In today’s Digest:
📚 A nearly $500,000 donation-funded overhaul reopened the Children's Cove at the Ponte Vedra Beach library.
🗳️ A new voter flyer is drawing questions about who actually endorsed its candidates.
🎒 INK! is collecting supplies after delivering more than $143,000 to local classrooms last school year.
🏗️ County building permits have fallen 59% from their pandemic-era peak.
🌳 St. Augustine homeowners can request one of eight free tree species through August 31.
🥗 Lunch in the deep end of the old Hotel Alcazar pool
Located inside the Lightner Museum at 25 Granada Street, Café Alcazar serves lunch in the deep end of the former Hotel Alcazar's indoor swimming pool. The menu covers soups, salads, seafood, sandwiches, and daily specials.
The room is the real local hook, with diners seated beneath three stories of balconies where hotel guests once swam. Classical guitar or piano accompanies lunch each day, and the café uses fresh, local, and organic ingredients.
Read more here.
Your Paycheck Has a Ceiling, This Business Doesn't
Between all the families steadily moving in, St. Augustine households move all year long, and most of them need a mover. Most of that work still goes to companies nobody recommends twice, which is exactly the gap Pink Zebra Moving was built to fill, with hot-pink zebra-striped trucks and a customer experience people actually rave about.
It comes from Ron Holt, who grew a single cleaning store into a $40 million, 90-location brand before selling it and pointing the same playbook at moving. Owners get comprehensive training, a recession-resistant service, and no moving experience is required because the model runs semi-absentee alongside what you already do.
The numbers show what is possible: franchisee Drue Chrisman’s location generated $2.5 million in revenue and $707,000 in net operating income in its first full calendar year, even after franchise expenses and new-truck purchases.* Across the network, franchise owners average $135,904 in net operating income.*
St. Augustine gets only one owner, and whoever raises their hand first gets the territory.
If you have been quietly wanting something of your own with no ceiling on the upside, tap below to explore the model and request more information directly from the Pink Zebra team.
Thank you to our local sponsors who make this publication possible!
📚 Children's Cove Reopens After Nearly $500K Renovation
The Gist: The Children's Cove at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library is open again after its first major renovation since the branch opened. The nearly $500,000 project, funded entirely by Friends of the Library donations, added new flooring, furnishings, windows, easy-to-clean surfaces and redesigned learning areas.
Why It Matters: The branch has restored a free indoor gathering and learning space for St. Johns County families after the children's area closed in April.
What's Next: The library is accepting donations for remaining finishing touches.
Read more here.
🎒 Tools 4 Schools Drive Returns Through August 29
The Gist: Investing in Kids opened its Tools 4 Schools drive July 13 to stock a free supply depot for St. Johns County teachers. INK! distributed more than $143,000 in supplies last school year, while a 2025 AdoptAClassroom.org study found teachers spent $895 out of pocket on average.
Why It Matters: Community donations give local teachers classroom supplies at no cost, reducing what educators cover from their paychecks.
What's Next: Donations are accepted through August 29. A Stuff the Bus collection runs that morning at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre farmers market.
Read more here.
🏗️ County Building Permits Fall 59% From Peak
The Gist: St. Johns County recorded 3,842 permits for new homes and apartment buildings during the 12 months ending in May 2026, down 59% from the 2022 peak of 9,350. The St. Johns Citizen's review of U.S. Census Bureau data found the latest total was the county's lowest since July 2017.
Why It Matters: A sustained construction slowdown can mean fewer new homes, tighter inventory and added price pressure. It also changes the growth assumptions local officials use to plan schools, roads and public services.
Read more here.
🌳 City Offers Homeowners Free Trees
The Gist: St. Augustine's Tree Canopy Enhancement Program is offering city homeowners a free tree for private property. Applicants can choose from eight species, including live oak, red cedar, redbud, winged elm and sweetbay magnolia, and city staff will inspect each site to confirm the requested tree fits.
Why It Matters: More trees on private lots expand shade and canopy beyond public land while homeowners handle long-term care.
What's Next: Apply by August 31 or until trees run out. Planting is scheduled for late winter or early spring.
Read more here.
Family Friendly
🍦 Kilwins Ice Cream Run, 2026 | Kilwins at Beachwalk | St. Johns | Saturday, July 18, 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. | More
All-ages 5K, one-mile run, kids dash, medals, and post-race ice cream.
🥕 Amphitheatre Farmers Market | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Saturday, July 18, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | More
Shop produce, prepared foods, local art, plants, and hear live music.
🌳 Liberty Tree Marker Dedication | Lakeside Park | St. Augustine Beach | Saturday, July 18, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. | More
Free ceremony dedicating a tree to early American resistance and civic freedom.
🐬 Cruise for a Cause | Camachee Cove Marina | St. Augustine | Saturday, July 18, 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 1:00 p.m. | More
Family wildlife cruises add estuary lessons while supporting youth marine education.
🛍️ World Golf Village Farmers Market | The Village Church | St. Augustine | Saturday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | More
Seasonal vendors pair produce and handmade goods with family games and food.
Adult Events
🏛️ Florida at War Panel Discussion | Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum | St. Augustine | Friday, July 17, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. | More
Local historians unpack Revolutionary-era Florida, then lead a gallery tour.
🎸 Men at Work | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Friday, July 17, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. | More
New wave staples with Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife opening.
💘 Summer Lovin' with 3 Blind Dates | Third Space Improv | St. Augustine | Saturday, July 18, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. | More
Audience love stories steer three improvised speed dates in real time.
🎻 Lindsey Stirling | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Monday, July 20, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. | More
Electronic violin, classical crossover, and dance share one theatrical stage.
🎷 Jazz at the Excelsior: Akia Uwanda | Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center | St. Augustine | Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. | More
Powerhouse vocalist Akia Uwanda brings contemporary jazz to historic Lincolnville.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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