• Why wasn’t Olympic Gold Medalist and Florida Coastal School of Law professor Nancy Hogshead-Makar at the press conference to discuss the proposed Downtown aquatics facility Tuesday? She was in Washington, D.C. with golfer Jack Nicklaus to give testimony before the Committee on Education and the Workforce as part of a hearing, “The First Tee and Schools: Working to Build Character Education.” The pair spoke about the positive impact of participation in athletics in building the character, leadership skills and health of all children. Hogshead-Makar also took time to discuss the proposed changes to Title IX, an issue that could adversely affect women with interest in pursuing sports degrees.
• More good news. Jim Citrano of CB Richard Ellis is back at work after having his hip replaced. Half days for now.
• Sole practitioner Hugh Cotney was back on the speaking circuit last month. He participated in an ethics seminar that was worth an hour of continuing legal education credit.
• This month’s Art Walk is themed “Anatomy of Art” and patrons can do their part and help “Cram, a SAM-Store and Move.” Cram a SAM is a month-long drive for art supplies. It will be located in Hemming Plaza during the Art Walk. Patrons can donate art materials such as paint brushes, paint, clay, etc. Cram a SAM will also feature art created by artists from the Medically Fragile program at the ARC Jacksonville.
• Endo Exo offers a little something different on Sunday afternoons. The club features live music and a barbecue cookout, but patrons are encouraged to bring their dogs to join them for the afternoon. The club calls it the “Sunday Summer Smoothdown.”
• An exhibit titled “Changing the Face of Medicine” will be on display in the library on the 3rd floor landing all month. The exhibit that celebrates America’s women physicians will have its opening reception during the Art Walk from 5-8 p.m.
• Russ Doe’s sandwich shop on the corner of Tallyrand and Church Street has zip lock bags full of water hanging from what appears to be a banana holder. Management says bags will deter flies, because when the light hits the bag of water it creates a prism and that keeps the flies away.
• Dr. Edith Perez, professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, travels overseas weekly to continue her research in breast cancer treatments and prevention, but she will soon bring back more than research. As she was headed to Tokyo, she said that she has secured three worldwide experts and one physician from Turkey to come to Jacksonville for a medical meeting planned in regards to the 26.2 With Donna national marathon to benefit breast cancer research. She said they plan to come to the city for at least three days with their families.
• City Council member Lad Daniels was awarded the Charles D. Webb Award at the Council installation Thursday night. Immediate-past Council President Kevin Hyde recognized Daniels for his “unwavering commitment to public service.”
• A few other people were recognized at the installation, some in more humorous ways than others. When newly installed Council President Michael Corrigan gave his remarks, he thanked Federal Judge Timothy Corrigan and Circuit Court Judge Donald Moran, but added that the fact that they were sitting next to each other could be dangerous. “One has their brand new courthouse and the other is looking to get one,” he said.
• Finally from the installation, it’s 6:30 p.m., ... do you know where your mayor is? As the City Council members and their guests waited in a hall to the left side of the stage at the Times-Union Center, anticipating the installation that was supposed to start at 6:30 p.m., they all realized one problem — Where’s the mayor?” shouted several City leaders. “Somebody call the mayor. Who’s got his cell phone number?” Mayor John Peyton appeared on stage a few moments later from the right side.
• The Florida Department of Transportation has issued its 2025 Florida Transportation Plan. The document lays out how the FDOT will allocate over $160 billion for transportation infrastructure and related needs through the year 2025.
• The City of Neptune Beach will celebrate its 75th anniversary this fall.
The new Downtown This Week is out and the cover story is about new City Council President Michael Corrigan. The magazine is free and available all over Downtown.