Palm Coast Voice

Palm Coast Waterfront Park Dedicated

A visit to the new Waterfront Park in Palm Coast off of Colbert Lane proved to be a pleasant surprise for visitors to the dedication held there on Saturday, September 25. This new park adds both beauty and a source of recreation to our area.

Bike riders attending the dedication joined together to tour the route into the park beginning at the Palm Coast Community Center. The bikers enjoyed not only a scenic ride along the Linear Park/St. Joe Walkway, as they made their way to the dedication of the Waterfront Park, but also learned about the beautiful foliage and wildlife that are part of the paths. Many visitors also drove to the dedication area where a variety of vendors and eco-friendly activities were available for the entire family.

The park also boasts a large fishing pier, bike trails that weave in and out of wooded areas along the Intracoastal. A Children’s Memorial Garden is located adjacent to the park to memorialize the lives of youngsters that have left us.

In addition to the great trails for biking and walking and the fishing pier, visitors will also find a playground and picnic facilities. The park is also equipped with a "code blue"station if an emergency arises. This station immediately alerts the Flagler County Sheriff's Office that assistance is needed.

The City is working on a complete map of parks and trails that will be available later this year. The map will also be available online in the future. The map should be available in November at City Hall, Community Center and a variety of other locations in the community.

According to Carol Bennett, Urban Forester for the City,

"The Waterfront Park will also be a trailhead for the Graham Swamp trail that is planned for the near future. Bikers and walkers can park at Waterfront Park continue along Colbert and then pick up the Graham Swamp Trail."

Remember that you can also access nearby Linear Park by traveling just a short distance north on Colbert.

The Waterfront Park was funded by the Florida Inland Navigation District and the City of Palm Coast. It is located east of Colbert Lane and south of Palm Coast Parkway, along the Intracoastal Waterway. Watch for the signs.

For more information, please contact Carol Bennett, Urban Forester for the City of Palm Coast at 386-986-3722.

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Smartphones: Android or iPhone?

"Cell phones becoming remote controls of our lives" - Greg Sandoval, Associated Press

When I read that headline a few months ago, I couldn't have helped but agree. 5 years ago, I would have told you he was crazy. Why? Well, there wasn't an 'app for that' just yet. Smartphones have been around for a while now and were primarily used by professionals in business settings. Those mobile phones took on a whole new 'life' with the development of the iPhone and Android OS phones making them more mainstream for everyone. Today a smartphone can almost instantly find a store or restaurant close by and provide navigation, keep all of your store cards with scannable bar codes on your phone, take a picture and share it instantly, control your car through OnStar, access your DirecTV account and watch shows, and the list goes on. It's Star Trek and the Jetsons brought to real life. Now if we could just fold our cars up into briefcases things would really be great.

When Apple's iPhone came out, it was truly revolutionary but it was the only one really of it's kind and on one carrier. Even with Blackberry revamping their phones to include apps (which is the real power in the devices today) choice was slightly increased. Then came Android phones and they are popping up with a variety of devices and on a number of carriers. Now consumers have choice and that's always a good thing. The question then becomes focused on which one is the best choice? Let's take a look:

iPhone

Pros:

Great design.
Great lineup of apps. Developers have flocked to this platform and Apple has strict oversight on applications offered to consumers.

Cons:

Only available on one carrier, AT&T with data plans that have limits for the user
Only one phone with options for various amounts of memory
Sealed case that does not allow for access to the battery

Android:

Pros:

Choice of phones and plans
Works seamlessly with Google products and services
Very good built-in voice controls

Cons:

Good lineup of apps but no oversight and somewhat limited compared to the Apple store
Not all phones can upgrade to the latest version of the Android OS. Ask!

So what do I recommend? I've used both OS's quite a bit and recently went with a Samsung Fascinate from Verizon. There are several personal reasons why. I'm a huge Google user and the Android works perfectly for me in that regard. I personally do not like the limitations that AT&T puts on their data plans either. Likewise, I want choice of my plan and the phone itself. And the final part was that I want is battery access. The batteries on these phones to say the least are horrible, and if/when better batteries come out . . . I want the option to put in a better battery.

I got use to the Apple lineup of apps, but I've been able to find Android versions of many of the apps or alternatives for my favorites. The Twitter app for the iPhone is great whereas it is not so great on the Android. Tweetcaster for Android was a great alternative though. I definitely see the Android App store growing significantly with better quality apps in the long run as the Android OS becomes adopted more and more for mobile devices (i.e. phones, tablets, etc.).

What are your thoughts? Android or iPhone?

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Enterprise Flagler seeks support for tax levy through video

Enterprise Flagler produced a commercial to seek support for the proposed tax levy which will be on the ballot on November 2:

Economic development and jobs continue to occupy the agenda in Palm Coast and Flagler County. With an unemployment rate of over 15% Flagler County has the second jobless rate in the state of Florida.

Though, there had been opposition to the tax proposal by the community.

