• Washington attorney Kenneth Starr will be the speaker at the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Law Day Luncheon. Starr was the “independent counsel” in the impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton. A date for the luncheon is still being determined.
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid still has not struck a deal with a potential buyer for the Volvo Turbo that was donated by attorney Howard Dale and his wife, Nancy. Legal Aid will use the proceeds to pay for the work carried out at the Major B. Harding Center for Justice. Anyone interested in making a bid should call Kim Ruotolo, development coordinator, at 356-8371, Ext. 316.
• After a one-month absence, City Council aide Sandra Lane is back on the job. Lane underwent surgery recently, and took some time off while she was on the mend.
• St. Vincent’s is getting ready to show off the first phase of its heart center on Riverside Avenue and they’ve already named most of its parts. You can assume big money came from the Bakers (Florida Rock,) Rices (ex-NationsBank,) Steins (Regency) and Weavers (Jaguars.)
• Gillian Baker is leaving the Cultural Council of Jacksonville after 14 years. She’s accepted a job at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville where she’ll be the new director of development.
• Capital Partners is expected to close on the Humana Building soon and rename it SunTrust Tower, but management from the current SunTrust building say they’re still awaiting notice from the bank that they plan to relocate their headquarters. Building manager Mike Woods says he’s unable to comment on any future plans, tenants or name changes until he gets the official word.
• Plans to establish a downtown merchant’s association may move forward, but local businessman and Downtown Vision, Inc. consultant Tony Allegretti says he’s not involved. Allegretti, who’s worked with the San Marco Merchant’s Association and the Springfield Business Association, said he’s more focused on bringing a business venture of his own to downtown. Allegretti declined to offer details, but he and some partners are renovating a space on West Adams Street across from the Haydon Burns Library.