"COCOA BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL"

LORI WILSON PARK TO BE CLOSED ON MARCH 13th for
"COCOA BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL"
Cocoa Beach ~ Lori Wilson Park will be closed on Saturday, March 13th to make room for the upcoming "Cocoa Beach Wine & Food Festival". The featured entertainment will be the ever-popular band-group "Three Dog Night". Numerous local area restaurants will be showcasing their specialty cuisines which can be complemented by a glass of wine, also available for purchase during the fest.

Note for dog owners: The Brevard County "Dog Park" will be closed all day on March 13th.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT: Please call (321) 633-1874

COCOA BEACH "TOWN HALL MEETING"

TUESDAY NIGHT - MARCH 2nd - @ 6:00PM
Cocoa Beach Country Club

Mayor Skip Beeler will present a briefing on the
"STATE OF THE CITY"
Free refreshments will be available
Come out and meet the Mayor and City Commissioners
and the Key City Staff Directors
Ask questions, be informed, get involved!

Sunset on the Banana River

Sunset on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach on Valentines Day

Swim Training for Adults at the Cocoa Beach Country Club Pool

SWIM TRAINING FOR ADULTS ~ COCOA BEACH AQUATIC CENTER

Chuck Nelson to Host "Open House" at Cocoa Beach Public Library on January 22nd

Brevard County Commissioner Chuck Nelson to Host "Open House" at Cocoa Beach Public Library on January 22nd

Brevard County Commissioner Chuck Nelson, who represents District 2, will host an "Open House" on Friday, January 22nd from10:00am to Noon at the Cocoa Beach Public Library
located at 550 North Brevard Avenue, Cocoa Beach.
District 2 includes Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral,
Avon by the Sea, Snug Harbor, Patrick Air Force Base and Kennedy Space Center.
The purpose of the Open House is to encourage residents to speak with Commissioner Nelson about "community issues".
For more informaiton, please contact the District 2 office at (321) 454-6601

Michael Greger, MD Cocoa Beach Library Jan, 30 Free Seminar

Healthy Planet of Brevard Presents
Michael Greger, MD
Topic: “The Latest in Clinical Nutrition from 2009”
Back by popular demand from Washington, DC. Dr. Greger will be reporting on the latest in clinical nutrition from 2009.

Covering about 80 topics, Dr. Greger will include discussion on:
· The #1 Cancer Fighting Vegetable
· How Can we best Prevent and Treat Diabetes?
· Is Salt O.K. with Normal Blood Pressure?
· Which Artificial Sweetener is best?
· What is the Latest on Chocolate and Coffee?
· What is the optimal # of hours to sleep?

Dr. Greger is a dynamic and informative speaker who always fills the room.
Come early to get a seat! Free to the Public.
When: Saturday, January 30, 2010
Where: Cocoa Beach Library
Time: 1:00 pm
Vegan food for tasting will be provided after the seminar.
Questions? Please call Claudia Davis @ 321-960-2577

Hot Nights in the City Event at Cocoa Beach Country Club Feb 19

FREEDOM 7 SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTING THE 4TH ANNUAL
"HOT NIGHTS IN THE CITY" EVENT AT COCOA BEACH COUNTRY CLUB
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010

2009 COCOA BEACH HOLIDAY LIGHTING CONTEST WINNERS!

2009 COCOA BEACH HOLIDAY LIGHTING CONTEST WINNERS!
Representatives from the Cocoa Beach Garden Club have selected this year's winners of the Cocoa Beach Holiday Lighting Contest. Here is an address listing of the winners, so it's not too late for you to check 'em all out before Christmas.

The winners will be recognized at the January 7th Commission meeting.

