Giant Cats Spotted in Downtown Jacksonville!

The huge felines were reported to have been seen peeking out the windows of a building on Bay Street. It is suspected that these spotted cats, or Pantera Onca, may be headed for EverBank Field. It is believed that they are being drawn there to attack Downtown Council Meeting This Friday August 6 - Speaker - Curtis Dvorak (Jaxson De Ville) a pod of Dolphins that are due there on Saturday August 21st. People who have seen these ferocious cats up close have been known to leave yellow marks on the pavement.

Seriously, the Jaguars are playing the Miami Dolphins in the first home game of the NFL pre-season that day and that means the Downtown Council is springing into action again as they have every year since the first season. Come  support our teal team by helping us Paint the Paw Prints down the middle of Bay Street. One of the Cats, Jaxson de Ville, will be prowling the street looking to pounce on every opportunity to make someone howl. This annual tradition begins at 8:00 AM August 21 at the intersection of Bay and Ocean where the big cat murals adorn the building on the corner. All you need is comfortable shoes, clothes you can spill paint on, a hat, and some team spirit. It's a ton of fun and you get to leave your mark on Bay Street. Then every time you go to a game, or just pass down the street, you can say, "I painted that one!"

Jaxson de Ville's appearance is graciously sponsored by Geer Services and My Best Friend's Closet.

This Downtown Council event is sponsored in part by:
Duval Paint
Martin Coffee
And a special after-party by Bailey Publishing.

Read article in the Daily Record.

Take a look at photos of the event thanks to Jim Love.

Sheriff John Rutherford Speaks to the Downtown Council

Sheriff John Rutherford spoke to the Downtown Council on Friday June 4th and Max Marbut from the Daily Record was there to report the story.  Sheriff Rutherford presented facts supporting crime reduction over the years and complemented State Attorney Angela Corey for her envolvement in prosecuting criminals in the area. Read the entire story at www.jaxdailyrecord.com.

Downtown Council at 2010 Business Expo

You can't go anywhere downtown without running into Max Marbut of the Daily Record.  We found him, or rather he found members of the Downtown Council at the 2010 Business Expo held on May 26, 2010 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville.  A few went on the record and had their photos taken!

Read the entire article at www.jaxdailyrecord.com.

Download Jack Diamond Presentation

Due to the requests of many attendees at our May 21st meeting, you may download Jack Diamond' sPowerPoint slides.

Global Awareness, One Story at a Time

The Downtown Council Education Committee partnered with Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School to provide support and mentorship to the Eighth Grade Multi-media project.  The 8th grade students were given an assignment to create a short film on topics related to global awareness.  Working in small teams, the eighth graders presented their works in progress to a panel Downtown Council members who provided feedback to the students.  The students then finished their projects and submitted them for judging.

The winner for the Best Overall Multi-media Presentation, was selected, from more than 30 student films.  The sensitive storytelling of the short video, Ukraine Adoption demonstrated the abilities of these students to work together on a creative and technical level.

The video may be seen on the School’s web site here:
www.duvalschools.org/landon/leadership.htm

Cynthia Farmer, Education Committee Co-chair presented the winners with the award at the Julia Landon 2010 Global Awareness Symposium.  The winners and their parents were also special guests at the May 21st Downtown Council Breakfast Meeting where the video was shown.  In attendance were 8th grade students Nicole, Galina, Brooke and their parents.  Landon faculty, Andrew Lorentz, Curriculum Integration Specialist, and Anna Peacock-Preston, Critical Thinking Instructor supervised the school’s project. 

The Downtown Council is a Business Partner with the Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School.  If you would like to get involved with the Downtown Council’s Education Committee and the Leadership program at Landon, please contact Cynthia Farmer at cbell@nova.edu.

Network on the water!

The June 18th Downtown Council meeting will be on the River…literally!  Come aboard the River Taxi docked at Friendship Park on the Southbank for a one-hour appreciation tour of the River.  Join us and Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon to learn things about the river you probably never knew.  Neil will also bring us up to date on what the Legislature has done both to protect and possibly endanger our water supply, a landmark Federal Court ruling on the lawsuit against JEA’s discharges into the St. Johns river, and whether or not the river may see the return of the Green Monster this summer.

The boat boards at 7:30 AM and departs the dock at 8:00.  This can be the most memorable and enjoyable Friday morning you spend this summer.  Don’t miss this opportunity to get up close and personal with the reason that Jacksonville exists. 

