Ten of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ training camp sessions this summer will be open to the public — with one heading away from Downtown.
Players report July 30, with the first practice session July 31 open only to season ticketholders.
Other practices are: Aug. 1-2, Aug. 5-7 and Aug. 10-12. All practices start at 9:55 a.m.
Additionally, players will practice at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at Mandarin High School and take part in a scrimmage at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 8 at EverBank Field.
There is no charge for admission or parking, but fans must register at jaguars.com and show proof of the RSVP before entering the gate. Fans can register at jaguars.com/trainingcampevents.
For more information, visit jaguars.com.
5 students named 2015 Student Leaders by Bank of America
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation selected five Jacksonville-area high school students as 2015 Student Leaders, an award that recognizes community-minded high school juniors and seniors.
It placed them in a paid eight-week internship with a local nonprofit. The five are interning at Communities In Schools Jacksonville, a dropout-prevention organization.
They are:
• Saaniya Bagdadi, a Stanton College Preparatory School graduate. She’s been involved in Nemour’s Children’s Clinic, Muslim Girls Youth Group and Empty Bowls among others. She will attend the University of North Florida and major in chemistry.
• Zuriel Ibones, a Mandarin High School graduate. Ibones led a canned food drive, tutored students, volunteered at the Mayor’s Holiday Ball and more. He will attend the University of Florida and study cell and molecular biology.
• Jessica Lucas, Mandarin High School graduate. She’s participated in many children-related endeavors, including leading a childhood obesity program. She’ll study nursing at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
• Grace Stotlemyer, Providence High School senior. She’s been involved in the school’s Anchor Club, a group that advocates community service and focuses on awareness of brain-related disorders.
• Klaudja Taragjini, Stanton College Preparatory School senior. Taragjini volunteered 220 times over the past two summers at the Museum of Science and History, leading demonstrations meant to inspire children to love science.
This month, the five will join more than 200 student leaders from across the U.S. for a weeklong leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
Seniors on a Mission win Starr Bishop Award
In one of his last duties as City Council president, Clay Yarborough bestowed the Starr Bishop Award to Seniors on a Mission.
The award was established in 2009 by outgoing President Ronnie Fussell in memory of Starr Bishop, the daughter of former council member Bill Bishop and his wife, Melody. Starr Bishop was known for her community devotion before she passed away.
Seniors on a Mission is the first organization to receive the award. The group of senior citizens has donated about 83,000 community-service hours during the past decade, which has saved nonprofits more than $1.7 million, according to a news release.
In 2014, the group involved 275 seniors who donated 9,450 hours.
Joanne Hickox, at left with Yarborough, founder and executive director of the organization, received the award from Yarborough during a council ceremony June 23.
Past recipients include Bill Kintz, Nat Glover, Ann Duggar, Wayne Wood and Emily Lisska.
Southwest Airlines magazine to highlight Northeast Florida next month
Southwest Airlines inflight magazine will have a story featuring Northeast Florida as a travel destination in its September issue.
“Southwest: The Magazine” has more than 3.9 million readers during flights who will see “Your Adventure in Northeast Florida.” It will include a personalized itinerary of hotels, restaurants, shops and activities tailored to specific interests.
The airline is the No. 1 intrastate carrier in Florida and No. 2 carrier into Jacksonville International Airport, with about 615,000 passengers per year.
Children’s Chorus auditions this month
The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and Young Men’s Chorus are hosting open auditions this month, with the first being today.
The next two will be July 15 and July 29. Auditions are required and by appointment only. To request a time, visit jaxchildrenschorus.org/audition.
They are held in late afternoon and early evenings at the chorus’ offices, 225 E. Duval St.
No prior musical training is necessary. Children will be placed in the appropriate choir group based on skills, maturity and readiness.
Skyway hours extended this week
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will extend Skyway hours through Friday, a move to support the thousands visiting conventions, reunions and conferences this week Downtown.
The complimentary access will continue from 6 a.m.-midnight today, Thursday and Friday.
Scott appoints Burnett to UNF board
The University of North Florida board of trustees has a new member after Gov. Rick Scott appointed Douglas Burnett last week.
Burnett, of St. Augustine, has been president of Doug Burnett Associates since 2010. He’s a retired adjutant general of Florida.
He’s been a member of the St. Johns River Water Management District board since 2013 and is a former Florida State College at Jacksonville trustee.
He succeeds Bruce Taylor for a term that ends Jan. 6, 2020.
PRI expands to North Carolina
Jacksonville-based PRI Productions has expanded out-of-state, heading north to Asheville, N.C.
Starting this month, the business will provide floral, décor and entertainment services for the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, which fuels creating a satellite operation.
“With their capabilities and tremendous attention to detail, they are a perfect fit to serve our clients and guests,” said Gary Froeba, Omni Grove Park managing director.
Robert Capers, a senior event producer and 11-year veteran with PRI Productions, will lead the new venture as vice president of PRI Productions, Asheville.
Tax Collector, foundation partner for summer safety
Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan and AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation have joined this month to encourage motorists to drive safely the next several months in the “Safe Summer” campaign.
Tax collector offices will promote the importance of safe travel, especially during vacations. It also will offer a parent-teen driving agreement to teen drivers as a way to talk about safe driving practices and the rules of the road for new drivers. Senior drivers also can receive free copies of AAA’s “Roadwise Review,” a computer-based tool.
For more information, visit AAA.com/foundation or coj.net/tc.