Friday Follies~Ridiculous Realities

Some news worthy items from our brilliant Florida government. Did you know:

That bottle water companies based in Florida do not pay any taxes on the water they suck from the aquifer and sell to consumers? There is a plan rolling around to tax them. Check it out at WFTV.

A teacher in Tampa will most likely be reprimanded for telling a student who refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance to "go back to Africa". Read about it hear on TampaBay.com. The story itself is pretty bad but the comments below the story are truly frightening. I am amazed every day by the people that actually respond to stories like this, where did they come from and how do we get them back to their home planet?

And finally the most disturbing story of the day comes from the Orlando Sentinel, Charlie Crist is all over the news blabbering about "what is good for Florida". Our schools are in disarray. Teachers are being laid off, programs cut, schools closed. We have one of the highest foreclosure and unemployment statistics in the country. BUT...our Lieutenant Govenor is a spendaholic, he and HIS family are traveling around on the taxpayers money. Jeff Plottcamp has a personal chauffer and bodyguard and a fleet of planes, SUV's and the Florida Highway Patrol protecting him. WHAT exactly are they protecting him from, does anyone know who he is? What exactly does he do? If you know please tell me....if the taxpayers of Florida are not outraged by this waste, something is wrong. The Sun-Sentinel broke this story, watch the video clip it is eye opening. Did we elect this guy?

So go have a bottled water (before the price goes up...) be sure your children respect the flag, and try and figure out what our Lt Governor does....most of all enjoy the weekend!

Around Town~Weekend Events

Plenty to do around town this weekend. Bike Week starts Friday. The Gallery Group Art Walk on Flagler is this Saturday. You can always check out what is happening on Flager Ave on the Merchants of Flagler Ave website.

Don't forget the weekly Farmer's Market on Canal Street this and every Saturday. If you need produce during the week check out Perrine's Produce it is right next to Banana Republic on Dixie Highway (US 1).

The 50th annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is this Saturday at the NSB High School Cafeteria.

Saturday, February 28th there will be a FREE Bonfire and Drum Circle at North Beach Community Park from 6pm-8pm. Details at three8six.com.

It is gorgeous today and will be tomorrow and Saturday as well, great beach weather. You can go to Just Weather for updates. Watch for the jelly fish, I was over there this morning and the blue ones that look like plastic bags are all over the beach. So watch your kids don't pick them up.

Surf Report and Beach Cam (Flagler Ave Approach)

Enjoy the weekend!

Hump Day Contest

Happy Hump Day to all! I hope everyone enjoyed Mardi Gras on Flagler last night. Great fun was had by all and not a bit of trash and not a stray bead was found on the street!

Our partners over at New Smyrna Beach Concierge are giving away four hours of service. This can be Virtual Assistance Service for those of you that may not be local to New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Samsula or Port Orange. It can also be errand running, wait service, senior care service. Whatever service they provide that you need is eligible.

What do you have to do to get this great prize you ask?? Simply leave a comment to this post and your name will be entered in the drawing. If you go anonymous it will be hard for me to identify you.....so email me your comment as well if you opt to be anonymous.

Comments will be accepted thru 12:00 am EST on Saturday, February 28th. Winner to be announced on Monday, March 2nd.

I know how many hits we are getting a day, so all you lurkers out there, leave a comment and get a prize!!!

Old Fashioned Crab Boil

Mardi Gras Kick Off Party & Crawfish Boil

It's Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let The Good Times Roll! Mardi Gras is here and the OM Bar is hosting the 1st Annual Crawfish Boil Kick Off Party. The outdoor patio has been converted into an old fashioned crawfish boil with all-you-can-eat crawfish, corn and potatoes thrown out on picnic tables today, Fat Tuesday, February 24 from 4 to 6pm. Cost is $10 per person and are available at the bar.

Mardi Gras on Flagler

Come on down to Flagler Ave tonight for Fat Tuesday!

The 2nd Annual New Smyrna Beach Mardi Gras Celebration will be held on Flagler Avenue from the Beach to Pine Street with Mardi Gras-themed food, drinks and live entertainment.

The entertainment begins at 4PM and continues until well past midnight at the following venues:

OM Bar, Flagler Tavern, Toni & Joes, Breakers, Flip Flops, Traders, Peanuts and the Flagler Coffee House.

The parade starts at 7pm~come on down and grab some beads!

This & That on The Florida School Mess

Interesting Take Two segment with Charlie Crist on yesterday's Meet The Press. If you have a few minutes it is interesting. I am not sure he is saying much but then he never does.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Orange County parents and teachers collected 4500 signatures protesting the school budget cuts. Great effort I hope it helps. The Sentinel Education Blog has good coverage of this.

