Palm Coast Observer
Your Town

The fifth-annual Princess Place Pow Wow, Flagler County’s Native American festival, took place the weekend of Feb. 24-25. It was complete with dancing, weapons demonstrations, wildlife exhibits, encampments and displays.

Parks Manager Frank Barbuti said there were over 50 tribes represented from North and South America.

There were demonstrations on a variety of weapons, blacksmithing and flint knapping, the official term for making arrowheads.

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Black heritage celebration

Cheryl Few sang at the Afro-American Caribbean Heritage Organization Black Heritage Day Festival. Photo courtesy of Vivian Richardson

The Afro-American Caribbean Heritage Organization held its annual Black Heritage Day Festival on Saturday, Feb. 16. A large crowd attended the event at the African American Cultural Center to enjoy vendors, food and entertainment. Attendance was free.

The Flagler County Commissioner Donald O'Brian presented a proclamation that recognized the 38th year for AACHO. The city of Palm Coast also issued a proclamation recognizing Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, as "Black Heritage Festival Day."

AAEA celebrates Black History Month

Leslie Giscombe, of AAEA, and Dr. George C. Fraser, a leading global economic speaker. Courtesy photo

The African American Entrepreneurs Association hosted its second-annual Black History Month event on Feb. 20 at the African American Cultural Society. The guest speaker was Dr. George C. Fraser from FraserNet Inc., a leading global networking and economic development movement for people of African descent. He's the author of six best-selling books and has been featured on seven national magazine covers. He has received over 350 awards and citations, including "The President's Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2016.

Mother-son exhibit to open

A fine art exhibit of sculpture by Joan and Paul Baliker will be on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Gallery, with opening reception 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 2. The gallery is located at 101 Palm Coast Parkway, Suite No. 145, in European Village.

Joan Baliker graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where she studied fashion design and illustration. She traveled to California to her first job as a consultant in a decorating and design studio. Later, she married a military man and became a world traveler, studying Sumi-e paiinting in Hawaii, pastel portraiture in Texas and woodcarving in Florida. She began creating figurative sculptures of people who have been and are walking a path of peace and inspiration — from Ghandi to the Wodaabe tribal men and women of Africa. Joan calls them “friends and kindred spirits.”

The work of Joan’s son Paul will be in the exhibit, as well. Paul is a self-taught artist who expresses his unique style in driftwood. He credits his mother as his artistic inspiration. Paul sources his material from the gulf coast of Florida. Old silver patina driftwood provides interesting specimens of entangled branches for subject matter. Recently, Paul expanded to international acclaim. His environmentally conscious works of art have gained worldwide publicity and increased stature. The architects of the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore have commissioned him to create a sculpture for their gardens.

‘The Colour Collective’

Naturals of Palm Coast, led by LaToya Taite-Headspeth, hosted "The Colour Collective" on On Sunday, Feb 17, at the African American Cultural Center. The marketplace had 20 black women-owned businesses for attendees to enjoy.

Guests also enjoyed Palm Coast's own retired runway model Cynthia Black and her "One Woman Show." Shenita Daniels entertained attendees by singing a few selections from her debut album "Guide Me."

The next marketplace will be Sunday, May 5. For more information about the marketplace and other events hosted by Naturals of Palm Coast contact [email protected] or 725-2510.