• For those wondering, Landing artist Tony Ryals is recovering from surgery and getting better. He originally planned to only be out a couple of weeks, but his recovery has taken a little longer than expected.
• Planned Parenthood of Northeast Florida will hold their 40th Anniversary event on Oct. 24 at the University of North Florida University Center at 6:30 p.m.
• An Evening with J.C. Watts will be held to benefit First Coast Women’s Services at the Hyatt on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Watts was a four-term United States Congressman, but most may know him from his days as a wishbone quarterback at Oklahoma.
• Get a head start on Florida-Georgia weekend at “Play the Field” on Oct. 27 from 5-10 p.m. outside of Alltel Stadium’s South End Zone. The event is free with activities including the BellSouth “Kick for a Million” Tour, Capitol One Mascot Challenge Tour, “You be the Quarterback” game and armchair quarterback, and much more.
• There’s a new tenant moving into residential highrise The Carling and it’s not a resident. The Sugar Shack, a sweet shop, is moving into one of many first floor retail spaces in the building and should open soon.
• Speaking of new downtown tenants, it seems a new night spot is headed to the area. Contractors are at work to bring what’s being described as a “funky” and “eclectic” bar and lounge to the Suddath lofts on East Bay Street. Project principal and namesake Mark Hemphill hopes to be able to open “Mark’s” before the end of the year.
• Brewster’s Hospital, the historic structure downtown that once served as an all black medical facility years ago, is being primed for a major renovation. Legislation has been filed to appropriate $1.6 million from three City accounts to pay for the building’s refurbishment. You’ll recall Brewster’s had to be relocated a block and half north last month before work could begin.
• Jaguars Chief Financial Officer Bill Prescott said the team is projected to have the lowest gate revenues in the league next year. The City has offered as part of a comprehensive settlement to a variety of financial issues to guarantee sales for 90 percent of the team’s premium seats. Those are the ones that have to be sold to avoid blackouts.
• Shortly before the news broke locally on Oct. 4, Mayor John Peyton sent a letter to Anthony Prinipi telling the chairman of the Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission that the City had low-balled the numbers of residences around Cecil Field’s crash zones. Those figures could impact a decision to reopen Cecil Field as a Navy master jet base.
• Our story last Monday about the Landing Parking Lot opening early got the opening time wrong. The lot opens at 9:15 a.m. not 8 a.m.