Weekend Briefing: 'Hand To God,' Culture Club, 'Little Whorehouse,' Songwriters' Festival, Heroes Ride, Island Festival

Jessica, played by Agata Sokolska, and Jason, played by Brent Jordon, find more than they bargained for in a Christian puppet ministry in “Hand to God.” City Repertory Theatre will stage the dark comedy May 3-12 at its venue in Palm Coast’s City Market Place. See below. (© FlaglerLive)

Weekend: Friday: Showers likely in the morning, then showers and chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent. Sunday: Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 70 percent. Nights in the 60s throughout.
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: 257
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: prodigious.
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

“Baseball is for watching. From April to October I watch the Red Sox every night. (Other sports fill the darker months.) I do not write; I do not work at all. After supper I become the American male—but I think I do something else. Try to forgive my comparisons, but before Yeats went to sleep every night he read an American Western. When Eliot was done with poetry and editing, he read a mystery book. Everyone who concentrates all day, in the evening needs to let the half-wit out for a walk. Sometimes it is Zane Grey, sometimes Agatha Christie, sometimes the Red Sox.”

–From Donald Hall’s “Essays After Eighty” (2014).

Previously:

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.

Free For All Fridays: Host Brian McMillan, sitting in for David Ayres, welcomes County Commissioner Dave Sullivan, the Hammock Community Association’s Joy Ellis, Garry Lubi, who will talk about the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival this weekend, and Rep. Paul Renner, the Palm Coast Republican who will provide a legislative update, starting a little after 9 a.m. with a commentary by FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam on Bunnell’s petulance about a sheriff’s district office in Palm Coast.

Through Sunday: “Hand to God” will be staged by City Repertory Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. Sunday. Performances are at CRT’s venue in City Market Place, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students. For more information or tickets, call the CRT box office at 386-585-9415 or buy them here. Nominated for five 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Play, Robert Askins’ HAND TO GOD examines the fragile nature of faith, morality and the ties that bind us – all in an irreverent comedy about a demonic puppet. “This play allows you to explore relationships that we wouldn’t be able to watch on stage if it wasn’t the absurdity of a puppet saying these things,” says Wade, a veteran City Rep actor who also portrays Pastor Greg in “Hand to God.” “It’s hilarious and a lot deeper than what most people would see it for at face value.”

Through Sunday: The Flagler Playhouse presents “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” at the The Flagler Playhouse, 301 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. Call the box office at 386-586-0773 or visit the website for tickets here. Based on the true story of a legendary Texas brothel. Protected by a friendly sheriff and frequented by politicians, football teams and other locals, the “Chicken Ranch” thrived in the small town of Gilbert, Texas. Girls came from all over to work at the ranch and make some extra cash. However, a crusading do-gooder Houston radio commentator and his conservative audience expose the Chicken Ranch, forcing it to shut its doors forever. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students under 21 with ID. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee Series, 9-10 a.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. This month’s topic: “Travel Tips for Seniors” with Josephine L’Heureux of Travel Leaders. The event is free, but pre-registration is required (while space available) by 9 a.m. May 1: www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Friday: The African-American Cultural Society inaugurates its Culture Club, a new first-Friday tradition with drinks, food and live music. Come chill at AACS, a Smooth Groove Matinee, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., 4422 US Hwy 1, North, Palm Coast, (GPS user’s insert Bunnell instead of Palm Coast). Call 386-447-7030. Admission $10 at door.

First Friday in Flagler Beach with live music, food and vendors, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Friday: A Night of Percussion, at Matanzas High School’s Pirate Theater, 7 p.m.

Friday, Saturday: 2nd Annual Make a Difference Rummage Sale, Parkview Baptist Church, 5435 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the annual fundraiser rummage sale for Emmanuel’s Closet. Proceeds go towards yearly expenses. We are looking for donations of gently used clothes, athletic equipment, small appliances, jewelry, glassware and kitchenware. These can be dropped of at Parkview from noon-7pm April 29, 30 and May 1. Emmanuel’s Closet provides clothing at no cost for anyone living Flagler County.

