Monday Briefing: Facebook and Twitter After You Die, Flagler Photography Club Annual Show, Denali’s Rebirth

Today: high in upper-80s, heavy rain possible especially in the afternoon, low in mid 70s. Details here.
Today’s fire danger is low. Flagler County’s Drought Index is at 238.
The weather in Xepon, Laos: high 79, low 73. Details.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: muzzy, adj..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

• In Flagler and Palm Coast
• Local News Recap
• In Court
• In State Government
• Police, Fire and Emergency Notes
• PR Releases
• In the Press, In the News
• Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports
• Local Road and Interstate Construction
• In Coming Days in Flagler and Palm Coast
• Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section)
• Cultural Coda

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 Bunnell City Commission holds a special meeting at 7:30 this morning to award a $212,594 contract for for Property/Casualty, Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation to the Florida League of City. See the background here.

“I Remember Better When I Paint,” a documentary film narrated by actress Olivia de Havilland that demonstrates that the creative arts can bypass the limitations of dementia. Film provided courtesy of the Hilgos Foundation. (2 p.m., Florida Hospital Flagler, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, south entrance, classrooms A&B).

Local News Recap:

Storm Erika roared then petered out: the storm that for 24 hours last week looked as if it might make landfall in Flagler’s neighborhood as a Category 1 hurricane ended up shifting west and proved incapable of remaining organized enough for a tropical storm. But a state of emergency was declared on Friday, and the storm is still expected to drop substantial rain on Flagler today.

In Flagler Beach’s On-Again, Off-Again Relationship With Manager Campbell, It’s On Again: The Flagler Beach City Commission’s co-dependent relationship with its city manager took yet another twist Thursday evening as the commission “told” Bruce Campbell that he would be staying on at least through December.

Million Dollar House on Wrong Lot Conundrum Resolved Peacefully:  GoToby.com last October broke the story that attracted worldwide attention. The dispute has been resolved with a simple solution, GoToby reports:  “essentially a lot swap,” with one property owner getting the other’s lot (on which his house stood) and the other property owner getting the vacant one, with $20,000 changing hands for the balance of the difference in value between the two lots.

The New World of Wimbledon Junior Champ Reilly Opelka: Autographs, Pressure and a Rising Ranking: Once anonymous, Opelka is now well-known among tennis fans. Once just an amateur not considered among the top-flight American men’s prospects, now he’s front and center among a new generation of extremely promising American men hoping to restore luster to the sport in this country desperate to produce a home-grown champion. And he’s preparing to play in the doubles draw at the U.S. Open this week, and the boys championship next week.

Matanzas High School Matanzas beats FPC for the first time in history: The Pirates defeated the Bulldogs 14-7 for the first time in eight years in the season opener Friday, on the Bulldogs’ turf. “It’s officially a rivalry,” coach Robert Ripley told the Palm Coast Observer. “For the next 364 days, we’re going to be county champs, and it ain’t nothing they can do about it. We’ll finally be able to shut all these people up, that live in this town, forever that say that this is the only school that plays football, all that nonsense.”

In Court:

Circuit Judge J. David Walsh hears several motions starting at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 401 and again at 1:30 p.m. County Judge Melissa Moore-Stens holds several dozen lack-of-prosecution hearings starting at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 404 and is in juvenile proceedings in the afternoon. Circuit Judge Michael Orfinger holds various hearings in civil cases in Courtroom 301.

In State Government:

Note: Most proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel.

The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, which was created this year by Gov. Rick Scott, meets in Orange County. (9 a.m., University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Medical Education Building, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando.)

The Visit Florida Board of Directors meets on the first day of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Most of the conference events will be held at the Tampa Convention Center. (9 a.m.)

Floridians for Solar Choice, a group seeking to get a solar-energy initiative on the 2016 ballot, holds a news conference in advance of a Florida Supreme Court hearing Tuesday. The Supreme Court will review the proposed ballot wording and decide whether it can go before voters. (11 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 East College Ave., Tallahasee.)

Expanded concealed weapons services: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis Hollingsworth will hold a news conference to announce expanded concealed-weapons license services that will be offered at tax collector’s offices in the state. (Monday, 3 p.m., 4030 Lewis Speedway, Building B., St. Augustine.)

–Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

Police, Fire and Emergency Notes:

Code Red: Flagler County officials are encouraging residents to sign up for the CodeRED weather warning notifications and for those requiring additional assistance to apply for the special needs evacuation shelter registry.            “There is a lot of uncertainty about Tropical Storm Erika but whether we suffer any effects of this storm or not, now would be a good time to sign up for these services,” said Kevin Guthrie, Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager. “We especially want to make sure we have everyone with special needs registered.”            More specifically, individuals who should register are people who require assistance with daily living or who have medical conditions that prevent or hinder their ability to care for themselves.            Residents with computer access can register for either or both online at www.flagleremergency.com. The direct link for CodeRED is https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/7B3E2CD592C0. The link to the special needs application is http://flagleremergency.com/doc/psn_form.pdf. Additional information about Tropical Storm Erika, including its current track, is available atwww.flagleremergency.com.

