Just when you think it we will never get a grocery store in Vilano, we have a Vilano Beach Main Street meeting where prospective developers from south Florida have plans to bring a grocery store to our area.

Come to the Vilano Beach Main Street meeting this Wednesday, November 18th from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Vilano where the prospective buyers of the grocery store site will be in attendance. They will be asking questions of the community and we will have the opportunity to ask questions, too.

Also on the agenda will be the restoration of the Bluebird and an update on the Sunday Market.

Here are details on this meeting and others that are happening this week that affect Vilano Beach.

Thanks and see you at a meeting this week?

Barbara Jenness is the Vice-President of the North Shores Improvement Association (NSIA), the parent organization for the Vilano Beach Main Street. She is also President of Friends of A1A and a homeowner in Porpoise Point---all areas that are having meetings this week.

The 72-mile Super Scenic A1A Highway Garage sale will be taking place this Saturday, November 14, 2009 along A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway in St. Johns and Flagler Counties. Here are the details.

Hope you pick up a great deal while enjoying a scenic drive on one of our nation's National Scenic Byways in our nation's oldest city.

I just posted on  my ActiveRain blog details about the North Atlantic Right Whales and how calving occurs off the St. Augustine Coast from mid December to March. Please click here to view. Thanks!

Events in St. Augustine, Florida this weekend, August 28-30, 2009.

Another beautiful weekend is on tap for St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Weather.com weekend forecast shows scattered thunderstorms which are typical for this time of year during the afternoon with temperatures from the low 70s to the mid-80s.

On Friday, August 28th, O.A.R. is in concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.

OR...

Attend the Grand Opening of the Heather Blanton exhibit at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra on Friday. Ruth's Chris will be catering the wine & appetizer opening reception starting at 6:30 p.m.  Blanton uses photographic images to show the ever-changing face of the Florida landscape.

Friday and Saturday, Black Raven Adventure Cruise for adults only is a sing-a-long pirate cruise. Cruise departs at 8:15 p.m. and returns at 10 p.m.

On Saturday, August 29th it's Uptown Saturday Night, a favorite end-of the-month event from 5 - 9 p.m. in the San Marco Shopping Distric. Appetizers are provided by the Saint Augustine Independent Restaurant Association (SAiRA). Free parking at the Mission of Nombre de Dios.

More details on all of the above events can be found here.

Enjoy St. Augustine and St. Johns County with your dog. (Will cats be next?)

On Monday, July 6, 2009 the St. Augustine Beach City Commission passed Ordinance 09-08, which amends the city's land development regulations to allow four-legged canine companions in outside serving areas of Beach restaurants.

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) announced that a new website devoted to both resident and visitor dog lovers is about to be launched.  Among its many features will be a listing of dog-friendly attractions, restaurants and hotels in the St. Augustine area.  Here is a list of some of the places that are already dog-friendly. I look forward to updating this list based on input from the VCB.

Best Western St Augustine I-95 -2445 SR 16 St. Augustine
Days Inn St Augustine/Outlet Center Mall -2560 SR 16 St. Augustine
Inn at Camachee Harbor -201 Yacht Club Dr. St. Augustine
La Quinta St. Augustine -250 Belz Outlet Blvd.  St. Augustine
Ocean Blue Motel -10 Vilano Road  St. Augustine
St Francis Inn -279 St George Street  St. Augustine
Holiday Inn - St Augustine Beach -860 A1A Beach Blvd  St. Augustine Beach

Anastasia State Park Campgrounds -Anastasia Park Drive St. Augustine
Faver-Dykes State Park -1000 Faver Dykes Road St. Augustine
St. Augustine Beach KOA -525 West Pope Road  St. Augustine
Stagecoach RV Park -2711 County Road 208  St. Augustine
Ocean Grove RV Resort -4225 H A1A S  St. Augustine Beach

Ghost Walk - Spirits of St. Augustine -St. George Street St. Augustine
Ghostly Encounters Walking Tour -3 Aviles Street St. Augustine
Ripley's Ghost Tours -19 San Marco/H 1A St. Augustine
St Augustine Lighthouse -81 Lighthouse Avenue  St. Augustine
St Augustine Scenic Cruise -St Augustine Municipal Marina  St. Augustine
St. Augustine Historic Downtown -St. George St  St. Augustine
St. Augustine Transfer Co. Carriages -Avenida Menendez & Hypolita St.  St. Augustine

