12-year old Palm Coast Tennis Star selected for USTA Player Development

Palm Coast's young tennis star Reilly Opelka has been accepted to a full-time USTA Player Development program* in Boca Raton.  He is one of the 6 juniors in the state of Florida to be accepted to the USTA program.

Reilly Opelka, is the top-ranked player for "12-and-under" in Florida; and ranked 14th in the nation. 

Opelka is expected to train under the tutelage of Patrick McEnroe --a former pro, and currently the general manager of USTA Player Development.

Opelka will be joined by 19 other peers in this program (13 boys and 6 girls). The students will reside and train full-time at the facility, where they will receive coaching from the USTA National Coaching staff and will continue their academic education through course work provided by Kaplan Virtual Education.  

" I think we are bringing in a very dynamic group of kids of all age groups from across the country. These kids have demonstrated their commitment to improvement on and off the court and have consistently displayed a strong work ethic and desire.  Our hope is that they will continue to push each other to become the best players they can be.” ~ Patrick McEnroe, GM, USTA Player Development

Former players who have trained full-time with USTA Player Development at the Boca facility include 2009 USTA Boys’ 18s National Champion Chase Buchanan, 2009 USTA Girls’ 18s National Champion Christina McHale, 2008 USTA Boys’ 18s National Clay Court Champion Evan King and 2007 USTA Girls’ 18s National Champion Ashley Weinhold.

Best wishes and much success to Palm Coast's own Reilly Opelka!

____________________________________________

Fantastic Fourth Fireworks in Palm Coast

this is a guest post by the Rotary Club of Flagler County:

Join with the Rotary Club of Flagler County on Sunday, July 4th for our celebration of Independence Day. Tailgate with family and friends at Central Park in Town Center, Palm Coast from 7 - 9 pm. Live broadcast with WNZF, DJ Vern and games for the kids. Concessions with beverages and popcorn will be there manned by the members of the Rotary Club.

The club hopes to provide an alternative/additional celebration for the community with this event. We are looking forward to this becoming an annual event.

Sponsored in part by WNZF, Palm Coast Observer, Palm Coast Ford, AtecAir and BrightHouse Networks.

Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide. Service Above Self is also the motto of Rotary Club of Flagler County. We believe s/he profits most is the one who serves best! To visit FC Rotary Club on the web, click here.

Over 100 folks link their hands across the sand in Flagler Beach

What were you doing at 12 noon on Saturday, June 26th, 2010?

Hundreds of folks linked hands, for Hands Across the Sand movement in Flagler Beach; joining tens of thousands more elsewhere in Florida, the nation, and the globe. 

They faced the clean Atlantic Ocean, not yet affected by the BP Oil Spill fiasco in the Gulf.  In this civil, peaceful movement, Flagler county residents protested Offshore Drilling, and supported the Clean Energy.

Here is video footage from the event:



For more information, read this previous blog post, or visit HandsAcrossTheSand.com

__________________________________

Hands Across the Sand in Flagler Beach, FL

What are you doing between 11 AM and 12:30 PM on Saturday, June 26th? 

How about heading to Flagler Beach to help make a statement? 

"Hands Across the Sand" --a movement started in Florida in February 2010, now turned into a national and global movement, for protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry. 

Here is how you can participate in this wonderful event:

STEP 1: Go to Flagler Beach at 11 AM for one hour, rain or shine.

STEP 2: Join hands for 15 minutes at 12:00 noon, forming lines
                  in the sand against oil drilling in our coastal waters.

STEP 3: Leave only your footprints.

Aside from Flagler Beach, a similar event will also be held in Marineland, at the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Participation in the event is also available in the neighboring counties and elsewhere in Florida, as well as in other states and select international locations.  Click on the map icon to locate the Hands Across the Sand event in your city.

In Volusia County, you can chose to go to one of the following locations:

- Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach

- Main Street Pier in Daytona Beach

- Winterhaven Park in Ponce Inlet

In St. John's County, the event will be held at the following locations:

- Crescent Beach in St. Augustine

- St. Augustine Beach

- Villano Beach in St. Augustine

Here is a video from the past February event:

See you in Flagler Beach!

Palm Coast's Epic Theater to have complete digital projection!

EPIC Theatres has received its digital projectors for its new all-stadium, all-digital theatre in Palm Coast, Florida. EPIC's Palm Coast will be the first theatre in the area designed from the ground up for complete digital projection and 3D presentation. The new EPIC theatre opens 25 June 2010.

EPIC is operated by third and fourth generation motion picture exhibitors that focus on the latest industry technologies to provide customers with exceptional presentation and service. Clint DeMarsh, VP of Purchasing for EPIC Theatres said, “We are pleased to select Barco in bringing EPIC entertainment to the Palm Coast area. Digital projection provides a number of advantages over film and Barco brings the quality and expertise needed for this all-digital facility. EPIC plans to deploy all-digital complexes from here on. In the next eighteen months, EPIC will open two new multiplexes."

"EPIC Theatres is one of Barco's most forward-thinking customers," explains Terri Westhafer, Director of Business Development. "They are fully embracing the next-generation digital technology and plan to open more all-digital multiplexes in 2011. We are very proud to be a part of EPIC Theatres' growth and dynamic innovation.”

Epic Movie Theater has installed Barco Series II DP2K-15Cs and DP2K-20Cs models at their new Palm Coast location. All incorporate Barco's proprietary and patented cooling designs, modular construction, sealed engines, Smart Power Systems and Diagnostic Companion, as well as many additional features.
“To be able to partner with Epic at this point in their evolution is an amazing opportunity. We can truly help to position them as a leader in digital cinema along the Atlantic Coast, and fuel their growth as they expand into new markets,” said Todd Hoddick, VP of Barco Digital Cinema North America.
 
Source: Barco Press Release
 
______________________________

Palm Coast Based Nighthawk Solar signs export agreement

In a ceremony taking place in Palm Coast, FL on June 22, 2010, Nighthawk Marketing (the maker of the Nighhawk Solar Light) signed a representation and distribution agreement with the Karachi-based Equip International for the distribution of Nighthawk's Solar lights in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Agreement commits Karachi-based Equip International to import 6,000 units of Nighthawk Solar Lights per year, for a three year period.  Here are select moments from this ceremony:



Nighthawk Solar co-founder Tim Howard, and Equip International representative Anjum Ahmad were accompanied by press, select business-people, and government and economic-organization leaders including,

• Palm Coast Mayor, Jon Netts
• Vice Mayor and Councilman, Holsey Moorman
• Councilwoman, Mary DiStefano
• Councilman, Frank Meeker
• Councilman, Bill Lewis
• Palm Coast City Manager, James Landon
• President of Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Baxter
• Enterprise Flagler Director, Greg Rawls
• Palm Coast Economic Development Team Leader, Beau Falgout

Nighthawk Solar is sold at select locations in the United States and also at Nighthawk Solar's Online Store.  Afghanistan and Pakistan follow South Africa as the second and third international markets for the Nighthawk Solar Light.  For more information on the Nighthawk Solar Lights visit http://www.nighthawksolar.com/ or call 800.765.6506

_______________________________

Did Florida's Population Growth Hit A Wall?

In an article published today, Anthony Cormier of Sarasota Herald Tribune writes:

For years, Florida municipalities routinely dominated the list of the Census Bureau's fastest-growing U.S. cities. 

No more.

The latest census population estimates released Tuesday show that no Florida city with more than 100,000 people ranked in the country's top 75 for growth last year. It represents a stunning reversal in the state's recent demographic history and signals the challenges Florida faces trying to rebuild a growth-based economy when growth is largely absent.

Measured over the past 10 years, nine Florida cities ranked among the top 100 fastest growing in the nation, with four in the top 35. But in 2008-09, the subject of the newest census report, Orlando was the only Florida city with more than 100,000 people among the top 100 fastest growing.  | original article here

There is much talk about population in Palm Coast and Flagler County, too.  Flagler County is hoping that the 2010 Census is going to prove that the population in the county has increased to over 100,000.

Recent coverage in Fortune Magazine, CNN, and CNNmoney showed that Flagler County is still in the top-10 in the nation for growth in the last 10 years (between 2000 and 2009).

Are you a resident of Flagler County? What are your thoughts? Will the population growth in Palm Coast and Flagler County continue?

Battle of the Bands on July 4 in Flagler Beach

from the City of Flagler Beach Website:

The City of Flagler Beach and Mason Music Present:

   Battle of the Bands
   Sunday, July 4th
   12:00 noon to 8:00pm.

Underneath the Flagler Beach Pier!

July 4th promises to “Rock your socks off” Flagler Beach and Mason Music showcase the local talent in the first annual Battle of the Bands.  Come and enjoy a full day of live music from underneath the Flagler Beach pier as some of our best local bands compete for the title of “Best Band on the Beach!”

Concessions will be provided with all donations going to support The Flagler Beach Junior Lifeguards!

Call 386-517-2031 for more information and registration.

______________________________________

Flagler County Featured in CNN / Money Again

Flagler County is featured in CNNmoney in an article titled "The Fastest Growing Counties in the US" on June 16th, with a follow up feature on June 18th.  The article indicates the growth rate since year 2000 has been 83.9%, putting Flagler County in the number 4 in the list of Top 10 Fasterst Growing Counties in the US.

The article mentions that retirees represent a good portion of Flagler County's demographic: The median age is 50, more than 10 years older than the state median and 13 years older than the U.S.; adding that Flagler was the nation's fastest growing county for three straight years this decade. Population growth has continued through the bust but at a slower pace, just 1% for the 12 months ended July 1 2009 after compiling 83% growth for the previous eight years.The residential stock covers a wide range, with million-dollar homes in gated, beachfront communities and more affordable residences inland.

