• A big name will be the inaugural speaker at the University of North Florida’s Jay and Deanie Stein lecture series. Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather will kick off the series Oct. 21 at UNF’s Fine Arts Center. A contract hasn’t been signed, but Erin Brokovich may also be on the schedule at some point. Brokovich helped the small town of Hinkley, Calif., win $333 million in a direct-action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
• Speaking of UNF, the school’s student government is planning to build a skateboard park near the arena.
• Learn to Read has announced its 2005-06 board of directors: attorney Moses Meide, Jr., president; Helen Albee of Henrichsen Siegel Moore, PLLC, first vice president; Julie Pope of Ironwood Productions, second vice president; Dr. Margo Martin of FCCJ, third vice president; and FCCJ’s Cay Gasque, treasurer.
• Speaking of Learn to Read, two well-known folks have committed to this year’s Kiss the Pig contest. Mike Hightower of BlueCross BlueShield and JEA’s Teala Milton have both agreed to pucker up.
• Former Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Adviser Nancy Soderberg received a key to the City of Jacksonville Wednesday after speaking on U.S. foreign policy at a luncheon at Epping Forest Yacht Club. City Council member Lad Daniels presented the key. The event was sponsored by the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes international understanding by hosting business and professional participants in international exchange programs who visit the Jacksonville area. Attendees at the luncheon included Jacksonville community leaders as well as a delegation from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, here with the Sister Cities Initiative.
• Thursday’s meeting of the City’s Design Review Committee was canceled due to a lack of a quorum. The committee will reconvene on Thursday, August 25.
• Legislation has been filed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to appropriate more than $100,000 to replace a boat that was damaged just before the Super Bowl in February. You’ll recall it was pretty big news when the boat smashed into pilings leftover from the old Fuller Warren Bridge. James Brunet, an officer riding in the boat, was badly hurt and is still in recovery.
• Also being considered by the City Council: Legislation that would provide the Jacksonville Zoo with $2,555,000. That money, combined with a previously allocated $1 million, would allow the zoo to purchase property for future expansions.