Members of the Sons of the American Revolution on Monday awarded Flagler County Firefighter-Paramedic Jason Feldman with the Emergency Medical Services Award.
Flagler Chapter Awards Committee member David Kelsey spoke of the tradition of presenting the award as “descendants of our great nation’s very first public servants.”
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which was organized on April 30, 1889, the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation’s first president.
Flagler County Fire Chief Mike Tucker introduced Feldman, who was nominated for the Emergency Medical Services Award by Steve Ripley, who alongside Tucker presented him with a medal. The award was established in 2005 to honor community service above what is required for work.
“He is an outstanding Firefighter-Paramedic,” Tucker said. “I have every reason to believe he will be receiving a number of promotions under me in the future.”
Ripley is one of the Flagler Chapter’s 50 members of the Sons of the American Revolution, as well as a Florida Emergency Management Volunteer and lead trainer and course manager for the Flagler Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
“Jason Feldman really stood out because of all of his involvement surrounding COVID-19,” Ripley said before the awards ceremony. “He was overwhelmingly accepted by the Sons of the American Revolution for this award, because of his willingness to go above and beyond.”
Feldman was part of core COVID-19 team initiative led by Community Paramedic Caryn Prather that started with testing and evolved to vaccinating homebound residents. Rob Errett and Nealon Joseph were also on the team.
“I am extremely proud of Jason,” Prather said.
Feldman was recently promoted to Field Training Officer for Emergency Medical Services. He is a CERT team lead. He has worked for Flagler County since June 2018.
Feldman’s family attended the ceremony including his wife Pamela and his 3-month-old son Ralph.
Palm Coast's new first family: Tammy McIlravy, David Alfin and Melanie DeMartino attend the official swearing in ceremony for David Alfin as the fourth mayor for the City of Palm Coast on Tuesday, August 4, 2021.
Palm Coast, FL – It was nearly as smooth as a first meeting could go for newly elected Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin.
Surrounded by his wife and daughter, Alfin took the oath of office before a number of friends and well-wishers at the start of the Palm Coast City Council business meeting on Tuesday evening.
Ahead of the big moment, Alfin shared his thoughts, while receiving congratulations from constituents.
“I’m anxiously awaiting, excited about the swearing in as mayor-elect of the City of Palm Coast to become the Mayor of the City of Palm Coast. I’m ready, excited and committed to do the best for the City of Palm Coast. (It’s) a lot of close friends, supporters and residents, all of whom need to have a say in our City of Palm Coast,” he said.
It was while standing at the podium, still among the constituents, that Alfin shared his vision, hopes and promises for his term as the city’s fourth mayor.
“I want to express our appreciation to Mayor Branquinho for his service this year. I also want to share my gratitude for the entire team of city employees who serve our citizens each day with integrity, dedication and professionalism,” he said.
“I pledge to the citizens of Palm Coast that my focus is on you, and how our city government can best serve you, your family and your neighborhood,” continued Alfin.
Noting success takes a team, he promised to listen and learn, attack problems not people, and build trust between the city and the residents.
“I feel our council has the leadership team working for the citizens of Palm Coast. People don’t have to love each other or be exactly alike to be on the same team. They do have to understand each other,” he said.
“To understand you have to listen and learn. You need to learn what’s important to others and understand their perspective. Treating others with respect and kindness is key.”
The meeting that followed was distinctly different from previous meetings, and in the honeymoon phase, council members were courteous to each other, showing a level of respect absent in the recent past.
Among the people, David Alfin makes his pledge to listen and learn, attack problems not people, built on trust, during his address to residents after being sworn in as the City of Palm Coast’s fourth mayor, on Tuesday, August 4, 2021.
“I am eager to bring unity back to the City Council. I believe Palm Coast is on the doorstep of opportunity for the long term with our MedNexus project in Town Center and I am honored to help shape projects like this in our city. I am dedicated to preserving public safety in Palm Coast to ensure we can always enjoy the lifestyle we strive to protect,” Alfin said in a release provided by the City of Palm Coast.
The Palm Coast City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, and meeting information may be found here.
Featured Photo: Palm Coast’s new ‘First Family’: Tammy McIlravy, David Alfin and Melanie DeMartino attend the official swearing in ceremony for David Alfin as the fourth mayor for the City of Palm Coast on Tuesday, August 4, 2021.