Here is an interesting read from the West Volusia Beacon on just how much these layoffs cost Volusia County. Eye opening numbers on unemployment claims. In the last two quartes over 1 million spent on unemployment, the entire budget is only 1 million with half the year left. Scary.

If you were not aware our illustrious Volusia County School Board gave themselves a paycut. This amounts to $763.00 per year per member, that breaks down to $14.67 per week per board member. One school board member is quoted as saying this cut is "symbolic". Symbolic would be one of them steps up and works for FREE, that would send a message. I know the school board is a thankless job, but they asked for it when they were elected.

More on the schools to come....

Kids Meal Deals

One more for the Sunday Stumble - Kids Meal Deals find restaurant Kids Deals in your area.

Sunday Stumble

A little bit of this & that today on the Stumble.



David Gregory of Meet the Press has an interesting new blog.

Check out CastTV. Lots of shows available free online. Almost make me want to cancel my cable.

The Comfort Zone Camp provides services to children who have lost a parent or sibling or caregiver. Great people.

Blog the Beach - this is all about the beaches in Florida, good stuff.

Have a great Sunday...the Art Fiesta continues downtown and Chases Grand Opening concludes today.

Chase's Grand Opening

The Grand Re-Opening of the new Chases on the Beach is this weekend. They will have live music and drink specials all weekend. $3.00 Sam Adams and Malibu Rum Drinks. Music starts at 3pm on Saturday & Sunday. They have an all new menu and staff, I have not been there yet but have heard the food is good. They have a new build your own salad card that looks excellent.

They also offer free valet parking so if you have to park in the lot across the street you won't have to cross A1A. If you head over there this weekend, shoot me an email or leave a comment on your experience!

Whatever you do, have a great weekend!

Merk's

If you are going to have chicken wings & cold beer in New Smyrna Beach, Merk's is the place to go. If you are not familiar with the area they are located next to the Bowling Alley and the bait shop on the North Causeway. The wings are great, they have a variety of sauces which include mild, medium, hot, insane, garlic, barbecue, teriyaki and my favorite which is frankenstein, this is a mix of all the flavors and is very tasty! They also have a full menu including appetizers like quesadilla rolls, jalapeño poppers, smoked fish dip with crackers, sweet potato fries and other items. They have entrees including Ahi Tuna, New York Strip Steak, steamed shrimp, fish and chips, burgers and a full line of sandwiches and burritos.

Families are welcome but get the kids out by about 8pm when it becomes a bar. They do have happy hour starting at 4pm. There is no where in the place that you can't see a TV and the service is great. I usually go for lunch, it is less crowded and Nancy will greet you with a big smile.

The street address is 193 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169. Telephone 386-427-1177.

When Do You Listen To Your Kids?

Back in the day when I had a "normal" job, I drove my kids to school or day care, and usually picked them up in the afternoon or evening. My normal job involved taking and receiving calls on my cell phone most every minute that I was in the car and alot of times when I was home. Someone always needed something....right now. I was not smart enough to turn it off.

Now that I live in little ole New Smyrna Beach and work at home, I sometimes cannot find my cell phone. I take my son to his bus and my daughter to school and I pick them both up in the afternoon. Probably 10 minutes each way twice a day. Since they go to different schools at different times that 20 minutes a day is spent alone in the car with each of them, the things you can learn....if you listen....

My daughter is wide open and chatters her head off, I know everything, she loves Art, PE and Chorus. She is scared of the FCAT and I won't tell you what we call her teacher. She loves her dogs and her horse and hates her brother. She thinks her Grandma is the Queen and the sun rises and sets on her Grandpa. Her Uncle Rick is strict but "he loves us Mommy" and her Uncle Robby is the cool one. (we won't call him in an emergency-her words not mine).

My son is a tougher egg to crack, he is usually quiet and reading a book or listening to his Ipod in the car. I ask questions....how was your day, crap like that. It usually gets him talking. I know he loves his school, I know who his friends are what they talk about, I know what he thinks about politics, A-Rod and steroids, his baseball coach and what new "apps" he wants on his I-Touch.

I don't talk, I listen. The one thing I always tell them is "I Love You"

I laugh at the response.....

my daughter..."MOM, I know, I love you too, don't embarrass me"

my son looks at me like I have a third eye and says, "how do you think I don't know that Mom, I love you too."

So I use the 20 minutes I spend in the car with my kids to "listen". I would love to know what other Moms and Dads are doing to listen to their kids?

