It’s Comcastic! Local cable and communications company, Comcast, recently awarded a generous $12,000 grant to the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, a local nonprofit organization providing hope in the lives of children through training and education to prevent and reduce the rate of abuse among children.

The grant will be used to fund the foundation’s education and child abuse prevention programs, including the Good Touch Bad Touch® program that is taught in 94 of the 107 public elementary schools in Duval County in addition to several private and Catholic schools in the area. Here’s what Comcast director of government affairs and community relations, Ann Murphy, said about the foundation in a recent press release:

“The Monique Burr Foundation for Children is an extraordinary organization that is providing hope in the lives of thousands of children throughout our city and we want to be a part of that mission. At Comcast, we believe in giving back to those who support our community and the children who are our future. That is why it is an honor to present the foundation with a grant that will further educate and enlighten Jacksonville’s youth.”

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children was created as a nonprofit organization in 1997 to honor the late Monique Burr, a tireless advocate for children and their needs. In 2008, the foundation reached more than 20,000 children with its advocacy programs, including the Good Touch Bad Touch® program, and since its inception has donated more than $2 million to child-serving agencies in the region.

To find out more about the foundation and how you can help, visit www.moniqueburrfoundation.org.

We are now in the second half of 2009 and it’s amazing how far business development has come in such a short amount of time.

According to the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership’s June update, business development was strong throughout the region:

SAFT, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, is in final discussions with the City and JEDC to build a new $200 million lithium ion battery manufacturing facility at Cecil Commerce Center. This will bring the latest technology in clean energy manufacturing and energy storage products to our region and employ 300 in its first phase.

Nassau County announced the relocation of Science First to Yulee. Science First, a manufacturer of science teaching aids, is relocating from Buffalo, N.Y., to Nassau County and will add 20 new high-wage jobs. The company is moving into a new 25,000-square-foot-facility in the Nassau Tradeplex.

Flagler County announced the expansion of National Direct Response, a call center that currently employs 40. This expansion is bringing 250 additional jobs to Bunnell, with 60 new jobs by June 2010. The company will add another 190 jobs by 2011 and the construction of a new building. Flagler County also won the “Deal of the Year” award for Rural Counties at the 2009 Florida Economic Development Council conference for its hard work keeping Palm Coast Data Center in Flagler, retaining 1,000 jobs and adding 700 new jobs.

Also, during the month of June the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership unveiled its new website, http://www.expandinjax.com.

During the June update, results from the recent Reality Check were presented by Rob Palmer, incoming chair of ULI and co-chair of Reality Check.

Implementation of the results will begin and extend over the next 18 months. Northeast Florida Reality Check (NEFRC) is developing scenarios based on the guiding principles selected at Reality Check and will get as much public input into them as possible. NEFRC also is asking all seven county local governments to sign a ‘compact’ to try and implement the principles. Out of this and public input a vision will be developed and included in the NEFRC Strategic Regional Policy Plan.

For information and to get involved visit Reality Check online at http://www.realitycheckfirstcoast.com/

June marks the end of a strong first half of 2009 and paves the way for a promising second half of the year.

It’s time for another Rabbit Rabbit. If you are not familiar with Rabbit Rabbit, here is what it is:

Rabbit Rabbit is a habit that our blogger, Raychel George, has burned into our monthly routine. The way it works: On the first day of the month if the first words out of your mouth are “Rabbit Rabbit” then you shall be blessed with good luck.

If you have an event you would like to add, comment on this post with the event information for everybody to see. You may also email us at info@WhatsUpJacksonville.com to suggest events.

July 1 ArtWalk 5 - 9 p.m. Downtown - For more information check out FirstWendesdayArtWalk.com.

July 1 CREW Jacksonville CREW After-Hours Event at the Downtown Library / Art Walk. Venue: Main library (downtown Jacksonville). Time: 6-8 p.m. For more information email CREW Jacksonville: crewjacksonville@crewnetwork.org.

July 1 Go Forth and Rock begins with dueling pianos at Snyder Memorial Church

July 2 Go Forth and Rock day 2 of downtown festivities. Make A Scene Downtown presents Pool Splash Party at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel Rooftop Pool Deck from 5 - 8p.m.

