Florida Master Naturalist – Coastal Restoration
2020-03-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-03-06 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, United States
We’ve partnered with GTM Research Reserve to offer a Florida Master Naturalist Program focused on Coastal Restoration. This program is for adults of all knowledge levels and is comprised of classroom presentations, hands-on activities, and field trips. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

A Walk on the Wild Side
2020-03-05 09:30 | Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, 32080
Explore and learn about the estuarine habitat of Salt Run and the maritime hammocks as well as the amazing array of wildlife and plants that are indigenous to the various ecosystems of Anastasia State Park as you wander the stunning local shoreline. The two-hour walks starts at the shoreline, heads up through the dunes, on the boardwalk over the salt marsh, and finishes along Salt Run. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars, a camera, drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen.
The event is free with park admission.

Basics in Nature Photography
2020-03-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Alpine Groves Park, 2060 State Road 13, Swtizerland, FL, 32259, United States
Do you have a nice camera and always leave it on auto? Do you wish you could capture the amazing beauty of the nature around you? Join local photographer Nicholle Goodnight for a hands-on class to sharpen your photography skills. Participants will need to bring their own camera equipment and be at least 12 years in age. This program is free. You must attend all three classes to participate.

Women’s Expo 2020
2020-03-05 12:00 - 15:00 | The Parlor Room, 300 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
In the spirit of hope, the upcoming first annual Women’s Expo, hosted by Hopefull Handbags, will be held at the beautiful Parlor Room behind DOS Coffee on Thursday, March 5 from 12pm to 3pm. You will be motivated and inspired hearing local women speakers, like Cathlene Miner herself; Dr. Kalpana Sundar, founder and owner of Avanti Medical Spa and Kalvera Skincare; an interview with Tabitha Dingler, Sharon Sister’s support group founder and Pure Romance business owner, and Stephanie Infante with Epic Cure; as well as additional speakers to be announced here.
You’ll enjoy seeing local women-owned/managed businesses and nonprofits such as Wild Heart Boutique, Ancient City Entertainment, Precious Bloomers Boutique, KalVera Skincare, and Avanti Medical Spa, The Pretzel Lady, LaCura Salt Spa, Dani’s Bath Boutique, Stoned Handmade, Lady Love, Sharon’s Sisters, Two Sparrows, The Nature’s Legacy, St. Augustine Sailing, STArt Now, Alpha Omega, Justice Coalition, Epic-Cure, PT Sweat, Short Dog Jewelry, St. Augustine Fashion Week, The 30 Day Self Perception Makeover, Hopefull Handbags, St. Augustine Social, Old City Occasions and catered food by World Plate Eatery St. Augustine. Also, a fantastic Local Boutique Fashion Show will be held during the Women’s Expo, and the Hopefull Handbags Women Expo is a stop for Saint Augustine Fashion Week’s Boutique Day too!
Tickets to the Women’s Expo are $5, and that also gets you the chance to win one of the giveaways that will take place every 30 minutes. When you bring a once-loved handbags or necessities for a handbag, you will receive an extra raffle ticket for each!
Hopefull Handbags donates to a number of organizations in the area, such as:

Betty Griffin Shelter
Alpha Omega Miracle Home
Saint Gerard Campus
Saint Francis House
Haven of Hope for Women in honor of Misty
Port In The Storm
Family Integrity Program of St. Johns County

And others.

First Friday Garden Walk
2020-03-06 10:00 | Washington Oaks Garden State Park, 6400 N Oceanshore Blvd.,, FL
On the first Friday of each month, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park hosts a Garden Walk beginning at 10 a.m. The 45-minute walk is led by a park ranger and will educate guests on the history and variety of the beautiful formal gardens nestled within the maritime hammock of the park.
Fees for the event are listed below:
$5 per vehicle with up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians/bicyclists.

Searle’s Sack and Encampment
2020-03-06 16:30, 2020-03-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Colonial Quarter, 33 St. George St, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Searle’s Raid is an annual event that recreates the famous bloody pirate raid on St. Augustine in 1668, takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of March. Join the Historic Florida Militia in the reenactment of the “1668 Sack of St. Augustine” in our nations’ oldest city. During the day, a 17th century-style military encampment will be open to the public at the Colonial Quarter and will play host to military drills, demonstrations, and living history interpretation. The actual sacking and burning of the town will commence Saturday evening at 4:30pm. The specific route may vary.
The procession that commemorates the arrival of the raiding pirates and introduces this annual event will begin at the Colonial Quarter at 4:30pm and will proceed north on St. George Street to the Santo Domingo Redoubt on Orange Street. The Searle’s Sack encampment will take place on the first Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the Colonial Quarter. The reenactment of the battle between the freebooters and the city’s Spanish defenders will take place in St. Augustine’s historic district at 4:30pm on Saturday. The English brigade will head up St. George Street from the Plaza toward the city gates, and the battle will commence when the English try to invade the Spanish defenders who will be stationed at the Santo Domingo Redoubt off Orange Street across from Potter’s Wax Museum. Living history gets real when living historians demonstrate how the Spanish settlers had to fight off Searle and his pirates.
Events in the historic district are free.

Loving Beethoven Opening Reception
2020-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082, United States
In 2020, the world will celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday anniversary. The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, in partnership with MIMMA (Interactive Music Museum in Malaga, Spain) is paying tribute to this milestone thanks to the traveling musical installation Loving Beethoven. The interactive music installation will be at the Cultural Center from March 6, 2020 to May 26, 2020.
An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a special preview for Renaissance Members at 5:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $5.
At the end of June, 2019, Cultural Center Director Donna Guzzo visited the museum in Malaga, Spain to start discussions with the MIMMA Director, Miguel Angel Piedrola. After the visit to MIMMA, Guzzo requested the collaboration with MIMMA to develop a program that will showcase music-related activities and host the exhibit in the United States at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. The interactive nature of the MIMMA exhibits, with galleries full of musical instruments where the public is encouraged to touch and try, is one of the traits the Cultural Center is looking to replicate during the exhibit in Florida.
“Loving Beethoven ties together the Cultural Center’s mission and the Center’s outreach program Sound Connections® Music Therapy perfectly. We are thrilled to be working with Miguel Angel Piedrola and MIMMA on our first collaborative, international project.”
– Executive Director Donna Guzzo

Guided Exploration Hike at GTM Research Reserve
2020-03-07 09:00 - 11:00 | GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Rd, Ponte Vedra
On the first Saturday of every month, from 9-11am, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) hosts a Guided Exploration Hike, where attendees can learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula, as well as the natural ecosystem of the Reserve.
A GTM naturalist will lead the hike and teach about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples made use of the estuarine resources, what European plantation life was like, and current efforts to save those resources.
The hike is free, but there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee at the reserve.
Please call (904) 823-4500 or visit here to reserve a spot on the tour.

Menorcan Heritage Celebration
2020-03-07 11:00 - 15:00 | The Llambias House Garden, 31 St Francis Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
The 243rd anniversary of the Menorcans in St. Augustine will be recognized Saturday, March 7 when the Menorcan Heritage Celebration is celebrated from 11am to 3pm at the 1760s Llambias House, located at 31 St. Francis St. All are invited, and admission is free. Speakers will detail a variety of subjects, with Archaeologist Nicholas Budsberg, from the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP), talking about his recent trip to Minorca.
Other speakers will include Educator and Historian Sandi Stratton, presenting at 11:30am about Menorcans in Florida and some interesting comments about the Llambias House itself. In the garden of the Llambias House at 12:30pm, Michelle Reyna will present her Menorcan skit including the singing of the famous Menorcan folk song “Fromarjardis.” The day will be marked by Menorcan family culture including Menorcan Clam Chowder, Menorcan Pilau (a rice dish) and desserts, available for a donation from 11am to 2pm.
The event also will feature mullet net making, storytelling and songs, showing of family crests, Menorcan T-shirts and books, and Datil Pepper products, such as sauces, mustard, and jellies. Datil Pepper plants also will be available for purchase.

Film – A Towering Task – the Story of the Peace Corps
2020-03-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Corazon Cinema & Cafe, 36 Granada Street, Saint Augustine, 32084
Join us Saturday March 7 at the Corazon Theater for A Towering Task. The film chronicles the 60 year history of the Peace Corps and explores Peace Corps’ successes and challenges to stay relevant in an ever-changing world. A panel discussion on Global Citizenship with recently Returned Peace Corps Volunteers follows the film. Because seating is limited, you must reserve a ticket in advance at https://first-coast-rpcvs.peacecorpsconnect.org/cpages/home
The film screening is hosted by the First Coast Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

Loving Beethoven Interactive Exhibition
2020-03-10 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-11 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-14 10:00 - 16:00 | The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082, United States
In 2020, the world will celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday anniversary. The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, in partnership with MIMMA (Interactive Music Museum in Malaga, Spain) is paying tribute to this milestone thanks to the traveling musical installation Loving Beethoven. The interactive music installation will be at the Cultural Center from March 6, 2020 to May 26, 2020.
At the end of June, 2019, Cultural Center Director Donna Guzzo visited the museum in Malaga, Spain to start discussions with the MIMMA Director, Miguel Angel Piedrola. After the visit to MIMMA, Guzzo requested the collaboration with MIMMA to develop a program that will showcase music-related activities and host the exhibit in the United States at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. The interactive nature of the MIMMA exhibits, with galleries full of musical instruments where the public is encouraged to touch and try, is one of the traits the Cultural Center is looking to replicate during the exhibit in Florida.
“Loving Beethoven ties together the Cultural Center’s mission and the Center’s outreach program Sound Connections® Music Therapy perfectly. We are thrilled to be working with Miguel Angel Piedrola and MIMMA on our first collaborative, international project.”
– Executive Director Donna Guzzo

Ancient Dunes Trail Hike
2020-03-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, 32080
Led by a park volunteer, this hike introduces you to the various ecosystems of Anastasia State Park, including the ancient dune system and the maritime hammocks. Though the tour is only a mile long, it is the most demanding hike in the park as its trails are sloping. It is recommended that participants wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars, a camera, drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen. The tour will meet at the Hilltop Picnic Area near the parking lot. It is free with park admission.

