• Mayor Alvin Brown has been named chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Metro Exports and Ports task force, according to the conference’s website, which was updated Thursday. Brown’s vice chairs are listed as Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Fresno, Calif., Mayor Ashley Swearengin. Meanwhile, there’s a news conference at 10 a.m. today at the Jacksonville Port Authority offices about an announcement of a national port appointment featuring Brown and Michael Nutter, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Nutter, mayor of Philadelphia, is listed as ex officio on all the conference task forces.
• Nationally syndicated “consumer warrior” Clark Howard will be in town Oct. 15 at the Nocatee Welcome Center in Ponte Vedra for a meet-and-greet with the public. The event is 10 a.m.-noon and free to attend, where Howard will be available to answer questions about financial and consumer topics. The event is sponsored by Nocatee and 121 Financial Credit Union.
• The Players will announce its total dollars generated for local charities from the 2011 tournament during pregame festivities at the Oct. 9 Jaguars game. The money will benefit more than 200 Northeast Florida charities and will be a tournament record. Last year, The Players generated $4.8 million for local charities.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. will host an open house from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 12 for the board of directors and volunteers to wish farewell to former President and CEO Skip Cramer and welcome new President and CEO Ben Warner. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.jcci.org.
• Former City Recreation and Community Services Director Roslyn Phillips has joined The Hester Group as a vice president. The organization specializes in strategic communications and program management and Phillips will assist Hester Clark, The Hester Group president, in its growth.