Tuesday, January 24, 2012

History comes alive!!


A special book signing will take place this Sunday, Jan 29 at House of Joe (Coffee Shop), 1220 W New Haven, Melbourne, 32904. Time: 2 - 4 p.m. The book: In His Eyes, with Photography by Nicholas Orzio of Viera. The book is narrated by his daughter, Carole Orzio Schryber. Visit Nicholas Orzio's website at www.nicholasorzio.com.

The International Photography Hall of Fame writes "...The insightfulness and vision that Nicholas used in capturing the compelling images in this collection speaks volumes of his ability to not only see what most people never see, but to capture that vision in an image and preserve it forever! Following this work [Beginnings: Images of Occupied Japan]...he allowed his vision to explore and capture the beauty of God's creations. Hopefully this publication will begin to direct the recognition Nicholas deserves for his contribution to the art and science of photography."—Michael R Scalf Sr, Executive Director, International Photography Hall of Fame

To read about Nick and his amazing travels, follow this link. To talk to him is to have history come alive - don't miss the opportunity!

S.O.S.: Last chance to save Satellite Beach waters

Surfrider needs your help!
What would you do if one of your favorite surf spots was going to be ruined - forever? Breaks like RC's, Mark Realty, Paradise Park, Peg Legs, changed forever from a well formed reef break to a closed out, possibly dangerous shorepound. Would it make you more angry if the project not only ruined a world class wave, but also buried a federally protected reef system? And is it over the top that the buried reef happened to be an Essential Fish Habitat for grouper plus served as protection for juvenile sea turtles? What about the eco-tourism jobs that these reef provide? Just Gone?!

The ACOE has released it’s ‘’final plan’’ for the mid reach (the 7.8 miles of beach from south end of PAFB to north Indialantic). This area has been spared the type of large-scale ‘’beach renourishment’’ projects that have ruined surfing and fishing up and down our coast. Because of the unique coquina reef which is a Federally protected fish habitat, the ACOE has had to formulate a plan ‘’they say’’ will only bury a few acres of reef. We all know how accurate the ACOE is at predicting the outcome of their projects (not).

Many of us who use this area understand what a treasure we have in this reef. The structured bottom creates some of the best surf in Florida. The beach fishing is nearly as famous as the surf spots; the reef supports a wide variety of species by providing habitat and food. Anyone who has been snorkeling in the area knows how rich it is in life, and there’s nothing else like it in Brevard County. And it brings thousands of visitors, who spend money here, to our shores!

Overall, they are not fixing the problem - which is the seawalls, crossovers, and pipes that are causing the upland erosion.
**They don't have proof of worm reef growing on the mitigation reef (Their test reef was buried by sediment, killing off most of the growth)
**They don't have an answer to if juvenile fish can survive in deeper water
**They don't have a plan to install the mitigation reef first, which is recommended
**They don't prove that the sand won't affect surfing or fishing
**They only had two public hearings, neither offering a chance for adequate discussion on the alternatives
**They don't take into account the abrupt change in water depth when extending the beach, endangering swimmers

And it's $165 million, dumping sand on reefs for the next 50 years (that's without a change in cost or availability)

The primary justification for the project is $11.5M PER YEAR of ‘’storm damage reduction’’ in that 7.8 mile stretch – that is, the damage to structures will be $11.5M/yr less with the project, compared to no project. An independent peer review of the ‘’plan’’ seriously questioned this number, but the ACOE is sticking with it…

Please help Surfrider be it's primary defenders. SAVE THE REEF!

YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.. Now.. Click on the email address below and submit your comments. You only have until Monday, January 30th. It is not too late!

EMAIL: Paul.E.Stodola@usace.army.mil
Subject - Brevard Mid Reach

Copy your comments to your local paper (who hasn't covered this and probably won't) and local representatives. Thank you for your continued support and time! - Surfrider: our coast's protector!

