Palm Coast December: Starlight Festival, the Holiday Light Fight, and Christmas Brunch with Santa

Palm Coast Observer
News

by: Kim L. Brown

Recreation Supervisor-Marketing, City of Palm Coast

The holiday season is in full swing! Celebrate the season with Parks & Recreation at the Starlight Festival. Festively adorned floats will line Central Park as performing groups march merrily through the park. Or join us for a Brunch with Santa on Dec. 17 at the Palm Coast Community Center. We have a variety of opportunities for residents of all ages to Explore, Connect, and Play in Palm Coast!

Many activities require advance registration. Space may be limited, so please register early. Palm Coast Parks & Recreation can be reached at 386-986-2323.

Special Events for December:

Dec. 1-17 – Holiday Light Fight - We want you to break out all of your lights, garland, inflatable snowmen, and more to participate in our new Holiday Light Fight – don’t be fragile with the festiveness! It encourages Palm Coasters to decorate their houses in fun and unique ways for the holiday season. Judging takes place on Friday, Dec. 17. Free, registration is required at www.palmcoast.gov/events. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 2-16 – Teen/Youth Indoor Rowing Class – Thursdays at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. The city of Palm Coast and the Palm Coast Rowing Club have teamed up to offer middle and high school youth an indoor rowing development and exercise opportunity. This class is for anyone that wants to learn and have fun while getting a good workout. All fitness levels are welcome. For ages 13-17 years. $5/class. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/teens. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 3 – Book Club Social Corner: Reader’s Choice - Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Do you love to read? Each month will have a designated genre. December’s is Reader’s Choice. You select and purchase a book that falls within the monthly category. Book suggestions will be available if you need a little help. That month we will meet to share our impressions, reactions, and feelings. Free, but registration required. Book titles and registration at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 4 – Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. The Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course provides healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, administer CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, effective, and timely manner. Examples of those who may need this certification are EMS personnel, physician assistants, dentists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and others. All must have a credential (card) documenting successful completion of a CPR course. For ages 18 years and older. $65/person. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: More info: [email protected].

Dec. 7 – Caregiver Support Group – Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Presented in partnership with Brookdale Palm Coast. When caring for an aging parent or spouse, you may feel like no one understands what you’re experiencing. Join our Caregiver Support Group, and take a break with other caregivers. Free, but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 11 – First Aid and CPR/AED Course – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Heartsaver First Aid is a 7-hour classroom course (includes 1 hour for lunch) that is designed to meet OSHA regulations. The course teaches basic first aid skills: administering CPR to an infant, young child, or an adult; using an Automated External Defibrillator; using a mask or barrier device; how to stop visible bleeding; assist with possible sprain or broken bone; securing the scene for safety. For ages 13 years and older. $50/person. Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: [email protected].

Dec. 11 – Starlight Festival – Saturday, 4-9 p.m. at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave. Celebrate the holiday season with your friends and neighbors at the City of Palm Coast’s Starlight Festival. Floats will park along Central Park so you can view then at your leisure while performing groups will play throughout Central Park. Free, no registration is required. More info: www.palmcoastgov.com/events.

Dec. 14 – Learn the Basics of Your Computer – Tuesday, 10-11:30 a.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Want to learn more about your computer? These classes teach you how to care for your computer, different programs you may need to use, and the importance of internet security. Free, but registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 14 – Bellies and Babies – Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. A gathering for new mothers and moms-to-be, Bellies and Babies is designed to support women during pregnancy, new motherhood, and breastfeeding. Go from feeling unsure to “I got this,” all while building friendships in a supportive environment. Education, advice, and encouragement is provided by lactation consultants/counselors from Florida Department of Health. Free, but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 15 – Before Baby: Bountiful Breastfeeding – Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. This breastfeeding class provides expectant mothers with the knowledge to breastfeed their new baby with confidence. Instruction is provided by lactation consultants/counselors from The Florida Department of Health. Free, but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 16 – Quit Your Way. Stop Tobacco – Thursday, 6-8 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. This single-session program will provide you with the valuable tools you need to help you quit tobacco. These include: creating a quit plan, learning strategies and skills to deal with nicotine cravings to remain tobacco-free, dealing with slips, having the opportunity to share your experience with others in a friendly, respectful and supportive group setting, as well as FREE patches, gum, or lozenges, if medically appropriate. This program is sponsored by Tobacco Free Florida & Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Free but registration is required by calling AHEC at 904-482-0189.

Dec. 17 – Christmas Brunch with Santa – Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Presented in partnership with Florida Health Care Plans. Put on your favorite Christmas sweater and enjoy a visit from Jolly Ole’ St. Nick. Brunch and refreshments will be served. $10/person. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/forall. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 17 – Parent’s Night Out – Friday, 5:30-10 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Parents, are you in need of a date night or just wish for peace and quiet around the house on a Friday night? Let us watch your kids while you have the night to yourselves. Participants will eat pizza, play games, watch movies, and have fun. For ages 5-12 years. $15/person, $5/additional sibling. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/youth. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 17 – Teen Chill Zone – Friday, 5:30-10 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Hey teens, tired of sitting around bored on a Friday night? Then grab your friends and join us to hang out, eat pizza, listen to music, watch movies, play video games, and chill in a fun and safe environment. For ages 13-17 years. $10/person, $5/additional sibling. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/youth. More info: 386-986-2323.

Dec. 18 – Holiday Round Robin – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway. Presented in partnership with Friends of Tennis, this event includes round-robin-style tennis and the chance to spread holiday cheer! $5/person, free for Pass Holders. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/tennis. More info: 386-986-2550.

Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-30 – Jack Frostivities Holiday Break Camp – Monday, Dec. 20, to Wednesday, Dec. 22; and Monday, Dec. 27, to Thursday, Dec. 30, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Join us at the Community Center over Winter Break to enjoy games, activities, and fun! Open to students in grades K-8. $25/day. Aftercare until 6pm is available for a one-time fee of $10. Registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.

Ongoing Weekly Activities:

Mondays – Sit, Stitch ‘N Give – Mondays (through December 13), 10am-12pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Does life have you tied up in knots? Come unwind, chat, knit, crochet, embroider, and laugh with those who understand your desire to take a long piece of thread and create a work of art. All levels of experience are welcomed. Free but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Mondays – Zumba Gold® Toning – Mondays (through December 13), 4-5pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Zumba Gold® Toning blends the Zumba® party you love, at a slower pace, with a redefining total body workout using toning sticks to shake up those muscles! Tailored for active, older adults and beginners who want to focus on muscles conditioning and light weight activity. $5/class. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Mondays and Fridays - Morning Blast – Mondays and Fridays, Clinic 1, 9-10am & Clinic 2, 10-11am at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. Enjoy a fun and energetic start to your day that combines tennis drills with point play. For ages 18 years and up. $12/clinic. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/tennis. More info: 386-986-2550.

Tuesdays – Diabetes Prevention – Tuesdays (through December 14), 9-10am at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) is presented in partnership with the Florida Department of Health. The National Diabetes Prevention Program was created for individuals diagnosed with pre-Diabetes or who are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. The DPP is a year-long program, consisting of 8 weekly core sessions followed by 16 bi-weekly post-core sessions. Free, but registration and a referral are required. Please contact Alana Shawah at 386-313-7263 for assistance with the referral process.

Tuesdays – Gentle Yoga – Tuesdays (through December 14), 10:30-11:30am at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Start experiencing the many benefits of yoga through this safe and gentle modified chair version. Yoga work is done either standing or in a chair and includes low-impact stretching and strengthening, as well as breathing routines led by certified instructor Michele Cotto. For ages 18 and up. $5/class. Registration is recommended at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays – Senior Social Corner – Tuesdays (through December 14), 12:30-4pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Looking to get out of the house? Come out and make new friends or catch up with old ones! This is a great opportunity to sit, visit, and play games with other seniors. Free but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays – Wood Carvers – Tuesdays (through December 14), 1-4pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. The art of wood carving has a history that spans centuries. At its core, wood carving transforms a piece of wood into a masterfully crafted work of art. This program is open to men and women of all levels and abilities. Please bring your own materials. Free but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays – Diabetes Self-Management Education - Tuesdays, 1-3pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Diabetes Self-Management Education classes are facilitated and taught by a Registered Dietitian from The Florida Department of Health. You will first have a one-on-one assessment, which is then followed by three 2-hour long weekly sessions and 1 follow-up session. This program is designed for individuals who have already been diagnosed with Type 1 and 2 Diabetes. Please contact Alana Shawah at 386-313-7263 for assistance with the referral process. For ages 18 and up. Registration is required by calling 386-313-7263.

