Calling all female surfers

COCOA BEACH SURF MUSEUM is excited to announce the 2nd ANNUAL FLORIDA WOMEN OF THE WAVES WEEKEND. After last year’s hugely successful events there has been an ongoing barrage of requests asking "when are you doing it in 2011?" All weekend long Friday September 30th to Sunday October 2nd. For details....follow this link.

Property tax increase update

Odd, none of this made the Florida Today newspaper....but here is what TV station WFTV reported on the tax increase vote Wednesday night:

"Brevard County commissioners and angry taxpayers battled until early Wednesday morning over a controversial property tax hike, and the commissioners won. The property tax rate will take a big jump for homeowners.

Commissioners and hundreds of taxpayers met in Viera for eight hours, with the meeting lasting until 1 a.m. Angry taxpayers yelled at commissioners and tried to convince them not to approve the controversial tax hike.

Initially, commissioners wanted a 16.9 percent hike, but instead voted on a 14.9 percent hike, and that sent residents reeling. WFTV asked Commissioner Robin Fisher why he and fellow commissioners, Chuck Nelson and Mary Bolin, voted for the tax hike.

"I am not for laying off deputies; I am not for closing parks," Fisher said. "Well, it’s a sensitive issue, but you realize that when you have him roll back his department, deputies there, it’s not intimidation it’s the facts." But, residents like Rev. Earl Medlin said cuts don't have to mean cutting employees. "Every time we call for cuts, the first thing they want to do is threaten us with cutting employees," he said.

Commissioner Trudie Infantini, who voted against the increase, said she agrees. "If we would just cut the spending we wouldn't have a tax increase. It’s completely unnecessary," Infantini said.

Three-quarters of homeowners will see a decrease in their taxes because home values have dropped, but that's not the case for the other 25 percent. Some residents said they're so upset that they'd like to vote the commissioners who approved the hike out of office.

"We need to take and throw out three commissioners as soon as we can, and believe me, elections have consequences," said one resident.

P.S. The salary for County Commissioners is $58,308 a year. I'd like to see their job description.

Sneaky, sneaky Brevard County

Am I the only person who is LIVID about our County Commissioners, who earn $58,300 yearly, voting to increase our property taxes by a whopping 14.9% last night??? If you are a home owner, watch your mailbox for the notice that says your mortgage payment is escalating out of control. Oh, and Florida Today might have it in their paper tomorrow.....

One Beach - a movie

If you haven't seen the movie One Beach - do it. Now!! It's beautiful and it's short. Most of all, it's important to all of us who live, love and depend on the beach. Support Surfrider, drink Barefoot wine and help keep our coastline from turning into a landfill.

Cleaning up our act

Sunday, Sept 24 - Keep Brevard Beautiful will hold a beach clean-up event at Seagull Park in Satellite Beach from 8 a.m. - noon. Please come help and don't forget sunscreen !!!

Florida Coastal Clean-Up

The Florida Coastal Cleanup, sponsored in Brevard County by the Ocean Conservancy and Keep Brevard Beautiful, is held every September, on the third Saturday of the month. Times are 8 a.m. - noon.

This cleanup effort is the only event at which volunteers are urged to record all of the items they collect. The Florida Coastal Cleanup is part of a world-wide litter reduction effort. The data from the event are used to educate our community about the problems associated with marine debris and the role we play in solving those problems.

Keep Brevard Beautiful, Inc., the Ocean Conservancy and our sponsors will supply trash bags, gloves, data cards, pencils. Volunteers should bring drinking water and a snack, if desired. FREE T-Shirts while supplies last. For more information, please email Jim Kriewaldt at jimkbb2005@yahoo.com.

Coastal Cleanup 2011 Check-In Sites

South Area Sites
Jon Jorgensen Landing, Grant (Island CU*)
Pelican Beach Park, Satellite Beach
Howard Futch/Paradise Beach Park, IHB
Ocean Ave Beach Park, Melbourne Beach
Coconut Point Park, Melbourne Beach
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Turkey Creek Boat Ramp, Palm Bay - boaters needed

Central Area Sites
Kelly Park, East, MI (Island CU*)
Cherie Down Park, Cape Canaveral
Shepard Park, Cocoa Beach
Lori Wilson Park (N), Cocoa Beach
Ramp Road Park, Cocoa Beach (Island CU*)
Pier/Central Park, SR A1A, Patrick AFB
Lee Wenner Park, Cocoa Village (Island CU*)

North Area Sites
Haulover Canal, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Marina Park, Titusville (Island CU*)
Canaveral National Seashore, Beach 1

Paws at the Pier

As the Central Brevard Humane Society celebrates its 53rd year caring for lost, homeless and discarded pets in our community, they invite you to bring your furry friends to the Cocoa Beach Pier for a day of owner/animal companionship at the 4th annual "Paws At The Pier" event on Saturday, September 17, 2005, from 10 AM to 3 PM.

