No Art Walk tonight
With the first Wednesday of the month falling on New Year's Day, there will be no Art Walk for January. The next monthly Downtown arts and entertainment event will be from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 5.
Red light enforcement grace period begins
As part of the city's Red Light Enforcement Program, the 30-day warning period for several locations begins today. Each spot is along Blanding Boulevard: Argyle Forest Boulevard on the eastbound approach; Collins Road on the northbound and southbound approaches; and Youngerman Circle on the northbound approach. Violation notices will begin on Jan. 31. The fine for running a red light is $158 when captured by camera, $262 when issued by an officer or if the violation goes unpaid or uncontested. For more information, visit coj.net/departments/sheriffs-office.aspx.
Gator Bowl road closures
As part of today's TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, several Downtown roads will be altered to accommodate game-day traffic. At 9 a.m., Bay Street will have three lanes eastbound and one lane westbound. At halftime, Bay Street and Gator Bowl Boulevard starting at the Lot J exit will be one-way westbound. There also will be one-way traffic patterns away from EverBank Field after the game for up to an hour.
Stellar ranks high in food processing design
Stellar, a design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, has again been ranked the world's second-leading international food processing design firm by Engineering News-Record. The magazine also ranked the Jacksonville-based company as a top 10 firm for international food processing contracts. Rankings released in the magazine's "Global Sourcebook" are based on 2012 contractor and design firm revenue from manufacturing. Stellar's clients include Fortune 500 food companies such as Nestle, Kraft, Starbucks, Heinz, General Mills, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Tyson and ConAgra foods.
Local author series kicks off New Year
Over the next two months, the Jacksonville Public Library will feature five authors from Jacksonville and Sarasota who will take part in "Jacksonville: In Local Voices and Words."
The programs start at 5:30 p.m. on the following schedule:
• Jan. 14, Ennis Davis, co-founder of Metro Jacksonville, who will discuss historical buildings, architecture and urban planning as related to present-day revitalization efforts.
• Jan. 28, author Mary Mungen Jameson, who will discuss her book, "Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville — Fairfield: The African-American Influence."
• Feb. 11, author Earl Kitchings, who will talk about his upcoming motivational book series, "GUT CHECK Dictionary" and his work on historical high school sports record books.
• Feb. 25, author Dorothy Fletcher, who will discuss her latest book, "Lost Restaurants of Jacksonville" and other works about her life in the city.
The library will also host an autobiography workshop by Sarasota author Elizabeth Coursen from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the University Park Branch Library.
The "Yes, You! An Entertaining Autobiography in Three Easy Steps" program will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged by calling (904) 630-4655.
Scott reappoints Cobb to state board
Gov. Rick Scott has reappointed Christopher Cobb to the state's Construction Industry Licensing Board. Cobb is an attorney and shareholder with Jimerson & Cobb and is reappointed for a term that ends Oct. 31, 2017. The board is responsible for licensing and regulating the construction industry. It regularly meets to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases and conduct informal hearings.
Atlantic Beach girl first for local Smile for a Lifetime
Caitlin Gulley of Atlantic Beach will be the recipient of orthodontic work by the Jacksonville chapter of Smile for a Lifetime. The national charitable nonprofit launched in 2008 provides orthodontic care to people who can't acquire assistance.
The local board, which began in October, unanimously selected the 15-year-old as its first recipient.
JCCI launches new website
Jacksonville Community Council Inc. has launched its revamped website, jcci.org. The organization calls the new look "a lot more user-friendly, clean, and engaging." The office will remain closed through Sunday and will have an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at its new Downtown offices within the WJCT building, 100 Festival Park Ave.
Nassau County local bill hearing date set
Duval Delegation member Janet Adkins, chair of the Nassau County Legislative Delegation, has announced there will be a county delegation meeting from 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Nassau County Commission Chambers in Yulee. Formal delegation action will take place. The group will hear about a resolution from the Ocean, Highway and Port Authority requesting an increase from 95,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds on the maximum permitted load weight limit on break-bulk export shipping destined for Fernandina's port.