• Our Fourth Judicial Circuit judicial assistants are raising money for the Judicial Assistant Association of Florida and several local charitable organizations by selling gift certificates for pies from Village Inn for $10. The certificates do not have an expiration date and can be purchased from any judicial assistant through Dec. 16.
• The local beauty contest was Saturday night at the Florida Theatre and be informed that it was for the nice girls from the community and not as the sign read: “Miss Jacksinville.”
• The Gator Bowl Association’s choice of Virginia Tech was an affirmation of chairman Mike Hartley’s statement that the game is “economic, not sports.” Even though Tech lost here on Saturday night to Florida State, they’ll still bring in more fans than either of the alternatives, Miami or Georgia Tech.
• The Orlando newspaper made a big deal of the possibility of their Saturday football game drawing more fans than ours. Final score: Jacksonville 72,749, Orlando 51,978.
• The Alltel Stadium advertising battle continues. The “ribbon” boards carred no advertising Saturday night, other than an occasional sponsor logo, as the sponsoring Gator Bowl Association only had “welcome” messages over and over. One was from “President Kevin Hyde and the City Council” and Mayor John Peyton didn’t get a mention.
• This Sunday’s Jaguars game against Indianapolis may be a total sellout as early as today.
• Former standout JU basketball player Dee Brown is an NBA analyst for ESPN these days. Brown, who also went to Bolles, was the 19th pick in the first round of the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics and enjoyed an 11-year NBA career. He got the job by beating out several other jocks in ESPN’s Dream Job contest last winter.
• Kuhn Flowers’ open house with traditional Christmas windows and holiday decor will be Thursday from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at their Beach Boulevard location. There will be design demonstrations and refreshments.
• Bad news for fish. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority is hosting their 30th annual fish fry Dec. 16. They’ll celebrate the holidays over lunch, and you can, too — if you have an invitation.
• Beware, according to Florida Agricultural Commissioner, Charles Bronson, the Africanized Honey Bee has been found in the state of the Florida. Bronson says the bees were probably introduced to the state via cargo coming into ports from South America, Central America and Mexico. To date, 14 people in the United States have died due to Africanized Honey Bee stings.
• Big fundraiser for Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist Thursday night at 6:30 at the Haskell Building on Riverside Avenue. The minimum contribution being sought is $2,000, but the legal limit is $5,000. The event is being hosted by Gilchrist Berg and Bill Walton and there are some big names — Bill Foley, Preston Haskell, Herb Peyton and Peter Rummell — on the host committee.
• The law firm of Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks & Miller has become a major sponsor of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The sponsorship will allow the firm to offer direct help to people affected by disasters.
• Did you get a Christmas card from Pres. George and First Lady Laura Bush? Mayor John Peyton did. The card includes a Bible verse (Psalm 28:7) and the official Presidential seal.
• Remember Lee Webb, the former anchor at Ch. 12? He is in Virginia Beach and serves as a news anchor for the Christian Broadcasting Network, but would like to come back to Jacksonville. He sent Peyton a cover letter and resume inquiring about a position within the City.