What makes a Great New Yorker a Great Palm Coast-er?

Crains New York has a cute slide presentation -- What Makes A Great New Yorker.

Because there are so many New Yorkers in Palm Coast, it makes this interesting.  And even if you're not from New York City, you might appreciate the fact that we're about to compare our Palm Coast to one of the greatest cities in the world...



Some interesting data from the slides, also compared to Palm Coast:

There are 8,159 people per square mile of land in New York City, versus 79.6 in the U.S. versus Palm Coast = 1,470 people.  (According to Wikipedia, Palm Coast has 51 sq. mile land, and an estimated population of 75,000; hence 1,470 people per square mile of land).

New York's crime rate is third-lowest in the country among cities of 500,000 or more people, behind only San Diego and San Jose, Calif.  Well, this is not a fair comparison obviously due to population, but why not? Let's just do it: In fact Palm Coast's crime rate index is 65% better than of New York (according to the crime rate indexes published on neighborhoodscout.com New York has a crime index of 33, and Palm Coast is at 57 --- and the higher the better, as 100 means the safest).

New York state has the highest number of psychiatrists (5,347) in the nation; and the second highest in the nation per 100,000 people (28 per 100K). Really not sure how many psychiatrists are in Palm Coast truly, but a google-search only shows a handful, so that means 4 to 8 psychiatrists per 100,000 maybe?.

Median family income in New York City is $55,492, compared with $63,211 for the U.S. versus Palm Coast at $46,600 (according to city-data.com).

New York City ranked as the world’s fourth-most-expensive city in which to live last year. According to city-data.com New York's cost of living index is 177 versus Palm Coast's 89 (US average being 100).  That means Palm Coast is about 50% less expensive than New York.

 ...okay, hang on, let's take a break here for a second.

If the median family income in New York City is 20% higher than of Palm Coast, but cost of living in Palm Coast is 50% cheaper than New York City, what does that mean exactly?  Does it mean we live better in Palm Coast than those in New York?  Oh, we're stepping into subjective territory here... :)

So, let's go back to the comparisons:

The average Manhattan apartment sold for $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2010.  According to zillow.com, median sale price in Palm Coast now is $123,000.  Uh-Oh!

Of all New Yorkers 25 and older, 32.5% have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 27.4% of Americans. In Palm Coast, 22.77% of adults 25 and older in the town have at least a bachelor's degree.

Just 40.2% of New Yorkers are married, versus 50.2% of Americans. Compare that to Palm Coast?  69.93% of people in Palm Coast are married (according to bestplaces.net).

There you go!  

Who says you can't compare apples to oranges?  

We just compared Palm Coast to the Big Apple!

Stay positive Palm Coast... :)

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Should the Flagler Beach Pier Charge Money just for a walk-out?

by Diarmuid Connolly, Palm Coast, FL

Flagler Beach Pier must be the only pier in Florida that charges a fee to take a walk on. I think the fee is $1.50, and more if you want to fish...

While traveling throughout the State of Florida I have not come across another pier where they charge a $6.00 fee to a family of four, just to walk on. I really think that this is not fair.

I would like to ask the question why there is a charge for this?

I love Flagler Pier and would like to walk out on it, but for a charge of $1.50 my intelligence tells me to watch at a distance instead.

Diarmuid Connolly
Palm Coast, FL

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This is a guest post by Diarmuid Connolly of Palm Coast, FL

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Additional Note: According to the City of Flagler Beach website, the Pier is open from 6 AM to Midnight daily, and the walk-out rate is $1.50 per person, while the fishing rate is $6.  The pier has 1, 3, 6 month passes along with an annual pass.  Discounts for Senior Citizens and Military are as follows: 

Another Palm Coast based online directory is launched...

Palm Coast certainly has had their share of online portals featuring business directories, some with years of history, and others recently released, such as:

• PalmCoast.biz
• FlaglerOnline.com
• PalmCoast.us
• FlaglerCounty.biz
• LocalMarketplace.com

...among others.

Recently the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce joined the ranks by releasing an online version of their Flagler County Phone Book, under FlaglerKnows.com.

In doing so, The Flagler County Chamber contracted Landsdowne, Virgina-based Innovectra.

In "Our new online directory makes it easy to connect buyers and sellers on the Internet," said Rebecca DeLorenzo, Executive Vice President of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and Affiliates. "Participating merchants and service providers will have their Yellow Pages and business profiles featured within the site, which is designed to be search engine friendly and readily accessible" she added.

And the newest online directory to join the ranks is 360PalmCoast.com.

360PalmCoast.com launched their website the beginning of June 2010.  The site is designed to promote local businesses and provide businesses with a comprehensive set of online marketing tools. The software allows business owners, association members and advertisers to build and/or enhance their web presence with online marketing tools and showcase their products and services with interactive visuals on the web and mobile phones.

