• Two new businesses for San Marco. Fresh Produce, a women’s and children’s clothing boutique, will open in a portion of the space formerly occupied by White’s Bookstore on San Marco Boulevard (next to Karl’s Clothiers). And Fred Miller Group Realtors will open an office at 2000-4 Hendricks Ave.
• The Super Bowl Host Committee needs about 2,000 volunteers to participate in a Protect Freedom Exercise June 25 at Alltel Stadium in preparation for the 2005 Super Bowl. The public safety exercise begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 9:30 a.m. For details, call 279-0885, Ext. 134.
• The Art in Public Places Commission has selected local artist Jerry Smith to create a painting for the San Marco Branch Library, and asked California sculptor Michael Stutz to submit a proposal for the Equestrian Center. Smith, who resides in San Marco, presented a proposal for an 8-by-9 foot painting for the library’s entrance.
• Mayor John Delaney, City Council member Lad Daniels, State Rep.-elect Jennifer Carroll and other members of the Republican Party will act as models in the Republican Woman’s Club of Duval Federated Fashion Show May 16. Tickets for the 6 p.m. reception and 8 p.m. dinner at the Adam’s Mark Hotel are $50.
• Better Jacksonville Plan spokesperson Lisa Rowe is moving back to the City Hall Annex. She’s been working out of the mayor’s office, but starting today she returns to her original office at the Annex.
• At Jacksonville Economic Development Commission chair Tom Petway’s request, Thursday’s JEDC meeting was moved from 9 a.m. to 8:30. Well, guess who was 25 minutes late? Petway took it in stride and even made light of his foible. “It was my idea to start this meeting at 8:30 and I forgot. I apologize,” said Petway, noticing that JEDC executive director Kirk Wendland was just making his way to his seat. “Where have you been?” Petway asked jokingly.
• Speaking of the JEDC, they passed the BellSouth project — code name Bobsled — rather quickly. The project was presented, a motion was made, Petway asked for comments or questions (there were none) and the project was approved — all in about five minutes. Bobsled? It’s a shortened version of “BellSouth Long Distance, Inc.”
• After a month without a chief of police, the University of North Florida has found someone to fill the position. Mark Foxworth, a former lieutenant with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office homicide division, starts May 19.
• Local independent filmmaker Warren Skeels has been receiving some attention for his newest feature “Surfacing.” According to the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, the film is being shown at various film festivals and will be included in the Jacksonville Film Festival next weekend.
• No locals got a Sterling Award from the governor this year. Four will be handed out: Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the City of Coral Springs, Boeing Special Operations Forces Aerospace Support Center in Ft. Walton and Kendale Elementary School in Miami.
• Local architect Ted Pappas will be honored Wednesday at The Seminole Club by the American Institute of Architects for his accomplishments during his 35-year career.