• Don Robertson, the City’s urban forester, believes the prolonged cold winter will reap some benefits when it finally gets warmer. He said the insect population will be greatly reduced which should mean fewer pest issues for the local flora in the coming months.
• Touchdown Jacksonville and Team Teal have released their latest Jaguars season ticket marketing report. The community-based campaign now has more than 6,300 fans on Facebook and more than 1,000 followers on Twitter. The season ticket count so far for the 2010 season is 11,106 (7,503 renewals and 3,603 new season tickets purchased). To learn more or get involved visit www.myteamteal.com.
• Speaking of the Jaguars, the team has joined the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of Northeast Florida. Owner Wayne Weaver and Jaxon de Ville will be officially welcomed to the organization at a reception at 6 p.m. March 11 at Municipal Stadium. The event is free but reservations are required by calling 710-8679 or visiting www.prccnf.com.
• Tickets to The Players Championship May 3-9 at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass are now on sale at Publix Super Markets. Also, for the first time, tickets to the tournament are on sale in the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass as well as online at www.PGA TOUR.COM/theplayers and via telephone by calling Ticketmaster at 888-401-8000.
• Commuters who use Atlantic Boulevard and live east of Kernan Boulevard were pleasantly surprised Monday afternoon to find open two eastbound lanes of the overpass. The westbound lanes have been open for several months, but drivers headed east in the afternoon have had to contend with the traffic signals. The overpass is still under construction and won’t be complete for several more months.
• JTA is getting closer to starting its proposed Rapid Transit System for a good portion of the Downtown area. A recently-released addendum to the Finding of No Significant Impact supports the “final modified option E” that includes dedicated transit lanes during peak hours, enhanced transit superstops, streetscape improvements and other features.
• Mark’s on Bay Street will celebrate its fourth anniversary Saturday night. Doors open at 9 p.m.
• The Art Institute of Jacksonville has launched its newest Bachelor of Arts degree program, Fashion & Retail Management, with classes to begin in April. Complementing the fashion, retail and business course work, the general education programs emphasize written and verbal communication as well as presentation skills. For more information visit www.artinstitutes.edu/jacksonville.
• Avondale eatery Biscotti’s has garnered some national media attention for its prosciutto, arugula and sun-dried tomato frittata. The specialty of the house was in the spotlight as part of a USA Today Magazine feature story about “the perfect brunch.” Biscotti’s was the only Jacksonville restaurant included among dining spots from Chicago, Denver, New York City and San Francisco. Biscotti’s brunch was also recommended to travelers in “Go,” AirTran’s in-flight magazine.