If you're looking for a profile in courage, look no further than three employees of the city's Solid Waste Division - Henry Hayes, Jermell Pender and Thomas McBride.
The three were on their regular trash pickup route when they spotted burglars kicking down the door of a private residence, according to insurance agent Jimmy Tullis, son of the former City Council member.
The three started running toward the house and shouting, Tullis says he was told by police, and four burglars fled. Nothing was taken.
After being notified, Tullis secured the house - which was owned by a friend and client, who was out of town.
Tullis said he plans to meet with the three, maybe over coffee and doughnuts, and thank them.
The city workers were outnumbered. For all they knew, the burglars might have been armed. But, to them, that didn't matter.
They have earned the homeowner's gratitude - and also the admiration of everyone in this city.
The recent Cecil Field Air Show provided a lot of outstanding aviation acts for its 28,000 spectators. More importantly, it raised a substantial amount of money for good causes.
About $110,000 - the ticket proceeds - were given to the Alan Henley Foundation, says the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in a news release.
Alan Henley, an aerobatic pilot, was paralyzed at his home last summer, a Web site says; his chin-up bar broke, and he hit his neck and head hard in the fall.
Another $22,000 was raised from concessions and proceeds from a motorcycle "poker run," the JAA release says. That was donated for Multiple Sclerosis research.
JAA spokesman Michael Stewart put it well: "Not only did attendees witness some of the best aviation acts in the world, they also contributed significantly toward two worthy causes."
More than $500,000 was raised during the First Coast March for Babies, sponsored by the March of Dimes, according to a news release.
That is a tremendous amount - and the March of Dimes is a very deserving recipient.
Its purpose, its Web site says, is to help mothers have a full-term pregnancy. The March of Dimes also helps babies, particularly those premature or sick, begin healthy lives.
It speaks well of this community that so much money was raised for such a good cause.
"I expected Mother's Day to be another downer holiday for me.
"But a fellow parishioner with grown children of her own who live in other states sensed my unspoken mood.
"Turns out that she had made reservations at a nice restaurant and took me there after church to celebrate the day with a fine meal and a most leisurely visit as if there were nothing more important in the world on her agenda.
"But that's not all. I have a military pen pal in Iraq whom I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.
"When I got home from being duly feted, a message was waiting on my answer machine. Lo and behold, the young man had called me from Iraq to wish me a happy Mother's Day!
"I am still riding high on such attention and am renewing my sensitivity to others as I meet them along the way."
The Duval County public schools are filled with many outstanding teachers.
One way to identify them is by noting additional training they have received.
A total of 79 teachers recently received their certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
This requires a great amount of outside work, the district reported in a news release.
To qualify for certification, an applicant must currently hold a bachelor's degree, have completed three full years of teaching/counseling experience and possess a valid state teaching/counseling license for that period of time.
It may take an applicant up to three years to become certified. This process involves the submission of four portfolios, of which three must be classroom based, and completion of six exercises demonstrating knowledge.
Rewards ought to be sufficient to encourage even more teachers to earn similar achievements.