Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida

Rue & Ziffra to hold Steak & Info Night at White Eagle

2011-12-06T10:43:00.000-05:00

Join Attorney David Sweat from the Rue and Ziffra Law Firm for a Steak Night for the Flagler and Volusia County's local biker community. Free steak-dinner will be offered to the first 75 people who register for this event that is taking place at While Eagle Lounge. Registration required to attend. Please visit: www.RueZiffra.com or call 386-788-7700. Limited seats available. You must

Memory Lane: History of Palm Coast

2011-12-05T08:12:00.000-05:00

What is paradise? Before 1969, land that would eventually become the City of Palm Coast was considered by some as nothing more than a big pine-covered swamp. But when the corporate eyes of ITT/Levitt and Sons looked upon the virtually uninhabited land, they saw 22,000 acres of golf courses, marinas, oceanfront motels, scenic drives, and house lots awaiting the arrival of sun-seeking

December 3 Motorcycle Run to benefit Children & Food Banks is organized by Rue & Ziffra

2011-11-28T08:01:00.000-05:00

All Proceeds Help: Children’s Home Society and Second Harvest Food Bank of Daytona (Central Florida) Time: Registration Begins at 10:00am Kickstands Up at 10:45am Starting Location: The Law Firm of Rue & Ziffra’s Parking Lot 640 Dunlawton Ave in Port Orange Cost: $10 Cash Donations Accepted OR Canned Goods/Dried Foods Accepted. Route: Scenic Ride in Volusia County Ending at First

Matanzas Woods Interchange Public Hearing in Palm Coast

2011-11-16T11:14:00.001-05:00

Would you like a third I-95 Palm Coast exit? Flagler County will hold a public hearing regarding plans to construct a new I-95 interchange at Matanzas Wood Parkway as well as to widen the Matanzas Woods Parkway to four lanes from U.S. 1 to Old Kings Road. When: Tuesday, November 29 at 5 p.m. Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway N.E. The hearing will begin with

The Google+ Page: Setting One Up

2011-11-11T20:59:00.001-05:00

As most know, Google+ launched a while ago. There are a great deal of things I really like about the service. I'm not saying I'm dropping Facebook. I like that too, but Google+ adds some things and approaches things like connecting to others that "hammer out" a lot of the issues with user-interface and organizing of connections Facebook ran into as the user-base expanded. For example, "

3 Ways Google+ will affect search and your business

2011-11-09T14:56:00.000-05:00

1. Making Google Smarter As a result of Google+, Google will be able to improve its search engine results pages. This will happen because they are going to gather a tremendous amount of usage intelligence by getting a peak at the behavior of your social circle. Google+ will allow Google to understand trends and what people are interested faster than ever before. 2. More Relevance .

What does David Letterman think about Palm Coast?

2011-11-01T07:50:00.000-04:00

In case you missed this great segment where David Letterman and Paul Shaffer from the talk about Palm Coast, Flagler County, St. Augustine:

Flagler County Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project

2011-10-31T08:57:00.000-04:00

US Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville District published a brochure to inform citizens about the Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The primary purpose of an hurricane and storm damage reduction (HSDR) project is to reduce storm damage to the coastal infrastructure, including residential and commercial property and public facilities. The

Flagler County Property Taxes vs. the rest of Florida

2011-10-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

Are your property taxes higher in Flagler County than homeowners in other parts of Florida? A new list from Florida Tax Watch reveals how much residents pay in property taxes in each of Florida's 67 counties. Monroe County (which includes the Florida Keys) tops the list. Homeowners there paid an average $2,800 tax bill in 2010. The lowest property tax average in the state was in Union County,

Florida Job Creation Incentives: FAIL!

2011-10-25T10:59:00.001-04:00

Recent events in Palm Coast, Flagler County landscape on the "Economic Development" front included: An Economic Development Summit Finalé --postponed twice, but did it actually take place with the promised action-plan?? Death/Dissolution of Enterprise Flagler. The establishment of UCF and City of Palm Coast-backed Palm Coast Business Assistance Center. Recent plan to form an Economic

Everything You Wanted Know About Email Marketing: A Star is Coming to Palm Coast

2011-10-12T09:56:00.000-04:00

When it comes to email marketing there are many choices, platforms, and service providers. Certainly Constant Contact is a household-brand-name among the small business owners, where the company's name is synonymous with email marketing. One of the rising stars at Constant Contact is Pamela Starr. As Regional Development Director for Constant Contact, Pamela speaks to groups of Florida Business

3 Great Entrepreneur Events in Palm Coast this Fall

2011-09-26T08:30:00.000-04:00

Palm Coast and Flagler County entrepreneur community has much luck this Fall with three great events lined up in late September and early October: Entrepreneur Night at The Humidor, European Village This free event features premium cigars, $2 drafts, a selection of red, white, and port wine, complimentary food and a bunch of fellow Flagler County business owners to chat, network, and relax with.

