• Celebrating its 25th anniversary of service, Tidbits in San Marco is continuing to pass savings on to customers. Following a celebration that included “1985 Day” (menu prices were like those in 1985), an additional ongoing special is underway: any of the daily specials – including the ever-popular Thursday salad bar special – is available any day.
• According to Parsec President Otto Budig Jr., there is a chance 46 employees of the Jacksonville terminal of Florida East Coast Railroad could lose their jobs. Parsec operates the terminal in Jacksonville as well as the terminals in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Apparently, Florida East Coast Railroad intends to put the operation of those terminals out to bid. Parsec has submitted a bid, but Budig says if the Cincinnati-based company doesn’t win the bid, it will lay off the employees. The layoffs would begin July 5.
• The speakers have been announced for the next two Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone luncheons. Jerry Mallot executive vice president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and president of the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership will be the featured speaker at Friday’s luncheon, and Sheriff John Rutherford will follow on June 6.
• Under wraps (and tarps) no longer, construction on the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s new Small Business Center is complete. The first floor facility, along with the Women’s Business Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center, were relocated to the Downtown office earlier this year, but remodeling of the space was needed.
• Ed White High School’s Commander Model United Nations team ranks third in Florida and as the best team in North Florida. In a Model UN competition, students become ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. During the recent state championship, the Commander Model United Nations team, led by teacher Jordan Schemmel, competed against more than 70 delegations from 32 schools. The students are competing in the United Nations Association of the United States of America Model United Nations Conference in New York City this weekend. The conference, considered one of the highest level competitions in the world, will have 150 of the best teams in the world from 19 states and more than 20 countries.
• Another note for the weekend, “Dancin’ in the Streets” is all day Saturday in Town Center at Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, but no Mosquitoes — as in the band — this year.
• The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission has asked City Council to designate the Haydon Burns Library as a landmark and landmark site. No word on how that designation would affect the planned redevelopment of the building. However, in order to receive landmark status, Council will have to waive a section of the City Ordinance Code that requires buildings to be at least 50 years old.
• JTA’s plan to put signs on its bus shelters has new support — and opposition. Council member Warren Jones is sponsoring legislation that would permit advertising on public transit shelters while Council member John Crescimbeni is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit advertising on pay phones and transit shelters.
• The Duval County Republican Party is debuting a local conservative radio talk show today at 5 p.m. on AM-1320. “What’s the Buzz?” hosted by Cindy Graves and Lenny Curry will air every Thursday following the Glenn Beck Show and proceeding Mark Levin’s show. Curry, chairman of the Duval County Republican Party and a local business owner, said the show will fill a significant void in the market and be targeted at local Republicans who want to know how statewide and national politics affect the First Coast. Graves was elected by Republican voters in 2008 to serve as Duval’s Republican State Committeewoman. She is also the Vice President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, the largest grassroots organization in the state.