A New Year's resolution that's easy to keep

Make your New Year's resolution one to visit the beach often and when you leave, leave nothing behind but your footprints. Our beaches are the Space Coast's best resources - help take care of them.

The morning after the morning after

Sunday, January 2 beach clean-up, sponsored by Keep Brevard Beautiful. Location: Ocean Avenue, Melbourne Beach (by 4-way stop/just south of Nance Park). 8 - 12 Sunday. Forecast: 77 & wonderful!

New Year's Eve Twilight Spectacular

Children 7 to 12 are invited to attend the New Year's Eve Twilight Spectacular (sleepover!) at Brevard Zoo. They may be dropped off at the Zoo at 5 p.m. and must be picked up by 10 a.m. New Year's Day. The cost is only $55 (members) or $60 (non-members) - what a deal! For details, click here.

There are no words

Space Coast Christmas present

 The day after Christmas.....temp 54, wind: knock your socks off....but Christmas day?

Christmas day.....temp 75, breezy but able to walk comfortably with feet in water and not get frostbite. What better gift could we get?

What it's all about

As we wish one another Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate - let's remember what they all stand for and make an effort to incorporate that into our everyday lives. For those that will celebrate Christmas tomorrow - may your Christmas feelings last throughout the entire year. Stop and take a minute to observe how much nicer everyone is. No-one closing the door on you when you are following them through it. People making room on the counter in the supermarket for you to set your stuff down when your arms are full. I've always compared it to being 9.5 months pregnant! Why can't every day be like that? Think about it.

Turtles rescued

During the recent cold snap (is that what they call 24 degrees?), FL Fish & Wildlife helped rescue over 250 turtles, some endangered species. Most of them were found floating listlessly in the frigid waters around Cape Canaveral. With another cold front due, Space Coast residents are reminded to notify officials if they find a turtle floating listlessly. For instructions on what to do, go here.

Look around

This Christmas, take time to ensure those who have lost a loved one - military or otherwise - are not alone. The above photo is indeed Arlington National Cemetery where volunteers place wreaths on every grave every Christmas. No one is forgotten. Let us all make sure the same is true for those we know of on our Space Coast. It only takes a minute to ask, "...So, what are your plans for Christmas Day?" When you see that blank stare, open your heart. Losing someone is never easy, but that first holiday after is sheer agony.

Lunar Eclipse

Tonight/tomorrow morning - however you want to look at it - will be the only total lunar eclipse of the year. It will start at 12:29 a.m. and last a total of 72 minutes. Wow, what a great gift!

Christmas gift idea

Stumped for a gift? Don't know where to shop? How about a gift that comes from the heart? Andy Irons, pro surfer and Space Coast visitor, passed away last month at the age of 32. His wife, expecting their first child, gave birth to their son last week. The surfing community has set up a trust fund for the baby, in Hawaii, where the Irons' made their home. A donation in someone's name would be a wonderful gift. For info, any online search engine will do; it's big news. To start your search, the trust name is ''Friends of Andy Irons" and the bank is the First Hawaiian Bank. Easy. A gift from the heart. You'll sleep better.

Boat parade

The annual Grand Canal Holiday Boat Parade begins at 6 tonight just south of the Pineda Cswy in Satellite Beach. Over 70 boats are signed up so grab an umbrella and wind breaker and be there! Info: 777-3750.

Straight No Chaser

Straight No Chaser, a male singing group that is strictly a capella (as in no musical instruments allowed) will be at the King Center on Thursday, December 23 at 8 PM. For 2010, they have played 160 shows and sold over 225,000 tickets. That's how good they are. YOU try singing without music! Then gather 9 friends and do it while harmonizing! What a great gift idea! Early but that's okay!

Support local when shopping

Ideally, we should support those businesses that will take our dollars and put them back in our community -we all seem to understand that. But we don't always do it. It's not always easy to do. But 70% of the dollar you spend in a local business will go back into your community. Buy from a chain, and that number is much less. Taking this a step further...if the first 2 digits on a bar code are from 00 to 09 - the article is made in either the U.S. or Canada. 