July 3 Go Forth and Rock day 3 of downtown festivities. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Ice skating and family activities from Noon-9p.m. $3 (includes skate rental) followed-up by Diggin’ In Dreamland free concert with special features on the Northbank Riverfront Park at 7 p.m.

July 4 Holiday: Independence Day

July 4 Liberty Celebration - Jacksonville Beach - Sea Walk Pavilion from 4 - 10 p.m. Pizza Hut continues Red Hut Summer at Jacksonville Beach with PRI Productions Liberty Celebration this 4th of July at the Sea Walk Pavilion. Liberty Celebration festivities begin at 4 p.m. with live music, food, and lots of fun for the whole family.

July 4 Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront presents “Spanky the Band” July 4th 7-l 11:30p.m. Come and see what sparks in downtown Jacksonville. Enjoy an evening of spectacular fireworks, a fabulous view and fantastic music. This great excitement is located on Hyatt Regency Jacksonville River Deck. If you are a guest of Hyatt for the 4th of July the cost for this celebration $10.00 per person, if you are a non-guest it will be $20.00 per person. If you have a company or friends or family in town why not get a table of eight for $150. The tables includes (1) cheese platter and (2) bottles of wine.

July 4 Go Forth and Rock day 4 - Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena from 10a.m.- 5p.m. Ice skating and family activities. $3 (includes skate rental). City of Jacksonville Freedom Ride 2009 at 2:30 p.m. beginning at Adamec Harley-Davidson Baymeadows and ending at Metropolitan Park. Patriotic Boat Decorating Contest Judging will take place at 4 p.m. from Metropolitan Park to the Jacksonville Landing. Free concert freaturing Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Richard Marx and the Boogie Freaks at Metropolitan Park. Gates open at 4 p.m.

July 4 Go Forth and Rock Downtown Fireworks Riverfront at 9:45 p.m. sponsored by Visit Jacksonville.

July 4 Go Forth and Rock day 5Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Ice skating and family activities from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $3 (includes skate rental).

July 6 IMPACTjax 101 IMPACTjax is the young professionals group of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the premier venue for Jacksonville’s next generation of leaders to connect with each other and the community. New to IMPACTjax? Been around a while, but just not sure how you’d like to get involved? Then this is the meeting for you! Come and learn what IMPACTjax is all about and what is being planned! This meeting is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the IMPACTjax leadership team and get the answers to all of your burning questions! To register or if you have questions, contact Megan Champion at (904) 366-6623 or megan.champion@myjaxchamber.com. Venue: Chamber of Commerce (3 Independent Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32202 - Hadlow Board Room) No cost to attend. Time: 6-7p.m. www.impactjax.com

July 8 Professional Women’s Council Meeting. Venue: Maggiano’s Little Italy (10367 Midtown Pkwy., Jacksonville, FL 32246). Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Please RSVP by Monday at noon prior to the event at www.theprofessionalwomenscouncil.org. For more information contact Eva Greenfield at (904) 646-4004 or by  e-mail at pwcsecy@clearwire.net.

July 9 First Coast Apartment Assoication Summer Sizzler. Are you feeling Hot Hot Hot? It is time for some hot fun in the summer sun. Join us at Ker’s Wing House Tinseltown on Thursday, July 9, for music, good food and great friends! Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the fun begins at 7 p.m. The cost is $30 cash/check or $35 to invoice. Venue: Ker’s Wing House. Online registration available here: http://www.fcaaonline.com/event_registration.php?event=156

July 9 NEFBA General Membership Social. Venue: Beaches Design Center (3200 Third St., Jacksonville Beach). Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: Free to all members and non-members. Beverages and appetizers will be provided. RSVP to Scott Merritt by July 7 - (904) 725-4355 or smerritt@nefba.com.

July 9 UNF Small Business Development Center -  Upside of the Downturn Forum. This forum is designed to help business owners determine the strengths and weaknesses of their business and to spot new opportunities for growth. Venue: Regency Square Library (9900 Regency Square Blvd.) Time: 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register contact UNF’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at (904) 620-2476.

July 14 AIA Jacksonville’s Monthly Meeting. Venue: Five Points Theatre (1025 Park St.). Time: 5:30-8 p.m. For more information contact Lane Manis (904) 389-8421 or via email Lane.Manis@AIAJacksonville.org.

July 18 6th Annual Home Buyers Expo. Presented by The Florida Times-Union and NEFAR. Venue: UNF University Center. Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sponsorship packages are available. For more information call Jay Lesowitz at the Times-Union at (904) 359-4024.

July 20-25 Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament will take place at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville. Two-day general tournament and junior angler tournament. www.kingfishtournament.com Tournament registration: $400.

July 30 - August 1 Southeast Building Conference Green Building Show. Place: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. Booths (10×10) are available; nonrefundable deposit $1,250, full payment $2,500. If you have questions, contact Lynn Edwards at the FHBA at (800) 261-9447 ext. 27 or ledwards@fhba.com. www.sebcshow.com Cost: $200 for early registrants.

July 31 St. Johns County Parade of Homes 2009 - deadline for entries. Judging to take place August 6; Awards banquet August 25, Parade of Homes August 29-September 13. Entry fees determined by square footage of entries and range from $700-$2,000. For more information contact the St. Johns Builders Council at (904) 824-8121 or sjbcouncil@bellsouth.net.

Prudential Network Realty is showing no signs of slowing down. The Jacksonville real estate company has launched a joint venture relationship specializing in commercial real estate.

Prudential Commercial Real Estate handles all facets of commercial real estate including acquisitions, dispositions, management, leasing and consulting. Industry leader Andre J. van Rensburg, CCIM, ALC, CIPS has been appointed to serve as president of the new corporation.

Prudential Network Realty has long been a champion for Northeast Florida growth and development. Here is what the company’s leadership said in a press release:

“Jacksonville’s commercial real estate market offers more opportunities to prospective corporations and investors than many other Florida cities,” said Prudential Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda H. Sherrer. “Andre has worked all over the world, including South Africa and Europe, and brings exceptional qualifications to Prudential Commercial Real Estate. We see the commercial market as a great opportunity for growth and we are thrilled to have Andre’s experience and expertise leading our new corporation”

Prudential Commercial Real Estate is located at the Prudential Network Realty’s corporate headquarters in Jacksonville and is the company’s second new division in the past few months. Earlier this year, Prudential Network Realty launched a new referral division for real estate professionals, Prudential Network Referral Company.

Three esteemed industry experts will present a half-day training program for brokers, Realtors and new home sales agents at 7:30 a.m., Friday, July 10, at the University of North Florida.  During the Sales Expert Academy presented by Lennar Homes, the experts will present solutions to today’s tough selling environment. 

The nationally recognized experts include…

John Palumbo - best-selling author of What’s Your Sales DNA and Close and Grow Rich. He will detail how to master the art of closing the sale to effectively increase the bottom line.

Meredith Oliver - known as one of the foremost industry experts on Internet sales and marketing. She will discuss how to incorporate the use of blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter to prospect and network for new business.

Melinda Brody - nationally recognized sales trainer. She will provide tips on the ins and outs of entrepreneurial marketing and how to adapt a business owner mentality.

All Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) members, Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) members, Sales & Marketing Council (SMC) members, UNF students and St. Augustine Realtors can register for $20. General admission is $39.  All fees are tax deductible and benefit The Boselli Foundation.  Seating is limited. 

For more information and to register, visit www.SalesExpertAcademy.com or call 904.620.4200.

The Duval County Shore Protection Project is one of seven winners of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s Best Restored Beach awards for 2009.

According to the Ponte Vedra Recorder:

The Duval County Shore Protection Project is a federally authorized project along 10 miles of the Atlantic coast from the St. Johns County line and is a section of shoreline that was heavily damaged by numberous severe storms in the 1960’s, including Hurricane Dora.

The Project is part of a long-term project initially constructed in 1980 and is a cooperative effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Jacksonville.

Beach restoration is necessary to maintain a balanced environment on the coast. The three main reasons for restorations are:

• Storm Protection - the beach provides a divide between infrastructure and storm waves.
• Habitat restoration - species of all shapes and sizes call the beach home and keeping it healthy keeps them healthy.
• Recreation - there are over 2 billion visitors to America’s beaches each year. This is twice as many visitors as all of America’s national parks combined. For every dollar the federal government spends on beach nourishment, it gets $320 back in tax revenues.

Way to keep our beaches beautiful, team Duval!

Make A Scene Downtown has brought back “Pool Splash Parties” this summer. The series of three events starts July 2!