Friday, January 20, 2012

So many choices

Many events happening this week-end!!!!
1) Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival
There is of course the Frog Leg and Gator Tail Dinners. There is also a variety of food available from Sausage and Peppers to Candy Apples. There are also Midway Rides for the young as well as the more adventurous and plenty of games. There is a full schedule of entertainment on stage including Great Bands, and More. Don't miss the Great Crafters and Artisans. 100 Crafter booths to choose from. Come shop till you drop. Fri-Sun. Check website for hours, directions, etc...
2) 2012 Silver Chest Antiques Show at the Melbourne Auditorium. Fri-Sun Come buy/sell/or just browse. Bring your broken crystal for repairs, too!
3)
1st Annual Florida Key Lime Pie Festival!! Jan 21 (Sat 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
The event will feature Florida’s State Chef and Culinary Ambassador, along with an array of some of the state’s most savored and well respected restaurants. Each of which will be showcasing dishes reflecting their Chef’s unique culinary flare, utilizing an infusion and presentation of Florida’s infamous citrus favorite the “Key Lime”.
The Florida Key Lime Pie Company will also be introducing a contest featuring Florida’s first “Miss Florida Key Lime Pie”, as well as the company’s ever popular “Florida Key Lime Pie Eating Contest” and new The Best of Florida’s Bartenders “Key Lime Pie Martini” and “Key Lime Pie Margarita” Challenge.

Location: Location: International Palms Resort & Conference Center 1300 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, Florida
More info: http://www.floridakeylimepiefestival.com/
4)
'Storm Riders - A Surf Film' at the Cocoa Beach Library - Sat Jan 21 from 7-9 p.m. : Viewers will experience the excitement, the terror, the sheer force of the ocean as Storm Riders travel to five continents to discover the exotic jungles of Hawaii, Sumatra, Java and Bali; brave the treacherous coastline of Africa and the blistering desert outback of the Great Australian Bight in the greatest ocean adventure ever filmed. Featured surfers are Mark Richards, Wayne Lynch, Rabbit Bartholomew, Gerry Lopez, Simon Anderson, Shaun Tomson, Joe Engle, Thornton Fallander, Peter McCabe and Tom Carroll. It is sponsored by The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum, and refreshments will be served. Location: Cocoa Beach Library: 550 N. Brevard Av, Cocoa Beach 32931.
5)
22nd Annual Indialantic Art Festival - Sat & Sun at Nance Park 4 Wavecrest Ave Indialantic, FL 32903. Time:
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The quaint, oceanfront town of Indialantic is the backdrop for this Annual Art Festival held along the Atlantic Ocean off A1A. More than 100 of the nation’s finest artists, blending a perfect balance of well-known favorites and the latest names in the contemporary art scene, will converge on Nance Park for two memorable days. Stroll among life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics and much, much, more.
6) Beach Clean-up at Seagull Park, Satellite Beach - 8 a.m. - noon. 80 degrees and sunny! Ya-hoo!!





Thursday, January 12, 2012

Indialantic Art Festival

The Indialantic Art Festival, hosted by the city of Indialantic, features the finest artists in the country including top local talent for a truly eclectic exhibit of quality original art. Prices are set to suit all budgets and range from $25 hand-designed earrings to $30,000 metal sculptures. This popular high-end outdoor festival will take place at Nance Park, located directly on the ocean and AIA. Admission is free and open to the public.

The artists are juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity. All of their artwork is original and handmade in America. “Festival goers will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their techniques and inspiration as they stroll past the booths of more than 100 participating artists,” says festival promoter Howard Alan. There will be a variety of styles and a myriad of media to explore including paintings, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage and ceramics.

When:
January 21 - 22, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Where: Nance Park in Indialantic - 4 Wavecrest Ave. Indialantic, FL 32903

Sea Shell Festival Jan 14&15!!

Astronaut Trail Shell Club will host its 31st Sea Shell Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Melbourne Auditorium, 624 Hibiscus Blvd. If you've never gone to one of these, you are in for a treat. If you collect - or even just pick up - shells, you'll go crazy. There are specimens that collectors have found all over the world - and their stories are amazing. There are things made of shells, books about shells, and shells for sale. A shell-lovers paradise! You'll see shells you've never seen before!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Br-r-r-r-r

Welcome to Florida - 88 degrees and perfect beach day on Sunday (Jan 1). 38 degrees and NOT quite perfect on Tuesday (Jan 3). Welcome to Florida!!

Brevard's First Bridal Show of 2012

Brevard's First Bridal Show of 2012
Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera
Saturday, Jan 7 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
8298 N. Wickham Road Melbourne FL
$7 in advance, $10 at the door
For info call: 321-636-5747 x7
Pre-register online at:
www.PWGshows.com