• Amelia Island Plantation will host the 53rd Annual Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association’s annual meeting Sept. 16-18. The conference is notable because U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will wrap up the conference with a talk on beach renourishment funding and protecting beaches from the impacts of offshore drilling.
• PineRidge Film & Television won two Bronze Awards at the recent 30th Annual Telly Awards. The Jacksonville-based company won for “The Waldorf=Astoria; Host to the World” and an episode of its “Animal Attractions” show.
• The City’s Military Affairs and Veterans Services Division is holding this year’s Purple Heart Ceremony Aug. 6 at Veterans Memorial Wall. It starts at 7 p.m.
• The Council Auditor’s Office has released a report on the Sheriff’s Investigative Fund and while there are several findings and recommendations, the auditors didn’t find any major issues. According to the report, the JSO Criminal Informant Investigative Fund had $187,670.66 in it as of Dec. 31, 2008.
• The Jacksonville Port Authority is hosting a big economic summit next month for local elected and appointed officials. The host committee is comprised of the 11-member Duval Delegation and the summit is set for Aug. 18 from noon-6 p.m.
• An ordinance will be introduced Tuesday to City Council to rename the Sister’s Creek Marina boat ramp to “Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sister’s Creek” in honor of the former State Representative and current State Senator in recognition of his long career of public service to the citizens of Duval County and Northeast Florida. King’s legislative accomplishments include securing state grants that helped the City to develop the park and Florida’s Life Prolonging Procedures Act also known as the “Death with Dignity” legislation. The proposed legislation also seeks to waive Section 122.102(a) of the Ordinance Code which prohibits naming public facilities after a living person.
• The escalators in the Ed Ball Building, after being out of commission for some time, are back up and working.
• The Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department is getting a monetary helping hand from one local company today, as Aon Risk Services is giving the JFRD a $7,500 grant toward the purchase of Rapid Intervention Team packs. The equipment, along with air bottles, will support emergency response efforts.
• Today marks the first day of the new federal minimum wage increase across the country. For Florida, it will jump from $7.21 to the new rate of $7.25.
• Those looking for parking in front of the Duval County Courthouse Wednesday may have rejoiced in the sight of all the parking meters removed from their posts. Those posts will soon hold the new solar-powered models that accept credit cards being tested throughout the City on a trial basis.
• The Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida assists potential and existing small business owners with information on market research, planning, sources of capital, loan packaging and other related topics. The organization has added five new locations for its service in addition to the office at UNF: The First Coast African-American Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Beaver Street Enterprise Center, Cecil Commerce Center and Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council. Location times and dates are on a rotating schedule. For details or to schedule an appointment call 620-2476.
• The Jacksonville City Group, the local affiliate of the national Legal Marketing Association’s Southeastern Chapter (LMASE), is hosting a mixer for law firm marketers, lawyers and legal administrators Aug. 26 from 5-7 p.m. The event will be held at Shula’s 347 Grill at 10605 Deerwood Park Blvd. Appetizers will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. All drinks are two for one from 4 to 7 p.m. To RSVP or for more information about this event contact Lynsey Merritt at 354-5200, or [email protected] by Aug. 25.