• If you’re unemployed or underemployed, First Baptist Church wants to help. It’s offering a 10-week, Biblically-based series titled “Career Transition.” The workshop is free to attend and there is a nominal (and optional) fee for a workbook. The course will cover how to improve job search and networking skills. For details call 366-1237.
• The first First Wednesday Art Walk of 2010 will offer some new experiences. Two new galleries — one at the Landing and another on Adams Street near London Bridge — will debut. On the music side there will be a drum festival in Hemming Plaza and at 6:30 p.m. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinetist Peter Wright will perform a solo from the upcoming “Fresh Fusion” concert. Also, the Official After Party is at Ivy Ultra Bar. Text “ART” to 72239 and receive your first beverage free. Art Walk is from 5-9 p.m. rain or shine.
• City Council members Daniel Davis and Ray Holt will meet Sheriff John Rutherford Wednesday to discuss transitional housing for prisoners on the Northside. It’s at 2:30 p.m. in Conference Room B in the Council offices.
• Even JTA got in the “legendary” spirit: Thursday and Friday the headsigns on city buses alternated flashing the route number and destination with “Thanks Bobby Bowden.”
• With huge crowds in attendance and traffic crammed going toward Friday’s Gator Bowl game, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office again used Twitter to keep people up-to-date on traffic patterns. Beginning with its first update at 6 a.m., the JSO public information officers sent out a total of 20 updates on accidents, slowdowns and available parking until the final message at 3:13 p.m.
• Circuit Court Judge Karen Cole will help start Jacksonville Community Council Inc. 2010 “Issues & Answers” informative series Jan. 13. The veteran of the family division of the court will lead the discussion, “Surrogate Parents: Making a Difference in One Child’s Life,” that will focus on the Surrogate Parent program and its benefit in children’s lives. For seating availability and information, e-mail [email protected].