• JEA’s Teala Milton not only has a good sense of humor, she’ll put her money where her mouth is for a good cause. Milton, a “Kiss the Pig” candidate, is hosting a “S’Wine Tasting” fund raiser to benefit Learn to Read Inc. on Thursday, at The Plaza on Bay Street. A variety of red and white wines will be featured on behalf of PRP Wine International.
• Speaking of JEA, former spokesperson Ron Whittington has a new client. Whittington, who left the electric authority a few months ago to start his own consulting firm, is working with Sundrez at the Landing.
• City Hall is little bit spookier thanks to City Council aide Jenny Huxford. Huxford, who works for Council member Sharon Copeland, has decorated the area around her desk with Halloween decorations. There are even witches hanging from her ceiling.
• The Jacksonville Historical Society will unveil a marker Tuesday evening to note the founding of The Carling building, now a residential highrise on Adams Street. John Rood of Vestcor, the project developer, will make remarks.
• Circuit Court Judge Brian Davis spoke about improving decisions and behavior Friday to students at Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Education Center during the school’s first Leadership Day. The day, which is expected to become an annual event, kicked off Say No to Drugs Week, which is October 23-29.
• Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Kevin Hyde both are scheduled to speak at the Jacksonville Port Authority’s Puerto Rico Trade Summit Tuesday at the Seranata Beach Club in Vilano Beach. Hyde will give welcoming remarks at 10 a.m., and Peyton will give a lunchtime keynote address at noon. About 250 people are expected to attend, including officials from the Puerto Rican government as well as local officials, shippers and maritime business leaders from Jacksonville and other Florida port communities and executives from several national corporations.
• The City has found a way to make the Kings Avenue parking garage pay some dividends. Nearby business owners, who often must provide customer parking to comply with zoning requirements, have been leasing parking spots from the parking lot surrounding the garage.
• The Twisted Martini has hired a new assistant marketing director, Joanna Christopher. She began her new job on Oct. 10.
• Alltel Stadium already has its new look for the Georgia-Florida game. The bleachers have been installed above the South end zone and the Jaguars’ coverings have been removed from the North end zones and the upper decks.
• Hard to believe, but the 10th anniversary of the South Metro Business District is coming up. It’s area is around Emerson and I-95.
• The Tax Collector’s Office is adding a branch. This one’s at 12961 N. Main St.