• The Florida Ballet is using its recent grant from the Weaver Family Foundation to fund scholarships and further support the organization’s administrative staff. Dearing McCrae Mullen has been named Development Director after holding similar positions at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Leukemia Society and WJCT Public Broadcasting. The ballet company’s marketing efforts will now be directed by Linda Onimus, who has a background in marketing diagnostic healthcare. Tiffany Way has been interim Administrative Director for the past year but has now been named to the post. The Florida Ballet will begin its 2007-08 performance series at the Florida Theatre Nov. 3. For information, call 353-7518 or visit www.floridaballet.org.
• The First Coast No More Homeless Pets is hosting the 4th annual Dogtoberfest from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13 at Dog Wood Park, 7404 Salisbury Rd. South. The event features a fundraising walk and dog costume contest. In the past, hundreds of costumed dogs and their owners raise money for First Coast No More Homeless Pets’ spay and neuter programs. For more information visit www.dogtoberfest.org.
• Clarification. Elkins Constructors is the construction manager for the new duPont Trust headquarters on Riverside Avenue. The building is in the design phase and is scheduled to be done in September of next year. Danis is the construction manager for the new Nemours Foundation office near Butler Boulevard. It will be done in July.
• St. Johns Riverkeeper is offering unique river tours for businesses and families during October. Families can learn about local history and ecology and enjoy hands-on educational activities during “Family River Rides” on Oct. 13 and 20. Cost is $25 per family and includes light snacks and water. The boat departs at 9:30 a.m. from Friendship Park and returns around 11:30 a.m. Businesses and other residents can enjoy 45-minute “Brown Bag” boat rides on Oct. 19 and 26. Cost is $10 per person and participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. The boat launches from the Jacksonville Landing at noon. To make a reservation e-mail Education and Outreach Coordinator Danielle Dolan at [email protected], or for more information visit www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org.
“Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit system. Our thoughts and beliefs ‘pass,’ so long as nothing challenges them, just as bank-notes pass so long as nobody refuses them.”
– William James, U.S. philosopher, psychologist.