• Recently legislation was pulled from City Council consideration that would have integrated the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s police into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. While that legislation is dead, the JAA is taking requests for letters of interest for a consultant to “provide a comprehensive analysis of its police department to determine efficiency and effectiveness as a unified and integrated system within the JAA.”
• The Southside Business Men’s Club recently launched a Web site, www.southsidebusinessmensclub.com, that details the organization’s events, mission and history, according to Club President Tim Buchanon.
• VyStar Credit Union opened its new beach branch this week. It’s at 100 3rd St. N. across from Carrabba’s.
• Due to the holiday Monday for President’s Day, all the Council standing committee meetings have been shifted one day later in the week.
• Jacksonville University will break ground on its new Marine Science Research Institute at 10 a.m. during a Feb. 27 ceremony. Also, Epping Forest Yacht Club has earned a “clean marina” designation and will mark the honor during a March 5 event at its marina.
• There was a truck full of office partitions parked in front of the Haverty’s Building at the corner of Duval and Laura streets Thursday indicating the building will soon be ready to be occupied. By the end of April, the City’s Environmental Regulation Compliance and Municipal Code Compliance departments as well as the offices of the General Employees Pension Fund will move into their new office space.
• The next time you’re in Casa Dora Restaurant on Forsyth Street, say “way to go” and “welcome” to owner Sam Hamidi. He’s one of Jacksonville’s newest naturalized U.S. citizens.
• Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals is already looking at the budget for the 2009-10 school year. He has scheduled a series of public session to discuss funding. The first is Feb. 23 at Wolfson High followed by Ribault High (Feb. 24), Ed White High (Feb. 25) and Sandalwood High (March 5). All of the meetings start at 6 p.m.
• Here’s a sign the new County Courthouse project is proceeding in some capacity. Bids are being taken by general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie on the concrete structure portion of the building.
• There is talk the Florida Gators are looking to replace Charleston Southern as the opener for the 2009 football season. Marty Cohen of Gator Bait Magazine said Wednesday that TCU and Utah are being discussed as replacements. Also, Florida State opens the season with Miami at home and the game is back on Labor Day night, which is Sept. 7 this year — the latest it can possibly be.
• Coral Reef Animal Hospital in Jacksonville Beach is getting new digs soon. A brand new building on Atlantic Boulevard in Atlantic Beach is almost done.
• The London Bridge English Pub and Eatery will host a Guinness Toast on at 11 p.m. on Feb. 20. The 17th annual event tries to gather fans of Guinness beer all around the world to gain access to the book of World Records of the same name for the largest toast in the world. London Bridge will be giving out prizes and offer specials on Guinness shortly after the pub hosts a rugby team party.
• And yes, people at the Guinness Brewery created the now world-famous book of records. For more information, go to www.guinnessworldrecords.com.