Keeping PACE with the Holiday Season!

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1 City of Ormond Beach City Commission Members Mayor Fred Costello Zone 1 Lori Gillooly Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 City Attorney Randy Hayes Troy Kent Ed Kelley Bill Partington V O L U M E 8, I S S U E 2 D E C M E B E R 4, Keeping PACE with the Holiday Season! City Manager Joyce Shanahan 22 S. Beach St. Ormond Beach, FL Ph: Fax: shanahan@ormondbeach.org Inside this Issue City Santas 2 Home for the Holidays Parade Movies on the Halifax 7 Holiday Party 8 Hudson Technology 9 Public Works in Ac- 10 Bike Rack at City 11 Tree Repair 12 Street Light Repair 13 30th Annual Christmas Gala 3 14 The PACE Center for Girls decorated the City Hall atrium Christmas tree last week in preparation for the holiday season. Six young ladies who have proven themselves through both academic and attendance achievements over the course of the year joined Performing Arts Center Supervisor Stefan Sibley last Wednesday to put the finishing touches on what the tree is taken d o w n a f t e r the holidays. has become a holiday tradition for PACE. Mr. Sibley remarked, This is a great reward for their hard work and effort throughout the school year. As an additional surprise, he made o r n a m e n t s with the girl s names on them to place in the tree which will turn into mementoes they will have when Casements Reopening 15

2 P A G E 2 City Santas This is our 13 th year! Since 1997, City employees, with the help of citizens and businesses, have worked to provide gifts for children and seniors in need during the holiday season. Each year, staff receives a list of those in need living in Ormond Beach from Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM). Employees do fundraising activities and accept financial donations as well as toy donations for the holiday p r o - g r a m. E a c h y e a r t h i s p r o - g r a m r e - c e i ves g r e a t support from employees, citizens and businesses. In addition to financial and toy donations, they donate their time and talents to this annual effort. This year is unlike any other for the City Santas. Last year the program provided for 97 children. This year the number of children in need rose to 136, an increase of 39 which is a 40% increase from last year. On Saturday, December 5, 2009, fifteen (15) City Santas were out shopping for the children in the early morning hours. Each one shopped for 9-12 children. The City Santas are provided a short list of gifts the children would like and try to p u r c h a s e those items. Each child receives 3-5 gifts. In addition to the children, the City Santas will also be providing gifts to 14 seniors on this year s list. The City Santas would like to thank everyone w h o has assisted in this effort this y e a r, and the m a n y w h o h a v e assisted e v e r y year since its inception, and wish everyone the happiest of holidays. Loretta Moisio ( ) has been accepting donations to fund this charitable event. D E C E M B E R 1 1,

3 P A G E 3 Home for the Holidays Parade Staging for the parade is complete, all the entries are in place, notices have been sent to all participants and confirmation calls have been made. We re now ready for one fantastic Home for the Holidays nighttime parade! Be sure to come early to see the Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by Ormond Main- Street which will be held in front of City Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. sharp this Saturday, December 12 th. Immediately following the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be the start of the Home for the Holidays Parade. The parade will begin at US 1 and Division Avenue, travel north on US 1 to Granada, turn east on Granada and head to City Hall where the parade will end and entrants will be judged. There are approximately 100 groups participating in the parade this year! We are proud to announce our efforts have exceeded last year s donations and would like to give a special recognition to our 2009 Home for the Holiday Parade sponsors. Atlantic Orthodontics Bright House Networks Brown & Brown of Florida Command Medical Daytona International Hampton & Associates Hometown News Lamar Signs Preferred Business Group P&S Paving Speedway Corp. Sr's R US Weather Guard, Inc. Community Events Staff, with the assistance of the Home for the Holidays Committee, have been diligently working to gather support from the community for this event. Deck the Halls! T h e Leisure S e r - vices Building Maintenance staff were instrumental in setting up and installing lights on the holiday tree in the atrium of City Hall. The work was done in preparation for the volunteers from the Pace Center for Girls who came in and festively decorated the tree. W E E K L Y R E V I E W

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6 P A G E 6 Holiday Chorale and Tree Lighting To Precede the Holiday Parade Saturday, December 12th 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Ormond Beach City Hall Plaza Join us to celebrate the joys of this Glorious Season! Highly acclaimed vocalist Tim Rippey will entertain from 5PM to 6:30PM in the Ormond Beach City Hall Plaza, Saturday night December 12 th. The concert is FREE OF CHARGE and a gift from Ormond MainStreet to the community. season. At 6:00 PM sharp Honorable Mayor Fred Costello will officially light the Ormond Beach MainStreet Holiday Tree, in the City Hall Plaza at the corner of Granada Blvd. and Beach Street; the Annual Holiday Parade will commence. Tim Rippey s repertoire includes music from Andre Bocellei, Michael Buble, and Neil Diamond to George Strait. His voice has an amazing three octave range and he performs throughout the east coast. Rippey is well known for his roles in Phantom of The Opera, Man From La Mancha and Camelot The Halifax Baptist Association will present The Living Nativity and serve hot chocolate and refreshments also FREE OF CHARGE. All faiths are invited to join and celebrate the Hundreds of lighted floats, marching bands and Santa himself will joyfully perform the splendor of the season with each of you. The parade is brought to you by the City of Ormond Beach Leisure Services under the direction of Brian and Siobhan Daly and their elves. For questions you can call or Maggie@ormondmainstreet.com Ormond Beach Farmer s Market Celebrates the Holiday Join the fun of shopping the Ormond Beach Farmers Market every Thursday from 7AM- 1PM. Over forty vendors offer a large selection of produce including many organic, locally grown fresh vegetables, fruit and citrus. Some of the many gourmet choices include freshly baked European breads, pies, sweet cakes, olive oils, tapenades, salsa, fresh mozzarella, Thai food, Italian food, Barbeque, British Pot Pies, crab cakes, pickles, orchids, exotic plants, topiaries, landscape trees, soy candles, organic soaps and free trade hand woven African baskets. We have an extra large selection of herbs, spices and exotic teas. Many vendors include great gifts for your holiday shopping. Students from St. James Episcopal School will sing carols on and Thursday December 17 th at 11:30AM. Shop for all your holiday needs. The Ormond Beach Farmers Market is located on the south east corner of the Granada Bridge in Rockefeller Gardens. Open Christmas Eve Day and New Years Eve day until 12 noon for your shopping pleasure. D E C E M B E R 1 1,

7 P A G E 7 Movies on The Halifax Double Holiday Feature! This Friday night, December 11 th, the Leisure Services Department and The Casements Guild will sponsor a holiday double feature for the community for the next Movies on The Halifax! The first movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Dr. Seuss favorite, will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by Elf. Our friends from Tomoka Christian Church will be offering hot dogs, hot chocolate and popcorn for sale. The proceeds from their sales will go toward their upcoming mission to Haiti in January. We wish them well and appreciate their willingness to assist for the evening. Please bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket and bundle up in case of cool weather and enjoy the evening out on the newly renovated Rockefeller Gardens. We hope to see you here! Traveling Story Time On Monday, December 7 th, Fire Chief Skip Irby was invited to participate as a guest reader in a program called Traveling Story Time, sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia. Preschool children at A Child s Garden, Ormond Beach, attentively listened to Chief Irby as he read two books: If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See. The experience was a positive one for all involved, and Chief Irby was pleased to take part in this worthwhile program. Book Event Doesn t Feel Like a Lecture! On Sunday, December 6 th the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center was filled with literature enthusiasts as Gerald Honigman discussed his newly released book, The Quest for Justice in the Middle East - The Arab-Israeli Conflict in Greater Perspective. Mr. Honigman is an educator who has done extensive doctoral studies in Middle Eastern Affairs, has lectured on numerous campuses and other platforms and has publicly debated many spokesmen. His articles have been published in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, academic journals and websites all around the world. Mr. Honigman states that his book aims to provide the basics of the conflict to those being bombarded daily with news and misinformation coming out of this important region and to place such topics and issues into a much broader perspective. W E E K L Y R E V I E W

8 P A G E 8 Elks Club Hoop Shoot Rainy Day Doesn t Dampen Southern Gospel Holiday Cheer! The annual Elks Club Hoop Shoot was held on Saturday morning, December 5 th. Over 60 participants were pre-registered for the event and several others signed up on Saturday. Parents and other spectators enjoyed the competition at the Nova Community Center. Winter Holiday Party The annual Winter Holiday Party for the special needs community hosted over 125 participants and volunteers. All who attended the December 4 th festivities enjoyed dancing to the music of DJ Ryan Knox, dinner, pictures, games, arts and crafts and holiday fun. The evening was complete once Santa arrived! On Friday, December 4 th the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center was filled with the sounds of southern gospel. FCC Ministries and Happy Gospel Concerts presented their first show of the holiday season to over 400 guests. While the rain was persistent, these concert goers would not be denied. Led by Pastor Bill Bailey, four nationally r e n o w n e d g o s p e l g r o u p s graced the stage in one night of holiday hymns and traditional Christmas carols. Opening the evening was the extremely talented Talley Trio followed by Debbie Domer, the Crist family and none other than multigospel, gold album artists The Kingsmen. Pastor Bailey's name has been synonymous with southern gospel music for over twenty years. As one of the nation's leading concert promoters, his events have spanned the southeast and included most every major southern gospel artist in the industry. He has received numerous awards and achievements throughout the years and also served as President of the Southern Gospel Promoters' Association. Pastor Bailey has already scheduled three more concerts for January and is anticipating sellouts at each. D E C E M B E R 1 1,

