• Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art CEO Jane Craven has been asking the City for months to turn on streetlights in front of the Laura Street museum. The darkness, she said, creates a “dangerous environment for our evening visitors.” Public Works Director Ed Hall said the problem was likely a bad circuit and said JEA would investigate. Hall said the lights will eventually be replaced as part of streetscape improvements.
• About 200 people are expected to attend a retirement luncheon Friday for Capt. Rob Sorensen, better known as “Captain Video.” Sorensen will retire Jan. 2 after 43 years with the Jacksonville Fire Department. He started out as a firefighter; then, as the result of a knee injury, became head of Video Services for the department. His footage of fires and accidents has been used for training purposes, shown on cable networks such as the Discovery and Learning channels and sold around the world.
• Ken Jefferson will be honored this morning with the 2003 Director’s Community Leadership Award, presented by the FBI. Jefferson, public information officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, also works with the federal Drug Education for Youth program. It is a partnership among the JSO, FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Navy.
• Interim Chief Operating Officer Lynn Westbrook said the upcoming budget process will be less time consuming for City departments. He said interim Chief Financial Officer Walt Bussells will streamline many of the preparatory requirements that currently “have little or no value.”
• At the mayor’s office’s request, the City Council will move its archives and past legislation from City Hall’s mezzanine to the basement wellness center — the room once intended for the City Hall gym. Lynn Westbrook asked for the move to make room for temporary offices for consultant Bob Johnson and other part–time workers.
• The Federal Bar Association will have its annual Holiday Dinner Party Dec. 18, starting at 6 p.m. at the San Jose Country Club. The cost is $35 per person. RSVP to Phillip Buhler at 356-1306.
• Mayor John Peyton accepted an invitation to read to students at several local schools. First up, Crystal Springs Elementary, where he’ll read “A Country Christmas,” the school’s book of the month.
• Systems Innovators made a $2,000 contribution and will sponsor a holiday luncheon for the homeless and disadvantaged at the Clara White Mission. The luncheon will be held Dec. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The guest will be a Clara White Mission client, who will provide entertainment.
• The Princeton Triangle Club presents “For Love or Funny” Dec. 19 at the T-U Center. This year’s show takes potshots at “Reality TV” to present its first “Reality Musical.” The performance begins at 8 p.m.