How chambers of commerce have ditched mainstream values, the continuing rape of Appalachia, choice comments of the week, fields of gold, a surge in black-owned businesses, Richard Lewis in pain, and much more.
All Else
Pride, Prejudice, State Fairs and Curious George: Culture Worth the Miles
It’s state fair time in Tampa, harbor nights at Portofino Bay, Richard Rogers’ music at the Orlando Philharmonic, Curious George at the Orlando Science Center, Jane Austen at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and more.
From Flagler’s Washington Oaks, Fla. Audubon Launches Campaign to Save 53 State Parks
Some 65 people gathered at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Monday to kick-off the campaign to save endangered parks, including two in Flagler County, as Gov. Rick Scott was pledging to cut $5 billion from the budget.
Skipping Specifics, Scott Calls for $5 billion in Spending Cuts, $4 Billion in Tax Cuts
Gov. Rick Scott today unveiled to a tea party crowd a budget that would cut an unprecedented $5 billion and provide for $4 billion in tax cuts, $1.4 billion of which in property taxes. Scott’s details are few.
Tornado Warning for Flagler Is Over; Pea-Size Hail in Flagler Beach
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for southeastern Putnam County and northeastern Flagler County Monday afternoon, in effect until 3 p.m.
Watch Gov. Rick Scott’s Budget Unveiling at Tea Party Rally in Eustis Now
Gov. Rick Scott’s budget unveiling in Eustis, Fla., live before a tea party rally.
God’s Plagues, Man’s Fates, Roth’s Nemeses
With Nemesis, Philip Roth puts an end to to a quartet of novels about death, dying and disease. Roth’s books are as much elegy as honest preparation. There’s no faulting him for not deluding us.
Florida’s Broke, But It’s Refusing a $1 Million Health Insurance Oversight Grant Anyway
Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty forfeit a $1 million federal grant that was supposed to go toward beefing up oversight of health-insurance rates.
Justin McElveen, 22, Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash Near Bronson, Fla.
Justin Price McElveen, 22, was traveling south in a 2005 Ford F-350 pick-up truck just before midnight on Feb. 5 on County Road 343 in Levy County when his truck failed to negotiate a curve.
Devan Bozeman, 16, Killed in Single-Car Wreck Near Lake City Early Saturday (Feb. 5)
Devan Bozeman, a high school student, was traveling south at 5 a.m. Feb. 5 on State Road 247 near Lake City when his 1993 Ford Ranger left the road and crashed against a tree.
My Journey Out Of Egypt: An FPC Graduate and Cairo Transplant Describes Her Exit
Catherine M., who asked that her last name not be used for security reasons, is the daughter of two prominent Flagler residents–a former sheriff and a commercial real estate broker. She wrote from Dubai.
Stetson Goes Tahrir: Panel Discussion on Egypt’s Future, Thursday (Feb. 10)
In a free event open to the public, Stetson University professor Jamil Khader will moderate a panel discussion titled “The Egyptian Revolution and the Future of American-Arab Relations.”
David Wayne Caudill of Lake City Killed in Wreck on CR 341 near I-75
David Wayne Caudill, 52, was killed in a two-vehicle wreck on County Road 341 Friday evening (Feb. 4) at 10:30. Bernard Mayo, 48, was seriously injured in the collision. Both men are from Lake City, Florida.
World Guy Erik Bendl Globe-Trots
Through Bunnell and Palm Coast for Diabetes
World Guy Erik Bendl has been walking across the country to raise awareness for diabetes for years, in memory of his mother. Here’s a video report as he walked US1 in Bunnell this week, on his way to Georgia.
Death of a Right Whale, Betty Friedan, Liberace and a Disgrace to the Uniform: Live Wire Weekend
Jeb Bush rising again, how Betty Friedan and Liberace shared a date, Henry Miller in the bathroom, a Hardison-Millay special, economic disaster porn, and more.
Jason Wisham of Palatka Killed Near Hope Baptist Church in Starke
Jason Wisham, 29, of Palatka, was killed Feb. 4 when an out-of-control van driven by David White of Florala struck him as he waled near Hope Baptist Church in Starke, in Bradford County, Florida.
Decaffeinate This: Imagine’s Ivana Moore Repeats as District Spelling Bee Champion
Eighteen champion spellers from eight Flagler County Schools battled over 48 words at the annual spelling been competition, with Ivana Moore, Sandra Defalco and Olivia Taylor taking first, second and third place.
