Merritt Island Now YOUR #1 COMMUNITY SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING MERRITT ISLAND
VOL. 1 • ISSUE 6 • OCT • 2015
Keep ‘Em Wild Home of
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OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
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— Contents — October 2015 Volume 1 • Issue 6 10 Freight Train Update 11 Island Rotarians 12 Islander of the Month 14 MIHS Students’ Satellite 15 Edgewood’s Service Program 16 MICS High Tech Security
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17 Rising Stars 18 Signs of a Retinal Tear 19 Home Modifications for Seniors 20 Vaccines Available 22 Mathers Bridge Hauntings 24 MI Teen on the Big Screen 25 Pet Food 26 October Fishing Report 27 Home Flooding Tips 28 Keep ‘Em Wild 32 MIRA 33 MI Real Estate Report 34 Financial Advisors 36 Choosing the Right Mattress
ON THE COVER
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Contributing Writers Julie Colombo.................4 Sue Ford......................... 10 Staff Reports................... 11 Diana Fasanella........... 12 Wanda Luthman........... 14 Dr. Kenneth Winn.......... 15 Ingrid Hall....................... 16 Dr. Frank Venzara III.... 18 Elaine Deremer Cook.. 19 Jessica Beal.................. 21
In Every Issue
Diana Fasanella.......... 22
Letter from Publisher..................4
Diana Fasanella.......... 24
Celebrations.................................6
Dr. Elizabeth Chosa.... 25 Capt. Alex Gorichky... 26 Tina Cartagena............ 27 Diana Fasanella.......... 28
Calendar of Events.....................8 Islander of the Month............... 12 Feature Article.......................... 22
Cheryl Hurren.............. 32
Dining Guide.........................30-31
Heather Dawson......... 33
Recent Home Sales....... 38 & 40
Scott Palmer................. 36
Reference Directory.......... 43-44
Publisher: ILMIdeals, Inc. Magazine President: Lou Colombo Editor: Diana Fasanella Merritt Island Now magazine is being published editor@merrittislandnow.com 11 issues per year and direct mailed free to Art Director: Charlie Amrich approximately 16,000 Merritt Island homes. charlieamrich@gmail.com All rights reserved © Copyright 2015 Staff Photographer: Paul Cooper www.MerrittIslandNow.com Advertising Sales: Lou Colombo lou@merrittislandnow.com • 321.453.4121 Bob New - robertnew@bellsouth.net • 321.615.4700 Community Relations: Julie Colombo
Merritt Island Now
A local bobcat. Photo courtesy of Coops Capture Photography.
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Letter from the Publisher
D
Lou and Julie Colombo founded the I Love My Island Merritt Island, FL Facebook page along with the popular MerrittIslandNow.com website.
ear Fellow Islanders,
Many of you know that every October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. As someone who has a family member fighting the cancer battle, I want to take a step in helping prevent others from having to fight this fight. We have found a local doctor who offers standard mammograms and also the most current, high-tech, 3D technology for mammogram screenings. Rockledge MRI graciously has offered to dedicate one full day exclusively for our Merritt Island ladies.
Our “Merritt Island Mammy Day” is scheduled for Oct. 17th from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. We will enjoy mimosas, cheese and fruit trays along with chick flick movies on the TV. There also will be three massage chairs for our relaxation. On this day, they can screen a maximum of 32 ladies. Grab your sister, mother, cousin, BFF, and let’s go! This is too important to miss. The self-pay cost is $75 for the standard mammogram and $124 for the 3D. They take most insurance, so call ahead. Appointment is required. Call (321) 636-6599. Rockledge MRI is located at 1910 Rockledge Blvd. Because of your donations, My Island Thrift Store has sponsored three 3D mammograms for this event. I hope to see you there.
My Island Thrift Store “Supporting Our Island Community” Moving? Garage Sale? Spring Cleaning? Estate Sale? If you have unwanted furniture, household goods, clothes, tools, accessories or almost anything else you need removed, give us a call. My Island Thrift Store is a local non-profit company offering FREE pick-up and you will get a donation receipt. We use the proceeds for Community Outreach on Merritt Island.
You can also drop off at our store located at 245 Crockett Blvd., Merritt Island. (just south of Target)
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DISCLAIMER *All content provided by contributing writers to Merritt Island Now is for informational use only. Merritt Island Now makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information submitted. Merritt Island Now will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. Merritt Island Now will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of any published information by contributing writers. *The material in this magazine has been prepared and is copyrighted by ILMIdeals, Inc. The material is for information purposes only. The material is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date. Information provided by or cited by third parties does not necessarily reflect the opinions of endorsements of Merritt Island Now (ILMIdeals, Inc.).
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Celebrations
Callie Ann Blasens October 3
Jimmy Andersen Jr. October 6
Joel Parish October 3
Brandon Engel October 6
Phyllis King October 3
Marcus Herman October 8
Jenna Mucker October 13
Brad Dansbury October 17
Donna Wencil October 13
Heather Kasicki October 24
Jordan Mills October 26
Donna Lawson October 27
Jeannie Nagy October 4
Ethan October 10
Bruce Chasteen October 18
Adrianna October 28
Cristina Engel October 4
Rylie October 11
Frances Schroeder October 13
Kelli Lane October 19
George Jansen October 22
Tina Herman October 28
Amanda Tate October 28
— Happy Anniversary —
Doreen & John DeCoursey October 4
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Erik & Keri Schechinger October 16
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Ed & Cristina Engel October 19
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October
—CALENDAR OF EVENTS— October 2nd and 3rd and every Friday and Saturday Night in the month of October: Merritt Island Terror Nights XL (7-10pm)“Lost Souls” at Brevard Extreme Sports Park. This year, join the ghost of Penny Creed and help her and her cursed, ghostly comrades escape the clutches of the evil that bounds them to the old and burned down ‘angel city orphanage’. Donation based. Children under 13 not recommended unless accompanied by an adult. October 3rd: Grapetober Fest (6-9pm) presented by Divine Mercy Catholic Academy at the church dome. This is a wine tasting event that will feature Reds, Whites and Brews as well as food vendors and culinary gifts. For more information please call Anna at (321) 452-0263. October 3rd: Pink Ribbon Walk 5K (8am-6pm) at Port Canaveral. This event also features obstacle course, live entertainment all day, food, drink, vendors, health fair, arts and crafts, bed and bathtub race, shrimp peeling contest and much more. For more information please visit www. visitportcanaveral.com October 10th: Space Coast Island Classic (12:30-9:30pm) at Merritt Island High School. Come support the MIHS Marching Mustangs and watch marching bands from around the state perform in this annual competition. Fun for all ages. Admission Adult Ticket: $10.00, Youth Ticket (4-12) $5.00, ages 3 and under are free. October 13th: Super Senior Luncheon (10:30am-12:30pm) at the First Baptist Church of Merritt Island. Join other area super seniors from around the community for lunch, fun, a community moment and devotional speaker. Super Seniors meet every 2nd Tuesday (Sept - Apr). Make your FREE reservation by Sunday, October 11 by calling 453-2144.
October 17th: Trash & Treasure Sale (8am) at Grace United Methodist Church. October 23rd: 2nd Annual Taste of the Coast (5-8:30pm) at Cocoa Beach Country Club. Food and drink tasting from local restaurants with live entertainment. For more information on tickets please call (321) 459-2200 October 23rd: Shop Grove Street (4-8pm) at Grove Street Wellness Center. Grab your friends and take a stroll down Grove Street on Merritt Island. Many local vendors will be there such as Scentsy, Origami Owl, Mary Kay and much more. For more info please call Karen (321) 537-2415 October 23rd: Hoe-Down (6-11pm) at Grace United Methodist Church. BBQ dinner, line dancing, dessert bake off, live band, square dancing, tickets $15 each. For more info call (321) 452-2420 October 24th: Trunk or Treat (5pm) at Grace United Methodist Church. All are welcome. For more information please call (321) 452-2420 October 29th: Space Coast State Fair begins at the Space Coast Stadium. For more information please visit www.spacecoastfair.com October 30th: Family Fun Night (6:30-8:30pm) at East Coast Christian Center. Features inflatables, games, face painting, candy, all are welcome. For more information please call (321) 452-1060 October 30th: Zombie Fun Run and Street Party (5-10pm) in Cocoa Village. For more information on registration please visit www.cocoafl.org
October 16th: Pumpkin Patch (daily, 9am-8pm) at Grace United Methodist Church. For more information please call (321) 452-2420
October 31st: Fall Festival (6-8:30pm) at First Baptist Church of Merritt Island. Free candies, carnival games and inflatables. Food vendors on site, all are welcome. For more information please call (321) 453-2144
October 17th: North Merritt Island Homeowners Picnic (11am-3pm) at Sam’s House. BBQ Lunch, live music, kids games, door prizes, local exhibits and much more. $8/adults, $5/kids For more information please call (321) 234-3252
October 31st: Trunk N Treat (6pm) at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. Fun and safe alternative to Trick or Treating for children. All are welcome. For more information please call (321) 452-5689 or visit www.merrittislandpc.org
October 17th: Jailbreak Brevard Adventure Race (8am-4pm) Brevard County Jail Complex in Cocoa. This off-the-grid adventure race is like no other. Covering approx. 3 miles of muddy, wet, fun filled obstacles all while in hot pursuit by Brevard’s finest. Watch out for the bloodhounds and SWAT team. You don’t want to get detained in the holding cell. For more info call Cheryl Sink at 321-264-5370
October 31st: Monster Bash & Masquerade Costume Party (7pm-midnight) at Café Unique. This is a benefit fundraiser for St Jude Children’s Hospital. Music, costume contest, silent auction, food and much more. For more information and ticket price please call (321) 301-1082
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT OCT 2015 2015
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December 12 - Cocoa/Rockledge Holiday Parade & Festival
Parade, snow slide, lighting of the Christmas Tree, fireworks, Santa, Dickens Carolers & movie 6pm-10pm, Riverfront Park
April 16 - Trash Bash
Join Keep Brevard Beautiful & the City of Cocoa in this annual community clean- up 8a-12p, Taylor Park
June 3-4, 6th Cocoa Village BBQ & Blues
Enjoy Blues and savor (literally) TONS of great BBQ, Friday 4pm-10pm & Saturday 12pm-8pm, Riverfront Park
July 4th - Independence Day Celebration
Enjoy the Brevard Symphony Orchestra as they play along with a fantastic fireworks display 8p-9:30p, Riverfront Park
Movies in the Park
Enjoy a family movie under the stars on Nov 20, Jan 15, Feb 19 & Mar 18 7p-9p, Riverfront Park
For more info on all of these great events contact Leisure Services at 321-639-3500 or visit www.cocoa.org
OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
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FREI GH UPD T TRAIN ATE
Community
Action Sought as County Opposes Two Port Rail Extension Paths BY SUE FORD
E
veryone is very pleased that our Brevard Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed District 2 County Commissioner Jim Barfield’s Resolution opposing both of the Port Canaveral’s proposed plans for a rail extension project, including the North Banana River and 528 routes.
Sue Ford is an environmentalist and activist living in North Merritt Island, and former Port Authority commissioner and senior aide to District County Commissioner Randy O’Brien.
They are in support of the Port using the third route that would go directly north of the Port through the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and connecting to the already existing bridges over the Banana and Indian Rivers, as are we. Also, they included in their resolution setting up a joint workshop with the county commissioners and Port commissioners to discuss this planned project.
We will see if the Port commissioners answer this request favorably. Although this resolution is nonbinding because the Port is a Special District under the State and not considered a part of Brevard County, we are happy to
have the support of our county commissioners and believe that their opinions will weigh heavily with the federal agencies, including the Surface Transportation Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Army Corp of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, and NASA that must weigh-in on the federally mandated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now in process. This process is far from finished as government moves very slowly, and we are not expecting a final draft until the spring of 2016. At that time members of the Surface Transportation Board will again come to Brevard from Washington D.C. for the last public hearings. This is when we will need to really show force and have a huge crowd show up and either speak or write their comments on this horrible project. This is far from a “done deal”! We are still confident that we can stop the Port freight train and protect our Indian River Lagoon and quality of life in Brevard County with everyone’s help! Please remember, we still need many more signatures on our website at: stopportcanaveralrail.com. We are almost at 2,500 signatures and would like to double that. We will submit this online petition to the STB at the final draft in the spring.
