• Jerry Reynolds, chair of the Mayor’s Disability Council, has proposed a plan that would shift the oversight and management of the City’s “parking posse” from the Parking Division to the Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division. According to Reynolds, last year tickets issued to those parking illegally in handicapped spots generated about $165,000. However, Reynolds feels that if the management was shifted, the “tracking, scheduling and progress of the parking posse” would improve. All revenue generated by such tickets goes into the Handicapped Parking Trust Fund. No word on if the mayor’s office supports such a change.
• A new Howard Johnson hotel opened Sunday in Orange Park when the Holiday Inn Orange Park was converted. Renovations have been completed to the hotel and its 233 guest rooms. The hotel will continue to be managed by Forbes Hamilton Management Company in Orlando.
• Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. Forward will kick off its 2008 issues forums with a Jan. 24 social. The event is at Tastings in the Wyndham and starts at 5:30 p.m. For more, call 396-3052.
• Chris Turner is Shands Jacksonville’s new media relations coordinator for the hospital. He was previously at Ch. 12/25 where he worked as an assignment editor for three years. Prior to that he worked on the assignment desk at Ch. 30/47.
• A few holiday closings of note. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The museum will be open for normal business hours on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Einstein’s Bagels at the Hyatt will also reopen Jan. 2. And, the Museum of Science and History will be closed Christmas Eve Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They will be open for normal business hours all other days.
• Also, several City offices will be closed all day Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1. They include: City Hall, the Ed Ball Building, the Yates Building, all Tax Collector offices, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the County Courthouse, the Supervisor of Elections Office and several others. For the complete list as well as holiday garbage collection schedules, visit coj.net.• Dr. Glenn Knox will be installed as the 2008 president of the Duval County Medical Society during the organization’s annual meeting Jan. 17 in the West Touchdown Club at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Knox will succeed Dr. John Montgomery.
• Another Starbucks coming for the beaches. This one is a drive-thru only and it’s at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Third Street, just east of Walgreens.
Jacksonville Bar Association members, don’t forget you have all week to get your photo taken for the 2008 Professional Directory. Stop by our studio on Bay Street between Newnan and Ocean Streets any time between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.