• The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida has named several to the executive committee of its advisory board. A.C. “Chip” Skinner, is the chairman; Louis Contanza, vice chair; Rod Firestone, secretary; D. Clinton Dawkins III, treasurer; and Arthur “Buddy” Jacobs was named to the board.
• In support of Edward Waters College, CSX Corp. and City Year, a national service organization, will hold a Service Day Saturday during which more than 250 local volunteers will participate including Mayor John Peyton and CSX CEO, President and Chairman Michael Ward. The volunteers will spend the day landscaping the grounds at the school and revitalizing the student patio area, among other projects. The event is the final in a series of six CSX and City Year cooperative service days this year.
• Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. for “Dancing With the Stars” - The Tour. The tour performs at the Arena at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Tickets are available at the Arena’s box office, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 353-3309.
• Compass Bank President Bob White was recently chosen by Floridians for Smarter Growth to lead the fight against the Hometown Democracy amendment. White is the chair of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Existing Business department.
• Speaking of the Chamber, it has announced its 2008 Small Business nominees for the Compass Bank Small Business of the Year. There are nine nominees and the Downtown Council’s nominee is Jepp Walter of Redline Services.
• One more from the Chamber. Armando Codina, president and CEO of Flagler Development Group, is the guest speaker at the Dec. 12 Cornerstone luncheon at the Hyatt. Cornerstone is the economic development arm of the Chamber. For more, call 366-6600 ext. 7601.
• The World Affairs Council of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Port Authority are hosting the second annual Ambassador’s Circle Dinner Thursday. This year, the special guest is Lee Tae-Sik, South Korean ambassador to the United States. Korean shipping giant Hanjin Shipping is preparing to operate out of the Dames Point terminal once it is completed in 2009. Following the reception aboard the Mayport Ferry at 6 p.m., Mayor John Peyton will present Lee with a key to the City, after which guests will be escorted into the cruise terminal for a gala dinner. Seating is limited. For information on reservations and event sponsorship, call 280-8162.
• Speaking of Peyton, his Book Club, which is part of the Rally Jacksonville program, has gained national attention following a series of stories in the Oct. 15 issue of USA Today. The article states that Peyton is “at the forefront of the latest mayoral reading efforts” now going on across the country. The Jacksonville program to promote reading and literacy will reportedly reach about 8,500 pre-kindergarteners in Duval County.
“Americans are achievers. They are obsessed with records of achievement in sports and they keep business achievement charts on their office walls and sports awards displayed in their homes.”
– From a booklet for foreign students published by the United States Information Agency.