Why We Ask You to Leave the Dog at Home

I’m one of the biggest dog lovers you’ll ever meet—but even I know there are places where dogs simply don’t belong. When I decide to leave my pup at home, it’s never arbitrary. I ask myself two simple questions:

Is the place I’m going appropriate for a dog?

Is the environment safe and comfortable for my dog?

If the answer to either is “no,” then my furry friend stays home.

Lately, we’ve had a few concertgoers ask if they can bring their dogs into the pavilion during our live events. While we understand the desire to share experiences with your pet, the only exception to our policy is for individuals with a disability who rely on a trained service animal that performs a specific task.

Here’s why: our pavilion is packed with people—some seated, most dancing—and the music from our DJs and bands easily reaches 80+ decibels. It’s a high-energy, high-volume environment that’s not pet-friendly and certainly not safe. A dog could get loose and stepped on, or even cause someone to trip over a leash. We could list more risks, but we trust you get the picture.

Our pet policy isn’t new. It’s been in place for years and is modeled after policies used by Publix and other public venues. We welcome legitimate service animals that assist their human companions, but emotional support or assistance animals are not permitted.

SABCA pays rent and assumes responsibility for everything that happens in the pavilion and on the three volleyball courts to the west. Our goal is simple: keep everyone—human and animal—safe.

So, to borrow a line from a classic children’s rhyme: Knick knack paddywhack… please leave the dog at home.

Twenty-three years ago, my predecessor Robert Samuels and his wife launched a simple but powerful idea: Music by the Sea. Their goal was to bring neighbors together for an evening of music, food, and connection. That first season featured just three shows—but the spirit of community caught on quickly.

By 2016, the series had grown to 17 concerts in a single season. That same year, we deepened our commitment to the arts by partnering with a fellow nonprofit, the Art Studio Group. SABCA had proudly supported the founding of the Art Studio and continued to invest in many of their creative initiatives.

Eventually, this collaboration inspired a rebrand—and Music & Art by the Sea was born. What began as a local concert series has blossomed into a beloved cultural tradition, blending live music and visual art in a way that celebrates the heart of St. Augustine Beach. Today, it’s not just a community event—it’s a signature experience for residents and visitors alike.

As we prepare to wrap up Season 23 this September, the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association will have presented more than 300 free concerts—made possible by our generous sponsors and the unwavering support of our community. In recent years, we’ve introduced a 50/50 raffle to help boost compensation for our talented musicians, ensuring their artistry is honored and sustained.

Next week, I’ll spotlight some of the incredible bands that have filled our beachside evenings with joy, rhythm, and unforgettable memories.

We all say it—“It’s great to see you.” It’s one of those everyday phrases we toss around without thinking. But over the last six weeks, those words have taken on a deeper, more personal meaning for me.

In mid-May, as I was working on the weekly newsletter for Music & Art by the Sea, I was suddenly hit with flashes of light and blurred vision. A scare for anyone—but especially alarming for me, since I rely entirely on one eye for my sight.

I immediately reached out to my longtime ophthalmologist, Dr. Russ Nelligan. After a quick exam, he delivered some tough news: I had a tear and a partial retinal detachment. Within an hour, I was en route to Southeastern Retina Specialists for emergency treatment under the care of Dr. John Sullivan.

That initial procedure was a crucial—though temporary—step in preserving my vision. Just 48 hours later, I was in surgery. The road to recovery began, and thankfully, it’s gone well. I’m healing steadily and on track to be back at 100% by mid-August.

I’m sharing this journey for a couple of important reasons.

First, I want to encourage everyone to treat medical issues with urgency. My doctors unanimously told me that if I’d waited even a day or two longer, I could’ve faced permanent vision loss. Quick action truly made all the difference.

Second, I have some deeply heartfelt thanks to give. Huge gratitude to my emergency driver, “Dancin’ Mark” Lilly, who got me to the Retina Center without delay. A special shout-out to my incredible wife, Gaye, for holding my hand and doing everything she could to care for me. While Gaye is an amazing wife and mom, she’ll be the first to admit that caregiving usually isn’t her lane—but she stepped up in every way.

Thank you to my dear friend Andrea Samuels for the delicious chicken pot pie (comfort food at its finest) and her always-reliable nursing wisdom.  Our IT volunteer Wayne Fusco stepped in and did a stellar job as guest emcee.  And of course, a big round of applause for the dedicated volunteers who kept the Wednesday concerts running smoothly in my absence. You’re all rock stars.

So, the next time we cross paths and I say, “It’s great to see you,” just know—it’s not just a friendly phrase. I truly mean it from the heart. I’m genuinely thankful to see you.