• At a ceremony organized by The Florida Bar Association of Trial Advocates, Chief Judge Donald Moran was honored with the “Jurist of the Year Award.” The award is given to individuals who have shown outstanding service and dedication to the right of a civil trial by jury. Moran was selected over several candidates, including Chief Judge Joseph Farina of Miami and Florida Supreme Court Justice James Amstead.
• Visitors at the Duval County Courthouse are now being asked to run their wallets through the X-ray machines before entering the building.
• Real estate agents are being warned about two women who are targeting site agents. In a recent incident, the women entered a model home, expressing interest for their mother. While one occupied the agent, the other stole the agent’s wallet from her purse. Reportedly, several other similar police reports have been filed.
• The City has released its new logo for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
• Norm’s Post ‘n Pub proprietor Paul Boucher said City officials frowned on his idea to put a hot dog cart in front of his Laura Street site. The reason, according to Boucher? They didn’t want to upset his neighbor, Kamal Farah, owner of Farah’s of Downtown. Boucher managed to get approval and hopes the cart will bring in cash until he can open the Post ‘n Pub.
• The General Counsel’s Office has requested Mayor John Peyton appoint M.C. Harden III as interim JEDC chairman. Currently, the General Counsel’s Office has to draw up a letter each month designating Harden as the temporary chair.
• The Jacksonville Quarterback Club is shifting its meetings to the Bud Zone sports bar in Alltel Stadium’s south end zone. ESPN’s Mike Gottfried will speak at the kickoff meeting Aug. 13. Future speakers include Jags coach Jack Del Rio, Florida Gators coach Ron Zook and Georgia coach Mark Richt.
• Officials from the American Bar Association will be in town in late September to visit the FCCJ Legal Studies Institute.
• Apologies to Leigh Rodante, assistant director and curator of the Karpeles Museum. She has not left the museum as we said in a recent City Note.
• XCuisine — an evening of exotic dining — returns to the Museum of Science & History Sept. 19. An added bonus this year: comedian Tom Parks is scheduled to perform.
• Mary Lou Martinson, judicial assistant to Chief Judge Moran, is back on the job following surgery last week and her doctor’s orders to take it easy.
• The Jacksonville University football media guide is out, and yes, that is a picture of a dolphin on the cover.