Happy Thursday, St. Augustine.

Before we dive in this week, I wanted to thank you for the warm reception as the newsletter hits your inbox again. That means more to me than you know.

This is a big edition, so we’ll get right into it. But first…

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• Road Closure Notice | F Street at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Atlantic Oaks Circle in St. Augustine Beach will be closed for approximately one week beginning March 3rd in order to repair a collapsed stormwater pipe.

• Beach Toll Season Begins | St. Johns County will begin requiring beach driving passes March 2, with all vehicles needing a daily or annual permit displayed on the passenger-side windshield through Sept. 30.

• Alfred’s Building Permit Approved | 222 W. King St. is one step closer to becoming a community hub. More to come.

The people have spoken. With 98.59% of voting readers in favor of launching the Lowdown Society, it’s time to move forward and get our first session on the books.

Now I’d like to hear from you.

If there’s a topic you’d be interested in learning more about, or a proper watering hole you think should host our first gathering, send it my way and we’ll see what can be done.

In the meantime, I’ll be linking up with a few knowledgeable locals and scouting out our first classroom. More to come soon. Thank you, as always, for weighing in.

Deal: $3 Al Pastor Tacos & $2 Mexican Lagers at Osprey Tacos & Old Coast Ales every Tuesday.

Pets: If you knew Peggy Sue, then you'd know why I feel blue.

Property: A short walk to Taco Tuesday from here.

Sightings: Double-Crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)

Sing Out Loud set for move to May
The Sing Out Loud Music Festival’s flagship Francis Field showcase is moving from September to the third weekend in May, after city commissioners approved the change through 2033 to avoid hurricane season and soaring insurance costs. The shift means no showcase in 2026, with a newly expanded three-day event set for May 14–17, 2027. Smaller venue shows will remain in September. Organizers say the move reduces financial risk while continuing to draw tens of thousands of visitors, most from outside the county, to support local businesses.

Frederick Douglass Honored with New Downtown Statue
A new statue of Frederick Douglass now stands at Anderson Circle near the Bridge of Lions, commemorating the famed abolitionist’s 1889 visit to St. Augustine and his lasting impact on American history. Douglass spoke to a crowd of nearly 700 residents during his stop in the city, advocating for equal rights in the post-Reconstruction South. The installation is part of Florida’s broader recognition of America’s 250th anniversary and invites residents and visitors to pause and reflect on Douglass’ legacy in the nation’s oldest city. More

City Declines to Renew Horse Carriage Lease
St. Augustine commissioners voted unanimously not to renew Country Carriages’ city lease after more than two decades downtown, citing a history of documented violations tied to horse care and emergency procedures. The decision follows months of public debate over animal welfare and leaves the future of horse-drawn carriage rides in the city uncertain once the lease expires in September. More

City Faces $7.8M Hit Under Proposed Property Tax Changes
St. Augustine officials are preparing for what could amount to a $7.8 million annual revenue loss if state lawmakers move forward with eliminating nonschool property taxes on primary residences. Property taxes account for nearly 60% of the city’s roughly $51 million general fund, which supports everything from police and fire to historic preservation and basic operations. A reduction of that size would leave commissioners weighing service cuts, consolidation options, or shifting more of the tax burden onto commercial and non-homesteaded properties as the debate unfolds in Tallahassee. More

Water Shortage Warning Expands Across Region
The St. Johns River Water Management District has expanded its moderate water shortage declaration to include St. Johns and four neighboring counties as extreme drought conditions persist. Officials are urging voluntary conservation across all sectors, citing low rainfall, declining groundwater levels and reduced river flows. Current lawn watering rules remain in place, but additional restrictions could follow if dry conditions continue. More

• SJC Summer Camp Lottery now open

• Castillo seawall repairs cleared to move forward

• Atlantic Beach & Tennis Club changes hands ($)

• St. Augustine Citizens’ Academy Returns for 2026

• St. Johns Technical High School will close after this school year

• 93 acres at World Commerce Center purchased for $45 million ($)

• AdventHealth plans new 12-bed emergency department at World Commerce Center

Flight to Freedom | Feb 26-28 | Fort Mose | Info

Ancient City Cat Show | Feb 28-Mar 1 | Solomon Calhoun Community Center | Info

Florida Bohemian Festival | Feb 28-Mar 1 | Palm Coast | Info

Florida Azalea Festival | Feb 27-Mar 1 | Downtown Palatka | Info

St. Johns County Fight Night | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 6pm | Tickets

🎵 Swamptooth Album Release Party | Dog Rose Brewing | 7pm | Info

🎵 Country Night with Muhly at Colonial Oak | Downtown | 7-10pm | Free

🎵 North Mississippi Allstars | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | 7:30pm | Tickets

Sunset Seafood Social with Matanzas Riverkeeper | Genung’s Fish Camp | 5-7pm | Tickets

The Blues and Beyond in African Musical Heritage | Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Heritage Center | 6-7:30pm | Info

🎵 The Pendeltonics | Colonial Oak | 7-10pm | Free

🎵 St. Paul & The Broken Bones | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 7:30pm | Tickets

🎵 Dawson Hollow + Sage Trunnell | Sarbez | 8pm | $5 at door

🎵 Robert Jon & The Wreck | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Flying High Again, an Ozzy + Black Sabbath Tribute | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

The Amp Farmers Market | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 8:30am-12:30pm

GTM Reserve Beach Cleanup | Guana Reserve | 9-11am | Info

Mystic Faire | Center for Spiritual Living | 10am-4:30pm | Info

Wings ‘n Wheels | Northeast Florida Regional Airport | 11am-4pm | Info

5th Annual Pipe Band Lounge | Barley Republic | 7pm | Info

🎵 Claire Vandiver | Spinster Abbott’s | 7-10pm

🎵 Styx + Cheap Trick | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 7pm | SOLD OUT

🎵 Taj Farrant | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Red Jumpsuit Apparatus | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Birds on a Kill, Sladicidal, Dreambox | Sarbez | 9:30pm | $5 at door

Raptor Run 3k | Alligator Farm | 8am | Info

Rebel Clown Playshop | Third Space Improv | 9:45am | Info

Farmers Market at the Classic Car Museum | St. Augustine Shores | 10am-2pm

The Book Swa(m)p | Spinster Abbott’s | 12-4pm | Info

Betty Griffin Center Quarter Auction | Tringali Barn | 12-3pm | Tickets

Preserving the Ponce Documentary Screening | The Waterworks| 1:30pm | Register for free

🎵 Dewey Via Band | Dog Rose Brewing | 3:30-6:30pm

🎵 Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers | Colonial Oak | 6-10pm | Tickets

🎵 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue + Juvenile | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 7pm | Tickets

🎵 The Crowded Table | Sarbez | 8pm

🎵 An Evening with TOTO at The Amp | Mar 2 | Tickets

🎵 John Oates at PVCH | Mar 3 | Tickets

🎵 Rod Stewart at The Amp | Mar 5 | SOLD OUT

Spring Beach Cleanup with Matanzas Riverkeeper | Mar 7 | Info

PechaKucha Night at The Amp | Mar 7 | Info

St. Augustine St. Patrick’s Parade | Mar 14 | Info

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival | Mar 21-22 | Info

— Frederick Douglass

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