• Much has been made of another development company — Blackwater Capital LLC and Value Acquisition Fund — tossing its hat in the ring for the land underneath the Landing. However, little has been made of the actual proposals. The Blackwater proposal is eight pages long and that includes a cover letter, a page of bios on the principals and a reference page about Soulsville USA in Memphis. Landing owner Toney Sleiman’s proposal is at least 100 pages and includes several renderings of the finished product and financial information.
• Speaking of Blackwater, the company’s negotiations with the City may be hampered by a conflict of interest with Chief of Staff Steve Diebenow, who is listed as a business partner with Blackwater’s William Stanley. The two own a six-unit apartment complex in Riverside. According to the city’s Request for Proposals, Diebenow will head up the analyzing of the Landing bids.
• Sunday’s Jaguars game against the Tennessee Titans may be the last home game of the year, but it’s also an opportunity to tailgate with a member of Congress. U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown is holding a tailgate party that will double as a fundraiser and she’s seeking donations of at least $2,000, which, according to Brown, “will go towards the price of admission and my 2006 re-election campaign.”
• The seventh annual Cousins Catfish Pigskin Jamboree raised $10,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida during its annual barbecue event the weekend of the Florida-Georgia football game. Seven years ago, a group of young professionals led by Keith and Billy Catlin created the Cousins Catfish Pigskin Jamboree to raise funds for local charities. Over the years the group has donated more that $50,000 to such agencies as The Downs Syndrome Center and the Florida School of Special Education.
• Community Hospice of Northeast Florida has announced the promotion of two employees: Michael Helinsky was promoted to director of information technology and D. Dewayne Sims Jr., to director of pharmacy services. The organization also hired Dennis A. Burns as director of human resources.
• Feeling a bit full from the holidays? St. Vincent’s new class may be able to help. The hospital is offering a class called “Lifestyle Management” that will teach individuals not only how to lose weight, but how to live right, maintain a healthy weight and prevent additional weight gain. The two-session class is taught by Cecilia Henning, a registered Dietitian and certified Diabetes Educator from St. Vincent’s Education Development Department. The class is open to those 18 and older and will have limited registration. They will be held throughout January, February and March. A $10 donation is requested to cover costs. To register call, 308-7534.
• The next networking social for JCCI Forward will be Jan. 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Mudville Grille. JCCI’s next Issue Forum study series on “Creative community: What’s in it for us?” will be every Thursday from Jan. 12-March 2, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The events and training are free to members of JCCI Forward and nonmembers pay $50, which includes a one-year membership. For more information on all events contact Esther at 396-3052.