• With a theme of "Draw Your HeART Out," the next First Wednesday Art Walk begins at 5 p.m. today Downtown. The February self-guided art tour will feature multiple Atomic Sketch Events from artists and designers from AIGA Jacksonville who will draw, paint and sketch on-site. The event also will be the debut of La Fashion Coach, Jacksonville's first mobile fashion truck, according to a news release. Susanne and Will Radtke will premiere the "boutique on wheels" at Burrito Gallery, 21 E. Adams St., and feature lightly worn clothing, jewelry, handbags and accessories.
• The next meeting of the Downtown Development Review Board is 2 p.m. Thursday in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall. The agenda includes an action item for a special sign exception for Wolfson Children's Hospital and information and discussion about the Cultural Council mural.
• Leadership Jacksonville has announced that Alton Yates, a Jacksonville community activist and civil rights leader, will be the focus of the organization's next Jacksonville Legacy Series. The series is an ongoing video series showcasing the area's prominent leaders who positively impacted the Jacksonville community. For more information about the organization and series, visit leadershipjax.org.
• The City approved a construction permit Tuesday to renovate the three-story JAX Chamber building Downtown at a project cost of $2.76 million. Auld & White Constructors LLC is the contractor for the 20,110-square-foot project. The chamber staff moved from its 3 Independent Drive offices to temporary space in Southside during the renovations.
• The Jacksonville division of Synovus Bank has received 17 national awards from Greenwich Associates for excellence in middle-market and small-market banking. The bank is among 750 evaluated nationwide with 39 percent receiving awards for middle-market banking and 42 percent receiving awards for small-business banking. In the middle-market segment, the bank was a national winner in overall satisfaction, likelihood to recommend and relationship manager performance categories. In the small-banking segment, it received national awards for overall satisfaction, likelihood to recommend, relationship manager performance, credit policy, financial stability, branch satisfaction and personal banking categories. Its treasury management also received recognition for both segments.
• After 28 years, the firm of Margol & Pennington is "following a new path" and has divided into two firms. The new firms are Margol & Margol, at 2029 N. Third St., and Carl Rufus Pennington III, at 320 N. First St.
• The Duval County Clerk of Court is helping with the Valentine's Day spirit. The office will host an inaugural Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 on the steps of the Duval County Courthouse at 501 W. Adams St. Clerk of Court Ronnie Fussell will officiate. The first 20 couples to register will receive a complimentary package that includes music, cake, flowers, photos on a CD and the standard $30 ceremony fee covered by community partners. Registration ends Friday or when the 20 spots are filled. Participating couples need to register for marriage licenses by Monday. For more information, email [email protected].
• Kristie Gover has been named Jacksonville University dean of students, a position she began Friday. Gover has served in leadership capacities at JU for almost 10 years and has been dean of student development since July. Her duties include supervising the student conduct system, student government and student affairs, such as residential life, student involvement and leaders, orientation and Greek life. She succeeds Bryan Coker, who was hired as vice president and dean of students at Goucher College in Baltimore. Gover also is director of retention services and will maintain the role.