The 12 for 12K Challenge

The 12for12k Challenge is the brainchild of Press Release PR owner Danny Brown. Inspired by the way that social media has changed so many lives for the better already with various charity promotions, Danny wanted to do something that was both easy to take part in and have the potential to change as many lives as possible. The 12for12k Challenge started taking shape.

It is a very simple concept:

12 months of the year
12 charities, 1 chosen every month
1200 people
$10 donation per person, per charity, each month for 12 months, a total of just $120 per person over the year

They have some pretty strict requirements for the charities they choose to support.

Read about this months charity Stop The Silence here.

I'm in are you?

New Smyrna Beach Jobs

Since I asked where the jobs are I have had 34 emails. Many of you are wondering where the jobs are too. It would seem that the travel and tourism and hospitality jobs would be plentiful right now, that is not the case. Forget about professional, state, construction and retail. A few leads I do have:

K-Mart is hiring, here, in Orange City and in Daytona. There are many different positions open.

24 Hour Body Works has been advertising for a variety of positions. The owner Hunter Mann seems to have a certain type in mind so don't get your feelings hurt if you are too smart to work there.

Gentiva Home Health Systems is hiring LPN's and RN's in Southeast and all over Volusia.

Dollar General and 7-11 are hiring in Orange City and Daytona.

Many of these require you to come in and fill out an application, K-mart is online or in person. Take a recruiter's advice, bring a resume with you, no matter what you are applying for you have to stand out. If you have to fill out an application, ask the person who takes it to staple your resume to the application.

If you need help with your resume please email me and I will help you out.

Around Town~Weekend Events

The 47th Annual Art Fiesta at Old Fort Park is this weekend. It starts at 10:00am this Saturday and features great local as well as regional artists.

Next weekend is the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the NSB High School Cafeteria. You can purchase tickets online here. It is from 7am-12pm and the cost is $5.00 per person. All you can eat pancakes, juice, sausage & coffee. This is their 50th year. That is pretty amazing.

Are There Any Jobs?

I am a recruiter and it is pretty darn slow in my world right now. Turn on the news and you will see why. The mid-size and big companies that use recruiters don't need to hire, so they don't need us. I decided I better get a part time job to help pay the bills, or even a full time job, I can recruit anytime of the day and do alot of my work in the evening.

Now I know New Smyrna Beach is not a hub of activity but come on....I went in one business this morning that had been advertising for weeks and took my resume. The owner told me how overqualified I was. Meanwhile, he had dumb and dumber standing at the counter giggling and chatting. So...I am thinking he won't be calling me. There is not much out there, if you have a job, you better do what you can to hang on to it.

If you are looking here are a couple of places you can keep up on openings.

Indeed

Rat Race Rebellion

Oo course the big two are Monster and Careerbuilder. But save yourself some time and just use Indeed, it covers all of them in one place!

Sunday Stumble

As usual I am a day late!

Go Check out Planet Hazard, I was interested to see who the biggest polluters are in Volusia County. Boston Whaler and Viking Pools made the top ten.

The List Universe has a variety of interesting information.

Save The Elephants is a great site.

Send me your favorite links!

Happy Valentine's Day

Coach

Every morning I drop my daughter off at Coronado Elementary. Every morning the PE teacher, known to me as "Coach" greets the kids as they are dropped off. I have never seen this man without a smile on his face. He high fives, smiles and speaks to every child that passes him every morning. For two years I have dropped my kids off and for two years I have seen him welcome every single child, every single morning.

Coronado is a small community school on the beachside, it has no gym, it has no real athletic facilities, nothing fancy, a sand lot on the side of the school is where "Coach" teaches PE to the 300 or so students that attend this school. I know that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday when my daughter gets in the car at the end of the day I will hear about the kickball game, the basketball game or whatever great thing they did that day in PE. My son who is now in middle school still talks about his 5th grade year with "Coach" and "Mr T"(his 5th grade teacher, who was cut because of the budget).

I am pretty sure that "Coach" is not out there every morning smiling and greeting the kids because he is getting rich. He is doing it because he loves kids, he loves his job and he is happy doing it. You cannot fake that kind of commitment to children that he shows EVERY SINGLE DAY. This is an example of the teacher's that are being affected by the mess that is our education system. This is the teacher that has to wonder is his school the next one to close? Is his job the next one to go? But no matter what, he is out there every day, smiling and welcoming our kids to school. For some of these kids, he may be one of the only positive things in their day.

Take a minute and shoot an email to these people. They are the ones who can make a difference. Tell them what you think about the budget cuts. The teachers and the children need you to do it.