Talented Mr. Rippey visits Palm Coast Yacht Club

2011-09-25T13:15:00.003-04:00

The Palm Coast Chapter of the International Blue Gavel presented talented performer Tim Rippey in a dinner-concert on Saturday, September 24th to benefit the Outreach Ministries' Food Bank at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. The event was held at the Palm Coast Yacht Club, with Tim Rippey winning the hearts of the audience with his outstanding performance of songs from the 40s, 50,

Love Bugs in Palm Coast and Flagler County

2011-09-21T12:06:00.000-04:00

Image by Wikifrosch ..to a newcomer to Palm Coast and Flagler County (particularly those who moved from the northern states), the Plecia Nearctica presents curiosity, wonder, and nuissance simultaneously. Commonly called as the "love bug" these insects are also known as the honeymoon fly, kissingbug or double-headedbug. They are widely found in Central America and Southern United States,

Palm Coast Fire Department Is Offering Flu Shots

2011-09-16T12:35:00.000-04:00

Prevent this year's flu virus from invading your household and stop by a Palm Coast Fire Department for your annual flu shot. Station #25 Crew members will administer the flu shots to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Or you can visit the Station #21 on Thursday, October 6th where crew will administer drive-thru shots. Fees for flu shots are available for $25, with Visa

Entrepreneur Night in Palm Coast: Tue, 11/29

2011-09-08T15:34:00.000-04:00

Cigars, Drinks and Networking! Come join fellow Palm Coast and Flagler County entrepreneurs on Tuesday, November 29th at The Humidor in European Village. Free to attend! Featuring: Complimentary Appetizers Complimentary Pizza from Mezzaluna Great people to chat, relax, and network with $2 Draft Beers Red and White Wine Selection Premium Cigars, including Padrons, Fuente, Aston, Rocky Patel

Wondering About Social Media For Your Business? Meet Social Smidge

2011-09-03T07:19:00.000-04:00

Visit the Socialsmidge website Most businesses and organizations today are grappling with how to be competitive in the online world. Much of the advice from others seems to be "you gotta have a website", "you gotta blog", "you gotta be on Facebook and Twitter". So what do many small businesses do? They go out, get a website and set up up those online social networking accounts. They run a

5 Ways To Use QR Codes Effectively For Your Business

2011-08-26T16:24:00.002-04:00

Scan and see where you go First you may be wondering what a 'QR Code' is. 'QR' stands for Quick Response. These are those boxy-looking square graphics you see popping up on various print materials, products, websites, signs, etc. (like the one pictured to the right). The purpose of these are that when scanned with a smart phone using scanning app such as Shop Savvy or Google Shopper and

Palm Coast commemorates the 10th anniversary of 9/11

2011-08-26T11:44:00.000-04:00

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11th, remember the lost lives and to unite in patriotism, the City of Palm Coast Fire Department will host a commemorative event on Sunday, September 11th. Seating will begin at 8:00 a.m. in Heroes Park and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. to prepare for a coordinated National Moment of Silence. A special presentation of colors will be

Matanzas Woods Residents Upset With Sawgrass Villas Proposal

2011-08-09T13:12:00.000-04:00

Over 200 attended the Public Meeting for Sawgrass Villas On Monday night, over 200 Matanzas Woods residents attended the Public Meeting presented by Putnam Bank for the proposed Sawgrass Villas project in the neighborhood. The project plans are for a proposed 50 unit townhome-style community in between a portion of Lee Dr. and Leidel Drive. The community would be surrounded by existing

Is Palm Coast a Neighborly City?

2011-07-07T11:42:00.000-04:00

neigh·bor·ly /ˈnābərlē/ Characteristic of a good neighbor, esp. helpful, friendly, or kind According to the results of The National Citizen Survey™ (2010), residents in Palm Coast reported a strong amount of neighborliness. More than 59% indicated talking or visiting with their neighbors at least several times a week. This amount of contact with neighbors was much more than the amount of

Palm Coast Small Business Assistance Center Grand Opening

2011-06-15T13:28:00.000-04:00

Palm Coast Small Business Assistance Staff City of Palm Coast established a Business Assistance Center, soft launched in May 2011, celebrated its grand opening today with many of the Palm Coast and Flagler County government officials, economic development folks, and business leaders present. The new Business Assistance Center is affiliated with the University of Central Florida Small Business

New Traffic Light On US1 & Royal Palms in Palm Coast and Bunnell border features a new light indeed

