• The Chamber’s Downtown Council will hear plans for our city‘s future Friday morning when City Council member Lake Ray and Denise Bunnewith of the Metropolitan Planning Organization make a presentation. It’s at 7:45 at the River City Brewing Company.
• The construction you see in front of the VillaRiva condos on Riverside Ave.? Those are three buildings which will have two townhomes each. The developer says the main building will be ready for occupancy in June, right after they host the Symphony Showhouse.
• The City’s Office of General Counsel has another new hire. Dylan T. Reingold is joining the office as Assistant General Counsel and will work in the land use department.
• Sheriff John Rutherford takes his Taser show on the road next week. He’ll tell the Kiwanis about the device at their Monday meeting at the Hilton.
• Leadership Jacksonville will honor three grads at its annual dinner on March 31: Bank of America’s Martha Barrett, RS&H boss Leerie Jenkins and community volunteer Alton Yates. It’s at the Radisson and Mayor John Peyton will be on the dais, too.
• The folks in the Ortega and Timuquana areas who are tired of the noise from the trains may be getting some relief soon. The City’s Public Works Department is considering a feasibility study that would establish railroad quiet zones along Roosevelt Boulevard. The study will cost $20,000.
• The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is in the process of purchasing a climate controlled warehouse on Haines Street to use as property and evidence unit. The price tag is a cool $1.2 million.
• Speaking of JSO, they are in the process of recouping almost $90,000 in security expenses from the Super Bowl. The money will come from the Florida Department of Revenue.
• City Council president Elaine Brown should be appointed soon to the Northeast Florida Regional Council. She’ll replace Council member Mia Jones and her term will expire September 30, 2006.
• Sports talk show host David Lamm has changed his mind again. Lamm gave up golf for good a couple of weeks ago after another triple-figure round. He was spotted on the course at Hidden Hills last Friday, has played awful since and now says he’s quitting the game again.
• City Council is considering a resolution that would honor departed Edward Waters College President Jimmy Jenkins. All 19 Council members are sponsoring the bill.
• The two Florida Fish & Wildlife Officers, Grant Burton and Will Secure, that saved the two JSO officers that wrecked their boat during Super Bowl week will be formally recognized by City Council.
• Correction from Tuesday’s City Notes. The special election for two Council seats and Supervisor of Elections is March 29.
• Wal-Mart will have its grand opening of its newest Super Center on Monument Road on Monday. In addition to opening the new store, they will donate $16,000 among Jax Pride, Horse Sense & Sensibility and Big Brothers & Big Sisters.
• The Brentwood Branch Library will hold its mural dedication ceremony next Thursday at 11:30. The six-foot by 14-foot mural called “Imagination Tree” was created by Jacksonville artist Kelli Bickman through the Art in Public Places Program.
• It’s a long way off, but this year is a big milestone for Jacksonville Community Council Inc. On Aug. 25 they will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a big bash at The Schultz Center and everyone is invited.
• Mayor’s Office receptionist Alice Newman got the cast off her left wrist Monday. It’s healing after surgery but still sore.
• This year’s EDDY Awards are set for March 31 at the T-UCenter. The program is put on by the Alliance for World Class Education and recognizes the Duval County Public School Teachers of the Year. It’s black-tie optional and gets underway at 7 p.m.
• The Chamber reminds you that a scam is still going around. Businesses are getting calls to join the “Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce.” No such animal. The legitimate organization is the Florida Chamber of Commerce.