Posts tagged honor
Flagler College awarded three state grants for 125th Anniversary celebration
Nov 13th
Historically, the Solarium served as an area where guests could gather for conversation, enjoy entertainment, or watch activities taking place in town or along the bay front. Rehabilitation of this room and the fourth floor will permit similar activities, as well as provide for an exceptional event venue. The Solarium remains as the last significant space to be restored in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, and the room is quite different than any other.
The fundraising campaign began in 2009, and since that time the College has secured more than $1,500,000 from private sources for the project. In honor of their lead gift, the Solarium will be renamed to recognize historic preservation supporters and philanthropists Allen and Delores Lastinger.
All of the projects are expected to begin in fall of 2012.
Flagler College has chosen St. Augustine-based A.D. Davis Construction, which specializes in custom construction for commercial, residential, renovation and historic restoration, to complete the Solarium project.
Projects that were approved for funding are:
• $350,000 for restoration of the Solarium of the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a National Historic Landmark, additionally honoring the 100th anniversary of Henry Flagler’s completion of the Overseas Railway and his importance to the development of Florida;
• $50,000 through a #1 ranked Acquisition and Development grant for restoration of the Solarium; and
• $25,000 through a #1 ranked Community Education grant for the 125th Anniversary Exhibition project.
Hotel Ponce de Leon — Solarium
The twin towers of the Ponce flank a great dome topped by a copper lantern. These elements define the St. Augustine skyline and have done so since the time of the Hotel’s opening in 1888. They represent Florida’s first “boom” era; serve as landmarks for travelers on land and water; and are the featured architectural elements in many photos. In 1964, prior to St. Augustine’s 400th anniversary, the City established height limitations relative to these building elements: no building would be constructed taller than the towers on the Ponce. Those standards remain in place today, helping to make the St. Augustine skyline one of the most photographed in the nation and reflecting the city’s longstanding commitment to preservation of its cultural resources.
The grant projects have been financed in part with historic preservation grant assistance provided by the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission.
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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $23,690, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu
Source: Flagler College
City of St. Augustine news
Nov 11th
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Monday, November 12 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday, but the solid waste pick-up schedule will remain unchanged.
For more information, call the Public Affairs Office at 904.825.1004.
Community readies for start of Nights of Lights – 19th season begins on November 17
With the start of the Night of Lights just days away, there is a noticeable increase in activity as city crews are joined by residents and business owners starting to inspect their lighting displays and their inventory of bulbs. Reason is simple: No one wants to be in the dark when the Nights of Lights begins its 19th season on Saturday, November 17.
It all begins with one of the city’s biggest events, Light-Up! Night, when thousands crowd into the heart of the historic downtown to countdown together for the lighting of the city. “3…2…1!” and in the blink of an eye, the Ancient City instantly dazzles in the brilliance of holiday light.
What started as a suggestion by a city commissioner as a way to distinguish St. Augustine for an extended holiday season by decorating it with white lights, has become one of the Southeast’s most recognized holiday events. Running annually from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the end of January, Night of Lights was named by AAA as one of its 12 Favorite Places to Catch the Holiday Spirit in the USA and Canada, recognized by the American Bus Association as one of the nation’s top 100 events several times, and was identified by National Geographic magazine as one of the top 10 places to see holiday lights.
Light-Up! Night takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución on Saturday, November 17 at 6:30pm. Pre-light-up entertainment includes Showtime USA at 4:00pm in front of City Hall/Lightner Museum, followed by holiday and big band sounds of The All Star Orchestra performing from The Gazebo in the Plaza. The lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm with light-up set for 6:45pm.
“It makes a special place more special”
Recognized as one of the Southeast’s major seasonal events, the Nights of Lights has brought holiday excitement to the Nation’s Oldest City annually since 1994. The 10-week long event begins with a simple flip of switch that magically fills every corner of the city with brilliant white lights, transforming the Nation’s Oldest City into an enchanted city of light.
Certainly there is pleasure enough walking St. Augustine’s old world streets anytime of the year, but during the Nights of Lights when historic buildings, downtown parks and the city’s historic Bayfront and Bridge of Lions sparkle with over two million individual lights, the delight is greater than ever. As is often overheard by visitors during the Nights of Lights, “It makes a special place more special.”
St. Augustine’s success with the Nights of Lights lies partially in the fact that the city has such a large volume of unique historic structures in a very compact area. When outlined in light, the sweeping Bridge of Lions, the many arched doorways of Spanish Colonial homes, the sturdy towers of the 19th Century hotels together with the huge oaks in the parks and the tall straight palms that line the streets all contribute to what is a seamless display of light.
More than something to see…it’s something to do
But Nights of Lights is more than something to see; it is something to do. Boasting a full calendar with a wide array of special events and activities visitors will find things to do day and night. Truly it is one of the most festive times of year for a city that thrives on festivals.
Night-time tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free holiday refreshments on the First Friday in December and January, special Saturday night antique shopping events, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, holiday concerts, even a Christmas parade, are among the special events to be added to the memory books of visitors and residents alike.
For complete visitor information including a calendar of upcoming events during the Nights of Lights visit. St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast.
It begins with Light-Up! Night
As it has since its initial season, the Nights of Lights begins with a spectacular lighting ceremony appropriately called Light-Up! Night staged in the city’s historic Plaza de la Constitución located in the heart of the historic district.
The program begins at 4:00pm with a spirited holiday performance by Showtime USA, a high energy fun filled singing and dancing troupe of children and teens that has delighted audiences at Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and Six Flags Over Georgia. For the Light-Up! Night, Showtime USA will deliver a wide variety of holiday musical favorites. Showtime will perform in front of City Hall/Lightner Museum.
Then at 5:30pm, the All Star Orchestra, under the direction of Gary Strohminger, returns yet another year, now being as much of a tradition as the lighting ceremony itself. The popular 16-piece band, performing from the Gazebo, will fill the Plaza with great swing and big band sounds all in grand holiday style.
The most exciting moment on Light-Up! Night is the light-up itself and has been since Nights of Lights began. In the early years of the event, governmental officials were called upon to flip-the-switch, then later the honor was given to members of the community identified as unsung heroes, those who contributed to the betterment of the community often without recognition.
Current Mayor Joe Boles took the best of both traditions and created a new one by recognizing those who have given of themselves as public servants to the city but who may have been forgotten. Mayor Boles has invited all former St. Augustine Mayors to join him in Light-Up! Night ceremonies and then each year one of those present has the honor of flipping the switch to light the city.
Mayor Boles is St. Augustine’s 118th Mayor since the city became part of the United States in 1821. Currently there are 11 living former mayors. They and their years of service are: John Bailey (1965-1967), Arthur Runk (1973-1975), Edward Mussallem (1975-1979), Fred Brinkhoff (1979-1981), V. Noel Helmly (1981), Ramelle Petroglou (1981-1982, 1983-1985), Tracy Upchurch (1990-1992), Greg Baker (1992-1995), Len Weeks (1995-2000), Mark Alexander (2000-2002), and George Gardner (2002-2006).
For more information
Nights of Lights is funded by the City of St. Augustine and the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. The City of St. Augustine manages the installation and maintenance of displays at over 100 locations, including buildings, parks, and gardens throughout the city, but credit for the success of the Nights of Lights is shared with area businesses and residents who voluntarily participate at their own expense truly making the city a city of light.
For visitor information including dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, and tours, visit St. Augustine-Ponte Vedra on Florida’s Historic Coast at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 800.653.2489.
Additional information regarding the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor Information Center and adjacent Historic Downtown Parking Facility visit www.vicparking.com.
For general questions regarding Light-Up! Night and the Nights of Lights, call the city’s Public Affairs Department at 904.825.1004 or email info@citystaug.com
Light-Up! Night and running events necessitate traffic disruptions
Events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18
Activities related to Light-Up! Night, the start of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, and running events associated with the St. Augustine Half Marathon will necessitate several disruptions of traffic in St. Augustine on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18.
On Saturday, November 17, the Plaza de Constitución will be the site of Light-Up! Night, the kick-off ceremony for the 19th annual Nights of Lights. The annual event draws thousands into the downtown, necessitating street closures and detours in the area surrounding the plaza. The lighting ceremony starts at 6:30pm. All streets are expected to reopen by 9:00pm.
On Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, running events associated with the St. Augustine Half Marathon will necessitate traffic restrictions and detours along the route. Those areas include: the Bayfront north of the Bridge of Lions, the bridge itself, Anastasia Blvd./State Rd. A1A, State Rd. 312 east of Sgt. Tutten Dr. A1A Beach Blvd., and the Lighthouse Park area. Traffic restrictions will be in effect on Saturday from 6:00am until 1:00pm and on Sunday from 5:00am until 1:00pm.
Law enforcement agencies from the City of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County and Anastasia State Park have worked diligently with Miami Tri-Events, sponsor of the event, to provide a safe environment for participants while minimizing disruptions to residents and businesses in the area.
