• The City got a little ahead of itself by announcing a public ceremony to transfer the Landing lease to Toney Sleiman. The City canceled the event — scheduled for Thursday — when attorneys for both sides said there were unresolved contractual details. “The deal is still happening, we’re just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s,” said mayor’s office spokesperson Heather Murphy. The signing has been rescheduled for this morning.
• Bridge lighting was one of the main topics of discussion Thursday evening as Mayor John Peyton hosted an evening cruise down the St. Johns River for Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jose Abru. “I’m excited about the opportunity to show Secretary Abru the beauty of our river, and the opportunities for beautification we have in our bridges. As we continue to develop our ‘downtown look’ in preparation for the Super Bowl, our bridges will be a top priority,” said Peyton.
• Today is attorney Mike Freed’s first day with the law firm Brennen, Manna & Diamond. Freed, who was formerly with Smith, Hulsey & Busey, is the firm’s new managing partner.
• Heather Patterson, City Council member Lynette Self’s assistant, is putting some of her spare time to good use. She’s teaching a race and gender class at the University of North Florida.
• Christian Laettner, the former Duke basketball star who is currently with the Washington Wizards, is moving to Ponte Vedra Beach. Laettner and his wife are renovating a home there.
• I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless board chair Michael Munz says Sam Mousa volunteered to oversee the construction of the center’s new William R. and Frances B. Barnett Children’s Building. Munz said Mousa would oversee the project at no cost to the center.
• The dedication ceremony for the new U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.
• A rally to promote the new fitness center at City Hall is scheduled for Sept. 9 from noon until 1 p.m. Lunch won’t be served, but, oddly enough, dessert will. For the fitness center to be built, 79 more employees must sign up before the end of September.