• Saturday is National Dog Day so the Riverside Arts Market will celebrate by transforming into the “Riverside Arf Barket.” Visitors are encouraged to bring leashed, friendly dogs to enjoy the day. The Pooch Parade begins on the Riverwalk at the end of Forest Street at 10:45 a.m. and dog-friendly pools scattered around the site will give pooches a place to drink and cool off during Yappy Hour. The Riverside Arts Market is free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information visit www.riversideartsmarket.com.
• Early voting for the Sept. 15 Special Primary Election for the State Senate Dist. 8, City Council Dist. 13 and School Board Dist. 1 begins Sept. 7 (Labor Day) even though it’s a national holiday. That day only four sites will be open for early voters: the Supervisor of Elections Office at 105 E. Monroe St. and the Beaches, Regency and Southeast Regional branches of the Jacksonville Public Library. Beginning Sept. 8 all early voting sites will be open Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Sept. 12. For more information call 630-1414.
• TPC Sawgrass and Brumos Motor Cars have teamed up with “Birdies for the Brave,” a PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. initiative to offer a chance to enter to win a 2009 Mercedes SLK 350. The drawing is part of the annual fundraising efforts at TPC Sawgrass to support the wounded men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Tickets are $50 each or three for $100. Entries will be accepted now through Sept. 7 at www.tpcsawgrass.com.
• The First Wednesday Artwalk next week will feature the theme “Show Your Jaguars Pride.” Former Jaguars Tom McManus, at 11E, and Dave Widell, The Carling, will be at different stops along the Walk. The former Starbucks located on the ground floor of 11E will be opened for local artists and musicians.
• Speaking of McManus, he is busy lending his time to different events in Jacksonville, including “Athletes Supporting Athletes” kickoff event for Jacksonville University athletics this past Tuesday and a book signing for his book “We will Always be Pals” at the grand opening of the University of North Florida book store at the Student Union.