Details regarding street closures and detours are below. The City of St. Augustine encourages residents, businesses and visitors to plan accordingly so as to enjoy these events as much as possible while being inconvenienced as little as possible.
For information on Light-Up! Night, visit www.lightupnight.info.
For information regarding the running events visit www.staugustinemarathon.com.
Nights of Lights Light-Up! Night – Saturday, Nov 17 / 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Closed to traffic
• Cathedral Pl., St. George St. from Cathedral Pl. to King St., Charlotte St. and Ponce Cir. from Cathedral Pl. to King St.
Detours
• Bridge of Lions westbound traffic will turn north on Avenida Menendez.
• King St. eastbound by the Plaza will be restricted to one lane.
St. Augustine Half Marathon / 5K and 10K races – Saturday, Nov 17 / 6:00am – 11:00am
Race course for 5K and 10K
• Start at Francis Field on W. Castillo Dr., continue south on S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez, over the Bridge of Lions, continue on Anastasia Blvd. to White St. for the 5K and on into Anastasia State Park for the 10K, then north on Anastasia Blvd. over the Bridge of Lions, west on Orange St., north on Cordova St. to the starting point at Francis Field.
Closed to all traffic
• W. Castillo Dr.
• Northbound lanes of S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez from the Bridge of Lions to the City Gate.
• Westbound lane of the Bridge of Lions.
• Inside lanes, northbound and southbound of Anastasia Blvd. from the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Park Road.
Detours
• The Bridge of Lions – two-way traffic alternated using eastbound lane only.
• Anastasia Blvd. from the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Park Road – all traffic restricted to outside lanes.
St. Augustine Half Marathon – Sunday, Nov 18 / 5:00am-1:00pm
Race course for half and full marathon
• Start at Francis Field on W. Castillo Dr., continue south on S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez, over the Bridge of Lions, south on Anastasia Blvd., west on State Road 312, make a u-turn at Sgt Tutten Rd., continue east on State Rd. 312, south on State Rd. A1A, east on Pope Rd., north on A1A Beach Blvd., north on Santander St., east on San Juan Ext. into Anastasia State Park, then north on Lew Blvd., north on Red Cox Dr., east on Carver St. E., north on Lighthouse Ave., west on White St., north on Anastasia Blvd. over the Bridge of Lions, and north on Avenida Menendez ending near the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Closed to all traffic
• W. Castillo Dr.,
• Northbound lanes of S. Castillo Dr./Avenida Menendez north of the Bridge of Lions.
• Westbound lane of the Bridge of Lions.
• Inside lanes, northbound and southbound of Anastasia Blvd./State Road A1A from the Bridge of Lions to State Rd. 206 and along State Rd. 312 from State Rd. A1A to Sgt. Tutten Rd.
Detours
• Bridge of Lions – two-way traffic alternated using eastbound lane only.
• Anastasia Blvd./State Road A1A from the Bridge of Lions to State Rd. 206, and State Rd. 312 from State Rd. A1A to Sgt. Tutten Rd. – all traffic restricted to outside lanes.
Thanksgiving holiday closings for the City of St. Augustine
Offices for the City of St. Augustine will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, but the solid waste pick-up schedule will remain unchanged.
For more information, call the Public Affairs Office at 904.825.1004.
City and County offer post-Thanksgiving
cooking oil collection for second year
Two locations for cooking oil drop off on Monday, November 26
The City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County Utilities have joined together for the second year to collect used cooking oil and grease following the Thanksgiving holiday.
The recycling collection is set for Monday, November 26, 7:30am–3:30pm at two recycling drop points: 25 W. Castillo Drive (Francis Field downtown); and 840 West 16th Street on Anastasia Island.
This opportunity allows residents to properly dispose of large amounts of used cooking oil to be recycled into usable products such as biodiesel fuel. Participants are asked to allow used cooking grease to cool prior to delivering it in a safe container that will not melt or shatter. Also, to help in collecting oil in the future, each participant will receive a free funnel for future recycling efforts.
When cooking oil is improperly disposed of down the drain, it can clog sewer pipes and create environmental and public health hazards. Problems with sewer lines typically increase around the holidays when people are washing a lot of greasy and fatty foods down the drain. The fats, oils and greases build up inside sewer pipes and can cause raw sewage to back up and overflow into homes, businesses and the environment.
Used cooking oil may be dropped off throughout the year at six other locations: St. Johns County Fleet Maintenance Biodiesel Dept., 2730 Industry Center Rd.; St. Johns County Solid Waste transfer stations, 250 North Stratton Rd. and 3005 Allen Nease Rd.; St. Johns County Utilities, 860 West 16th St.; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 13 South Dixie Hwy.; and the City of St. Augustine Wastewater Treatment Plant, 501 Riberia St.
