Halloween candy buy-back!

In thousands of locations across the country, during the first week of November, dental offices will be “buying back” children’s uneaten, wrapped “leftover” Halloween candy. All the candy that is “bought back” will be shipped overseas to American troops. Children and parents also have the opportunity to sign cards for our troops as well.

As of this writing, only one dentist has advertised a buy-back program in Brevard: Dr. Ronald Richardson of Melbourne Cosmetic Dentistry. The drop-off date is Tuesday, November 1 from 3 - 5 p.m. The location is: 1704 Airport Blvd., Melbourne. Here's how to participate:

• Bring your child and the candy they wish to donate to the office.
• The candy will be weighed and the child will receive $1 per pound of candy.
• Children will receive a free toothbrush and a coupon for a free Happy Meal.
• The candy will be shipped to troops as outlined above.

Dr. Richardson's office has asked that any questions be directed to the office at 321-723-3477 or their website. Children are asked to please bring a letter for the troops, which will be included with the candy.

Veterans say that the donated candy is put to good use in working with and befriending the “locals” to get intelligence information about IEDs and other dangers in the war zones.

Dog adoption event at Longdoggers

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In celebration of October being National Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month, the Central Brevard Humane Society will be partnering with Long Doggers Radically Relaxed Grill & Brew to host a dog adoption event. The event will showcase some of the Central Brevard Humane Society’s (CBHS) shelter dogs, and will provide the public with fun educational information about responsible pet ownership. There will also be CBHS merchandise there for purchase. While at the event, donate an item from the Humane Society’s Wish List (pet supplies) and receive a FREE raffle ticket for a drawing to be held on October 29th. Proceeds will go to help provide care to the homeless animals in Brevard County. For more information, contact the Central Brevard Humane Society at (321) 636-3343 or visit www.crittersavers.com.

Location: 4260 Minton Road, Palm Bay
Time: 12 - 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct 29

Donavan Frankenreiter tonight

7 p.m. Coconuts on the Beach - part of Slater Bros Invitational. His web site not generating tickets so good luck with that. Coconuts has event listed for 7-11 p.m. and tickets for $25.

"The Slater Brothers Invitational has brought thousands of spectators to converge on this exciting event, hosting amateur and professional athletes in surfing and skateboarding.

Jay Alders is proud to be a sponsor again this year of the event and donating a limited edition signed gallery wrapped canvas print of “Burning Inspiration” to help The Slater Brothers to raise money for the World Skin Cancer Foundation. Additionally Jay will be live painting on stage with Donavon Frankenreiter and painting a skateboard deck on the beach.

This year, we will also include our 2nd annual 5K beach fun run and, for the first time, a volleyball tournament, stand-up paddle board contest, a Friday night concert by Donavon Frankenreiter and Saturday night movie premier.

The event will also include a vert ramp exhibition with high-profile skate professionals which has been very popular among the spectators in past years. "

Schedule here.

Pumpkin ideas

This Old House Pumpkin Carving Contest winners for 2011: HERE - wow...

Halloween in Historic Cocoa Village

On Sunday, October 30, the historic Cocoa Village invites all Space Coast residents to they Halloween in the Village. The planners for this event " hope to bring little trick-or-treaters and their families down to Cocoa Village and Riverfront Park for a fun and safe Halloween adventure. " Hours are from 4 -8:30 p.m . Children will be able to visit merchants for treats, stroll the park for fun family activities and entertainment, get Ghost Tours of the village and visit the haunted Porcher House! Coraline will be playing on the big screen in the park beginning at 7 p.m..

Children's activities will include a bounce house, kid's area games, hay rides, pumpkin decorating, ghost tours and much more. There will be a $5.00 activity band fee and Porcher House haunted story telling tour has a separate fee. Trick or treating and stage entertainment will be free. For additional information interested parties may contact Leisure Services at (321) 639-3500 or visit their website .

Haunted House season

On Saturday and Sunday, October 2and 30, the Eau Gallie Self Storage will host their second free Haunted House. Created and maintained entirely by volunteers, the 3,000 square foot house promises to be scary for all ages. Treats will be available at the end of the tour. The storage unit is located in the downtown Eau Gallie area, at 914 Saint Clair Street. This Haunted House is free and all they request is a donation for Breast Cancer Research. Hours for the event are 7 - 10 p.m. both evenings.