Fort Matanzas National Monument -8635 A1A South St. Augustine
St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum -81 Lighthouse Avenue St. Augustine
St Augustine Beach -Most Beaches in St. Augustine Beach

Vilano Beach - closest beach to historic St. Augustine

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument -A1A, near historic downtown St. Augustine
Faver-Dykes State Park -1000 Faver Dykes Road  St. Augustine
Fort Mose Historical State Park -Fort Mose Trail  St. Augustine

Camping World -600 Prime Outlets Blvd  St. Augustine
Petco Pet Store - St Augustine -430 Cobblestone Dr.  St. Augustine

American Graffiti Restaurant and Bar -410 Anastasia Blvd/H 1A St. Augustine
Cafe Cordova -95 Cordova Street  St. Augustine
Carrabba's Italian Grill -155 H 312 W  St. Augustine
Casa Maya 17 -17 Hypolita Street  St. Augustine
Crispers -200 CBL Drive FL  St. Augustine
Firehouse Subs -200 Cobblestone Drive  St. Augustine
Fish Tales Market and Grill -121 Yacht Club Drive  St. Augustine
Florida Cracker Cafe -81 St. George Street  St. Augustine
Grabbers Seafood Grill -21 Hypolita Street  St. Augustine
Harry's Seafood Bar Grille -46 Avenida Menendez  St. Augustine
La Pentola -58 Charlotte Street  St. Augustine
Love Tree Cafe -6 Cordova Street  St. Augustine
Milltop Tavern -19 1/2 Saint George Street  St. Augustine
Old City House Inn and Restaurant -115 Cordova Street  St. Augustine
Present Moment Cafe -224 W King Street  St. Augustine
Scarlett O'Hara's Bar and Restaurant -70 Hypolita Street  St. Augustine
Sonic Drive Inn -704 E Geoffrey Street  St. Augustine
The Pizza Garden -21 Hypolita Street  St. Augustine
The Reef -4100 Coastal H/H 1A  St. Augustine
Tony's Pizza -1935 H A1A  St. Augustine

Barbara Jenness is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and friend of nature serving northeast Florida from Jacksonville to Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, specializing in waterfront properties (ocean, river, and Intracoastal) and foreclosures. She is an active community volunteer and has been involved with redeveloping Vilano Beach since 1998. She is the current President of Friends of A1A and the Vice-President of North Shores Improvement Association, the governing board of Vilano Beach Main Street.

http://BarbaraJenness.com

904-823-0027

e-mail: Barbara@BarbaraJenness.com

The early bird may get the worm, but I was very fortunate this morning to capture the Nina and the Pinta as they were leaving St. Augustine. It was a little before 6:30 this morning when I noticed what I thought were shrimp boats heading back to sea. I thought they were shrimp boats as we had rough waters last night and thought they had come into the St. Augustine inlet for safe harbor, as they are known to do.

Well as the two vessels passed the inlet and continued heading north on the Intracoastal Waterway, I realized what they were and leapt for my camera.

I would have taken pictures of the shrimp boats, too, as many of you know. But this was exciting to have them this close in the early morning hours.

I knew they were visiting St. Augustine from May 5- 18^th, but the days they just fly past. Don't miss my video posted below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIdR6Org6mk

You asked for it. Personal video of the space launch from Vilano Beach, just north of the St. Augustine inlet. Obviously the people with me didn't realize I was recording! Enjoy! It was a spectacular launch. Truly one of the best ones I've seen. It is great to live in northeast Florida!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsBbxIlsmPs

Here's a press release I just received that I thought might interest you.

140 Bands in Three Days to Support Migrant Farm Workers!

HARVEST OF HOPE FESTIVAL BRINGS AMAZING BANDS AND FUN TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY


Three full days of outdoor music, art, films, carnival rides, professional skateboarding, vendors, and other fun are coming to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds beginning Friday, March 6! The Harvest of Hope Festival will feature more than 140 bands from acoustic to hard rock – all of them performing to support educational and emergency services for migrant farm workers.



