sea turtle nesting season
St. Johns County is home to several species of endangered or threatened sea turtles that arrive every spring and summer to nest along our coastline. Residents and visitors of the county have a special opportunity and responsibility to protect these creatures and their vulnerable nesting and feeding grounds. Visit www.sjcfl.us/HCP or (904) 209-3740 for more information.
*The beaches will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. between May and October 31.
*All beach front properties are required to eliminate all non-compliant interior and exterior lights that are visible from the surface of the beach.
*Use trash receptacles to discard trash and debris when at the beach.
*Remove ruts and fill in holes left by vehicles and pedestrians.
*Do not leave chairs, umbrellas, or canopies on the beach overnight.
*Flashlights, fireworks, and open fires are prohibited.
*Trespassing into the dunes or Conservation Area is strictly prohibited.
*Refrain from using balloons for events; they fall into the ocean and can harm marine life.
*Leave only your footprints, providing the turtles with a safe and clean habitat to nest.
*Coastal residents, visitors, and beach goers are reminded to not disturb or handle any sea turtles, their eggs, or their nests. Endangered species are protected by County, State, and Federal Laws with fines up to $20,000.
*Support the County’s Habitat Conservation efforts and keep our beaches beautiful!
welcome pavilion
The World Golf Hall of Fame has designed a visitors’ Welcome Pavilion for THE PLAYERS Championship that will tell the stories of THE PLAYERS, the Hall of Fame and tourism in St. Johns County, home to both the museum and the annual tournament. Stories and photos can be viewed within the Welcome Pavilion, part of an arrival experience that welcomes guests to THE PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass Monday through Sunday (May 11). For more information visit www.wgv.com.
free classes
The Coastal Community Center, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine offers a complete series of classes including yoga, art and square dancing. Free transportation is available for all classes beginning before 4 p.m. For more information call Pamela (904) 209-3646.
free rides
In celebration of National Older American’s Month, the Sunshine Bus Company is offering free rides to the entire St. Johns County community every Saturday throughout the month of May. The Sunshine Bus Company is St. Johns County’s public transportation service and is available to all riders regardless of age. So hop on by yourself or bring a friend along for the ride! Call (904) 209-3716 for more information.
helping hands
The Helping Hands of St. Johns recently completed their Mothers Day Baskets for the women at the Betty Griffin House in St. Augustine. The club through donations was able to fill over 30 tote bags with new clothing and cosmetics for the women staying there. Betty Griffin is a shelter for abused and battered women and their children. Laraine Walpole was chairman of the event and wishes to thank everyone for their donations.
volunteer appreciation
The St. Johns County Council on Aging Volunteer Appreciation party was a huge success. A crowd of 300 attended the old Florida themed party and enjoyed a fish fry complete with hush puppies, grits, collard greens and key lime pie. Many of the volunteers volunteered at their own party. Kay Green, Director of Volunteer Services explained that it is sometimes difficult to express appreciation to the volunteers as they are a nonprofit organization, but once a year the entire SJCCOA staff comes together to say thank you. For volunteer opportunities call Kay Green at (904) 209-3685.
new goodwill center
Goodwill Industries of North Florida recently announced the launch of its newest donation center in Palencia, between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, 7440 U.S. 1 North, Suite 112. The center is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fore more information call (904) 819-1778.
know your city
May 17, 9:30 a.m. and noon join local Historian David Nolan on a Know Your City tour of the Nation’s Oldest City. Sponsored by the Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine, some of the lesser-known areas of St. Augustine will be highlighted on the tour; Streetcar Suburbs, Henry Flagler’s first train station, hidden hotels from Flagler’s era and more. Cost is $10 per person Tours leave from The Old Jail Museum, 167 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Advance reservations required. Call (904) 808-1886 or 808-4743 between 6 and 10 p.m.
be an extra
Audition for a local movie being filmed in St. Augustine. The Year of Easter, scheduled to begin photograpy in June is looking for ethnically diverse talent; Lebanese, Italien, African-American. There is no pay, but your name will appear in the credits. Call or e-mail for audition date. 1(800)383-0353 or yrice100@alltel.net
republican club
May 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m, the Republican Club of Northwest St. Johns County will host a Meet and Greet the Candidates Night at the Coastal River Realty Building, 1637 Race Track Road, St. Johns. For more information contact Becky Reichenberg at (904) 287-0752.
walk for hope
May 31, Among the Flowers, 56 Hypolita St., St. Augustine, presents The First Annual Walk for Hope benefiting the Donna Hicken Foundation & the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Check-in is 7 a.m. and the walk begins 8 a.m. For more information visit www.amongtheflowers.com.
gourmet dining in the oldest city
Jun 3, 6 to 8 p.m the First Coast Technical College offers the next restaurant tour at the Kingfish Harbor View, 252 Yacht Club Dr., Camachee Cove. Tours are a perfect way to sample food selections from beach fare to classical European flavors, all accompanied by fine wine. Cost is $85. Early reservation and registration in advance is a must. Register online with a credit card at www.fcti.org (click community education) or call (904) 824-4401.
anglers for a cure
June 21, 5:30 a.m. join Anglers for a cure in an inshore fishing tournament, Sisters Creek Marina, Heckscher Dr. at the Intracoastal Waterway, Jacksonville to raise funds to support the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. $2,500 in cash prizes and trophies for 1st - 5th places. Competition format is a triple challenge combined weigh-in of one each, redfish, speckled sea trout and flounder. Registration open until June 20. Entry fee is $85 per person, $170 per two person team. Visit www.anglersforacure.org.
summer geology workshop
June 23-24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Guana Tolomato Mantanzas Research Reserve (GTM) will host a free teacher geology workshop for elementary school educators at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. Join Professional Geologists and Earth and Science Education Specialists, Gail and Betty Gibson to learn about coastal geology and the ways you can use minerals to teach science in your classroom. Attendees should bring school district forms to receive in-service credits. To register, contact Diana Eissing at (904) 823-4500.
intergenerational bridge camp
June 19-27, The PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach offers intergenerational bridge camp to bridge the bridge playing gap by bringing the greatest sport of the mind to the next generation. All pairs that register must include at least one junior player between the ages of 10-26 and currently attending school. Pairs may also consist of two juniors players. All junior players receive free bridge text books. Last day of mini-camp will be a tournament for a trophy. Program is fully funded and cosponsored by the ACBL and the ACBL Educational Foundation, so there is no cost to participants. Pre-registration is required. For more information call (904) 280-3233 or www.bridgeandpoker.com. Other schedules are available upon request.
host families
EF Educational Homestay Program is a non-profit organization that works with students from other countries who want to learn english as a second language is looking for families to volunteer to host students for three weeks this summer. Host families are asked to provide a bed, an extra plate at the table and transportation to and from a central pick up location. The program keeps the students busy during the week days with group activities. Youth from host families are invited to accompany the students on field trips and earn 60 community service hours. Churches can receive a $50 donation for every three families that volunteer. For more information call Laura Barry (808) 551-5613 or e-mail llbarry01@msn.com.
high school completion
Short of credits as the semester ends? Need to retake a failing class? FCTC offers a high school completion program which allows students to progress at their own pace using individualized materiel. A teacher is present at all times to assist. Students obtain a letter from their guidance counselor indicating the courses to be taken and bring the letter to the FCTC Main campus. Students who have dropped out and want to obtain their diploma may also enroll in the High School Completion program. For more information call Theresa at (904) 829-1019 or burrelt@fcti.org
