Every time I hear someone mention John Unkefer or his company, Legacy Builders (one of the builders at World Golf Village), it is positive. The comments are about how much his clients love him, or how high his integrity is, or how knowledgeable he is. So, I decided to talk to him to find out what sets him apart from other builders and how he maintains such an impressive reputation in a difficult real estate market.

The first thing he mentioned that sets him apart is that John personally works with all of his clients. He starts out by meeting with them to understand what they want. Sometimes clients know exactly what they want and the Legacy Builders team helps them realize their dream. Other times, the clients only have pictures from a magazine to start with. Either way, the clients and John work together to create the design and architecture the client wants. John describes new home construction as a team sport – and the clients are on the team!

He also has multiple walk-thrus during the construction process – during framing, electrical, finishing, etc. – to make sure the clients’ expectations are met and managed. John emphasized the high level of open communication Legacy Builders has with each client is key to their success.

All of my blog posts seem to start out with how much fun it is to live in St. Johns County – and this one is no exception. I guess that’s because it is true! In addition to an abundance of history, culture and sports attractions, we also have great live music. Downtown St. Augustine’s Concerts in the Plaza are even more special because they are outside under majestic oaks in the oldest town square in the nation – the Plaza de la Constitucion.

Every Thursday evening, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, families gather in the early evening to share a picnic and listen to a variety of music from, bluegrass to blues, jazz to country, swing to folk, and old time to rock.

There are two concerts left in the Concerts in the Plaza‘s 19th season. One is the last regularly scheduled Thursday night performance. On September 3, Gatorbone is scheduled to perform old-time to jazz starting at 7:00 PM. The other is the Labor Day season finale! From 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, St. Augustine Jazz Society presents The Boston Connection & Gil Surrett and a Jazz Society Jam Session.

It is amazing how many wonderful things there are to do when you live in Northeast Florida! In just over two weeks, The Florida Heritage Book Festival will come to St. Augustine. The event is designed to showcase Florida’s culture and heritage by honoring authors who write about or live in the Sunshine State.

The festival begins on Friday, September 11 with a Writers Workshop. If you’ve always dreamed of writing your own book, you can learn how to polish your writing skills and get published from successful authors like Nancy Haddock, Sean Bean and Thomas B. Cavanagh. The workshop will be at the Casa Monica Hotel from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The price of $65 (or $85 at the door) includes lunch.

The next day, September 12, is full of free daytime events including authors’ presentations, poetry readings, panel discussions and children’s programs. There is also a Keynote Author Luncheon from noon to 2:00 PM at the Casa Monica. Senator Mel Martinez will share his story on how he went from an 11-year-old boy huddled on his bedroom floor in Cuba as gun fights raged outside his window to being a Florida Senator and author of “A Sense of Belonging: One Man’s Pursuit of the American Dream”. Tickets to the luncheon are $45.

All of the proceeds from the events will benefit the St. Johns County Friends of the Library and the Newspaper in Education programs. If you love books, you are sure to enjoy this weekend!

Many people know World Golf Village as a northeast Florida golf community, but not as many people realize it is also home to one of the country’s best spas – the PGA TOUR Spa Laterra. As you meander through the neighborhoods surrounding the King & Bear golf course, you won’t be able to miss the stunning spa buildings. Renowned spa architect Robert D. Henry created a beautiful environment of deep relaxation that flows easily from inside to out. You may choose to linger in our Circular Spa Lounge and sip a cup of tea as you listen to the indoor water feature or you may decide to slip outside and enjoy the Garden Sanctuary with a private seating area and views of the Koi Pond with three floating cabanas. These soothing environments relax you so you may truly enjoy the wide array of treatments waiting for you – everything from an aromatherapy massage and French manicure to an organic tropical fruit facial and spa pedicure.

Can you believe another school year is about to start? As we prepare our children to head back to the classroom, parents in St. Johns County should remember how fortunate we are to live in one of best school districts in the state – if not the country! With approximately 40% of all full-time teachers holding advanced degrees, it’s no wonder the St. Johns County school district is in the top 14% of the nation for “What Parents Want” in public schools. This is also confirmed by six seniors placing in the top 1% and 19 students placing in the top 5% nationally on PSAT.

St. Johns County students also continue to rank among the top in the state on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, known as the FCAT. The test is given to students in grades 3 through 11. Of the 16 scores given to the districts, St. Johns County students ranked first in eight areas! The 2009 results show St. Johns County students were first in reading and math among all 67 school districts for grades 3, 4 and 5. Grades 9 and 10 were also first in reading and second and fifth in math, respectively.

Our Superintendent Joseph Joyner shared that 86% of our students are at or above grade level in reading and 90% are at or above grade level in math. That ranks us number one in the state – and that’s pretty impressive!

