• There is a new Duval County Tax Collector’s branch office at 3520 Blanding Blvd. in the Cedar Hills Shopping Center near Winn-Dixie. The new branch replaces the former location at the intersection of Wesconnett Boulevard and 103rd Street. Tax Collector Mike Hogan will host a grand opening Tuesday at 10 a.m. with tours of the new office and refreshments served throughout the day.
• The Florida Council on Economic Education is holding its 8th Annual First Coast Hall of Fame luncheon Oct. 26 at the Hyatt and some of the area’s biggest names are going in. This year’s inductees are: T-U publisher Carl Cannon, attorney Lynn Pappas, Fidelity National Finance Corporation Chair and CEO Bill Foley and Prudential Network Realty President and CEO Linda Sherrer.
• Plaza III The Steakhouse has added some new items this week for the lunch and dinner menus. Lunch choices include a grilled chicken sandwich, a hamburger and shrimp brochette, all prepared with Black Jack barbeque sauce. Oysters Rockefeller, lobster crab cakes, tenderloin Oscar and a two-pound “Cowboy ribeye” have been added to the dinner selections. Other changes at the steakhouse include a symphony/theater menu in partnership with the Jacksonville Performing Arts Center and Florida Theatre. The special menu is available on evenings for all shows at the Performing Arts Center and major shows at the Florida Theatre. For $49.95, customers get a choice from four entrees, one side item, garden salad, cheesecake and a beverage.
• The Mortgage Bankers Association of Jacksonville is hosting a luncheon Thursday where Fannie Mae’s Bill Wilson will discuss emerging markets opportunities. Registration for the event at the San Jose Country Club is at 11:30 a.m., lunch is at noon and there’s a speaker from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Cost is $30 for MBA members, $35 for non-MBA members. Contact Mark Cook for more information at 386-246-5887.
• At least they drive better than they spell. Sign spotted on a JTA trolley door: “Do not jurk (sic) or pull on door.”
• Effective Sept. 25, the Pre-trial Detention Facility will implement new rules concerning visiting detainees. The new schedule will go by the first initial of the detainee’s last name, so visitation will be limited to one day a week.