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  • ⭐Artemis II On The Way, Avalon Standoff, Volusia County Easter Warning

⭐Artemis II On The Way, Avalon Standoff, Volusia County Easter Warning

Issue #880

02 Apr

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Today’s Forecast

Tropical Update
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Watch Artemis Takeoff - Click Image

Click To Watch Video: NASA

👩‍🚀👩‍🚀For the first time since 1972, human beings are on their way to the moon. The Artemis II mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, carrying four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen — on a flight path that will swing them around the far side of the moon and back. The trip sets a new distance record, reaching some 4,000 miles beyond the lunar surface before arcing back toward a Pacific splashdown. Hansen becomes the first non-American to travel to the moon; Glover and Koch mark firsts of their own. The mission is a shakedown run for hardware and crew ahead of a planned lunar landing near the south pole in 2028. Those on the Space Coast last evening had a front-row seat to the kind of moment that doesn't come around very often. No April Fools.

✦

🏠Ormond Beach's long-running standoff over the Avalon Park development got more complicated this week. The City Commission voted 4-1 to turn down a $2.3 million settlement offer — the second time it has done so — even as the developer and Daytona Beach have now escalated to federal court. The sticking point isn't the money so much as the strings attached: accepting the deal would have required Ormond to waive any future objections to Avalon's development activity, regardless of community impact. Commissioners weren't willing to sign that blank check. The developer, for its part, is claiming the city's resistance has cost the project $50 million and amounts to a deliberate strategy to block construction through regulatory attrition. With a federal lawsuit now in play and no resolution in sight, this one has a long road ahead.

✦

🐔 Volusia County has a gentle but firm message for anyone considering a rabbit or baby chick as a holiday surprise: think it all the way through first. Rabbits routinely live a decade or more, need specialized diets and veterinary care, and startle easily — making them a poor match for households with young children despite their undeniable cuteness. Baby chicks grow into full-sized chickens faster than most people expect, and local ordinances in many neighborhoods prohibit roosters outright. The county shelter does not accept owner-surrendered animals, which means an impulsive Easter purchase can quickly become a real problem with nowhere to go. If the commitment feels manageable after doing the research, wonderful. If not, a chocolate version requires considerably less upkeep.

Sources
"Artemis II rocket launches for NASA's historic return to the moon" — Click Orlando, April 1, 2026
"Ormond Beach again rejects $2.3M settlement offer in Avalon Park dispute, despite federal lawsuit" — Ormond Observer, March 31, 2026
"Volusia County Encourages Thoughtful Decisions if Considering Rabbits or Chicks as Pets for Easter" — Volusia County, April 1, 2026

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📅 Thursday, April 2, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🎭 Arts & Entertainment

  • Arts VoCo Awards Celebration

    • Celebrate the incredible artistic talent within the Volusia County community! The Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center is hosting this special evening dedicated to recognizing local artists, performers, and cultural contributors.

    • Time: 6:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (399 N. US-1)

🥦 Fresh & Local

  • Ormond Beach Farmers Market

    • It's Thursday, which means it is time for the weekly farmers market! Stroll through the City Hall Plaza to shop for fresh regional produce, baked goods, local honey, plants, and handcrafted items.

    • Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: City Hall Plaza (22 S. Beach St)

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • Quality of Life Advisory Board Meeting

    • Standard city business continues at City Hall. Residents are welcome to attend this afternoon's meeting regarding community improvements and local quality-of-life initiatives.

    • Time: 5:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach City Hall, CR103 (22 S Beach St)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Thursday on the Courts @ Pictona

    • Head over to the 49-court facility for a great day of open-play pickleball. If you prefer indoor games, the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room is open for cards, Mahjong, and socializing. Don't forget to grab lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

📚 Education & Youth

  • After-School Tutoring & Study Time

    • The Holly Hill Public Library acts as a quiet afternoon hub for local students and homeschool groups utilizing the space for study and tutoring.

    • Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

    • Location: Holly Hill Library (8423 Old State Rd)

📍 Daytona Beach

🎸 Headline Concert

  • Vintage Vinyl Live performs Boston

    • Take a trip back to 1976! Vintage Vinyl Live is recreating the iconic debut album from Boston—note for note and song for song. Utilizing some of the best musicians in the country, they are bringing the soaring vocals and multi-instrumental magic of "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind" to the historic Peabody stage.

    • Time: Doors at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:30 PM

    • Location: Peabody Auditorium (600 Auditorium Blvd)

🥂 Wellness & Pampering

  • SPArty at the Hard Rock Hotel

    • Treat yourself to an afternoon of luxury! The Rock Spa is hosting a special "SPArty" featuring appetizers, sparkling wine, complimentary chair and hand massages, and swag bags for the first 30 guests. It's a great opportunity to score discounts on future treatments and retail products.

    • Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

    • Location: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (918 N Atlantic Ave)

🤸 Community & Fitness

  • Active Classes at the Shores Community Center

    • The Daytona Beach Shores Community Center has a completely packed Thursday schedule to keep you moving and having fun:

      • Zumba Gold: 8:45 AM

      • SilverSneakers: 9:30 AM

      • Mah Jong: 12:00 PM

      • Chair Volleyball: 1:00 PM

      • Chair Yoga: 4:30 PM

      • Acoustic Music Jam: 5:30 PM

      • Gentle Yoga: 6:00 PM

    • Location: Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

📅 Friday, April 3, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🎨 Family & Arts

  • Free Family Art Night: Mixed Media Tulip Basket

    • Encourage imagination and explore your creative potential together with your family! Work together on a fun, spring-themed mixed-media tulip basket craft. All instruction and supplies are provided, and no registration is necessary for this casual drop-in program.

    • Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd)

🌿 Parks & Recreation

  • A Quiet Friday at Rockefeller Gardens

    • With municipal buildings closed for the holiday, take advantage of the beautiful spring weather with a peaceful afternoon stroll along the Halifax River at Rockefeller Gardens or the Casements park area.

    • Time: Parks open sunrise to sunset

    • Location: The Casements / Rockefeller Gardens (25 Riverside Dr)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Good Friday on the Courts @ Pictona

    • While city offices are closed, Pictona remains the active hub of Holly Hill! Head over to the 49-court facility for a great day of open-play pickleball to kick off your holiday weekend. Don't forget to grab lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Kitchen.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

📍 Daytona Beach

🖼️ Arts & Culture

  • "I'm Daytona Beach" Art Exhibition Opening Reception

    • Celebrate art that captures Daytona's true vibe! Join Starry Night Gallery for a vibrant group exhibition featuring local artists who proudly showcase the city's spirit through paintings, drawings, mixed media, and photography. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.

    • Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Starry Night Gallery (230 S Beach St)

🛍️ Markets & Local Shopping

  • Riverfront Market

    • Kick off your Friday night in the heart of Downtown! The weekly Riverfront Market features up to 45 local vendors, live music, and a relaxed, waterfront atmosphere right across the street from the Riverfront Shops.

    • Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Riverfront Esplanade (Downtown Daytona Beach)

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

  • Friday Night Live: Groove Slayers

    • Kick off your weekend with live music under the lights! Central Florida's hottest party band, Groove Slayers, brings a high-energy, horn-driven sound spanning from Motown classics to today's biggest hits.

    • Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA (1 Daytona Blvd)

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