• In an effort to support the organization Body & Soul – a local organization whose mission is to enrich the quality of health care through the arts and enrich the arts though service – a handful of Jacksonville musicians will perform a benefit concert called “Uncommon Music for a Common Cause” May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Florida Theater. Artists include Crystal Stafford, Goliath Flores, Heavenly Noise and the Homesteaders. Tickets are $10.
• Chicago-based Coffey Schau Properties LLC has purchased a 122,432 square-foot industrial building on the Northside for $3.4 million. The wholesale food manufacturer plans to use about 30,000 square feet of the building, hire 100 people and use the facility to prepare sushi for area super markets. The building sits on 6.1 acres at the intersection of Spring Road and West 30th Street.
• Next week, Underwood’s is holding its annual “Big Diamond Sale” at all three locations — San Marco, Ponte Vedra and Avondale. Everything will be 5-25 percent off and the jeweler does take trade-ins.
• Big Intelligent Transportation System conference and demonstration Wednesday at the Osborn Center. A press conference to announce the ITS regional master plan is set for 11 a.m. followed by a technology exhibit. From noon-4 p.m. there will be demonstrations featuring “smart cars” — cars equipped with what’s known as Vehicle Infrastructure Integration. The conference is sponsored by the First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization.
• Monday’s story about JSO correctional officers said bailiffs and other judicial officers are unarmed. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, they are armed.
• The 5th annual Regional Mustang and Ford Show is this Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Landing. Hundreds of cars and trucks will be on display. Admission is free.
• One of the highlights of next month’s First Wednesday Art Walk includes Robert McKimson Jr., son of the creator of the original drawings of some of the Looney Toons characters: Tasmanian Devil, Bugs Bunny and Foghorn Leghorn. McKimson will be at Hemming Plaza Jewelers. Some of his father’s original drawings, signed artwork and limited edition animation cels will be for sale.
• Boomtown near Hemming Plaza will close June 10 and owner Stephen Dare says he’s looking to reopen his theater-style lunch and dinner restaurant in Springfield or Five Points in Riverside. The Dalton Agency recently bought the building and only plans to keep Subway as a tenant.
“If Jack Kerouac had set out to find a real bookstore in the suburbs, he would still be on the road, Phileas Fogg would still be in the air, the Ancient Mariner wouldn’t have had time to tell anyone his story.”
– Michael Winerip