• The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) has recognized Mai D. Keisling from Paxon School for Advanced Studies with this year’s Memphis Wood Excellence in Teaching Award. Keisling teaches 3-D art and advanced placement art history and was also recognized in 2007 by the Florida Art Education Association as Florida’s Outstanding High School Art Teacher of the Year. She will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a guided tour of MOCA for 30 students and a decorative glass award.
• Speaking of top teachers, nominations for the Teachers’ Insurance Plan 2007-08 Florida Teacher of the Year are being accepted through April 30. Teachers, students and parents can nominate any of the state’s more than 170,000 accredited teachers by explaining in 250 words or less why the teacher should win. Nominees will be judged on their ability to motivate students, special talents and their contribution to their school, students and community. The award includes $1,000 and a $500 grant to the teacher’s school. Nomination forms are available at www.teachers.com/toty.
• The Gator Bowl Association will hold its first committee meeting of the year April 3 at the Omni at 5 p.m. According to Gator Bowl Association Chair Brian Goin, the plan is to talk about the challenges the GBA faces and goals for the 2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.
• Riverside Avondale Preservation’s 34th Annual Spring Tour of Homes is April 26-27. The self-guided tour costs $15. For more, call 389-2449.
• A reminder: Claudette Williams will be inaugurated as Edwards Waters College’s first female president on March 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Adams-Jenkins Sports and Music Center on campus. The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Johnetta Cole, president emerita of Bennett College for Women and Spelman College.
“Take care to sell your horse before he dies. The art of life is passing losses on.”
Robert Frost, U.S. poet