• A sign on the door says the Starbucks inside 11E will close permanently Friday. Over the past year, hundreds of the Seattle-based, upscale coffee shops have closed and the one on Forsyth Street was long-rumored to be among the closures. Also, Shelby’s in the Main Library has closed.
• The City is eligible for a $2.3 million grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The funds from the Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant can be used for a variety of things including law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, among others. The City must apply by June 12.
• Michele L.A. Rollins, formerly of the Dalton Agency, has started her own public/government relations firm L.A. Public Relations.
• The Ethics Commission voted to send letters to both journalist Marvin Edwards and the mayor’s office to commend both for their pursuit of transparency from local government. Edwards wrote an article detailing his and Folio Weekly’s efforts to obtain public records regarding renovations of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium when it was being prepared for the Jaguars and records of expenditures from the Super Bowl Host Committee. The Commission was pleased with the mayor’s proactive approach of naming the City’s Director of Communications, Misty Skipper, as “the point person” to go to when the public has problems with access to public documents.
• If you were planning on going to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens this week, you’ll have to push it back. The museum will be closed beginning today through Tuesday for the 32nd Annual Cummer Ball & Auction Saturday from 6–11 p.m. Proceeds are earmarked for refurbishment of the museum’s “Tudor Room,” as after so many school tours and time, it’s showing “a little wear and tear” said Cummer Council President Robin Albaneze. Tickets for couples range from $400–$2,500 and the evening includes live and silent auctions, dinner and entertainment. For more information, call Kim Pomar at 899-6038.
• John Mills is a partner with Mills, Creed & Gowdy. The firm name was incorrectly listed in the Sustaining Members section of the April 13 Daily Record.
• Last week’s debut of “Midnight Movies” at the 5 points Theatre in Riverside, “The Big Lebowski,” was a hit with almost 150 people turning out to see it on the big screen. “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” starring Johnny Depp will be shown Friday. Tickets are $5 per person and there’s a $3 beer special.
• Saturday the City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division will host the final event in a series of household hazardous waste and electronic waste (e-waste) mobile collection events for this year. Take no longer needed items to the Atlantic Beach City Hall from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Materials dropped off will be properly disposed of and/or recycled instead of being placed in the landfill. During the first four mobile events more than 2,000 residents helped to properly dispose of more than two dump truck loads, one trailer load and one pickup truck load of e-waste; 86 (55 gallon) drums of flammables; 33 drums of acids, corrosives, pesticides and pool chemicals; and 13 propane tanks.
• More than 250 Comcast employees will be heading to the Duval County Teacher’s Supply Depot Saturday for a little spring cleaning. The volunteers will be unloading and storing materials as well as cleaning and painting the supply rooms as part of the local participation in the eighth annual “Comcast Cares Day.” More than 50,000 people across the U.S. will be volunteering for different community efforts.
• If you were planning on going to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens this week, you’ll have to push it back. The museum will be closed beginning today through Tuesday for the 32nd Annual Cummer Ball & Auction Saturday from 6–11 p.m. Proceeds are earmarked for refurbishment of the museum’s “Tudor Room,” as after so many school tours and time, it’s showing “a little wear and tear” said Cummer Council President Robin Albaneze. Tickets for couples range from $400–$2,500 and the evening includes live and silent auctions, dinner and entertainment. For more information, call Kim Pomar at 899-6038.
• Congratulations to the University of North Florida’s newspaper, the Spinnaker, for a couple of recognitions. The Associated Collegiate Press named the school’s Web site one of six finalists for the 2009 Online Pacemaker, the organization’s highest honor. The winner will be announced in October. The paper was also named the second-best college newspaper in Florida in the Florida College Press Association’s annual contest.