⭐ A Close Call, Contractor Con Scheme, First Watch Coming

Issue #668

30 Aug

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Today’s Forecast

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🕯️ Candle Causes Close Call in Ormond

A quiet Wednesday night nearly turned tragic in Ormond Beach after a candle left unattended sparked a house fire on Highland Avenue. The Ormond Beach Fire Department responded swiftly around 8:20 p.m. on August 27, extinguishing the flames that ignited a mattress and dresser.

Fortunately, no residents were injured or displaced. In a paws-itively heartwarming twist, OBFD rescued two cats and a dog from the home. The fire was contained to a single room, thanks to the department’s quick work.

Officials are using the incident to remind the public: candles are cozy, but they’re not worth the risk. Always keep flammable items at a safe distance and never leave an open flame unattended—even for a moment.

🏗️ Contractor Caught in Con Scheme

In a bizarre twist of identity theft, A.G. Pifer Construction Co., a trusted Daytona Beach builder, found its name hijacked in a fraudulent ad published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal. The ad included a bogus phone number linked to Inteliquent, a telecom company flagged by the FTC for aiding robocalls.

Owner Anthony “Gregg” Pifer quickly contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office after a friend spotted the suspicious listing. Missing the required state certification number, the ad raised red flags—and possibly false hopes—for unsuspecting clients. Thankfully, no confirmed victims have come forward.

Authorities are now working with the phone provider to trace the source. Meanwhile, the News-Journal ran a corrective ad and vowed stronger ad vetting in the future.

Pifer, who has been in construction for over 50 years and has restored local landmarks like the Mary McLeod Bethune home, reminded locals to check contractor credentials. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

🍳 First Watch Flips Into Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach brunch lovers, rejoice—First Watch is opening its doors on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, at 185 E. Granada Blvd. in Granada Plaza. The 4,800-square-foot eatery boasts seating for 160-plus, a sunny patio, and a sleek interior bar.

This Florida-based breakfast hotspot is known for its fresh, made-to-order menu—no microwaves or heat lamps in sight. Think avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, and their signature Project Sunrise coffee, which will be offered unlimited to guests dining in from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5.

First Watch's rotating seasonal menu adds a twist to the breakfast routine, with the Ormond location’s first seasonal launch coming this winter.

The restaurant will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is currently hiring about 30 team members. Interested in joining the crew? Apply at careers.firstwatch.com.

Does A Very Disturbing Trend Signals The End Of Home Ownership For Younger Generations?

Buffett Bets Big on Build-to-Rent: Berkshire’s $1B Move Signals a Housing Shift

In a move that turned heads on Wall Street and Main Street alike, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway recently invested nearly $1 billion into two of America’s largest homebuilders: D.R. Horton and Lennar. While the headlines focused on the dollar signs, the real story lies beneath the surface—where Buffett's bet intersects with one of the most transformative trends in U.S. housing: Build-to-Rent (BTR).

Traditionally, homebuilders thrived by selling single-family homes to individual buyers. But a growing housing shortage, paired with rising interest rates and tighter credit, has made homeownership elusive for millions of Americans. Enter Build-to-Rent—a model where developers construct entire neighborhoods of single-family homes intended for long-term rental, often owned and managed by institutional investors.

Both D.R. Horton and Lennar have been aggressively expanding their BTR portfolios. Lennar launched Upward America, a $4 billion initiative backed by major investors, while D.R. Horton has quietly delivered thousands of rental homes across the Sunbelt. The model offers residents the space and lifestyle of a home—without the mortgage.

Buffett’s timing is classic: value-driven, patient, and forward-thinking. With U.S. demand for single-family rentals at an all-time high and institutional capital pouring into the sector, BTR is poised to become a permanent fixture of the housing ecosystem. His investment doesn’t just reflect confidence in homebuilders—it’s a signal that the American Dream may be evolving.

For renters priced out of ownership, these communities offer a new path to stability. For builders, it’s recurring revenue and recession-resilience. And for Buffett, it’s another example of seeing the writing on the wall—before others dare to read it.

As the housing landscape shifts, Berkshire’s billion-dollar bet might just be the clearest indicator yet that Build-to-Rent is here to stay.

Tell us what you think about this trend. We encourage your comments and we will publish them next week.

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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

  Sat Aug 30

  • Event: 🎉Summer Open House - FREE CLASSES, 6 PM
    443 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Join us for a night of free classes and community fun!

  • Event: ☕sober café, 7 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    An evening of connection, live music, and sober celebration.

  • Event: 🎶Janet LaVigne, 6 – 9 PM
    Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Enjoy live music in a vibrant atmosphere.

  • Event: 💎Authentic Gemstone Jewelry Class, 1 – 3 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Create your own gemstone jewelry with guidance.

  • Event: 🎨Sea Turtle Pallet Painting Class, 2 – 4 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Paint a beautiful sea turtle on wood pallets.

  • Event: 🧘Learning to Love Yourself, 1 – 7 PM
    600 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    A transformative experience focused on self-love and mindfulness.

  • Event: 🏈Uga Vs Marshall Tailgate, 3:00 – 11:59 PM
    Ormond Garage, 48 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Tailgating fun with food, drinks, and football fans.

  • Event: 🌅Break of Dawn Watercolor Painting Class, 11 AM – 1 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Learn to paint serene sunrises with watercolors.

  • Event: ⚽Small Group Saturdays-K, 9 – 11 AM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Youth soccer and athletic development activities.

 Sun Aug 31

  • Event: 🎉Baddies Who Beach, 6 PM
    442 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL
    Social gathering celebrating empowerment and beach vibes.

  • Event: 🍷Obs Wine Mixer, 2 – 5 PM
    beach + vine, 1458 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Enjoy a curated wine tasting experience with beachside ambiance.Event:

  • Mixed Media Night Light or Suncatcher Class, 1 – 3 PM
    The Salty Mermaid, 1546 - 1548 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Create your own unique night light or suncatcher in this hands-on art class.

  • Event: 🕺Free Dance Event: Dance-ology OPEN HOUSE, 7 – 10 PM
    Dance-ology Studios, 533 N Nova Rd Suite 105, Ormond Beach, FL
    Explore dance with free classes and fun during this open house event.

  • Event: ⚽Sunday Semi-Private: FG/KO, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
    Focused football training sessions for skill development.

 Mon Sep 1

  • Event: 🎤 Monday Karaoke at Grind Gastropub, 6 – 10 PM
    Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    Sing your heart out at this lively karaoke night with great food and drinks.

  • Event: 🌌 Unity Night @ Kava Kula, Sep 1 – Sep 2
    Kava Kula, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
    A chill evening of unity, connection, and relaxation with kava and friends.

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

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