• Locally founded Firehouse Subs is heading to the West Coast. As part of a panel during the recent Entrepreneurial Fair and Success Forum, City Council member and Firehouse CFO Stephen Joost noted the chain had signed an agreement to place restaurants in San Diego.
• Poker Run organizer Bill Pyburn lavished kudos upon Mayor John Peyton, Capt. Jim Suber and others for the success of the recent 8th annual Poker Run June 6. In a letter to Peyton, Pyburn commended the City’s efforts in keeping the parks and facilities “tiptop shape” for participants, as well as hospitable and professional assistance from Suber and the Office of Special Events.
• Wachovia recently presented Second Harvest with a $10,000 check to be used in its effort against hunger. After the ceremony, 150 Wachovia workers volunteered to sort food and pack boxes at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse.
• The old American Heritage Life building at the corner of Main and Forsyth streets was condemned by the City last Wednesday and is subject to demolition. According to the Property Appraiser’s Web site, the building is owned by 5 W. Forsyth St. Inc., which lists a P.O. box in Atlantic Beach as its address. In 2008, the building had an assessed value of $940,878.
• McGrath Gibson Attorneys at Law have moved from their East Bay Street office. The new office is at 6117 Atlantic Blvd.
• The first meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Subcommittee formed to explore mooring the USS Adams at the Shipyards is Thursday. Waterways and City Council member Ray Holt chairs the committee.
• It’s been awhile, but it looks like the escalator in the Ed Ball Building could soon be up and running. A new sign on the security desk states “Escalator will soon be in service” as opposed to the old “Escalator out of service” sign along with the sounds of work being done.
• Lelia Duncan, vice president of Member Relations, has resigned from the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her departure follows the successful conclusion of the Power of Partnership Campaign that raised $1.5 million — $300,000 over the goal.