Since I spend the majority of my week at the Deltona Public Library, it was only appropriate that I walk over to the amazing Lyonia Environmental Center and then stroll through the 300+ acre preserve.

This place is amazing! I'm a nerd, so I thrive on absorbing random and seemingly useless knowledge. When I discovered this hidden gem right here in my backyard, I had to explore it.

I was able to get two videos up on YouTube of my walk through.  Now the second you walk through the revolving door, you'll realize this place is geared towards children. Rightfully so. Adults have all but tossed in the towel on learning about their surroundings. Let's save this new generation of kids before the prophecies of the movie Idiocracy come true.

If you follow the news, or grew up in Deltona, you probably would never assume we had a quality Nature Center within 20 miles of us. However, here you'll find tons of interactive devices for kids, touch screen monitors, and displays that educate you a very important part of our ecosystem. The Florida Scrub.

Once you're done with formal stuff, strap on your hiking shoes and put on a camel-pack. Because it's time go out on the Lyonia Preserve trail! There are three levels of trails, covering 360 acres, which are well marked and maps are provided for visitors so you don't get lost. It's huge out there so it can happen.

Just last week, I went out on the trail and two soldiers were geared up with ruck sacs, weapons, and everything they would use in the field, heading out. I asked one of them if he liked using the trail to train and he said he drove there from Daytona twice a week to prepare himself for deployment. Pretty awesome!

Without further delay, here's a walk-through of the center. I think you and your kids would love it.

After over 7 years of back and forth nonsense on the project, property, and design aspects, Deltona's Movie Theater is finally done!

Epic Theatres 12 screen movie house was just a piece of the larger puzzle that was to become the hub of Deltona. A new, Avalon Park style community, with all kinds of shoppes and businesses to compete with communities like Avalon and Baldwin Park.

Information and pictures:

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About the Multiplex

WHAT: Epic Theatres of West Volusia

WHERE: 939 Hollywood Blvd., Deltona

OPENING DAY: Wednesday1

OPENING DAY MOVIES: "Mission: Impossible –– Ghost Protocol" (Epic XL); "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"; "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"; "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn" (3-D in Epic XL); "My Week with Marilyn"; "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked"; "We Bought a Zoo"; "The Descendants"

TICKETS:adults (12-59): $9.50; children (11 and under): $6.50; seniors (60 and older): $6.50; add $2 for XL theater, $3 for 3-D movie

TELEPHONE: 386-202-2434

WEBSITE: epictheatres.com

If you live in Deltona, you're used to the bashing this place receives for its very existence. What people don't appreciate are the free things it has to offer. Like the awesome parks, trails, and our kick ass library.

Right now, The Deltona Libary has Santa Land - a "Magical Forest" where kids walk through a maze to try and find Santa - going on now, until December 31st.

Times:
12/12 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/13 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/14 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/15 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/16 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/17 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/18 1:00 PM  -  4:45 PM
12/19 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/20 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/21 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/22 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/23 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/24 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/25 closed
12/26 closed
12/27 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/28 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/29 9:30 AM  -  7:15 PM
12/30 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM
12/21 9:30 AM  -  4:45 PM


It's free, indoors, so bring the kids and keep them entertained for a couple of hours. It's a great way to kill time. Come early, then take them over to the Children's Library and let them find some books. We need more kids to enjoy reading and learning.

Best part about all of this is that it's FREE!

Deland may seem like a boring community, known only for petty crime, wildfires, and Stetson University. We can honestly say they also have a sense of humor! Kudos Checkers. You put Deland on the map!

Daytona Beach Shores - When the tough get going, the going buy some fake dollar bills at the flea market and try to buy stuff at the convenience store.

Horse-eyed former City Councilman, Hank Smith, found out the hard way that reading is fundamental. According to the report, this bum tried to pay for cigarettes and beer with several fake dollar bills.

"Mr. Smith said that he and his wife had fallen on hard times, and that he was just trying to provide for his wife,"  Sgt. Michael Fowler said.

If times are hard and you're willing to risk going to jail for your spouse....wouldn't you buy food, or milk, or something that indicates you've fallen on hard times?

As endearing as it seems, beer and cigs don't fall into any food groups I know of.

Not surprising, Smith recently resigned from his position as City Councilman amid controversy surrounding a letter falsely naming two fellow employees of inappropriate behavior.