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

Events at Cocoa Beach Library - February

COCOA BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
550 N.Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931
Phone: 321-868-1104 Ray Dickinson, Director
February 2009

Physical Fitness Classes
Pilates with Cory Huggins, Monday at 9:00 AM, through May 18. Cost is $5.00 per session. Pilates is a series of stretching and strengthening exercises, which integrate the whole body and mind, which can result in the benefits of strengthened and toned muscles, as well as improved posture, flexibility and balance. Cory has taught Pilates for 3 years and group fitness for 5. Bring a mat and a water bottle. Participants should be in good health.

Hatha Yoga for Seniors with Emily Hain, a Certified Yoga Instructor, on Tuesdays, 1:00-1:45 PM, through May 5th . No experience or special equipment is necessary; chairs will be used for support. Cost is $2.00 per class. Learn how yoga can help keep you more healthy and active. This 45 minute class is designed to warm up the body, improve your balance and maintain strength and flexibility in a relaxing and non-competitive style.
Easy Hatha Yoga with Emily Hain, Tuesdays at 2:00 PM, through May 5th. Cost is $5.00 per session. This is a safe, fun, relaxing and non-competitive class. Bring a towel or a mat and wear comfortable clothing.

T’ai Chi Chu’an with John Lang A.P., Wednesdays at 9:00 AM, through May 20. Cost is $5.00. T’ai Chi is a unique system of moving meditation with exercise emphasizing legs and posture, and meditation of mind and breath. Wear comfortable clothing and flat soled shoes.
Senior Fit Aerobics with personal trainer Polly Helm, Thursdays, through May 21st, 4:00-5:00 PM. An easy does it aerobics with a warm up and cool down 20 minutes long, featuring a chair based workout intended to tone the upper and lower body. Please bring a set of light weights, water and a towel. Cost is $5.00.

Intermediate Level Yoga with Rebecca Hirsch, Fridays at 2:30 through May 22nd. Cost is $5.00. Focusing on breath, alignment and attitude. Each pose will be offered with modifications to suit the level of experience of the participant. Bring a towel or mat and wear comfortable clothing.

Art, language, and other classes
Conversational Spanish (8 week program), Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM through March 17th in the Jane von Thron Room. Open to anyone with some experience and/or basic skills in learning Spanish. Motivated beginners are also welcome. Minimum of 20 participants. A $5 non-refundable registration fee is required; balance of $35 due at first class. After the first class, no adjustments or refunds will be honored. Please make checks payable to Janice Zebrowski. Students joining the class after the first session, will be required to pay the course fee.

Watercolor Classes with award winning watercolor artist Helen Wheatley, Tuesdays, 9:00 AM- noon, through March 3rd. Suitable for Beginning and Intermediate students. Cost is $80.00 for the 8 week session. Register at the Sign Up table and pick up a materials list. Enrollment is limited.

Ikebana with Betty Allison on Thursdays, through February 26th from 1:00-3:00 PM. Cost for the 6 week course is $40.00, which includes fresh flowers. Needle point holders will be available for $7.00, as will plastic oriental containers for $4.00. Ikebana is the art of arranging flowers and branches in a three dimensional design emphasizing beauty and simplicity. It evolved in Japan over seven centuries. Betty is a certified teacher of the Sogetsu School. Call Betty to register at 777-6933. Enrollment is limited.

Regular On-going Events
Open Mic, second Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:30 PM. Perform music, either original or cover tunes, or recite original poetry or stories. Time is limited to 10 minutes per participant. Show up, sign up, and play!

Book Discussion Groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday at 1:00 PM and 2nd Wednesday at 10:00 AM of the month in the Captain's Room. On Tue., Feb. 10, the group will review The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. On Wed., February 11th, the group will discuss The Life of Pi, by Yann Martell.

Open Meeting with Commissioner Chuck Nelson, 4th Friday of every month 9:00-11:00 AM in the Captain's Room. Come and speak to the Commissioner and share your views and concerns at these open meetings.

Playreaders Group meets, every third Tuesday at 2:00 PM in the Captain's Room. Everyone who attends has a script and is encouraged to participate. Newcomers are always welcome. Contact Lois Palmer for details at 783-8645.

