• The return of a post office to Downtown is getting closer to reality. The U.S. Postal Service will soon mail 1,500 postcards to Downtown businesses in order to identify which businesses would be interested in becoming a “contract postal unit” to house a small post office. According to USPS Customer Service Representative Lindy Green, each potential site that responds will be considered based on several requirements, including space available and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. From that determination, the USPS will select one location for final review and approval.
• U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has invited all of the top Duval County elected and government officials to a meet-and-greet lunch with him from noon-1:30 p.m. Friday at the 19th floor of the JEA Tower, 21 W. Church St. Lunch will be available for $10. To RSVP, call 346-4500. The luncheon will hopefully be a calm event for Nelson, who on Tuesday hosted a town hall meeting in Key West before a raucous crowd and fielded questions ranging from the Iraq War to affordable housing. After not saying much, Nelson reportedly turned to Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson and said, “well, Mr. Mayor, I’d say you’ve got a bunch of live wires.”
• RSVPs for the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association luncheon Wednesday are due Monday. The luncheon is scheduled for noon at the Main Library and will be catered by Cafe Nola. Robert Wilber of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will be speaking on the topic of “The Top 10 Discharge Violations and the Federal Fair Credit Act.” CLE credit is also available. Cost is $16 per person. RSVP to [email protected].
• Want to be in a play? The University of North Florida English Department is holding auditions this weekend for an April production of “Dead Man Walking,” a play based on the Sister Helen Prejean book and 1997 movie of the same name. Many roles are available for males and females ages 12 to 60, including some singing parts. Auditions are 6-8 p.m. Friday in the UNF Student Life Center, 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the Student Life Center and 2-4 p.m. Monday in the Robinson Theater on campus. A short, one- to two-minute prepared monologue is suggested but not required. For more information, contact Pam Monteleone at 704-3207 or [email protected].
• A new business has moved into the space at 223 N. Hogan St. between Hemming Plaza Jewelers and the UPS Store. Nelson Ruales owns Ortho Shoe Service and specializes in repairing orthopedic shoes, although he said he can also repair any type of shoe. The store will be open six days a week and closed Sundays.
“In the middle ages people were tourists because of their religion, whereas now they are tourists because tourism is their religion.”
– Robert Runcie, British ecclesiastic and Archbishop of Canterbury.