DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS 12/3/2013

Put on your running shoes because you’re going to need all the speed you can get to keep up with December in the Oldest City!  Music, theatre and art abound as we wind closer to the year’s end and what better way to treat our busy selves to something beautiful.  We are rich with culture and even more so with the generosity of our citizens so let’s not forget the organizations who work to make less fortunate lives better and who do so all year long.

Our friends at Pie in the Sky continue to grow hope in Hastings and Malea Guiriba is in the thick of another food drive to make sure everyone has enough to eat.  Please visit the Pie in the Sky Facebook page to see how you can help and where to drop off donations of food.

Melba from the Sertoma Club has confirmed that the Sertoma for Kids toy giveaway has commenced and the donated gifts will be distributed on the 14^th so time is short.  Toys for children ages 0 – 10 are needed and that includes baby toys, games, dolls, trucks, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, models, coloring books, crayons and Legos.  Gifts must be unwrapped and all toys go to children in St Johns County.  Drop off locations include:  all Prosperity Bank branches, all Harbor Community Bank branches,

1^st Coast Hearing, Jack Wilson Chevrolet, St Augustine Bowling Alley, Ned’s Southern Kitchen, Prudential Network Realty, Saltwater Property Group, Village Inn, Awesome Hair, Flagler Family Medicine, Dr Gloria Moore’s office, 1^st Coast CNL Bank, Giggling Gator, Bar None, Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, Tax Collector’s Office, The Refinery Health Club (formerly the Anastasia Health Club) and the Beachcomber.  Thank you in advance for your help in making local children enjoy a warmer holiday.

Anne Kraft and Jean Rahner of A Classic Theatre are holding a holiday fundraiser with an evening of one act plays based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.”  Performances will be held at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue and will run on December 6 and 7 starting at 7:30pm.  Jason Woods and Ashley Carter will star respectively and this promises to be an inspiring event.  Tickets are $25 and you can call 829-5807 or email [email protected] for more information.

Julie Dickover invites everyone to the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College located at 48 Sevilla Street.   The opening reception for “Unaffected Vision:  Free to see beautiful,” is from 5 to 9pm on December 6 and the exhibition dates are December 6 and 7.  Visit flagler.edu.crispellert for more information on this and upcoming exhibitions in this lovely museum.

ROMANZA is hosting its next monthly gathering at the new and exciting Ice Plant at 110 Riberia Street.  If you haven’t been, this is an excellent reason to get your feet wet and check it out.  The guest speaker will be Dr Roger Smith, author and research historian, whose topic will be “When Spain and Great Britain both occupied St George Street.”   These meetings are a great way to meet and network with members of the creative community where ideas and information are freely shared.  Make plans to be at the Ice Plant on December 10 from 5-7pm where hors d’oeuvres will be provided and there will be a cash bar.

“Sounds of the Season” will be performed by the St Augustine Orchestra and the Christ Episcopal Church Chancel Choir on December 13 at the Lightner Museum at 25 Granada Street.  Dr Rachel Root will direct the Chancel Choir and William McNeiland directs the Orchestra.  The program begins at 8pm and if you miss it you can catch the second show at 3pm on the 15^th at the Christ Epicopal Church  at 400 San Juan Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach.  Call 949-637-6115 or 655-3579 for information.  Tickets are $15 and available at the door.

Kathy Schirmacher invites us all to “A Celtic Christmas” by the St Augustine Community Chorus.  Being held at the Cathedral Basilica on December  14 and 15, the selection will also include the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah.  Kathleen Vande Berg will conduct and the Concert Artists of Jacksonville will be joining the program.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for adults, students with ID and children under 5 will pay $5.  Visit staugustinecommunitychorus.org for ticket info.

The Regatta of Lights will begin at 6pm on December 14 as the annual holiday parade of motorized vessels presents itself for display in the Matanzas Bay.  Awards are given for best theme, most colorful, best in class and best overall.  Hosted by the St Augustine Yacht Club, this is always a treat.  Call 824-9725 or visit sayc2000.com for more info.

EMMA Concert Association is hosting its traditional Holiday Pops with the Jacksonville Symphony on December 17 and 18 at the Lewis Auditorium of Flagler College.  Michael Butterman will conduct the Symphony and the music promises to warm the holiday spirit for everyone.  Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance at emmaconcerts.com or by calling 797-2800.  Tickets will also be available at the door.

Our friends Jim and Marcia Byles are excited to announce that the annual tradition of Candlelight Tours at the Villa Zorayda Museum have started.  With over 100 candles aglow in the museum and the Christmas tree decorated in the red and gold colors of the Zorayda, this is a festive and fascinating way to visit one of the city’s treasures.  Refreshments are served at 6pm and the tour commences at 6:30pm.  Be sure to save one of these dates:  December 7, December 21, December 27, December 28 and December 30.  Weeknight tours without refreshments are offered December 5, 10, 13, 17, 19 and January 2.  Call 829-9887 or visit villazorayda.com.  Group rates are available for 20 or more people and the parking is free!

Our good friend Wendy Tatter wants you to know she has opened a new gallery for her old friends and patrons who are still missing her presence on San Marco Avenue and for new friends she hasn’t met yet.  You can find Wendy and her amazing batiks at 351 A1A Beach Boulevard between 9^th and 10^th Streets.  Check out wbtatter.com for hours and upcoming events.   Now that you know where you can find her, make time to stop by.

Thomas Long’s blown glass can be found in homes and businesses all over the country but we are fortunate to have him here in St Augustine where we often get a first look at his latest work.  Make a point to stop by Plum Gallery at 9 Aviles Street where you’ll see something new, different and just fantastic.  While you’re there be sure to check out Sara Pedigo’s work as well as that of Karlene McConnell, Barbara Cornett and Karen Sheridan.  The show runs through February 2^nd.

The streets are teeming with people and I keep hearing that Grandma got run over by a reindeer whenever I open my office window.  There is nothing prettier than seeing the city dressed in lights and I recommend a visit as it will put a smile on your face.

 

 

 

 

 

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