• If you noticed a couple of fire trucks in front of Independent Square Wednesday morning, it wasn’t because there was any kind of emergency. Several firefighters wearing their air tanks were running up and down through the levels of the parking garage on Bay Street across from the building as part of their physical training requirement.
• Beating the deadline: It was the last day you could do it and 64 people went to the Supervisor of Elections office on Monroe Street to register to vote in the Nov. 7 general election. Early voting begins Oct. 23 at the elections office and 14 public libraries in Duval County.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. Forward is having an informal gathering at 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 at its headquarters. Refreshments will be provided and nonmembers will learn more about the program designed for people age 25-45 who’d like to get more involved in the community.
• Apologies to City Council candidate Earl Johnson Jr. We inadvertently left him off the candidate list Wednesday. Johnson is running for the Dist. 4 seat and currently tops in fundraising with $24,357.96 through the end of the third reporting quarter.
• First Coast Women’s Services 14th annual Fundraising Banquet is Oct. 26 at the Hyatt and the guest speaker is Star Parker, founder and president of the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education. The event is free, but by reservation only. Call the First Coast Women’s Services for more info. at 262-6300.
• The 21st annual Spina Bifida Association of Jacksonville Bowl-A-Thon is Sunday at Jax Lanes on Beach Boulevard. It’s from 2-4 p.m. and bowlers and donors are needed to support and participate in one of the organization’s major fundraisers. For more info, call the SBJA offices at 390-3686.
• The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will be joining The Sonnenschein Express for their concert “Celebrate Oktoberfest” at 8 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 21 at the T-U Center. In addition to the symphony’s instruments, the stage will be full of 12-foot Alpine horns, accordions, tubas, drums, harmonicas, a singing saw and a xylophone. A pre-concert party will be held at the T-U Center with German food and beer. Reservations are required and tickets are $20 in addition to the concert ticket. For more information call 354-5547.
• The Southern Women’s show is welcoming all women to enjoy a day of pampering, shopping and fun. The event will be held at the Osborn Center Oct. 19-22. Tickets are $8 at the door, $6.50 in advance on-line and $6 for groups of 20 or more.
• Another bank will be calling Downtown their home soon. The Bank of North Florida will be located inside the Bank of America Tower in a location closest to the corner of Bay and Hogan streets.