Posts tagged construction
Nissan Display at the 2013 Denver Auto Show
Mar 24th
2 new Nissan automobiles for 2013 the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan GT-R.
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder makes the transition from body-on-frame to unitized construction, and gains style, sophistication and fuel efficiency, while maintaining virtually all of its fundamental on/off-road capabilities. A powerful V6 engine, spacious 7-passenger cabin, the choice of front- or all-wheel drive and a standard 5,000-pound towing capacity further add to its formidable appeal.
The Nissan GT-R is innovation that redefines. When introduced, the GT-R completely rewrote the rules. And then, after it had turned the world on its ear, continued to improve, create and inspire. With an unmatched blend of technology and soul, the GT-R is a singular supercar, so intuitive anyone can drive it. So capable, it can be driven anytime and anywhere And for 2014, an all-new Track Edition raises performance to an even more amazing level.
This week: February 4 – 10
Feb 11th
Monday through Sunday: February 4 – 10
Picasso: Art & Arena Exhibit – An exhibition featuring dozens of Picasso originals,
including many that have never been seen previously in the United States. Both famous and rare, these pieces were produced in different styles, techniques and media; providing unique insights into one of Picasso’s main themes: bullfighting. The exhibition will be at the Visitor Information Center,10 Castillo Dr. in St. Augustine. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors $8; Kids 6 & Under – Free; Kids 7 – 12 – $5; Family of 4 – $20; Military in Uniform – Free; Flagler College Student with ID – Free. The Picasso Exhibit will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday – Thursday; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.picassoartandarena.com 904-825-1000
“Negro Y Blanco” Art Exhibit at Space Eight – Exhibition of black and white creations by artist Anthony Ausgang. Titled “Negro Y Blanco,” the exhibit takes place at the Space Eight Gallery, 228 W. King St., in St. Augustine. 904-829-2838 www.spaceeight.com
Celebrate Art: 6th Annual Juried Artist Member Exhibition – Thirty-five of the area’s finest artists will present their juried works in this popular members’ exhibition. The galleries are free and open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-280-0614 www.ccpvb.org
Big Red Art Show – A celebration of the color red includes works that convey a range of moods and meanings with any variation of the spectrum’s hottest color. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery is located at 22 Marine St. in St. Augustine and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.staaa.org 904-824-2310
Monday – Friday : February 4 – 7
Hotel Ponce De Leon Carrere & Hastings Blueprint Exhibit – In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Ponce de Leon Hotel, historically and culturally significant ephemera relating to the construction and early years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon will be on display through February 22. This exhibit includes original Carrere and Hastings and McGuire drawings and blueprints, photographs, a copy of an 1885 map, and construction documents. Additionally, the exhibit highlights a group of artists who made the Hotel Ponce de Leon their seasonal home during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Original artwork and other artifacts related to their time in Saint Augustine will also be displayed at Flagler College’s Crisp – Ellert Art Museum, located at 48 Sevilla St.,
St. Augustine. The museum is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. www.ponce125.com 904-829-6481
Tuesday: February 5
Hotel Ponce de Leon Studios Lecture – At 7 p.m., Dr. Roberta Favis, Stetson University Professor Emeritus of Art History, will present a lecture titled “The Ponce de Leon Studios: Artists and Salons in Florida’s Gilded Age”. The free lecture will take place in the Flagler Room of Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine. 904-826-8530 www.ponce125.com
Wednesday: February 6
First Wednesdays Lightner Museum Tours – Lightner Museum curator provides an exclusive encounter with some of the museum’s eclectic relics. The themed interactive tours are changed monthly and are designed to give participants an opportunity to talk with the curator and to see acquisitions in operation rather than just as static displays. This month’s tour will feature painted works by Edwin Augustus Moore which are on exhibit for a limited time on the 2nd floor mezzanine level of the Lightner Museum. Tours begin at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the museum located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. The tour is included in the regular admission price of $10 adults; active duty military $6; $5 college students and young people ages 12-18; free for under 12. 904-824-2874 www.lightnermuseum.org
Marineland Beach Walk – The GTM Research Reserve presents a free, guided walk along the beach at Marineland. The hike focuses on birdlife, habitats and the unusual geology of the shore. The 90-minute hike begins at 9 a.m. Watch for the temporary event sign posted on the west side of A1A at the south end of Marineland. 904-823-4500
