• Tough day downtown for the JTA. A bus and a trolly broke down at noon.
• Tough day for some drivers, too — the red light at the Landing entrance to the Main Street Bridge got stuck on red, backing up a line of traffic almost to Hogan St.
• Hoping to have a Regional National Veterans Cemetery built in Jacksonville, City Council member Faye Rustin is lobbying in Washington, D.C., this week. While there, Rustin will meet with the National Veterans Affairs Office and Congress members, including C.W. Young, in an attempt to streamline the process.
• The McCormick Agency will celebrate its 15th anniversary this week. The public relations firm, which currently handles over 40 clients in Florida, has managed 175 political campaigns over the years, including Mayor John Peyton’s. The agency recently was hired to handle public relations for the Florida Coastal School of Law.
• Organizers for the Gate River Run are concerned that construction in San Marco could alter the race route. The traditional course is certified by USA Track and Field. If the route changes, organizers will have to adjust the course and apply for new certification.
• As a money saver, interim Chief Operating Officer Lynn Westbrook is looking into the use of surplus military equipment for the City’s law enforcement and emergency response.
• Downtown development consultant Dave Feehan told an assembly of City officials and downtown business people that cities usually lose money on convention centers and said the current market was particularly competitive. What made the strongest impression on Feehan on his first visit to the City. Was it the river? The Landing? Hemming Plaza? Nope. “The first thing that hit me was the smell of coffee,” said Feehan. For more see page 3.
• Maxwell House Coffee is donating $10,000 to the Clara White Mission on Monday to help with the soaring number of meals being prepared every day. The daily meal load has gone from 250 to 500, at the same time the Mission is trying to prepare for the Thanksgiving baskets it distributes each year. The presentation will be made at 2 p.m. at the Mission, 613 W. Ashley St.
• The bird almost stole the show last week as Tom and Betty Petway donated $1 million to the Jacksonville Zoo’s Range of the Jaguar. An African Auger buzzard, which resembles a North American red-tailed hawk, accepted the check on behalf of the zoo. The bird apparently hadn’t been able to perform his duties once during rehearsals, but pulled the stunt off perfectly when it counted.
• Eight proposals for the Brooklyn Riverside RFP have been received by the Downtown Development Authority. The next step is for a DDA committee to reduce that list to four finalists.
• The Florida Southern College office of alumni relations is inviting alumni to a tailgate party at the Jaguars’ Oct. 26 game at Alltel Stadium. The event costs $30 per person, which covers the tailgate party and game ticket. RSVP to Shari Szabo (863-680-6234) or [email protected].