• The four-game attendance record set by the Jacksonville Suns earlier this year didn’t last very long. Less than a month after the team drew 35,381 fans for an April 23-26 homestand, the Suns broke the mark. They drew 35,660 fans for a four–game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts. According to the Suns, the team leads the Southern League in attendance, averaging 6,805 fans per game. That figure puts the Suns in ninth place in all minor league attendance. The team says it is outdrawing 25 of 30 Triple-A teams.
• A story in The Washington Post Tuesday cited an exercise in oneupmanship between two “dueling booths” at an exhibition in D.C. for organizations that plan association conventions. On one side was Rob Hampton, vice president of sales for the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. On the other was a booth representing Minneapolis. Trying to get some “competitive friction” going, the reporter asked what famous people come from Minneapolis. Author/radio show host Garrison Keillor was the answer. Hampton countered with rock music’s Lynryd Skynyrd. Minneapolis apparently sealed the deal with entertainer Prince.
• Jim LaBranche, news director at Chs. 30 and 47, has resigned. The word is that LaBranche, who has been at the station since 1998, plans to start a new career as a wedding photographer.
• Local producers Pine Ridge Film and Television received a daytime Emmy last week for outstanding directing on its Travel Channel series “Great Hotels.” It was the first national Emmy for Pine Ridge, which received four nominations this year and one last year. The Emmy was presented to directors Jerry Smith, Joan McCord, Sylvia Caminer and Sid Goldberg.
• The Jacksonville Beach City Council has taken the first step toward eliminating private fireworks displays. During last year’s July 4 celebration at the beach, several people were injured by fireworks. A new ordinance calls for a $50 fine payable within 10 days for those cited for possession, sale or discharge of fireworks. While residents generally support the idea, some are wondering how the ordinance will be enforced because of the large number of people shooting fireworks on the Fourth.