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s Board of Directors are pleased to invite the public to help celebrate the Museum’s 20th Anniversary at their ‘Moondance’ fundraiser on September 16 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30.p.m. The event will be held at Beachfront Grill, located at 2444 S Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach.
“We are so excited to be celebrating 20 years of bringing the history of our area to residents and tourists alike,” said Museum Director Kathy Wilcox. “We are also offering attendees the opportunity to own a piece of Flagler Beach history by participating in our live auction of the F-L-A-G-L-E-R B-E-A-C-H letters recently replaced at the Flagler Beach Historical Pier’s A-frame,” Kathy added.
Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dessert, and entertainment by Rob Ellis Peck & the Matanzas Allstars, all under the moon. Tickets* are $40 per person or two for $75 and can be purchased online at https://flaglerbeachmuseum.org/, or by calling the Museum at 386-517-2025, or by stopping by the Museum at 207 S Central Ave., Flagler Beach.
Flagler County, FL – The Flagler Tiger Bay Club is pleased to invite the community to their annual wine tasting social event on August 26, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, at The Lodge at Hammock Beach Resort.
The annual event, open to the public, is an opportunity for club members and guests to mingle while sampling a variety of premium wines presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Hammock Beach Resort’s famed Atlantic Grille.
Presented by Chiumento Law, the evening will include a meet and greet with the newly elected board of directors for current and prospective club members, while unveiling the club’s fall speaker lineup during ‘The Big Reveal’, according to Greg Davis, president of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club.
“Flagler Tiger Bay Club has earned a reputation for bringing in top speakers, the likes seldom seen in Flagler County, while presenting and discussing engaging subjects that impact our lives nationally, statewide and locally,” said Davis. “People come together of different political persuasions and engage in civil, thoughtful discussions during our meetings.
“We hope the community will join us as we celebrate our three year anniversary and learn more about the Flagler Tiger Bay Club,” said Davis. “Finally, we will be back together again. This is going to be glorious. The food. The wine. The venue. Most importantly, The people. Wait until you hear our ‘Big Reveal’ for our fall speaker series. It is a triple B: bigger; badder; and bolder than ever.”
Details:
Flagler Tiger Bay Club 3rd Annual Wine Tasting – Social by the Sea
Businesses in Flagler County are making easier by offering a free business expo and planning seminar on August 11th at the Palm Coast Community Center, starting at 11 AM.
Speakers Include:
Nina Guiglotto a Family Service Counselor from Lohman Funeral Home in Palm Coast, will be on hand to discuss the benefits of planning in advance for your cremation, funeral or cemetery services.
“Planning ahead helps you lock in rates against inflation, helps relieve your loved ones from having the emotional burden of making decisions at the time of need, and guessing to decide if it is what you would have wanted,” said Guiglotto. “Advanced planning is a final gift to show your family you really love them. What percentage of people will live forever? Zero. Everyone on this earth will one day have a funeral home pick them up for one last ride. With the uncertain times we are living in with threats of COVID and sudden accidents it is best to all be prepared and protect the ones you love the most with the most protection.”
Diane Vidal, Attorney at Law from Chiumento Law firm will explain the probate process. How to nominate the right person to serve as your personal representative. What to do when you’ve been nominated to serve as a personal representative for a loved one.
Alberto Crespo from the O’Quinn Insurance agency. Planning strategies designed to minimize final debt and income taxes. Staying focused on honoring and grieving.
Following the seminar, refreshments will be provided. Attendees are invited to chat with 35 business expo participants, each with a raffle item to give away.
“The entire event is free and people will obtain lots of education on these subjects,” said Guiglotto.
August 2, 2021 – It goes without saying that open lines of communication with residents is especially critical during disasters and emergencies, but what is lesser known is that Flagler County Emergency Management trains regularly with seemingly old-school methodology for cutting-edge results.
“Staff is working with volunteers, amateur radio operators, neighboring Emergency Management agencies (currently St. Johns, Volusia, Marion, and Putnam), and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to test multiple backup communication tools,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “These will be used when traditional communication tools, like the phone and the Internet, are down because of an emergency or disaster.”
The backup communications toolbox includes resources, such as:
· Shared Resources (SHARES) High Frequency Radio, which is a federal government program that allows national security and emergency preparedness agencies to communicate even when landline and cellular communications are unavailable.
· Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) which is a unified statewide digital radio network that allows for radio voice communications between certain emergency response agencies.