A Watercolor Group will meet on Thursdays from 1:00-4:00 in the Captain's Room. This is a social, non-instructive painting group which is open to anyone with an interest in watercolors. All levels of skill are welcome. Bring your materials and paint with fellow artists. For further information, contact Angela Richards at 784-0528.

Door Prizes and Silent Auction Items Needed

The Cocoa Beach Woman's Club is seeking items to be used as door prizes or silent auction items for our fundraiser on February 28th, Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. Proceeds from Woman's Club fundraisers go to scholarships and other charitable causes.

Do you or someone you know, including business owners, have an item to donate? This may be an item you have acquired and not used or a business service, gift certificate or product.

The Cocoa Beach Woman's Club Annual Fashion Show draws a large number attendees. For businesses, this is an excellent marketing opportunity.

Please contact me if you have an item to donate or know someone who does. I will arrange to pick it up or you can bring it to the next Woman's Club Meeting on Feb. 5th.

Thank you,

Claudia Davis

ClaudiaCDavis@aol.com

321-960-2577

ClaudiaDavis.net

Local Historian Ray Osborne to Speak

Local Historian Ray Osborne to Speak at Brown Bag Lunch
COCOA BEACH, FL

Ray Osborne, Director of the Local History Club, will be the featured speaker at the February 12, 2009 brown bag lunch at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

Mr. Osborne will speak on the topic of Native Americans, early pioneers and the history of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. All information will be highlighted with historic photos.

The Central Area of Brevard County Parks and Recreation offers a series of brown bag lunches at Lori Wilson Park , Kelly Slater pavilion, 1320 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, beginning at noon on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
There is no cost to attend. For additional information, call the Nature Center at 321-455-1385.

Best of Cocoa Beach 1st week of January

Below are recent Cocoa Beach experiences that I've had with my family and friends (and by myself too).

Best Coffee, Bun Java
I finally checked out the new Coffee Shop near my house. It is in the shopping center at the corner of A1A and Cocoa Isles, in front of Suntrust and next to ACE hardware. They have great coffee and a nice lite food menu. I love the Vanilla frozen blended coffee drink with a shot of Expresso!

"Bun Java" is Teen friendly on Friday nites with Live music and flavorful smoothies. It is soon to be "adult" friendly on other nights as they have applied for their beer and wine license. The owner, Janie, is quite a baker too! She and her husband have done a wonderful job decorating the shop. It has comfortable seating, state of the art flat screen TV's and free WiFi. Stop in, you will be glad you did! Tell them Claudia sent you.
They have a website: http://bunjava.com/

Best Jogging
Soft sand jogging and walking on Cocoa Beach is a great work out! It makes no difference if it is low tide or high tide, because the upper "soft" sand is not effected by tides!

Best Brunch
We had wonderful Eggs Benedict at Barrier Jacks restaurant. Ray loved the Sausage and Biscuits. I usually eat fruit for breakfast so this was indulgent fun for a change. Chuck ordered his favorite, a Chile Burger!

Best Live Music
We stopped by the "Sand Bar" on Friday night. The Reggae Band was excellent! Sandbar Sports Grill & Bar

Best View at Lunch
"Coconuts on the Beach" restaurant. My friend Kay and I had lunch on the outdoor deck. We had a perfect view of the beach and ocean. It was a gorgeous sunny day today with very low humidity. Days like this remind me how lucky I am to live in Cocoa Beach.

Best News
A little birdie told me that "Cocoa Beach Brewing Company" is in the process of getting approved to open for business. Cocoa Beach may have a local brewery soon!
Their website: Cocoa Beach Brewing Company

Claudia Davis
ClaudiaDavis.net

Holiday Transportation Schedule for Space Coast

SPACE COAST AREA TRANSIT ANNOUNCES NEW YEAR'S SERVICE SCHEDULE

The Space Coast Area Transit announced the following changes to its fixed route bus service for the upcoming New Year's Day Holiday Period: ·

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 – All fixed route bus service will operate on a regular weekday service schedule, with all routes ending at 6:00 p.m.·

Thursday, January 1, 2009 – No fixed route bus service will operate.·

Friday, January 2, 2009 – All regular fixed route bus service will resume.

Questions or requests for further information should be directed to our Bus Information Line at 321-633-1878 log on to http://www.ridescat.com/.

