• There’s no debating the holidays are a long way off, but one company has already sent out its holiday party invites. Clary & Associates, Inc. Professional Surveyors and Mappers has picked Dec. 4.
• The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville recently released its “Arts and Economic Prosperity” report. According to Executive Director Robert Arleigh White, the report “paints an exciting, colorful and dynamic portrait” of the quality of life in the area. Data from the non-profit arts industry in 2007 include: admissions of nearly 1.48 million patrons, 477 full-time jobs, 444-part-time jobs and an economic impact of $105.68 million.
• Bistro Aix and Dignity-U-Wear are teaming up again to host the Dignity Aixellence event. It’s Aug. 24 from 12:30-3 p.m. at Bistro Aix in San Marco. The event — hosted by Players Championship Director of Community Affairs Charlene Shirk — costs $75 with proceeds going to Dignity-U-Wear, which provides brand new clothing to men, women and children in need.
• The Jacksonville University men’s basketball schedule was released Wednesday and it begins with a home game against Florida State at Veterans Memorial Arena Nov. 15. Other home games of local interest include Bethune-Cookman Dec. 22 and the University of North Florida Feb. 12. JU Assistant Athletic Director Joel Lampe expects the game against Florida State and a conference clash against Belmont to be the largest draws. Lampe also said discussions are ongoing about bringing about company sponsored games that would allow for free admission, similar to last season’s MPS-sponsored game against East Tennessee State.
• In the form of a signed resolution, the Beaches Business Association is officially backing officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office taking home their patrol vehicles. Sheriff John Rutherford is considering eliminating this perk for his officers as a cost-cutting measure.
• According to a report recently issued by Downtown Vision Inc., the folks from Catholic Charities who pick up trash Downtown have worked more than 2,400 hours so far this year and picked up over 8,000 pounds of trash. The Downtown Ambassadors — who used to pick up trash but don’t anymore due to insurance reasons — have spent more than 13,000 hours patrolling the streets of the Northbank and Southbank so far this year.
• Wednesday, the Northeast Florida Veterans Council and Veterans Services of Jacksonville are teaming up to host “Walking the Trail Together” — an event that honors those wounded in combat. It’s Thursday at 7 p.m. and the walk starts at the Arena and ends at the Jacksonville Memorial Wall. For more, call Dave Seamans at 535-0747.
• The Hon. Pauline Drayton will become the Hon. Pauline Drake Saturday when she marries Phillip Drake at Huguenot Park. The Duval County Court Judge listed the name change on her application to be considered for one of the two seats on the Florida Supreme Court.