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Flagler Woman’s Club to Host Triple Header Fundraiser Event Saturday, June 21

Saturday, June 21, 9 am- Noon – Pancake Breakfast

The Flagler Woman’s Club invites you to come and enjoy our Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, June 21 from 9 am – Noon at our clubhouse at 1524 S Central Ave, Flagler Beach.  $6 gets you pancakes, links, coffee, juice or iced tea.  Bring a donation for the Sheltering Tree and get a free raffle ticket.  Please call Donna at 386-313-5383 if you have any questions.

Saturday, June 21 from 9 am – 2 pm – Stuff the Trunk for the Sheltering Tree

The Flagler Woman’s Club invites you to join us in our Stuff the Trunk Event to support the Sheltering Tree on June 21 from 9 am – 2 pm at 1524 S Central Ave, Flagler Beach.  Our volunteers will be out front of the club to take your donations.   Items needed include: meat and fruit items in pop-top cans, such as Vienna Sausages, tuna, chicken, Spam, canned fruit, and fruit cups.  Personal Hygiene items are also welcome.  Please go to www.flaglerwomansclub.org to see a more detailed list.  Please call Donna at 386-313-5383 if you have any questions.

Saturday, June 21, 6 pm – Bunco

The Flagler Woman’s Club invites you to come and enjoy an evening of Bunco on Saturday, June 21 at 6 pm at 1524 S Central Ave, Flagler Beach.  The Hawaiian themed Bunco Buffet featuring pulled pork will be served at 6 pm with Bunco to follow.  Feel free to bring a dish to share.  BYOB if you like.  $10 donation at the door. Call Shelly at 630-209-9660 or Debbie at 312-607-8200 for more information.

Soulfire on Tap for Wednesday Free Concert at Music & Art by the Sea

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – It’s been a summer tradition for more than 20 years in St. Augustine Beach. Hosted by the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association, this week’s free Music & Art by the Sea Concert features northeast Florida favorite Soulfire.

“Make sure you stay hydrated and skip the gym!  This band will give you all of the workout you need this Wednesday June 18th at Music & Art by the Sea as we present SoulFire playing a variety of great dance and disco,” said St. Augustine Beach Civic Association President Bill Jones.

Bill Jones was a guest on the City of St Augustine Beach Facebook feature “Monday with the Mayor” this week.

“St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell was great to talk with and he is a big fan of our free summer concerts,” shared Jones.  “We appreciate the chance to talk about what our volunteers do in the community.”

You can watch the short video by clicking here.

Learn more about  SoulFire by clicking here. This week’s food truck is Steph’s Street Eats.  

Attendees are invited to stop by The Art Studio any time after 3 PM while at the Pier Park location. Pavilion seating opens at 4, Food Service and the DJ start at 5 PM with the band taking the Live Wildly stage at 7 PM.

 

Atlantic Center for the Arts Set to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of the Sister-State Relationship Between Florida and Wakayama, Japan

Join Atlantic Center for the Arts in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Sister-State Relationship between Florida and Wakayama, Japan with an exhibition that showcases work by Florida and Japanese artists.

The opening reception, Thursday, June 26, 4-7pm, will feature Shiho Yamashita performing on the Koto, Japanese Harp. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public at ACA’s main campus in the Mark and Margery Pabst Visitor Center and Gallery.

The State of Florida and Wakayama Prefecture signed an agreement for a Sister-State relationship on October 4, 1995, with the commitment to strengthen friendship and understanding focusing on trade, the economy and social and cultural development.

Through many cultural exchanges between Wakayama and the State of Florida, renowned artists from Wakayama have visited Florida to teach and demonstrate their craft. In turn, Florida artists have visited Wakyama to share their artistry in the visual and performing arts. Atlantic Center for the Arts is a proud partner of this unique and valuable relationship.

Join us for the opening reception and enjoy the exhibition, which continues through August 29.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Traffic Control Class Set for Wednesday & 4th of July Help Needed

Seats are still available –

Civilian Traffic Control Class

Come to learn the best practices in traffic control and safety.

No prior experience is necessary.

Class is instructed from a deputy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Wednesday, June 18th

5:30pm – 6:30pm

at the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center

1769 E Moody Blvd Bldg #3

REGISTER HERE

Volunteers are needed to help with the fabulous 4th of July festivities

PARADE 

Parade line up 7am – 9am.

Directing parade participants to their parage line up location.

The parade is in Flagler Beach

Traffic control 9am – 12pm.

Traffic control volunteers will be paired with Flagler County Assist volunteers.

