• Kudos to Mayor John Peyton. When the circus was in town a couple of weeks ago, Peyton donated tickets to three pediatric patients and their families at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute at Shands. All three patients are from out of town.
• Speaking of Peyton, he and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer have been asked to help push the Florida A&M University band as an honoree at this year’s Kennedy Center Television Honors Award Program. Curtis Inabinett, chair of the FAMU Alumni Band Association Search Committee, is spearheading the effort.
• If the fun and food at the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Jamboree and Low Country Boil on April 18 weren’t enticement enough, the JBA has sweetened the pot for attendees. There will be a special prize awarded to the group that buys the most tickets to the event.
• Don’t forget the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Diversity Symposium this week. It’s Friday at Florida Coastal School of Law. See page 3 for the details.
• Leadership Jacksonville will present Fred Schultz with a “lifetime achievement award” during an April 16 event at the Hyatt.
• Susan DuBow has resigned as a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Television, Motion Picture & Commercial Production. DuBow cited conflicts with her schedule.
• State Rep. and Duval Delegation Chair Jennifer Carroll has called a meeting of the Delegation for next Monday at 10 a.m. in City Council Chambers for an education workshop and briefing.
• Speaking of the Delegation, coordinator Susan Stewart is also working with Ethics Officer Carla Miller these days. Technically, Stewart is employed by the City and works under the Office of General Counsel.
• The former Abernathy-Shortridge Opticians in 5 Points at the corner of Park and Post streets is being converted into Fu Hao Bistro. It’s bright neon green and scheduled to open March 1 with a Chinese and Thai menu.
• The cover story of the latest edition of BIZBASH magazine, a trade publication for meeting planners, lists the “Top 100 Events in Florida.” North Florida made the list a total of six times including the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina, the Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach and four sports events: the Players Championship, the MS Group Championship (formerly the Bausch & Lomb Championship), the Gate River Run and the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.
• Something you don’t see every day: The Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association will host the Atlantic Coast Classic Champion Cowboy and Cowgirl competition Feb. 19-22 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. The sport combines full-speed horseback barrel racing with precision single-action pistol and rifle shooting (blanks, not live ammo). Admission and parking are free. For details call 573-4895.
• Visit Jacksonville Director of Sales Kevin Shea has tendered his resignation effective March 6. He’s going to open a restaurant. Kim Ritten, previously director of sales and marketing at the Jacksonville Marriott, has been named his successor. She will move into her new office Feb. 25.