Issuu

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NURSING SCHOOL 4 SEPTEMBER 2021

VOLUME 8, NO. 2

How to join the ‘wave of kindness’ Effort to raise 1,000 $20 restaurant gift cards for health care workers crosses halfway mark PAGE 7

FCSO’s general counsel resigns Theresa Pontieri posted videos critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s general counsel resigned Aug. 24 after the Daytona Beach News-Journal asked questions about a podcast-style video series she’d posted in which she criticized the Black Lives Matter movement. The general counsel, Theresa Pontieri, is white. She had posted the videos on a social media video-sharing platform called Rumble, and they have since been removed. Pontieri had worked for the Sheriff’s Office for less than two months: She’d started on July 6, FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge said. “The statements and choice of words in her online commentary do not represent or reflect Sheriff Staly’s proven values,” Strobridge said in an emailed statement. “A private, members only podcast, which was made in April 2021 before she was employed with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, was brought to our attention on August 23, 2021, and was not disclosed or found in the hiring process. The comments

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447

SEE PONTIERI PAGE 2

New in town Burntwood Tavern now open at The Trails Shopping Center JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A new tavern-style restaurant has found a home in The Trails Shopping Center, and its management is hoping it becomes the “go-to” place for all locals. Burntwood Tavern’s opened on Thursday, Aug. 19, in a 6,000-square-foot building at 250 N. Nova Road. This will be the 15th location opened by the Ohio-based restaurant group, and the fifth in Florida. The restaurant boasts its upscale tavern fare including sandwiches, small plate appetizers and burgers, as well as its specials on beer, wine and liquor. Burntwood Tavern also infuses its own vodkas with ingredients like blueberries, strawberries, jalapeños and bacon. Bryan Kelley, director of operations for Chef Art Pour ResPhoto by Jarleene Almenas

SEE BURNTWOOD PAGE 7

Treating COVID

Local Postal Customer

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site opens in Ormond Beach

Bryan Kelley, director of operations for Chef Art Pour Restaurant Group, said they’re excited to open their new restaurant at the Trails Shopping Center.

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Gov. Ron DeSantis is continuing to increase access to monoclonal antibody therapy treatment, and on Thursday, Aug. 19, he announced the opening of a treatment site at the Ormond Beach Senior Center. The governor expressed his confidence that the state will see a reduction in hospital admissions with the introduction of these treatment sites, particularly naming the treatment by biotechnology company Regeneron. At the time of the press conference, DeSantis had announced the opening of monoclonal antibody therapy treatment sites in Jacksonville, Orlando, Merritt Island, Pembroke Pines and West Palm Beach. As of Tuesday, Aug. 24, he’d opened 18 sites across the state. “It’s our belief that if this SEE TREATING PAGE 2

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the opening of a new monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site in Ormond Beach.

SEPTEMBER 2021 PLANTATION BAY

Treating COVID CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

is something that everybody understands is available, and it’s utilized, that you will be able to reduce the admissions into hospitals, and I think hopefully in a pretty significant way,” DeSantis said. The new sites come as Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise, with the Florida Hospital Association reporting hospitalizations are now 165% higher than they were during the state’s previous peak in July 2020. Hospitalizations, as of Tuesday, Aug. 24, totaled 16,820 since the start of the pandemic, according to FHA, up 100 from the time of the governor’s press conference in Ormond Beach. The association reports that 53.7% of adult ICU beds in Florida are currently occupied by COVID-19 patients. The announcement came a day after the Associated Press reported that Regeneron is one of DeSantis’ top political donors. NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR VACCINES

As of Aug. 16, Halifax Health reported it was caring for 162 COVID-19 patients, with 47 in the ICU. Of those in the ICU, only 7 were vaccinated. By Monday, Aug. 23, the number of hospitalizations dropped to 148. In AdventHealth’s Central Florida division, which includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk, Volusia and Flagler counties, there are about 1,680 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, Aug. 24. The monoclonal antibody

therapy treatment isn’t meant to replace COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines have been the “centerpiece” of the state’s efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19 since December, the governor said, but they aren’t meant to treat the virus; only prevent an individual from contracting it in the first place. “Obviously we worked very hard in Volusia County and throughout the state to be able to provide easy access to vaccines, focusing on seniors first,” DeSantis said. “We brought it to communities here in Volusia, retail pharmacies, of course the hospitals, the whole nine yards, and we’re happy to have done that. The data in Florida for hospitalizations still is that the people who are admitted to hospitals in Florida for covid and are being treated, particularly people who end up in the ICU, tend to be people who were not vaccinated.” IMMEDIATE TREATMENT POSSIBLE

Dr. Kenneth Scheppke, Florida Department of Emergency Management chief medical officer, said Regeneron monoclonal antibody therapy treatment is the best tool the state has to combat COVID-19. He stated the treatment works for all COVID-19 variants, and could be used as a post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. “So if you’re sick, or if you’re unvaccinated and you’re exposed, and you’re a high-risk individual, this is something that will treat you right now, which is very important,” Scheppke said.

