Amelia Island Living.com

Amelia Island Area Starbucks Staying Open

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:20:04 PST

It appears the three Amelia Island-area Starbucks® stores will not close, so for local java lovers, this is good news. Perhaps since Starbucks® is "new" to Nassau County, Florida, one of Florida’s “rural” counties with great potential for future growth, it was not considered one of their over-saturated markets. Two of the local Starbucks® locations are on the A1A corridor in Yulee, Florida (the road leading from Interstate 95 to Amelia Island). It's often referred to as “the gateway to Amelia,” where much of the area’s new growth for the next decade or two will be concentrated. The other Starbucks® is located on Amelia Island. READ MORE...

Florida's Faucet of Tax Dollars Drying Up

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:38:40 PST

Here in Florida, many city and county governments are reducing their workforces to abide by state- and voter-mandated tax cuts. The reductions are widespread, and sobering. The gravy train funded by real-estate transactions has slowed to a trickle. It will return to its heyday -- and be bountiful again. But economies, local and national, tend to run in cycles, both up and down. READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...

Bird's-Nest Fern, Root Rot, Growing Cantaloupe

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:02:12 PST

Are you stumped on a gardening issue? Get tips from a horticultural expert! In this Q & A, Rebecca Jordi addresses some of the questions she receives about landscaping and gardening in northeast Florida. You can also contact the Nassau County, Florida Extension with your gardening questions. Check out their workshops, visit their web site. READ MORE...

Gardening Tips: Sweet Basil, Camellias, Anna Apples

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:36:02 PST

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, will grow very well here in Florida. It should be planted in the early spring but I have started it later in the season (early summer) and have still been successful... For more information on growing herbs in Florida see the University of Florida publication, “Herbs in the Florida Garden...” READ MORE FROM HORTICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENT, REBECCA JORDI...

Nassau County School District Rated "A"

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:23:26 PST

In sort of a year-end summary, the Nassau County School District received the highest rating of an "A" as measured by academic achievement -- for the fifth consecutive year. This is determined by a school accountability report. When a new Florida state bill established a criteria for high performing districts, Nassau County was one of only eight to earn the designation. This was from the 67 districts in Florida. The success of local schools is even more impressive when you realize they do it without excessive spending. READ MORE ABOUT NASSAU COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S HIGH MARKS...

Gas Prices Turning Your Stomach?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:12:16 PST

Pulling into your local gas station, you mutter under your breath as the neon sign above pronounces that gas prices are nearing $4.00 a gallon. You curse the oil companies and the gas stations and the various levels of government that all contribute to the price. They are all turkeys, you tell yourself. They are the culprits. But in a moment of reason, you think about prices in other parts of the world. In many parts of Europe, a gallon of gas costs near $10. READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...

Amelia Sea Turtles, Sand Dollars, Starfish

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:23:29 PST

I started the day with a walk on the beach. I could see the tire tracks from an ATV, no doubt the Amelia Island Turtle Watch scouring the beach at early dawn for turtle tracks. As I walked along the beach, I looked down and found a perfect sand dollar. There’s something about finding an intact sand dollar. You see plenty of broken pieces along the shoreline, but when you find a complete sand dollar, a quick bolt of glee hits you, no matter how old you are. There’s something about the beach that brings out the kid in all of us. So visit the beach soon. You never know what beach bounty awaits discovery. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures, here in this beach town.

Food for Thought: Buy American Wild-Caught Shrimp

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:05:57 PST

Here in Fernandina Beach, Florida, the birth place of the modern shrimping industry, we should be even more conscious of buying wild-caught domestic shrimp than the “average” American. What better time than now, with May’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, to reflect on the seaside lifestyle we are lucky to enjoy here on Amelia Island, and the bounty of the sea off our coastline. If you’ve been to the beach at night, you’ve seen in the far distance off shore, the twinkling dots of light – the shrimp boats off Amelia’s coastline. READ MORE ABOUT WILD-CAUGHT AMERICAN SHRIMP...

Using Zoysiagrass in Northeast Florida

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:34:04 PST

Frustrated with your St. Augustine grass? Zoysiagrass can tolerate a wide range of soils and it has good shade, salt, and traffic tolerance. It is slow growing so it does not need to be mowed often. Right about now you are thinking it sounds like the perfect grass, but there are some disadvantages. READ MORE FROM REBECCA JORDI, HORTICULTURAL AGENT...

Enjoy One-Time Bonus From Uncle Sam

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:02:22 PST

Most Americans will get a pay raise beginning this month, albeit a brief, temporary one. Tax-rebate checks from the federal government will be coming to a mailbox near you as part of the massive economic stimulus package to 130 million U.S. households. It’s essentially free money. So enjoy the one-time bonus from Uncle Sam. And please spend it -- for your enjoyment and the country’s benefit. READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...