The Civic Association is pleased to have St. Augustine Beach’s Director of Public Works Marc Chattin speak at our next meeting Tuesday March 11, 7pm at City Hall. As St. Augustine Beach has grown so has the Public Works Department’s workload. Mr. Chattin has seen to it that Public Works has kept up with the growing demands of the City. From road maintenance and repair and storm water drainage improvements, to broadcasting City meetings and construction and operation of the new Splash Park, the Public Works Department has met the challenges. Find out more from Mr. Chattin on March 11th.
            We’d like to thank Mayor O’Brien for sharing his goals and insights. We’d also like to thank Assistant Chief Mathias and Officer Martinez for their talk about the Neighborhood Watch program. The audience was reminded about locking cars and generally keeping an eye out in the neighborhood. If you feel something doesn’t seem quite right, call the police to report it. The meeting concluded with informal conversation while enjoying delicious platters catered by the Sea Oats Café and coffee donated by Starbucks. Mango Mangos will cater our March meeting. We are pleased to be able to take advantage of the fine catering of our Participating Restaurants here in St. Augustine Beach.
             Our newest participating restaurant is the Sea Oats Café located in the Publix Plaza at 1075 A1A Beach Blvd. Scott and Hope Hadfield purchased the café in September of 2006 and maintained the fine quality of food and service that customers have loved since 2002. Open daily Mon-Sat. 7:30-3; Sunday 7:30-1, morning favorites include the “best pancakes on the Island” and a full breakfast menu. Lunch features specialty sandwiches and wraps, salads, daily specials and homemade soups. Breakfast is served until 11a.m. Mon-Fri, until noon on Saturday & all day Sunday. Call ahead for take-out orders 471-7350. 
            St. Augustine Beach has the designation of being a Tree City, as do many other municipalities, but lately we have been doing more. As part of a grant program the Beautification Committee has also become the Tree Board and is working with Master Arborist Chuck Lippi. He has been conducting a survey of city trees and developing a shade tree planting design. At the last Tree Board meeting I presented a proposal for a demonstration project for planting shade trees. Mr. Lippe, Ken Gatchel of public works and I visited an area on 16th St. where our first planting of Live Oaks will take place. If you drive east on 16th St. past City Hall you’ll see white flagged stakes on the south side right of way along the lake which will soon become Live Oaks. The Civic Association has pledged up to $1,800.00 to get things started, and the Beautification Committee will match some of those funds. The Tree Board and Mr. Lippi will continue to identify more areas for shade tree planting.
            For a number of years Retired Navy Captain Bob Beskind has been trying to create a Veterans Memorial in St. Augustine Beach. The County did not support the memorial being located at Pier Park. The City offered the new Plaza at 10th St. but Capt. Beskind felt it lacked sufficient parking area as well as quiet solitude for reflection. Finally Lakeside Park was selected as the best location for the Veterans Memorial. The South Beaches Council of the Chamber of Commerce will be donating proceeds from next year’s Beach Blast and Chili Cook-off towards the memorial and the Civic Association has pledged $1,000.00 as well.
            A “New Chapter” of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS); is forming to serve St. Johns County! The 1st organizational meeting was held on Tuesday, February 12, at St. Augustine Beach City Hall. The Director of the FNPS, Katrina Veaudry, and other distinguished environmentalists were present to rejoice in this honorable event! “The mission of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of native plants and native plant communities”.
 This 1st meeting was very well attended and a 2nd meeting is scheduled for March 11th. For more info checkout www.fnps.org, or call Jill Ziebell at 471.7239.The Florida Native Plant Society is a 501c(3) not-for-profit corporation.
            The Civic Association is proud to announce the 6th Annual MUSIC BY THE SEA CONCERTS has been scheduled. The opening date is Wednesday May 7th. For complete concert listings check our website at www.staugbchcivicassoc.com.