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Community
Island Rotarians Set Fundraiser to Help Children with Cancer STAFF REPORTS
M
erritt Island Rotary Club is continuing its altruistic endeavors to provide assistance for those in need living within Brevard County and the Island community.
The Rotary Club and Candlelighters of Brevard are teaming up to raise money for area children with cancer and their families with their upcoming fundraiser Puttin’ on the Pink. The affair, to be held Nov. 7 at Café Unique in Cocoa Village, will feature a sit-down dinner, music and silent auction, according to Greg Bonenberger, Rotarian and former president of the club. “We are part of a worldwide organization dedicated to bringing the business world together under the motto of Service Above Self,” Bonenberger said about Rotary International, which is made up of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries. “We are dedicated to improve our communities through this idea.” Bonenberger, who also is general manager of Brevard Medical Equipment on Banana River Drive, said he was introduced in 1989 to the Merritt Island Rotary Club by Mark Hobbs, then owner of the medical equipment business. “Mark was already very involved with the Rotary Club and wanted us to make a difference,” said Bonenberger who has lived on Merritt Island since 1970. “He recommended that we get involved to help the community and make sure we developed a community presence.” Merritt Island Rotary Club uses the funds it raises toward
several community projects, including providing food to at-risk schoolchildren on the weekends through the local chapter of Children’s Hunger Project. Rotarians provide financial assistance and volunteer to pack the individual food parcels for recipients. They also provide for scholarships to qualified graduating seniors from Merritt Island High School, according to Bonenberger. In addition, the club supplies dictionaries and thesauruses to schoolchildren of all ages in the county. “One of our best opportunities to make a difference is by sending high school seniors to a leadership seminar called RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) every year,” he said. “This program really changes the lives of five kids from three high schools. Besides teaching leadership skills, it opens the students up to learning more about themselves.” RYLA participants are chosen for their leadership potential, and the club covers all expenses for them to attend. The format of the event varies from district to district, but commonly take the form of a seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice, Bonenberger said. “Here is a chance for corporate America to do something for communities as a whole,” he said. “It’s good to be a part of something that really makes a difference and helps.” For more information on Puttin’ on the Pink fundraiser or how to become a Rotarian corporate sponsor, please contact Merritt Island Rotary Club President Pat Tash at 321-223-4362.
Merritt Island Foundation
Puttin’ on the Pink A Gift to the Children
For the benefit of Candlelighters® of Brevard and other charitable causes.
When: November 7, 2015 Where: Café Unique 607 Florida Ave., Cocoa Village Time: 6 pm—10 pm Black-tie (or Pink) Optional
The Merritt Island Rotary Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Candlelighters® of Brevard, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer and their families by offering emotional support and financial assistance.
Contact Joe Fonseca for tickets or information: JosephFonseca33@gmail.com • 321-917-8746 OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
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Community
Islander of the Month
Generosity of Merritt Island Man Helps to Empower Area Youth BY DIANA FASANELLA
T
Diana Fasanella is a native Merritt Islander, Huffington Post blogger; and editor and columnist, formerly with Gannett/USA Today newspapers.
ony Liquori is all about empowering the youth of Brevard County to make positive choices.
Owner of Island Motor Sales, Liquori says he has been challenging himself to do just that by not only sponsoring numerous youth organizations and athletic teams that “instill a sense of fellowship and teamwork,” but also by working with Champions of Choices, a non-profit organization that addresses issues such as bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse and suicide.
“I believe kids need less solitude and video games, and more involvement in group activities with mentorship and guidance,” said the 23-year Merritt Island resident who generously sponsors each presentation given by internationally known wrestling champion Marc Mero. “Students are inspired to treat themselves and others with respect, to dream big, achieve goals, and cherish relationships.” Liquori said he has sponsored Mero’s presentations at high schools such as Merritt Island, Edgewood, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island Christian School, Titusville, Cocoa, and Rockledge, and Andrew Jackson Middle School. He also has sponsored Christian presentations at local churches as well as the Brevard County Jail Complex with the permission of Sheriff Wayne Ivey. “Bullying is bigger – different now because kids can sit in a room under a veil of secrecy and cyber bully other kids,” he said. “I feel strongly about the compelling messages that Marc gives. They instill hope and help students realize they are not alone.” Liquori said the presentations also cover serious teen topics such as suicide, divorce, and loss of a family member in a way that touches listeners at a “heart level.” Afterward, he has received numerous letters from parents and students who say the inspiring talks have made a big impact on their lives. Liquori and his bulldog, Grace
“I believe you should give a little of what you make,” he said about donating to organizations like Champions of Choices, which can be found at www.thinkpoz.org on the Web. “It is such a blessing in the end and makes a big difference to the kids in Brevard County.”
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
er Islantd of he h Montuori Tony Liq
Tony Liquori (left), and Marc Mero Liquori also sponsors Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, SPOT, Silver Ring Thing, Brevard Youth Network and Son Fishers Ministry. “I make it a point to surround myself with like-minded brothers who have the same passion for these kids,” he said about the group of “regular guys” that call themselves Brevard Business Champions. He added that coaches, teachers, pastors and citizens who make up these and other organizations can “use all the help they get.” “After all, they are mentors who in the end will impact these children the most and help them become successful adults in the future.” While Liquori finds time to help the youth of Brevard, it’s not his only passion. He also enjoys displaying “uplifting and witty” words of wisdom on the Island Motor Sales sign to evoke a smile from those driving past his lot on North Courtenay Parkway. Such weekly sayings displayed in the past have been: “Smile, it increases your face value,” and “When you’re down, look up.” “Some people have stopped and taken pictures of what’s on the sign,” said Liquori who likes to make people smile. “Just honk when you pass by or stop in and say hi to Grace (my bulldog).” He added that “behind every good man is a good woman,” and his wife, Stephanie, and stepson, Randy, a senior at Merritt Island Christian School, support him in his endeavors all the way. “Children don’t need your presents, they need your presence,” he said. For more information on how to donate to any of the youth organizations with which Liquori is involved, call him at 321-454-CARS.
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School & Sports
MIHS Students to Launch Satellite into Space BY WANDA LUTHMAN
I
n 2011, NASA officials decided to start a club with local high school students. They went to Brevard public schools with their idea known as CUBES, Creating Understanding and Broadening Education through Satellites, and the ultimate goal of launching a CubeSat (10 x 10 x 10 cm satellite). Merritt Island High School was chosen as the home of the club named StangSat Wanda Luthman (stang for Mustangs and sat for satellite), is MIHS Guidance math teacher and sponsor of the club Department chair and guidance counselor. Tracey Beatovich said. She added that the She also is the author students and NASA mentors have worked of The Lilac Princess. hard to make this dream become a reality. “This is the only NASA club of its kind in the country and membership includes students who enjoy science, math and computer programming,” she said. According to Beatovich, the goal of the project is to inspire, engage, and retain students’ interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The NASA mentors work with club members to give them experiential learning, which raises students’ confidence in their technical abilities and encourages them to pursue higher education degrees in STEM-related fields. StangSat members enjoy the mentorship of five NASA professionals, Beatovich said. “These amazing people give of their time to these students on Friday evenings, some weekends and have even traveled with them to California,” she said adding that there are about 10 consistent club members in grade levels 9 through 12. The students are exposed to professional planning,
14 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
StangSat’s CubeSat
development, and presentation of their CubeSat, Beatovich said. In addition, they have a sister club at California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly). CalPoly is building a CubeSat as well, she said. These CubeSats will be collecting shock and vibration data to quantify the conditions during launch. StangSat students’ CubeSat will be integrated with CalPoly’s CubeSat into a housing called a P-Pod before it will be launched. After the launch, CalPoly will downlink the data to the ground station for all parties to utilize. StangSat club members work closely with CalPoly and were invited to travel there this past April to present at The Annual CubeSat Developers’ Workshop, according to Beatovich. This gave club members experience with professional presentation as well as great exposure to the CubeSat community. “This is not the first time StangSat club members have traveled to California,” she said. “In the summer of 2013, club members took the CubeSat to CalPoly and integrated it with CalPoly’s CubeSat. It was launched on a Garvey Spacecraft Corporation launch vehicle in the Mojave Desert. This experience taught club members about the integration and launch process. All this work paid off, and they have secured a spot on a launch vehicle out of KSC for the fall of 2016!” Beatovich says the students are currently building the flight unit now. They hope to have it completed around winter break and are planning a trip to California in May or June to meet up with CalPoly for the final test and integration into the P-Pod. The P-Pod with both CubeSats will be brought back to Kennedy Space Center for launch, she said. To contribute to StangSat to help support its endeavors, contact Beatovich at Merritt Island High School (321) 454-1000 or beatovich.tracey@brevardschools.org. Also, visit and like their Facebook page MIHS CubeSat.
School & Sports
Students, Community Benefit from Edgewood Service Learning Program
O
BY DR. KENNETH WINN
ne of the unique aspects of Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School is its Service Learning Program.
Each student attending the school commits to providing 25 hours of service each year to nonprofit organizations in the community to “earn” service-learning/ volunteer hours.
Dr. Kenneth Winn is principal of Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School on Merritt Island.
The students are asked to follow a guided process in the school building before providing service to the community. They submit a volunteer proposal for approval to their mentor teachers, who in turn submit the proposals to the school administration for final approval.
This step in the process not only assures the students are providing service to a nonprofit organization, but it also is a screening process to ensure students are choosing safe havens to complete their service learning. Upon approval, the students receive “log sheets” to document and verify their service hours. Once students complete their commitment, they submit their log sheets to their mentor teachers. The hours are totaled and then added to the students records.
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At a minimum, Edgewood students annually provide more than 23,000 hours of community service to churches, schools,
thrift shops, humane societies, hospitals, sports leagues, food banks, and other nonprofit groups. Edgewood and the school district often recognize outstanding student volunteers, but more importantly, Edgewood students meet the state’s Bright Future Scholarship volunteerism requirements by completing their commitment to the Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School community. Not only does the community benefit from the program, but the students prosper as well as they learn about giving to others and reap the benefits of the scholarship program to help them pursue their post-high school education.
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School & Sports
MICS Devoted to Keeping Campus Safe with High Tech Security BY INGRID HALL
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Assistant to the Superintendent Ingrid Hall is presently in her 20th year at Merritt Island Christian School.
erritt Island Christian School knows the importance of providing a quality education and spiritual atmosphere for students, but its primary responsibility is to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff and visitors. Although safety and security is always a priority, Superintendent Dr. Nanci Dettra has committed to spending the past few years on making school safety reach its highest potential.
“Excellence in education is dependent on providing a safe and secure school environment. Our students, MICS’ No. 1 possession, must feel safe and protected for learning to take place,” Dettra said. “For the past four years, MICS has invested thousands of dollars in school security measures to ensure that sense of safety.” One of the main additions to MICS security came 2½ years ago with the hiring of full-time security officer Mark Kingsley. After the tragic school shootings in Newtown, Conn., Kingsley, who had just retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, met with Dettra to offer his assistance to enhance security. Dettra did not hesitate to take him up on his offer and he was hired. Kingsley has more than 25 years of military and law enforcement experience, 22 of those spent serving the U.S. For four years, he also was the assistant chief of police at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J., where he graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy. Kingsley also is a certified and qualified Coast Guard Instructor, and he presently is working on his bachelor’s degree in Business and Criminal Justice through Liberty University. He holds Class D (unarmed security) and Class G (armed security) licenses. Kingsley and Dettra work together to continually enhance onsite security. MICS has a state-of-the-art, Department of Defense quality, external and internal camera system. All extra doors are locked throughout the day, and the main entrance has an access control device where visitors are identified and “buzzed in.” The school uses a sign-in and background check system called Keep N Track, which is the same check-in system used by public schools in Brevard County. This past
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summer a new notification and intercom system was installed, which notifies everyone on campus of an emergency. Recently, MICS was evaluated by an independent security firm, which awarded the school with the highest rating of any school, public or private, they have assessed nationwide. Even with all the security measures in place it takes the Mark Kingsley cooperation of faculty, staff, students and parents to make it run effectively. Teachers and staff receive security and crisis management training throughout the year, and parents receive communication on updates or changes in the system. A major consideration with school security is to ensure that while keeping everyone safe, families still are able to be involved in school events. Kingsley not only loves his job, he has a passion for the school. “I have a very special relationship with all the members of the MICS family. I use the word family because that is what we are,” he said. “The most fulfilling part of my job is that I have the privilege of using my training, experience and talents to continue to serve God and our community. My greatest reward is the smiles on the faces of the children and parents every morning, and knowing that I have a very small part in making that happen.”
