• The Brooklyn Arts and Design Center will celebrate its grand opening at 123 E. Forsyth St. Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.
• The International Division of the Chamber welcomed Dr. Arcindo Santos from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDM) to town this week. Dr. Santos works to identify countries and projects in Latin America that are worthy of low interest loans from his bank. The 46 countries that are members of the IDM are hoping to increase economic stability in Latin America. The Chamber is hoping that local businesses might begin to take better advantage of opportunities of the building contracts that accompany the $10 billion in loans the bank issues each year. (pictured) Dr. Santos with Dr. Mohamad Sepehri, professor of management at JU.
• Dr. Donald D. Pollock has joined the staff of Baptist Psychiatric and Psychological Care.
• Community Connections of Jacksonville has named its 2002 executive committee. They are Donna Harper Gibbs, president; Mary Ellen Smith, president-elect; Charlene Taylor Hill, first vice president; Carole Davis, second vice president; Vanessa Boyer, secretary; Dottie Dorion, assistant secretary; Henry Johnson, treasurer; Susan Main, assistant treasurer; John Franklin, advisory board liaison; Selinda Keyes, A.L. Lewis leadership council chair; Janet Mallot, challenge campaign chair; Marianne Hillegass, tribute chair; Susan Greene, immediate past president, and Patricia Hannan, executive director. Community Connections provides affordable housing and essential support services to women, children and families who are moving from public assistance to self-sufficiency.
• The Stellar Group has named Ron Foster Jr. (right) executive vice president. Foster will oversee the sales, marketing, design, engineering and construction and refrigeration operations.
• The Men of Vision, Inc. and Blacksonville.com are hosting a First Friday Business Gala March 1 at the Southend Brewery at the Landing. Deborah Thompson, vice president and COO of the African American Chamber of Commerce, is the speaker. The purpose of the function is to encourage and promote business-to-business development and cooperative economics among minority small businesses. For information, call 696-9056.