Through Sunday: Second annual Palm Coast Songwriters’ Festival showcasing more than 12 artists/songwriters at two outdoor venues – Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater May 3-4, and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation stage May 5, for a weekend of melody and music. The Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater is at 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE, Palm Coast. The Palm Coast Arts Foundation stage is located at 1500 Central Avenue, Palm Coast. Unlike other musical festivals where audience members listen to song after song from a full band, the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival provides a unique, more intimate experience between the artist and the listener as the songwriters will often share the meaning behind their lyrics. This 3-day event allows the audience to go ‘behind the curtain’ and see the faces, listen to the voices and hear the stories behind some of the most popular songs of yesteryear and playing on the radio today. Early bird ticket pricing is available through Feb. 8 and start at $8. Single day, and three-day ticket options are available, including a three-day VIP Gold package that includes dinner Friday evening and an after-show meet and greet with the writers. Sponsorships are also available. For more information, visit www.PalmCoastSongwritersFestival.com

Saturday: Arbor Day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave, Palm Coast. Help celebrate Palm Coast’s love of trees with tree give-away (in exchange for food/pet food donation), butterfly release and tent, free paper shredding service, entertainment, drone demonstration, “green” vendors, petting zoo, free bird walks, Birds of Prey show and fun activities for all ages. Free and registration not required. More info: www.palmcoastgov.com/arborday.

Saturday: The law firm of Rue & Ziffra will host the inaugural Heroes Ride, a free-of-charge, police-escorted motorcycle charity ride May 4, 2019 to honor first responders and military personnel. The public is warmly invited to attend the event, and all — bikers and non-bikers alike — are welcome. The day of jam-packed activities begins at 9:30 a.m., with a welcome ceremony at the Flagler County Government Services Building located at 1769 E. Moody Blvd., in Bunnell, Fla. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and other community leaders will offer brief welcoming remarks. Motorcycle engines fire up at 10:15 a.m., from the same location, run through the scenic Flagler and Volusia counties for a total of 31 enjoyable miles, and end at the entertaining OB’s Restaurant and Lounge in Deland, Fla., at 1750 N. Woodland Blvd. The ride ends, and the party kicks into high gear with live entertainment, a live broadcast by 95.7 the HOG, special appearances by area police and fire personnel and a $5 barbecue lunch. Proceeds from the lunch will be donated to two local charities that support veterans and first responders: Combat Vets and Paws of War of Florida. The party includes a hero-worthy ceremony filled with tear-jerking, heartstring-pulling presentations of good and giving to service members in the community. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood will offer commentary. The Deltona Fire Department will be on site. A Fallen Comrade Table ceremony will take place to honor all the heroes who have died in service. See the website here.

Saturday: Hidden Trails Community Arts and Craft Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will the the first annual Arts & Crafts event to get people out and to utilize our Amazing Hidden Trails Flagler County Park, fill it with beautiful things, support small business, and have opportunity for those who share treasures and to gain from it, as well as those who take them home. We will have live music, art of every genre, crafts of every kind, vendors who have small business to encourage prosperity, food, ice cream etc. Everything you will need there to have a wonderful day, make new friends, listen to great music, eat delicious food, get your picture in the photo booth, raffles,family fun, and so much more. Bring your Mom for a Mothers Day outing, or buy her something beautiful and unique. Select a piece of art, jewelry, etc. for yourself or someone special. If you are an Artist, Crafter, or Vendor, please sign up, and meet us there.

Saturday: Kentucky Derby Fundraiser benefiting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Grand Haven Gold & Country Club, 500 Riverfront Drive, Palm Coast, 4-7 p.m. Admission for this event is $50 and includes Derby-themed Southern fare, open bar and specialty drink. Join YPG of Flagler County for their annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser benefiting the Flagler County Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Attendees will enjoy Mint Juleps, a live stream of the Kentucky Derby on a giant screen, live entertainment, delectable eats, a chance to “bet” on your favorite horses and more! Gents, wear your favorite bow tie and ladies, don’t forget your big hats! All proceeds from this event will go to funding the continuation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Flagler County. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides children in Flagler County a book each month from the time they are born until they are five years old at no cost to the family. While Dolly Parton’s foundation coordinates selection and mailing of the books, our local community is solely responsible for funding this program. Currently this program delivers books to more than 1,400 children in Flagler County at an approximate cost of $3000 per month. At just over $2.00 per book, this is a bargain investment in early literacy.

