This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches – October 19 – 21
Oct 20th
Friday: October 19
John Hiatt and The Combo Concert
John Hiatt and The Combo perform at 8 p.m. at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall 1050 A1A N in Ponte Vedra beach. Tickets are $39.50 and $49.50. www.PvConcerthall.com
Bats in the Park After Dark
Faver-Dykes State Park is celebrating Halloween with a special educational bat program that will teach participants how to identify the different bat species within the park and explain their habitat, eating habits, and life cycle. The program takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. at Faver-Dykes State Park, 1000 Faver-Dykes Road. Admission is $5 per vehicle. Trick or treat candy will be provided. www.FloridaStateParks.org
Friday and Saturday: October 19 & 20
Florida’s Haunted Trails
Activities include a family-friendly haunted house, storytelling, magic shows, a haunted farm, wagon rides, carnival games and a headless horseman. It all takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $8, children under 5 are free. Florida Agricultural Museum is located at the corner of Old Kings Road and US 1 in Palm Coast. 386.446.7630. www.MyAgMuseum.com
Old Town Trolleys: Nightmare In The Museum
Take a riding ghost tour through the darkened streets of Old St. Augustine, including a stop at Potter’s House of Wax which has been darkly rumored as a portal between the living and the dead. Tours start 8 p.m. from the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center, 27 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Tickets are $20. 904-829-3800 www.trustedtours.com.
A Ghostly Experience Halloween 2012
A Ghostly Experience tour guides lead a walking tour through the haunted streets of the Nation’s Oldest City, for encounters with crazed, feisty, and swash-buckling spirits that linger around to tell their tales of their mysterious, warranted, and fitting deaths. Tickets are $15 per person. The tours depart every 30 minutes starting at 8 p.m. from 2 St. George Street, St. Augustine. Reservations are required, and space is limited. 904- 829-1122 www.GhostToursofStAugustine.com
Zombieville
This is an interactive paintball experience of horrific proprotions! Load up and take aim at the undead, enjoy tales told in the hut of the ancient Zombie, King Motumbo and take a ride on the Zombie Express. Tickets are on sale at Ripley’s or at the door. Zombieville can be found at 254 San Marco Ave, at the old Sugar Mill. Doors open at 7:30 every Friday and Saturday night through October. Prices are $10 at the door, or $15 for the Zombie Express leaving from the original Ripley’s.Believe It or Not Museum at 19 San Marco Avenue. You can also purchase Zombieville tickets for only $5 with the purchase of a Ghost Train Adventure ticket. For more information, call 904.377.2607.
Ghost Hunt
Get trained to be a ghost hunter by professional investigators! Spend three hours using paranormal-detecting equipment inside the Old Jail and learn about the amazing amount of paranormal activity that has been observed in the building. The tour is from 10:45 p.m. until 2 a.m. Admission is $80 per person; $35 for children under 12 (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). For reservations (required), call 904.829.3800.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 19, 20 & 21
Southern Tandem Rally 2012
Tandem bicycle teams come to World Golf Village from all over the South for three fun-filled riding days of various distances throughout the St. John’s River basin area.www.southerntandemrally.com
Premium Outlets Pink Event
Throughout October, St. Augustine Premium Outlet shoppers who stop by the Information Center and donate $10 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure will receive a special savings card filled with “25% off one single item” redeemable at Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, J.Crew, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and many more. www.premiumoutlets.com
Ripple Effect Eco Kayak Tours
Relax, unwind and experience nature at its finest on one of Ripple Effect Eco Tours’ outings. Saturday at 9 a.m., paddle through an enchanted forest on the meandering waters of Faver-Dykes State Park and Pellicer Creek. Morning and sunset tours are also available all weekend at Marineland and the GTM Reserve. Tours include the finest kayaking gear, guide and instruction – perfect for beginners. Tours are $55 for adults and $45 for age 15 and under. For details and reservations, go to www.rippleeffectecotours.com or call 904.347.1565
Sea Monsters!
