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By MARK PETTUS
mark.pettus@mystjohnssun.com

The results are in and may be surprising. After two years of research followed by five months of town-hall and neighborhood meetings, St. Johns Vision reported to the County Commission this week what residents see for the future of the county.

New roads, new parks and an increased focus on basic infrastructure made the list, as did some things that are more esoteric.

This is an architect’s concept of the storage facility Ash Properties hopes to build on Flora Branch Road adjacent to the CVS pharmacy, in Julington Creek Plantation. FILE/Special

By MARK PETTUS
mark.pettus@mystjohnssun.com

Northwest St. Johns County residents interested in a company’s plans to build a storage facility in Julington Creek Plantation will soon have a chance to voice their opinions in a public forum.

American Indian folklorist Jimmy Redblood Adkins entertained and educated Cub Scouts attending camp at St. Francis in the Field Methodist Church in St. Johns County. Here he teaches Indian sign language to Scouts Kyle Thompson, Matthew Paul, Joshua Mazzattta, Nathan Ventouras, James Cody Langston, Rowan Fitch, Cole Rieger, Michel Leisle, Parker Webb, Andrew Brown, Dean McCarthy, Austin McLeod and Steffen Shivers. MARK PETTUS/My St. Johns Sun

Osceola played host to a member of a different tribe this week, and a bunch of young honorary members, too.

Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell is an artist and though he holds a master’s of fine arts in sculpture from the University of Memphis, his preferred medium is people. He makes his living shaping lives. Mitchell is the program director for the Organization of United Resources (OUR), a community coalition that serves the rural communities of southern St. Johns County. The OUR Center offers everything from GED classes and tutoring to emergency food and clothing to substance abuse referrals. Whether the goal is teaching kids math or helping adults find a way to support themselves, Mitchell believes art is a tool that can help people sculpt a better life. This summer the center is hosting the Hastings Summer Blues Camp. A  total of 115 kids will learn music from blues musicians and before the end of camp, the kids will compose their own music on their own harmonicas — provided free by the center.

Authorities respond to 35 vehicle accidents in Florida and write 240 citations in St. Johns County  during the Memorial Day holiday.

The Florida Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and St. Johns County law enforcement agencies teamed up on Memorial Day weekend for the “Click It or Ticket” Florida campaign, and more than 3,000 drivers learned they meant business.

The primary goal of the campaign was to save lives by getting motorists to buckle up.

During the 2006 Memorial holiday weekend, nearly three dozen Floridians were killed in motor vehicle crashes across our state. This year 35 people were killed on roadways statewide, with only one in St. Johns County. According to Lt. Bill Leeper, spokesman with Troop G of the Florida Highway Patrol, 65 percent of those fatalities involved drivers or passengers who were not wearing seat belts. There were 48 percent of the fatal accidents that involved alcohol.

Golfer Johnny Miller’s 1973 U.S. Open win included what was considered a scoring round for the ages on the final day of the illustrious national tournament. Now, the clubs he used to make his mark on golfing history have found a new home in St. Augustine.

Miller, a television golf analyst and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, donated the golf clubs to his locker exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame, where they’ll be on display until Miller decides to reclaim them.

Miller shot his 63 at the Oakmont club near Pittsburgh, Penn., which also is hosting the 2007 U.S. Open begining Thursday. Ralph Brandewiede, a World Golf Hall of Fame volunteer tour guide, called Miller’s accomplishment “like the perfect score.” Par for Oakmont is 72. U.S. Open tournaments are among the toughest tests of golf each year for professionals, where winners typically post over-par scores.

By MARK PETTUS
mark.pettus@mystjohnssun.com

A black cow, a red goat and two developers were disappointed this week when the St. Johns County Commission voted not to name three new roads in the northwest after them.

Instead, the new roads will be known as St. Johns Parkway, Veterans Parkway and Longleaf Pine Parkway North and South.

County Road 2209, which will become a major north/south connector extending from Race Track Road south to County Road 208, will be known as St. Johns Parkway.

County Road 244 will extend west and south from Race Track Road to Greenbriar Road as Longleaf Pine Parkway North. From there until it intersects County Road 210 and Florida 16, it will be known as Longleaf Pine Parkway South.

DIFFERENCE MAKER -- JB "Jellybean" Dick

As he sits behind his keyboard, one can easily see why JB “Jellybean” Dick made the decision to become an entertainer — after his first retirement. Now, just shy of his 80th birthday, he continues to delight the crowds, sometimes as a magician, sometimes as a clown, and on Wednesday as the one tickling the keys and the funny bone of his audience at the Council on Aging center in St. Augustine.

A gopher tortoise starts its relocation journey from its soon-to-be-demolished home off of County Road 210 to Nokuse Plantation in Walton County. KATHY MILANI/Special

By PAUL R. MAY

There’s an underground society living behind the Publix on County Road 210.

Some of these St. Johns County residents have lived in earthen homes more than 30 feet long, as deep as 15 feet below the surface, and for as long as 80 years. And like many of the county’s long-term residents, they’re probably not big fans of development, either.

By KATIE NAIL

The plane tickets are booked, vacation time is planned and now you’re ready for your big summer trip. Before you can say “extra towels,” you will be booking a couple of standard hotel rooms at inflated summer prices and wondering what part of the continent your breakfast is from.

Fear not, vacationers. Make your kids, your spouse and your wallet happy with these tips to better travel.

DON'T BUY, RENT

While hotels are lovely and wonderful for one-night stays, they don’t offer much comfort for longer vacations. If you know that you will be staying near Grandma for several days or weeks, why not rent a house?