12 Beers of Christmas

Now through December 24, at World of Beer, a new keg will be tapped and those present will be the first to try it. These are not your average beer available in any supermarket - uh uh. They are rare, sometimes a new brew from a well-known and respected brewing company. World of Beer carries over 500 beers! Located in the Avenues at Viera, WOB is a beer-lovers haven. For directions, more info, and promos, click here.

December 16 is Chocolate-Covered Anything Day

And while that may be appealing when one thinks of Grimaldi's Chocolate-Covered Potato Chips or perhaps a ripe strawberry.......it is NOT appealing when applied to squid or ants. My research found chocolate-covered ants, crickets, and grasshoppers, chili, jalapenos, pickles, bacon, matzo, breadsticks, coffee beans, grapes, and more. And then there is chocolate body paint, but let's not go there.

As the lover of all living things and the hater of all cruelty on all living things - these were just infant squid!!!!!!!
What a way to die - yuk! I'll take Grimaldi's, thanks.

10 whole days?

10 days until Christmas. If you want to come out alive, you've got to be crafty. Imagine this little tyke hearing Santa Claus himself - telling him if  he behaves, then there will be toys under the tree. The little guy looks
skeptical but will probably decide it's not worth taking a chance over. Simple but effective parental maneuver and it won't  cost a cent. Does life get any better than that?!

To register your precious little bundle of endless energy, call 321-264-5105 (for the north part of the county) or 321-633-1874 (central). A form will be faxed for you to fill out and return (authenticity is essential). Then wait for the phone to ring, hopefully at a key time (temper tantrum measuring 10 on the Richter scale). But hurry, phone calls will end Thursday, December 16. Crafty is good.

Brunch with Santa

Sunday, December 19, Santa will be hosting brunch at Brevard Zoo. In addition to a stellar menu, there will also be games, animals, crafts, and photos with Santa. The brunch begins at 11:00 a.m. and, after brunch, the ticket is good for admission for the rest of the day. Details at Brevard Zoo Examiner.

I didn't do it, Santa!

Tomorrow Santa will begin making his phone calls across the county. The service is available to children in preschool through second grade. The calls will be made from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., Tuesday (12/14) - Thursday (12/16). For the north area, call 321-264-5105 and for the central area, call 321-633-1874 to have a form faxed to you. Hey, especially at Christmas, with kids -  leverage is everything!

Meowy Christmas & Woofy New Year

Animal Guardians of Brevard are holding their 7th holiday pet adoption event this Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Adoption fees will be cut in half for the day so why not get one of each? For more info, click right here. NOTE: As a volunteer with a dog rescue group, this writer reminds you that saving the life of an animal is a wonderful thing but please remember that pets are a great holiday gift but they do stay after the holidays so don't bring one home unless you plan to keep it! They tend to fall in love with their owners.....

Meteor shower coming!!!

Monday night, early Tuesday morning - whatever - there will be a meteor shower, the Geminids Meteor Shower. The fun is predicted to begin just after midnight so grab a pile of blankets (26 degrees forcast), and check it out!

Christmas on Ice show

The Space Coast IcePlex Christmas Show will take place Friday - Sunday, Dec. 17-19. A cast of hundreds will instill holiday cheer in the grouchiest of scrooges! For those unfamiliar with the goings-on at the IcePlex, besides skating just for the fun of it, there are opportunities to take lessons and join a hockey team. You can also join a team involved with Theater On Ice, for the skater who enjoys performing. There are currently four teams at the IcePlex, three of which are travelling competitive teams. Those three teams competed at Nationals this year and won the right to compete at the World Championships in April. Go see the Christmas Show and see what they did to earn that right - awesome stuff!!!!!! Details right here!

Kayak Tours

For those looking for something to do besides Christmas, the Brevard Zoo is offering the chance to go on a 4-hour kayak tour of the Haulover Canal, part of the Indian River Lagoon. The tour is Saturday, Dec, 11 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.. See details at Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Beach clean-ups

Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 - 10 a.m. - Pelican Beach (just north of DeSoto Pkwy, just south of The Cove & DaKine Diego's). Sunday, Dec 12 from 8 - Noon - Boardwalk in Indialantic (A1A & 192). Please help!!!! Even in frigid temps, there is always garbage washing up from lower Florida and the islands to our south.