Breakfast is included at $22 for non-members and $17 for members.  Don’t miss the boat on this opportunity.

Kouvaris talks business at Downtown Council

Sam Kouvaris, Channel 4 Sports Director was our guest speaker at the last Downtown Council meeting on May 7, 2010. This event was featured in Max Marbut's Downtown Today article in the Daily Record.  The article highlighted Sam's sports reporting career and the current trends in sports reporting and the media in general. Also highlighted was Joe Snowberger, Downtown Council Enhancement Committee chair as he promoted the All Council Mixer at the Jacksonville Sun's game on May 14, 2010. Max knows first hand what the Downtown Council is all about because he attends meetings regularly.  If you have never attended one of our meetings, please join us on a 1st and 3rd Friday each month at 7:30 on the 2nd floor of the Aetna building 841 Prudential Drive.

Read the entire article at www.jaxdailyrecord.com.

All Council Event at the Jacksonville Suns Game

All Councils are invited to attend this networking even before and during the Jacksonville Suns baseball game.  They are playing Birmingham Barons.  Come out and enjoy the networking and the game!

When:  Friday May 14, 2010
Where:  The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville - Group Area
Networking Begins: 6:30pm
First Pitch: 7:05pm

$20 Registration Includes
Hot Dogs, Popcorn and Sodas
Beer is available at concession stand.

Download Flyer
Register for Event

Visit http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com for more information about the Suns!

Downtown Council Featured in the Daily Record

The Downtown Council was featured in Max Marbut's article Downtown Today in the Daily Record.  This article highlights the purpose of the organization and shows why members are passionate about Downtown Jacksonville.  If you are walk around downtown during the day, you will often see Max looking for his next Downtown Today article.  Max knows first hand what the Downtown Council is all about because he attends meetings regularly.  If you have never attended one of our meetings, please join us on a 1st and 3rd Friday each month at 7:30 on the 2nd floor of the Aetna building 841 Prudential Drive.

Read the entire article at www.jaxdailyrecord.com.

World of Nations Ice Cream Sale

Sonia Green is looking for more volunteers to man and WOman the ice cream booth at the 18th annual World of Nations Celebration, held April 29-May 2 at Metropolitan Park.  This is the Downtown Council's annual fund raising event and we need additional help.  Please review the attached schedule and see if you can fill in during any of the available times.  Sonia may be able to facilitate swaps of time slots to help get you in.  Contact Sonia at 904-446-1940 or send an e-mail to sgreen@flbank.com.

World of Nations Schedule

Rethinking and Remaking Downtown

Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) is the Downtown Improvement District (DID) for Downtown Jacksonville. DVI is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization whose mission is to build and maintain a healthy and vibrant Downtown community and to promote Downtown as an exciting place to live, work, play and visit.

The attached paper discusses the 2.72-square mile urban community redevelopment area bounded by State Street to the north, I-95 to the west and south and the St. Johns River to the east. The terms “urban core,” “walkable core” or “core” refer to the walkable area of Downtown Jacksonville consisting of approximately 25 blocks on the Northbank centered on Laura Street, plus the Southbank Riverwalk and Friendship Fountain area, which is accessible to pedestrians via the Main Street Bridge and water taxi. The core contains the three major “nodes” of Downtown activity including The Jacksonville Landing/Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, the Hemming Plaza government and cultural center, and the emerging entertainment district around Bay, Forsyth and Adams Streets, anchored by the Florida Theatre..

Download Turning the Corner: Rethinking and Remaking Downtown

All Council Event at the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football Game

All Councils are invited to attend this networking even before the first home game of the Jacksonville Sharks Arena football team.  They are playing their instate rivals the Orlando Predators.  Come out and enjoy the networking and the game!

When:  Friday April 16, 2010
Where:  Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena - Group Area behind Section 117
Networking Begins: 6:30pm
Kickoff: 8:00pm

$20 Including Game Ticket
NOTE:  The menu has changed! 
$20 Registration Includes
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
Kettle Chips, Popcorn
Baked Potato Salad
Cookies
Bottled water and Sodas
(2) Beers Per Person

Register for Event and Pay using Credit Card

Register and Download Flyer for Alternate Payment Methods

See the Jacksonville Sharks of the AFL in their inaugural season home opener against their instate rival the Orlando Predators.  If you haven’t seen Arena Football, this is a must attend event.  Arena football is not only a contact sport, but a fan participation sport.  The seats included in this package are not the action seats, but you can observe from a safe distance and see it you want to get closer for other games! 