Saturday, Sunday: Island Festival at Nature Scapes, both days starting at noon, 313 Old Brick Road, Bunnell. FlyGame Music is bringing you the Islands once again. On May 4th, at 12noon to 8pm and May 5th, 2019 from 2 to 8pm bring your family and friends to experience Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and many more Islands. Come out and experience the Islands up close: authentic Island cuisine from some of the best local Islanders in the city! Vibe to Soca, Reggae, Reggatone, Bachata and much more. The purpose of this event is to educate Palm Coast and surrounding areas of the rich culture that the Islands bring. A portion of all proceeds will be given to our non-profit church Victorious Covenant who will be issuing the funds to Haiti. There will be two stages indoor/outdoors both days, featuring the Steel drum band from Matanzas Blue Steel, and bands Brothers Within, Relief, Grind Stone Sinners, 5 Time Shag, Royal Chanta, Sun of Music.

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):

Friday: Fitness One, 250 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday: Advance America Palm Coast, 800 Belle Terre Parkway, Suite 212, Palm Coast, 2 to 5 p.m.
Friday: First Friday in Flagler Beach, Veterans Park, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

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


Jail Bookings, June 19-22 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 21 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 21
Previous and archived reports

Sources: Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler Beach Police Department, Bunnell Police Department. This is Flagler County's only comprehensive, one-stop compilation of all local law enforcement's daily day and night shift commanders' 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.

Last Updated: April 29

Segment 2 (South 22nd Street to South 9th Street):

Installation of a new water main, as well as a new sewer line, is in progress between South 19th Street and South 18th Street. This work is expected to continue over the next few weeks. South of South 19th Street, installation of the French drain system is continuing.

This type of drainage system will collect stormwater into large gravel-filled, underground vaults set into what will be a new raised median. The vaults will be able to store water during heavy rains, which will improve the flooding that occurs to prevent erosion and undermining of the roadway. The water collected will percolate through the vaults into the aquifer. The roadway will be reconstructed at the appropriate slope to collect water at the median.

Pedestrian walkways are open. Pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to be alert to construction equipment and use caution. On South Central Avenue, the project team has applied reflective tape to stop signs to help increase visibility of the signs, and additional enforcement will be conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Segment 3 (North 18th Street to Osprey Drive) Project Update:

Residents can now see all phases of the secant wall process on this segment. At the very north end, the contractor is almost finished bringing in sand and preparing the dune for the drilling process. On the very south end, the concrete cap of the wall has been poured. In the middle of the project, workers are drilling the concrete piles and setting the fiberglass cages.

Once the wall is constructed and the cap has been poured throughout the length of the project, the contractor will shape the dune to the specified slope, place sand on top of the wall, and plant new vegetation.

A short presentation on how the wall is constructed has been added to our project webpage and can be seen below:

Recently, DOT received a few questions from residents that DOT wants to answer:

1. Why do some properties have the black silt fencing and others do not?

The silt fencing is an erosion control requirement to prevent dirt and debris from leaving our work area and being deposited into waterways or onto private property. In some areas, the property to the west of our work area slopes up away from the work area, so erosion control is not required.

2. Will the contractor repair areas on my side of the sidewalk that have been disturbed?

Residents and property owners can get a general idea of where the department’s right of way ends by looking at the placement of the power poles, as well as stakes that have been placed along the project. In some areas, the back edge of the new sidewalk will be slightly farther to the west. For the most part, the back of the new sidewalk will be very close to, or right at, the right of way line.

This project calls for all of the work to be performed within the Florida Department of Transportation right of way. If, however, the work disturbs or damages private property outside of the right of way, the contractor is responsible to make repairs once the work is finished.

Please note that all restoration of conditions within the department’s right of way, including landscaping, hardscaping and driveways, is dictated by the construction plans and existing permits.

3. When will the sidewalk be replaced?

The contractor has begun installing the new sidewalk to the south of 19th Street. As the new water main is installed, there are several types of testing that need to be performed on the new line, and the work needs to be accepted by the City of Flagler Beach before the new sidewalk can be placed. The water main installation is expected to continue for the next several months.

