St. Augustine Commission recognizes 8 graduating seniors
The St. Augustine City Commission presented eight graduating seniors from St. Johns County high schools with its Citizenship Award on April 25 in recognition of their leadership and service to school, community and other students.
Award recipients were selected by their schools and received a commemorative plaque, a city lapel pin and $200 to assist with further educational endeavors.
The 2022 Citizenship Award recipients are: Margaret Dykstra, Ponte Vedra High School; Khush Gandhi, Allen D. Nease High School; Leah Crenshaw, Creekside High School; Jose Giron-Reyes, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; Jaycob Jackson, St. Augustine High School; Lauren Jackson, St. Joseph Academy; Emily Martin-Willott, Pedro Menendez High School; and Logan Smith, St. Johns Technical High School.
History of Temple Bet Yam is subject of program
The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society will explore the history of Temple Bet Yam, with a program at 2 p.m. May 11 in the synagogue’s facility at 2055 Wildwood Drive, St. Augustine. The program will include presentations by Temple Bet Yam founders Shelly and Marty Cohen, Carol Gladstone, Joan Guglielmo and Donna and Elliott Palevsky. The program is open to the public; all are welcome. There is no charge. No advance arrangements need be made.
Founded in 1993, the establishment of Bet Yam is a local expression of a seismic shift within the world of American Jewry toward a more liberal understanding and interpretation of Jewish Heritage.
For further information contact the historical society at 804-914-4460 or go to www.sajhs.com.
Attorney general candidate to speak at Democratic Club meeting
The Ponte Vedra Democratic Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 17 at Christ Episcopal Church, Room 106, 400 San Juan Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. The featured speaker is Aramis Ayala, candidate for state attorney general. For further information, email janetkary@gmail.com.
Novelist to speak at next Sisters in Crime meeting
Award-winning novelist Nancy Quatrano will speak on “Backstory: When, How and How Much?” at the next meeting of the Northeast Florida Sisters in Crime. The presentation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Ponte Vedra Library, 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.
For further information, email floridasistersincrime@gmail.com.
PGA TOUR welcomes Dream Finders Homes as Official Marketing Partner
The PGA TOUR and Dream Finders Homes Inc. have announced a multi-year partnership naming Dream Finders Homes the “Official Home Builder of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” through 2026.
“We are excited to have Dream Finders Homes as the first home builder to be an Official Marketing Partner at the PGA TOUR,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR executive vice president marketing and corporate partnerships. “We’re confident that the PGA TOUR platform will provide an excellent backdrop to showcase the Dream Finders Homes brand through our players, media and tournaments.”
Dream Finders Homes will activate this new relationship by having a presence in programming throughout PGA TOUR social and digital properties, including hosting a “Moving Day” campaign on Instagram. Dream Finders Homes will also organize hospitality events for key constituents and guests at select PGA TOUR events, host corporate golf outings and develop partnerships with TOUR professionals.
Diaz appointed state commissioner of education
The State Board of Education voted unanimously Friday to appoint state Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. as Florida’s next commissioner of education, making him the first Hispanic commissioner of education in Florida’s history. The vote follows Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recommendation.
The appointment is effective June 1. Commissioner Richard Corcoran formally left the state Department of Education on Sunday, May 1. The state board named Senior Chancellor Jacob Oliva to act as interim commissioner from May 2 to May 31.
Diaz has served in the Florida Legislature since 2012. He has served as a public-school teacher, coach, assistant principal and school administrator.
He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University, a master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern, and completed a Harvard Graduate School of Education program for principals.
County recognized for financial excellence, transparency
St. Johns County was recently recognized for the 29th consecutive year for its financial reporting excellence and transparency by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The association awarded its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller for its fiscal year 2019-2020 annual comprehensive financial report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Last fall, St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Brandon J. Patty unveiled a condensed version of the 2020 report, called the Popular Annual Financial Report. The inaugural PAFR booklet features comprehensive report highlights written for the general public and others without a background in public finance and illustrates how county tax dollars are collected and spent. It can be found at stjohnsclerk.com/pafr.
City extends metered parking hours for Castillo lot
The hours of metered parking enforcement have been extended to 9 p.m., seven days a week, for the parking lot at Castillo de San Marcos. Parking enforcement hours had been from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
City parking meter attendants are responsible for parking enforcement Monday through Saturday and the National Park Service is responsible for parking enforcement on Sundays.
Those with questions may contact the Parking Department at 904-825-1090 or send an email to parking@citystaug.com.
Applications accepted for Independent Agency Funding Program
St. Johns County Health and Human Services is accepting applications for the Independent Agency Funding Program through 3 p.m. June 3. This program aims to provide funding for local nonprofit agencies that provide social services to St. Johns County residents. Three funding categories are available: community health care (including aging), affordable housing and homelessness, and employment opportunities. The county anticipates approximately $1.5 million will be awarded to eligible agencies and projects.
Nonprofit agencies applying must complete and submit one electronic application for each proposed project or program, including all required documents, forms, and attachments.
To apply, go to sjcfl.us/hhs. For more information, call 904-209-6143.
Tourism and Hospitality award winners announced
The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau recently recognized the finalists in the 2021 St. Johns County’s hospitality and tourism industry Employee of the Year awards. Each winner was recognized at his or her place of business in a celebration with their co-workers.
Top awards were given in five categories: lodging, attractions, restaurant, retail and government with 24 individuals nominated for their service St. Johns County largest industry: tourism and hospitality. The winners for each category are:
Lodging: Joseph Campbell, housekeeping supervisor, Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Attractions: a three-way tie between Kelcie Lloyd, special projects manager, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum; Quentin Curtis, tour guide, GhoSt Augustine; and Niki Kemper, general manager, The Tasting Tours.
Restaurant: Danica Affolter, server at Columbia Restaurant
Retail: Clark Gilmore, spirits educator, St. Augustine Distillery
Government: Suzanna Schuyler-Vetter, information host, City of St. Augustine
Jacksonville company launches apprenticeship program
Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric has announced the launch of its new TradeUp Academy, an HVAC registered apprenticeship program. The goal of the program is to help businesses meet the demand for skilled labor during a shortage, while offering workers higher wages and better employment outcomes.
TradeUp Academy is a paid training/apprentice program that offers participants the opportunity to gain experience, learn new skills and support themselves financially while they study and receive on-the-job training.
For the trainee, an apprenticeship can offer a cost-effective alternative to the college track. Apprentices in the TradeUp Academy are considered full-time employees of Snyder, earning a competitive wage while receiving a minimum of 2,000 hours of firsthand technical training. Participants are also eligible for benefits after an introductory period.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
