“Red Dawn” Is Dumb, but Emotional
Dec 1st
“Dumb, but Emotional”
“Hotshots” looks at a movie!
Red Dawn was shot in 2010, but studio problems delayed its release until two years later.
And whenever a film is delayed, that usually means that it is not too good, which is also the case with this one.
It stars Chris Hemsworth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, although when he filmed it, Hemsworth had not yet become “Thor” in some other movies.
Also, the delay allowed the filmmakers time to change the invading army troops from Chinese to North Korean, so that the distributors could sell the film in China and not face discrimination.
So, if you want to see a film about a group of American teenagers who fight an invading army from a foreign country, I recommend that you see the 1984 version instead, which stars Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen in his first feature film, Jennifer Grey, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, and Powers Booth.
And whenever a film has plenty of star power, that sometimes means that it is better than good, which is also the case with that one.
The story in the first one takes place in Colorado, instead of in Spokane, Washington, which is where the story in the new one takes place.
Okay, a widespread blackout occurs in the northwest corridor of the United States, and a TV news report warns, “Don’t go outside unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
The next morning paratroopers land in town and invading troops take over the town and kill and capture its citizens.
Jed is a Marine visiting his family between tours of duty in Iraq, and Matt is his brother, who is in high school. Jed senses the danger, and he and Matt take off for the family cabin in the mountains, along with some of Matt’s high-school friends, and they start training with Jed’s leadership to form a resistance army and fight the invading North Koreans.
So, the film consists of lots of fighting, lots of explosions, and lots of destruction and dying.
Even though they get some support from a very few real soldiers, there are just too many unanswered questions and holes in this movie.
Red Dawn is dumb, but emotional, and once again I say if you want to see a better version of this movie, see the one that came out in 1984.
I’m Dan Culberson and this is “Hotshots.”
This weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the beaches, November 30 – December 2
Nov 30th
Friday: November 30
British Nightwatch Opening Concert!
The Opening event for the Annual British Nightwatch Celebration
, this concert showcasing traditional Celtic recording artists Father, Son and Friends, will take place at 8 p.m. at Francis Field on Castillo Drive behind the Parking Garage. Concert admission is $5, Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. www.britishnightwatch.org 904-829-5318
Keyhole After Dark Paranormal Event
2Ghouls Paranormal Events will provide a re-creation of a Victorian clandestine moment behind closed doors at the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, 32 Avenida Menendez. The 2Ghouls program is about the bygone taboos of mystic parlor games: Tea-Leaf Reading, Pendulum Dowsing & the Talking Spirit Board. The fun begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. 904-671-5010
Friday and Saturday: November 30 & December 1
Candle Light Tours of Villa Zorayda
Explore the beautiful Villa Zorayda, decorated for the holiday season, featuring a Christmas tree in the “Court of Lions”, decorated in the Villa’s traditional red and gold, and a beautiful crèche nativity scene that that has been a Villa tradition since the 1930’s. Candles are aglow throughout the museum as the docent-led candlelight tour begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for Children. On Saturday, refreshments are served at 5:30 p.m. and the tour starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children 7 -12. Children 4 – 6 are free (not recommended for children under 3). Villa Zorayda is located at 83 King Street in St. Augustine. Reservations are suggested. www.villaZoryada.com 904.829.9887
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is open at 3 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. From 6 to 9 p.m. guests can visit with Santa, make a craft, enjoy hot cocoa, sing holiday karaoke, play reindeer games or enjoy a movie. Admission is $3, or FREE with the purchase of Red Train Sightseeing or Nights of Lights Tour. 904-824-1606
Friday, Saturday and Saturday: November 30, December 1 & 2
Festival of Trees at World Golf Village
A festive display of holiday trees and wreaths decorated by businesses, organizations, families and friends from the local community, all to benefit two local charities. Vote for your favorite tree for $1 per vote, or bid on one of the tress in the silent auction. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus and performers from the St. Augustine Ballet at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. The exhibit will be open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Johns County Convention Center, 500 S. Legacy Trail at the World Golf Village, through December 9. Admission is free! www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org
Viva Florida Art Exhibit