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School & Sports
★ Achievement ★ Leadership ★ Excellence ALEXANDRA DEWEY - 8th grade
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy
Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School
Peter was elected president of the Divine Mercy Catholic Academy Student Council for 2015-16. He is a quiet and humble leader who always is willing to lend a helping hand. The Divine Mercy family is very proud of Peter.
Alexandra is an outstanding student leader at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School and straight A student who also is the 8th-grade treasurer. She is winner of the Brevard County Math Bowl Competition and a member of band program.
MAJOR LEWIS - 6th grade
JOSEY TINGLEY - 4th grade
Ambassador Christian Academy
Merritt Island Christian School
Major is a well-liked, generous and enthusiastic student who exemplifies the Ambassador for Christ characteristics of integrity and edification of others. Major’s other talents include his artistic ability, creativity and determination.
Josey has been a member of the All Florida Rodeo Association since she was 5 and has won numerous competitions in various categories. She puts in many hours of practice, all the while keeping her place on the MICS Honor Roll.
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OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
| 17
Health & Wellness
Know the Signs of a Retinal Tear BY DR. FRANK VENZARA III
U Dr. Frank Venzara III is a Vitreoretinal surgeon and the founder of Florida Retina Specialists, in Merritt Island, a place he has called home his entire life.
pward of 60 percent of people over the age of 50 experience some degree of floaters in their vision. People frequently describe this as black spots or bugs in their vision. In some cases, people may experience flashes of light, like a camera flash or lightning bolt typically seen in the periphery of the vison.
Normal vision, left, and how a retina tear might affect vision.
The back chamber of the eye is filled with a clear gel called vitreous, which is tightly adherent to the peripheral retina. The retina is the nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye, if your eye was a camera the retina would be the film. When the vitreous gel separates from the surface of the retina, it can cause floaters and flashes of light that may be seen. In severe cases, the vitreous gel can pull abruptly away from the retina resulting in a tear of the retina. A retinal tear is an ocular emergency because it can lead to retinal detachment, which is blinding without surgical intervention. If a retinal tear is found quickly, a laser light or cryogenic therapy can be used to seal the tear preventing a retinal detachment.
Risk factors for retinal tears include people who are highly nearsighted, cataract surgery, trauma to the eye, and genetically weak areas in the retina. Any retinal tear can cause a retinal detachment. Prompt treatment can prevent a blinding retinal detachment. Immediate dilated eye exam by an eye doctor is recommended if you experience any of the following: • Flashes of light (quick bursts, lasting only a second) • Sudden dramatic increase of floaters • Dark curtain or shadow in periphery of vision that doesn’t go away Know the signs and symptoms of a retinal tear and seek immediate care; it could save your vison.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
Health & Wellness
Home Modifications Help Seniors Remain in Their Homes BY ELAINE DEREMER COOK
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Elaine Deremer Cook is a licensed professional engineer with a CEAC certification in performing environmental assessments to identify and implement independent living solutions. She is the president of HandyPro of the SpaceCoast.
s nearly 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day, the ability to continue to live in one’s home as people reach their retirement years can be challenging. Couple that staggering statistic with overcrowded and expensive assisted living facilities, and it is easy to see that some modifications may be necessary to help seniors age in place comfortably and safely while retaining their independence. That’s why more seniors are interested in modifying their homes rather than moving to an assisted living facility. With the high costs of these facilities and the sometimes long wait time to secure a space, it is often more cost effective for seniors to modify their homes so they can age in place.
While some seniors may require major renovations to make their home more livable as they age, others may only need a few minor modifications to help them live more comfortably. If you, or a loved one, are in a situation where modifications to the home need to be made, here are some things to consider: • ANALYZE YOUR SITUATION Before determining which modifications to do, analyze your
particular needs or disabilities and then do a room-by-room home assessment to determine which modifications may be needed. • FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY, SAFETY For many seniors, putting in a wheelchair ramp or renovating a bathroom to have grab bars and a walk-in tub not only makes it easier to use, but also makes it safer. In fact, the bathroom is the No. 1 room in the home where slips and falls can occur. • DON’T FORGET SMALL MODIFICATIONS There are plenty of small things seniors can do to make their home more comfortable and livable as they age. Improved lighting throughout the home makes it easier for seniors to see as their eyesight decreases. For those with arthritis, installing touch faucets and lever door knobs makes it easier to do simple things like getting water for coffee or opening doors and cabinets. Modifications like these will help you determine if you need minor fixes such as improving the lighting throughout the home, or major renovations like installing a wheelchair lift. Senior citizens have worked all their lives to have a comfortable place to call home in their golden years, and by making a few home modifications, they can remain in the home they love as they age.
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Health & Wellness
Many Vaccines Now Available Through Approved Pharmacists JESSICA BEAL, PHARMD
W Jessica Beal is a pharmacist at Hobbs Pharmacy located at 133 North Banana River Drive, Merritt Island.
Creative Commons photo by Lu Lu https://www.flickr.com/photos/_lulu/
hen you get sick, your body creates special proteins called antibodies to fight the infection. The next time you are exposed to that same virus or bacteria, those antibodies keep you from getting sick again. Vaccines do the same thing without making you ill. Scientists create vaccines by disabling a virus or bacteria so that it is not able to cause disease, but still can prod your body to make antibodies to it. Those antibodies will bind to infections in the future and keep them from making you sick. Getting a vaccine is like having a protective bubble that keeps viruses and bacteria from attacking your body.
Vaccines are considered to be one of the most cost-effective preventive measures against certain diseases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared vaccinations to be one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccinations have saved millions of lives since their introduction more than 200 years ago.
Pharmacists are in a pivotal position to increase awareness about the importance of vaccinations and identify those patients who may benefit from specific vaccinations. By continually increasing awareness about the availability and importance of vaccinations, patients can make informed decisions to protect themselves and their family members.
Pharmacists are required to go through immunization training and must be approved by the state in order to give vaccines.
Beginning July 1, 2015, pharmacists who are certified to give immunizations are now allowed to give routine vaccines and travel vaccines recommended by the CDC to adults, age 18 and older. The vaccines being offered are, but not limited to: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Tdap/Td (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough), shingles, pneumonia, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, HPV, chickenpox, meningitis, and various travel vaccines.
Pharmacists are required to go through immunization training and must be approved by the state in order to give vaccines. The law also requires pharmacists to report immunizations to the state registry, FL SHOT. If you are interested in learning more about these vaccines or if you need to be vaccinated, contact your local pharmacist.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
Health & Wellness
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OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
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Feature
Hauntings Spook Fishermen at Razed Mathers Bridge Restaurant Site BY DIANA FASANELLA “Mathers Bridge Remembered” painted by Joyce Warner depicts how the restaurant appeared in its heyday. Courtesy of FloridaBackroadsTravel.com.
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umor has it, it’s haunted. And, it’s not even there.
In 1992, owners of Mathers Bridge Restaurant were forced by a changing economy to close the doors of the popular eatery where memories of boaters waiting for the drawbridge to open and fishermen casting their lines into peaceful waters that lapped the shoreline were made. The Old Florida-style building that stood on the southern end of Merritt Island since 1940 was razed a few years after the closing, forever ending its 52 years of feeding happy faces and providing music and fun to the public. It was the end of an era for many Islanders who fondly remember the come-as-you-are establishment, painted with murals of manatees, fish and aquatic sea life by Wiccan artist Kevin Tipton. The restaurant was a mystical place, especially for youngsters who frequently climbed on rocks under the Mathers Bridge at the end of South Tropical Trail or gazed in amazement at the 2,000 pound statue of “The Watcher,” a concrete sphinx constructed to be the guardian of local wildlife. Bill Teel, who lived across the river on the east side of the bridge, said he could see the local watering hole with its crowdpleasing outside deck that accommodated bands on Saturday nights from his apartment.
taught to say more than “Hello” by frisky, potty mouthed regulars who frequented the local landmark. Etched into memories also were the many feral cats and raccoons, tamed by patrons discarding leftover French fries and remnants of fried shrimp that were served in wax paper-lined baskets. Donna Lewis, whose uncle, Luke Barker, managed the restaurant, and whose mother and father worked there from 1964 until 1966, said she “practically lived there” from ages 5 to 8. “I can recall every square inch of the place,” said Lewis, who now lives outside Washington D.C. “When I made my pilgrimage back to the site in 2013 and saw the building was gone, it was disappointing. But, I have such vivid memories of the place that I can still see it clearly.” One of the more outstanding features was the waterwheel, built as a power backup to aerate the fish camp’s large containers of live shrimp, Lewis said. Majestically standing next to the bridge, the wheel was adorned with a wooden dolphin and a mermaid that sported naked breasts most likely seen for the first time (outside National Geographic magazine) by many young boys.
“There was a guy who carved Tiki heads right there on the (restaurant’s) deck – Ed’s Heads they were called,” he wrote on www.floridabackroadstravel.com. “The place was sooo cool … that was my hangout.”
Across the narrow, winding road from the restaurant stood several attached bungalows where locals in need of affordable housing resided. One such elderly gentleman, who Lewis called Uncle Joe, suffered from throat cancer and eventually took his life in one of the rooms.
Others recalled foot-long hot dogs and talking mynah birds
“Uncle Joe was a chain smoker and alcoholic, but a harmless,
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
The sphinx-like statue at the base of Mathers Bridge around 1980 was constructed to guard local wildlife. Photo courtesy of muralist Kevin Tipton at https://vimeo.com/8504889.
Clamshells spell out Mathers Fish Camp on the deteriorating statue of “The Watcher” as it appears now at the site where the Mathers Bridge Restaurant used to stand. Photo courtesy of Diana Fasanella.
The waterwheel as it appeared in 1966 outside Mathers Bridge Restaurant was a landmark on South Merritt Island for 52 years. Photo courtesy of Donna Lewis.
Murals on the Mathers Bridge Restaurant were painted by Wiccan artist Kevin Tipton between 1988–91. Photo courtesy of muralist Kevin Tipton at https://vimeo.com/8504889.
nice old guy,” she said. “He wore a bandage around his neck. He was miserable.” One day, it got the best of him, Lewis said, and he killed himself with a shotgun. “It was awful.” The motel-like structure burned to the ground in 1994 in a blaze deemed suspicious. The restaurant – one of the Island’s last vestiges of days gone by – also was soon to be reduced to nothing but a concrete slab. But what of the hauntings? Whether brought to pass by happy spirits of patrons long passed or Wiccan apparitions looking for the painted walls that once were, fishermen on the bridge now say they often hear faint tones of music on weekend nights coming from the old posts of the restaurant’s decomposing dock. Lewis believes it might be just the hokey nostalgia of the place that fires the imaginations of wishful thinkers. “If the place is haunted, it’s probably all the drunks coming back to party,” she said about the restaurant where as a young girl she always felt safe. “I hope the fishermen are correct. Maybe when I die, I’ll come back and haunt it too!”
The restaurant and motel are seen as they appeared in 1981 at the end of the Mathers Bridge looking west. Photo courtesy of State Library and Archives of Florida.
OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 23
Lifestyle
Merritt Island Teen Soars Toward Stardom on the Big Screen BY DIANA FASANELLA
P
ersonable, compassionate, intelligent, talented… and handsome.
It’s no wonder Netflix, Inc., the American provider of ondemand TV and Internet video streaming, grabbed up Merritt Island teen actor Zachary T. Robbins to play a supporting role in its newest hit series, Bloodline. Having resided on Merritt Island since he was a youngster, Robbins, now 15, was tailor-made for the part of young John Rayburn, who grows up in an idyllic, family-owned hotel set in the Florida Keys. Not only does Robbins resemble the main character, John Rayburn, played by Kyle Chandler, he also knows all about tropical living on an island in the Sunshine State. Still, getting the part in this suspenseful, gripping drama that also casts big-name stars like Sissy Spacek wasn’t easy, Robbins said. “I sent in four audition tapes before I was finally honored to be given the part,” he said, adding that rejection comes with the territory if you’re striving to become an actor. “You can’t let it get to you,” said Robbins, who auditions numerous times a year here and in Burbank, Calif., where he lives from January to May to attend virtual school for child actors. “If you do, you won’t be in this business.”
From August to December, Robbins, who is in the 10th grade, attends Merritt Island High School. Robbins’ father, Jason, says his son has a “knack” for acting and takes auditioning in stride. “He has been on more job interviews than you and I put together. It comes easy for him,” Jason Robbins said. “I think it’s wonderful that he’s pursuing his dream, and it’s coming to fruition.” While this homegrown teen began training at age 6 in Orlando, Robbins said he knew at age 8 he wanted to become a professional actor after performing with several local theatre groups at Melbourne Civic Theatre and the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. Since then, he has appeared in the feature film, The Trial, starring with Matthew Modine and Clare Carey, and ABC’s
Zachary T. Robbins Army Wives, followed by a guest star role as Tony Caputo in Nickelodeon’s Deadtime Stories. “There’s no better feeling then when you get that call letting you know you got (the part),” Robbins said about being an actor. “It’s like ‘Wow’, I did it!” Robbins’ mother, Tina Robbins said acting is only part of her son’s passion. Helping children with special needs also is a big part of who he is. “He is the youngest ambassador for the Transverse Myelitis Association, a charity that he holds close to his heart,” she said, adding that her daughter and Robbins’ sister suffers from the rare inflammatory disease that causes injury to the spinal cord with varying degrees of weakness, sensory alterations, and autonomic dysfunction. In 2012, Robbins made a public service announcement about the charity that can be seen on YouTube, Tina Robbins said. “In addition, Zach just recently returned from Belize where he volunteered this summer to help children in need,” she said. And while most kids might let the success and notoriety that comes from acting go to their heads, Tina Robbins said her son is grounded and on track. “He works hard to maintain a normal Merritt Island life,” she said. “He has a good core of friends he enjoys spending time with, and his love for animals and children has kept him humble.” Robbins agrees that staying focused is important and says the best advice he has for other teens with a dream is to “go for it.”
Robbins poses with actors Sissy Spacek and Kyle Chandler on the set of Netflix’s Bloodline.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
“Don’t ever stop dreaming. Follow your destiny where it leads you, even if it means going somewhere else,” he said. “Merritt Island will always be your home, and you can always come back.”
Lifestyle
Pet Food Hypes Often Muddle What is Right for Pet BY DR. ELIZABETH CHOSA
I
f you have felt overwhelmed in the pet food aisle lately, you are not alone. There are so many options that it can be difficult to discern which product is best for your pet. Is grain-free better? Are byproducts bad? What about preservatives? How high should the protein level be? What does “all natural” mean?
Contrary to what you may read on the Internet or hear from a salesperson, there is no single brand or type of food which is best for every pet. Self-proclaimed experts and clever marketing strategists often present anecdotes and propaganda as facts. As a result, many pet owners feel pressured to buy the most expensive food available or switch to a certain diet. While some pets do need specialty or prescription foods, many pets thrive on reasonably priced diets. Dr. Elizabeth Chosa is the owner of Courtenay Animal Hospital. She has been a practicing veterinarian since 2005, first on active duty in the U.S. Army and here on Merritt Island since 2010.
My veterinary nutrition professor used to say, “Animals need nutrients, not ingredients.” Unfortunately, companies design pet food labels for marketing purposes, and no one can determine if a food provides optimum nutrition based solely on an ingredient list. Selecting the right food merits an in-depth discussion with your family vet, as each patient has unique nutritional needs.
One common misconception is that grain-free diets are universally superior. It may surprise you that grains used in pet food are, in fact, very nutritious. They contain complex carbohydrates, proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Unless your pet has a food allergy or digestive disorder, there is no reason to avoid all grains. Animal byproducts are also commonly vilified but high quality byproducts such as organ meats are an excellent source of nutrients. The most important factor for grains, by-products, preservatives and other ingredients is their quality, which can vary tremendously from product to product. Quality cannot be determined from a price tag or ingredient list. Therefore, it is important to buy food from a manufacturer with an outstanding history of nutrition research, live animal feeding trials, quality control and food safety protocols. Some of the newer, more popular foods on the market do not have these attributes while some long-standing brands available at the grocery store do. Choosing the best food for your pet requires thorough research, followed by careful monitoring of your pet’s response. A diet could be good for one pet and bad for another. So listen to your pet, listen to your vet and try not to buy into the hype.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 25
Lifestyle
Runs of Migrating Mullet Abound as Summer Ends BY CAPT. ALEX GORICHKY
A Capt. Alex Gorichky is a lifelong Merritt Island resident and owner/operator of LocalLinesCharters.com
s summer ends on the Space Coast, hordes of transient mullet migrate south fleeing the colder northern summer haunts. The spectacular sight of that favorite fishing spot so loaded with mullet that the water appears to boil and all your favorite gamefish gorging on this mobile buffet, surely will burn into your memory bank.
A young Merritt Islander releases his catch, an Indian River Lagoon redfish.
Though some of the most dramatic displays of predator vs. pray action will take place on the beaches of Brevard County, do not overlook the mass migration that makes its way through the lagoons that mirrors the beach run in fishing opportunities. BEACHES: The cold fronts are king, so pay attention to the weather so you can catch this run. Some years its wide-open fishing for weeks, but others have been but a trickle over days and weeks, so it takes a bit of homework to hit it right.
choice of snacks and sometimes call for crazy different, but other times they want something that looks the same but acts injured, slower, or easy to eat.
The run can be enjoyed by boat, foot, or kayak. Some of the best beaches in Brevard are Playalinda, Cocoa Beach Pier (area), and around both Port Canaveral/Sebastian Inlets. Also, all of the worm-rock reefs from Satellite Beach through Indialantic hold predators in wait. Of course a live mullet will get hits, and they are best rigged on a fishfinder rig with the appropriate weight to hold bottom. My favorite way to fish the run is with large top-water plugs or large floating lipped/diver plugs (same color choices as the lagoon section) windcheeters fished on higher tides. This is true potluck fishing that could have you hooked to a snook or redfish on one cast, then a 100-pound tarpon or 6-foot shark on the next. LAGOONS: As with the beaches, our lagoons will be host to the mass transient schools of mullet, but many will find their wintering spots and stay. Carolina mullet find our winter waters comfortable and warm, but our mullet might spend Christmas in the Keys. Everything must shift south! Points, dock lines, and edges of flats will all act as ambush points for reds, trout, snook and some tarpon. Potholes on open flats also be utilized on occasions when the bait is spread out. Of course, a live free-lined mullet work great, but for those who don’t want to mess with all that, bait plugs also work fine. The low-light times will have any top-water lure of your choice getting smacked around, but cooler temps account for some good all-day fishing utilizing 1/8-ounce weedless keeper-style hook, accompanied with a Slayer Inc. SST (sold at Handler in Merritt Island). With so much bait present, stick with the two basic color choices of natural vs. bright and bold. If natural is getting lost and no hits, go to white or vice versa. These predators have their
26 |
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Lifestyle
Y
Tina Cartagena is a restoration specialist with PuroClean Emergency Disaster Restoration.
ou just had a nice relaxing morning with your friends at Starbucks. You’ve completed your list of errands and are returning home to finish up your laundry before the kids and hubby come home from work. However, when you open the door you realize something has happened; your house is flooded. Your washing machine hose has come loose and the water is damaging your floors, your cabinets and your walls. Your relaxing day has just become a mini disaster.
What do you do now?
1. Make sure that the water is turned off so that nothing continues to get wet in the home. Please be cautious of electrical outlets since water and electric do not mix. 2. Call in a professional drying company to come and mitigate the situation. A good company will respond within two hours. 3. Take pictures of the damaged area if you plan to make an insurance claim. 4. Remove any meaningful or heirloom pieces of furniture from the affected area if possible. If you are unsure that the area is safe to work in, please do not do anything.
When the restoration company arrives, they will begin to mitigate the situation. While they are setting up their professional equipment, use this time to consider making a claim. The next few days will include meeting with an adjustor (if you have made an insurance claim), communicating with the restoration company, so that they can continue the drying process (average time is about three days), and if necessary, begin making further preparation for repairs that are going to need to be completed. Most water damages will result in new flooring, drywall and baseboard replacement, painting, and sometimes cabinets. This all depends on response time and severity of water damage. Start researching who you would call now, and make sure any company that you use is fully licensed, certified and insured. Also, review your homeowner’s policy to ensure proper coverage for this type of incident. Hopefully, these tips will help you in your time of need.
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OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 27
Photo by Jessica Merz https://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicafm/
Tips to Consider for Home Flooding Mini Disasters BY TINA CARTAGENA
Lifestyle
State Fish and Wildlife Commission:
BY DIANA FASANELLA
I
t may not be lions and tigers and bears, but it is coyotes, bobcats, and foxes.
Throw in an few wild boars, some deer, and an alligator or two, and you’ll find the wildlife on Merritt Island might be more than most people – who aren’t native Floridians – expect to live with in their community. While Merritt Island has a mid-size urban area, it also has plenty of wooded land, marshes and a national wildlife refuge on the north end of the Island, which means many of the nearly 35,000 residents cohabitate with some unsavory critters. The Department of Interior manages most of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge whose vision stresses that “wildlife comes first; and that ecosystems, biodiversity and wilderness are vital concepts in refuge management.” So, stumbling across an occasional opossum, armadillo, raccoon or coyote might not be all that unusual. According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department Animal Services website, there is no cause for alarm with such sightings unless the animal appears to be rabid or is creating a life-threatening situation for humans or pets. In that case, things just got real. Take for example the bobcat that made a surprise visit to a north Merritt Island woman’s home recently. According to
Photo: Paul Cooper
Keep ‘Em Wild
homeowner Denise DeMartini, the slinky guest showed up outside her screened-in pool, wanting to have a go with her domestic cat inside. “I saw this strange looking, multicolored cat, or what I thought was a cat, with a stump for a tail, hunched over nose to nose with my cat,” said DeMartini, who moved to Merritt Island from South Carolina two years ago. “They were hissing at each other through the screen. I could tell my cat was afraid of it.” DeMartini didn’t realize her visitor was a Florida bobcat until she mentioned the incident to her brother who advised her to keep her cat indoors at night when the wild creature was on the prowl. “My brother said it could scratch right through the screen if it wanted to,” DeMartini said. “It never occurred to me that there were bobcats on the Island. Now, I bring my cat inside at night.” Even though DeMartini has taken preventative measures to keep her pet safe and out of harm’s way, she said the curious bobcat continues to visit. “I sometimes see the reflection of its eyes outside the screen at night,” she said. “It’s not at all shy!” Karen Parker with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) cautions the importance of viewing all wildlife from afar and calling 911 in case of an emergency. “We understand that some of these critters (such as foxes, coyotes and bobcats) are so cute, that you want to pet them,” she said. “But, don’t.” Coyotes prey on domestic cats and small dogs, according to Parker, with most coyote attacks on pets occurring either at night or at dusk or dawn. It’s important not to allow pets to roam freely, and to be careful walking pets in wooded or heavily foliaged areas where coyotes could hide, she adds. Also, keep dogs on a short leash, and cats indoors. On the other hand, gray and red foxes, as well as bobcats, are essentially nocturnal animals and eat mostly rodents, rabbits, squirrels and ground birds. They rarely attack people. They have a natural fear of humans unless they are fed and taught to associate people with food, Parker said. To prevent these animals from becoming a nuisance, do not feed them or leave garbage that is not containerized or pet food outside at any time. “The best rules to live by (when coming across a wild animal), are view them from afar, don’t try to pet them, and never, ever feed them,” Parker said.