Video - 45th Annual Space Coast Art Festival Thanksgiving Weekend 2008

I took a lot of photos and videos at the Art Festival this past weekend. Here is what I put together:

Christmas Boat Parade Cocoa Beach Dec 13 Saturday

Breakfast with Santa Cocoa Beach Rec Center Dec 6 Saturday

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA ~ COCOA BEACH REC CENTER ~ SAT, DEC 6TH, 9-11AM

WHY NOT LET SANTA MAKE BREAKFAST FOR THE KIDS THIS SATURDAY? THE COCOA BEACH REC CENTER IS HAVING A "BREAKFAST WITH SANTA" ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH FROM 9-11AM FOR CHILDREN AGES 10 AND UNDER. THE COST IS $7 WHICH INCLUDES A CHRISTMAS STOCKING, A PICTURE WITH SANTA, AND A PANCAKE BREAKFAST. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. IT'S ONLY $5 IF YOU JUST WANT TO EAT PANCAKES...

THE COCOA BEACH REC CENTER IS LOCATED AT 321 RAMP ROAD (JUST BEHIND THE SURFSIDE PLAYHOUSE). PLEASE CALL 868-3252 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

World Famous Vegan Body Builder Visits Cocoa Beach Dec 9 Tues Eve

Presentation: “Thrive on a Plant-Based Diet - Whole-Food Nourishment for Whole-Body Health" By Vegan Body Builder, Robert Cheeke
Free Admission
Dec 9, 2008 7:00 pm
Cocoa Beach Library
550 North Brevard Ave
Cocoa Beach 32931
As an athletic student, Robert ran Cross Country for Oregon State University and then picked up an interest in lifting weights and became a competitive Bodybuilder. Robert is now considered one of the most recognized Vegan athletes in the world. Robert has appeared in more than 1.5 million magazine issues, featured in more than 20 magazines from the US, Canada, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. Robert has also appeared in TV commercials for VegSeattle and PETA, and has been on a number of television news shows, radio interviews, and is featured on over 100 websites. Robert lives in Portland and continues to spread the vegan and high raw food way of life leading by example as an accomplished vegan athlete. Join us and taste healthy vegan and raw food provided by members of this event sponsor "Healthy Planet of Brevard" (HPOB) website: http://healthyplanetofbrevard.org/
Any questions, contact Vicki vmurfin@earthlink.com or 321-266-0586
Printable Flyer: http://cocoabeachevents.com/VeganAthlete/RobertCheeke.html

45th SPACE COAST ART FESTIVAL SET FOR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

The 45th annual Space Coast Art Festival will be held over the Thanksgiving weekend on November 27-30 in downtown Cocoa Beach.
The event will feature 235 artists displaying their "works of art" in nine separate categories.

The weekend starts off with a 5K road race called the "Turkey Trot"on Thanksgiving morning at 7:30am from the Baliwick Mall (36 North Brevard Avenue) in Cocoa Beach. Registration for the Turkey Trot starts at 6:30am.

On Friday, November 28 there will be a "downtown street party" from 7:00pm to 11:00pm adjacent to City Hall on Minutemen Causeway. Artists will begin "selling works of art" in the downtown area near City Hall on Saturday, November 29 from 9:00am to 5:00pm and then again on Sunday, November 30 from 10:00am to 5:00pm with award winners being announced on Sunday. Also on Saturday, there will be a "student art show" for Brevard County students in grades from kindergarten through grade 12. Lot's of fun for the entire family!

Contact the arts festival office at 784-3222 for additional information

Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Video Nov. 14, 2008

Space shuttle Endeavour launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:55 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2008. The lift off began a 15-day mission to outfit the International Space Station with equipment and supplies. The new gear will set the stage for doubling the station's crew to six from the current three.
Click on link for liftoff video:
http://anon.nasa-global.edgesuite.net/anon.nasa-global/ksc/ksc_111408_sts126_launch1.asx