In Coming Days in Palm Coast and Flagler:

Click on the links for more details:

• Registration opens for 2015 Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games. The deadline is Sept. 1.
• Sept. 4: Michell Palmmucci is the featured artist at Ocean Art Gallery for September. Her show, “Paradise – Lost and Found,” opens Friday, September 4 with a 6 p.m. reception at 200 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach. The artist will be on hand to meet guests and demonstrate her painting style.
• Friday, Sept. 11: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation Presents Big Band Night (and more) with The Chris Thomas Band of Jacksonville, in the Ballroom of Halifax Plantation, 4000 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach. Dinner and dancing is all part of the ticket price ($50 PCAF members; $60 general public).  Click here for details.
• What happens to your Facebook page when you die? The Estate Planning Council of the Fun Coast hosts a seminar entitled “Estate Planning for Digital Assets and Social Media” on September 16 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Coast. Cost: 20. Reservations required. Email [email protected] or call 386/586-4214.
• Sept. 21: Flagler Beach Police Captain Matthew Doughney and 7-Eleven host “Doughnuts with Doughney”: The Flagler Beach Police Department and the city’s 7-Eleven have partnered to host “Doughnuts with Doughney” on Monday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 408 South Oceanshore Boulevard.
• Sept. 28: Bunnell’s State of the Art Water Treatment Facility Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at 100 Utility Drive (directly across the street from the Flagler County Government Services Building), from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 6: The Flagler County School Board holds a town hall meeting at the Government Services Building.
• Flagler County is now accepting applications for the Fall 2015 Citizens Academy. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning September 10 for nine weeks. For more information, click this link or go to flaglercounty.org/academy.
• Nominate Your Veteran of the Year: Flagler County government is taking nominations from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 for the veteran of the year. Nominations must be mailed in to the county. Click here for details.

 

PR Releases:

Annual Photography Show: Judges completed their task selecting winners in the second annual Photography Club of Flagler County​ annual show. The judges were Club President Bob Carlsen and Patrick Van Dusen, photography professor at Daytona State from 1979 to 2011. The show has 58 photographs on the walls range from framed 11″x14″ pieces to wall size gallery wrapped canvas pieces. “There is excellent photography in this show,” the judges wrote. “The photographers used many different styles and techniques. The tonality, composition, lighting, use of object and presentation is wonderful. You can see the advanced level of skill of the photographers.” Carlsen notes: “If you are still thinking about attending please consider joining us for the opening reception on Friday, Sept. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Rose Room of the Peabody Auditorium. Wine, beer, soda and cheese will be served.” The show runs through Sept. 28.

What happens to your Facebook page when you die? The Estate Planning Council of the Fun Coast hosts a seminar entitled “Estate Planning for Digital Assets and Social Media” on September 16 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Coast. “This seminar will cover topics such as what happens to your Facebook postings when you die, who owns your Instagram pictures, who gets control of your Twitter account and how does your family protect those memories from being lost forever,” said guest speaker Astrid de Parry, a former DeLand City Attorney, (1989-1992), General Counsel and Project Coordinator for Park Equus, in Kissimmee, Florida (1987-1989), General Counsel for the University of Alaska Statewide System (1980-1985) and Assistant University Counsel at Cornell University, New York (1977-1980). De Parry has also been an attorney in private practice in DeLand since 1993. This event is open to the public and members and guests are encouraged to attend. Reservations are requested. The cost is $20 at the door. Please note that persons making reservations and not canceling by noon on Tuesday, September 15th will be invoiced by the EPCFC for the program cost. Those interested in attending are asked to contact [email protected] or 386-586-4214 for reservations.

In the Press, In the News:

Mount McKinley Will Again Be Called Denali “President Obama announced on Sunday that Mount McKinley was being renamed Denali, using his executive power to restore an Alaska Native name with deep cultural significance to the tallest mountain in North America. The move came on the eve of Mr. Obama’s trip to Alaska, where he will spend three days promoting aggressive action to combat climate change, and is part of a series of steps he will make there meant to address the concerns of Alaska Native tribes. It is the latest bid by the president to fulfill his 2008 campaign promise to improve relations between the federal government and the nation’s Native American tribes, an important political constituency that has a long history of grievances against the government. Denali’s name has long been seen as one such slight, regarded as an example of cultural imperialism in which a Native American name with historical roots was replaced by an American one having little to do with the place. […] Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, introduced legislation in January to rename the peak, but Ohio lawmakers sought to block the move. In June, an Interior Department official said in testimony before Congress that the administration had “no objection” to Ms. Murkowski’s proposed change.” From The Times.

$15 an hour minimum wage in Florida proposed: A House Democrat filed a bill Friday that calls for increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. The bill (HB 109), filed by Rep. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, will be considered during the 2016 legislative session and mirrors a bill (SB 6) filed last month by Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami. Previous proposals to increase the minimum wage have not moved forward in the Legislature. The state’s minimum wage, which gradually increases each year, hit $8.05 in January. News Service of Florida.

