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.

Attend an open house at St. Andrews Place in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village and you could watch the British Open on your new 32″ flat screen TV. You can also grab light refreshments at the event on July 11-12 from 1-5 p.m.

Visit four all four homes on tour (priced from $325,000 to $345,900) to register for the giveaway. The addresses are 245 Island Green Drive, 288 Island Green Drive, 308 Island Green Drive and 348 Island Green Drive.

The St. Andrews Place neighborhood has 64 low-maintenance patio homes built around a large lake and a community lakeside swimming pool.

To get there, take I-95 to exit 323. Go west on International Golf Parkway to the second World Golf Village entrance and turn right onto Royal Pines Parkway. Take the third left into St. Andrews Place and turn left onto Island Green Drive. For details, call (904) 940-5000 or visit www.worldgolfrealestate.com.

Rick Pariani, Davidson Development’s vice president of design and development, shares a rare glimpse into the decade of planning and resources that helped drive the success of World Golf Village in a new video.

While many initially scoffed at the idea of a community in “the middle of nowhere” between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida the St. Johns County community defied the odds and paved the way for other developments in what is now one of the fastest-growing areas of the county and region.

Pariani, a registered landscape architect who has worked as a design consultant for Disney Development, Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando, gives a personal, behind-the-scenes look at World Golf Village.

Make no mistake about it, World Golf Village has been designed and built with its green side up. We sit on our neighbor’s border, relative to how most folks think about Florida , yet we still enjoy a year-round green appeal. That appeal is a result of our design and development ability to overcome the limitations of our climate swings, our soil conditions and our restricted landscape palette.

The United States National Arboretum, in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture, provides the industry standard for plant adaptability to cold zones via the Plant Hardiness Zone Map. St. Augustine, Florida shares the same skinny, thin band of plant suitability and adaptability with Houston, Texas . The corresponding zone is a combination of Zone 8b (hardy between 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit) and Zone 9a (hardy between only 20 to 25F). Although most folks think that here in Florida, all you have to do is put a plant in the ground for it to grow, our hardiness zones are actually quite confining. In fact, a high performing plant palette is minimized and the plant availability in the commercial marketplace has been restricted. The “restriction” is due in part to the fact that any given winter season could potentially result in major plant loss due to extended freeze / frost conditions.

If you are looking for office space in Northern St. Johns County that is easily accessible from I-95 and very comfortable, please take a look at the Davidson building just inside World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida .

Each executive suite is furnished including a telephone with voice mail services, web access and a fax line. A beautiful conference room is available for your use. There is a copier and break room available along with any administrative service you may require.

The lease terms are flexible and the offices range form $950. to $1300. per month. This cost is all inclusive with the exception of long-distance calls and copies.

Yesterday, most folks, when contemplating a visit or a move to Florida, only thought about the theme parks of Central Florida or the sun and surf of South Florida in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Key West or Naples. Throughout the history of settlement in Florida, these areas and coasts got all the attention as people flocked from around the world over into these rapidly-developing communities, at times creating the fastest growth markets in the United States.

As a result, life became as hectic as it was promising. The bloom came off the rose as roads were constantly being widened, schools were being taught in portable classrooms, lines for everything became untenable and “lifestyle” only blossomed in one’s imagination.

Today, visitors and move-ins understand that Florida offers much more diversity and opportunities throughout the state. In fact, Northeast Florida has emerged as one of the most attractive and favored areas, not only in Florida, but on the entire eastern seaboard. The seasonal climate here is punctuated by four seasonal changes, all of which are discernable yet mild and outdoor life is beautiful. Northeast Florida, known as Florida’s First Coast, offers the very best attributes of the Florida lifestyle, in a real and tangible way, not just imaginary. All of the elements of the natural, outdoor Florida environment combine with a healthy and robust business climate and a proud military presence to attract friendly, family-oriented, entrepreneurial-minded people who make a confident and smart choice to make the region their home.