• Debra Bulak joined the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce as its membership manager and events coordinator. Her role includes the recruitment of new members and the retention of existing members. She also will manage the chamber’s special events. A native of St. Johns County, she was formerly general manager at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.
• JAX Chamber Vice President of Operations Anna Valent was re-elected as a member of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals board for an additional three-year term. Valent joined the chamber in 2005 as an event manager and was promoted to vice president of operations in February 2009.
• Baptist Health now offers outpatient surgeries for breast cancer patients in the Margaret and Robert Hill Breast Center in San Marco. Surgeries began in July at the Hill Breast Center for outpatient procedures such as lumpectomies that do not require an overnight stay. Patients requiring a mastectomy or reconstruction can visit the center for pre-operative procedures and be transported to Baptist Medical Center for surgery.
• “My Fair Lady” opened Wednesday at Alhambra Theatre & Dining. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the buffet starting at 6:30 p.m. Doors open for the Saturday matinee and buffet at 11 a.m. and the show begins at 1:15 p.m. The Sunday matinee is 2 p.m., with doors opening at noon. For information, visit www.alhambrajax.com.
• The Florida-Georgia Welcome Center presented by Shands Jacksonville will open Wednesday and visitors can try some locally roasted Bold Bean Coffee while browsing game merchandise or asking for information from volunteers.
• Effective Oct. 1, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida Karen Jennemann was appointed chief judge for the district. Jennemann is in the Orlando Division and was preceded by Judge Paul Glenn of the Jacksonville District.
• The Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a fundraiser at 6 p.m. Wednesday at BlackFinn American Grille for the annual Fred B. Miller Jr. Regional Envirothon and The Joe B. Forshee Jr. Natural Resources Conservation Speech Contest. For tickets or more information, contact Sebastian Alexander at [email protected].
• JEA sent 43 employees to Baltimore from Aug. 28-Sept. 6 to help its restoration efforts after Hurricane Irene. It also sent 20 bucket trucks and other support equipment. JEA’s board recognized staff efforts during its meeting Tuesday and shared a “thank you” letter sent by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. President Kenneth DeFontes Jr., which requested assistance from fellow utilities. JEA Managing Director and CEO Jim Dickenson said the utility will be reimbursed for staff time and vehicle use.
• The Jacksonville Bar Association’s next meeting will be Nov. 8 and the guest speaker will be Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson.
• City of Jacksonville Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Hyde, managing partner with the Foley & Lardner firm, read a City resolution that proclaimed Oct. 23-29 as “Celebrate Pro Bono Week” in Jacksonville at The Jacksonville Bar Association meeting Tuesday.
• The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates will host its annual Gary Pajcic Professionalism Seminar from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Hyatt. The seminar is free. For more information, contact Diane O’Malley at 260-5122 or [email protected].