Flagler is the only county from Florida to make the list. Both Georgia and Texas have two counties made the list. Here's the complete list of the Fastest Growing Counties:

#  1 - Kendall County, IL
#  2 - Pinal County, AZ
#  3 - Rockwall County, TX
#  4 - Flagler County, FL
#  5 - Loundoun County, VA
#  6 - Forsyth County, GA
#  7 - Lincoln County, SD
#  8 - Paulding County, GA
#  9 - Williamson County, TX
#10 - Douglas County, CO


Related Posts:

• Palm Coast, FL featured in Fortune Magazine

___________________________________________

Palm Coast's New Movie Theater Near Completion

Palm Coast is finally getting its own movie theater.  According to the Epic Theaters, Inc. website, the Palm Coast Epic Theater will be open by June 25, 2010. 

Folks in Flagler County no longer need to travel to Ormond Beach and St. Augustine.  If anything perhaps the new Palm Coast Movie Theater will draw audience from some parts of Volusia and St. John's County. 

Here's the latest video from the construction site of Epic Theater Palm Coast:



The company is accepting employment applications online.  To apply for a job visit http://www.epictheatres.com/nemployment.php or mail your resume to:

Epic Theatres
P.O. Box 2076
DeLand, FL 32721

You can also email your resume to corporate@epictheatres.com


The Epic Theater in Palm Coast is located in the heart of the new Town Center, on Central Avenue, just past the City Park.  Here's the map:


_________________________________________________View Larger Map

PNC Bank Opens in Palm Coast Town Center

The brand new PNC Bank Belle Terre Branch in the new Palm Coast Town Center celebrated with a "Cruise in for Cash and Cars" Event on June 19, 2010.  Hundreds of Palm Coasters were present.  One hundred lucky Palm Coasters won $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills.  The event also featured an antique car show, a drawing for an iPad, food, and rides for children...



_________________________________________________

PNC Bank Palm Coast offers Free Money, Antique Cars, iPads!

PNC Bank Palm Coast Town Center Branch is hosting an interesting event at the Town Center Branch on Saturday, June 19th from 10 am to 1 PM.  Branch staff will be handing out envelopes containing bills up to $100, for the first 100 guests.  There will be an antique car show, and a chance to win an Apple iPad.

The event takes place in the grounds of PNC Bank at 746 Belle Terre Parkway.. 

More info below:

Palm Coast, Flagler County Foursquare Meetup: June 16

Are you a Foursquare fan in Palm Coast and Flagler County?  There are hundreds of Foursquare Meetups happening for Foursquare fans across the world with thousands of people attending in over 50 countries, taking place on Wednesday, June 16th. 

The idea is for Foursquare fans to get together and meet each other in person.

As a part of the nationwide Foursquare meetups, the Palm Coast Foursquare meetup will be hosted by Office Divvy on Wednesday, June 16th between 5:45 PM and 7:00 PM.  Palm Coast and Flagler County's Foursquare mayors, participators, venue owners, and those curious about Four Square are invited to participate in this free Meet-Up and Networking event.

Bring your friends who don't use foursquare yet, or make new friends with those who already use foursquare!

Wednesday, June 16 - drop in any time 5:45 pm to 7 pm.
at Office Divvy | West Pointe Plaza
389 Palm Coast Pkwy SW, Palm Coast, FL

Need directions or information?
Call: 1.888.533.4889

RSVP through Meetup.com:
Palm Coast Foursquare Meetup

Pierre Tristam of FlaglerLive.com on CNN

Pierre Tristam, accomplished ex Daytona Beach News Journal Editor, and the editor of the newly launched FlaglerLive.com appeared on CNN discussing another dimension of the BP Oil Spill fiasco in the Gulf - that is the impact on Florida budget and hence the Florida Schools, including the Flagler County Schools.



Mr.Tristam's FlaglerLive is an online newspaper covering news and articles with a focus on Flagler County (including Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Bunnell) as well as elsewhere in Florida and the world. 

Tim Howard (of Palm Coast?) Trending Topic on Twitter!

This is great! Tim Howard is a trending topic on twitter.

Tim Howard (of Palm Coast, FL) is a personal friend, he's the co-founder of Nighthawk Marketing, the maker of the quality portable solar light.

It'd be wonderful if my friend Tim Howard or his tremendously powerful Nighthawk solar light were twitter trending topics, but I'm afraid what the folks are referring to here is the US Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was risen to hero status in the US versus England Worldcup Game. :)

Palm Coast, FL featured in Fortune Magazine

In a recent story on CNNmoney.com and Fortune Magazine, Palm Coast was featured among the "5 Great Places to Retire." | more...