• Speaking of Peyton, interesting note to his policy chief Steve Diebenow from the New York Giants thanking Diebenow for his note on the recent passing of Giants owner Wellington Mara. Only problem is the note was addressed to “Mayor” Steven Diebenow.
• The Gator Bowl Association will welcome the head coaches for this year’s Toyota Gator Bowl to town during a press conference and reception Thursday at 5:30 at the Omni Hotel. Louisville head coach Bob Petrino (a former Jags assistant) and Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer will officially accept bids to play in the Jan. 2 game at Alltel Stadium.
• The late Tillie Fowler was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame by Gov. Jeb Bush late last month. Fowler was the first woman elected to the Jacksonville City Council and was elected to Congress in 1992. Not elected to the hall this time? Sallye B. Mathis and Mary L. Singleton.
• WORKSource and the Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to present the inaugural 2006 Work Force — A Regional Leadership Summit on Workforce Trends. The keynote speaker is James P. Womack, founder and president of Lean Enterprise Institute. City Council President Kevin Hyde will present an update on regional work force progress and Roger Herman, CEO of the Herman Group, will discuss an impending crisis — too many jobs, too few people. The summit is Jan. 10 from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hyatt and it’s $25 per person.
• Jacksonville relief program Women to the Rescue has become a state model for Hurricane Wilma-hit areas. The program was initiated by Fresh Ministries immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and has been adopted as a model for nine counties in South Florida. Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings launched the program in Broward County two weeks ago and is slated to hit eight more counties in coming days.
• The North Florida Public Relations Society of America honored four members for their professional and personal contributions to the public relations profession and community. Laura Link, owner of Strategy Link Communications, received the President’s Award; Anne Dubois, partner of Dubois, Betourne and Associates, received the Ray Bullard Award; Sara Dufresne received the Rising Star Award for her work as a special events coordinator for the University of North Florida; and UNF student Kara Czerniak received the Student Promise Award.
• Our local Republican Party is having its holiday open house Monday at the party’s headquarters on Beach Boulevard. Everyone is asked to bring a dish or dessert. The GOP will provide beverages and spirits.