• Look for an ordinance dealing with adult entertainment zoning requirements to go before the City Council early this year, possibly by late February, says Council member Jerry Holland, who also plans to tackle animal control issues in the coming weeks. “One thing that I hope to have ready by late January or early February is an animal care and control bill,” said Holland. “I’ve been working with the Humane Society and the Alliance of Responsible Pet Owners on it for a while and I think we’ll have something that will address a lot of the issues that were happening there.”
• The City Council’s first meeting of 2004 is Jan. 13.
• Parking meters along Bay Street were bagged Wednesday for the Gator Bowl parade. But that didn’t stop several drivers from parking in the spaces, creating a headache for Jacksonville sheriff’s officers.
• The accounting firm of Howard & Company is moving. Their new office in Southpoint is slated to open in January.
• Ronald McDonald House has named its new board of directors for 2004. They are Dr. George F. Armstrong Jr., president; Robert E. Martin, vice president; Sharon Lucie, secretary; and Sidney Simmons, treasurer.
• The civil engineering firm of Connelly & Wicker has been selected by the City to do the roadway reconstruction of Shindler Drive as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. The project will add a lane with sidewalks and bike paths on both sides of Shindler.
• The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art is hosting a members reception Jan. 8 from 6-8 p.m. Chris Wilson will provide the music and a cash bar will be available.
• Next big date for the Jags: Feb. 18-24 for the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The team’s offseason conditioning program begins March 22.
• Speaking of the Jags, Jack Del Rio made USA Today’s best/worst list for the 2003 season for Worst Motivational Ploy: the infamous ax in the locker room incident.
• As the host hotel for the Maryland Terrapins, the Omni was packed for several days with very large football players, who managed to put quite a dent in the food supplies. The hotel’s next big event will be as host for participants in the State Cheerleading Championships, being held Jan. 9-11. The competition will be held at the Osborn Center.