2011-06-10T10:06:00.000-04:00

If you are driving on U.S. 1 South towards Bunnell or northbound towards Palm Coast, you will notice a new traffic light and a new style of left-turn signal right at the intersection of Royal Palms Parkway. The lights are already up, the intersection has been resurfaced/paved, and the traffic lights are scheduled to be activated as of June 13th. The new traffic light at this intersection

Celebrate 2011 July 4th in Flagler Beach with Fireworks

2011-06-08T10:20:00.000-04:00

Fireworks, Floats, Flip Flops, Food and Fun on July 4th, 2011 in Flagler Beach: Get the whole family, bring your shades and get some quality sunscreen and come to Flagler Beach on Monday, July 4 for one of the most popular Independence Day celebrations in Flagler County and Central and Northern Florida. Sponsored by the Politis Law Firm and hosted by the Flagler Beach Chamber of Commerce, this

Green is the lucky color for City of Palm Coast

2011-05-27T09:16:00.006-04:00

...and no, I'm not talking about changing the color of the City's white pick-up trucks with blue seals. This "green" here is about caring for environment and sustainability. And when it comes to "Green," our City not only leads green efforts in Flagler County, but also in Florida and nationally. City of Palm Coast received award after award for their green initiatives: Awards From the Florida

eReaders Vs. Tablets: How Many Are Getting It Wrong

2011-05-26T12:27:00.001-04:00

I'm one that loves comparisons. They help us make better sense of things. When it comes to the tech world, there is a lot flying the mainstream way these days and the comparisons are coming as well. Funny thing is that some things are not all that easily compared. We're all pretty well acquainted at this point with various media technology. An MP3 player plays music. A Blu-Ray player plays

Flagler County's Budget Wins Award Second Year in a Row

2011-05-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

Flagler County’s Financial Services Department has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the second year in a row... Flagler County's 2010-2011 budget document has been selected again by the Chicago based Government Finance Officers Association for the current 2010-2011 budget document. Judging is based on the budget as a policy

The Final Week For American Idol: Scotty or Lauren?

2011-05-24T13:00:00.001-04:00

Yup, I'm an American Idol fan. I haven't watched all 10 seasons, but I have to say this has been the best season yet. Unlike past seasons, this one has had the widest range of musical talent in my opinion making it even more difficult to choose a favorite. Casey and his upright bass made Jazz fun. Paul brought the folkise style. James, the "rocker", showed how great rock voices are. And

Controversial "Banned" Florida History Book Brought Back As an eBook

2011-05-23T11:38:00.000-04:00

The "banned" book is nothing new. Books have stirred a great deal of controversy over the years, and in the print world . . . if no one would sell it . . . it went "out of print". Such was the story of one Florida history book by Florida author Jack Owen entitled "Palm Beach Scandals - An Intimate Guide". As a international journalist, Palm Beach investigative reporter, and local newspaper

May 18-20: Expect Traffic Delays on US 1 | Palm Coast & Bunnell

2011-05-15T12:28:00.000-04:00

Installation of traffic light arms at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Royal Palms Parkway in the border of Bunnell and Palm Coast, will cause the intersection to be closed to traffic at various intervals Wednesday, May 18th to through Friday, May 20th. A Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy will be at present the intersection while overhead work is being conducted. Motorist who usually travel on

Preparing For College: Laptop, Tablet, or Both?

2011-05-08T12:47:00.000-04:00

So your son or daughter is starting college and you know they need a computer. Laptops have been the common decision, but this year is a bit different as tablets enter the market. Many are wondering if they could go the tablet (i.e. iPad, Xoom, etc.) route instead. It's a good thought and good question. There are several things to keep in mind with this decision. Check with the campus first.

Where can you walk your dog on the beach in Flagler Beach?

2011-05-01T15:28:00.003-04:00

City of Flagler Beach produces brochure for walking your dog on the beach, outlining three rules: Keep your dog on a leash at all timesThe leash must be shorter than eight feet. Clean up after your dogCarry plastic bags for this purpose and dispose of them in the trash cans located at the crossovers. Where are you allowed to walk on the Beach?Walk your dog only North of North 10th Street and

"Shoes to Use" in Palm Coast and Flagler County

2011-04-26T14:41:00.000-04:00

“Shoes to Use” is a shoe recycling campaign launched by Kopec Insurance in Palm Coast and Flagler County in 2009. The program provides a way to help those less fortunate. Brian Kopec, owner of Kopec Insurance says: “ We collect, deliver and donate shoes that are in good condition to those who need them. Our efforts have been very successful providing shoes to children and adults that

