Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Great Deals for Residents and Military at the World Golf Hall of Fame

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Starting on Saturday May 23rd, the World Golf Hall of Fame is offering a special rate for residents from Florida and Georgia to the special “Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory” exhibit.

Florida and Georgia residents pay only $10 admission through Sunday, October 4. With a ticket you can visit the World Golf Hall of Fame and also play one round on the Hall’s 18-hole, natural grass putting course. The offer is good for up to four accompanying family members. To receive the discount you need proof of residency (driver’s license or other photo identification).

It’s Memorial Day and the World Golf Hall of Fame is saying thanks by offering an even better deal for members of the armed forces. Free admission. Retired and currently serving members of the military and reserve forces can enjoy complimentary admission to the exhibit and also one round on the Hall’s putting course. The offer is good for up to four accompanying family members and is in effect from May 23rd through Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. Valid military photo ID is required for the discount.

For more information, please visit www.wgv.com.

Golf

Florida’s Birding and Foto Fest on the First Coast

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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.  Florida’s Birding & FotoFest will take place along the Northeast coast of Florida April 22-26, 2009. Now it in its seventh year, this year’s events will be headquartered at the Center for Marine Studies at the University of Florida’s Whitney Lab at Marineland – approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine on historic and scenic A1A. Over the years, the event has grown tremendously in popularity – this year, participants are coming from 31 states and two countries.

The popular festival provides visitors and residents outstanding opportunities to experience the unspoiled natural beauty that is unique to Northeast Florida. Events take place from Ft. George Island in Jacksonville southward to Volusia County’s North Peninsula State Park.
Egret by Roger McGraw

Tickets remain available for the Saturday, April 25 keynote presentation by John Moran titled A Photographer’s Search for the Soul of Florida. There are also slots available for participating in the day-long Bird Migration Workshop scheduled for 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. In addition to the workshops and tours, numerous exhibitors will be on hand at Whitney Lab throughout the festival. These include the Audubon Birds of Prey Center (featuring live birds); St. Johns and Duval Audubon Societies; Bushnell, Canon USA, Eagle, Leica, Sigma, Swarovski, and Zeiss optics; Wildstock Photography; Hunt’s Photo and Video; NatureScapes.net;; Essential Photo Gear; Nature Nook Books and many others. Festival exhibit hours are Thursday, 2-5 p.m.; Friday, 12:30-4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets for festival tours, workshops and seminars, visit www.Getaway4Nature.com or call 1-800-514-ETIX (3849).

For more information about events and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches visit www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.

Photo by: Roger Graw

Railwatch Day in Folkston, Georgia

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Love trains? Come to Folkston for Railwatch Days on Saturday April 11, 2009. This event brings train aficionados from all across the country to observe, record and enjoy trains. The railroad junction in Folkston sees more trains passing through than any other railroad junction on the eastern seaboard, so no wonder this is a place to visit for the enthusiasts.

railways watch days folkston georgia
Schedule for the event:

  • Free coffee and donuts at the platform at daybreak on Saturday morning.
  • Platform ceremony at 10:00 am
  • New Town railroad mural dedication at noon
  • Using ATCS with the internet – Barry Baines (clinic held at the old depot) at 1:00pm
  • Editing your railroad video for YouTube – Danny Harmon (clinic at old depot) at 2:00pm
    CSX Signals 201 with Frank DeFalco (clinic held at depot building) at 3:00pm
    Burger and Hot Dog cookout at the platform at 6:00 pm
    Outdoor slideshow presented by Tom Imlay – Saturday night

Photo Contest – All day at depot – sponsored by the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce ($100 cash prize for best of show)

For more information about the event contact Charlton County Chamber of Commerce at 912-496-2536

17th Annual Lighthouse Festival & Michelob Ultra 5K 2009 – St Augustine, FL

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St Augustine has one of the prettiest lighthouses on the coast. If you haven’t visited it yet, here is your chance. On Saturday, March 21, it’s time again for the annual Lighthouse Festival. During the festival St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum will offer free admission to the tower, the museum and the grounds during the festival.

The festival has lots of fun activities for both kids and adults. As always there will be special games and crafts for children, great food, pony rides, and archaeological activities. Children can even buy, build and sail their own model boat in the pond.

Radio Disney AM 600 and the Disney Fun Squad Cast will broadcast live from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Local entertainers will perform throughout the day including live music from Josh n’ Lou.

The Michelob Ultra 5K Run/Walk and the Shepard & Shepard Fun Run will also be held during Lighthouse Festival courtesy of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine. The 5K Run begins at 4:30 p.m. and the Fun Run begins at 5 p.m.; both races will start and finish in front of the lawn of the keepers’ house. Registrater in advance by visiting the Junior Service League of St. Augustine’s website www.jslofstaugustine.org, or participants on the day of the race from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Last year about 8,000 visitors came to the lighthouse for the festival throughout the day. Free parking will be available at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (which is probably your best bet for parking) and there is a shuttle that will take you from there to the festival. Paid event parking will also be available at the Lighthouse & Museum.

This festival takes place on Saturday March 21st from 11 am – 6 pm.

For more information call (904) 829-0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com

Golden Spoon Awards to St Augustine and Ponte Vedra

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Restaurants receive prestigious Golden Spoon awards
Florida Trend Selects Best in Florida!

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (January 12) – Three of the finest restaurants in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra will begin 2009 with special recognition that comes annually to less than 40 of Florida’s thousands of restaurants. Each year since 1977, Florida Trend magazine has bestowed Golden Spoon awards to Sunshine State restaurants that offer diners the very best in food, service and décor. This year, 37 restaurants received Golden Spoon honors – including Restaurant Medure in Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine’s 95 Cordova and Opus 39.

Located in the beautifully-restored Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, 95 Cordova features the very best in New World cuisine served in an opulent setting complete with lavish antiques, exotic silk fabric and hand-painted 24-karat gold ceilings. In its recognition of 95 Corodva’s excellence, Florida Trend said: “Class act of town in a beautifully-reborn grande dame hotel and a kitchen that is ecumenical. “ Phone: 904.827.1888 or www.casamonica.com/95cordova/
St Augustine Florida
“A food gallery where cooking is artful,” is how Florida Trend describes Opus 39 located at 39 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. New American cuisine is the specialty at Opus 39 where all of the culinary creations allow the ingredients to speak for themselves. Simple, elegant food, in an elegant artistic setting –everything is made in-house at Opus 39, from the fresh-baked breads, to the finishing touches on the exquisite desserts. Phone 904.824.0402 or www.opus39.com

Florida Trend says Restaurant Medure, 818 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, “is a smart fixture to the beach. Seafood dolls up with microgreens, shiitake and Southern buttermilk. The monkfish is as pretty as caviar.” Cosmopolitan-chic beach dining in a restaurant with sleek décor sets the atmosphere for a culinary experience featuring the freshest ingredients, an inspiring wine list and an eclectic menu. Phone: 904.543.3797

In addition to the area’s acclaimed Golden Spoon recipients, an outstanding selection of other restaurants in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches are among Florida Trend’s choices for the Best 500 restaurants in Florida. These include Ponte Vedra Beach’s JJ’s Liberty Bistro, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and The Augustine Grille located in the Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa, a Marriott Resort. St. Augustine’s contributions to this prestigious listing include A1A Ale Works Brewery & Restaurant, Café Atlantico, Gypsy Cab Company, Le Pavillon, and Saltwater Cowboy’s.

For more information on dining, attractions and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches, go to www.Getaway4Florida.com or call the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1.800.653.2489.