The Winners, Runner Ups, Honorable Mentions (and as a little surprise) the Best Neighborhood follows:

BUSINESS WINNER:
Beach Island Resort
BUSINESS RUNNER-UP:
Gregory's, Ocean Landings Resort
CONDO WINNER:
Rock Pointe
CONDO RUNNER-UP:
Stonewood
RESIDENCE WINNER:
151 W. Suwannee Lane
RESIDENCE 1st RUNNER-UP:
109 Aucila Road
RESIDENCE 2nd RUNNER-UP:
190 St. Croix Avenue
RESIDENCE HONORABLE MENTIONS:
434 Blakey Blvd.
104 Osceola Lane
467 Dempsey Drive
124 W. Leon Lane
369 Dorset Drive
406 Dorset Drive
412 Dorset Drive
470 4th Street North
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD:
Venetian Way

WE ALL WISH YOU AND YOURS A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

Cocoa Beach Events Saturday Oct 24

October 24, 2009 - Saturday Starting at 9:00am.....

RUMMAGE SALE
Fundraiser for FREEDOM 7 SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
When: 9:00AM—1:00PM (No Early Birds, Please)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Where: Auditorium of Cocoa Beach Country Club
5000 Tom Warriner Blvd. Cocoa Beach 32931
321-783-9505
Admission as a shopper .. is FREE
Who: Everyone is invited – event is open to the public!
What: A lot of unique and bargain items, collectible plates, collectible toys, clothes, household items, everything under the sun
Freedom 7 Senior Community Center will have its own tables.
Snack bar will be available

GOLD Buying Party!
Same day - same building, up the hall from us, in the Dining Room
from Noon to 5:00 pm is another fundraising event !!
You can attend both functions if so inclined!!
Cocoa Beach Woman’s Club is throwing a Gold Buying Party -
admission to that is only $5.00 includes free gem and food!
You might sell your “old gold”. Raffle to win a diamond necklace!!
Contact: Julia George @ 321-868-7393 with questions

Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High wins Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award

Two Brevard schools win national awards. Schools will be honored in Washington, D.C.
BY MEGAN DOWNS • FLORIDA TODAY • September 16, 2009

Two Brevard schools were named 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence on Tuesday, the top national award for quality education.

Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High and Ralph M. Williams Elementary in Viera received the accolade after finishing in the top 10 percentile on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, making adequate yearly progress and meeting other standards of high performance after a lengthy self-nominating process.

"It is evident that these schools are committed to student achievement and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure success," Superintendent Brian Binggeli said.
Twelve schools in Florida received the honor this year from the U.S. Department of Education.
"We had a committee that worked really hard on this application," Cocoa Beach Principal Tim Cool said. "We have fantastic students and staff here that work really hard, so that makes for a good combination. We met or exceeded all requirements for the Blue Ribbon application."
The Blue Ribbon honors schools that have helped students excel at high levels and schools that have worked to close the achievement gap between white students and minorities.
These schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation. There are now 20 of these private and public schools in Brevard County.

Three schools -- Ascension Catholic School in Melbourne, Holy Name of Jesus in Indialantic and Gemini Elementary in Melbourne Beach -- received the award twice.
Some Blue Ribbons also are given to schools that showed dramatic improvement where 40 percent or more of their students come from low-income families. No Brevard schools received the award in that category this year.

Last year, Edgewood Jr./Sr. High and Freedom 7 Elementary received the award.
In November, the schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they will receive a plaque and a flag signifying their status.
Later in the year the schools will have a celebration for students and staff.
Contact Downs at 242-3549 or mdowns@floridatoday.com

Sunsets on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach

I put together a photo show of sunset photos with relaxing music.

A Day on Cocoa Beach watching the Surf (and Surfers)

Cocoa Beach Brewing Company

I went there the other night. Great beer and great location!

Chris is a very friendly and knowledgeable owner. Check it out, you will be glad you did!

http://cocoabeachbrewingcompany.com/

Cool pre-launch photo NASA

Rollout to Pad August 4, 2009

T.F. Onion Cafe Deli

I love these guys, Cocoa Beach is lucky to have the Mannion's here in our town!

click here for article:

T.F. Onion Cafe Deli

COCOA BEACH "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" EVENT

COCOA BEACH "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT" EVENT

THIS TUESDAY EVENING (5PM - 8PM) - AUGUST 4TH, 2009

BEHIND CITY HALL"FREE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT"

Back in Cocoa Beach

I am finally back in Cocoa Beach! I have been in Falls Church, VA helping my mom pack up our home of 46 years. Mom now lives in Cocoa Beach too.

