ORMOND BEACH
ARTS + CU LTURE TINKER TOTS
Observer
MAY 7, 2015
Dancing to Neverla
nd The St. Augustine Ballet will perform “The Ballet of Peter Pan.” Oh, and the cast collected Peter Pan peanut butter to donate to a food pantry. Way to go! PAGE 3B
CALENDAR
ON STAGE
Brand New will be at the St. Augustine Amphithe ater. Check out the calendar for the highlights of the arts scene from St. Augustine south to New Smyrn Beach. PAGES 4-5B
SOUTHERN CHAOS
Local country band scores stage at riding champi bull onships. PAGE 6B
FACES IN THE CROWD
Weldon Ryan’s
CARoNn IVAL canvas Weldon Ryan,
Caribbean scenes
will be featured
2011 Flagler County
social realist, Priceless
Michael and Caryn Lutz show off their signed copy of Robert Wittman’s book. Check out the crowd from faces in events throughout the month of April. PAGES 7-8B
to document in oils, in a realistic sense, the world that we live in today.” WELDON RYAN, artist
ASSOCIATE
I
in a solo show
at the Peabody’s
Artist of the Year,
SHANNA FORTIER
“To me, it’s important as an artist, as a
Rose Gallery
will showcase
in May.
his work at the
EDITOR
Shanna Fortier
Peabody Rose
Gallery.
n the past year, Palm Coastbased artist welcomed Weldon Ryan the mornin g light with has studio at Salvo the rooster crowing outside Art Project many times. sessions have his The all-night been in prepar painting ation for his Peabody,” set solo show, to open May “Carnival at 8, at the Peabo Art Gallery. the dy Auditorium’s Rose Room The show will bring and sinful enticem to life the vibrant colors, extravagant ents of Carniva costum originating l, the Caribb es in Trinidad ean celebra and Tobago tion “I love the subjec . t matter, figurat said, noting ive realism, that he has beautiful women spotlighted ,” Ryan the years. “It’s Carnival in full of life and a couple of pieces over excitement time.” and about having a good
PAGE 2B
INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 3, NO. 33
THURSDAY,
FREE
•
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015
‘Bad apples’ turn tree into a problem Old oak tree, rope swing attract thieves, vandals and underage drinking. City responds by cutting down the tree. ‘I hated to do it because I swung from a rope when I was a kid,’ a city worker says. PAGE 3A
“I loved all my years at Seabreeze. It was a wonderful combination of students, dedicated faculty and community involvement. Our kids are very respectful and they value education.” ROBERT WALLACE, who recently retired as principal of Seabreeze High School.
SEE PAGE 2A
Teachers, School Board to play nice? School district lightens year-end exam load. WAYNE GRANT NEWS EDITOR
The School Board and the teachers’ union have finally hashed out contract terms after weeks of contentious debate. The teachers are scheduled to vote on the contract on May 11, and then the School Board will vote at its regular meeting on May 12. The agreement will be retroactive to last July, because it’s for the 2014/2015 year. In October, the two sides will begin negotiations for the 2015/2016 year. “We’re always negotiating the current year,” said School Board Chairwoman Linda Costello. She’s glad to have the current SEE TEACHERS PAGE 5A
Very Special Arts Volusia hosted its 25th-annual talent night. Mikayla Rogers made it a night to remember. PAGE 4A
CURTAIN
CALL
Emily Blackwood
FINISH LINE FINESSE After finishing second by a nose in the 100 meters, Adrian Killins won the state title in the 200. Check out how Mainland’s speedster reacted — and the rest of his team’s results. SEE PAGE 9A
ART IN THE PARK SEE PAGE 11
CITY GROWS
Businesses on North U.S. 1 are being annexed by the city now that an agreement with Volusia County has been finalized. Who will benefit?
SEE PAGE 3A