Visit www.jaxsharks.com/ for more information about the Sharks!

Downtown Council hosts - All Councils Mixer at the Symphony

Friday Night Fusion Italian Night with the Downtown Council
300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Friday, March 12, 2010

Contact Bill Cosnotti at 356-0426 and mention the Chamber to purchase tickets and receive a discount. Discount is not given at main box office.

Chamber Symphony Night Flyer...

As a bonus from the Downtown Enhancement Committee of the Downtown Council, you may arrange overnight accommodations March 12th for this event at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel for a special rate of $79.00. Please contact Christy Szczukowksi @ 904-360-8664 for the special Downtown Council Rate.

1st Quarter Cornerstone Luncheon

Join the Downtown Council for the 1st Quarter Cornerstone Luncheon
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 Coastline Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32202
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Featured speaker is John Delaney, President, University of North Florida
Topic: A New Florida Economy

Click here to see the attached invitation for details.
Ticket prices are as follows:

Cornerstone Investors: $40/ticket or $400/table of 10
Chamber Members: $55/ticket or $550/table of 10
Non-Chamber Members: $65/ticket or $650/table of 10

Contact Jepp if you would like tickets by phone at (904) 838-8400 or via e-mail.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Bring a U.S. Navy destroyer to Downtown Jacksonville

There is a genuine effort to bring a U.S. Navy destroyer to Downtown Jacksonville as a permanent maritime museum (http://www.adamsclassddgvets.org/). The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association has a store in the Landing, selling some pretty cool Navy gear as well as the idea. I'm sure there will be lots of opinions about this effort, but these guys are serious and we will be learning more.

The photo shows the USS CHARLES F ADAMS (DDG-2) berthed on the St Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.

904 Magazine Subscription for Chamber Members

All council members should have received the February issue of 904 Magazine with the Access Magazine section. If you did not receive it and wish to get your complimentary subscription, please complete the subscription card information listed below. You can view the electronic version here.

Chamber members in good standing can receive a complimentary subscription by filling out this subscription card and faxing or mailing it to the attention of Meisha Joyce.

Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce
ATTN: Meisha Joyce
3 Independent Drive
Jacksonville, Fl 32202
fax: 904-355-4235

Also, if council members wish to place advertising for the next 904 issue the deadline is February 26. View the 904 Magazine Media Kit here. For space reservation or additional information, call Anna Marie Burke at 904-389-3622.

Downtown Happy Hour

Many of you have said to me “Remember when we used have monthly gatherings at the new Downtown bars or restaurants!” The folks at Downtown Vision told me about an ongoing, monthly, immediately after work, Downtown professional networking event called the “monthly Downtown Happy Hour.” As I understand it, several professional groups (lawyers, architects, financial types, etc…) get together on the second Thursday of the month at a different establishment, often a new one. The attendees and the conversation is lively and diverse. The next one is on Thursday, January 21^st , 5:30ish at The Sinclair which is located at 521 West Forsyth Street (between Clay and Broad Street by the Greyhound station -http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/44/1459510/restaurant/Urban-Core/The-Sinclair-Jacksonville).

This is a small bar with minimal signage outside – so look closely.  It is about the only occupied building on this block – except for vacant structures, parking lots and garages. There is lots of free parking at meters and in lots near the building. The bar is named after Upton Sinclair and the owners are a group of young artists and musicians. 

Please Note: The meeting time for January was changed from the second Thursday of the month to the Third Thursday because of the Chamber’s annual meeting.  Next month we’ll be back on the second Thursday of the month (February 11^th)  and we let you know where we are off to next.

Hope you can stop by for a drink with Downtown Council friends, see this bar, meet some new contacts and be able to share your cool and hip knowledge of the latest things to do in Downtown.

Revive the Pride - Team Teal

As you know, Jacksonville is part of an elite group of cities that host the nation's 32 NFL teams. Regardless of the Jaguars record at the end of the season, the Jaguars are part of the fabric of this city and it’s important that we show our appreciation for the role they play in our community. In addition to the family-friendly fun the team provides, the organization also gives us the opportunity to showcase on a national stage all that our community has to offer. On a local level, the team’s presence also generates a great deal of revenue and stimulates our economy in a myriad of ways.