Festival-goers will be blown away by the musical choices available to them Friday through Sunday at the Harvest of Hope. The lineup includes: Against Me!; The National; Propagandhi; KRS One; The Mountain Goats; GZA(GENIUS); Bad Brains; Girl Talk; The Bouncing Souls; Less Than Jake; Lucero; The Gaslight Anthem; Kool Keith (Dr. Octagon vs Dr. Dooom)ft. Kutmasta Kurt; The Night Marchers; Black Kids; Tilly & the Wall; Strike Anywhere; None More Black; Tokyo Police Club; Deerhunter; Diplo; Valient Thorr; Smoke or Fire; MURS; Grand Buffet; Ra Ra Riot; Paint it Black; Yip Yip; Summerbirds in the Cellar; HEALTH; Dave Dondero; Holywood Holt; Tim Barry; Kevin Seconds King Kahn & the Shrines; The Mae Shi; Tigercity; Harlem Shakes; Kiss Kiss; This Bike is a Pipe Bomb; Rehasher; Ruby Coast; John Vanderslice; Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan) and many more!



The St. Johns County Tourist Development Council has provided a grant to support the festival. Additional support for the unique, progressive and special work of the Harvest of Hope Foundation is being provided by No Idea Records, Southern Lovin’ Publicity of Gainesville and the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds are located approximately 7 miles west of I-95 (exit 311) on SR 207 in Elkton, Florida.



Advance tickets are $19.50 for a single day pass and $39.50 for a 3-day pass ($29.50 and $49.50 on the weekend of the festival). Tickets are available at the St. Johns County Pier and Music Matters, 196 SR 312 in St. Augustine or from www.ticketweb.com . For full details on retail ticket outlets, directions, performance schedules and more, go to www.harvestofhopefest.com.

I was honored to have been selected as the 2008 St. Augustine Women's Council of REALTORS® Businesswoman of the Year. The following is from a press release written by Heather Naughton, Public Relations Director with the Women's Council of REALTORS®:

"This annual award recognizes a Realtor who is real estate industry leader; and who shares their time, talent and expertise with others in the profession and in the community.

Amy Capo, 2008 president of the St. Augustine Regional Chapter of WCR describes Jenness as a community volunteer and activist. Jenness has held office as president and vice president seats with many business and community organizations.

She is a member of the National Association of Realtors; Florida Association of Realtors; St Augustine and St. Johns County Board of Realtors, Northeast Florida Board of Realtors; Women's Council of Realtors and has been involved with the St. Johns County Builder's Council as well as past president of the American institute of Industrial Engineers, Charlotte Chapter.

She holds a bachelor of science - industrial and systems engineering, from Georgia Tech. Jenness is a graduate, Realtor Institute, e-PRO, CCIM intro, Accredited Buyer's Representative and Transnational Referral Certified.

Her career achievements include 2007 100 percent Club - Realty Executives; 2006 Double Diamond Award, Top Producer, Top Score in GRI courses, top score in Real Estate Broker course and top score in Salesperson Real Estate course. Jenness has been recognized by her community for Outstanding Stewardship of the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Vilano Beach Town Center Appreciation and Recognition, Outstanding Volunteer Service - Vilano Beach CRA, and Marine Resources Council Outstanding Volunteer Effort 2002 to 2008."

Barbara Jenness was selected as the 2008 REALTOR® of the Year for the St. Augustine Regional's chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORS®. This is the first year a separate award for REALTOR of the Year and Affiliate of the Year was done. Seymoine Schmidt, with Colonial Bank, was selected as the Affiliate of the Year. Neither award is by nomination, but simply by the members writing in the name of the person. Last year the chapter awarded a member of the year. Mitsu O’Riley was last year’s member of the year. Barbara was the 2007 President of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® and served on the board this year as immediate past president. Seymoine was Mixer Chair and continues in that role for 2009. Please visit the chapter’s website at http://wcrstaugustine.org for more information about the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.

On Monday, October 6^th, I learned from a fellow REALTOR® that our Humane Society was closing at the end of the month. This morning I got verification from reading our local newspaper. Per the St. Augustine Record’s article today:

“Humane Society Director Cindy Bishop is working to adopt out the nearly 200 animals at the shelter. She said she plans to call rescue groups in the area, and she is researching the possibility of transporting animals to Humane Societies in surrounding counties.”

If you have been thinking about adopting a pet, now is the time. Please tell everyone you know. Many of you know our wonderful cat, Kahlua. We adopted her from this Humane Society.

