• The Jacksonville Historical Society is holding a candlelight tour of the Merrill House and Old St. Andrews Church Tuesday night from 5-8:30 p.m. There will also be a Victorian book fair and “light Victorian repast and libations.”
• Whole Foods Market, the Roswell, Ga.-based grocery store chain looking to bring a store to San Marco, sent Mayor John Peyton’s office a petition with hundreds of signatures from San Marco-area residents in support of bringing a Whole Foods Market to the area. San Marco resident G. Scott Baity also sent a copy of the petition to Whole Foods Market South Region President Scott Allshouse.
• Hercules Inc. on N. Market Street has informed the City that it will permanently close its doors by June 30 with the first reductions in the workforce set to begin the week of April 1.The closure will affect 102 employees.
• The Jacksonville Suns are holding their Christmas party Dec. 15 from 6-9 p.m. at the Baseball Grounds. Sorry, invite only.
• A groundbreaking photo shoot for the 2006 Symphony Showhouse in Springfield is set for Monday at 10 a.m. in Klutho Park at the corner of Boulevard and W. Third streets. Those attending have been encouraged to wear a white shirt and denim pants.
• Speaking of Springfield, the 19th Annual Holiday Festival Tour of Historic Homes will be Dec. 9 and 10 from 6-9 p.m. The guided bus tour starts at 217 W. Seventh St. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door and buses leave every 10 minutes. For more information, call 633-9308 or 535-7727. The tours are sponsored by the Springfield Improvement Association and Springfield Women’s Club.
• The Harris, Guidi, Rosner, Dunlap, Rudolph & Catlin law firm has sent out invites to its Dec. 1 holiday party and the invitations may be some of the most comprehensive around. The packet includes several cards: the invitation, directions, information about the firm, a valet parking pass, a VIP pass (for some) and a roster of the firm’s partners.
• Speaking of holiday parties, Foley & Lardner’s big bash is Dec. 15 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art. It’s invite only, too.
• One more. City Council President Kevin Hyde is hosting the Council’s annual holiday open house Dec. 8 from 4-6 p.m. in the Council offices. Entertainment and hors d’oeuvres are on the agenda.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. is hosting a leadership development workshop Dec. 13 from noon-5 p.m. at Improv Jacksonville at the Landing. The featured speaker is former mayor and current University of North Florida President John Delaney. Other speakers include City Council member Elaine Brown, Coffee Perks President Susan Hartley and 2004 Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of the Year Sonny Bhikha.