Tropical Smoothie of Suntree has partnered with the Zoo to help them raise money for the Zoo’s Education and Conservation Programs.

Once a month, Tropical Smoothie will choose a day and timeframe in which 15% of sales during that time will go back to Brevard Zoo. The first promotion is January 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with their Education Dept.’s new Safari Adventure Night Hikes

Download the flier and take it with you on January 16 to Tropical Smoothie Café of Suntree, purchase a delicious smoothie or sandwich, and the Zoo will receive 15% of sales.

Direct Air has come up with the perfect stocking stuffer!  Customers can purchase ticket vouchers for their families to fly to 15 Direct Air destinations up and down the east coast and mid-west, including Melbourne, Florida’s new nonstop flights to Washington Dulles and Niagara Falls/southern Ontario.  The promotion began Sunday, December 13 via www.VisitDirectAir.com. 

Here’s the best part. The tickets are valid for nearly a year and need not be purchased by the intended passenger– making it the perfect travel gift. Travel must occur between Jan. 11 and Oct. 31, 2010. There’s just over a week left to grab those tickets during the promotion, which ends Dec. 23. 

In addition to online, tickets can be purchased by calling 877-432-DIRECT (3473) between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. seven days a week.

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!:)

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

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 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

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

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 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.