Posts tagged Johns County
This Weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches: August 10 – 12
Aug 9th
Friday – Sunday: August 10, 11, 12
PGA Championship at World Golf Hall of Fame
Learn about golfers who have won the PGA Championship, as you take a special scavenger hunt through the Hall of Fame
located at 21 World Golf Place in St. Augustine. There will also be a photo opportunity with the Wanamaker Trophy Thursday – Sunday. The broadcast will be shown throughout the museum during the week during business hours. All South Carolina residents and PGA Professionals receive free admission with ID. http://www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org 904-940-4123
Swamp Hattie’s Lair at Worley Faver Gallery
Entertain the children this weekend with a visit to Swamp Hattie’s Lair at Worley Faver Gallery, 11-A Aviles Street in St. Augustine. A literary critic recently wrote: “Now that there are no more new Harry Potter books on the horizon, Swamp Hattie can provide you with your supernatural fix. Dennis’ books have elements of The Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars movies, and, like both of those trilogies, the second Swamp Hattie book concludes with a dark cliffhanger… every single line of these books rhymes with another line, and that’s no small feat. With Chris Armstrong’s vivid and intricate illustrations, these books are the sort that you’ll want to pass along to your grandchildren.” Weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 904-304-2310
Saturday: August 11
GTM Research Reserve 2nd Saturday Trail Hike
A GTM Research Reserve staff and/or volunteer-led 1.5 mile walk that the entire family will enjoy. Meet at the Trailhead Pavilion at 8:30 a.m. Wear comfortable closed toe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500
Sunday: August 12
PACT Triathlon
Triathlon in support of PACT Prevention. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Anastasia State Park, 1340A A1A South, St. Augustine. http://www.PactPrevention.org
Birding for Kids
Anastasia State Park invites families with children ages 8-12 to participate in a free kid’s birding class from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The program will begin with an outdoor classroom session on how to identify birds, followed by a scavenger hunt to find a list of target birds in the park. Must pay regular park admission of $8 per vehicle to participate. Anastasia State Park is located at 1030 A A1A S in St. Augustine. http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia 904-461-2033
Marineland Guided Kayaking Ecotour
All levels of experience are welcome on this guided kayaking adventure through the peaceful estuary of Marineland. Cost is $55/adults, $45/children 15 and younger. Price includes free general admission to Marineland Dolphine Adventure! Tour starts at 9 a.m. at 101 Tolstoy Lane in St. Augustine, directly across the street from Marineland. http://www.rippleeffectecotours.com 904-347-1965
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
St. Augustine news highlights – August 3, 2012
Aug 3rd
Got your mind made up? Then take time this week to vote early.
One full week of early voting starts tomorrow at six locations across St. Johns County. The voting period runs from Saturday, August 4 through Saturday, August 11, from 8:00am until 6:00pm every day except Sunday when the hours are 11:00am until 5:00pm. All voters in St. Johns County may vote at any of these six early voting locations (click on each name for a map to the voting site):
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office
- St. Augustine Beach City Hall
- Southeast Branch Library
- Hastings Town Hall
- Ponte Vedra Branch Library
- Julington Creek Annex
Before going to vote, take a minute to visit the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections site for sample ballots, to check your registration, locate your regular polling place and lots more information for the voter.
Know it or not, having lift stations #51 & #52 completed is a big deal
Anytime a project costs less than expected, that’s good; and anytime a project is completed without any major setbacks and comes in ahead of schedule, that’s also good. So of course anytime you get a project under budget and ahead of schedule and that also fills a major infrastructure need, it’s really a great day in Public Works and in the City. Learn all about the very successful replacement of lift stations #51 and #52 by reading Essential part of sanitary sewer system installed and working successfully.
Your opinion counts so make it known in 450 branding survey
The City of St. Augustine is currently surveying a thousand people to gain a better understanding of the needs, experiences, attitudes and expectations of three distinct groups: community members, merchants in the historic area, and visitors. The survey results gathered from at least 600 community members, 200 merchants and 500 visitors will enable the city to develop a strong brand message for the 450th anniversary and beyond.