In a previous video interview which appeared on this blog, Palm Coast resident Vince Ligouri said:

" Did you know that since 2002 Enterprise Flagler was given $3.4 Million. I as a citizen say: " What have you done with that money? How many jobs have you created? Did you not realize then that you needed a building?" So I question their utilization of funds and their direction."

In an article, Flagler Live's Pierre Tristam wrote:

" It’s doubtful the initiative will pass --not because people don’t want economic development. They overwhelmingly do....But the plan was poorly conceived. It was poorly incubated as you spent three months—three very long months—preparing it for public consumption. And it is being dishonestly portrayed as a grass-roots initiative."

What is your opinion on the proposed tax levy by Enterprise Flagler?

Would you take a minute and take this short survey? Results will be published in this blog in the upcoming weeks:

Related Article -- Expert Opinion:

Strategies to Connect People to Policy:
Communicating Economic Development to Residents
By: Harriet Lewis, PhD

Related Article -- A Palm Coast Resident's Opinion:

Vince Ligouri: "Say NO to Enterprise Flagler Tax"

Related Article -- Enterprise Flagler's Pitch:

Greg Rawls of Enterprise Flagler:
"Vote Yes for Jobs"

Related Article -- FlaglerLive's Pierre Tristam:

Memo To Enterprise Flagler:
Why Your Tax Plan Is Fumbling
( and What To Do About It)

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Comeback kid: Palm Coast's "Movies in the Park" returns

When someone stole the projection equipment worth $25,000 back on July 9th, the same day Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was scheduled to be shown, Palm Coast's Movies in the Park came to a screeching halt without any information whether or not it would return.

But after a 3 month break, now Movies in the Park returns to Palm Coast...

Monster House will be the first movie of the fall, taking place on Friday, October 8th, at 7:30 p.m. in Central Park at Town Center.

Admission is free for this monthly movie event.

A different family feature is shown on the big screen in the stage area at the main entrance to the park. Concession stands are also planned for a complete outdoor movie experience.

Friday Night Movie in Central Park will be held on the second Friday evening of each month in Central Park, located just north of Flagler Palm Coast High School on Bulldog Drive.

Bring blankets, chairs, bug spray and plan to come early to make it your own family event and enjoy some extra special moments together.

For more information, call the City's Parks and Recreation Department at 386-986-2323.

...and, let's hope the city has really secured the movie equipment this time. :)

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Flagler Beach student recognized for Missing Children drawing

On September 13, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey and hundreds of children, parents, educators, law enforcement personnel and public officials for the 2010 Florida Missing Children’s Day Ceremony.

Held between the old and new capitol buildings, the annual event is an opportunity to remember Florida’s past and present missing children as well as recognize the state’s efforts in the child protection arena. Governor Crist said:

“ Today’s ceremony is an important time to send prayers and support to the families of Florida’s missing children. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure the safety of our young people, and work together to provide law enforcement and volunteers the necessary resources and tools needed to bring our children home safely.”

Thomas DeLeon of Old Kings Elementary School in Flagler Beach was among the recipients of the 2010 Florida Missing Children Awards. He received the Department of Justice Poster Contest Recognition, for his drawing which artfully shows the use of a variety of investigative tools in the effort to bring missing children home safely:

During 2009, approximately 41,154 incidents of missing children were reported missing to law enforcement agencies throughout Florida.

Amber Alerts have aided in the rescue of 52 children, including one this year to date.

FDLE continues to invite the public to sign up to receive e-mail alerts containing information on missing and abducted children.

Citizens and businesses can sign up to receive Missing Child Alerts and Amber Alerts via e-mail or text message by visiting www.MissingChildrenAlert.com.

For more information, or to view photos of missing children, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us or contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL MISSING (1-888-356-4774).

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Pet Supermarket is coming to Palm Coast...

Headquartered in Sunrise, FL, Pet Supermarket is adding a location in Palm Coast.

The new Pet Supermarket location is strategically placed in the population-dense Midtown Palm Coast: Yes, "Midtown" --dig it? Does it work as a new term referring to the West Side of Palm Coast Parkway?

The new Pet Supermarket location takes over the entire strip mall which previously housed the Movie Gallery, the Cappiello's Italian Deli, and the Acupuncture and Pain Management by Dr. Hu (which now moved to Leanni Way). The location's address is 1040 Palm Coast Parkway.

Pet Supermarket did not return calls as to when exactly they plan to open. However a permit for $90,000 worth of interior work was issued by the City of Palm Coast in this month (September 2010), and all exterior signs are already up, indicating that the store seems plan to open later this fall or winter.

This is good news for the pet owners in the more mature, and pupulation-dense sections of Palm Coast. The strategic location serves W, B, L, C, and F sections as well as the Hammock's Beachside locations well, and will bring competition to the PetSmart located on the Rt. 100.

