Posts tagged City
St. Augustine News and Notes for October 12, 2012
Oct 14th
This year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out,” gets extra emphasis from fire department this month
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month. Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety.
Much of that education takes place in the community’s elementary schools, pre-schools and daycare centers where fire personnel are greeted by an audience ready to listen and willing to learn. According to John Rayno, St. Augustine’s Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Chief, having firefighters visit schools is a very effective way to get information into the home.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out,” focusing on the need for escape plans to incorporate two exits for each room. Taking stock of available exits is essential to every escape plan, whether for home or business, and those plans need to be well known and practiced.
While the month of October has an emphasis on prevention education, fire department personnel are ready to bring tailor made programming to civic associations, businesses, living facilities, churches and anywhere else a group wants to know more about fire prevention.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and the work of the St. Augustine Fire Department,
click here.
This week on The Break Room: Fire Prevention Week
Assistant Fire Chief and City Fire Marshal John Rayno stops by The Break Room this week to discuss this month’s educational efforts as part of Fire Prevention Week and, shares with program host, Paul K. Williamson, some specific fire safety guidelines.
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.
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation necessitates lane closure
Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction during installation work
The installation of crosswalks at two locations on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound, in two locations on two different occasions in coming weeks. The crosswalks at Fort Alley and Cuna Street, currently delineated with stamped asphalt to simulate brick, will be replaced with historic, authentic brick.
To accommodate the extensive work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic for a period of four days lasting from mid-day Sunday through Wednesday evening. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work.
The work is scheduled for:
— Fort Alley crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 21 through the evening of Wednesday, October 24.
— Cuna Street crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 28 through the evening of Wednesday, October 31.
The crosswalk installation is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year and includes extensive pedestrian improvements along south Castillo Drive that have included the installation of new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges.
To read a story on the city’s Web site regarding the project, click here.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
City plants 23 trees in just two days
Live oaks, red cedars and magnolias replace trees removed following tree assessment program
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then last week the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
Most of the plantings are replacement trees for those that had to be removed following receipt of the results of a tree assessment that identified 15 trees in the city right-of-way that were deemed to be so far decayed as to be unsafe, commonly referred to as hazard trees.
The new trees included Live Oaks that were planted along the most northern section of San Marco Ave. and at Vickers Field, Magnolias planted on Riberia St. next to Francis Field, and Red Cedars along Flagler Blvd. and at the Visitors Information Center.
To learn more, click here.
Thirty-six days until Light-Up! Night
Nights of Lights’ 19th season begins on November 17
Have you seen your neighbors checking their holiday lights? Seem a little early? Not really when you consider that the 19th season of Nights of Lights is only a few weeks away.
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins each year with a simple flip of a switch on the Saturday before Thanksgiving known as Light-Up! Night. To read about last year’s opening night, click here.
Don’t be “left in the dark” when the Nation’s Oldest City is transformed into an enchanted city of light.
For guidelines to participate in the Nights of Lights by adding displays to property in the city’s historic districts, click here.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, during the ten weeks of Nights of Lights, contact St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast by calling 800.653.2489 or visiting www.nightsoflights.com.
4 Ways 2 Stay in the City-Info-Loop
The city’s Public Affairs Department strives to keep the city’s constituents informed by making information
readily available and does so in a number of formats. In fact there are four ways to stay in the information loop. To learn what they are read this new story on the city’s web site by clicking here.
Opportunity to serve: Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board
The City Commission is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Code Enforcement, Adjustments & Appeals Board. 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.
Agendas
The Code Enforcement, Appeals and Adjustment Board meets on October 9. The agenda is available here.
The Historic Architectural Review Board’s October meeting date has been rescheduled from October 18 until October 30. The agenda is available 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
News from the City of St. Augustine
Oct 14th
Prevention message and this year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out,”
gets extra emphasis from St. Augustine Fire Department this month
For the last 90 years, the week in which October 9 falls has been designated as Fire Prevention Week, but for the St. Augustine Fire Department, what is nationally a week is locally a month. Taking advantage of the nation-wide emphasis on fire prevention in October each year, the St. Augustine Fire Department uses the themed month to educate the public on fire safety.
Much of that education takes place in the community’s elementary schools, pre-schools and daycare centers where fire personnel are greeted by an audience ready to listen and willing to learn. According to John Rayno, St. Augustine’s Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Chief, having firefighters visit schools is a very effective way to get information into the home.
“For instance, we spend time talking about the importance of not just having smoke alarms, but taking the time to test them. After one of our visits, I’m sure there are parents being asked to check smoke alarms by students we met that day, and that’s good,” said Rayno in an interview on WFCF’s weekly program, The Break Room. To hear the entire interview, visit www.breakroom.info.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out,” focusing on the need for escape plans to incorporate two exits for each room. Taking stock of available exits is essential to every escape plan, whether for home or business, and those plans need to be well known and practiced.
While the month of October has an emphasis on prevention education, fire department personnel are ready to bring tailor made programming to civic associations, businesses, living facilities, churches and anywhere else a group wants to know more about fire prevention.
For more information about National Fire Prevention Week visit www.fpw.org. For more information about the St. Augustine Fire Department’s fire prevention programs contact the department at 904.825.1098.
See also this related story:
http://www.staugustinegovernment.com/the-city/featured-stories-archive/FirePrev.cfm
————————————–
City plants 23 trees in just two days
Live oaks, red cedars and magnolias replace trees
removed following tree assessment program
If it is true that any day is made better by the planting of a tree then last week the City of St. Augustine gave the community some great days by planting over 20 new trees in just a two-day period.
Most of the plantings are replacement trees for those that had to be removed following receipt of the results of a tree assessment that identified 15 trees in the city right-of-way that were deemed to be so far decayed as to be unsafe, commonly referred to as hazard trees. The inventory was made possible by an Urban and Community Forestry grant provided through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which provided $6,000 that was matched by the city. The funds made possible the long overdue inventory and assessment of over 500 trees in the city rights-of-way and parks within the historic areas of St. Augustine.
The new trees included live oaks that were planted along the most northern section of San Marco Ave. and Vickers Field, magnolias planted on Riberia St. next to Francis Field and red cedars along Flagler Blvd. and at the Visitors Information Center.
The Urban and Community Forestry grant was used to retain the services of an International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Arborist to provide the initial tree inventory baseline data which provides the basis for the development of an urban forestry management program. That program specifies recommended management practices, provides guidance for the City Manager and maintenance supervisor in allocation of tree maintenance resources, and documents the inventory and required maintenance.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 904.825.1040.
————————————–
Avenida Menendez crosswalk installation
necessitates lane closure
Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction
The installation of crosswalks at two locations on Avenida Menendez will necessitate the reduction of traffic to two lanes, one for northbound traffic and one for southbound, in two locations on two different occasions in coming weeks. The crosswalks at Fort Alley and Cuna Street, currently delineated with stamped asphalt to simulate brick, will be replaced with historic, authentic brick.
To accommodate the extensive work, Avenida Menendez will be reduced to two lane, two way traffic for a period of four days lasting from mid-day Sunday through Wednesday evening. At no time will Avenida Menendez be closed, but traffic will be slowed through the area during the work. The work is scheduled for:
• Fort Alley crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 21 through the evening of Wednesday, October 24.
• Cuna Street crosswalk installation: mid-day Sunday, October 28 through the evening of Wednesday, October 31.
The crosswalk installation is the final element of an extensive project that began in early February of this year and includes extensive pedestrian improvements along south Castillo Drive that have included the installation of new street lights, widening of sidewalks, and improved signalization for both pedestrians and vehicles. Funding for the project was secured by Congressman John Mica who, during a visit to St. Augustine, noticed the challenges pedestrians had in the congested area lying between popular St. George Street and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. He then set about seeking an appropriation to fund the changes needed to alleviate those challenges.
