• Representatives from LandMar are holding an informational presentation April 24 on the progress of the Shipyards project. It’s at the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce from 11:30-1 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The presentation will include the current plans and renderings. Invite only.
• Neighborhood advocate Historic Springfield has launched a “Litter Patrol” to help clean up trash from First through 12th streets in the north Jacksonville neighborhood. SRG Homes is sponsoring the program, which will continue through the Symphony Showhouse kickoff on April 22. After that, Historic Springfield is looking for private sponsors to continue the program.
• The City is planning on offering Mark Wood, chief executive officer of the Milton J. Wood Company, a spot on its Library Board. Wood has already told the mayor’s communications chief, Susie Wiles, that he plans to accept.
• Small business expert Steven Little will offer advice on entrepreneurship May 9 at the University of North Florida’s University Center. A senior consultant with Inc. magazine, Little is a former president of three fast-growth companies. To register, call 620-2476.
• The City and Gator Bowl Association will meet April 21 with representatives from the universities of Florida and Georgia to discuss aspects of the Florida-Georgia game contract. The parties have until July 1 to settle advertising and sponsorship of some of the events surrounding the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
• The battle over the old Annie B. Lytle school in Brooklyn is heating up. The owner has been seeking permission to demolish the building for several months, but a bill that would allow that is hung up in red tape. In an attempt to keep vandals out, the owner has put up fences, lighting and even barbed wire. The plan now is to use guard dogs in an effort to keep trespassers off the property and ensure no one gets hurt.
• Mayor John Peyton has been invited to speak along with Gov. Jeb Bush at Mayport next month. The U.S. Submarine Force is holding a return-to-service ceremony for the USS Florida at the naval station May 25.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. is holding a lunch and learn April 26 and the guest speaker will be Chip Patterson, chief of the Emergency Preparedness Division of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department. It’s from noon-1 p.m. in the JCCI conference room and it’s bring your own lunch.
• One of the townhomes at The Plaza is for sale. It’s riverfront, 2,000 square feet and the asking price is $850,000.
• Alterations has moved from its Hogan Street storefront to its new digs on Adams Street near The Carling.
• Fashion, charity and food are the focus of an upcoming “Families FIRST” Charity Luncheon and Spring Fashion Show. The event is planned for May 18 at River City Brewing Company from noon-1:30 p.m. Sixteen local female celebrities will model, including Ch. 12’s Jeannie Blaylock and Ch. 4’s Jennifer Waugh. Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association President Elect Patty Dodson pitched the event at the last JWLA luncheon, saying the proceeds go to the Families FIRST summer camp.
• Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph Wise will speak at the Cornerstone Luncheon May 23 for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has requested Mayor John Peyton to attend the luncheon that will be in the Hyatt. Peyton was offered a free ticket but any additional staff members will need to pay $40 to attend.
• Times-Union editorial writer Ann Luce is leaving the paper due to health reasons.
• Oops. The Jacksonville Children’s Commission budgeted for electric and water twice in the budget it submitted to the mayor’s office. Now, it takes City Council action to approve the transfer of $83,502 from various Commission accounts to realign its budget.
• Koja at the Landing is planning to open a second location. It’ll be in Baymeadows and should be ready this summer.
• The annual opening of the beaches parade is April 30 with the big sandcastle contest the day before.
• Speaking of the beach, you may not have heard but there’s another battle looming this summer, this time over king fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Apparently it takes three rods and a lot of room to fish for kings and the other fishermen have complained to pier management. For now, no more king fishing from the pier.
• The Duval County portion of Brannan Field/Chaffee Road may have a new name one day. In fact, according to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the official name of the road is State Road 23 and Brannan Field/Chaffee is just commonly used. One suggestion has come from Capt. Chip Dobson, a member of the MPO representing the Navy. Dobson has proposed naming the road after Rear Adm. Alan Shepard, one of the original Mercury astronauts and one of only 12 people to ever walk on the moon.