• When NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was asked whether he would be staying aboard one of the “floating hotels” docking in Jacksonville for the 2005 Super Bowl, he stressed he would remain “land locked.” Tagliabue, a boat owner who rarely goes on the water, said his friends jokingly refer to him as “Captain Crunch.”
• Scoop the Pelican, Jacksonville’s Super Bowl mascot, has kept a pretty low profile lately, but he was seen Monday bowing and trying to kiss the feet of NFL commissioner Tagliabue.
• Jags owner Wayne Weaver on the team’s chances of playing in the 2005 Super Bowl: “I wouldn’t want to make that kind of prediction,” he said, “but we’re working hard.”
• Edward Booth Jr., the first attorney board certified in aviation law in Florida, will present a program on the most significant events in Jacksonville’s flight history Dec. 17 at Old St. Andrews Church. A reception begins at 6:45 p.m. followed by the program at 7:30 p.m.
• After eight years as mayor, UNF president John Delaney is adjusting to private life. “I couldn’t believe it; I got my first parking ticket in nine years outside the Adam’s Mark last week,” he said at Monday’s Meninak Club meeting.
• When Mayor John Peyton showed up 20 minutes late to a recent UNF event, John Delaney said he told the mayor that “traffic in this city was a lot better when I was mayor.” Peyton’s response? “He told me: ‘That’s OK, the courthouse was a lot more expensive, too.’ ”
• Neptune Beach residents will find the streets a little less bumpy after the first of the year. The City Council plans to select a contractor in January to repave streets, which were torn up for the water and sewer replacement project. Once a contract is signed, repaving could be complete by spring.
• U.S. Army private Jessica Lynch will be in town Feb. 27 to help launch the Carnival Miracle cruise ship. She’ll break the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow of the Miracle, sending the ship on its maiden voyage.
• Sen. Bill Nelson will speak Wednesday during Florida Coastal Law School’s Issues 2003 forum and luncheon, being held from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Nelson’s address, scheduled to begin around noon, is titled “Issues of Critical Concern To America and Our Capitol: Lawyers as Leaders.” Cost to the public is $15. RSVP to 680-7758.
• The City should feel better about its chances of dodging the BRAC ax, but the final decision is still a year and a half away. Those who are closely watching the Base Realignment and Closure process are encouraged by the amount of spending going to the city through the National Defense Authorization Act. Blount Island is due to become a Marine Corps base, some money is available for Littoral Combat Ships and there’s work to be done on the A-6B Intruder. “It’s wonderful news, but it doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods,” said J. Daniel McCarthy, director of military affairs for the City. “Based on prior history, you can even win authorization to build things and still have your base shut down.”