Florida
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This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches April 13-15
Apr 12th
Martina McBride Performs at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Enjoy a concert performed by four-time winner of Country Music Association’s “Female Vocalist of the Year” Martina McBride. McBride’s performance will take place at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50, 449.59, $59.50 and $79.50. St. Augustine Amphitheatre is
located at 1340 C A1A in St. Augustine. www.staugamphitheatre.com
Friday and Saturday: April 13 & 14
Don’s Friends 5K Fun Fest
Head over to St. Augustine Beach Pier Park for two-whole days of fun and run. Whether you participate in the 5K run, the “Stand-up” paddleboard race or enjoy the music, vendors and more. Don’s Foundation is dedicated to encouraging College Students to choose the Alternative Break, where students choose to travel on their vacations breaks and help others less fortunate. It all takes place at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park, located on A1A on St. Augustine Beach. For entry fees and more information, visit www.DonsFriends.com or call 904-687-5951.
Saturday: April 14
Treasure Chest Quest
Yield to your inner pirate and go sailing with the crew of the Black Raven on a quest to capture Blackbeard’s Treasure Chest. The Black Raven will exchange cannon fire with Queen Anne’s Revenge while children learn proper sword play techniques in anticipation of a boarding. If you’re brave enough, there will booty for all! And if you’re not, you’re sure to capture a lifetime of memories. The Black Raven sails from St. Augustine Marina on this quest at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $34.95 for adults and seniors, $24.95 for children. For more information, call 877-578-5050 or go to www.PirateShipBlackRaven.com
Historic Weapons Demonstrations at Fort Matanzas
Take the National Park Service’s ferry to Rattlesnake Island and experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas – the 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. From 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors will demonstrate Spanish muskets and cannons at the fort. Admission is free. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma
VeloFest at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Come learn about the historical significance of cycling, and how to ensure an environment where cyclists and vehicles can co-exist to make a more peaceful riding experience while decreasing carbon foot print, promoting healthy activity, and promoting the cultural importance of cycling. VeloFest will feature vendors, music and bicyclists comrade. It all takes place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, located at 1340C A1A in St. Augustine. Admission is FREE. For more information, visit http://www.StAugAmphitheatre.com.
Vegas Review: Kevon Re’Mon’te & Trey Dees
Experience this high-energy tribute to some of the greatest vocalists of all time – including the Righteous Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole, Elvis, Tom Jones and many others. This 90-minute show begins at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Barn located at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 904-824-8874. Free parking!
Saturday and Sunday: April 14 & 15
Florida Farm Days
Head over to the Florida Agricultural Center to learn all about Florida Farming. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. enjoy historic demonstrators, food activists, re-enactors, organic growers, heritage livestock & poultry, trendy vendors, historic culture and music.Guest speakers will address various farming and gardening topics. See traditional Florida come to life with canning, weaving, cast iron cooking, hand plowing contests, whip cracking, tractor contests and so much more! Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children under 12. It all takes place at the Florida Agricultural Museum,located at 7900 Old Kings Road in Palm Coast, off US 1 approximately 2 miles west of I-95 Exit 298.
Marine Ecology Adventure
Go on a naturalist-led marine ecology adventure aboard an Explorer boat! Remarkable wildlife viewing on a one-of-a-kind excursion departing from downtown St.Augustine at noon and 2 p.m… Trips reserve for up to 6 guests. $35 per adult and $15 for adges 12 and under. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours for reservations at 904-377-7245.www.staugustineecotours.com
Sunday: April 15
Fromajardes Serenade and St. Augustine Royal Tea
Participate in this traditional Menorcan Fromajardes celebration in which young men are rewarded for their serenading abilities with “Fromajardes”, delightful Menorcan cheese pastries. Then, enjoy an afternoon tea party with St. Augustine’s Royal Family. Queen Marianna, King Juan Carlos, Princes Margarita Maria portrayed by local heritage residents. It all takes place from 2-4 p.m. at the Spanish Bakery, 42 St. George Street in St. Augustine. Admission is Free. For more information, call 904-829-2333.
Local Resident Specials
NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Government House Museum, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed).
NEW: St. Johns County residents who purchase full-price admisssion to the St. Augustine Lighthouse ($9.50 adults; $7.50 seniors and children 12 and under; free for children under 44 inches in height) can now receive a pass good for free admission for an entire year! The Lighthouse is now open until 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.. Also, on the first Monday of each month, St. Johns County residents are admitted free to the Dow Museum of Historic Houses, 246 St. George Street, St. Augustine.

MIGRATE TO ST. AUGUSTINE THIS SPRING, YOU WON’T BE ALONE
Apr 11th

Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest draws hundreds of outdoor photographers who capture stunning images while learning the latest techniques to improve their craft. But, it’s not just for photographers. There’s a wide range of activities and courses to choose from, including kayaking tours, birding/walking tours as well as photography seminars.
And while birds flirt and preen, gators slowly slither through the waters and marshes of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, whose rookery is home to many majestic species of egret, spoonbill, heron and stork. So fly over to the coasts of St. Augustine|Ponte Vedra this spring for a natural getaway that’s 100% Florida. It’s constant fun for families, and well, lovebirds too. Enough to have you migrating back time and again.
For complete information on Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest <Click Here>
Source: Florida’s Historic Coast / St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau

Flagler professor, veteran journalist and Forum founder Ostrowidzki dies
Apr 10th
Ostrowidzki, 80, was a veteran journalist who had served as a White House reporter during the Reagan administration and covered health-care issues in the Clinton era. He also reported on every presidential election from 1964-1988.
He joined the faculty of Flagler College in 1997, and went on to found the Forum on Government and Public Policy, which brings in journalists and other experts to speak about current issues. The Forum has brought to the college names such as Robert Novak, David Broder, Joe Klein, Anne Coulter, Pat Buchanan and Chris Matthews.
Ostrowidzki taught Campaigns and Elections for our Humanities department and Media Power in Politics for Communication.
He was a native of Poland, and during the Soviet Union Occupation of Poland (1939-1941), Ostrowidzki’s father, a high-ranking Polish government official, was captured as a prisoner of war. At this time, Ostrowidzki’s mother, brother and grandfather were deported to Siberia while he was on vacation visiting his aunt. He survived both the Soviet Union and German occupation of Poland and was later re-united with his family in England in 1948. Two years later he moved with his family to the United States.
Ostrowidzki started working for the Hearst paper, the Times Union in Albany, New York, as a copy boy in 1953. He graduated from Siena College in 1954 and served in the United States Army from 1954-1957. During his military career he aided Hungarian refugees escaping from the country in the midst of a revolt against the Soviets.
In 1957, Ostrowidzki started working for the Times Union as a reporter. He was promoted to Capitol Hill bureau chief in 1960. In 1961 he was recalled to active duty for the Berlin and Cuba crisis, as an interpreter. After he completed his active duty, he earned a Master of Arts from Siena College and started covering Washington D.C. for Hearst Newspapers.
At Hearst, he served as White House, National, Foreign, War and Congressional Correspondent and Chief Political Writer. Ostrowidzki covered every presidential campaign for Hearst from 1968 until his retirement in 1997.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; three children; two step-children; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and a brother.
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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $22,500, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller.
For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu. from Read Media