• The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast was approved for a $241,000 grant from the Jacksonville Journey for its TEAM UP initiative, which will offer 270 Northwest Jacksonville children an after-school program beginning Jan. 12. The program concentrates on academics and personal growth through tutoring and enrichment activities.
• The Business Journal is hosting its 2009 Book of Lists event Feb. 5 at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. Everyone who makes the list gets in free, guests are $95 and Business Journal subscribers can get in for $75.
• It’s a ways off, but Mayor John Peyton has agreed to be the recipient of this year’s Florence N. Davis Award for Community Achievement. The annual ceremony — Tribute to Excellence — is hosted by Community Connections and this year it’s Oct. 22 at the Omni.
• Speaking of honoring folks, former Chair of the Federal Reserve Fred Schultz will get Leadership Jacksonville’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s 14th Annual Celebration of Leadership. It’s at the Hyatt April 16.
• In her December report on the progress of the Jacksonville Journey, director Debbie Verges says four bids each were received Dec. 31 for the ex-offender employment and ex-offender training and re-entry programs. No word on when the bids will be evaluated and awarded.
• The 75-voice St. Olaf Choir from Northfield, Minn. will perform with the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the T-U Center. The group has performed all over the world since its founding in 1912. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and are available at Ticketmaster outlets.
• Hand-painted skateboard decks will be part of the First Wednesday Art Walk this week. The exhibit will be held in the basement at The Library (formerly the Haydon Burns Public Library). ArtWalk starts at 5 p.m., rain or shine.
• Same faces, new name: First Coast Security has a new division. It’s called Compass Protective Services and some of the personnel are already wearing new uniforms. The company is expanding into markets outside North Florida, so a less geographically-specific brand was in order.
• The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has debuted a new Web-based service for professionals seeking a license in Florida. Currently pages are in place for the boards of Architecture and Interior Design, Landscape Architecture and Veterinary Medicine with pages for other licensed professions to be added. The idea is to assist applicants in obtaining information regarding the requirements for becoming licensed and common deficiencies. The department licenses more than 1 million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. The new page can be found at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.