Rated #1

On Aug. 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised its emergency use authorization for Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody therapy treatment to allow it to be used as a post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 in adults and children 12 and older “who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death,” according to the FDA. It is not authorized as a prevention measure before an individual is exposed to COVID-19, and the FDA further explains it is not a substitute for a vaccine. INCREASING AWARENESS

DeSantis said his goal is to have between 15 and 20 monoclonal antibody therapy treatment sites in the state by the end of the week. Each site, including the one in Ormond Beach, is able to perform over 300 treatments daily. The move by the state to add these sites is meant to boost what health systems already have in place. “I think this is expanding access, but also increasing awareness, which will be good,” DeSantis said. Treatment is free for patients, as the federal government is bearing the cost, the governor explained. How did the treatment site end up in Ormond Beach? Jenn Elston, spokesperson for the city, said Volusia County requested use of a facility in Ormond Beach to host a state-run monoclonal antibody treatment site. The Ormond Beach Senior Center is located at 351 Andrews St., and the treatment site will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walkins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged and can be made at patientportalfl.com

“Hands down the best customer service I’ve ever received. Very nice and knowledgeable. Answered all my questions and gave me tons of discounts!” -Brandi T.

GET YOUR MEDICAL

MARIJUANA CARD TODAY.

OR CALL US NOW FOR A FREE EVALUATION 386-222-1667 2525 W INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY BLVD #110, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114

DELAND

ST. AUGUSTINE

386-232-5599

904-299-7373

100 S SPRING AVE #102, DELAND, FL 32720

2085 A1A S, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32080

were divisive and controversial, resulting in the losing effectiveness as the Agency General Counsel. Because the tone and what was said creates a strained relationship with the community, Ms. Pontieri has elected to resign from her position and the resignation was accepted effective today.” Pontieri’s resignation letter, addressed to Sheriff Rick Staly, stated: “I have greatly appreciated my time with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and I thank you immensely for the opportunity to serve our community. I want nothing but the very best for the agency and for Flagler County, and I pray for the safety and success of all staff as you continue to grow the Sheriff’s Office and protect our citizens.” Later, she defended herself in a statement sent to the Palm Coast Observer and the News-Journal: “I previously had a podcast in which I discussed current events and politics—with a large focus being on my advocacy against anti-police rhetoric in this country. The News-Journal’s article cherry-picked content from a couple of my videos and failed to provide the point I was trying to make, which is that I’m tired of seeing victims of crime and the police that protect us being cast aside, while people perpetrating crimes are being uplifted in order to further a political narrative. I’m further agitated that this is done at the expense of addressing the true root causes of crime in minority communities.”

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@palmcoastobserver.com Associate Editor / Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com News Editor / Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@palmcoastobserver.com Staff Writer / Brent Woronoff, brent@ palmcoastobserver.com Page Designers / Hailey McMillan, Jennifer Edwards Senior Account Manager / Susan Moore, susan@palmcoastobserver.com Front Desk Associate / Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@palmcoastobserver.com Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, maureen@palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager / David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com

Plantation Bay HOA President / John Gamin, 386-586-7530, mjgamin@cfl.rr.com Vice President / Bob Anderson, 386-316-1278, rranderson1@hotmail.com Treasurer / Robert LaTocha, 386-6158204, robertlatocha77@gmail.com Secretary / Helen Siegel, 386-236-9884, hsiegel51@aol.com Director / Joan Beck, 386-672-7762, jbeck386@aol.com Director / Jack Corbett, 772-405-7339, corbettteam@gmail.com, Director / Roseann French, 386-671-7715, gfrench154@aol.com Director / Derek Kaufman, 386-263-7277, DKaufman162@gmail.com Director / Kathleen Walter, 386-263-2570, kzwalter@aol.com

Palm Coast Observer, LLC

TIME TO BUY YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE! YOU CAN GET IT! CALL TODAY!

$0 = Hurricane Deductible Stepdown®

• Wind Mitigation Credit • Alarm Discount • Gated Community Discount • New Home Discount • Multi-Policy Discount • Accredited Builder Discount • Retired Discount

Buy Flood Insurance NOW! 30-Day Waiting Period

Hurricane Season Starts June 1st!

