⭐ In This Issue of Ormond Local Pulse ⭐

🌤 Ormond Beach Weather - Cloudy, Highs-Low 80’s-20% Chance Showers

📰 Local - Officer Michael Bakaysa, a Pillar of Ormond Beach PD, Dies at 54

📰 Local - Ormond Beach Unveils 'The Cupola at Oceanside' in Historic Topping-Off Ceremony

📰 Local - The DeSantis/Newsom Debate…Who Won?

🐶 Pet of The Week - Lenny - Boston Terrier

🎈 Events - Lots Going On!

🔦 Business Spotlight - Kosher Cuisine Returns to Ormond Beach with Gili's Kitchen Opening

Click for more detailed forecast at Windy.com

Officer Michael Bakaysa, a Pillar of Ormond Beach PD, Dies at 54

The Ormond Beach community is in mourning following the death of Officer Michael Bakaysa, a long-serving member of the Ormond Beach Police Department (OBPD). Officer Bakaysa, 54, passed away on December 1 due to a medical incident that occurred during training two weeks earlier.

Serving the OBPD for over 27 years, Officer Bakaysa was a respected and integral part of the police force. Police Chief Jesse Godfrey acknowledged the profound impact of Bakaysa's death on the department, describing it as a significant loss.

Sources indicate that the city and OBPD jointly expressed their deep sorrow over Officer Bakaysa's passing. He was remembered not just as a colleague but as a friend, mentor, and a revered figure in the community. His unwavering commitment to serving and protecting Ormond Beach residents was emphasized, and his absence was noted as leaving an irreplaceable void.

See full story at Ormond Observer

Ormond Beach Unveils 'The Cupola at Oceanside' in Historic Topping-Off Ceremony

Ormond Beach celebrated a significant milestone in its urban development with the topping-off event of The Cupola at Oceanside luxury townhomes. The event, held on Thursday evening, marked a key phase in the construction of the first new beachside multifamily residential development in the city in over a quarter-century.

Located at 100 N. Halifax Drive, the 12-unit gated community is constructed on a 1.5-acre site, formerly home to the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The site's historical significance is honored in the project's name, a nod to the historic cupola of the old Ormond Hotel, a Gilded Age-era landmark demolished in the 1990s.

Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington praised the development for embodying smart growth principles, emphasizing its non-intrusive yet beneficial impact on the city. The project's strategic location near the Oceanside Country Club, local amenities, and the beach enhances its appeal, fostering walkability and a compact urban design.

The Lohman family, known for their previous ownership of Lohman Funeral Homes, spearheads the project. Nancy Lohman, speaking at the event, expressed her family's commitment to honoring Ormond Beach's history through the development. The luxury townhomes, each spanning over 3,200 square feet with three bedrooms and multiple baths, have seen significant buyer interest, with five of the 12 units already sold.

Despite challenges such as supply chain issues and the pandemic, the project, valued at $925,000 per unit, progressed under the construction expertise of Bomar Construction Inc. The development is celebrated not just for its architectural merit but also for its contribution to the city's urban fabric and historical continuity.

See photos stories at Ormond Observer and Daytona News-Journal

Who won the DeSantis vs. Newsome Debate Hosted By Hannity Thursday Night?

Last Thursday Sean Hannity hosted a “no holds barred” debate between Governor DeSantis and Governor Newsom of California, who some believe may be positioning himself for a run at the Democrat Presidential slot for 2024. So we have 2 polls for you. Assuming you actually watched the debate……

Fri Dec 1

• Holiday Wreath Workshop, Wed-Dec 6, 9:30am-Noon
  Ormond Beach Garden Club, The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, MUST RSVP by TODAY HERE- $$

• 45th Christmas Gala at The Casements, 5-9pm, Santa at 6pm!

