Merritt Island Now YOUR #1 COMMUNITY SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING MERRITT ISLAND
VOL. 1 • ISSUE 8 • DEC • 2015
The 3rd Annual
Merritt Island Christmas Tree Event December 4th & 5th
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— Contents — December 2015 Volume 1 • Issue 8 10 Volunteer Fire Department 12 Islander(s) of the Month 14 MI Christmas Boat Parade 16 Waterways Biodiversity 18 Christmas Tree Event 20 MIHS Bowling Team 21 Edgewood’s Madison Roth 22 MICS’s Adviser Heather Scott
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23 Rising Stars 24 Divine Mercy Children’s Choir 26 Retinal Detachment 27 Season of Giving 28 Using Your Sewing Machine 30 Dermal Fillers 36 December Fishing Report 37 Pets as Gifts 38 MIRA 39 Living to 100 40 MI Real Estate Report 42 Holiday Safety
ON THE COVER
16
10
Contributing Writers
In Every Issue
Lou Colombo.................... 4
Dr. Frank Venzara III.....26
Letter from Publisher..................4
Diana Fasanella.............10
Stephanie Licavoli.........27
Celebrations.................................6
Diana Fasanella.............12
Ellen Patton....................28
Diana Fasanella.............14
Dan Daniels....................30
Capt. Mark Anderson....16
Capt. Alex Gorichky.....36
Wanda Luthman........... 20
Dr. Elizabeth Chosa...... 37
Emma Roberts.................21
Lisa Frazier......................38
Ingrid Hall........................22
Debby Silva....................42
Diana Fasanella............24
Calendar of Events.....................8 Islander of the Month............... 12 Feature Article.......................... 24 Dining Guide........................ 32-33 Recent Home Sales................. 40 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
The Merritt Island Christmas Tree Event. Photo: Coops Captures Photography, Paul Cooper
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Letter from the Publisher
H
i Fellow Islanders,
It’s that time of year again. It comes so quickly. The clock seems to tick a little faster and everyone moves much quicker around the Island. So, in addition to our normal daily routines, we are adding all that comes with the holiday season.
Lou and Julie Colombo founded the I Love My Island Merritt Island, FL Facebook page along with the MerrittIslandNow.com website.
I always try to take a step back and appreciate this time. The one thing that I particularly enjoy is our Christmas family traditions. Some of my best memories, both as a child and as a parent, are the family holiday gatherings. Growing up in a very large Italian family, we officially celebrate with a Christmas Eve meal and then another on Christmas Day.
Our typical table setting always looks like something from a movie. The table is so long it’s almost impossible for someone at the head of the table to have conversation with someone at the end, but that doesn’t stop anyone from trying to do it in a loud voice anyway. I remember getting promoted from the kid table to the adult table around 1976. While there wasn’t a formal ceremony for the promotion (just my mom saying, “Louis, you sit over here”), I took it as a rite of passage and always walked a little taller after that. Both meals start with a prayer and then the antipasto, consisting of several large platters covered with pepperoni, roasted peppers, soft cheese, black olives, celery (that no one ate) and a few other tasty items. The menu for Christmas Eve is always fish … lots of fish. Christmas Day is a complete rerun with lasagna and a variety of meats as the main course. The meal events, and I do mean events, span about eight hours each day. The teamwork in the kitchen is better than any restaurant I’ve ever seen. Everyone knows their jobs, and the younger ones tag along in training so they eventually can carry on the tradition to their generation. Each meal winds down with coffee, desserts and hours of relaxed conversation and stories about the family, most of which have been heard many times, but we still laugh just as hard as if it were the first time they were told. When I look back at old family photos, most are of when we were all together at Christmas. Those few hours with everyone are memories that DO last a lifetime. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. I have been truly blessed to have a wonderful family, and I look forward to continuing to make those same memories for my children, and them for theirs. I write this knowing that by the time this prints, my beautiful mother, Janet Colombo, will have gone home to be with our Lord. I love you, Mom, and thank you for a wonderful life and teaching me the value of family. You are and always will be in our hearts. I ask our Island family and friends to take a moment from the chaos and remember what’s most important to each of you this holiday season. Merry Christmas,
