• The Jacksonville Port Authority is expecting the largest cargo ship ever to sail into Jacksonville about 12:45 this afternoon at the Blount Island Terminal. The ship is what’s known as a Post-Panamax ship, meaning it’s what will pass through the Panama Canal from Asia after the Panama Canal widening project is complete.
• Credit Chief Judge Don Moran for moving courtroom portrait unveilings to a more appropriate time — namely, when the subject is alive. Until recently, the portraits for ceremonial Courtroom No. 4 were dedicated after the former judge had passed away but Moran changed it, starting recently with Judge William Durden. The next is Thursday at 4 p.m. when former Circuit Court Judge Tyrie Boyer Sr. gets his portrait put up.
• Interim Jacksonville Aviation Authority Executive Director Jim McCollum said he would like to fill the position on a permanent basis within 60-90 days and he’s not on any kind of list. McCollum has formed a search committee that consists of JAA board members Jack Demetree, Ron Weaver, Russ Jollivette and Delores Pass-Durham.
• Speaking of JAA, invitations have gone out to the City’s elected officials and other dignitaries with an offer to be an official “pole-holder” at the April 18-19 Cecil Field Airshow. Each day an airplane flying upside-down at an altitude of 20 feet will cut a ribbon to open the show and people are needed to hold the poles that will stretch the ribbon across the runway. The invitation reads in part, “This opening ceremony experience is considered an exciting privilege at many major airshows held all over the world.”
• Finally from JAA, there’s a farewell reception for outgoing boss John Clark April 9 at One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach. Clark’s last day is April 10 when he’ll head for a job with the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
• So far the City has collected $13.8 million in stormwater fees. That amount represents 82 percent of what’s owed. According to Marcy Cook of the City’s Public Works Department, there is about $3.1 million in outstanding fees, which will be added to the next utility bills.
• Jacksonville Beach Golf Course is in the process of rebuilding all 18 of its greens. They’ll use temporary greens for the next 6-8 weeks.
• Speaking of the Beach, there’s a Mellow Mushroom going in next to the Harry’s on Third Street. It’ll be the fourth location in town.
• City Council will honor former Planning Director Brad Thoburn for his 10-plus years of service to the City. Thoburn recently left for a planning job with the Florida Department of Transportation.
• The Blood Alliance will mark the opening of its new regional blood center next Thursday with a reception that starts at 11:30 a.m. The new center is on Centurion Parkway.
• Attorney Steven Jugo of the Miami firm of Jugo & Murphy has been retained to represent the estate of Amanda Carann Refingo, who was killed Jan. 12 by a driver involved in a high-speed chase with a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Jugo indicated he’s making a claim against the City, but didn’t specify a particular amount.
• State Rep. Lake Ray is the speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum Society. Ray is chairman of the organization.
• Mayor John Peyton has been asked to be a waiter at the “Morton’s Medicine and Miracles Celebrity Waiter’s Event” June 2 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network. Jaguars assistant head Coach Mike Tice is chair of the event.
• For fans of the VH-1 reality show “Rock of Love Bus” with Brett Michaels, that was the Florida Theatre marquee in the background as the bus pulled away after a recent elimination ceremony. The episode was filmed in St. Augustine, except for the elimination ceremony. The crew was at the theatre all day, but Michaels and the six girls (he sent two home) showed up around midnight for filming.