• Downtown Vision Inc. has a new promotion involving the informational “bubbles” spread Downtown. People can take a picture striking a pose next to their favorite bubble then post it to Downtown Vision’s Facebook page for a chance to win a $50 bar tab to a Downtown watering hole.
• During the Meninak Club of Jacksonville’s weekly meeting Monday, it was announced that member Hugh Mehaffy will serve as the grand marshal of the City’s upcoming Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11.
• Speaking of Veterans Day, the Museum of Science & History is offering free admission to active duty service members and veterans that day. Veterans will be required to show their military retirement ID, Veterans Administration medical ID or just self-declare themselves as a veteran to museum staff. Family members will be charged the standard MOSH admission price.
• One more from the week of Veterans Day. The 6th Annual CSX Military Appreciation Day is Nov. 10 and the theme this year is the role of railroad transportation during World War II.
• David Smolder, director of MOL/TraPac Terminal Development for the Jacksonville Port Authority, retired recently after 35 years with the Port Authority. He started with the airport side of the Authority in 1974. The Port Authority and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority became separate entities in 2000.
• The Jacksonville Princess II yacht is hosting a free party cruise Friday from 9-11 p.m. Participation is limited to the first 120 people who call 738-9270 and make reservations. A cash bar will be available.
• Several events in the past week raised additional money for the Justice Coalition reward fund for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of 7-year-old Somer Renee Thompson. The Justice for Somer fundraiser, the Tutor Time fundraiser, the Old Navy fundraiser and the Clay County Republican Executive Committee all raised money for the reward fund. Those funds, combined with the donations to the Justice Coalition account bring the total to $30,852.20. CrimeStoppers is offering an additional $5,000 reward for an arrest in the case.
• The Jacksonville Aviation Authority Board has elected new officers. Gubernatorial appointee Deborah Pass-Durham was elected to serve as the board’s new chair. The seven-member board also elected Cyrus Jollivette as vice chair and re-elected Dr. Chester Aikens as secretary. Ernest Isaac Jr., who was appointed to the board by Mayor John Peyton earlier this year, was elected treasurer. The board also includes businessman Jack Demetree, commercial airline pilot and aviation attorney Mary Burnett and insurance executive Ronald Weaver.
• The number of passengers traveling through Jacksonville International Airport edged up in September, the first monthly increase in 17 months. During that month the total number of passengers boarding aircraft at JIA increased by 868 passengers as compared to September 2008. The number of air travelers deplaning in Jacksonville also showed a slight increase of 29 passengers. The total number of passengers in September was 421,969. That is 0.21 percent more than the 421,072 passengers who passed through the airport in September 2008.
• Clara White Mission will mark its 105th anniversary with a “Pearls and Cufflinks” fundraiser. It’s Nov. 20 at St. Johns Cathedral. Arthur Crofton of FM-96.1 and Aviation Authority spokesman Michael Stewart will serve as masters of ceremony. For more information, e-mail Sherlene Perry at [email protected].
• Riverside Fine Arts begins its 16th season of musical offerings with 2009 Grammy Award Winners The King’s Singers Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Riverside. The King’s Singers have become famous for their a cappella performance since the group’s inception at King’s College in Cambridge, England in 1968. Tickets are $35 ($10 for students) and can be purchased by calling 389-6222 or visiting www.riversidefinearts.org.
• The Florida Fallen Heroes organization’s mission is to “create, establish and maintain the Fallen Soldier Monument at each hometown high school of a Florida graduate who lost their lives defending the United States of America in our war against terrorism.” The group will hold a banquet Nov. 13 at the Jacksonville Fire Fighters Hall at 2516 Phyllis St. and the public is welcome to participate. For ticket information and reservations call Dave Seamans at 535-0747.