• A sign in the window heralds the arrival of a new jewelry store, which could be opening across from Hemming Plaza as early as mid-December. Juan Gonzalez, owner and operator of Hemming Plaza Jewelers, said he’s currently finalizing construction inside the space and should have the last coat of paint drying within a week.
• New associates at Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks & Miller, P.A: Caroline Nichols and Scott Schildberg.
• After collecting data from a variety of sources, City Council member Sharon Copeland will host a workshop, today, to discuss Duval County’s potable water supply. Copeland, who has been spearheading Council efforts on the topic for several months, first got involved when a State committee recommended transferring water from northern Florida cities to those further south who are experiencing aquifer problems.
• Florida Coastal School of Law has received the 2003 Regional Award for Excellence in Education, presented by the Northeast Florida Regional Council. The award honored FCSL’s Center for Strategic Governance and International Initiatives, the center’s director and associated dean for external affairs and FCSL, Eric Smith, accepted the award on behalf of the law school during a ceremony at the World Golf Village.
• Emergency Preparedness Chief Chip Patterson said the first step toward implementing the City’s new Protect America homeland security software is establishing a leadership structure. Patterson said a three–tiered leadership group will oversee the software’s implementation and operation. The City’s use of the program continues to draw national media attention. A reporter from the Wall Street Journal contacted interim Chief Financial Officer Walt Bussells about a story, joining NBC news in its coverage of the early–alert system.
• The Veterans’ Services Chief said the City will partner with Harvest Ministries to ship care packages to its adopted 101st Airborne Division. Aaron Givens said the first batch would ship this week.
• City representatives, including Chief Community Officer Pete Jackson will travel to Philadelphia today to tour the city’s Empowerment Zones. The federal zones provide investment tax breaks designed to stimulate urban renewal. The mayor has been investigating how to best use the zone for Jacksonville.
• Gallery L at Independent Square will present art works by Kenneth McMillan, associate professor at UNF, from Dec. 1-Jan. 5. A reception for the show, Enlivened Myths (And Harry) is scheduled for Dec.5 from 5-8 p.m.