Discovery launch as seen from plane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_USPTmYXM&feature=player_embedded
All I can say is kudos to the guys who were flying that plane for turning around so passengers could see this! The best part is the conversation and especially the funny comments by the Captain. You rock, sir!

Historic hook-up

Discovery docked at the International Space Station today at 2:14 p.m.. The maneuver took place 220 miles above Australia. In a historic first, four of the five major partners have vessels docked there right now, including cargo ships from Japan and Europe. The entire conglomeration has a mass of 1.2 million pounds, including the shuttle.

Beach clean-up

There is absolutely no better way to start your day than heading to the beach and taking a big gulp of salt air, loaded with vitamin-sea. Tomorrow morning, Sunday, head to Hightower Beach, in Satellite Beach, for the clean-up. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Don't forget to bring the sunscreen!

Seafood at it's best

An institution in this part of the world, a festival for the seafood-lovers among us, and a wonderful way to laze away a week-end sitting in the sun, sipping on a beer, tapping your feet to live music, and stuffing yourself with seafood made while you wait. Does life get much better? Details, menu & directions right HERE.

Special cargo

The six-astronaut crew of the shuttle Discovery mission plans to commemorate the ship's heritage and its historical connection to Captain Cook with a special memento from the Royal Society in London, one of the world's oldest scientific academies. Cook went on expeditions for the society, and was elected a fellow in the 1770s.

 "We will be carrying a medallion from the Royal Society that was struck in honor of Captain Cook," said NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, who will work as a mission specialist on today's flight. "On Cook's third voyage, there was a ship called Discovery, and that's the main ship for which our ship Discovery took its name."

Showtime

Jetty Park and Max Brewer are full. There were no rooms available from Daytona to Vero yesterday. What does this all mean? It means that NASA launches are a huge part of America and we who live in KSC's back yard have been privileged to have a front row seat for all of it. Here's to all the little side roads the tourists don't know about; roads that afford magnificent views of launch pad 39A. That's where you'll find me at 4:50pm. Godspeed, Discovery and crew.

Trouble in the Gulf

Scientists from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies are reporting that dead baby dolphins are washing up along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama at 10 times the normal rate. Approximately 20 young dolphins, some barely 3 feet in length, appeared to have either died shortly after birth or were aborted just before reaching maturity. While there are no obvious signs of oil contamination, scientists suspect that this isn't just a "coincidence." Tissue samples have been taken to determine if toxic chemicals from the oil spill may have been a factor in the death. Stay in touch - or better yet join - Surfrider Foundation. The Federal government, and BP, stopped testing the water in the Gulf. Surfrider, at their own expense, has not. See what they are finding !

NASA portal

Handy for launches, fascinating for landings, mind-boggling for a myriad of other space-related things.....this web site is amazing. Especially if you can't make it out for tomorrow's launch, but even before 4:50, watch the astronauts get outfitted in their state-of-the-art spacesuits. In the upper right corner, make the selection from "Launch Video Streaming Feed", depending on how you choose to view the live feed. Like Windows Media. Thank you NASA!

Mardi Gras in Historic Cocoa Village

This Friday through Sunday, Historic Cocoa Village - the most perfect spot for a big parade - will host Mardi Gras, Family Gras, and Mardi Gras in the Park. Channel 13, Orlando, is the sponsor so expect big things. Bright House will film for Central Florida on Demand so expect some impressive floats. Details: Space Coast Events Examiner.

Dinosaur hunting

Chris DeLorey, Education Director at Brevard Zoo, will be taking a group of dinosaus enthusiasts to Wyoming to collect fossils in May. There is an informational meeting Tuesday, Feb 22 from 7 - 8 p.m. in the educational building at the zoo. You must be 18 yrs or older. The trip is six days - what a unique vacation!

Full moon

Hopefully some of you were able to catch the full moon, present for the past 3 nights, as it rose over the sea and created a magical display as it rose higher and higher, and became brighter and brighter....how lucky are we who live on the shore! And thank you, Florida Today, for printing the exact time of moonrise! Magic!

Beach clean-up

Sunday's clean-up is at Bicentennial Park in Indian Harbor Beach from 8 a.m. - noon. Bags, gloves, sunscreen and tools provided by Keep Brevard Beautiful. Start the kids out young and bring them along!

Ice show

The Space Coast IcePlex in Rockledge is having a figure skating recital from 12:30-2:30 Sunday, Feb. 20. More than 70 skaters will be performing in both individual programs and as an ensemble. The Space Coast Hurricanes (above) are national champs and will be traveling to Cape Cod in April for World. Not bad for a team from the tropics competing in a winter sport. Read about the group in Space Coast Events Examiner.

Deep Purple

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge will present a workshop on how to attract and build a home for the Purple Martin, a beautiful bird that depends on humans to build it's nesting site. What a beautiful, restful project this would be! Imagine having your kids be able to watch this magnificent creature make a nest and hatch babies in a home they helped create. That's not anything they'll ever experience in a public school or learn from a textbook, folks. Be at the MIWR Visitor Center at 2 p.m. Sunday. (Rte 402, 5 mi east of US1 in Titusville)
Call the Refuge at 321-861-5601 to let them know you're coming.

