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First Coast Connect

03/07/16: Wounded Warrior Project; New Restaurant Trends; UNF Chamber Singers; Cole Pepper

Wounded Warrior Project

  The board of Jacksonville-based Wounded Warrior Project has asked independent advisors to review the charity’s finances following claims in national media of bloated salaries and over-the-top events.

Both CBS News and the New York Times in January released reports critical of the Jacksonville-based charity Wounded Warrior Project.

They spoke with current and former employees who allege the charity funds lavish company retreats, expensive travel, and spends too much money on its image instead of on veterans.

CEO Stephen Nardizzi says that investments in fund-raising, and marketing are commonly used by for-profit corporations.

We discuss the latest with Florida Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein, whose recent investigation into Wound Warrior Project's fundraising and spending appeared in this Sunday's edition of the newspaper.

First Coast Dining Trends

Ethnic cuisine, locally sourced menus and  handcrafted cocktails are just a few of the dining trends we’re seeing on the First Coast. Food writer Caron Streibich joins us with some of her favorite places to eat around town. These are some of the restaurants mentioned in that discussion:

Callers' recommendations:

UNF Chamber Singers

An elite group of singers at the University of North Florida will soon go on the trip of a lifetime. 28 students in the UNF Chamber Singers will have the opportunity to perform throughout Portugal this spring, and they're currently raising funds for the trip through sales of a new CD. We learn more from Cara Tasher, director of UNF choral activities, and chorus members Brooks Baptiste and Anna Mans.

Cole Pepper

And WJCT sports analyst Cole Pepper stops by with March Madness news and more.

Sean Birch joined the WJCT team in late 2011 and was with the company until 2016.