⭐ Historic Home Sold, Sand Surge, Starlink Launch

Issue #635

28 Jul

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Today’s Forecast

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Brian Shields Tropical Update

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⭐ Historic Home Sold, Sand Surge, Starlink Launch

Photo courtesy of Didiayer Snyder/Oceans Luxury Realty

🏡 Historic Ormond Beach Home Sells for $3.1M

A charming slice of Old Florida just got a major price tag refresh. The former Villa Mar Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, built in 1918, has changed hands for a whopping $3.1 million. Located at 33 Ocean Shore Blvd., this storied 7,248-square-foot residence boasts eight bedrooms, eight-and-a-half bathrooms, a pool, and even a fireplace for those "chilly" beach nights.

Once a cozy B&B, the house now holds the title for the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach for the week of July 5-11. It last sold in 2018 for $1.8 million, making this latest sale quite the real estate glow-up.

If walls could talk, they’d likely have plenty of stories from a century of oceanfront living—and now, a lucky new owner gets to write the next chapter.

🌊 Sand Surge-Volusia Beaches Get a Much-Needed Boost

From Sunglow Pier to New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County is on a mission to bring the beach back—one truckload at a time. Since April, over 3,000 feet of sand has been replaced as part of a collaborative project between the county and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The initiative comes in the wake of severe erosion caused by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022.

Locals like Judith Beaumont of Ponce Inlet recall seeing homes vanish into the ocean. “It was disturbing,” she said, noting the relentless cycle of beach loss and recovery. For others, like Toni Cherry of Wilbur-by-the-Sea, rebuilding is a personal and financial endeavor—her family plans to spend over $300,000 on a new seawall alone.

The message from residents is clear: the sand helps, but long-term resilience requires stronger protections and quicker action. For now, it’s a sandy step in the right direction.

Night owls and stargazers, mark your calendars. On Tuesday, July 29, SpaceX will launch another Falcon 9 rocket loaded with Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 11:30 p.m. ET and runs for 4.5 hours, giving Floridians ample opportunity to catch a glimpse of this late-night light show.

Blasting off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the rocket will follow a northeast trajectory—meaning residents as far as Daytona Beach might be treated to the spectacle. Just keep an eye on the clouds; weather permitting, it could be quite the celestial event.

For the best views, head to a beach or open area with a clear view of the eastern sky. And yes, bring your camera—those contrails against the dark sky make for some incredible snapshots.

This Day In Florida History

  • 1821 – The U.S. officially took formal possession of East Florida from Spain during a ceremony in St. Augustine, completing the acquisition begun with the Adams-Onís Treaty.

  • 1861 – During the Civil War, Florida contributed troops to the Confederate Army’s 3rd Florida Infantry Regiment, organized in Apalachicola and other regions in late July.

  • 1888 – A yellow fever outbreak in Jacksonville escalated around this date, leading to panic and eventual mass quarantine efforts.

  • 1914 – The Florida East Coast Railway extended operations south to Key West was highlighted in national papers for its ambitious reach—Henry Flagler’s vision realized just before WWI.

  • 1926 – The city of Miami approved a controversial zoning plan amid the height of the 1920s land boom, which would later collapse in 1929.

  • 1945 – Naval Air Station Jacksonville saw a significant influx of personnel in late July as part of final WWII preparations and training cycles.

  • 1952 – Cape Canaveral Air Force Station underwent a major Cold War upgrade announcement as the U.S. expanded missile testing capabilities.

  • 1961 – Civil rights activists held a silent protest in Tallahassee, demanding desegregation of public facilities following earlier sit-ins.

  • 1965 – The NASA Merritt Island Launch Area (now part of Kennedy Space Center) was formally expanded to accommodate Saturn V and Apollo testing.

  • 1972 – Tropical Storm Agnes aftermath debates continued in Tallahassee over water management policies and disaster recovery planning.

  • 1981 – The Florida Keys reached peak tourism numbers for the summer season, sparking new development concerns discussed by Monroe County officials on this day.

  • 1994 – Hurricane Alberto’s rainfall caused widespread flooding in North Florida, with rivers still cresting on July 28, particularly around the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers.

  • 2005 – NASA’s Return to Flight shuttle mission (STS-114) lifted off from Kennedy Space Center two days earlier; by July 28, astronauts began repair tests crucial to future missions.

  • 2015 – The Florida Supreme Court issued a key ruling ordering the state legislature to redraw congressional districts deemed unconstitutional.

  • 2020 – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami-Dade County imposed new emergency curfews and business restrictions due to spiking case numbers on July 28.

Looking for a Great Place To Eat?

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⭐ Today's Meme ⭐

Great Voucher Dealz

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Visit the Dealz page and get a great deal.

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Please Patronize Your Local Businesses!

Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam

Ormond by the Sea 180 degree Cam

Ormond By The Sea North Beach Cam

Ponce Inlet 180 degree Cam

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info

   Mon Jul 28

  • Event: 🍺 Monday is Growler Refill Day, 11 AM – 8 PM
    Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach
    Refill your growlers with fresh kava and kratom all day long!

  • Event: 🎵 Bernie Boehm Music: Riptides, 6 – 10 PM
    Riptides Raw Bar and Grill, 869 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach
    Live music performance by Bernie Boehm in a casual coastal setting.

  • Event: ⚖️ Special Magistrate Hearing, 10 AM
    Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S Beach St, Ormond Beach
    Public city hearing regarding code enforcement matters.

  • Event: 🎤 Monday Karaoke at Grind Gastropub, 6 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Enjoy a lively night of karaoke in a tropical tiki atmosphere.

  • Event: 🧑‍🍳 Create, Cook & Code: A Week of Storytelling, Jul 28 – Jul 31
    1089 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    A fun and educational kids' camp blending storytelling, cooking, and coding.

  • Event: 🎨 [SOLD OUT] Jewels Rule Camp for Ages 6-11, Jul 28 – Aug 1
    Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Creative art camp designed to empower young girls through artistic expression.

  • Event: ⚽ Private Training: 1 Day, 10 AM – 12 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach
    Athletic training sessions tailored for skill development and fitness.

  • Event: 🤝 Unity Night @ Kava Kula, Jul 28 – Jul 29
    142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    An evening of community connection, conversation, and wellness drinks.

  • Event: 🏛️ Housing Authority, 7 PM
    100 New Britain Ave, Ormond Beach
    Monthly meeting addressing public housing and community issues.

  Tue Jul 29

  • Event: 🍽️ Grand Villa of Ormond Beach Hiring Event, 2 – 7 PM
    Grand Villa of Ormond Beach, 535 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Meet recruiters and explore employment opportunities in senior living.

  • Event: 🌮 Taco Tuesday at Kava Kula, 7 – 9 PM
    Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach, FL
    Enjoy tacos, drinks, and community vibes at this lively local spot.

  • Event: 🎶 Esh x Schief: KONA TIKI BAR, 6 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Live music and tropical cocktails in a festive atmosphere.

  • Event: 🕺 Adult Beginner Hip Hop, 9:15 – 10:00 PM
    615 S Yonge St, Ormond Beach, FL
    A fun and energetic hip hop dance class for adult beginners.

Wed Jul 30

  • Event: 🎨 Ormond Beach – Ormond Beach Regional Library, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
    Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S Beach St, Ormond Beach
    Library program or gathering open to the public.

  • Event: 🎸 Wednesday Night - LOVE our LOCALS - The Gus Show!, 6 – 9 PM
    Saints & Sinners Pub, 1635 U.S. Rte 1, Ormond Beach
    Live performance celebrating local talent and community.

  • Event: 📚 Mystery/Thriller Book Club, Jul 30 – Jul 31
    150 Tomoka Ave, Ormond Beach
    A book club meeting focused on mystery and thriller novels.

  • Event: 🛶 Site Plan Review Committee, 9 AM
    Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, Ormond Beach
    Committee meeting concerning site plans along the scenic loop.

  • Event: 🎲 Wednesday is BINGO Night at Kava Kula, 7 – 11 PM
    Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach
    Bingo night at a local kava bar with fun and prizes.

  • Event: 🏃‍♂️ Private Training: 1 Day, 12 – 2 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach
    Individualized athletic training session at the sports complex.

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.

Do you have an event you’d like to have posted? Submit Your Event Here

 

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