Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel Ford, above, talked to more than 60 college students who attended the Conference of Minority Officials Jacksonville Chapter event Downtown.
Topics involved Uber and its impact on mass transit, mobile payment options and the Skyway’s future.
The students came from Edward Waters College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida for the networking event with representatives from JTA and the Jacksonville Port Authority.
The organization and its partners are recruiting students from area colleges and universities to participate in nationwide competitive Careers in Transportation for Youth internships available to college juniors and seniors.
The deadline for Jacksonville applications is Thursday, with more information available at comto.org.
Paxon wins LifeSmarts Championships
The student team from Paxon School for Advanced Studies, above, took home the national LifeSmarts Championship in Seattle on Monday.
In its 21st year, the competition tests high school students’ knowledge of consumer awareness on issues like personal finance, health and safety, consumer rights and responsibility, technology and the environment.
The team from Paxon beat out the second-place team from Rhode Island.
Jacksonville artist C. Ford Riley wins D.C. honor
Jacksonville nature and wildlife artist C. Ford Riley was chosen as the 2015 Florida House Distinguished Artist. He will accept the award April 30 from the Florida House Foundation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Riley works in watercolor, oil and acrylic and has established a career and a following from his love of the outdoors. He also is a conservationist who rallies on behalf of Florida wildlife and habitat. Riley’s work has been recognized from the White House to the Florida Capitol.
The cfordriley.com site says Riley was commissioned in 2009 by members of Congress to paint the Laura Bush Rose, which was presented to Bush at the end of her husband’s term as president.
In April 2011, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission honored Riley with a special award for “fostering an appreciation of Florida’s natural wildlife resources and sensitive environmental places through his numerous paintings and on-site field study.”
Advanced Disposal launches online resource
Today is Earth Day and environmental services company Advanced Disposal has a new campaign to help with some dos and don’ts of recycling.
The “Recycle Right” online resource has graphics that show what can and can’t be recycled along with common recycling myths. Visit advanceddisposal.com/recycleright.
Recycling is done in a single-stream method now, which means all items in a bin or container go to the same place. It also increases the risk of contamination when non-recyclable items are placed in containers, which is more costly to remove.
Scott booked for JAXUSA meeting
The JAXUSA Partnership reports Gov. Rick Scott will headline its second-quarter lunch event June 5 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Check-in starts at 11:30 a.m. The program is noon-1:30 p.m. Cost is $45 for JAXUSA investors ($450 for a table of 10); $60 for JAX Chamber members ($600 for a table of 10); and $70 for nonmembers ($700 for table of 10).
For information, visit myjaxchamber.com.
4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission seeks applications
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been tasked with providing Gov. Rick Scott with nominees for a County Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Townsend.
Applicants must be a member of The Florida Bar for at least the past five years, be a registered voter and a resident of Clay County when they assume office.
Those interested must send a completed paper version of the application to Gilbert L. Feltel Jr., chair of the 4th Circuit JNC, Tanner Bishop, One Independent Drive, Suite 1700, Jacksonville, FL.
In addition, a PDF version along with a color photograph must be sent to [email protected], along with a redacted version sent to the same email address. Files should be marked appropriately.
Deadline is 5 p.m. May 7, with interviews scheduled starting the week of May 25.
Applications can be downloaded from floridabar.org.
Moxie Chef in ‘Fish to Fork’
Chef Tom Gray of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails is one of the participants in the second annual “Fish to Fork” culinary weekend at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. It’s an event done in part by the James Beard Foundation.
The event is April 30-May 3 and benefits the foundation’s scholarship program.
Gray will join five other chefs in the showdown May 2, each of whom will join Amelia Island charter captains on fishing excursions before returning with their meals. A winner will be decided via taste test from guests.
Tickets are $95 and available by visiting fish-to-fork.com. VIP packages also are available.
Romney to give JU commencement, endorses Curry
Mitt Romney, the former presidential nominee and Massachusetts governor, will provide the keynote address at Jacksonville University’s commencement ceremony Saturday.
Nearly 900 students are graduating, making it one of JU’s largest classes for spring commencement.
In related Romney news, he has endorsed Republican Lenny Curry in his effort to become Jacksonville’s next mayor, Curry’s camp announced Tuesday.
In a statement, Romney said Curry is “committed to restoring conservative leadership to Jacksonville.”
The Bolles School names chief advancement officer
Keith E. “KC” Cassell has been named chief advancement officer at The Bolles School, starting in July.
Cassell comes to Bolles from Media, Pa., where he was senior vice president of advancement at The Williamson Free School. He has a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Hobart College, as well as a master’s degree in education from Lesley University and a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University.
While working Hobart, Cassell helped direct a successful capital campaign and helped meet other important fundraising goals.
Cassell and his spouse, Kerry, have two daughters, Katelyn and Shannon, and one son, Tyler.