City Notes

News

• A local public relations executive has been named public information officer for Super Bowl security. Lauri-Ellen Smith begins the job immediately. “Lauri-Ellen’s role is to help us ensure that the community understands what is going on (relative to Super Bowl security) — when and how they, the public, will be directly impacted by these activities and safety measures,” said Sheriff John Rutherford, who announced the appointment Monday. There are more than 30 local, state and federal agencies taking part in the Super Bowl security effort.

• Speaking of security at Alltel Stadium, fans attending Jags games must submit to a modified security pat-down before heading to their seats. The pat-downs will be conducted before every Jags home game and if someone declines, they won’t be allowed into the stadium.

• When tickets set aside for the military to attend Friday night’s preseason game ran short, the Jaguars gave the City another 200 at the last minute.

• Call it the mayor’s office revenge. A team from the mayor’s office and City Council defeated the media team 14-10 at a softball game Sunday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

• Rev. Robert Morris Jr. of the First Presbyterian Church says he would like to see a Christmas in the City tour of downtown churches. “Savannah and Charleston do it now, so I sort of stole the idea from them. I thought, ‘Boy, if they can do it, we certainly can.’ We have plenty of historic churches of our own and every one of them is gorgeous.”

• HDR Engineering, Inc. at 200 W. Forsyth St. is sponsoring a blood drive Aug. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to help those impacted by Hurricane Charley.

• Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts will be here Sept. 10 for a luncheon promoting the Willie Gary Football Classic. It’s a fundraiser for Edward Waters College.

• The Museum of Science and History will host its annual benefit, X, on Sept. 17. Guests will indulge in cuisine inspired by Asia, the future, and many different cultures. The Faze Band will perform providing music to dance to, and MOSH will screen shows in its Planetarium.

LATE SCORES