Thursday, September 30, 2010

Rip currents

With Nicole moving out to sea, the Space Coast is again back to business. However, the threat of rip currents always exists. In fact, 80% of all rescues performed by lifeguards involve rip currents. Annually, over 100 deaths are attributed to them. As with most things in life, knowledge is key. For a great explanation of rip currents, check out NOAA. And for daily reports on rip currents (and surfing conditions!), put Surf Guru on your favorites list. Their webcams are my lunch-hour vacations!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Space Coast Arts Preview

Friday, October 1st, Space Coast residents will be able to catch a glimpse of the upcoming arts and cultural season. Displays and demonstrations from over twenty area groups will be showcased on two stages. Performers from modern dance, ballet, classical and pops music, harmonizers, a brass emsemble, as well an animal encounter will be featured. There will also be a sand sculpting demonstration. Admission is free! The event is being held in the Eau Gallie Arts District on Highland Avenue, in Melbourne.

For more information about Brevard Cultural Alliance or Fall For the Arts, visit their website, or call 321-690-6817. For more happenings in arts and culture, visit Space Coast Events Examiner.


Dinner with Winston Scott

Jazzercise/Suntree is having a wine tasting October 9th, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Capron Ridge Clubhouse in Viera. The group lost one of it's members to breast cancer this year, and have been doing fund-raising so  they can make a contribution to American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in her name. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and fund raisers are happening all across the country.

This Jazzercise group, in addition to the wine tasting, will have a silent auction, as well. Three packages are being auctioned: a romantic interlude on the beach, an evening of jazz, and dinner with former astronaut and two-time space shuttle mission specialist, Winston Scott. This writer has met Captain Scott and can say, with no reservations, that the winner of that package will have a great time. Both he and his wife are wonderful.

Again, the wine tasting and silent auctions will be on Saturday, October 9th, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Capron Ridge Clubhouse. For GPS, type in 1187 Ballinton Drive, Viera, FL 32940. Tickets are $10 and everyone is asked to bring a bottle of wine to share. For more info, call 432-3667.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

NASA History

Today, at KSC, the final solid rocket booster (SRB) will leave the building where it has been refurbished (ARF). The event takes place at 9 a.m. and yes, there will be a little ceremony and plenty of photos. Readers can see the story and photos in tomorrow's newspaper. Also taking place today, the external fuel tank (ET) for the final scheduled shuttle mission will emerge from it's transportation barge. What a momentous week for the KSC workers. I wonder how many of those watching these events today, are among the 1,100 United Space Alliance workers who lose their jobs Friday?

Monday, September 27, 2010

Charlie Daniels

Thursday, Oct 14th, 8 p.m. - the King Center. Seats still available for Charlie Daniels Band. This man is a legend. His music has been recorded by Elvis Presley, he has won one Grammy and been nominated for more. He has performed with Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams, the Marshall Tucker Band, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, James Brown, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Marty Robbins, and Billy Ray Cyrus - to name just a few. Go see this man play a guitar and fiddle - guaranteed to lift your spirits!

In France...

Thank you, Quicksilver, for this drool-worthy photo of Kelly Slater. Florida Today's sports section was all football on this day, well, on every day- what else is new. Sandwiched on the bottom, on page two, was an article about the Quicksilver Pro, stop #7 of 10 in Kelly's quest for a tenth world title. Kelly, in a rather surprising upset, moved to an elimination round. CJ & Damien Hobgood won their heats and also move on. Let's keep our fingers crossed for all the Space Coast guys, who continuously do us proud.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

National Piano Month

As September comes to a close, we are reminded that this month was not only National Piano month, but also Classical Music month. Stefani Germanotta, or Lady GaGa, began playing piano at age 4, and at age 13 wrote her first piano ballad. A classically-trained pianist, she was 11, she was accepted at Julliard (who accepts only 149 students a year), but gave it up for a Catholic Convent school. Today, in addition to performing, recording, writing, and designing her sets and costumes - GaGa puts her piano skills to use by re-writing rock music, adapting it for piano, so those who play the piano can do so while they enjoy rock music. Laugh if you will, but GaGa is a very crafty lady and she doesn't care if you laugh - she is worth multi-millions and she hasn't even hit her peak yet.

