This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches: September 14 – 16
Sep 14th
Friday: September 14
First Muster at Florida National Guard Barracks
First Muster at Florida National Guard Barracks
The Florida National Guard and Florida Department of Military Affairs,
in partnership with La Compañía de Santiago (The Company of St. James), a member unit of Florida Living History, Inc., will commemorate the 447th anniversary of the first mustering of America’s original citizen-soldiers and the “birthday” of the US National Guard. This heritage Event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Florida National Guard’s headquarters in the St. Francis Barracks, at 82 Marine St., in St. Augustine. The museum will have an open house until 3 p.m. and a military retreat with historical re-enactors will take place from 3-3:30 p.m. Admission is free.1-877-FLA-HIST
Saturday: September 15
Florida Heritage Book Festival
Celebrate Florida’s rich and colorful literary heritage at the Florida Heritage Book Festival at the Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be author presentations and a book marketplace. At 11:45 a.m., Jeff Lindsay will be there to sign copies of his Dexter novels – the basis for the popular TV series of the same name on the Showtime network. His wife, Hilary Hemingway, niece of Ernest Hemingway, will be there too. Admission is free. www.fhbookfest.com
Coastal Cleanup Day
From 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Local volunteers can join over a half million people in more than 150 countries cleaning up the shores of rivers, lakes, streams and oceans. Participants can pick up their supplies from the GTM Research Reserve’s Environmental Education Center, located at 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach South or the Marineland office, 9741 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine. The Reserve hopes to have people cleaning the Atlantic shoreline throughout Florida’s Historic Coast. 904-823-4500
3rd Saturday Beach Walk
Join GTM Research Reserve volunteers Rick and Roz Edwards for a beach walk at the Guana South beach location. Learn about the animals that call the beach their home as well as seashells and other interesting facts. This is a “Beaches 101” experience that the entire family will enjoy. 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. http://www.gtmnerr.org/events.htm
Tolomato Cemetery Tours
The self-guided and docent led tours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tolomato Cemetery, an historic cemetery is located on Cordova Street, the site of an earlier Franciscan Indian mission (Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Tolomato) in St Augustine. Burials officially ceased in 1884. Visits are free of charge, but visitors are encouraged to offer a donation. All money goes to the preservation and restoration of the cemetery. For more information, visit www.tolomatocemetery.com
Kayak Astronomy Tour
Paddle beneath the stars and then drift on the quiet waters of the Guana River during this special astronomy tour presented by Ripple Effects Eco Tours. Guides point out both nature and the constellations on this unforgettable nighttime adventure. The tour, from 7-9 p.m., begins at the GTM midway between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine. Tickets are only $55 for adults. Plus, their kayaking tours of the beautiful Matanzas basin depart daily from Marineland. For details and reservations, call904-347-1565 or check out their complete schedule of tours at www.rippleeffectecotours.com
Vegas Revue
Kevon Remonte and Trey Dees present a dazzling visual and vocal tribute to some of the greatest singers of all time – Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Lou Rawls and many others! It all takes place at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Tickets are only $12 and can be ordered by calling 904-824-8874.
Saturday & Sunday: September 15 & 16
Ecology Boat Tour
Join St. Augustine Eco Tours aboard their comfortable explorer boat for a 12+-mile excursion. Use the boat’s underwater microphones to listen in on dolphin conversations and see fascinating wildlife. Learn something new from the naturalist guide – guaranteed! Departs from the St. Augustine City Marina at 10 a.m. and noon each day. Tickets are $35 per person. Call 904-377-7245 for reservations.
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 freeto 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 Conventions Bureau
For A Good Time Call – Movie Trailer
Sep 8th
The reserved Lauren and the irrepressible Katie are polar opposites… and past enemies. But when both come up short on the funds needed to afford their dream New York City apartment a mutual friend re-introduces them and they reluctantly agree to room together. These apartment-mates have nothing in common – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator, and recognizes a good business opportunity. But as their business partnership takes off, their new found friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.
St. Johns County Road and Bridge Department to Improve the Safety and Accessibility of North Beach Subdivision
Sep 3rd
The St. Johns County Road and Bridge Department is scheduled to begin construction on Oak Street in the North Beach Subdivision of Anastasia Island on September 4. The work is estimated to be complete in approximately four weeks.
The project consists of paving Oak Street between 12th St. and 13th St. and correcting the alignment of the existing pavement between 13th St. and 14th St. The improvements made to Oak Street will allow greater accessibility for public and emergency response vehicles, increased visibility of children and pedestrians, and create a safer traffic path for residents whose driveways meet Oak Street.
By paving the uneven dirt section of Oak Street, the County will also eliminate costly grating maintenance. During construction, short periods of road closings are anticipated. Signs will be posted to assist in redirecting through traffic.
Source: St. Johns County
