• U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has been reassigned to serve on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MILCON) and the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs in the 110th Congress. As a member of the MILCON Subcommittee, Crenshaw will oversee military construction projects worldwide, U.S. contributions to the NATO Security Investment program and the bulk of base realignment and closure (BRAC) costs. The Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (formerly the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations) oversees the Agency for International Development, The Foreign Military Financing Program through the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Export-Import Bank and other trade and development programs.
• Cathedral Arts Project has bestowed the 2007 Guardian of the Arts award to local philanthropist Jim Winston. Winston is chairman and director of LPMC, a private investment company. He is also president of Citadel Life & Health Insurance Company and general partner of White Oak Land Company. Winston will receive the award at Cathedral Arts Project’s annual “Spring for the Arts” fundraiser March 30 at Deerwood Country Club.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida has hired Steve Gilbert, former head football coach at Jacksonville University, to be the agency’s Chief Operating Officer. Gilbert is charged with enhancing program quality and retention, developing new customer-service standards and expanding the program to include Baker, Flagler and Putnam counties in addition to Duval, Clay and Volusia counties.
• The Burrito Gallery on Adams Street is extending their hours. Beginning Jan. 23, the restaurant/bar will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 1-10 p.m. and Fridays to midnight. Previously the bar was only open in the evenings Wednesday-Saturday.
• In addition to the Burrito Gallery’s new hours, they are also offering plastic silver credit card-looking gift certificates.