Murky waters

Navigating the murky waters of multiple Facebook pages, walls, and shared items is not for the faint of heart. Even with multiple advanced degrees, it is like trying to navigate a path between landmines in total darkness. Grad. Biochemistry was a walk in the park compared to Facebook. Twitter seems a bit friendlier. Maybe. So far...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/spacecoasttime
Facebook: Need likes for vanity!!
Both are tied to this blog as well as Space Coast Events Examiner!
I feel so 'with it'.

Contest !!

The American Cancer Society Presents the 2011

Survivor Extreme Makeover Contest
Click Here for flyer

Are you or a loved one a breast cancer survivor? We'd love to hear your story. Tell us about your journey; your battles and victories, what you learned and what you look forward to most in your future.

5 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN

Total Star Treatment includes: being whisked away by limousine for a glamorous hair styling then off to your makeup/makeover session.
Your limo will be waiting to take the "new you" to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff festivities. Winners will be invited on stage for a "before and after" reveal created to celebrate your special adventure. You'll then be seated at an exclusive VIP table.

KICKOFF Celebration is August 25, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Viera at 6:00pm.

DETAILS
Open to ALL breast cancer survivors (men or women). You may nominate yourself or someone else. Submit essays (max 750 words) to Anne at anne.solomon@cancer.org.
Deadline is AUGUST 11!

Go, Tim, Go !!

How lucky to be at Fenway for one game only, and find out Tim Wakefield is pitching! After yesterday's game, during which Tim struck out his 2,000th batter, he is one win away from his 200th winning game. I wonder if he and Doug Flutie ever run into each other in the produce section of Melbourne Beach Market?

Home games at Space Coast Stadium

Baseball fever !! Friday, Saturday & Sunday - Manatees host Bradenton. See promos here!

Beach Clean-up

Sunday morning, 8-noon, Seagull Park, Satellite Beach. Sunscreen advised! Turtle nests up and down the beach and some will start hatching soon. Give them a little-free path to water and safety! Don't forget to fill in deep holes. Hatchlings fall in them and can't get out...

4,363 post-shuttle layoffs

With yesterday's 1,510 workers being laid off, that brings the total to 4,363 workers laid off from United Space Alliance so far. That's just one company involved with the space program that will be laying off workers. And for those that say, "Well, they knew it was coming.", I can only say try having someone you love die from cancer. Sure, you know the end is coming, but believe me when I say that doesn't make it any less painful.

Sold!

Sunday there will be a huge auction in Titusville. More than 1500 items will be sold, including real estate, cars, boats, tractors, jewelry and artwork. These are items from cities and counties, bankruptcy cases, estates, and individuals. Inspection available at 11 a.m. and auction starts at 1 p.m. Location: Cliff Shuler Auctioneers, 422 Julia Street, Titusville. Hope it's got AC!

For those who like auctions and are always in the mood to find one...www.soldfor.com...click "Upcoming Auctions". Good luck!

Tragedy

Hannah Johnson. A/k/a Hannah Banana. Taken from this world way too early.
The Johnson family, of Palm Bay. Hannah is the little girl in the blue dress in the front row. Read about their tragedy, go hug those that you love, and then reach out to this family.

Luck

It's always a good feeling to hear the 'boom' and know the shuttle is home safe. Can't even get mad at the cats with nails that need trimming as they react to the house-shaking noise in the pre-dawn hours. Today was the first time ever that someone I knew reported seeing the shuttle fly over them as it made it's way to KSC. I've spent years watching where it was supposed to be and never saw a thing. Talking free-flying here, not piggyback. Thought this time they might go lower, take a different path - whatever just to share, but not to be. So - lucky was the person that just happened to be out getting the paper and looked up at just the right time.

Sneaky doings

This is a photo of the fake Apple store in China - another counterfeit business done with the blessings of the Chinese government. The employees here sell computers - ill gotten, and they don't know how to operate them. Sneaky business - read this. And this is the country whose butt we kiss even though they want to expand their presence in the space program that we are aiding every time we shop at Wal-mart - this is our bail out back-up? Scary stuff...Oh, yeah, this relates to the Space Coast because we are going to have over 3,000 more space-related layoffs between now and Sept. but China will take our place...

American Idol Tour

For those who just can't let go of American Idol....the tour will be at Amway Center on Sunday and there are about 120 tickets left. Prices range from $59 for nosebleed to $2828.00 for Meet/Greet. The show starts at 7 p.m. and if you get there by 4 p.m., you may find a place to park! MAYBE!

Bike Blast

15th Annual Party for ABATE of Florida, Independence Chapter

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Jul 24, 2011

---

Largest biking party of the year! Dinner, drinks, auction, raffles, vendors and live entertainment provided by Zen Again. MC'd by Doc Holliday. Afternoon including dinner is $6.00 for Abate Members, $12.00 for non members. Come out and have a great afternoon of friends, fellowship and music and support this great biking organization!

