In today's Digest:
👩⚖️ Child support session opens 20 in-person spots
🚒 $3.8M fire station starts taking calls
🚧 SR 16 traffic shifts around Oct. 1
🥟 Empanadas in a St. George Street courtyard
At 42 ½ St. George Street, The Spanish Bakery & Café serves empanadas, picadillo, sandwiches, soups, and bread baked fresh each day. The bakery has been a downtown staple for more than 40 years.
The small white-stucco kitchen still has a stone-hearth oven and separate wood-sided smokehouse. Grab a picnic table in the courtyard beneath the property's historic cedar tree.
Read more here.
👩⚖️ Child support agencies bring help to St. Augustine
The Gist: The St. Johns County Clerk's Office and Florida Department of Revenue have started a partnership to explain child support petitions and enforcement. Their first session is Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center.
Why It Matters: Parents can get guidance from the two agencies that handle local court filings and state enforcement of existing orders.
What's Next: Only 20 people can attend in person, and advance registration is required through the Clerk's announcement.
Read more here.
🚒 $3.8M Flagler Estates fire station opens
The Gist: St. Johns County Fire Rescue began answering calls from the new $3.8 million Station 21 at 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The Melanie Street facility has a 1.5-bay fire station and dedicated space for a Sheriff's Office substation.
Why It Matters: The joint facility is expected to cut emergency response times for Flagler Estates and Hastings.
What's Next: The county will announce a date for the station's official ribbon cutting.
Read more here.
🚧 SR 16 traffic shift starts around Oct. 1
The Gist: Eastbound SR 16 traffic will move onto new lanes for about a quarter mile between the AutoZone driveway and 7-Eleven. Drivers turning right from International Golf Parkway onto SR 16 will have to stop before turning, a rule that will remain after construction.
Why It Matters: The new pattern changes a busy World Golf Village route while crews rebuild the two existing lanes.
What's Next: The shift is expected around Oct. 1. The widening project is about 70% complete and scheduled to finish in early spring 2027.
Read more here.
🥕 Amphitheatre Farmers Market | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | More
Browse produce, prepared foods, and local art while the Free Rangers play.
🐚 Beach Exploration | GTM Research Reserve | Ponte Vedra Beach | Saturday, September 19, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. | More
Take a docent-led beach walk to explore wildlife, seashells, and coastal habitats.
🔬 Ocean to Estuary: A Tidal Journey | River to Sea Preserve | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. | More
Cross dunes, maritime forest, and mangroves while collecting data on water and wildlife.
📚 St. Augustine Heritage Book Festival | Ximenez-Fatio House Museum | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | More
Meet local authors, browse books about St. Augustine, and get purchased copies signed.
🏰 Living History Saunter | St. George Street to the Plaza | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | More
Meet costumed interpreters portraying St. Augustine's colonial eras along St. George Street.
🦪 Shuck Yeah! I ❤️ Estuaries! | GTM Research Reserve | Ponte Vedra Beach | Friday, September 18, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. | More
Oysters and Low Country boil meet sunset views and live music.
🎭 Let There Be Music: A Night on Broadway | St. Anastasia Catholic Church | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. | More
Hear songs from Man of La Mancha and The Phantom of the Opera.
🤠 Brad Paisley Live | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Saturday, September 19, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. | More
Brad Paisley brings Charlie Worsham and The Band Loula to The Amp.
🎸 James Taylor and His All-Star Band | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22 and 23, doors 5:30 p.m., shows 7:00 p.m. | More
James Taylor and his All-Star Band play two seated shows at The Amp.
🎶 St. Augustine Songwriters Festival | Colonial Oak Music Park and downtown venues | St. Augustine | Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27; opening sets begin at 4:30 p.m. | More
Hear Nashville songwriters perform free rounds and share the stories behind their songs.
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