• The cold weather affects more than your wardrobe – it also affects what you might find on your lunch plate. Jimmy Bateh, owner of Bay Street Cafe, said the price of a box of tomatoes has gone up from $15 two weeks ago to $35 as of Wednesday morning. “If it stays this cold, they’ll be $45 next week. When the price hits $65 (a box) I’ll be telling people we don’t have any tomatoes to put on their sandwich,” he added.
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Board of Directors President Tom Slater, of Pajcic & Pajcic, has agreed to continue his term as president in 2009.
• At Monday’s Small Business Summit at the University of North Florida, Essential Capital Finance, Inc. President/CEO Cleve Warren announced his company would start donating a percentage of the fees it generates through loans to local nonprofits. The first recipient was the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless and Sulzbacher President/CEO Audrey Moran accepted a check for $1,000.
• Three new Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judges have set dates for their robing ceremonies, also called investitures. Jim Daniel’s will take place on Jan. 29. Virginia Norton has scheduled her ceremony for Feb. 19. Jeff Morrow’s will be held on Feb. 26.
• First Guaranty Bank has promoted Isabelle Taylor to vice president and chief of staff. Previously, Taylor was the bank’s sales and service leader.
• Leave it to roller derby to put the fun in fundraiser. Greater Jacksonville Roller Derby will roll into Orange Park’s Lakeside Junior High School to battle South Carolina’s Columbia Quad Squad at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 and a portion of the proceeds will go to Second Harvest Food Bank. Fans donating canned goods will be eligible for prizes.
• The Gator Bowl Association will hold its annual holiday party Dec. 10 at the Omni, but it’s more than a party. The GBA Class of 2008 will get their “green jackets” and the two head coaches from the schools playing in the Jan. 1 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will also be on hand.
• Speaking of the GBA, the deadline for nominations for the Class of 2009 is also Dec. 10.
• For beach residents not wanting to make the trip to the Landing for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, TPC Sawgrass will kick off the holidays with a Tree Lighting and a Tour of Trees at its clubhouse. Locals are invited to celebrate on Nov. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Featured in the self-guided tours of the clubhouse and the Tour of Trees will be 20,000 twinkling lights, 5,500 holiday bulbs and 27,000 roof line lights along with thousands of ornaments to adorn the 16 trees on the tour. No need to bring the cocoa as hot cocoa and peppermint sticks will be offered.
• Avid outdoorsman and local attorney Howard Coker recently returned from a successful hunting trip in Nebraska. The four people in his group harvested six deer using both bow and rifle. “It was a successful trip, but the 24-hour drive back was a little tough,” said Coker.