• Promoting pedal power: The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has eliminated the permitting requirement and fee for its Bikes on Buses program in an effort to increase usage of the service. Previously, riders wishing to take their bicycle with them on a bus had to first attend a hands-on training session and pay $3 for a permit. The instructions for using the bus-mounted bike racks are now available on the JTA Web site (in English and Spanish versions) as well as on a new step-by-step brochure. If needed, one-on-one training is also available by appointment. Every JTA bus can carry two bicycles at one time. Visit www.jtafla.com for information.
• The Jacksonville-based Waterfront Group is developing a gated community named NorthShore in Kingsland, Ga., and they’ll let you get a bird’s eye view this Saturday. Free helicopter and boat rides. You can reserve your spot by calling 866-950-5263, Ext. 117.
• The law firm of Simpson Paull, PL has moved to a new office at 1510 2nd St. South, Suite A in Jacksonville Beach, 32250.
• News from the Department of Watch the Pennies and the Dollars Will Take Care of Themselves: The mayor’s office sent an e-mail to all City employees instructing them to rifle through their desk drawers and use the pens, pencils and Post-it notes that have been squirreled away over the years instead of ordering more office supplies.
• Edgewood Bakery is celebrating its 60th year in business in Downtown Jacksonville. The bakery, located on Edgewood Avenue, opened in 1947 and Gary and Sandy Polletta are just the third family to own it. From Aug. 8-17 the bakery will offer daily specials, giveaways and samples to celebrate it’s anniversary. The celebration will conclude on Aug. 17 when they give away free anniversary cake to their customers.
• The Arc Jacksonville is hosting its 2nd annual A.R.T. Exhibition from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Fogle Fine Art & Accessories, 3312 Beach Blvd. A.R.T. paintings will be available for purchase. For more information about the event, please call Arc Jacksonville at 355-0155.
• The starting time still hasn’t been determined for the Florida State vs. Alabama football game here on Sept. 29 but it almost certainly will be at either 5 or 7:45 p.m. CBS has the first choice of games in the state that day and ESPN gets the next pick, and that means fans won’t be able to double-up: Florida plays Auburn in Gainesville in the other big game that day.
• Sherry Magill, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, is the guest speaker at Monday’s Downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville meeting at the Omni. The Fund currently has assets of $300 million and an annual grants budget of $15 million. The Meninak Club also meets Monday at the Wyndham and the guest speaker is former Oakland Raider Pete Banaszak, who covers the Jaguars these days.
“The following are the universally fundamental laws of literary communication: 1. one must have something to communicate; 2. one must have someone to whom to communicate it; 3. one must really communicate it, not merely express it for oneself alone. Otherwise it would be more to the point to remain silent.”
– Friedrich Von Schlegel