JAX Chamber of Commerce sponsors Saturday river tours
The JAX Chamber is sponsoring expanded historic tours of the St. Johns River this fall as part of its initiative to “activate the riverfront.”
Expanded service for the fall includes narrated downtown tours on Friday and Saturday. Sunset cruises with live music will leave from Friendship Park every Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Supported in partnership with the Museum of Science and History, the additional tours will also include river taxi service to and from MOSH as well as the Riverside Arts Market and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. River cruises to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens will also be offered every Saturday.
“This is a good first step as we look for ways for people to get out and enjoy being on the river,” JAX Chamber Chair Audrey Moran said. “Water is part of the foundation of who we are as a community and we need to provide more access for families to feel connected to our natural resources.”
The tours are part of the OnBoard Jax! campaign that aims to support river activation by expanding opportunities for the public to experience the river. Other sponsors include the St. Johns River Taxi, Jacksonville Jaguars, City of Jacksonville, The Florida Times-Union, Vesta Property Services, Lakeshore Marine Services and the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
“We are grateful for the chamber’s support,” said Heather Surface, whose company assumed management of River Taxi operations in July 2015. “We believe the St. Johns River is our community’s greatest natural asset, and we will continue to explore new opportunities for Jacksonville residents and visitors to experience it first-hand.
For schedule and ticket information, visit www.rivertaxiandtours.com.
Native Sun’s Jax Beach location finalist for New Store of the Year
Native Sun Natural Foods Market’s Jacksonville Beach store has been named a finalist for the 2016 Best New Store of the Year by New Hope Network, a media company in the natural products industry. Native Sun is one of only three stores selected nationwide for the honor as part of New Hope’s annual Retailer of the Year awards.
Native Sun Director of Marketing Dan Nehring said the Jacksonville Beach location – which will celebrate its first anniversary Sept. 19 – caught the attention of local and national publications with its neighborhood-focused healthy grocery concept.
“The smaller footprint and healthy mix of affordable products has been a differentiator in what is typically a big-box atmosphere,” Nehring said, “and aligns with the needs and feel of the community.”
New Hope Network’s Christine Kapperman said the award nomination reflects Native Sun’s commitment to serving the local community.
“Residents in Jacksonville are fortunate to be served by one of the nation’s top natural products retailers.,” she said. “This annual award recognizes not just the work of one year, but a commitment to community through and through.”
The Best New Store Award is expected to be announced Sept. 23 at the Natural Products Expo in Baltimore.
Paul Davis launches hiring, apprentice program
Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida has launched a hiring and apprentice program to provide individuals with training in emergency services, restoration and reconstruction services.
Created by co-owners Mike and Marguerite Mumford, the two-year training program is open to adults age 21 and over with a college degree or military assignment personnel with an honorable discharge. In addition to paid hourly compensation, program participants will receive health and paid time off benefits. Upon completion of the program, participants also may have the opportunity for full-time employment at the company’s North Florida office or with another Paul Davis franchise nationwide.
For more information on the apprenticeship, call (904) 739-6047 or visit http://north-florida.pauldavis.com.
