Kelly and I paid a visit to Fletcher's Cigar Bar and Social in Ormond Beach Florida to learn a little abou the art of smokin' stogies.

Art Army marches on Ormond Area artist Perego is marshalling his Art Army for another Vagabond Art party. What's a Vagabond Art party? It's an evening of music, performance art, film and visual art. The party will go from 6 p.m. until late-night Friday July 3 at Caffeine Bistro & Wine Bar, 49 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach. A reception to celebrate the new courtyard mural by Perego, with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Information from the venue: 386-672-7277. The party will feature a preview screening of the film "Art Army Reality Show" by Christopher Hansen, music by DJ Danni G, performance art by Perego, a community mural for patrons, and an art exhibit. -- Rick de Yampert perego live

If you've not met him yet you should. He officially holds the title as the most colorful person I've met in the three8six. A working muralist and leader of the Art Army, a local artist movement with a cult-like following, Perego is at the forefront of the local creative movement producing "Art that Rocks." 
 
I caught up with the man himself, through e-mail, and asked a few questions of the self-proclaimed artist extraordinare.    

C: What is your job title? 
P: father, brother, melchizedek and artist extraordinaire.

C: Describe you...  
P: A triple Scorpio, ecstatic, inspired, skilled, passionate and loved.

C: What do you really do at work? 
P: I get down with my bad self, no really. My "work" is creating unforgettable moments, incredible art and rockin' performances.

C: What are you passionate about? 
P: Art and life, which for me is the same thing.

C: Where is your favorite place to eat locally? 
P: Caffeine Bistro and Wine Bar, Ormond Beach and Ronin Sushi and Saki Bar and Siam Spice Thai Restaurant in Daytona Beach 

C: Where do you go for fun? 
P: I participate in amazing art events and throw traveling Vagabond Art Parties.

C: What is your favorite tool? 
P: You really didn't just ask me that.

C: If you could be any person for a day who would it be? Why? 
P: Joshua Ben Yusef ( Jesus' real name yo) cause he rocked the world over.

C: What do you recommend? 
P: I recommend coming to the realization that we are ALL creating this world around us, that "reality" is our creation, we are all artists and we need to consciously create ourselves and it.
C: What do you want to be when you grow up? 
P: Ahem, I believe I am fully grown and I will be done with my body when the last person I inspire has exclaimed "Yes I am an artist!"

C: If you could go any place in the world where would it be? Any place? 
P: I would love to tour the archangel headquarters, as well as the hall of records in the Sphinx.

C: What are you an expert at? 
P: As far as being an "expert" you would need to look at my 23 years of doing cool, creative stuff and let me know. Like a doctor- I am still practicing.

C: What are your favorite web sites (other than three8six.com)? 
P: Besides my own which ROCK (ArtofPerego.com, Peregolive.com and Artarmy.org), I would say the networkers-- myspace, facebook...  And I would definitely hit up Urantia.org if you are interested in knowing about this world, angels and God. 
  
 
  
  
  

Here's a gal I met not to long ago down in New Smyrna Beach, Kelly Azzinaro. She is an all-around working mom and community advocate who's always good for a laugh and who can create an event out of an ordinary Friday night.

I caught up with Kelly recently and asked a few questions over e-mail to see if I could find out what makes this Florida girl tick.
 
Job title: Commercial Banking Relationship Manager
 
C: Describe you:
K: I am a mommy and wife. I love the outdoors, boating, fishing and hanging at the beach.  Born and raised in Ormond Beach I now live in New Smyrna Beach and I don't think I will ever leave. I love my job and am thankful to have one! I have four crazy pets, two Italian Greyhounds named Vinny and Louie and two rescued kittens Slater and Roxy. And, I have great friends that I love dearly!

While covering the Daytona 500 I was sent to Walt Disney World to interview Jeff Gordon.

It was a strange experience because all of the sudden I was the paparazzi (I am slightly ashamed). Lucky for me the press did not have to chase the young father around the park trying to get the shot. Encounters between Gordon and the press were carefully choreographed insuring the press got what they needed and the Gordon family sill enjoyed the Magic Kingdom. 

I got a treat while helping Godwin Kelly staff writer with the Daytona Beach News-Journal cover the 2009 Daytona 500. Check it out... 

It seems I see Jack White at most of the business socials I attend. Often accompanied by his wife or a buddy, he always strikes me as the guy to know.

White is working to build a better Daytona Beach and he is quickly making a name for himself. I caught up with him recently and asked a few questions over e-mail to see if I could find out what makes this future opinion leader tick.  

C: What is your official job title? 
J: Actually, I have no idea.  I own an urban redevelopment real estate company...one day I am a handyman...another I am buying an office building.
  