Venom! Ultra Vision! Glow in the Dark! These are some of the fascinating “monster” characteristics of some sea animals. Daily in October, the Sea Monsters Traveling Exhibit engages visitors in these mysterious and intriguing attributes, and explains how they are adaptations to extreme underwater environments. Learn about animals that use these special survival strategies. Included in General Admission Price, $9.75 Adult General Admission, $7.75 Child General Admission
www.staugustinelighthouse.org
St. Augustine Lighthouse Dark of the Moon Tours
Go on the only tour that takes participants to the top of the tower of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and into the eerie Keeper’s House. Find out why the Syfy Network’s Ghost Hunters program called the Lighthouse the “Mona Lisa of paranormal sites.” Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 for adults ($35 on Halloween) and $20 for children ages 7-11($30 on Halloween). Reservations are required. (Private 90-minute, 3-hour and 5-hour tours are also available.) Call 904.829.0745
Halloween Corn Maze
Get hopelessly lost in a nine-acre maze! Fun for the entire family! This third annual maze is at the Sykes and Cooper Farms off SR 207 in Elkton, Florida (about five miles east of I-95 Exit 311). Plus, don’t miss Jack the braying donkey, the awesome pumpkin slingshot and the cow train! Tickets (cash only) are $8 per person (children under 2 are free). The maze is open on Fridays 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For more information, go to www.sycofarms.com or call 904.692.1084.
Saturday: October 20
Cracker Day
Florida’s Country Cracker Heritage is celebrated with bluegrass banjos, horsemanship demonstrations and barbecue. Horseback games and barrel racing, livestock show, cracker whipping demonstrations, and exhibits of Florida Cracker equipment. Events from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Barbecue is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds located at 5840 SR 207 in Elkton. Adult admission is s $10, children (under 12) admission is $4 each day. Price includes parking and barbecue dinner (Race participation fees not included). 904.824.9720.
Guana 5K And 12K Run
5K and 12 K runs on the Guana Preserve trails. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the 12K starts at 1 p.m. Participation in each run is limited to 200. Each run starts from the GTM Research Reserve Trailhead Pavilion, 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach.www.jtcrunning.com
Salt Run Challenge
The first-ever Salt Run Challenge will take place at Anastasia State Park, 1340A A1A South, St. Augustine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two kayak and stand up paddleboard races will be held along the marked corridor of Salt Run. Preregistration is $15.00 and $20.00 after October 13, 2012. There will be an oyster roast and drinks for purchase. Live music will be provided under the pavilion. 904 461-2033
Estuary Kayaking at its Best!
Learn about fascinating animals and how they live together in one of the most productive habitats on earth. See the historic Castillo fort from a unique angle while getting a little exercise. The 10 a.m. tour is perfect for beginners or experienced paddlers. $35 per paddler. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours at 904-377-7245 to reserve your spot! www.staugustineecotours.com
Bicentennial Commemoration Of The Spanish Constitution of 1812
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the naming of St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion with a full day of educational and inspiring activities. Hosted by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine along with the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the festivities will begin with a moot court competition. Legal scholars will debate the constitutionality of the Puerto Rican Territory within the context of the United States. The competition will be held in the Alcazar Room in the Lightner Museum located at 75 King St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., an Ecumenical Prayer Service will take place at the Cathedral Basilica located at 38 Cathedral Place. The Most Reverend Felipe J. Estevez, Bishop of St. Augustine, will preside as leaders of various faith traditions throughout the area ask for blessings on all nations and peoples of the world. City of St. Augustine Vice-Mayor Leanna Freeman will speak at the event along with the Consul General Garrigues and clergy from numerous area churches. The Chancel Choir of the Cathedral, under the direction of Dr. Bernard Sans, will provide music, including a metrical version of the Te Deum in English. All events are free and open to the public.
https://sites.google.com/site/staugustine450/News/celebrating-200-years
Halla Galla
A Victorian-inspired black-tie soiree filled with frights and delights at this charitable event for the Women’s Junior Service League. The evening’s event includes dinner, live entertainment, charitable gambling, and a live & silent auction. It all takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, Tickets are $125 per person. www.HallaGalla.com
Sam Cooke Tribute Benefit Concert
Experience an impressive salute to the late and great Sam Cooke performed by Patric Robinson – and help support the St. Paul School of Excellence. This charter school is a self managed, tuition-free public school for grades K-5 that is authorized and monitored by the St. Johns County School District. Organized by the Limelight Theatre, the concert begins at 7 p.m, at the Galimore Center, 399 Riberia Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are available for $15 each through Limelight www.limelight-theatre.org at the door.
