• The next basketball game in the Arena almost surely will match the University of Florida and Jacksonville U. There’s a scheduling glitch that still needs to be worked out and insiders say all should be well. The date: probably early December.
• Local attorney Noel G. Lawrence has been appointed to his second one-year term on the voluntary board of directors of the Orlando-based Florida Bar Foundation. Lawrence serves on the board in his capacity as president of Florida Legal Services (FLS). He will continue service on the Foundation’s Legal Assistance for the Poor/Law Student Assistance grant committee.
• Sail Jacksonville has come and gone, but those wanting to get another look at a tall ship are in luck. Cisne Branco, part of the Brazilian Navy, is scheduled to sail into town today and be docked at the Dames Point Cruise Terminal for about a week.
• Ieyasu restaurant on West Adams Street has pushed its opening back again, possibly to September. According to building management, equipment needed to operate the Japanese restaurant has not arrived.
• For nearly six months, there were four vacant lofts in the in the W.A. Knight Building. The building’s leasing agent says they are no longer available. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “They all went right in a row within days. We have another one that will become available later this month, but I have a feeling we’ll have a signed lease on it before it’s even empty.”
• Developer Mike Langton’s plan to redevelop the old, and now empty, Barnett Bank building for mixed-use remains cool for now. Langton said City incentives will be “crucial” to getting the project off the ground, though no deal has been made. Langton however, is still expected to close on the property by June.
• The Trial Court Budget Commission of The Florida Bar bestowed special recognition on those whom it considered “heroes” in working to make the Revision 7 to Article V court funding transition successful. The TCBC approved resolutions honoring three Florida Supreme Court justices — Major Harding, Charles Wells and Harry Lee Anstead. The commission presented plaques to 16 legislative members, including State senators Jim King and Stephen Wise, and State Rep. Mark Mahon.
• Gov. Jeb Bush has announced his appointments to Florida’s 26 judicial nomination commissions. Locals named for four-year terms are retired attorney Steven K. Yablonski, First District Court of Appeal JNC; and police detective Terrence James and attorney Joseph W. Prichard, 4th Circuit JNC.
• Jim Rink Park in San Marco is expected to open Aug. 9. A dedication ceremony is being planned.
• GOP Senate candidate Doug Gallagher has signed up two heavy hitters to help with his campaign here: John Falconetti of Drummond Press and investor Duane Ottenstroer.
• State Attorney Harry Shorstein sent Mayor John Peyton a New York Times article detailing a nationwide trend of law enforcement budget cuts. Shorstein said Peyton was “bucking the trend with your tremendous support of your police.” Shorstein said it was important that the increased resources become productive.
• Mayor Peyton found another ally in his literacy campaign. Greenscape of Jacksonville, Inc. will give away four trees and 100 seedlings to participants of the latest citywide reading program. The book, “The House on Mango Street” has a chapter called “Four Skinny Trees.”