Free Movie!!!!

Riverfront Park, the outer fringes of Historic Cocoa Village, will hold a FREE movie tonight! Load up the kids, lawn chairs, and blankets and come to Riverfront Park. Movie for tonight is Despicable Me, rated PG and 88 minutes long. Showtime is 8 p.m. If you get lost, GPS 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa.

They're ba-a-a-a-c-k!

Today is the first official pitcher and catcher workout for the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. The first full team workout is next Tuesday. Workouts are from 9 a.m. to noon. Traditionally a great time to snag autographs and chat with the players, its also fun to try and find them in Viera-Suntree. This writer has had them as customers and the players, many of whom who rent and own homes in the Viera-Suntree area, can be seen out and about the town. Such fun and its free!

Kayak the Sebastian River

The Brevard Zoo is offering a 4-hour kayak tour of the Sebastian River on Saturday, Feb 19. The zoo has kayaks for those without, or bring your own for a reduced fee. Contact the zoo for cost and times. For a closer look at some of the zoo-guided kayak tours, check out the Examiner articles on Samson Island, Haulover Canal, and Manatee Cove. For those looking for the ultimate in peace and tranquility, kayaking is just what you're looking for! And the weather this week-end looks perfect!

Eco Festival

The Sykes Creek Eco Festival takes place this week-end (19-20) at Kiwanis Island Park. Visitors will have a chance to learn about the history of the Indian River Lagoon, take a cruise on a pontoon boat or tour in a kayak. There will be a 'Hook Kids On Fishing' Clinic and the first 100 kids signed up get a FREE rod, reel and tackle box. Not just a great family-oriented event, but informative, too. And this is the weather for it! For details, read article in Space Coast Events Examiner. Don't forget the sunscreen!

LOVE

These are two of the pups a dog rescue group took from a 'high-kill shelter' that had 41 pups dumped off so they had to 'make room' . The shelter is in South Carolina but they exist everywhere. People mistakenly

 believe that animals in shelters are given an injection and allowed to 'go to sleep'. Not true. Many place them in a room, turn on the gas, and check back in about 20 minutes. Today is Valentine's Day, the day we are supposed to express our love. Why not take it a step further and share your love with a rescued animal. Go visit your local shelter and see whose 'number is up' and spare them a painful ending? Not as easy as buying a

 Hallmark card, but nothing great ever comes easily. 9 million cats and 3 million dogs are 'put to sleep' yearly due to overcrowded conditions in shelters. Just think about that today.

Senior Day Camp

Brevard County is holding a Senior Day Camp from Feb 21-24 at the Senior Center in Wickham Park. The fee for all four days is only $93 (if you are a member) and $98 (if you aren't). That covers transportation and admission for four field trips: (1) Jungle Adventures in Christmas, FL, (2) the Daytona 500 Speedway Experience in Daytona, (3) Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, and (4) the Orlando Science Center. Campers meet at 9 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. For more info: 321-255-4496.

Romance is in the air

Downtown Titusville will be celebrating it's 3rd 'Romance is in the Air' this week-end. Horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, desserts, and wine as well as romantic photos will be available. Horse-drawn carriage ride reservations are recommended - call 321-267-3036 or 607-6844. For more info, click here.

Clean-up event

Beach clean-ups this week-end are as follows...
Saturday: Pelican Beach (Mark) in Satellite Beach from 8-10 a.m.
Sunday: Boardwalk @ 5th Avenue in Indialantic 8-noon.
Please. If you love it, help maintain it. Its a gift and its our livelihood.

Tevo time

 For those of us who like to watch the Grammy Awards, this Sunday they will be on when the Extreme Makeover show is. This is the EM show filmed in Port Canaveral last month! Tevo time! 8 p.m. Sunday!

Kelly wins Athlete of the Year

Kelly Slater added another award to his collection on Monday. The ten-time world surfing champion was awarded the Laureus Sports Academy Action Sports Athlete of the Year, beating out Shaun White, among others. The Laureus Academy is a 46 member board, consisting of sports stars from across the globe. The awards were held at the lavish Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, (lucky Kelly!) and the host was Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey. The nominees were Slater, White, along with Levi Sherwood, Steph Gilmore, Jamie Bestwick, and Victor Fernandez. Go Kelly!

Sleepover at Brevard Zoo

Parents, this is it! Those of you with children ages 7 - 12 may treat them to a sleepover at Brevard Zoo this Saturday evening. A Valentine for them and for you, too. Kids may be dropped off at 6 p.m. and must be picked up by 9 a.m. Sunday. Of course, the zoo plans on feeding and entertaining them. All for $35-$40. Read more before making your own reservations! Brevard Zoo Examiner has lots of articles about activities for youngsters of all ages.