Location: Azan Shrine Center 1591 W Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, FL

Kelly Slater exhibit

If you haven't seen the Kelly Slater exhibit at the Surf Museum (@ Ron Jon), you are missing a great time. Kelly is not just the ultimate athlete but he is one of a kind. Try standing on a street corner anywhere in the world and tell anyone you are from Cocoa Beach. Some may know where that is, but many won't. Then say Kelly Slater's home and watch their little face light up with recognition. There is literally no one in his field to compare to him. Go see how it all started. Read about Kelly and the exhibit to prepare yourself before you go. You won't regret it. Hurry.

Boomers delight

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2011 is coming to the King Center on Wednesday, July 20! It stars The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Association, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and the former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, Mark Lindsay will be a chance for Space Coast baby-boomers to step back in time and enjoy some of the music they rocked to back in the day. There are still seats left - a few on the lower tier and more on the upper tier.

"Experience the music of the 60’s as a stellar line-up of five major artists boasting a combined 53 Top 40 Billboard Hits make their way onto the King Center stage. The following artists will be performing a spectacular, fun-filled show of their greatest hits: The Turtles (Happy Together, She'd Rather Be With Me, Elenore, You Showed Me, It Ain't Me Babe), The Association (Along Comes Mary, Cherish, Windy, Never My Love), Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders (Indian Reservation, Kicks, Hungry, Just Like Me, Good Thing, Arizona), The Grass Roots (Midnight Confessions, Let's Live For Today, Sooner or Later, I'd Wait A Million Years, Temptation Eyes) and The Buckinghams (Kind of a Drag, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Don't You Care, Susan). If you think that "kicks just keep getting harder to find," then look no further... this show is where you'll want to be..."

Atlantis returns

Atlantis was scheduled to land on July 20 (the anniversary of Apollo 11's landing on the moon) at 7:06 a.m. EDT, right at the beginning of "Good Morning America" and other morning programs.

Then NASA announced that it's extending the flight by a day. Atlantis will now land on Thursday, July 21 -- at 5:56 a.m. That's an hour when most Americans will be sleeping or getting themselves up to get ready for the workday. Not a time when they'll be glued to the screen watching the end of a 30 year program.

However, for those who still want to see, forget the TV - ho hum...instead go to the NASA live feed. If this landing will be the same as the previous, then there will be a camera in the front of the shuttle that makes you feel like you are in the cockpit. Or Google Earth will show you exactly where to look if you plan on going outside to watch. Don't blink, tho.

And for those awaiting the surprise - stay tuned. You just KNOW NASA has something planned. They can't just land, go have breakfast or whatever, and call it a day. There has to be some kind of fanfare. That's like ending the Olympics and not having a closing ceremony. NOT gonna happen.

To see the souvenirs stashed in the returning shuttle, read this article, and see how NASA alludes to a surprise.

What a prince

MVP - wow. How many remember the Eau Gallie Little League games that Prince played in and brought his personal trainer with him? How about the time the umpire blew the whistle and had him remove the numerous gold chains around his neck because the sun's reflection was blinding. Even more sentimental...who remembers the girls standing in line to kiss him at the Teen Zone? Or the parties in the pool house...Ah, so quickly they grow up... and become legends.

World Champs

Its not football, baseball or golf - so don't expect FT to make a big deal out of it but -WOW! Eau Gallie JROTC team won the Academic World Championship - beating teams from across the globe. Finals, at George Mason University in Washington, DC included: Advanced Math, Sciences, English, History and Literature. The team went undefeated in nine matches lasting 30 minutes each. Wow. Very impressive! Congratulations!!!!

Support independents!

This week-end, at Nance Park (right by Longboard House, Bizzaro's & Fifth Ave in Indialantic, there will be a craft show featuring some mighty brave people. Brave because when someone comes up and asks why the $10 item they have costs so much, it takes guts not to yell at them, "Because it took over an hour to make it and my time & materials are worth $10 an hour!" Been there and wanted to yell that. China is very anxious to join the race to space - if you want to help them, continue to frequent Wal-mart. If you want to keep your dollars here - shop at events like this!