P. 386-439-9254

$150 RE-CERTIFICATIONS - 210 DAY PRESCRIPTIONS - NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR FLOWER

NEW PATIENTS GET FREE GIFT & DISPENSARY DISCOUNTS!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Offered by

GET THE HELP YOU DESERVE. VISIT US AT CMMDR.COM

DAYTONA

Pontieri’s response Observer

363452-1

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

M: customerservice@aciaonline.com 363455-1

www.aciaonline.com

MARKET PLACE Health

Insurance

Roofing

CALL for a Quote CALL & forAsk a About Quote Money & Ask Saving About Money Discounts! Saving Discounts!

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE PERSONALIZED INSURANCE QUOTE.

362223-1

362225-1

Auto • HomeInsurance • Condo • Motorcycle • Flood • Renters All Counties Agency All Counties Insurance Agency RV • Boat • Commercial Auto • Property & Trafﬁc School 99 OldSchool Kings Rd. S.100 Suite 3 & Trafﬁc Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza - Route Central Plaza Florida Retina Winn-Dixie Shopping - Route 100Center www.aciaonline.com Phone 386-439-9254 www.aciaonline.com

Phone 386-439-9254 www.aciaonline.com Phone 386-439-9254

PF-SPAD0414151522

"Quality You Can Count On" • Roof Replacement and Insurance Experts • Estimates and Inspections • High Wind shingles / All types of roofing

• State Certified Roofing & State Certified General Contracting. • Pres. Brian Mullen building locally in Flagler County since 1976 • Licensed, Bonded & Insured

CALL BRIAN 386-385-8504

fivestar386@gmail.com • www.fivestarroofingSVC.com CGC049971, CCC330417, CPC048249

362224-1

PF-SPAD0414151522

362222-1

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

SEPTEMBER 2021

COVID strains Volusia’s EMS system, impacting ambulances JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

File photo

An ambulance was welcomed at Volusia County Fire Station 14 in Ormond-by-the-Sea in 2019.

average of 4,200-4,400 transports a month, said Pozzo. “We just took that out, or put them into the dynamic system at certain times of the day when it’s busy, because it is a doubleedged sword,” Pozzo said. “We’re also under tremendous pressure to meet certain response times and to provide the service to all of the citizens with our EMS agency. We are under great demand right now and we had to make a decision on the ambulance at [Fire Station] 36, the two ambulances at [Fire Stations] 82 and 83, and the ambulance at [Fire Station] 14, so it’s not just the one.” LACK OF COMMUNICATION

County Councilwoman Heather Post criticized the lack of communication about the change. She

‘THIS IS BREWING HOSTILITY’

The discussion went on for about an hour, inciting contention among the council members and at one point Councilman Danny Robins called a point of order. “You want me to call for a vote to cut off a council member so that they can’t speak to the director?” County Council Chair Jeff Brower asked. “This is brewing hostility,” Robins replied. “This is day-to-

day operations. Chair, respectfully, this is not our position. We need to refer this back to the county manager. I have sat here for 15-20 minutes watching this dedicated employee get beat up. This is a witch hunt.” County Councilman Ben Johnson said the shortage of ambulances and paramedics is not just a Volusia County problem, and that council should not be “micromanaging” staff. “Realize right now that we have been in this pandemic for 18 months,” Johnson said. “It may get worse and we’re going to see these things and they’re going to have to move resources all around, including how they do business.” Post said part of the discussion is ensuring that when council gives direction, they are informed when said direction has to change. “That’s not, despite what my fellow councilperson says, not micromanaging,” Post said. “That’s my job.” County Manager George Recktenwald said part of the issue was that he didn’t view the actions Pozzo made as a model change; they have followed the static deployment model, but have had to make exceptions based on circumstances. Once an ambulance is on the road, they’re in the 911 system, Recktenwald explained, and by county ordinance, must respond if they are the closest unit to an incoming call. “These are command decisions that are going on all day long and that’s the type of system we have,” Recktenwald said. “They’re up there as much as they can be up there.” County Council Chair Jeff Brower said the problem could be solved with communication. He said he understood changes may need to be made on the fly, but asked Pozzo or Recktenwald to let the council know so that they aren’t “dealing in the dark.” “We’re hearing from the public that they’re scared to death, and we can help you not have the public be scared to death,” Brower

said. “We can help disarm a fear that we don’t have an ambulance anymore in Ormond-by-theSea.” Recktenwald said he will come up with a form or report card to keep council informed on EMS. BUDGETING FOR THE FUTURE

The County Council was supposed to review the slate of projects to be funded by American Rescue Plan Act coronavirus relief dollars, but based on the lengthy EMS discussion, the council voted 6-1 to table the item until a special meeting on Aug. 31. With $107 million available, Post suggested using those funds to address current staffing and ambulance needs in EMS. But Pozzo, Recktenwald and some County Council members were wary of using the one-time federal funds to employ new paramedics, as that would require a property tax increase in the future to be able to continue to staff those positions. Pozzo said the county is hiring emergency medical technicians in the interim as they continue to attempt to hire more paramedics. The county manager added that the paramedic shortage is a nationwide problem. Public Safety accounts for 60% of the county’s upcoming budget, and EMS was given everything it asked for this year. The EMS budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 totals $37.4 million, up $4 million from the 2020-2021 fiscal year. A bulk of the budget increase is for personnel. The division requested funding for two paramedics and two EMTs for the next four fiscal years to assist with mandated overtime; two EMTs and two paramedics (and one 12-hour ambulance) to address increased demand for the next three fiscal years. “So we’re doing everything we can, and you’re right on in terms of we couldn’t fill the buses if we got them here,” Recktenwald said. “That’s the issue and why there’s a couple of years spacing out.”

363457-1

The COVID-19 pandemic has put an added stress on Volusia County’s already-stretched emergency medical services, prompting the agency to deploy its “static” ambulances around the county as needed. That includes the ambulance in the north peninsula. During the Volusia County Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 17, Public Protection Director Joe Pozzo gave the council an update regarding EMS. Since 2019, Volusia has been working to address its ambulance response times by introducing its nurse triage program, addressing interfacility transfers with a dedicated ambulance unit, establishing new service centers to several fire stations, and putting in place a hybrid deployment strategy in the north peninsula and Osteen, where an ambulance was to remain to service the area for 12 and 24 hours; Ormond-by-theSea’s ambulance was scheduled to be at Volusia County Fire Station 14 for 12 hours, based on peak times. But, the pandemic has changed some of these measures. The ambulance unit dedicated to interfacility transfers is now back in the 911 system, and so have the static ambulances in Ormondby-the-Sea and Osteen. This decision was made as Volusia County experienced 5,000 ambulance transports during the month of July, increased from the

said council had given direction in 2019 and was never informed the ambulance, particularly the one in Ormond-by-the-Sea, was being used throughout the county. “I have a problem with that,” she said. “I have a problem, number one, with council giving direction on a certain fix and then that just being changed without coming back to us.” With the nearest hospital for those residents being AdventHealth Daytona Beach, a trip that could take upwards of 30 minutes from the north peninsula, Post said she has constituents that are upset the ambulance service they were promised is no longer there. Pozzo said she was right, but that the county is doing the best it can with the units they have available. “If we just leave that ambulance in Ormond, and there is another call that comes in and I don’t send that ambulance … we will get criticized for that,” Pozzo said.

Sizzling Summer Heat Still Here CAC 1815644 CAC185644

363431-1

www.CunninghamOil.com

We Sell & Service Air Conditioners!

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE ON ALL MAKES & MODELS

363415-1

CALL TODAY 386.253.7621

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

SEPTEMBER 2021

School’s in session DSC opens doors to new nursing center at Flagler/ Palm Coast Campus BRENT WORONOFF Daytona State College and city and county officials cut the ribbon at the Flagler/Palm Coast Campus’ new nursing center.

STAFF WRITER

ith the beginning of the 2021 fall semester, nursing students at the Daytona State College Flagler/Palm Coast Campus are able to take full advantage of their new facility. DSC officials cut the ribbon on the new nursing center at the Flagler/Palm Coast campus at a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 19. The ribbon stretched across the amphitheater. Dr. Randy Howard, DSC’s Board of Trustees chair, had the honor of slicing the ribbon, officially opening the new center. The $4.2 million project refurbished the buildings that previously provided classroom space and supported the amphitheater, said Dr. Amy Szoka, DSC’s School of Nursing chair. “We completely transformed this space so that it is all dedicated to nursing,” Szoka said. “We have nursing classrooms, faculty offices, simulation, lab space, conference room and student center so that they can spend their entire day right here.” The associate degree nursing program at the Flagler campus began in 1999 with 30 students. Now there are about 100 students in the program locally. The new facility will increase the pro-

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Faculty try out a simulation room at the new nursing center. From left: Amy Gagliano, Kristene Phillips, Andrea Angel, Terrie Slicer, Jeanne Saunders, Juleen Daley, Patricia Harvey.

gram’s capacity to 120. “In 2018, we felt the need to expand the nursing presence here in Palm Coast, so little by little we expanded,” Szoka said. “Now a student who lives in Palm Coast can come to school in Palm

Coast and then go to work in Palm Coast.” Sozka said the expanded program will help address a critical need for more nurses. She said most of the students in the nursing programs across DSC’s cam-

“We have nursing classrooms, faculty offices, simulation, lab space, conference room and student center so that they can spend their entire day right here.” AMY SZOKA, DSC School of Nursing Chair

puses will have a job waiting for them when they graduate. “At Daytona State College we’re all about providing career paths for the local community,” Howard said. “With the projection of the number of nurses that are going to be needed across the nation and particularly in Flagler/ Palm Coast, this facility will be a great boost to make sure there’s an adequate supply for the local community.” There are about 600 students currently enrolled in DSC’s nursing programs across the school’s campuses, Szoka said. Students will now be able to complete their associate degrees in nursing entirely at the Flagler/Palm Coast campus and transition into the college’s bachelor of science program. Sozka said DSC has also had conversations about a partnership with UNF MedNexus. “Because we have our simulation center here there may be an opportunity to share that with people coming into that MedNex development,” she said.

SAY GOODBYE TO VARICOSE VEINS!

See a Doctor Who Specializes in Hearing NOT a Salesman • Your hearing is precious - trust Palm Coast Hearing Center - where your total hearing health is our priority, and our Doctors and Specialists use proven best practices to maximize your success!

• In addition to hearing loss, our doctors specialize in cerumen (ear wax) removal, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and testing of our current hearing aids to determine if they are properly fit. We are committed to providing the best hearing care available in Palm Coast and Ormond.

Dr. Indira Alvarez, Au.D., F-AAA

Venous disease affects more than 80 million adults. Symptoms include swelling, aching, cramping, and Itching. Untreated large varicose veins can lead to debilitating symptoms including swelling, skin color changes, recurrent infections, and chronic ulcers. Once you’ve been evaluated by your PCP, have them refer you to us for consultation and workup. It’s that easy! Dr. Dominique Botto, Au.D., F-AAA

At E.V.O.L.V.E.S Vascular Lab, we offer minimally invasive solutions to make medically necessary reticular veins, and large varicose veins fade away.

Unhappy with your hearing aids? Call us, we can help!

John B. Holt M.D., F.A.C.S

James T. Sutton M.D., F.A.C.S.

COLLECTIVELY OVER 100 YEARS OF SURGICAL EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE COUNTS! OFFICE/VEIN CLINIC HOURS:

Heather Curry, H.A.S

160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite A108, Palm Coast, FL 32164 Call today for an appointment. (386) 270-0421

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm For an appointment, please call

386-672-9503 588 Sterhaus Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 363459-1

Free Gift for New Patients! *Expires September 30th

363429-1

• Hearing loss can affect your life in many ways, from increasing your risk of dementia, increasing your risk of falling, and decreasing your likelihood of being able to live independently as you age- put your hearing health in the hands of our caring and compassionate Doctors of Audiology.

https://www.actsllc.org

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

SEPTEMBER 2021

Plantation Bay Showcase Homes Coming Soon!

The Arbor II

98 Longridge Lane 2 Bed / 2 Bath / 2 Car Garage / 1,562 ft²

The Costa Mesa

365 Stirling Bridge Lane 3 Bed / 3 Bath / 3 Car Garage / 2,565 ft²

The Blossom II

96 Longridge Lane 3 Bed / 3 Bath / 2 Car Garage / 2,078 ft²

The Serena

361 Stirling Bridge Lane 3 Bed / 2.5 Bath / 2 Car Garage / 2,094 ft²

The Arden

364 Stirling Bridge Lane 4 Bed / 3 Bath / 3 Car Garage / 2,402 ft²

The Cameron

313 Stirling Bridge Lane 3 Bed / 2.5 Bath / 3 Car Garage / 2,720 ft²

Dreaming about a new Home? Ask us about increasing your buying power!

abouAsk us t our comm 4% i progr ssion am. *

363444-1

*Seller must list an existing home with Venture Development Realty, Inc. (an affiliate of ICI Homes) and enter into a purchase agreement to purchase a new home from ICI Homes without the participation of an outside broker. The new home cannot be an inventory home or a model. ICI Homes will reimburse seller an amount equal to the real estate commission paid on the seller’s existing home, up to, but not to exceed 6% of the purchase of the new ICI Home. This reimbursement will be paid at time of closing on the new ICI Home and may be used for closing costs, options, upgrades or a discount on the base price of the new ICI home but will not be paid out in cash. Not valid with any other discounts. ICI Homes reserves the right to change or discontinue this promotion at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

SEPTEMBER 2021

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Sponsored by

BIZ BUZZ

Development, real estate + business news

FLAGLER JOBLESS RATE DROPS TO 5.3%

SunBros Cafe: more than a coffee shop

Flagler County job growth got back on track in July 2021, as 555 jobs were created, resulting in the unemployment rate dropping from 6% to 5.3% month-over-month. According to today’s data release from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity:  Flagler County’s labor force continued its strong growth in July by adding 216 additional residents,  In the past three months, Flagler County’s labor force has grown by 1,388 residents, and  The number of residents on unemployment dropped by 339. “The report is encouraging and shows job growth is back on track in Flagler County,” said Palm CoastFlagler Regional Chamber President & CEO Greg Blosé. Visit https://www.careersourcefv. com.

Flagler Beach restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch with indoor and sidewalk dining BRENT WORONOFF STAFF WRITER Photo by Brent Woronoff

SunBros Cafe is a family affair with (seated from left) Leigh Anne, Travis, Abrien and Anisen (standing) Sundell. “We’re one of the few places you can get a good cappuccino and a club sandwich,” Travis said.

on the sidewalk in front on Moody Avenue, and they’re building a patio and outdoor bar area in the back on South Daytona Avenue. “We want that European feel,” Travis said. “Everywhere you go eat in Germany is outside.” Currently they are open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. They will have a full liquor license, Travis said, and eventually they want to serve dinner but not stay open late at night. Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co. out of St. Louis supplies SunBros with gourmet coffee. “We’re one of the few places you can get a good cappuccino and a club sandwich,” Travis said. The club sandwich, said Abrien, “is what a sandwich should be,”

SUNBROS CAFÉ Where: 301 Moody Blvd., Flagler Beach When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, closed Tuesdays. Menu: Coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, full breakfast menu, sandwiches and wraps, salads, burgers.

“We don’t want it to be like a library where everyone has to be quiet,” Abrien said. “We’re fortunate to have this inside space to do some of that stuff,” Leigh Anne said. The Sundells are from Central Illinois, where Travis was a public works superintendent for the small town of Delavan. He was also on the School Board. Travis’ brother, Dan, lives in St. Augustine. They’ve been open for about three months and have done no advertising other than Facebook. But through word-of-mouth they have a group of diehard regulars, Travis said. They have 15 employees including cook Ryan McLean and several high school students. “Our goal is to put out quality food,” Leigh Anne said. “We want to try to make it the same every time,” said Travis.

FLORIDA ORAL AND FACIAL SURGICAL MARKS 65 YEARS

Sixty-five years and counting: Florida Oral & Facial Surgical Associates is celebrating 65 years of helping people in Volusia and Flagler Counties live their best lives. Doctors John Akers, D.D.S.; Curtis Schalit, F.A.C.S.; Roger Thayer, D.M.D., M.A.; and Bradley Pinker, D.D.S., M.D. are dedicated to putting smiles back on people’s faces. The doctors have a long-standing history of being the only area oral and maxillofacial practice to cover facial trauma calls. All the doctors are on staff at Halifax Health Medical Center. Call 386-252-6438.

Observer’s National Water Quality Month

CONTEST Q&A with Sensible Water Solutions Q: Why do I need a water system in my house? A: We are blessed in Volusia and Flagler County to have some of the best water treatment facilities in Florida. However, municipal facilities are required to adhere to EPA and FDEP guidelines for your drinking water. This results in your water having chlorine/chloramines added for disinfection. Calcium and spot-causing agents are not required to be removed prior to leaving their facility. We can provide a water system in your home that significantly reduces the chlorine/chloramines, bleach smell, and hardness resulting in pleasant soft water. Q: Do I need to maintain my water system? A: Not if you don’t want to. We do it for you! Minimal maintenance is required from the homeowner. We have a service plan option suited for everyone. Q: What if I live in an apartment? What if I have a well? A: Everyone has different needs and different requirements. We have many different water systems able to solve a variety of different concerns. We have drinking systems, iron systems, sulfur systems, whole house systems, alkaline systems, whole house reverse osmosis and so much more. Feel free to call us any time with questions.

50 Town Ct Palm Coast, FL 32164

Sponsor By:

ALF# 11761

A Residence of Legend Senior Living

LegendSeniorLiving.com

363461-1

3 YEARS IN A ROW 363462-1

Travis Sundell had been in the restaurant business for 15 years, so he knows running an eatery is not conducive to raising a family. He got out of the business 14 years ago when his oldest son was 2. Now he’s opened a new restaurant. But the new endeavor – SunBros Café at 301 Moody Blvd. in Flagler Beach – is a family affair. Travis runs the business and does some of the cooking. His wife, Leigh Anne, bakes the pastries. Their oldest son, Abrien, 16, is the barista. And Anisen, 9, wipes down tables and helps out. “This is our first full-own restaurant,” said Travis, who bought the building with his brother, Dan. “We always talked about doing something on our own, in a coffee shop style.” But the building they bought has a full kitchen and a second room for a bar area, so now they have a beachside coffee shop with a full breakfast and lunch menu. They have tables inside and during the day put tables outside

with hand-carved turkey and ham, bacon and tomato with avocado, instead of mayonnaise. That’s one of their many twists. “We have avocado toast,” Travis said. “A lot of other people do that, but we put bacon and eggs on top.” They have espresso, macchiato, lattes and teas. Leigh Anne’s specialties are her cinnamon rolls and coffee cakes. They have waffles and biscuits with sausage gravy, burgers and salads that don’t skimp. “You’re full when you’re done eating our Cobb or chef salad,” Travis said. They have breakfast sandwiches, including the Florida Heater — egg and sausage with habanero, jalapeno and poblano peppers with pepper jack cheese on a bagel. One thing they don’t have on the menu is seafood because their next-door neighbor is the Flagler Fish Co. Travis said they don’t want to be Flagler Fish owner Chris Casper’s competitor. SunBros has been closing off the second room during the day. Travis said they would like to open it for community groups to use in the mornings. “We’re open to different things like that, like if someone wants to have an art class,” he said. On some days they have had live music.

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

Gift cards for health care workers during pandemic JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

An effort to raise 1,000 $20 gift cards, with thank you notes, for nurses and health care support staff AdventHealth Palm Coast crossed the halfway mark on Friday, Aug, 27, and organizer Carla Cline is trying to spread the word and get more locals involved. “Largely, these cards have come from Flagler Beach, and there’s a whole bigger side of this community that — everybody uses the hospital at some option — that can participate in this, so I’m reaching out to everyone in Flagler County — and beyond, if you like,” Cline said on Flagler Broadcasting’s “Free For All Friday.” Cline, the owner of Flagler Surf Art and Stuff and the website www.flaglersurf.com, had collected 432 cards by Friday morning and 500 by that evening. A local motel, the Si Como No Inn, also donated 15 two-night stays. “It started just because I was upset and angry and frustrated, and instead of reacting to things, I decided to put my energy into something positive and help people that really, really need our support,” she said. “So I decided to use the platform that I have been so fortunate to have built over the years of wonderful people and put out a message, ‘Hey why don’t you support your local restaurant, go buy a $20 gift card, and then we can give it to somebody who really needs a morale boost right now.” Cline has since heard of other people taking up the same idea for health care workers in Orlando, Brandon and Palatka. “Its starting to spread, slowly,” she said. “I think right now, where people are kind of volatile and angry and frustrated, a wave of kindness needs to surface over

Photo by Brian McMillan

Carla Cline, of Flagler Beach, helped distribute gift cards at AdventHealth on Aug. 30.

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? To donate, buy a $20 gift card for a Flagler County restaurant, write a nice note inside, and drop it off at one of the locations below during their normal business hours, or contact organizer Carla Cline on Facebook Messenger or email flaglersurf.com@gmail.com. DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:  Flagler Surf Art and Stuff, 211 S. Third Street, Flagler Beach  Wild Birds Unlimited, 150 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast  Intracoastal Bank, 1290 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast  Flagler Auditorium, 5500 State Road 100, Palm Coast

Florida at this time, and we need to start doing things for each other and looking out for each other.” Some nurses have already reached out to say thank you. “They’re really tired and they’re really overwhelmed, and they really need us to pull our acts together and kind of start working together and be a team and be doing the right thing,” Cline said. There are four locations where people can drop off the gift cards: Flagler Surf Art and Stuff in Flagler Beach, Wild Birds Unlimited at the Island Walk Shopping Center in Palm Coast, Intracoastal Bank, and the Flagler Auditorium. Donors can also email flaglersurf. com@gmail.com.

Burntwood opens CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

taurant Group, which owns the Burntwood Tavern franchise, said they prefer to be in small residential communities where they can embed themselves and give back. “We’re a company that we live and die by the guest experience, and if we don’t know your name when you come in, one of us is going to find out your name by the time you leave,” Kelley said. “That’s our goal.” All of the Burntwood Tavern locations have a unique appearance. From handblown glass light fixtures to repurposed wood details — often gathered from old Ohio barns — adorning the inside of the restaurants, Kelley said Burntwood Tavern is not a “cookie-cutter” restaurant. “Everything has a story,” he said. Once open, Burntwood Tavern will be able to sit around 160 people, including with a 25-seat bar and 18-table patio. Choosing The Trails Shopping Center fit their mold for places the franchise is often built, Kelley said. With the recent improvements to the shopping center, such as the remodeled Publix, Chef Art Pour Restaurant Group saw a good opportunity to expand its Florida locations.