The parties are complete with drink specials, food, giveaways and live entertainment on the decks of downtown Jacksonville’s best hotel pools.

Thursday, July 2

• 5-8 p.m.
• Omni Jacksonville Hotel
• Rooftop Pool Deck
• Live entertainment by Ron Rodriguez and The Repeat Offenders

Thursday, July 16

• 5-8 p.m.
• Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
• Riverfront Pool Deck
• Live entertainment by Captain Hook

Thursday, July 30

• 5-8 p.m.
• Crowne Plaza Jacksonville
• Riverfront Pool Deck
• Live entertainment by The Parkstreet Band

So get ready for some pool side entertainment and amazing views of downtown Jacksonville.  Admission to each party is free.

For more information, visit www.MakeASceneDowntown.com or call (904) 630-3690.

Want to make sure your pets are safe this hurricane season? Then take the advice of Dr. Dean Severidt, Jacksonville veterinarian and CEO of Pet Doctors of America. Severidt recently offered up some great advice about preparing pets for the hurricane season:

“While many adequately prepare their home and gather supplies for the hurricane season, pets are often forgotten in the planning process. Most pet owners consider their pets as a part of the family and they need the same preparation for a hurricane as everyone else.”

Dr. Severidt has provided us all with some helpful reminders and important tips to prepare pets this hurricane season.

• Have a backup supply of all pet medications
• Treat pets with all heartworm and flea prevention medications all year and have a supply handy if evacuation is necessary
• Put pet food and water in containers that can be easily transported
• Know of a boarding location if pets cannot evacuate with the family
• Have the pet’s veterinarian contact information handy and a copy of all its medical records in a safe place in case the pet needs medical attention while away from home
• Know of pet-friendly evacuation sites or shelters in other cities and/or find a hotel in the area that allows pets

If you need a little help preparing your pet for hurricane season, stop into one of Dr. Severidt’s two care centers in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach and pick up a complimentary Hurricane Pack for your dog or cat that includes a folder for pet’s records, collapsible water bowl, micro chipping information and registration form, and a sample bag of dog or cat food

To find walk-in care center locations, visit www.PetDoctorsOfAmerica.com. And remember to keep your furry friends safe this hurricane season!

In a previous post we wrote about the collection of impact fees and their effects on home builders. Over the past few months NEFBA has been working with Nassau County staff and commissioners to come to an agreement where all parties benefit. All the hard work has paid off.

The Nassau Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to continue the suspension on the collection of the county’s impact fees through December 31, 2009. They also voted 4-1 to continue the 50 percent reduction in building permit fees through September 30, 2009.

If you would like to email the commissioners to show your appreciation, we have provided their emails below:

• Commissioner Leeper - dleeper@nassaucountyfl.com
• Commissioner Johnson - sjohnson@nassaucountyfl.com
• Commissioner Holloway - bholloway@nassaucoutyfl.com
• Commissioner Boatright - wboatright@nassaucoutyfl.com

A job well done by the Nassau Builders Council and NEFBA for clearly communicating builders needs and working with the county on an agreement.

CornerStone Homes is nearing sellout at the Clay County community of Doctors Inlet Reserve. The homebuilder is selling its final homesites, two move-in ready homes and the company’s decorated model home, The Kingsley.

The company has enjoyed great success at Doctors Inlet Reserve for many reasons, according to a company-issued press release:

“Doctors Inlet Reserve features beautiful homes in one of the most conveniently located communities in Clay County at prices that are hard to beat,” said CornerStone Homes Managing Partner Mark Downing. “The community is close to Jacksonville Naval Air Station, shopping, major roads, restaurants and entertainment. It also has a great location near some of the area’s finest waterways for boating, fishing and water sports.”

Besides the model and the homes under construction, CornerStone Homes has seven beautiful homesites on which to build at Doctors Inlet Reserve. The company offers eight floor plans ranging from 1,257 square feet to 3,246 square feet in the community. Homes at Doctors Inlet Reserve are priced starting from the mid-$100,000s.

Doctors Inlet Reserve has neighborhood amenities, is near Paul C. Armstrong Park and is in close proximity to the St. Johns River, Doctors Lake, Doctors Inlet and Black Creek. Children in the community may attend highly rated schools in the Clay County School District. Homeowners do not pay any Community Development District (CDD) fees.

More information is available at www.mycornerstonehomes.com.