• Another year of cruise ships could put “heads in beds,” according to David Kaufman, the port authority’s senior director of government relations, real estate and planning. Kaufman said the Celebrity Zenith had attracted visitors from “surprising distances,” including California and Canada. Kaufman said there was a study underway to see how many of those visitors stay overnight in hotels. Celebrity committed to bringing a ship back for another six–month schedule starting in October.
• A Downtown Development Authority commissioned study into the downtown real estate market will be ready next week. Ray Rodriguez, president of the Real Estate Strategy Center of North Florida, said he had already presented an initial draft to DDA managing director Al Battle. He didn’t provide specifics, but it sounds like the market is becoming more viable.
• If Jags coach Jack Del Rio wants to improve on the 12 fumbles his team recovered this season, maybe he should scout the owner’s box. When a football–shaped award hit the ground during a Tuesday luncheon, Jaguars Mike Pearson, Kiwaukee Thomas and Chris Hanson all watched as owner Wayne Weaver delivered a stiff–arm to Thomas and pounced on the ball.
• Speaking of Hanson, the Jaguars punter was walking around Alltel Stadium’s Terrace Suites without a limp. Hanson cut his leg while following Del Rio’s mantra to “keep chopping wood.” Hanson was overheard telling Delores Weaver that he was “ready to be back.”
• Henri Landwirth, the founder of Dignity U Wear, is the subject of a documentary film that follows the holocaust survivor on his journey back to Auchswitz after more than 56 years of living on what he calls borrowed time. The film, “Borrowing Time,” will be screened in Jacksonville on Feb. 5 at the Florida Theatre. Proceeds benefit Dignity U Wear. For info or tickets, call the Junior League at 387-9927.
• Local businesses now have another option when it comes to overnight delivery. Orion Air Cargo has signed a guaranteed, overnight delivery agreement with BAX Global to provide service to Jacksonville and several other Florida cities.
• Apologies to one of our favorite attorneys, Paola Parra. We misspelled her name in a recent photo cutline.
• Rep. Ander Crenshaw’s talk was the highlight of Tuesday morning’s Government Affairs Committee meeting at the Chamber.
• The Super Bowl’s quest for volunteers officially starts this weekend. You can sign up online and about 10,000 are needed. Requirements: you must be at least 18, commit to two training sessions and you have to work two 4-hour shifts during the week.
• The City’s Neighborhood magazine is out later this week. Cover story: the Super Bowl.