City Notes

News

• The George Bush rally at the stadium Saturday may draw as many as 50,000 as the Republican Party has been encouraging area party offices to turn out the troops. PRI, the local event planning company, has been told to prepare for many more than the original estimate of 20,000.

• The Hart Bridge will be open Saturday for traffic to Bush’s visit. It’s closed again Sunday as they continue to install lights.

• The Chamber of Commerce is highlighting some resources available locally to provide relief to small businesses that suffered hurricane losses. Chamber chair Barry Allred points to U.S. Small Business Administration loans of up to $1.5 million for repairs to property, machinery, equipment and inventory caused by Hurricane Frances. To apply call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA.

• Southend Brewery and Smokehouse at the Landing is undergoing some renovations. The restaurant’s upstairs River Room has an improved look with new carpet and flooring and the downstairs dining room is being repainted. The restaurant has also hired Abby Rose as a marketer for the River Room.

• Reminder: the D.W. Perkins Bar Association’s Scholarship Awards Banquet is Saturday at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, beginning at 6 p.m. Call Tammy Butler at 301-1263 for ticket information.

• How much does a football coach get involved during the season? Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio was asked Thursday about flu shots and he said the team would get them. When told there was a shortage, and that only those 65 and older and those with debilitating illnesses were being served, he admitted he hadn’t heard anything about it. “I don’t bury my head in the newspaper much,” he said before getting in a political plug: “As long as we re-elect Bush, we’ll be all right.”

• The Riverside YMCA’s new snack bar is getting near completion. They hope to open

in November.

• City Council member Jerry Holland will make it known today that he’s going to run for Supervisor of Elections when the special election is called. When he qualifies, he’ll have to resign for the Council.