• Correction. In a Wednesday City Note, we incorrectly identified the committee State Sen. Tony Hill will chair during the 2007 legislative session. He will chair the Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.
• The Florida House of Representatives committee assignments are available now, too. See www.myfloridahouse.gov and click on the bold “Councils and Committees” header for a complete list.
• Couple of promotions at St. Vincent’s in the finance division: Michael Tretina has been promoted to senior vice president of finance and Joye Strickland has been named vice president and controller. Tretina has been with the hospital since 2000, while Strickland has been with the hospital since 1983.
• Travel in the Western Hemisphere will change dramatically next month. Effective Jan. 23, you will need a valid passport to travel by air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and destinations in Central and South America. Previously, you only needed a copy of a birth certificate and matching identification.
• Still no word on who, if anyone, will replace Darla Wilson as the coordinator of the Duval Delegation office. State Sen. Jim King and delegation Chair and State Rep. Stan Jordan have written letters of recommendation for delegation secretary Susan Stewart. The final decision will be made jointly by the mayor’s office and General Counsel Rick Mullaney. Wilson left the Delegation office in November to work for King.
• On Monday, the UPS Foundation will present an $8,000 grant to the Clara White Mission Culinary Arts Program. The grant will help purchase commercial kitchen equipment to enhance training and hands-on experience for homeless students enrolled in the program. The UPS Foundation focuses on literacy, hunger relief and volunteerism. The event is 11:15 a.m. at 613 W. Ashley St.
• The Jacksonville Symphony Chorus is looking for new singers for the 2007 concert season. Auditions are being held Jan. 13 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Jacksonville University. For more information, call 354-5479, ext. 221 or inquire online at www.jaxsymphonychorus.org to schedule an appointment.
• 2007 marks the American Institute of Architects’ 150th anniversary. The organization will host the 2006 Beaux Arts Ball charity event at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at 9th and Main in Springfield. The “Urban Eden” theme is black tie but edgy, costumes and masks encouraged. For more information, call 356-2654.
• Koja Sushi at the Landing opened its second location last week. It’s on Baymeadows Road where Yoshi was for years.
• The City of Jacksonville are asking for all multicultural organizations to participate in the 15th annual World of Nations Celebration. The event is March 29-April 1. To participate contact the City of Jacksonville special events office at 630-3690.
• During the public comments section of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, a citizen went to the podium to complain about something going on in his neighborhood. He said a “foreign lady” is housing a “group of Mexicans” who are “operating a midget strip club and poisoning goats.” Council member Pat Lockett-Felder asked for the address in question so she could look into the matter.