There will be food & non-alcoholic beverages, 50/50 & door prize drawings, silent auction, guessing games, Chairside massage therapy, Veterinarian Education Station, pet obedience demonstrations, and the ever-popular pet contests! 11:30 am starts the contests with Best Dressed pet followed by Smallest and Largest pet, Owner/Pet Look-a-like, and finishing with Best Pet Trick.

Green Living Festival

The Cocoa Beach Chapter of Surfrider Foundation and the Sierra Club will hold the first ever Space Coast Green Living Festival on September 17, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach — a “green” certified hotel — there will be vendors, speakers, food, films, children's activities, and more. The purpose is to teach Space Coast residents how to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their daily lives.

There will also be special presentations by the Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter — an area of Florida that was hit hard by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill disaster. They will share their stories on how the oil continues to impact their beaches.

History comes alive

Viera resident, Nick Orzio had a front row seat to history as the photographer assigned to Gen Douglas MacArthur in Occupied Japan following WWII. In addition to MacArthur, he spent time with and photographed both Helen Keller and the current Emperor of Japan, when he was a child. Some of Nick's photographs have been published and he will be signing the book this Thursday night at House of Joe Coffee Shop. Take time to meet this amazing man and listen to his stories - he brings history to life! He is a member of the International Photographers Hall of Fame. Read his story by following this link.

Major beer event at WOB

Dogfish Head Brewery Spotlight at World of Beer, Avenues of Viera! Coming in at 20% alcohol and a whopping 450 calories per 12 oz bottle...Dogfish Head 120.

This is THE beer event of the year. Florida has been waiting for years to get their hands on Dogfish 120. And now that it is available - or is it? Only 100 cases are being sent to Florida. You can bet your brew that each chosen store will only get one case. And WOB only gets one keg. If they serve 4 oz samples, that's only 200 available. And by the way - the keg is over $350 so expect a 4-pack to be costly - if you find it.

Word of warning from WOB: you may only have 60 - 90 minutes to get your hands on these rare brews. More than a few individuals have already said they would give up a limb to attend this once in a life time event. It isn't being held at any other WOB in the area - not even Orlando and UCF. Don't miss out!

Zoo time !!

Brevard Zoo is offering four discounted Zoo admission days in September. Admission each Tuesday—September 6, 13, 20, and 27— will be just $2 per person all day long. The $2 admission price applies to anyone who is not already a member of Brevard Zoo and is 2 and older. Zoo members and children under 2 still receive free admission into the Zoo. Brevard Zoo’s hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4:15 p.m. Additional charges apply to activities inside the Zoo including feeding giraffe and lorikeet, kayaking or paddle boating, and riding the train.

Harvest moon

Sunrise Sunday morning.
Moonrise Sunday night. (Not really but great picture, huh?) Harvest moon happening Sept 10-13, with tonight being the brightest. After seeing sunrise this morning, the full moon just rounded out (sorry for the pun) a day meant for deep thoughts. Perfect.

National Grandparents Day

Finally, a reason to celebrate! I personally haven't had a grandparent for over 30 years...a parent either for almost 25 years...and now there is reason to celebrate again. Tomorrow, after remembering the victims of the Sept. 2011 terrorist attacks - remember your grandparents. And if you are lucky like me - reflect on the positive things in life, like this. - Happy Grandparents Day to all!

Almost forgot! And how could I !! I picked a date that needed a positive slant assigned to it -to remember the day I finally succeeded in stopping smoking. Breaking a 42 yr habit is not for the faint of heart but this makes two years and I am here to tell you that anyone who has stopped is still vulnerable. Help them by not smoking in their face and encouraging them because there isn't a day that they don't experience the desire to have just one. In that sense, a smoker never truly quits, they just stop...

Time to reflect

Certainly one of the most powerful days in history, Sept 11 will forever be embedded in the minds of all Americans. The world stood still in shock and disbelief.
This is the radio tower that stood on top of one of the Twin Towers. It is on display at the Newseum in Washington, DC. It is surrounded by front pages of all the newspapers in the world. A gruesome reminder that the rug can be pulled out from under your feet at any time and any place. Take nothing for granted.