Oliver Sacks, doctor of ‘Awakenings’ and poet laureate of medicine, dies at 82: “Oliver Sacks, the world-renowned neurologist and author who chronicled maladies and ennobled the afflicted in books that were regarded as masterpieces of medical literature, died Aug. 30 at his home in Manhattan. He was 82. Dr. Sacks — whom millions knew as the physician played by actor Robin Williams in the 1990 film “Awakenings” — revealed in February that he had terminal cancer. A rare and long-ago-treated ocular tumor had metastasized to his liver, he wrote in the New York Times, which was one of several publications, along with the New Yorker magazine and the New York Review of Books, that had printed his writings over the years. His death was confirmed by his longtime assistant, Kate Edgar. An Englishman who made his life in America, Dr. Sacks devoted his career to patients with rare, seemingly hopeless conditions of the nervous system. He distinguished himself both in the clinic and on the printed page and was often called a “poet laureate” of modern medicine. His books, many of which were bestsellers, generally took the form of clinical anecdotes. A man who mistakes his wife for a hat, an artist who can no longer see colors, a hospital full of patients gloriously but fleetingly “awakened” from years-long catatonia: In each case, Dr. Sacks sought to uncover some wisdom, medical or moral.” From the Washington Post.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports:

The following is an update of ongoing construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through Aug. 26:

Palm Coast Parkway Six-Laning is 88 percent done: Widening on the north side of the parkway almost complete. Landscape irrigation work continues. Milling and Resurfacing of Roadway continues.

Holland Park, 29 percent done: The dry retention area SWMF-2 has been excavated. Installation of conduit for future ball field lighting continues. Excavation for the new sidewalks west of the ball field has begun. The existing manhole core for point of entry has been completed.

Palm Coast City Hall at Town Center, 88 percent done: Air testing on the gravity sewer was scheduled for Aug. 27. Floor tile installation continues; plumbing fixture installation has begun; ceiling tile installation continues; millwork items for 1st floor have been delivered. Landscape installation has begun. See ongoing images of construction here.

Colechester Drive Bridge, 32 percent done: Bridge deck being removed, curbing on all sides has been removed.

County’s I-95 Interchange Matanzas Woods Reclaim Water, 25 percent done: Contractor has installed approximately 1,000 ft. of reclaim water main total installed 5,000 ft. to date.

Palm Harbor Parkway Roadway Extension, 6 percent done: The stormwater pipe installation at the intersection of Old Kings Road and Matanzas Parkway has started.

Island Walk Shopping Center Phase 1, 92 percent done: The water line for the building on the south west corner near Wells Fargo Bank was installed up to the future fire backflow device for that building.

Shops at Pine Lakes Convenience Store, 96 percent done: Pump station start-up and testing completed.

Old Kings Road Force Main – Master Pump Station, 20 percent done: The removal of trees, installation of silt fencing and clearing is at 90%. Pipe for direct bury has been placed along silt fencing ready for installation at 70%.

Road and Interstate Construction:

Palm Coast:

Flagler County Road 302 is Closed to all but local traffic as repaving began on June 7 and the roadway will be closed to all but local traffic. Others will be required to detour around County Road 302 using State Road 100. The roadway will be closed for 90 days, or until early September.

Palm Coast’s Colechester Lane bridge to be closed July 7 through Sept. 4:  A detour will be established taking travelers over the Colorado Drive bridge instead. Signs will be posted directing motorists to the Colorado Drive bridge. The City of Palm Coast strives for safe construction zones. The City asks for the cooperation and patience of residents as this important bridge improvement project is completed. For more information, contact Palm Coast Customer Service at 386-986-2360.

Volusia: I-4 Widening from SR 44 to east of I-95, Monday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Eastbound/Westbound shoulder closing. Sunday through Thursday, Eastbound and Westbound lane closures as needed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, 9:00 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. EB road closure between Canal St./SR 44 and I-95 with detour at US 92 exit ramp.Motorists should be aware of traffic shifts near Canal St./SR 44.

• Palm Coast Parkway Project Website
• Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List
• County Road 304 Project Map and Description

Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section):

Yellowstone in “With Florida Leading U.S. in Child Drownings, States Are Pressed to Improve Prevention.” Learning to swim and survival skills ought to be a prerequiste before moving into Florida. If you have kids they HAVE to learn at an early age. There are far too many water hazards anywhere you live in this wet Sunshine State. Pools, retention ponds, alligator pits, and the vast ocean . . . In the 60s, in Winter Park, children (mine too) were taught by Mr. Fleet Peeples to swim before they could walk! Let’s get a campaign together and ensure all children learn to swim by the time they are in the second grade. Swimming, swimming safety, and rescue attempts for others needs to be taught in a school’s physical education program. – no child is opted out. No exceptions! Flagler County School Board are you listening? “Let’s save our most precious asset.” Reply to Yellowstone here.

Cultural Coda:

Louise Farrenc (1804-1875), the Adagio-Allegro from her Nonet:

From Grove: “Farrenc’s role in music history carries significance beyond that ordinarily accorded to competent minor composers. Having worked in a society whose women musicians attained prominence mainly as performers, and in a cultural environment which valued only theatre and salon music, she merits recognition as a pioneering scholar and a forerunner of the French musical renaissance of the 1870s.”