Saturday and Sunday: October 20 & 21
Reptile Awareness Weekend
You’ve probably seen lots of American alligators – but what about the world’s only other kind of ‘gator? That’s right – it’s the Chinese alligator! This weekend, learn about the worldwide effort the save the critically endangered Chinese alligator – and get your photo taken with one of these rare reptiles. Plus, there will be an opportunity to feed rats to alligators! It all happens at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. 904-824-3337 or www.AlligatorFarm.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 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.
Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau
Malala Lives !!
Oct 19th
z
The Taliban have threatened to target Malala again and she was given tight security for her journey to the UK on Monday.
She and two other schoolgirls were attacked as they returned home from school in Mingora in the Swat Valley almost a week earlier.
The gunman who boarded the van in which she was travelling asked for her by name before firing three shots at her.
Malala is widely known as a campaigner for girls’ education in Pakistan. In early 2009 she wrote an anonymous diary for BBC Urdu about life under the Taliban, who had banned all girls in her area from attending school.
2011 Denver Auto Show
Oct 17th
It’s the 2011 Denver Auto Show Special with host Jann Scott. We look at a large selection of new car, trucks, SUV’s, crossover and more on the floor, in search of great cars to buy and what new innovations the auto manufacturers are starting to include in their vehicles in order to compete with the new green movement. Some of the Automotive groups we explore are Acura, Jeep, Chevy, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Toyota and VW as well as fancy rides by Aston Martin, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, and Lotus for you education and entertainment.
2011 Denver Auto Show Video Segments
2011 Denver Auto Show
It's the 2011 Denver Auto Show Special with host Jann Scott. We look at a large selection of new car, trucks, SUV's, crossover and more on the floor, in search of great cars to buy and what new innovations the auto manufacturers are starting to include in their vehicles in order to compete with the new green movement. Some of the Automotive groups we explore are Acura, Jeep, Chevy, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Toyota and VW as well as fancy rides by Aston Martin, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, and Lotus for you education and entertainment.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sports Wagon
The VW Jetta Sports Wagon is pretty much in a class of its own. It's is a great alternative to a variety of vehicles, thanks to its versatility and available diesel engine. Pros: Cavernous cargo space, stellar fuel economy with TDI, upscale cabin, comfortable seats, refined ride, good iPod interface. Cons: TDI's premium price.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Toyota Prius Plugin Hybrid
We learn from a Toyota Spokesman about the new Toyota Prius Plugin Hybrid how the new plugin feature increases the range on the vehicle in electric mode and is a giant leap forward for electric and hybrid cars.[READ|SHARE]
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is an electric car with great in town commuting car, however it's not available for production quite yet and there's huge waiting lines for when it is. With the Nissan Leaf, a real (and realistically priced) electric car is finally here. Pros: No more gas stations, spacious, quiet cabin, snappy acceleration, intelligent navigation system. Cons: Limited cruising range, limited recharging points, home charger is a necessity.[READ|SHARE]
Kia Soul Wagon
The 2011 Kia Soul brings hipster styling and a fun-to-drive nature to the realm of the practical hatchback. Pros: Loads of available features, highly customizable, user-friendly controls, ample passenger space, surprisingly fun to drive, low price, long warranty. The Kia Soul receives a few improvements for 2011, with new rear shock absorbers and standard rear disc brakes (replacing last year's rear drums) being the most notable. Other minor changes include new door handles, push-button start, a trip computer and heated outside mirrors. Kia's engineers also managed to infuse the Soul with peppy engine performance (at least on the upper[READ|SHARE]
Kia Forte Coupe
The Kia Forte Coupe is a concept car used in Kia's kinetics sports team and shows us what's possible with this sporty car.[READ|SHARE]
2011 Honda CR-Z
Honda CR-ZA sport hybrid concept car with 3 models Hard-core enthusiasts will likely be disappointed, but somebody just looking for a sporty two-door with good fuel economy will likely be pleased with the 2011 Honda CR-Z. Pros Nimble size and handling, quick steering, good fuel economy, sporty looks. Con Poor rearward visibility, most competitors have backseats, missing a few upscale features. A sporty hybrid, at first glance, the 2011 Honda CR-Z might seem a bit oxymoronic. After all, Americans expect their hybrid cars to be purely about fuel economy, with flowers, rainbows and unicorns coming out of the tailpipe. But[READ|SHARE]
