• Prudential Network Realty President and CEO, Linda Sherrer, is also president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, one of the big sponsors of Thursday’s real estate trade show at Alltel Stadium. While Sherrer wasn’t able to make the show, she had a good reason: the recent birth of twin grand kids in Colorado. For more on the trade show, see page 3.
• Cheryl Grymes of the Alliance for World Class Education has declined a reappointment on the City’s Joint Planning Committee. In a letter addressed to Council President Kevin Hyde, Grymes wrote that she questioned “both the purpose and the need for the Committee.” She later added that with the formation of the Council’s Growth Management Committee, the JPC might offer nothing more than a “duplication of services.”
• The Baptist Heart Hospital on Prudential Drive will hold its dedication and public tour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. For more, see page 5.
• Some big names will be inducted into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame. Landmar CEO Ed Burr, Pete Carpenter of CSX, Russell Newton Jr. of Timucuan Asset Management, Inc., and former Florida National Bank CEO and investor Jack Uible will be inducted during the Oct. 27 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency.
• According to a poll on MSN.com, downtown is the place to go if you’re looking for a steak dinner. Downtown is home to four of Jacksonville’s top 10 steakhouses as voted by the site’s users. Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris, Bistro Aix and the Chart House all made the list.
• Condolences to Vestcor President Mark Farrell. His father recently passed away.
• Local non-profit group Community Connections recognized Wachovia Florida CEO Bob Helms with The Florence N. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday. Helms accepted the award during the 26th Annual Celebration of Leadership — A Tribute to Excellence ceremony at the Omni Hotel. Past recipients include U.S. Rep Ander Crenshaw, Dolores Barr Weaver and Delores Kesler, founder of AccuStaff.