Friday, January 30, 2009
The 2009 Relay For Life® St. Augustine Committee
(904) 825-0566
sklay723@comcast.net
Date: January 30, 2009
Relay For Life® St. Augustine To Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
This international fundraising event involves communities in a festival atmosphere. Families enjoy a day and night filled with food, activities and entertainment for all age groups. Teams decorate campsites around the track, and walkers from each team continuously circle the track throughout the 18-hour event as a symbol that we will never give up on the fight against cancer. Funds raised through the Relay are used to support the American Cancer Society's programs of research, education, advocacy and service.
The 2009 Relay For Life® of St. Augustine will take place Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 at the St. Augustine High School track and field. The next Team Captain’s Meeting to prepare for Relay For Life® St. Augustine will take place on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Prosperity Bank Community Center, 790 Ponce de Leon Blvd. The Relay For Life® St. Augustine committee looks forward to seeing friendly faces from past teams, and new teams are encouraged to attend to learn more about Relay For Life®.
It's not too late to get involved! For more information about Relay For Life® St. Augustine, including how to become a sponsor, contact Event Chair Amanda Dunnam at (229) 563-4895 or e-mail Dunnam_a@bellsouth.net. For information on how to get a team registered for Relay For Life® St. Augustine, contact Heidi Matheny at (904) 536-1301 or e-mail relayForLifeSA@aol.com. More details are also available at http://www.relayforlife.org/staugustinefl
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/030509/health_030509_006.shtml
Relay for Life events planned
Groups from all around St. Augustine have banded together to raise funds to fight cancer, care for local cancer survivors and get the word out that 70 percent of all cancers are preventable.
The 2009 Relay For Life of St. Augustine will take place May 16 and 17 at the St. Augustine High School track and field. The next team captains meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Prosperity Bank Community Center, 790 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Various activities are planned in the time leading up to the relay event:
* From March 13 to 15, Relay For Life of St. Augustine supporters will staff a booth at the Seafood Festival. The booth, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Relay For Life team, will provide information on cancer programs and the relay.
* On March 21, a local martial arts academy will sponsor a self-defense class for $20 per person. All proceeds will benefit Relay For Life of St. Augustine. For information, e-mail Jessica@cdc123.com. Space is limited and pre-payment is requested.
* On March 28, the Royal St. Augustine Golf Club will sponsor the 4th Annual Harrij Costa Memorial Relay for Life Golf Tournament. The shotgun start is at 11 a.m., and the cost is $60 per person. Lunch will be at 2 p.m. All profits will benefit the 2009 Relay For Life St. Augustine. For information, e-mail nquatrano@yahoo.com.
For information about Relay For Life St. Augustine, contact event chair Amanda Dunnam at (229) 563-4895 or e-mail Dunnam_a@bellsouth.net. For information on how to get a team registered for the relay, contact Heidi Matheny at 536-1301 or e-mail RelayForLifeSA@aol.com. Details are also available at http://www.relayforlife.org/staugustinefl.
Pedro Menendez event
The Pedro Menendez Relay for Life is planned from March 28 to 29 from noon Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. Opening ceremonies are at noon March 28, and the survivor ceremony is at 6 p.m. that day.
The luminaria ceremony is at 9 a.m. March 28.
All events will be at Pedro Menendez High School, 600 State Road 206 West. Contact Carly Saffer at 461-2107 or e-mail PedroRelay@yahoo.com.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A recap...
On Sunday, December 7th, 2008, the weather was sunny, temperatures in the mid 60s and a perfect day for a walking tour.
The Garden Club of St. Augustine presented The 40th Annual Tour of Homes “Christmas Traditions”. The tour started at the COA Coastal Community Center (or actually anywhere along the route as long as you had a ticket). Complimentary shuttle service was provided by The Red Train. The tour also included an Afternoon Tea and an opportunity to browse through the Unique Boutique and Elegant Elephant sponsored by one of the garden circles. The six homes on the tour were lovely and, of course, beautifully decorated. Many thanks to the homeowners who opened their homes. If you missed this year’s event, you can see photos at http://www.gardenclubofstaugustine.org. Click on Photo Album, Tour of Homes
Remember also, that each year on Florida Arbor Day (third Friday of January) trees have been given to the public by the Garden Club as a “Thank You” to the community for their support of the Christmas Tour of Homes.
Arbor Day 2009 is January 16th and the Garden Club will be giving away bare root trees at three locations this year. For us, the closest location is the St. Augustine Beach Pier Parking Lot.
The Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch, 21 of us gathered at Palms Grill on December 10th at 5:00 PM. It was also a special occasion since Chef Thomas was celebrating a significant birthday. We started out with a salad, main entrĂ©e of either shrimp and mahi mahi with rice, or chicken with alfredo sauce over fettucini and homemade cookies for dessert. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I did enjoy everything.
Van Johnson Dies
December 12th, 2008 - Actor Van Johnson died at the age of 92. Even at my age I remember watching him in many of those 40’s and 50’s films. He was a very versatile actor who was as much at home in comedies as he was in war movies, musicals and drama.
Messiah Sing-Along
This was the first year for a one-hour Messiah Sing-Along that took place at St. Anastasia Catholic Church on Saturday, 12/20/2008. This Sing-Along was an opportunity for anyone who enjoys singing Handels’ oratorio (the most well known part being the Hallelujah Chorus!) or just listening to the music provided by professionals and amateurs. You couldn’t beat the price of admission which was a donation of non-perishable food. The event was conducted by Joe Colsant, Choir Director of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville. An ensemble of student musicians from the St. Johns County Center for the Arts and St. Augustine High School accompanied the sing-along. What a beautiful gift to our community from so many talented and gifted people. Thank you!
Christmas Party
Everyone that attended the Dec. 20th Treasure Beach Christmas Party held at the V.F.W. on US1 South enjoyed a good selection of food on the buffet, and a chance to dance to music provided by a D.J. Many left with raffle prizes. This once a year event is a great opportunity to meet new people and spend some time with your neighbors, family and friends.
One of the nice things about the Christmas season is that ordinary people can do incredible acts of kindness. This year the Sand Bar Santas (led by Dennis) and his numero uno elf, Jeannie, did their annual trek throughout St. Johns County (from Armstrong to Hastings to Flagler Estates), delivering gifts and food to homebound seniors in need. This was the seventh year for this event. Words cannot describe what a humbling experience it is in singing carols and garnering smiles and hugs from surprised elderly recipients. Money was raised for this event by holding a fish fry about two weeks before the date with Joe, Gus, Edison, Mike and Melvin (the celebrity bartenders) entertaining the crowd and donating all of their tips to make the gift-giving possible.
New Year's Eve
This article appeared in Lifestyles, in the St. Augustine Record on January 4, 2009...
This is the first year that we decided to venture out on New Year’s Eve by attending the St. Augustine Beach Blast Off 2009. We decided to drive to City Hall and catch a shuttle bus to the pier. If we go next year, I think it will be easier to use the Winn Dixie parking lot at Anastasia Plaza. Wow! Thank you St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce of Commerce South Beaches Area Council. What a spectacular fireworks display from any vantage point near the pier. We met a very nice couple from Quebec, Canada who had decided to stop in St. Augustine for one night before they headed for the West Coast to meet up with friends. They’re looking for a place to spend five months in Florida. Maybe their first impression of St. Augustine will bring them back again. The fireworks started on time at 8:30 p.m. and exploded over the beach with plenty of colors, shooting stars and lots of boom…boom…boom! And then, to quote Chad Smith from the St. Augustine Record, “the show was over, slipping by as quickly as the past 365 days.” I know that we were home in plenty of time before Midnight to watch the crystal ball countdown in Times Square.
