• Speaking of the Chamber, chairman Ron Autrey is the guest speaker at tomorrow’s Downtown Council meeting. It’s at 7:30 a.m. in Currents Riverfront Bistro in the Aetna Building. Also, the Downtown Council “tentatively” plans to hold its annual paw painting party next Saturday morning. Volunteers will paint bright yellow paw prints on Bay Street from the foot of the Main Street Bridge to the stadium. The Jaguars host the Atlanta Falcons that evening.
• If you’re a runner and you are looking for something to do Saturday, take part in the JDR 5K Bridges Run & Block Party. The race is sponsored by Ret. Ambassador John Rood, chairman of JDR Companies, and gets underway at 7:30 p.m. The 5K (about 3.5 miles) run starts and ends in Hemming Plaza and includes the Main Street and Acosta bridges. Entry fees benefit local charities.
• More City Notes, page 4
• Correction to a Tuesday story about Spark Inc. The advertising agency is on the Southside, not the Northside.
• The home of Jaguars owners Wayne and Delores Weaver is for sale, but don’t look into it too much, though, Jaguar fans. During Monday’s Meninak meeting, Delores Weaver told the audience the two are downsizing from the riverfront Lakewood home they built upon moving to Jacksonville and are living in a condominium in Riverside. She did welcome potential buyers, though.
• The parade of Super Bowl champions continued through the Jacksonville Jaguar’s locker room Monday. Joe Theismann, quarterback of the 1983 Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins, was brought in by coach Jack Del Rio to give a motivational speech to the team. Theismann jogged out onto the practice field in a Jaguars T-shirt and black shorts. The former NFL quarterback was proceeded by former NFL player and coach Dan Reeves who spoke to the team Saturday. Reeves was a Super Bowl champion in 1971 as a player and in 1977 as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys.
• The Boston Market in South Jacksonville Beach has closed. Also at the beach, in the former location of R.P. McMurphy’s there’s a Cabos Island Pizza coming.
• Former Jacksonville Business Journal editor Jim Molis has started a public relations firm. Creatwood Communications offers consulting, writing, editing and creative services.
• People looking for a big meal at a small price can stop by the dining hall at First Baptist Church for lunch three times a week starting Tuesday. The church offers an entree, three sides, bread, dessert and beverage for $7 per plate on Thursdays, but that schedule will soon include Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The meal is served from 11:30-1 p.m. in the dining hall on the first floor of the preschool building at the intersection of Ashley and Laura streets.
• Tickets are still available for the Aug. 15 Bruce Springsteen concert at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
• Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) in partnership with the Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance, is hosting a blood drive Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. as part of the Hemming Plaza Market. No appointment is required and according to DVI Promotions Manager Michelle Brooks, the goal Friday is to exceed the last blood drive’s mark of 17 donors. For more information call 634-0303 ext. 230.
• Burdette Ketchum has landed three new clients. Joining the marketing and communications firm’s list are Solantic urgent care centers, the Jacksonville Humane Society and WJCT Public Broadcasting. The new accounts join Burdette Ketchum’s other clients including The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Smith Hulsey & Busey, Stellar, Liz Claiborne Shoes and Vistakon.
• The court yard at the Duval County Courthouse was sectioned off Wednesday to prevent people from getting misted by pressure washers. The courthouse was being pressure washed and City officials wanted to make sure people didn’t get wet if they sat down in the court yard.
• The last thing kids want to think about right now is going back to school, but the Landing will host a “Back to School Fest” on Saturday from noon-4 p.m. The first 3,000 children who present a Wal-Mart receipt at the event will get a free backpack. Children will have opportunities to fill the backpacks with new school supplies during the event. An eyeglass giveaway will also be held. Entertainment will be provided by the Jaguars cheerleading squad “The Roar” and others.