• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Power of Partnerships II” campaign is over and the initiative raised well over $100,000 more than its goal. That should come as no surprise given that Blue Cross and Blue Shield executive and local Republican Chair Mike Hightower chaired the campaign that raised $818,630. BCBS topped the corporate teams with $146,288 led by — who else — Hightower with $52,435 himself.
• Panera Bread has teamed with the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation to form a partnership called “Authors on the Rise” — a free Thursday series at the Panera in Town Center through Dec. 14. Local children’s book authors are invited to read their books, sign them and sell them. During the event, every $3 spent on a Panera Crispani pizza goes to the Public Library Foundation.
• Again this year the Gator Bowl Association is holding its “Take a Child to the Game” program. The event allows local businesses to sponsor a child for the Jan. 1 Toyota Gator Bowl. In addition to a game ticket, the kids get a ride to and from the game and lunch.
• The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission has awarded AXIA Public Relations and Marketing a $25,000 contract to re-brand the Cecil Commerce Center and launch the new brand. The project is intended to attract more businesses to the 17,000-acre facility and has a four-month timeline.
• Tee many martoonis: AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser have joined forces to protect drivers on the road this holiday season. They have expanded the “Tow to Go” program that is already credited with keeping more than 5,500 intoxicated drivers off the roads. The program is available from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. If someone has had too much to drink at a bar or restaurant, they can get a confidential ride home and a tow for their vehicle by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP.
• Learn to Read’s annual “Kiss the Pig for Literacy” kickoff is set for Feb. 22 at The Corner Brasserie in San Marco. The fundraiser runs through April 23 and the goal this year is $45,000. The big kiss-off is April 29 at the Baseball Grounds prior to the 3 p.m. Suns game. So far, no one has committed to puckering up to smooch a real pig.
• The Jacksonville Historical Society is holding its “Silent Night” holiday open house and program Dec. 7. It starts at 6 p.m. at the Merrill House and includes tours of the Merrill House and Old St. Andrews Church.
• The Electric Football Super Bowl & Convention has moved around the country to various NFL cities since 1995 and now makes its furthest trip south to Jacksonville. The 13th annual official Electric Football Super Bowl & Convention is Jan. 26-28 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Baymeadows. Electric Football is a tabletop game, first introduced in 1947. It’s best-known for the buzzing sound the metal board makes when the electricity is turned on. The game is played by two or more “coaches,” utilizing miniature football player figures painted in the uniforms of all 32 NFL franchises and some college teams.