• Blue Cross Blue Shield lobbyist and local Republican Party Chair Mike Hightower was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend where he had breakfast at the White House and attended the ceremony during which Pres. George W. Bush honored the University of Florida for winning the 2006 national title in college football. He hurried back to help local Republican candidates gather last-minute votes in the Tuesday election. “I am just about politicked out,” said Hightower. “But, it was a great weekend.”
• “Due to permit and licensing issues, the opening of Einstein Bros. Bagels has been postponed until further notice”: sign on a storefront in the walkway between the City Hall Annex and the Hyatt. The bagel and coffee shop is completely stocked and was scheduled to be open Wednesday. You’ll have to wait a little longer to try something called a “Chicago Bagel Dog.”
• If you want to purchase a bottle of spirits without leaving Downtown, visit the “Happy Landing” logo merchandise souvenir store at the Landing. Package sales are available now and in a couple of weeks, a mahogany bar will be in place if you’d like to sit down and have a cocktail. The store is located at the main entrance off the courtyard across from the ice cream shop.
• There’s a ground breaking for the new Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens set for April 4 at noon. The new nature park is in Arlington near Craig Airport.
• The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has promoted Wendy Steve from interim director of finance to director of finance. She will be responsible for general accounting, cash management and endowment oversight. Steve, who is currently studying to earn an MBA, also interprets financial data and works with the board of trustees, the finance committee and the executive director.
• Cafe Nola at the Museum of Contemporary Art at Hemming Plaza is now serving a special ala carte Sunday brunch menu from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Choices include crepes, French toast and omelets, plus coffee and mimosas. For information, call 366-6911, ext. 231.
• The Jacksonville Suns announced Tuesday a new award for the top high school baseball player in Duval and four neighboring counties: St. Johns, Clay, Nassau and Baker. It will be called the Peter Bragan Award. Coaches can nominate players, and they, along with school administrators and others will choose the winner.
• Speaking of the Suns, the club is offering an opportunity for people who would like to try out to sing the national anthem at a game this season Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Baseball Grounds. Auditions will be held on the field and singers are asked to perform the song in a traditional fashion and in its entirety. All ages are welcome as are instrumentalists and vocal groups. The Suns open the 2007 campaign April 5 at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Tennessee Smokies. For information, call 358-2846.
“I am a trial lawyer…. Matilda says that at dinner on a good day I sound like an affidavit.”
– Mario Cuomo, former Governor of New York