Florida Today Newspaper does it again

The story went..."Ten lucky youngsters will be chosen for each of the two quail hunts...". By definition, to HUNT is to "engage in the pursuit, capture, or killing of wild animals for food or in sport." Is this what we want our children to think of as a prize? That's almost as bad as the article about folks "hunting" sand hill cranes (like they won't just stand there while you just shoot them in the head) in Tennessee. Come on, Florida Today - have a little class. It's free! Why not cover good news for a change? And you wonder why you've lost 40,000 subscribers. Letter to the editor anyone?

Gidget comes to Melbourne

 The first Gidget book came out in 1957. It was a true story, written by a father who just happened to also be a screenwriter for Columbia pictures, based on stories his daughter told over meat loaf at the dinner table.The book outgrew itself, became a feature film, and eventually a TV series with many spinoffs.

This is Gidget, alias Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday surfing in Hawaii. And yes, that's her surfboard from the 1950's. Kathy is coming to Melbourne on Saturday, Feb 12, to The Henegar Center. If you'd like to chance to see the movie,  Accidental Icon:The Real Gidget Story, and meet Kathy/Gidget - read this. Even if you don't surf, it's a great story and entirely suitable for young folk.

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers crooning "Lady" on Valentine's Day Eve - how much more romantic can it get! Tickets almost gone for show Sunday, Feb 13, 7 p.m. Details here.

Swim with manatees

Another great Groupon offer! American Pro Diving Center is offering half off their 3-4 hour guided manatee swim/snorkel. Check their website and see they have been featured on Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and National Geographic. They even video so you have a souvenir! All that for $26! Offer expires 10 p.m. tonight!

Why we have beach clean-ups

Recall, if you will, the news a week ago, about the right whale caught in the fishing line off the coast of Cape Canaveral. Scientists tranquilized the whale and removed some of the fishing line - two times they tried. Then the news this week that the whale had been found dead - still wrapped in plastic and fishing line. Beach clean-up projects aren't just to make a pretty beach. They are because trash that washes out to sea kills. Even if you can't make a scheduled clean-up you can walk the beach and pick up stuff that you see. For those that like joining a group, there is a scheduled clean-up at Spessard Holland Beach on Sunday, Feb 6, from 8-12. That area is a huge turtle nesting area at the south end of Melbourne Beach. Please come help them.

Farmer's Markets abound

For the very latest update on Farmer's Markers on the Space Coast - click right here. There are no better prices for good-4-you foods that are the freshest things out there! Support farmers and eat healthy!

Rockledge Arts & Crafts Show

A good time for all. Activities for the kids, live music and the chance to support local artists trying to make a buck on what they love to do best: create! Whether its chocolate or candles, jewelry or jerky - you'll find it there. Sat and Sun 10-4. Car show Sat 1-5 on Barton Blvd. Art show on Barton between Elm & Cedar Sts.

Chowder fans unite!

Port Canaveral's Chowder Cook-Off will take place at Cruise Terminal #3 (look for signs within that maze!). Tickets $20. Beer and wine also available. Yum!

Brevard Zoo Camps

Early online registration for all Brevard Zoo Camps is now taking place. The zoo offers amazing adventures for spring, summer, and school holidays. Check the Examiner article for details and then register!

The King & I

A classic. Feb 4 - 20 at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. A play based on the memoirs from the 1860s, performed in a playhouse dating back to 1924. Rogers and Hammerstein music. Details here.

Night surfing

Surfing at night is not always an option on the Space Coast since most of our public beaches close at dark or shortly thereafter. Even if it was possible, it couldn't be as scary as riding huge waves in Hawaii. Use this link to Grind and watch Mark Visser, a gutsy guy, the first to ride the infamous Jaws in Hawaii after dark. For those unfamiliar with Jaws, its so huge, surfers need to be towed out so they can ride it in! Watch this!

Amazing Kayak deal with Groupon

For those who are unfamiliar with Groupon, the deal is that a coupon is offered and if enough people will use it, the deal is on! Today's Groupon is for a 2.5 hour kayak adventure for $15/adults and $10/kids 4 and up. Where else can you get an educational tour of local waterways and the chance to see dolphins and manatees up close - for $15? That's right, you can't. Explore Groupon - it's free. Then explore Adventure Kayak of Cocoa Beach at their website. Deal is on until 10 p.m. tonight.

CATS encore

Due to popular demand, the Surfside Players have extended their production of the Broadway musical, CATS, for an additional week. There will be an additional show at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb 5 and again at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6. Read all about it in our article in Space Coast Events Examiner.

Papa John's Super Bowl wager

The Super Bowl has never, in history, gone into overtime. You can bank on it; well, Papa John's is banking on it anyway. They are offering all those people who are registered on their website's Papa Points program, enough free points to get a free large pizza IF the game goes into overtime. Are you a betting person? If so, the place to register is here. Make sure you do it by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 5!! Good luck! Apparently Papa John has forgotten the famous Domino's - Redskins - $2 pizza debacle of 1999. Read about it & laugh!