Your answers will be kept confidential and will only be used for this research study. Thank you for your participation in this very important project. The survey takes only 10 minutes to complete and your participation as a community member or merchant is most appreciated.
Click this link for the Community Member Survey (includes all residents of St. Johns County).
Click this link for the Merchant Survey (includes business owners in St. Johns County).
Don’t wait…express your opinion now!
Riberia St. Phase 2 is is right on schedule
Phase 2 of the Riberia Street Rehabilitation project is progressing well with the contractor having completed nearly half of the project and estimating that the whole project will be completed ahead of schedule.
The $4.8 million project includes new underground utilities, storm drainage system, a sidewalk on the west side of the road, and reconstructed asphalt roadway between Bridge St. and Cerro St. at the Willie Galimore Center. Currently, the contractor is installing the storm water system, which includes sediment basins to collect trash and sediments helping to keep the waterways clean from debris.
While the set completion date is July 2013, the contractor, Masci General Construction, expects the project to be completed in February. Construction inspection services for the city are provided by England Thims & Miller, Inc.
To learn more about the project, read Riberia Street Rehabilitation Project enters Phase II
Up next for Concerts in the Plaza — The Rick Arcusa Band
Widely known as “one of Jacksonville’s best party bands,” the Rick Arcusa Band steps onto The Gazebo stage in the Plaza de la Constitucion on Thursday, August 9 at 7:00pm. Most anyone taking a look at the band’s playlist will see lots of songs that are not only familiar and favorite songs.
So call your friends and have them meet you in the Plaza at 7:00pm on Thursday to enjoy St. Augustine’s great free summer concert series now in its 22nd season. It’s still “the best way to spend a Thursday night in St. Augustine.”
The two-hour concerts are free and attendees should bring lounge chairs for seating. Picnic dinners are popular, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza. For a schedule and helpful map-links visit www.plazaconcerts.com
Applications being accepted for PZB
The City Commission is currently accepting applications to fill two, three-year terms on the Planning and Zoning Board. Applicants must be city residents. Those wishing to apply much be city residents and submit a completed application by Friday, September 14. For more information on the Planning and Zoning Board, click here.
The Break Room returns with 450th update
After a brief hiatus during July, The Break Room returns to the air this week on WFCF/88.5 with guest Jennifer Zuberer, Communications & Resource Manager with St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration. Join host Paul K. Williamson, the city’s Public Affairs Director, as he and Jennifer discuss the latest initiatives of what is set to be a multi-faceted event as the city commemorates four and a half centuries of history.
After a brief hiatus during July, The Break Room returns to the air this week on WFCF/88.5 with guest Jennifer Zuberer, Communications & Resource Manager with St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration. Join host Paul K. Williamson, the city’s Public Affairs Director, as he and Jennifer discuss the latest initiatives of what is set to be a multi-faceted event as the city commemorates four and a half centuries of history.
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 Roomairs 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.
The 450th Commemoration asks “What’s your story?”
Contest began Monday, July 16
Know the easiest way to start a conversation with another St. Augustine resident? Just ask “So, how’d you get to St. Augustine?” Without a doubt, the story will be interesting for it seems that our city has residents who can boast a host of origins, adventures and simply great stories about how they arrived in The Nation’s Oldest City or what has made life here special for them.
Know the easiest way to start a conversation with another St. Augustine resident? Just ask “So, how’d you get to St. Augustine?” Without a doubt, the story will be interesting for it seems that our city has residents who can boast a host of origins, adventures and simply great stories about how they arrived in The Nation’s Oldest City or what has made life here special for them.
As part of the city’s 450th anniversary commemoration, the city has launched a contest inviting the public to use their skills at photography, videography or the written word to answer one question: What is your St. Augustine story?
And for telling your story, there is the possibility of winning cash prizes.
Of course, it is not just St. Augustine residents who have a St. Augustine story. Lots of people do and so the contest is open to photographers, writers and videographers regardless of age, residence, citizenship, or ability level.
Complete contest details and guidelines are available by calling the 450th Commemoration office at 904.825.1053or by visiting the 450th Commemoration web site here.
