• At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, an item was added to the agenda at the last minute: Resolution 2007-4114 was read into the record to honor the University of Florida football team’s victory over Ohio State in the BCS Championship. For the reading of the bill, Council President Michael Corrigan, a University of North Florida graduate, was named an “Honorary Gator” and appropriately robed in orange and blue by Council member Kevin Hyde.
• The Cultural Council of Jacksonville is seeking nominations for the 31st Annual Arts Awards in the categories of business, individual, educator and small business. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 7 and winners will be announced at a luncheon on April 24. Awards are made by a selection committee of local arts and business leaders, educators, past recipients and Cultural Council board members. For a complete set of criteria or a nomination form, call 358-3600 or visit www.culturalcouncil.org.
• The Center for Community Initiatives at the University of North Florida – in association with the Cultural Council – has published the results of a study on economic impact of the nonprofit arts and cultural industry in Duval County. The data indicated 34 organizations that responded to the study supported 410 full-time jobs, 505 part-time jobs and work for 303 independent contractors in 2005. The groups had combined expenses of more than $66 million and generated a total spending impact of $131.5 million. In addition, 218,500 hours were donated to the organizations by 9,200 volunteers in 2005.
• A recent study by the American Lung Association gave Florida a grade of “F” for the state’s cigarette tax and spending on tobacco prevention and control. The state received a “D” in the study’s “Youth Access” category and a “B” for smoke-free air. Florida imposes a tax of slightly less than 34 cents on each pack of cigarettes, the seventh lowest in the nation. The study cites data from the Centers for Disease Control, which estimates health-care costs for each pack of cigarettes sold in America at $7.18.
• The Strand on the Southbank is getting ready for occupancy beginning in March. To help promote Downtown living, developer American Land Ventures created a virtual tour that shows a “day in the life” of a Strand resident. You can take the virtual tour at www.thestrandsouthbank.com/video.htm.
• Reminder: City offices are closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Closures include: City Hall, City Hall Annex, Ed Ball Building, Yates Building, Duval County Courthouse, Office of Supervisor of Elections, the Duval County Health Department and the libraries.
• The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens’ last lecture series, which coincides with the “Temples and Tombs” exhibit, will be held 11 a.m. Jan. 20 in the Main Library’s auditorium. The lecture is titled “Lives of Objects: Artists and Patrons in Ancient Egypt.” Admission is $5.
• Jacksonville is hosting “A Taste at Downtown Jacksonville!” from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Independent Square. The event is a marketing promotion for companies trying to build their client bases and showcase their culinary products and services. There will be live jazz music, food and art displays. For more information on the event visit www.atasteofevents.com.