Published by former Mayor George Gardner September 23 2015
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 The royal visit
King pledges future generation visits
The visit of the king and queen made our history and our connection to Spain come alive in an extraordinary and vivid way -- and their majesties were truly touched by the outpouring of affection and warmth. So much so that King Felipe committed to making it a tradition that each generation of the royal family would pay us a visit.
Mayor Nancy Shaver
The Spanish monarchy has come and gone, leaving in its wake an appreciative St. Augustine.
The day began Friday at the Castillo de San Marcos and ended with King Felipe VI opening the US Spain Council Forum at a dinner in the ornate Flagler College Ponce Hall dining room.
At the Castillo the king and Queen Letizia walked past a 1740 Garrison honor guard, to be received by former mayors of St. Augustine, an international protocol tradition when visiting cities.
It was disappointing to those who memorized feliz cumpleanos su majestad to have the queen reply, "thank you very much" - in perfect English.
The city's infrequently seen 1740 Garrison was out in force, more than a dozen blue clad soldados in a line of honor at the Castillo and another dozen on the gun deck to present a three cannon salute to the royal couple.
Security was extremely tight at the Castillo, but after the king made an address from the balcony of Government House, the royal couple waded through an appreciative crowd, waving and shaking hands as they walked to the Cathedral for a dedication of original cathedral bells which have been refurbished.
The king gave the city a Spanish artist's painting of Pedro Menendez; the city presented to the royals a 4-foot student obelisk and an Constitution Monument necklace crafted by St. Augustine goldsmith Joel Bagnal.
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Night Watch reorganizing
With word that the Committee for the Night Watch will not conduct its British Night Watch this year, local reenactors are gathering tonight to salvage at least the popular torchlight parade and volley of joy that launch the holiday season on the first Saturday in December.
Veteran reenactor Rick Coyle, among those in the first British Night Watch in 1975, doesn't expect an encampment - no location is available, nor the usual parade route around the plaza and along St. George Street to the city gate and back to Government House - costs too great for police assistance, nor caroling - sound system costly, "but we'll put something together," Coyle said.
It might be simply a colonial holiday parade featuring all reenactment units of the mid to late 18th century, he said.
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King Felipe is 6'6 tall. Queen Letizia 5'1 as well as Mayor Nancy Shaver. The queen wore 5-inch heels Friday.
 While Felipe speaks Spanish, Catalan, French, English and some Greek, Letizia's English is limited, according to some reports. Felipe VI had five name predecessors, using the English translation Phillip. Among them, Phillip II, who sent Pedro Menendez to establish a settlement and drive out the French in 1565.
Queen Letizia ascended the throne from a successful career as an award winning journalist and television news anchor.
The queen has a unique connection with St. Augustine. She was born in the Asturian city of Oviedo, 20 miles from Aviles, birthplace of our city's founder Pedro Menendez.
Huffington Post wrote "her wardrobe usually reflects a no-nonsense approach to modern monarchy along with the harsh economic reality in Spain ... but Letizia is one of the most fascinating royals to watch when the occasion exceeds office wear. Thanks in part to her refusal to dress like a cake topper in pearls."
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Forgotten history
to be demolished
The house that time forgot at San Marco Avenue and Williams Street, the entry street to the Fountain of Youth, will be demolished - after some archival documentation (measured drawings of exterior elevations) and salvaging historic features like heart pine flooring.
The Historic Architectural Review Board voted unanimously last week for the demolition, finding, "that the evidence proves that the building is not eligible as a local landmark either for its historic significance or its lack of integrity due to the amount of new material required to rehabilitate the building."
It was the second hearing for the Fraser family-owned building that's been vacant for years. Built about 1917, it was moved to the present site in the late 1930s by Walter Fraser, former mayor and Fountain of Youth owner.
Speaking for the Fraser family, architect Les Thomas said conversion of the building to a St. Augustine Colonial Revival Style - stuccoing over wood frame buildings, allowed water to penetrate and rot the framing.
There's a 30-day appeal window before demolition can occur.
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Saving old buildings good investment
Local sculptor Joe Segal takes a dim view on what he calls "the standard assessment of historic structures whose owners would rather tear something down and start from scratch, 'It can't be saved.'
"I'm currently restoring a house from 1900 that was in such bad shape that the City wanted it taken down so I have become very familiar with the challenges and expenses associated with saving an old building," Segal writes.
"If the objective of a property owner is the quickest return on their investment then the typical, uninspired solution is to demolish whatever stands in the way."
