Monday Briefing: Girls and Boys State Delegates, Community Health Fair, Health Survey Extended, Fracking, Plastics and Drones

Congratulations to the FPC juniors that were selected to attend the Girls State conference in Tallahassee this summer. The girls were selected by the ladies auxiliary that interviewed them on Wednesday Feb 27. Seated left to right, Auxiliary members Mary Beck, treasurer, Rosemarie Delbene, Vice President, Bina Leahy, member, Judy Hennenlotter, secretary. Standing, Karen Smith, President, Michelle Bereznyak, delegate, Diana Cuervas-Tovar, applicant, and Alyssa Santore Alternate. The American Legion, Flagler Post 115, interviewed boys on Feb 19, choosing delegates Nicholas Anane and Dylan Otte, with alternate Christian Mosey from Flagler Palm Coast High School.

Today:: showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tonight: Cooler. Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 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: 184
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: billion.
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
• Flagler Beach A1A Construction Updates
• US 1-Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates
• Announcements
• In State Government
• In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
• Fact-Checking the Knaves
• Palm Coast Construction and Development
• Cultural Coda

“Between the end of the cold war and the beginning of the global war on terror, Americans dragged themselves, bloody and bruised, from one political skirmish to the next. They fought over guns, abortion, religion, gay rights, and the environment. They fought in the schools, the courts, the press, and the university. They fought with words, and they fought over words. They fought by tooth and by nail and by hook and by crook and they believed they were fighting for the meaning of America, but, really, they were fighting for raw political power.”

–Jill Lepore, from “These Truths: A History of the United States” (2018).

Previously:

Vietnam | Love, literature, morals | Getting old | Nixonland | Cocaine | Call to Greatness | Baldwin on Reading | Marry | Writers’ scaffolding | Nationalism | Interiors | Aversion to truth-telling | Golf and pot | Old men, young women | Messy house and DCF | Set opinions | The legal system | Journalism dying | Newspapermen | LBJ’s idea of the press | Cell towers | Dishes and stars | The wall Trump hates | Typing | Robert Caro’s hurry

 

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.

The Flagler County Commission meets at 9 a.m. at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. The board will consider taking out a $2.1 million loan to pay for a controversial new software for its bookkeeping services.

Road closure: The Florida Department of Transportation will be closing Old Dixie Highway and County Road 325 at U.S. 1 on Monday night from about 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The closure is needed to allow the contractor to make improvements to the crossover at the temporary intersection. U.S. 1 will remain open in both directions.

A Community Health Fair is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at Hidden Trails Community Center, 6108 Mahogany Blvd. Bunnell. Flagler County Fire Rescue, in partnership with Flagler County Social Services, Florida Health in Flagler County, and Flagler County Emergency Management will be available to share information on a variety of community services. Additionally, we will be providing no cost: Flu Shots, Diabetic Screenings (glucose and A1C), Registration for ALERTFlagler, Emergency Notifications, Registration for the Emergency/Disaster Special Needs Sheltering Program.

COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON HEALTH ISSUES (closes March 15): Flagler county residents are being asked to speak up and voice their opinion on a variety of health-related topics through an online survey. The input from the community will be used to create health improvement plans to address community concerns and improve quality of life. The survey is online here countyhealthsurvey.com and is available in English and Spanish. Results of the survey provide the foundation of Community Health Needs Assessments, which are a collection of data used to inform communities and develop goals to improve health outcomes. Once the assessments are complete, they will be used to create three-year Community Health Improvement Plans for both Volusia and Flagler counties. The assessments are being conducted in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Flagler and Volusia counties, Flagler Cares, local hospitals and Volusia and Flagler county government. Residents, employers and community partners are encouraged to share this link and ask others to take the survey as well. The survey will close February 28, 2019. Please take the survey here.

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: Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club, 200 Plantation Bay Drive, Ormond Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday: AT&T Store at Target Shopping Center on SR100, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday: Aldi, 5095 SR100, Palm Coast, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: Palm Coast Data Building 3, 2 Commerce Boulevard, Palm Coast, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Building 1 from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
• Thursday: Portuguese Club, 1200 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Two Camino Office Complex, Hammock Dunes, 85 Avenue de la Mer, Palm Coast, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday: Epic Theaters, 1185 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, 1 to 6 p.m.

