(Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) Beaches News Journal
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October 2011 St.AugustineBeachesSt.AuNEWS FOR AND ABOUT RESIDENTSNews OF Journal THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACHES AREA Alligator Farm Celebrates Big Band Music is back with 1,250 Pound Crocodile’s 40th Birthday “Sentimental Journey” The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park will celebrate the 40th birthday of Maximo, the zoo’s largest living crocodilian on exhibit, October 8, 2011 by hosting a party for visitors of all ages. Guests are invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt, face painting, prizes and give-aways from 2:40 p.m. until 5:40 p.m. The celebration’s key moments will be Maximo’s feeding, the croc cake cutting and a feeding at the Alligator Lagoon to round out the day’s events. All of the festivities are included as part of regular admission to the park. Maximo hatched in 1971 from an egg collected by aborigines along the Edward River on Australia’s Cape York Peninsula. As a juvenile, he was relocated to the Cairns Crocodile Farm, Australia’s largest commercial crocodile farm, where he grew into adulthood. Famed crocodile trapper George Craig led Alligator Farm Director and General Manager John Brueggen to Maximo as a possible successor to Gomek, formerly the park’s largest live crocodile on exhibit. Brueggen traveled to Australia Back by popular demand, Romanza reprises its Big Band Dance and and was impressed by Maximo’s size, appearance and relatively young age. He commemoration of WWII in St. Augustine on Saturday October 15. brokered a deal for Maximo and his female companion, Sydney. The Alligator Farm met the stringent export permit requirements of the Australian government, “Sentimental Journey” is a multi-element dance/social/heritage event, featuring and Maximo and Sydney were transported aboard an airliner shortly after the Florida Swing Orchestra’s 18 piece big band, Sea Cadets Color Guard opening Brueggen’s visit. ceremony, Tribute to Our Armed Forces, floorshow and dance lessons by Victoria “I remember years ago, Arthur Jones, who sold Gomek to the Alligator Lane, the vintage WWII “Canteen” films, “Take a Chance on Romance” drawing, Farm, said ‘people are always attracted by great size and great numbers.’ And I cash bar, and complimentary dessert buffet, a photographer to capture the memories, think that’s true,” said Brueggen. “When visitors are able to make a connection and more. with a croc as big as Maximo, when they can get down and get eye-to-eye with a Members of the Armed Services will be present in uniform. Guests are encouraged creature of that size and that majesty, then it makes them stop and think. It’s an t o d o n 1 9 4 0 ' s p e r i o d d r e s s a s w e l l a s m i l i t a r y u n i f o r m s . ( c o n t i n u e d p a g e 7 ) amazing connection. At the least, we’re helping people see that (continued page 2) The St. Augustine Community Orchestra What’s Inside The Invites Qualified Players News Journal This Month The all-volunteer St. Augustine ages are represented in the Orchestra, Community Orchestra is preparing for from teens to octogenarians. The excit- • City Manager: Facts its gala 50th anniversary season. Re- ing program planned for the October PERMIT #4 PERMIT PRSRT SDT PRSRT hearsals have be- concerts includes • Financial Focus: Be Prepared CALLAHAN, FL US POSTAGE PAID US POSTAGE gun each Tuesday Rossini’s “Wil- for Early and Possibly Unwanted at Murray Middle liam Tell” Over- Retirement School 150 N. ture, Beethoven’s Holmes Blvd. St. 9th Symphony • Health Focus: M.R.S.A. Augustine, from finale, Bizet’s (Methicillin Resistant 7 pm to 9:15 pm. “Carmen Suite”, Staphylococcus Aureus) Especially desired Medley from are violists, bass Bernstein’s “West • Spiritually Speaking: “Of players, trom- Side Story”. and Teachers & Capitalism” bone, tuba, and much more. percussionists. If Music Direc- • Ann Palquist: Gardens and you play any of tor and Conductor Things That Go Bump In the these instruments William McNei- Night competently and land begins his can read music 2nd season with • Sheriff’s Corner: Crime accurately and easily, please call Becky the Orchestra, with innovative plans for Prevention Month Brown at 904-824-1156 to join the Or- scheduling chamber groups of orchestra Beaches News Journal Box 51593 P.O. 32240 Jacksonville Beach, FL chestra. You will be welcomed and ap- members, for a modest fee, to play for • Pet Corner: Tricks and Treats preciated for sharing your talent. All (continued on page 3) 2 St. Augustine Beaches News Journal - October 2011 ATLANTIC St. Augustine OCEAN News From Around St. Augustine Beach St. Augustine Crescent St. Johns County St.AugustineBeachesNews Journal Shores Beach St. Augustine Beaches All articles submitted to the News Journal Bald Eagle Nesting Season begins October 1st are subject to editing. Publishing of submitted News Journal letters and information is at the discretion of As the marine turtle nesting season nears its final months, another nesting season PO Box 51593, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240 the publisher. Views and opinions expressed for an important and unique animal begins: the American Bald Eagle. In fact, there have Todd Logsdon, General Manager are those of the writer and do not express the already been a few eagle sightings around the County, although bald eagle nesting season (904) 505-0301 viewpoint of the publisher or editorial staff of officially runs from October 1st through May 15th. During last year's season, about half Email: [email protected] the News Journal. of the 33 known nests in the County were verified as active with a total of at least 14 Cliff Logsdon, Publisher/Editor All ads submitted for publication in the juvenile eaglets observed. There have also been 10 new nests observed and added to (270) 537-5304 Beaches News Journal should be received by the nest list over the last six seasons. Although the bald eagle is no longer listed as Email: [email protected] the 15th of the month in order to appear in the endangered, it is still protected at the Federal level by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Online at www.beachesnewsjournal.com following month’s issue. the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The function of the Beaches News Journal is Matters concerning advertising should be Bald Eagle Protections - At the State level, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to serve the Neighborhoods of the St. Augustine referred to the General Manager or mailed to P.O. Commission surveys eagle nests to ensure a stable or increasing population is maintained. Beaches area. Box 51593 Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. At the local level, St. Johns County has regulations guiding development activities within First priority will be given to reporting news The Beaches News Journal acceptance of specified zones around nests to protect eagles. County staff conduct surveys to verify and activities of beaches residents and organiza- advertising does not constitute an endorsement specific nesting activities, nest productivity, and if any new nests have been built in the tions, as well as news and events that directly or approval of any product or services by the County. Upon the end of the season, the number of active nests and juveniles within each affect the St. Augustine Beaches community. Beaches News Journal or its staff. The publisher nest are recorded. Second priority will be given to articles of general reserves the right to refuse advertising that does How You Can Help - Eagles are sensitive to abrupt or loud noises within the interest as space permits. not meet the publication’s standards. vicinity of their nest which may interfere with nesting activities. If proposing any exterior Articles or information may be sent to the The Beaches News Journal is published by construction or development activity near any nest, or for more specific information on Beaches News Journal, P.O. Box 51593, Jack- an independent publisher and is not affiliated sonville Beach, Florida 32240. Information may with any St. Augustine Beach community devel- eagles and their nest locations, please contact the County Environmental Division at also be e-mailed to beachesnewsjournal@yahoo. opment, management company or Homeowners (904) 209-0621. A map of known bald eagle nests in the County can be found here on com or the editor at [email protected]. Association. the County website. Additional information may be found on the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission websites. Crocodile’s 40th Birthday Settlement Reached to Proceed with (continued from page 1) St. Augustine Beach Renourishment Project these are magnificent creatures that need Zoological Park is one of Florida’s to be protected. And who knows? We oldest and most treasured attractions. St. Johns County is local sponsor for federally-funded may help inspire a lifelong commitment Since 1893, it has provided visitors with project to be managed by the Army Corps of Engineers to education and preservation for exciting and educational opportunities to The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved a proposed settlement creatures like Maximo. He’s an iconic interact with a wide range of crocodilians, agreement today that when fully executed will allow the St. Augustine Beach Renourishment animal. He’s our Shamu—he’s a very reptiles, mammals and birds. Located project to commence construction this winter. special part of the experience of the on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, The proposed settlement agreement was reached between the Florida Department of Alligator Farm.” The Alligator Farm features natural Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), St.