In today’s Digest:
🎪 St. Augustine's new event fees take effect Oct. 1
⛵ A 64-slip marina is set to open after a 20-year stall
🏠 92 affordable rentals are now leasing in West Augustine
🦐 Minorcan chowder beside the Tolomato River
On the Tolomato River at 612 Euclid Avenue, Aunt Kate's serves local seafood and Minorcan family recipes on the same North Beach site where the Usina family has fed visitors for more than a century. The menu includes Minorcan clam chowder and St. Augustine-style shrimp.
Sit outside beneath the live oaks for sunset across the water, or arrive by boat and tie up at the floating dock. The riverfront deck is the draw, especially around dinner.
Read more here.
🏘️ 1,165 acres clear first development hurdle
The Gist: St. Johns County commissioners voted 3-2 to certify the 615-acre Heritage East and 550-acre Heritage West tracts as agricultural enclaves under SB 686. The land near I-95 and State Road 207 could eventually hold nearly 15,000 homes, although no housing plan was approved.
Why It Matters: Certification lets development plans advance through staff review without another commission or public approval, putting major traffic, school and infrastructure questions ahead.
What's Next: A separate 4,462-acre proposal north of Nocatee returns at 9 a.m. Sept. 1; its representatives propose one home per acre.
Read more here.
⛵ St. Augustine's 64-slip marina nears October opening
The Gist: Sebastian Harbor Marina is scheduled to open in October after its San Sebastian River basin sat unfinished for nearly 20 years. The boutique marina beside the AC Hotel will serve boats up to 55 feet, with dredging, reinforced pilings, floating docks and roughly seven feet of depth at mean low water.
Why It Matters: The marina will add protected dockage and bring visiting boaters within walking distance of downtown businesses and attractions.
What's Next: Construction and final preparations continue; prospective monthly, long-term and transient guests can join an interest list while rates are set.
Read more here.
🏠 92 affordable apartments now leasing in West Augustine
The Gist: The Village of New Augustine is complete at 280 N. Volusia St. and is actively leasing 92 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Every unit is reserved for households earning up to 60% of the area median income, with current rents ranging from about $634 to $1,599 based on apartment and household size and income.
Why It Matters: St. Johns County put more than $1.6 million into the $26.5 million development, adding income-restricted rentals as the county's population grows.
What's Next: The community is actively leasing one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Read more here.
Family Friendly
🥕 Ponte Vedra Friday Farmers Market | Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill | Ponte Vedra Beach | Friday, August 28, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | More Shop waterfront stalls for produce, breads, proteins, honey, soaps, toys, and art.
🌿 Amphitheatre Farmers Market | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Saturday, August 29, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | More Browse produce, plants, art, and prepared food beneath the oaks with live music.
🏰 Historic Weapons Demonstrations | Castillo de San Marcos National Monument | St. Augustine | Saturday, August 29, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | More Costumed park staff present five short cannon or musket demonstrations; admission applies.
📚 Storytime at the Lightner | Lightner Museum | St. Augustine | Sunday, August 30, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. | More Children ages 3 to 6 hear Hector the Collector and make a craft.
🎨 Music & Art by the Sea: Those Guys | St. Johns County Ocean Pier Pavilion | St. Augustine Beach | Wednesday, September 2, 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.; concert 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. | More Browse local art, grab dinner, then hear Those Guys by the pier.
Adult Events
🎬 Stage to Screen: Hans Zimmer & Friends | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Ponte Vedra Beach | Friday, August 28, doors 6:00 p.m., film 7:30 p.m. | More Hear Zimmer's Dune and Gladiator scores; a free advance ticket is required.
🎸 Foxtide at Cafe Eleven | Cafe Eleven | St. Augustine | Friday, August 28, doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. | More Hear Foxtide's pop-rock songs inside Cafe Eleven's listening room.
🎣 Paddleboard Fishing: Salt Run | Lighthouse Park Boat Ramp | St. Augustine | Saturday, August 29, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | More County naturalists lead sunset paddleboard fishing; registration and a license are required.
🎶 Front & Center Music Showcase | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Ponte Vedra Beach | Saturday, August 29, doors 6:00 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. | More Three Northeast Florida acts play free; advance tickets are required.
💃 Concerts in the Plaza: Zaza Flamenca | Plaza de la Constitución | St. Augustine | Thursday, September 3, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. | More Zaza Flamenca closes the free summer series; bring a chair or blanket.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
Thanks for reading our publication! We'll have more updates for you next week!
Business owners: Want to reach thousands of local readers? Reply to this email for info.