She has traded a view of "Lake Barcroft" for a view of the "Banana River". She left a large home and yard and is now in a condo but a spacious one. She received a contract on the VA home in 2 days!

We just found out a very large oak tree fell down in the back yard. As she has not closed/settled yet, this hassle and expense is one more reminder she did the right thing in this point of her life (she is a widow) by moving out of that big empty nester home.

The Buyers are young and ready to enjoy the life that we enjoyed there. They are even taking over the party barge and sunfish that we left behind.

I will be posting Cocoa Beach news again soon but I wanted to explain where I have been and the lack of posts for a while.

Brassy's 30th reunion party Saturday in Cocoa Beach

BY PAM HARBAUGH • FLORIDA TODAY • May 15, 2009 Brassy's.

If you recognize that name, you'll probably want to know about the old Cocoa Beach nightclub's 30th reunion party running 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront.
Lite Rock 99.3's Michael W. Lowe and former Rock 100 WDIZ radio host Mick Dolan will be the masters of ceremony.

"The club was such an institution," Lowe said of the nightspot that operated from 1979 to 1987. "People I mention it to say, 'Oh yeah, I remember Brassy's.' It was a wild place. You ask anybody who was here, they'll tell you that was the place. Brassy's was to nightclubs the way Ron Jon's is to surfing".

Some of the acts that came to Brassy's included Steppenwolf, Joe Cocker, Molly Hatchett, George Jones, Michael Bolton, Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyra, Joan Jett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Winter Brothers and Three-Dog Night.

"We were about a 1,000-seat nightclub," said former co-owner Lee Hemenway of Merritt Island. "But if it was a good band, people were up partying and dancing."
Saturday's reunion will feature music by Palm Coast band Caribbean Explosion and Silk & Steel, an Orlando cover band. There also will be a 50/50 raffle.

One of the highlights, though, should be the live auction of Brassy's memorabilia and other items donated by local businesses.
Some of the items to be auctioned off include brandy snifters with Brassy's first logo, Brassy's ashtrays, Brassy's matchbooks and some autographed band photos such as Hank Williams Jr., Leon Russell and more.

Alan Hemenway, who co-owned the bar with Gerry and Audrey Hemenway, said he was happy to get the items out of his attic and into the hands of others.

"I've had them for 30 years, so it's time for someone else to enjoy them," he said.
Money raised during the reunion will go to Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Florida Foundation. Guest speaker Dr. Scott Gold, neurologist with MIMA in Melbourne, will speak about multiple sclerosis.
Contact Harbaugh at 242-3717 or pharbaugh@floridatoday.com.

Cocoa Beach Park

For anyone wondering why I have not been seen jogging down Minuteman Causeway lately -- I would like to show you where I run these days!

This park is a block away from my house. It is a gem, with trees, pond, flowers and grass.

Rocket's Red Glare - NASA Launch

This NASA launch photo was taken from my front yard in Cocoa Beach on May 11, 2009 just after 2:00 pm .

Photo by Claudia Davis.

(Click on photo for larger version)

Dreams Come True

For years I visualized my mother moving to Cocoa Beach to be near me. I visualized her living in a condo, facing the river, in a westerly direction. I visualized her watching beautiful sunsets every day.

This week she visited me and she looked at properties for sale on both sides of the island. She picked the condo facing west, on the river with gorgeous sunsets!

Happy Sunsets (and Sunrises) to all!

Claudia
Cocoa Beach, FL

Cocoa Beach Air Show October 3-4, 2009

Cocoa Beach Air Show Coming October 3-4, 2009

Cocoa Beach, FL, April 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- With the final memorandum of understanding recently signed by Cocoa Beach Mayor Skip Beeler, the inaugural Cocoa Beach Air Show came one step closer to reality.

