• The U.S. Census Bureau has launched its 2010 Census Spanish language Web site, www.2010census.gov/espanol. The site’s goal is to inform the more than 34 million Spanish-speaking people about the 2010 Census and to demonstrate to the Hispanic community that participation is easy, important and safe. The site reinforces the message that answers provided in the 2010 Census are strictly confidential and protected by law. The bureau will mail 120 million forms starting in March. For the first time, 13 million bilingual, English-Spanish forms will be delivered across the country.
• Ken Glover, the director of Health of Wellness at CSX, is his company’s new representative on the Mayor’s Council on Fitness & Well-being.
• Want to be a leader? The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Political Leadership Institute might be looking for you. On the heels of a successful 2009 class, the PLI is now looking for its 2010 class and officials are encouraging members of the business community interested in potential future public leadership to apply. There’s no cost or commitment to run for office and for more information, go to www.jaxleader.org.
• Speaking of Chamber groups, Saturday is the deadline for Women in Business Award nominations in multiple categories. Pioneer of the Year, Corporate Woman of the Year, Franchise of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year are all up for grabs for local businesswomen. Awards will be given during the annual luncheon March 24 from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Go to www.pwcjax.org to nominate.
• The University of North Florida’s Division of Continuing Education is hosting management expert Glenn Shepard Feb. 24. Shepard can command upwards of $1,300 per person for an appearance, but Tim Giles, director of the division, is offering the half-day seminar for $147. Giles has invited members of the Chamber.
• Baptist Health of Northeast Florida was recently awarded the honor of hosting a two-day Magnet Workshop by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The organization is an affiliate of the American Nurses Association, with the workshop providing the opportunity for health care officials from around the country to learn what it takes to reach Magnet status — an award given to hospitals that measure well in the strength and quality of their nursing. The workshop is Feb. 11-12.
• In December, U.S. Sen. George LeMieux nominated 48 high school and college students as candidates for U.S. military academies and three of those students have received appointments. Joshua Cooksey, who is attending Mandarin High School and Carson McKendree, who attends Episcopal High School, have been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Paige Shirley, who also attends Episcopal High School, has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
• City Council member Johnny Gaffney swung by Springfield’s City Kidz Ice Cream recently, but it wasn’t just for a quick bite to eat. Instead, Gaffney was in his district’s eatery talking financial literacy and education to the City Kidz Financial Literacy Ambassadors and their parents who participate in the store’s ongoing mission to educate children on money matters.
• The Gate River Run is in mid-March, but one local woman is hoping to see people using their feet for a different purpose the week before. Helen Green, organizer of the annual Ride With Me for Autism bike race, has set March 6 for the annual event at the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. and will cross McGirts Creek. Cost is $25 for adults with a $100 minimum pledge to ride, $10 for children, with proceeds going to autism awareness. For more information go to www.ridewithmeforautism.org.