• Cafe Athena by Jayvee is almost ready for business. Co-owner Jayvee Viger said the East Bay Street restaurant will officially reopen Friday, but will be open Wednesday night for ArtWalk.
• State Rep. Stan Jordan has relocated his district office and managed to cut overhead costs at the same time. Formerly occupying an office near the Arlington Expressway, Jordan will now work out of a building he owns . . . in fellow representative Terry Field’s district.
• Welcome back to City Council member Lad Daniels, who has been out of the office for several weeks. He was traveling in China, trying to develop trade opportunities.
• The Council’s Finance Committee approved legislation to add a $15 fee to traffic infractions. The money collected will help cover courthouse construction and maintenance fees. “We’ve had authorization to do this since July,” said Council member Suzanne Jenkins, who is sponsoring the bill. Once in place, Council auditors said approximately $4 million will be generated each year.
• Employees of Big Pete’s pizza have been spotted around town passing out cards for a free slice of pizza from the Julia Street restaurant.
• Quizno’s on Hogan Street has expanded its hours. They will now be open for lunch on Saturday.
• Futch Printing and Mailing has moved to 400 S. Edgewood Ave. from its Forsyth Street location. The business opened Monday at its new location. Their new phone number is 388-3995, but that number won’t be active until later in the week.
• The River City Band’s five-year development odyssey with the Snyder Memorial building drew another step closer to a merciful end Monday with the City Council’s Finance Committee voting unanimously to pay more than $1 million to take over the building and pay off construction liens. Neptune Beach mayor and band board member Dick Brown told the committee the band had recently been approved for $285,000 in State restoration grants for the building. Brown said the band would ask that the money be redirected to the City if it takes ownership. As for the City’s plans for the building, Brown said “there was interest” from buyers, but nothing immediately promising.
• Holiday Inn Express — Blount Island, which is the closest hotel to the cruise terminal, opened Oct. 1.