• Interesting note from the appointment: It’s not the first time someone from an Oakland agency has come to Jacksonville to lead. Jacksonville Port Authority Executive Director Rick Ferrin came from the Port of Oakland in 1997 and has led the Port for the past 12 years.
• Those attending the September Cornerstone luncheon at the Osborn Center will get a healthy dose of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Owners Wayne and Delores Weaver and head coach Jack Del Rio are bringing the entire team and coaching staff. It’s Sept. 4 at noon. Cornerstone is the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Joe Thompson, chair of the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, says over the past year several projects in historic districts or affecting landmarks have been planned or completed without the input or approval of the Commission. Thompson has asked Mayor John Peyton to get involved. He says the projects violate the City’s Ordinance Code.
• Speaking of Peyton, more local heavy hitters have lined up in favor of his “Fix it Now” campaign. Prudential Realty and minority Jaguars owner Tom Petway penned a letter of support that also includes the signatures of Ed Burr, John Baker II, Howard Korman and several others. Petway chaired last year’s Jacksonville Journey initiative along with former State Sen. Betty Holzendorf.
• Starbucks at the Landing is adjusting its hours. Starting Sunday, the coffee shop will close at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Starbucks is currently open until 10:30 those days.
• Jerry Hamm Chevrolet CEO Jerry Hamm has sent the City an invoice for just over $6,500 for work his dealership has done on City vehicles. Apparently the invoice is past due. “Let’s do what is required and get this account balance reconciled and paid!” said Hamm.
• Members of Meninak honored longtime member State Sen. Jim King Monday during its weekly meeting. King was a member of the civic organization for 26 years, and his passing and organizational condolences were placed in the organization’s permanent records through a resolution by members Bill Birchfield, Judge Fred Tygart and Jim Tullis.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending out Col. Paul Grosskruger with a change of command ceremony at the Florida Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts today. Grosskruger has commanded the Jacksonville District since 2006 and is retiring and will relinquish the position to Col. Alfred Pantano Jr. The ceremony is not open to the public.
• The law firm of Shorstein & Kelly is now practicing exclusively in the area of adoption. The firm specializes in matching and placement services, identified adoptions, interstate (ICPC) adoptions, and grandparent, stepparent and relative adoptions as well as contested adoptions. The partners are actively involved in attending, conducting and organizing adoption seminars and presentations on Florida adoption law.
• The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association will swear in its new board of directors at the law office of Joseph and Marees at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mary Scott of Joseph and Marees is the new president, Lindsay Tygart-Havice of Murphy & Anderson is president-elect, Elizabeth Oakes is treasurer and Stephanie Harriett is secretary.
• The popularity of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is bringing the company back to the Arena in Jacksonville Oct. 19 for an 8:15 p.m. edition of its “Monday Night Raw” program. Tickets go on sale Aug. 15.