“Planning has shifted into afterburner,” said Bryan Lilley, president of the Cocoa Beach Air Show. “The stage is now set for the final push to our inaugural event October 3-4.”

The air show will be held over the waterfront with Show Center at the Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach. There will be hospitality events on the days leading up to the show including a Take Off Party the evening of October 2nd featuring a night jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. The air show’s hosts have pulled out all the stops for the first show t o be held in this venue.

The show’s inaugural performances will be carried out by some of the most skilled military pilots and aerobatic artists on the air show circuit. The performers announced-to-date for the inaugural event include the following:

• U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
• Ed Hamill and his U.S. Air Force Reserve bi-plane
• The Geico Skytypers
• Matt Chapman and the Embry-Riddle Eagle 580
• The U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet East Demo Team
• U.S. Air Force Reserve 920th Rescue Wing

The show will begin at 12 p.m. each day. Tickets for premium viewing in “The Drop Zone” on show center beach start at $17 and access to the VIP Flight Line Clubhouse starts at $79.00. Both will include VIP parking close to or near Show Center.

For More Information About The Cocoa Beach Air Show – Call 717-583-0800 or visit the show’s website at www.cocoabeachairshow.com

41st Annual Pelican Home Tour Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral

41st Annual Pelican Home Tour
Sponsored by the Cocoa Beach Woman’s Club Foundation

When: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Ticket Cost: $15.00

Ticket Purchase Locations:

ANN LIA GIFT SHOP38 South Atlantic Ave.
Cocoa Beach(By Bernard’s SURF Restaurant)

SHOBHA’S BOUTIQUE 2031 N. Atlantic Ave.Cocoa Beach Banana River Square / Publix Shopping Ctr

THE BATH COTTAGECocoa Village - 425 Brevard Ave.

SEASON TICKETS BoutiqueCocoa Village - 301 Brevard Ave

Below is one of the Tour Homes Selling Tickets on the day of the Home Tour:

Flores Del Mar Penthouse # 504
8472 Ridgewood AvenueCape Canaveral 799-1130

For Further Information Call: Barb Holden 454-6010 or
Claudia Davis 960-2577 ClaudiaCDavis@aol.com

All Proceeds will be applied to Student Scholarships

Discovery Launch March 15

Yesterday was an awesome day in Cocoa Beach.

I rode my bike 6 miles, enjoyed the Hot Tub and then witnessed the thrilling Discovery Launch from my front yard!

Vegan Cooking Sponsored by Healthy Planet of Brevard Cocoa Beach Library

An excellent Vegan Cooking Demonstration by Susie Fricker took place at Cocoa Beach Library on Feb. 21

Town Hall Education Meeting TODAY - please attend

What: Town Hall Education Meeting
Where: King Center, Brevard Community College Campus
When: The doors will open at 6:00 P.M. The meeting starts at 7:00 P.M.

Details: If the auditorium is filled to capacity, an overflow seating section in the rotunda will be set up. In addition, an audio system will be set up outside allowing you to hear the dialogue. So bring your lawn chairs and let's make this a strong show of unity on behalf of Brevard County schools!

Wear Cocoa Beach colors, if you are able."BE THERE and STAY THERE!"Beach Pride!!

Thank you,
Brion Quandt

Vegan Cooking Demo at Cocoa Beach Library

The Healthy Planet of Brevard will have a free cooking demo and tasting presented by Susie Fricker at the Cocoa Beach Library on Saturday, February 21, at 2:00.

In 1995 Susie decided to take her family on an amazing adventure...a change in diet to Vegetarian and eventually Vegan. Attendees will learn how to prepare delicious Vegan meals and get to taste the results. This class is in conjunction with the Brevard County Reading Festival. Susie plans to highlight some of her favorite cookbooks that helped her family ease the transition from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to a much healthier plant based diet.