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Obelisk Art 450 being installed
 Installation of the Obelisk Art 450 international public art project obelisks began Tuesday, with 25 to be set throughout the city. The installation team is led by John Valdes, who volunteered his time and staff, with help from Vernon Keith of CDR and City of St. Augustine workers.
Valdes' team began installing bases last week - single-stack slabs at 500 pounds and double-stack slabs at 1,000 pounds. The slabs were installed using heavy equipment from Keith's company CDR.
Plaques identifying each obelisk along the Tour of Compassion will be installed on each foundation before opening a four-month public art project on First Friday, October 2. The obelisks will remain until January 31, 2016, official end of Nights of Lights.
Compassionate St. Augustine has produced a brochure which includes a map and information for a self-guided tour. Find the list here.
Each of the sites selected for the Tour of Compassion was chosen to tell a unique story about St. Augustine through a lens of compassion.
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The weekend
Spanish regiment, fencing, 1738 kids life
 The Regimiento Fijo de Puerto Rico & Spanish Louisiana Regiment Soldiers will visit this weekend, hosted by the Castillo de San Marcos and Spanish Military Hospital Museum. They will present fencing demonstrations in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month along Aviles Street from noon Friday with demonstrations and a fencing contest at 2 pm. Saturday 6-7 pm the Spanish Garrison will present a Changing of the Guard at Government House, and the Castillo de San Marcos has free admission in celebration of National Public Land Day.
What life was like for children living at Fort Mose and in St. Augustine in 1738 will be presented by Florida Living History From 10 am to 3 pm.Saturday at Fort Mose. Children can participate in period crafts or drill along with the soldiers and militiamen of Spanish Florida.
Uptown Saturday Night, 5 - 9 pm along San Marco Avenue, will offer live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and more.
Florida Book Festival
Readin' or writin,' you'll find lots of interest in this weekend's Florida Heritage Book Festival.
Critique sessions, writers' workshops, presentations and book signings and, Saturday at Flagler College's Ringhaver Student Center, more than 50 Marketplace Book Vendors.
Find details and registration information here.
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Look for senior discounts
Resident Bob Dinkins was curious when the guy in front of him asked the cashier for his senior discount.
"When I asked what the discount was, he told me seniors over age 55 get 10% off everything on the menu, every day."
Here is a list Bob found of more than 100 discounts for seniors - Everything from free beverages for seniors (65+) at Taco Bell to $5,000 off the nightly rate for the Presidential Suite (55 +) at New York's Waldorf Astoria.
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Sincerest form of flattery
St. Augustine's historic city gate and Alcazar balconied pool have admirers in copies of the gate at the Baden-Powell Scout Reservation and a Neiman Marcus spa.
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History's highlight
St. Augustine's city gate
The northern entrance to St. Augustine has been protected by a gate since 1704, although the coquina sentries weren't constructed until 1808.
The first known gate was about 5½ feet wide and located 27½ feet from the Castillo moat wall. This was from the first reconstruction of the Cubo line in 1718-19.
 The opening where the City Gate is located today was built from April 1738 to May 1740 before the Oglethorpe siege of St. Augustine. The new gate was part of the second reconstruction of the Cubo line. The entrance to the city was moved to the end of St. George Street. Gradually the opening would become known as the La Leche Gate as it was the road to the Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche. On February 11, 1804, Spanish Engineer Manuel de Hita recommended the replacement of the two wooden guard stations with masonry. The work was authorized in February 1808 and was constructed of coquina stone for greater strength. At this time the Cubo line was undergoing another reconstruction. The gate was completed by 1809. There was a bridge in front of the gate over the moat of the Cubo line. The bridge would always be a problem and need frequent replacement and repair. Before the turnover to the Americans in 1821 Engineer Ramon de la Cruz reported that: "The only exit to the north road cuts through the parapet (of the Cubo Line) at the location of the Land Gate. The gate is in good condition, ironwork satisfactory; it consists of two leaves hung on two strong pillars of great thickness and height. "Each pillar is joined to a stone wall about 9 yards long, as broad as the parapet and following the line of the parapet. To cross the moat, there is a new bridge 68 feet long, 16 1/2 feet wide, with railings and 4 bents (structural supports) ..." In 1906, when the gnarled roots of cedar trees were wreaking havoc on the coquina masonry, the city considered demolishing the gate entirely. Luckily, three concerned citizens - Elizabeth Dismukes, Annie Woodruff, and Rosalie James - staged a brilliant protest: a tea party, replete with mourning regalia, at the site of the gate. The city reconsidered and the gate was saved. Image: Cedar roots undermined city gate in 1906
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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