Important budget dates announced
As summer begins to wind down, local governments start the final stages of preparing their budgets for the next fiscal year. For the City of St. Augustine whose fiscal year begins October 1, the series of meetings begins with theCommission’s annual budget workshop. Then three weeks later there is the initial public hearing on the proposed budget and two weeks after that, the final public hearing. The dates for the three meetings are:
– City Commission Budget Workshop, Thursday, August 16 at 9:00am.
– First Budget Public Hearing, Thursday, September 6 at 5:05pm.
– Second Budget Public Hearing, Thursday, September 20 at 5:05pm.
All meetings will be held in The Alcazar Room, City Hall, 75 King St.
Have you seen the the archaeology exhibit at The VIC ?
A new exhibit at The VIC offers a look into the extraordinary life of 18th century St. Augustine through ordinary items uncovered by the city’s archaeologist and volunteers. Organized into displays focusing on various aspects of colonial daily life, the exhibit offers items commonly associated with home life, the routines of a military lifestyle, and even those depicting entertainment including games and tavern items. The free exhibit, recently featured in a St. Augustine Record article, 450 Years of unbroken history, is open 8:30am-5:30pm in The VIC. For a map, click here.
New zoning maps available on-line
Updated zoning maps for the City of St. Augustine are now available on its web site. This valuable and easy to access resource is available in four separate maps: one for the over all city and others focusing on areas north and south of Castillo Drive and Anastasia Island. The maps may be found by visiting Maps Library on the city’s web site..
Agendas
Planning and Zoning Board meets on Thursday, August 7 at 2:00pm. The agenda is available here.
City Commission meets on Monday, August 13. When available, the agenda will be here.
Code Enforcement, Adjustments and Appeals Board meets on Tuesday, August 14. The agenda is available here.
The Historic Architectural Review Board meets on Thursday, August 16 at 2:00pm. The agenda is available here.
Budget related meetings
City Commission Budget Workshop, Thursday, August 16 at 9:00am. When available, the agenda will be here.
First Budget Public Hearing, Thursday, September 6 at 5:05pm. When available, the agenda will be here.
Second Budget Public Hearing, Thursday, September 20 at 5:05pm. When available, the agenda will be 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
Certified Local Government training scheduled in conjunction with state preservation meeting
Aug 1st
Even though St. Augustine is synonymous with historic preservation, hosting the state’s most prestigious historic preservationists is nonetheless a very special event.
For the second time in just six years, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its annual meeting in St. Augustine. Set for the week of May 13, 2013, the conference will be preceded by a Certified Local Government training workshop made possible by a grant to the City of St. Augustine from the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation.
The CLG workshops follow guidelines set by the Bureau and have been held in various locations across the state to educate and train historic preservation commissions and their related professionals that deal with identifying and regulating historic and archaeological resources.
St. Augustine received its Certified Local Government in 1986, the initial year of the program in Florida, because of its strong historic and archaeological preservation ordinance. City staff and the Historic Architectural Review Board are responsible for carrying out the CLG responsibilities.
Over the years, the city has been the beneficiary of numerous grants available to it because of it being a CLG, grants that haves supported the research necessary to inventory thousands of historic resources and develop nominations for seven National Register Historic Districts.
The training workshop will cover a variety of topics that include basic operations of a CLG as well as regional issues and challenges facing historic preservation commissions.
Following the training workshop, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its annual conference. When St. Augustine last hosted the conference in 2006 it drew over 500 attendees, a record for the organization.
Topics range from historic building technologies and management plans, archaeological preservation and interpretation, and cemetery and landscape preservation using the culturally diverse resources of St. Augustine and St. Johns County for tours, venues, and interactive opportunities.
Both the CLG training workshop and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference are certain to draw the most knowledgeable preservation professionals from across the state and region as well as several national figures in the field from both the public and private sectors. And certainly, there is no more appropriate setting for historic preservation professionals to meet than in St. Augustine.
For more information, contact Jenny Wolfe, Historic Preservation and Special Projects Planner, at 904.209.4326.
