🏴‍☠️ Peace, Love & Purple Benches | September 9, 2024

Good Morning, St. Augustine!

I’m James and this is the Old City Lowdown - a hyperlocal email newsletter about the rainiest city in America 😜 

I hope you had a fantastic weekend and were able to take part in some of the awesome Founders Day events going on around town.

I was fortunate to bump into a few Old City Lowdown subscribers on Saturday between stops at Blue Hen, the Alligator Farm, and Cookiebird. Always a cool experience and I am grateful for the support from the community.

In today’s edition:

• Local wins big in Paris 🥈 

• What the heck is an Agrihood? 🏘️ 

• Saying goodbye to a mainstay 🍻 

Now, let’s get to the Lowdown.

-James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

Want to get your business in the Old City Lowdown? Let’s talk.

WEATHER

Mon • 82 🌡️ 77 | 🌧️ | 💧46% | 🍃 NNE 14mph

Tue • 82 🌡️ 78 | 🌧️ | 💧52% | 🍃 NE 14mph

THE RUNDOWN

Local News that Actually Matters

🥈 First Coast native wins silver in Paralympic Games!

Morgan Ray, a 22-year-old from St. Augustine, proudly earned a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympics in France. Competing with Ellie Marks, Abbas Karimi, and Leanne Smith in the mixed 4x50m medley relay, they finished just behind The People’s Republic of China, who set a world record in the event. A University of North Florida student, Morgan also placed fourth in the Men's 100m Breaststroke-SB6 and is north Florida’s first Paralympic swimmer in over 20 years. Congratulations to Morgan and his teammates on this epic accomplishment! (more info)

🏘️ “Agrihood” coming to St. Augustine?

Boston-based Freehold Communities is partnering with St. Augustine landowners to turn 2,673 acres of farmland into a residential community with up to 3,332 homes. The project, located between County Roads 208 and 214, will feature an Agrihood design, blending agriculture with residential living. Plans include 250,000 square feet of retail space, parks, and community amenities. The development is to be built in two 10-year phases, with construction starting after zoning approval. Freehold's past projects include the 1,500-acre Shearwater community and similar developments across several states. The Robinson family, who has owned the land for over 100 years, remains involved. (more info)

🐢 It's Hatchling Season! Thousands of Baby Turtles Head to Sea

St. Johns County beaches are home to 858 turtle nests this season, with 390 already hatched, producing 34,363 hatchlings making their way to the ocean! These baby turtles use a special tooth to break out of their shells before heading to the sea.

There have also been 662 false crawls, where female turtles return to the ocean without nesting. Once a mother turtle lays her eggs and covers the nest with sand, she heads back to the water and doesn’t return. Each year, Florida beaches see 40,000 to 84,000 turtle nests. (more info)

❤️‍🩹 West Augustine to Break Ground on $8M Health and Wellness Center

West Augustine will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 13 for its future Health and Wellness Center. The $8 million project, located on West King Street, will offer 14,000 square feet of health services and care for vulnerable residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Spearheaded by Greg White, president of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corp., the center aims to improve health outcomes and reduce emergency room visits. Expected to be completed by October 2025, it will also provide resources for health and financial education, tackling issues like mental health and substance abuse in the community. (more info)

THE HUSTLE

Local Business News

🍻 St. Augustine Landmark, King's Head British Pub, to Close

On Friday, September 6, Kings Head British Pub announced on Facebook that, after 32 incredible years, they will be closing their doors. There's still time to stop by and enjoy one last pint before the pub officially closes on Sunday, September 15. Let's raise a glass to three decades of great memories and even better people. Wishing the entire Kings Head team the best of luck in whatever the future holds!

🏡 MasterCraft Builds New Homes for At-Risk Children at Seamark Ranch

MasterCraft Builder Group (MCBG) of Northeast Florida has completed two new homes for Seamark Ranch, a 465-acre campus in Northeast Florida that provides a loving, supportive environment for at-risk children. Each 4,800-square-foot home includes eight bedrooms and modern amenities, designed for large family units. This brings Seamark Ranch to a total of six homes. MCBG, led by CEO Chris Shee, has been a long-time supporter of Seamark, with help from 79 local businesses contributing to this project, allowing the nonprofit to provide a safe, family-centered home for even more children in need. (more info from OldCityPR.com)

💜 Purple benches popping up to spread love & peace

A St. Augustine nonprofit, Compassionate St. Augustine, has launched a "purple bench" initiative to foster love and peace through conversation. These benches, located at churches, businesses, and homes, provide a space for strangers to connect with compassion and respect. Each bench features a QR code sharing its story and promoting peaceful, civil conversations. (more info)

SHINDIGS

What the cool kids are up to

Under construction - catch the new look on Wednesday!

THE AMP

What’s going down at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

📆 Next Five Shows:

• Sep 19 | Trampled by Turtles w/ Crowe Boys | SOLD OUT
• Sep 26 | The Sisters of Mercy w/ Blaqk Audio | Tickets
• Sep 27 | Jewel + Melissa Ethridge | SOLD OUT
• Sep 28 | Midland w/ Colby Acuff & Carter Faith | Tickets
• Sep 29 | Violent Femmes | Tickets

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

When & where to catch live tunes

Monday, September 9

• Bin 39 Wine Bar • Colin Kosco, 2-5PM

• Meehan’s Irish Pub • John Phillips, 1PM (Backyard)

• Milltop Tavern • Jim Lamb, 12PM | Josh “Tennessee” Worthy, 4:30PM

• Pierre’s Pub • TBA, 1-5PM | TBA, 6-10PM

• Prohibition Kitchen • Jason Lee Worton, 6-9PM

• Salt Life Food Shack • Zach Haywood, 6-10PM

• Trade Winds Lounge • Reggie Starrett, 1-4:30PM | Mark Hart, 5-8PM | Mike Johnson + Brad Burns, 9PM

Tuesday, September 10

• Bin 39 Wine Bar • Good Morning, 2-5PM

• Casa Maya • Juan Mallorca, 6-9PM

• Crabby’s Beachside • Aaron Esposito, 6-9PM

• Milltop Tavern • JC Hatfield, 12PM | Jon Q., 4:30PM

• Pierre’s Pub • TBA, 1-5PM | TBA, 6-10PM

• Prohibition Kitchen • Old City Greens, 6-9PM

• Salt Life Food Shack • Zach Haywood, 6-10PM

• Trade Winds Lounge • Bret Blackshear, 1-4:30PM | Mark Hart, 5-8PM | Salty Daug, 9PM

_{*Artists & times are subject to change. We do our best to provide you with the most up-to-date information.}

OLD CITY SPORTS

🦁 Flagler Scores & Upcoming Events

Women’s Volleyball (2-1)
Previous:
• 9/6 vs. Georgian Court, W 3-0
• 9/7 vs. UNC Pembroke, W 3-0
• 9/7 at Embry-Riddle, L 2-3

Men’s Soccer (1-0-0)
• Next: 9/10 at Embry-Riddle, 6PM
• Previous: 9/7 vs. Newberry, W 5-1

Women’s Soccer (0-0-1)
• Previous: 9/7 at Converse, W 4-2

🏈 High School Football Scores

Friday, September 6
• Tocoi Creek (2-1) 6, Bishop Kenny 35
• St. Augustine (2-0) vs. Bolles - Canceled due to weather
• Menendez (1-1) at Beachside - Canceled due to weather

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with someone who loves fish & chips.

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