Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

National Coastal Educator to Headline May 1 Fair

by

Daylong Environmental Education Fair Hosted by Friends of A1A

A nationally acclaimed presenter, Michael Klubock, will serve as the guest speaker and lead a beach clean-up at the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway’s first ever Environmental Education Fair on Sat., May 1 in Marineland.

Klubock is the Founder and Executive Director of the Malibu Foundation for Environmental Education and his specialty is inspiring youth to become good stewards of the coastal environment.

The event, which is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be at the University of Florida Whitney Labs on the west side of SR A1A in the Town of Marineland. Registration for the free event begins at 8:30 a.m. and it is expected to draw 500 persons, ranging from environmental advocates to families and children.

Klubock said he shares with his audiences the impact that carelessness – such as leaving broken lawn chairs on the beach or cutting fishing line and tossing it into the ocean – can have on the coastal environment.

“Litter is a thing that is visible,” he said. “If people realize that one piece of trash has importance, that’s one more level of protection. We have to honor and appreciate the beauty of our environment and with that love and beauty comes protection.”

In the afternoon, Klubock will lead the event participants on a short beach clean-up that will conclude with an aerial fly over to photograph the event.

Other activities will include 14 indoor and in-the-field workshops, 40 exhibitor and vendor booths, science fair projects, environmental activities, storytelling, clowns and face-painting and music.

Friends of A1A is a non-profit organization that implements the corridor management plan for improvements along the 72-mile Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway through St. Johns and Flagler counties.

The Master of Ceremonies will be Frank Gromling, an author, radio host of “Cover to Cover” on WNZF and publisher for Ocean Publishing in Flagler Beach. Others expected to be on hand at the Fair are the Mayor of Marineland, Jim Netherton, and the President of Friends of A1A, Barbara Jenness.

Box lunches ($5) and beverages will be available on-site for a nominal charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about the Environmental Education Fair please visit www.scenica1a.org or call the Friends of A1A at 904.425.8055 in St. Johns County or 386.585.3679 in Flagler County.

Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway protects, preserves, and enhances resources along the A1A National Scenic Byway. This citizen’s advocacy group partners with municipalities, governmental agencies and other civic groups to maintain and improve resources along the corridor.

Designated in 2002, the Byway is rich in history, nature, archeology, culture, scenery and recreation. The Friends of A1A’s efforts benefit residents and travelers alike by maintaining the identified intrinsic resources while allowing economic development.

St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village to Open

by

St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village Set to Open December 5
Opening Night to Feature Activities for Families, Photos with Santa and More
St. Augustine, Fla.

The 2008 St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village is set to officially open Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. The fourth-annual holiday event, free and open to the public, will showcase decorated trees and wreaths throughout the St. Johns County Convention Center, adjacent to the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.

Opening night activities will include a celebratory ribbon cutting at 6:15 p.m. by Melinda Bergbom, Campaign Chairman, United Way of St. Johns County, and Derek May, Publisher of The St. Augustine Record (Empty Stocking Fund), along with Mark Schwantner, General Manager of the Renaissance Resort and St. Johns County Convention Center.

Additional happenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. will include kids’ cookie decorating, courtesy of the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will add to the festivities with visits and photo opportunities and The Village Church choir will perform a variety of holiday tunes throughout the night in the atrium of the Renaissance Resort.

The festival will showcase trees and wreaths decorated by a variety of companies and organizations throughout the convention center. The event will run through Sunday, Dec. 14 and all proceeds from public monetary votes (minimum $1 bid) as well as a silent auction will benefit two local charities – the United Way of St. Johns County and The St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund.

The event will remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the final day, Sunday, Dec. 14. For more information on the St. Johns County Festival of Trees, visit the December events calendar at www.wgv.com.

The 2008 St. Johns County Festival of Trees is presented by the World Golf Village Associates: Grande Villas at World Golf Village, Honours Golf, the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village and the World Golf Hall of Fame.