• The City is in hot water with the United States Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over manatee deaths in the area. According to Field Supervisor David Hankla, there have been 19 watercraft-caused deaths since May of last year. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is very concerned about the unprecedented number of manatees that have been killed by watercraft in Duval County in the last 15 months. The recent and historic levels of watercraft-caused mortality indicate that current protection efforts are severely inadequate,” said Hankla in a letter to Mayor John Peyton. Hankla has invited local officials to meet with him to discuss measures to cut down on the deaths.
• There is some good news for the City from Attorney General Bill McCollum. The City’s Recreation & Community Services, Department of Victim Services is getting a grant for $131,455 through the state’s Victims of Crime Act.
• Longtime mayoral advisor Pam Paul is heading a new initiative called “Learning to Finish.” The program is a collaboration between Duval County Public Schools and more than 20 local organizations and is designed to address the dropout rate in Duval County. According to Paul, the local dropout rate is about 30 percent. Oct. 1, Learning to Finish will be housed at the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and Paul will move over from The Community Foundation to lead the effort.
• They’ve been in their new digs for a little over a month now, but the folks at Visit Jacksonville are holding a grand opening and open house for their new location in the Greenleaf Building Thursday. Mayor John Peyton and City Council member Michael Corrigan will attend the ceremony that begins at 5 p.m.
• Two different real estate organizations will be hosting a couple well-known individuals as part of their upcoming meetings. Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver headlines the next local National Association of Industrial and Office Properties meeting Aug. 25 at the Stadium, while State Attorney Angela Corey will meet with the Commercial Real Estate Women group Sept. 8 One common bond? The CREW event is sponsored by the Jaguars.
• Anyone who has spent time in Gainesville might remember tonight’s musical performers at Freebird Live in Jacksonville Beach. Gainesville product Sister Hazel will grace the stage at the cozy venue across the street from the Seawalk Pavilion.
• Soon after one award-winning country music artist, Kenny Chesney, left town, another announced his arrival in the River City. Tickets go on sale Saturday for Brad Paisley at the Arena Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
• Attorney and author Michael Cavendish of the Gunster law firm was published in the July issue of the National Law Journal. His article “Corporate warfare has to make business sense these days” was featured. It addresses the effect of the ongoing economic recession on corporate litigation and reports on cost-effective strategies companies are adopting in response.
• Physical and fiscal well being is the topic of an event at the Osborn Center Saturday and Sunday. The Health and Wealth Expo will present products, services and new ideas on how to gain and maintain good health, acquire and sustain financial goals, and benefit from indoor and outdoor activities.
• The weekend wellness education can also include a one-day conference focused on the health needs of women. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Hyatt and informational session are scheduled throughout the day. Call 588-1234 for more information.