GIVING BACK According to a recent press release by the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools, the nonprofit was picked as an opening charity partner by Burntwood Tavern, who will donate 20% of all sales to the foundation throughout the day on Thursday, Aug. 26. “We are committed to supporting our neighboring schools, youth sports teams and all non-profit organizations such as FUTURES Foundation,” said Jennifer Leonard, director of marketing and events for Chef Art Pour Restaurant Group in the press release. “FUTURES Foundation’s programs benefit so many students, teachers and staff across the Volusia County School District, it was an ideal fit within our mission.”

“We’re super excited,” Kelley said. “The Trails has been great to us, and we’re really excited to be part of it. It’s a nice refurbished center. It’s on the up and up.”

SEPTEMBER 2021

Experience DOWNTOWN

ORMOND We are pleased to introduce the newest addition to our staff, Executive Chef Scott Krause Chef Krause has excelled at some of the most revered concepts in Miami, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Washington DC. Specializing in Northern Italian and French cuisines he revels in working with fresh pasta and hand Now proudly serving Prime butchered meats and fish. Black Angus Chef Krause has completely beef that is reimagined our cuisine and we hand-cut are excited to present you the in house! pinnacle of fine dinning and entertainment in Central Florida.

31 Supper Club, 31 W. Granada, 386-275-1625

31supperclub.com

Brewing Up History!

Ormond Garage, 48 W. Granada, 386-492-7981

ormondgarage.beer

Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar 49 W. Granada, 386-672-7277

363432-1

Giving back to our heroes

grindgastropub.com Four Themed Restaurants, One Location! Free Valet Parking. Live Music. Happy Hour Specials!

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

SEPTEMBER 2021

Reasons to List or Buy with Venture Development Realty Inc.

#1 On-Site Presence

#8 Property Management

On-site in Plantation Bay since 1988. No other real estate company has an office inside Plantation Bay.

#2 Professional Client satisfaction

and personal service is our top priority. Our full service real estate company is proficient in all aspects of buying and selling a home in Plantation Bay and the Daytona Beach area.

#3 Performance $25,000,000 in real

estate sold by Venture Development Realty in 2021 so far!

#4 Powerful Advertising

We open the door to an extraordinary audience of potential buyers that are being marketed to visit Plantation Bay. We advertise specifically for Plantation Bay, marketing your home locally, as well as, extensively in the Midwest and NE US.

Carol Paquette Realtor 386.846.1759

Larry LaGrotta Broker Assoc. 386.212.1202

#5 Social Reach VDR demonstrates social media leadership on multiple social media channels, expanding reach and connecting with more potential buyers.

#6 Rapid Response By providing

a continuous stream of service throughout the duration of the sale, including long after the deal has been made, homebuyers or sellers will develop meaningful relationships that extend beyond the original transaction.

#7 Discovery Tours

We have the unique ability to allow buyers the ability to experience Plantation Bay as its residents would, with full access to all amenities.

Debbie Spelman Realtor 386.690.6511

VDR offers online application for tenants, tenant screening and placement. Rent collection and timely remittance to owner. Repair coordination & tax statement administration.

#9 PB Inside Track

Venture Development Realty is the only Real Estate Company that offers buyers up to $10,000 in membership discounts at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club.

#10 A abou sk us t commour 4% progr ission am. *

Elizabeth H. Kargar Broker Assoc. 386.585.2904

Aida Morales Prop. Manager 386.547.4342

Contact us for more info. 386.437.6840 / VDRInc.com Commission Credit Program - Seller must list an existing home with Venture Development Realty, Inc. (an affiliate of ICI Homes) and enter into a purchase agreement to purchase a new home from ICI Homes without the participation of an outside broker. The new home cannot be an inventory home or a model. ICI Homes will reimburse seller an amount equal to the real estate commission paid on seller’s existing home, up to, but not to exceed 6% of the purchase of the new ICI Home. This reimbursement will be paid at time of closing on the new ICI Home and may be used for closing costs, options, upgrades or a discount on the base price of the new ICI home but will not be paid out in cash. Not valid with any other discounts. ICI Homes reserves the right to change or discontinue this promotion at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

363443-1