Monday Briefing: Unemployment Report, Spring Break, Travel Policy, FPC Snow, Mencken on Poetry

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♦ Dec. 17: A week-long trial is scheduled before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins in the case of Michael Bowling, the 47-year-old Palm Coast man facing charges of molestation of 15-year-old girl during a sleep-over at her Bowling's daughter's house. Bowling also faces rape charges involving a girl in his charge, starting when she was 8 and going on for several years. That trial would take place next year. Jury selection begins Monday at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse. See the background story here.
♦ Dec. 17: The Flagler County Commission meets in workshop at 1 p.m. to talk about adding drones to its arsenal, for public safety and other uses, as well as to talk about wildfire mitigation. See the background material here. The commission meets again at 5 p.m., when commissioners are expected to approve a partnership resolution with One Ocean One Health, an initiative of marineland Dolphin Adventure.
♦ Dec. 17: Bunnell Elementary PTO meeting, 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
♦ : The Flagler Palm Coast High School Advisory Council meets at 6 p.m. at the school.
♦ Dec. 18: The Flagler County NAACP holds a press conference for Flagler Palm Coast High School Teacher Kimberley Lee who was the victim of an alleged assault and possible hate crime by two teenage students. The press conference takes place in front of the Flagler County Courthouse, 1769 E Moody Blvd, Building #1, Bunnell, at 12:05 pm.
♦ Dec. 18: The Emergency Management staff is holding its multi-jurisdictional quarterly Local Mitigation Strategy public meeting to discuss grant funding, ongoing project progress and updates to Community Rating System program implementation efforts. Anybody interested in attending the meeting or wishing to learn more about
mitigation is encouraged to attend or contact the county’s mitigation planner. Flagler County EOC - Training Room A
1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 3, Bunnell, 1 p.m.
♦ Dec. 18: The Flagler County School Board meets in workshop at 1 p.m. in Training Room 3B on the third floor of the Government Services Building, Bunnell, and again at 6 p.m. for a regular meeting, in board chambers at the GSB. At the workshop, board members will hear an update on construction of bathrooms at the Auditorium, and discuss advertising policy changes. At the regular meeting, the board will spotlight its Teachers of the Year, Employees of the Year, Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year.
♦ Dec. 18: The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center.
♦ Dec. 18: Flagler Beach's Beach Management Plan Ad-Hoc Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South 2nd Street.
♦ Dec. 18: Matanzas High School Winter Concert, Pirate Theater at 5 p.m.
♦ Dec. 19: The Flagler County Technical Review Committee meets at 9 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of the Government Services Building, Bunnell.
♦ Dec. 19: The Tourist Development Council's 10 a.m. is cancelled.
♦ Dec. 19: The Flagler County Contractor Review Board meets at 5 p.m. in board chambers at the Government Services Building, Bunnell.
♦ Dec. 19: The Palm Coast Planning Board meets at 3 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center.
♦ Dec. 19: The Flagler Beach Economic Development Task Force meets at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 105 S 2nd St.
♦ Dec. 20: The Bunnell City Commission meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 201 West Moody Boulevard, City Commission Chambers - Building 3.
♦ Dec. 20: Flagler Palm Coast High School holds its International Baccalaureate diploma ceremony for the Class of 2018 at 6 p.m. in the school's Bistro.
♦ Dec. 20: The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s most daring and unpredictable open mic event, is scheduled for its monthly edition at its new venue at the Hidden Treasures Restaurant, 820 Moody Ln, Flagler Beach. Each month some of the most creative, innovative performances a person could ever hope to experience take place at The Inspired Mic. 14 presenters each month pull out slices of talent and genius to entertain the audience. Each presenter gets 7 minutes to present on a very eclectic blend of their genius. Hidden Treasures Restaurant, 820 Moody Ln, Flagler Beach (under the bridge). Doors open at 6 p.m. and presenters begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 advance, available at theinspiredmicus.com, or $15 at the door. The ticket includes one drink and entry into a drawing with a prize of $25 cash or a $50 gift certificate to The Hidden Treasures.
♦ Dec. 21: Teacher workday in Flagler County schools, winter break begins for students. School resumes on Monday, Jan. 7.
♦ Dec. 21: Christmas Party with Santa at the Palm Coast Community Center, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. A new holiday party for residents will begin this season for guests to share a favorite cookie recipe and a fun visit with friends. Refreshments will be served and fees are $5/person.
♦ Dec. 21: Winter Solstice Sunrise Celebration at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., Beachside, 7 a.m.
♦ Dec. 22: 5K run/walk and block party with local businesses in Flagler Beach, and entertainment from South 2nd Avenue to Daytona Avenue and 5K route. 4 to 9 p.m.
♦ Dec. 22: Free Cup of Tea and Social Saturday: Stop by A Scent to Remember to enjoy a free cup of loose leaf tea by Flagler Tea Company, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A different tea is featured each week. If you want to try something different, you can ask for a cup to brew the tea of your liking. 208B. S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach. 386-631-3692, oils@ascenttoremember.net
♦ Dec. 26 : A meeting of the Compassionate Friends is scheduled at the Vitas Office at 4 North Old Kings Road (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Palm Coast. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. The Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit self-help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. The meeting is open to all parents, grandparents, and siblings over age 18 who has suffered the loss of a child of any age. For more information, call John Brady at 610-428-3139. To learn more about The Compassionate Friends, visit their national website at www.compassionatefriends.org.
♦ Dec. 29: A celebration of the life of the late artist Richard Schreiner, who died in 2012, and his wife Arlene, who died this year, is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at Salvo Art Project, 802 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, with paintings never-before seen, Schriner's sketchbooks, his dissertation and other artifacts, food, music and stories. All invited.
♦ Dec. 29: The African American Cultural Society is hosting Kwanzaa 2018 from 2 to 6 p.m., at The Cultural Center, 4422 N. US Highway 1, (386) 447-7030. This annual free public festivity of vendors, food and entertainment is partly supported by a cultural arts grant from the City of Palm Coast. Kwanzaa is a celebration of the Nguso Saba, the seven principles for enhancement of family, community and culture. Contact Brenda Andrews for details.

For events beyond this date, see the fuller Coming Days here.