• The Tim Tebow Foundation partnered with Jacksonville-based Dreams Come True as the official wish-granting organization for the Tim Tebow Foundation’s “Wish 15” program — W15H. The program has been created to fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatending illnesses whose wish is to meet Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, former quarterback for the Florida Gators. Dreams Come True will handle all logistics and serve as the point of contact for all dreams to meet Tebow.
• The Young Professionals Group of the St. Johns Riverkeeper recently held a contest for the group’s next name. The winner: the Rising Tides.
• After defeating the Georgia Force Monday evening at the Arena, the Jacksonville Sharks will head west to play the Arizona Rattlers in the ArenaBowl, the league’s championship. If you can’t make the trek west, you can watch it at 8:30 p.m. Friday on NFL Network.
• Dr. Mary O’Connor, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will lead a U.S.-Canadian pilot project funded by a $127,000 grant to understand whether biological differences between men and women affect the incidence and severity of knee osteoarthritis. O’Connor, chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Jacksonville, will be the study’s principal investigator.
• The latest opposition to the pension deal before City Council is from the Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures Commission. The group was formed in 1994 by Council and acts as a panel to improve the City’s long-range financial planning, budgeting and management.
• The Teacher Supply Depot will hold a Back to School Giveaway for all Duval County Public Schools employees and Duval PTA presidents from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Teacher Supply Depot at 3108 Lenox Ave. New items will be available, including paper plates, cups, stuffed animals, card stock, jewelry, copy paper and more. Those attending should bring three canvas tote bags and their DCPS identification. No children or guests, please.
• Christina Castle has been hired as an assistant marketing manager for SMG, the company that manages the City’s public assembly facilities, which include EverBank Field, the Arena, the Baseball Grounds, the Times-Union Center, the Osborn Center and the Equestrian Center.
• CND Trucking, a Jacksonville-based refrigerated and dry freight transportation company, has expanded its fleet by eight transport trailers, a tractor and additional owner-operators. Tracy Jackson, a partner and vice president, said the company has increased business and revenues. The company reported a 33 percent increase in sales in 2011 from 2010. He cited addition business from fellow First Coast Manufacturers Association members, specifically WhiteWave Foods, Bubba Burgers and Shaw’s Southern Belle Frozen Foods. Jackson and business partner Mike Harris, company president, plan to add a few more trailers before the end of the year.