• Members of the City Council-elect will gather May 22 at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers for the purpose of electing a new Council president and vice president. Current Council Vice President Daniel Davis hasn’t drawn any opposition, but four Council members — Art Graham, Ronnie Fussell, Richard Clark and Mia Jones — are lobbying for vice president.
• Speaking of Council, there’s talk of a resolution honoring American Idol Phil Stacey of Jacksonville. Stacey was voted off the show last week.
• The local FBI will have a ground breaking for its new field office June 8 on the Southside. It’s on Gate Parkway and Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Office Michael Folmar will oversee the ceremony.
• This year’s “An Evening of Taste” with Chef Matthew Medure was a big success. The April 29 event generated more than $33,000 for Children’s Home Society of Florida.
• The May 18 meeting of the First Coast Tiger Bay club at the University Club will feature State Sen. Steve Wise and Duval County School Board member Vickie Drake. Wise and Drake plan to talk about breaking Duval County into multiple school boards.
• PGA teaching professional Cindy Reid will be at the Ponte Vedra Winn-Dixie on Solano Road Thursday from 4-8 p.m. where she’ll offer free golf tips and sign autographs or her book. There will also a raffle for a free session with Reid.
• The Salvation Army in partnership with Hope House is hosting a grand opening reception for The Salvation Army Hope House on South 9th Street in Fernandina Beach. It’s May 18 from 6-8 p.m.
• Construction is well underway, but you’re going to have to wait a little longer than anticipated to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks at 11 E. Forsyth. One of the construction workers said Tuesday the project is running about a week behind schedule, so don’t plan on that first sip until the middle of June.
• Prehistoric animals will be invading the Museum of Science and History May 26. The exhibit titled, “Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals” will be at the museum through Oct. 14. The exhibit includes an 18-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex and a flying Pteranodan with a 23-foot wingspan. Ice Age mammals like the Woolly Mammoth will also be a part of the exhibit. For more information on the exhibit and museum hours call 396-7062.
• In addition to Bank of America Free Sunday’s at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, the museum is now offering Target Free Wednesday Nights. Target is the sponsor of Free Wednesday Nights from 5-9 p.m. where the community can enjoy all of MOCA Jacksonville’s exhibits and programs.
“There are in every generation those who shrink from the ultimate sacrifice, but there are in every generation those who make it with joy and laughter and these are the salt of the generations.”
– Patrick Henry Pearse (1879–1916), Irish nationalist leader