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?

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!

Freedom of Speech violation

The movie 2016 is out but not being advertised, announced, or promoted. I remember when Michael Moore made a movie slamming Bush - and that was advertised. What is wrong with this picture? 2016 Trailer link: It doesn't matter what party you are affiliated with - it's called freedom of speech and this is just a longer commercial. If we were bombarded with commercials during the Olympics - why is this movie not getting the same exposure?
CBS News:
" To watch this movie and realize – or simply be reminded of – all that is unknown about President Obama is of concern. Much of the information has been ignored by the American media totally. When appropriately reminded as to what is still unknown about Obama to date, one has to ask: How can any logical-thinking person give a damn about Romney’s taxes while not asking any questions regarding our current president’s past?
The man influences the entire globe, but liberal Americans want to know how much Mitt Romney paid in taxes in the past rather than learn about the man who they have entrusted with the country. Unbelievable. "

Sour grapes?

While most of the opening ceremony for the London Olympics was great fun to watch...quite impressive...

Well, for most of us anyway....
(Wow - I wouldn't want to be the Palace PR person in charge of damage and repair...)

I couldn't help but be angered by the fact that paid professional athletes could compete at what they earned millions for doing anyway...and air shooting was considered a sport...but women's softball isn't good enough for the Olympics. I hope wherever the team is, they were watching and throwing eggs at the TV screen - they deserve to be hostile! Kelly K - you deserve better.

Sports frenzy at Space Coast Stadium

SpaceCoastDaily.com - the best newspaper this area has - will produce the largest-ever gathering of area high school and youth sports athletes at the 1st annual Space Coast High Schools, Colleges and Youth Sports Media Day at Space Coast Stadium. It will take place on Sunday, July 22 and will give the media a one-stop opportunity to interact, interview and photograph all the players and coaches for their upcoming Fall season – which features these sports:
Fall High School Sports:
Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Swimming & Diving, Golf and Bowling
Fall Youth Sports:
Football, Cheerleading, Little League and Soccer


 What a great way to make kids feel good about themselves!

All Brevard County high school and youth sports Fall season athletes, coaches, parents and boosters attending the event will receive a ticket to the Brevard County Manatees game courtesy of SpaceCoastDaily.com.  The Media Day festivities will begin at 2 p.m., and the Manatees game starts at 5:05 p.m.


My only thought is - imagine what could happen if the Space Coast felt the same about academics as it does about sports...for those of us who have seen the football championships painted on the side of a school building, right next to the debate championships, science, math, Odyssey of the Mind, etc - on the same building - well, you just gotta wonder... don't believe me? Check out Miami North H.S. - and be sure to check out how many of their graduates continue their education...

State of the Beach address

As we near the two-year anniversary of the tragic Deepwater Horizon Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter is finally releasing preliminary findings from the "State of the Beach" oil trend study. Below is a summary of the report's top findings:

1. The data collected confirms that Corexit dispersant mixed with crude oil creates a discernible fluorescent signature when illuminated by 370nm wavelength (UV) light.

2. The use of Corexit as a dispersant has inhibited the microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the crude oil and has allowed Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) concentration levels to consistently exhibit high toxicity levels in excess of the carcinogenic exposure level specified by NIH and OSHA.

3. Of the 32 sampling sites, mainly in Florida and Alabama, 26 had PAH concentration levels exceeding the established carcinogenic exposure limits. In only three locations, samples were found to be free of PAH contamination.

4. Seventy-one samples were collected. Twenty-three were tested for oil range organics and 16 exceeded the target clean up levels specified by the EPA. Of the 48 samples submitted for PAH tests, 90% of the samples had contamination levels in excess of the carcinogenic exposure limit.

5. Tar product remaining in the coastal zone contains PAH levels likely to be toxic (levels > 80mg/kg). Wet skin dermal contact and absorption of tar product was documented. This unknown risk for human health and safety should be further studied.

6. Carcinogenic PAH compounds from the toxic tar product that concentrates in surface layers from natural beach processes was found to be leaching into the lower layers of beach sediment. One researcher's published scientific results concluded this could lead to the contamination of local groundwater sources.

The Emerald Coast Chapter began the oil disaster "State of the Beach" monitoring program in June 2010 in an effort to help beach goers who suffered from burning eyes, respiratory problems and other conditions since the spill. Existing government testing results do not provide sufficient information for the public to truly determine if Gulf beaches are "clean" enough for safe recreational use. The Chapter's independent testing provides a valuable source of information.

Click here to read the report.

Reminder: The government has stopped testing the waters of the Gulf - Surfrider never did stop.

Dog beach update

Visited dog beach (which is actually a large sandbox) yesterday. I hadn't realized, at first, how small an area it was...maybe more so because it was almost high tide...but if you stand on the steps of the crossover, you can see very clearly the words "No dogs allowed" on both signs posted on the sand, one to the north (by Canova) and the other to the south (before Raddison) . A football field is longer, I think. Although the people and dogs seemed content I couldn't help but think how much nicer it would be if the dogs could play. A 6 foot leash doesn't allow that...
Personally I think the gov't should allow dogs on stretches that are unused by PAFB. Folks bring their dogs anyway and there has never been a problem. Dogs need space. This small Canova experiment is just to placate people who have managed to legally back the county against a wall, while secretly hoping something happens and they have reason to take it all back after the year.

Gulf Oil fines drifting off to Washington?

The BP disaster released millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf, causing devastating impacts to the region’s beaches, coastal marshes, barrier islands, and wildlife. Yet, unless Congress takes action, fines issued through the Clean Water Act will be used for unrelated federal spending instead of urgently needed environmental restoration.

Restoring the Gulf will provide major benefits to the natural environment, and will also help protect the region’s economy including tourism, recreation, and commercial fishing.

Please TAKE ACTION to support this bipartisan bill and ensure that penalties from the BP disaster are dedicated to restoring the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem!

T

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!

Last minute holiday shopping

Please keep this photo in mind as you grumble about having to stand in line or fight crowds. It's not about the material things - or it's not supposed to be...Merry, Peaceful, Meaningful, Memorable Christmas everyone.

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?

Property tax increase update

Odd, none of this made the Florida Today newspaper....but here is what TV station WFTV reported on the tax increase vote Wednesday night:

"Brevard County commissioners and angry taxpayers battled until early Wednesday morning over a controversial property tax hike, and the commissioners won. The property tax rate will take a big jump for homeowners.

Commissioners and hundreds of taxpayers met in Viera for eight hours, with the meeting lasting until 1 a.m. Angry taxpayers yelled at commissioners and tried to convince them not to approve the controversial tax hike.

Initially, commissioners wanted a 16.9 percent hike, but instead voted on a 14.9 percent hike, and that sent residents reeling. WFTV asked Commissioner Robin Fisher why he and fellow commissioners, Chuck Nelson and Mary Bolin, voted for the tax hike.

"I am not for laying off deputies; I am not for closing parks," Fisher said. "Well, it’s a sensitive issue, but you realize that when you have him roll back his department, deputies there, it’s not intimidation it’s the facts." But, residents like Rev. Earl Medlin said cuts don't have to mean cutting employees. "Every time we call for cuts, the first thing they want to do is threaten us with cutting employees," he said.

Commissioner Trudie Infantini, who voted against the increase, said she agrees. "If we would just cut the spending we wouldn't have a tax increase. It’s completely unnecessary," Infantini said.

Three-quarters of homeowners will see a decrease in their taxes because home values have dropped, but that's not the case for the other 25 percent. Some residents said they're so upset that they'd like to vote the commissioners who approved the hike out of office.

"We need to take and throw out three commissioners as soon as we can, and believe me, elections have consequences," said one resident.

P.S. The salary for County Commissioners is $58,308 a year. I'd like to see their job description.

Sneaky, sneaky Brevard County

Am I the only person who is LIVID about our County Commissioners, who earn $58,300 yearly, voting to increase our property taxes by a whopping 14.9% last night??? If you are a home owner, watch your mailbox for the notice that says your mortgage payment is escalating out of control. Oh, and Florida Today might have it in their paper tomorrow.....

One Beach - a movie

If you haven't seen the movie One Beach - do it. Now!! It's beautiful and it's short. Most of all, it's important to all of us who live, love and depend on the beach. Support Surfrider, drink Barefoot wine and help keep our coastline from turning into a landfill.

Up to speed

Yahoo News reported this morning that of the 15 most dangerous cities to drive in (gauge is fatality #s) within the USA - Florida can claim 4 spots, including the top two. For us, Orlando is closest, coming in at #2 (We can blame tourists for that). Jacksonville is #11 (Blame the never-ending construction) and St Petersburg is #12 (We can blame old people there). And the top slot goes to Ft. Lauderdale. For all of I-95, I choose excessive speed and impatience as the cause. You can widen it, fix what needs to be repaired, but you can't fix attitude.

This is the Beltway, in or darn close to Arlington, VA - rated the safest place to drive in the USA. The traffic is horrific, no matter the hour, and the only reason more people aren't killed there is because it's impossible to travel fast. There are fender-benders in the thousands but no-one can go fast enough to have a serious impact. I rest my case!