The Jacksonville Armada FC announced this week Mark Frisch, owner and CEO, has taken over day-to-day operations of the club.
The move comes at the same time the club announced President Steve Livingstone is no longer with the organization.
“The club’s front office staff, players and soccer operations teams are all committed to ensuring we provide the very best product on and off the field,” Frisch said in a news release.
The team plays its next match Feb. 24 at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida, part of a preseason slate. The regular season kicks off April 15.
Veterans Memorial Arena breaks record second straight year
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena has set an attendance record for the second year in a row.
Attendance totaled 552,985 in 2015, topping the 2014 mark of more than 550,000.
Top draws in 2015 included country acts Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw and Shania Twain along with other legendary performers like Elton John, The Who and Def Leppard.
The NCAA Men’s basketball tournament and comedian Kevin Hart were two non-music acts that also drew well.
For 2016, sports attractions like the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament along with Jacksonville Sharks season are expected to attract crowds. Music acts include Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Pearl Jam.
Riverside Avondale Night Trolley going weekly
The Riverside Avondale Night Trolley service is being extended. Not by length but by days, moving from a monthly to a weekly service, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced Tuesday.
Starting March 4, JTA, Riverside Avondale Preservation, Miller/Coors and local partners will offer a nighttime service from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday.
The trolley features stops throughout residential and commercial districts, including Five Points, Park & King, the Shoppes of Avondale and the Brewery District.
A mobile app lets customers purchase unlimited-ride, single-day passes for $4. One-day passes also can be purchased at Walgreens, Bold City Brewery, Grassroots Natural Market and European Street.
Single trips are $1.50 with exact change on the trolley. Seniors 65 and older with a valid Senior STAR Card ride for free.
For more information, visit jtafla.com.
Jacksonville Jaguars launch UK academy for amateur players
The Jacksonville Jaguars involvement in the United Kingdom is growing.
The team announced Tuesday it will offer amateur players ages 18-24 across Europe the opportunity to train like NFL athletes through a three-day academy it’s hosting.
The “Jaguars Academy” will be July 14-16 and offer a one-day training course for amateur American football coaches July 17.
Jaguars coaches and team alumni will be on hand to assist.
Sign-up information, cost and venue details will be announced later, the team said in a news release.
Those interested should register for details at nfluk.com/events/jaguars-academy.
Scott appoints Christopherson to Rehabilitation Council
Gov. Rick Scott last week appointed Carol Ann Christopherson to the Florida Rehabilitation Council.
Christopherson is the president and founder of Florida Service Dogs Inc. and is appointed to a vacant seat for a term that ends June 30, 2018.
The council’s primary purpose is to partner with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and offer guidance and advocacy to improve vocational rehabilitation services.
Suns open registration for national anthem singers
The Jacksonville Suns are inviting talent across Northeast Florida to audition to perform the national anthem before the team’s 70 home games this year.
Auditions will be 4-7 p.m. March 10 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Individuals and groups can register by emailing Devin Jones, Suns promotion manager, at [email protected] or faxing to (904) 358-2845.
Opening Day is April 7. It’ll be the first under new ownership.
Corey picks up Williams, Rutherford endorsements
State Attorney Angela Corey in her push for re-election recently picked up the endorsements of Sheriff Mike Williams and former Sheriff John Rutherford, as well as one from Tom Hackney, recently promoted to director of investigations and homeland security for the Sheriff’s Office.
The public safety unions also have endorsed her.
Corey, who was first elected in 2009, faces opposition from Wes White, a former assistant state attorney. Both are Republicans.
New Community First Branch in Riverside has different look
Community First Credit Union opened its Riverside office Saturday with an event that included the creation of a permanent mosaic.
The art, by Kate and Kenny Rouh of RouxArt, featured tile and mirror pieces.
The location also features a historic photo mural with pictures curated from the Jacksonville Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida and State Archives of Florida/Fisher.
The mosaic is a permanent installation and part of a different design for the credit union — the first to feature a new color scheme, interior layout and enhanced technology.
It also has the organization’s first “community room” for small businesses, organizations, nonprofits and groups to use for meetings and presentations. The room will house the mosaic.
Llorens buys Downtown parking garage for $13.5M
South Florida investor Ramon Llorens added to his Jacksonville holdings Friday with the $13.5 million purchase of a Downtown parking garage.
Through Amkin OPJ LLC, Llorens bought the 10-story garage at 336 W. Bay St. from LAZ Parking Investors LLC.
LAZ, of Boston, sold the structure through UPP Enterprise Garage Jacksonville Inc.
The garage, with more than 1,000 spaces, was built in 1987 next to the Omni Jacksonville Hotel and One Enterprise Center.
Groups led by Llorens, based in Miami, also own EverBank Center Downtown and several other properties around the city.