Brevard Zoo offers free admission Saturday nights

The Space Coast is truly lucky to have the Brevard Zoo. This zoo
is a community zoo, built entirely by 16,000 volunteers, which
means it can offer wonderful deals. During the summer, on every
Saturday night, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., admission is free.
Although a few of the exhibits aren't open, the majority are.
The kayak rides and the train ride are available, as is the chance
to feed the giraffes. Reasonably priced food, a clean place to
enjoy it, and live music makes this deal one of the summer's best!
For an in-depth view of the zoo, as well as lots of photos, go to
the Brevard Zoo Examiner.

Live music at Ron Jon's

Ron Jon's Surf Shop, on A1A in Cocoa Beach, features live music
every Saturday from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Popular local musicians
are featured and the key word is casual. One particular crowd-
pleaser is singer and songwriter Danny Morris.



Danny came to the Space Coast in 2003 and is known for songs
inspired by the sun, the surf, and the sand. He can be seen at
Ron Jon's on the following Saturdays: July 17, 25th, August 7th,
and September 5th. Showtime 12 noon - 4 p.m. To learn more about
Danny Morris and his music career, visit Space Coast Events Examiner.

Surfside Players present the musical Hair

Ever wish you could go back in time? Do you wonder what it was like,
say in the 60's? Well, here is your chance to get a glimpse. Cocoa
Beach has the only beachside theatre on the Space Coast, and they are
doing the rock musical Hair. This is the rock musical that took
Broadway by storm in 1968 and is still rocking it today. This writer
has seen the musical three times and each time it just gets better.
The show will only be for one week-end, July 16 & 17, and it will
begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets, directions, and more info available at
321-783-3127 or on their web site. Recommended for mature audiences only!

Summertime Baseball deals

The Space Coast Stadium and Brevard County Manatees have some
great promotions that make going to an evening game impossible
to resist. For those thirteen and under, there are 'Mini-Tees'
nights, which means free admission to all Friday and Sunday home
games. Sign up at the box office, pay $20, and the rest of the
season is yours. Other promos include military, college alumni,
college student, ladies, realtors, and Harris employees nights
which translates to either free or greatly reduced tickets. The
night games start at 7:05 p.m.. Visit their website for schedule
and promos: www.minorleaguebaseball.com/promotions.

July 5th

This is Cocoa Beach, where thousands sat on the beach and watched
the fireworks being launched from the barge. Has someone ever had
the notion that recycling containers on the beach just might work?

This is another section of Cocoa Beach. Keep Brevard Beautiful
and Surfrider Foundation both had organized clean-ups planned.

This is my unorganized clean-up. The empty spool of thread gets my
vote for strangest item found on the beach this day.

Farmer's Markets

The Space Coast is blessed to have seven Farmer's Markets in
operation. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

1) Cocoa - at Myrt Tharpe Square, Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ph 321-633-0806 www.CocoaMainStreet.com

2) Cocoa Beach - Cocoa Beach City Hall, Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ph 321-917-0721 www.cocoabeachfarmersmarketpage.com

3) Eau Gallie - Square Park on Highland Ave., Sat. 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ph 321-254-3261 www.brevardfarmersmarketpage.com

4) Rockledge - McLarty Park, Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ph 321-917-0721 www.rockledgefarmersmarketpage.com

5) Satellite Beach - Lori Lane Plaza, Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ph 321-917-0721

6) Titusville - U.S.1 & Broad Street, Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

7) West Melbourne - Crossroads Park, Last Sunday of month, open
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ph 321-917-0721

8) Wickham Park - In the Equestrian area. Thursdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Info at www.brevardfarmersmarketpage.com

Farmers Markets are a great way to support both local and small
business. They offer fresh produce, honeys and jams, baked goods,
flowers and plants, handmade soap and beauty products, and more!

The morning after

Fireworks and partying are standard fare for the fourth of July,
but they are messy business. There are several organized clean-up
projects for July 5th, but don't feel obligated to join one. You
can do what I do and be your own committee. Who you go with isn't
as important as just going and doing it. Some stuff has already
gone out to sea with the tides and will be mistaken for food. Try
to prevent any more from going out. Sea critters will thank you.

Tis the season

Newcomers and natives alike need to be reminded that we are now
entering Florida's rainy season. And most of that rain will be the
result of a thunderstorm. Florida isn't called the 'Lightening
capitol of the country' for nothing. It's because we lead the nation
in deaths caused from lightening strikes. This group of clouds was
impressive enough to send everyone on the beach, even the fearless
tourists, scattering to their cars. It just crept up, as it often does
Don'y rely on the weather forecasts. In Florida, they aren't always
dependable because sea breezes rule.

Independence Day Weekend

Independence Day celebrations galore are planned along the Space
Coast. No matter what age you are, there is something for everyone.
Here is a sampling of some of the wonderful things planned:

Palm Bay
Saturday, July 3rd, BCC Palm Bay Campus will have patriotic bike
parade for kids ten and under, plus live music, food vendors, games,
bounce house, and water slides. FREE admission, FREE parking.
Fireworks 9pm! Visit www.playpalmbay.org for details.

Titusville
Sun., July 4th, "Red, White and Boom" at Space Coast Regional Airport
begins at 5 p.m. There will be flyovers, aircraft displays, food, and a
live performance by the Space Coast Pops Orchestra. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Cocoa Riverfront Park
A 4th of July Pops Concert with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra
will be held at 8 p.m.. The music will include patriotic favorites plus
some musical salutes to local 'Space Coast Heroes', which includes our
military, emergency service professionals, and our space pioneers. The
fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

City of Melbourne
On Saturday, July 3rd, starting at 11 a.m., an 'Honor America' parade
will take place on New Haven Ave. Fireworks along the causeway will be
at 9 p.m. with free shuttle service from Melbourne Auditorium, which
will start at 7:10 p.m.

Viera
On July 4th, the Great American Celebration, complete with barbecue,
baseball and fireworks will begin at 5 p.m. at Space Coast Stadium.
More info at www.viera.com

Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral
The hugely-popular fireworks from the barge offshore at A1A & 520 will
begin at 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th (Rain date July 5).

The Great American Celebration

The 16th annual "Great American Celebration" is coming to the Space
Coast Stadium in Viera. Scheduled for Sunday, July 4th, the stadium
gates will open at 5:30 p.m.. At 6:05, the game between the Brevard
County Manatees and the Tampa Yankees will begin.

During the evening, an all-you-can-eat barbecue will be available on
the grassy area behind left field. Besides all the wonderful food and
baseball, atendees will receive a souvenir item. And, of course, there
will be fireworks following the game.

Tickets may be purchased at Viera Realty, 254-4800, (Wal-Mart parking
lot in Viera), or Community Educators Credit Union, 690-2328, located
on Murrell Rd. For more info: email judi.john@duda.com