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

Jail Bookings, May 2-3 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, May 2 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, May 2 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, May 2 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, May 2 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, May 2 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, May 2
Previous and archived reports

Flagler Beach Is Open For Business: A1A Construction Update:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to year-long construction on and near State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as the Florida Department of Transportation rebuilds a 1.5-mile segment from South 9th Street to South 22nd Street, and builds a sea wall at the north end of town. These updates are provided through DOT or local officials. If you have any relevant information or images, you’re welcome to email them to the editor here.

Segment 2: South 22nd to South 9th Street: A significant detour on State Road (S.R.) A1A in Flagler Beach is set to start Tuesday, Feb 26, as construction continues on a project to protect the road from erosion and future storm events. The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to construct improvements along three sections of S.R. A1A in Flagler County. A temporary traffic repair has been in place since the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in late 2016.

 Fast Facts:

• Southbound traffic on S.R. A1A will be detoured onto a local road, South Central Avenue, between South 7^th Street and South 23^rd Street.
• Northbound traffic will remain on S.R. A1A.
• The detour will be in place throughout the reconstruction.
• Access to all businesses and homes will be maintained.
• Access will also be available using side streets.
• For those with driveways only on S.R. A1A, access will be available from northbound S.R. A1A.

Since this is a popular destination for tourists and visitors, drivers are asked to obey the posted speed limits on both S.R. A1A and Central Avenue, and to be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area. Due to safety concerns, bicyclists and foot traffic are urged to stay in designated, safe areas throughout the project.

Segment 3: North 18th Street to Osprey Drive: The contractor continues to bring in sand and prepare for installation of the new buried seawall. Residents may have noticed the contractor installing forms near North 18th Street. This is not the seawall itself. These forms will be used to guide the drill and form the new concrete shafts of the wall. These shafts will be about 36 feet deep. The contractor is expected to move its drilling equipment onto the work site this week. This movement is likely to require short stoppages of traffic using flagging operations along A1A.

Dune Walkovers:

The contractor will continue to remove dune walkovers as needed to accommodate construction of the buried seawall. The affected dune walkovers include both public and private walkovers between North 18^th Street and Osprey Drive. By contract, all affected dune walkovers will be reconstructed once work is complete to their pre-construction condition. The contractor is carefully removing and storing separately the existing materials for each walkover. Photographs also are being taken to document existing conditions and will be used to assist with reconstruction.

 Please note that the walkovers must remain closed during construction for safety reasons.

The project team has announced that reconstruction of the walkovers is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2019. This timeframe is based on the current work schedule. Please note the schedule may be affected by weather or unforeseen circumstances.

The contractor has 300 days to complete the work.

Caution! Flagler Beach police and and Sherriff’s deputies are actively monitoring speed and writing tickets. “I got a warning on north section of A1A before construction actually began so I keep to the 25 limit, but still getting tailgated by cars wanting to go faster,” a reader tells us. 

See Also:

• In Flagler Beach, A1A Shops and Restaurants Hope Their ‘Open For Business’ Signs Are Louder Than Road Construction
• $22.4 Million A1A Rebuilding and Sea Wall Construction in Flagler Beach Starts in January
• A New, Not Much Improved A1A in Flagler Beach: Median, 30MPH, Drainage, But No Added Protection
• Council Endorses Raising Flagler’s Tourism Tax to 5% to Pay For Beach Repairs
• FDOT’s Regional Construction Page

The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view.
(DOT)

U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to the planned 15-month, $4.1 million construction of a roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. The project started in late January and is scheduled for completion by spring 2020.

The Florida Department of Transportation will be closing Old Dixie Highway and C.R. 325 at U.S. 1 on Monday night, March 4, from about 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The closure is needed to allow the contractor to make improvements to the crossover at the temporary intersection. U.S. 1 will remain open in both directions.

More details here.

See Also:

• Roundabout Construction on US1 and Old Dixie Begins: Be Prepared For Traffic Shifts and Single Lanes
• Roundabout Construction at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Begins in Weeks; Expect Detours
• Strident Opposition to Roundabout at US1 and Old Dixie Even As Another Crash Results In Critical Injury
• FDOT’s Project Page

Announcements:

Sheriff Hosts Ceremony of Appreciation for all Involved in Missing Person Rickey Wheeler’s Recovery: Last week Sheriff Rick Staly recognized over 130 first responders and volunteers who spent five days and nights in September 2018 searching for missing and endangered child Rickey Wheeler. Seventeen-year-old Rickey Wheeler was reported missing on Friday, September 21st . Members of the FCSO were joined by neighboring agencies to search tirelessly to find Rickey for five days. The search was successful and Rickey was reunited with his family. Members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office were in attendance at the awards ceremony on Thursday morning along with Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar, and their command staff. Bloodhound K9s involved in the search, from St. Johns and Putnam Counties, were also present. K9 Putnam, who located Rickey, was gifted a bone from Sheriff Staly. “We can count on the agencies here today anytime we need them and we appreciate their partnership,” Sheriff Staly said at the awards ceremony. “The support from our neighboring Sheriff’s Offices, local Fire Departments and so many volunteers played an integral role in finding Rickey alive. Without the help and support of our fellow first responders, this story could have had a different outcome.” Also recognized during the ceremony were members of the Flagler County CERT and REACT teams, Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue and Fire Police, Flagler County Department of Children and Families, FCSO C.O.P.s, the FCSO Mounted Posse, Flagler County Emergency Management, and Flagler County Fire Flight.

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.

‘FRACKING’ BAN CONSIDERED: The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up a bill (SPB 7064) aimed at prohibiting the controversial oil- and gas-drilling technique known as “fracking.” (Monday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PLASTIC STRAWS DEBATED: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will consider a proposal (SB 588), filed by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, that would prevent cities and counties from regulating how restaurants and other establishments distribute plastic straws to customers. (Monday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DRONE USE CONSIDERED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will take up a bill (SB 766), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that would expand the circumstances in which law-enforcement agencies can use aerial drones. The bill would allow drones for such things as assisting in crowd control or traffic management. (Monday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PREEXISTING CONDITIONS TARGETED: The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a proposal (SB 322), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would seek to ensure patients with preexisting conditions would have access to health coverage. The bill would create a contingency in case the federal Affordable Care Act is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court or is repealed by Congress. In such a circumstance, the bill would require each health insurer in Florida to offer at least one major-medical insurance policy that could not limit or deny coverage based on patients’ preexisting conditions. (Monday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

‘AOB’ BACK AT SENATE COMMITTEE: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will take up a bill (SB 122), filed by Chairman Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, that would address the controversial insurance practice known as assignment of benefits. In assignment of benefits, homeowners in need of repairs sign over benefits to contractors, who ultimately pursue payments from insurance companies. Insurers contend that the practice has become riddled with fraud and litigation, while plaintiffs’ attorneys and other groups say it helps make sure claims are properly paid. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DISCUSSED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will receive a presentation about violence against women. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OVERDOSE PROSECUTIONS AT ISSUE: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a proposal (SB 530), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would make a series of changes related to prosecutions when people overdose on drugs or alcohol. For example, it would provide immunity for some offenses to people who give alcohol to underage drinkers and then seek medical assistance when those drinkers experience an alcohol overdose. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

