• The law firm of Terrell Hogan has climbed aboard the Jaguars ticket-drive bandwagon. The firm is having its annual holiday staff celebration Dec. 17 beginning with a tailgate party at Russ-Doe’s sandwich shop. Then the group will walk to Municipal Stadium where the firm has purchased a block of tickets for the Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts game.
• The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) met on Wednesday and selected the following thirteen applicants to interview for the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Edward T. Barfield: Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Wendy W. Berger, Duval County Court Judge Kevin A. Blazs, Gerald B. Curington, Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge James Daniel, James C. Hankinson, Michael Jay Hauversburk, Florida Solicitor General Scott D. Makar, Simone Marstiller, Miguel A. Olivella, Jr., Charles A. Stampelos, Jessica Enciso Varn, Karen D. Walker, and Circuit Court Judge Waddell A. Wallace III.
• The Salt Life Food Shack in Jacksonville Beach will start training sessions for its staff in December. The new Beaches eatery plans to be open in January.
• Breaking Ground Contracting President/Owner Mary Tappouni was honored a Stevie Award recently for “Best Entrepreneur- Service Businesses — Up to 100 Employees — Consumer Products, IT& Materials.” The mission of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business is to recognize and generate public awareness of excellence in the workplace.
• The 2009 Jacksonville Light Parade was half way to its limit of 100 boats by the Captains’ meeting on Monday. The parade will troll down the St. Johns near the Landing Nov. 28.
• For those who want to get more use out of their Jacksonville Light Parade entry, there are more events. The Julington Creek Boat Parade is Dec. 5. The Palm Valley Boat Parade and Lighted Dock Contest is Dec. 12. The St. Augustine Holiday Regatta of Lights is also Dec. 12. The Swimming Pen Creek Lighted Boat Parade is Dec. 19.
• The Chestnut Law Firm along with local volunteers from The Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary Church will be preparing boxes filled with turkeys, stuffing, collard greens and cranberry sauce during an event called the “We Care Campaign.” A group of families who have received coupons will receive their baskets Monday at the church on Walgreen Road. Attorney Chris Chestnut founded the campaign “to show the people in the community that we care about them, especially during the holidays,” he said.
• Isaac Brown, digital film making instructor at The Art Institute of Jacksonville, has been awarded the State of Florida’s 2010 Individual Artist Fellowship Grant for the Media Arts category. The grant was established to assist artistic individuals in achieving their creative goals, while supporting the advancement of their careers. Brown will receive $5,000 to use towards the media arts field.