Pedestrians are asked to stay within the temporary pedestrian walkways for safety. Residents and visitors also are reminded that all of the dune walkovers are closed, and removing any signage or barricades to access a walkover is unsafe and unlawful.

Caution! Flagler Beach police and and Sheriff’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:

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) — 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:

I-95 Construction, Repaving: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., single lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line. Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 7 a.m., double lane closures on NB I-95 from north of Palm Coast Parkway to the St. Johns County line.

See this week’s full Interstate Construction Report for Flagler, Volusia and St. Johns here.

Announcements/Press Releases:

Bunnell’s State of the City: On Monday, April 22, Mayor Catherine D. Robinson provided the annual State of the City. Citizens were invited to share a light meal, which was purchased from a local restaurant, with the City Commission and City staff prior to the start of the meeting. Before even getting into the actual State of the City address, the City swore in two new Bunnell Police Officers- Officer Jake Sanders and Officer William Roberts. In 2018, the City of Bunnell experienced a wide variety of challenges. It continued to deal with the after effects of both Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Michael which occurred in 2016 and 2017, but within 12 months of each other. It went through the difficult and heartbreaking decision to transfer its Volunteer Fire Department to the County. For almost six months, the City was under leadership of an Acting City Manager. Commission John Sowell vacated his seat that he won in 2017, leaving a seat open and requiring the need to set a Special Election to fill the vacancy. No matter the challenge though, the City and Staff carried on and continued to provide superior services and customer service to its citizens, businesses and stakeholders. One of the opening slides provided a quote by Jonathan Lockwood Huie- “Winners Dream Big Dreams.” Over the last year, and particularly in the last quarter of 2018, the City certainly started dreaming big. Even more so, it took great steps to act on those dreams. The City went after and was awarded several grants to improve its infrastructure. Throughout 2018, it managed $2,092,593.10 in grants and federal aid dollars. In October, the Commission hired Dr. Alvin Jackson, a dynamic leader with endless energy, ideas, and ways to make Bunnell “The Best ‘Little’ City in the Nation.” The City hosted, co-sponsored and participated in several events through the year, even facing the difficult task of rescheduling on a day’s notice its biggest event Christmas In Bunnell due to several days of severe storms. It also held its first ever Commission Advance which shared bountiful information about the City to all who attended and allowed the Commission to set their Strategic Objectives for the coming years. Throughout the presentation it was clear. The Commission is prepared to implement the plans crafted by Bunnell for Bunnell, so we can keep dreaming big and moving forward.

City of Palm Coast earns state award for procurement practices: The City of Palm Coast Budget & Procurement Office has been awarded the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials (FAPPO) Award of Excellence in Public Procurement for 2019. The City is one of only 18 agencies in the state to earn the award, and this is Palm Coast’s first time to receive it. Budget & Procurement, which is part of the Finance Department, is responsible for overseeing a decentralized purchasing process that ensures competitive bidding in accordance with the City’s purchasing policy, state statute and best practices. In coordination with all City departments, staff manages all formal solicitations, prepares and executes contracts, and oversees the vendor registration process. The City was judged on innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function, which are also best practices in the profession. Process improvement is also a consideration. The Budget & Procurement Office has made a number of changes to improve efficiency and customer service both internally and externally over the past few years. The changes, which include transitioning to a fully electronic bidding system and an electronic contracting process, both significantly improved the turn-around time for the City’s contracts and purchase orders. By improving the processes, it also made it possible to maintain the same staffing levels even as the City and demand for procurement services has grown. Greater efficiency saves tax dollars. “I am extremely proud of my team,” said Lina Williams, Budget & Procurement Manager at the City of Palm Coast. “I believe this recognition shows that everyone’s hard work in streamlining and improving the procurement processes for the City has paid off. Information about doing business with the City of Palm Coast is available at: https://www.palmcoastgov.com/government/purchasing.

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.

SESSION ENDS: Friday is the scheduled end of the 60-day legislative session.

SENATE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The Senate will hold a floor session. (Friday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House will hold a floor session. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

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

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A Twitter List by PierreTristam

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 April 12, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-april-12-2019-developments.pdf

Cultural Coda

Art Tatum plays Dvorak