• Deputy General Counsel Tracy Arpen has asked all 19 members of City Council to attend a “closed door attorney-client session” regarding litigation between the City and St. Johns River Water Management District. According to Arpen, the purpose of the meeting is to “obtain advice concerning settlement negotiations or strategy related to litigation expenditures.” No word on when the meeting will happen, but it will likely be prior to a regular full Council meeting. This type of shade meeting is closed to the public.
• The Jacksonville office of Two Men and a Truck was recently recognized with the company’s Achievement in Excellence Award, becoming one of 14 in the country to achieve such recognition. The Jacksonville franchise is owned by John McQuarry and opened in 1997. Overall, there are 173 franchises nationwide.
• Big event set for April 24 at the beach when more than 20 restaurants will hold a fundraiser for the Beaches Boys & Girls Club. It’s from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Latham Plaza, which is across from the Seawalk Pavilion. Tickets are $35 or four for $100. For more, log on to www.bgcnf.org or call 396-4435.
• The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office may soon have more covert DUI vehicles on the street. An ordinance is working its way through City Council that would appropriate $57,678 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the “covert vehicle DUI project.” The funds will cover two vehicles and emergency lights.
• Heather Corey is back as executive director at Learn to Read after a short stint at Vision is Priceless. Corey takes over for Dick Williams, who recently and abruptly left Learn to Read.
• Congratulations to Sarah Fowler of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. She celebrated her 29th anniversary Wednesday. Fowler was a secretary for two years and has spent the past 27 as a paralegal.
• Looking for a new pair of kicks? The space on Laura Street between Adams and Monroe streets formerly occupied by the boutique Tiara is the new home of Steps Shoes and Accessories. The store has styles for men and women and the new Downtown location is the third (also Regency Square and Gateway Mall). The shop is open 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
• The Primary Election in August isn’t the only ballot on the calendar. Through April 10, employees at the JEA offices on Church Street are voting on which new restaurant will be moving into the public area on the first floor. The race is between the Atrium Cafe & Grill, the Zodiak and Akel’s Delicatessen. Expect the people’s choice breakfast and lunch spot to open by summer.
“The function of a briefing paper is to prevent the ambassador from saying something dreadfully indiscreet. I sometimes think its true object is to prevent the ambassador from saying anything at all.”
– Kingman Brewster, former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain