• Attorney Chad Roberts will appear before the State Supreme Court April 7, but he won’t have to worry about preparing an argument. That’s the date that the Court and the Florida Bar will hold a ceremony to honor Roberts for winning the Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for 2005 from the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
• New at McGuireWoods: James O. Birr III in the Commercial Litigation Department and Timothy Gillis in Corporate Services Department.
• Duval County Judge James Ruth’s call up to active duty a year ago with the Army National Guard gave him a rare chance to glimpse the softer side of Duval County’s Chief Judge Don Moran. “He just told me, ‘Don’t worry about anything.’ It was a tender moment,” said Ruth. “At least as tender a moment you’re going to have with our chief judge.”
• If you missed “Chicago” when the play was at the T-U Center last week, just roll on down the road - it’s in Orlando this week.
• The Chamber is starting an Economic Inclusion Department to help minorities get into the business community. It will be headed by former banker Glenda Washington, who has been at the Chamber as director of the Core City Initiatives program. The new division will be in the Small Business Center in the Gateway Mall.
• Charlie Hughes is the main name behind the new bank here, Florida Capital Bank, but also on the roster is Mac Holley, who headed the Bank of America’s operation here until a shakeup last year. Board members include investor Malcolm Jones and builder Richard Dostie.
• Representatives and talent scouts from orchestras all over the country will converge on Jacksonville this week. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is hosting the American Symphony Orchestra League’s National Conductor Preview, where talent scouts from several orchestras will get a chance to preview eight conductors from around the country demonstrate their skills as they lead the JSO.
• Alan Pickert is getting ready to take over the Jacksonville Bar Association presidency and just completed the Bar Leadership Institute program in Chicago. He’ll succeed Reginald Luster later this year.
• The Jacksonville Airport Authority has its own version of people helpers. Similar to the Downtown Ambassadors, the JAA Ambassadors wear wide brimmed hats and bright flowery shirts. Look for them near the baggage claim area.
• Florida Trend Magazine’s annual Golden Spoon awards are out. The only Jacksonville restaurant to make the list was Matthew’s at San Marco.
• EverBank President David Strickland says he’d like to see the Wonderwood connector renamed Tillie Fowler Parkway in honor of the late congresswoman.
• Speaking of Fowler, City Council plans to honor her posthumously through a resolution currently working its way through Council.
• Good news for senior citizens. Council members Art Graham and Jerry Holland are sponsoring a bill that would give the a discount at the new pier in Jacksonville Beach.
• Regardless of what happens in next Tuesday’s special election, April 15 will be Sandra Henderson’s last day as Holland’s executive assistan. If Holland wins the Supervisor of Elections job, Henderson will probably move over to that office.
• You can now purchase Playboy magazine at the music store at the Landing.
• Congratulations to Tony Lee, owner of the Landing’s Koja Sushi. He and his wife just had their first child, a little girl.