How do I spell OLD?

Today is John Lennon's 70th birthday. This photo is from the 60's,
and looks like one of the ones from their first album (which I still
have). Its how I best remember John. Could it really be over 40 yrs
ago that I saw him singing at Shea Stadium? OMG, I feel ancient!

Danielle & Earl update

Sunday 8/29 8:00 AM
Wa-hoo, Mama Nature at work! Churning up the sea and spitting
out all kinds of stuff. Picked up misc items that had barnacles
on them. Still numerous jellyfish, also. At the stairs, several
strapping young gents watched as about 8 or so surfers tried to
catch something out in the water, trying to decide whether to
go out or not. They elected not to, and asked me if there was
someplace close by that was cleaner. Their plates were from GA
and their van had more boards than seats inside! Sorry, guys...


Earl should bring some interesting stuff for the NKF Pro-Am next
week. Hopefully, not more jellyfish, tho...

Danielle & Earl

Thanks to Danielle & Earl, the Space Coast will see some decent waves
for the next few weeks. They were building last night and a gentleman
who recently moved here from Escambia, CA, who was anxiously
awaiting what is expected to be nine footers, told me the waves were
looking good but the currents were crazy. I personally walked past
slews of jellyfish, measuring 12+ inches in diameter - take note!

Space Coast folks in D.C.

I don't care what political party you support, any time I see a
crowd this size, voicing their opinion on government, directly
in the back yard of government headquarters - well, its what America
is all about. I snuck this event in the Space Coast Life because
the Space Coast sent busloads of people to D.C. Whether you agree
with them or not is not the issue here. The issue is having the
right to agree or not, and being able to say it out loud.

Labor Day Week-end!!

The last three-day holiday weekend of the summer is almost here.
In summary, some of the things going on are:

Fri Sept 3: City of Cape Canaveral Friday Festival -
live music, food, etc, 6 PM ->?

Fri Sept 3: Eau Gallie Art District Art Walk -
tour galleries & boutiques, 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Sat Sept 4: Classic Car Show, Cocoa Village 3 - 8 PM

Sat Sept 4: M'Phasis @ Ron Jon's A1A, 12 - 4 PM

Sat Sept 4: Sand Point Park Blues & Seafood Festival -
Antique cars, Bluegrass music & fresh seafood. 2 - 6 PM

Sun Sept 5: Danny Morris live at Ron Jon's A1A, 12 - 4 PM
(Details: Space Coast Events Examiner)

Sun Sept 5: Salsa Festival - Wickham Park Pavilion, starts Noon

Sept 3 - 6: National Kidney Foundation Pro-Am Surfing Festival
(Details:Space Coast Events Examiner)

Sept 4 - 6: Antique Surfboard Show @ Cocoa Beach Surf Co. Buy, sell,
trade or just admire! On A1A.

Sept 4 - 6: Brevard Zoo - Reptile week-end. New alligator snapping
turtle exhibit. (Details: Brevard Zoo Examiner)

Those are just some of the things going on L.D. week-end. Then again,
some of us will be working. For myself, a nice walk on the beach is a
perfect way to spend any day, or night, or afternoon, or morning....
Whatever you do, get out and enjoy it. It's the last official summer
week-end (according to the calendar; not so in FL) After all, next
week we'll all be looking at Christmas displays in the stores!

Classic Cars

Saturday, Sept 4, Cocoa Village will host a Classic Car show from
3 - 8 PM. Free admission! Come see why they call them classics!

Surfers give back at Ron Jon's

This Friday, a special group of professional surfers will be at Ron
Jon's on A1A in Cocoa Beach, to promote their charity. The Mauli Ola
Foundation promotes awareness of genetic disease and support for
patients. One way they do it is to provide Surf Experience Days,
which pairs professional surf instructors and novice surf students
who have Cystic Fibrosis.

This Friday, August 27, some members of the Mauli Ola Foundation's
Surf Experience National Tour will be in the Ron Jon's store from
2 - 4 PM, to sign autographs and provide information about Mauli Ola.

