• The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will permanently close its check processing operation at its Jacksonville branch Nov. 30. Leah Davenport, Federal Reserve vice president, said the closure will affect about 57 employees, all of whom have known about the closure since June of last year. The Jacksonville branch will remain open and handle such things as cash processing, economic education and community affairs.
• As part of the “Baby Boomer” movie series, “The Godfather” is playing Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Main Library. It’s free and if you park in the garage you can get your parking validated before the movie starts.
• Speaking of classic movies, the City’s Office of Special Events is showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Oct. 24 at midnight at The Florida Theatre. Tickets are $5.
• The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will officially rededicate its communications center next Wednesday as the Dr. Roy Baker Fire/Rescue Communications Center. Baker moved to Jacksonville in 1953 and was the city’s first pediatric cardiologist and the honorary fire surgeon for over 20 years. He was also a cofounder of the Jacksonville Rescue Squad. The ceremony is set for noon.
• Nassau County Commissioner Mike Boyle wants to be a part of the regional effort to increase economic opportunities in Northeast Florida, but he told the crowd at the Cornerstone Regional Partner Forum he wasn’t sure if he belonged. “Driving down here I passed a sign that said ‘Jacksonville - Where Florida Begins’,” he said, which resulted in laughter from the crowd. “I didn’t know if I was supposed to be here.” City Council President Ronnie Fussell, one of the panelists, said he’d get someone to look into it.
• The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has a new partnership – but it’s not one you might expect. The social needs non-profit has teamed up with the Department of Defense to provide military families with access to the Y’s programs and facilities as part of a $31 million initiative. Membership fees will be underwritten by the Department of Defense and the local effort is part of a large national one.
• In the past year, the International Visitors Corps Jacksonville (IVCJ) hosted 200 international leaders in 30 delegations representing 80 countries. The visitors studied U.S. judicial processes, public health issues, sustainable development, port security and democracy. IVCJ’s 140 members work with the U.S. State Department to host the visitors and provide local transportation and hospitality.
• Speaking of international travelers, America’s election process will be the focus of three delegations hosted by IVCJ. Four journalists from Vietnam will be in Jacksonville later this month to visit both party’s headquarters and meet reporters covering the election. On Nov. 4, two delegations will be here, one a group of government officials from Moldova and the other a group of 21 young leaders from the Near East (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Gaza, Iraq and other countries). They will study strategies to direct positive political, social and economic change in a democratic society.