According to American Pet Products Association, pet supplies and over-the-counter medicines as an industry is worth over $10 billion annually, and Pet Supermarket certainly positioned themselves with their new strategic location, to bring serious competition to the relatively new Palm Coast's the PetSmart.

If you like pets and are looking for a job in the retail sector, send an email to
talentacquisition@petsupermarket.com

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Elton John to perform in Daytona Beach on November 20th

Elton John, with special guest Leon Russell, will appear in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 20, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach as part of The Union Tour. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25.

With a monumental career spanning five decades, John is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 35 gold and 25 platinum albums and 29 consecutive Top 40 hits. He has sold more than 250 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all-time, “Candle in the Wind ’97,” which sold 37 million copies. Since his career began in 1969, he has played almost 3,000 concerts worldwide.

Grammy award winning Russell has performed his gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues and country music for more than 50 years. He led the famous Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” Tour and performed with George Harrison and Friends at the Concert for Bangladesh.

John and Russell will perform a night full of hits and selections from The Union, their highly anticipated album available Oct. 19.

Tickets are $47, $87 and $137, plus applicable service charges and handling fees, and are available at the Ocean Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000. There is an eight-ticket limit per customer.

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Flagler Beach Children will Sell Lemonade for a Good Cause

Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity and Lemons to Aid, a movement encouraging kids to give to others by getting involved in creative ways, have joined forces to bring shoes to other people in need with the launch of a new program called Lemon Drop.

The program is designed specifically for children, who will sell lemonade and collect shoes at local stands.

“Children are the future of this country and the hope of tomorrow,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, and added:

“ We are incredibly proud to be working with Lemons to Aid in setting up Lemon Drops across the country, and are hopeful that other children will follow in Natalie, Isabel, and Ava’s footsteps and learn that they can make a difference in our world. Through something as simple as a lemonade stand or a gift of shoes, the life of someone in need can be truly touched… all because a child got involved.”

Natalie, Isabel, and Ava of Flagler Beach, Florida will be hosting a Lemon Drop in their community on October 15th and 16th, at the Flagler Beach Farmer’s market from 8:30am-12:30pm.

They will be hosting another series of Lemon Drops at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, near the concession stand on October 19th and 22nd from 5-10pm, and all day Saturday, October 23rd.

“We look forward to having our local community come join our family at the Main Squeeze, in support of a great cause,” said Elaine Vanderver Green of Main Squeeze, a mobile vendor that sells all-natural, fresh-squeezed lemonade and Italian ice. “With the proceeds being donated to Soles4Souls, we look forward to helping Change the World One Pair at a Time® and one cup at a time!”

Community members can stop by to purchase lemonade and other refreshments, as well as “drop” their new and gently worn shoes off to be donated to Soles4Souls. All proceeds and shoes collected at the Vanderver Green Family’s Lemon Drop will be used to supply the gift of shoes to people in need.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.giveshoes.org .

About Soles4Souls®Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 10 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 7 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

About Lemons to Aid
Based in Dallas, Texas, Lemons to Aid is on a mission to use the simple, but memorable experience of hosting lemonade stands to instill the mindset of service and charitable giving in children at a young age. Lemons to Aid provides the tools for families around the world to host lemonade stands and other creative programs, such as read-a-thons, bake sales, etc. to raise money for disaster relief and other basic need causes. Since January 2010, almost twenty thousand dollars have been raised for charities across America. LTA (Lemons to Aid) Foundation, a Texas non-profit corporation, is a fund of The Dallas Foundation. Donations to Lemons to Aid can be made through The Dallas Foundation. The Dallas Foundation is a public charity under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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Flagler County’s Paramedic Team Hosts Competition

Flagler County’s internationally acclaimed competition Paramedic Team, is hosting a competition of its own in Flagler County.

The competition is scheduled for the weekend of October 23 and 24 and is already creating some national interest. 17 teams from all over the U.S. shown an interest in competing in the event.

What the teams will face during the competition is not revealed, but each team will experience an action packed 24 hours; as paramedic competitions are based on the 24 hour shift that most units serve during a normal workday.

Flagler County formed a competition team in 2007 and they have competed some 35 times in the past three years.

In 2008 the team placed first in a national competition in Omaha, Nebraska. That win got the team an invitation to an International competition in Prague, Czech Republic in 2009. Flagler County competed against teams from several countries and the New York City Fire Department and walked away with first place.

The team returned to Prague this year, and placed second in the International Competition.

Team Captain, Firefighter Paramedic Dennis Kline says:

“ Throughout our travels we have been exposed to newer and more efficient ways to accomplish our medical procedures that we do every day in Flagler County. We bring our experiences back with us and use it to train Flagler County Fire Rescue personnel as well as other departments in the county.”

The teams will be judged on their ability to complete medical procedures, decision making, driving, and an overall knowledge of emergency medicine.

“We are looking forward to bringing this competition to our county and promoting the best of what Flagler County has to offer,” Kline said.

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