Monday Briefing: PCAF’s Latest Turtles, Rotary Club Looking For Bands, Leslie Pitter in Court, Eric Holder on Voting Rights

“TIFF” the loggerhead turtle inspired by Art-Nouveau American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, was unveiled to the public October 23, as part of the on-going community public sculpture project the Palm Coast Arts Foundation launched in May. The dedication took place at the Long Creek Nature Preserve, 1050 Palm Harbor Parkway. Sponsors Beth and Fred Allen and Terri and Rafael Medina are thrilled to participate in this unique project. Ormond Beach artist, Ron Lace, also a member of the Flagler County Art League, was chosen for the project because of his ability to paint with the look of “stained glass” as was Tiffany’s claim to fame. Both sponsors Allen and Medina were happy to donate this sculpture to the City of Palm Coast so that many can enjoy. The placement of “TIFF” will allow the public to view him from the canal and the nature preserve walking path. Above, 21-month-old Finn Dawson admires TIFF the Turtle at the artwork’s dedication. Pictured with Finn is longtime City Landscape Architect Bill Butler, who retired in October. Butler helped establish the Art in Public Places program and ran it for many years. Finn is the son of the City’s new Landscape Architect Beth Dawson. PCAF announced that the project will have two additional turtles joining the Trail in the coming months. Watch for more news of “Marc-Sea” and “Pablo”. Anyone interested in sponsoring a turtle ($5,000) should contact the Palm Coast Arts Foundation 386-225-4394 or info@palmcoastartsfoundation.com or learn more at www.palmcoastartsfoundation.com (Palm Coast)

Weekend: Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s, lows in the upper 50s. Details here.
Today’s document from the National Archives and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Drought Index: 247
The OED’s Word of the Day: labret, n..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

• First Light
• In Flagler and Palm Coast
• Flagler Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours of Incident Reports
• Announcements
• In State Government
• In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
• Fact-Checking the Knaves
• Palm Coast Construction and Development
• Local Road and Interstate Construction
• Cultural Coda

“Corrections was, albeit in a rarefied macho way, a ‘people-skills’ profession. Much of our success and well-being as officers would depend iupon how we carried ourselves and interacted with inmates.”

–From Ted Conover’s “Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing” (2000).

Previously:

Life sentence | Ben Franklin | Fallen nation | Blithedale illusions | Corrupt politicians | What they’re fighting for | Self-censorship | Google in China | Walpole on life | Dissident press | Drug war assets | National Coming Out Day | Wrong warriors | This is war | Lying presidents | Stormy Daniels’s Thunder and Lightning | Mencken on representational art

 

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

Early voting continues for the 2018 general election for federal, state and local candidates. In Flagler, early voting is available at three locations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 13 consecutive days, weekends included, through Nov. 3: at the Flagler County Public Library, Corner of Belle Terre and Palm Coast Pkwy, 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast, at the Palm Coast Community Center, Corner of Palm Coast Pkwy & Club House Dr., 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast, and at the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections on the first floor of the Government Services Building, in back, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, Ste. 101, Bunnell. Any registered and eligible voter may choose to vote at any of the three locations. This year, live election turnout is available: Keep up with Flagler County election turnout online at: https://www.flaglerelections.com. This live data is updated automatically every 10 minutes and offers customizable views by party and vote method. The turnout information includes Vote-By-Mail totals currently and Early Voting totals beginning Monday. Updates will continue throughout the election cycle. Election Day turnout will be available beginning at 7 a.m. on November 6.

In Court: Leslie Pitter, the mentally-challenged man accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer while being arrested for an injunction violation, is sentenced by Circuit Judge Terence Perkins at the Flagler County Courthouse, Courtroom 401, 8:30 a.m.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week (schedule your donation by going to the website and entering a Palm Coast zip code, then locating one of the venues below):

• Monday: Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 East Highway 100, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: Palm Coast Data Building #3, 2 Commerce Boulevard, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday: Metro Diner, 250 Palm Coast Parkway (Island Walk), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday: Flagler Figsh Company, 180 South Daytona Avenue, Flagler Beach, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Friday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave., 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours' Incidents in Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell

Jail Bookings, December 14-17 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, December 16 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, December 16 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, December 16 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, December 16 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, December 16 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, December 16
Previous and archived reports

Announcements:

The Rotary Club of Flagler County is looking for bands and musical groups to perform seasonal music at the Fantasy Lights in Central Park, Palm Coast. The free event featuring lighted displays around the lake, Santa’s Village, Train rides for the kids also has a nightly live performance of seasonal music at 7 p.m. each night for the month of December. The music is carried throughout the park and Rotary provides some sound equipment and lights. If your band is interested in performing please contact Carl Laundrie atclaundrie@yahoo.com or call 386-283-8386.

Bunnell Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 30: The City of Bunnell will hold a Town Hall meeting with area residents to provide information on what to expect during the construction of various improvements in the Deen Road area. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 201 W. Moody Blvd. Bldg 3. Hurricanes Matthew and Irma, helped to identify deficiencies in the storm water system, and issues with infiltration into the sanitary sewer system in the Deen Road area. The City of Bunnell paid $66,000 for the design and engineering of system improvements. Thanks in large part to a $466,000 Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant from the St Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), construction will soon be underway. The bid has not been awarded as yet, but the City’s portion of the cost share grant will be approximately $150,000. These funds will come in large part from the Sanitary Sewer enterprise fund. At the Town Hall meeting, Project Engineers and City Staff will provide information to explain and discuss the upcoming construction project. Including any temporary traffic impacts in the Deen Road neighborhood. Roads impacted by the construction will include: Deen Road, Boundary Street, Franz Court (North), Fourth Street, and Fifth Street

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Occupational Therapy is scheduled to meet. (Monday, 9 a.m., 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Room 301, Tallahassee.)

UTILITY SITE PLANS, SOLAR PROJECTS DISCUSSED: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a meeting about what are known as utility “10-year site plans” and then have a hearing on a proposal by Tampa Electric Co. to recoup money from customers for five solar-energy projects. The Public Service Commission in 2017 approved a settlement agreement that set Tampa Electric’s base electric rates until 2022. Part of that agreement allowed the utility to return to the commission to seek approval to recover money for solar projects. The proposed projects total 260.3 megawatts, with a cost of $46 million, according to the utility’s filing with the commission. (Monday, 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

HOLDER, DEMOCRATS FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS: Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will host a roundtable discussion in Miami-Dade County about voting rights. Also expected to take part in the event are Sean Shaw, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general; Nikki Fried, the Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner; Jeremy Ring, the Democratic candidate for state chief financial officer; state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami; and newly elected state Sen. Jason Pizzo. (Monday, 1 p.m., Firefighters Memorial Building, 8000 N.W. 21st St., Doral.)

SCHOOLS, COLLEGE REMAIN CLOSED: The Bay County and Calhoun County public schools and Gulf Coast State College in Panama City are expected to remain closed because of damage from Hurricane Michael.

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

To • include your event in this section, please fill out this form. ♦ 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.

Keep Up with Donald Trump’s attacks on the press through the ACLU’s running tab here.

Keep Up with mass shootings in a running database here.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of Oct. 26, 2018, with a link to the full week in review here.

Road and Interstate Construction:

• Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List

Cultural Coda

Schubert: Piano Sonata No.20 D.959 / Paul Badura-Skoda (1993)

Previous Codas:

• Antonio Vivaldi’s “Vedro con mio diletto” from Il Giustino by Jakub Józef Orliński
• Bill Evans Trio: Some Day My Prince Will Come (1965)
• Beethoven: Piano Concerto Nr. 5, “Emperor,” Op. 73, Daniele and Maurizio Pollini, Sinfónica de Galicia
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Iván Fischer, cond.
• Beethoven Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Hilary Hahn, violin
• Händel: Keyboard Suite HWV 428, Daria van den Bercken, piano
• Aznavour: Full Concert from the Palais des Congrès de Paris, 1996
• Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms’s Violin Concerto, Cond. Paavo Jarvi
• Hilary Hahn Plays the Presto from Bach’s Violin Sonata Nr. 1
• LP: Lost On You
• Final Fantasy X: To Zanarkand