• Mayor John Peyton announced Thursday the appointment of Nathan L. Rezeau as chief of preservation for Jacksonville’s Department of Parks, Recreation, Entertainment and Conservation. Rezeau will be responsible for the strategic acquisition, development, preservation and enhancement of preservation parks and preserves. He has more than 10 years of experience in the environmental and preservation field and previously served as a parks service specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He holds a master’s degree in natural resources recreation management from the University of Florida.
• The Jacksonville Suns baseball team announced the hiring and promotion of several employees Thursday. Joel Soenksen will be director of field operations. Stefanie Brown will be the new director of community relations. New administrative assistants include Casey Nichols and Matt Glancy.
• The Gator Bowl Association has invited its sponsors and chairman’s club members to a special day-long meeting to thank them for their support. The event is March 5 at Sawgrass Marriott and includes lunch, golf at the The Players Championship’s Stadium Course and a post-golf reception.
• The Barracudas ice hockey game scheduled for Feb. 11 has been designated Family Day in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida. It’s sponsored by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the only Sunday game this season. Starting at 2:35 p.m., it is also the only day game on the home schedule. The JEDC is also sponsoring City Night with the Barracudas Tuesday. City employees with City ID can attend a free tailgate party beginning at 4:45 p.m. and purchase up to four $13 tickets for $7 each. For more information, call 367-1423.
• Jacksonville’s Planning and Development Department has wants to make sure emergency responders can find and help citizens quickly and safely. The “Operation Find Fast” campaign is urging people to update their addresses with the City and mark them clearly on their homes. The campaign’s television spots are sending a basic message: “If emergency responders can’t find you, they can’t help you.”
• The husband and wife artistic team that is Bill and Virginia Cantore are currently exhibiting their latest works at an exhibition in Gallery L on the second floor of the the Modis building. The show – titled “Balls!” – showcases the world of pool halls with paintings of oversized cue balls and will run through Feb. 28.
• Apologies to Burrito Gallery for incorrectly indentifying the Downtown restaurant’s new hours. They are now open Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight and closed on Sunday.