Jacksonville International Airport travelers have a new dining option.
The Great American Bagel is located presecurity in the center courtyard next to Burger King.
That food court recently underwent a renovation that featured flooring that matched the rest of the terminal and more modern furniture.
The Great American Bagel is an award-winning bakery and deli concept.
It marks the ninth new concession concept or remodel at the airport this year.
HMSHost, the airport’s master concessionaire, will continue to make changes over the next several months, including upgrades to Chili’s Too and the Budweiser Track and Grill.
Santa Claus ready to roll with JTA holiday bus
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is getting into the spirit by launching its holiday bus, a specially wrapped vehicle driven by Santa Claus, who will offer complimentary rides.
In addition to the free ride, customers will hear holiday music, receive candy canes and see decorations.
Customers can find the bus on any one of JTA’s routes on weekdays until Dec. 23.
For more information, visit jtafla.com.
University of North Florida touted for study-abroad work
An international education organization that produces an annual report on educational exchange programs ranked the University of North Florida highly in its 2016 review.
The Institute of International Education’s 2016 Open Doors Report placed UNF No. 9 nationally for its short-term study abroad program and No. 17 nationally on its list of “leading institutions by institutional type.” The latter is a Carnegie classification of master’s institutions.
More than 1,300 colleges and universities across the U.S. participated in the 2016 Open Door report.
UNF was the only Florida school in the master’s classification in the report. The university has more than twice the national average of students studying abroad. In the 2014-15 academic year, UNF provided credit to 578 students who studied abroad.
The report also showed international student mobility increased by 3 percent year-over-year to 313,415 in 2014-15.
JobsUSA.com returning next week for job fair Downtown
JobsUSA.com is hosting another job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7 Downtown at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Companies attending include Ameris Bank, Champion Brands, Gate Petroleum Co., Massey Services, VyStar Credit Union and Web.com.
It’s expected those companies and more will hire people for a variety of positions, including management, customer service, collections, financial service, drivers, warehouse personnel, technicians and sales professionals.
Parking and admission are free. Attendees are encouraged to dress professionally and bring their resumes.
There will be a free computer lab set up to apply for positions online.
For more information, visit jobnewsusa.com/jax.
TEDxFSCJ salon for future digital leaders set for Tuesday
Florida State College at Jacksonville is partnering with TEDx for a night of talks, presentations and breakout sessions with students from management information systems courses and area middle and high school students.
Billed as an evening with the “digital leaders of the future,” a salon from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday will be at the school’s Deerwood campus.
There, the students will present their experiences in developing new technology projects and using the latest digital devices.
For more information, visit tedxfscj.com/events.
FEMA extends some hurricane-related filing deadlines
Two recent hurricanes that impacted the area still are being felt in places.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted a 30-day extension for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders to file claims associated with Hurricane Hermine and an extra 60 days for claims resulting from Hurricane Matthew.
A weakened Hermine crossed Northeast Florida in early September, while Matthew remained a strong hurricane as it battered the coast in early October.
Typically, policyholders have 60 days to file a “proof of loss” claim with their insurance company.
For more information, visit nfipiservice.com.
Crowley receives Department of Defense contract worth up to $2.3B
Crowley Maritime Corp. has received a multiyear contract to provide transportation and related services to support the Department of Defense in the U.S. and Canada.
The deal is for up to $2.3 billion and is for a performance period of two base years followed by five option years.
It was awarded by the U.S. Transportation Command, a DoD agency, and is one of the largest logistics contracts awarded by the U.S. government.
The program will include all forms of truck transportation to locations including vendor facilities, DoD warehouses or depots and U.S. military installations.
Crowley is based in Jacksonville and provides project solutions, energy and logistics services to domestic and international markets.
New jeweler opens at The Avenues
Samuels Jewelers is the newest tenant at The Avenues mall, opening today instead of its scheduled Friday opening.
The jeweler is on the lower level of the mall in the center court. It features bridal sets, diamond and gemstone jewelry, watches and ArtCarved engravable pieces.
Samuels has more than 125 years in the business.
Manufacturers group names officers
The First Coast Manufacturers Association has selected its slate of officers for the new term.
The three-member chairmen’s group will consist of Abe Alangadan of Johnson & Johnson VisionCare, Blake Brown of Safariland and Rob Caldwell of Vac-Con.
Committee chairs are:
• Community relations: Monica Pritchard of Jo-Kell Inc.
• Workforce development: Eugenia Allen, Saft America
• Environmental safety: Vince Seibold, Anheuser-Busch
• Finance: Ed Salek, Dixon Hughes Goodman
• Government relations: Jim Bush, Florida Power & Light
• Membership services: Kim Lambert, Oasis Staffing, and Kristina Nelson of Finger, Nelson & Maguire
FSCJ to host community conversations
Florida State College at Jacksonville wants to talk about crime and community relations.
The school will host the first of a three-part series aimed at providing an open dialogue for the school and community.
The first forum, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the school’s Kent Campus, will review the state of relations between the community and Jacksonville law enforcement agencies.
Students and community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer solutions on a range of topics.
FSCJ faculty will provide perspectives, too, and be joined by Assistant Chief T.K. Waters with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Barry Summers at (904) 381-3436.