• There’s an egret flying around Empire Point that doesn’t realize how close it came to meeting its maker. One of the birds took a liking to attorney Howard Coker’s goldfish pond and started picking off the dozens of Japanese goldfish and koi that Coker calls “his pride and joy.” The egret obviously didn’t know who it was messing with. Coker is a big-time hunter who has about 30 stuffed animals hanging on his walls, including about every species of bird. “I just about took a shot at it,” joked Coker, who’s planning to restock the pond.
• The new group of Jaguar cheerleaders includes one attorney: Liana Rothstein, a 27 year old who graduated from Emory University and Stetson University College of Law. She’s with Adams, Rothstein & Siegel.
• Newly elected Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland celebrated his 100th win recently. No, he hasn’t won that many elections. The Paxon High School varsity baseball coach, Holland lead the team to that landmark victory against Lee High last week.
• U.S. Senator Mel Martinez has selected a Jacksonville headquarters. After months of scouting, Martinez settled on offices across from the Radisson on the Southbank.
• Governor Jeb Bush had a good time poking fun of the Mayor’s Book Club logo. You’ll recall it prominently features John Peyton’s caricature. “What a cute little picture,” Bush teased in front of a small crowd in Tallahassee last week. But being a good sport, Peyton took it in stride. “Yeah, it’s the spitting image,” he said.
• Making the most of the jovial mood during Jacksonville Day last week, Peyton took time out to thank the event’s sponsors including the LandMar Group, the same company who may take the reins for the highly publicized Shipyards Project. “I would like to thank them for their support,” Peyton said. “As you know, they’re busy right now.”
• State Rep. Dick Kravitz on colleague Don Davis: “He’s my favorite legislator, my roommate, my social director and my golf instructor.” The two share a Tallahassee apartment during the session.
• The Jaguars were pleased with their No. 1 choice, Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones who’ll play wide receiver here, and Coach Jack Del Rio even went as far to say that the “wow” factor discussed earlier in the week should be used. At a pre-draft meeting, both Del Rio and VP James Harris said they doubted any “wow” players would be available with the 21st pick.
• The Jacksonville U. board has elected Mike Shad as its new president. Though his name is on car dealerships here (which he sold several years ago,) he’s now a developer with his current project being the Five Points renovation.
LATE SCORES
Southern League
Jacksonville 5
Chattanooga 2