• Sheriff John Rutherford and Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals are scheduled at the next two meetings of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council. Rutherford will speak at 7:30 a.m. Friday at Currents Bistro in the Aetna Building. Pratt-Dannals will speak at the lunch meeting May 6 at The University Club.
• The World of Nations is April 28-May 1 at Metropolitan Park.
• Hallie Foote, daughter of Horton Foote and interpreter of his work, will visit Jacksonville to help advance her father’s legacy as an American author. Foote will give an interpretive reading of selected passages from her father’s work May 6 at the Main Library Downtown. The event is free but reservations are required and may be made at http://theworldoffoote.eventbrite.com.
• More than 60 public and private organizations will commemorate the 41st anniversary of Earth Day and the 21st anniversary of the Earth Day and Ecology Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Landing. For details visit www.jacksonvillelanding.com.
• The Baptist Cancer Institute will start using the AccuBoost system in May to provide an accurate “boost” dose of radiation to targeted tissue following breast cancer surgery. The institute is next to the Margaret and Robert Hill Breast Center in San Marco. Typically, early-stage breast cancer is treated with radiation following a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tissue. With AccuBoost, the physician uses mammogram images to target only the tissue around the lumpectomy site, without providing unnecessary radiation to other healthy tissue.
• The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission said Tuesday it will interview 16 applicants for two vacancies created by the resignations of Judges Charles Kahn Jr. and Peter Webster. At least four applicants have ties to Jacksonville: Circuit Judge Jim Daniel, Circuit Judge Waddell Wallace, Florida Solicitor General Scott Makar and Judge of Compensation Claims Neal Pitts. Interviews are April 20-21.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars said the 2011 preseason will start at the New England Patriots, with a date to be announced, followed by the Atlanta Falcons Aug. 19 at home. The Jaguars then travel to play the Buffalo Bills and return to EverBank Field to take on the St. Louis Rams, with dates to be announced. The Falcons game will be nationally televised on FOX. Meanwhile, the league and players are headed to court-ordered mediation in the lockout.