Farmer's Markets

EVERY Sunday, from, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there is a Farmer's Market at the Cocoa Beach City Hall parking lot.Fresh produce, handmade pasta, homemade soaps and baked goods, and more are available. There are numerous Farmer's Markets in various locations on the Space Coast. To learn where they are and when you can go, see the Space Coast Events Examiner article about them.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Know when to wave

Newcomers to the Space Coast often ask when and where they should go to watch cruise ships arriving and departing from Port Canaveral. Good question. The where is easy: Jetty Park. Follow A1A north from Cocoa Beach and watch for signs on the right. Pay to park but it's SO worth it. The waterway is narrow and you'll feel like you can reach out and touch the ships! When? Almost all ships depart 4:00-4:30 p.m. That's when the lucky travellers are out in droves and waving to onlookers from the decks. Departure days are Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Ships returning arrive early in the morning, 7:00 - 7:30 a.m. Arrival days: Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Personally, I'd like to know how they can get everyone off the ship that has just arrived and be ready to welcome the new passengers 8 hours later. Who cleans up, empties the trash, restocks the bars, changes the linens, does the laundry, and bakes brownies for dessert that evening? I want to know their secret!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Calling all beer lovers!

World of Beer, located in Avenues of Viera, offers courses leading to a degree in Breweryania.
Tuesday, Sept 28th, take advantage of the chance to explore local beers, crafted by Florida's Cigar City Brewing Company. Hey - where else can you sample Oatmeal Raisin Cookie beer? For more info, see http://www.wob.com/ 


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Sunday, September 26

September 26th is going to be a busy day. Much going on!!

Sunday, Sept 26th is National Good Neighbor Day! What better way
to be a good neighbor than to join the Keep Brevard Beautiful
Beach Clean-up at Seagull Park Beach, in Satellite Beach! For
more info on how you can become a good neighbor, call 631-0501.


Sunday, Sept 26th is also National Pancake Day!! Quiz: In what
city is this restaurant, The Pancake House, located? If you said
Amsterdam, you are correct. The Pancake House serves nothing but
pancakes and their menu exemplifies 'creativity'. Outstanding!!!

There you go - pancakes for breakfast before getting to the beach
to be a good neighbor. Life is so easy!

Thousand Islands Day


Mark your calendar for October 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and label it
"1,000 Islands". This is your chance to learn about Cocoa Beach's
Thousand Islands. Take a tour by kayak or pontoon boat! Learn what
you can do to help preserve these beautiful islands. Event takes
place at the pavilion adjacent to the Cocoa Beach Country Club. For
more info on event, check in with our friends at Surfrider. To learn about the islands, see their web site. Another case of paradise being right in our back yard!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

New zoo baby!


Congratulations to Cleo and Palo, a Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin
couple who call the Brevard Zoo their home. Their new baby was
born September 16th. Cleo and Plo hail from Brazil and are
especially pleased at the birth because the Tamarins are endangered.
For more zoo news, visit Brevard Zoo Examiner.

TropStock in the Village

TropStock is a 3-day Music Festival featuring Trop-Rock musicians.



Say that fast three times! TropStock will take place Oct 1 - 3 in
Cocoa Village. Music, arts & crafts, food, and activities are all
planned with the entire family in mind. Some stellar musicians are
coming to town, too. For details, see Space Coast Events Examiner!

Upcoming Kayak Tours


FOUR kayaking tours are being offered by the Brevard Zoo:

October 2 - Manatee Cove (for details see Brevard Zoo Examiner/MC)
October 9 - Haulover Canal (for details see Brevard Zoo Examiner/HC)
October 16 & 30 - Samson's Island (details at Brevard Zoo Examiner/SI)

Those wishing to join in can bring their own kayak or use one of the
zoo kayaks. Reservations and payment in advance required. Reservation
number is 321-254-9453 Ex 219. Even if you kayak often, having a guided
tour with a wildlife expert is info you'll use again and again.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Rock The Vote!!!!!


