New briefs for Nov. 5, 2015

Posted

SJC Adoption Day Celebration
The 13th annual Adoption Day Celebration, hosted by the St. Johns County Family Integrity Program, is Friday, Nov. 6 from 5:30-6 p.m. at the Solomon Calhoun Center, 1300 Duval St., St. Augustine.
The event, which coincides with National Adoption Month in November, will honor St. Johns County foster and adoptive parents and families. In addition, information will be available at the event for anyone interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Festivities will include free food, a bounce house, games and more.
For more information, call (904) 209-6109 or visit www.sjcfl.us/fip or www.adoptflorida.com.

RCGSA Scholarship Fund and silent auction
The Republican Club of Greater St. Augustine is seeking to raise funds for the club’s St. Johns County Scholarship Fund.
The funds will be raised through the silent auction at the RCGSA annual Christmas party that will be held Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Shrine Club. The club is currently seeking donations of products or services from local businesses for the silent auction.
Proceeds from the event benefit the 2016 scholarship fund, for high school seniors who are register for a college in the fall of 2016.
Last year, $3,500 was raised by the program that was awarded to three students who won the essay contest.
All are welcome to attend the Christmas party. For more information or to make a donation, email RCGSA Auction Committee Chairperson, Joan Larizza, at larizzaf@bellsouth.net.

Vilano Beach Dressing of the Palms kick-off
Vilano Beach’s fourth annual Dressing of the Palms palm tree decorating contest is currently underway.
Individuals, businesses and groups have the opportunity to adopt and decorate a palm tree and compete for first, second, third and People’s Choice awards.
The adoption fee for a single tree is $25; more than one will be $20 each. The adoption fee is waived for not-for-profit organizations who wish to participate.
To be considered for awards, palms must be decorated by Nov. 22. This year, a People’s Choice Award will be determined via an online voting process that will take place Nov. 22-29. Votes can also be submitted via a ballot box that will be located at Rainbow Shades, 85 Ava Way, Ste. 106, St. Augustine.
For more information or to register or become a sponsor, visit www.vilanobeachfl.com or call Main Street Program Manager, Salllie O’Hara at (904) 540-0402. Registration forms are also available at Rainbow Shades.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 5 during the first Saturday Sunset Celebration at the Vilano Beach Pier Pavilion.

2015 SJC property tax rolls now open
The 2015 St. Johns County property tax rolls are now open for collection; Payment can be made effective immediately.
All ta notices become due Nov. 1 but are payable through March 31, 2016 without inquiring a penalty. Those who opt to pay their taxes in November, will receive a four percent discount. The discount amount decreases by one percent every month until March 2016.
Questions regarding homestead exemptions and property assessment should be addressed to the St. Johns County Property Appraiser. Any questions regarding the individual taxing authorities’ millage rates listed on your notice should be addressed to those individual authorities. Contact information for the Property Appraiser and taxing authorities is provided on an insert in your tax notice. Anyone unable to pay their homestead property taxes should contact the St. Johns County Tax Collector as early as possible to determine eligibility for the Homestead Tax Deferral.
Payment can be made online at www.sjctax.us. Payment can also be made by mailing a check or visiting one of our five office locations.
Contact St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis W. Hollingsworth at taxcollector@sjctax.us. With questions, comment or suggestions regarding payment of taxes or the operation of the St. Johns County Tax Collector’s office.

PGA Tour and Microsoft enter 3-year technology agreement
The PGA Tour and Microsoft have entered a three-year agreement to make it easier for golf fanatics to stay abreast of the latest stats.
Over the next several months, the PGA Tour will adopt Windows 10, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office. Other technology integrations are underway including the development of new apps for the latest Microsoft devices and platforms.
The move will give fans instant access to insight about players, courses and conditions, according to the PGA Tour. Microsoft will also utilize the 80,000-plus hours of PGA Tour library footage and other information to deliver this content to fans and commentators in new and engaging ways.
“We believe the TOUR’s commitment to our Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Cloud offerings will enable fans and broadcasters to access ShotLink and other PGA TOUR content in ways that have not been previously possible across all digital devices,” Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer said in a news release. 

—Compiled by Carrie Resch