Fort. Fourth. Fireworks. This is a no brainer!
Jul 2nd
We’ve all seen fireworks before. But how many of us have seen fireworks, exploding over a legendary fort, shimmering across the Mantanzas Bay, on the Fourth of July? Now that’s some kind of super–concentrated Independence Day overload – and it sounds perfect.
So come join fellow patriots for this 20–minute spectacular regarded as one of the largest and most visually–stunning firework displays on the East Coast.
So come join fellow patriots for this 20–minute spectacular regarded as one of the largest and most visually–stunning firework displays on the East Coast.
Have a blast at one of the East Coast’s largest fireworks displays! The spectacular fireworks burst above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the waters of the Matanzas Bay. Admission is free with the best vantage points located along the bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions. The fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks Over The Matanzas, St. Augustine’s annual Independence Day fireworks display, draws the largest single-event audience in the city’s very busy calendar year. While an exact count of all who see Fireworks Over The Matanzas is not possible, 100,000+ is not unrealistic considering that the show is watched from a 360° vantage point, including the Bridge of Lions, the Bayfront and the Castillo grounds; the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios; the Vilano Boat Ramp park; and Porpoise Point and Davis Shores.
The city’s web site, www.staugustinegovernment.com, has the information you and your audience need to make the most out of this grand event, including a schedule and description of the program, and details of road closures and detours with map-links to the city’s public parking facility and other locations. The primary story is available here: www.fireworksoverthematanzas.com.
Additionally, the site carries a reminder, available here, from city fire officials to keep the holiday safe and legal in particular as regards to the possession or use of personal fireworks. That story also includes an audio link to an interview on the same topic with John Rayno, City Fire Marshal from this week’s The Break Room.
Lastly, there’s a reminder that City of St. Augustine offices will be closed on July 4, but solid waste collection schedules will remain unchanged.
Address: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-825-1004
Art professor selected for summer fellowship
Jul 2nd
Flagler College art professor Don Martin has been chosen for a 2012 summer residency fellowship at the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts in Rabun Gap, Ga.
“The work I hope to create during the fellowship will focus on printmaking and book arts, two courses I regularly teach at Flagler,” said Martin. “In addition, the potential opportunity to share this experience with artists from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines only adds to my anticipation to of this fellowship.”
The Hambidge Center was established in 1934 as a retreat for creative individuals from the visual arts, writing and music as a place of solitude and support for their creative endeavors. Hambidge accepts seven fellows at any one time and houses them in individual studio/cottages during their stay at the center. The fellowship supports interaction and an exchange of ideas among artists from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.
“The opportunity to have an uninterrupted time to focus on my art work in such a beautiful natural setting is a great privilege,” said Martin. “My artwork focuses on my personal relationship with nature so the location of this fellowship is particularly important to me.”
Source: Flagler College
Floridians select St. Augustine as their favorite city
Jul 2nd
“Just ask a local.” That phrase is widely accepted as the best advice anyone can offer with regard to finding the true story of a destination. So that’s exactly what Public Policy Polling did earlier this month. Renowned for their work in political polling and their ability to pick the “winners,” the folks at Public Policy Polling decided to survey Floridians to determine which city in the Sunshine State was their favorite – and which city they most disliked.
The survey of 642 voters representing all of the state’s geographic regions, ages, political affiliations and races showed that St. Augustine was their favorite Florida city. Although the results may not have been surprising, the margin of victory for the Oldest City was impressive. For example, it was “leagues ahead of the home of Disney World, Orlando” which finished second. In fact, St. Augustine was viewed favorably by 76 percent of the respondents and seen negatively by only five percent. Orlando got a 64 percent favorable and a 13 percent negative. Next came Tampa with a 61 percent favorable and 13 percent unfavorable, followed by Key West which received a 60 percent favorability rating and 12 percent who weren’t that thrilled with the city. Which city finished last? Miami had a 36 percent favorable rating, while 35 percent of Floridians viewed the city negatively.
It is important to note that no one paid Public Policy Polling to conduct the survey. They just wanted to find out what the results would be if they “just asked a local.” Needless to say, when residents of Florida’s Historic Coast are asked their opinion of the survey, the answer is: 100 percent favorable!