On 360PalmCoast.com there are virtual tours, coupons, specials, events, maps, pictures, and more from around Palm Coast.  Company hopes to help community businesses incorporate the Internet into their marketing programs.

360PalmCoast representative Carmenda Laymon from Coastal Direct, LLC. said:

" Although 360PalmCoast has only been live for a month, 360directories has been around for over 10 years."

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Sources:  Information related Chamber's FlaglerKnows.com is based on Innovectra's Press Release.  Information related to 360PalmCoast.com has been submitted by Carmenda Laymon of Coastal Direct, LLC.

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Palm Coast Flagler County Airport Has the Cheapest Fuel

Pilots may be in for a pleasant surprise at the Flagler County Airport as fuel prices have dropped to an all time low.

The reduced fuel cost is part of an operation strategy of the County Airport.

“While this may be a challenging economic climate,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said, “we think that supporting our existing businesses and encouraging new business can ultimately enhance our bottom-line and create more excitement at the airport.”

Over the past few months the County has been implementing several measures to stimulate air traffic, such as reduced fuel prices on the weekend, volume discounts for Jet A fuel, and an annual air show.

Airport Director Roy Sieger says:

“ Effective July 1, 2010, the self service Avgas fuel price will be at an all time low at $3.58 for self serve Avgas. Even with the reduction in fuel cost, it is our goal to continue to deliver a high level of service to all of our customers.” 

The price may vary in with subsequent deliveries of fuel.

The Flagler County Airport is a county-owned, public use, general aviation (GA) airport that is operated and maintained under the direction of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners.

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Source: Flagler County press release.

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Free Movie in Palm Coast's Central Park on July 9 CANCELLED

The City of Palm Coast’s Recreation and Parks Department and the Flagler County Schools proudly present ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ on Friday, July 9th, 9:00 p.m. in Central Park in Town Center. Admission is free for this monthly event.

A different family movie feature shown on a huge screen in the stage area at the main entrance to the park. Your favorite concessions will also be available to add to a really enoyable movie experience.

Friday Night Movie in Central Park will be held on the second Friday evening of each month in Central Park, located just north of Flagler Palm Coast High School on Bulldog Drive. Plan to bring blankets, chairs and bug spray and plan to enjoy some special moments with your family.

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

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Palm Coast's July 4 Fireworks a Tremendous Success!

There was controversy...  Officials and Folks in Flagler Beach didn't like the idea that Palm Coast got in on "their" traditional fireworks displays this year.

There were challenges... City of Palm Coast surprised the folks by passing on the sponsorship due to budget concerns.  It was a last minute arrangement, only 30 days to promote, could the organizers get the word out? Would the event fail?

There were questions...  It was a stormy weekend, was there weather going to cooperate?  Would Palm Coasters and visitors show up?

But, they came... Thousands upon thousands have come.  People not only filled up the City Park, but occupied every parking space, and every piece of green as far as the new Epic Theater, the Imagine School, and the Flagler Palm Coast High School.  They tailgated, set up their lawn chairs, picnicked, shot their own fireworks, listen to music...

The Inaugural Palm Coast Tailgate Party and Fireworks were a tremendous success.  Championed by David Ayres of WNZF Radio Station, the Rotary Club of Flagler County jumped in and organized the event.  WNZF, the Palm Coast Observer, Palm Coast Ford Dealership and many others chipped in. 

Here's a 4-minute video with the complete experience from the Inaugural Palm Coast Fireworks:



Kudos to Palm Coast's Rotary Club of Flagler County, and WNZF for championing and hosting this successful event.  Based on its success, this is not a one-time event, it will repeat year-after-year...

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Will the weather cooperate for Palm Coast's July 4th Fireworks?

Flagler Beach pulled it off and had their fireworks on July 3rd despite showers and wind, along with a complete day of activities which included the morning Flagler Beach Parade, Watermelon Eating Contest, Hotdog Eating Competition, Live Reggae Music, and National Anthem performed by Heidi Joy, followed by the 9:30 PM fireworks...  Attendance may have not been as high as expected, but residents and visitors supported their beloved Flagler Beach.

Due to budget concerns and because July 4th fell on a Sunday, Flagler Beach passed on the opportunity of hosting the fireworks on July 4th, and Palm Coast jumped right in.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Flagler County (of Palm Coast), and with WNZF, Palm Coast Observer, and Flagler Ford dealership chipping in with major sponsorships, it is Palm Coast's turn to have their own fireworks on this July 4th but the weather is a concern.

Palm Coast's July 4th event will include a tailgate party with music sponsored by WNZF and Beach 92.7 FM radio stations, then National Anthem sang by Heidi Joy, a celebrated, talented singer who recently moved to Palm Coast from Omaha, Nebraska.

But the weather is on everybody's mind this July 4th.  Are the storms coming?  Will it be a "dry" tailgate party?

Is there such a thing as a "dry tailgate party" anyways? :)

Here's the weather outlook as of 5 PM onward on July 4, 2010: