• Those attending the area Chamber Council events can pay with credit cards now in addition to cash. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express will all be accepted.
• The 30th Annual Mayor’s Fish-a-Thon is April 1 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hanna Park. The angling event is free for seniors 60 years and older, including fishing gear, bait, fried fish lunch and prizes. Awards will be given for most fish caught, biggest and smallest fish and for the prettiest and ugliest fish. To make reservations for lunch or for transportation from senior residences and senior centers, call 630-7392.
• Duval County Public Schools has been recognized for its commitment to sound financial practices and principles. DCPS received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the Association of School Business Officials International Meritorious Budget Award. More than 123,000 students attend 160 public schools in Duval County.
• Kara Tucker, a counselor at the Disability Resource Center at the University of North Florida, has been nominated by Gov. Charlie Crist to serve on the Florida Commission in Human Relations. If her appointment is confirmed by the State Senate, she will serve through Sept. 20.
• Downtown Vision is hosting a blood drive during Friday’s Hemming Plaza Farmer’s Market. A Blood Alliance bloodmobile will be on hand from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., with two appointments scheduled every 20 minutes, though walk-ins are welcome. A photo ID is required and those who give blood will be entered to win a $25 Target gift card. To schedule an appointment, call Tasha Tucker at 634-0303 ext. 225.
• Speaking of DVI, it released its 2008 Annual Report this week detailing the value of the $1.15 million investment made last year by Downtown property owners and the City. Highlights of the report include bringing 51,000 visitors Downtown to participate in DVI-sponsored events (at $22.55 per person), providing an umbrella-bearing escort to 700 people on rainy days and sending 90 e-mails to Downtown property owners and supporters.
• The Northeast Florida Builders Association will hold its 42nd annual Construction Industry Trade Expo today at the University of North Florida’s University Center from 4–8 p.m. More than 50 booths featuring industry products and services will be featured to the public and other members of the construction and building industry.
• Strawberry season is upon us. Jax City Cafe has received some fresh strawberries Tuesday and will be offering strawberry tarts.
• People who had a hankering for some corned beef and cabbage Tuesday but didn’t want to fight the crowds are still in luck. O’Brothers in Five Points offers the dish as a regular menu item and the cabbage and corned beef are served in a delicious beef gravy.
• The good reviews about this year’s finish of the Gate River Run may keep it on Duval Street for next year’s race. Runners finished inside Jacksonville Municipal Stadium last year, but people were much happier being finished with the race after they came off the Hart Expressway, said Jean Alred, one of the event organizers.
• Shannon Hewett and Deno Hicks have opened a Jacksonville office for the lobbying firm Southern Strategy Group. Hewett was previously Chief of Legislative Affairs for Mayor John Peyton. Hicks was most recently vice president of government affairs for BCR Environmental. Southern Strategy Group now has 16 offices nationwide, including four in Florida, and employs 46 lobbyists who represent more than 300 clients.
• Landstar Systems, Inc. has been ranked in first place in the trucking category on Fortune magazine’s 2009 list of “America’s Most Admired Companies.” A total of 689 companies from 28 countries were considered for the report. This year marks Landstar’s sixth consecutive appearance on the list.