Halloween Howl

On Saturday, October 29, the Satellite Beach Dog Park will host their annual Halloween Howl. The times are 10 a.m. - noon. Dogs must be accompanied by an adult handler, but the entire family is welcome. Those planning to attend are asked to please bring their dog in costume or come earlier if they need to “costume prepare.” The event cost is $3.50/dog paid on the day of the event. Note: Dog Park entry requirements apply (printed rabies shot records must be provided & county tags worn on dog’s collar) The Dog Park is located at 751 Jamaica Blvd, Satellite Beach. And don't forget the camera!

Boo at the Zoo

This weekend is your last chance to experience the Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo event! Don't miss one of the best and the most infamous family fun Halloween event, Friday - Sunday, October 28 - 30 from 5:30 to 9:30 nightly. Last admission is 8 p.m. each night. If you'd like to avoid Saturday's long lines and big crowds, go on Friday or Sunday. There will be live entertainment, The Haunted Trail, Ooz Draverb, Boo Choo train ride, a costume contest, witch's lair, and trick-or-treating at more than 25 treat stations. For details, read this article.

Tickets are $10 per person. Zoo members receive $1 off on all admission prices. Reduce your wait time the night of the event by ordering your tickets in advance online. CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase tickets. And for more local Halloween events, check out this article.

Making Strides Against Cancer

Saturday, Oct 22, over 10,000 men, women and children gathered in a celebration of life for those who were breast cancer survivors, those who knew someone who was - and those who weren't, didn't, and still cared enough to show. The assembly marched from The Avenue Viera to Lexus of Melbourne. My group raised a total of $3,800 for the local ACS - dollar by dollar. The final amount raised by all of Brevard will be announced soon. Never doubt what a small group of people can do when they put their minds to it!

Seriously?

Tebow-mania has gotten out of hand. As seen on eBay yesterday:
Tue Oct 25 11:48am EDT
Treat yourself to the pants of Tim Tebow

The nation has been set aflame with Tebow Madness in the wake of his glorious fourth-quarter comeback victory in Miami on Sunday. With football magic in his fingertips and boundless love in his heart, Tim Tebow(notes) elevated football, nay, sport itself, past mere fun and games and into a new universal language of joy that turned us all, if just for a minute, into towering beacons of healing spiritual light.

In doing so, he helped the 2-4 Denver Broncos beat the 0-6 Miami Dolphins in overtime. And that makes his pants worth five grand. Via eBay, the shroud of Tebow can be yours.

The pants, which I understand Tebow puts on two legs at a time, were worn by No. 15 when he threw his first NFL touchdown pass against the Chiefs last season. They have not been laundered and come complete with " multiple hit marks, stains, and tears."

These pants held the legs that held up the torso that turned the arms that flung the football that landed in the arms of Spencer Larsen(notes) and changed the sporting landscape forever.

Seriously?

Just Between Friends

This week-end - the kids' consignment sale of a lifetime is happening at Melbourne Auditorium! To read a review of the last sale, in April, link up here. To find out more about this weekend's sale, go here! No matter what - try not to miss this. It is amazing! Maternity thru teens - wow!

Golf ball drop tomorrow at 1pm

Hold Name of Jesus golf ball drop is tomorrow at 1pm. This is one of the best Fall Festivals in the area, which explains why it is four days long and still attracting enough people to make it so!

Making Strides Against Cancer walk

Tomorrow morning, starts at 8am - 10,000 expected to be walking from Avenues of Viera to Lexus dealership! Come join us! And wear pink! Learn more here.

Pumpkin carving 101

Did you know you can print out templates from the DIY Network and place them on your pumpkin before slicing? Makes it so-o-o easy - no excuses. Here is the link. And these designs may not be available from DIY but they are quite impressive anyway!

Fall Festival time

The Holy Name of Jesus parishioners must have prayed for days, hoping to have good weather for their Fall Festival - their biggest fundraiser of the year. And they have been blessed. Cool evenings and sunny days in the 7o's - you can't ask for more. Nobody does a Fall Festival like a church. HNJ has a four-day event and Saturday thousands - literally - will show up for the helicopter golf ball drop. To find out more, read this article.

Jason Stidham

Don't read too much about Jason Stidham in FT...Jason, whose family lives in Palm Bay was an 8th round draft pick for St Louis Cardinals and in the last 15 months has had two knee operations...watching the playoffs, couldn't help wondering what he was thinking. As a child, Jason was quiet and thoughtful. Wonderful family; hope Jason is recovering quickly and will be able to get started on his dream in spring training...

