• The Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront has applied to be the first “green” certified hotel in Jacksonville through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Green Lodging Program. While the Crowne Plaza already meets several requirements such as buying in bulk, leasing office machinery, using refillable containers, and operating a 100 percent non-smoking facility, it is making several upgrades to adhere to “Green” requirements, such as water-reducing shower heads and compact fluorescent lamps to replace iridescent ones.
• A design flaw has caused problems for the new MaliVai Washington Youth Tennis & Education Complex at Emmett Reed Park. A majority of the funding has come from private sources, a half-million dollar grant and funds from City Council member Gwen Yates’ and former Council member Reggie Fullwood’s Better Jacksonville Plan funds. However, according to MWKF Executive Director Terri Florio, the design flaw will add about $75,000 to the price tag and she has asked Council President Michael Corrigan for $10,000.
• Cornerstone, the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an economic round table July 20 from 8 a.m.-noon at the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village. Angelos Angelou, founder and CEO of AngelouEconomics, will deliver the keynote address on trends and opportunities in economic development.
• Saturday’s Jacksonville Axemen rugby match with the New Jersey Sharks is the first home match of the season for the team. Last year, the Sharks knocked the Axemen out of the playoffs. Game time is 5:45 at the University of North Florida stadium and of-age fans can enjoy $1 beers.
• Also Saturday, Denver-based Frontier Airlines starts its non-stop service from Jacksonville to Denver. Frontier also serves Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando.
“Our age is very cheap and intelligible. Unroof any house, and you shall find it. The well-being consists in having a sufficiency of coffee and toast, with a daily newspaper; a well glazed parlor, with marbles, mirrors and centre-table; and the excitement of a few parties and a few rides in a year.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson