Jacksonville Wealth Management opens
Longtime financial planner Dan Ciez has opened an independent financial services office, Jacksonville Wealth Management, at 8075 Gate Parkway W., Suite 101. The 1,900-square-foot office will offer financial planning and consultation on investments, retirements, taxes and endowments. Four office units have been leased to other financial-related professionals.
Landing workshop Monday
The Downtown Investment Authority will have a community planning workshop regarding the Landing at 6 p.m. Monday at the Main Library. Titled "Making Waves: Realizing a world-class waterfront," the event is part of the Community Redevelopment Area strategy. The question being posed is how the Landing, Riverwalk, Hogan Street and other adjoining spaces can be improved for better Downtown connectivity, riverfront access and waterfront. RSVP to [email protected].
Second annual Holiday at St. James this Friday
Mayor Alvin Brown and City Council President Bill Gulliford will take part in the second annual "Holiday at St. James" from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday. The free event will have a holiday train ride around Hemming Plaza, a chance to meet Santa Claus and his helpers, holiday entertainment, a showing of "A Christmas Carol," a holiday photo booth and more. Tours of the executive office, council offices and general counsel's office also are available. The event will culminate with the lighting of the St. James Holiday Tree. For more information visit jaxhappenings.com.
One Spark registration open for creators
The creator registration for April's One Spark crowdfunding festival opened Sunday, with 75 creator projects registered in the first 48 hours. In addition to an increase in website traffic and registered projects, the 2014 event is on pace to attract more than 500 projects. Creator registration ends Jan. 31. More information and registration is at beonespark.com.
Riverside Y groundbreaking today
The groundbreaking for the new Winston Family YMCA in Riverside is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today. The event will also recognize the leadership and donors helping the facility serve the surrounding area. The YMCA of Florida's First Coast announced in October 2012 its plan to develop the $21 million, three-story facility at the site of the Yates Family YMCA at 221 Riverside Ave.
Mayor Brown's Business Builder postponed
Originally scheduled for Dec. 12, Mayor Brown's Business Builder has been postponed until spring. A new date will be announced after the first of the year. The program is designed to help small businesses succeed and connect entrepreneurs with capital and credit. For more information, visit coj.net.
19th annual "Jaguars Gift of Life" blood drive
The Jacksonville Jaguars and The Blood Alliance will host its 19th annual "Jaguars Gift of Life" blood drive 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday at the East Touchdown Club of EverBank Field. As part of the promotion, five pairs of luxury suite tickets to the team's Dec. 22 home game, 10 autographed footballs and an autographed replica helmet will be given away. To make an appointment or for more information, visit igiveblood.com or use the iDon8 smartphone app.
Holiday-themed Art Walk tonight
The final First Wednesday Art Walk of the year is 5-9 p.m. tonight with a "Downtown For The Holidays" theme. Hemming Plaza will serve as the headquarters and feature sing-alongs and holiday music by LK Nation from 5-7 p.m. and the Orange Park Choral Ensemble from 7-9 p.m. Photos with Santa Claus in "The Big Red Chair" also will be available.
Santa takes the bus
Instead of a sleigh, Santa Claus will be taking a Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus through Dec. 24. The authority will have a wrapped holiday-themed bus during the time, with Santa Claus handing out candy canes to customers. The holiday bus is complimentary and will be in addition to the authority's regular service. "Many of our routes provide our customers with convenient shopping and restaurant options for the holiday season," said Lisa Darnall, authority vice president of transit operations. "The holiday bus is a fun way to transport our customers to their appropriate destinations and get them into the holiday spirit."
Jaguars Foundation to host raffle
Part of this football season, the Jaguars Foundation will offer have the Jaguars 50/50 Raffle for Charity. Fans can purchase raffle tickets with a chance to win half the net proceeds, with the other half benefiting the foundation and a co-recipient charity. This Thursday's charity will be Jacksonville-based Dignity U Wear, which provides clothing to families. Kiosks for the tickets will be on the main concourse near the Bud Zone and near the ramps at Gates 2, 3, and 4. More information is available at jaguars.com.
St. Vincent's recognized as 'top performer'
The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, named St. Vincent's Riverside and St. Vincent's Southside as top performers on key quality measures.
The commission measures performance in the treatment of conditions such as heart attacks and heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and stroke to determine top performer placement.
"I am proud of our entire team for being so dedicated to improving outcomes, preventing medical errors and reducing hospital-acquired infections. It is this kind of healthcare environment that patients in our community want and deserve," said Moody Chisholm, CEO and president of St. Vincent's HealthCare.
In addition to the top performer recognition, St. Vincent's HealthCare received a hospital safety score rating of an A from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization, which uses publicly reported data to rate hospitals. St. Vincent's Riverside and St. Vincent's Southside received an A grade.
To learn more about St. Vincent's HealthCare's services and programs, visit jaxhealth.com.
DIA joint committee meets Friday
The Downtown Investment Authority's Downtown Experience and Economy Tools committees will hold a joint meeting at 4 p.m. Friday in the first-floor training room of the Ed Ball Building, 214. N. Hogan St. For more information, contact Karen Underwood at (904) 255-7567.