Civic leader Gertrude Peele died early Sunday morning at Shands Jacksonville after a brief illness. She was 81 and is survived by six children. Her daughter, Gayle Peele Pitts, said this morning that services are scheduled at 9 a.m. Thursday at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church at Woodlawn and Cleveland roads. A viewing is planned 5-9 p.m. Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Center of Achievement/Reed Educational Campus, 933 W. Beaver St., Jacksonville, FL, 32204.
• Mayor Alvin Brown calls for support of the Jacksonville Jaguars and asks people to buy tickets. “We only have a short time between now and when the regular season kicks off against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 11. I am asking you as a business leader to act now through your corporation or employees to be a part of a blackout-free season in 2011,” Brown said in an email circulated last week addressed to “Dear Jaguars Fan.” “We need to ramp up our efforts to fill EverBank Field and preserve the future of our team. Please join me in doing all that you can, and encourage your peers and employees to help us all ‘Keep The Pride Alive,’” he wrote.
• Rumbellis (Rum) Robinson, the first director of the Beaver Street Enterprise Center when it opened in 2003, has returned to work with Executive Director Jackie Perry as program manager for the technical assistance program. Robinson is a former technology vice president and project manager at Bank of America and also is CEO and owner of Flantastic Enterprises Inc.
• Gov. Rick Scott announced an executive order Friday of the dates of a special election to fill the vacant state Senate District 1 seat that was held by Tony Hill. A special primary election will be Sept. 20 followed by a special general election Oct. 18, if neeeded. Hill vacated the position to become Mayor Alvin Brown’s congressional affairs director.
• Enough money was raised to keep boys’ and girls’ golf programs for the 2011-12 school year at Duval County Public High Schools, reports supporter Michael Lynch with the PGA and president of the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation. “Through the hard work of our committee and with the support of Duval County Athletic Director Jon Fox, North Florida PGA Professionals, PGA TOUR, North Florida Junior Golf Foundation, our media partners and our entire golf community, I can confidently say mission accomplished,” he said.
• Marks Gray attorney Michael Kendall was invited to join the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville. He has been involved with the nonprofit for four years.
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid attorney Lynn Drysdale was asked to testify before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs at a hearing titled “Enhanced Consumer Financial Protection After the Financial Crisis.” Drysdale is the managing attorney for legal aid’s Consumer Law Unit. The hearing was July 19.
• Attorney Michelle Kalil Taylor and attorney Donald Mairs have filed to run for Duval County judge, Group 12. The seat will be vacated when Judge Harold Arnold retires at the end of 2012.
• Assistant State Attorney Mark Borello has filed to run for the Fourth Circuit Group 29 seat that will be vacated when Judge Charles Arnold retires at the end of 2012.
• The Smith Hulsey & Busey firm hired three second-year law students for its 2011 summer associate program. They are Jocelyn Ho and Hal Houston, who attend the University of Florida, and Mari Martin, who attends Emory University. Summer programs are customary recruitment tools for law firms, which assess law school students over an 8-12 week period to determine their suitability for permanent employment.
• The Fenderson & Hampton law firm will sponsor “’80s Night Under The Stars,” presented by the GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Jacksonville, to benefit “Homes for our Troops.” Proceeds will be used to build a home for a local Marine who lost both legs and one arm during his second tour in Afghanistan. The event is 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at The Brasserie at 1312 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach. The event includes a 1980s costume contest. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50. For tickets, call 314-0756.
• Jacksonville attorney Charles Sorenson of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay was recognized by the Florida Justice Association with its EAGLE Legend Award. The award recognizes outstanding support for the organization’s work as leaders and advocates for public service, and for ensuring the safety of Florida’s consumers. Sorenson is the past president of the American Board of Trial Advocates Jacksonville chapter and is the past president of the Jacksonville Justice Association. He is a fellow of the American Bar Association and an Eagle member of the Florida Justice Association.