Don’t Fill Your Thanksgiving Holidays With Just Turkey and Football!

There’s a blessed four day weekend staring at us bigger than the 18lb turkey ready to be thrown in the smoker.  So why not go out and enjoy it rather than sitting at home glued to a 52 inch plasma TV.  Plus if you really want to see the game you can DVr it for later.

So here’s my list of FREE fun events on Florida’s Space Coast.  Unfortunately, if you’re not in driving distance this list will be totally worthless to you, but those who’ve lucked out and scored another beautiful holiday on our shores, this lists is for you:

1. Watch the Landing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis planned for Friday, November 27 @ 9:44 EST at Kennedy Space Center. 

2. Join the City of Cocoa as they officially light their Christmas tree in Riverfront Park, followed by the ever popular boat parade.  Afterwards visit with Santa Claus, skate in their outdoor ice skating rink, or watch a holiday movie classic on their outdoor jumbo screen. The 7th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Space Coast Boat Parade will be held on Friday, November 27 from 5:00pm-9:30pm.

3. Check your health at Health First Health Plans Health & Fitness Expo which will feature more than 20 exhibitors featuring the newest designs in running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition. Saturday, November 28 at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts.

4. Pick up fresh fruit while listening to live music at Eau Gallie Farmer’s Market.  The market will feature organic honey, fresh fruit and veggies, flowers, baked goods and arts and crafts. 8 am – 2 pm at Eau Gallie Square Park in Melbourne Saturday November 28.

5. Discover the next Picasso at the 46th Annual Space Coast Art Festival at 36 N. Brevard Ave. in Cocoa Beach.  This juried show of fine arts and fine crafts will also feature food, live performances, and a 5K Run.  November 28-29.

6.  Enjoy an evening of some pickin’ and a grinnin’ with some good bluegrass music at Night Sounds at Sebastian Inlet Concert Series with Atlantic Bluegrass from 7 to 9 PM.  The concert will be at the Sebastian Inlet State Park’s pavilions @ Coconut Point, located on the south side over looking the water. 

7.  Start your holiday shopping early at the Christmas Market in Cocoa Village while enjoying live entertainment, goodies, and special discounts offered by Village merchants.  Shops will be open later for your convenience.  Sunday, November 29 from 11am-8pm. And If you spend $50 or more with the Cocoa Village merchan 

8. Enjoy an late afternoon of smooth jazz at the Twilight Jazz in the Panthereum free concert series on Florida Tech’s Campus in Melbourne.  WFIT 89.5 FM hosts this monthly musical concert which will feature the Lorri Hafer Jazz Quartet. Sunday, November 29 from 3pm – 6pm.

9. Join Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge again for an easy 1 mile loop on the Scrub Ridge Trail Hike. Learn about plants and animals that survive in this endangered and unique habitat containing more than 400,000 acres of protected lands. The tour will be on Sunday, November 29 at 10 am. Call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

I hope my recommendations make your belt lighter and your pockets heavier!  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!:)

National Wildlife Refuge Needs Cleaning Crews

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida has adopted a new litter campaign the Adopt a Trail…Shore…Spot…Road Program. 

 Patterned after the national Adopt a Road program, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge’s Adopt a Trail…Shore…Spot…Road program’s objectives are to reduce and control litter on the Refuge through public involvement/volunteers, improve Refuge habitats, improve the overall appearance of the Refuge to enhance visitor experiences, and increase stewardship from the local community.

The Refuge is looking for families, businesses, professional associations, clubs, civic clubs, and school groups to participate for at least a one or two year commitment and will conduct clean ups in their Adopted Area at least three times per year for at least three hours each time.

Interior roadways such as Biolab Road and Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, shorelines inside the Refuge and along roadways and dikes, trails, and spots such as the Refuge entrance and the Manatee Deck are available for adoption. Designations will be Adopt a Shore, Adopt a Road, Adopt a Trail, and Adopt a Spot.

Recognition for actively participating organizations will include a Certificate of Adoption suitable for framing and display, a permanent sign at the adopted area, listing in the Habichat, and an annual event such as a hot dog roast. So what can be more green than helping a national park maintain its interior landscape?  If you’re interested in this green project, call Ranger Nancy Corona at 321-861-0668 for more information.

Refuge Facts

• Established August 28,1963
• 140,000 acres
• Seven distinct types of habitat
• 15 Federally listed Threatened or Endangered Species
• More than 500 species of wildlife
• More than 1,000 species of plants

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Conservation Evening

The Brevard Zoo is hosting a series of talks called Conservation Evenings to benefit their wildlife conservatin program.  The 3 program series will feature ,Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo; Ian Nichols, wildlife photographer and conservationist; and Dr. Paul Andreadis of Denison and Stetson Universities.

