• That crane in the lobby at the Omni Hotel is not a product display for a heavy equipment dealers convention. It’s being used to clean the windows on the skylight. The window washers wait until the middle of the night when hotel guests are asleep and the people who work at the adjacent Wachovia Building are at home to avoid disturbing anyone while they do their job.
• It might help her stay awake on the campaign trail: After speaking to Friday’s Downtown Council, State Attorney candidate Angela Corey was the lucky winner of a bag of gourmet coffee during a business card drawing.
• Jacksonville was recently ranked dead last in an “America’s most walkable big cities” survey done by Walk Score, a Web site that helps people find real estate in walkable neighborhoods. The company did a study of the 40 largest cities in the U.S. and gave each a Walk Score of up to 100 – Jacksonville scored a 36. San Francisco came in tops with an 86; no city in Florida ranked in the top 10. To see the complete study, log on to www.walkscore.com.
• Time change for one lunch spot, as the Bay Street Cafe at 233 East Bay St. began closing at 3 p.m. July 1. The reason? Just not enough business to justify staying open the extra half hour longer, said one worker. The restaurant used to close at 3:30 p.m.
• The Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront added some more trophies to its display case at the InterContinetal Hotels Group (IHG) Eagle Awards. Staff at the 146 Crowne Plaza Hotels are eligible for the honors and this year, three local sales managers were recognized. Assistant Director of Sales Angela Kurczewski received the “Building Relationships” award, Group Sales Manager Karen Howell was named “Rookie of the Year” and the award for “Most Creative Sales Strategy” was earned by Christy Payne, senior sales manager. The hotel was ranked among Crowne Plaza’s top three properties and received the Bronze Citizen Award based on a guest satisfaction survey, meeting satisfaction tracking surveys and scores from secret shoppers and quality inspections.
• The YMCA’s First Coast Games got underway over the weekend with soccer matches Saturday at Plantation Oaks Athletic Center. The overall games wrap up Oct. 11 with the Riverwalk Relay Run.
• Vystar Credit Union is looking to fill three seats on its nine-member board of directors. Members first named on the account, who are at least 21 years of age and have $5 or more in their Vystar savings account are eligible to apply. Individuals and businesses can apply for membership from Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Putnam, Marion, Nassau, St. Johns, Union and Volusia counties. Membership is also available to any person who is related to a member by blood, marriage or adoption regardless of where they live.
• Parents looking for something for their young kids Friday mornings can head to the Barnes & Noble at St. Johns Town Center. Bookstore children’s department manager Linda Clark reads two books to kids age 3-6. The kids can also enjoys crafts. Things get underway at 10:30.
• The Plaza III Steakhouse in the Downtown Hyatt offers a $7.99 lunch special and it recently added their pulled pork sandwich to the special menu. The sandwich comes with chips, coleslaw and a non-alcoholic drink, and patrons can walk away paying about $10 including tip.