28 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
Photos: Paul Cooper
Lifestyle
Many people get angry when they are faced with a nuisance animal situation because the FWCC doesn’t respond to such complaints, Parker said. “We are not critter getters,” she said. “To have nuisance animals removed (when it’s not a life threatening situation), you need to call a trapper and that will cost you. We do have biologists on staff that you can speak with if you call our Ocala office. They will answer all your questions and help you find a trapper.” Parker also stresses that the FWCC list of protected or endangered animals should be checked on the website http:// myfwc.com/ before trapping or killing any wildlife.
County Animal Services also requests that 911 only be called if the animal situation is life-threatening. Life threatening conditions mean the animals are aggressive, have bitten someone, are injured or sick, or are in the living area of a dwelling and have a high risk for rabies, such as bats and raccoons. For non-life threatening situations, call (321) 633-2024. In most cases where wildlife is concerned, callers will be referred to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s wildlife alert hotline 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). The hotline to report nuisance alligators is 866-FWD-GATOR (866-392-4286).
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MERRITT ISLAND
Dining Guide RESTAURANT
Casual & Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS Alfredo’s Paradiso 321-453-6119 See Our Italian no yes yes no beer wine AD on Page 31 217 Crockett Blvd. Applebee’s 321-455-9898 American no yes yes yes full bar 100 N. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Bagel World Victoria Square 321-452-0737 Bagel/Sandwich Shop yes yes no yes none 1450 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Bagel Word & Deli 321-452-3007 Bagel/Sandwich Shop yes yes no yes none 137 N. Banana River Drive Basil Pizza & Pasta 321-338-4333 Italian no yes yes no beer wine 727 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Beef ‘O’Brady’s 321-455-6665 American no yes yes yes full bar Game Time 1450 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Favorite See Our Bizzarro’s 321-453-2610 Italian no yes yes yes beer wine AD on 325 E. Merritt Island Cswy Page 7 Bonefish Grill 321-453-3011 Seafood no Sat only yes yes full bar 795 E. Merritt Island Cswy. Bruno’s Pizzeria 321-453-7200 Italian no yes yes yes none 117 W. Merritt Ave. Carrabba’s Italian Grill 321-453-7045 Italian no yes yes yes full bar 60 Palmetto Ave. Causeway Diner 321-454-9898 Family Diner yes yes Thr/ Fri yes none 3712 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Chilli’s Grill & Bar 321-454-4738 American no yes yes yes full bar 530 E. Merritt Island Cswy. Cozy Corner Café 321-452-0305 Family Diner yes yes no yes none 2425 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Debbie’s Diner 321-459-3209 Family Diner yes yes no no none 118 E. Merritt Island Cswy. Denny’s 321-453-3050 American yes yes yes yes none 75 E. Merritt Island Cswy. See Our El Tucan 321-453-7501 Mexican no yes yes no full bar AD on 225 N. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Page 31 See Our Firehouse Subs 321-449-8818 Sandwiches no yes yes yes none AD on Page 5 125 Merritt Island Cswy. Gina’s Café & Deli 321-452-8828 Café & Deli yes yes no no none 135 S. Courtenay Pkwy. Hooter’s 321-449-0752 American no yes yes yes full bar Game Time 125 N. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Favorite Ichiban Buffet 321-453-1117 Asian American Buffet no yes yes yes none 735 N. Courtenay Pkwy. See Our Island Gecko Grill 321-301-4479 American yes yes no yes none AD on Page 4 773 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Island Tiki Grill 321-454-9464 Polish yes yes clsd Sat no none 1850 E. Merritt Island Cswy. & Sun Island Waterfront Bar & Grill 321-806-3661 SeADe Our Seafood no yes yes yes full bar on Page 29 1891 E. Merritt Island Cswy Kelsey’s Pizzeria 321-735-4810 Italian no yes yes yes beer wine 1850 N. Courtenay Pkwy. LongHorn’s Steakhouse 321-456-5559 American no yes yes yes full bar 770 E. Merritt Island Cswy Molly’s Seafood 321-453-1288 Seafood no yes yes yes full bar 1580 East Merritt Island Causeway Mrs. Apples Crab Shack 321-459-3759 Seafood no yes yes clsd Sun none 580 West Merritt Island Causeway & Mon Nauticals Spirits 321-452-5090 Seafood no yes yes yes full bar 2700 Harbortown Drive Olive Garden 321-459-0306 Italian no yes yes yes full bar 205 East Merritt Island Causeway
30 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
RESTAURANT
CUISINE
Outback 321-454-4450 777 Merritt Is. Cwy Pacific Rim 321-305-4902 300 North Courtenay Parkway Pizza Company 321-455-6515 868 North Banana River Drive Red Lobster 321-453-3520 215 East Merritt Island Causeway Ruby Tuesdays 321-453-6340 777 East Merritt Causeway Shuttles 321-305-4143 6100 North Courtenay Parkway Sonny’s 321-449-9102 310 North Courtenay Parkway Sumo Monkey 321-453-3123 925 North Courtenay Parkway TGI Friday’s 321-452-8071 785 Merritt Island Causeway The Donut Shop 321-459-1074 480 North Courtenay Pkwy Tijuana Flats 321-453-1881 76 East Merritt Island Csway Umpa’s Diner 321-454-3422 1115 North Courtenay Pkway Victoria’s Family Restaurant 321-459-1656 370 North Courtenay Pkwy Wabi Sabi 321-452-0507 455 North Courtenay Pkwy
American
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS no
yes
yes
yes
full bar
Sushi
no
yes
yes
yes
beer wine
Italian
no
yes
yes
yes
none
Seafood
no
yes
yes
yes
full bar
American
no
yes
yes
yes
full bar
American
no
yes
yes
no
beer wine
BBQ
no
yes
yes
yes
beer wine
Thai
no
yes
yes
no
wine
American
no
yes
yes
yes
full bar
Breakfast
yes
yes
no
yes
none
Mexican
no
yes
yes
yes
beer wine
Family Diner
yes
yes
no
yes
none
Greek/American Thr, Fri only Sushi
yes
yes
yes
yes
beer wine
no
yes
yes
yes
beer wine
R NEW TRY OU RITAS!
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Located at 217 Crockett Blvd., Merritt Island OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
| 31
Business & Real Estate
MIRA Chooses New Executive Director BY CHERYL HURREN
M
erritt Island Redevelopment Agency (MIRA) would like to introduce its new Executive Director Lisa Leger Frazier, M.S., AICP. Frazier comes to MIRA with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Planning from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University.
Cheryl Hurren has been with MIRA since 2008 as the special projects coordinator. She began with Brevard County in the Land Development Office in 2001 and was promoted to the Planning and Zoning Office in 2003.
Frazier’s professional credentials include certifications from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP); Project Management Institute (PMI); and past memberships on planning commissions in Independence Township, MI, and Indialantic, FL. From 1994 to 2000, Frazier was an elected member of the Indialantic Town Council and deputy mayor from November 1998 to April 2000.
MIRA was looking for someone with a wide variety of skill sets and found those in Frazier’s special qualifications, which include: • The establishment and implementation of Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) and Brownfield Designation Areas • Grant writing • Identification of alternative funding sources, and land acquisition, including conservation easements Frazier is a planning practice builder and project manager with more than 26 years of experience in public and private sector planning, including urban corridor and complete streets plans; greenway and trails master plans; feasibility studies, recreation projects, land development entitlements, conservation design
and protection plans; site planning and permitting; project management, and budget/capital improvement plans. MIRA also will benefit from Frazier’s experience in economic development and comprehensive plans; master plans, land development plans, and green infrastructure planning, including low impact designs and storm water master plans.
Lisa Leger Frazier, executive director, MIRA
Frazier has extensive experience in working with Transportation Planning Organization’s Florida Department of Transportation, municipal governments, State and Federal permitting agencies; public speaking and presentations; execution of public involvement plans, and coordination of public workshops. Frazier said she is excited to be with MIRA and looks forward to starting and completing a long list of projects identified in the MIRA Redevelopment Plan. “As a consultant, it has been my distinct pleasure to work with local governments in the success of their projects in order to reach their community and economic development goals,” she said. “I am thrilled to be working with the MIRA board and staff in this next phase of redevelopment in accordance with the expanded Redevelopment Master Plan. We have a great deal of work to do and we look forward to expanding our partnerships to meet the economic and community goals of the Merritt Island community. Cheryl and I welcome the input from residents and business owners alike. Please feel free to visit our newly remodeled offices and introduce yourselves.”
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Business & Real Estate
Island Waterfront Home Values Climbing BY HEATHER DAWSON
D
id you know that more than 1,000 people move to Florida every day? Merritt Island is one of the state’s best kept secrets, and Island living is still affordable. Homes on the Indian River are a bargain compared to those in Indian River County that borders the south end of Brevard County.
Heather Dawson, your “Island Specialist,” is a Merritt Island resident and realtor with Trafford Realty.
Florida home sales were up by 21.8 percent in July of 2015 compared to July of 2014 sales of single-family homes, according to the Florida Realtors market data. This increase is attributed to local job growth, lower interest rates and a decrease in inventory of homes available for sale. But how do these numbers compare to home sales on Merritt Island?
You might be surprised but the numbers don’t lie. On Merritt Island in July of 2014, 78 single-family homes sold at an average price of $211,000. Eleven townhouse/condos sold at an average price of $118,000. In July of 2015 on Merritt Island, 75 single-family homes sold at an average price of $277,500. Twenty-four townhouse/condo sold at an average price of $135,000. That means that for the month of July in 2015, the average sale price of a singlefamily home on Merritt Island has increased by 31.5 percent over July of 2014, and the sales of townhomes and condo’s has increased by 14.4 percent.
Photo courtesy of Eric Dawson
What does that mean for prices of waterfront properties on the Island? In July of 2014, 17 Merritt Island waterfront singlefamily homes sold at an average price of $309,000. Five waterfront townhouses and condos sold at an average price of $134,000. In July of 2015, 17 Merritt Island waterfront single-family homes sold at an average price of 439,200, while 13 townhouses and condos sold at an average price of $240,700. With low inventory and the same number of waterfront homes sold in July 2015 as compared to July 2014, the price of waterfront single-family homes has increased by an amazing 42 percent and the price of townhouses and condos has increased by 79.3 percent! If you’re considering selling your home, consult your local realtor and ask them to do a market analysis. When priced right, homes sell quickly and for near full price.
Law Offices of
Jason s. Robbins, P.a. Know Your Rights. FREE Consultation ■ Personal Injury Cases ■ Workers’ Compensation ■ Longshore Defense Base Act Injuries ■ Social Security Disability Claims ■ Divorce / Custody ■ Paternity / Child Support ■ Wills / Trust / Guardianship ■ Living Wills ■ Insurance Policy Review As long time Merritt Island residents, we make hospital & house calls to better serve our clients.
Jason Robbins
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www.wcompfl.com OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 33
Business & Real Estate
Dow Jones Industrial Average 10,000
Financial Advisors Help With Sound Investment Decisions
I
f you want to send your children or grandchildren to college, retire comfortably and achieve other important life goals, you will have to invest — it’s that simple. But the process of investing can sometimes seem anything but simple. What can you do to gain confidence that you are making the right investment moves?
Joe DelBene is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Merritt Island and is dedicated to serving the needs of serious, long-term individual investors in our community.