Tuesdays - Dance with Me! Ballroom Dance Classes – Tuesdays (through December 14), 6:30-7:30pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Don’t just sit and watch Dancing with the Stars this year, be part of the action! Instructors Tom and Jo Sanders will teach you the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, and East Coast Swing dance styles. Beginners are welcome and partners are not required. $10/class. Each class needs a minimum of 8 participants. Weekly pre-registration is required in order to guarantee the class each week. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays and Thursdays – Yoga for All – Tuesdays and Thursdays (through December 16), 9-10am at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. (No meeting Nov. 11 or 25.) Relax and restore through stretching, yoga poses, breathing, and relaxation led by certified instructor Michele Cotto. All levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat, towel, and water bottle. For ages 18 and up. $5/class. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays and Fridays – Beginner’s Pickleball - Tuesdays and Fridays, 8-10:30am at James F. Holland Park, 18 Florida Park Drive. Did you know pickleball was invented by 3 dads in the backyards of their Bainbridge Island, WA homes? Do you want to learn how to play in a fun and friendly atmosphere? Try out our Beginner’s Pickleball! Free, but pre-registration is required at www.parksandrec.fun/athletics. More info: 386-986-2323.

Tuesdays and Sundays - Doubles Round Robins Tennis – Tuesdays, 6-8pm and Sundays, 9:30-11am at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. In doubles round robin play, each pair of players compete against every other player-it’s a great way to play a variety of games. These events, held twice per week, offer players of all ages and abilities a friendly and welcoming environment to play, practice, and compete. It is a great way to meet new people! $7/day; free for Pass Holders. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/tennis. More info: 386-986-2550.

Wednesdays – Double Skills Tennis – Wednesdays, 9:30-11am at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. Grab your friends for 90 minutes of situational drills and games to build your skill set. For ages 18 and up. $17/day. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/tennis. More info: 386-986-2550.

Wednesdays – Open Art Studio – Wednesdays (through December 15), 9am-12pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Need a space to create your next work of art? Stop by the Community Center for some creative time. Please bring your own materials. Free but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Wednesdays – Mah Jongg – Wednesdays (through December 15), 12:30-4pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Developed in China during the Qing dynasty, Mah Jongg is a rummy-like game played with tiles. Join in on this game of skill, strategy, and calculation, all while making new friends. Free but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Wednesdays – A Day at the Movies – Wednesdays, 1pm-3pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. (No movie on Nov. 17 or 24). Lights, Camera, Action! Stop in for an old classic or a new favorite. Check online or the monthly Senior Social Connection Newsletter for movie titles. Free and no registration required. More info: 386-986-2323 and www.parksandrec.fun/seniors.

Thursdays – Widow/Widower’s Support Group – Thursdays (through December 16), 11:30am-12:30pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. Presented in partnership with Brookdale Senior Living. Have you suffered the loss of your significant other? This is a chance to meet others who have had a similar loss in their life. Free, but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Thursdays – Pinochle – Thursdays (through December 16), 12:30-4pm at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE. (No meeting Nov. 11 or 25.) Pinochle is a trick-taking card game typically for two to four players and played with a 48-card deck. Derived from the card game bezique, players score points by trick-taking and also by forming combinations of cards into melds. Free, but please register at www.parksandrec.fun/seniors. More info: 386-986-2323.

Fridays – Singles Round Robin Tennis – Fridays (through December 17), 6-8pm at Palm Coast Tennis Center, 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy. In singles round robin play, each player plays against every other player - it’s a great way to play a variety of games. These events, held once per week, offer players of all ages and abilities a friendly and welcoming environment to play, practice, and compete. It is a great way to meet new people! For ages 18 and up. $6/day; free for pass holders. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/tennis. More info: 386-986-2550.

Saturdays – Junior Golf Clinics – Saturdays, ages 7-11 years at 9-10am and ages 12-16 years at 10-11am at Palm Harbor Golf Club, 20 Palm Harbor Drive. Get out on the course with an instructor to learn the game of golf! Kids will learn basic golf skills in this weekly clinic. Space is limited, so sign up early by calling 386-986-4653 (GOLF). For ages 7-16. $20/class. More info: www.palmharborgolfclub.com (under Meet the Pros tab).

Most activities require registration at www.parksandrec.fun. Palm Coast Parks & Recreation can be reached at 386-986-2323.