• What happens in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas this time. Landing owner Toney Sleiman has been in Las Vegas this week attending a merchandise trade show. He’s looking for new promotional items like hats, shirts and jackets and more prizes to give away at special events. Expect to see an updated color scheme with less bright orange and more tropical shades.
• JEA was replacing a light pole Thursday at 140 W. Monroe St. It was knocked down when a delivery truck backed over it, despite the driver being warned by several witnesses that he was about to shear it off at the ground.
• TV-12/25 anchor Donna Hicken made a presentation about her 26.2 With Donna marathon at Thursday’s Tourist Development Council and brought Mayo Clinic Dr. Edith Perez, who is hard to find these days. “At the moment, she is spanning the globe, literally, promoting our marathon,” said Hicken, who survived cancer thanks, in part, to Perez. Hicken said she expects her marathon to have an “enormous impact on the city of Jacksonville and the beaches.”
• The local American Civil Liberties Union President Ken Hurley sent the City a 21-item public records request regarding Saturday’s “Day of Faith” in the Arena. Most of the requests involve wanting to know where the funding came from to pay for the event.
• Steve Nichols, former City dockmaster, is a nominee to fill an empty seat on the Waterways Commission.
• The Blue Angels will be the featured act at this year’s NAS Jax Air Show and it’ll be a big event. The Navy flying team was created 60 years ago at NAS and this year’s show will highlight the event. It’s Oct. 27-29.
• Speaking of anniversaries, American Heritage Life Insurance Company (now Allstate) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Sept. 14 bash.
• Our school system will break ground on a new Westside elementary school Aug. 30. There’s no name yet, so it’s being called elementary school “B” according to the invite.
• Shugar Shack Chocolatier is about to expand its operation beyond the shop at The Carling. Certified Confectioner Susann Marino said she is having a cart customized and will soon be selling her gourmet chocolates at the Landing.
• 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.
• Northeast Florida Builders Association President Jerry Linder encouraged members to sign a resolution drafted by the association’s board of directors advocating support for the public policy established by Mayor John Peyton and City Council regarding the privatization of the Cecil Commerce Center. The resolution was approved by the members with no objection at Wednesday’s Board meeting.
• Laylas, a new bar/restaurant opened on Hendricks Avenue just past Atlantic Boulevard. Besides food they offer a wide variety of beer and wines as well as hookahs — flavored tobacco that is filtered through water.
• It’s the Dog Days of Summer ... at the Museum of Science and History. Their annual event is Saturday at the museum from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Guests will be able to meet dogs from local shelters and agencies, but don’t bring your pets. Only special guest dogs are allowed in the museum.
• The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra is looking for beginner string players for their newest ensemble, Jump Start Strings. Children ages six and above are eligible and experience is not necessary. Students will learn how to play the violin, viola, cello or bass. Rehearsals begin on Sept. 11. For more information call 262-6857.
• The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art is looking for a few volunteers to help out during their event, Sunday in the Park with George on Aug. 27. Volunteers will help remove dishes and set the tables after each brunch seating. Five people are needed for the 11 a.m. seating and five for the 1 p.m. seating. If you are interested call 366-3911.
• The Jacksonville Suns’ season is coming to a close quickly! Don’t miss their last 10 regular season home games starting Monday.
• The newest Stein Mart is open. It’s on Atlantic Boulevard near Queen’s Harbour. Several other spaces have been built in the strip mall, but no word on what stores will go in.