• Former City Council President and attorney Eric Smith has challenged current City Council Vice President Jack Webb to a musical duel at the Jacksonville Bar Association’s “There Ought to be a Law” talent show Oct. 22. Smith plans to play “the World’s smallest harmonica” against Webb’s bagpipes. Webb has yet to accept the challenge.
• Speaking of the JBA variety show, now that the auditions have been completed, the Variety Show Subcommittee is developing about 12 acts for the Oct. 22 performance. Organizers are planning to keep the show within 90 minutes. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster for $25. VIP tickets are available at the Jacksonville Bar Association office for $50. Call 399-4486 for more information.
• Citing time and schedule constraints, former City Council President Ronnie Fussell (At-Large Group 1) has resigned from the Public Health & Safety Committee.
• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Cornerstone Division hosts the Cornerstone Kickoff Luncheon featuring Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, the entire Jacksonville Jaguars team, coaching staff, Roar Cheerleaders and Jaxson De Ville Sept. 4 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Osborn Center. Tickets start at $40 for individual tickets and $400 for a nine-seat corporate table. Call 366-6600 ext. 7601 to purchase tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Kelly Gerlach at 366-6646 for more information.
• The City’s Chief Administrative Officer, Alan Mosley, has sent a letter to all department heads and division chiefs informing them the requirement for a mandatory 24 hours of annual training for all City employees has been eliminated. Mosley said it’s “part of the effort to eliminate nonessential departmental operating costs.”
• In addition to its 60th anniversary, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s 2009-10 season will mark some other milestones as well. It is Music Director Fabio Mechetti’s 10th year with the organization, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus’s 25th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Bryan Concert Organ in Jacoby Symphony Hall.