Parents Day Out

Parents seeking a day to shop, wrap, tackle the cards, or just enjoy some quiet time - your prayers have been answered! Brevard Zoo is having Parents Day Out this Saturday, December 11. Kids, from Kindergarten to 6th grade, may be dropped off from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.. On the agenda will be games, crafts, pizza, and the ever-popular animal visits. For details, go here.

Freezing in Florida

This is what we all get for whining about the record heat that was 2010. Northerners may envy us for the warm temps they think we have all year but they have no idea of the logistics involved in getting a sheet or blanket wrapped around a tree from atop a six foot ladder.

Pearl Harbor, December, 1941

From our family album, sailors leaving their ship, anchored at Pearl Harbor, for a few hours of 'Liberty', just days before Pearl Harbor was bombed. On December 7, a total of 18 U.S. ships were hit, resulting in the deaths of 2,335 servicemen and women. 68 civilians were injured and 1178 people were wounded. Tensions had been high between the U.S. and Japan, but we never suspected.....just like we never thought an attack on such a large scale would ever happen again within the U.S. ...but fast forward 60 years to New York City. Did we learn anything? Are we just a little more vigilant?

Bowzer's Christmas Show

Bowzer's Christmas Show comes to the King Center Friday, December 17 at 8 PM. For those of us who knew Bowzer 'back in the day' (Sha-Na-Na @ Woodstock), this will be a trip down memory lane. For those who don't know who/what Sha-Na-Na was - come see and get ready to tap your feet. For details on the Christmas show, go here. For fascinating reading about Sha-Na-Na at Woodstock, click here!

Breakfast with Santa

For a Christmas memory that will  be cherished for years to come, why not take the kids to breakfast with Santa! Saturday, Dec 11 & 18, Santa will be entertaining little guests for breakfast in Titusville. Sunday, Dec. 19, Santa will be hosting a mega-brunch at Brevard Zoo. The zoo brunch costs a little more but the menu is outstanding and there is the added bonus of a photo with Santa as well admission to the zoo for the rest of the day. For details and reservation information, read the article on Space Coast Events Examiner. And for more holiday happenings at the zoo, visit Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Space Coast holiday parades

The Space Coast will soon be celebrating the holidays with numerous parades. As of today’s publication date, the following locations and dates had been announced:
*Merritt Island Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 4, beginning at 10 AM. It will begin at Merritt Island High School, and end at Edgewood Junior High School. For info call 321-455-1380.
*Port Canaveral Holiday Boat Parade - Saturday, December 4, from 6:30 - 9:30 PM. Boats will start at the Yacht Club and head to Jetty Park.
*Cocoa/Rockledge Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 11, beginning at 10 AM. It will begin at the Cocoa Reference Library and end at Rockledge High School. For info call 321-633-1874.
*Titusville Christmas Light Parade - Saturday, December 11, beginning at 6 PM. It will begin at the Miracle City Mall and proceed north on U.S.1 to Broad Street in Downtown Titusville. For info, call 321-289-7333.
*Melbourne Light Parade - Saturday, December 11, beginning at 6 PM. It will begin at Hibiscus and Babcock and proceed south along Babcock. It will then move east to end at Waverly and Strawbridge. For more info call 321-544-1777.
*Cocoa Beach Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 11, beginning at 2 PM. The boat parade will follow at 6 PM, beginning at marker 101. (Surfrider and Cocoa Beach Surf Museum will both be in the parade and may have more details as the date draws nearer.)
*Melbourne Beach Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 11, beginning at 9 AM. Starting location will be Ocean Avenue and the Community Center.

Parents Day Out - got cha covered!

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Children are just naturally excited about Christmas and, although the season should be a time of family togetherness, parents are often in need of time away. Whether it be time to address the hundreds of Christmas cards sitting on the dining room table, the hours needed to navigate the crowded isles of the grocery store, or just a break from the insanity. Brevard Zoo offers parents a way to find the time and keep the children happy with their Parent's Day Out.

Children will have a great time with crafts, games, and animal encounters. A pizza lunch will be provided, as well. Parent's Day Out is Saturday, December 11, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Children ages Kindergarten through 6th grade are welcome. Cost is $25 for Zoo members and $27 for non-members.

Details for this and all other events at Brevard Zoo, visit Brevard Zoo Examiner. And for more happenings, holiday and every day, visit Space Coast Events Examiner.