Attention procrastinators and whiners!
Tired of the way things are going? Stop complaining and help change
things. Voter registration for the November 2 election is taking place
NOW through OCTOBER 4. Rock The Vote is an online registration
site that is simple to use. No more excuses!!!!! Share this with the
group you usually get together to whine with!

Cocoa Village Playhouse Auditions


The STARS youth program at the Cocoa Village Playhouse will hold
auditions for children, ages 7 to 10, on Monday, September 27 at
5:45 p.m. This program is designed to help develop the skills
necessary to be successful in the performing arts. The program
meets once a week from October to June. Children are not required
to perform and may only seek to work in the backstage operations.
For more information, call 3321-636-5050. Food for thought: Carlia
Butto, Merritt Island resident and opera student, currently touring
with Classic Albums Live, got her start at the Cocoa Village Playhouse!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Coastal Cleanup 2010


Every September, 108 countries participate in the world's largest
clean-up job: that of the coastlines. In 2009, 7.4 million pounds
of trash was collected! To put it into perspective, 512,517 cups,
plates, forks, knives & spoons were collected: enough for a table
setting for 100,000 people! On the Space Coast, 1,774 volunteers
cleared out 57,000 pounds of trash. What many people only dream of
seeing, is right here in our yard, whenever we want it. Why is it
so difficult to take care of it?

Locally, Keep Brevard Beautiful sponsors our Space Coast event. We
will see what the results for our beaches are, but as a 3x/week beach
picker-upper, this writer predicts jaw-dropping statistics. Unable to
participate because of work, this writer did her patrol last night
and collected two trash bags worth of junk. PAFB Officer's Club: so
sorry for bag left on deck but dragging two full bags was too much!
Stay tuned...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Beach Challenge


Saturday, September 25th - 5:00 p.m. LONG DOGGERS Beach Challenge.
Live music, a hearty party, and a 5K run/walk on soft sand. Held
on the beach across from Long Doggers on A1A in Indialantic. Get a
free t-shirt and beer if you register online by Sept 20. Register
at www.longdoggers.com. Board shorts and bikinis encouraged!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

My Event

Sad, but true. Taking a vacation is an event for some of us. This
trip was to old stomping grounds. Never realized what I was missing
until I witnessed sunrise from a sand dune, as opposed to having it
peek between buildings. I'll keep the current view, thank you.

Former dorm...and, yes, Horace dedicated the building in 1839.

Much has changed here, but this news stand hasn't. Cambridge icon.
Thank you Eddie, for research assistance.

So many important revolutionary decisions made in here. Voices of
history-book fame spoke from this pulpit. The cradle of activism.

Happy 98th birthday, Fenway. Thank you for the show, Wakefield.
Thank you, Sox, for five home runs. Thank you e-Bay, for amazing
seats. Thank you, scouts, for entertainment. G-thanks for sharing.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Free for all at KSC


The week-end of Sept 10 - 11, Space Coast residents will be able
to visit Kennedy Space Center [KSC] at a greatly-reduced cost: a
can of food. This marks the 10th year that KSC has offered a free
week-end to Brevard County residents to thank the community for
their support. Free admission includes the KSC tour, Shuttle Launch
Experience, 3D Imax movie, the Star Trek Live show, Astonaut
Encounter and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Plan to bring a driver's license or utility bill and I.D., plus a
canned or non-perishable food item. Food goes to the Sharing Center
after the week-end. And don't forget the camera! This is the last
time some of what is there can be seen, due to the end of the
shuttle program. Support KSC, the workers who are getting pink
slips for Christmas, and thank everyone you see for the amazing
launches that have wowed us over the years.

