• Things are going pretty well these days for American Enterprise Bank. In his quarterly statement to shareholders, president Bennett Brown said the bank’s assets have grown 91 percent this year, from $54 million as of Dec. 31, 2004 to $103 million as of Sept. 30.
• Ch. 12’s Ken (“I’m Telling Ken”) Amaro has been nominated by the First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization to serve on its Citizens Advisory Committee where he’ll represent Duval County as an at-large member. On his application, Amaro listed his profession as “broadcast journalist, consumer advocate.”
• Nice gesture from the folks at Edwards and Kelcey, an engineering, architecture, planning and construction firm in Riverside. Vice President Mark Bonner recently donated six baskets of books to the Brewer Learning Center in Springfield in celebration of Mayor John Peyton’s and wife Kathryn’s recent addition, John Connor Peyton.
• A get well and speedy recovery to local attorney Wayne Alford of Alford and Kalil, P.A. He recently underwent open-heart surgery and is fortunately doing well.
• The Florida Equestrian Celebration will be at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center Nov. 18-20. There will be exhibits, workshops and a trade show.
• Speaking of the Equestrian Center, looks like it has secured the funding to address its drainage and power issues. Assistant general manager Lesa Williams said the center will now be able to pursue regional and national equestrian events.
• Wonder why City Council member Richard Clark said he would abstain from voting on the new Jaguars lease? Clark owns a janitorial service and the Jags are one of his clients.
• A big name in comedy will be in town March 2 for the 10th anniversary of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation. Bill Cosby will be the headliner at the event which is billed as “An Evening with Bill Cosby” at the Florida Theatre. Tickets go on sale Dec. 3.
• Gov. Jeb Bush will soon make up to three appointments to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. His current list of 10 nominees includes four from the Jacksonville area: former congresswoman Tillie Fowler, Nassau County “Beach Lady” MaVynee Betsch, Florida’s first female attorney, Louise Pinnell and former state representative Mary Singleton.
• Kiss the Pig update: Julie Pope of Learn to Read is the top fundraiser thus far with $8,060. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Mike Hightower is second with $5,080. Others of note include Akin Ayodele of the Jags ($275), JEA’s Teala Milton ($2,980) and Florida Coastal’s Ann Shorstein ($457). Dead last? Council President Kevin Hyde (this is not a typo — $0). The winner gets to pucker up to Yoda Thursday night at 6 p.m. in San Marco Square.
• In light of the recent deal between the City and the Jaguars, Jacksonville resident Craig Eifert has decided to boycott all Jags games and products until his property taxes are reduced the same percent the Jags’ rent was reduced.
• Mike Saylor officially began his job as Director of Planning and Development Tuesday. His office is in the Florida Theatre building.