904 Naturalist Series – Exploring the Life of Birds
2020-03-11 15:00 - 18:00, 2020-03-15 15:00 - 18:00 | St. Johns County Public Library System, Main Branch, 1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, 32084
In Exploring the Life of Birds, we will learn how to connect with and the language of 6 native Florida birds. The more you get to know the birds around you, the stronger your intuition becomes to interpret their language and tap into the story of the area around you. This event is free, but you must register for the entire program to attend. For more info, contact AyoLane Halusky at ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0348.

Forum on Government and Public Policy: Melanie Saltzman
2020-03-11 19:00 | Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, 32084
On Wednesday, March 11, in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, Melanie Saltzman, reporter and producer for “PBS NewsHour Weekend,” will present a lecture at 7 p.m. titled, “The Future of Food.” This event is free and open to the public.
In her role at PBS, Saltzman reports, shoots and produces on a variety of issues, including public health, the environment and international affairs.
Saltzman graduated from New York University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and Global Communications. That same year, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in Berlin, Germany. In 2015, she received her master’s in journalism, with concentrations in documentary video storytelling and interactive publishing, from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Some of Saltzman’s most notable work includes her production of two stories for NewsHour’s Emmy-nominated “America Addicted” series on the opioid epidemic. She has also reported on climate change and migration from the Marshall Islands, covered landmine victim assistance programs in Cambodia and traveled to Kenya and Tanzania for solutions-based reports.
For more than 30 years, the Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy has invited nationally-recognized journalists and commentators to St. Augustine to discuss issues of importance in regional, state and federal government. All Forums take place in Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., at 7 p.m.
Forums are free and open to the public, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a person with a disability and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Phil Pownall at 904-819-6460. Sign Language Interpreters are available upon request with a minimum of three days’ notice.

FREE Introductory Pole Walking Clinic
2020-03-12 10:45 - 11:45 | Eddie Vickers Park, 399 Riberia Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
You’re invited to a FREE Introductory Pole Walking Clinic where you will learn the history and the many amazing benefits of Fitness Pole Walking! After a brief demonstration of proper technique, you will have the opportunity to Pole Walk with a pair of the provided KeenFit Poles. Fitness Pole Walking is easy and fun for all ages and capabilities and will turn even a simple walk around the block into an effective efficient aerobic total body workout. CLINIC PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Fort Matanzas Kayak Trips
2020-03-12 11:00 - 14:00, 2020-03-13 11:30 - 14:30, 2020-03-14 12:30 - 15:30 | Fort Matanzas National Park, 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, United States
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the National Park Service to bring you an exciting kayak trip! During this trip you will get to view the fort from a whole new perspective and paddle through the marsh to experience Southeast Intracoastal Waterway Park. Seats are limited. Register at the link below. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335.

Creative St. Augustine – Enlightened Artists, Literary Locals, And Historic Heroes of The Ancient City
2020-03-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Art Historian Mallory O’Connor’s “Strangers in a Strange Land” will explore Florida’s art history and rich visual mythology. Beginning with Andre Thevet’s etching of the “Mythical Beast of the St. Johns River,” she will present images that span centuries of time. Her lecture attests to both the vivid imagination of the artists like Salvador Dali and equally flamboyant narratives centered on the Sunshine State. This is a free event but reservations are required.

Dark of the Moon Tour
2020-03-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-03-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-03-15 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Augustine Lighthouse, 81 Lighthouse Ave, St. Augustine
The Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour is the only tour that gets you into the Lighthouse at night. The Lighthouse offers two options for this experience, both of which include the option to rent EMF readers.
Ghost tour: This 1.5 to 2 hour tour includes a guided talk through the 1876 Keepers’ House and the 1874 St. Augustine Lighthouse tower. Your guide will share true tales from the history of our Light Station. Tours are offered year round on Friday, Saturday and Sundays and more days during peak times. Purchase a combo ticket with regular daytime admission and save on this tour. Expect larger groups during peak season and holidays.
Investigation Only: See for yourself why we are consistently ranked as one of the most haunted sites in St. Augustine! Investigation Only tours are offered on a more limited basis than the Ghost Tour, with fewer spaces available at each. Rent readers or bring your own equipment.
Space is limited! Purchase tickets online in advance to secure your spot.
On a Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour you not only hear spooky stories based on real history in the lighthouse at night, you also help the Lighthouse investigate our maritime past. Ghost Tours support both maritime archaeology and historic research discoveries at the Museum. Stepping up to shiver down your spine helps save our underwater heritage!

Second Saturdays Family Seining
2020-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, United States
On the second Saturdays of each month, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) hosts a family seining class – an opportunity for the whole family to learn how to use seine nets to collect various fish and crab. All necessary gear for seining is supplied by the reserve. The program is free, but reservations are required.
