Four local women who have made outstanding contributions to the Jacksonville community have been selected for recognition by the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women as 2010 Women’s History Month honorees.

The women are:

•  Jeannie Blaylock, co-anchor at First Coast News,

•  Jessie-Lynne Kerr, veteran reporter with The Florida Times-Union,

•  Jacqueline Nash, retired licensed clinical social worker,

•  Ellen Siler, chief executive officer of Hubbard House.

The Commission, in partnership with the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, will host a reception in their honor on March 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the University of North Florida (Building 12, Library),

Each of this year’s honorees will be featured on a specially designed commemorative poster, which will be unveiled at the reception. The poster will be placed in the UNF Thomas G. Carpenter Library where the permanent collection of commemorative posters is being exhibited. The poster honorees were selected from nominations received from individuals, women’s organizations, agencies and businesses.

The Small business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of North Florida will present a workshop on exploring a career as a small business owner. “Are You an entrepreneur? Will be offered March 23 from 5: 30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center at 1300 Duval St. in St. Augustine.

This workshop will give attendees an overview what it takes to start a new business and so they can determine if it is right for them.

The workshop is offered free of charge. For more information or to register, call 800-450-4624.

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired three new staff members. Robin Shelly has been hired as the director of marketing, Dawn Adams as the director of finance, and Kelly Gerlach has been promoted to the director of events from her previous position as event manager.

“Our new team members bring with them a wealth of experience that will continue to promote the Chamber’s goal of driving high quality economic growth in the region and making Northeast Florida the best place to live, work and play,” said Wally Lee, president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

More information about the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce is available online at www.OpportunityJacksonville.com.

Robin Shelly

Kelly Gerlach

Dawn Adams

Women Business Owners of North Florida along with the Diamond Sponsor, the Professional Women’s Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, have announced the 2010 finalists for the Women in Business Awards. The Award Winners will be named at the 24^th annual awards luncheon March 24, at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel in Jacksonville.

The Annual Women in Business Awards recognize and honor women who epitomize success in today’s business world. The awards recognize four women in the following categories: Entrepreneur of the Year, Franchisee/Franchisor of the Year, Corporate Leader of the Year and Pioneer of the Year.

Entrepreneur finalists are Camille Clement Gregg, Outside The Box Consulting; Teresa K. Myers, Myers-Seth Pump Inc.; and Sgt. Teresa Meares (ret.), DGG Taser and Tactical Supply Inc.

Franchisee finalists are Lynne Coggin, BNI Northeast Florida; Lauren M. Little, Edible Arrangements in the Shoppes of Avondale and in the Shoppes of Bartram Park; Stacie L. Rine, JM Steil Inc –Massage Heights Town Center and Massage Heights River City.

Corporate Leader finalists are Alicia Somers, Regions Bank; Karen Brune Mathis, Dreams Come True; Lisa Gufford, The Crexent Business Centers; Stella Sigfusdottir, Spa Academia Inc.; Jessica Evans, Regions Bank; Katherine D. Way, SafariLand; Anna Brosche, Ennis, Pellum & Associates, CPAs.

Pioneer finalista include Jean Jones, Jean Jones, E.A. Tax & Consulting; Elizabeth Paulson, Junior Achievement Girl$ Program Manager; Debra Braddock, State Farm Insurance; Suzanne Bass, Suzanne Bass, Attorney at Law; Marilyn McCall Wiles, The Enterprising Women’s Leadership Institute; Arden C. de Saussure, Arden’s Kafe & Katering; Snowden McFall, Brightwork Advertising/Fired Up!; Nancy E. Allen, Solutions for Care Inc.; Jean G. Watson, Sweet Repeats Consignment Shop Inc.; Martha C. Pellino, The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce; Claudia Avery, Florida Cleaning Concepts; Sandy Bartow Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Ann Sabbag, Health Designs; Gwen Hutcheson Griggs, PARC Management LLC.

Donna Orender, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon. She will share insights into her “journey to success.”

