• With the election to fill three key positions less than a month away, two filed candidates have dropped out of their respective races. Cathie Pittman Shimp decided not to run for School Board and Richard Pait has withdrawn from the City Council Dist. 13 race.
• The Justice Coalition is still looking for sponsors for the 2009 Ted Hires Legacy Awards set for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at North Jacksonville Baptist Church. Sponsorships run from $1,000 to $10,000. If interested, log on to www.tedhireslegacy.com.
• Bobby Thigpen of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will present a special recognition to City Council member Stephen Joost before Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Joost is getting a certificate from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his graduation from the Disabled Services Parking Posse.
• Speaking of Council, Vice President Jack Webb’s legislation to initiate the budget process starting May 1 will be introduced Tuesday. His bill would create a “tentative budget process” that will run from May 1-June 30.
• The City Hall shuffle continues. The Duval Delegation is moving from its first floor office on the west side of the building to a location on the second floor on the east. It will have some company, though, as the Juvenile Justice Division will be moving next to it on the second floor.
• The next City employees’ quarterly Rewards and Recognition ceremony is Wednesday in the City Hall atrium.
• One more upcoming City event. The Office of Special Events will present the 2009 Week of Valor Nov. 4–11 to honor the military and veterans. Included in the week will be the arrival of the Blue Angels, Sea & Sky Spectacular show, concerts and a Veteran’s Day parade.
• Fans of Facebook can now keep up with the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. The social networking site can keep the public informed of its achievements and performances.
• Walk with the butterflies at the Jacksonville Zoo. The first Fall Garden Tour of 2009 is Sept. 5 from 9-11 a.m. Zoo horticulturists will be on hand to point out the important plants that attract butterflies to the garden. Attendees will also be instructed on how they can develop the same environment in their own backyards. Preregistration is required as tour size is limited and guests are asked to meet outside the Zoo’s ticket booths at 8:45 a.m. on the day of the tour. For more information visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org/things/horticultureworkshop.asp
• School Board members, administrators and city leaders gathered for the grand opening of Bartram Springs Elementary Wednesday. Located near Racetrack Road and Philips Highway, the school was constructed by Skanska USA and the architectural firm of Bhide & Hall. Bartram Springs Elementary is 98,000 square feet and is situated on nearly 20 acres. It will accommodate more than 800 students, alleviating overcrowding at Greenland Pines Elementary.
• The Tea Party continues. The July 2 First Coast Tea Party at the Landing grabbed the national spotlight, and its next stop will be in Orange Park Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-noon. The “Orange You Sick of Politics” Tea Party will be at the Orange Park Town Hall Park at the corner of U.S. 17 and Kingsley Avenue.
• Parmenter Realty Partners is hosting its annual Jaguar season kick-off party today from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the lobby of the Bank of America tower. Hot dogs, nachos, wings, ice cream and roasted nuts will be served. Roar cheerleaders and Jaxson De Ville will be available for autographs. Jaguars merchandise and tickets will also be raffled off.
• Fans of Jacksonville University athletics don’t have to travel to the Arlington campus if they want to shop for team clothing. Sports Mania has five locations to serve Dolphin fans: The Landing, Mandarin, St. Johns Town Center, Fleming Island and the Prime Outlets Mall in St. Augustine.
• The United Way of Northeast Florida recently elected its 2009–10 board of directors, with Mike Cascone leading the group as chair. Other board members include Barbara Drake, Jim Daly, Chris Doerr, Michael Korn, Lynn Esposito Jack Morgan.