9 P A G E 9 Economic Development Update As part of the Economic Development Department s ongoing business r e t e n t i o n / expansion program, Economic Development Director Joe Mannarino meets with businesses in the community to discuss their current level of employment and operations and ways the City can assist in their success in job creation and capital investment. In a recent visit to Hudson Technology, which is located along north US1 in Ormond Beach, staff met with Mr. Mark Andrews, who has been President of the company for the past four years. Hudson Technology, formerly known as Hudson Tool & Die Company, was established in 1940 in Newark, New Jersey. The company opened a second plant in Ormond Beach located at 1327 N. US Highway 1 in 1969 with additions in 1975, and in 1984 Hudson was subsequently acquired by JSJ Corporation. In 1991, the Company expanded again and all Hudson Tool & Die operations were re-located to Ormond Beach, which now operates out of 115,000 square feet of light manufacturing and office space and employs approximately 200 employees. In 2006, Hudson s parent company began an analysis of expanding the manufacturing operation and undertook an evaluation of whether to keep the plant in Ormond Beach or to move it to an underutilized manufacturing facility it owned in New Jersey. The Economic Development Department worked closely with Hudson s economic development consultants as they conducted the economic analysis of the expansion options. Due to favorable employment and operational cost factors and the decision of the City Commission in December of 2009 to provide tangible property tax abatement for a six year period on the new capital equipment valued at approximately $2.1 million, Hudson was retained in Ormond Beach. The abatement is based on the value of the new equipment and does not reduce the City s current or future taxes on the existing real estate and other tangible property. Not only has the new investment in the manufacturing plant improved the manufacturing process, Hudson has replaced existing equipment with more modern, environmentally friendly, technology and equipment. Hudson has been increasing employment over the past year, with hourly wage positions ranging from $12 to $24 per hour plus benefits as well as increasing the engineering and technical staff positions. Approximately 90% of the Hudson Technology s employees have resided in Volusia County for more than three years, which provides stability in the housing market as well. The new equipment is generating increased sales growth for Hudson and allows for new production to be located in Ormond Beach. One of the reasons for Hudson s success over the past year is Mr. Mark Andrews, Hudson s President, who is an innovator in best manufacturing practices. In October of 2009, Hudson received awards from the Volusia Manufacturing Association for their Going Green Program and for their Wellness Program. Next week staff will be highlighting the Zon Solar Company. W E E K L Y R E V I E W

10 P A G E 1 0 Public Works in Action Street Section making preparations for the Home for the Holidays Parade. 400 Barrels require lighting installed before the Parade begins. LET THE PARADE BEGIN! D E C E M B E R 1 1,

11 P A G E 1 1 Let it Flow! The waterfall at Memorial Gardens is a focal point for residents and visitors to marvel in its beauty and have memorable photos taken. Unfortunately, the pump burnt up and needed replacement. The Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff were quick to acquire the necessary parts and begin the repair as soon as possible Street Section assisting Building Maintenance removing playground equipment at Central Park 1 & 2. The old bike rack at City Hall had deteriorated over time, so it was necessary for the Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff to install a new one. The bike rack is used by several citizens every day who are helping our environment and themselves by riding their bikes to the places they need to go! New Bike Rack at City Hall Stormwater crews assist the Utilities Section in the restoration after a repair is made on Melrose Ave. W E E K L Y R E V I E W

12 P A G E 1 2 Breakfast with Santa! Tickets are still available for Breakfast with Santa to be held at the Casements on Saturday, December 19th. There will be three seatings - one at 8:00 a.m., one at 9:00 a.m. and one at 10:00 a.m. Pancakes and sausages will be served. There will be plenty of fun with pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, cookie decorating, ornament painting and holiday music. Tickets are available at the Casements for only $5.00. You may also call your reservation in with a credit card and have the tickets mailed to you. Please call for availability and information. Reaching New Heights! One of the favorite times of year for the Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff is the holiday season when they get a chance to illuminate the City with colorful decorations. Pictured here, the Building Maintenance staff and the City s Tree Crew are putting up the holiday tree on the stage in Rockefeller Gardens in preparation for the Tree Lighting Ceremony which was held on Friday, December 4 th. Santa s Calling Santa heard that there were some very good children in Ormond Beach this year! On December 15 th and December 16 th, Santa will be making a phone call to kindergarten and first-grade children from Ormond Beach if their parents go online and fill out a registration form at A citizen reported that one of the holiday trees on the Halifax River was no longer illuminated. The Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff brought in the tree, repaired the short, and placed the tree back out in the Halifax for all to enjoy. Halifax Tree Repair D E C E M B E R 1 1,

