• Derek Igou has been promoted to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the City, where he will serve under CAO Kerri Stewart. Igou has served multiple mayors in varying management capacities through his many years with the City. “It is this varied service and dedication that make Derek uniquely qualified for this position,” said Stewart, adding his appointment is effective immediately. “We will begin the transition process this week and will continue to communicate the distribution of responsibilities.”
• Monday is the last complimentary wine tasting of the month at III Forks in Tapestry Park. Things get underway at 5 p.m.
• Haskell Co. President Steve Halverson told two local business organizations Tuesday the country isn’t in a recession. Instead, he told The World Affairs Council and The Gate Governors Club what’s been going on since 2007 is “economic adjustment” and a “truly historic one” at that.
• Who will be playing here in the first round of the NCAA tournament on March 19-21? It won’t be decided until Sunday, March 14, but two prominent Internet predictors have an attractive slate. ESPN says we’ll get Duke, Wake Forest and Michigan State among the eight teams here, and Fox Sports says we’ll get Kentucky, Duke and Clemson.
• The Blood Alliance Bloodmobile will be at the Hemming Plaza Market Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. In addition to blood collection there will also be an awareness campaign concerning sickle cell anemia. Appointments to donate are scheduled every 20 minutes but walk-ins are also welcome. Call Downtown Vision, Inc. at 634-0303, ext. 225 to schedule an appointment.
• Jacksonville will welcome a six-member delegation from Shaoxing, China, one of Jacksonville’s Sister Cities, March 2. The delegation plans to meet with members of the City government to learn about the City’s financial budgeting, management and governance structure. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. and the delegation will visit the University Club for lunch.
• The Beaver Street Enterprise Center will hold a groundbreaking ceremony March 1 from 11 a.m.-noon to celebrate the expansion of the facility located at 1225 West Beaver Street.
• Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library (FJPL) will hold its first book sale of the year March 5-7 with a “members-only” preview night March 4. The event is at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. March 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 6 and noon-6 p.m. March 7. For more information contact Harry Reagan, president of FJPL at [email protected] or 633-7726.
• The City Rescue Mission and Paper Retriever are teaming up to assist two area problems. The groups are asking residents to collect paper for recycling and turn them in to the City Rescue Mission’s administrative office at 426 S. McDuff Ave. Based on how much is collected, Paper Retrievers will provide the City Rescue Mission with a donation.
• Football season is over and basketball is in full swing, but one not-so-ordinary sport will launch its fifth season later this month. The Jacksonville RollerGirls, the area’s all female flat-track roller derby league, returns Feb. 28 at the Mandarin Skate Station. New this year, the home teams will begin traveling further to compete in other cities and for the first time the group will be nationally recognized and able to be ranked after being accepted in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association apprenticeship program. The debut event begins at 6:30 p.m., with tickets $12 at the door.
• The Elizabeth Edgar Hall Scholarship Foundation will celebrate 100 years of service with a High Tea catered by Matthews of San Marco Feb. 28 at noon at Take Away Gourmet. Hall opened a boarding home for young women on Beaver Street in 1910. The home was sold in 1975 to First Baptist Church and the trust from the sale serves women who need financial assistance as they pursue their education and career goals. Reservations for the tea may be made by calling 731-7887.
• The United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C. will perform in Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center March 16 at 7:30 p.m. and admission for the concert is free. However, if you want tickets you have to request them in advance by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: U.S. Navy Band Concert, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Jacksonville 32202. There’s a limit of four tickets per request.