New briefs for Nov. 12

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Representative Cyndi Stevenson holds office hours today
Fla. Representative Cyndi Stevenson announced that she and her staff will be holding their final mobile office hours for 2015 on Nov. 12 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm.
“I look forward to this time to speak with my constituents about issues they need assistance with, as well as to hear their opinions on matters of concern,” Stevenson said. Residents can find Stevenson today in the Winged Foot Room in the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, 500 South Legacy Trail in St. Augustine.
In the Florida House of Representatives, Representative Stevenson serves on the following committees and subcommittees: Economic Affairs Committee; Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee; Health Quality Subcommittee; Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee and Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Coastal corridor 72-mile garage sale this weekend
The Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway will host their 7th annual “Super Scenic” 72-Mile Garage Sale this Saturday, Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale starts in Ponte Vedra and ends in Flagler Beach with 10 community sits and more than 100 other stops with a variety of bargains. The garage sale also includes a raffle for one of four prize packages valued at more than $1,000.
Nearby participating locations include:
• The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall: 1050 A1A N.
• The South Ponte Vedra Civic Association: 2724 S., Ponte Vedra Blvd.
• The Publix Town Center Vilano: 55 Ava Way., St. Augustine
• 98 Corunna St. in Vilano Beach
• 128 Oak Ave. in Vilano Beach
Visit www.scenica1a.org for updates to the ventor site locations.

Food for fines at county libraries

The St. Johns County Public Library System announced this week that it will once again offer patrons a way to lower or eliminate library fines while providing much-needed assistance to the Health and Human Services Food Pantry through “Food for Fines.” The program is currently running and will end Dec. 19. The formula is simple: the donation of one item of non-perishable food will remove $1 of fines from the patron’s library record. If you have $10 in fines, simply donate 10 food items and your account balance becomes zero.
The Food for Fines program can be used towards overdue fines, charges for damaged items, debt collection fees and inter-library loan fees. Fees for lost items, printing, faxes, computer guest passes and other similar service fees are not eligible. For a complete list, visit www.sjcpls.org.
This year is especially important, as the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Department has noted a decline in food donations, greatly challenging their ability to meet current community needs. Last year, St. Johns County residents provided more than 14,000 non-perishable items through the Library System’s Food for Fines program. All food collected will remain in St. Johns County for the benefit of local residents. For more information, call (904) 827-6925.

Davidson Agent sponsors Thanksgiving food drive in Heritage Landing
Mirtha Barzaga, a top performing Realtor with Davidson Realty, Inc., will sponsor a Thanksgiving food drive in Heritage Landing on Nov. 14 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to benefit the Emergency Services & Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County. All are invited to donate to the drive, which will take place at the Heritage Landing Amenity Center at 100 Heritage Pkwy. in World Golf Village. The drive is co-sponsored by Amenity Services Group, Inc.
The Coalition, which provides transitional housing to families and children who have experienced significant challenges, is in need of non-perishables including canned fruit and vegetables, beans, noodles, soups and canned meats.
“This time of year is difficult for many families who are struggling to keep food on the table,” said Barzaga. “The Coalition directly connects these families with resources donated by our very generous community. This food drive is just one way of helping them in their mission.”
“Heritage Landing is built as the perfect place for families,” said Barzaga. “Last year, the families in the neighborhood as well as throughout the community really came through for our holiday food drive for the Coalition, so we’re looking forward to a great turnout this year as well.”
For more information about donating, contact Mirtha Barzaga at (904) 501-1830 or mbarzaga@davidsonrealtyinc.com.