· General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a publicly available FCC licensed radio service that is widely used by families and volunteer organizations, with the most common use of the channels being for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems.
· Amateur Radio, also known as ham radio, has been around since 1890, and is capable of bringing people together to talk across town, around the world, and even into space – all without the Internet or phones.
Additionally, staff tested and trained using satellite phones, email, and standard telephone systems.
“This training – which we are going to do monthly – is crucial for ensuring preparedness,” Lord said. “We have to regularly exercise our capabilities and test the equipment so that we know we are ready.”
Media Release: Flagler County. Julie Murphy MPIO/Lacy Martin, Marketing Manager
Community Cats of Palm Coast Executive Director Jessica Myers receives a check from Palm Coast Cruisers President Steve Lancour from their fundraising efforts, while touring the new thrift store, now open, and the adoption center, under construction at their new location on US 1.
Bunnell, FL – The floors are in and the rest is zipping along in preparation for the adoption center overseen by Community Cats of Palm Coast.
It’s been a long road since the organization first came on line and became part of a trio of volunteer-led or supported groups working to curb the area’s feral cat population.
Finding a place with the amount of space needed to make the adoption center and supporting thrift store a reality, the Community Cats moved into their expansive location on US 1 this spring, and opened the doors to the thrift store shortly thereafter.
Hosting a Christmas in July sale, store manager Nancy Golden says they offer rock bottom discounts and deals on designer and high quality gently used items, all in an effort to support the organization’s main mission – reducing the number of feral cats reproducing in the wild.
Nancy Golden is at the helm of the Palm Coast Community Cats Thrift Store on US 1, located at 4500 N. Highway US 1 in Bunnell.
Lured in by one of Community Cats’ big garage sales, the organizer quickly got involved. She recalls her very first trip out alongside the organization’s founder Elizabeth Robinson to trap feral cats in 2015.
“We would go over and help set up and breakdown for the garage sales which were three days long,” shared Golden.
“My first trapping was with Elizabeth and it was manual so I had to sit in the bushes and pull a rope. I got a mother cat and two kittens but we had to go back and get the other two kittens. She said I had a natural knack for it.”
Since then, she’s been in love with helping any way she can, and after taking a break, she was recruited to run the new thrift store, which she does willingly as a volunteer.
“They called me in May and asked if I’d come back and help get the store in order,” said Golden. “It’s taken a few months but we’re to the point where we’re even sizing the clothing which is great. We’re back to taking donations too,” she said putting the call out for gently used books, summer clothes and formal wear.
“Because the schools are going to be having their dances, I’d like to try to bring in some formal wear,” said Golden.
The transition from the previous thrift store location in Palm Coast has brought a needed expansion according to executive director Jessica Myers, who was on hand to accept a donation from Steve Lancour, president of the Palm Coast Cruisers, last week.
It’s not the first time the classic car club has put a spotlight on the animal organization, and in fact, if you get him talking, Lancour will tell you all about his best buddy and lap cat ‘Stinky’, courtesy of the organization. Bringing in the club’s donation and adding a bit more from his own pocket, Lancour says they’re happy to support such a worthwhile cause.
“I love cats. They’re good people, they have a really great direction saving and placing cats,” said Lancour. “We did a big fundraising for them last summer at the VFW, we used to have car shows there, and ended up with about 800 pounds of cat food and kitty litter.”
The adoption center is still ‘under construction’ and Myers said that every dollar donated helps them get closer to finishing the center and helping more cats. From fostering kittens to ensuring the adoptive family is a good fit, having the adoption center is a game changer for the Community Cats of Palm Coast.
“On average for a 2-10 week foster commitment, with no other medical conditions, just your standard basic care, it’s $250-$300 per kitten we spend, and we only charge a $75 adoption fee,” said Myers.
“My five year plan is to have our own owned building. This will make us a little bit bigger than what we’re doing now. We’re still going to have the same services, same format, it’s just going to give us a place where like our brochure says ‘we can say yes, immediately’,” she said. “It also gives people a place to come in and interact with the cats so we get better quality adoptions.”
Featured Photo: Community Cats of Palm Coast Executive Director Jessica Myers receives a check from Palm Coast Cruisers President Steve Lancour from their fundraising efforts, while touring the new thrift store, now open, and the adoption center, under construction at their new location on US 1.
