• Another casualty of the economy: Discount Pro Wear closed its doors for the last time Friday. The officially-licensed college and pro sports gear store was one of the original tenants when the Landing opened more than 20 years ago. Owner Harold Fine said he has no plans at this time to relocate the business.
• Mayor John Peyton has nominated Christopher Corr for appointment to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. Corr is chief executive of real estate for AECOM, a provider of professional technical and management support services. He was previously executive vice president of the St. Jo. Company. Corr will replace former JEDC Chair Bob Rhodes, who resigned at the end of the year and his first term will end June 30, 2010.
• Attorney Mark New, formerly of Heekin, Malin, Wenzel, & New, has partnered with attorney Shawn Arnold to form the partnership of Arnold & New. Along with their associates John Leombruno, Vanessa Zamora, and Carter Burgess, Arnold & New will represent clients in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, consumer bankruptcy, family law and immigration.
• Dennis Pate may no longer be in Jacksonville running the zoo, but City Council will honor him with a resolution thanking Pate for his time. Pate left recently for the Omaha, Neb. zoo.
• Clemson lost to Nebraska in this year’s Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, but school officials indicated the team and fans had a good time in Jacksonville. Associate Athletic Director Tim Match in a letter to Peyton said Jacksonville “rolled out the welcome mat.”
• The City’s Handicap Parking Trust Fund currently has a balance of just over $425,000. The Fund was established in fiscal year 1988-89 and had just over $14,000 at the time. Over the years, the total revenue generated has been $1.89 million.
• According to the minutes of the Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee meeting last week, Assistant General Counsel Jim McCain will take over some committee duties from Managing Deputy General Counsel Steve Rohan, who is taking an extended leave. Rohan and his wife are taking a cruise all the way around South America and then he’s having knee surgery.
• Speaking of Council, President Ronnie Fussell is sponsoring a bill that will honor Justice Coalition founder Ted Hires, who recently passed away.
• The City is looking to unload the property formerly occupied by Fire Station No. 21 on Morrow Street near St. Augustine Road. It will be sold through the City’s Real Estate Division and the proceeds will go towards the construction of Station No. 28. No word on when the sale will occur.
• Looking for a coffee break and a deal at the same time? Shelby’s Coffee Shoppe at the Main Library is offering free coffee with the purchase of a deluxe breakfast sandwich or a free fountain drink or iced tea with a sandwich or salad.
• If you’re a regular for lunch or dinner at the Landing, some of the people you see all the time there have been nominated for the 2009 North Florida Hotel & Lodging Association’s ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards. Dan Patel from Great Wraps, Edward Darragjati from Benny’s Steak & Seafood and Michael Leestra from American Cafe have made it to the finals in the Best Server category. Landing Security Officer Marcella Waldburg is a finalist in the Best Behind the Scenes/Security Guard category.
• The Jacksonville Women’s Network has elected new officers: President, Georgia Reed; Vice President, Betty Asque Davis; Secretary, Rona Brinlee; Treasurer, Maribel Hernandez; and Immediate Past President, Peg Chassman. New board members were also elected: Dana Ferrell Birchfield, Vickie Cavey, Dorrie Felder, Mary Jarrett, Karen Brune Mathis, Vina Schemer and Carolyn Williams.
• The City of Jacksonville in cooperation with the Duval County Council on Elder Affairs will host a legislative forum for people 60 years of age and older Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Main Library. Members of the Duval Delegation have been invited to hear issues and comments facing senior citizens and Lori Parham, state director of the AARP, will be the keynote speaker. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. After the forum, lunch will be served followed by a tour of the library. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made by calling 630-7392.