• The thieves are getting bolder. A car was stolen Tuesday from the alley behind Jax City Subs on Forsyth Street. Amazingly, it happened in the middle of the day and the alley was far from deserted. Several construction workers were parked there and even had one end of the alley blocked.
• The Brisbane regional director of Queensland, Australia’s Emergency Management department, Mike Morrison, recently visited Jacksonville to discuss emergency preparedness with Mayor John Peyton and other city leaders. Fiona McKersie, the director-general, sent a letter to Peyton thanking him for the information shared with Fire Chief Richard Barrett and, especially, Emergency Preparedness Division Chief Robert “Chip” Patterson, who has “been communicating regularly” with Morrison. The visit was so beneficial that McKersie said, “I would like to discuss further opportunities to enhance these learnings which may include short term exchange of staff.” But not Patterson. Since the visit, he resigned.
• What better way to start a board meeting of city leaders than with a hearty breakfast? The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting Wednesday kicked off with a full breakfast buffet and on-site chef who prepared pancakes, waffles and fruit smoothies. The breakfast was sponsored by a partner organization.
• If you read Tuesday’s story about the First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization’s van and car pooling program and are interested, there are two numbers to call: 360-7500 locally and 1-888-488-4898 if you are out of the area.
• The Downtown-based Jacksonville Bank continues to spread out. They’ve opened their fifth branch, this one at Gate Parkway and 9A which also will have their residential mortgage and business banking divisions.
• Jacksonville University has set the prices for its basketball season which includes the 11 Arena games. You can get a Club Seat for $250, which gives you access to a hospitality area, and the lowest priced season ticket is $100.
• If you are headed to the airport soon, you’ll notice things are under construction again and it will affect those flying out of Concourse A. Starting Friday, gates A2 and A4 will still be used for seating, but not for boardings, so pay close attention to your boarding assignments. The construction is another phase of airport expansion in which Concourses A and C will be widened and lengthened to accommodate larger aircraft.
• Firehouse Subs has cracked Restaurants & Institutions magazine’s list of the top 400 restaurants in the country. The family-owned sub shop chain is No. 226 on the list. The newest Firehouse is in Jacksonville Beach, bringing the total to 236 nationwide.