REGISTER HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FIREWORKS 

Volunteers are needed to help with parking and traffic control at the Flagler County Airport – OFF FIN WAY OFF BELLE TERRE BLVD –

4:00pm – 9:00pm Volunteers will be given a boxed meal and water. (Volunteers will have the opportunity to leave prior to the fireworks)

FIRST AID 

Volunteers are needed to help with any minor first aid needs. All supplies will be provided. A medical background is helpful, but not necessary. 4:00pm – 9:00pm Volunteers will be given a boxed meal and water.

Volunteers will also oversee the volunteer check in/check out and meal distribution.

REGISTER HERE

Palm Coast City Council Business Meeting on June 17, at 9 a.m.

Palm Coast—The Palm Coast City Council meets regularly to discuss and vote on official City business. These meetings are open to the public, and Palm Coast residents are strongly encouraged to attend. An increase in public engagement helps to build a stronger sense of community, increase valuable discussions, and decrease division.

The agenda for the City Council Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 17, at 9 a.m. will be as follows:

Proclamations

The following proclamations will be presented:

  1. The week of June 15, 2025, as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

Minutes

The following minutes will be approved:

  1. June 3, 2025, Business Meeting and June 10, 2025, Workshop Meeting

Board Appointments

The following board appointments will be presented:

  1. Appoint one (1) member to the Code Enforcement Board

Ordinances Second Read

The following ordinances will be presented:

  1. The Stormwater & Engineering Department will present an ordinance amending Chapter 29, Article IV, Impact Fees for Fire and Rescue based on a comprehensive study, including an extraordinary circumstances study.

  2. The Stormwater & Engineering Department will present an ordinance amending Chapter 29, Article III, Impact Fees for Parks and Recreation based on a comprehensive study, including an extraordinary circumstances study.

Ordinances First Read

The following ordinances will be presented:

  1. The Community Development Department will present an ordinance amending Chapter 29, Article II, Transportation Impact Fees based on a comprehensive study, including an extraordinary circumstances study.

  2. The Community Development Department will present an ordinance to update the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 13, regarding exterior colors for homes.

Resolutions

The following resolutions will be presented:

  1. The Community Development Department will present a resolution to approve the Tier 3 Technical Site Plan for King’s Crossing Storage (Application #5978).

  2. The Human Resources Department will present a resolution to approve a $59,925 agreement with Plante & Moran, PLLC to conduct an entity-wide risk assessment. This consultant will help identify and evaluate risks across all city operations. The project will be funded from the General Fund Contingency.

  3. The Parks and Recreation Department will present a resolution to approve additional applicants for the Cultural Art Grants for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

Consent

The following consent items will be presented:

  1. The Utility Department will present a resolution to approve a Master Price Agreement with Allied Universal Corporation for the purchase of sodium hypochlorite, a chemical used in water and wastewater disinfection.

  2. The Stormwater & Engineering Department will present a resolution to switch the funding for the Graham Swamp Trail design phase from a federal grant to a state grant. The project will build a 12-foot-wide trail with signage and boardwalks through wetlands, about 3.5 miles long.

 

Public Comments will be opened at the beginning and end of the business meeting in accordance with Section 286.0114 Florida Statutes and pursuant to the City Council’s Meeting Policies and Procedures. Each speaker will approach the podium, provide his/her name, and may speak for up to 3 minutes.

Proclamations and award presentations during evening business meetings will now begin at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the meeting start time. Additionally, public comments on non-agenda items will be limited to 30 minutes at the beginning and end of each meeting. This schedule is subject to change due to holidays or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents are encouraged to visit the Palm Coast City Council meeting webpage for the latest schedule and agenda updates.

Business meetings and workshops are open to the public and are streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel. Meeting agendas for all public meetings are posted in advance of each meeting on the City’s website. All agendas can be viewed here.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding the City Council’s agenda, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 386-986-3713. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk at 386-986-3713, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.

Flagler HBA Launches Webpage to Support Lawful Impact Fee Increases and Challenge City’s Extraordinary Claims

Palm Coast, FL – The Flagler Home Builders Association (Flagler HBA) has launched a new public information webpage—www.flaglerhba.com/fairfees—to support responsible, lawful impact fee increases in Palm Coast while opposing the City’s attempt to exceed the legal limit under Florida law by claiming “extraordinary circumstances.”

The site outlines Flagler HBA’s position: we support increasing impact fees by up to 50%, as permitted under state statute, to fund needed infrastructure for parks, transportation, and fire services. However, the City is proposing to double those fees—relying on a legal exception that Flagler HBA believes does not apply to current local conditions.