A Teen Guide To Looking For Employment

2011-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:00

School is coming to a close in the next few weeks and many teens may be thinking about applying for work. For some it may be a "first job". For some it may be about getting money together things like a car or college. So forth and so on. It can be tough, and even discouraging at times. We know, and we've all been there. Over the last 17 years interviewing and hiring people of all ages there

SBDC Seeks Manager for their new office located in Palm Coast, Flagler County

2011-04-15T09:35:00.000-04:00

Reporting to the Director of the Small Business Development Center based in Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, candidates are sought to fill an Area Manager position serving the small business community in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Ned Harper, director, SBDC at Daytona State College says: “ Ideally, we’re looking for someone who is experienced in owning and operating a small to medium

Flagler County Chamber of Commerce hires Business Development Manager

2011-04-14T10:09:00.001-04:00

Catherine Groom has joined the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce as Business Development Manager. In this new job role, Catherine will develop and execute marketing strategies to maximize growth opportunities for the Chamber and its members in the Flagler County Business community. Catherine will work with Advertising & Enrollment Director Heather Edwards to assure members receive optimal

Palm Coast-based NEFJA Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month

2011-04-08T09:24:00.000-04:00

In honor of the Jazz Appreciation Month, North East Florida Jazz Association (NEFJA) is bringing in two of New York’s hottest contemporary jazz stars to perform in a special concert on Sunday, April 17th at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach. Saxophonist Vincent Herring and trumpet player Vincent Pelt are considered to be among the best jazz musicians in the US today. Herring, 46,

Top 6 Ways Young Tech Companies Are Changing The Way We Do Business

2011-04-07T12:36:00.000-04:00

Things are changing around us everyday. Sometimes it seems as though it is at breakneck speed and tough to keep up. Things we dreamed of as kids watching shows like Start Trek, Buck Rogers, the Jetsons, etc. seem as though they are reality today. People starting cars from their phones. Taking a picture and sharing and sharing it with friends and family thousands of miles away within seconds.

Want To Go Paperless For Contracts? Unleash The Power Of An iPad

2011-04-05T11:39:00.001-04:00

If you are like me, you probably hate stacks of papers and files. They are a pain to manage, costly, and extremely inefficient. Laptops that have the ability to sign on screen (formerly called tablet PC's) are a great solution for the business professional that has to capture signatures on forms, but they can be costly and cumbersome. The iPad coupled with online document storage, makes

Cycle Flagler by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach

2011-04-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

Cycle Flagler, 8th Annual Bike Event with 24, 40, 62 or 100 mile monitored rides will take place on April 10th 2011, with the start at 8a.m. from the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce (20 Airport Rd). Fees are $30 with preregistration by Friday, April 8th; and $35 if you register the day of the event. The tour includes scenic highways and part of the A1A Scenic Byway in beautiful Flalger

Local Dermatologist’s discovery helps recovery of bruised skin

2011-03-31T11:10:00.000-04:00

Local dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Parks was frustrated by the number of his patients affected by benign purpura, a form of bruising that affects the hands, arms and legs. Because there was no known treatment available—Dr. Park’s concern for his patients prompted the development of a topically-applied balm that helps bruised skin quickly recover to a healthy appearance. BruiseCare® Treatment Balm

Palm Coast, FL Utility System Revenue Bonds Downgraded

2011-03-30T19:16:00.001-04:00

Dual-headquartered in New York and London, and with 50 offices worldwide, Fitch Ratings is a global rating agency (similar to S&P or Moody's). Fitch Ratings downgraded the following Palm Coast, FL utility system revenue bonds, and stating that "the Rating Outlook is Stable:" Approx. $132 million, series 2003 and 2007, downgraded to A+ from AA-.The downgrade indicates that the bonds are no

Flagler County Airport Seeks Airplane Accident Video Footage

2011-03-28T18:09:00.000-04:00

The Flagler County Airport is requesting any member of the public that has video footage of the aircraft accident that occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Wings Over Flagler Fly-In to contact the Airport Director, Roy Sieger at 386-437-0401. Video is being requested by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist in investigating the crash. The Palm Coast Blog previously posted

Plane Crash/Accident at Palm Coast Air Show: Wings over Flagler

2011-03-26T18:26:00.001-04:00

There was a fatal accident at the popular Wings Over Flagler Warplane and Air Acrobatics Show in Palm Coast today. The second annual "Wings Over Flagler" Aerobatics show was taking place Saturday and Sunday, on March 26 and 27, 2011 at the Flagler County Airport. According to one eyewitness, four planes were flying in formation, with two of the planes conducting (and have just completed) a "

Pictures of Biggest Moon Rising in Flagler County!