Wildlife Boat Tour – Enjoy a special 1.5 hour Dolphin & Nature tour, perfect for spotting Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, interesting shorebirds, and serene salt marsh habitats. Listen for dolphin chatter with underwater microphones! $35/adult or $175 for a group of 6. Departures are at 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. 904-377-7245 www.staugustineecotours.com
“Fort Mose: Thirty Years of Discovery” – Dr. Jane Landers of Vanderbilt University and Dr. Kathleen Deagan from the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, will discuss the archaeology and history of St. Augustine’s Fort Mose, the first legally-sanctioned black community in what is now the United States, The free lecture takes place at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine. Info: 904-823-2232; www.flagler.edu
Eco Geek Series at the GTM Research Reserve – These 3-4 p.m. presentations focus on the latest technology used in environmental research. How Humans Have Used the Environment to Their Advantage will take place at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd. in South Ponte Vedra. Participation is free with $3 per vehicle reserve admission. 904-823-4500 www.gtmnerr.org/index.htm
Enduring Love: Stories From Cupid’s Quiver – Ensemble program features Wayne and Jane Sims’ “All’s Fair in Love and War” — the Civil War courtship of St. Augustine’s own Confederate General Edmund Kirby-Smith and his bride Cassie Selden. The 7:30 p.m. performance is at the Limelight Studios Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave. in St. Augustine. Tickets are $10. 904-823-7969
Thursday through Sunday: February 7 – 10
A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion – A Classic Theatre reprises its presentation of Joan Didion’s powerful memoir of love and loss. Didion’s essays have appeared in Life, Esquire, The Saturday Evening Post and The New York Times. Performances times at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 for students and groups of 15 or more. www.fortmenendez.com 904-824-8874
Limelight Theater Presents Lost in Yonkers – Neil Simon’s coming of age tale about a young man who must come to terms with his bleak life in Yonkers. The production takes place Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. Tickets are priced at $25 for adults; $22 for seniors; and $20 for students and active-duty military. www.limelight-theatre.org
904-825-1164
Saturday: February 9
Second Saturdays GTM Reserve Guided Trail Hike – Join GTM Research Reserve volunteers from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. for a 1.5 mile guided walk through the Guana Trail. After the walk, visit the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center (EEC). The EEC is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. There is a $3.00 parking fee. 904-823-4500
Flight to Freedom Fort Mose – Unique living history event depicts the flight of slaves from the British colonies to St. Augustine’s Fort Mose where they are freed by the Spanish. From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. there will be guided tours, food, drumming and music, authentic historic reenactors, colonial weapons demonstrations and more. It all takes place at Fort Mose Historic State Park, located at 15 Fort Mose Trail just north of St. Augustine. Free shuttle service from the Old Jail at 167 San Marco Ave. will be provided. Admission to the park is $2 per person. 904-823-2232 http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose/default.cfm
Great Backyard Bird Count – Two Saturday adventures for birders from novice to expert begin at the Anastasia Island Library, 124 Sea Grove Main Street in St. Augustine. At 2 p.m. on Feb. 9, an Audubon expert provides an informative presentation on how to identify birds likely to be seen in St. Augustine. Plus, field guide leaders who will be heading out on the bird count the following Saturday will be present and a go-kit with basic birding information will be available. Then from 10 a..m – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, participants will head out to count as many feathered friends as possible! Guides will offer suggestions on locations and will be present at many key birding sites. Last year, St. Augustine placed 5th nationally in this nationwide bird counting event. 904-209-3730 e-mail aibirdcount@gmail.com
St. Augustine Chocolate Tour – Guided journey to the finest chocolatiers in St. Augustine. Learn the history of chocolate while sampling truffles, pastries, and gooey delights. The 2 hours tour departs at 1:30 p.m. from the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Ave. The tour cost is $60. www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/tour-chocolate.asp
904-829-3800
First Coast Opera Performs Puccini’s Turandot – First Coast Opera performs Turandot,Puccini’s final operatic masterpiece, sung in Italian by international cast accompanied by a full orchestra. The performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. in St. Augustine. Advance tickets $25, $30 at door. Students with ID $10. 904-417-5555 www.FirstCoastOpera.com
Sunday: February 10
Murder in The Old City – A murder mystery in the nation’s oldest city, combined with great dining, creates a memorable and enjoyable evening of entertainment. Tickets to this five-star dinner theatre experience at the Raintree Restaurant are $39.95 (adult beverages served separately). Dinner is served at 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. arrival suggested) and the show begins at 7 p.m. The Raintree is located 102 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine.
