UNF to celebrate LGBT History Month
The University of North Florida’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center will host activities throughout campus in October as part of LGBT History Month.
Some of the events:
• “From Seneca to Selma to Stonewall — A Self-Guided Campus Tour” throughout October. It’s a Stonewall National Museum and Archives-curated exhibit anchored by President Barack Obama’s acknowledgment of civil rights efforts in Seneca Falls, Selma, Ala., and Stonewall, N.Y. The exhibit is meant to show the diversity of UNF students, faculty and staff and will have a map and checklist of locations.
In addition, there will be a conversation with Emery Grant at noon Oct. 3 about the exhibit. Grant is from the Stonewall Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale and will share stories and artifacts from the archives.
• “Changing Religious Perspectives on Same-Gender Orientation” at 7 p.m. Oct. 9. The event is an open dialogue on the emerging new religious perspective for same-gender orientation.
Panelists are Jane Clementi, a Christian mother whose gay son committed suicide; David Gushee, a Mercer University Christian ethics professor and Center for Theology and Public Life director; Rev. MacArthur Flournoy, a Human Rights Campaign faith partnerships and mobilization director; and Carolyn Stone, UNF professor and spokeswoman for the American School Counselor’s Associations ethics committee.
The event is in Building 45A, Fine Arts Center, Robinson Theater, Room 1311.
EverBank Field home to Clevelander Deck
When the Jacksonville Jaguars opened their regular season home slate Sunday, the local introduction of the team wasn’t the only thing new.
The team and entertainment brand Clevelander announced the opening of the Clevelander Deck at EverBank Field. The deck features two spas overlooking the field from the north end zone, Clevelander frozen drinks, live entertainment, full-service cabanas and postgame parties for two hours after each home games.
The naming deal and features are results from the $63 million in stadium upgrades the team and city spent over the past year.
A game ticket must be purchased to enter the stadium and the deck, with general admission to the space free during all Jaguars games.
“We continue to work toward our vision of making EverBank Field a destination like no other for our fans, and partnering with the Clevelander is an outstanding next step in those efforts,” said team President Mark Lamping. “No one knows the entertainment scene in Florida like the Clevelander, and this partnership elevates what is already a stellar game day experience even further.”
Library hosts chat with new symphony director
The Jacksonville Public Library and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra have partnered to present “Conversations with Courtney” at 5:45 p.m. today in the lounge of the Main Library.
“Courtney” is Courtney Lewis, the symphony’s new music director, who will chat with attendees about his premiere concert this weekend, his decision on the piece for the show, how he came to Jacksonville and the library’s role in his life.
It is the first of a two-part series. Two pairs of tickets to Saturday’s concert will be given away at the event.
Lewis will conduct the symphony’s opening concerts Friday and Saturday and the finale May 14-15. He’ll be with the organization full time beginning in fall 2015.
Library celebrating reading freedom this week
The Jacksonville Public Library is celebrating Banned Books Week through Saturday with a special “Before Email” theater production at the Main Library.
The event is at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Conference Center Level of the Main Library.
Theater cast members will read well-known authors whose works have been banned, challenged or restricted at some time in history. Those include Maya Angelou, Lewis Carroll, Anne Frank, George Orwell, J.K. Rowling, Alice Walker and others.
The event is free and open to the public.
Supreme Court justice speaks at EWC
Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry emphasized the importance of being active in a democratic government during a recent talk with Edward Waters College students.
Perry spoke during the college’s Community Advocacy and Civic Responsibility forum. The program’s objective is to support students through responsible community engagement and inspire them to serve as advocates for social change.
He was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Gov. Charlie Christ in March 2009. He is the fourth African-American to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
He previously served as a circuit judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, including two years as its chief judge.
After Perry’s remarks, a panel discussion was held about the evolution of community advocacy and where it now stands in society. The panel included students, attorneys Rhonda Peeples-Waters and Robert C. Rivers, and representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
121 Financial Credit Union breaks ground in Middleburg
121 Financial Credit Union broke ground last week on its newest branch at 1714 Blanding Blvd. in Middleburg.
The facility will be 3,900 square feet, have three drive-thru lanes, a drive-up ATM and safe deposit boxes. It is being constructed by Scherer Construction of North Florida and was designed by Reynolds, Smith & Hills.
Construction is expected to be completed in the spring.
“We want to make the banking experience as convenient and easy as possible for our members in Clay County and throughout the First Coast,” said William Braddock, 121 Financial CEO.
The credit union was established in 1935 and has 40,000 members.
Frank Mackesy elected JAA board chair
Frank Mackesy was elected chair of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s board of directors chairman, effective Oct. 1.
Mackesy is director of emergency and security training at Florida State College at Jacksonville and a former undersheriff of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott.
Mackesy replaces Teresa H. Davlantes as chair. She continues to serve as a board member.
Other newly elected officers are Ernest Isaac Jr. as vice chairman, Edward Booth Jr. as secretary; and Ray Alfred as treasurer, all of whom are mayoral appointees.
The board comprises seven members. Three members are appointed by Jacksonville’s mayor while the other four are appointed by the governor. Each board member can serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.
For information about JAA, visit flyjacksonville.com.