Satellite Beach's Got Talent

Satellite Beach resident, Kevin Kornicki, aka “Squonk Opera Drummer” and his band are among the top 48 finalists in this season of America’s Got Talent. Kevin is the globally renowned group’s assistant musical director and percussionist. His realm of drumming expertise ranges from traditional drumkit, to electronica and world percussion. Squonk Opera is based in Pittsburgh, Pa. and its five members perform original music mixed with performance and props. Although Kevin tours extensively with Squonk, and at one time performed a stint on and off-Broadway, he can be seen performing throughout local venues with Flamenco trio, Don Soledad Group. Kevin’s live performance with Squonk Opera will air Tuesday, July 12 on the NBC realty show from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. EST. Afterward the public will have the chance to vote. On July 13 the group will appear back on the show to find out their fate. You can follow him on his Hollywood Journey this week by “liking” them on Facebook, twitter and/or by clicking through NBC’s site.
http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/contestants/squonk-opera

FYI: Here is what NBC is using to describe Kevin:

Squonk Opera

Squonk Opera is a visionary ensemble of musicians and artists who create post-industrial performances using staging, design and original music. The group created their first show in 1995 in a Pittsburgh junkyard, combining cranes, roaring earthmovers and screaming machine shears in a choreography of mechanized movement. Recognized as an instant hit, they have been touring nationally and internationally ever since. Squonk Opera presents an art that includes both the cheap thrills of a monster truck show and the fragile, delicate beauty of high art.

Oh my - 9 p.m. tonight!

Trouble in Paradise

Keep Brevard Beautiful's beach clean-up for this Sunday is at Paradise Beach in Indialantic. For those trying to decide whether or not they want to get up early on a Sunday morning, I would like to point out that this beach is a prime source of eye candy on any given day - there is plenty to see, male and female. So come enjoy the scenery and help keep the beach clean and sanitary.
8 a.m. - noon.

Fitness was never so easy

According to Fitness Magazine (July-August 2011), "Walking in the sand burns up to 50 percent more calories than walking on a sidewalk, track, or street at the same pace." Good to know - just another reason to be thankful for where we live. Personal experience would also like to point out the psychological health that may be attained by a walk on the beach.

Outside the box

Beautiful launch, NASA! NO, this photo isn't mine. But I did video the launch from a place closer than Jetty Park and I made it back to work in Suntree by 11:55. Hearing about traffic gridlocks gives me hives. WHY can't people just enlarge their maps and find alternate routes? The same could be said for many things in life - why do we always go for the most direct route, knowing everyone else is also? Anyway, thanks to John, from Houston (retired NASA Mission Control) who also thought outside the box, and had some great shuttle stories. And yes, they are really, really, really livid about not getting a shuttle...

Brevard Zoo's Treetop Trek

The newest attraction to the Space Coast is our very own zipline - just opened July 2 next to Brevard Zoo. Read about ziplines and read the interview with someone who just completed the Challenge level yesterday! Then, if you think you might be up to the challenge (pun) of the Challenge, sign up NOW for Groupon who have a 50% off coupon today!! That's a lot of excitement for the Space Coast during the summer for $20! Coupon is good for a while, too!

Home games

Now through Sunday - home games at Space Coast Stadium. Special promos every day! Today's:

Wednesday - Those that are students, work in the aerospace industry, are Brevard Zoo members, or belong to the U.S. military, active or retired need only show their I.D. to get two tickets for the price of one! They are also entitled to pay just $2 for each hot dog, no limit.

Independence Day Favorites from Boston

Mr. Jack-of-all-trades, multi-tasker extraordinaire and the original freedom-activist: Mr. Paul Revere, is buried in a plain grave downtown. No fuss, no muss.
These are the dogtags of hundreds of American soldiers who have lost their life in either Iraq or Afghanistan. This memorial is in the yard of the Olde North Church in Boston. Quite moving.
So many speeches and declarations took place in this building. This is truly where it all began. The contrast between new and old is evident everywhere one looks in this remarkable city.

The morning after

After Fireworks Cleanup 8 AM - 10 AM
Sites - Cherie Down Park, 8492 Ridgewood Ave., Cape Canaveral
Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach
Alan Shepherd Park, east end of 520 Cocoa Beach Cswy, 4100 Ocean Beach Blvd, CB
Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
Howard Futch-Paradise Park, 2502 N A1A in Melbourne
KBB will provide materials. Info - Barb 631-0501 X203, 480-9273 cell

Pomp, Parade & Beer Day

Why are there Independence Day parades and sporting events on July 4? (And lots of beer.)

A letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, dated July 3, 1776, explains how the statesman envisioned that subsequent generations of Americans would commemorate their independence from the British Empire. "It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more," he wrote. I wonder if his second cousin, Samuel, had perfected his beer recipe, by that time? Perhaps not, as it wasn't included on the list....

July - something to celebrate

July 2011 has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays - which happens only once every 823 years. Now THAT'S something worth celebrating!

Wal-Mart ethics

Observed in the local Wal-Mart this morning: huge displays, center stage, of fireworks. Not just sparklers, folks - the whole she-bang. I asked if the ban on private fireworks for July 4th had been lifted (the recent monsoons might have changed things...) and a floor supervisor replied, and I quote: "The ban is on using them, not selling them." Wal-mart ethics at their finest.