For more information, contact the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
Source: City of St. Augustine
This weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the beaches, October 12-14
Oct 10th
The Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast Top Chef Cook-off
Chefs from all Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast restaurants will gather at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort Convention Center and Beach Club for a cook-off competition with local celebrity judges. A $20 donation admission fee gains access to the competitions and samplings from all the participating restaurants and benefits Home Again St. Johns. Visit www.historiccoastflavors.com
Celebrate! THE PLAYERS Benefit For The Arts
THE PLAYERS host dinner and dancing under the stars to support The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. The evening events will feature an open bar, silent and live auctions, and back by popular demand — Atlanta’s best dance band, Party on the Moon! It all takes place from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 Championship Way, in Ponte Vedra Beach. For ticket prices and more information, call 904-280-0614, email jhixenbaugh@ccpvb.org, or visit www.ccpvb.org
O.A.R. Concert
Of A Revolution (O.A.R.)will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 C A1A South in St. Augustine. Tickets are $32.50 in advance and $35 day of show. www.StAugAmphitheatre.com 904-209-0367.
Friday and Saturday: October 12 & 13
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 12, 13 & 14
15th Annual Greek Festival
St. Augustine’s fascinating Greek Heritage is celebrated by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church with a delicious assortment of Greek foods, pastries and beverages along with nonstop entertainment with live Greek music by the Hellenic Band and performances by Greek dance troupes. On Saturday at 9 a.m. there will be a Ready, Set, Go Greek-Fest Run. The Festival takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Francis Field behind St. Augustine’s Historic Downtown Parking Garage on Castillo Drive. Admission is $2, children under 12 are free. 904.829.0504. www.stauggreekfest.com
Premium Outlets Pink Event
Throughout October, St. Augustine Premium Outlet shoppers who stop by the Information Center and dontate $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
Pellicer Creek Raid
Living history groups from around the Southeast demonstrate what Civil War military life was like in 1864. At 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, infantry, cavalry and artillery troops will stage a battle. The encampment is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Florida Agricultural Museum, located on the corner of Old Kings Road and U.S. 1 in Palm Coast. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children, toddlers and infants are free. 386.446.7630. www.MyAgMuseum.org
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 13
3rd Annual Fall Festival & Fish Fry
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the quaint Riverdale United Methodist set along the St. Johns River will host the annual Fall Festival and Fish Fry which features local artisans & crafters, a KIDs Zone lots of food and a new Memorial Garden, church tour and of course the Fried Fish Dinner. RUMC is located at 1028 County Rd. 13 South in Riverdale/St. Johns. 904 806-6254
Tolomato Cemetery Tours
Self-guided and docent led tours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tolomato Cemetery, a 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
3rd Annual OceanWise At GTM Reserve
From 5 to 9 p.m. celebrate the estuaries with dinner, entertainment and more. OceanWise takes place at the GTM Environmental Education Center, 500 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500.
Saturday Night at The City Gate
Colonial Spanish soldiers stand guard at the St. Augustine City Gates from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to interact, take pictures and learn more about St. Augustine’s Spanish Military history. The City Gates are located at St. George and Orange Street.
Saturday and Sunday: October 13 & 14
3rd Annual Fiesta de Aviles
Celebrate the history and culture of Aviles Street – the oldest street in the oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. The Fiesta begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and the Jazzland All Stars perform from 1-3 p.m. The running of the “bulls” is at 2 p.m. followed by Flamenco Dancing and music throughout the afternoon. From 6:30 until 10 p.m., Mestre Lazaro Santo and the Brazillian Tropicana Show will perform! The fun, food and music continue on Sunday with All Day Sangria – a friendly competition to select the best sangria in St. Augustine. Fiesta admission is free!
Explorer Boat Eco Tour
Ensure a great weekend by hopping on an explorer boat, perfect for navigating the creeks and waterways of St. Augustine. By covering nearly 15 miles you’ll be sure to take in great scenery and see wildlife such as dolphins, ospreys and maybe even a rare manatee! Catch the action at 9:30 or 11:30am and then take the family out for lunch in town. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours at 904-377-7245 to reserve your space today!
Sunday: October 14
Sunday Supper With The Spirits at the Dow Museum of Historic Houses
This delicious and interesting event includes a wine and cheese reception, lantern lit tours of the historic houses, a spirited visit by two of St. Augustine’s famous ladies of the “Gilded Age”, a lovely three course dinner with red and white wine, and a copy of “Daring Daughters”, a book by local author Karen Harvey. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. The Dow Museum of Historic Houses is located at 149 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. 904-823-9722
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