2011-03-20T19:22:00.000-04:00

The biggest moon put on a wonderful show for those in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and the Hammock. It is said that there were at least a thousand people viewing the biggest moon of the last18 years rising right on the beach! These wonderful pictures of the biggest moon rising in Flagler County are copyrighted by, and courtesy of Glenn K. Enjoy the beauty of the biggest moon and the Flagler

eBooks and eReaders: The School Library Solution

2011-03-20T12:26:00.000-04:00

Remember going to the library as a kid? I was never a big reader but I liked the library. It was a powerful place to step into to. Granted I love a Google search, but I still like sifting through books for answers or delving into a good story that launches me onto an amazing adventure. Libraries in schools and in communities are very important places. They make books accessible to students

Email Me, Facebook Me, Tweet Me . . . What??!!!: Managing Multiple Contact Avenues

2011-03-19T11:24:00.001-04:00

Most people today have multiple ways to be contacted. We have multiple email addresses (personal and work), Facebook accounts, multiple phones (home, work, cell); and it can get confusing how to manage it all. In fact, it can become so difficult that messages can often go missed. In essence, we have all these great tools to be contacted and we miss more than we receive. So you need to have

Heard the Roof Shaking in Flagler County this morning?

2011-03-18T13:11:00.000-04:00

Here is the official announcement/release from Flagler County Emergency Management: At approximately 9:30am this morning the Flagler County 911 Center received calls from residents of rumbling, trembling, or minor shaking of the ground from Palm Coast and Bunnell. Some reports indicated the sensations were felt, while others reported hearing booming sounds. Emergency Management verified

Creating A Great Facebook Page For Your Business Or Organization

2011-03-14T12:33:00.002-04:00

The Palm Coast Home Show Facebook Page Facebook is obviously a huge attraction for individuals to connect and socialize with others. It has also become a powerful way for businesses and organizations to connect with customers and their communities. Does it replace your existing website? I don't agree with that notion. Rather the Facebook page is an excellent supplement to your existing

Why eBooks Matter: Opening Up New Opportunities For Authors and Groups

2011-03-12T12:38:00.004-05:00

eBooks are a big focus and there are a ton of positives going on. eBooks not only provide great advantages for individual readers and authors, they are opening up a variety of new avenues for new business models and new revenue opportunities for groups like non-profit organizations. Let's take a look at some of the differences in print publishing and ebook publishing and how you can capitalize

A Chance for Palm Coast's Entrepreneurial Men...

2011-03-08T09:52:00.002-05:00

...okay not exactly for all Palm Coast Men, but all men (nationally) who wanted to be an entrepreneur and are looking for that break: Dockers is running a contest to encourage men to realize their entrepreneurial dreams! One winner will receive $100,000 cash —generally enough (and sometimes more than enough) to start a business plus one year's worth of dockers khakis! Here's the Docker's video

The Holy Web: Making The Most of Your Church Website

2011-03-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

The Connected Church eBook The internet and devices do two primary things for most people today . . . share information and social uses. These are also two vital functions within Church communities as well. Unfortunately, many Churches do not use technology effectively or at all to open new avenues to maximize communications. When you look at most church websites, they are often used similar

Marketing Success: There Is No Recipe

2011-03-05T09:26:00.001-05:00

I'm a horrible cook, baker, or anything done in the kitchen. Well, I can clean a mean dish. But other than that the kitchen is not the place for me. You can give me the simplest recipe and the end result will be something neither remotely close to what the recipe picture looks like or edible for others to eat. Why is that? Mostly is because I have very little interest. My heart isn't into

Brighthouse Takes One From The Google Voice Playbook: Enhanced Voicemail

2011-03-02T10:14:00.001-05:00

Enhanced Voicemail From Brighthouse If you are a Brighthouse subscriber in the area you might have noticed they are offering some great new service enhancements to their cable, internet, and phone products. I was excited to see their most recent addition being Enhanced Voicemail which adds in email and/or text messaging of new voicemails to your Brighthouse phone. Not only can you listen to

Ramping Up 'Social' With SocialEyes.com

2011-02-28T21:21:00.000-05:00

Social networks have evolved a lot over the last few years. Facebook is obviously the one that has emerged as the true 'king of social networking'. The great thing today is that these services don't block out others forcing them to try to create something that mimics them to try and compete. Today, other companies can create great services that tie-in making the experience and power of these

Success Is Your Own Darn Fault

2011-02-18T11:12:00.002-05:00

When I was younger (which is scary that I am at the age to actually be able to say that), I was the first to tell you why it was everybody's else fault that things didn't work out for whatever. Whether it was my career, my life, etc. if something wasn't going the way I hoped it would . . . someone or something else was to blame. Now if something did go well . . . I was to blame for that. I had

