• One more note from the mayor’s signing. Peyton called in Chief of Staff Steve Diebenow for recognition of his role in the negotiations with the Fund. And, it sounded like Diebenow could use the encouragement. “Steve, when was the last time you got any appreciation?” asked Peyton. Diebenow, who took over as Peyton’s chief of staff in October 2004, responded, “It was about a year-and-a-half ago.”
• There’s a new president coming to Florida Community College’s South campus. He’s Denis Wright, now the vice president for Academic Affairs at Joliet Junior College in Illinois. He fills the vacancy left by the death of Norman Will last year.
• The steak trend is everywhere. Bono’s now has a filet on the menu.
• Retired: assistant police chief Bill David after 34 years. He was a fixture at sporting events, particularly those for his beloved Gators (even though his wife is a former Florida State cheerleader.)
• Busiest weekend for weddings and other events this fall? Easy. It’s the weekend of Oct. 15 when the Jaguars are off and the Florida football team is at Auburn.
• Arlington Expressway users are finding the commute a little easier these days. Construction had created a real zig-zag traffic pattern westbound. That’s been mostly straightened out and cars can no longer enter the expressway from Mill Creek. The road condition is still bad, though.
• The City Council elections are getting a little hotter even though they’re a year away. Former member Gwen Chandler has filed against incumbent Glorious Johnson and former member George Banks is trying again, this time for the District 4 seat.
• Jay Jabour is running for an open at-large seat and he may have chased away competition as he’s already raised over $83,000 and is aiming at $140,000. Among the contributors: Council member Art Shad, who beat Jabour last time by fewer than 100 votes in a contentious election. “I gave him $500, too,” said Jabour. “We’re friends now.”
• Christmas decorations are usually extravagant — as in pink feather boa extravagant — at Circuit Court Judge Mallory Cooper’s house. Attendees at the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association luncheon last week were shocked to learn that Cooper didn’t continue her tradition this holiday season. “I didn’t get to decorate this year because I don’t have a house,” said Cooper, who’s been living in a 1,300 square-foot condo since last July. The group responded with a collective sigh of sympathy. But Cooper said she’ll be moving into a house soon enough. She also told the ladies at the luncheon, “If you want to have it (a Christmas event) at my house, you can have it.”
• Want to watch something different at Currents Cafe in the Hyatt? Just ask. The employees have to keep their two TVs on news or sports channels — unless a customer makes a specific request.
• New, contemporary lofts are available in Riverside. Lifestyles Realtors is reporting it has sold nearly a quarter of their Chelsea Lofts during their grand opening weekend. There are 20 residences at Chelsea Lofts, which is located at the corner of Goodwin and Herschel Street.
• A reporter from People Magazine was at the Twisted Martini Wednesday to try and catch an interview with singer Nick Lachey who was in town promoting his upcoming solo album that will be released on May 9. Steve Anderson, marketing director at the bar, said the reporter asked him for some photos that were taken of Nick to possibly use in the magazine.
• We’re losing one of our best audio/visual experts soon when PRI’s Bo Reed moves to Atlanta. You’ll remember him as the guy who coordinated the Jaguars’ stadium entertainment and he later moved to PRI, the company that does the work.