• Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio has sold his Ortega riverfront home and will move to the exclusive Glen Kernan community off Butler Blvd. between Hodges and Kernan. Del Rio’s family wanted to move nearer the beach and also wanted more privacy, which the well-guarded Glen Kernan will provide. It’s also a place where tee times come easy — an average day sees eight golfers on the course.
• SMG boss Bob Downey grabbed about five hours of sleep between overseeing the stadium conversion from the Jaguars game to the Gator Bowl but didn’t have to go far to find his bed. He lives just over the Hart Bridge and can see the stadium from his home.
• Another late worker was the Gator Bowl’s Cheri O’Neill, who runs the press box. She and her three grandchildren were up late cleaning up and distributing information. The happiest worker? “My 4-year-old,” she said. “She said it’s her favorite thing to do.”
• The local Episcopal church loses six congregations this month due to philosophical differences. The 125-year-old Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, for instance, becomes Grace Church (Anglican.)
• There were about 950 tickets distributed for Saturday’s Gator Bowl Hall of Fame luncheon at the Hyatt but only 500 or so showed up. Still, parking was a problem due to Virginia Tech fans checking in, and even Mayor John Peyton was almost late as the team buses took up all the VIP parking.
• Downtown’s newest steakhouse managed to open in time for the Gator Bowl crowds. The Plaza III, which has the Hyatt space formerly used by the Bravo! restaurant, got good reviews from Virginia Tech visitors.
• The TPC Stadium course gets a new clubhouse in time for the 2007 tournament and demolition on the old one starts when this year’s ends in late March. Construction has started on a temporary structure; it’s in a parking area between the entry road and the first fairway.
• Progress is taking out another landmark. David Ponce, who owns the Conch House restaurant, motel and marina in St. Augustine, is selling to local developers who plan a 200-unit condo and will make an announcement soon.
• Wednesday’s Downtown Development Authority meeting has been canceled. The main agenda item was to be the request for proposal for the land under the Landing. However, both the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the mayor’s office committee that was going to analyze the two bids have asked for more time. The decision to delay the process also affects the Jan. 12 JEDC meetings as well as a few others. JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton said he would like to see the Landing on the February DDA agenda.
• The opening of the new Main Library has had a positive affect on its neighbor, the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art. According to Sherry Hogan, director of development for JMOMA, 100 people joined the museum within the first nine days the library was open.
• Speaking of JMOMA, the Jacksonville Port Authority has signed on to be the sponsor of the museum’s February ArtWalk Happy Hour.
• St. John & Partners Advertising & Public Relations recently added Sherrie Holliday to the media department at its Jacksonville headquarters office. As senior media buyer, Holliday will handle television and radio buys for the firm’s Southern Ford Dealers, Zaxby’s and Clearwire accounts.
• The Chamber’s Downtown Council opens its year on Friday with a presentation on the Blueprint for Prosperity initiative. They’ll meet at 7:45 a.m. at the River City Brewing Company.