Please join us for JaxParks’ 8th Annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Oct. 8 on the Northbank Riverwalk. Activities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the Riverwalk between the Jacksonville Landing and CSX. Our partners include the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacksonville Landing, Jacksonville Public Library, MOSH, Cummer Museum and Cathedral Arts Project. The event offers free interactive art and entertainment for the entire family. We hope to see you there.

At the 11th Annual Jacksonville Film Industry Reception, hosted by the city’s Film and Television office, Charlie Barth (photo, first row, center) was honored with the Film Legacy Award that recognizes his achievements and contributions to the local film industry.

Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, inaugurated the world’s most advanced automated lithium-ion battery factory at the Cecil Commerce Center on the Jacksonville Westside. 

“Having a renowned international company such as Saft choose Jacksonville is a major step in building the economy of tomorrow,” said Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown at the Friday opening. “The new plant gives us high-tech jobs to help put Jacksonville back to work and is a great example of the good that can come from the public and private sectors working together.” 

The City of Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department issued an air quality alert Tuesday, Sept. 13, due to an excess of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter. Elevated levels of particulate matter are a result of the wildfires that are burning in adjacent counties.

It really is Go Time, isnt’ it? The Jacksonville Jaguars began their regular season Sunday, Sept. 11, against the Tennessee Titans with no television blackout. 

And there's more Jaguars excitement!

For a limited time, you can purchase the TealDeals certificate book, a $3,000 value of gift certificates from local businesses, for only $50. Previously, only Jaguars season ticket owners could purchase this certificate book so be sure to take advantage of this generous offer. This offer can only be purchased on doubletakedeals.com.

Mayor Alvin Brown led a crowd of roughly 1,500 business and community leaders on a chant of “no blackouts” during the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Jaguars Kickoff Luncheon.

“We want to sell out every game,” said Mayor Brown. “My goal is to channel all of our resources to ensure this city and the Jaguars are as successful as possible. We want to be sure that when the Jaguars win, North Florida wins.”

Mayor Alvin Brown issued an executive order naming the first Education Commissioner for the City of Jacksonville.

The office is designed to serve as a bridge between City Hall and Duval County Public Schools with a mission to increase graduation rates and better prepare Jacksonville’s youths for the 21st Century job market. The office will have no executive powers over the school system but will serve a crucial supportive function to raise private money and rally community support at a time the schools are facing cutbacks.

The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) continues its mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County. Additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have been confirmed and there is a heightened concern that additional residents will become ill. Duval County has eight confirmed cases of WNV in 2011.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown welcomed an announcement Thursday that Jacksonville was selected as a site for a team in the new North American Lacrosse League (NALL) that begins play in January 2012.  "We are thrilled to welcome the North American Lacrosse League to Jacksonville," he said.  "I have long touted Jacksonville's attraction as a sports hub, and lacrosse will be a wonderful addition to the multiple sports franchises we already have in our city."