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