Local News Now

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Gallery Group of Flagler Avenue is seeking professional artists in any medium to participate in the* "Paint Out" Art Walk* from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 23 in New Smyrna Beach. Artists who can demonstrate their artistic technique are especially invited to attend.

Artist are also sought for upcoming Art Walks: June, "Waterworks"; July, "Christmas in July"; August, "Surf's Up"; September, "All That Jazz"; October, "Fantasy Works Halloween Spooktacular"; November, "Christmas Village"; and December, "Special Christmas Celebration."

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. New Smyrna Beach Mayor Sally Mackay said a $5,200 raise request for City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe, below, will be taken off tonight's agenda because "the time is not right" with economic conditions and a tough budget season approaching.

The Volusia County Health Department sent out two messages through the school district's parent telephone system today alerting the public about the swine flu outbreak elewhere in the country and encoraging hand washing and covering mouths while coughing.

The Volusia County Web site makrs no specific menion locally of efforts to educate the public, but a statewide health advisdory was posted and reads as follows:

Helen Lashway Adams, 78, of New Smyrna Beach, former owner and operator of the Islander Beauty Salon, died Friday, April 24, 2009.

Franklin Tyrie Miller, 89, of New Smyrna Beach, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, retired after 45 years of service as a locomotive engineer with Pennsylvania Railroad, Conrail and Amtrak, and was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hidden Lakes Country Club and New Smyrna Beach Men's Garden Club, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library will celebrate spring with a “Magical Tea Party” at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Children in grades K - 5 are invited to wear party clothes or dress up as their favorite magical creature, superhero or book character. Snacks will be served, and children are asked to bring their own cup and saucer for the tea party.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A graveside service wiill be held 2 p.m Saturday for Jeannette Baker-Nichols, of Milford Place, mother of NFL player Dallas Baker and the author of a song recorded by Otis Redding, who passed away on April 17, 2009. She was 68.

The service will be held at Glencoe Geiger Cemetery with Suffragan Bishop Robert B. Thomas officiating. Interment will take place at Glencoe-Geiger Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Night detours are in effect for repairs to the North Causeway Bridge through Saturday, part of a $690,000 project.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Work began last night on repairs to the North Causeway Bridge that is expected to keep the span inoperable at night through Saturday, forcing motorists and pedestrians alike to rely soley on the South Causeway Bridge for access to and from the beachside.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Area poets are invited to read at an Open Mic Poetry Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library.

The event is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Library and hosted by the Poet’s Corner Poetry Workshop of New Smyrna Beach. There is no charge and light refreshments will be served.

The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library is open seven days a week at 1001 S. Dixie Freeway. For more information, please call (386) 424-2910.

What was that I just heard? Surely that can’t be true. Let me rewind the tape and hear that again, I said to myself. Sure enough what I heard was that if you have a Florida Food Stamp Debit card and you have a question about it when you call the phone number you reach a representative in India.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Mystery-novel readers can get a dose of the real thing during “Murder, Mayhem and Mystery – Behind the Scenes,” a lecture
series at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library.

Guest speakers will take mystery lovers behind the crime scene tape to explain what really happens and why. Adults are invited to these lectures, which will be from 6 - 7 p.m. May 4, 6 and 7 in the library’s auditorium. Light refreshments will be served.