• The law firm of Harrell & Harrell is this year’s recipient of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award. Renee Harrell, a principal in the firm, has been a JALA board member for the past three years. The 11th annual awards reception is Dec. 8 at the River Club. At the ceremony, JALA will also recognize staff, pro bono attorneys and law firms that have had 100 percent of their attorneys contribute to JALA.
• A sign on the door says the Phone Gallery on Laura Street is closed until next month. No reason is given, but there is an 800 number for customers to call.
• The City has produced its budget in brief document for the current fiscal year which ends Sept. 30, 2010. Of the $981.5 million general fund, property taxes account for 47.9 percent. Conversely, 53.7 percent of the budget is spent on public safety.
• Rogers Towers will host Wednesday’s “Finding a Job in a Jobless Economy” workshop put on by the International Association of Business Communicators. The 1 p.m. event will be presented by Mary Harvey, president of staffing and consulting company Agency a la Carte, with a cost of $20 for non-IABC members.
• Like your job? Florida Trend might be looking for you to represent Jacksonville. The statewide business magazine is in the middle of its “2nd Annual Florida’s Best Companies to Work For” program and companies with at least 15 full-time employees are eligible. Registration ends Jan. 29 and winners will be announced in its August 2010 edition. Go to www.bestcompaniesfl.com for more info.
• The Community Rehabilitation Center will have a special visitor this morning when Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp visits the nonprofit organization’s facilities. He’ll receive a tour and meet some of the individuals who rely on CRC’s services — those suffering from chronic mental illness, HIV/AIDs and substance abuse.
• State Rep. Lake Ray will host a public forum on growth management laws Thursday at Florida State College of Jacksonville’s Downtown Campus, but he won’t be alone. Along with a panel of experts featuring Secretary Thomas Pelham of the Florida Department of Community Affairs and Florida Department of Transportation representative Brad Thoburn, Ray will take part in a panel discussion on the controversial hot-topic legislative item, beginning at 1:30 p.m.