Cocoa Beach seniors celebrate 7th Football win

Cocoa Beach seniors celebrate 7th win
BY CARL KOTALA • FLORIDA TODAY • November 15, 2008
The enormity of the moment hit Cocoa Beach High senior Cullen Brown when he heard the words of Minutemen coach Tony Piccalo just before the start of the second half.
"When our coach said these were the last two quarters of our high school career, it hit me," the tight end/defensive lineman said.
The Minutemen may not have been able to end their careers with a playoff run, but by beating visiting Doral Academy 28-14 Friday night, members of the senior class did achieve something they can talk about at their 10-year reunion. Cocoa Beach finished the season at 7-3, the first time since 1991 the school has won seven games in a season.
"You can never ask for something more than to do something that hasn't been done for almost 20 years," senior linebacker Matt Counts said. "There are a few games we'd like to get back, but we can't. It's our last game, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Counts and Brown both made key plays Friday night.
Brown recovered a Doral fumble at the Firebirds' 15-yard line, then caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Christian Provancha on the ensuing drive to put the Minutemen ahead 21-14 just before the end of the first half. It was also the 11th touchdown pass for Provancha, tying the school's single-season record.
Counts, on the other hand, had a couple of big tackles from his linebacker spot, then helped seal the game when he intercepted a pass that had been batted in the air by fellow senior Jordan Bush.
While it was a night the seniors will always remember, a couple of underclassmen figured prominently in the victory as well.
Sophomore running back Sean Sims gained 165 yards on 25 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 28 and 3 yards. Junior R.J. Black also grabbed his seventh interception of the season and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown to put Cocoa Beach ahead 28-14 and make sure the seniors got a proper sendoff.
"They took huge strides this year to get this program to where it needs to be for county respectability," Piccalo said. ". . . Doral had some ball players. This was a big win for us."
It was also another sign that the Minutemen may be ready to take the next step.
"Our goal every year now, we've got to shoot and say playoffs -- playoffs," Piccalo said. "We're going to have a young team next year, but we've got a lot of good players coming back. They've got a lot of work to do. But we're excited."
Contact Kotala at 242-3692 or ckotala@floridatoday.com

Service Clubs in Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Optimist Club: Noon Mondays at Florida Seafood, 480 W. Cocoa Beach Causeway, 321-431-2210.

Kiwanis Club of Cocoa Beach: Noon Thursdays at Bernard's Surf, 2 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, 321-799-1691.

Rotary Club of Cocoa Beach: 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn, 321-799-3204.

Elks Lodge Cocoa Beach, FL No. 2387175 N Brevard AveCocoa Beach FL 32931-2931 (321)783-4705
Email: elkslodge2387@bellsouth.net

website: http://www.elks.org/Lodges/home.cfm?LodgeNumber=2387

Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Nov. 22

Healthy Planet of Brevard (HPoB) cordially invites you to a Turkey-Free Thanksgiving
Saturday November 22, 2008

Kiwanis Island Park Main Pavilion,

Merritt Island,
2 – 5 PM
Join HPoB, Brevard's own vegetarian organization, in honoring our blessings and the earth's bounty. We will provide the tofu turkey, stuffing, water and iced herbal tea. HPoB members are asked to bring a covered dish to share (no meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, Jello, marshmallows or honey). A $5 per adult donation is requested for non-members. Children are free.

Call Sharon Kelly with any questions about the event at 321-984-4032 or Cell 321-536-0790.

Cocoa Beach HS Minutemen Retain Surfboard

BY BRIAN McCALLUM • FLORIDA TODAY • November 8, 2008

The (Cocoa Beach High School) Minutemen (football team) were playing their final district game of the season with a chance to finish third out of six teams, a notch above perennial playoff presence Astronaut. They were going for a fifth road win in five tries, a feat unmatched in the 44 years of the school. And it was the game with district rival Satellite for the surfboard that represents beach dominance in Brevard County.

Maybe it shouldn't have been that close against a winless team, but Cocoa Beach (6-3, 3-2) was happy to pass the surfboard from player to player after the game in celebration of a 13-0 victory.

Satellite ended its season 0-10 overall and 0-5 in Class 3A, District 9.

"That's your rivalry game right there," Cocoa Beach coach Tony Piccalo said. "Our special teams, I think, were the key. We got three punts inside the 5."

But one offensive trip inside the 5 resulted in a fumble into the end zone and kept the Minutemen from building on a 7-0 first-half lead. Beating a rival made Piccalo smile. Committing four turnovers did not.