Susie nearly brought down the house (metaphorically speaking mind you) at the last cooking demo so be sure not to miss what is guaranteed to be a spectacularly educating and engaging free cooking class!

Any questions, please contact Claudia Davis at 321-960-2577 or claudiacdavis@aol.com

Stimulus Package project - Cocoa Beach,FL

Projects in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Below are the "shovel-ready" projects for which this city has requested federal stimulus funding. You can click on a project to read (and add to) its description. You can also discuss the project and vote on whether you believe it is critical or not.
The total cost of all the projects submitted by Cocoa Beach is $42,688,000

Description / # of Jobs / Cost / Program Type / Vote Ratio

Ocean Beach Blvd. use native plants/energy-efficient lighting. Intended to aid in controlling runoff to Indian River lagoon. (design phase complete)
50 $2,000,000
Streets/Roads -4

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/view/3538
20 $1,000,000
Streets/Roads -6

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/view/3536
10 $400,000
Streets/Roads 0

Asphalt rejuvination - City-wide project to extend life of existing paving
10 $350,000
Streets/Roads -3

SR 520 Landscaping & Irrigation - Intended to aid in controlling runoff to Indian River lagoon
10 $250,000
Streets/Roads -4

Completion of Sidewalk /Bike Path Master Plan
10 $150,000
Streets/Roads -7

Improvements to six (6) process systems: (1) Influent Handling Facilities (2) Biological Treatment Units (3) Clarifiers (4) Filters (5) Chlorine contact (6) Residuals Handling (Study & preliminary costing done)
50 $10,938,000
Water 0

Sewer System Rehabilitation - Rehabilitation of systems serving Lift Stations #4, #6 & #7 (Specific upgrades required are identified)
20 $3,000,000
Water 1

Engineering evaluation of ASR site at PAFB. Construct 500,000 GPD irrigation system.
20 $750,000
Water -7

Infiltration & Inflow Assessment - Comprehensive survey of system to prioritize work required
5 $500,000
Water 0

Lift Station # 4 Conversion - Major upgrade to "wet pit" status
20 $400,000
Water 0

Rebuild and/or replace six (6) high service pumps (Equipment identified & replacements specified)
10 $250,000
Water -1

Administration facility solar powered/LEED certified energy-efficient lighting (property acquired/needs assessment study done) )(must receive funding early 2009 to complete by end of 2010)
50 $8,000,000
CDBG - 7

Vehicle storage building - solar powered/LEED certified Intended to extend vehicle life by corrosion reduction
10 $150,000
CDBG -2

Equipment Storage building - solar powered/LEED certified Intended to extend vehicle life by corrosion reduction
5 $50,000
CDBG 0

Install solar power grid. Provide power to some City facilities & sell remainder to grid. (Installation areas identified & available)
10 $500,000
Energy 2

Public Safety (combined police/fire) facility,solar powered/LEED certified energy-efficient lighting (property acquired/needs assessment done)(must receive funding early 2009 to complete by end of 2010)
100 $12,000,000
Public Safety -3

Construct Fire Station # 2 solar powered/LEED certified energy-efficient lighting (property acquired/needs assessment done))(must receive funding early 2009 to complete by end of 2010)
70 $2,000,000
Public Safety -1

Cocoa Beach "Town Hall Meeting"

TO ALL COCOA BEACH CITIZENS

The City of Cocoa Beach is hosting its annual "Town Hall Meeting"
on Tuesday, March 3rd beginning at
6:00PM in the City Commission Room.

Citizens are encouraged to contact the Public Information Office by phone at (321) 868-3329 or by-mail at jstansfield@cityofcocoabeach.com to express their interest in specific topics that they would like City Commission members to address.
Interested citizens are asked to provide a specific topic or a short description of their concern; their name; and, telephone number.
Kindly request that citizens provide the above information no later than February 20th in order for the Commission and City Staff to be prepared to respond accordingly.
Check the city's website at http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/ for additional information.

Sea Gulls on Cocoa Beach

I took these photos on

Cocoa Beach today

Claudia Davis