Florida Cracker Christmas

This weekend, Dec 3-5, the Fort Christmas Historical Park in Christmas will host their Cracker Christmas 10am - 4pm, Entrance is free, free parking across the road from the park. BBQ pork sandwiches, chicken filets, community groups have baked goods, drinks, hotdogs, gator, & sweet pickles. Pioneer demonstrations - broom making, blacksmiths, spinning, basket weaving, rope making, quilting, lace making, wood carving, and many more.  Santa Claus 1pm - 3pm Sat & Sunday, large craft fair with over 150 crafters with handmade items, and the Christmas Post Office will have a booth so you can get your Christmas cards hand stamped. There will also be an antique engine and tractor display, and much more. Christmas is a short ride, across SR 50 west, from Titusville. Christmas with a twist!

Almost, but not quite

Today, it was announced that the ban on drilling for oil off the coast of Florida would be kept, for at least another 7 years. BUT - that only happened because of the bad press the oil spill generated. If it hadn't, this is what we could have seen on the Space Coast. That's how close we came, and nobody said a word. It's time to speak up. Join Surfrider and see what they are doing to prevent the above scenario.

Cocoa Village Holiday Fair

Saturday & Sunday, December 4-5, Historic Cocoa Village will host an Arts & Crafts/Holiday Fair. Support those trying to live the American dream of making it on their own. Great place to shop for the holidays or any days. This fair is always huge!

Brevard Zoo offers night hikes

Looking for some peace and tranquility? How about just shopping without the kids? That's close to peace and tranquility, isn't it? Well, Brevard Zoo is here to help parents find alone time and in a way that the kids will actually thank them afterwards. Truth. The Zoo is offering Night Hikes on Saturday, December 4 and December 18. The kids, who must be 4-12 years old, stay at the zoo from 5-9 PM and enjoy pizza for supper and an after-dark safari. For more details, read the article in Space Coast Events Examiner. Make reservations for the kids and then get fantasizing about your own plans!

John Tesh comes to the Space Coast

Wednesday night, December 1, 8 PM  at the King Center - Christmas With John Tesh and Family!!! Details at Space Coast Events Examiner!!

Space Coast Art Festival

Saturday & Sunday, November 27 & 28 in Cocoa Beach. Hundreds of artists! Support independents who rely on sales to make their living! Holiday shopping couldn't be any easier! Minuteman Cswy area by A1A. Details at Space Coast Events Examiner.

Seas & Greetings

Looking for a gift for someone who has type Sea blood? You know, the kind of person that takes every opportunity they can to visit the ocean - whether by daydream or in person, as a surfer or an observer. The kind of person that really cares about the health of the sea and coastlines, would do anything to make sure the sea and all the life within it remains beautiful and safe and available for all who choose to swim, float, surf, sail, dive, or just walk along it's edge. Here is the perfect gift for that waterbaby.

The Surfrider Foundation holiday gift membership is a cool and unique gift. It includes a 100% organic cotton long sleeved t-shirt, a striped flat-knit combed cotton beanie, a reusable tote made from innovative EcoCircle fabric along with an annual membership, 6 issues of Making Waves and 2 Surfrider Foundation membership stickers.

It's a gift that saves waves, protects coastlines and makes a real and tangible difference on your beach today. Giving the Surfrider Foundation holiday gift membership makes both you and the recipient a guardian of the oceans for today and for generations to come. For only $44 you can to give a gift that gives back to the beach. For a look at what Surfrider has acomplished, check this out. To give this gift, go here.

Prize-winning trash

Cooking and prepping like crazy Thanksgiving Eve, the goal being a two-hour window in the morning to walk one of the top five things I am most thankful for. A messy day on the beach with huge gobs of seaweed
and numerous barnacle-encrusted items. Unique find of the day award went to the medical IV bag found by PAFB officers club. Disheartening, but any time at the beach is quality time for which I am most thankful !

Lines? What lines?