Professional Women of Flagler County Board of Directors host the Elite Networking event at Elite Dance & Travel, courtesy of owner Magdalena Piekarz, on Thursday, April 14, 2021. From left, Diana Vidal, Robbin Wilson, Cindy Dalecki, Haylie Allegra, Jennifer Brown and Danielle Silva.
Flagler County, Fla. – The Professional Women of Flagler County (PWFC) are
pleased to announce that the group is hosting a Business for Breakfast event on
Friday, August 6th from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden located at
55 Town Center Blvd., Palm Coast.
“Women make up half of the U.S.’s workforce and both genders are now working
much later in life, so personal imbalances will affect more people at work than
ever before,” said PWFC’s President Danielle Silva. “Join us as Dr. Amy
Coopersmith and Ms. Erica Rivera discuss work/life balance and intimacy and
offer advice on the best ways to take care of ourselves as well as our families,”
she added.
Dr. Amy Coopersmith
This is an in-person event and pre-registration is required.
Those interested in
attending can visit https://professionalwomenflagler.org/events to register.
CDC Guidelines will be followed – masks are required.
PWFC’s mission is to empower, educate, and support women in business in Flagler County. The organization is a 501(c)(3). It provides grants to women for a variety of business needs such as education/training, business start up costs, equipment costs and more.
Individual membership is $75 per year and corporate membership is $400 annually. The PWFC board is set up as a giving non-profit board with annual pledges.
PWFC is committed to the women in the Flagler County business community who need networking for sales and support, and those in need of education to grow in their current positions. The group offers a variety of sponsorship levels and is actively reaching out to local businesses for community outreach, engagement and opportunities to support professional women in Flagler County.
Professional Women of Flagler County can be reached at https://professionalwomenflagler.org/, or
https://www.facebook.com/PWofFC.
Jan Jackson welcomes guests and stays busy selling art, including her own, during the Gargiulo Art Foundation's 8x8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
Palm Coast, FL – Curating more than 80 works from a variety of Flagler County artists including Dex Whestphal, Judi Wormeck, Rick de Yampert and Stephanie Salkin, the annual Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show opened on Sunday afternoon at the Grand Gallery in Palm Coast.
Housed within the Grand Living Realty real estate office on Colbert Lane, the gallery has featured a number of artists over the past two years, with Flagler County Artist of the Year 2020 Jan Jackson serving as the gallery’s curator. The gallery takes no commission nor does it charge rent for the art on display, making it a popular place for artists across the region to show their work.
Artist Stephanie Salkin tours the gallery with son Ezra Salkin during the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
“My shows are about six weeks long and I have them lined up because there’s no other act in town,” said Jackson. “There are so many professional people and great artists in this area, so I have a big pot to choose from.”
The annual 8×8 Inch Show is a community favorite, as it allows a broader audience to appreciate and purchase work from local artists who must all present pieces within the confines of 8 inches by 8 inches and be priced at $50 or under.
The show’s concept was created by foundation CEO Tom Gargiulo several years ago and was traditionally displayed at the Flagler County Art League’s gallery until the pandemic took its toll on the organization.
“I think it’s a very good show, and a lot of space to fill in with very small 8×8 inch pieces. I think it turned out very good,” said Gargiulo. “Jan Jackson is an excellent curator and she’s very enthusiastic. She hangs the shows well and we have a very good working relationship.
The mini show has built a following over the years and draws an eclectic crowd.
A couple views the work of artist Stephanie Salkin during during the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
“This is an opportunity for the public to come in and see outstanding artists, at affordable prices,” explained Gargiulo. “Most of the people coming to the show are familiar with the artists’ large paintings, larger works, so these compared to those are just little miniatures, little slices.”
As part of the fall lineup of shows hosted by the Gargiulo Art Foundation, the 8×8 Inch Show precedes the eagerly anticipated Artist of the Year nominees’ show, leading up to the formal unveiling of the selected Artist of the Year.
“To be nominated is an honor itself,” said Gargiulo. “As you know, we don’t just select an artist because they’re good. We select artists that are contributing to the community.”
Who You’ll See at the 8×8
With her own distinct works among those on display, Jackson described the series of animals and humans intertwined with nature as being inspired by interconnectivity.
The works of artist Rick de Yampert are on display during the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
It’s a Noah’s Ark of animals on display in Jackson’s signature style based on the Panamanian mola, and for collectors who may not be able to commit to a larger piece, it’s a fantastic way to get started or add flavor to a room with multiple pieces from the series.