Seeking Your Input for Regional Solutions

2011-02-10T11:11:00.002-05:00

In an earlier blog posting, I discussed connecting residents to policy-making (Strategies to Connect People to Policy: Communicating Economic Development to Residents). Now, I am presenting the first of several opportunities for you to provide input regarding solutions that may have an impact on job creation in the region.The poor economic environment and the weak employment situation

Top 5 Tech Mistakes Organizations Make Today

2011-02-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

Technology is not only changing individual lives with things like social networking, social media, mobile apps, etc.; it's been seeping into companies and organizations more and more. Some companies and organizations have been slow to adopt beneficial services while others seem to be fully engaged. Some employees and members even find themselves frustrated when they see the benefits of trying

Year of the Rabbit in Flagler County

2011-02-03T10:32:00.000-05:00

This is a guest-blog-post by Larry Maccherone from Pak’s Karate serving Flagler County. Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year, and that is today, February 3, 2011. The lunar year is 4709. This is the Year of the Rabbit. The origins go to the story of Buddha asking all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Only twelve animals came for the meeting,

The Mobile Cashier: Mobile Payments Enhancing Service Levels

2011-01-28T11:23:00.000-05:00

The mobile world is exploding like crazy and the possibilities seem endless at this point. Our phones are much much more than we ever anticipated, and often times it seems we are seeing the reality of those Jetson or "Back To The Future" things. I still keep my eye out for the car that will fold up into a briefcase. And I definitely want the skateboard that flies. Anyway, as consumers, paying

Florida Governor Rick Scott Holds Twitter Townhall

2011-01-20T19:02:00.003-05:00

Florida Governor Rick Scott is holding a twitter Town Hall tonight at 7PM, taking questions from the citizens. If you are on twitter, you can follow the questions and answers under hashtag #flgov or for your convenience, we're broadcasting the Town Hall below: [ Townhall is no longer live as of 7:40PM. Hashtag results shown ] new TWTR.Widget({ version: 2, type: 'search', search: '\"#

The Future of Book Stores: It's Still About The Books

2011-01-19T11:30:00.001-05:00

"...great books are weighed and measured by their style and matter and not by the trimmings and shadings of their grammer." - Mark Twain, a Biography Last weekend I had the great opportunity to speak to the Ancient City Writers (a chapter of the Florida Writers Association) in regards to eBooks and the opportunities this format opens up for them. There are a great deal of barriers that ebooks

Ocala, Daytona Beach... is Palm Coast next for Groupon?

2011-01-16T12:34:00.001-05:00

Launched in November 2008, Groupon features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in more than 300+ markets. This highly successful "Deals Website/Portal" recently announced the addition of Deals in Ocala, FL this week: Groupon is an easy way to get huge discounts while discovering fun activities in your city. Groupon's daily deals consist of restaurants, spas, massages,

Why Are You Doing It? : Purpose and Mission First

2011-01-12T13:12:00.001-05:00

A CEO from a company I worked for was once asked by a popular business author, "What is the core function of your business?" The CEO posted his response in an internal letter and determined our core function as getting customers through registers quickly. I reread the article three times to see if I missed something, because here was the head person of the company not understanding the heart of

Palm Coast Man Predicts the Iranian Plane Crash

2011-01-09T15:36:00.001-05:00

Bob Pickering is not a stranger to many Palm Coast and Flagler County residents. He is an Emergency Management Technician working for the County Administration. He is also a fun loving person and a train enthusiast. In his facebook post earlier today, he posted: " Last night I dreamed of a plane crash somewhere a big one....so somewhere there will be one... somewhere. ...yes sometimes I hate

Top 5 Marketing Mistakes NOT To Make in 2011

2011-01-05T11:49:00.001-05:00

Most of my marketing and advertising experience focuses around Real Estate, but as I speak with authors and other managers here and there I see some common "denominators" when it comes to mistakes in marketing and advertising that put up barriers to success. Most of the time I find people looking for this generic "Step-by-step" approach of "one size fits all" --especially when it comes to the

2011 Tech Highlights To Come: Get Your Gear On

2010-12-31T10:23:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not being real original with this topic. But I wanted to add my two cents into what I see trending in the new year. 2010 was explosive in terms of technology and we saw some great things happen. Even with the constant barrage of economic woes news, Apple managed to sell a ton of iPads at a minimum of $500 and opened the flood gates to upcoming tablet innovations. Android phones became

Get Your Head IN The Clouds: Cloud Computing and It's Benefits

2010-12-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

I love the new Microsoft ads with the line 'to the cloud'. I keep saying that at work and when no one knows what I am talking about and look at me like I have two heads (actually that's common when I say most things), I realize not too many people watch commercials anymore do they? Anyway, 'cloud computing' is becoming more and more common. Most people are even using computers this way without

Flagler County Receives Mental Health Grant

2010-12-22T09:11:00.000-05:00

Governor Crist and George Sheldon Flagler County Administration received the good news from the State Department of Children and Families that a grant in the amount of of $455,295 was made available to the County over a three year period for a mental health support program. The grant is to establish a Mental Health Support Service Program that will focus on diverting those with mental illness

Can Chrome OS Take On Windows?

