St. Augustine news highlights – August 10, 2012
Aug 11th
Last chance to vote early is today and tomorrow
The Seawall Rehabilitation Project, called one of the city’s most important infrastuucture projects in years, is on schedule and work is continuing without any major challenges reports Public Works Director Martha Graham during her stop by The Break Room this week. Join host Paul K. Williamson, the city’s Public Affairs Director, as he and Martha discuss the project and its progress.
Early vote on Friday or Saturday, August 10 & 11, or vote on Election Day, Tuesday August 14
For those who planned on voting early, there is still time.
Six polling places located around St. Johns County are open today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11 from 8:00am until 6:00pm. 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
For those who missed early voting, make plans now to cast your ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, August 14. Polls are open from 7:00am until 7:00pm.
On Election Day, voters must vote at the precinct of their legal residence, and as a result of the changes necessitated by redistricting, some voters’ precinct number may have changed, and thus may be voting at a new polling location. So before you go, get election ready by visiting the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections web site for sample ballots, to check your registration, locate your polling place and lots more information for the voter.
City Commission holds budget workshop August 16
The St. Augustine City Commission will hold a workshop to discuss the 2012-2013 budget on Thursday, August 16 starting at 9:00am. The workshop will be held in The Alcazar Room in City Hall, 75 King Street.
The workshop is an opportunity for the commissioners to discuss the budget in a more informal format than in a regular meeting. No votes are taken during a workshop and public comment is not scheduled, but public hearings on the budget are scheduled for September 6 and September 20, each starting at 5:05pm. Those public hearing will also be held in The Alcazar Room. The 2012-1013 budget goes into effect with the start of the fiscal year on October 1.
In preparation for the workshop, staff prepared a workbook for commissioners that provides a budget summary of each of the funds on which the city relies for operations. Those funds are:
General Fund
Community Redevelopment Agency Fund
Utility Fund
Stormwater Fund
Solid Waste Fund
Municipal Marina Fund
Visitor Information Center Fund
450th Commemoration Fund.
View the workbook, click here.
One week left to answer the question “What’s your story?”
450th Commemoration contest deadline is Thursday, August 16
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?
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?
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.
And for telling your story, there is the possibility of winning cash prizes.
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.
Rob Ellis Peck & Friends set for next Concerts in the Plaza
As the summer slips away so do opportinuties to enjoy the 22nd season of Concerts in the Plaza. with just four more concerts scheduled, don’t miss next Thursday’s performance by Rob Ellis Peck and Friends, a band well known for delivering a great show with the best of acoustic R&B and classic rock
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. 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
Seawall progress report this week onThe Break Room
The Seawall Rehabilitation Project, called one of the city’s most important infrastuucture projects in years, is on schedule and work is continuing without any major challenges reports Public Works Director Martha Graham during her stop by The Break Room this week. Join host Paul K. Williamson, the city’s Public Affairs Director, as he and Martha discuss the project and its progress.
Visit the city’s web site to read two articles related to the Seawall Regibilitation Project: Saving the Seawall andCeremony marks start of Seawall Rehabilitation Project.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Agendas
City Commission meets on Monday, August 13. The agenda is available 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. The agenda is available 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
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
Total Recall – Movie Trailer
Aug 9th
Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he’s got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life – real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world – Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen.
