• Mike Bouda, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s sports and entertainment coordinator, may be in Omaha, Neb. this week at the National Association of Sports Commissions’ annual Sports Event Symposium, but he has already laid the groundwork for bringing more University of Georgia games to town. In addition to the annual Florida-Georgia football game, Bouda is negotiating with UGA Executive Associate Athletic Director Frank Crumley to bring Bulldog baseball and basketball games to Jacksonville.
• Three area projects and City Council member Art Shad will be honored at the May 1 Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission’s annual Preservation Awards Ceremony. The projects include the new Durkeeville Historical Center, the Restore Jacksonville conference and the restoration of the Monument to the Women of the Southland in Confederate Park. Shad will be recognized for his work to help restore the South Jacksonville City Hall in San Marco. The ceremony is at 6 p.m. at the Main Library.
• Couple of big meetings coming up that concern your tax dollars. The Council’s ad hoc budget committee meets May 12 from 2:30-5 p.m. at City Hall and the full Council mid-year budget review is set for May 22 from 9 a.m.-noon in Council Chambers. Both meetings are open to the public.
• Edgewater Treasures Fine Jewelry & Collectibles is closing its doors after 16 years in business at the Landing. The owners have decided to consolidate operations at their coin shop on Edgewood Avenue. All remaining inventory is now 40 percent off the marked price and the store will close for good by June 1.
• Filipino nurses. Sounds like a small demographic, right? Did you know there are more than 300 of them at hospitals just in Northeast Florida? And from May 15–18, there are going to be a lot more in Downtown as the Philippine Nurse Association of America hosts its South Central Regional Conference at the Hyatt.
• The combination of a new start time — 3 p.m. — for the NFL draft and only 10 minutes to make a selection in the first round means the Jaguars (with the 26th pick in the round) will draft between 7 and 7:30 Saturday evening.
• Correction. The E. Earle Zehmer Appellate Practice Before the 1st District Court of Appeals seminar is Friday at the Hyatt and starts at 8:15 a.m.
“Government is being founded on opinion. The opinion of the public, even when it is wrong, ought to be respected to a certain degree.”
– Thomas Jefferson, U.S. president