Join Mayor Alvin Brown and the City of Jacksonville to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a breakfast honoring his life and dream for social change on Friday, Jan. 17. CNN reporter and anchor Soledad O'Brien will be this year's keynote speaker. In addition, six local students will be recognized as Tomorrow's Leaders for their volunteerism, leadership and civic responsibility.

Learn more about the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

The doors open at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Individual tickets are $40, tables are $400. Complimentary parking will be available for attendees in surrounding lots. Purchase tickets and learn more at JaxHappenings.com

Unfortunately, the required overhaul of the St. Johns River Ferry is taking longer than originally planned.  Although it was anticipated the ferry would return to service by the end of December, the projected date is now mid-January.  We apologize for any inconvenience resulting from this delay. 

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Jacksonville with fireworks at midnight as the skies come alive to welcome 2014. The show will take place over the St. Johns River with a river barge located behind The Jacksonville Landing to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year!

Learn more at JaxHappenings.com

In accordance with Ordinance 2005-361-E, the second Committee week and City Council meeting of the month of December are suspended, due to the Holiday Season.  The Jacksonville City Council meeting cycle will resume with Standing Committee meetings on Monday, January 6, 2014.

Touring and Concert Choirs of the Jacksonville Children's Chorus will perform at 4:45 p.m., December 10th, prior to the City Council meeting. 

Residents from throughout the First Coast descended upon Hemming Plaza and City Hall on Friday, Dec. 6,  for the annual Holiday at St. James celebration. The event featured live entertainment, a holiday photo booth, cookie decorating, tours of the Mayor and City Council Offices, and a holiday tree lighting in Hemming Plaza.

See photos from the Holiday at St. James

See photos from the City Council's Holiday Open House

Authorities, Mayor Brown Urge Jacksonville to Take Part in Thursday Game

With support from executives of Jacksonville’s independent authorities, Mayor Alvin Brown urged the city to rally in support of the Jaguars as the team takes the national stage Thursday night at EverBank Field.

The Jaguars will host the Houston Texans in a primetime NFL game, and the independent authorities and the City of Jacksonville urged the community to show its support of the home team. The NFL Network will broadcast the game and put Jacksonville on display again as a topflight site for major football games and other sporting events.

“The Jaguars undoubtedly will bring everything they have to win the game, and our city should step up, too,” Mayor Brown said. “As executives of government agencies, we want to show the national audience that our Downtown and our community embraces being a top destination for football and events. Our residents and businesses have a great opportunity to enjoy festivities at EverBank Field.”

Bill Enables Advent Software to Expand in Jacksonville

A financial software company that employs 122 people on the Southside is proposing expansions that will allow it to create up to 123 new, full-time software development and IT client support positions in Jacksonville over the next three years, pending approval of state and local incentives.

City Moves Up to No. 3 in National Ranking

The City of Jacksonville ranked third nationally in e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government’s Digital Cities survey results. The city moved up from No. 10 ranking last year, highlighting the increasing strength of information technology in Jacksonville.

“Technology plays a crucial role in improving public service,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “It’s critical that we continue to innovate, find new ways to connect, and deploy better quality services. I’m proud of the hard work from the city and all of our partners that show that Jacksonville is a major player on the national stage.”

Jacksonville shares the No. 3 spot with Riverside, Calif., after Boston, and Louisville, Ky.,and Philadelphia, which are tied for second. Jacksonville is the only Florida city ranked among the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.