• The mayor traditionally draws the biggest crowd of the year to a Downtown Council meeting and John Peyton’s visit Friday wasn’t any exception. Over 100 were at the River City Brewing Company. He got a challenge from the group, too — each speaker has a book donated to the library in his name and Peyton’s is Dickens’ “Great Expectations.”
• There’ll be a special “visitor” at today’s Rotary Club of Jacksonville meeting. The club is hosting the Rotary Centennial Bell, which celebrates 100 years of service to communities worldwide. The bell is traveling around the world to the first 100 Rotary Clubs and Jacksonville is 41st on the list.
• Leapfrog Airlines has opened at Craig Airport, providing air service to the Abacos in the Bahamas. It’s locally owned by Scott, Mindy, Hayden and Irene Malone.
• Anthony F. Perrone has been promoted to vice president and general counsel for Team In Focus, Inc.; Global Support Services, Inc.; and Gemstone Productions, Inc.
• Whew! Florida Community College at Jacksonville just finished its evaluation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, who visit every 10 years or so to poke around.
• City officials are calling this a “a big week” for Jacksonville’s campaign to keep its military bases open. Today, Gov. Bush’s military base advisory committee will be in town to brief community leaders on statewide lobbying efforts. The committee includes Tillie Fowler and new lead state lobbyist, retired Adm. Bob Natter. Tuesday, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England will address the Chamber and the Navy League. Mayor John Peyton and U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw will attend.
• The Downtown Development Authority will be stepping out on the town this week. The DDA and Downtown Vision, Inc. will hold a reception Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Eclate jazz club on East Bay Street.
• The mayor’s office has offered Herbert Helsel the Elder Affairs executive director job. If he accepts, Helsel will replace Delphia Williams, who is now the City’s Director of Community Services.
• Members of the City Council are planning to take a tour of the new Main Library in early May.
• A bill allowing the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission to enter into lease agreements at Cecil Commerce Center has been deferred indefinitely. Though only in its second reading, some at City Hall, including City Council president Lad Daniels, think it’s not the right time to cut the Council out of the negotiating process.
• U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown will be in town for a Saturday luncheon at the New Bethel AME Church on Tyler Street. The occasion will be the Stars of America Luncheon, which starts at 11:30. It’s sponsored by Family Support Services of North Florida.