Deerwood Center, 7235 Bonneval Road.
The winners are:
• Michael Mezzano, 24, Terry Parker High School, who was selected in the category of Academic: Contribution to children, world peace and/or human rights achievement
• Holly Hultgren, 27, Frank H. Peterson Academies, Academic: Educator achievement
• Andrea Dahlia, 31, restaurant of Dahlia's Pour House and Magnolia’s Pub, Business: Economic achievement
• David Hacker, 31, president of Construction Specialties of North Florida, Business: Entrepreneurial achievement
• Clay Yarborough, 35, District 12 Florida House of Representatives, Government affairs: Political, legal and/or government affairs leadership
• Rebekah Lindsey, 31, Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue, Government: First responder leadership
• Elizabeth Grebe, 29, market manager of Riverside Arts Market, Community: Cultural achievement
• Shannon Blankinship, 32, Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner, Community: Environmental achievement
• Chris Ulmer, 27, found of Special Books by Special Kids, Community: Moral or humanitarian achievement
• Taylor Scheibe, 26, founder of WithLove Charity Inc., Community: Voluntary leadership
• Emmanuel Pena D.O., 38, child abuse pediatrics fellow at the University of Florida-Jacksonville campus, Science/technology: Development achievement
• Charles Wagoner, 26, president of 904 Happy Hour, Jacksonville influencer
For tickets and more information, visit jaxyoungprofessionals.com.
Smith and Giles join The Shopping Center Group team
The Jacksonville office of The Shopping Center Group has added Kelly Smith and Scott Giles to the team.
Smith, who will be a leasing adviser, has worked with high-profile national and regional landlords and developers, according to a news release. Her properties include strip centers, grocery-anchored centers and ground-up development (vertical and horizontal) projects.
The release said her lease and sales transactions total more than $125 million. Smith most recently worked with a national real estate firm in Washington, D.C.
Giles has more than a decade of commercial real estate industry experience, including site selection, land acquisition and project representation for national and regional retailers and developers.
He worked with American Commercial Realty Corp. in North Florida before joining The Shopping Center Group as a tenant representative.
TIAA president is keynote speaker at JAXUSA luncheon
Roger Ferguson Jr., president and CEO of TIAA, will be keynote speaker at the first quarter JAXUSA Partnership luncheon.
Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. for the Feb. 28 event at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The program is noon-1:30 p.m.
TIAA agreed in August to buy Jacksonville-based EverBank Financial Corp. for $2.5 billion.
JAXUSA is the economic development arm of JAX Chamber.
Expect delays and noise during training exercise at NAS Jacksonville
Residents living near Naval Air Station Jacksonville may hear noise Thursday from a training exercise on the base.
The regularly scheduled exercise is to sharpen the training and readiness of security, fire and medical personnel, according to a news release.
The Navy said measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to normal base operations.
Base personnel, residents, patients at the Naval Hospital and shoppers at the commissary should expect minor delays at all three gates, the release said.
During the exercise, Allegheny Road between Mayfield Avenue and Akron Road will be closed. Detour directions will be posted. The RV storage lot also will be closed to the public.
Looking for a new career? Job fair scheduled Feb. 1 at Prime Osborn
A job fair is scheduled for 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
A news release from Job News USA says businesses will be interviewing for positions in several areas, including management, customer service, sales, call center, collections, CDL drivers, health care and service technicians.
CareerSource of Northeast Florida’s Veterans Mobile Access Team will have a computer lab for those who want free internet to research companies, print resumes and receive free resume assistance.
Parking and admission are free.
For more information, visit jobnewssusa.com/jax.