904-824-7211
Tour of St. Augustine Houses of Worship – Self-guided walking tour provides an opportunity to learn about the Oldest City’s historic houses of worship. Hosts will be available to explain the history and architecture of each and St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains will provide a special free shuttle between locations. Tour maps will be provided and parking will be available at some of the locations. The tour is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call Grace United Methodist Church, 904.829-8272.
Wedding Vow Renewal: World Record Attempt – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in St. Augustine hosts an attempt to set a new record for the world’s largest wedding vow renewal ceremony — 1,087 couples are needed! Registration is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the big ceremony at 2 p.m.. To take the vow, couples need a copy of their marriage license, valid ID and a signed photo release (provided onsite or on website). Participating couples get lots of goodies including a flower, wedding cake, romantic train ride down the bay front, confetti, live music and dancing — it’s all FREE! Ripley’s is located at 19 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. www.ripleys.com/staugustine 904-824-1606
EMMA Concert Series: Thomas Pandolfi – The leading American pianist interpreter of the works of George Gershwin, performs at 2 p.m. in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. in St. Augustine. Tickets are $25. www.EmmaConcerts.com 904-797-2800
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).
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum and Red Train Tours will be offering discoutned rates to St. John’s County residents through February 8, 2013. Admission to Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-11. The Red Train tours will also extend this discount to residents for a one day pass on the Red Trains!
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
My Cold, Dead Fingers The Naked Curmudgeon by Dan Culberson
Dec 22nd
The Naked Curmudgeon curmudgeon n [origin unknown] (1577) a crusty, ill-tempered, and usu. old man. naked adj 6: devoid of concealment or disguise. Attempting to cover everything that annoys me, Dan Culberson.
Here’s what gets me.
Does it have to take an English major to explain the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution and put to rest this unjustifiable crutch of the right-wing, gun-toting fanatics and their conservative supporters?
For those of you who don’t remember, Amendment II states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Even for those of you who do remember, Amendment II states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
That is what it says word for word, comma for comma, capitalization for capitalization. Notice that the subject is “Militia,” the verb is “shall not be infringed,” and the sentence becomes “A well regulated Militia shall not be infringed.”
“What about the bits between commas?” you say? Those are two appositional phrases, and an apposition is “a grammatical construction in which a noun or pronoun is followed by another that explains it.”
The subject, a noun (See how it works?), is followed by “being necessary to the security of a free State,” and it is followed by “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms” in order to explain “a well regulated Militia,” the subject of the sentence.
The subject cannot be “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,” because you cannot put a single comma between the subject and the verb of a sentence. You cannot write “The dog, ran around the yard.” You can write “The dog, being frightened by the gunfire, ran around the yard,” because now we have two commas separating the subject and the verb. You can also write “The dog, being frightened by the gunfire, the pet of the neighbor, ran around the yard.”
That sentence is not “The pet of the neighbor, ran around the yard,” because that would be ungrammatical, just as “The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” is ungrammatical and therefore not the sentence of Amendment II.
“The right of the people to keep and bear Arms” is an apposition that explains the subject, “a well regulated Militia,” just as the other apposition, “being necessary to the security of a free State,” does. It is a “Militia” that is “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,” which is necessary to the security of a free State and which shall not be infringed.
In other words, the citizens of the United States have the right to keep and bear Arms in “a well regulated Militia,” not to stockpile weapons at home and to carry a gun around with them in some Old West mentality.
And what did the sheriff in the Old West do to maintain order? Do the words “Check your guns at the door” strike a familiar note? That didn’t mean “Inspect your guns to ensure that they are in proper working order.” That meant “Turn your guns in at the door. It’s too dangerous for you to carry guns here.”
Now, the possibility of everyone having a concealed weapon might deter a few criminal acts, but the probability that hotheads and teenagers carrying a weapon could use it in a moment of unbridled emotion is far greater.
Sir William Blackstone (1723-80), a British jurist and Oxford instructor who was the first at a British university to teach English law as opposed to Roman law (See how those appositions work?), wrote in his great work Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69), “It is better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer.”
I believe it is better that ten crimes be committed than one innocent victim be killed by a convenient handgun.
Luke Woodham, a teenager in Pearl, Mississippi, who is spending the rest of his life in prison for murdering his mother and two fellow students in October 1997 when he was 16, kept a map on his bedroom wall with the slogan “One Nation Under My Gun.” Do we want our immature, impressionable children growing up and believing this heinous claim?
We used to see so-called Amendment II supporters brag “I’ll give up my gun when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers.”
After a moment of rage, I don’t want those cold, dead fingers to be mine.
I rest my case.
