• New Cornerstone Chair Gregory Smith will preside over the first quarterly Cornerstone luncheon of the year March 24 at the Hyatt. The guest speaker is Margaret Black-Scott, vice chair (retired) of Morgan Stanley. Cornerstone is the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Several members of the Jacksonville Young Democrats have let City Council President Ronnie Fussell know they oppose awarding the Trail Ridge Landfill contract without a bidding process. They base their concerns on four criteria: financial, the long-term nature of the contract, environmental issues and transparency.
• Conversely, the Northwest Citizens Planning Advisory Committee is on record as supporting Mayor John Peyton’s desire to extend the current contract with Waste Management without putting it out to bid. The civic organization voted 16-2 in favor of Peyton’s proposal.
• This year’s combined prize money for the Gate River Run is $85,000, a figure that race organizers believe may be the largest of any non-marathon race in the country. Also this year, there will be an elite team competition and the winning team will get $20,000 and the TenBroeck Cup, which is named after longtime Jacksonville Track Club volunteer John TenBroeck, who passed away last year.
• Speaking of the River Run, five of the men who have committed to run thus far also competed in the Summer Olympics in Beijing last year. In the women’s field, seven of the top 11 fastest U.S. marathoners will run.
• Updates: The T-Mobile cell phone store on Laura Street near City Hall recently opened for business. The printing shop going into the former Bread & Butter Cafe on the corner of Laura and Adams streets has made much progress, including hardwood floors and a pink paint job.
• A part of Downtown for so long, Deatry and Sons Shoes on West Adams Street is no more: inventory is gone and the shelves are bare in the storefront that began operating in the 1970s.
• One Harlem Globetrotter is visiting a Jacksonville school and bringing his game with him. Moo Moo Evans will appear at Andrew A. Robinson Elementary school today to teach children about the Globetrotters’ “C.H.E.E.R. for Character” program, which incorporates the basketball player’s famous ball skills with character building traits.
• Have a child with a great teacher? The University of North Florida is accepting nominations for its 2009 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence. Teachers with at least 10 years experience teaching in Duval County schools are eligible, with the award carrying a $15,000 cash prize – to be used however the winner sees fit. Nominations are accepted through written letters, with the last day of acceptance March 20. For more information contact Lynne Raiser at [email protected].
• The American Lung Association will celebrate its new local digs at 8852 Belfort Oaks Place on the Southside with an open house Feb. 27 from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• In honor of the 20th anniversary of one of North Florida’s most unique structures, JTA is sponsoring a Dames Point Bridge photo contest. Co-sponsors are Quest Corporation of America, Chelsea Photographic of San Marco and Mr. Frame It. Submissions must include the bridge (in whole or in part) and may be in color, black-and-white or digitally enhanced. The winning photographer will receive $100 from JTA and a framed print of their picture. Deadline is 5 p.m. March 6. Complete contest rules and entry forms are available at www.jtafla.com.
• Urban Golf has a new name. It’s now called “Linqe” (pronounced “link”). Also, the indoor golf facility on Beach Boulevard has also expanded its wine selection and added a “grotto and grille” atmosphere. Word is the change is part of a process to begin a franchising effort for the business.