Dyal appointed to Cultural Council
Jacksonville attorney Nicholas Dyal was appointed to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville by Mayor Alvin Brown. He will serve as a board member for three years. The council seeks to improve Jacksonville's arts and cultural sectors through advocacy and grant making.
'Let's talk about it' series launches Nov. 17
The Jacksonville Public Library will host its initial program for "Let's Talk About It: Muslim Journeys" 2-4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Southeast Regional Library. The discussion will be of F.E. Peter's "The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam." It will be led by Parvez Ahmed, the Rev. Stephen Goyer and Senior Rabbi Joshua Lief. The grant-funded program is the first of a five-part series brought to the community through a partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — University of North Florida Division of Continuing Education, the Interfaith Center of UNF, the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida and OneJax Institute. For more information, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/muslimjourneys.
Alternative Fuels Expo next week
The Florida Alternative Fuel Vehicles 2013 Expo is 9-11:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at the University of North Florida Herbert University Center. Compressed natural gas, propane, electric, biodiesel and liquefied natural gas vehicles and information will be on display from 9-10 a.m., with a moderated panel discussion from 10-11:30 a.m. There is no fee for attending, but registration is required. Visit northfloridatpo.com for more information.
Ferry commission meets Monday
The next meeting of the St. Johns River Ferry Commission is 4 p.m. Monday in Conference Room A on the fourth floor of City Hall. No agenda has been posted.
Dreams Come True names two to staff
Dreams Come True has named Lynn Betros as director of development and Caitlyn Kennedy as a dream assistant. Betros previously served as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation development director and will be responsible for fundraising and donor relations at Dreams Come True. Kennedy worked as an administrative assistant with Baptist Health Foundation and will work with children and their families, as well as hospitals and clinics that refer children to the nonprofit. Dreams Come True is a local nonprofit that fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Beaver Street Enterprise Center marks 10 years
Beaver Street Enterprise Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a lunch event from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the 1225 W. Beaver St. facility. Author Jon Gordon will be the guest speaker. The center serves as a business incubator and offers consulting, mentoring and space for entrepreneurs. For more information, visit bsecenter.org.
FDOT to remove call boxes
Motorists used to seeing telephone call boxes along Florida's highways won't see them for much longer, according to The News Service of Florida. The state Department of Transportation has begun removing almost all of the 2,752 push-button call boxes. The call boxes have been used less because of personal cell phones. The removal, estimated to cost $200,000, will be finished by the end of January. The department is expected to save about $1 million per year from the move.
NAIOP panel in November
NAIOP, the region's commercial real estate authority and trade association, will have an industry-experts panel during its Nov. 21 meeting at Deerwood Country Club. Jerry Mallot, JAXUSA Partnership president, will moderate the discussion featuring Alex Coley of NAI Hallmark Partners, Victor Hughes of Parkway Properties, Rich Isphording of Steelcase, John Richardson of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and Bob Selton of Colliers International. They all will provide a 2013 market update and a 2014 forecast. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for NAIOP members, $50 for nonmembers. For more information, visit naiopnefl.com or call (904) 730-8075.
Cook named Epping Forest GM
The Gate Hospitality Group has announced Dan Cook as general manager of Epping Forest Yacht Club. Cook will oversee day-to-day operations of the private membership club. That includes the formal and casual dining experience, banquet rooms, fitness center, swimming pools, tennis courts and 71-slip marina. His experience includes management positions with The Lodge & Club and Marriott Sawgrass Resort. From 1996-2009, he was the assistant general manager and director of catering for Epping Forest.
North Florida Land Trust receives land donation
North Florida Land Trust announced it has received 500 acres within the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve for preservation and protection. The preserve was established in 1988 and covers 46,000 acres of wetland habitats and contains 300 privately held pieces of land. The acreage on North Main Street near and adjacent to the Nassau River was deeded last month to the trust from the estate of Noble Enge Jr.