• Governor-elect Charlie Crist kicks off his inauguration events Wednesday with a breakfast in Coral Gables. There’s a kick-off barbecue at Legends Field in Tampa on Dec. 17 and several events in Tallahassee Jan. 2 including a prayer breakfast at Florida A&M, the official swearing in ceremony, a parade, a tour of the governor’s mansion and the 2007 Florida Ball Concert, which costs $100 per person. In all, the word is $3 million will be needed for the entire inauguration process.
• Speaking of Crist, he has announced his citizen review group team leaders and two from Jacksonville made the list. Ret. Rear Adm. Kevin Delaney is heading the Department of Military Affairs while State Rep. Jennifer Carroll is leading the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Newscaster Charlene Shirk is leaving Ch. 12 for a high-profile job with PGA Tour Productions.
• The home for paralyzed football player J.T. Townsend will be built in the Regency area. Townsend was injured while playing football for Episcopal High and various people and groups have gotten behind the effort to build him a home, most notably pro golfer Fred Funk. Cordele Builders will put up the house.
• The Springfield Woman’s Club will host the 20th annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Six of Springfield’s Victorian homes will be open to visitors and a horse-drawn sleigh with jingle bells will tour the area. The club’s building at 210 W. 7th St. will be the venue for an arts and crafts show that will include watercolors, Eastern Asian brush paintings, fused glass, textiles and beads. Tickets are $13.50 in advance or $15 at the door. Children under 12 will be admitted free. For information, visit www.springfieldwomansclub.org or call 633-9308.
• The Twisted Martini at the Landing has received the Downtown Enhancement Award from the Downtown Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. During the presentation, Downtown Council President Diantha Grant said the award recognizes Twisted Martini’s “Outstanding marketing and outreach to enhance the growth and development of Downtown Jacksonville as a place to live, work and play.”
• The City’s Public Works Department has submitted a change order worth over $150,000 for the Hendricks Avenue widening and infrastructure project. The change order affects the project from Prudential Drive to Mitchell Avenue and brings the grand total of the project so far to just under $5.5 million.
• If you’re going to ride the Stadium Shuttle Service to Sunday’s Jaguars game against the Colts and you usually park in the lot at University and Beach Boulevards, plan to get there early. To accommodate the influx of Christmas shoppers, only 84 spaces will be available for the shuttle in the K-Mart parking lot. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority recommends using the Kings Avenue Garage, where a shuttle will take you to the stadium for $5. Tailgating will be available and the garage will be open extended hours. Info: 630-3100.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art is offering “master classes” for teens 15 and up and adults starting next month. An introduction to acrylic painting starts Jan. 17, introduction to drawing begins Jan. 18 and introduction to silk screening starts Jan. 20.
• Speaking of the museum, it will unveil its new logo Jan. 10. No word on what kind of event is planned.