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DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS 04.04.2013

Happy 15th Anniversary to the St Johns Housing Partnership, Executive director Bill Lazar and all of the dedicated people who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens through their “Fix, Rent, Buy, Keep” efforts as well as many other programs. St Johns Housing PartnershipA recent event held at the World Golf Village honored the many local “partners” who have participated over the years and extended an invitation for new ones to join. Visit sjhp.org to get acquainted with this tremendous non-profit organization.

Save the date:

■ This Saturday the Helping Heroes at Home Foundation is hosting a “Hoops for Heroes” event at the St Augustine Family YMCA. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to shoot some hoops and make a difference. All ages, families and clubs are welcome and you can visit helpingheroesfoundation.org for more information. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum Veteran’s Day Program.

The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and Flagler College will host a celebration of student art work and music during the Spring Bachelor of Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Portfolio Exhibition. An opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. April 19 with exhibition hours continuing Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of mediums will be represented, and you can learn more by calling 826-8530 or emailing [email protected].

Happy 100th anniversary to the International Sertoma Club. A local presence here for over 40 years, the celebration will kick off at 6:30 p.m. April 28 at the Bishop Baker Center at 259 St George St. (located at the Cathedral Parish School). There’ll be cocktails, a cash bar and silent auction which will be followed by food and entertainment. Hosted by Jim Springfield, the admission for the night is $50. The intent is to raise funds for the Arts Alive program, and you can go to sjcef.com to make your reservations or to pursue sponsorship opportunities.

Don’t forget that it’s almost time for the annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival. In its 17th year, this year the festival will start at 5 p.m. May 4 at the Marina Stage on the bayfront. This will coincide with the monthly First Friday Art Walk, so the mood will most certainly be festive as we celebrate art and live music downtown. May 5 the festival moves back to the St Augustine Amphitheatre, and music will start at noon with four performance stages. You can get your veggies at the Farmer’s Market and take in a live concert in the same place.
For ticket information visit gamblerogersfest.org. There will be a healthy mix of headliners and your favorite local bands, so don’t miss it.

Our friends from the St Augustine Ballet remind us that their spring production of “Peter and the Wolf” and “Spring Variations” will be performed on May 4 and 5 at the Kirk Memorial Auditorium at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, 207 San Marco Ave. Directed by Luis Abella, I am told that Tommy Bledsoe will be returning as the “Narrator/Grandfather.”
Check out saintaugustineballet.com for details.

Downtowners — have you been wondering where to get your surfboards, skateboards and beach bikes? Direct from Long Beach, Calif., you can now find these items at High Tide Gallery on Cordova Street. Team Banion, under the direction of Aimee K. Banion, have transformed the gallery at 51 Cordova St., and you owe it to yourself to check it out. The gallery is celebrating its 6th anniversary — congratulations!

How do they find the time?  It’s a mystery, but Old City Life publisher, Yvette Monell Richardson, and Stephanie Showalter, gallery director, have opened the 233 West King Gallery located at 233 W. King, of course. The grand opening coincided with last week’s First Friday event and the event was well attended by friends and fans alike. A portion of the proceeds from the show “Bug Shots” will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. Check in with Stephanie at 217-7470 to find out what’s in store for May.

The town keeps humming along with things to do and places to go. See you out there.

Irene Arriola Real Estate, Inc.
81 King Street, Suite B Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Email: [email protected] | Office phone: 904.829.2002
Cell phone: 904.669.0691 | Fax: 904.829.2029