For some, it is a tradition. For those of us who are older and wiser - it's just crazy! This morning, my e-mail was flooded with 2 full pages of messages like the above. Why would anyone want to get up in the middle of the night and stand in line for hours when they can sit at the kitchen table, basking in a ray of sunshine, with a cup of coffee and not worry about how long the check out line is! The line outside Toys R Us was a mile long (it said so on the news!). Parents seeking the 'gotta have' toys should think about this: what is a child more likely to remember down the road? The 'gotta have' toy or the memory of spending time with a busy parent? Do something special today. Take a photo of both of you. Put it in a frame where your child will see it every day. Talk about it. Memories last longer than toys....and they are so easy to create! Plus they're free!

On your mark.....

When asked about running, Nike said it best: "There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open." And a lot of races are free. Many of them benefit a worthwhile cause. This time of year, they are fun, too. Some races coming up in our area:
November 28 - the 39th Space Coast Marathon (oldest marathon in FL!) - Cocoa Village
December 1 - the 15th Reindeer Run/Walk (5K & 1 mi)- Cape Canaveral
December 8 - Jingle Bell 2 mile race (complete w/costumes, hats & Santa) - Satellite Beach
December 18 - Candy Cane race - 5K - Cocoa
Best source for running/racing/marathon activities: Running Zone website.

Indian River Boat Parade

The 17th annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Indian River Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov 27 from 5 - 9 PM. The tree lighting will be held in the Historic Cocoa Village while the boat parade can be seen from Riverfront Park, in the village. In addition to the tree lighting there will be carolers, a visit from Santa, and snow play. The event finale will be the movie, "The Polar Express", a holiday favorite that will be shown on the BIG outdoor screen in Riverfront Park, starting at 7:15pm. What a great family activity! And it's free! For a look at more family-oriented activities, check out Space Coast Events Examiner and Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Celtic Thunder Christmas Show

Friday night, Nov 26, the King Center will present Celtic Thunder. This is their Christmas show and promises to have several classics done Celtic style. Besides being easy to look at, these guys will rock the audience out of their seats. They aren't called 'thunder' for nothing! Tickets available online or by calling 321-242-2219. For more holiday events, at the King Center, and everywhere - check out Space Coast Events Examiner!

Lightfest

Show me a person who doesn't get that wooshy feeling in their chest when confronted with a massive light display, requiring thousands of hours of work to set up - and I'll show you a person deserving a transfusion. Lightfest begins tonight at Wickham Park. It runs nightly from 6 - 9:30. Cost is $10/car or $8 if you bring 2 food items that are non-perishable. Do a good deed, support the charities Lightfest benefits, and get a jolt of Christmas spirit - all in the comfort of your own vehicle. Simple. effective.

Dinner Cruise

Had enough company for a while? Need to get away for a few hours? Wish you could just ship everyone out for a while? The Indian River Queen is offering a dinner buffet cruise Friday night, November 26, from 7-10 PM. After dinner there will be live music and a cash bar, too! Have reservations? No, not about shipping out the company - reservations for the cruise! Because you will need them. To find out more, read up at Space Coast Events Examiner.

Amy Grant & Vince Gill

Coming to the King Center on Tuesday, December 9, will be Amy Grant and Vince Gill. The power-couple, each award-winning musicians in their own right, will present a holiday performance of '12 Days of Christmas'. For an in-depth article about the show check out the Examiner article from Nashville, TN, their home town. Tickets available online or at 321-242-2219. For more events, holiday and otherwise, check out Space Coast Events Examiner.

Pelican Beach Clean-up

Keep Brevard Beautiful scheduled beach clean-up: Sunday 8-12, Pelican Beach, Satellite Beach. Shouldn't have to but we do. Please help.

Universal Children's Day

Today is Universal Children's Day. Hoping that all parents everywhere are taking a little time out of their busy lives to spend it with their children. As grown-ups, I'm sure most of us agree that the toys we'd been given are now a blur, but the times spent with a parent are memories that last forever.

The Coal Miner's Daughter

Married at thirteen, Loretta Lynn has beaten all odds. She has journeyed from poverty in rural Kentucky to her throne as the Queen of Country Music in Nashville. Winner of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February and the honored with a tribute at the Country Music Awards recently, Loretta Lynn has been also been voted Female Artist of the Year/Top Female Vocalist 20 times. Her career spans six decades. She will be at the King Center Sunday, November 21st at 7 PM and there are only a few tickets left. Grab one.