Taxpayer guide to county finances introduced
St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Brandon J. Patty has presented the second edition of the award-winning Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), “Tracking Your Tax Dollars: A Guide to St. Johns County’s Finances,” to the Board of County Commissioners.
The report features key highlights from the lengthier Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), a yearly accounting of the county’s finances and budget. Designed to be straightforward and reader-friendly, the PAFR illustrates St. Johns County’s financial picture for fiscal year 2020-21 and includes how residents’ tax dollars are collected, spent and invested.
The 20-page booklet also offers economic information and noteworthy trends on demographics, housing, taxes and more.
The PAFR is accessible online at stjohnsclerk.com/pafr. Printed copies will be available in mid-October by request at the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, in St. Augustine.
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report includes the financial statements for the Board of County Commissioners, Clerk of the Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector. The full report is available online at stjohnsclerk.com/county-annual-financial-report/.
THE PLAYERS Championship focus of special event
Council on Aging has announced that a special event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, at COA’s THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center in Ponte Vedra Beach. Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which starts at 11 a.m. for golf festivities sponsored by THE PLAYERS Championship.
Meet PLAYERS employees, take part in an outdoor putting competition and enjoy golf-themed activities. PLAYERS staff will be onsite for approximately three hours on this day interacting with the senior center participants and Ponte Vedra Beach community.
Refreshments will be provided and prizes for different activities will be awarded.
THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center is located at 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach.
To learn more about the center, go to coasjc.org/ponte-vedra-center or call 904-209-3659.
Deputy to speak at Coastal Friends luncheon
Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Wagner from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Community Relations Unit, will be the guest speaker at Coastal Friends’ next monthly luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Marsh Landing Country Club, 25655 Marsh Landing Parkway, Ponte Vedra Beach Deputy. Wagner will speak about fraud prevention and personal safety issues. A question-and-answer period will follow his talk.
The luncheon is open to all members of Coastal Friends, their guests and anyone interested in joining this ladies social club, which formed in 1998. In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Marsh Landing’s chef will serve a lunch consisting of a mixed green salad, turkey and stuffing with mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans and pumpkin pie for dessert. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25 and reservations must be made in advance. Contact the luncheon chairman at bartshar@comcast.net as soon as possible since the deadline to sign up and get your $25 check in the mail is Oct. 28.
For details on how to join Coastal Friends, contact brookemeister@msn.com or go to coastalfriends.wildapricot.org.
Explore the beach
Join volunteers at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) for a beach exploration from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Collect seashells, search for shark teeth and learn about coastal wildlife. Meet at the GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. The event is free but online registration is required. Register at secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/pIw4sjpgRY8DBB7kK7oSrQ.
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Hat, insect repellent, water and sunscreen are recommended.
Goodwill seeks donations to help hurricane victims
Goodwill Industries of North Florida is seeking donations to help Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian.
Donations made to any of the 39 Goodwill locations across North Florida will be monetized and shared with those affected by the hurricane through sister Goodwills in Southwest Florida. To find a Goodwill location, go to goodwilljax.org/find-location.
Annual Halloween CARnival is back
Jump in your car or golf cart for a drive-through Halloween CARnival, a fun family event from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 22 at Baptist HealthPlace at Nocatee, 400 Colonnade Drive, Ponte Vedra. There will be treats and giveaways for adults and kids, interactive themed stations, Halloween music and more. Don't forget to wear your costume. There is no cost for this event, but visitors need to sign up for a time slot to save a spot in line. To purchase your tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/halloween-carnival-baptist-healthplace-at-nocatee-tickets-405406761537.
Plan to spend about 15 minutes in your vehicle and stay in your vehicle at all times. Bring your own bag for trick-or-treating.
Pin-Up Paws Party set for Nov. 4
The St. Augustine Humane Society is planning its 12th annual Pin-Up Paws Party, featuring the 2023 Pin-Up Paws Pet Calendar. All proceeds support programs and services that keep pets and their humans together. This year, 140 pets entered the contest and campaigned for their big break — a chance to be featured in the 2023 calendar Pete Melfi with The 904 Now has signed on as honorary chair and is bringing his unique brand of hosting skills to serve as emcee for the event.
The Pin-Up Paws celebration begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel.
Tickets are $95 per person and include dinner, complimentary wine and a free Pin-Up Paws calendar. The silent auction features stunning jewelry pieces, spa treatments, resort stays and guitars signed by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Prince and the members of the Eagles. The evening also includes a wine pull and music by Rob Peck and the Matanzas Inlet Allstars.
Contact development@staughumane.org for more details, go to www.staughumane.org or call 904-829-2737, ext. 111.
Event celebrates the Seabees
A Navy Seabee 80th anniversary celebration will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in Jacksonville. Drop by or enjoy an evening at the "Seabee style OktoBEEfest" surrounded by Bees, friends and family. Tickets include the commemorative 80th Seabee Anniversary Beer Glass.
Those who can't attend but want to honor the Seabees can donate one or more tickets for veterans. Enter "Donate to Veterans" in place of your name at check out.
The event will be held at Veterans United Craft Brewery, 8999 Western Way No. 104, Jacksonville.
There will be food, craft beers on tap and additional drinks for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
Tickets are $10. Go to secure.givelively.org/event/cec-seabee-historical-foundation/oktobeefest-jacksonville-2022.
The event will raise money for the Seabee Scholarship Fund.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
