• The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation’s annual big golf and tennis fundraiser has a new corporate sponsor. For the next three years, The Kossack Companies has agreed to sponsor the event that helps raise funds for the Foundation. This year’s event is set for Sept. 14 and 15 and starts with a tennis pro-am at Deerwood Country Club. The golf tournament is at Marsh Landing Country Club.
• Speaking of the event, the top two raffle prizes will likely be in high demand. They are tickets to the 2010 US Open tennis tournament in New York and the 2010 PGA Championship in Kohler, Wisc.
• J.F. Bryan IV, chair of the recent Jacksonville Community Council Inc. study on the City’s finances, is hosting a lunchtime question and answer session next Wednesday at the JCCI offices. It’s from noon-1 p.m.
• A who’s who from the Jacksonville area have signed a petition urging City Council to support Mayor John Peyton’s proposed property tax hike. They include former Mayor and current UNF President John Delaney, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Chair Mike Hightower, Florida State College at Jacksonville Dr. Steven Wallace, (Ret.) Ambassador John Rood, Gate Petroleum owner Herb Peyton, former Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Chair Ceree Harden and a host of others.
• City Council President Richard Clark has appointed a Trail Ridge Oversight Special Committee: Jack Webb (chair), Bill Bishop, Ray Holt, Glorious Johnson and Warren Jones. The committee is charged with ensuring a transparent and timely execution of the City’s landfill contract bidding process.
• Speaking of Clark, he’s been asked by North Florida Transportation Planning Organization Executive Director Denise Bunnewith for a couple of appointments. Bunnewith is looking for a citizen and a member of the Board of County Commissioners to serve on the TPO’s committee that will look into the formation of a regional transportation authority. A report on the regional authority is due to the Florida Department of Transportation by February.
• One of the items on the agenda for today’s meeting of the Jacksonville Historical Preservation Commission is a proposal to grant “historic landmark” status to another Jacksonville icon. It’s Atlantic Coast Line Railroad locomotive No. 1504 that has been on display in the parking lot at the Osborn Center for years. Landmark designation would make the locomotive eligible for state and federal grants that could be used for refurbishment.
• The National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) has named Michael L. Garnes as the vice-chair of its global board of directors. He is the president of Next Level Executive Search, a St. Augustine firm specializing in placing mid-to senior-level executives in sports-related businesses and organizations. Garnes has experience in manufacturing and sales with several Johnson and Johnson companies. He is also a former NCAA Enforcement Representative and WNBA certified athlete-agent and helped start Holland & Knight’s collegiate sports administration and compliance practice.
• The St. Johns River Water Management District has scheduled monthly meetings to allow for “in-person” public comment on its permitting process. They will be held from 10 a.m.-noon July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 29 at District Headquarters at 4049 Reid St. in Palatka. Agendas for these meetings can be seen at www.sjrwmd.com/meetingagendas.html seven days prior to the meetings.
• The start of preseason football is a month away for the Jaguars but Hooters at the Landing is ready to help move the masses to the stadium. Hooters patrons who spend $10 or more earn a roundtrip ticket for the River Taxi, which will shuttle people to the stadium from in front of the restaurant one hour before the game and will depart from the stadium 45 minutes after the game. Trips will increase for more heavily attended games.
• Speaking of football, the next “NFL 101- Workshop for Women” will take place at the Five Points Theatre July 28 from 7-9 p.m. Each attendee will receive an NFL 101 workbook, a special gift and a ticket to a Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 home game. Contact Lori Pugh for tickets and info at 398-8179 or e-mail at [email protected].
• One of the Landing’s more popular monthly events will have a football feel to it in August. The Aug. 16 “Yappy Hour,” a monthly event for dogs, will be “Tail-gate” to kickoff the season and will feature a Longest Yard Fetch Contest and hot dog eating contest. The event runs from 4–7 p.m. and also will feature a pet expo and drink specials.