• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce has released its proposed 2006 budget. According to the numbers, the Chamber has submitted a budget of a little over $10 million.
• The lifeguard station in Jacksonville Beach will be getting a new floor in time for summer. Council member Art Graham has asked for $5,000 to resurface the floor of the Red Cross station, which is very slick to walk on in bare feet.
• Big plans for the Baldwin Middle/Senior High marching band this summer. They have been asked to participate in the Fourth of July festivities in Washington, D.C. It’ll cost the school $110,000 to go and the band is already seeking donations.
• Last month’s “One Minute Mentors” at the Landing was a big success, according to Dane Fountain, the event coordinator for the Kesler Mentoring Connection. In addition to have 15 mentoring agencies on hand and about 250 people inquire about mentoring, 40 people signed up to become mentors.
• The folks at The First Tee are expecting about 600 people to attend next week’s annual meeting at the World Golf Village. First Tee Executive Director Joe Barrow and PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem are expected as well as national trustees, First Tee board members and 1955 U.S. Open champion Jack Fleck.
• The 11th annual St. Johns River Celebration, the largest environmental cleanup on the First Coast, is March 18, beginning at 8 a.m. More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the event that promotes marine education and stewardship of the St. Johns River. To participate visit www.coj.net or call 630-CITY.
• Commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. The firm was originated in 1906 in San Francisco shortly after the massive earthquake that leveled most of the Bay area. Locally, CB Richard Ellis is managed by Jim Citrano, former member of the Downtown Development Authority.
• Naval Air Station Jacksonville is taking bids for the construction of new hangars. The hangars will be needed to accommodate the relocation of P-3 aircraft to Jacksonville as part of last year’s base relocation process.