• The new arena has something almost every night this week but the building management is adding staff to make sure there aren’t problems such as the hockey game debacle Friday night, when they expected 6,000 and had trouble handling the 9,000-plus who showed up. A major problem has cropped up: converting the seating from one staging set-up to another.
• There’s a new tenant in the Bank of America tower. First United Mortgage Corporation has leased 7,000 square feet of office space.
• To raise money for the March of Dimes, Wachovia Bank was selling college-themed stuffed animals last week. Florida State fans were out of luck, however. The bank sold out of the garnet and gold bears long before any of the others.
• The Salvation Army received a $10,000 grant last week to continue funding for its after-school tutoring program for children six weeks to 12-years-old. The grant was from the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust.
• When President George W. Bush signed this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, it meant hundreds of millions will soon be headed toward Northeast Florida. The measure authorizes congress to spend about $115 million to acquire Blount Island property. Naval Air Station Jacksonville will receive about $9 million to build an aircraft parking apron and enhance airfield security. The Florida National Guard’s Camp Blanding site will receive about $16 million.
• Edward Scully, banquet captain at the Adam’s Mark, has been promoted to the head of convention services. He’s responsible for making sure all conventioneers’ requests are addressed.
• The First Coast Federated Republican Women received the Ruby Award at the Florida Federated Republican Women Clubs’ convention in St. Petersburg. They were recognized for being the fastest growing federated club in the state, with more than 160 members.
• The Burger King at San Pablo Road and Beach Boulevard has closed. But don’t fret. A Starbuck’s coffee house will open soon in its place.
• Handel’s Messiah will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday at the T-U Center. Peter Rubardt will be guest conductor. Featured will be Jane Redding, Allison Swensen, William Brown, Andrew Wentzel and the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. The performance is sponsored by Gate Petroleum.