Reality Check: Censoring Al-Jazeera
It’s no surprise when the thuggish Hosni Mubarak censors al-Jazeera. But American satellite and cable providers have been censoring al-Jazeera English since it went live in 2006, to the detriment of broader perspectives.
Unemployment Drops Again, to 9%, But Job Creation Far Short of Expectations
The U.S. economy added just 36,000 jobs in January as governments continued to shrink, though the 9% rate is the lowest since April 2009. Bad weather contributed to the poorer job creation.
Detox for Tax Fact Cheats
It’s a resilient urban legend: the top 5 percent of earners pay over 50 percent of taxes, and over half our citizens pay no taxes. It’s also false. Time to set the record straight.
ArtsFest 2011: Free Art in 81 Central Florida Venues, Feb 4-13 (and a Boat Show)
ArtsFest 2011 means all events from Feb 4-13 are free in 81 arts and performing in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. A wonder sampling of what the Central Florida arts community has to offer. Plus a boat show.
Watch the Egyptian Revolution Live: BBC and Al-Jazeera Feeds Here
Front seat to the revolutions: watch the BBC or al-Jazeera’s live English feeds of the unfolding events in Egypt and the Middle East, embedded on FlaglerLive.
Scott at 35%, Dueling Cellists, Daviana’s Valentine Dance: The Live Wire, Feb. 2
Florida’s power over health care law, Enterprise Florida’s Scott test, how to buy Adam Putnam, smooth criminals and bohemian rhapsody on the ukulele, and more.
Bill Delbrugge Live From Egypt:
“This Is Just a Different Type of Hurricane”
In a 40-minute interview from the outskirts of Cairo today, the former school superintendent explained why he’s staying in Egypt, what Egyptians are after and deserve, and what conditions are like.
More Power to Principals, Less Transparency as Board Kills Policy Inspired by Mockingbird
The rejected policy had called for supporting plays “that challenge, nurture and extend student skills” while respecting community sensibilities. Instead, the board retreated to more general “tweaks” of two existing policies.
Unconstitutional Mandate: Florida Judge Calls for Repeal of Entire Health Care Law
Though Florida Federal District Judge Roger Vinson termed his ruling “reluctant,” he also ruled that the private insurance mandate is so intricately tied to the the law that the entire law must be repealed.
Live: Flagler County’s Economic Development Summit
The economic development summit at the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center began at 5:30 this evening. For background on the summit, go here. For a recap and analysis of the meeting, go here. Click below to follow the summit moment by moment. Flagler County Economic Development Summit
The Rise of Egyptian Aspirations, The Fall of the American Brand
It’s been exhilarating to watch Egyptians demand an end to the dictatorial regimes controlling their lives for decades. But it’s exhilaration mixed with dread, doubt, disappointment and embarrassment, particularly over American postures and prejudices.
Home Show Melodies: Throngs and Benefits At Annual Commerce and Civic Fair
Some 300 businesses, civic, political, cultural and educational organization gathered for the 23rd Flagler Home & Lifestyle Show at FPC this weekend. Watch the photo gallery.
Incentive This: Corporate Tax-Breaking Our Way to Job Creation
Barack Obama’s second State of the Union Address fell flat, argues St. Augustine novelist Jack Cowardin, who makes an original proposal for job creation and a break in the corporate tax rate.
Flagler 911: The Live Crime Blotter
Threats and racist epithets, a stolen and recovered car, Oxycodone and death, head-butting at the Country Store on CR 305, taking a raccoon out of his agony, and more from the files of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Guns on Florida Campuses, Bachmann vs. Veterans, the Story of O: Live Wire Weekend, Jan. 28-30
Sen. Greg Evers wants to let students and faculty carry guns openly, Florida might be rethinking its prison madness, Michelle Bachmann wants to cut veterans’ benefits, the anonymous author of O is unmasked, and more.
Beyond Controversy: A Video Profile of The Sheltering Tree, Flagler’s Cold-Weather Shelter
Don’t listen to rumors. See Flagler’s homeless for yourself, hear them speak. Charlotte Martne’s special video report of Flagler County’s cold-weather shelter puts faces behind the stereotypes and dispels a few myths.
As Bunnell PD Tries to Clear Its Name, Missing Evidence Turns Up, Discrepancies Remain
A follow-up investigative report by the State Attorney’s office sheds more light, and raises more questions, on the Bunnell Police Department’s habit of producing previously missing evidence and paperwork.
A Cancer Navigator, Flagler’s Agricultural Disaster, Disney’s Lethal Princesses: The Live Wire, Jan. 27
A possible cure for Alzheimer’s, Obama’s lousy Sputnik moment, Thomas Edison’s light bulb, Wikipedia animated, Arizona’s gun deaths, this year’s freshmen, and more.
Pill Mill Regulation Price Tag in Florida: $65 Million; Medicine Board Approves New Rules
The $65 million cost of the proposed pill mill rules would be due to urine test requirements on patients and other minor costs that would be spread out among 1,300 pain management clinics and tens of thousands of patients.
Spotted Seatrout Fishing Prohibited in February North of Flagler-Volusia Line
The harvest and possession of spotted seatrout is prohibited from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2011 in all waters north of the Flagler/Volusia counties line to the Florida-Georgia border.
Leak at the Flagler Auditorium Pushes
Ten Tenors’ Gigs to Wednesday and Thursday
A leak in the middle of the Flagler Auditorium caused by the heaviest rains of the winter caused the Ten Tenors’ performance Tuesday, Jan. 25, to be rescheduled to Thursday, Jan. 27. Wednesday’s performance will go on as planned.
Who’s Afraid of Musical Menopause–Or Virginia Woolf? Culture Worth The Miles
“Menopause, the Musical,” at Orlando’s Plaza Theatre, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” “West Side Story” at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Ronald McDonald House, and more.
Miami Gun Vice, Leadership Flagler Wants You, Edith Wharton Is 149: The Live Wire, Jan. 24
Florida State Rep. Frank Artiles’s nutty new gun bill muzzling doctors, Obama’s average averages 46.7%, George Hanns loves the press, John Cage on silence, and more.
Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Jan. 22-30
The Zora Neale Hurston Festival in nearby Eatonville (just north of Orlando), Jan. 22-30, celebrates the life of one of Florida’s and black and American literature’s greatest 20th century voices.
Blair Kanbar, Flagler County Commissioner from 1998 to 2006, Dies of Cancer
Blair Kanbar was 66. He won election to the county commission just two years after moving to Flagler from Massachusetts. His eight-year tenure coincided with Flagler County’s fastest-growth years.
’03 FPC Grads Brandon Anderson and Jonathan Alter Win Half-Marathon and 5K
Some 346 runners finished the two races, Palm Coast’s first half-marathon, with temperatures around 37 degrees at the start: just right for runners.
Palm Coast Half-Marathon Results By Division, Jan. 23, 2011
Palm Coast Half-Marathon Results By Division and overall winners (183 finishers, including 102 women and 81 men. Average time: 2:05:22).
Palm Coast 5K Results By Division, Jan. 23, 2011
Palm Coast 5K Results By division and overall winners, Jan. 23, 2011. (165 finishers, including 104 women and 61 men. Average time: 39:43).
What’s All the Fuss About? A Gallery of Provocative Art From 3 Local Shows
The art of Beth Garren, JJ Graham, Peter Cerreta and others at three local galleries provokes strong emotions, favorable and not so favorable. Here’s a sample of their work to whet your appetite for more before the shows’ close at month’s end.
Olbermann’s End, Markowitz’s .406, Stokes’s Chamber: Live Wire Weekend, Jan. 21-23
What Harpo Marx wrote JFK in 1960, what far-away planets look like, why lovers really fight, a 13 year old tries to set a masturbation record, but not at the chamber of commerce, and more.
Arbor Day Memorial: A Redcedar Rises in Town Center, a Gift from Palm Coast’s Garden Club
Palm Coast’s Garden Club memorialized seven of its late members in an Arbor Day ceremony at Town Center Friday, featuring its southern redcedar gift to the city. The tree will become a focal point of Christmas-tree lighting ceremonies.
Flagler Unemployment Seesaws to 15.7%, Florida’s Rate Unchanged at 12%
Both Flagler’s and Florida’s unemployment rates have been stuck within the same range for more than a year, with no signs of breaking the trend. Flagler’s numbers again show a decline in the labor force.
The Southern Redcedar, or “Sand-Cedar”
The Southern Redcedar: a brief definition and description of the hardy tree found in mid-to-northern Florida and the coastal South, with images.