Limelight Theatre's Production "Women of Country
Another first for us in 2009 was attending the Limelight Theatre on Old Mission Avenue in downtown St. Augustine. On Thursday evening, 1/01/2009 we were lucky enough to see ‘Women of Country’, an all-female country music revue. Congratulations to talented singers Kristin, Stephanie, Alyssa, Cathy, Rachel, and Kate for a trip down memory lane with songs by the Judds, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Tanya Tucker, Trick Pony, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Nancy Sinatra and Leanne Rimes. The ladies, along with Jennifer and Rae, danced to Sin Wagon by the Dixie Chicks. If you have never visited this little treasure of a place, please put it on your “to do list” in 2009. For more information you can also go to http://www.limelight-theatre.org or call Jeanie at 904-825-1164.
Here are some Florida Fun Facts
(source: http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/florida-funfacts.html)
Did you know?
The oldest continually inhabited city in the USA is….St. Augustine, Florida founded in 1565.
Palatka is derived from “ferry, ford or crossing” since it was a major trading post on the St. John’s River
The phrase “cool as a cucumber” originated in Florida
Go here, go there, but no matter where you are in Florida, you’re never more than 65 miles from the ocean (as a crow flies).
Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city (in square miles). It pretty much takes up all of Duval county!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
January 2009 Newsletter
I just realized I need to get a picture for the paper. I don’t want you all to think I look like Charlie! (Just kidding, Charlie!)
It was a tight election, but all of the campaigning I did paid off!!! Ha! Ha! Now the truth….no one else would run! I know you find it hard to believe but no one wanted this prestigious position! Maybe it’s because when you are in a leadership position of any kind; a significant number of people will be mad at you all of the time.
2008 was a busy year for the Board. Following are some of the accomplishments that we made:
Successful Membership Drive – We sent out over 400 letters to all property
Owners and more than 200 paid their annual dues of $30.00 per year. That’s the best participation we have ever had and WE THANK YOU!!!!
It’s NOT TOO LATE to pay your 2008 dues OR too early to pay your 2009
dues!
Front Wall – The wall made it through the rest of 2008!! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for 2009! Thanks to Jill Ziebell, Rose Larson, Wally Richter, Nancy Gaj, Phyllis Abbott, and Barbara Warman who made time to design and decorate this area! Also, thanks to the “mystery” person
who has been pulling weeds!!!!! If anyone, owner or renter, has a desire to work on the wall decorating, please contact the board.
Monthly Articles – Board members and volunteers published articles in the First Coast Newspaper! Thanks to all who donate their time to getting the articles to the paper and who participate in writing those articles!
Fell Park Dedication – Fell Park was dedicated in honor of Joe and Betty Fell, who were so very instrumental in the transformation of Treasure Beach “the fish camp” into Treasure Beach “the community”. Fell Park is located at the very end of Treasure Beach Blvd. There is a bench and very nice sign commemorating the park.
Neighborhood Watch – headed by Doug Berndt. Doug was able to develop a good working relationship with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department.
Community Clean-Up – We had a successful community clean up day. However, we were not able to get a “free” dumpster this year. A little “birdie” told me we will have one in early 2009!!!!
Spring Volunteer Picnic – We had another spring picnic at Butler Park that was well attended.
Navigational Markers – We did have to replace some markers in the canals, by the request of the U. S. Coast Guard.
Annual Christmas Party – December 20th we had our annual Treasure Beach Christmas Party at the VFW Hall on US 1. Phyllis Grubb and her daughter, Sonny, helped me decorate. Approximately 50 people attended. (Geez….only 50 people out of over 400 families????) The food was great, good entertainment (especially watching some of our guests dancing!!) If you didn’t make it, you may have missed your last opportunity to attend a TBPOA party. When you get only 50 attendees out of 400 residents it’s very disheartening.
Improved TBPOA Boardwalk – Improvements to the boardwalk were started and will be completed early January, 2009. Thanks to John Kelleher, Steve Abbott, George Pascucci, Richard Grubb, Tom Griffin and other kind volunteers, we were able to beautify the boardwalk to give TBPOA and Seychelles residents a safer, more attractive way to get to the beach. Signs
will be posted indicating that there is to be NO SKATEBOARDING OR BIKE RIDING ON THE BOARDWALK.
Parents: If your child has been skateboarding or bike riding on the boardwalk, PLEASE ask them to stop. They can get seriously injured.