2012 Ford Focus Hatchback
For 2012 after a very long wait, American buyers finally get a world-class small car from a Detroit label. The 2012 Ford Focus is the segment's new benchmark. Pros: Nimble handling, refined ride, stylish and well-made interior, lively engine, smart automatic transmission, abundant list of upscale and high-tech options. Cons: Backseat is a little short on legroom, infotainment controls can be finicky to learn and use.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Fiat 500
We'll have to wait and see about its reliability, but the 2012 Fiat 500 is yet another stylish subcompact that proves that small can be cool. Pros: Adorable styling, highly customizable, fuel-efficient, surprisingly spacious for two people. Cons: Wait-and-see reliability, limited dealer network, less cargo room than rivals, cramped for four people. There was once a car so small it made the Mini seem like a Big. A car so cute the animators of the movie Cars did little to transform one into the adorable “Luigi.” A car that if you saw one on the streets, you'd swear it was[READ|SHARE]
2012 Chevy Volt
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is mostly electric with a gas motor however it's not available in Colorado yet. The 2011 Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market, but it's pricey for what you get. Pros Low monthly fuel cost in normal driving; useful 300-mile maximum range; appealing standard features; high-tech cabin. Cons Questionable value; small backseat for two people only; touchy brakes; no power front seats; home charger is a necessity. Here's the long and short of it: The Volt is a four-seat, four-door “series-parallel plug-in hybrid” hatchback with a lithium-ion battery pack that[READ|SHARE]
2012 Chevy Sonic
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic the new Sonic will replace the outgoing Aveo. could be an intriguing choice for a small economy car thanks to edgy styling, impressive power and roomy interior. So far, it looks as if the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic will put up a good fight against the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris. Keep an eye out for complete buying advice and driving impressions as we get closer to the Sonic's fall 2011 on-sale date.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Chevy Corvette and Camaro
Jann steps in the new Chevy Corvette and then we look at more sports cars from Chevy including the Transformers Bumblebee model. Then Jann reviews the Chevy Camaro. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro has no trouble turning heads and burning rubber. But this muscle-bound sport coupe has a number of trade-offs that can make it hard to live with on a daily basis. Pros: Strong acceleration with V8 or V6, head-turning looks, good V6 fuel economy, excellent value, capable handling. Cons: Poor visibility, tiny trunk opening, cramped backseat.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Acura TL
The 2012 Acura TL should be a strong choice for a midsize luxury sedan. Pros Abundant user-friendly high-tech features, spacious cabin, smart all-wheel-drive system, superb optional sound system, solid construction. Cons: Base model's numb steering.[READ|SHARE]
2012 Ford Fiesta and C-MAX
Jann introduces the Ford Fiesta and Ford C-MAX and we learn some facts about the C-MAX from one of Ford's representatives at the 2011 Denver Auto Show.[READ|SHARE]
2011 Camp Jeep
The 2011 Denver Auto Show has some fun things to do as well, at the Camp Jeep exhibit attendees have the opportunity to experience the extreme off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles right on the Show floor! From rolling over rocks, climbing hills, and splashing through water, Camp Jeep will take attending the Show to a whole new level.[READ|SHARE]
Fancy Cars at the 2011 Denver Auto Show
We finish up the show with a preview of more fancy, luxury and sporty cars like Porsche, Lamborghini, Lotus, Bentley and Ferrari's on the 2011 Denver Auto floor.[READ|SHARE]
2011 Denver Auto Show Preview
A preview of all the cars we viewed and reviewed at the 2011 Denver Auto Show.[READ|SHARE]
Denver Auto Show 2011 Introduction
Jann Scott introduces the 2011 Denver Auto Show and we take a look at the Boss Mustang 302 from Ford.
The 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 injects blood-pumping performance and retro styling into a package that is nevertheless easy to live with every day. Among muscle cars, it's the top dog. Pros: Incredible power, inspiring engine note, aggressive styling, relative exclusivity. Cons: Harsh optional suspension, unimpressive interior, no telescoping steering wheel.[READ|SHARE]
