• The Downtown Winn-Dixie welcomed new store director Cheikh Mboup (pronounced: Check Boup) who has worked for Food Emporium in New York City. Mboup was awarded “Store Manager of the Year” and most profitable store in the company in 2007, according to Robin Miller, director of communications for Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. The man who directed the store’s “urban renewal,” Juan Mott, was transferred to SaveRite store #2603 at 48th and Main Street. In a statement, Miller said, “Juan’s transfer to SaveRite No. 2603 was purely a business decision that enables him to further his operational experience while still having an opportunity to stay involved with the community.”
• Downtown on Tap is still, well, on tap. The happy hour gatherings are still on Thursdays through the end of the month and include drink specials at bars scattered all over Downtown. A few participating include Mark’s, The Ultra Ivy Bar, Gas Knob Pub, Lynch’s and several others. The Tobacco Shop is also in on the act with cigar specials.
• Lucky’s Barber Shop in The Carling will be closed from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4.
• The Community Foundation recently awarded 20 grants worth nearly $500,000 to a variety of local organizations. Some of the grants include $30,000 to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to help battle area foreclosures, $40,000 for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, $40,000 for the YMCA and $60,000 for the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida to support operations.
• Apologies to Mayor John Peyton. We misspelled his last name in a City Note Tuesday.
• St. Vincent’s will dedicate the Betsy Lovett Surgery Center today at 5 p.m. Lovett, who was saved by doctors at St. Vincent’s when she was 9 years old, recently created a Fund for the Advancement of Surgery and Medicine at the hospital.
• At State Rep. Charles McBurney’s victory party Tuesday (he ran unopposed), he gave out thank you certificates to every person that contributed to his campaign. A photographer was set up to take his picture handing the individual certificates.
• This weekend area Fresh Market stores are holding day-long fundraisers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Through the “Hope Floats Sidewalk Sale” Fresh Market is looking to raise $300,000 this year. The sidewalk sales — which start at 11 a.m. each day — will include root beer floats, hots dogs and cookies. Nothing is for sale, but the stores are seeking donations to help the JDRF.
• There are four events Downtown Saturday and that means lots of street closures at some point just about all day long. For the complete list of events and closed streets, visit the Downtown Vision Inc. Web site or call the City’s Office of Special Events at 630-1044.
• Speaking of DVI, its next board meeting is Sept. 23 at noon. According to DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince, topics include changes to the DVI organization and strategic issues the board will take up over the next year. The location of the meeting is still undetermined.
• If you are over 50 and interested in participating in this year’s Jacksonville Senior Games, there is still time to register. The games are Sept. 22-28 at Cecil Field and other venues across town and there 20 different events. It’s $15 for the first event and $3 for every event you enter after that. For more, call 630-7392 or visit www.coj.net.
• Season 4 female winner of “The Biggest Loser” Julie Hadden will be at the Jewish Community Alliance Sept. 23. The Jacksonville native will talk about how she lost over 100 pounds (44.5 percent of her body weight) over the course of just eight months. Hadden will be there from 8-9 p.m. and the cost is $10 for JCA members and $15 for non-members. For more, call 730-2100, ext. 239.