Zoology 101 for toddlers


We've all seen this before....a child is curious about animals
and wanting to know more, they decide to do a little exploring.
Brevard Zoo has begun their fall classes in theToddler Program,
which is designed to educate little ones about animals, while
teaching them how to handle animals, if at all. Equally important,
the classes teach children to respect animals while enjoying them
safely. Brevard Zoo rocks and has programs for kids age 2 and up!
Check out their educational opportunities and for more info on the
Toddler Program, see Brevard Zoo Examiner. For more neat stuff to
do with kids, see Space Coast Events Examiner.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Zooopendous Overnighter


Saturday, September 11, the Brevard Zoo gives Space Coast residents
a chance to experience what visitors can only imagine! Campers will
get dinner, activities, animal encounters (of the nice kind!), and
to experience a flashlight safari. Before settling down to sleep (ha!)
they will have games and a movie. In the morning, there will be a
continental breakfast. Clubs, scout troops, birthday parties, or just
a group of friends are welcome.

Children, ages 7 to 12, are invited. See Brevard Zoo for details on
how to sign up. HINT: Parents, here you go! The chance for a little
private time, and the kids will thank you when you pick them up!!!!

Great Tastes of Suntree


September 11 - Saturday. Sample food and beverages from over 35
different, mostly local, restaurants and businesses. $35 for all-
you-can sample at Great Tastes of Suntree. Location Brevard Zoo!
Live music and get to visit with some of the zoo's residents, too!
Details found at Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Earl & turtles


With Earl heaving huge waves at the shore, most of which reached
the dunes by Patrick, several turtle eggs were observed last night.
Some had hatched, but not all. Huge clumps of seaweed, hundreds and
hundreds of them, lined the shore. While scooping up plastics from
the clumps, before they returned to the sea, one clump seemed to be
moving. Upon closer inspection, this little guy was found trying to
get out from under his clump of seaweed. He was taken to the rescue
facility. If you find any, call 676-1701 for assistance. Hatchlings
live on seaweed for protection, so this little guy was probably just
hanging on for dear life when he got washed back up on shore.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Taking one for the team


This is from Sunday morning, when Danielle was cruising east of
Bermuda. High tide and a full moon, combined with the 9 ft waves,
brought the water (and jellyfish) much higher up than norm.

This is the exact same place, taken Wednesday, 3 days later, at
high tide. With 13 ft waves predicted for Earl, what can we expect?
Erosion. And trash. Which brings up the 'taking one for the team".
I was the only person on the beach last night, at PAFB Radar, and
I was bending over picking up a Corona bottle, fighting with my
trash bag, trying to get the bottle in while the high winds blew
the bag every which way. Anyway, while in that indelicate, and
unflattering position, I didn't hear the Channel 6 news helicopter,
which approached me from behind, until it had passed over me, low
enough to the ground that I was sure they'd gotten me at my worst.
I never looked, but that's okay if it drives home the idea that the
beaches need to be cleaned, even more so during a storm. I collected
three bags of trash, with my unique find of the day award going to the stiletto heeled shoe covered with barnacles. The full jar of hair
straightener was second. If the sea insists on coughing up trash
on our beaches, lets be sports and pick it up, okay? I hauled in
enough plastic to kill a school of dolphins, and that was just my
little two mile trek.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Surf's Up


Don't forget the National Kidney Foundation Pro-Am this week-end
in Cocoa Beach. Earl might be bringing some classic waves, but lets
not forget those waves will be causing some serious beach erosion.
Support the surf festival so some good will come out of the storm.
With the caliber of surfing talent arriving for the event, and the
epic waves expected from Earl, residents should get a thrilling
view of what surfing can be all about. And please, when you leave
the beach, make sure the only thing you leave behind is your footprints.

Woodstock revisited

King Center- Sat. Sept 18th! 8:00 PM.Classic Albums Live Woodstock !

The planners expected 30,000 people. Half a million showed up. It
was supposed to last three days, goin all day until late evening.
It went four days, 24 hours a day.

Those musicians who chose to play would later claim it the most
powerful moment of their careers. The vibe can never be recaptured.
But this show just might stir up some memories for all of us!

For an in-depth look at Woodstock, from one who was there, as well
as a great collection of original photos, read my Space Coast Events
Examiner article on Woodstock. See who was there, and who declined
and kicked themselves afterwards.