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  • ⭐"The Brown" Transformation, County School Budget, "Liberty" Is Healing

⭐"The Brown" Transformation, County School Budget, "Liberty" Is Healing

Issue #1004

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.George Sloane
04 Aug

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Courtesy: The Brown

🏛️ The Brown Museum Set for $203 Million Transformation

A historic gift from philanthropists Cici and Hyatt Brown is set to reshape Daytona Beach's cultural landscape. Museum leaders announced a $203 million expansion that will transform the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History into a larger destination designed to attract visitors from across Florida and beyond. Plans include replacing the current main building with an expanded campus featuring larger galleries, a new welcome center, event space, an environmental education pavilion and a 200-seat dome planetarium. Museum officials say the goal is to evolve from being a "hidden gem" into a regional cultural centerpiece while showcasing Florida's rich history and natural heritage. Construction is expected to begin once permitting is complete.

Source: MyNews13

📚 School Board Approves Budget After Heated Debate

The Volusia County School Board narrowly approved a tentative $1.1 billion budget and property tax rate following a lengthy and, at times, contentious discussion. Several board members initially questioned the proposal, citing concerns about increasing property tax revenue while voters prepare for school board elections later this month. District administrators warned that delaying approval could jeopardize nearly $196 million in state education funding and disrupt school operations just days before students return to class. Ultimately, the tentative budget and tax rate moved forward, though final approval is still scheduled for Sept. 8. The discussion highlighted differing views on fiscal responsibility while underscoring the importance of maintaining funding for teachers, career and technical education, and student services.

🦅 Liberty the Bald Eagle Is Healing Well

Visitors to the Marine Science Center may temporarily miss seeing Liberty and Freedom on display, but there's good news behind their absence. Liberty, one half of the center's resident bald eagle pair, is recovering after surgery to amputate an injured wing that had become increasingly painful because of arthritis. Animal care staff report she is healing steadily while receiving around-the-clock veterinary care alongside her lifelong mate. During her recovery, crews are also upgrading the Bird Boardwalk habitat with repairs and accessibility improvements before the pair returns. Liberty and Freedom continue serving as powerful ambassadors for wildlife conservation, helping educate thousands of visitors each year about rehabilitation and the importance of protecting Florida's native species.

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📅 Local Events: Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Happy Tuesday! Keep your week's momentum going with captivating local art exhibits in Ormond Beach, morning pickleball drills in Holly Hill, and an afternoon under the stars at Daytona's planetarium!

📍 Ormond Beach

🎨 Arts & Culture

"The World We Make" Exhibit

Step out of the summer heat and into the main galleries of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum to experience "The World We Make," featuring the thought-provoking contemporary works of Isabella Losskarn & Jeff Schofield.

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens (78 E Granada Blvd) | Cost: $2 suggested donation

🌿 Nature & Exploration

Morning Guided Trail Walk

Connect with local wildlife at the Environmental Discovery Center. Join a knowledgeable guide for a morning walk through the Central Park trails to learn about native Florida plants, birds, and ecosystems.

Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Location: Environmental Discovery Center (601 Division Ave) | Cost: Free

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

Skills & Drills Pickleball Clinic

Take your pickleball game to the next level! Pictona's Tuesday morning "Skills & Drills" session focuses on dinking, drop shots, and court positioning for intermediate players looking to sharpen their competitive edge.

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave) | Cost: $15 for non-members

📍 Daytona Beach

🌌 Science & Family

"The Sky Tonight" Planetarium Show

Take a journey through the cosmos at the Museum of Arts & Sciences. The Lowell and Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium is hosting an immersive, live-narrated tour of the stars and constellations visible in tonight's summer sky.

Time: 2:00 PM | Location: Museum of Arts & Sciences (352 S Nova Rd) | Cost: Included with museum admission

🎵 Live Music & Dining

Live Reggae Tuesday at Ocean Deck

Embrace the island vibes right on the beach! Head to Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club for their traditional Tuesday night live reggae music. Grab some fresh seafood, a tropical drink, and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Time: 8:00 PM | Location: Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club (127 S Ocean Ave) | Cost: Free entry

📅 Local Events: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Happy Hump Day! Get over the midweek slump by exploring contemporary art in Ormond Beach, joining the lively pickleball community in Holly Hill, or belting out your favorite tunes at oceanfront karaoke in Daytona Beach!

📍 Ormond Beach

🎨 Arts & Culture

"The World We Make" Exhibit

Step out of the summer heat and into the main galleries of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum to experience "The World We Make". This exhibition features the thought-provoking contemporary works of Isabella Losskarn & Jeff Schofield and runs through mid-September.

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens (78 E Granada Blvd)

📚 Family & Community

Mid-Week Family Storytime

Bring the little ones to the Ormond Beach Regional Library for an interactive morning of reading, singing, and light crafts. It's a wonderful, free way to keep children engaged and socializing before the new school year begins.

Time: 10:30 AM | Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S Beach St) | Cost: Free

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

Wednesday Open Play @ Pictona

Break up the work week with some active fun! Head over to Pictona at Holly Hill for Wednesday open play pickleball. With 49 courts and plenty of covered options to beat the summer heat, it's the perfect place to get moving.

Time: Open all day | Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

📍 Daytona Beach

🎤 Live Music & Nightlife

Kickstart Karaoke at Sessions

Our favorite Wednesday night tradition continues! Bring your singing voices to Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel for "Kickstart Karaoke" with Will Hammer. Enjoy great food, oceanfront views, and a fun, supportive atmosphere to belt out your favorite tunes.

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Location: Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel (918 N Atlantic Ave) | Cost: Free Entry

🌊 Family Fun & Recreation

Twilight Swim at Daytona Lagoon

Enjoy the waterpark without the midday crowds or peak summer sun! Daytona Lagoon offers discounted admission for their late-afternoon Twilight Swim hours. Race down the slides or relax in the lazy river before dinnertime.

Time: 3:00 PM – Close | Location: Daytona Lagoon (601 Earl St) | Cost: Discounted afternoon admission rates apply

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#DaytonaBeach #BrownMuseum #ArtsAndCulture #MuseumExpansion #VolusiaCounty #Education #SchoolBoard #SchoolBudget #PublicEducation #MarineScienceCenter #BaldEagle #WildlifeRehabilitation #Conservation #FloridaNews #CommunityNews

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