The answer may depend on how involved you want to be with your investment decisions. Initially, you might think that you would like to be totally “hands on.” After all, how you save and invest your money is unquestionably a highly personal matter. And once you start exploring the investment world, you may find it fascinating, as it entails virtually every human endeavor imaginable: business, politics, science, the environment, and so on. But if you want to completely run your own show, you will need to put in a lot of work — such as studying the financial markets, staying up-to-date on changing investment environments and monitoring your portfolio to make sure it is still appropriate for your financial needs and goals. Most people find that they do not have the time or expertise to manage this investment process on their own, which is why they turn to professional financial advisors. The key advantage in working with an advisor is that he or she knows your risk tolerance, goals and family situation, and can help you create a personalized, long-term investment strategy. A good financial advisor will communicate with you regularly and make recommendations. A financial advisor can offer you a variety of strategies and types of investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, to help you work toward your goals. Ultimately, though, you will be the one to make the “buy” or “sell” decisions. Some investors prefer to leave even the buy-and-sell decisions to professionals. Most financial advisors offer advisory programs that take care of this for you. With these programs, you choose a professionally managed portfolio of investments. The programs typically offer a wide range of portfolios, so you can choose one that’s appropriate based on your needs, goals and risk tolerance. Each portfolio contains a broad range of investments that are selected by professional analysts and represent a variety of asset classes. Advisory programs
34 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
1,000
100
10 1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
also offer a sophisticated rebalancing process designed to keep your assets allocated appropriately, which can help keep you on track toward your specific financial goals. Whether you choose to make your own decisions in consultation with a financial advisor or to invest in an advisory program or both, you really should learn as much as possible about your investments. Whichever method you decide is best for you, remember that investing involves risk, and investment performance is never guaranteed. So make sure you’re asking the right questions, such as: What are the risk characteristics? How has a particular investment vehicle performed relative to others in its category? What are the tax implications of owning and selling a specific investment vehicle? What are the costs and fees associated with each choice? As you may have heard many times, knowledge is power — and that’s certainly true in the investment arena. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor.
www.edwardjones.com
Meeting on your schedule, not ours. Face-to-face meetings. One-on-one relationships. How did Edward Jones become one of the biggest financial services companies in the country? By not acting like one. With more than 10,000 offices. Including the 2 in Merritt Island.
Joe DelBene
Financial Advisor .
270 N Sykes Creek Parkway Ste 102 Merritt Island, FL 32953 321-452-2532
Member SIPC
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OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 35
Business & Real Estate
A Good Mattress is Key to a Better Night’s Sleep BY SCOTT PALMER
A
ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Over a lifetime, many factors can affect the quality of your sleep such as chronic diseases, injuries, mental illness, and poor quality of life and well-being. Poor quality sleep can lead to chronic issues such as Scott Palmer is the obesity or depression. owner of Cloud 9 A National Sleep Foundation poll Sleep Shop inside indicated that nine out of 10 people Merritt Square Mall rated a comfortable mattress and pillow and has been in the as crucial to a night’s sleep. An important mattress/furniture industry for more determinate of your sleep is the quality of than 20 years. the mattress you sleep on. Consumers should sleep on a mattress that feels most comfortable to them and provides the best support for them. There are a variety of choices such as inner spring, inner pocket coils, memory foam, and so on. Research also shows that more people in the last 10 years have been attracted to memory foam mattresses. Memory foam mattresses have improved vastly over the last few years,
providing allergen-free technology, cooler sleep with gel-infused technology, and many degrees of firmness – everything from super soft to ultra-firm. One of the major benefits of memory foam is the contouring of the mattress to each individual body that takes pressure off a unique person’s pressure points. Another advantage of memory foam is its ability to bend on adjustable units. Adjustable beds are a great tool to relieve lower back tension by raising the feet and to help with issues like sleep apnea by raising the head. When choosing a mattress, pay close attention to what feels right for you and the construction of the mattress for longevity. There are some local dealers in Merritt Island that carry a large variety of mattresses. Your best night’s sleep starts with the right mattress.
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Voted Best Floor Covering Store in Merritt Island
OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 37
Business & Real Estate ADDRESS 215 Milford Point Drive 120 Melbourne Avenue 225 Eyre Avenuye 130 Barbados Drive 860 Woodbine Drive 2005 Temple Avenue 320 Mikado Drive 1160 N Montego Bay Drive 220 Tiki Drive 5437 Royal Paddock Way 800 Wild Flower Street 1165 King Street 1575 Ursa Court 2155 Topaz Court 885 Lakewood Circle 330 Duet Avenue 910 Westwood Drive 430 Patrick Avenue 814 Hampton Way 1530 Plum Avenue 4119 Judith Avenue 547 Hidden Hollow Drive 571 Hidden Hollow Drive 1955 Holt Drive 440 Indian Bay Boulevard 470 Indian Bay Boulevard 2620 Overlook Court 1526 Stafford Avenue 445 River Grove Court 2255 Marsh Harbor Avenue 334 S Tropical 324 S Tropical Trail 1644 Hortana Drive 2940 South Tropical Trail 1990 S Courtenay Parkway 1665 Sea Shell Drive 6008 N Tropical 4200 S Tropical Trail 2805 S Tropical 135 Orange Lane 5202 Winding Way 3082 Glenridge Circle 1680 Richardson Road 1735 Davis Drive 1690 Pelican Drive 105 Teresa Lane 1320 Martin Boulevard 2215 Dumas Street 1330 Demitasse Avenue 2230 Dumas Street 871 Spanish Cay Drive 3315 Horse Trail Court 250 Marlin Drive 3245 Savannahs 840 First Street 455 Snug Harbor Drive 3747 Sunward Drive 3819 Sunward Drive 1350 Mackeral Avenue 1555 S Harbor Drive 1270 Mercedes Drive 580 Barrett Drive 147 Via De La Reina 195 Via De La Reina 102 Sea Breeze Circle 2275 Sykes Creek Drive 1891 Sykes Creek Drive 1977 Sykes Creek Drive 848 Brookstone Drive
Merritt Island Homes Sold In July SUBDIVISION BDRMS BATHS Banana River Park 3 2 Barony Estates 3 2 Barony Estates 4 2 Belaire 3 2 Bridgewater 4 3 Carlton Groves 3 2 Catalina Isle Estates 3 2.5 Catalina Isle Estates 4 2 Catalina Isle Estates 3 2 Chase Hammock Lakes 4 3.5 Citrus Isle 4 2 Country Club Manor 3 2 Diana Shores 3 2 Fairfax 3 2 Fortenberry Place 4 2.5 Garden Park 2 2 Hampton Homes 3 2 Hampton Homes 3 2 Hampton Homes 3 2 Harbor Estates 3 2 Heron Villages of Cedar Creek 2 2 Hidden Hollow 3 2 Hidden Hollow 4 2.5 Holiday Cove 4 2 Indian Bay Estates 5 3 Indian Bay Estates 4 2 Indian River Village 4 3 Island Crossings 4 3 Island Oaks 3 2 Marsh Harbor 4 3.5 Moore and Cantines 4 3 Moore and Catines 2 1 Morningside Heights 3 2 None 3 2 None 4 3 None 3 2 None 4 3.5 None 6 4.5 None 3 3.5 Orange Grove Manor 3 2 Otter Trace 5 4 Palmetto 4 2.5 Pelican Creek Estates 4 2 Pelican Creek Estates 4 3 Pelican Creek Estates 4 2 Radford Estates 3 2.5 Ridge Manor 3 2 Ridge Manor Estates 4 2 Ridge Manor Estates 3 2 Ridge Manor Estates 3 2 River Grove on the Trail 4 3 River Oaks Plantation 3 2 Rivers Edge Estates 4 2 Savannahs 3 2 Skylark Estates 3 2 Snug Harbor 3 2 Sunset Lakes 4 3 Sunset Lakes 4 3 Surfside Estates 3 2 Surfside Estates 4 2 Twin Rivers 4 3.5 Vette Isles Estates 3 2 Villa De Palmas 4 2 Villa De Palmas 4 2 Villa De Palmas 3 2 Villa De Palmas 3 2 Villa De Palmas 4 3.5 Villa De Palmas 4 2.5 Watermill 4 2
LVG SQ FT 1911 1257 1415 1393 2306 2327 1487 1900 1489 3251 1849 1050 1508 1434 2462 1064 1008 1348 1144 1352 1686 1823 2347 1820 4966 2350 2006 2350 1679 3770 3010 768 1404 1248 1573 1344 3290 3479 4517 1401 4449 2778 2216 1556 1855 1842 1407 1744 1240 1509 2416 2042 1795 2131 1458 2155 2530 2968 1266 1724 2840 1080 1902 1786 1514 2023 3465 2708 2402
POOL no no yes yes yes no no yes yes yes yes no no no yes no no no no no comm yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no no no no no yes yes no yes no no no no yes no no yes yes no yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes no no yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
WTRFRNT canal no no no no no no canal canal lake/pond no no canal no no no no no no no no lake/pond no canal canal canal no no no banana rvr no no no no no canal no banana rvr indian rvr no no no canal canal canal no no no no canal no no no lake/pond no no no no no no no no no no no no sykes crk canal no
YR BUILT 2004 1964 1965 1962 2001 1963 1966 1965 1963 2007 1998 1965 1967 1967 1981 1965 1959 1968 1959 1964 2005 1999 1988 1967 1989 1991 1980 1996 1989 1999 2003 1938 1956 1983 1987 1963 2003 1986 1992 1965 2006 2006 1961 1964 1966 1963 1968 1979 1968 1980 2003 1989 1964 1997 1963 1984 1999 1998 1963 1964 1990 1963 1967 1968 1978 1982 1999 1990 1990
*Public records sales data provided by Cheryl D’Cruz of Matlock-D’Cruz (see ad on next page)
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
SOLD PRICE $385,000 $134,450 $160,000 $95,500 $317,800 $158,000 $186,000 $350,000 $360,000 $520,000 $205,000 $45,100 $250,000 $130,000 $245,000 $90,000 $125,000 $137,000 $82,000 $87,000 $179,900 $299,500 $310,000 $359,900 $408,894 $465,000 $269,900 $280,000 $224,900 $438,000 $290,500 $99,000 $51,500 $168,000 $250,000 $318,700 $462,000 $792,000 $900,000 $142,000 $435,000 $285,000 $347,500 $357,500 $420,000 $230,000 $123,000 $199,900 $200,000 $220,000 $315,000 $285,000 $264,900 $361,000 $92,000 $260,000 $260,000 $339,900 $162,000 $195,000 $375,000 $80,764 $225,000 $223,500 $234,900 $270,000 $582,000 $475,000 $325,000
E E R F e n O t e G , r o t l e Rea
Buy On
Why hire just one Realtor?
Stacy Matlock
Cheryl D’Cruz
When 2 Agents are better than one! As a realtor team, we offer unparalleled service and attention for your real estate needs. Call us for a FREE home evaluation today!
