• The Florida Legislature included $24 million in the 2008-09 budget to improve local parks and $339,000 is on its way to Duval County. At Yancey Park on Soutel Drive funds will be used for new picnic facilities and to renovate the athletic fields and restrooms. Pickwick Park in Mandarin will get new picnic facilities, a fitness and exercise trail, a playground and parking. In the Town of Baldwin funds will be used for a new playground, picnic facilities and a basketball court at Levi Gladys Shannon Memorial Park.
• According to the invitation from chair and attorney Leslie Scott Jean-Bart, this year’s Mary Singleton Memorial Breakfast will be the 18th and last. This year’s breakfast is set for Dec. 11 at the Hyatt and former Jaguar Tony Boselli is the scheduled guest speaker.
• The new school year is fast approaching for public schools. Teachers are scheduled to begin pre-planning Aug. 11 with students returning to classrooms Aug. 18. Also, the Duval County School Board will meet Tuesday in the Cline Auditorium in the School Board building on the Southbank at 6 p.m.
• JTA is holding a public meeting Aug. 7 to talk with residents about the Atlantic Boulevard/Kernan Boulevard interchange. It’s at Landmark Middle School from 5-7 p.m. JTA officials will make a PowerPoint presentation and field questions. A similar project is well underway at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Kernan.
• Meninak’s 75th Annual Ocean Marathon Swim last Saturday had a good turnout and even better weather, according to several members who attended. The 3.5-mile ocean swim had 47 swimmers, tied with last year but just under the record 54 swimmers in 1992. The marathon benefits the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps.
• One more from the marathon. Joey Civello edged out nine-time marathon winner Cleve Cooney for the 2008 title. Civello finished in one hour, 16 minutes and 27 seconds while Cooney came in just behind at one hour, 17 minutes and 16 seconds.
• Very slow week for City Council. According to the public schedule, Council member Ray Holt is the only one holding any kind of meeting this week. In fact there are only four meetings scheduled for any of the 11 at the Hyatt and former Jaguar Tony Boselli is the scheduled guest speaker.