Below is Cocoa Beach's Kelly Slater, member of Mauli Ola Foundation,
shown providing a surf experience for a child with Cyctic Fibrosis.


For more details on how you can get involved with Mauli Ola Foundation,
read the article on Space Coast Events Examiner.

Brevard Zoo hosts Teacher Open House

The Brevard Zoo is a wonderful resource for Space Coast teachers. The
Education Dept. has come up with 'suitcases' full of lessons and
activities that teachers may borrow at no charge. Teachers can learn
more about these and other educational programs the zoo offers at the
Open House. The date is Thursday, September 2 and the time is 5:30 to
7:30 PM. For details on the Open House, and other programs for
teachers, visit the Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Calling all whiners

Date: Aug 24, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: St Katherine's - where I vote
Event: FL Primary
Notes: Arrived to find 6 cars in parking area, all workers.
Literally no-one in the voting room but myself and workers.
Where are all the people who whine and complain. I do! And
I am doing my part to fix things. Where is everyone else?
If you're not willing to get out and vote, don't whine!!!

Stacy needs help

I have mentioned this before, and I am asking again - please help
this guy....he is so close to getting this trip. Read my article
about him and the trip, and then read Hometown News about him, too.
Then, please help him by voting. I entered an altered version of my
e-mail to register and it was fine! So, protect your ID if you feel
safer, but please vote for him. If you worked 6 days a week, would
you volunteer like this on your day off? Only if you were an animal
lover.

Beach Clean-ups

Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22, there will be two opportunities
to help nesting sea turtles (and other marine life!) by keeping the
beach and oceans litter-free. As this Surfrider poster shows, the
time it takes for littered items to break down is:

Aluminum cans = 80-100 yrs
Glass bottles = 1 million yrs
Nylon net/fishing line = Forever
Cigarette butts = Forever
Plastics = Forever

Saturday's location: Barrier Island Center, Melbourne Beach
For more info about the Island clean-up, call 321-723-3556

Sunday's location is Hightower Beach, in Satellite Beach and the
number for more info about that is 321-631-0501

For more info about Surfrider, see Space Coast Events Examiner

Scoring

I remember when getting to first base, second base, etc was a game that
was played on a date. Anyway, for one couple, they will have made it to
home plate on August 28th. Earlier in the year, the Space Coast Stadium
and Brevard County Manatees sponsored a contest called "From Home
Plate to Happily Ever After". The winners would get a wedding - perhaps
not what they dreamed of for a venue, but a free wedding is a free
wedding! So, at 6:15pm, on Saturday, August 28, all the world is invited
to the wedding of Amber Miller and Paul Lopez. By some coincidence,
that night is also Ladies Night at the ball park, so the happy couple will
have plenty of well-wishers to cheer for them. Fireworks after the game,
as well. At the stadium, that is. For more baseball promotions at the
Space Coast Stadium, check with the Space Coast Events Examiner.

Beach gophers

I have probably walked a thousand miles of beach in my lifetime, and I
have never come across this before. There was no beginning, and there
was no end. All I could think of was the movie Caddyshack - is there
such a thing as beach gophers? The sand was raised and about 6' wide.
The tire tracks are from a dune buggy used by Beach Patrol, so compare
that for size. Below is a close-up. Note it is a different one. See the
starting point? No entrance. Or is it the end? Then, no exit either.
Ok, so it's not a crab....any guesses?

Atlas V launch 7:07 AM

Waking up to a text alert beep, when you'd rather have been waterside,
is disgruntling. Even standing in the driveway, with binoculars was just
amazing. Thought to the gal who drew my blood yesterday, and who was
going to be out on a surfboard with the Surfriders from all over the state,
to watch and feel the launch. Some have never seen a launch and the V is
the biggest of the rockets. I've seen the river water ripple, and today I
saw the leaves shake, but imagine the thrill laying on a board in the water!
Now that's entertainment!

BBQ & Music Festival

Fri and Sat, Aug 20 - 21, at Wickham Park Pavillion, Melbourne, Kiwanis
International will sponsor 50 BBQ teams competing for one BBQ
Presidents Cup Award. There will be music, plenty of food, a Poker Run,
and even kids' activities. Hours are 6 - 10 PM Friday and noon until 10
PM Saturday. No admission but donations are accepted. Sponsored by
Kiwanis of Cocoa Beach.

A game plan

Riverfront Park hosts free outdoor movies! Here's whats on Aug 21.


Just in time for football season, the free outdoor movie for August,
presented by the City of Cocoa, is "The Game Plan". The theme
is football, as the cover implies, and the story revolves around a
team that is chasing a championship. The team's quarterback is
suddenly thrust into fatherhood and bedlam ensues. The movie is
rated PG, and the length is just under two hours. It was originally
released in 2007 and did quite well at the box office, as do many of
the Disney movies.

For those wishing to attend, it is suggested they bring a lawn chair or
blanket. Employees Helping Employees will be at the park selling
refreshments, with proceeds going to local charities. Outdoor movies
in the park, with the cool breeze coming off the river, offers family
entertainment in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Quality family
time for free - what a deal! Showtime is 8:00 PM. For more ideas for
things to do, and free entertainment, visit the Space Coast Events Examiner.

Keep Brevard Beautiful

This is the contents of my 'trash bag', which I lug up and down
a 1.5 mile stretch near the PAFB Officer's Club. When it gets too
heavy, I lug it up the steps to the clubhouse deck and empty it
as neatly as I can. There are no trash barrels on the deck. Mind
you, this stretch of beach is intended to be for PAFB use and is
therefore not crowded. Some evenings, I encounter another human
being, but most nights, I don't. Yet I collect this amount daily.
******************************************************************
KBB volunteer Judy de la Rosa is kind enough to organize a monthly
clean-up in Satellite Beach. Pelican Beach will be the meeting place
on the second Saturday of the month - thats August 14th, folks - at
8:00 AM. Judy says she will provide materials but you can help by
supplying your own gloves and bags. BCC Green Team also sponsors
beach clean-ups on Sunday mornings. The KBB schedule is a revolving
one and can be found on their website. Beach clean-ups shouldn't even be necessary, but as long as they are, please help.

Surfrider event

This photo was chosen for this story because it has been in the news
so much recently. Okay, twice. For having water that has been tested
and found to be unsafe, unsanitary for swimming. You'd never know it
to look at it, but the warnings have been issued twice this summer.
Surfrider Foundation is a group of local people that are doing every-
thing they can to clean up and protect our beach water. Please think
about joining them - and no, you don't have to surf. You have to like
to go in the ocean, like looking at it, and care about what lives in
it. To see what Surfrider is all about, visit their website. To see
Surfrider in action, on Saturday, August 21st, go to Lori Wilson Park
from 9 - 11 AM. To speak to some of the members and get a feeling for
what Surfrider is all about, after the beach clean-up on the 21st,
follow them to Rum Runners. Prepare to be impressed. And be ready to
sign up. If you love the beach, you'll fit right in. For more on the
Surfrider Foundation, and to view a slideshow, go to Space Coast Events Examiner.

Thunder on the Beach

August on the Space Coast usually inspires yawns and the strong desire
to seek air conditioning. But this August, something is coming to town
that certainly should shake things up. Speed boat races. Not just any
boats either. This is a sanctioned event by the largest offshore speedboat
racing association in the world. Mark your calendar for Sunday, August
22nd but visit the Space Coast Events Examiner for all the information. The event is ongoing all week-end and the Space Coast
has never seen anything like it.

Cocoa Village Playhouse auditions

Auditions for the first show of the 2010-2011 season at the historic
Cocoa Village Playhouse will be held on Saturday, August 14th. The
show, labeled a 'musical thriller'is titled "Sweeney Todd, The Demon
of Fleet Street". There is a disclaimer that states, "Sweeney Todd
contains adult situations and some language that may be inappropriate
for some audiences." Bearing that in mind, the auditions will be held
at 1:00 p.m. for males, 12 y.o. and older, and 4:00 p.m. for females,
12 y.o. and older. Cocoa Village Playhouse dates back to 1924 and the
shows are well-attended. For more on the auditions, check the website.
For more on the history and performances of the Cocoa Village Playhouse,
go to the Space Coast Events Examiner.

Space Coast Stadium upcoming events

Friday the 13th (of August) is Harris night. Show your Harris badge
and get a free ticket for the game on Aug 25th (a Wed). Also Mini
Tees Night (free admission for registered youth). Saturday, Aug 14th,
in addition to the usual Ladies Night, there will be fireworks after
the game. Tuesday, August 17th, in addition to the usual Kraft promo
(bring a singles wrapper, get two tickets for price of one), there is
free admission for residents of Cypress Cove Apts. in Suntree. Those
residents interested can get their voucher from CC Management. School
may be back in session, but the stadium is still rockin!

Great Kindness Challenge

On Saturday, August 14, an estimated one million youth in 50 countries
will all be doing the same thing. Scary thought, isn't it? Not really,
if what they are all doing is demonstrating kindness. The organization
called Kids for Peace, whose mission is to instill the concept of peace
among mankind starting with children, came up with the idea in 2008.
Saturday, August 14th will be their third annual Great Kindness Challenge
and it is a day devoted solely to showing kindness. Kids in classrooms,
clubs and organizations, or as individuals are encouraged to participate.
For a more in-depth look at the Great Kindness Challenge, either visit their website, or read my research on the Space Coast Events Examiner.
Kindness would be a wonderful thing to instill in the next generation.

Upcoming season at King Center

The King Center has just released (at least to e-mail recipients)
their 2010-2011 season line-up. A quick glance shows there is indeed
something for everyone. Their website allows you to not only purchase
tickets but to see the view from the seat that you selected. This writer
has used it numerous times and printed my own tickets, as well. As a
matter of fact, my tickets for Woodstock are taped to my refrigerator
door so they don't get lost! Check out the brochure and order tickets
for anything that appeals to you soon. Adam Lambert sold out in three hours!

Safari to Antarctica

This is Stacy Trenary. He works six days a week at the Dinosaur Store
in Cocoa Beach. His only day off is spent as a volunteer at Brevard Zoo.
Stacy needs help to win a Busch Garden contest which will earn him a
trip to Antarctica, highlighted by a safari to see the Emperor Penguins.
His story can be found on the Brevard Zoo Examiner and the contest info
can be found at the Busch Garden/Quark Expedition website. After confirming the contest and Stacy, please vote for him on the voting page. This is a trip few of us could afford and Stacy is close to being able to go. For a person who gives up their only day off to make sure zoo visitors have the best time possible, Stacy is more than deserving. Please help
him & vote.

Sister Hazel

OK, Sebastian as part of the Space Coast is really stretching it. But its
so-o-o close, it's a technicality. On Wed., Sept 2, Sister Hazel will be at
Capt Hiram's and tickets are now on sale. Directions and details found at:
www.hirams.com. More details about Sister Hazel at Space Coast Events Examiner. Sipping a Margarita or a Corona, feet in the sand, good music - sigh...

Back to school ?!?!

How does the weatherman expect us to think about getting school
supplies and allowing an extra 15 minutes commute to work, all due
to school re-opening in another week, when it's 98 degrees outside?
As a retired educator, I used to say 'Great, they're always quieter
when it's hot out!'. (True fact. Just like pets!) But now, as person
who goes through ink cartridges like crazy, I say, 'Let's hear it for
school supply price wars!' For those who are/were fans of the week
in August that meant no sales tax on school supplies, which was
expanded in 2005 to include hurricane supplies (after 3 hits in 2004),
but canceled altogether in 2009, only to be brought back from the
dead in 2010 - well, it's a condensed version. It's a week-end, not a
week. August 13 - 15. And it's at the end of the first week of school.
This year, it's no tax on clothing and shoes, that cost up to $50,
books that cost less than $50, and school supplies that sell for under
$10. I am grateful for my Photosmart that takes cartridges that cost
$9.99 each!! Now if it would just cool down a few degrees..........