• Chief Community Officer Roslyn Phillips is the chair of the City’s 2006 Jacksonville United Way Employee Campaign. Phillips is looking to top last year’s City employee contribution mark of $307,742.
• St. Vincent’s has hired Garcia Rodriguez as its new public relations specialist. Rodriguez joined the hospital’s marketing and communications department where she’ll serve as a writer and editor of several of the hospital’s publications.
• The Northeast Florida Builders Association recently received two Awards of Excellence from the Executive Officers Council of the national Association of Home Builders. NEFBA’s awards were for Best Public Relations Program and Best Source of Revenue up to $50,000.
• Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra associate conductor Michael Butterman has moved on to Shreveport, La. where he is their symphony’s new conductor. To fill the slot, the Symphony plans to use “guest conductors” this season in a effort to find the best permanent replacement.
• Speaking of the Symphony, there are other positions open including director of operations/general manager, Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra manager and sponsorship manager. The Symphony opens the 2006-07 season Sept. 15 with its Opening Night Pre-Concert Dinner.
• The 15th annual Alzheimer’s Association memory walk is Nov. 4. at 11 a.m. In preparation for the walk, there are a few events around town. Every other Wednesday starting Aug. 30, the Atrium at Regency will host an event; Sept. 28 TV-4’s Sam Kouvaris will be with the St. Johns River City Band for an evening of dance; Oct. 5 there’ll be an anniversary party at the Allegro at Fleming Island; and Oct. 14 there’ll be a Masquerade Ball at HarborChase. Go to www.MemoryWalk2006.kintera.org/jacksonville for more info.
• Stephen deRiesthal and Josh Spooner have joined the brokerage team of Cantrell & Morgan. Danielle Rourke, Julie Bohn and Chris Ryan have joined the appraisal staff at Cantrell Real Estate, Inc.
• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Jax Biz CCE has announced its School Board race endorsements. The group is backing all three incumbents running: Nancy Broner, Brenda Priestly-Jackson and Vicki Drake. Jax Biz CCE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan committee of business leaders. The group researches and endorses candidates for public office based on issues that affect business and economic development.
• More City Notes, page 3.
• The big Octogenarian Open at Selva Marina Country Club is set for Sept. 25. This is the ninth version of the tournament open to those 80 years and older. For info, call the Selva Marina pro shop at 246-3144.
• Labor Day weekend is a big time for boaters, weather permitting, and the Save the Manatee Club of Jacksonville is asking the boating community to follow sensible, responsible boating practices for the safety of the public, the manatees and other aquatic wildlife. If you’re out on the water and see an injured manatee, call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC or #FWC or *FWC on your cell phone. One other option, use VHF Ch. 16 on your marine radio.
• The largest field of entries in recent years has been received for the 2006 St. Johns Parade of Homes which begins Saturday through Sept. 17. There are 37 homes on display during the parade, three of the entries in the resale category and 34 are newly constructed. Leona Brown, administrator for the St. Johns Builders Council, said that growth in the county and competition among builders have contributed to the increased number of entries.
• Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law a comprehensive energy bill for Florida this summer and it could be good news to homeowners and partners in the Green Built Homes of Florida program. The new law designates Oct. 5-11 “Energy Efficiency Week” in Florida. There will be a sales tax holiday on Energy Star products priced $1,500 or less. Those products that meet strict energy-efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy range from light bulbs to air conditioners to refrigerators.
• Correction. The Harbor Companies and Watson Real Estate Corp. are holding a sneak peek gathering for the Berkman Plaza 2 project Sept. 14.
• The new stage curtain for the Florida Theatre has
been installed. Also, Wednesday morning workers unloaded two large rolls of new carpet that will be installed in the dressing rooms.
• The Florida Department of Transportation goes into high gear any time a tropical storm is on the horizon. Among other things, the staff at all drawbridges clocks out and goes home when sustained winds exceed 40 mph. As for Ernesto, “No news is good news,” said FDOT spokesman Mike Goldman.
• If you’re a regular at the London Bridge pub for the $4.99 lunch special, the new owners said that it will remain on the menu, but it’s going to cost about a dollar more beginning next week. They are also planning some minor changes to the menu that will be announced soon.
• The fifth annual San Marco Art Festival is Sept. 23-24. One hundred artists and vendors are expected to line the streets of the square. This year’s event will also feature live jazz, a children’s area and a pet refreshment station. For info call 399-5292.