• The Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board’s health fair set for late this month has been rescheduled for some time in March.
• 80s pop band the B-52s will be in town next year. The Athens, Ga. band is playing at the Florida Theatre Feb. 18.
• Some folks no longer in the newsroom at Ch. 30/47 include anchors/reporters Beverly Brooks and Russell Motley and meteorologist Alissa Carson. Anchor Jack Miller was also let go, but he’s working through the end of his contract. The word is all of their contracts were up, some chose not to renew while some weren’t renewed by the station.
• Northwest Jacksonville residents are invited to an evening under the stars with a “Movie in the Park” and “Spirit Rally” 7 p.m. Friday at Simonds-Johnson Park. Attendees can participate in sports-themed activities challenging them to show off their spirit and, at dusk, can watch the movie, “Radio.” Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed, as are dogs on a leash. For more information, call 630-4100 or visit www.jaxparks.com.
• Mayor John Peyton might not have to institute a new garbage fee to offset his budget shortfall if he follows the direction of “Philip Mthobeni, director of project for the South African Ministry of Minerals and Energy.” In an obvious scam letter, Mthobeni informs Peyton that $5.125 million awaits the Mayor if he assists in a “top secret” transaction to move $20.5 million into a foreign bank account. “Endeavour to send your secured telephone and fax numbers for further details upon your acceptance of this proposal,” the letter concludes.
• If your kids tune into Nickelodeon next Saturday and there’s no picture, don’t panic. The 28 year-old kids network is going dark for three hours as part of its Worldwide Day of Play, the culmination of the network’s Let’s Just Play campaign, which is designed to encourage kids to turn off the TV and go outside and play.
• Jacksonville Aviation Authority Executive Director and CEO John Clark is trying to rally community support to fight violent crime in Jacksonville. In a letter made available at last Monday’s Leadership Jacksonville luncheon, Clark talked about his recent complacency regarding the growing murder rate in the city and how his view was changed after the recent shooting of his 22-year-old cousin, William Graves. “William is not a statistic. He was Family,” Clark wrote. “If you are ready to speak out and finally get involved, please contact one of the following ... the time has come.” Clark directs e-mail contact to himself at [email protected]; Hester Clark at [email protected]; Mary Harvey at [email protected]; and Karen Wolfson at [email protected].
“The mind demands rules; the facts demand exceptions.”
– Mason Cooley