• State Sen. Jim King and his wife Linda are hosting a Christmas open house Wednesday at the Community Rehabilitation Center on Beechwood Street from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Synovus Bank plans to open a new branch on the Southbank on Prudential Drive, next door to the Wine Cellar. The branch is scheduled to open in second quarter of 2006.
• Florida Community College at Jacksonville was honored twice in one evening by the Northeast Florida Regional Council. The school received the Regional Excellence in Education Award for qualities including its service to citizens and students and the development of programs that serve the region. The award was accepted by Emily Smith, chairwoman of FCCJ’s District Board of Trustees. Milton Russos, executive director of cultural programs at FCCJ, received the 2005 Regional Quality of Life Award. Russos has been director of the FCCJ Artist Series since its inception, now in its 40th season.
• The local Fraternal Order of Police threw a big Christmas party for needy children at the fairgrounds Wednesday. For more, see page 3.
• KB Home and the Jacksonville Barracudas will host 150 locally enrolled students who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. The students will receive a gift package and dinner. The first 200 hockey fans in attendance will receive a commemorative hockey puck. Fans are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event to benefit local families in need. The toys will be distributed by the United Way of Jacksonville.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida is hosting a holiday party for more than 100 local children Friday. A brief ceremony at 8 p.m. during the party will announce the “Big Brother” and “Big Sister” of the year.
• FCCJ has a new athletic director — George Sanders from Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He replaces Ralph Daniel, who’s retiring.
• Lack of communication concerning proposed street and structural changes at the Landing has led to confusion. A long-term tenant at One Enterprise Center on Water Street was considering a relocation and expansion in the building but has put plans on hold because of lack of information on the impact on river views due to possible changes in height restrictions.
• Correction. In a City Note Wednesday we misidentified the City’s Chief of Staff Steve Diebenow.
• On behalf of the Mayor’s Jacksonville Early Literacy Partnership, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission last week announced it has received a Federal Early Learning Opportunity Act Grant. The $997,763 grant will allow for the creation of a new literacy pilot program, Bringing Education and Support to Teachers, Parents and Children.
• Longtime Times-Union business writer Christopher Calnan is leaving the paper. He’s headed back to his hometown of Boston.
• William W. “Bill” Gay is preparing to get it from his buddies. Jacksonville’s Emergency Pregnancy Services is gearing up for its 5th annual Celebrity Roast, putting Gay on the hot seat. The roast will celebrate Gay’s 50 years of experience as a local businessman and his support of the Jacksonville community. Former Mayor Ed Austin, contractor J.B. Coxwell and Tax Collector Mike Hogan are just a few of the roasters. The event is Feb. 25 and tickets start at $150. Call 308-7510 for more information.
• JCCI Forward invites members and the public to participate in two Issue Forums in 2006. The first forum will begin in January and explore the question “How can Jacksonville encourage the development of individual artists in the community?” The second forum begins in March and will study the topic, “Developing higher architectural and design standards for the downtown area.” Each Issue Forum will run for eight consecutive weeks and meet on Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at JCCI. For more information call 396-3052.
• Condolences to Ch. 47 reporter Cathi Carson on the recent passing of her father, Bud Carson, a longtime coach in the National Football League.
• Speaking of the NFL, ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury says the Indianapolis Colts will leave town Sunday as they arrived — undefeated. The 12-0 Colts will face the 9-3 Jags at 1 p.m. in Alltel Stadium and word is tickets will be very hard to come by.