Whew! We’ve been busy!!
The year 2009 will bring some new changes to the function of the Treasure Beach Board. We will be functioning more on a “business” level. We will not be planning parties, etc. However…..if any volunteer has a money making idea or community function, please bring it to the attention of the board. You will need to form your own committee and be responsible for the planning of the function.
The meeting dates are: April 7th, June 2nd and October 6th. Of course, signs will be posted at the entrance way to remind EVERYONE of the meeting. ALL are welcomed, including RENTERS!
We are still going to have two (2) potluck dinners. Primarily because we have some REALLY GOOD COOKS in our community!!!
The Board has voted to hold only four (4) community meetings per year. We will still have monthly board meetings to keep on top of issues in the community. Any items that need to be shared with the community will be printed in the President’s Dock newsletter each month.
One of our goals this year is to really improve our website. (Last year it was the boardwalk). Doug Berndt will be getting bids and ideas to help us get the most attractive, user friendly website possible. (He knows the new president is computer illiterate.)
To know what is going on in the community on a monthly basis you will need to either read the First Coast Newspaper or log onto our website. The entire newsletter will be printed on this site.
The Neighborhood Watch program is being “massaged”. Danny Roberts will take over for Doug Berndt as the security contact. However, Danny is recuperating from surgery right now.
The idea of having residents take turns patrolling the neighborhood was a great thought. However, GETTING VOLUNTEERS to do it is like pulling teeth! We need help! If you want a safer neighborhood, please call me and give me suggestions as to how to best achieve this. Don’t leave our safety up to a few people. The Neighborhood Watch program means just that….ALL NEIGHBORS NEED TO WATCH! Watch out for YOUR neighbors. If you see suspicious people lurking around our streets late at night call the Sheriff’s Department. If you see someone
across the canal going into a back porch and you know the owner is out of town…call the Sheriff. We’ve had cars broken into, boat motors stolen, etc. We also need to protect the children in our neighborhood. If you know there is a house where drug activity is going on….call the Sheriff! Drug activity is rampant everywhere. That’s right, our sweet little St. Augustine is big into
drug activity. Just read the arrest log in the St. Augustine Record.
We are going to try to have a guest speaker at every quarterly community meeting. If you know of someone that you think has good information that residents of TBPOA would like to know, please call me at 461.4356.
If it is your birthday this month!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I am only aware of one birthday and it is an important one! Bert Dobbertin turns 85 this week! If you should see Bert, please wish him Happy Birthday!
Well, I’ve rambled enough! Thanks again for all of the volunteers past and present. Also, thanks for giving me the opportunity to work as your TBPOA
President.
Paula Murphy
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Boat Motor Burglary
This motor is a White Johnston 9.9 Hp, short shaft.
We have the ID number and serial number of this motor and the sheriff office is looking for a description of a boat that might have been seem in our canals on that evening or morning or any information of who may have done this.
If you have any information at all, please notify me or the sheriff’s office immediately.
You may reach me by my cell phone at (904)484-6368
Home number is (904)471-8774
Work Number (904)471-6299
Or my personal email is gmartinello@comcast.net
My work email is bmmc@comcast.net
Maybe together we can find these criminals and stop them before some else gets robbed.
Thank you and Happy holidays to all,
Gene Martinello
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Treasure Beach Water Main Replacement Project Intent
Summary:
This project will include replacing 6,900 ft of two inch galvanized pipe with 3600 ft of six inch PVC pipe, 3,300 ft of four inch PVC pipe and 220 new 1” water services from the water main to the customers’ meter. The construction will take place on the following roads: Majorca, Rio Royale, Ole, Rojo, Ajo, Treasure Beach, Basque, Pizarro, Ventura, Hildago, Puebla, Villa Verda, Barco, Desoto, Gomez, and Salado.
Project Time Line:Date Item
December 16, 2008 Board of County Commissioners Awards Bid
January 23, 2009 County receives full executed contract and bond from Contractor.
January 27, 2009 Pre Construction meeting between County and Contractor.
