• Gary Evans has filed a notice of intent to sue the City and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on behalf of Isaac Singletary, who was shot by JSO in a January 2007 drug raid. Evans is represented by the Tallahassee law firm of Parks Crump.
• Dr. Jim Burt, Volunteers in Medicine president, has withdrawn VIM from consideration for Brewster Hospital once the renovations to the historic LaVilla hospital are complete. Burt said he understands some in the community would like to see the hospital used as a museum rather than a working medical clinic and doesn’t want to interfere with those plans.
• A new Web site, www.bidthelandfill.org, seeks to curb public opinion and open up the bid process for the future of the Trail Ridge Landfill. Groups behind the site include the Jacksonville Young Democrats, Concerned Taxpayers of Florida, and Florida Coastal School of Law Democrats among others.
• The Orange Tree restaurant in the Landing food court should be open in April.
• Speaking of the Landing, An Apple a Day on the first floor has seen some renovations. There’s a wooden countertop and they have three beers on tap.
• Rumor has it the now-closed Quizno’s on Hendricks Avenue next to the restaurant complex featuring La Nopalera might become a barbecue establishment.
• Downtown Vision Inc. is looking to renew its lease with the City for almost 3,500 square feet of City-owned space for another two years. The legislation calls for $1,000 a month in rent and another $500 a month for the first year for “past due operating expenses.”
• Mayor John Peyton is sponsoring legislation that would name the pocket park on the 1400 block of Riverplace Boulevard the “St. Johns Park.” The name will need City Council approval.
• The dollar might be down but gold topped $1,000 an ounce, an 11-month high late last week. The all time high is a little under $1,015 from March 2008.
• JTA is hosting a public meeting concerning the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) North Corridor March 9 from 5-7 p.m. at the Gateway Mall. The study transit corridor extends from Downtown north along Boulevard Street to the Gateway Mall and further north along Norwood Avenue and Lem Turner Road ending south of Armsdale Road near I-295. Interested parties are invited to view study materials, discuss the project with JTA staff and provide comments. Anyone requiring special accommodations should call 630-3185 no later than March 2.
• The 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Festival is May 21, the first day of the annual Jazz Festival, at the Florida Theatre and will feature five pianists battling it out for cash prizes and the chance to perform during the regular festival.
• Attendance at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens in Arlington has exceeded expectations. Reportedly the parking lot remains at least half full with a steady stream of hikers and bird-watchers when the nature preserve and trails are open Saturdays and Sundays only from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. More volunteers are needed in order to expand the days of operation. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.jacksonvillearboretum.org.
• Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and School Board Chair Tommy Hazouri will be getting on the bus this morning, but not the one you might think. The two will be taking a tour of the St. Vincent’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile during its stop at Fletcher High School. The Care Mobile provides access to medical services, especially to underserved and uninsured children.
• The Office of Vital Statistics, part of the Duval County Health Department, is moving from its 515 West 6th St. location to 900 University Blvd. The office, which maintains birth and death certificates occurring in Duval County dating back to 1893, will be closed for the transition Feb. 26.