2010-12-19T11:09:00.004-05:00

Google just recently announced a laptop that runs solely on it's Chrome operating system. That's right . . . no Microsoft Windows. The concept is designed around the notion that people primarily live on the web when using PC's today. So Google designed a laptop that is basically it's Chrome web browser. For those that have used Google Chrome browser you can not deny that it's fast and simple.

Refashioning Sharing Through Social Networking

2010-12-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

At the core of all social networking is sharing. This may be thoughts/ideas, photos, or links to information (i.e. news articles, blog posts, websites, etc.). The problem that arises when you begin to use multiple social networking sites and services is sifting through all that. Sure you can bring it all into one place with services like Hootsuite or TweetDeck, but the problem is you are still

Flagler County to receive $1.7M from Florida DOT

2010-12-10T16:30:00.000-05:00

Flagler County School District and Flagler County government get $1.7 million dollars the State Department of Transportation, approved for four projects for area schools. Funds will be used for: Sidewalk along Old Kings Road from S.R. 100 to Old Kings Elementary School; Turn lanes on Old Kings Road going into Old Kings Elementary School, Sidewalk along S.R. 100 from Belle Terre Parkway to

The Real Estate 'For Sale' Sign Just Got Better With QR Codes

2010-12-09T09:23:00.003-05:00

The 'For Sale' sign on the lawn of a property is still alive and well and continues to serve a purpose . . . letting others know the property is for sale. In fact, buyers still continue to find properties of interest by these signs and continue to take drives to look for them in an area of interest. But the sign has always had a huge barrier that has bothered my wife, Kathleen, and I . . .

Palm Coast Construction Jobs Bleak But No Losses Over 2009

2010-12-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

Construction employment expanded in 29 states between September and October, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 39 states. The new figures continue a nearly year-long trend of ups and downs in construction employment as the industry performs stimulus-funded work yet grapples with broad market uncertainty. Ken Simonson, the chief economist for Associated

Purple Heart Recipient to lead the Palm Coast Holiday Parade

2010-12-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

A courageous hometown hero will ride at the front of the Holiday Starlight Parade as the Grand Marshall on December 11th. Sergeant Felix Garcia, who received three Purple Hearts for his bravery during combat operations in Fallujah and Al Karma in Iraq, will bring pride and honor to the Palm Coast community by serving as Grand Marshall for the annual parade event. Sgt. Garcia was wounded three

Online Shopping: Men or Women?

2010-12-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

When it comes to shopping, we automatically think . . . women. And shopping is serious business for women too. Us guys seem to always do it wrong. Then there is the ever-growing online shopping and the question is who does that form of shopping more? Well studies (do a Google search . . . they're out there) show that men actually shop more online than women and spend more online too. Ha!

My Christmas Book Suggestions

2010-12-04T11:23:00.002-05:00

This is one of my favorite times of year. Since I was a kid it's always been a time of fun, magic, and possibilities. There is a great deal of history and wonderful stories that make up what Christmas is today, but they are often over-looked. Then there are years where life had gotten to be too much and it was tough to get 'in the spirit' of the season. Some of these books really gave me a

Generation Challenges With Tech In Business & Organizations

2010-12-03T10:24:00.002-05:00

As I get older and get involved with different groups, I began noticing barriers that seemed to be coming up with different generations when approaching various issues or projects. When they were questioning 'why?' I seemed to always be asking 'why not?' Or when direction is given, asking "Why are we doing that?" I've found is not always a question that is very welcomed from older generations.

Behind-the-scenes at The Pirate Museum

2010-11-30T15:15:00.009-05:00

It’s 10 p.m. on a Thursday night and I’m down on my knees scraping errant splashes of paint from wooden floors.On the model ship’s deck, our director of sales and marketing is working the dry vac, sucking up scattered sawdust with an intensity that screams Virgo.“I have. To get. It All. Up,” Cindy pants.Out back in Shipwreck Island, I spot museum founder and head honcho Pat Croce sweeping up dust

How did the Palm Coast Seafood Festival fare?

2010-11-21T14:39:00.001-05:00

When Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon mentioned the plans in late July for a Palm Coast Seafood Festival scheduled in November; Palm Coast and Flagler County residents mostly reacted positively: "Palm Coast Seafood Festival sounds like an OUTSTANDING idea!" "LOVE Seafood. Seems like another great event for our community." "I am all for good seafood. And love this idea." "Did someone say

St. Augustine 17th Annual Nights of Lights

2010-11-19T11:11:00.001-05:00

The 17th annual St. Augustine Nights of Lights will begin on Saturday, November 20. Be there at 6:30 PM to witness the illumination of the nation's oldest city’s historic district with the glow of more than two million tiny, white lights. St. Augustine was named last year by AAA as one of the 12 best places in the United States and Canada to experience holiday cheer. A dazzling array of

Hands On With Barnes and Noble's Nookcolor

2010-11-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

Demos arrived two days ago for the Nookcolor in our store. It was like Christmas morning for me ripping open the packaging to get my hands on the new device. After powering it up, signing onto our account and playing around with all of the features I have only one phrase to explain it, "Very very very cool!" (sorry for the grade-school like description, but it is very fitting). The size and

Is Technology and Online Social Networks Making us Less Social?

2010-11-18T10:41:00.001-05:00

I was scanning through a local forum the other day and came across a topic header which posed the question of whether technology was making us less social? It's a great question to ask. Some of the responses spoke of preferences for people to want to receive text messages rather than phone calls, reduced customer service, so forth an so on. In all honesty, there really isn't a viable means to

Food, Music and Fun Abound this month!

2010-11-05T13:41:00.005-04:00

If you’re into food and music, First off, come down toFlagler Beach Friday evening for Live Music and Entertainment tonight (Friday, November 5) from 6-9 pm in Veteran’s Park. You can also enjoy their 4th Annual Flagler Beach Chili Cook Off Contest along with crafts and vendors. there is certainly something to capture your interest in the coming weeks. Then on both Saturday

Keep Your Smartphone Safe With MyLookout

2010-11-01T10:57:00.000-04:00

Smartphones are great. Plus they are expensive and vulnerable to viruses just like any computer. So naturally you want to keep your investment safe. So when I found an app that combines virus protection, phone locater, and backup protection all in one for free I had to check it out. I'm talking about MyLookout. This is an awesome free app available for Android phones, blackerry, and Windows

Barnes & Noble Changes The eReader/eBook Game Again With Nookcolor!

2010-10-27T12:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Barnes & Noble announced it's latest eReader option with Nookcolor. This new device is a full 7" color touch screen focused on reading ebooks, newspapers, and magazines. Since it is a color touch screen, it adds in the ability for full web browsing capabilities. This new option now fills the gap for those who want easy access to a vast selection of ebooks, a good reading

Multiple Social Networking Accounts For Business & How do I Manage Them All?

2010-10-26T09:40:00.000-04:00

You're not alone if you're thinking that this world of online social networking has been moving at lightning pace around you. New services pop up almost daily with others seeing success leaving you wondering how they are doing it. You may have even signed up for several accounts and are wondering what to do next (and you'll need presence on multiple services). It's pretty common, and here's

Shopping Savvy This Holiday With Mobile Tech

2010-10-14T12:01:00.001-04:00

Mobile devices are changing the way we do things everyday. They are also providing shoppers with more information to make better decisions. One of my favorite mobile applications is Shop Savvy by Big In Japan, Inc. Shop Savvy makes use of your iPhone or Android mobile phone's camera allowing the user to scan barcodes. Once you scan the barcode on a product, within seconds it provides

Adventure Racing coming to Palm Coast this weekend – October 16th

2010-10-13T14:12:00.000-04:00

A recent visit to Kevin Mims' Blog announces that the Princess Place Preserve will be site of the Pangea Adventure Race event on Saturday, October 16. Mims is a former IT guy who decided that he’d rather be on the road than at a desk. He is a freelance writer for Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. Mims’ specialty is Outdoors and Nature. He spends his time

Book Publishing Made Anew: Pubit!

2010-10-08T09:25:00.000-04:00

Most people in the book world will tell you that the publishing world has not really changed much in the last 100 years or more. In fact, many of the same debates between publishers, distributors, and booksellers that existed then . . . continue today. In the middle of all of that is the author. The actual creator of the content. Experienced authors know the barriers they face in actually

Breast Cancer Fundraiser at the beach - Saturday October 9th

2010-10-05T16:49:00.000-04:00

Derelict Productions and the Pink Army at Florida Hospital Flagler will sponsor a fundraiser for breast cancer on Saturday night, October 9th at the 14th Street Beach south of the Flagler Beach Pier The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and will last until??? All ages welcome. This event will be the final gathering of the season for Derelict Productions. This fun-loving bunch brings together

Palm Coast Waterfront Park Dedicated

2010-09-29T16:27:00.000-04:00