New Year's Eve happenings

Still don't know what to do for New Year's Eve? Well, if you are leaning towards going out somewhere - as opposed to staying home or going to an in-home party, see what is out there. This article is the result of MUCH research!! Whatever - don't drink and drive!!

After holiday beach clean-ups

After Holiday Beach Clean Ups
Wed., Jan 2   8 - 10 AM
1)  Alan Shepard Park, east end of St. Rd. 520)
2)  Cocoa Beach Pier
3)  Lori Wilson Park
4)  Coconuts on the Beach

Merry Christmas to us shell-picker-uppers

Christmas Day was warm, sunny and delicious. Mother Ocean gave us many gifts in the form of shells. They are a rare find on our beaches but on Christmas Day they were there. So were the dolphins - great day at the beach! Merry Christmas!

How the Port Stole Christmas

HOW THE PORT STOLE CHRISTMAS continues every night until January 2nd. Over 110,000 LED lights and 48 lighted trees, plus its free and open to the public. Find this and other light displays here!

Ring in 2013 on the Pier!

Ring in the New Year on the beach as the Cocoa Beach Pier presents the best New Year's Eve party around. In its 24th year, the ROCKIN' THE DOCK is hailed as “5 parties in one” because each of the restaurants and bars on the Pier are in on the party. All them feature live entertainment, champagne toasts, balloon drops, and television screens showing other great parties simultaneously occurring around the world. The fun starts at 7pm! Tickets are $20/person and can be purchased in advance at the pier. Get a room!!!

60th anniversary of Gators' first bowl game!!

The above photo - courtesy of UF Gator Zone, is from a 1952 game in which the Gators stomped on Georgia, 30-0. That game earned the team the right to go to the Gator Bowl, UF's first bowl game invite.

Larry Dyal, of Melbourne, will be one of the team members going to the Gator Bowl Jan 1 - but not to play. He was on the UF team back in 1952 - the first team to qualify for a bowl game - which the Gators won. Read about the team, where they went, where they are, and the honor they will receive on the 60th anniversary of the Gator's first bowl game!

Real Food, Real Space Coast kitchens

TV show, Real-Food-Real-Kitchens,  holiday show featured Space Coast families sharing their holiday dishes and traditions! Check out the show: http://vimeo.com/55113310

Let there be lights!!!!

Tis the season for light displays! There are so many good ones around here - but some do stand out! Like Verbenia Street in Satellite Beach. It has to be a record for the most neighbors getting together to pitch in and create a light spectacle. This article lists boat parades and light extravaganzas - and where to find them!

Downtown Melbourne Candlelight Shopping

Downtown Melbourne will host a "Holiday Nights and Candlelight Shopping" event Saturday night from 5-9pm. Not only will shops stay open late, but there will be goodies like cookies, punch, wine, cider - yum!
Throw in some carolers and you can't help but feel Christmassy! Downtown New Haven Ave - Melbourne.

Beach Clean-ups this week-end

There are 3 beach clean-ups scheduled for this week-end:
Saturday: Pelican Beach, Satellite Beach with Judy de la Rosa, 8-10 a.m.
Sunday: Boardwalk (5th Ave) Indialantic 8 a.m. - noon
Sunday: Hightower Beach, Satellite Beach with Frank Skiff, 9 a.m. - noon

Bring your own bags, gloves, water & sunscreen!

Paws for Veterans fund-raiser

 A Christmas event you can bring the whole family to, including the 4-legged members of the family, to benefit Paws for Veterans. There will be food vendors, a bounce house, photos with Santa (family and pets), face painting, pet psychic, local vendors, contests, rescue groups, DJ, raffles, and more. Bring the entire family, 2 and 4-legged for a fun Christmas event that everyone can enjoy. Free admission! For questions or if you are a vendor and would like to participate, email them at pawsforveterans@gmail.com.

Paws for Veterans is a 501 C 3 non profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, trains, and rehomes dogs as service dogs for injured Veterans. Paws for Veterans, Inc. is a community-based organization that provides service dogs, training, supplies, and therapeutic group sessions to Veteran and Active Duty men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Physical Disabilities.

The dogs in their program are rescued dogs. They strive to improve not only the lives of our Service Members but also the the lives of the dogs that they rescue and place in loving homes with Service Members. They rescue, rehabilitate, train, and rehome each dog. This creates a win, win scenario for everyone. The dogs are given a purpose in a loving forever home and the Service Members quality of life is improved by the healing power of their new canine partner.

What sets Paws for Veterans apart is that the owner assists in training their own service dog with the instruction of their expert staff of dog trainers. Each dog is trained specifically for their owners needs. Having the ability to train your own service dog builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. This method creates a bond between dog and owner that is unmatched by other methods.

