• Jacksonville Jaguars buyer Shahid Khan issued a statement Thursday that he won’t attend the Monday Night Football game at EverBank Field, heading instead to New York “to focus on the NFL Finance Committee’s meeting scheduled on Tuesday.” He said the night should be about “three important people in the Jaguars family – Mel Tucker and, of course, Wayne and Delores Weaver.” Wayne Weaver announced the sale to Khan on Tuesday. “The Jacksonville community has been simply terrific since our announcement on Tuesday, and my entire family is extremely appreciative. I am aware of the supportive letters, calls, emails, Tweets and even T-shirts, and your kindness is truly appreciated,” he said. “Go Jaguars!”
• A spokesman for Shahid Khan further said in the statement that Khan “is electing to refrain from granting interviews with members of the news media on his planned purchase of the Jacksonville Jaguars.” The statement cited “respect for the important procedures for prospective sellers and buyers of National Football League member clubs.” It directed media to information posted at www.nflmedia.com.
• The University of North Florida’s Department of English will present its annual “Playwrights’ Project,” a showcase of original one-act plays written and directed by UNF students. The production will open at 8 p.m. Saturday, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, in the Andrew Robinson Theater. It’s free and open to the public. For information, call 620-2273.
• The Bolles School board of trustees appointed Brian E.M. Johnson as president and head of school starting Aug. 1. He currently is headmaster of the Alexander Dawson School near Boulder, Colo. He succeeds John Trainer Jr., who will retire.
• The Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville is scheduled 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Osborn Center. The event provides toys to children age 12 and younger who might not otherwise receive toys for Christmas. For information, visit www.ccpoj.org or call the hotline at 350-1616.
• In Clay County, the John P. Hall Sr. Children’s Charity plans its 30th annual party to benefit underprivileged children from 8 a.m.-noon at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Visit www.jphallcharities.com.
• The City issued permits for Dav-Lin Interior Contractors to renovate space for Saxon Business Systems at 9150 Philips Highway at a project cost of $79,750; Custom Builders by Grubbs Inc. will renovate space for Sizewise equipment at 7540 103rd St. at a project cost of $30,000; Flagler Construction Corp. will renovate space for KeHe Distributors at 12740 Gran Bay Parkway W. at a cost of $18,518.
• On the retail side, the City issued permits at River City Marketplace for Facility Construction Corp. to build out space for Verizon Wireless at 14031 Hubble Drive at a project cost of $130,000 and for Duckworth Construction Co. to make interior improvements for Michael’s Formalwear & Bridal at 13141 City Station Drive, No. 143, at a project cost of $65,000.
• In the industrial market, the City issued permits for Racine Construction Co. to replace canopy bays for the Goodrich Corp. at 6061 BF Goodrich Blvd. at a project cost of $166,485.
• The City also OK’d construction for First Coast Taekwondo at 7540 103rd St., No. 109, by Custom Builders by Grubbs at a cost of $20,000.
• Renovations were approved for Brumos Motors at 114 Jackson Road by Bonar Engineering & Construction Co. for two permits totaling $161,000 to renovate the office area and body shop work stalls.
• Jacksonville-based Rayonier completed the previously announced acquisition of about 250,000 acres of timberlands from Joshua Timberlands LLC and Oklahoma Timber LLC for $330 million. The acquisition was funded using cash, Rayonier’s revolving credit facility and the assumption of existing debt of the sellers. The timberlands are primarily in Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Alabama. Rayonier now owns, leases or manages about 2.7 million acres in 10 states in the U.S. and in New Zealand.
• The Financial Planning Association of Florida elected directors for 2012, including Diane Hutchings of the Financial Planning Association of Northeast Florida.
• The JAX Chamber plans a “Business Growth Series” workshop from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 14 at its Downtown headquarters. Called “Time management: a journey, not a destination,” the workshop is part of the chamber’s monthly series of business workshops. There is no charge. Members must register at www.myjaxchamber.com or by calling Ashley Lyon at 366-6623.
• Northbound lanes on Florida 9A between Philips Highway and Baymeadows Road will be closed from 11 p.m.-5 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday for beams to be set as part of the construction of the new interchange with Florida 9B. Travelers northbound on 9A from Interstate 295 will detour at Philips and travel north on Southside Boulevard and then east on Baymeadows Road to return to 9A. Southbound 9A will remain open.
• More 9A news. The state DOT also will start Sunday to change the overhead sign designations from 9A to I-295. The signs on 9A will be changed to the “I-295 east beltway” and those on I-295 from I-95 in Mandarin to I-95 near the Jacksonville International Airport will be designated at the “I-295 west beltway.” About 350 signs will be changed, and 13 new signs will be put up. The work should be done by the spring. Lanes can be closed between 7:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.