Whether you choose to attend any of the remembrance events on the Space Coast or at the Stadium, or you choose to stay at home and reflect in private - these are the times we all need to be aware of tomorrow - September 11:

8:45 a.m. Hijacked passenger jet, American Airlines Flight 11, crashed into World Trade Center’s north tower.
9:03 a.m. Second hijacked airliner, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into south tower and exploded.
9:43 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
10:05 a.m. South tower of the World Trade Center fell.
10:10 a.m. Part of the Pentagon collapsed. United Airlines Flight 93, also hijacked, crashes in rural Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m. North tower of the World Trade Center fell from the top down.

Adopt-a-pet events

Central Brevard Humane Society Pet Adoption Event !! At PetSmart on New Haven by the Melbourne Square Mall. Friday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sep 09, 2011. The event will showcase some of the Central Brevard Humane Society’s shelter dogs and cats that are available for adoption, and will provide the public with fun educational information about responsible pet ownership. There will also be CBHS merchandise there for purchase. All proceeds will go to help provide care to the homeless (and dumped off) animals in Brevard County. For more info, call the Central Brevard Humane Society at (321) 636-3343 or visit www.crittersavers.com.

Saturday Sept. 10 - At Sunflower House (located inside Merritt Square Mall), Merritt Island 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM The event showcases some of the Central Brevard Humane Society’s shelter dogs and cats, and will provide the public with educational information about responsible pet ownership. There will also be CBHS merchandise there for purchase. All proceeds will go to help provide care to the homeless and dumped off animals in Brevard County. For more info contact the Central Brevard Humane Society at (321) 636-3343 or visit www.crittersavers.com.

Molly Mutt III Thrift Shop on Saturday Sept. 10 - 876 North U.S. Highway 1, Rockledge - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM There will be cats there for adoption. For more information, contact the Central Brevard Humane Society at (321) 636-3343 or visit www.crittersavers.com.

Brevard County Gator Club

Many thanks to Brevard County Gator Club for their hospitality! I was graciously invited to be a part of the highly-anticipated 'first game of the season viewing party' held at the Nameless Sports Bar/Pub on Courtney in Merritt Island. 24 HD screens - beer, wings - what wasn't to love! What a warm, wonderful, friendly group of people. And the Nameless Pub owner is wonderful - thank you, Robbie, for the 'official Gator ring'! For a complete report - and info on how to get in on the fun - read the article!

Air Force 2 at PAFB?

Did anyone else happen to notice the 747 with the American flag on the tail, and the words United States of America on the side fly over the Pineda Causeway and glide onto the runway at Patrick AFB between 5 and 6 p.m.? Kind of hard to miss a 747 with an American flag on the tail and the words United States of America on the side - wonder what is taking place. No photo- didn't think they'd appreciate my enthusiasm! Could this be a B-747? Either that or Air Force Two got a paint job. Hm-m-m-m-m...Thoughts?

Beach clean-up

OK, it's a 3-day weekend (for some, not I) so you'll be going to the beach anyway...why not do the cute little turtles hatchling a favor and clear their path. Saturday - Sept 3, starting at 8 a.m. will be a beach clean-up held by Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Location: Coconut Point Park. Come help and learn about this group and how tirelessly they work to preserve sea turtles.

Week-end to shop

TWO community yard sales this week-end = bargains, bargains, bargains !! Locations:
** Fri & Sat Crane Creek Community Center 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. (1440 Mosswood 32935)
** Sat only - Kiwanis Island Park Center 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (951 Kiwanis Island Park Dr/Merritt I)

Get lei'd at WOB Sunday

Liquid Aloha!

This Sunday, September 4th,- at World of Beer in Viera - everyone is getting lei'd! Kona Brew Co. will be back in the house for Liquid Aloha. The Lakins will be serving their famous pulled pork, smoked pig, bake beans and cole slaw at 2 pm. They'll have give aways along with a Kona beach cruiser and a Kona longboard skateboard. It will be a great party day!

Also, they will be accepting non perishable items to donate to our local food pantries. If you would like to contribute, we will then contribute to you. Bring in 1 item, you will receive a free Kona beer shot, but if you feel ambitious and bring in 3 items, you will receive a free select Kona draft. Come hang out at WOB Labor day weekend!