“We believe in fair, legal growth planning,” said Annamaria Long, Executive Officer of the Flagler Home Builders Association. “We support the City raising fees responsibly—but not by stretching or misusing state law.”

The /fairfees webpage provides:

  • A side-by-side comparison of peer cities and their impact fee policies

  • Analysis of local population growth and construction cost trends

  • A breakdown of why the “extraordinary circumstances” claim fails

  • Downloadable graphics and charts for public use

  • A call to action encouraging accountability and lawful development policy

Flagler HBA invites residents, business leaders, and local officials to visit the site and learn more about why legal limits matter and why growth policy must be grounded in facts—not inflated claims.

For more information, please visit www.flaglerhba.com/fairfees or contact the Flagler HBA office at (386) 864-2750.

On First Day of Trade Mission, Governor Ron DeSantis Opens the Florida Pavilion at the 55th International Paris Air Show

PARIS, France—Today, on the first day of Florida’s international trade and business development mission to France, Governor Ron DeSantis officially opened the Florida Pavilion at the 55th International Paris Air Show and joined Otto Aviation to announce the relocation of the company’s global headquarters and the construction of a new manufacturing facility at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of aerospace innovation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s presence at the Paris Air Show is a testament to our state’s international partnerships and position as a top destination for cutting-edge aerospace companies, high-wage jobs, and technical industry.”

As part of its relocation, Otto Aviation will invest more than $430 million in capital improvements, developing an 850,000 square-foot manufacturing and production facility. The project will create more than 389 high-skilled and high-wage jobs—making it one of the most significant advanced manufacturing developments in Northeast Florida in recent years.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s leaned into industries like aerospace, aviation, military and defense—industries that are so deeply part of the Florida fabric—Otto Aviation’s decision to manufacture in Florida is a perfect fit for our state,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “By fostering a competitive, business-first climate, Florida has created an ecosystem where innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors have the confidence to grow, innovate, and make long-term commitments in Florida. We’re proud to support Florida’s small and emerging aviation and aerospace companies as they showcase the strength and ferocity of Florida’s economy at the 55th International Paris Air Show.”

“This new facility will become more than a manufacturing site — it’s the launchpad for the future of sustainable aviation,” said Paul Touw, CEO of Otto Aviation. “Jacksonville stood out as a city that shares our long-term vision: pushing boundaries in aerospace innovation while creating high-quality jobs and meaningful impact. We’re excited to become a part of this dynamic community.”

The new facility at Cecil Airport will support the production of Otto Aviation’s revolutionary aircraft and expand the company’s ability to deliver advanced solutions to both commercial and defense markets. This investment demonstrates the state’s strategic commitment to growing future-focused industries and accelerating job creation.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ pro-business policies, Florida is becoming even more attractive to large and small businesses who are expanding operations and creating jobs that will drive the future success of our state,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Transportation infrastructure is the key to Florida’s growing economy and prioritizing partnerships will ensure a strong and robust industry that best serves Floridians.”

“Forging this deal at the Paris Air Show is a clear signal to aerospace companies that Florida is committed to the future of flight,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd.  “I congratulate state and local leadership teams, and Otto Aviation for ushering in a new era of flight and economic opportunities for northeast Florida.”

“Otto Aviation’s selection of Cecil is a testament to the strength of Florida’s statewide aerospace ecosystem and the investments we have made to attract innovation to our state. We look forward to working together to ensure Florida remains the global center for aerospace commerce,” said Rob Long, president and CEO, Space Florida.

Florida now boasts a $1.7 trillion economy—representing nearly 55% growth during Governor DeSantis’ administration. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Florida as the #1 economy in the nation for the second consecutive year, as well as #1 in economic growth, #1 in higher education for the ninth year in a row, and #2 in education overall.

As a global leader in aerospace and aviation, Florida ranks #2 in aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) establishments and #3 in aircraft manufacturing establishments nationwide. The state is home to more than 700 aerospace companies and 2,000 aviation-related businesses driving continued growth and innovation.

Florida’s strategic infrastructure supports this economic strength, with three spaceports, 16 deepwater seaports, 21 commercial airports, 130 public-use airports, and more than 20 major military installations, including three combatant commands.

Read more about today’s announcement here.

Media Release: Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

A New Chapter Opens at The BookMark’It in Bunnell

Julie and Abigail Hald

BUNNELL, Fla. – There’s something undeniably special about a locally owned bookstore that invites you to slow down, sit for a while, and let your imagination roam. Whether you’re eagerly diving into the next installment of your favorite series or stumbling upon a new literary voice, stepping into a space like The BookMark’It feels like walking into a curated adventure — a world of possibilities just waiting to be explored.

Reading as a Foundation

On Saturday, The BookMark’It celebrated its grand opening inside Poppy’s True Market, with three generations of the Sanhudo family among the first to explore the cozy, book-filled space.

Maria Lavin-Sanhudo, President of the Flagler County Education Foundation and a lifelong literacy advocate, browsed the shelves alongside her daughter Morgan Sanhudo and granddaughter Abigail Purvis-Sanhudo.

“They absolutely love books and when I heard about this, we just had to be here,” Lavin-Sanhudo said. “Reading, it’s so important. With her, she didn’t know how to read but she would open books and pretend to read them. At seven years old, she’s a great reader now.”

“I hope people come here and see how beautiful and adorable this bookstore is,” she added. “This is truly a special place.”

Maria Lavin-Sanhudo, Morgan Sanhudo and Abigail Purvis-Sanhudo.

A Dream Realized

The dream behind The BookMark’It belongs to Julie Hald and her daughter Abigail Hald. When a space opened up at Poppy’s True Market, the two jumped at the opportunity to transform their growing pop-up book business into a brick-and-mortar destination.

“I’ve pretty much wanted to own a used bookstore since I was in high school,” said Julie, who once worked at the Flagler County Public Library on weekends to feed her love of books. “I’ve just always loved the idea of books.”

Abigail, now market manager at Poppy’s True Market, had long encouraged her mom to take the leap.

“We started doing pop ups and it just grew and grew,” Julie shared. “When this room became available, Chelsea [Herbert, the owner of Poppy’s True Market] asked if we would be interested in doing it as a bookstore. We just had to do it. It’s like a dream come true for our daughter and I. Doing it together is just so amazing and it’s really brought us closer together.”

Abigail echoed the sentiment. “I felt like it was all falling into place the way it was meant to be,” she said.

Julie and Abigail Hald

A Cozy Community Hub

With its inviting Victorian Sherlock Holmes-meets-Clue vibe, complete with plush chairs and views of Bunnell’s main street, the space was designed to encourage lingering.

“I hope they go make a cup of coffee or tea up front and come sit,” said Julie. “I just wanted it to be really inviting.”

The inventory includes everything from literary classics and gripping mysteries to teen must-haves and early readers. But the real magic lies in the personal touch — especially for those up for a little literary adventure.

Shoppers check out the selection of used and new books at The BookMark’It.

“Surprise Me!”

Julie, a longtime educator, has witnessed the transformative power of books firsthand. That experience inspired two of the store’s most whimsical features: Blind Date with a Book and Surprise Stories — mysterious, pre-wrapped books in brown paper bags, chosen to surprise and delight.

“That’s why we do the Surprise Stories,” Julie explained. “I’ve seen kids come to the different markets that I do and see those, and get excited about reading. Parents come back to me saying they never wanted to pick up a book but this got them excited about reading.”

Surprise Stories for children.

Morgan Sanhudo was particularly drawn to the Blind Date with a Book idea. “It’s cool. I think a lot of people may not intentionally do it, but sometimes you can totally judge a book by its cover. I think this is a way where you don’t see that, and all the cute things with it too, and you can just enjoy it,” she said.

Morgan also expressed excitement about future community programming. “I think reading takes you into a whole different world where you can forget about your reality for a little bit and dive deeper into somebody else’s, enjoy it and kind of see what happens,” she said, adding that she’d love to attend Mommy and Me events with her daughter.

Blind Date with a Book.

A Personalized Experience

For many visitors, the appeal of The BookMark’It lies in the thoughtful, personal atmosphere that stands in contrast to the sprawl of chain bookstores.

During the grand opening, David Denvir and Kim Ertelt dropped in and asked about a specific title. They were struck by how well Julie knew her inventory — and impressed that she immediately offered to track down the book for them.

“Every community should have a nice, warm, friendly place like this instead of just the big box stores where you’re overwhelmed by the books there,” said Denvir.

“It’s very important because people love to read,” added Ertelt. “This is kind of a retirement area, there’s a lot of books being read.”

The BookMark’It is located in Poppy’s True Market, 802 E. Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida. For inquiries, call 386-569-0373 or email thebookmarkit.bunnell@gmail.com.

Co-owner Julie Hald chats with customers at the grand opening, Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak … Leaders Define Success as Helping Others to Excel

Copy of Beige Minimalist Simple and Elegant About me Profile Instagram Post - 1

A vitally important role of leadership is to invest time, energy, and effort to ensure others have the knowledge and skills to provide peak performance.  It is also about developing leaders who can grow more leaders (Maxwell, 1998).

