• As City Council prepares to receive the Mayor’s proposed budget, another group is ready to lend a hand. Peter Rummell, chair of the Jacksonville Civic Council, e-mailed City Council member Ronnie Fussell, who sits on the Finance Committee, to let him know the Civic Council is “ready to help with this process in any constructive way you think practical.”
• Golf tournament veteran Anne Nimnicht signed on as the volunteer general chair for the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. Her resume includes the Greater Jacksonville Open and the The Players Championship, where she was the first female tournament chair in 1997. The inaugural Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters is Oct. 18-24 at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley.
• Edward Waters College received a big monetary boost Tuesday when the African Methodist Episcopal Church pledged $2 million. The money will eliminate the local historically black college’s deficit, said EWC Communications Assistant Blake Hacht. The remaining funds will be used for needs and growth.
• Speaking of schools and additional funds, Florida State College at Jacksonville received a $25,000 grant from the 2010 Encore Colleges Initiative. The award is presented by Civic Ventures and the MetLife Foundation and recognizes colleges across the country that help adults over the age of 50 prepare for careers in health and education.
• The City invites people age 60 and older to the 29th annual Senior Prom 6-10 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Osborn Center. This year’s theme is a Masquerade Ball. The evening will include dinner, music, dancing and door prizes. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, for seniors and $25 for those accompanying a senior. Tickets can be purchased at the Office of Special Events in City Hall and the Mary Singleton Senior Center. For information, call 630-3690 or e-mail [email protected].
• The Jacksonville Port Authority isn’t all about cargo and boats. The Port Authority Gallery in the lobby of its office building at 2831 Talleyrand Ave. is displaying paintings and art from Keith Doles and Billie McCray.
• The Clara White Mission is hosting “Cocktails for a Cause” July 23 at the University Club. The event will feature violinist Beverly Chapman and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more information, contact Lynette Jones at [email protected]
• The smoke may have cleared from the Fourth of July festivities, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations are over. Bistro Aix is celebrating “Bastille Day” today. The special menu will be offered starting at 5 p.m.