"I was just a little disappointed," he said of his halftime mood. "We haven't been making mistakes, and we haven't been turning the ball over."

Working in Cocoa Beach's favor were five Satellite turnovers. Matt Richard, Dillon Fleming, Jamie Longville and R. J. Black all intercepted passes.

"Satellite came out really big. It was a tough game, but we got it," said Black, who also caught four passes for 61 yards. "The defense did good shutting them out."

Sean Sims rushed 21 times for 205 yards, scoring the first touchdown for the Minutemen, the one that turned out to be the game-winner.

"The offensive line blocked really well. I saw the hole and just took it," he said. "We're glad to bring the surfboard back to Cocoa Beach."

A 17-yard Satellite punt got the visitors in position for the score late in the first quarter. Satellite appeared ready to take advantage of a fumbled handoff to even the score late in the second, but Richard's interception in the end zone killed that Scorpions drive.

Richard helped put the game away with 8:21 to play. He caught a pass on his own sideline that was in danger of interception. When the defensive back missed the ball, it left Richard alone to turn it into a 30-yard touchdown catch.

"It looked like he was coming directly for it," Richard said. "He had a hand right in my face, and Christian (Provancha) put it right in there."

Cocoa Beach will try for a seventh win -- something not achieved by the Minutemen since 1991 -- next week at home against Doral Academy.

In addition to a failed onside kick to start the game, the Scorpions tried something unusual on offense. They lined up with three players split to each side and just two linemen sandwiching the center.

On the first play in the formation, quarterback Bryan Shahlamian ran for 15 yards. After that, not much offense resulted.

"We knew they were going to do some things and try to create some offense," Piccalo said. "Our defense did not break."

Contact McCallum at 242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com

Turkey Free Thanksgiving Nov. 22, 2008

Healthy Planet of Brevard (HPoB) cordially invites you to a Turkey-Free Thanksgiving

Saturday November 22, 2008

Kiwanis Island Park Main Pavilion, Merritt Island

2 – 5 PM
Join HPoB, Brevard's own vegetarian organization, in honoring our blessings and the earth's bounty.

A $5 per adult donation is requested for non-members. Children are free.

"This event is open to members and friends of Healthy Planet of Brevard, and prospective members."

Call Sharon Kelly with any questions about the event at 321-984-4032 or Cell 321-536-0790.

Blue Angels Air Show Kennedy Space Center

FLORIDA TODAY • Nov. 6, 2008

Been thinking about visiting the Kennedy Space Center? If so, this is the weekend to go. It's time for the second annual space and air show, featuring the Navy's Blue Angels, as well as other fabulous aircraft.

The show will be from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Nov. 8, 2008 with buses departing from the KSC Visitor Complex starting at 10:30 a.m., with continuous service throughout the day. Admission is $15/$12 for children in advance, $20/$15 the day of the show. If you want to tour the Space Center in addition to seeing the air show, admission is $38/$28 in advance; $53/$40 day of show.

For more information, call 449-4400 or visit http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/. While you're there, you'll get the chance to meet and greet astronauts and purchase autographs and memorabilia. Proceeds from the Astronaut Autograph and Memorabilia Show benefit the Astronaut Scholarship Fund. Call 455-7012 or visit astronautscholarship.org. If you're looking to hear some great jazz, Gicomo Gates, Nancy Kelly and Terry Myers will be performing a tribute to Louis Prima and Keely Smith. Show are at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Heidi's Jazz Club, 7 N. Orlando Blvd., Cocoa Beach. Tickets are $35. Get back to nature Saturday night with a Moonlight Stroll at Erna Nixon Park, 1200 Evans Road, West Melbourne. Admission is $3. Enjoy the moon and starlight, and listen to some soothing music by local talent as you stroll along the park's trail. One word of warning: Don't try to park at Erna Nixon's small lot. Instead, park by Pole No. 4 on the west side of JC Penney at the Melbourne Square mall. A shuttle will run between the lot and the park. If you're feeling like a big spender — or feeling like listening to someone sing "Big Spender," Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach will open "Sweet Charity" this weekend. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 23. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors/military and $10 for students. Call 783-3127 for more information. For more on what’s happening this weekend, visit floridatoday.com/entertainment.