Jacksonville’s

(Associated Blogger.com)-VOA- Washington, D.C., June 10, 2009 – Linguists told a Voice of America (VOA) audience the world is losing a language approximately every two weeks, with half of today’s 7,000 languages projected to disappear by the year 2100.

“The loss of a single language is really a loss for all of us. It’s not just a loss for the speakers,” said Susan Penfield, program director for the National Science Foundation’s Documenting Endangered Language Program.

Penfield, who has worked extensively on the preservation of Native American languages, stressed the importance of language diversity and its legacy to all of humankind. “You don’t know how much you’ll miss a language until it’s gone,” she said.

Besides Penfield, the VOA panel, Endangered Languages: Saving Voices Before They Are Lost (http://www.voanews.com/english/About/2009-06-05-Lost-Voices-Event.cfm) featured linguistics experts G. Tucker Childs of Portland, Ore., State University and Hayib N. Sosseh of Northern Virginia Community College. VOA broadcaster Bart Childs also participated in the presentation.

G. Tucker Childs discussed his life’s work documenting dying languages in Western Africa, including Krim and Bom. The key to maintaining any linguistic heritage is to make sure that young people speak the language regularly, he said.

Bart Childs recently travelled to Sierra Leone and Guinea to file video reports featuring the endangered languages Krim, Bom, and Mani, whose deaths appear imminent. See his reports at http://www.VOANews.com/English/LostVoices.cfm.

Sosseh, who has written courses in endangered languages such as Mandinka and his native language, Wolof, discussed the many distinct dialects that have evolved from the major languages of Africa.

The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 134 million people. Programs are produced in 45 languages.

For more information, please call VOA Public Relations at (202) 203-4959, or e-mail askvoa@voanews.com.

Jacksonville, FL, –(PR.com)– New Women’s Network to launch in Jacksonville to inspire, empower, and connect women. Connect directly with Kim Fulcher, CEO of MyLifeCompass.com, at a free opportunity event.

Today, Compass is pleased to announce the official launch of mylifecompass.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Compass will host a Free “Discover Your Compass” Opportunity Meeting with Kim Fulcher, CEO of MyLifeCompass.com on June 12, 2009 at 6 pm EST at the Jacksonville Marriott (4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville). The Compass mission is to make professional life coaching available and affordable to women all over the world. Come and learn how Compass is changing the world one woman at a time through a ground floor business opportunity. Compass is the first company to offer powerful and affordable coaching programs and services through a network of independent representatives. Guests that attend this free event will also hear from Tara Travis, founder of Godly Women’s Business Network, and Candice Smithyman, founder and Vice President of Dream Mentors, International.

Compass combines 4 of the fastest growing global trends: Social Networking, Network Marketing, Personal Wellness/Self Improvement, and Professional Coaching, offering the opportunity of a lifetime. Attendees will learn how they can benefit from coaching, and how they can build their own home-based business with Compass. This is also a wonderful opportunity for trained professional coaches to learn how they can impact more clients. Register at MyLifeCompass.com.

About Compass
Compass is a personal development company committed to improving the lives of women. Founded in 2007, Compass is the parent company for MyLifeCompass.com, a new online community and life coaching resource. Based in San Jose, CA, the privately-held company currently employs 18 professionals, and has assembled a network of dozens of independent professional coaches nationwide. For more information on Compass employment opportunities and membership options, visit http://www.mylifecompass.com.

Media Contacts:
Compass Media Contact
Rebecca Allen
866.341.8618 x7
Rebecca@mylifecompass.com

Jacksonville Suns-JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Suns announced the team’s 2009 promotional schedule, marked with a silver anniversary celebration of the Bragan family ownership of the Suns.

All season the Suns will recognize the contributions of the Bragan family to Jacksonville’s baseball tradition, beginning with Opening Night, April 9. The first 3,000 fans will receive a commemorative coin of Chairman Peter Bragan Sr. and President Peter Bragan Jr. The Suns will also hold a special birthday blowout for Bragan Sr.’s 86th Birthday on Friday, July 3rd.

The Suns enter their first season as the AA affiliates of the Florida Marlins and will celebrate with a number of great promotions and events all year. The Suns host the New Orleans Zephyrs, the new AAA affiliate of the Marlins, with a special exhibition game on Thursday, April 2, at 7:05, featuring the first Thursday Night Throwdown of the year. Southpaw gets into the act as Billy the Marlin makes a special appearance to help celebrate his birthday on Saturday, May 2. And each Saturday and Sunday game, the Suns and MetroPCS will register fans and select one winner of an expenses-paid trip for two to see the Marlins in action in Miami.

Great entertainment returns to the Baseball Grounds this season, including classic fan favorites and new performances. BirdZerk brings his animated antics on Friday, July 31, while the zany ZOOperstars make two appearances on Sunday, May 3, and Saturday, July 18. Elvis Himselvis gets the ballpark all shook up on May 21 and 22, while Rip Tide rocks out with a postgame concert on Jimmy Buffett Night, Saturday, August 1. Nationally-renowned entertainer Myron Noodleman gets in on the action on Saturday, May 2. The 2009 season also includes two Christian bands new to the Baseball Grounds for Family Faith Night, with Building 429 on Friday, April 17, and Big Daddy Weave on Friday, August 28.

The 2009 season is also full of holiday celebrations for your family to share at the Baseball Grounds, both traditional and unique to the Suns. Easter Sunday, April 12, will bring a special kids’ Easter Egg Hunt on the field, and all kids will receive an Easter egg. The Suns honor our military service over Memorial Day weekend with a special patriotic fireworks display on Sunday, May 24, and a special afternoon game on Memorial Day, May 25. The Suns invite fathers and children for a special on-field catch on Fathers Day, June 21, and will also hold a giant fireworks display to ring in Independence Day on Friday, July 3. The holidays don’t stop there - the Suns hold a number of “special” holiday events, including Valentine’s Day in May on May 14, Halloween in June on June 19, St. Patrick’s Day Eight Months Away on July 17, and Christmas in August on August 19.

All of the Suns’ traditional weekly promotions return in 2009, including Fifty Cent Family Feast Tuesdays, Businessperson’s Specials on most Wednesdays, the ever-popular Thursday Night Throwdown, Friday Family Fireworks, and a kids’ giveaway with postgame Kids Run the Bases every Sunday. Wednesday nights will also be Senior Citizens Nights with fans 62 years or older receiving half-price Homeplate Box tickets plus their choice of one free hot dog or fountain Coke. Monday evening games will be Church Bulletin Nights, where fans can bring in their church bulletins to receive $5.00 off the purchase of any regularly-priced ticket. In August, Monday games are Belly Buster Mondays, where $20.00 gets a Homeplate Box seat along with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, ice cream treats and soft drinks.

The Suns open with the Dixie Classic, a special exhibition game against the Pacific Coast League’s New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA Affiliate of the Florida Marlins), on Thursday, April 2 at 7:05pm. The 2009 regular season campaign begins against the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, on Thursday, April 9 at 7:05pm. The 2009 season is presented by Everbank, official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. The Suns are the Double-A Affiliate of the Florida Marlins and a member of the Southern League of Professional Baseball.

August 13, 2009 10am-3pm
Free Admission
Free Parking
Shrine Temples from the Southeast get together and compete on horseback for trophies and bragging rights. They never lose focus of their primary goal, which is to raise money for burned and crippled children. The Southeast Shrine Patrol will compete in various disciplines such as barrels, flags, western pleasure & drill teams. The Shrine Patrol will also participate in the Morocco Shrine parade downtown on Saturday, August 15th.

I went to a “sale” today. Folks were lined up in order to get in to hopefully come away with some good stuff. Nothing… Absolutely nothing to speak of in that sale! Just take it from me!

June 13 & 14
Free Admission
Free Parking
Jacksonville Equestrian Center will host Horse Shows in the Park’s first hunter/jumper show at that venue. The hunters will be in the indoor arena, the novice folks in the Rebound Arena and we will be using the huge Grand Prix 300 x 400 turf arena for the jumpers. New jumps are being made for this venue for both the hunter and jumper arenas. This is a circuit of four shows at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center ending in October – competitors need to participate in three out of four shows to be eligible for Grand or Reserve Circuit end award.
The dates for the 2009 Horse Shows in the Park Hunter Jumper are June 13 & 14, August 8 & 9, September 12 & 13, and October 10 and 11.
For more information, visit http://www.horseshowsinthepark.com.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office hosted guests from the Picayune Mississippi Police Department at the Police Memorial Building. Three members of the Picayune, Mississippi Police Department (PPD) will formally thank Sheriff John H. Rutherford and the first responders from Northeast Florida who provided much needed assistance to the citizens of Picayune and Pearl River County in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The event included a special presentation from Chief Jim Luke of the PPD, followed by lunch provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Additional Information: The population of Picayune before Katrina was about 13,000; overnight the hurricane evacuees from other cities increased the population to more than 45,000.

Forty-five law enforcement officers from Duval and Baker counties came to Picayune to keep the order. The convoy arrived with 12 marked vehicles, a command van, one Zodiac Boat, three trailers and three all-terrain vehicles for search and rescues.

Officers took command of the Pearl River County’s emergency operations center and coordinated all law-enforcement and emergency operations as the area saw an influx of evacuees fleeing from harder hit areas. They also provided help with daily “search and rescue” missions, traditional police duties, staffed the county jail, and cleaned and cleared debris around the city’s communities and provided local law enforcement with much needed opportunities to attend to their own families, homes and property, many of whom were directly impacted by the Hurricane.

Last night I went to a “Meet Up” meeting. What fun! “Had a great time. ‘Inspired me to begin to develop http://www.jacksonvilles.com with a more serious attitude.

Local Residents, Government Officials and Businesses Recognized for Contributions to Tourism

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Last night, Visit Jacksonville named the six recipients and five finalists of the National Tourism Week hospitality awards at a ceremony held at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. The top prize of the evening, the Visit Jacksonville Hall of Fame Award, was granted to Office of Special Events Director Theresa Price.
The Hall of Fame Award honors an individual whose vision, creativity and passion have had a positive and significant impact on the development and/or growth of Jacksonville’s hospitality and tourism industry. Price and her team are tasked with developing and producing such key events as Jacksonville Light Parade, Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks, World of Nations and Jacksonville Jazz Festival, among countless others. Her work was also a significant component to the success of Super Bowl XXXIX, which drove thousands of visitors to the city as well as exposure on an international stage. The events produced by the Office of Special Events are key drivers of tourism and visitors.
“Theresa’s thoroughness and dedication to the growth of tourism through her spectacular array of special events is a key asset for the entire city of Jacksonville,” said John Reyes, president & CEO for Visit Jacksonville. “On behalf of Visit Jacksonville, I applaud Theresa and all of the other honorees for their efforts in increasing tourism and economic impact for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”
Other winners from the evening included:
Madeline Scales-Taylor, Margo Dundon Leadership Award - Named for the past Visit Jacksonville Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, this award recognizes an individual who portrays Margo Dundon’s vision and commitment to enhancing local tourism. As a member of Visit Jacksonville’s Executive Board, serving this year as Immediate Past Chair, Madeline Scales-Taylor exemplifies thoughtful leadership through collaboration, creativity and passion for the destination and the industry.
Councilman Michael Corrigan, Tourism Advocate Award - As a long-standing member of the community, city council and Duval County Tourist Development Council, Councilman Michael Corrigan’s passion for this city is evident through his outstanding support for the local tourism industry. This commitment was responsible for a significant increase in advertising and marketing the destination which was underfunded in comparison to other Florida cities.
PRI Productions, Visit Jacksonville Partner of the Year Award - PRI Productions earned the top spot for Partner of the Year due to its support of tourism and Visit Jacksonville. PRI is a first-rate event production company headquartered in Jacksonville and has been involved in a number of Visit Jacksonville events throughout the year including the organization’s annual meeting, Destination Outlook, THE PLAYERS Downtown Experience and many other special events that visitors enjoy.
Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, Finalist: Accommodation
Adventure Landing, Finalist: Attraction
Bistro Aix Restaurant and Lounge, Finalist: Dining/Nightlife
PRI Productions, Finalist: Service/Meeting Facility
BROOKSLACAYO Advertising, Branding, and Public Relations, Finalist: Minority Owned Business