Please stop by the Florida East Coast Humane Society at 1665 Old Moultrie Road before October 31, 2008.  They are closed Sundays and Mondays. Here are their hours and phone number:

Tuesday thru Friday 10 to 6 
Saturday 10 to 5
Closed Sunday and Monday
904-829-2737

Thank you.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Public Information office just announced the following detour on King Street which will affect most of us in our Nation's Oldest City.

"Traffic on eastbound King Street at the U.S. 1 intersection near the Seabreeze Carwash will be routed onto a new detour that will be in place for approximately six weeks beginning September 24.  The detour will route eastbound King Street traffic north onto U.S. 1 returning to King Street at Cordova Street. This will allow construction crews to realign the turn lane at the southeast corner of the intersection and replace the signal.

All eastbound King Street traffic will be detoured north on U.S. 1, east on West Castillo Drive, south on South Castillo Drive, west on Cathedral Place, south on Cordova Street and back to King Street, just less than two miles. 

        A westbound detour that is currently in place will be completed prior to eastbound King Street being closed."

The work on the King Street and U.S. 1 intersection began June 9th and began affecting westbound traffic on King Street on August 5th.  This $1.1 million safety project is expected to be completed by early 2009. The project includes adding a new traffic signal at King Street and Malaga Street/Sebastian Harbor Drive, reconfiguring the dedicated turn lanes at King Street and U.S. 1, replacing the existing signal and sidewalk at King Street and U.S. 1, replacing and adding pedestrian signals with new signals that have a crossing time countdown display, replacing drainage pipes to meet current standards, adding wheelchair accessible ramps, and making minor modifications to the median at Daniels Street two blocks south of King Street on U.S. 1.

        For additional information regarding this project, contact the Public Information Office at 800-475-0044 or monica.reifeiss@earthtech.com.  For information about FDOT projects around Northeast Florida, visit www.northfloridaroads.com/goto/KingStreet.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2008, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will review funding and budget requests for beach restoration. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the county auditorium at 4020 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL.

According to the agenda for the meeting:

“The St. John County Annual Funding Request and Local Long-Range Budget Request to use Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) consists of the following elements:

1. South Ponte Vedra/Vilano Beach/Summer Haven Beach Restoration
2. St. Johns County Shore Protection Project
3. South Ponte Vedra/Vilano Beach Restoration”

Here are the supporting documents.

There are many benefits to being a St. Johns County resident.  We enjoy a wonderful lifestyle, beautiful sights, and great attractions. Many new (and some old) residents to our county don't realize they can take advantage of many of St. Augustine's attractions at a discounted rate and in some cases free simply by showing their driver's license. When I have guests visiting me, I take them on the trains and I get to ride free (I think it's a two for one charge, but I like to think I ride free).

The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau wants you to know that:

St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Ximenez-Fatio House,  and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse.  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 and the Peña-Peck House (donations are welcomed).

So get out an explore your hometown. Your senses and pocketbook will thank you.

Finally! And yes, I am saying this as an impatient person that lives in the area and am tired of the "speed bumps".  The crosswalks are so nice and now will be able to be seen as crosswalks and not speed bumps. The roads in the Vilano Beach Town Center are now being paved. The work should be done within a week.

So, we will now be able to drive over the roundabout that is really a drive-over at the intersection of Coastal Highway and Vilano Road.  It should all be obvious to us soon.

Thanks to St. Johns County for all they have done for us!

It seems everywhere you look in the Vilano and North Beach areas utility crews are working. A couple of weeks ago I noticed Powercon digging trenches along the west side of A1A around Villages of Vilano north to about 15th St. They said they are laying conduit to bury the overhead electrical lines. I have not gotten this information verified by FPL, however. Powercon did not know when the actually burial of the lines would occur, but the conduit is in place.  They were contracted for 6000 ft. along A1A. They are not doing the east side due to safety issues of being able to have their equipment off A1A while doing the work.

AND... the big news:  The poles are coming down in the Vilano Beach Town Center as I type this. This has been happening this past week and will continue. It shouldn't be long now. The Vilano Beach Town Center is looking good.

UPDATE- we've got a small snag to removing the poles---AT&T. Hopefully AT&T will get going soon and we can get the poles removed.

The grand opening of the streetscape will be in mid September. We'll know more in July as to the actual date. Stay tuned for more info or call me at 904-823-0027 or e-mail me at Barbara@BarbaraJenness.com