• Bob Rhodes is no longer the chair of the Downtown Development Authority, but it looks like he will keep a seat on the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. He expects to be confirmed at the next City Council meeting to move into one of the commission’s open seats. Rhodes will be joined on the commission by David Auchter, the new DDA chair who automatically gets a seat.
• Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce employees have a chance to buy discount tickets to the Jaguars Sept. 11 home opener, and chairman Bob Helms is encouraging them to buy extra tickets and take a police officer, firefighter or a Super Bowl volunteer along to the game.
• Another sign that football season is upon us: the Jacksonville Quarterback Club opens its 57th season on Aug. 17 with television analyst Mike Gottfried as the speaker. The club meets in the stadium’s Terrace Room.
• A familiar face is back at the mayor’s office. Sheri Piner is Chief Operating Officer Dan Kleman’s new executive assistant. Piner worked for Susie Wiles during the John Delaney administration.
• The 34th annual Riverside Arts Festival will be Sept. 10-11. The weekend-long event features crafts, activities for kids and free bus tours of Riverside.
• To new City Library Director Barbara Gubbin, running a library isn’t just about books and overdue fines, it’s about networking and marketing as well. That’s why she signed up the libraries to join the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Gubbin announced the move at Friday’s Downtown Council meeting and put members on notice: “I’m going to be checking for library cards at your next meeting,” she said.
• Jacksonville attorney Gregory A. Williamson has recently joined the law firm of Brant, Abraham, Reiter McCormick and Greene, P.A. Williamson will continue to practice in employment law and commercial litigation.
• The staff at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will soon be taking their competitive nature to the kick ball field. JALA staffers are organizing a team to join the citywide adult kick ball league, but are having a little trouble coming up with a name for their group. So far the best title they have come up with is “The Bad News Barristers” but they are still taking suggestions.
• City Council member Daniel Davis will hold a press conference at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall today to discuss an idea that could keep the City’s Canning Kitchen open. Due to budget restrictions, the City announced last month that the center, which costs more than $130,000 a year, would close on Sept. 30. Davis’ office wouldn’t reveal any further details regarding the possible solution.