• The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be listed in the Tip Sheet in today’s issue of Newsweek. The “tip” includes a photo of Salsa, the zoo’s 2-year-old jaguar, along with information on other new exhibits that are now open.
• A local name could soon take center stage in an international controversy. According to the Wall Street Journal, the White House is considering giving Tillie Fowler’s Defense Advisory Board oversight of the ongoing Pentagon investigation into the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners.
• The mayor’s military liaison, Dan McCarthy, told some of the City’s advisers on next year’s base closures that it’s time to push hard to bring a squadron of E-2C aircraft to Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Navy’s all-weather command and control aircraft have the same engines as P-3 planes, which are maintained at the Naval Air Depot. They also need an airfield for aircraft landing practice, which McCarthy said NAS Jacksonville or Cecil Field could provide.
• The City is looking for a way to dispose of or make use of the rubble resulting from the old Fuller Warren Bridge’s demolition. One suggestion is to create an artificial reef.
• U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Paul Perez is the speaker at the Federal Bar Association Jacksonville Chapter’s monthly luncheon May 20 at the Omni.
• The Wendy’s on Airport Road is now open, there’s a Zaxby’s Wings being built next to the Longhorn Steakhouse and word is an Olive Garden is going in behind Zaxby’s.
• The $1 million clubhouse at Jacksonville Beach golf course is finished and open for business.
• What are all those cars in Economy Lot 3 (the one rarely used at the airport)? Secret Service cars for the G-8 Summit in June.
• Victoria Robas, Jaxport’s Talleyrand Marine Terminal director, has been elected chair for the State’s Board of Pilot Commissioners.
• The anti high-rise oceanfront condo movement in Jacksonville Beach became a little more visible over the weekend. A group was on the beach Saturday gathering signatures on a petition calling for a building moratorium.
• The local Democratic party is reminding people who want to be at the Landing Tuesday night to see Sen. John Kerry that they must have a ticket, which are free and available at party headquarters.