• The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is opening up to the public Thursday the dress rehearsal for this weekend’s performance of Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly. The rehearsal is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Times-Union Center. Call the JSO box office at 354-5547 for tickets.
• Reduced carb potatoes? It’s true. SunLite potatoes are coming out of Hastings and claim to have 30 percent fewer carbs than regular potatoes. The product is a result of more than five years of research from UF scientists (who studied more than 400 spud varieties), Florida potato growers and HZPC, a seed potato company. January through June is potato season in Florida.
• Diamond Dolls in San Marco is now known as Indulgence Lounge.
• St. John & Partners Advertising & Public Relations took home 28 awards on behalf of its clients at the American Advertising Federation’s competition for creative excellence Thursday night at The Garden Club. The firm won Best in Show, 15 Gold and 13 Silver ADDY awards.
• Charlayne Hunter-Gault, journalist, author and civil rights pioneer, will be the speaker at the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr Scholarship luncheon, presented by the University of North Florida’s Intercultural Center for Peace. The program will be held Feb. 23 from noon-2 p.m. at the University Center on the UNF campus.
• Children’s Home Society of Florida was recognized for its M.O.D.E.L. (Mentors Opening Doors Enriching Lives) Program at the Kesler Mentoring Connection TELEmachus Awards: A Celebration of Mentoring, Jan 24. The M.O.D.E.L. program is for children between the ages of 4 and 15 who have an imprisoned parent and has been in effect since October 2004.
• The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum will offer free admission to the Lighthouse grounds during the 14th annual Lighthouse Festival March 18. This year’s festival will feature local musicians and entertainers throughout the day, special games and crafts for children, food, pony rides, archaeology activities and contests.
• More from the Lighthouse: The Michelob Ultra 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run will be held during the Lighthouse Festival. The 5K run begins at 4:30 p.m. and the Fun Run begins at 5:30 p.m. Both races will start and finish in front of the law of the keeper’s house. More information at www.staugustinelighthouse.com or (904) 829-0745.
• Holland & Knight’s Francis J. Marino was elected president of the Board of Directors of Dignity U Wear Foundation, Inc., earlier this month. Marino has been a member of the board for the past five years.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. will be hosting a discussion titled “What makes an Artsy city? Do we have one?” Feb. 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Copper Cellar at the Landing. The event is free to members of JCCI Forward and $50 for non-members which includes a one-year JCCI membership. RSVP to Esther at (904) 396-3152.
• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be hosting the fifth annual Shoot for a Cure presented by Batson-Cook Construction and Adams Interior Contractors sporting clays shoot, March 14. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The event costs $1,250 for a team of four shooters which includes lunch from Cross Creek Steakhouse and Ribs, post event snacks, beverages and ammunition. Contact Chris Chaney, director of special events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at (904) 733-3560 for more information.
• The Mayor’s office and the Jacksonville Economic Development Council will hold two public meetings this week to discuss the future of downtown development plans. The pubic is invited Feb. 16 from 4-5:30 p.m. and Feb. 17 from 10:30 a.m.-noon to meet at the Mayor’s Office Conference Room at City Hall.
• The Hyatt came to the rescue of the Learning Disabilities Association of America offering the group a new home for its conference scheduled for Feb. 26 through March 1. The 43rd International Conference of the Association was scheduled to be held in New Orleans this February. Due to the devastation to the city the conference needed to find an alternate location.
• Congratulations to Chip Patterson, director of Jacksonville’s emergency preparedness division, for being named the Emergency Manager of the Year by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.