For more information on the collection and other cooking oil recycling efforts, contact Glabra Skipp, City of St. Augustine at 904.209.4284 or Stacy Kowlsen, St. Johns County at 904.209.2662.
Source: City of St. Augustine
St. Johns County news
Nov 3rd
St. Johns County Public Libraries are offering patrons the opportunity to resolve overdue fines and help those in need this holiday season through the “Food for Fines” program. Library staff will accept non-perishable food items in lieu of overdue library fines through January 5, 2013. All donations will be delivered to the St. Johns County Food Closet and will be distributed locally to help meet increased need for meals during the holiday season. Up to $1 in overdue fines will be resolved for each sealed, non-expired, non-perishable food item donated. The donation waivers are for library fines only and cannot be applied to fees for printing, lost items, or for credit against future fines. Interested parties who do not owe fines are also encouraged to participate by dropping off canned foods at any library branch or bookmobile stop. Together, all residents can help top last year’s collection of more than 18,000 donations. For more information, visit www.sjcpls.org or call 904.827.6925.
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Offers Workshop on County Government Ethics, Function, and Transparency
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) invites the community to a special educational workshop at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20 in the County Administration Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View. The workshop is designed to educate interested persons about some of the most common laws that affect elected officials and volunteers who serve on local government advisory committees and boards, and citizens who wish to take an active role in County government. Virginia Delegal, General Counsel for the Florida Association of Counties, will make a presentation covering County Government Form and Function. Additionally, attorneys from the Office of the St. Johns County Attorney will review the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, laws related to Quasi-Judicial Proceedings, Government in the Sunshine, and Public Records. To learn more about this educational session or regularly scheduled BOCC public meetings, please visit www.clk.co.st-johns.fl.us/minrec/agendas/curr_agenda.html.
St. Johns County and City of St. Augustine Offer Post-Thanksgiving Cooking Oil Recycling Sites
St. Johns County, FL. – Following the great success of last year’s program, St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine have joined together again to collect used cooking oil and grease after the Thanksgiving holiday. The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, November 26 at two recycling drop points, 25 W. Castillo Drive (Francis Event Field) and 840 West 16th Street on Anastasia Island.
The program allows residents to properly dispose of used cooking oil to be recycled into usable products such as biodiesel fuel. When cooking oil is disposed of improperly, it can clog sewer pipes and create public health hazards by causing raw sewage to back into homes, businesses, and the environment. Participants are asked to allow used cooking grease to cool prior to delivering it in a safe container that will not melt or shatter. Those who donate will receive free funnels for future recycling efforts. For more information or to learn where to donate cooking oil throughout the year please contact Glabra Skipp, City of St. Augustine, at 904.209.4284 or Stacy Kowlsen, St. Johns County, at 904.209.2662.
Vilano Beach Town Center Invites Residents to Get Creative and Celebrate the Holidays with “The Dressing of the Palms”
Vilano Beach Main Street and the North Shores Improvement Association invite residents to participate in “The Dressing of the Palms,” an inaugural celebration of the holidays and coastal living. For a $25 entry fee, residents can adopt and decorate palms through November to promote and showcase their schools, businesses, and holiday cheer. Judging will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 10 at the Vilano Beach Town Center. First place will receive $300, second place $150, and third $75. Palms will remain decorated through January 31. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make the Vilano Beach Town Center a holiday destination. To reserve a palm and learn more about design rules, visit www.vilanobeachfl.com or contact Linda Arnold at lindabarnold@mac.com or 904.910.8386.
Annual Adoption Day Celebration Honoring St. Johns County Foster and Adoptive Families
The St. Johns County Family Integrity Program invites the community to the 10th Annual Adoption Day Celebration from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, November 2 at the Solomon Calhoun Center, 1300 Duval Street. Held in conjunction with National Adoption Month in November, the celebration will honor the foster and adoptive parents and families who currently serve the children of St. Johns County. Activities will include free food, a bounce house, games, and arts and crafts. Despite the efforts of these wonderful caregivers, an ongoing need continues to exist for additional foster and adoptive homes to care for children in our community who cannot safely remain with their families. Information will be available at the event for anyone interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent. For more information, please visit sjcfl.us/fip or adoptflorida.com, or call Kim Kelly with the St. Johns County Family Integrity Program at 904.209.6107.
Source: St. John’s County