Be there!!   11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Wickham Park
2500 Parkway Dr, Melbourne
Sat  - December 15th

   

Ocean, Reef & Beach Fest

 
Satellite Beach encompasses a unique stretch of Florida's Atlantic Coast. There are many public access points to its tawny beaches and important reefs, where anglers, surfers and myriad wildlife live in harmony.
On Dec. 1, everyone is invited to Satellite Beach's First Ocean, Beach & Reef Festival, at Pelican Beach Park, where the community will celebrate the beloved resources with music, food, live entertainment, vendor displays, artwork and free professional training and educational activities.

Attendees can pick from a long list of clinics, including but not limited to Hooked On Surf Fishing programs, Sustainable Fishing, Survival of the Beach and Hooked On Kids on Fishing program instructor certification. It's a great place to get fishing lessons from some of the best anglers in the state. 

Non-governmental organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and vendors can display for free. Event organizers from Pure Ocean TV are encouraging interactive activities that demonstrate to all ages how people and wildlife are connected by coastal ecology. 

Contact Rodney Smith at 321-750-3374 or via email at irlcoast@gmail.com.

Beach clean-ups this week-end

There are 2 beach clean-ups this Sunday. Both are in Satellite Beach but don't let that stop you from having your own clean-up wherever you are. The two in Satellite Beach are 8-12 at Seagull Park and 9-12 at Hightower Beach. Bring your out-of-town guests - it will probably be an educational experience for them and we can always use the extra hands. Sandy sure has taken a toll on the dunes in this area - see the exposed root system in this photo from yesterday.

Small Business Day

Instead of supporting China, why not support your neighbors tomorrow - Small Business Day? If you have an American Express Card then register it on their website to receive $25 worth of free something tomorrow. The only stipulation is that you use the card at a small business that is participating. That means they got a letter in the mail from American Express and they may have signs up or they may be handing out notices. Just ask them. But it has to be a small, independent business. You register online, spend $25, put it on your AMEX Card, mail the receipt to them and they credit your account. Easy - free cash, helping your neighborhood stores - and so easy !!!!!

Space Coast Arts Festival

Need a place to walk off the Thanksgiving dinner guilty pleasures you inhaled? This could be just the thing! You can run, walk, or just stroll and no-one will even notice! Start your holiday shopping early, get the relatives out of your house for a while. Read more.  

Surfing for Life movie

		Surf Film: Surfing For Life - Event Saturday, November 17                  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Description: This documentary shows 10 legendary surfers modeling healthy aging by staying active into their 7th, 8th and 9th decades. Snacks & sodas provided courtesy of Sunseed Co-op. Location: Cocoa Beach Library, 550 North Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach Room: Community Room Contact: For more details contact the Information Desk. (321) 868-1104

The twirling Wallenda

Last chance to see a living legend: Carla Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas. Don't know who she is? Follow this link and read about her. She is performing at the Space Coast State Fair through Nov 18 - hurry!!!!!!!

What Americans need

Two houses on my street have their Christmas lights on - no, not just hung up, but on, ON - as in electricity flowing through and illuminating. I witnessed a pallet of Pointsetta plants being delivered at Wal-Mart on Halloween Day and just shook my head.

However, after giving the idea some thought - and walking through the stores - and hearing about Black Friday (who ever came up with that name?) actually happening on Wednesday...I've decided that this is what America needs. The country was divided last Tuesday and now all we hear about is the fiscal cliff we'll tumble over in January. Who wouldn't want to escape the doom and gloom??!! So let's do what we do best -pretend it's not happening!! Let's bring Christmas, usually a time of good will, happiness, forgiveness, etc - hell, let's just bring it in now! Now is when we need it! Won't hurt the economy either, right??!! If we're gonna be destitute next year, why not go out with a smile on our faces!!

And yes, I have started Christmas shopping. It takes my mind off the Medicare I'm so close to getting that I might not get anyway! 

Why people don't vote

The above graphs are from the U.S. Census Bureau. They indicate over 1/2 of Americans don't vote because they aren't interested and 1/2 didn't register in the first place because they aren't interested. Am I the only person who finds that difficult to deal with?

Party animals - this is the big event!

Sandy Links for news

Looking for updates on Sandy? Here are some twitter addresses that you can use:
" So, if you are tracking Hurricane Sandy as it moves up the East Coast today and reaches U.S. landfall, here are some good Twitter accounts to monitor: "
@weatherchannel: The Weather Channel’s updates about, you guessed it, weather.
@twc_hurricane: The Weather Channel’s all-hurricane tweets.
@wunderground: Another 24/7 weather site. Besides Sandy, did you also know there was a tsunami warning in Hawaii yesterday? (Eeek.)
@NHC_Atlantic: The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center’s updates, focusing on the East Coast.
@breakingstorm: Real-time severe weather updates.
@NASA: Lovely satellite photos and animations of not-so-lovely storm (like the one above).
@fema: News from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
D.C. area specific @capitalweather

Has anyone seen my hoodie?

Cool weather coming months early! High of 69 tomorrow - what's up with this??? Fingers crossed for all in northeast who wish a lost hoodie was all they had to worry about...

Post Sandy Beach Clean-up

Tomorrow morning's beach clean-up - and it sure does need it!!! - will be at Hightower Beach in Satellite Beach. From what I have seen, thanks to Hurricane Sandy, what little is left of the beach is filled with CRAP! So any beach will do - grab a bag and go to work.

LeAnn Rimes comes to King Center

LeAnn Rimes is coming to Melbourne! Nov. 9 ( a Friday!) at 8 p.m. - King Center!! LeAnn Rimes has sold more than 37 million albums, won two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country  Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards and is the youngest recipient of a Grammy Award, and was also the first country recording artist to win in  the "Best New Artist" category. Tickets still available as of this writing:
$39.50 - Row RR Grand Tier (balcony) (center)
$49.50 - Row L - lower level but center and good view
$79.50 - Row F Orchestra - center
(321) 242-2219 or  www.kingcenter.com 

Sandy

Stay safe, one and all. The Space Coast has dodged another one. So many close shaves....beach clean-ups this weekend should yield lots of interesting stuff. One year I found a VCR buried in the sand by PAFB after a storm. IV bags, bottles with Spanish labels, shoes galore, and once a briefcase! Please come help! Baby turtles are going to be washed out to sea!

Rough seas ahead!

Weather officials say waves will go from six to nine feet on Thursday to about 10 to 14 feet near the shoreline Friday and 15 to 18 feet offshore.Use caution! Big waves + our coast = not always worth the work required to get out only to get thrown around.

Happy Haunting!!

The 3rd Annual Haunted House, run completely by volunteer's, and all they ask is that you help contribute donations for Florida Breast Cancer Foundation - will take place tonight 7-10pm at the Eau Gallie Self Storage. It's 4,000 square feet of fun. 

Location: NW corner of Eau Gallie Blvd & US1. 

 
To Volunteer, Donate, or ask questions contact:
info@eaugallieselfstorage.com
www.eaugallieselfstorage.com
321-242-1004

Pit Bulls get their day in the sun

 Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel walking their dogs - the one on the right is a pit bull.

For the first time, the North Animal Care Center and the SPCA of North Brevard are joining forces for a unique adoption and fundraising event. On Saturday and Sunday, the first-ever “Partners for Paws: For Pit’s Sake,” a pit bull adoption promotion and joint fund raiser, will be held.

The fundraiser includes a Saturday night jazz concert performed by Antoine Knight and Jacqueline Jones.
Participants can enjoy the music while placing bids on one-of-a-kind chair art during a silent auction. There also will be a pit bull adoption event on Sunday, along with a gallery showing from many local artists, as well as the conclusion of the silent auction.

The event will be held at the Stonefire Art Gallery.
Location: 2500 S Washington Ave | Titusville, FL 32780

Pit bulls always get a bad rap and they don't deserve it. Come see how loving they really are. Save a life and see how much better you feel!

BOO !!

Brevard Zoo's annual spooky spectacular, Boo at the Zoo, starts TODAY!! Boo at the Zoo runs  from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly! Last admission is 8 p.m. This is a weekend event only!! (Oct 12-27)

General Admission prices:
$8 Friday and Sunday - Oct. 12 and 14
$10 Fridays and Sundays -Oct. 19, 21, 26 and 28
$12 all Saturdays - Oct. 13, 20, 27
$5 all Fridays for Zoo Members
Children under 2 are FREE



Advance tickets are now only available online. Purchase two or more tickets and receive a discount, online only! Tickets will be available for purchase on-site during Boo at the Zoo nights. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.


Entertainment will include live acts on stage in front of Paws On. Younger kids can enjoy Ooz Draverb, a special play area with crafts and games in the Nyami Nyami River Lodge. Brand new this year is Professor Wormwood’s Poison Garden. The Haunted Trail is not for the faint of heart and recommended for children 10 and older. The event also features an age-appropriate costume contest, Boo Choo train ride, witch’s lair, and trick-or-treating at more than 25 treat stations each night.

Mullett running

Observed Monday, Oct 8 in Melbourne Beach, by 8th St, mullet running and drawing many small shark. One surfer got out of water, got iphone and did video of a 5' shark no more than 15 ft from shore. Other surfers were a little surprised and had not seen one that size so close to shore. It swam back and forth, on a path about 200 ft long. One seasoned surfer in our group said 'no way' was he going out! Watch the mullet - it's their time and the sharks are hungry!

Own a piece of history and help the ocean!

 
Your chance to own a piece of surf history is here! Bid today on a mint-condition Modern/Classic solid redwood surfboard shaped by the legendary Dale Velzy.  Measuring 10’2” x 23” x 2” this is a tremendous example of Velzy’s renowned craftsmanship.

A Velzy-shaped redwood board of this quality has never come up for sale or auction so this is truly a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of surf history. Click here to bid!

All proceeds from the auction will support the Surfrider Foundation’s efforts to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Don’t miss this chance to win a unique treasure while protecting the treasured coasts you love! 6 more days left to bid!

For our oceans, waves and beaches,

The Surfrider Foundation

Pumpkin season has arrived

 How true! Recipes are endless for everything from pumpkin burgers to pumpkin martinis. For those parents of small children, the martini might sound intriguing but not practical. But that doesn't mean they can't enjoy pumpkins. They'll see them everywhere, and they aren't dumb - they know if pumpkins are at the store then that means they can have one. So bring it on - let them have fun and keep it un-scary. Parents wonder why kids have nightmares and it's because they are exposed to some scary stuff. So make Halloween more fun.

 Poster paint is cheap - let the kids loose with some and they'll learn that fun can be created. It doesn't always have to be in the form of a toy. Cheap entertainment.

 For the more creative, and perhaps a little older, kids - let them put lights inside. Healthier than carving a scene from a massacre or a drunk pumpkin tossing it's seeds...

 No knives necessary here. Just paint and a trip to a thrift shop or dollar store.

 Outer space pumpkins are cute and unique.

For the Dad or other adult that just can't keep from "helping" - give them their own pumpkin and let them go at it and make something the kids will recognize. Whatever you choose - either try to keep it non-violent or don't complain when they pick a fight on the playground!

Let the Oktoberfests begin!

This Sat. - Oct 6, Merritt Island will hold it's first Oktoberfest  Street Party, which will replace the one that used to take place in Cocoa Village. Read more here. Then there is the 4-day event Oct 18-21 at Wickham Park - info on that at same location! Cheers!!

Sugar, the surfing rescue dog!

This is what you call " Hangin 60 " !! These dogs were entrants in the 2012 Huntington Beach Dog Surfing contest, held last weekend in CA. Just for participating, each dog got a medal that said "PAW-ticipant" !! And there were plenty of PAW-parazzi to capture some cute photos! These 3 dogs were attempting to establish a Guinness World Record. Follow this link to watch a video of Sugar, the rescue dog as she rides some California waves. TOO cute!!!

FREE surf movie!!

As part of the Women of the Waves series, the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum will present Ten: 10 Years of Women's Longboarding. This epic adventure features over 20 of the top female longboarders in the world with incredible footage from California, Costa Rica, Australia and Hawaii. Free, all-natural, organic popcorn and sodas will be provided. 

Date: Friday Sept 28
Time: Doors open 6:30, movie starts 7 p.m.
Where: Cocoa Beach Public Library
Admission: Free, but donations welcome!!

Grant's BBQ Fest

This weekend, Grant - the tiny town with the big heart - will hold it's 11th annual BBQ Fest at the same location as the Seafood Fest and the Frog's Leg Fest. The BBQ Fest will offer:
* Live Entertainment
• Car Show
• Market Place/Crafts
• People's Choice Contest
• Free Admission - Free Parking
* Kid's Zone

 Times:
Friday 3 - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Program your GPS to 4580 1st Street, Grant, FL or get directions from this link.

Meet Florida beer-makers

Join World of Beer   Saturday September 29 from 4-7 p.m. for a chance to meet brewers from several of Florida's great craft brewery's. They will be offering samples so you can taste your way around the state. A Brewer from each of the following breweries will be here to talk about their products and answer questions.

• Cigar City Brewery, Tampa
• Due South Brewing Co., Boyton Beach
• Florida Beer Co., Melbourne
• Green Room Brewing, Jacksonville Beach
• Swamp Head Brewery, Gainesville

World of Beer is in Avenues of Viera!! Cheers !!

Last week-end...

 Life is Good Music Festival in Canton (Boston), MA....Sept 23....Music all week-end but the best was Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. 2 and 1/2 hours of acoustic guitar. Gotta start a petition and beg them to come here. Anyone interested???? Hint- they usually do fundraisers for charity and green events!