Leaders define success as helping others to succeed.  They understand their team is their greatest resource and seek to maximize their potential (Abrashoff, 2002, Maxwell, 1998).

How?

Leaders serve as examples to instruct and inspire others.  They are continually learning.  They consume a lot of information.  They know they don’t know everything and need to learn and grow.  Their focus for everyone and themselves is 30 years of growth during a 30-year career (Abrashoff, 2002).

They provide plenty of quality leadership and professional development opportunities for the teams they lead.  Leaders encourage members of their team to read or listen to books, watch videos, and access podcasts and webinars on key professional subjects and competencies and leadership.  They motivate members of their team to attend classes and conferences, gain new certifications and credentials, spend time with mentors, meet and discuss leadership, and become active in professional associations.

Professional associations enable us to learn from others in our industry.  Through participation, best practices and lessons are acquired.  By being involved, those they lead can interact with leaders and professionals from different organizations and learn about resources and tools which can aid in productivity and performance.  This experience enables participants to gain relationships so you can access their counsel on problems and opportunities.  In fact, a key metric of organizational success is if employees are active and assuming leadership roles in regional, state, and national professional associations.

Leaders work with members of their team on specific and individualized professional and leadership development plans and aid them in strategies for career growth.  They identify strengths to optimize and areas for improvement to help team members fulfill their potential (Abrashoff, 2002; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005).  They see people development as a major role and responsibility.  Their daily schedules involve significant time spent observing, evaluating, mentoring, and coaching members of their team.  They follow up to see if gains in learning and performance are actually occurring.  They want to ensure they are giving every tool, resource, and experience to help others be at their best (Abrashoff, 2002, Maxwell, 1998).

Leaders create and foster a culture of professional growth and leadership development.  Everyone at all levels in the organization understands that they must be growing as professionals and leaders and helping others to do the same.  Everyone sees the success of others as their job and enthusiastically embraces this mission.  Managers and supervisors are promoted and evaluated on the key metric of how much they do to aid those they lead to thrive and excel (Abrashoff, 2002; Welch, 2005).  The executive or manager who does not concentrate on this critical role will not last in leadership in this type of organization.

Jack Welch once observed about leadership that “you have to love it when other people win.”  Your job as a leader is to help make sure they do.

Sources:  Abrashoff, 2002; Blanchard, 2011; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2001; Grant, 2017; Kotter, 2012; Lencioni, 2012; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005.

Elks Lodge 2709 Flag Day Ceremony Brings Wave of Patriotic Pride

Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen, Exalted Ruler Pete Lehnertz, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, and Lodge Advisor Gerald Dickens.

PALM COAST, Fla. – Did you know when an American Flag is presented it’s folded 13 times with each fold representing something specific?

Members and guests of the Palm Coast Elks Lodge 2709 learned the history of the American Flag as the lodge paid tribute to more than 200 years of the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day.

Ceremonies were carried out across the United States honoring the history of the nation’s flag. Locally, led by Exalted Ruler Pete Lenhertz, the ceremony paid tribute to the flag and those who have served the country in the armed forces.

Career Navy Captain Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen teared up when speaking about his pride in the United States and his service to the country.

“Days like today remind me how proud I am to be American,” said Hansen, whose 31 years of active duty included a tour of Vietnam.

Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen, Exalted Ruler Pete Lehnertz, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, and Lodge Advisor Gerald Dickens.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly shared his family’s history dating back to the Continental Congress, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in the American Revolution.

“Listening to the history of our flag, it’s too bad across America, the people that are in 2,000 different locations today, might not really understand it,” said Staly, referencing the No Kings protests taking place on Flag Day.

Patriotism was on full display from attendees, and Lehnertz teared up as he shared what he hoped attendees took away from the ceremony.

“I’m hoping that everybody walks away with better knowledge of the flag and better knowledge of what it means for the military and Americans in general,” said Lehnertz.

Exalter Ruler Pete Lehnertz

Lodge Advisor Gerald Dickens is moved each time he sees the American Flag.

“Every time it gives me chills, remembering what it all stands for, the veterans, the children, my service with the fire department EMS special operations on 9/11 and also in ’93. Every time I see the flag it gives me chills, goosebumps, and I’m so proud to be an American,” said Dickens.

An estimated 100 people attended the ceremony with former Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns leading the invocation. The Elks Lodge 2709 received a scholarship donation from the Palm Coast Business Professionals after the ceremony for $630.

Palm Coast Business Professionals.