Fantasy Lights and Tree Lighting in Town Center, Vaccine Skeptics, That 60s Show, Flagler Audubon

fantasy lights palm coast — The Rotary Club’s annual Fantasy Lights in Town Center opens tonight and will remain open through the month. It’s a free stroll. (Palm Coast)

Today: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. Tonight: Cooler. Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Details here.
Drought Index is at 377.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: big-endian, n. and adj..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Sheriff’s Crime Reports
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
The Day’s Best Reads
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Local Road and Interstate Construction
Cultural Coda

“As old Judge Cooper editorialized: ‘We got a taste of what authority in the wrong hands means.’ Disregard for law, of course, implies regard for that which law is a barrier against: naked force, power sufficient to bend society or individuals, if not protected by law, to iots will. And this, too, now became noticeable in the character of Robert Moses.”

–Robert Caro, from The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York (1974).

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.

Tree lighting in Palm Coast’s Central Park at 6 p.m. kicks off the city’s season of celebration. The fre event will feature Santa Claus, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland and the Rotary Club of Flagler County in the countdown to the lighting of a beautiful tree, being decorated this year with sparkling lights and ornaments made by Girl Scouts from local troops. Carol Mini, the City’s Urban Forester, hand-selected the tree from Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis. The Sand Pine (Pinus clausa) is 25 feet tall with a 25- to 30-foot spread. The tree has been pruned into a Christmas tree shape for many years to prepare it as a City holiday tree. After the tree lighting, Santa will visit with children, and everyone can enjoy entertainment and refreshments, and take a walk through the Fantasy Lights! Parents should bring their own cameras to capture pictures of their children visiting Santa in the Santa’s Village area. Children can also write Letters to Santa.

Rotary’s Club’s Fantasy Lights in Town Center, the annual celebration of the holidays, opens tonight at Central Park. The event offers lighted displays placed around the lake, Santa’s Village, train rides, snow, music and much more. It is open each night in December from 6:30 p.m. to 9. Entry into the park is free but donations are accepted. Proceeds from the event go back into community projects funded by Rotary. Tickets for a dollar will be sold on opening night for the progressive dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Items sponsored by local restaurants will require one to three tickets depending on the food offered. The restaurants participating are Tropical Smoothie Café, Tortugas Floribbean Kitchen, Woody’s BBQ, Houligans Sports Grille, and Olive Garden. Throughout the month there are many more special events planned.

Flagler Audubon Society Monthly Program: Are you interested in learning more about our local birds? Flagler Audubon Society is happy to help. The club meets in meeting rooms A & B at Florida Hospital Flagler on SR 100 just west of I-95. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. with a Chapter activity update and social session. Formal program begins at 7 p.m. This month’s meeting features a Holiday Special Potluck, with club members sharing pictures from their birding experiences. We also host monthly bird walks and several field trips. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at [email protected] or come to our Program Meetings. All events are free and open to the public.

That 60s Show, at the Flagler Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., Adults, $29.50, youth, $18.50. The entertainers are committed in bringing the 60’s sound, vibe, and soul to every performance. Relive the music, the culture, the fashion, and the good vibrations from the most influential decade in pop history.

In Florida and in State Government:

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

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will make an opening keynote speech during the 2016 National Summit on Education Reform, hosted by the Foundation for Excellence in Education. (8:45 a.m., Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C.)

Cabinet prep: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Dec. 6 Cabinet meeting. (9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.