 

Jack Hanna
Date: Friday, November 20
Lecture Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: Nyami Nyami River Lodge
Cost: $25 per person
Meet and Greet with Jack from 6 to 7 p.m. at a cost of $50 per person.
Total Package: $75

Jack Hanna, best known for his television show (Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures) and appearances on programs such as Good Morning America and the David Letterman Show, has been director and then Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo for more than 30 years. What most people don’t know is that Jack Hanna has been a pioneer in the zoo world through his commitment to promoting the Columbus Zoo’s support of field conservation and research for the last 20 years. Jack’s conservation commitment created a conservation ethic that has resulted in over $3.8 million dollars being allocated in just the last five years alone through the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund (CZCF).

Ian Nichols

Date: Thursday December 10
Lecture Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: Nyami Nyami River Lodge
Cost: $8 for Talk
$7 for Meet and Greet with Mr. Nichols, 6 to 7 p.m.
Total Package: $15

Upon graduation from the University of Virginia in 2005, Nichols applied for a grant to photograph “naive chimps” at the Goualougo research site in Congo where he spent two years photographing undocumented “tool use.” These two years produced a story on Lowland Gorillas for NGM in January 2008 and an upcoming article on tool use and chimpanzees to be published in NGM in February 2010. He was also part of the Bioko Expedition in the August 2008 issue of NGM. Patient and sensitive to the nuances of primate behavior, Nichols has captured rare glimpses into man’s closest relative. His intention is to capture authentic moments that inspire awareness in others and foster positive change in our world.

To reserve a seat for Brevard Zoo’s Conservation Evenings, please call 321.254.9453 x 234 or email lpalardy@brevardzoo.org. Ticket prices vary per evening and can be sold individually. However, the Zoo is offering a discounted ticket on the entire Conservation Evenings series, all three for $95, a savings of $10. All proceeds will benefit Brevard Zoo’s wildlife conservation programs.

Photos courtesy of Ian Nichols (gorilla) and Sheldrick Trust (Jack Hanna)

 

US Airways Restarts Service to Melbourne, FL

US Airways announced on Monday morning that they will resume air service between their hub Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC and Melbourne International Airport located in Melbourne, FL.

Richard Sheinwald/ Bloomberg News

The world’s fifth largest airline will offer three flights a day seven days a week service beginning February 11, 2010 putting them in direct competition with the only other major carrier at Melbourne International Airport – Delta Airlines.

US Airways operated out of Melbourne International Airport from 1989 to 1997 and will be a very welcome addition to the airports current lineup.  Tickets for the

Haunted Houses, Rocky Horror, and Street Festival Lead Halloween Fan Fare

Halloween has long been a favorite holiday of mine.  Who wouldn’t love the colors, the opportunity to dress up in costumes, carve jack-o-lanterns and eats ton of candy without retribution? 

Even though I don’t feel like Halloween is as great as it used to be – what a bummer it must be to trick-o-treat in one’s neighbor mall -there are still enough events going on locally to intice this jaded soul to go out and partake in what my area – Florida’s Space Coast - has to offer.

Halloween officially begins for me tonight!  The first annual Halloween in the Village, which is touted as being one of the largest on the Space Coast since it will be taking over all of downtown Cocoa Village. 

Activities will include a haunted house at The Porcher House, haunted hayrides, trick-o-treating with candy provided by Village shoppes, pumpkin decorating, a children’s costume contest and a viewing of the movie Monster Mash on the shores of the Indian River. 

If your taste runs more to the historic you can join the Florida Historical Society .  They will showcase the last movie on their Florida History Film Festival schedule, The Canaveral Monster beginning at 7:00 p.m.  

 

Want more adult fare?  Try your luck at Meg-O-Malley’s Annual Meg-O-Ween!  This 2-day fun-filled street party will feature a live bands, costumes, and a street party. The fun begins @ 6p.m. sharp and there’s a $10 cover charge to enter the festival area. Check out their full schedule.

 

On Saturday, I’m headed to Surfside Players - the oldest theatrical troupe on Cocoa Beach - who’s hosting the full movie version of  The Rocky Horror Picture Show performed by a shadow cast complete with audience participation & props. Even though the performance has been running for a week or so and will again be presented next weekend, I saved the event for Halloween because I figured the magic would be heightened on one of my favorite holidays.  If you interested in going there will be two shows one at 8pm and another at 11:30p.m. 

Whatever you plan to do on Halloween, I hope you are able to get your creep on!  I a will:)

Click here for a full calendar of Halloween events

Kowabunga! Surf’s Up On Florida’s East Coast!

Pull out the board shorts, bikinis and surf wax!  During the first two weeks of November, Florida’s Space Coast will play host to not one, but three major surfing events. 

From October 31-November 2, the AAU National Surfing Championship will draw surfers as young as the age of eight in hopes of becoming the King or Queen of the Grom!  The AAU National Surfing Championships will be held the last weekend in October behind Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway in world famous Cocoa Beach. 

Immediately following the AAU National Surfing Championship, The Slater Brother’s Invitational along with the 15th Annual Quiksilver King of the Peak surfing contest, will run concurrently the weekend of November 6-8.  Both events will wash ashore with a whole slew of events and head on head competition not only in the water, but on land as well!  And both will hosts pro talents such as C.J. and Damien Hobgood, Rob Machado, Shea Lopez and 9-time ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater!

 Weekend highlights include a street party which will take over Port Canaveral, shortboard and longboard contests skateboarding demos, a bon fire party and FREE skin cancer screenings. For a full schedule visit www.space-coast.com. 

If you can’t be in town for the any of the action, don’t worry!  All events will be streamed live at www.spacecoastsportstv.com.  But if you plan to attend check out Florida Space Coast’s special online only rates good through November 31, 2009.

NASA Launches New iPhone Application

NASA has launched itself into a different king of space. Mobile Space.  With the development of their very first iPhone application, designed by their New Media Team at NASA Ames Research Center.  The new mobile app is set to deliver up-to-the-minute NASA content directly from Agency sources in one easy-to-use mobile platform.

The software, which is free, makes use of built-in iPhone features and usability to offer NASA information in the form of dynamically updated information, images from their vast library and video links.  The NASA App is available in the App Store  from Apple directly to the iPhone and iPod Touch or within iTunes.

To send a comment or ask a question about the NASA app for iPhone, please send e-mail to: arc-dl-iphone@mail.nasa.gov.  So that they can sort e-mail and respond more effectively, please include a specific subject line.

NASA’s next launch into outer space is scheduled for November 16 STS-Mission 129.

 

JA, it’s time for Oktoberfest!

Fall is in the air…it’s the middle of October and every one knows what that means?  Halloween is in 10 days?  That and the fact that communities around the world are holding their annual Oktoberfest celebrations!

 

   

Oktoberfest, Munich

 

Starting as a wedding celebration for the recent marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and his bride Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, a simple horse race almost 200 years ago has turned into two weeks of  festivities in Munich, Germany and smaller celebrations throughout the world even right here on Florida’s Space Coast.   

 

Prince Ludwig – 1831

  

  

 Princese Therese

 

 Last week, the 32nd Annual Melbourne Oktoberfest was held in Melbourne’s Wickham Park.  Usually attracting thousands of revelers throughout the county and surrounding areas, this year’s festival, the longest running on the Space Coast, was no exception since it continues to offer authentic German food, music and beverages and carnival rides. 

 

 Beer…

  

  

 Bratwurst…

 

 

 

and Sauerkraut for everyone!

 

If you missed it usually you have to wait until next year, but not so this year.  Brevard Night Life will present the 1st Annual Cocoa Village Oktoberfest in Downtown Cocoa Village from October 23 – 25.   Event coordinators have scheduled a street parade, a midway with rides and games, over a dozen street vendors serving German cuisine, live music on two states, and a Beer Garden.   Tickets for the street party are on sale at Savings Safari, 3670 N. US Hwy. 1 in Cocoa or at festival gates. 

 

 

Schedule of Events

Thursday, October 22

Brevard County Schools Night
5:30 pm – 10 pm

All Brevard County Students get an Unlimited Ride armband for just $10 when they show their student ID (or equivalent).

Friday, October 23
5:30 pm -1:00 am
Halloween Party Friday. Dress up for the costume contest.

Saturday, October 24
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION -Carnival & Midway Riverfront Park

5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Oktoberfest Street Party – Brevard Ave. & Harrison St.
$10 Per Person
Four Stages & Much More!

Sunday, October 25
11:30 am – 8 pm
FREE ADMISSION Carnival & Midway Riverfront Park

 Historic Cocoa Village is located in historic downtown Cocoa between U.S. 1 and the Indian River, adjacent to State Road 520.  Click here for driving directions.

NASA Will Treat Those Who Tweet

For the first time, @NASA Twitter followers are invited to view a space shuttle launch in person.  NASA is hosting this unique Tweetup on Nov. 11 and 12 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast.

The two-day event will provide NASA Twitter followers with the opportunity to take a tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, view the space shuttle launch and speak with shuttle technicians, engineers, astronauts and managers.

The Tweetup will include a “meet and greet” session to allow participants to mingle with fellow Tweeps and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA.

Space shuttle Atlantis is targeted to launch at 4:04 p.m. EST on Nov. 12 on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station.

For rules visit http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate/tweetup.html

Delta Airlines To Support Local Breast Cancer Walk

 

Throughout the month of October, Delta’s pink 757, tail number N610DL, is making appearances at local airshows in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  However, it was just announced that Delta will fly the plane into Melbourne International Airport  in Melbourne, Florida on October 23 a day ahead of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Brevard Walk at the Avenues Viera on Saturday, October 24! 

Instead of Delta’s traditional livery, this aircraft wears a special livery in multiple shades of pink, featuring the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s trademark pink ribbon logo, adjacent to the boarding door.  Also, Delta flight attendants  don limited-edition pink dresses and pink uniform accessories and patrons can order pink lemonade onboard with 100% of the proceeds going toward the fight against breast cancer.

  

 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer honors breast cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to help end this disease.  Making Strides is not a race; it is a celebration of survivorship, an occasion to express hope, and a shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people. Teams of walkers and people of all ages are welcome to participate.

If you’d like to participate in the walk at the Avenues Viera, 6550 Colonnade Ave, in Melbourne, FL 32940, just click on the sign-up button :