February 1, 2009 County issues Notice to Proceed to contractor so the Contractor may begin mobilizing to project site.
August 1, 2009 Contractor shall be substantial finished with the project.
September 1, 2009 The Contractor shall be completely finished with the project and have all equipment off the project.
The construction schedule determining the order and time for each individual road is being developed. The contractor will be notifying residents prior to beginning construction on each roadway.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Volunteers spend time visiting, feeding the elderly
I have been spending a lot of time in our neighborhood working as a companion caregiver for the elderly, and I have noticed that, as always, Meals On Wheels is one or our most effective organizations. I can not even imagine what the lives of so many elderly shut-ins would be like without the freshly prepared, nutritious meals delivered to their door five times a week and without the dedicated volunteers who deliver a smile, a friendly chat and sometimes even a newspaper along with the meals.
Kay Green is the manager of volunteer personnel for the program, which is administered by the St. Johns County Council on Aging. She told me that Meals on Wheels provides 300 meals a day, which are distributed countywide by 230 dedicated volunteers. Let me introduce you to a few of these volunteers, who unanimously report that they get as much or more out of the program than the clients they so generously serve.
For instance, Joe Ciriello, of St. Augustine Shores, is a retired steel mill worker from Pennsylvania who has been delivering meals since 2002. He "officially" delivers once a week in the State Road 207/Wildwood Drive area, and he also fills in when others can't make it. Joe also drives elderly clients to and from their doctor appointments. "They have all become my friends," he said. "I enjoy visiting them and helping them out."
Marion and Bill Libby live at Treasure Beach, but they are in our neighborhood nearly every day delivering meals. With gas prices rising, Meals on Wheels is having difficulty finding volunteers, but Marion tells me that they simply combine their delivery routes with grocery shopping and other errands that need to be done anyway.
"The important thing is to help others," she said.
They are both retired military (Bill from the Army and the Army National Guard, Marion from the Navy and the Army National Guard). These active folks are avid bicyclists and, on their bikes, participate in the Treasure Beach neighborhood safety patrol.
Don McAllister told me that he and his wife, Rita, have been delivering meals for five years and appreciate the positive feedback they get from the clients. They deliver meals in St. Augustine South, and they live on Anastasia Island with their dog, Molly, a 1-year-old yellow Labrador. Molly recently has been certified by the American Kennel Club as a therapy dog. Don proudly explained that Molly successfully completed a special training course, equipping her to visit nursing homes and other care centers. Last week, Molly made her first official visit to the Summerville Assisted Living Center on U.S. 1 South.
Virginia Beasley, who lives in St. Augustine South, got involved with the program when her husband, Joseph, died, a little more than five years ago. A native of Massachusetts, Virginia was involved with senior housing programs during her professional life and welcomed the chance to be involved with seniors in this program.
"I love them all," she said, but she is especially fond of one client, a bedridden woman who is blind, but always so pleasant and cheerful that she brightens Virginia's day. Virginia is very involved with family. Her sister, Barbara Haynes, has just moved to St. Augustine from Massachusetts, and we welcome her. Virginia's two grandchildren, Zachary and Makenzie Crete, attend Otis Mason Elementary School, just off U.S. 1 South.
Like all our grandchildren, they are both highly gifted, and Zachary, 10, is running for class office.
These are only a few of the dedicated volunteers who "keep the meals on the wheels."
If you have the time and inclination to get involved with this program, give Kay Green a call at 209-3685.
Scholarship program: Teresa Nizza, president of the St. Augustine South Improvement Association (SASIA), is very excited about the SASIA scholarship program. Scholarship applications will be distributed to all area high schools in February and eligible students are enthusiastically invited to apply.
Last year's winner, Rachel LaFlam, of St. Augustine South, received a check for $1,000 plus an additional check for $100 that the scholarship committee raised just by putting out a "change car" at the weekly bingo games held at the clubhouse on Royal Road every Thursday at 1 p.m.
Rachel's parents, Diane and Keith LaFlam, tell me that Rachel, a graduate of St. Augustine High School, has begun her freshman year at Southeastern University "and she loves it!"
