• Clarification. The Dalton Agency open house next Friday is an invitation only affair. A Thursday City Note may have indicated it was open to all.
• State Attorney Harry Shorstein attended Thursday’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week Award Luncheon and he was walking a little gingerly. Shorstein explained that he had knee replacement surgery a month ago. “Today marks 30 days,” he said then added with a grin, “Not that I’m counting.”
• Mayor John Peyton released a statement about the St. Johns River being designated as one of “America’s Most Endangered Rivers” by the national environmental group American Rivers. The mayor is urging City Council to pass pending legislation regarding new rules for lawn fertilizers and irrigation.
• Gene Miyamoto, the new chief operating officer of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, was recognized as one of “The Top 25 Minority Executives in HealthCare,” by Modern Healthcare, a weekly trade publication. In the article, Miyamoto was recognized for his previous work at Trinity Health, where he served as COO before coming to St. Vincent’s. During his tenure, he oversaw construction of a new surgery center, cancer center and bed tower, and net income there reportedly rose from $4.4 million in 2002 to $34.7 million in 2007.
• Philippe and Natache Vanin are opening the door at Jax City Cafe this week at 7:30 a.m. to serve breakfast, an hour later than usual. The change is due to a visit from Philippe’s parents, who live in Paris. The Vanins have been bringing them to work with them each day and while Philippe bakes pastries and Natacha runs the restaurant, mom and dad have been exploring Downtown’s cultural venues. The breakfast schedule will return to normal (opening at 6:30 a.m.) on Thursday.
• The April 10 blood drive at Independent Square exceeded the goal for the day. Forty one units were donated, which was one unit more than the goal, said Nadia Dutchin, senior donor consultant at the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance. She also said the need for O-positive and B-negative remains critical, with less than two days supply of each type available. For information on becoming a blood donor, call 353-0040.
“Without free, self-respecting, and autonomous citizens there can be no free and independent nations. Without internal peace, that is, peace among citizens and between the citizens and the state, there can be no guarantee of external peace.”
– Václav Havel, Czechoslovakian playwright and president