Breast Cancer Research

Plaza Research is recruiting women, ages 50 and above, that have been diagnosed with breast cancer to participate in one-hour telephone interviews being scheduled for February 23rd through February 29th. Those who qualify (and I pray that none of you do) will receive $75 for their participation.

If interested in participating, send an email with the information below to infolv@plazaresearch.com.

1.) Name

2.) Daytime Phone Number

3.) Evening Phone number

4.) City, State of Residence

5.) How long ago were you diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

6.) Is this your first time being diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

New Smyrna Weekend Events

This Saturday, February 15 is the Sandy Shoes Run for Scouting. This run supports the Central Council, Boy Scouts of America which provides character education programs to 70,000 youth in Central Florida. On the beach starting and ending at the Flagler Ave. approach. Distances: 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run.

Men's Over 50 Softball League is getting ready to start in New Smyrna Beach, they play Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:45 and 8pm. Call Glen Walker for information 386-527-6741.

Chase's is open with an all new menu, has been quite crowded this week.

More to come!

I Know This Is News...

Take a click over to NSBNEWS.net. They have pretty graphic coverage of the robbery and shooting at the Medicine Shoppe on US1 this past weekend. Everything from the surveilance video and the 911 calls. It is pretty scary stuff. They do have a warning about the content on their page. I know it is our reality but I don't want my kids to see it. They know the difference between people getting shot on the XBOX and on Law & Order and this...this is very real. This is what we expect to see happening in Orlando, but not hear in New Smyrna Beach.

It is a sad testament to our times that not only does this sort of thing happen in this small community but that we can then enjoy it over and over on the internet. What do you think?

FCAT Craziness

If you have a fourth grader you know what happens this week. The writing portion of the FCAT, the utterly useless way to measure what our children have learned in elementary school about writing. I have heard about nothing but this portion of the test for the last 2 weeks. My daughter has told me how much time she has, which writing styles she may have to use, how much paper she will have, that she needs a good nights sleep and that she has to have a good breakfast. Over and over and over I have heard it. "what if I have to write a fictional narrative", that is apparently the hardest one as opposed to some sort of expository....I would like to put the whole thing in the nearest repository.

What does it really tell us, it tells us that their teachers have been forced to make them write these styles over and over and over so they have memorized how to take the test. The stress level is ridiculous, my daughter stresses out over a regular test but the amount of pressure they have for this is like taking a college entrance exam. There is a parent meeting one night this week so we can learn how to help them take the test, they sent home a booklet on what we should be doing at home. Blah, blah, blah.....

I am trying to downplay it and just keep telling her, you will be fine, don't worry. I am not worried, she will be fine, now if I can just convince her of that!

Around Town

Welcome to Saturday! Very nice day here in New Smyrna, we got to open the windows for a few brief hours. Some news of note, Danny Veltri made it through Week 2 of Hell's Kitchen.

The Medicine Shop Pharmacy on US 1 was the scene of an almost robbery this morning. Apparently a robber looking for drugs was shot and killed by a security guard this morning around 10:15am. The security guard was hired when someone at the store was tipped off there was going to be a robbery.

The Spirit Cafe held it's grand opening last night on Washington St in New Smyrna. The Friday night coffee house is open Friday nights and admission is free. Hometown News has information on it here.

Not much else happening in our little town. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Chases

As we said earlier, Chases has changed owners, they closed last week to "renovate". The sign said Grand Reopening Wednesday!.....On Wednesday it changed to Thursday...and yesterday this is what it said.....kind of humorous. Glad they can laugh at themselves. So I just drove by....lots of cars, trucks, workers are still there right now. I guess they are madly trying to open for the weekend.....not sure what they had to do, it was open and operating before. I did hear from a former employee, that they are hiring....blonde, young bartenders...HMMMMM.

We will keep you posted! If they open tomorrow, I will take my OLD BLONDE self in there to check it out.....stay tuned.

Weekend Events

The Valentine’s Day Charity Ball is Feb 7, 2009 at Brannon Center.

5-6pm is a cash bar. 6-7pm Buffet dinner, 7-9pm Ballroom Dancing. Featuring 17 piece JJ Swing Band. THe event is sponsored by Edgewater Fitness Center and the Bert Fish Medical Foundation. All proceeds will go toward Edgewater Fitness Center, Senior Fitness Program, and the Bert Fish Medical Foundation.

Tickets: $50.00 per person or $75.00 per couple. Tickets can purchased by calling the Edgewater Fitness Center at 386-428-3697 or Garry Mac at Bert Fish Medical Center.

It is going to be nice this weekend...more events to come!