—-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. ♦ May 17-19: "Southern Fried Funeral," a play at the Daytona Playhouse, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Adults $20, Seniors 55 and up, $18, Youths 18 and under $8. Address: 100 Jessamine Blvd., Daytona Beach, or see directions here. Buy tickets online here. Box office: 386-255-2431. ♦ May 18: Flagler Pier Fishing Tournament, starting at 6 a.m. at the pier. ♦ May 18: The 2nd Annual Bunnell Bonanza, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a great family-friendly tradition located in the heart of Bunnell. In its second year, the Bunnell Bonanza will be expanded to a centrally-located venue in the heart of Bunnell at the historic Coquina City Hall. Brought to you by the Flagler County Chamber, the Bunnell Area Council, the City of Bunnell and Yellowstone Landscape. ♦ May 18: Matanzas High School Interact Club's “Rise Up Against Hunger,” in the school's Dining Hall, a food packaging event for the needy starting at 1 p.m. ♦ May 18: First National Kids to Park Day at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 3rd Saturday of every month. 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For any questions, please contact the Pier bait shop at 386-517-2436. ♦ May 18: Household Hazardous Waste Clean Out Campaign, City of Flagler Beach Library Parking Lot, 315 S. 7th Street, Flagler Beach,8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ♦ May 20: A trial is scheduled to begin, with jury selection on Monday, in the case of Bruce Haughton, the 54-year-old R-Section man who two years ago survived what was alleged to be a double-suicide. Katherine Goddard, 52, who lived at 29 Red Clover Lane in Palm Coast, died. It is an unusual case rich in legally gray areas, with Houghton facing a second degree felony charge of n "negligent manslaughter while assisting in self-murder." The case will be tried before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse. See more background here. ♦ May 20: The East Flagler Mosquito Control District board meets at 10 a.m. at the district’s offices, 10 Airport Executive Drive (off Belle Terre Boulevard), Palm Coast. ♦ May 20: Sheriff Rick Staly hosts a ceremony outside of the Flagler County Sheriff's Marine Unit substation at 69 Malacompra Road at 10:30 a.m. to unveil new signage honoring Captain Grady Prather. Prather was a 33-year veteran of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office who headed up the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, which he also created. Prather retired on January 31, 2008 and died on Nov. 17, 2009. In 2011, an artificial reef was deployed in Flagler Beach through grants from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District. The reef was also named in Prather's honor. ♦ May 20: The Flagler County Commission meets at 5 p.m. at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. The commission is expected to hear a status report on the troubled Plantation Bay utility and will be presented a roughly $10 million spending plan, on borrowed money, to address the utility's problems. The county administrator says the spending plan does not foresee a raise in rates for utility customers. The commission will also discuss where to place the sheriff's operations as the sheriff contends with space issues, both with a too-expensive lease at City Marketplace and with too little space at the courthouse. ♦ May 20: The Buddy Taylor Middle School Advisory Council meets at 5 p.m., the PTO at 6 at the school’s media center. ♦ May 20: The Flagler County Stamp and Coin Club meets at 4:30 p.m. at the VFW Post 8696 47 N. Old Kings Road. From 4:30 - 6 p.m. the time is used for buying, selling and trading stamps and coins. The club meeting starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 7:30. There is a live auction of stamps and coins at the end of the meeting. The club is open for members, the general public, and all who are interested in stamp and coin collecting and investing. Free stamps and coin evaluations at all our meetings. The club is the only non-profit Stamp and Coin Club in Flagler County. For more information please visit the club's web site. ♦ May 21: The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The council is expected to discuss and possibly approve a final plat for American Village in Palm Coast's P-Section: Hammock Real Estate Development proposes to replat and subdivide approximately 8.9 acres into 45 single family residential lots, 8.01 acres into three multi-family tracts, a stormwater tract and two recreational tracts for a total of 16.91 acres. American Village, a gated community, is located on the south side of Pritchard Drive, approximately one block north of the Pritchard Drive and Prince Michael Lane intersection. See background here. ♦ May 21: The Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council meets at 9 a.m. in board chambers at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. ♦ May 21: The The Flagler County School Board meets in workshop at 1 p.m. in training room 3 on the third floor of the Government Services Building, Bunnell, and at 6 p.m. in a meeting in board chambers at the GSB. At the workshop, the board will hear a legislative wrap-up from its Tallahassee lobbyist and discuss records confidentiality. ♦ May 21: Flagler Beach's Beach Management Plan Ad-Hoc Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall. ♦ May 21: Daytona State College hosts an Express Enrollment afternoon and evening from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Palm Coast campus, 3000 Palm Coast Parkway. ♦ May 21: Food Truck Tuesday, 5-8 p.m. at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast. Purchase and enjoy delicious cuisine available from food trucks situated along Park Street next to Central Park. Free entertainment is also provided. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Family Life Center, which is a local organization that provides essential support services to individuals and families to end domestic violence and sexual violence in Flagler County. Support services include shelter, food, clothing, transportation, medical services, employment coaching, education resources, legal service support, counseling, community education, outreach programs, and partnering with other social service and law enforcement agencies to coordinate support services and programs. More info: www.palmcoast.gov.com/foodtruck or call 386-986-2323. ♦ May 22: The Blue Power 2020 forum, hosted by Mike Cocchiola, who heads the Flagler County Democratic Party, meets at 12:30 p.m. at the Democrats' office, 2 Office Park Drive, Suite D, all welcome. The weekly forum is intended to discuss local, state and national issues and to develop action plans to influence policy. ♦ May 22: The IB Class of 2019 has its "Baccalaureate Night" at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach, at 7 p.m. ♦ May 22: 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. ♦ May 23: The Flagler Chamber's Common Ground Breakfast features a 2019 Legislative Update with Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner at the Hilton Garden Inn, 55 Town Center Dr., Palm Coast, Checkin begins at 7:30, breakfast starts promptly at 8. ♦ May 23: Flagler Lifeline, a volunteer committee and Flagler Cares affiliate established to broaden conversation and awareness of suicide, will host a public town hall event at 6 p.m.  at the Flagler County Association of Realtors building, 4101 East Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. The Town Hall will feature presentations by mental health experts, suicide survivors and others who have been touched by suicide, and will be facilitated by Colleen Conklin, the long-time school board member and one of Flagler Lifeline’s founders. For the past several years Conklin has hosted periodic events, including electronic town halls, to bring awareness to bullying and suicide prevention. The May 23 town hall, like Flagler Lifeline's emergence, is partly a result of Flagler County's place in 2017 as the county with the leading suicide rate in the state, proportional to its population. See the background story here. ♦ May 23: The Flagler Beach City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South Second Street. Commissioners will consider making the city a member of the American Flood Coalition. ♦ May 23: The Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center. An agenda had not been posted online as of May 18. ♦ May 23: The Wadsworth Elementary School Advisory Council and PTO meet at 6 p.m. in the school’s media center. ♦ May 23: Palm Coast Artist and 2011 Flagler County Artist of the Year Weldon Ryan hosts a meet and great at the Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery, 3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine and cheese, 15 percent off on all of Weldon's works. ♦ May 23-26: "Southern Fried Funeral," a play at the Daytona Playhouse, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Adults $20, Seniors 55 and up, $18, Youths 18 and under $8. Address: 100 Jessamine Blvd., Daytona Beach, or see directions here. Buy tickets online here. Box office: 386-255-2431. ♦ May 24: Flagler County Emergency Management chief Jonathan Lord hosts a media roundtable at noon on the upcoming hurricane season, at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 3 (behind the Government Services Building), Bunnell. ♦ May 24: Butterfly Walk at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., 10 a.m. Join a ranger at 2 p.m. for a walk through our historical gardens. Learn about the history of our park while exploring the beauty of the formal gardens, with an emphasis on butterflies. The walk is approximately 1 hour. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet in the garden parking lot. Garden walk included with park entry. No registration required. ♦ May 25: Pool Safety Day at Palm Coast's Freeda Zamba pool, 339 Parkview Drive, open to all ages, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is designed to teach the importance and seriousness of safety, but while having fun and participating in activities that children will remember. Florida is one of two states that lead the nation with at least 21 fatal child drownings last summer, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and USA Swimming Foundation. About ten people die every day from unintentional drowning and of these, two will be children age 14 or younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The fee is $1 for seniors and youth age 17 and under. It is $2 for adults. ♦ May 27: Memorial Day, 8 a.m. start time at Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Pkwy. The City of Palm Coast welcomes the community to share a meaningful Memorial Day tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving their country. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who represents District 6, will speak. Rain Location: Fire Station 21 at 9 Corporate Drive Free and no registration required. More info: 386-986-2300. ♦ May 28: The Flagler County Opioid Task Force meets at 6 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at the Government Services Building ♦ May 29: The Blue Power 2020 forum, hosted by Mike Cocchiola, who heads the Flagler County Democratic Party, meets at 12:30 p.m. at the Democrats' office, 2 Office Park Drive, Suite D, all welcome. The weekly forum is intended to discuss local, state and national issues and to develop action plans to influence policy. ♦ May 30: Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School hold graduation ceremonies at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center. Matanzas High School’s ceremony begins at 4 p.m. and Flagler Palm Coast High School’s starts at 7. Doors to the Ocean Center open one hour before the start of each ceremony. The student procession begins approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Tickets for the ceremonies are free. However, both schools have a 10-ticket limit per student. There may be opportunities for additional tickets. Students will be notified and information is located on each school’s website. Parking passes are also available for pre-purchase. Parking is $5. security measures instituted last year will be in place this year. Please take note and be prepared before you head to the Ocean Center. There will be security checks before ticket holders are allowed entry into the ceremony. Watch livestreams of the ceremonies: Matanzas here, and FPC here. 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 March 1, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Cultural Coda

Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K.201, Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra

Previous Codas:

• Nina Simone: Good Bait
• Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody
• FPC Jazz Band, 2019 District MPA, Love is Here to Stay
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Triosonata in C Minor BWV 526, Katja Sager, organ
• J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 525, Doug Marshall, Organ
• Willie Nelson and His Sons Discuss Growing up on Tour and Performing as a Family
• Sulkhan Tsintsadze: Miniatures for String Quartet
• Joseph Marx: Trio-Phantasie (1914)
• George Antheil: Violin Sonata Nr. 2
• Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 20
• Vaughan Williams: Rhosymedre (US Marine Band)
• Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Maja Babyszka, piano
• Abel Carlevaro: Tamboriles
• Leonora Spangenberger (13) plays Heitor Villa Lobos’s Etude No 9
• Michel Sardou: Le France
• Smetana: Má Vlast / Kubelík Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Leontyne Price: the Interview
• Florence Price’s Fantaisie Negre, Performed by Elijah Stevens
• Jean Sibelius, Tapiola: Schlosstheater Schönbrunn, Orchestra of the Slovak Philharmony