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Solar Vessel Visits St Augustine

ReThink Energy Florida joined the solar-powered “Ship of Imagination”, the Archimedes in its Cruise Aid for a Sustainable Florida, a grassroots effort to raise public awareness about important energy issues in the Sunshine state.

The Archimedes is the world’s largest solar powered concrete boat and a mobile demonstration platform for renewable and sustainable technology. It is on a historic passage, navigating the entire “Intracoastal Waterway” of Florida powered exclusively by solar energy.

FirstCoast.TV had the opportunity to see the vessel pull into St Augustine’s Municipal Marina and get on board.

December 13, 2014

British Night Watch 2014

The British Period (1763-1784) in St. Augustine was re-enacted in a colorful and exciting way on Saturday Dec. 6th, featuring hundreds of British troops, their Native American allies and civilians.

On Friday Dec. 5th from noon to 5 p.m., the British Night Watch Encampment was at Francis Field located near the city’s parking garage. Locals and tourists visited with soldiers, strolled the Colonial Market, met the Native Allies who had guided the British troops, also met colonial craftsmen and enjoyed the antics of the Faire Wynds Circus. On Saturday at 10 a.m., the encampment re-opened with a full day of entertainment by 18th century musicians and performers.

At 2 pm was the Trooping of the Colors followed by drilling by British Redcoats, cannon firings and music by the Fife and Drum Corps. At 7:30 p.m., the public gathered in the Plaza, and at 8 p.m. the Grande Illumination Parade began through the historic streets. Bystanders joined the parade (candles provided for a small donation) for a thrilling and memorable holiday experience that ended with a musketry volley of joy and best holiday wishes for King George!

Visit www.britishnightwatch.org

December 8, 2014 1 12

Christmas Parade 2014 Highlights

St. Augustine’s 60th Annual Christmas Parade ushered in the holiday season with floats, bands, cheerleaders, and plenty of fun. Lots of local organizations participate in this event, making it one of the largest parades in Northeast Florida. Parading into the holiday season with floats to marching bands to antique cars and horses and carriages march into a city that was lit up in the Night of Lights in November. Visitors and locals alike come down to the Historic District to watch the procession go by.

December 7, 2014 2 4

Night of Lights

The City of St Augustine, FL, lights up with the Night of Lights event. This event is held every year in historical center of the city, in November before Thanksgiving, packing the city with thousands of people who come to see the lighting of the city and the Christmas tree at La Plaza de la Constitucion.

Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting of St Augustine reflects the city’s 449-year history and illuminates the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories.

During Nights of Lights, St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights feature millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s oldest city.

November 24, 2014

Ancient City Auto Club Show 2014

Catch the classic rides and modified autos from throughout the years at the annual show that took place on November 22, 2014, beneath the large oaks of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind on 209 N San Marco Blvd., St. Augustine, FL.
There were dozens and dozens of cars that stopped your heart, from Corvettes to Ferraris, and Hudsons to Hot Rods. It was truly awesome to see so many magnificent machines in mint condition.

November 23, 2014

Living Off The Grid

FirstCoast.TV checked out a home near the beach that is off the grid, with a well for water and solar panels for electric. We take a tour inside and check out the space and materials used to build this home that once was a shipping container.

November 20, 2014 2 2

Pirates Gathering 2014

ARRHG!!!…..Pirates ahoy

Pirates gathering event in St Augustine at the St Francis Field, 70 W Castillo Dr. was a hit as usual. The event went from Friday Nov. 7th to Sunday Nov.9th. Pirates, wenches, witches, magicians, belly dancers, sword battles, a whole pirate world at your grasp. It was a lot of history and a whole lot of fun.

You could have also camped on the field and on Friday there was a Buccaneer Bash at Fort Menendez on 259 San Marco Avenue. So till next year…Arrhg!

November 10, 2014 2 4

Seismic Testing And Off Shore Drilling Demonstration in St. Augustine, Florida

On October 22, 2014 Concerned residents of the Saint Augustine, Florida area, gathered to express their concern on the possibility of seismic testing off the shore of the Ancient City’s shore.

FirstCoast.tv was there to capture the event and to share its footage with the citizens of Saint Augustine in the hopes to bring to the forefront of the people’s minds, and the upcoming election candidates, the importance of putting a stop to this potential disastrous endeavor spearheaded by the oil companies.

October 30, 2014

No to 7-Eleven Rally in Saint Augustine, Florida

The Brave Show Up and Make a Stand

First Coast.TVʼs cameras covered a classic David vs Goliath confrontation on Sept. 28th 2014, as a small contingent of St. Augustine citizens made their voices heard loud and clear, as they stood by the empty lot on the corner of May Street and San Marco Avenue, in peaceful protest to the possibility of an upcoming 7-Eleven.

Their goal is to stop the construction of such, which already has a permit from the City of St Augustine to make the project possible, and now awaits for a permit from the FLDOT. One can not but admire these individuals’ resolute perseverance against the odds.

They might be few in number, but they represent the interests of all the people who reside in the neighborhoods along May St, and San Marco Avenue – and the residents of Vilano Beach who collectively will have to endure the increase of traffic, and congestion, so many folds more than the present, if this 7-Eleven comes to be a permanent structure on that already congested corner.

This modest but brave and courageous group of individuals, seem to also be looking out for the many mothers and children, who frequent this hectic intersection to access the carousel and library. Not to mention the students of the School of the Deaf & Blind who also walk along this area.

To see the hundreds of vehicles pressing their horns in solidarity, was heart warming and just amazing. First Coast.TV can only humbly tip its hat to these concerned citizens.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until its done.”

Jorge L. Rivera

October 5, 2014