C: Tell me about you.  
J: I was born and grew up in Daytona Beach, attended Seabreeze High School and then Stetson University. I came home to work in real estate, read about the re-urbanization of cities which brought me back to downtown Daytona Beach. Currently my wife, brother and I work on rebuilding and refashioning the urban areas of Daytona Beach, most specifically Downtown.   

We built the Wall Street Lofts in 2006 and are working on future redevelopment projects in and around downtown including the William Lofts, The W.H. Gardiner, The Warren Harding Building and the W.C. Grand row houses. 

I try to stay involved civically with board positions on the Downtown Redevelopment Board, Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Partnership, Daytona YPG, Club 212, Sunset Harbor, Stetson Alumni Board, and Checkered Flag Committee. 

C: What do you locally for fun?
J: For fun, I fish for tarpon in Boca Grande, read books on business and surf when the waves are good and water is warm.

I love anything local as long as it's authentic -- The Daytona 500, Downtown, Thirsty Thursday at the Daytona Cubs, The Daytona Beach International Festival Events and the Farmers Market - we have some great local stuff going on here you can't find anywhere else. 

C: What is your favorite tool?
J: A pencil.  It doesn't require much skill to use...you can experiment and erase mistakes. 

C: If you could be any person for a day who would it be? Why?
J: I would be myself at age 6...those were the days!

C: What do you recommend?
J: For such an open ended question, if you have ever read Aesop's Fables, I recommend being the tortoise not the hare.

C: What do you want to be when you grow up?
J: Superman

C: Where is your favorite place to eat locally?
J: How could I name just one...
Most of mine are downtown:  Angell & Phelps Cafe, Ronin Sushi and Bar, The Cellar Restaurant, The Avacado Kitchen and The Brickyard Lounge & Grill, just to name a few. 

C: If you could go any place in the world where would it be?
J: Knowing it's a journey not a destination, I would like to be backpacking across Europe on a train...I love public transportation.

C: What are you an expert at?
J: I am more of a Jack of all trades, expert of none. 

C: What are you passionate about?
J: This sounds really academic, but I am passionate about great urban planning.  It is funny how much urban planning has to do with our lives. 

Most places I love to go are places where the people who built them made great planning decisions. Savannah, Charleston, Nashville, Portland, Chattanooga, San Antonio, Chicago, Austin are all great, well planned out cities, with planners who have focused their efforts on redevelopment of their core areas.

C: What are your favorite web sites (other than three8six.com)? Why?
J: www.creativeclass.com - This guy has it right on when it comes to what cities need to do to attract creative people.
www.bedowntowndaytona.com - How could I forget my own site...I would be embarrassed if it weren't one of my favorite.  I think it's cool. 
www.daytonaypg.com - We are really trying to organize the young professionals in the area, especially if we want to make this a really cool city scene
www.downtowndaytonabeach.com - We are working hard at making downtown the local scene for entertainment, living, eating and shopping.  It's a work in progress, but what isn't. 

Having this job opens me up to meeting a lot of new people -- many who are interesting and creative, almost all who are helping to develop an compelling culture for the local community.    

I've decided to put this fresh resource to good use and feature some of the outstanding people I'm meeting. 
   
My first subject is Terry Nandlal. He, along with August Wenger, heads up HomeGrownRoots -- an original music organization devoted to promoting local bands and songwriters.

Nandlal is also a member of the Transfers, a local band also devoted to original music.
 
I asked Terry some questions by e-mail to gain insight about what makes him tick.

Here is what he had to say:
C: What are you passionate about?
T: Music, art, politics, romance and social tolerance.

C: Where is your favorite place to eat locally?
T: Leanhs (Chinese Restaurant, in South Daytona), it is my Kitchen.

C: Where do you go for fun?
T: Concerts - Plays, music, festivals.
Theme parks - Disney Parks, Roller Coaster rides...I hate small carnivals.
The Outdoors - Camping, rafting IDK all that stuff I haven't done it in a while.

C: What is your favorite tool?
T: My computer.

C: If you could be any person for a day who would it be? Why?
T: Captain Kirk - exploration is a human condition that must be satisfied.

C: What do you recommend?
T: Find something you are passionate about and pursue it. Then help others do the same.

C: What do you want to be when you grow up?
T: A Father, an established musician, and an entrepreneur.

C: If you could go any place in the world where would it be?
T: Other continents in the world, Africa, Asia, South America.....New Zealand and Australia too.

C: What are you an expert at?
T: Learning to keep my eyes and heart open to diverse thoughts and opinions. I still need help with that though.

C: What are your favorite web sites (other than three8six)? Why?
T: www.ateaseweb.com - I'm a big Radiohead fan.
www.youtube.com - I can see the world, along with everyone else
www.ap.org - Read it first, see it first.
www.cnn.com - Great Info.
www.news13.com - Regional Info.
Myspace.com - For connections.
www.hrw.org - Human rights around the world.