🏴‍☠️🏝️ Breakfast tacos, anyone?

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Good Morning Afternoon, St. Augustine!

We are just 10-days away from Halloween and things are already getting spooky around here! Yesterday, the water heater at Lowdown HQ sprung a leak and we missed our deadline - nothing more terrifying than that!

I hope you enjoy today’s condensed version of the Old City Lowdown - apologies for the delay!

In today’s edition:

• Early voting begins today ✅

• A new taco joint in an old taco joint 🌮

• “Agri-hood” recommended for denial 🏘️

Have a great Monday, folks! Now, let’s get to the Lowdown.

-James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

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Mon • 77 🌡️ 72 | 🌦️ | 💧45% | 🍃 NNE 17mph

Tue • 79 🌡️ 71 | ⛅️ | 💧24% | 🍃 NNE 14mph

✅ Early voting begins today, running through November 2. Registered St. Johns County residents can vote at any of the nine available early voting locations between 8AM-6PM daily. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, October 24. You can check your voter status, find your election day polling place, and view a sample ballot on the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections website.

🏘️ The Freehold Communities’ 3,300-home “Agrihood” was recommend for denial by the St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency on Oct. 17, citing an incomplete 224-page proposal and rushed submission. The project, located on 2,673 acres near I-95, faced criticism from agency members and residents for lack of details and unresolved issues. Despite the unanimous denial recommendation, the proposal will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners for a vote on Nov. 5. (Jax Daily Record)

💸 St. Johns County has secured $11.5 million in grants to enhance public safety and community services. The funds include $7.1 million from the SAFER program for 21 new firefighters, improving emergency response with a new fire station. An additional $50,489 will fund a natural gas fire training simulator. A $4 million grant will build the Hastings Library and Community Center, offering classrooms, telehealth rooms, and more. These investments aim to boost safety and community resources for residents.

🌮 Goodbye Tijuana Flats, Hello Calico Cactus? It appears as though the newest tenant in the Diane’s Marketplace plaza at 833 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd will be Calico Cactus, a new breakfast taco concept by Scott Moore of Maple Street Biscuit Company. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and a full coffee offering will be on the menu. More info to come.

Have news to report? Email me.

This Week at The Amp

• Oct 23 | Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/ The Brook and The Bluff | Tickets

• Oct 24 | Benson Boone | Tickets

• Oct 25 | Juvenile and The 400 Degreez Band w/ Mannie Fresh and Hot Boy Turk | Tickets

• Oct 26 | Stephen Sanchez w/ The Paper Kites | Tickets

Monday, October 21

• Bin 39 Wine Bar | Yael Zaza, 2-5PM

• Casa de Vino 57 | Jam-ology, 7-9:30PM

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

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

• Prohibition Kitchen | Wes Register, 6PM

• Salt Life Food Shack | John Phillips, 6-10PM

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

Tuesday, October 22

• Cafe Eleven | Anthony Gomes, 8PM (Tickets)

• Casa Maya | Juan Mallorca, 6-9PM

• Crabby’s Beachside | Dyer Davis, 6-9PM

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

• Prohibition Kitchen | The Green, 6PM

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

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

*Artists & times are subject to change. That’s showbiz, baby.

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing with a plumber.

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