“I had an idea, and it came from my Christmas card about doing a series of ‘oneness’,” shared Jackson.
“So it’s like little people and there’s an outline, that’s about all and then they’re connected to an animal or a tree and so if you look at them you’ll notice the red line doesn’t stop. They’re all interconnected,” she said of the mixed media pieces.
Birdhouse collectors will also find her works for as low as $14 each, making a dainty gift for a granddaughter or an Audubon fan.
Artist Babz Lupoli’s work is part of the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
Other pieces like Stephanie Salkin’s ‘Road Home’ trigger a Dali-type feel while Judi Wormeck’s ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ is elegantly staged next to the four warmer-toned works evoking a southwestern vibe with the mixed media pieces ‘On the Horizon’ and ‘Catching Stars’, that sold immediately.
A variety of Bob Teller’s pastels feature idyllic days along the shore with ‘Day Dreaming’ or ‘Out for a Stroll’ while Trish Vevera’s ‘Middle Marsh I’ is softly vibrant.
Vevera toured the gallery with friend and fellow artist Karen Ann Patton, who purchased an angel piece for her son’s new home. The pair stopped to admire the work of fellow artists in the show, who will be on display through September 12th.
Karen Ann Patton and Trish Vevera tour the gallery to see all of the work on display during during the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 8×8 Inch Show at the Grand Gallery, Palm Coast, located in the Grand Haven Realty Center on Colbert Lane.
“I have some of my artwork in the show and I came to see some of the other people’s art work,” said Vevera. “They’re small treasures and other people should come out to see them.”
There is no cost to tour the Grand Gallery located at 2288 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137. Grand Gallery is open Monday – Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.
It was a tough, hard-fought campaign, but you personally as a candidate worked hard to remain professional and civil. Why was this important to you?
I believe candidates should be honest, consistent, and predictable. The ‘campaign’ candidate should be the same as the ‘elected’ official. I ran my campaign as a candidate who appealed to all voters or the largest majority. No extreme views or special interests are favored by all residents, so I tried to project professionalism practiced throughout a long career and built on stability, decency, thoughtful consideration, deliberate action, and the art of listening. I hold myself accountable for all I do and use these qualities as a measure of my performance.
Throughout the campaign a number of policy issues and voter topics were brought to the forefront. Was there a topic or issue that surprised you being on the public’s radar? What did you learn during the campaign you didn’t know before about Palm Coast & the community?
I was surprised that mental health services were not brought to the election’s forefront as a priority issue. Only one forum question addressed the gap in local services available to residents. The problems associated with mental health are growing in the community and will be further aggravated by population growth. An important lesson is that special election campaigns may not have a long enough timeline to promote all important issues and topics.
Moving forward, transparency is one of the things voters most clamored for. How will you ensure City Hall, and the council is transparent?
Sunshine Law, ethical standards, and best practices are a good starting point to ensure transparency. Communication is most effective when accompanied by training. The voters should be better educated on priority issues, so they have a working knowledge of the subject and are able to digest communication updates. Inconsistent or unintelligible communication creates doubt and negative impressions in the community. Clear and regular releases from public relations to informed voters is a good recipe for transparency.
Council meetings have been tough. How do you hope to ensure council members act respectfully to each other and to the public?
Leading with decorum and tolerating nothing less than mutual respect is the first order of business. A common understanding that each council member may have different or opposing views on any issue is paramount. A team can unify through respectful debate and enjoy a best possible outcome when all views are discussed and debated. The process is challenging but produces a best result built on a full vetting of the subject. A collaborative conclusion should always be the team’s priority and expected goal following negotiation and concession.
What was your first thought when waking up on Wednesday morning, knowing it was over and that you have a real chance to make an impact for the City of Palm Coast and the citizens you’ll now represent?
I enjoy a calm sense of purpose and satisfaction. Campaigns are challenging and provide some seasoning and earned stripes for the elected candidate. I have studied both the land and community for ten years to prepare for the election. I am excited over the prospect of leading the City of Palm Coast forward through growth, opportunity, and success. I am committed to make Palm Coast the best city, in the best county, in the best state to live, work, and love life!
David Alfin will be sworn in as the Mayor of the City of Palm Coast on August 3, 2021 at 6 PM business meeting.