Surrounded

Ah, but the good news is that the colors are not red and orange! Yet. And the even better news is highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's. Water will feel warm, a.c. can be turned off, and all the stuff happening outdoors this week-end will be safe!

Clean beaches for all

A bill to reauthorize the BEACH Act has been introduced into the Senate. This landmark law was first championed by Surfrider Foundation a decade ago. Similar legislation has been introduced twice before, but neither attempts made it to the Senate floor for a vote.

The Clean Coastal Environment & Public Health Act of 2011 calls for quicker beach water testing methods and improved public notification of water quality results. It also expands the scope of the BEACH Act to include tracking and cleaning up the sources of beach water pollution.

Urge your Senators to show their support for healthy beaches and robust coastal economies by cosponsoring the Clean Coastal Environment & Public Health Act of 2011. Don't let them put this off for yet another year! Here is a link that makes it simple to contact senators.

Enough events already

Who says we don't have beautiful sunsets on the east coast? Photo doesn't begin to capture the fuschia reflecting off the water...

Another 'rain event' forecast for Tuesday- Yikes! This is Hangars Beach, part of PAFB, where 2-3 feet of beach washed out to sea during the 'storm with no name' last weekend. Reports of turtle eggs and even hatchlings being washed out to sea was disheartening. Let's hope this event is less eventful.

Beach clean-up

Sunday's cleanup will be at Bicentennial Park, Indian Harbor Beach and will begin at 8 a.m. Don't forget sunscreen!

Free Space Center Weekend

Residents weekend is happening Oct 21-23 at Kennedy Space Center. Brevard residents, along with up to five guests, get in free with proof of residency and a non-perishable food item. Tours and all other attractions, including the IMAX Theatre, are included! Call 321-449-4444 or visit their website for more information. FREE is good - see you there!

(Yawn) Oktoberfest

Last weekend Cocoa Village had a one-night Oktoberfest planned and this year, it had been reduced to just one night, down-sized from previous years' three days. No doubt the monsoons ruined any hope of making a good profit. This weekend, the usually-uninspiring Melbourne Oktoberfest is taking place at Wickham Park. Tickets are $6 and the only way they will make money is from the rides because kids will be begging their parents. While Art of Sand has a 7-page pull-out section of TGIF today, Melbourne Oktoberfest has a half-page write-up and a 5x5" ad.

In sharp contrast, the Art of Sand Exhibit has received massive amounts of press and media exposure. One has to wonder if this is because Oktoberfest is ho-hum, inferior, and a rip-off or Art of Sand has some serious money being infused? The Runaway Country show in April generated as much publicity as Art of Sand. Is this a sign that Space Coasters are looking for something new and different to do? And that would include advertisers, supporters and volunteers as well as those buying tickets...something to think about, isn't it?

World of Beer comes through

WOBtoberfest!

This Friday, October 14th and Saturday, October 15th, come celebrate Oktoberfest WOb Style. There will be a great selection of Oktoberfest beers on draft, along with live music. The Lakin's are back serving complimentary bratwurst, kraut and German potato salad at 2pm until it is all gone! You can come dressed in traditional Oktoberfest outfits and receive a free Oktoberfest draft. Live music at 9 pm Saturday with The Lighter Exchange. And Sunday there will be live music at 4 pm and 9 pm. (4 pm - Fest Five Spiele (Oompah and traditional German music, 9 pm - Diesel Beaver. Beer specials and complimentary food all afternoon includes bratwurst, kraut and warm German potato salad. Cheers! (WOB is in Avenues of Viera, FYI)

Ballroom dancing FAQ

Okay, so this might be a bit much. But if you've ever thought about dance lessons, for fitness, romance, not-to-feel-dumb-at-wedding-receptions - whatever reason - why not attend a FAQ info session where ballroom dancing is actually taught? Melbourne Ballroom - located in Suntree is having just such an event.

Saturday, October 15 - Dance Party at Melbourne Ballroom. Group Class at 7:00 and dance party at 8:00. $15 for the group and the party, or just come to the party for $10 (and get info). Call 255-1537 or visit website . GPS directions: 6300 N, Wickham Road, Melbourne, 32940.

Free Surf Movie at the Cocoa Beach Public Library
Saturday - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Oct 15, 2011
The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum will show the surf movie Ticket to Ride. This event will be hosted by the Cocoa Beach Public Library. Enjoy complimentary (free) organic pop corn and soft drinks along with this free movie!

Think Autumn

This Saturday, all are invited to pretend it's Autumn, in spite of the fact that it promises to be a good beach day, and head instead to the new Viera Hospital for the Scarecrow Stroll and Harvest Festival. The fun begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m.

Local businesses will be bringing the scarecrows they've created to display at the Harvest Festival at Viera Hospital Courtyard and winner of the most creative will be announced. The scarecrow that receives the most public votes will receive a traveling trophy. A community panel will vote for top prizes. Then the scarecrows will be auctioned off to benefit the local food bank.

Harvest Festival will feature the following:

Scarecrow stroll & silent action (benefits local food bank)
Entertainment by Bluegrass Band
Bounce Houses
Local business & organization vendor tables
Hay Rides
Zucchini 500
Pie Baking Contest
Kid’s Tattoo Artist
Food vendors
Location: Viera Hospital Courtyard

Arts & Crafts show

This week-end, several local artists will be peddling their wares in Cocoa Village. Nobody throws an art show like the Village. Most artists, and my stuff will be there so I know, spend hours on their creations. I figure I earn about 25 cents an hour sometimes! This is the time to start shopping for the holidays because it is places like this where you will find stuff you'll never see elsewhere. Why? No-one else wants to earn 25 cents an hour (well, China, maybe)!! But you'll also get one of a kind items. Support those brave souls who risk it all to do what they love!

Art of Sand

Space Coast Stadium, like everywhere else on the Space Coast, became a swimming pool last week-end. The sand sculptures that had been started sustained some damage but that didn't discourage the artists working on them. This Friday, the exhibit opens and I can tell you right now that you will be supremely impressed at the sculptures. These people are pros, and it shows. There are a lot of activities for the rest of us, tho. Read more about them here.

Boo at the Zoo

Brevard Zoo is celebrating Halloween with their Boo at the Zoo, which includes costume contests, live entertainment, a haunted trail, and 30 trick or treat stations. Everything starts next Friday, October 14 and lasts through Halloween. Details here.

Love & Rain

Remember when you were young (and impressionable) and thought being out in the rain was romantic? Well today should surely prove to you that you were obviously crazy back then. On the bright side, let us be grateful that we:
1) Haven't shelled out a small fortune on an outdoor wedding today.
2) Haven't spent months organizing an outdoor Fall Festival this week-end.
3) Aren't the coach of the kid's soccer team visiting Brevard for the tournament today.
4) Don't have a hot date with that guy/gal you've been after for months (depends, how old are you?) .
5) Aren't stuck spending another week stepping over the junk that would have been in the yard sale you were forced to cancel today.
See? It could be worse!

The longest war & local heroes

Ten years ago today, we invaded Afghanistan - 26 days after the Sept 11 attack by terrorists. The 920th Rescue Wing, working out of Patrick Air Force Base, has established it's presence continuously beginning in November 2001. Deployment in Afghanistan lasts four months on a rotating basis for all members of the unit. This year alone, the 920th has saved 558 lives in Afghanistan. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Of mice and man

With the passing of Steve Jobs, the world has lost a modern-day revolutionary soldier. Never content to just leave things as they were, always looking for a better way - he revolutionized the tech world. For me, idol worship began with his creation of the mouse-driven point-and-click system. Toy Story endeared him even more. Not bad for a college dropout.
One of Steve Jobs' many quotes. If you haven't heard it already, listen to his speech given at Stanford's Commencement in 2005, said by those in attendance to be the most important 15 minutes of their lives. Link here or use your favorite search engine.

Sale for Johnson Family

Plans are underway for as garage sale/car show on Sat., Oct 8th at the Palms Rehab and Healthcare, 5405 Babcock Street, Palm Bay. There will be food, raffles, etc. All $$$ goes to the Johnson family. If you want to donate, call 321-722-9357. If you have things to drop off call Emily Barton at the Palms . Thank you!!. (Read about the tragic events that have inspired this fundraiser by following this link.)

Beach clean-ups for the week-end

This Sunday, Oct 2, there are two beach clean-ups scheduled!::
1) Hightower Beach, Satellite Beach, starts at 8 a.m.
2) Spessard Holland, Melbourne Beach, 8 a.m. - noon