Communications tax: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss issues such as the gross-receipts tax and the communications-services tax. (2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

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

♦ Dec. 2: Ribbon-cutting and open house at The Anchor Restaurant in Flagler Beach, 4 p.m. at 500 S Ocean Shore Blvd.
♦ Dec. 2: First Friday in Flagler Beach from 6 to 9 p.m., including music in the park with Christmas music and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Veterans’ Memorial Park. There will be lots of children’s activities and vendors from 6 to 9 p.m.
♦ Dec. 3: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation in Town Center celebrates the completion of its outdoors stage with a ribbon cutting at the Central Avenue venue. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. with food trucks, speeches begin at 12:15, with words from Mayor Milissa Holland, among others, the ribbon cutting is at 12:40, to be followed by several live performances, including the Liturgical Dancers, the Flagler Youth Orchestra and Kevin Guerra Salsa Dancers, among many others until 5 p.m.
♦ Dec. 3: Flagler Beach’s Annual Holiday Parade starts with Santa parachuting down at the Pier at 1 p.m., on State Road A1A. Details here.

Paige Dashner Long conducts Handel's Messiah in two performances in Palm Coast. (© FlaglerLive) — Paige Dashner Long conducts Handel’s Messiah in two performances in Palm Coast. (© FlaglerLive)

♦ Dec. 3 and 4: Saturday at 4 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m., the Music Ministry of Palm Coast United Methodist Church will present the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, concluding with the Hallelujah Chorus. Complete with professional soloists, large Festival Chorus, accompanied by orchestra, these concerts are free and open to all. Please invite family and friends. Soprano, Pamela Hanson-Peterson; Alto, JoAnne Stephenson; Tenor, Norton Christeson; Tenor, Jeremy Hunt; Bass, David Stork. Accompanied by the Chamber Players of Palm Coast, under the direction of Paige Dashner Long. Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast.
♦ Dec. 4: Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens and Crematory is hosting the annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance at 6 p.m. at the Garden of Memory Mausoleum located at 511 Old Kings Road, South in Flagler Beach. The event, now in its 13th year, usually draws between 300 and 400 people. Details here.

♦ Dec. 8: “Imagine,” an evening of live music and art celebrating John Lennon, at Salvo Art Gallery. Musicians performing John Lennon’s Beatles songs and solo hits include Bob Thames, Linda Epstein Flynn, Curt McKenzie and Mick Marino, Clayton Park, Rick de Yampert on sitar, the band Glass Onion (featuring Anthony Sica, Pat Floyd and Matthew Godwin), the Flagler Youth Orchestra, Joe Gibran, Jim Gear, Morris Sullivan and Fylo Zoet. Lennon and Beatles-inspired art by Andy Sovia and others will be on exhibit. Admission: $10, or $15 includes two raffle tickets for artwork and door prizes. All proceeds benefit Salvo Art and the Flagler Youth Orchestra. Where: Salvo Art Project, 313 Old Brick Road (in the Nature Scapes Landscape & Garden Center), Bunnell, Florida. Parking also is available in the southwest corner of Marvin Gardens, 4601 E. Moody Blvd. (S.R. 100), Bunnell. Admission: $10, or $15 includes two raffle tickets for artwork and door prizes. All proceeds benefit Salvo Art and the Flagler Youth Orchestra. Where: Salvo Art Project, 313 Old Brick Road (in the Nature Scapes Landscape & Garden Center), Bunnell, Florida. Parking also is available in the southwest corner of Marvin Gardens, 4601 E. Moody Blvd. (S.R. 100), Bunnell. Info: 386/334-2752.
♦ Dec. 10: Palm Coast Starlight Holiday Parade and Event: the Parade is at 7 p.m. with activities from 4-6 p.m. including visits/photos with Santa, music, children’s activities, food trucks and fun family entertainment. Night-time parade featuring lighted floats starts at 7 p.m., at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast. More info: 386-986-2323 or www.palmcoastgov.com/events.
♦ Dec. 10: Handel’s classic, popular oratorio, “Messiah,” will bring musical magic, and will be performed by the First Church Choir for one performance only, at 4 p.m. Dr. Samuel Shingles, former Music and Fine Arts Director of the phenomenal Edward Waters Concert Choir, will conduct. Shingles is currently director of the Paxon Concert Choir and the Women’s Chorus at the Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville. Both choirs are Triple Superior Choirs awarded by the Florida State MPA Competition. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be requested. For further details, contact Jeroline D. McCarthy at 386/446-5759.
♦ Dec. 10: Daytona State College Enrollment Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wetherell Center (Bldg. 100), 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Students can take advantage of the one-stop events to complete everything from admission to registration and have a chance to win a $350 scholarship (Dec. 10 only) for a free class from the Daytona State Foundation. Students start by completing a Daytona State application, then meet with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Counselor, take an assessment test (if applicable), meet with an Academic Advisor, and then lock in their schedule.

