• Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be the keynote speaker at an event Nov. 9 honoring Tom Petway for his service to the Republican Party. The location has yet to be announced but it will be revealed and tickets will go on sale Friday at www.jaxgop.org. Romney was the Duval County winner in the 2008 Presidential Preference Primary and garnered almost 42 percent of the vote in the nine-candidate field.
• The retail space at 11 E formerly occupied by a Starbucks will have some activity in it, at least for one night. As part of tonight’s Art Walk, the space will feature artwork by Sharon Westbrook and have live music. To see a complete listing of the night’s events, go to www.downtownjacksonville.org.
• Speaking of tonight’s Art Walk, this month’s theme is a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Mayor John Peyton received some kind words recently from Baldwin Mayor Stan Totman regarding Peyton’s assistance in securing a senior citizen’s bus and dump truck for the town. In addition, Totman thanked Peyton’s staff, City Council and Fleet Management for the effort, as the bus will be used as transportation for planned activities throughout Jacksonville.
• Speaking of Peyton, he has nominated Dr. Timothy Sternberg to the state’s Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.
• Greenscape Jacksonville is celebrating 35 years this year by getting their hands dirty and more. According to 2009-10 Board President Robb Mitchell, the not-for-profit organization devoted to trees will plant more than 3,500 trees this year through various projects around town.
• A reception for Alex Sink, Florida CFO and Democratic candidate for governor, is set for Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the home of Joy and Howard Korman in Epping Forest. The suggested contribution is $500 per person or corporate entity. RSVP and on-line contributions may be made at wwwAlexSink2010.com.
• Character Counts in Jacksonville will present its 2009 Golden Rule Awards to two recognizable business leaders during an Oct. 21 celebration. Hank Haynes and Hickory Fant will receive the honors for being outstanding examples of the six pillars of character — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship — at a noon reception at Maggiano’s at the Town Center. The local chapter is part of the national “Character Counts! Coalition” and teaches character development and ethics training for both youths and adults.
• One local college professor received praise from Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum for her work. As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the University of North Florida’s Dr. Judith Rodriguez received the recognition for her work studying and understanding the nutritional needs for the Hispanic community.
• Firehouse Subs celebrates 15 years as a company Saturday. Started by brothers Robin and Chris Sorenson — both former firefighters — Firehouse opened its Mandarin store Oct. 10, 1994. Today, there are 375 restaurants in 18 states. That number will become 20 when restaurants in Indianapolis and Chicago open soon.
• Speaking of Firehouse, you can now get the chain’s original cherry-lime ade drink in all 375 restaurants across the nation. It’s the same recipe used when they opened 15 years ago.
• There’s some indirect good news for Jacksonville regarding possibly hosting World Cup soccer matches in either 2018 or 2022, provided the United States is awarded the tournament. Mexico has informed FIFA, the international body that governs soccer, that it is no longer seeking to host the 2018 World Cup.
• Did you know the City owns 80,000 acres of land that are considered either preservation or conservation areas? That’s according to the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District.
• No more magazines at Chamblin’s Uptown. An employee said they weren’t worth the investment.
• Booktique inside the Main Library may not buy used books from you, but with the big book fair to raise money for the Library Foundation soon, they will take books as donations.
• The next meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission is Thursday at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers.