Weekend events of interest

Communications Director Jay Humphreys with the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau has reported to Historic City News several special events for this weekend that may be of interest to our readers.

Friday: September 26

NIGHT OWL CINEMA SERIES: GREASE
Enjoy a night with the family in the open air while watching the movie Grease on the big screen at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Florida’s newest outdoor arts and cultural venue. Admission to Night Owl Cinema Series is free and the show begins at 8 p.m. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.1965

Saturday: September 27

ADVENTURE AND FREEDOM STORIES AT FORT MOSE
Join the Florida State Parks System as they celebrate Literacy Month with this fun children’s program. From 10 a.m. to noon, Fort Mose Historic State Park will have storytellers and poets reading exciting stories of adventure and freedom. Children will have a chance to explore Fort Mose on an ‘adventure walk’ and write their own adventure story. Each child will receive a bookmark and a booklet to take home. Fort Mose is located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine, For more information, call 904.823.2232

UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
Experience a favorite end-of-the-month event — Uptown Saturday Night! From 5 to 9 p.m. on this special evening, the galleries, antique stores and unique shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine’s Uptown San Marco Shopping District remain open. Meet-the-artists, book signings, live music, refreshments and other events contribute to the party-like atmosphere – plus, great food is provided by the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association. FREE PARKING is available at the Mission of Nombre de Dios. The event is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association. For more information, call 904.824.3152.

ART EXHIBIT: CATHARSIS
Be there for the opening of Catharsis, a powerful new group exhibit illustrating twelve women artist’s journey with cancer. Artists in the exhibit include Connie Bruno, Joyce Gabiou, Linda Holmes, Roxanne Horvath, Eleanor Hughes, Debi James, Carolyn Hayes Kelso, Annette Porter, Lorraine Roessi, Melanie Rogers, Ann Tyler, and Kay Wells. Storyboards will accompany the artwork of each artist and describe how art helped them deal with their illness. Join the opening reception at the St. Johns Cultural Council Art Advocate Gallery from 5 to 9 p.m. during Uptown Saturday Night. The Catharsis exhibit will run through October 17, 2008. The SJCC Art Advocate Gallery is located at 76B San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. For more information, please call 904.826.4116.

LAUNCHING OF MACANUDO 1968 CIGAR
Enjoy a good cigar at the launch of the new Macanudo 1968. Enjoy snacks, refreshments, sample cigars and have a chance to win a grand prize of a Macanudo 1968 humidor and a box of Macanudo 1968 cigars. Festivities take place at the St. Augustine Tobacco Company located at 123 St. George Street in downtown St. Augustine from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 904.827.1510.

Discovering Henry Flagler
Enjoy an extraordinary afternoon of history and entertainment as Paul J. Jellinek portrays Henry Flagler in this one-man-play in two acts. Directed by Anne Kraft, this play explores the myths and facts about “the man who invented Florida“. All proceeds go toward the children’s education programs at the Whitney Lab. The show begins at 2 p.m. at The Center for Marine Studies, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, 9505 Oceanshore Blvd. (Marineland). Admission is $10 per person. For more information, call 904.461.4000

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY
Bring the family for a fun and educational day when the GTM Research Reserve celebrates National Estuaries Day! Included in the festivities will be live animal presentations, touch tanks, kayak tour (reservations required), nature crafts for kids of all ages, estuary games and activities, and presentations throughout the day – some with live animals! Admission is $2 per person. National Estuaries Day is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, located at 505 Guana River Road, 8 miles north of Vilano Beach at the Guana Reserve. For more information, call 904.823.4500 for a schedule of presentations.

KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOP
Introduce your child to the thrills of saltwater fishing at this special workshop. A Florida Park Ranger will show how to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area while teaching how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway. All fishing gear will be furnished including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. This workshop is open for ages 8-15 years old and the fee is $20 per participant, which includes the park entrance fee. This three-hour workshop is held at Washington Oaks State Gardens located at 6400 Ocean Shore Blvd., in Palm Coast from 9 a.m. to noon. Space is limited and advanced reservations are required. Reserve your spot contacting Washington Oaks at 386.446.6783

WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY
Bring the family for a fun and educational day when Washington Oaks Gardens State Park celebrates National Estuaries Day! Included in the festivities will be nature crafts for kids of all ages, estuary games and activities, presentations throughout the day and much more! Regular park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 386.446.6783

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum. The daily tours and wine tasting at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel and the Peña-Peck House; although donations are welcomed.