• JTA is now allowing students of Edward Waters College to ride any JTA buses for free, as the bus fare will be included as part of the students’ enrollment. The program officially begins at the start of the spring semester after the holiday break, but students got a taste of the free service with a trial run on Friday. JTA has three bus routes (K1, K2 and H2) that serve the EWC campus and connect at the Rosa L. Parks Station downtown. Chad Reese, JTA Mass Transit Chief, said the agency hopes to expand this service to all area colleges and universities within reach of the bus system.
• U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez has nominated 47 students from Florida to attend the U.S. military academies. Three of those students are from Jacksonville: Daniel Burke of Bishop Kenny High (Army), Byron Plapp of The Bolles School (Army and Merchant Marine Academy) and Adam Guarno (Merchant Marine) who is home-schooled.
• A reminder, Downtown Vision, Inc.’s Historic Church Tour through Downtown is Saturday from 1-5 p.m. The tour begins and ends at the Main Library and will guide guests through the history and cultural significance of seven churches, with more to be confirmed. Tickets are $5 and children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, call 451-3344 or visit www.downtownjacksonville.org.
• The Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville, the largest toy giveaway in the city, will take place from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Osborn Center. As many as 10,000 of Jacksonville’s neediest children ages 12 and younger who would not otherwise receive gifts will be eligible to receive new toys and have a chance to win a new bike. The event’s largest sponsor, Mayo Clinic, contributes close to $30,000 in gifts and donations, but more funds are needed. To donate or for more information, call 350-1616.
• Speaking of the Children’s Christmas Party, the event is now being led by new Executive Director Diane Halverson. The party was run by Executive Director Joan Lamer for the past six years.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and local architectural engineering consultant RS&H have won a major interior design award for its retail insurance store, Florida Blue. The Florida Blue store is the only one of its kind in the state. The store, located at the St. Johns Town Center, was named “Best Retail Project” in the 10th annual International Interior Design Association Florida Chapter Forum Awards.
• Looney Ricks Kiss’ Jacksonville studio also received an award from theInternational Interior Design Association. The architecture, planning and interiors firm won the top state honor for interior design.
“Freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of person under the protection of habeas corpus, and trial by juries impartially selected. These principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation.”
– Thomas Jefferson