• CSX is the ninth-biggest public company in the state with 2006 revenues of $9.6 billion and 36,000 employees. Tops in the state is Clearwater-based Tech Data Corp. with reported revenues of $21.5 billion and 8,000 employees. Winn-Dixie (No. 11) and Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (No. 15) are the only other Jacksonville-based companies in the top 20.
• JTA is holding an invite-only workshop Thursday during which there will be presentations on Better Jacksonville Plan/JTA projects, the proposed Bus Rapid Transit/System Redesign, the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center and JTA’s feasibility studies on commuter rail and water borne transportation. Lunch and an afternoon bus tour of JTA Better Jax projects follows the morning presentations.
• The Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation and MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation is hosting a Health and Neighborhoods Day Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Simonds Johnson Community Center and Park. The event is free and open to the public and will focus on health education.
• The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is hosting “Zoom at the Zoo,” a classic car festival this Saturday and Sunday. Because Sunday is Father’s Day, dads will receive free admission to the Zoo with a coupon printed off its Web site, www.jacksonvillezoo.org.
• Word is the UF men’s basketball team will play a game in Jacksonville this year at the Arena, but they won’t face the JU Dolphins. Apparently, the Gators will play a “home game” here against Georgia Southern. Also, JU will play one of last season’s Final Four teams when they travel to Georgetown.
• The new addition at the Museum of Science and History is neither man nor beast. It’s a Meade 20-degree Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope and is one of only four in the world. The purchase was made possible through a generous donation from Timucuan Asset Management.
• City Council recently passed an ordinance creating the Industrial Technical Advisory Committee. Members will be nominated by the Council president and approved by Council. The seven-member committee will consist of: a commercial property owner, a residential property owner, a residential builder, a residential property developer, a commercial property developer and two representatives from industrial businesses operating in Jacksonville.
• Michele Querry, Mayor John Peyton’s former campaign manager, has joined the Dalton Agency as its director of political and public affairs. She’s also actively involved in State Rep. candidate Mike Weinstein’s campaign.
“History teaches us that the great revolutions aren’t started by people who are utterly down and out, without hope and vision. They take place when people begin to live a little better—and when they see how much yet remains to be achieved.”
– Hubert H. Humphrey