Art Galleries of Saint Augustine to participate in Nights of Lights
Art Galleries of Saint Augustine, an association of 30 local artist-owned galleries, businesses, exhibition halls and museums, will participate in the City of St. Augustine’s 22nd year of Nights of Lights beginning on Saturday, Nov. 21 until Jan 31, 2016. Joining the City, association business members will turn on their decorative holiday lights on Light-Up! Night when the Nights of Lights begins its 22nd year on Nov. 21.
Art Galleries of Saint Augustine participation in the annual holiday celebration supports the event which is listed by National Geographic as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world with millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s oldest city. Association members will display festive lights and a variety of special art exhibits in their respective businesses. Much of the artwork featured is on display during the renowned, local First Friday Art Walk events held each month.
While the Art Galleries of Saint Augustine will light up their businesses during regular business hours, the formal City lighting starts at 6:45 pm in the city’s historic Plaza de la Constitución with music and decorations in grand holiday style.
According to Ginny Bullard, Art Galleries of Saint Augustine’s president-elect, the best way to experience the Nights of Lights is to visit and support local merchants during the two-month celebration and beyond. “We are pleased to announce our involvement as the success of Nights of Lights largely depends on businesses and residents who voluntarily participate at their own expense truly making the St. Augustine a city of light,” said Bullard.
“Our association celebrates the many diverse and eclectic local, regional, national and international artists that flock to our beautiful city year-round. We serve as a vibrant art colony which has been in place for more than a century with artists, musicians, writers and art lovers from all over the world,” she said. “We invite locals and visitors to join us in supporting and enjoying this festive time of year.” For complete Art Galleries of Saint Augustine listings, maps and brochure along with business hours during the Nights of Lights and regular days of operation, visit the website at www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org or call 1-832.779.2781.

Speakers announced for 39th annual Art & Antiques Show
The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital has announced the speakers for its 39th Annual Art & Antiques Show. The annual event, which benefits Wolfson Children’s Hospital, will take place Dec. 3–6, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water Street.
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 3, the Art & Antiques Show kicks off with a Sneak Peek and Benefactor Preview in advance of a 6:45 p.m. lecture from Jacksonville native Alexa von Tobel. Named the “Most Powerful Woman Entrepreneur of 2014” by Fortune Magazine, von Tobel is a celebrated financial expert, a New York Times bestselling author and Founder and CEO of LearnVest.com.
On Friday, Dec. 4, attendees will enjoy a lecture by top designer Alexa Hampton at 10 a.m., followed by a signing of her newest book, Decorating in Detail. Hampton is owner and Design Lead of Mark Hampton LLC, an internationally acclaimed design firm begun by her father, the late Mark Hampton, and is a recurrent member of top designer lists such as Architectural Digest.
Also on Friday, at 11:30 a.m., designer Juli Catlin and antiques expert William Nash will explore Florida’s design aesthetic and its influences from Spain’s Ponce de Leon to Palm Beach’s Lilly Pulitzer. As principal of Catlin Design, Catlin has led her firm to more than 30 years of design excellence and has been featured in many national publications. Nash is one of the Southeast’s up-and-coming experts in antiques and decorative arts and, in partnership with his father, runs E.W. Nash & Son, an antiques restoration and appraisal firm in Jacksonville.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Richard Keith Langham will lecture at 10 a.m. Langham is an Alabama native who was educated in New York, apprenticed under Mark Hampton and has been recognized on Elle Décor’s A-list as well as Architectural Digest’s AD100. Langham’s clients have included the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Mrs. William F. Buckley and Hilary Swank.
At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, interior designer Barbara Westbrook will speak and sign her book, Gracious Rooms, which explores the dynamic between comfort, charm and elegant style. Since 1992, Westbrook has run her Atlanta-based interior design firm, Westbrook Interiors, and has made her mark on high-end residential and commercial spaces in addition to being regularly featured in national design publications.
Concluding the lecture series on the final day of the Art & Antiques Show, Dr. J. Michael Francis will speak Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. His topic, Before Jamestown: Europeans, Africans and Indians in Spanish Florida, celebrates the Show’s 2015 Spanish theme. Francis is a historian who is considered an international expert on colonial Latin America, Early Florida, Spanish Borderlands, the Pre-Columbian Americas and Spanish Paleography. He was appointed by the President to St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration Commission and is the author of numerous articles and books on Spanish history, most recently St. Augustine, American’s First City: A Story of Unbroken History & Enduring Spirit. Dr. Francis is known for his extreme depth of knowledge and charismatic style.
“The 2015 lecturers are incredibly knowledgeable and truly experts in their unique areas,” said Sheila Collier, who is chairing this year’s Art & Antiques Show with Christy Martin. “All interested in attending should purchase tickets in advance, as they are going fast.”
Show hours are: Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.artandantiquesshow.com, by calling (904) 202-2886 or by email at womensboardwch@bmcjax.com. Daily admission to the Show is $15, and lecture tickets are $30. Higher level tickets for multiple events and corporate sponsorships are available. For a complete listing of Show events, visit the Art & Antiques Show website at www.artandantiquesshow.com.

—Compiled by Kelly H. McDermott