• This year’s Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is a long time off, but the dates have been determined. The 52nd version will be Nov. 1-12 at the Fairgrounds. Former BellSouth executive Rande LeFevre is this year’s chairman. City Council member Warren Alvarez will chair the event in 2007.
• Celebrity boxing’s bad girl has thrown in the towel: Tonya Harding won’t be coming to Jacksonville for the Guns ‘N’ Hoses police vs. firefighters boxing matches at the Arena as was reported. According to GNH spokesman Robbie Freitas, Harding is weighing in at about 170 pounds these days and claims to have a thyroid condition. Freitas added that Harding’s appearance contract demands were unreasonable for the March 11 event which benefits several local charities.
• The final price tag for the City to purchase the Ed Ball building is $23 million. American Financial Realty Trust, a Jenkintown, Pa.-based real estate investment trust, announced the sale was final this week. The City plans to move several departments into the building after renovations are complete.
• You can get a look at the first prize boat in this year’s Kingfish Tournament at Friday’s Barracudas game. The 25-foot contender will be in front of the Arena before the game against the Knoxville Ice Bears.
• The World Golf Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2006. The international ballot is led by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and also includes Sandy Lyle (1985 British Open and 1987 Players Championship) and Colin Montgomerie. The PGA Tour ballot has several big names including John Daly (1991 PGA and ‘95 British Open champion), Fred Couples (‘84 and ‘96 Players Championship and ‘92 Masters), Mark O’Meara (‘98 Masters and British) and Davis Love III (‘92 and 2003 Players Championship and ‘97 PGA). The class of ‘06 will be announced this spring and induction ceremony is set for Oct. 30.
• Last year was a good year for corporate expansions in Jacksonville. Led by Washington Mutual and Merrill Lynch, the City added 2,000 new jobs at an average wage of $51,000 annually. JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton sees more of the same coming in 2006. He said the City will be more aggressive in its corporate recruiting.
• Speaking of Barton, his address at GrayRobinson’s Community Leader Forum Thursday was more candid than the typical 30,000-foot-view talks normally given on the luncheon circuit. Barton even took questions, but there was one subject he wasn’t touching. “I’m happy to take questions so long as they’re not about the Landing,” he said. Barton addressed in earlier comments the City’s impasse with Landing owner Toney Sleiman, but said questions were better answered by the mayor.
• Trolley riders will have to park in Lot E next month when the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament comes to town. Lot E is just east of Gator Bowl Boulevard (think old RV City during Florida-Georgia) and Trolley riders can expect to use the lot March 15-17.