• The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission just completed its annual year in review, and highlights from 2007 include: $501 million in new private capital investment; $331 million in future Downtown development facilitated; a private-to-public investment ratio of $19.81 to $1.
• A horse is a horse, of course, except when it’s an Olympic-caliber thoroughbred competing in the 13th annual Jacksonville International Horse Show Jan. 19 at the Clay County Fairgrounds. A field of Olympic horse and rider combinations will be competing for $75,000 in prize money as well as points to earn the right to represent their countries at the 2008 World Cup Finals. A children’s carnival is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. Admission to the horse show and carnival is free with a $5 parking donation. All proceeds benefit the Clay County 4H Foundation.
• While the Landing is always the spot downtown to enjoy New Year’s, the Landing’s newest addition – Mavericks Rock N’ Honky Tonk – is vying for the biggest party. The club and bar, which replaced Club Paris on the second floor of the Landing, is hosting the Smokin’ Aces New Year’s Celebration presented by Jack Daniels. Mavericks is offering free party favors and a champagne toast at midnight, and limited “high roller” tables and VIP bottle service in Miss Ellie’s Bardello upstairs. Call 356-1110 for discounted reservations or for more information.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville is calling for nominations for the annual Memphis Wood Excellence in Teaching Award, presented to a First Coast educator who recognizes the value of the visual arts in education and who successfully uses visual arts to positively impact the lives of their students. The award is for a Prekindergarten-12 educator and open to practicing art instructors and teachers of other subjects in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The award also includes a $1,000 honorarium and guided tour of the museum for 30 students. Nomination portfolios may be mailed or hand-delivered no later than Feb. 11, and forms and guidelines are available at www.mocajacksonville.org/education/teacher. This year’s award Ceremony will be held at MOCA March 26.
• A case of mistaken identity: Wednesday morning one of the Downtown Ambassadors walked into the lobby at the Omni and spotted two members of the University of Virginia football staff directing players to the team bus. When the Ambassador proclaimed, “Alright – the Hokies are here,” the gentlemen from UVA quickly and courteously pointed out Virginia is the home of the Cavaliers. (The Hokies are from Virginia Tech.)
• State Sen. Jim King has weighed in on the Craig Airport runway extension issue and he’s opposed to the extension. In a letter to City Council members, King said, “It is very discouraging that agreements on this issue made by former executive directors of the Jacksonville Port Authority are now being ignored ...”
“The tourist who moves about to see and hear and open himself to all the influences of the places which condense centuries of human greatness is only a man in search of excellence.”
– Max Lerner, U.S. author and columnist.