• Jacksonville’s unemployment rate continues to drop. Duval County’s rate fell from a seasonally adjusted 11.7 percent in April to 10.55 percent in May, but remained higher than the 9.34 percent of May 2009. Those numbers were seasonally adjusted by economist Paul Mason at the University of North Florida and director of the Local Economic Indicators Project. “The drop from April to May 2010 was quite substantial even after seasonal adjustment,” said Mason.
• Speaking of jobs, the Duval County labor force grew by 459 between April and May, according to the state. The labor force is defined as people working and looking for work. The number of those working grew by 1,542 positions, while those unemployed and seeking jobs fell by 1,083. For the year, the labor force grew by 2,191, with employment down 3,956 and unemployment up 6,147.
• The American Diabetes Association named State Rep. Mia Jones its Legislative Champion in recognition of her co-sponsorship and support of House Bill 747 during the 2010 legislative session. The legislation addresses the need for uniform standards for the care students with diabetes receive during school hours and activities.
• Tomorrow, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will administer the Oath of Allegiance to 20 candidates from 16 countries who will become America’s newest citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Fort Caroline National Memorial. It’s the first time the fort will host the event.
• John Markiewicz has been elected the 2010-11 State Commander and President of the Disabled American Veterans. Markiewicz is a Jacksonville resident who was senior vice commander of the Florida DAV, which has 64,000 members in Florida.
• July 4 is less than two weeks away. Solomon Lodge No. 20 invites the public to an Independence Day Celebration 2:30-7 p.m. July 3 at Confederate Park at Main and Hubbard streets. The event will honor the U.S. military and service personnel. Info: Robert Bracewell at [email protected]
• The Beaches Veterans Memorial Park is a step closer to development. Leaders of Beaches veterans’ groups formed a corporation and not-for-profit to develop the park, planned in Atlantic Beach at Atlantic Boulevard and Mayport Road. Fundraising has started and the first visible park feature will be an 80-foot flagpole. The group meets at 6 p.m. July 20 in the Atlantic Beach City Hall.
• Planning ahead: The Riverside Fine Arts Association announced its 17th concert season schedule beginning Sept. 10. It’ll kick off with the 17-member classical music group “A Far Cry” and conclude with “The 5 Browns” April 6 in conjunction with the Artist Series of Florida State College at Jacksonville. With the exception of the Artist Series show, performances will be at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Riverside. For more information, visit www.riversidefinearts.org.
• Planning further ahead: Halloween Doors & More, benefiting Community PedsCare, is scheduled for Oct. 16, with a preview party Oct. 14, at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. Community PedsCare is a pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
• And planning even further ahead: The 34th Annual Art & Antiques Show by The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital kicks off with its opening night party Dec. 2 and the show will run through Dec. 5 at the Osborn Center. Proceeds will support a new Behavioral Health Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, as well as the KidsKare Pediatric Transport Program. The Women’s Board has raised more than $20 million for expansion of services and equipment at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.