• In reaction to an increasing number of local N1H1 cases, Baptist Health is asking that people limit the number of visits to see patients at the area Baptist Medical Centers and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. If you have any cold or flu symptoms you are being asked to forego the visit and if you do visit any of the hospitals you may be asked to wear a surgical mask.
• Speaking of Wolfson’s, Michael DuBow has joined its board of directors. DuBow is a real estate developer and a consultant/advisor for Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals. He’s also involved in several other organizations.
• The numbers are in from the Tax Collectors Office regarding driver license and vehicle registration numbers Friday and Monday. Driver license renewals — before the increase in fees went into effect Tuesday — were up 85-90 percent while motor vehicle registrations were up 200 percent.
• Mayor John Peyton is the guest speaker at the Sept. 23 National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Northeast Florida meeting. It’s a breakfast meeting at the Omni and registration starts at 7 a.m.
• A Maintland, Fla. company, Legally Informed, LLC, has created a Sunshine Law DVD — “The Sunshine Law — the Law in Plain English” — and is hawking it to state and local municipalities. It’s 27 minutes and is promoted as a training tool for elected, appointed and volunteer officials. You can get two DVDs for $239. No word on whether the City will purchase any.
• Chris Doerr is the new chair of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, which will mark its 60th this year. Doerr has established several goals for the 2009-10 season and one of those is to increase annual contributions by $1 million within the next three seasons.
• The mayor’s office has released the six-month progress on the Jacksonville Journey initiative. Funded by City Council last September to the tune of almost $31 million, the report indicates the first six months are hard to assess because of “solicitation, contract, staffing and logistical issues.” However, a graduate class at the University of North Florida will provide a third-party evaluation. The report does indicate a majority of the funding, about $13.4 million, went to increase police presence in high-crime areas and eliminating crime.
• September is “Literacy Month” at Florida’s state parks. In honor of the designation from Sept. 11-13 all 160 state parks will offer free admission to visitors who bring a public library card, a book recently borrowed from a public library or a new or gently used family-friendly book to donate at the park. Visit www.FloridaStateParks.org for more information.
• The Springfield Animal Care & Rescue Club hosts “Dog Days in the Park 2009” presented by Pet Supermarket Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Confederate Park (the new off-leash dog park). Adoptable animals from local rescue groups will be showcased in Petco’s Rescue Row. The event also features live entertainment, food, drink, a silent auction, costume contest and a children’s play area. All proceeds benefit the Springfield Animal Care & Rescue Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned animals in the historic neighborhood. Admission is free.
• According to a study by maritime research firm Martin Associates cargo and cruise business at Jacksonville’s seaport supports 65,000 jobs across the region and generates a total of $19 billion in annual economic impact. In Jacksonville alone, nearly 23,000 people are employed in port-dependent positions, jobs directly relying on the port. The new job figures reflect a 45 percent increase from findings released by the same research firm in 2004. The latest research indicates these positions provide an average annual salary of $43,980, well above the Jacksonville average of $27,215. The new study also found the cruise business created 460 jobs in Northeast Florida and had a $67 million economic impact on the region in 2008.
• The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s monthly meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 and there’s a change from the usual location. The meeting will be called to order at 9 a.m. at City Hall in the Mayor’s Large Conference Room on the fourth floor of City Hall.
• The University of North Florida Chamber Singers will present a Peace Concert Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Johns Cathedral. The Douglas Anderson Chorale, Jacksonville Mass Choir and Jacksonville Children’s Chorus will also perform. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
• The Duval Delegation’s organizational meeting and general legislative hearing is at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 in City Council Chambers at City Hall. The delegation will elect a new chair and vice chair at the meeting. The election will be followed by public testimony on general issues and appropriations. Deadline for local bills (J-Bills) is noon Oct. 8. Contact the Duval Delegation office at 630-1680 to be placed on the agenda prior to Oct. 30.