Florida Hotel Fires Employee for Refusing to Remove American Flag Pin

A front desk supervisor at a Florida hotel was fired recently when he refused management’s request to remove the American flag pin he was wearing, news4jax.com reports. Sean May, 26, an employee at Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Fla., has been wearing an American flag pin to work every day for the last two years. Last week, he was told to remove the pin because it violates company policy. "I've actually gotten probably more compliments about it than any of the service I've actually done at the hotel, which is an interesting concept," 

May told the station. May said Casa Monica recently had a change in command at the corporate level and is trying to revamp its image. A spokesperson for the hotel released this statement: 

"Casa Monica has always had the personal appearance guidelines, and they are currently being enforced." "It seems silly. It seems so, so silly in the long run," May said. "They're so upset about a little pin, and yet I come to work every day and flying over the hotel there's a gigantic American flag." May said he loves his job, but he's willing to risk it to stand up for what he feels is right. Just before firing May the day after he was sent home for wearing an American flag pin, the Casa Monica Hotel answered some questions from news4jax.com in an email Friday. 

"The Casa Monica Hotel located in St. Augustine, Florida, is an American-based, homegrown historic hotel," the email reads. "The property reflects its pride in America and great patriotism by flying the Stars and Stripes high over the hotel. The American flag greets every guest and employee with its symbolism of our belief in this great country." "However, our employee handbook clearly states, 'No other buttons, badges, pins or insignias of any kind are permitted to be worn.' No matter an individual's national preference, political views or religious affiliation, it is a standard regulation which ensures equality for all Grand Performers (employees)." 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/16/florida-hotel-fires-employee-for-refusing-to-remove-american-flag-pin/?cmpid=NL_FNTopHeadlines_20111016#ixzz1b2n5c7oG 

Limelight Theatre

Make plans to go to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Limelight Theatre. Tonight is First Friday so after browsing through some area art galleries, come enjoy the show at 11 Old Mission Avenue downtown. 

Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Our fully stocked hospitality bar offers a nice selection of wines by the glass, beers, soft drinks, and gourmet coffee and tea—and you can take them all into the theatre with you! 

Call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org for tickets.

The Raintree Restaurant

The Raintree Restaurant will be celebrating their 30th year and 3 generations of one of the best Restaurants in St. Augustine and North Florida. 

All that is asked is for a small donation to EPIC Community services which is committed to supporting Children and Families devastated by Substance Abuse. 

October 16th @ 102 San Marco Ave. RSVP 904-824-7211 11:00am to 2:00pm

Expo Includes 2011 Miss Florida Quince Pageant!

 ST. AUGUSTINE TO HOST FIFTEEN AND FOREVER WEDDING AND QUINCEAŃERA EXPO

          ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Oct. 6) The romance and unforgettable beauty of St. Augustine will form the backdrop for Fifteen and Forever - a comprehensive expo devoted to everything needed for the perfect wedding or quinceańera in the Nation's oldest city. To be held November 4-6, the weekend-long expo will provide brides-to-be, wedding planners and quinces with an in-depth look at the incredible venues and wide array of services guaranteed to make their special day truly remarkable.

 

            The first recorded wedding in St. Augustine occurred on January 24, 1594. Needless to say, the city has a long history of providing an outstanding setting for couples to begin their lives together. Today, the city's impressive Spanish Renaissance and Moorish Revival architecture offers a unique and authentically European look and feel. Of course, the city's famous horse-drawn carriages, historic cathedral, Castillo de San Marcos, beautiful bay front and pristine Atlantic beaches add to the happy ambiance of weddings and quinceańeras.

 

            The Fifteen and Forever Expo gets underway on Friday, November 4, with a spectacular Welcome Reception at the new St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. Recently named one of the top family attractions in the Nation by Travel+Leisure magazine, the colorful and entertaining museum provides a perfect introduction to St. Augustine.

 

            The events for Saturday, November 5, begin at 9 a.m. with a two-hour tour of venues with wedding and quince photo vignettes that will give participants a detailed look at how their special day might appear at each venue. From 7-9 p.m. that evening, a beautiful and inspiring fashion show featuring the best in wedding and quinceańera attire will take place at the city's elegant Lightner Museum.

 

            Sunday will be a huge day for participants. Registration for the Expo begins at 10:30 a.m. and the doors swing open at 11 a.m. at the beautiful and historic Casa Monica Hotel. Throughout the day, vendors will be available with advice, products and packages that are sure to delight quinces and brides-to-be. Plus, great prize giveaways will be conducted.

 

            At 3 p.m., the Expo will conclude and at 6 p.m. the 2011 Miss Florida Quince Pageant will begin. This second annual bilingual event serves to unite youth from all cultures and maintain a rich Hispanic tradition that has important cultural value in many Latin communities. Young ladies age 13 to 16 from all cultural backgrounds are invited to participate. The reigning Miss Florida Quince, Desiree Leilani Gil, will be there to hand her crown to the lucky winner. Among the principal sponsors will be Telemundo 43 WDDT-TV Naple-Fort Myers. For more information on the pageant go to www.FloridaWeddingsandSpecialEvents.com .

 

            For the latest information on the Fifteen and Forever Expo, including special Expo hotel rate and online ticket purchases, go towww.FifteenandForever.com . Plus, check out the official Facebook page of the pageant at http://on.fb.me/oPrrva or simply search "Fifteen and Forever Expo Weekend" on Facebook. Additional information is also available from the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau at 904.829.1711.

 

Located between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast offers authentic Old World charm, 42 miles of beaches, luxurious seaside resorts, world-renowned golf, historic hotels, charming bed and breakfast inns, fine dining, history on every street corner and the location of Ponce de Leon's 1513 discovery of La Florida. For details on lodging, dining, attractions and more go towww.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1.800.653.2489