And you thought I was going for the easy metaphor. No, as you can see from the photo at left, I’m talking about actual vultures. These little beauties were roosting on the roof, and in the trees, of a bank-owned home I recently went to preview here in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [Read more…]
(Re)Discovering Your Own Backyard
It’s Labor Day, and lots of people will be bidding a fond farewell to summer with some sort of backyard celebration. For many of us, that means a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue. For folks here in Northeast Florida, it might mean a day at the beach.
And that got me thinking about what we mean when we use the term “backyard.” Sure, there’s that open space directly behind your house where you do the grilling. But today, I’m thinking about the backyard in the broader sense. What are the places, and who are the people, that make the town or city where you live so special? [Read more…]
Great Schools & Green Fuels – 2 More Reasons to Love Living in St. Johns County, Florida
Just a quick post today to highlight a couple more reasons why St. Johns County, Florida is such a desirable place to live.
First off, there’s the great school system. St. Johns County schools have never earned less than an A grade since district grades have been released. You can read a bit more about that here. What’s more, Nease High School achieved a rank of 80 on The Washington Post‘s 2011 High School Challenge, the highest ranking in the county.
Second, there’s the county’s commitment to using biodiesel fuel in its fleet vehicles. By turning waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, the county saves money on fuel costs and reduces air and water pollution. In fact, the county biodiesel program has significantly reduced the amount of fats, oils and greases (FOG) that would typically wind up in the sewer system. That means fewer overflows, less water pollution and significant savings on clean up costs and potential EPA fines.
Read more about the St. Johns County biodiesel program (PDF).
What do you love about living in St. Johns County? Leave me your thoughts in the comments section…
The Players Championship puts Ponte Vedra Beach on the Global Stage
For those of us who don’t live in a big, big city (I’m talking New York, Chicago, L.A.), it’s nice to have an event or two that allow you to show your civic pride to the rest of the world. Indianapolis has the Indy 500. Louisville has the Kentucky Derby. And Ponte Vedra Beach—and Jacksonville, by proximity—has The Players Championship.
This past week, Ponte Vedra Beach again played host to some of golf’s finest players and fans. As always, the event was very well run, with residents and visitors alike enjoying the sunshine and competition. The excitement lasted well into Sunday evening with a sudden death playoff culminating on the island green of the legendary 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.
Best of all, visitors got a glimpse of what makes living in Ponte Vedra Beach (or Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine, etc.) year round so special. From the beaches to the restaurants to the golf courses, northeast Florida really does have something for everyone.
Now if we could only get Tiger Woods to stick around for the entire week…oh well, there’s always next year. See you out at Sawgrass…
Snowmageddon and Some Perspective on Place
Today, as a blizzard hammers Chicago, I’m sitting with the windows open and a warm breeze blowing in down here in Jacksonville, Florida. I’m not gloating. I grew up in the Chicago area and have so many wonderful memories of my time there. I went to high school on the North Shore, where much of the John Hughes cannon was created. I met my husband in Chicago. And my daughter was born in the western suburbs. I even have fond memories of the last great snow event, the Blizzard of ’79. Though that phrase doesn’t pack a fraction of the apocalyptic appeal of “Snowmageddon”.
Again, my point isn’t to gloat about our great weather here in Florida. Rather, I’m thinking about how easy it can be to let nostalgia cloud our vision of the here and now. Because right now, here in Ponte Vedra near Jacksonville, things are pretty good.
I’ll always miss Chicago. But let me tell about a few of the places and things I’m finding here in northeast Florida that make living here great. You know, besides no snow and lots of sunny weather… [Read more…]