  The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

Sat Dec 2

• Slammedenuff Daytona Beach Car Show, 1 – 7 PM

  Ocean Center, 101 N Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach

• Big Engine @ Saints & Sinners Pub, 1 – 5 PM

  Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 US-1, Ormond Beach

• *Cruisin’ Car Show, 3 – 6 PM

  ONE DAYTONA, One Daytona Blvd. Daytona Beach

• 45th Christmas Gala at The Casements, 12-5pm

  The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

• One Hit Wonders!, 9:15 – 11:30 AM

  Starbucks, 1246 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

• Garth Brooks - The Ultimate Tribute Show, 5 – 9 PM

  Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

• Calvary U Vision Weekend, 9am

  Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Sun Dec 3

• 45th Christmas Gala at The Casements, 12-5pm

  The Casements, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach

• YMCA Ormond Beach 5K/10K, 12pm

  Ormond Beach Family YMCA, 500 Sterthaus Dr #5128,Ormond Beach

• Family Day! Kids Crazy Reindeer, 12n – 2pm

  Painting with a Twist, 1808 W International Speedway Blvd Ste 205, Daytona Beach

Mon Dec 4

• The Book Of Mormon, 7:30 – 11:30 pm

  Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach

—Watch for More Events—

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* Indicates a weekly/regular event $$=Fee/Requires Pre-Registration

Senior Rescue Dog Finds Lasting Joy With Ormond Couple

We adopted Lenny 5 years ago from Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida. The Terrier group believed he was around 11 years old at the time. Lenny was found as a stray in Gainesville and that's all we know about his past. As for his present, he became a great family member from the time we got him.

Initially, we were just going to foster him until a good home came along. Well, that good home was ours!!! He has only barked once and that was at some random bird. He loves walks (shorter than they used to be) and laying in the sun.

He's having some health issues now but we will keep him comfortable and happy in his final years. Lenny is one of a kind. Lenny's story, although shrouded in mystery regarding his past, is a testament to the unique bond and joy that rescue pets can bring into a household.

Wayne and Mary Calkins

Do you have a pet Dog , Cat, Parrot, Horse, Bird or Python you’d like to tell our readers about? Click here and submit your information for consideration.

Kosher Cuisine Returns to Ormond Beach with Gili's Kitchen Opening

In a move that revitalizes the kosher dining landscape in Ormond Beach, Gili’s Kitchen OB, a new Mediterranean-inspired kosher eatery, commenced its operations this past spring. The restaurant, co-owned by Ricki Ben Simon and her brother-in-law, Gili Ben Simon, occupies the former site of Eden Fresh Café at 188 E. Granada Blvd, marking a significant step in filling the void left by the recent closures of local kosher establishments Eden Fresh Café and J Grill.

Ricki Ben Simon, an Israeli native who has resided in Jacksonville for 18 years, embarked on this venture after recognizing a need in the community. The decision to open a kosher restaurant was influenced by her desire to offer something unique in the culinary scene. According to sources, the distinctiveness of Gili’s Kitchen lies in its innovative serving methods and the use of unique ingredients.

Gili Ben Simon, the namesake of the restaurant, brings over two decades of experience in the catering and restaurant industry, having honed his skills in Israel, Cambodia, and Paris. His culinary expertise is a cornerstone of the restaurant's appeal, with Ricki Ben Simon noting that his cooking is "on a different level."

The duo initially focused on catering through their Jacksonville restaurant, also named Gili’s Kitchen, which opened in 2018. However, they soon shifted their focus to establishing a restaurant presence. Both the Jacksonville and Ormond Beach locations offer catering service.

Gili’s Kitchen OB aims to cater to a diverse clientele, including the sizable Jewish community in Ormond Beach and tourists. The menu is a blend of traditional Jewish fare like falafel, shawarma, and matzoh ball soup, alongside more universal offerings such as burgers and Philly cheesesteaks.

Ricki Ben Simon also shed light on the principles of kosher food, emphasizing the humane treatment of animals and the meticulous health checks involved, overseen by a certified shochet.

Gili's Kitchen is located at 188 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, and is open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 8pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 8pm, while remaining closed on Fridays and Saturdays. You can order online or reserve a table, and Gili’s has drive through options as well. They can be reached at (386) 265-1424. Stop by and tell them you saw them on Business Spotlight in Ormond Local Pulse!

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