• Bank of America has given notice to the City that it will lay off 63 employees within its Shared Operations Services unit at 9000 Southside Blvd. In a letter to Mayor Alvin Brown, John Collingwood, Bank of America senior vice president, said the company “has decided to consolidate and reduce staff” and that the layoffs are expected to be permanent. Notifications began Aug. 2 and the effective date of separation is expected Sept. 28 to Feb. 28.
• Speaking of Brown, he recently signed a proclamation naming Aug. 23 “Go First Coast Blood Drive Day” and The Blood Alliance is partnering with the City and SMG for its 2nd Annual “Go First Coast” Blood Drive today. The 7 a.m.-7 p.m. event is at the Osborn Center and those who register will be eligible for random drawings. For information, visit igiveblood.com.
• Also today, the JAXUSA Partnership annual kickoff luncheon with the Jacksonville Jaguars is from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at the Osborn Center. Guests will include Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, head coach Mike Mularkey, players, Jaxson de Ville and members of the Roar. Parking and more information can be found at downtownjacksonville.org.
• The 5th Annual Pink Ribbon Symposium will be at a new — and Downtown — venue this year. The 6 p.m. Oct. 6 informational event about breast cancer will be at the Hyatt. It was formerly held in Orange Park. Breast cancer prevention, early detection, treatment options, side effects of treatment, survivor stories and proper health and wellness techniques will be topics. The event also will feature former Olympic gold medal winner and breast cancer survivor Peggy Fleming as a guest speaker. Information: www.pinkribbonsymposium.org.
• The Alternative Fueled Vehicle Road Show makes it way to town Sept. 21 as part of an eight-city tour in Florida. The event will showcase fuel options — including biofuels, propane natural gas and electricity — for drivers and businesses with fleet vehicles. Presentations and an audience Q&A will be included and the event is sponsored by Clean Cities Coalitions throughout Florida. For registration and information, visit www.adventuresatl.com/events/florida-afv-tour.
• City Sports and Entertainment Director Alan Verlander, Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping and The Players Executive Director Matt Rapp will be speaking during the Sept. 19 joint meeting between NAIOP commercial real estate group and Urban Land Institute North Florida. Their topic, “Role of Sports & Entertainment in Economic Development,” is scheduled as part of the noon-1:30 p.m. program and lunch at the Arena. Visit naiopnefl.com or call 730-8075 for more information.
• Sauer Incorporated has hired Virginia Chamlee as market proposal coordinator. She will be responsible for managing relationships with the media and spearheading design and content for the company’s bid proposals. She previously worked as a political and legal journalist. Sauer is a national design-build general contracting and construction management company in Jacksonville.
• Aida Serraj has been appointed executive director of the Jacksonville sibling foster care program for Neighbor to Family Inc. Gordon John, Neighbor to Family president and CEO, made the appointment. Serraj recently worked as the Women and Families’ program director for the Sulzbacher Center. Neighbor to Family provides sibling foster care, with an office in Jacksonville and headquarters in Daytona Beach.
• Beaver Street Enterprise Center will host its Medweek 2012 Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at its 1225 W. Beaver St. facility. Medweek is short for Minority Enterprise Development Week and the event will feature a panel discussion of entrepreneurs who have successfully worked in government contracting, collectively winning $100 million in City, state and federal contracts. Panelists are: Andy Harold of A. Harold and Associates, John Metzger of Universal Understanding and Bud Almas of B3 Solutions. The discussion will be moderated by Barbara English.
• Portofino Pools has named Chris Zabawski as sales and marketing manager. He was previously marketing manager for Paul Davis Restoration and a national sales manager for AccountingWEB.
• Speaking of Paul Davis Restoration, several of its North Florida staff members earned advanced certifications from The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Chase Sullivan and Brad Williams are water mitigation technicians who are now certified as applied microbial remediation technicians.
• Correction: In a Monday Legal Note, the firm of Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe was misspelled.