What's left of A1A south of 12th Street. It doesn't get better for many blocks. Click on the image for larger view. (c FlaglerLive) — (c FlaglerLive)

♦ Dec. 15: The Florida Department of Transportation hosts a public meeting on the long-term improvement strategies for the reconstruction of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach at the south end of town. The meeting is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Flagler Beach City Hall, 105 S 2nd St, Flagler Beach. The meeting will be an open house with an ongoing loop presentation. The purpose of the public meeting is to present initial findings related to existing and future conditions and to receive input from interested stakeholders.
♦ Dec. 15: The Flagler County Historical Society is having a Holiday Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Holden House, 204 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell. Author Sandra Thurlow who has complied a history of the US Life-Saving Service, Florida’s East Coast will be present. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. For information contact Susan Baird at 437-8414.
♦ Dec. 17: Annual Holiday Boat Parade at 6 p.m., presented by the Palm Coast Yacht Club. Boats will be lighted and begin departing the Cimmaron Basin, following this route: Cimmaron Basin to Intracoastal Waterway, turn south, passing Tidelands, Canopy Walk, St. Joe’s Walkway, Waterfront Park, Island Estates, then turning at Grand Haven Gazebo before heading back north to Clubhouse Waterway.
♦ Dec. 17: Starlight 5K at 6 p.m., in and around Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave. The run is part of the Run Flagler P.A.L. Running Series. More info: www.triumphraces.com.
♦ Dec. 20: Learn about historic and interesting Flagler County sites with local author Bill Ryan as your guide. The bus leaves at 10 a.m. from the Holden House, 206 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, and returns at 2:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person which does not include lunch at Bull Creek Fish Camp. To make reservations or for more information call 386-439-5003.
♦ Jan. 7: Daytona State College Enrollment Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wetherell Center (Bldg. 100), 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Students can take advantage of the one-stop events to complete everything from admission to registration and have a chance to win a $350 scholarship (Dec. 10 only) for a free class from the Daytona State Foundation. Students start by completing a Daytona State application, then meet with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Counselor, take an assessment test (if applicable), meet with an Academic Advisor, and then lock in their schedule.
♦ Feb. 6: The great violinist Itzhak Perlman opens the 2017 season of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival with a 7:30 p.m. performance at First Baptist Church, 1600 South 8th Street in Fernandina Beach. Tickets here.

The Day’s Best Reads:

Arctic sea ice has undergone "fundamental changes" over the past three decades, the latest video from NASA shows pic.twitter.com/q2wwQ1EoNj

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) November 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/TBOcom/status/804119117544439809

Vaccine skeptics are excited about Donald Trump’s presidency. https://t.co/7VIQhjrzMA pic.twitter.com/BFns5llg2v

— Slate (@Slate) December 1, 2016

"Dylann Roof’s 'show trial' exhibits Justice Department at its worst" https://t.co/uoUlamnInu pic.twitter.com/b32JsNTniB

— The Hill (@thehill) December 1, 2016

.@realDonaldTrump describes his victory as a “landslide,” but it ranks among the closest in the Electoral College. https://t.co/bv0VRkO4Bu pic.twitter.com/MbPL0nUCwv

— FactCheck.org (@factcheckdotorg) November 30, 2016

Fact-Checking the Knaves:

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

The following is an update of ongoing permitting, construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through Nov. 10 (the city administration’s full week in review is here):

Click to access development-nov-10-20161.pdf

Road and Interstate Construction: