City commission holds first meeting via video conference

City commission holds first meeting via video conference

The City of St Augustine held an unusual special meeting this morning; the first held under enhanced restrictions imposed by the White House, Governor DeSantis, and local ordinances to “flatten the curve” of the spread of the novel coronavirus.  Through technology, the members and staff participated from disparate locations with very few technical interruptions.

Pope Francis says the right to hope cannot be taken away

Pope Francis says the right to hope cannot be taken away

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Special to Historic City News

Easter Vigil Mass in the basilica is among the Vatican’s more evocative ceremonies. Celebrants enter in darkness, except for candlelight. The pontiff holds a tall Easter candle, which is lit for him. Then the basilica’s lights are turned on, in a sign of joy. But this night, when the basilica was illuminated, all its emptiness was painfully visible, and the footsteps of the pope and his small entourage on the marble floor could clearly be heard as they walked in slow procession toward the altar.

Letter: The arts are a critically important part of our lives

Letter: The arts are a critically important part of our lives

Christina Parrish Stone, Executive Director

St. Johns Cultural Council
Special to Historic City News

One month ago I could not have imagined that I would be writing to you from my home office, with my teenaged son completing school in the next room, and my college senior daughter writing a thesis alone in her Oregon apartment with no hope of the graduation celebration we’d all looked forward to for so long.  Life has changed dramatically for all of us.