National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning. While things look different this year, it is still as important as ever to prepare. 

The theme of National Preparedness Month is "Disasters Don't Wait. Make Your Plan Today." 

You're invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held in celebration of the opening of the dog park at Abess Park in City Council District 3. During the event, social distancing measures will be in place and masks will be required when an appropriate distance is unable to be maintained.

 

INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY: TIME TO REMEMBER, TIME TO ACT

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed on Aug. 31 ever year, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department (JFRD) and Drug Free Duval are offering free online training on recognizing the signs of an overdose and how to administer NARCAN® Nasal Spray, an FDA approved treatment for an opioid overdose. Participants are eligible to receive free NARCAN®. Two training sessions will be offered on Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking these links: 10 a.m. session or 2 p.m. session.

The City of Jacksonville’s Keep Jacksonville Beautiful invites residents to participate in the 2020 Florida Coastal Cleanup event. This event, which will provide volunteers with an opportunity to help beautify the city’s shorelines, is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s 44th Annual Arts Awards will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. The event, hosted by Tenikka Hughes and Al Emerick, promises to be a virtual extravaganza, combining award presentations, appearances from distinguished members of the community, moving and impactful performances, and more.

The City of Jacksonville recently sold $245 million worth of municipal bonds at an average interest rate of 2.22%, a new record for the City. Within this bond issue, the City was also able to save taxpayers more than $25 million by refinancing higher rate bonds at substantially lower rates.
 

The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) is allocating $950,000 to support renovations of street-facing facades on old downtown buildings. The new DIA Storefront Façade Grant program will provide grant funding for the improvement of storefronts, and, if applicable, second story façades in the Downtown Jacksonville Historic District — located in the Northbank CRA — to activate the streetscape and the overall revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville. This program is focused on physical improvements to the exterior of buildings, unlike the DIA's Retail Enhancement Grant program, which is focused on the operating business and interior and exterior improvements required for such business operations.

The City of Jacksonville will launch phase two of the Senior and Disabled Financial Assistance Program on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m. to provide support to senior citizens (72 years or older) and anyone receiving Social Security Disability benefits. With this grant program, the City will make one-time payments of $300 to 3,000 qualifying seniors and disabled citizens.