Keith LaFlam is owner of the LaFlam Design Group, located on U.S. 1 South. Diane LaFlam is a full-time mom. Rachel is the second of the couple's four children. Their eldest, Andrew LaFlam, is studying at the University of Central Florida. Two younger brothers will be competing for scholarships soon.
Neighborhood source for fresh fruits and vegetables: "I like to eat trees!" announced Asher Morgan, a small resident of St Augustine Shores, clutching a beautiful head of broccoli that did indeed look like treetops. He was helping his mom shop for vegetables at Currie Produce Market, that bright yellow shop on U.S. 1 South that opened last May,
The Curries are native Floridians fifth generation Floridians, as a matter of fact. The family started out in the last century growing oranges and opened East Palatka Fruit Market in the 1930s. When so many orange trees were lost to freezing temperatures in the 1980's, they decided to concentrate on the retail side of the business, opening their first St. Augustine store on the north side in 1992. Judging by the shoppers I talked to on a recent Saturday, the new store in our neighborhood will be very popular.
On my first visit, I found that Allyson and Patrick Currie have already built up a loyal clientele. "I love it. They have good, fresh stuff" said Joyce Sikes, who lives in Southwood.
http://staugustine.com/stories/100108/community_1001_004.shtml
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Allow Steinheimer's golf cart on sidewalk
Over the past weeks there has been considerable comment on Morris Steinheimer's challenge to the constitutionality of a Florida law. That law prohibits the driving of any type of vehicle that is not powered by "human power" on a sidewalk. I, and attorneys Kara Mort and Anne Marie Gennusa represent Steinheimer, and have challenged the application of this law to an individual in his situation. We feel that the law conflicts with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Article 2 of the Florida Constitution.
The two federal laws require that public resources, such as sidewalks, must be available to all citizens, and the laws are specifically designed to open up public facilities to individuals with disabilities.
Steinheimer is a qualified individual under these laws. He does not have a driver's license, and has been denied a license. In addition, he does not feel that he can safely drive a car on the streets.
He does feel competent to drive his golf cart/mobility device at slow speeds, and has in the past driven his cart along the sidewalks next to State Road A1A. However, driving a car at such slow speeds on the highway would be a danger. He lives in Treasure Beach, and his home is five or six miles from grocery stores and church.
Travel that far in a manual wheelchair is unrealistic. Electric wheelchairs and scooters are prohibited by the same law that prohibits Steinheimer's golf cart/mobility device. The law is unconstitutional because it denies Steinheimer and his partner, Mandy Fugate, their rights to live as normal a life as possible. This not only violates the constitutional rights of such individuals, it makes no sense whatsoever.
Ironically, so far, the state of Florida, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, has purchased two such vehicles for Steinheimer. One was stolen, the other was driven until it was worn out. What purpose did the state have in mind for the vehicles, if Steinheimer is prohibited from driving on the sidewalks? Does anyone believe it will be safer for him to drive on the highway in a vehicle that cannot exceed 20 mph?
He is not asking for permission to drive unsafely. He has only requested what the ADA calls a "reasonable accommodation" to be allowed to drive his mobility device on the sidewalk. By issuing the citation the city of St. Augustine Beach has denied him and his partner such an accommodation. So they challenged the application of the law because it deprives them of the use of the sidewalk.
The inability to use the sidewalks essentially makes Steinheimer and Fugate prisoners in their own home.
There is very limited bus service, and it is never available closer than mile from their door. How are they to get where they need to go? They are not wealthy people. Cab fares are out of their financial reach. The only available solution at this point is to drive the golf cart/mobility device on the shoulder of the road. That is a potential traffic hazard, and threat to the public safety.
Steinheimer's next step must be an appeal of the denial of their challenge in the county court.
Steinheimer has only asked that he and Fugate be given equal access to public facilities.
I suggest that is the law. It's been the law, at least since 1990 when the ADA was passed.
It's time it was recognized and enforced.
Tom Cushman is a longtime St. Augustine resident and defense attorney.
http://staugustine.com/stories/081008/opinions_081008_034.shtml