Volusia County School-Budget Mess

The budget mess continues to affect our schools. Here is some more information on what who you need to write too along with other ways to help.


Volusia Legislative Delegation and State Policy Makers - these people MUST hear from us, and realize that these cuts to our children's education are not acceptable.

Mid Year Cuts - this is what has been cut RIGHT now from your schools. Pay particular attention to page 3 - textbooks, sports and substitutes. These are ridiculous.

Next Years Potential Cuts - educational programs, athletics, ridiculous, ridiculous!

Be informed! Take action!

Here is some information if you want to donate to keep JV Sports for this year.


Academic Competitions and Junior Varsity Sports were eliminated from the budget mid-year due to the funding crisis. Many community members indicated they would be willing to donate money in order to save the programs for the 2008-09 school year.

An Ad Hoc Community Cadre, coordinated by Nancy Holman, was formed to spearhead the effort to raise $100,000.

Checks should be made payable to Volusia County Schools with a notation for Academic/JV Sports Support Fund.

Send checks to:

Bertie Trawick, Director of Finance
Volusia County Schools
200 North Clara Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720

Traumatic Tuesday

Today was one of those days. For one thing I was cold all day. I hate to be cold. I do not live in Florida with the expectation that I am going to be cold.....ever. Ok, so we did not have icicles but it felt like it. So once I got beyond the cold thing, I realized it was the last day to finish the "biography in a box". I know you are dying to know what that is. It is my son's 6th grade project on Henry Ford. My daughter had tennis (which I forgot to take her to.) My brother is sick so I needed to take care of his dog, my parents are out of town so I had to take care of their cat. OH, and I have two kids and a job and 2 dogs of my own. There are not enough hours in the day, it is nearly 9pm and I am now going to work...at the job that is supposed to pay the bills!

I need wine. Well, maybe not wine but at least a shower would be nice.

Today~Free Food

I am sure you know, our New Smyrna Denny's is at 1830 State Rd 44. Go enjoy a free breakfast!

Mardi Gras

This weekend is the Mardi Gras Celebration on Canal Street!

Saturday Feb, 7th - Join us for the Mardi Gras Dog Parade from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Entry fee is $5.00 per dog and donation of pet supplies. Entry forms at the Visitors Bureau at S.R. 44, The Observer, Pennysaver and The Chamber of Commerce on Canal Street, Silly Willie's on Flagler Avenue or you can print out your entry forms at www.SEVHS.com. There will be prizes!

2nd Annual Mardi Gras Celebration and Gallery Walk from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Good Times Dixieland Band featured at the 200 Block.
Beer & Wine Garden (Pennysaver Parking Lot) during Gallery Walk.

Lots of fun for all!

Super Sunday Stumble

This week is dedicated to all things Super Bowl.

America The Beautiful-what a voice!

The Star Spangled Banner-She is amazing!!!

And finally....

Let's remember Pat Tillman today, The Pat Tillman Foundation continues to do good work.

Hey Dad

I took my kids out to eat last night. Both of them had earned a free dinner at a local restaurant for Honor Role and Perfect Attendance. So out we went, they had their free dinners and I ordered an appetizer to save money. Many of my regular readers know their Dad is not around does not support them by his own choice, we must save pennies but I want them to be able to enjoy the rewards they have earned!

So as they played the games in the restaurant and won prizes and they shared their dinners with me and we laughed and joked and had fun....I looked around....three of the tables had a single man and a child, the children were around my kids age I think. They were ordering food, and hanging out.

Clearly this was weekend visitation. One Dad was on his phone while his little boy looked around, one was reading the paper, one kept looking at us. It was very sad to me. None of them were talking, or laughing, they did not even look like they wanted to be there.

The little boy next to me us was fascinated by the turtle my son had won, they exchanged a few words and my little boy gave it to him. Then my daughter took 50 cents out of her wallet and went and won him another one. I wanted to say HEY DAD....pay attention....

Anyway, we went on our way and after we got in the car, my 11 year old son said to me, "Mom, do you think that kid by us has a Mom?" I told him I thought so, but I think it was his Dad's weekend. He said, "well I hope his Mom is more fun, like you, otherwise I feel bad for that kid"

I asked him, "C, would you like to go out to dinner with your Dad?" As soon as I said it I was sorry, he looked at me and smiled and said, "nope, it is all good Mom."

I will tell you it makes me want to say to his father..."Hey Dad, you are missing so much and they are such good kids. However you have convinced yourself that you are right by ignoring them.....you are wrong and in spite of you they are awesome!"

Hey Dads, get off the phone, quit reading the paper, if you only have the weekend....pay attention....