• Major work inside the Marble Bank, Florida Life and Bisbee buildings hasn’t started yet, but there are some signs of activity. Several of the windows have been closed in and the graffiti on the outside of the buildings has been painted over.
• Independent Square is looking to expand its annual Veterans Day displays. Last year, half the lobby was filled by workers from the building displaying memorabilia from their military days. This year, building management wants to fill the entire atrium. Building tenants who are interested in a display table should call the information desk at 358-5502 by Nov. 4. The displays will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 10.
• Former mayoral candidate Mike Weinstein is the speaker at the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association’s November luncheon. It’s scheduled for Nov. 3 at noon at River City Brewing Co. He’ll give a talk on the upcoming Super Bowl.
• One of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s most popular events is coming up next week. The Barbeque of Seville is set for Tuesday, with the cookout beginning at at 5 p.m.
• Henrietta’s Restaurant at 9th and Main streets in Springfield is hosting the Springfield Music & Bluegrass Festival Nov. 6 from noon to midnight.
• The art is coming off the walls at Cafe Athena by Jayvee, but the newly-opened restaurant isn’t closing already. They’re preparing for the large crowds they’re expecting for Georgia-Florida weekend and don’t want the art damaged. They’re also hiring a security guard to help keep order.
• The Jacksonville Port Authority’s Board of Directors extended the contract of Executive Director Rick Ferrin for three years. His new contract runs through Sept. 2007. Jaxport is projecting a record amount of cargo shipped through its docks in 2004. Total tonnage of cargo is expected to reach 7.58 million tons, which would eclipse the old mark of 7.52 million tons set in 1999.
• The St. Johns River Water Management District is hosting a public hearing Oct. 28 to discuss proposed outdoor lawn and landscape irrigation changes. The hearing is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.