Reviving the pride in our Jacksonville Jaguars will require action community wide.

Now is the time to start generating excitement for next season to invoke that team spirit that existed in years past. Touchdown Jacksonville: Revive the Pride is working to ensure that happens and you can be part of that effort by joining Team Teal.

Please join us for a kick-off event in the South End Zone of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on January12 at 6 p.m. to find out how you can get involved in the movement to revive the pride in our home team. At the event, you'll receive information on how to become a member of Team Teal and learn more information about ticket offers for the 2010 season.

To begin receiving updates on the Team Teal initiative, please register at www.myteamteal.com.

We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.

Best regards,
John Peyton, Mayor
Tony Boselli, Team Teal Commissioner
Carl Cannon, Touchdown Jacksonville: Revive the Pride

Annual Meeting - January 14

Join the Downtown Council in Celebrating 125 Years of service by the Jacksonville Chamber. The 125th Annual Meeting will highlight this year's accomplishments and recognize some of Jacksonville's exemplary business leaders, such as our own Jimmy Johns! The Chamber will also announce the 2010 Small Business Leader of the Year winner. For more information visit us online or to register email events@myjaxchamber.com, or call 366-6600, ext. 7601.

Downtown Council Presents COLTS vs. JAGUARS. Thursday, December 17, 2009, ~ Revive the Pride ~ Tailgating & Reduced Jags Tickets

Tailgating: "Billy's", A. Philip Randolph and State Street beginning at 4pm
Cost $25 ($10 discount) 

Game Time:Thursday, December 17th,2009  8:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices begin at $40 ($10 discount) 

This is the greatest deal going for that night. Tailgating at Billy's for a discount and Jags tickets of your choice at reduced prices. Help us lift the black-out for this nationally televised event. 

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce is supporting the "Touchdown Jacksonville - Revive the Pride" initiative to assist the Jacksonville Jaguars in filling the stadium for the Jaguars vs. Colts game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Thursday, December 17, kick-off 8:20pm.  We want the stadium to be full for this Nationally televised event. Tickets should be purchased through the Downtown Council.

                                         Ordering your Jags tickets is easy:

Download your order form by clicking here and print:  
Downtown Council Jags Ticket Order
 
1.       Simply select the price point and section where you wish to purchase your tickets. You can bring family, friends, colleagues, clients or your employees.
2.       Call, email or fax your order to Seth Parise at the Jaguars on 904-633-4670 (phone), 904-633-6338 (fax), email: parises@nfl.jaguars.com.
3.       Complete page two of order form.
4.       All tickets will be mailed at no additional cost unless noted otherwise on the order form. 
5.       Bring your group to the Colts vs. Jaguars game on Thursday, December 17. 

TAILGATING INSTRUCTIONS ----IMPORTANT---- The Downtown Council is subsidizing the tailgating giving you a $10 discount. Be sure and tell the parking attendant at Billy's that you are with the Downtown Council and they will charge you $25 (normally $35). The Council will pick up the difference.

Downtown Council Elects Jimmy Johns as 2010 Small Business Leader of the Year

Jimmy Johns of Solid Rock Engineering Consulting was elected Small Business Leader of the Year for 2010 by the Downtown Council members on Friday, October 2, 2009. Jimmy currently serves on the Downtown Council Board of Directors as Secretary. Jimmy is joined by Bonnie Arnold who is the Downtown Council and overall Business Leader of the Year for 2009.

Downtown Council Supports the Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division of the City of Jacksonville

On September 25, 2009 the board members of the Downtown Council voted to send $1,000 to the Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division of the City of Jacksonville for the purpose of helping to fund a short promotional video explaining the services of this worthwhile group. This division of the City of Jacksonville has sponsored or assisted in 57 events in 2008 including the Veterans Day Parade, Purple Heart Observance, Memorial Day, Homeless Veterans Resource Fair, Spirit of the ADA, Fallen Heroes Ceremonies, and many others. The approximate cost of the video is $5,800 and the Downtown Council challenges others to donate by calling Harrison Conyers, Manager of the Military, Veterans and Disabled Services Division, at 630-3621.

For more information about the Military, Veterans and Disabled Services Division, please visit their website.