St. Johns County Labor Day hours announced
All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, library branches and bookmobiles, the Supervisor of Elections Office, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Tax Collector’s Office and the Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller’s Office will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. All offices and libraries will resume standard business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection schedules will not be delayed.
The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road transfer stations will remain open during standard business hours on Sept. 7. Additionally, residents can download the Recycle Coach app or go to recyclestjohns.com to obtain curbside collection schedules, sign up for alerts and learn how to dispose of different household waste materials properly.
St. Johns County offers free labor day weekend shuttle
St. Johns County Beach Services will offer a free shuttle throughout Labor Day weekend, to reduce traffic congestion. Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park shuttle will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5-7 from Cornerstone Park, 1046 A1A North, to the Mickler’s parking lot.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Augustine Beach Police Department and St. Johns County Marine Rescue personnel will patrol the beaches throughout the weekend. Marine Rescue lifeguards will be stationed along the beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beach flags indicating water and surf conditions will be displayed. The absence of a flag does not mean there is no danger. See a staffed lifeguard tower for local conditions.
On-beach driving hours are between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Vehicles must remain in the designated driving lanes. Beach driving conditions can change throughout the day. Beachgoers can monitor daily updates on driving conditions by following @SJCBeaches on Facebook and X/Twitter and downloading the SJC Connect mobile app at sjcfl.us/sjc-connect.
The Beach Services section of the county website can be monitored for beach access updates at sjcfl.us/beach-driving-updates.
Seymour’s fall book sale returns Sept. 11
Book lovers can stock up for just $1 during Seymour’s Fall Lobby Book Sale at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. The sale runs Sept. 11-26.
There will be a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, cookbooks, biographies and other titles, along with CDs, DVDs, vinyl and more. Additional items will be added throughout the sale.
Seymour’s Bookstore is operated by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Library. Proceeds from Seymour’s help support library programs, resources and improvements.
Ribault Garden Club plans open house
The Ribault Garden Club will host an open house on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 705 2nd Ave. North, Jacksonville Beach. The program is: Tower Gardens, 5 Points Farm, Jacksonville; and BEAM. Speakers will be David Bane and Cyndi Scully.
People can create their own soil-free home farms with edible greens and root veggies using vertical growing towers. Harvest year-round without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This method is water-efficient, offers better food safety and requires minimal maintenance.
The event starts at 10 a.m. There will be refreshments and a drawing.
For further information, go to Ribaultgc.org or call 904-246-4641.
Farmers market open every Friday
The Ponte Vedra Friday Farmers Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday at Palm Valley Outdoors, 377 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, offering fresh produce, local farm goods and a welcoming space to connect with neighbors and small businesses.
This farmers market features fresh, organically grown produce; Florida grass-fed beef and pork; real local honey; pasture-raised chicken and eggs; wholegrain breads; gluten-free sourdough bread; natural botanical skincare; creations by local artisans and more in a family-friendly atmosphere.
St. Johns Classical Academy to be honored at gala
St. Johns Classical Academy, a Hillsdale College Member School, will be recognized for its academic distinction at the upcoming 250th Anniversary Gala. The event will take place on Sept. 19 at the Deerwood Castle and Sports Car Museum.
The gala celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and commemorates the 181st anniversary of Hillsdale College’s contributions to American classical education. Leadership and staff from the Fleming Island and Orange Park Campuses of St. Johns Classical Academy will be honored for their dedication to academic excellence and a traditional liberal arts curriculum.
Hosted by the We Can Be Heroes Foundation, the gala serves as a fundraising benefit for the Black Creek Young Marines. Guests will experience high-end dining, elite networking opportunities, entertainment and addresses from powerful national speakers.
Reservations are open online for the 5 p.m. VIP reception and the 6 p.m. dinner. Tickets and details can be found by searching online for “250th at Deerwood Castle.” Ticket sales end Sept. 6.
Palm Valley Market open every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It offers local, pesticide- and herbicide-free produce; pasture-raised chicken, eggs and pork; grass-fed and grass-finished beef; A2/A2 raw milk; bone broth; seafood; local honey; whole grain, sourdough, and gluten- and dairy-free breads; an array of baked goods; all-natural plant- and tallow-based skincare; fresh bouquets and planters; and more. This charming venue located in the heart of Palm Valley affords customers both an indoor and an open-air shopping experience.
Palm Valley Market—Palm Valley Community Center, 148 Canal Blvd. For more information, email info@PalmValleyFarmersMarket.com.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
