• Mayor John Peyton is going to today’s White Christmas party at the White House.
• Due to budget constraints, the recently advertised position of operations manager for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will not be filled.
• The JEDC was busy Wednesday ... filling and delivering 17 Christmas stockings to The Salvation Army. Stuffed inside were essentials such as soap, socks and toothbrushes. There were also gifts that children may appreciate even more — coloring books, crayons, little pocket books, necklaces, Legos, Matchbox cars and card games.
• We missed the 40th birthday of Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Director Kirk Wendland, who turned 40 last Saturday. He recommended one percent bonuses for Super Bowl Host Committee Communications Director Heather Surface, fundraiser Shelly Marino and Administration Director Kandi Begue. City Chief of Staff Scott Teagle seconded.
• The YMCA is raising dues. Individual members are up a buck.
• You’ll see a flyover at the Jags game the Sunday as four F–15s from the Florida National Guard will zip past just as the National Anthem finishes. The anthem this week will be performed by local jazz recording artist Noel Freidline.
• The St. Johns River City Band is bringing “Yuletide Swing” to the Florida Theatre from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Featured soloists include David Champagne, Dave Steinmeyer, Suzy Park and Bill Prince. There also promises to be a holiday surprise for the audience. Tickets start at $8 for students and seniors.
• Our pals at the Super Bowl Host Committee say that their mascot, Scoop the Pelican, is up and about despite rumors to the contrary. He had reportedly taken a lower profile until questions about the naming rights clear up.
• Jacksonville has repeated as the most economic location for corporate meetings, according to a travel service Web site’s survey. They costed out a 100–person meeting in numerous cities and we edged out Raleigh and Columbus, Ohio. No New York City on this list.
• NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s visit garnered national attention for the City. A survey of daily papers conducted by the Super Bowl Host Committee found coverage of the event extended from South Florida all the way to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
• The Host Committee took full advantage of Sunday night’s ESPN game, leaving press kits in the hotel rooms of the network’s crewmembers. The effort paid off as Host Committee President Michael Kelley received an invitation to appear Wednesday on “Cold Pizza,” ESPN 2’s morning news show. Host Committee Communications Director Heather Surface said the City’s plans to use cruise ships as temporary hotels drew the most attention.