• Zoo officials have decided to ask for an extension on the completion of the Monsoon Asia phases. Phase 1, the Asian Bamboo Gardens, is complete, but according to Zoo Board Chair Ann Baker funding issues will not allow the zoo to complete the next two phases before the contract period expires. Baker has asked that some of the funding for the Asian project be diverted to landscaping for the existing parking lot and the overflow lot.
• You can look for the Special Committee on City Pension Sustainability to produce its findings and legislation, if necessary, by June 30. The committee began its work March 17 and there is one meeting left and it’s next Tuesday.
• Speaking of the pensions, negotiations with the various unions begins mid-month and Mayor John Peyton is expected to take a hard stance at the collective bargaining table by negotiating for zero raises across the board.
• A lull in Downtown activities may provide families the chance to attend the City’s “Great Jacksonville Campout.” The event is set for Saturday and Sunday. The free event at Losco Regional Park at 10851 Hood Rd. will give children and families the chance to learn about nature, camping, conservation and the environment through hands-on activities. The event is geared toward children ages 4-12 and more information is available by calling 630-4100
• George Gabel Jr. received the Richard L. McLaughlin Economic Development Volunteer of the Year Award for the Northeast Region by the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) at its 2009 annual conference in Orlando May 19. The Holland & Knight partner was one of the recipients awarded in each of the nine FEDC districts. He was recognized for his involvement in economic development in Florida and has served as an “ambassador” for Northeast Florida, assisting with expanding outreach through international trade.
• Florida Wildlife Federation’s 72nd annual awards banquet and board meeting is June 19-21 at the World Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. The group will tour the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Estuarine Research Reserve June 20 from 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, contact Diane Hines at 850-656-7113.
• The Charter Revision Commission continues to make moves to provide accessibility. It has its own e-mail listing on the City Council’s Web page. A majority of Council members don’t provide this kind of transparency. Only six of 18 Council members allow the public to view their e-mails. There is a folder for “Council as a whole.”
• The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida will hold a scenario planning and interactive workshop, “Creating Breakthrough Strategies,” Thursday. The workshop is for senior management of nonprofit organizations to learn strategies for dealing with the economy and overcome other challenges through scenario planning. The workshop is from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m at the St. Joe Building in Riverside. For more information, call 390-3222.
• The most recent Cornerstone quarterly meeting took place Friday, but it’s never too early to look ahead. Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver is the keynote speaker at the next Cornerstone luncheon set for Sept. 4 and he’ll be bringing some of the players — enough to potentially have one Jaguar at each table — with him, according to Downtown Council President Jepp Walter.
• State Sen. Jim King will have many more well wishes coming his way soon as he recovers from surgery last week for pancreatic cancer. During its Monday meeting, members of the Meninak Club of Jacksonville — where King has been a member for 26 years — had a well wishes card with plenty of signatures going around for the longtime legislator.
• If once is good, twice is better: That’s the theory behind a decision made by The Friends of The Jacksonville Public Library. The organization has for more than 20 years held a used book sale in March and the event raises about $100,000 each year which is donated to Jacksonville’s public libraries. Oct. 22-25 the Friends will hold their first fall book sale at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. That’s the weekend prior to the Florida/Georgia football game.
• The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2009 Designer Showhouse at Ortega Landing has been extended by a week and will be open through Sunday. It’s directly behind Roosevelt Mall at 4238 Lakeside Dr. For information and tickets visit www.jaxsymphony.org.