• Reggie Fullwood’s campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives is in full swing while his wife, Latasha, is home pregnant. “The baby’s due Sept. 4 and the election is Sept. 5,” said Fullwood. “I’m hoping she comes late so I can focus on taking care of my bundle of joy.”
• How strongly does Mayor John Peyton feel about Rally Jacksonville!, his early literacy initiative designed to make sure all third-graders are reading at grade level? At Wednesday’s National Association of Office and Industrial Properties meeting he said, “If a child isn’t reading by third grade — game over.” For more on what Peyton told the group, see page 4.
• Speaking of Peyton, at the NAIOP meeting, he recognized Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton and said, “He has the job of putting the lid back on the cookie jar his predecessor took off.”
• When Mark Florans of Platinum Management Services out of New York bought the Job Corps building in Springfield Wednesday at an auction he realized his travel plans may have to change. “I have already checked out of the hotel, but I may have to check back in,” he said. Florans also expected about 30 bidders and figured he’d have to pay much more than the $1.5 million winning bid.
• Speaking of the auction, it was run by Joe Crenshaw of the General Services Administration and was supposed to start at 10 a.m., sharp. However, an eighth potential bidder showed up right at 10. Crenshaw’s response? “It’s OK, you just have to make the first bid.” The late arrival didn’t.
• Ever wonder who should be dubbed “Jacksonville’s Mother Teresa?” Apparently, local Christian lifestyle magazine The Covenant thinks Elizabeth Means qualifies. Their latest issue calls the Shands Jacksonville community affairs vice president “a virtuous woman with an outstanding presence” and reads, “There’s no question while (sic) she’s referred ton (sic) on the First Coast as our Mother Teresa.” The editors were courteous enough to arrange a headshot of Means next to clip art of the famous, Albanian Catholic nun to confirm the connection between the two.
• Ticket sales for Springfield’s Manhattan Short Film Festival have begun. They can be purchased Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at 1951 Market Street’s open house and barbecue and Sept. 6 from 5-9 p.m. at the Art Walk headquarters in Jacksonville Bank. The film festival is planned for Sept. 21 and 22, and proceeds will benefit community and parks restoration and local film students.
• The MPS Group is holding its annual bake sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today on the second floor at One Independent Square. Proceeds from the sale of cakes, pies and cookies will benefit the American Heart Association.
• Sara Coleman of Jacksonville U.’s media relations department is moving on. She’s due and plans to be a stay-home mom. Traci Mysliwiec is coming from Chicago to replace her.
• The Republican Club of the Beaches is having a hot dog roast next Friday at Jack Russell Park in Atlantic Beach from 5-8 p.m. Club president Toni VanOrman is expecting GOP candidates for federal, state and local office.