
“Flight” Features a “Junior Birdman”
Nov 10th
“Junior Birdman”
“Hotshots” looks at a movie!
Flight stars Denzel Washington as a commercial airline pilot with more problems than just flying and landing the airliner on time.
Right away at the beginning of the movie we know that Captain Whip Whitaker is not who he pretends to be. But, Man, does Denzel Washington look mighty fine in his captain’s uniform as he walks through the airport to take command of his airplane.
The flight is from Orlando, Florida, to Atlanta, Georgia, and right after he sits down in the pilot’s chair in the cockpit, Whip starts acting a bit unusual and different from how we would want our pilot to act.
He takes a couple of hits of oxygen before taking off and asks the copilot if he would like a hit.
Then when they encounter some turbulence, Whip personally goes back into the cabin to reassure the passengers, and he tells them that there won’t be any service of beverages for safety reasons, but as he is telling the passengers and crew this, he is fixing himself a glass of orange juice and vodka out of sight from everyone.
Back in his pilot’s seat, Whip suddenly experiences what appears to be a mechanical failure, and the airliner goes into an uncontrollable nose dive in what is one of the most harrowing scenes about an airplane you will ever see.
Miraculously, Whip manages to roll the airliner upside down in order to get control back, and he then glides the airplane to a soft landing in an open field, and only six people of the 102 aboard die.
Captain Whitaker is called a hero, but a required investigation into the accident turns up some evidence that could damage his reputation and career and even send him to prison.
The rest of the movie is about that investigation, and John Goodman and Don Cheadle show up in important roles in the story.
Also, Whip gets involved with a woman who distracts him from his problem at hand: staying sober and getting through the investigation with his reputation and career intact.
This is a very serious movie, but I couldn’t help being reminded of the lyrics to an old song called “Junior Birdman” and flying “upside down!”
Flight is an excellent film about difficult subjects, and we should hope we never experience any of them firsthand.
I’m Dan Culberson and this is “Hotshots.”

This weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the beaches, November 9 – 11
Nov 8th
Rickie Lee Jones Performs at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Rickie Lee Jones will entertain with her musical style, a unique blend fusion of folk, jazz, and R&B,at 8 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, located at 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets are $46 and $56. PVConcertHall.com
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: November 9, 10 & 11
5th Annual Pirate Gathering
Three days of jollification and history in the nation’s oldest city. Celebrate the “Golden Age of Piracy” through exhibits, living history demonstrations, a privateer parade, theives market, pirate battles and a Buccaneer Bash Ball. Admission for the encampment is “a buck-an-ear”. The Pirate Gathering encampment and main activites take place at Francis Filed, located on West Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. pirategathering.com
Veterans Day at the World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum will celebrate Veterans Day when veterans and their dependents will receive free admission to the World Golf Hall of Fame. All guests will be able to enjoy a special scavenger hunt. The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at 1 World Golf Place, located at I 95 Exit 323. WorldGolfHallofFame.org
Saturday: November 10
Sixth Annual Compassion 5K Run /Walk
The “Compassion 5K” is an “out-and-back” style course with rolling changes in topography. This event will raise money to help ease the financial burden of families living with crisis. This 5K starts at 8 a.m. from 49 Shores Boulevard in St. Augustine. Registration is $25. compassion5k.org
The Dressing of the Palms
Be there when dozens of Vilano Beach palms will be judged on the basis of the holiday decorations they display. Palms have been “adopted” by local businesses and residents who then use their imagination to come up with entertaining holiday decorations for each. The judging takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Vilano Beach Town Center. For details, call 904.910.8386.
Washington Oaks State Gardens Plant Sale
The Friends of Washington Oaks will hold their Second Saturday plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington Oaks State Gardens, 6400 Oceanshore Blvd. (A1A) in Palm Coast. Visitors can also enjoy a garden tour of the park at 1 p.m. Regular park entrance fees apply during the event. 386-446-6780
Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang Concert
Blues legends Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang will perform at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 to $69.50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Call 904-209-0367 or 800-745-3000. staugamphitheatre.com
Steve Forbert and Carrie Rodriguez
As part of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall “Saucer Series”,, Steve Forbert and Carrie Rodriguez will perform at 8 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall located at 1050 A1A North in Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets are $30 and $35. pvconcerthall.com 904-209-0399
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday: November 10, 11 & 12
Veterans Day Weekend at Castillo de San Marcos
In honor of those that have served the US military, the National Parks Service is offering free admission to the Castillo de San Marcos.Built by the Spanish military between 1672 and 1692, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification in the U.S. Friday through Sunday visitors can experience living history during Spanish Military cannon firings. The Castillo de San Marcos is located on Avenida Menendez, overlooking Matanzas Bay in historic St. Augustine. NPS.gov/casa
Sunday: November 11
Old City Music Fest
The St. Augustine Market Place, located at 2495 SR 207 at I-95 in St. Augustine, will host a fun-filled day of relaxation and musical performances featuring Country and Southern Rock legends, Charlie Daniels Band, .38 Special, Gloriana, Craig Morgan and many more. This exciting day of great southern music, food and people will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project in their mission to honor and empower wounded service members. The Festival will take place from 1 to 10 p.m. (Market opens at 10 a.m.) Advance tickets are $29 – $89 per person. http://www.oldcitymusicfest.com
Meet & Greet at Anastasia State Park to Honor Veterans
To honor our nation’s Veterans, the Florida Park Service is granting free entry to all visitors for the day. Activities for the day include complimentary grilled hot dogs, roving displays about the Friends of Anastasia State Park and the park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and a guided bird walk from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Anastasia State Park is located at 1340A A1A in St. Augustine 904-461-2033
FriendsofAnastasia.org
Free Admission to St. Augustine Lighthouse for Veterans and Active Duty Military
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, 81 Lighthouse Avenue, will offer FREE admission to all Veterans & Active Duty Military from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be a Ceremony to Honor Veterans from 3 to 4 p.m. http://www.StAugustineLighthouse.org
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 is free 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).
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.
NEW: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID now receive FREE admission to the Oldest House in St. Augustine.
Do you have a 2013 event that will bring visitors to Florida’s Historic Coast?
email details to: fhceventlist@gmail.com
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LISTING OF EVENTS
Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau