• Interesting story in Monday’s New York Times about lobbyist Paul Magliochetti, who owns one of the 10 biggest lobbying firms in Washington, D.C. but is closing up shop next week. Magliochetti has a First Coast presence, as well. He and his wife own a vacation home on Amelia Island and The Times story indicates they intend to open an Italian restaurant on Amelia after they move.
• Whether you are a fan of the Daily Billboard or not, there are more coming. In addition to the 16 permanent billboards scattered across town, there will soon be mobile versions of the advertising medium.
• Communities in Schools has added five new members to its board of directors: Martha Barrett, Ian Graham, Sonny Martin, Gloriden Norris and Kirk Hansen. Conversely, former Public Defender Bill White resigned from the board earlier this year.
• The State Auditor General’s Office has completed its annual audit of Florida Community College at Jacksonville and found no “deficiencies in internal control” and the numbers look good, too. According to the audit, the college’s net assets rose from $221.7 million as of June 30, 2007 to $245.7 million as of June 30, 2008. FCCJ also saw its operating revenue go up from $54 million to $59.3 million due to student growth and fees.
• If you haven’t been past The Carling on Adams Street in a while then you haven’t noticed that Shugar Shack owner Suzanne Marino has cleaned out the shop and closed.
• The Mayor’s Annual Fish-A-Thon for Senior Citizens originally scheduled for today has been canceled due to weather according to officials of the City’s Special Events Department. With weather, heat and transportation issues over the next two weeks not looking promising, the event won’t be rescheduled.
• One thing not affected by tonight’s predicted adverse weather is ArtWalk. The show will go on, but some aspects have changed, according to Downtown Vision officials. People looking to unleash their creative side as part of the “Paint Downtown!” streetscape improvement project on the corner of Adams and Laura streets –– there is an indoor backup plan in case it rains.
• The choirs of Jacksonville University conducted by Jon O. Carlson will present a concert, “Deep River,” featuring river songs, video, history and concerns about the St. Johns River Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Terry Concert Hall at Jacksonville University. St. Johns River Keeper Neil Armingeon is the special guest speaker and Carolina Conte, head of JU’s film program, will provide video for the program. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.
• The Monique Burr Foundation for Children will host its 3rd Annual “Hugs Not Drugs Ride” Saturday at Big Bike Motorcycles on Sunbeam Road. Check in begins at 8 a.m. and the 60-mile ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. It will end at Durbin Crossing Shopping Center on Phillips Highway where lunch will be served by Woody’s Bar-B-Q. Tickets are $30 for general riders, $20 for passengers and $250 for VIP riders. Proceeds will support the foundation and its efforts to prevent child abuse. For details or tickets, visit www.moniqueburrfoundation.org.
• Construction is almost complete at the new Orange Tree in the food court at the Landing. The kitchen equipment will be installed next and in a couple weeks, the hot dogs and frothy citrus beverages will be going across the new countertop.
• There’s a big show loading in at the Times-Union Center. First Baptist Church is presenting “Jacksonville Passion Play 2009.” There will be performances Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and (Palm) Sunday at 6 p.m. Admission is free and childcare for infant-kindergarten will also be provided free of charge for the Friday and Sunday performances. Go to www.jaxpassionplay.com for details.