• The Navy made it official last week when it released a 32-page “Environmental Impact Statement” pertaining to the potential homeporting of a nuclear aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport. According to the report, Mayport will become a homeport to a nuclear carrier and the Navy will complete infrastructure work that includes dredging, wharf improvements and a plant maintenance facility. Harrison Conyers, the City’s chief of military affairs, said the carrier will be here some time in 2012 or 2013.
• After a January retreat to catch new members up on things, the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization will resume regular monthly board meetings beginning Feb. 12.
• Have some hazardous waste around the house? Looking for the easiest way to properly dispose of it? You can’t leave it by the curb to be picked up with other trash but the City of Jacksonville will provide mobile hazardous waste and e-waste collection events Saturday. Take paints, solvents and household chemicals as well as computers, monitors and other electronic equipment to Ed Austin Regional Park on Monument Road or Blue Cypress Park on University Boulevard North between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Commonwealth Ave. is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information or to arrange for special handling of unusual waste material, call 630-2489.
• Dr. Michael Hallett, chair of the criminal justice department at the University of North Florida, has joined the Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee as a non-voting member. Also, Joshua Jennings, criminal justice major at UNF, has been assigned to the mayor’s office to help with the Jacksonville Journey.
• “Drawdown,” the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville’s second drawing marathon, will begin Friday at 11 a.m. and will continue until 7 a.m. Saturday. Registration is $25 per all-night artist and the completed works will be exhibited in the museum’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Education Gallery. Call 366-6911, ext. 207 to register.
• Jacksonville Bar Association President Joe Camerlengo continued to fulfill his promise to members at the Association’s monthly luncheon at the Hyatt last week. “There will be chocolate cake at every lunch as long as I am president,” said Camerlengo.
• It was on the list of locations that would close and that hasn’t happened – but the Starbucks at 11E has new hours effective immediately. The shop now turns off the lights and coffee pots each day at 6 p.m.
• Friday is “National Wear Red Day,” an initiative to raise awareness of the fight against heart disease, particularly among women. Everyone is encouraged to don red duds that day and many businesses have signed up to participate. Mark’s Lounge on East Bay Street will be giving away commemorative lapel pins beginning at 4:30 p.m. and free blood pressure checks will be available at the Landing from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Sunshine State Alpaca Expo and Auction will be held Friday-Sunday at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. In addition to the auction, there will also be an alpaca petting zoo, a coloring contest and a vendor’s market. For details, visit www.flalpacas.com.
• Mayor John Peyton officially joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors recently, according to an official at its Washington, D.C.-based headquarters. The group is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with a population of more than 30,000 people. He’ll serve on the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports committee along with the Jobs, Education and Workforce committee. The goals of the organization are to promote national suburban/urban policy and strengthen federal-city relationships, among others.
• OakLeaf Town Center developer The Sembler Company is trying to help its tenants grow but not in terms of space. The company began an e-mail marketing campaign within the center’s 10-mile radius, with the campaign including promotions, coupons and sales for its retailers like Peterbrooke Chocolate and Mattress Giant.