Stacy Matlock 321.544.5235 • Cheryl D’Cruz 321.338.7841 www.happyhousehunting.com
OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 39
Business & Real Estate ADDRESS 260 Cold Stream Avenue 1545 S Banana River Drive 820 Sandgate Street 275 East Lauren Court 289 S Lauren Court 270 W Lauren Court 475 Bella Capri Drive 1607 Harbor Drive 1480 James Avenue 2070 Temple Avenue 1075 Molaki Drive 750 Richland Avenue 4500 Monica Court 636 Heather Stone Drive 1355 Centaurus Court 1645 Sykes Creek Drive 2110 Eastwood Drive 1295 Plum Avenue 440 Newfound Harbor Drive 575 Gateway Drive 3930 S Tropical 1420 Glen Haven Drive 120 First Street 721 6th Street 540 Sabal Avenue 415 Belair Avenue 330 Riverside Avenue 427 Fourth Place 1725 Harbor Oaks Place 480 Cheyenne Trail 1602 Stafford Avenue 325 Kenzel Court 2365 Palm Lake Drive 415 OxfordAvenue 505 Orange Avenue 70 Brandy Lane 1695 Georgiana Drive 1100 Old Parsonage Drive 1175 Pine Island Road 5551 Rising Star Lane 3960 Crooked Mile Road 2555 Newfound Harbor Drive 2080 S Tropical Trail 4750 Murcott Avenue 1265 Marshall Court 810 Manderine Street 1705 Reef Court 1615 Neptune Drive 1620 Neptune Drive 2900 Raintree Lake Circle 2375 Raintree Lake Circle 2165 Reynard Place 1360 Jane Court 215 Bonita Drive 6182 N Tropical Trail 610 High Point Court 370 Oak Lake Place 3255 Spartina Avenue 170 Carrigan Boulevard 4170 Savannahs 3050 Savannahs 625 Sunset Lane 4161 Tradewinds Trail 3789 Sunward Drive 905 Limerick Drive 842 Killarney Court 735 Limerick Drive 3740 Starlight Avenue 1430 Eddy Street 1455 S Harbor Drive 2135 Porpoise Street 156 Tequesta Harbor Drive 164 Tequesta Harbor Drive 3522 Twelve Oaks Circle 615 Barrett Drive 1400 Holly Avenue 208 Via Havarre 1883 Sandbar Drive
Merritt Island Homes Sold In August SUBDIVISION Barony Estates Banana River Drive Barony Estates Belaire Belaire Belaire Bella Capri Canaveral Caribbean Isles Carlton Groves Catalina Isle Estates Cataline Isles Citrus River Groves Copperfield Diana Shores Diana Shores Eastwood Estates Floral Park Gateway Gateway Georgianna Settlement Glen Haven Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Harbor Oaks Indian Bay Estates Island Crossings Kenzel Terrace Lakes of Ridge Manor Lucas Terrace Merritt Ridge Mitchell Manor Morningside Heights New Georgiana Settlement None None None None None North Grove Orange Blossom Heights Orange Grove Manor Pelican Creek Estates Port Canaveral Port Canaveral Raintree by the Lake Raintree by the Lake Ridge Manor Estates Ridge Manor Estates River Edge Estates River Grove on the Trail River Grove on the Trail River Oaks Plantation River Oaks Plantation Riverside Savannahs Savannahs South Tropical Estates Sunset Lake West Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Surfside Estates Surfside Estates Surfside Estates Tequesta Harbor Tequesta Harbor The Oaks at Lake Front Vetter Isles Estates Vetter Isles Estates Villa De Palmas Waterway Manor
BDRMS BATHS 3 2 4 3 4 2 3 2 3 2 4 2 4 2 3 2 4 2 3 1 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 2 3 2 4 2 5 3.5 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 2.5 3 2 2 2 3 1 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 2.5 3 3.5 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 1 4 2 3 2 4 3.5 4 3 3 4 5 4.5 4 2.5 3 2 3 2 4 2.5 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 5 3 4 3 4 3 3 2.5 5 5.5 4 2.5 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 4 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 3 4 2 4 3 4 2 4 2.5 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2
LVG SQ FT 1394 2601 1367 1152 1529 1314 2653 1891 1708 1332 1488 1440 1847 1947 1693 2233 3831 1479 1613 1745 2528 1132 1320 1472 1848 1247 1852 1942 2850 2147 1792 1754 1523 1453 1600 2329 884 2408 1833 2791 2451 2057 5702 2544 1775 1527 1773 1600 2046 1418 1596 1540 1250 2693 2535 3116 2270 4600 2163 2117 2875 2045 3753 2289 2164 2212 2250 2105 2040 1855 2093 2343 1814 2008 1184 1304 1851 2217
POOL no yes no no yes no yes no no yes yes no no yes no yes yes yes yes no no no no no no yes no no yes yes yes no no no no yes no yes no no yes yes yes yes no yes no yes no yes no no yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no no yes yes yes yes no yes no no
WTRFRNT no no no no no no no canal no no canal no no no canal canal banana rvr canal no no no canal no no no no canal canal canal lake/pond lake/pond no lake/pond no no no no no no lake/pond lake/pond nwfd hbr lake/pond no no no canal canal canal lake/pond no canal no no lake/pond no no indian rvr no lake/pond lake/pond canal no no lake/pond no lake/pond no no no canal no no no canal canal no no
YR BUILT 1982 2003 1965 1963 1963 1963 1980 1959 1965 1963 1966 1964 1984 1995 1976 1986 1979 1978 1968 1966 1985 1962 1959 1959 1963 1963 1963 1959 1989 1993 1996 1959 1989 1968 1957 1964 1965 1988 1983 2007 2006 1965 2002 1992 1972 1965 1968 1964 1967 1982 1982 1983 1967 1966 2002 2003 1998 2003 1965 2000 1996 1977 2001 1995 2001 2000 2001 1994 1964 1965 1981 1964 1964 2002 1963 1963 1977 1973
*Public records sales data provided by Cheryl D’Cruz of Matlock-D’Cruz (see ad on previous page)
40 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
SOLD PRICE $145,000 $390,000 $127,500 $130,000 $130,000 $91,003 $289,900 $240,000 $101,000 $73,900 $345,000 $165,000 $230,500 $239,000 $364,900 $395,000 $660,000 $265,000 $134,000 $187,000 $335,000 $176,000 $72,500 $95,000 $145,000 $167,000 $208,000 $243,000 $347,500 $280,000 $255,000 $160,000 $227,000 $115,000 $124,000 $189,250 $23,000 $290,000 $240,000 $365,000 $520,000 $509,900 $800,000 $235,000 $147,900 $110,024 $220,000 $299,900 $357,500 $180,000 $180,000 $158,700 $165,069 $289,900 $385,000 $445,000 $245,000 $1,190,000 $279,900 $317,500 $385,000 $244,900 $430,000 $180,000 $240,000 $280,000 $300,000 $295,000 $90,300 $157,000 $290,000 $303,000 $390,000 $310,000 $157,000 $236,750 $210,000 $185,900
GREAT FOR CHILD CARE FACILITY FOR LEASE
Located on the south side of MERRITT ISLAND SHOPPING CENTER Merritt Island Causeway just west of
—FOR LEASE—
325 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FLMall 32952 Merritt Square
Abundant Parking Join Harbor Freight, Appliance Direct,
ASK ABOUT OUR FREE RENT SPECIAL Brevard Stop & Shop ( New Tenant),
MERRITT ISLAND SHOPPING CENTER
Bizzarro’s Pizza, Ace Beauty Supply,
Looking Good Hair Salon FOR LEASE 325 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL 32952 Located on the south side of Merritt Island Causeway just west of Merritt Square Mall Abundant Parking Join Harbor Freight, Appliance Direct, Brevard Stop and Shop ( New Tenant) Bizzarro’s Pizza, Salon Centric, Mins Nails & Looking Good Hair Salon DEMOGRAPHICS & TRAFFIC
Traffic Count: 37,500 / DAY 3 Mile - Population: 33,487 Income $41,497
DEMOGRAPHICS & TRAFFIC
• 5Traffic Spaces Available Count: 37,500 / DAY Traffic • Hi-Volume 3 Mile - Population: 33,487 Income $41,497 • Abundant Parking • Ask About Our FREE Rent Special!
IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! SPACES AVAILABLE
825 SF * 1,100 SF 1,100 SF BUILT OUT DENTIST OFFICE 7,980 SF - PREVIOUS GYM
IMMED OCCUPANIATE CY!
CAN BE COMBINED FOR OVER 9,000SF—GREAT FOR SPA OR GYM
Gulisano-Pelaez 825 sf Space •Camille 1,100 sfINCLUDED Space • 1,100 sf BUILT-OUT DENTIST OFFICE WATER cgulisano@summitrealtyfl.com 7,980 sf LARGE • 561-395-1216SPACE, x. 106 GREAT FOR ANY USE – can be 1701 N. Federal Highway, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33432 combined with 1,100 sf for over 9,000 sf. Water Included.
$14.00 PSF + $4.36 NNN
No warranty of representation expressed or implied is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein, and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and to any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. (Rev. 07.22.09)
Camille Gulisano-Pelaez Camille Gulisano-Pelaez cgulisano@summitrealtyfl.com 561-395-1216 x. 106
561-395-1216 Ext. 106 1701 N. Federal Highway, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33432
cgulisano@summitrealtyfl.com
No warranty of representation expressed or implied is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein, and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and to any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. (Rev. 07.22.09)
No Obligations Policy Review and Quote! of Merritt Island, FL
Call the Team TODAY!
Denise Moore Mike Hoats Brandy Moore Denise
2555 N. Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island, FL 32953 (Across from Race Trac)
Mike
Brandy
(321) 877-4888 www.suwanneeinsurance.com
AUTO • COMMERCIAL • HOMEOWNER/RENTAL • MOBILE HOME• LIFE • MARINE OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
| 41
e k i l s t r a e H d a h e l p e b If Peo d l u o w d l r o W e h t Dogs, . e c a l P r e a Bett
Paws & Claws
Country Club Resort Located in the Heart of Merritt Island On 1½ Acres! Glass Viewing Suites & Cat Room 24-Hour Care/Staff Master & Certified Groomers - Specializing In Hand Scissoring & Cat Grooming On-Site Veterinarian Pick Up & Drop Off Service Facebook/merrittpawsandclaw Open 7 Days a Week (Except For Holidays)
Remember to Make Your Holiday Boarding and Grooming Reservations...Call Today!