Students in grades 5, 8 and 11 are also tested in science. Our students ranked third, second and third respectively in the state.

Picking a home in St. Johns County means you’ll never be bored because it’s full of fun things to do! From history and culture to beaches and world class golf, there is something for everyone. Of course, live music is part of the activity mix, too. One of the best places to enjoy music is the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The venue was built in 1965 to celebrate St. Augustine’s 400th anniversary. In true St. Augustine fashion, building the amphitheatre was a community effort. The county donated labor and equipment to clear and excavate the 16-acre section of Anastasia State Park. The architect and construction company designed and built the facility at cost. Many local clubs and organizations raised funds to complete the venue. In 2002, St. Johns County decided to refurbish the 37-year-old facility. After five years of construction, the amphitheatre re-opened. Once again the theater is enjoying wonderful success.

If you have never experienced a concert at the amphitheatre, the month of August will give you many opportunities to see what all of the fuss is about. On August 7, Grammy nominated Jackson Browne will perform with his band. In addition to billboard hits like “Running on Empty” and “For America”, he will play songs from his new album “Time the Conqueror.”

St. Augustine has long had the reputation of being a quaint artist community – where talented artists using a variety of mediums, create and sell their work. Downtown is full of galleries and shops that proudly feature local art, glass, pottery, jewelry and more. The residents of St. Augustine and the surrounding areas happily support the local art community. This explains why the First Friday Artwalk is one of St. Augustine’s most popular cultural events.

On the first Friday of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., over 20 galleries open their doors, display the latest exhibits, serve light refreshments and host live musicians. They invite everyone – the self-guided tour is free to all – to stroll from gallery to gallery and enjoy the evening, rain or shine. Attendees may choose to park at any of the participating galleries or they may take a complimentary shuttle service provided by St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys. The shuttles run on a continuous loop every 15 to 30 minutes. Featured artist include Beau Redmond, Trip Harrison and Sydney McKenna. Hope to see you on August 7 for the next First Friday Artwalk!

For more information, visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com or call 829-0065.

The residents of World Golf Village – and all of St. Augustine – have a hidden treasure right in their backyard. This treasure is a place that brings smiles and laughter – thoughts and tears. This place is the Limelight Theatre! The theatre has been performing comedies, dramas, and mysteries for over 17 years. “Rounding Third” is their current production. It is a comedy by Richard Dresser and puts together two fathers – complete opposites – in the roles of little-league coaches. The play will make you laugh out loud! But you have to see it quickly – its final performance dates are July 25, 26 and 28. If you miss it, don’t worry though, another comedy, “The Foreigner” starts on July 31 and runs to August 23. “The Foreigner” is an American farce by Larry Shue. It is about Charlie Barker who is so shy, he can’t speak in front of strangers. But strangers have no problem telling him everything. For times and tickets to both shows, please visit limelight-theatre.org.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince could very well be the most anticipated movie of the summer and is an exciting installment in the Harry Potter franchise. Soon it will be even more exciting! On July 29, Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft comes to IMAX theaters. One of the many perks of living in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village is the close proximity to the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX theater, which houses an 80-foot-wide by six-story-high screen – the largest in Northeast Florida. The theater regularly features some of the most popular movies, as well as different education adventures. Many residents of World Golf Village can ride their bikes to the theater along tree-lined streets, enjoy dinner at Murray Bros. Caddyshack’s restaurant and then have the privilege of not only seeing the long-anticipated movie at a convenient theater, but enhancing the experience with the high-quality and intensity of an IMAX theater.

Looking for something different to do that is fun and doesn’t cost a fortune? The World Golf Hall of Fame is offering Florida and Georgia residents all-day Hall of Fame admission and one round on the putting course for just $10. There is so much to do at the Hall of Fame for both golf beginners and aficionados. So, bring the whole family and watch championship videos of some of the most amazing shots and iconic moments ever played out on a golf course. Then, take a chance and putt on a major championship speed green while an announcer calls the action and play the Old Course at St. Andrews or the Plantation Course at Kapalua in the golf simulator. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about all of the recent 2008 inductees including Pete Dye. And laugh along in the limited-time special exhibit “Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory.” These are only a few of the countless exhibits in the museum for you and your family to enjoy before you play the 18-hole natural grass putting course that is just outside the Hall of Fame’s front door.

Before you head home, catch a thrilling movie at the IMAX theater at the World Golf Village – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opens on July 29 – or have a delectable burger and milkshake at Murray Bros. Caddyshack restaurant – both are just steps from the Hall of Fame! It’s easy to see how you can enjoy a full day of activities at World Golf Village for only $10 per person. Residents of Florida/Georgia must present a driver’s license or another form of identification to verify residency.