13 P A G E 1 3 Street Light Repair In addition to all their holiday duties, the Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff must continue to perform routine maintenance on the City street lights. Pictured here, a staff member is repairing lights on Granada Boulevard during the early morning hours. The Curtain Goes Up On Great Teamwork at the PAC! On Satu r d a y, December 5 th, the Performing Arts Center Supervisor was in the middle of guiding a rehearsal for one of its upcoming productions when the main stage curtain broke and a support bracket came crashing down. No one was in danger of being hurt and the curtain was in need of serious repair; however, it was still able to be tied back to continue rehearsal the show must go on! After an u r g e n t call to o u r Building Mainten a n c e Supervisor on Saturday, the Leisure Services Building Maintenance crew arrived first thing M o n d a y mor n ing with an e a g e r spirit and a willingness to overcome any obstacle. Along with PAC staff they began the painstaking labor of climbing into the 20 tall ceiling opening and removing the brok e n bracket system a n d new one. fabricating a Hats off to the Leisure Services Building Maintenance staff for their assistance and guidance through the process. They are always willing to take on any job put before them; no matter how odd or unpleasant. Together we can accomplish anything! Weekly Police Stats Calls for Service - 1,074 Arrests 18 Citations Issued - 90 Reports Written Traffic Stops Weekly Fire Operations Stats 91 INCIDENTS 48 - EMS 8 - Motor Vehicle Accidents 2 - Fires 10 - Fire Alarms 18 - Public Assists 5 - Hazardous W E E K L Y R E V I E W

14 P A G E 1 4 Despite rain and cool weather, the 30 th Annual Christmas Gala opened on time last Friday night. Many of the vendors braved the cool winds and rain along with the members of The Casements Guild who worked so hard to bring a holiday market to the Community since The Casements was not open for business. Several members of the community braved the weather and stuck it out to see Santa and Mrs. Claus accompanied by Mr. Rockefeller arrive in an antique car to start the grand House lighting and Tree lighting ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Casements staff members and a few volunteers assisted with the lighting ceremony. As the music began, they took their places in the home to turn on the window candles and g a r l a n d s wrapped around the windows on the first floor in sync with the music. After the building was lit, The 30 th Annual Christmas Gala! the fence on Riverside Drive was turned on. The emcee for the evening then directed everyone s attention to the Rockefeller Gardens stage where the towers were lit and then finally the 15 tree was illuminated. Several parents then took their youngsters to visit with the jolly old Elf who sat perched in his giant red and silver chair in the east tower on the stage. The rain stopped shortly after noon on Saturday, and the crowds began to filter into the park. It was wonderful to see families gather on stage with Santa to take pictures and families board the decorated wagon together to take a horse drawn carriage ride down Riverside Drive. The market vendors were busy showing off their wares, and the food vendors kept the park filled with delicious scents throughout the day. D E C E M B E R 1 1,

15 P A G E 1 5 The Casements Grand Reopening! The G u i l d Casements Grand Reopening has been scheduled for Thursday, December 17 th at 6:00 p.m. members will assist w i t h cleaning After seven months of extensive renovations, the historic home will be open for the community to tour. The changes are many and the results are breathtaking. the china, filling the kitchen cabinets as well as stocking the Casements Corner Gift Shoppe with their holiday inventory. Much of the cost in renovations went to the new fire system, stairwell and ADA enhancements; however, many historically accurate finishes have been added as well. After the initial reopening ceremony, guests will be welcomed into the home for light refreshments. Guild members will be placed throughout the home to answer any questions regarding the new improvements. At 7:00p.m, guests will be escorted into Rockefeller Gardens for a free holiday concert featuring The Moonlighters Orchestra. Special guests for the evening will include, Mr. Rockefeller and, of course, Santa. The Casements staff, along with members from the Guild, are patiently awaiting the Certificate of Occupancy to be awarded by the end of this week. With that in hand, work will begin to bring down the furnishings, move the pianos, hang the pictures and move all the special event equipment into the new Carriage House. We hope you will join us for this festive occasion as we welcome in the holiday season. W E E K L Y R E V I E W