Paws & Claws Country Club Resort
321-454-4499
101 N. Plumosa • Merritt Island, 32953 (Behind the Burger King on 520)
MERRITT ISLAND AREA CONTACTS — STATE GOVERNMENT — Governor Rick Scott..............................................................(850) 488-7146 Senator Thad Altman............................................................ (321) 868-2132 Representative Steve Crisafulli..............................................(321) 449-5111
BREVARD COUNTY GOV’T ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS Commissioner Robin Fisher - District 1..................................(321) 264-6750 Commissioner Jim Barfield - District 2 (MI)........................... (321) 454-6601 Commissioner Trudie Infanini - District 3............................. (321) 952-6300 Commissioner Curt Smith - District 4....................................(321) 633-2040 Commissioner Andy Anerson - District 5................................(321) 253-6611
— SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS — Dr. Desmond Blackburn........................................... (321) 633-1000 ext 402 School Board Ms. Misty Belford - District 1..................................................(321) 591-9387 Mr. John Craig (MI) - District 2...............................................(321) 271-9705 Ms. Amy Kneessy - District 3................................................ (321) 779-5034 Ms. Karen Henderson - District 4.......................................... (321) 631-5905 Mr. Andy Ziegler - District 5...................................................(321) 821-0510
— BREVARD COUNTY GOVERNMENT RESOURCES — Animal Control......................................................................(321) 633-2024 Building, Permits, Business Licenses....................................(321) 633-2072 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals)...................................... (321) 637-5437 Environmental Health........................................................... (321) 633-2100 Jury Phone............................................................................(321) 637-6559 Justice Center.......................................................................(321) 637-2000 Planning & Zoning................................................................(321) 633-2070 Housing & Human Services...................................................(321) 633-2007 Sheriffs Office (non emergency)............................................(321) 633-7162 Voter Registration................................................................. (321) 633-2124 Code Enforcement................................................................(321) 633-2086 Occupational Licensing........................................................(321) 264-6935 Tax Collector - www.brevardtaxcollector.com.....................(321) 264-6930 Merritt Island Post Office.......................................................(321) 453-1479 Public Library on Merritt Island............................................ (321) 455-1369 Department of Health.............................................................(321) 454-7111
— CHILDREN AND FAMILY RESOURCES — FL Department of Children and Family Central Region........(321) 634-3600 Brevard CARES (prevent child abuse)................................... (321) 632-2737 Brevard CARES Crisis Hotline.............................................. (888) 227-3709 Brevard County Boys and Girls............................................. (321) 301-4484 Florida Domestic Violence Hotline........................................(800) 500-1119 Family Counseling Center....................................................(321) 632-5792 Circles of Care......................................................................(321) 722-5200 Women’s Center....................................................................(321) 242-3110 Alcoholic’s Anonymous........................................................ (321) 724-2247 Help Line 24 hour.................................................................(321) 632-6688 Rape Hotline......................................................................... (321) 784-4357 Sharing Center...................................................................... (321) 631-0306 Alternative Pregnancy Center..............................................(321) 454-9853 Serene Harbor Domestic Violence Center............................(321) 726-8282 Crisis Hotline....................................................................... (800) 962-2873 Sundance Ranch Christian Counseling.................................(321) 305-5946 Poison Control..................................................................... (800) 222-1222 Emergency Veterinary Clinic................................................(321) 725-5365
— SUPPORT GROUPS — The Sunflower House.............................................................(321) 452-4341 Senior and Caregiver Resource Center inside the Merritt Square Mall Bipolar and Al-anon and Al-ateen Support Groups...............(321) 452-4080 280 E Merritt Avenue (Faith Lutheran Church)
Reference
— HOSPITALS — Cape Canaveral Hospital........................................................ (321) 799-7111 701 West Cocoa Beach Causeway • Cocoa Beach, FL Wuesthoff Medical Center.....................................................(321) 636-2211 110 Longwood Avenue • Rockledge, FL
— KID ACTIVITIES — Parks and Recreation............................................................(321) 633-1874 www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/Home Hockey - The Space Coast Iceplex........................................(321) 504-7500 YMCA.................................................................................... (321) 433-7770 Lacrosse - www.merrittislandlax.com..................................(321) 454-4943 Football - Pop Warner........................................................... (321) 591-6282 www.eteamz.com/merrittislandpopwarner Football - MIYFCA - www.merrittislandmustangs.net............ (321)446-1170 Soccer - Central Brevard Soccer...........................................(321) 394-5083 www.centralbrevardsoccer.org Volleyball - Cape Coast Volleyball......................................(321) 639-3800 www.capecoastvolleyball.com Cheerleading - MIYFCA.........................................................(321) 960-3443 Cheerleading - Competition Coastal Elite............................. (321) 505-1002 Softball - Merritt Island Lassie League.................................(321) 626-8040 www.milassieleague.com Baseball - North Merritt Island Little League........................ (321) 543-6215 www.misllbaseball@yahoo.com Flag Football - Brevard......................................................... (321) 452-3105 www.brevardflagfootball.com Calema Windsurfing and Watersports..................................(321) 453-3223 www.calema.com Merritt Island Swim School ISR Master Instructor Infant and Up......................................(321) 698-5840 Drum Lessons - Paula Taylor................................................(321) 537-6426 Upward Basketball............................................................... (321) 453-2146 US Naval Sea Cadets - The Courageous Division................. (321) 951-0432 ......................................................................................... or (321) 631-0440 Y-Indian Guides...................................................www.canaveralnation.net Girl Scouts of Citrus Council................................................ (407) 896-4475 Boy Scouts........................................................................... (407) 889-4403 Paintball, Skate, DMX - Brevard Extreme Sports ..................(321) 454-7777 Unlimited Kickboxing............................................................(321) 368-9307 Marta’s Legacy Dance Studio............................................... (321) 453-6277 Dussich Dance Studio...........................................................(321) 452-2046 Brevard Shotokan Karate.....................................................(321) 323-9480 Ross Karate.......................................................................... (321) 698-7957 M.Y. Martial Arts Studio.........................................................(321) 452-7229 Shorin-Ryu Karate............................................................... (321) 459-3000 Lauts Music...........................................................................(321) 453-6424 Classes in keyboard, home organ, acoustic piano, acoustic and electric guitar, and voice.
— UTILITIES — Florida Power and Light......................... (800) 226-3545 or (321) 723-7795 Brighthouse..............................................................(866) 309-EASY (3279) Waste Management..............................................................(321) 636-6894 AT&T.................................................................................... (888) 757-6500 Florida City Gas Company................................................... (888) 352 5325 City Of Cocoa Water Dept.....................................................(321) 433-8400 Call Before You Dig ................................................................................ 811
— PUBLIC SCHOOLS — Brevard County Public Schools Main Office............ (321) 633-1000 ext 500 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way • Viera, Florida 32940 Ethics Hotline .......................................................... (321) 633-1000 ext 170 Audubon Elementary............................................................(321) 452-2085 1201 North Banana River Drive
OCT 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 43
Reference Tropical Elementary............................................................. (321) 454-1080 885 South Courtenay Parkway Stevenson Elementary School..............................................(321) 454-3550 1450 Martin Blvd Mila Elementary School........................................................ (321) 454-1070 288 W Merritt Avenue Lewis Carroll Elementary School.......................................... (321) 452-1234 1 Skyline Blvd Jefferson Middle School....................................................... (321) 453-5154 1275 South Courtenay Parkway Edgewood Junior Senior High School................................... (321) 454-1030 180 East Merritt Avenue Merritt Island High School.................................................... (321) 454-1000 100 East Mustang Way Florida Virtual School ......................................................... (407) 513-3587 Brevard Virtual ....................................................................(321) 633-3660
— PRIVATE SCHOOLS — Merritt Island Christian School .............................................(321) 453-2710 140 Magnolia Avenue Divine Mercy Catholic Academy...........................................(321) 452-0263 1940 North Courtenay Parkway Ambassador Christian Academy........................................... (321) 305-6931 175 Cone Road Brevard Private Academy.....................................................(321) 459-3466 508 South Plumosa Alpha Learning..................................................................... (321) 453-7077 3700 North Courtenay Parkway Suite 102 Puzzle Box Academy............................................................ (321) 345-0861 is a private school serving children (currently ages 2 through 2nd Grade) impacted by Autism and other developmental delays such as ADD/ADHD Faith Lutheran Pre-School and Day Care ..............................(321) 452-4143 280 East Merritt Avenue
— BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS — Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce................... (321) 459-2200 Merritt Island Rotary Club....................................................(321) 223-4362 BNI Beeliners........................................................................(321) 690-2328 BNI Profiteers.......................................................................(321) 536-5973
— MI CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS & FOOD BANKS — My Island Thrift Store............................................... (321) 473-3355 (I Love My Island, Inc. non-profit) (Proceeds support the MI Community, Free Donation pick up available) 245 Crockett Blvd Molly Mutt—Thrift Store........................................................ (321) 459-1525 (supports Central Brevard Humane Society Adoption Center located at 155 Pioneer Road (321) 636-3343 ext 214) 2525 North Courtenay Parkway SPCA-Thrift Store..................................................................(321) 704-8480 (supports the adoption center(321) 453-5323 at the Merritt Square Mall) A+ Thrift Shop (supports Merritt Island Schools)...................(321) 453-4338 95 South Plumosa Street Pet Priorities Exotic Bird Rescue............................................(321) 289-1738 House of Hope Ministry........................................................ (321) 453-0318 (Food Bank, Clothing, Bicycles, Showers) Every Monday including Holidays beginning at 6:30am-10:30am 330 Magnolia Avenue Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry.......................(321) 452-2420 Merritt Island Residents only Thursdays 9-noon and 1-3:30pm 65 Needle Boulevard Quarterly Country Store and Children’s Clothes Closet East Coast Christian Center Food Pantry.............................. (321) 452-1060 670 North Courtenay Parkway Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-1pm Open Thursday Evenings 6pm-8pm
44 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • OCT 2015
— LOCAL CLUBS — The Moose Lodge.................................................................(321) 452-8383 3150 North Courtenay Parkway The Elks Lodge.....................................................................(321) 452-2650 1520 Sykes Creek Parkway Fraternal Order of Eagles.....................................................(321) 452-4258 1050 North Courtenay Parkway ABATE of Florida Brevard County Chapter...........................(321) 636-9720 241 Peachtree Street Cocoa Space Coast Mothers of Multiples......................................... (321) 795-1381 115 N. Indian River Drive Kiwanis Club of Merritt Island...............................................(321) 453-4309 P.O. Box 540142 Space Coast Square Dance Club.......................................... (321) 427-7950 155 Cone Road
— POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS — Brevard Republican Executive Committee............................(321) 254-0073 Brevard Democratic Executive Committee........................... (321) 327-7947
— COMMUNITY OF FAITH — East Coast Christian Center.................................................. (321) 452-1060 680 North Courtenay Parkway First Baptist Church of Merritt Island.....................................(321) 453-2144 140 Magnolia Avenue Calvary Chapel Merritt Island............................................... (321) 453-6779 3500 North Courtenay Parkway Grace United Methodist Church............................................(321) 452-2420 65 Needle Boulevard Georgiana United Methodist Church....................................(321) 452-7523 3925 South Tropical Trail Lighthouse Christian Church..................................................(321) 452-1012 1250 North Banana River Drive Island Community Church....................................................(321) 453-4656 1000 North Banana River Drive Merritt Assembly of God.......................................................(321) 454-4263 165 N. Grove Street Mi Church............................................................................. (321) 747-0658 170 North Courtenay Parkway North Courtenay Church of Christ.........................................(321) 452-8822 2455 North Courtenay Parkway Divine Mercy Catholic Church...............................................(321) 452-5955 1940 North Courtenay Parkway River of Life Assembly of God...............................................(321) 452-6990 1890 North Courtenay Parkway St Luke Episcopal Church.....................................................(321) 452-5260 5555 North Tropical Trail North Merritt Island United Methodist Church...................... (321) 452-7180 6355 North Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island Presbyterian Church.......................................(321) 452-5689 600 South Tropical Trail Grace Lutheran Church.........................................................(321) 986-9689 5455 North Courtenay Parkway Unity of Merritt Island...........................................................(321) 452-2625 4725 North Courtenay Parkway Orsino Baptist Church...........................................................(321) 452-0373 4505 North Courtenay Pkwy Faith Lutheran Church..........................................................(321) 452-4080 280 East Merritt Avenue Redeemer Lutheran Church (WELS)...................................... (321) 453-1000 560 South Tropical Trail Redemption Bible Fellowship...............................................(321) 208-7959 890 N. Banana River Drive
*Please e-mail lou@merrittislandnow.com if any information needs to be updated or to add a resource. Information believed to be accurate but not warranted.
Did You Know? SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER, MARCO DAWSON, IS A MERRITT ISLAND RESIDENT? It was a cold, rainy and windy day in Sunningdale England, for Sunday’s final round of the Senior Open Championship. With golf Legends Bernard Langer and Colin Montgomerie as playing partners, Marco made a 22 foot birdie to win his first major Championship. An amazing final round, with two eagles and a final score of 64, brought Marco his second victory of the year and put him in 4th place for the Schwab Cup Standings. Follow Marco on and off the golf course on Twitter @MarcoDawsonPGA. Senior Open Championship winner Marco Dawson
HOW DOES GOLF COMPARE TO SELLING REAL ESTATE?
B
oth professions require self motivation and pay is based purely on performance! If you don’t put in the time and effort, even during the tough times, you’re probably not going to do very well.
Like golf, Real Estate requires a passion from within! A drive to continue to better your self, your knowledge, your service to your clients and to do better than the year before. Unfortunately, some agents just get burned out! So how do you find the best one for you? Interview REALTORS! If you’re a buyer, find a REALTOR that really listens to what you need and want, and make sure to let them know how soon you need to find a home. Find out if the REALTOR is going to be available to show homes around your work schedule. If you’re selling, you should also interview full-time REALTORS. Just because a REALTOR shows you a fancy brochure, doesn’t mean that they are going to provide you better services. Ask questions! What are they going to do to market and sell my home? Where do they advertise? Are they going to do an open house? I personally believe that high-quality professional photography is one of the best ways to show the beauty of a home and get people inside! If your home is not visible from the road, you might even want to place a large sign at the end of the driveway, with some photographs of the home, to grab people’s attention. Anytime you have suggestions or questions don’t hesitate to to call your agent. They want to hear from you just like you want to hear from them.
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