The annual awards program is sponsored by Women Business Owners of North Florida, the Jacksonville Business Journal, the Professional Women’s Council, WOKV, AMP Promotional Products, Cave Productions and Pegasus Media.

The luncheon and awards program are sold out; however, names are being taken for a wait list. For more information go to www.wbonfl.org.

Jacksonville Real Estate Investors’ Association (JaxREIA), a nonprofit real estate investment association, will hold its 15^th Annual Spring Educational Bus Trip, a tour of investment properties and a workshop on Saturday and Sunday, March 27 – 28.

According to Kristina Obenza, JaxREIA executive director, the bus tour weekend begins with a Saturday seminar on purchase strategies, renovation analysis, and structure analysis. The seminar will be held at the JaxREIA office, 103 Century 21 Drive in Jacksonville. On Sunday JaxREIA will host a 41 mile motor coach bus trip throughout Jacksonville with stops at dozens of properties, with some that are in urgent need of rehab and some that are going through the rehab process. Participants will learn how to inspect investment properties, what to look out for and the hidden costs.

The bus tour will leave from the JaxREIA office.

“This is an invaluable opportunity for those who are seasoned real estate investors and those who are just beginning to join us for a fun and educational opportunity on our annual bus tour and seminar,” said Obenza.

Cost for the annual bus tour weekend is $309 for members; $359 for non-members. For more information, call 888-545-REIA (7342) or e-mail executivedirector@jaxreia.org. Visit the website at www.jaxreia.org to register online.

The Shoppes of Avondale will become part of the City of Jacksonville’s Town Center Program, according to Dianne Garcia, president of The Shoppes of Avondale Merchants Association. She said the 85-year-old shopping area meets the City’s Town Center restoration guidelines, which state a retail area must be at least 30 years old and must have been at one time an established commercial district or corridor at the heart of an existing community or neighborhood.

“The central Avondale business district is a prime example of a Town Center that continues to support the local community. Despite many changes in development trends, this area has begun a new era of improvement and is in an active growth mode,” said Garcia, who is also the owner of J Ashley Boutique in Avondale.

Garcia and the merchants association have worked to support the City of Jacksonville’s Vision Plan which began in 2004 as an effort to restore and improve a variety of neighborhood retail areas through a community-based initiative and with the help and resources of the City. The Avondale area was designated as a historic district in 1998.

The Gifted Cork, a retail wine and gift store specializing in wines from around the world and gifts related to wines, is celebrating its first anniversary. The store officially opened on Feb. 27, 2009.

“The first year was about what was expected,” said store owner Jeanne Maron. “I stuck to the business model I created in the beginning, and it seems to work.  Customers are very receptive and I have a lot of repeat business.”

Maron, who has 23 years of retail experience, said her business model included several keys: having enough working capital to get through the first two years; expecting to work seven days week; treating all customers as special; and promoting, advertising, and using every avenue for positive publicity.

To help promote the business, the store hosts a daily wine tasting from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., focusing on a theme of the month.

The Gifted Cork (www.giftedcork.com) is located at 64-A Hypolita St., St. Augustine.

Deb Eveson

Eveson Allstate agency (www.Allstate.com/DebEveson) will have a grand opening event March 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be at 12525 Philips Hwy, Suite 206, Jacksonville, and will feature refreshments, prizes, networking, and the opportunity to meet team members.

The insurance agency is owned by Deborah A. Eveson, 904-400-6450.

A new consignment store aimed at plus-sized figures has opened in San Marco Square. My Best Friend’s Closet, 2002 San Marco Blvd., will have a soft opening March 27-28, and will feature a grand opening event on April 1.

The store features clothes, jewelry, and shoes for size 14 and above.

Laura Hoffman has joined Amelia Island Plantation (www.aipfl.com) as its new regional sales manager, covering business accounts in various regions in the Southwest and Southeast. Hoffman most recently worked for the Hampton Inn and Suites in downtown Fernandina Beach, where she held the Sales and Marketing Management position.

Her prior experience at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort includes Marketing Manager and Golf Tournament Coordinator. In addition to her professional experience, Hoffman holds a degree in Communications from the University of Alabama.