To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery of La Florida, the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery celebrates the sights and structures, beaches and byways, flora and fauna, history and happenings that are uniquely Florida with a new exhibit. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery, 22 Marine St., St. Augustine is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is Free. www.staaa.org
Winter Wonderland
The St. Augustine Amphitheater is transformed into a family-fun winter wonderland with ice skating, an ice slide, sleigh rides, an elf village and more. Open 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday until December 21, then 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through January 6. Admission is free and activities costs vary. The St. Augustine Amphitheater is located at 1340 A1A in St. Augustine. www.winterwonderlandflorida.com
Electric Bus Nights of Lights Tour
See the city lights on a 7-seat silent comfortable all-electric vehicle featuring a fully narrated 45 minute tour of St. Augustine’s lights and sights. Travelling down both the narrow and main streets, this tour goes where others do not! Nightly departures are from the parking lot behind Love Tree Café, 31 Orange Street, are on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. Adult tickets are $12, Child under 12 are $10. 904-325-0547 www.staugustinegoldtours.com
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train transports riders through St. Augustine’s magical Nights of Lights highlighting the sights and sounds of the season while viewing a magical holiday illusion through free magic viewing glasses. Nightly tours take place from 6 to 8 p.m. (till 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. On Friday and Saturday, tickets include admission to Santa’s Village. Tours start at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, 19 San Marco Avenue. 904-824-1606 www.RedTrains.com
Holly Jolly Holiday Tour
Explore St. Augustine’s famous Night of Lights in the cozy comfort of the Holly Jolly Trolleys. Caroling, hot cider, and homemade cookies add to the magic of your evening. Guests will receive complimentary magical viewing glasses, exclusively handcrafted by Santa’s elves. Tours depart regularly between 6 and 8 p.m. from the Visitors Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive. Tickets are $9 for adults, and $4 for children ages 6 – 12. www.trolleytours.com.
Nights of Lights Wine and Carriage Tours
Step aboard an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage and meander the historic streets on this 45 minute tour. While enjoying the spectacular light display, indulge in a bottle of delicious boutique wine (red or white). Tours depart from Isabella’s Cuban Bar, 19 Cuna Street, at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $46 per person – Adults only! 904-386-5482 www.thetastingtours.com
Saturday: December 1
58th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade
St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade has grown to be one of the largest parades in north Florida and includes floats, marching bands cars, horses, and the arrival of Santa. The parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. by the Mission of Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue; continue through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and end behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Dr. 904.824.4997
Pal Day
Military service personnel and families enjoy a free day at many of the St. Augustine attractions Please bring your military ID. A free lunch will be provided at The St. Augustine Elks Lodge, 1420 A1A S.on Anastasia Island. 904-471-2829
British Nightwatch Encampment
For a brief time, 1763 to 1783, St. Augustine was under British rule. During this holiday parade, loyal citizens are invited to join in, bearing candles or lanterns to light their way. Gather in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 7 p.m. The parade starts at 8 bells from the St. Augustine Government House circling Plaza then proceeds down St. George Street to the St. Augustine to the City Gates. Participation is free. For more information, visit www.BritishNightwatch.org 904-829-5318
Surf Illumination
Surf Illumination, the official seasonal lighting of St. Augustine Beach takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Boulevard. The celebration includes the ceremonial lighting of the seasonal tree by the Mayor. Santa, musical performers, traditional carolers are all part of the fun-filled evening. Admission is free! Food and beverages are offered by local restaurants and many local arts and crafts vendors provide convenient shopping for the holiday season. www.thecivicassociation.org
Beyond the Vale
Join 2Ghouls Paranormal Events for a fun gathering to discover the parallels between modern ghost hunting & Victorian spiritualism at Alexander Homestead, 14 Sevilla Street. The program explores various types of haunting in theory and in practice while using both modern paranormal investigation equipment and tools favored by Victorians. The two-hour program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. 904-671-5010
Saturday and Sunday: December 1 & 2
Eco Boat Trips!
Explore the waters of St. Augustine on this 1.5 hour dolphin and nature boat trip. Cruise the Matanzas River in search of beautiful wading birds, dolphins, and more! Learn about the amazing ecosystem that helps support a diverse array of wildlife, making St. Augustine a hit with nature lovers. Tours depart at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. Tickets are $35 per passenger.
(904) 377-7245 www.staugustineecotours.com
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
A Classic Theater presents this Dickens classic in a way you’ve never seen. Jason Woods portrays every character accompanied by an original score he composed himself! The performance takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Pioneer Barn at Old Florida Museum, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine Tickets are $20 adults and $15 for students. 904-824-8874
Sunday: December 2
44th Annual Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes
Enjoy the St. Augustine Garden Club’s annual tour that showcases a selection of St. Augustine’s most outstanding private homes. These beautifully decorated historic Florida style homes welcome you to enjoy a taste of nostalgia. You’ll see colorful flower decorations and floral arrangements composed of natural materials, designed and hand crafted by members of The Garden Club of St. Augustine. In addition, your ticket includes a delightful afternoon tea. The tour takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $20.
www.gardenclubofstaugustine.org.
Supper With The Spirits
Have a plated candlelight supper with spirits from St. Augustine’s Gilded Age. Diamond Lil’ and Ida Alice Flagler make appearances and tell their fascinating St. Augustine stories in this interactive dinner theatre at the Dow Museum of Historic Homes, 149 Cordova Street. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $59 per person. 904-823-9722 or 905-501-1253
Through The Keyhole Paranormal Event
Join 2Ghouls Paranormal Tours as they re-create Victorian clandestine moments behind closed doors. Let us transport you back in time to learn the bygone taboos of mystic parlor games: Tea-Leaf Reading, Pendulum Dowsing & the Talking Spirit Board. This two-hour program begin at 7 p.m. at Alexander Homestead, 14 Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $25 per person. 904-671-5010
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS.
NOTE: Do you have a 2013 event that will bring visitors to Florida’s Historic Coast?
email details to: FHCeventlist@gmail.com
Local Resident Specials
NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Spanish Military Hospital Museum, and the Historic Tours of Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission isfree to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed).
For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1-800-653-2489
To submit events to be included on the VCB Events calendar and website, please submit details to FHCeventlist@gmail.com.
Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau
News & Notes for St. Augustine
Nov 27th
The Break Room this week: Cooking oil collection has many benefits
This week’s edition of The Break Room welcomes Glabra Skipp, the city’s Environmental Compliance Inspector, who shares with host Paul Williamson the many benefits in proper disposal of cooking oil, whether in the home or business.
Each week the friendly and informative style of The Break Room offers the community an opportunity to know a little more about how their city works by getting to know those who do the work every day. The Break Room airs Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am, and each program is archived at www.breakroom.info as podcasts available for download anytime. To listen to this week’s program immediately, click here.
This week’s edition of The Break Room welcomes Glabra Skipp, the city’s Environmental Compliance Inspector, who shares with host Paul Williamson the many benefits in proper disposal of cooking oil, whether in the home or business.
Each week the friendly and informative style of The Break Room offers the community an opportunity to know a little more about how their city works by getting to know those who do the work every day. The Break Room airs Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am, and each program is archived at www.breakroom.info as podcasts available for download anytime. To listen to this week’s program immediately, click here.
Saturday, December 1, busy day for traffic in downtown
Saturday, December 1 will be a busy day in downtown St. Augustine with two events that will necessitate the closing of some streets and detours of traffic: The St. Augustine Christmas Parade in the morning, and the British Nightwatch in the evening. For complete route information on each event, street closures and planned detours, click here.
How to participate in the St. Augustine Christmas Parade
As it has every year for over half a century, the St. Augustine Christmas Parade is a sure sign that the holiday season has arrived. Scheduled for Saturday, December 1 starting at 10:00am, businesses, community organizations and school groups may and secure their entry by calling 904.824.4997.
North Davis Shores sewer lines to be tested
The Public Works Department will begin testing sanitary sewer lines in the North Davis Shores area the week of December 3. The tests will utilize smoke to identify areas of leaks or unwanted water intrusions from storm or ground water. Residents and businesses in the area to be tested will be notified with door-hangers explaining the process and offering sources of additional information. For details on the testing process read Sanitary sewer inspections underway in North Davis Shores area on the city’s web site.
City Commission to hold Organizational Meeting December 3
The St. Augustine City Commission will hold its organizational meeting on Monday, December 3 at 7:30pm in The Alcazar Room, City Hall, 75 King Street. The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will include the oath of office ceremony for Mayor Joe Boles and Commissioner-elect Roxanne Horvath. The oath will be administered by Judge Wendy W. Berger, Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Commissioner Leanna Freeman, who currently also serves as vice mayor, will take the oath on December 10 having a scheduling conflict that necessitates her being out of the city on December 3.
Mayor Boles and Commissioner Freeman were re-elected to their offices. Commissioner Horvath was newly elected to fill the seat of departing Commissioner Errol Jones. The meeting will also include recognitions for Commissioner Jones who is completing a decade of service as a Commissioner, including two years as Vice Mayor in 2008-2010.
The City’s Charter specifies that “at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday in December following each regular municipal election, the city commission shall meet at the usual place for holding the meetings of the legislative body of the city, at which time the newly elected commissioners shall assume the duties of office.”
The newly seated Commission’s first regular meeting will be on Monday, December 10 at 5:00pm.
Understanding the impacts of coastal change
UF & GTMNERR hosting three year project
Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) from multiple disciplines, including urban and regional planning, engineering, and landscape architecture, are working with staff at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) to understand the potential impacts of coastal change and sea level rise in the Matanzas Basin. The goal of the project is to collect, generate, and share information about the potential impacts of coastal change and strategies for adaptation with community leaders and the public to facilitate more resilient communities and natural systems.
Two workshops on the project will be held for St. Augustine residents on Thursday, December 6. The first will be at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm (999 Anastasia Blvd.) starting at 9:00am, and the other at Flagler College (74 King St.) starting at 5:30pm. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to Emily Montgomery by calling 904.823.2291 or by email at emily.montgomery@dep.state.fl.us.
For more information about the project, visit www.PlanningMatanzas.org.
Commission sets two workshops in December
December’s busy holiday season will result in the Commission having only one regular meeting, scheduled for December 10, but the Commission has also scheduled two workshops that month.
The first workshop, set to start at 4:00pm on December 10, concerns the future of the carpet golf facility located near the City Marina. The second workshop on Thursday, December 13 at 9:00am, will be a discussion of modifications to the city zoning code, starting with the use of Planned Unit Developments (PUD).
All of the meetings will be held in The Alcazar Room in City Hall, 75 King St. When available, agendas for the meetings will be posted on the city’s web site here.
Opportunities to serve
The City Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies on:
— the Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board, and
— the Board of Trustees St. Augustine Police Officers’ Retirement System.
Interested individuals who reside within the city limits of the City of St. Augustine are invited to submit applications for this volunteer board. Applications are requested by Friday, November 30 with appointments tentatively scheduled for the City Commission meeting of Monday, December 10. For information concerning qualifications and applications please contact the City Clerk’s office at 825-1007. The application form is available on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Meeting schedule and agendas
General Employees Retirement Board. Wednesday, November 28. For more information, click here.
Police Department Retirement Board. November 28. For more information, click here.
City Commission organizational meeting. Monday, December 3. When available, the agenda will be here.
Planning and Zoning Board. Tuesday, December 4. Agenda is here.
City Commission regular meeting. Monday, December 10. When available, the agenda will be here.
All agenda, minutes and GTV info
Agendas and minutes for all city meetings can be found at www.staugustinegovernment.com with a schedule of upcoming meetings listed under City Calendar. City Commission meetings are broadcast live via GTV (Comcast Channel 3 in St. Augustine) each second and fourth Monday at 5:00pm. Commission meetings are also recorded and rebroadcast as are Planning and Zoning Board and Historic Architectural Review Board meetings. For a current schedule of all programming on GTV, click here.
Source: City of St. Augustine
