• State Rep. Stan Jordan has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Florida Recreational Vehicle Trade Association. During the 2005 legislative session, Jordan sponsored a bill that made the Florida RV Lemon Law permanent. The bill protects RV consumers and manufacturers. The legislation also created the “RV Friendly” sign programs for the state’s highways and interstates.
• Mayor John Peyton got dozens and dozens of Christmas cards this year, but one in particular traveled about 12,000 miles. It was from the People’s Government of Yingkou City Liaoning Province in China. Yingkou is one of Jacksonville’s six Sister Cities.
• Speaking of Christmas, it was an especially good one for Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton. Barton took the job several months ago, but his family (wife and two kids) stayed behind in St. Petersburg. While he missed the family a lot, Barton said he forgot that a 10-month-old doesn’t always sleep through the night.
• What’s on the JEDC’s list of New Year’s resolutions? The commission released a list of goals to be met by 2010. The commission wants to boost jobs by 426,000, increase average annual wages to $45,200, increase tax revenues by $123 million, increase downtown’s population to 11,500 residents and increase downtown employment to 41,000 jobs.
• Much has been made of Duval County’s relatively low per capita income, but the problem looks much worse for the City’s minority communities. The latest census numbers show the county as a whole lagging about 4 percent behind the national average. But white residents actually earned about 11 percent more than that average while black residents earned about 35 percent less. The Hispanic community lagged about 22 percent behind the national average.
• The local commercial real estate industry will hold its 2006 awards ceremony Jan. 18 at the Omni. Lots of awards including industrial lease/sale of the year and developer of the year. Cocktails at 6:30, dinner at 7:30.
• The City’s New Year’s Eve fireworks will commence at midnight Saturday on the downtown riverfront. The 12-minute show will take place from two barges and can be viewed from both the Northbank and Southbank.
• Busy day coming up at the Clay County Fairgrounds for the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. The annual $35,000 Grand Prix of Jacksonville will be Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Other events for the day include the Outback Steakhouse luncheon and a Celebrity Ride at 1 p.m., featuring local TV radio, politicians and sports personalities. Also, children’s stable tours and games will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in conjunction with live broadcasting by Radio Disney. Admission to the grounds is free, with a $5 parking donation. All proceeds benefit the zoo. For tickets to the luncheon call (904) 757-4463, ext. 200.
• This year’s Spina Bifida Association roast was a big success. At the expense of John Falconetti of the Drummond Press, the event grossed nearly $80,000.
• You’ll hear plenty of cheering around town next month. The State Cheer and Dance Championships are here Jan. 8-14 and about 5,000 are expected. Most hotels are already booked.
• The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art has launched a couple of programs designed to attract family business. Family Art Time will run Fridays at 11:45 a.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. for children younger than 12 with an accompanying adult. And the Art-Rageous program is a workshop focusing on creativity and imagination for children six to 12 years old.
• Friends of the Jacksonville Library Inc. is preparing for its annual used book sale at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. The three-day event is typically the biggest earner for the nonprofit, which uses the proceeds to benefit the Jacksonville Public Library. This year’s event will be March 3-5 in Exhibit Hall B at the fairgrounds and will feature tens of thousands of books, most of which are priced between 50 cents to $2.
• The Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville Board of Directors recently voted on and approved their 2006 officers: President Tom Beames, Private Capital Management Group, Wachovia; Vice President Joe Thompson, Gresham Smith and Partners; Treasurer Mel Johnson, Lincoln Financial Advisors; Secretary Kathy Burns, CSX Transportations. Andy Eccher, director of New Production/New Product Development for Southeast Toyota Distributors and Thomas Issacs, director of Global Private Client Group for Merrill Lynch will also join the Board of Directors in January. The Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville provides support services and temporary lodging for critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families.