Lou & Julie Colombo 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
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December
—CALENDAR OF EVENTS— December 4th & 5th: The 3rd Annual Merritt Island Christmas Tree Event (starting at 6:00pm both nights) at the north end of The Home Depot Shopping Center behind Sno Hut. This 2 night family event begins with tree lighting and performances from MI school groups and churches. Bring chairs or blanket for seating. All are invited. December 5th: 2015 Merritt Island Holiday Parade (10:00am) starting from MIHS and going down Courtenay, ending at Edgewood Jr/Sr High. This year’s theme is “Bright Lights, Holiday Delights.” December 5th: Christmas County Spelling Bee (4:00pm) at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. Kids Klub Performing Arts Ministry presents this Christmas musical by Dove Award writer Celeste Clydesdale. The theme asks, “How do you spell Love?” For more information please call Mary Lou (321) 452-5689 December 6th: Handbell Sunday (10:00am) at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. Ring in the season as our Generation Ringers lead our Advent Worship Service. December 6th: Sounds of the Season (2:00pm) at Cocoa Beach Library. The Generation Ringers from Merritt Island Presbyterian Church will present holiday favorites for all ages. For more information please contact Sharon (321) 4525689 December 8th: Super Senior Lunch (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 - April). Make your FREE reservation by the Sunday before by calling 321-453-2146. December 11th: Christmas on the Parkway (5:30pm-9:00pm) at East Coast Christian Center. This is a fun event for the whole family. There will be horse drawn hayrides, a petting zoo and Real Snow! All are invited. December 12th: Holiday Craft Sale (9:30am-2:30pm) at Edgewood Jr/Sr High School. Come shop and support Edgewood’s 2016 Project Graduation.
December 12th & 13th: Pictures with Santa (11:00am4:00pm) at Pet Supermarket. Bring your pets, kids, and friends and join Coastal Poodle Rescue for photos with Santa. This is a fundraiser. For more information please call (321) 459- 2652 December 13th: Pet Pictures with Santa (11:00am-3:00pm) at Courtenay Animal Hospital. All people and pets are welcome to this free event. For more information please call (321) 452-3647 December 16th: Drive-in Movie Night (6:00pm) at Mi Church. Join us for a night of family fun, food and drinks. A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman. All are invited and for more info email info@michurch.org December 19th: 2015 Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade (dark) Captains from all over the Island decorate their boats in holiday lights and wind their way thru the Island canals spreading holiday cheer. December 19th: 4H 1st Annual HandyPro Show Jumping Challenge (9:00am-5:00pm) at Manatee Cove Park Merritt Island. Support Brevard County 4H and HandyPro of the Space Coast as they put on Brevard’s First Olympic Type Equine Event with Dog Demonstrations by the Brevard County Dog Training Club. For more information call Elaine at (321) 432-5358 December 20th: Vivaldi’s “GLORIA” (10:00am) at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. Presented by Merritt Island Presbyterian Church’s Chancel Choir with string ensemble. December 24th: Surfing Santas (8:00am) at the end of Minuteman Causeway on Cocoa Beach. For more information please visit www.surfingsantas.org December 24th: Family Christmas Eve Service (6:00pm) at Merritt Island Presbyterian Church. All are welcome. For more info please call (321) 452-5689 December 24th: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (4:30pm & 6:30pm) at First Baptist Church of Merritt Island. All are Welcome.
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Community
Islanders Rescue Memories of MI Volunteer Fire Department BY DIANA FASANELLA
M
emories are varied; county records are vague, but few dispute the long history of community service and the dedication of members of the Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department (MIVFD).
Diana Fasanella is a native Merritt Islander, Huffington Post blogger; and editor and columnist, formerly with Gannett/USA Today newspapers.
It’s been 64 years since the department’s humble beginnings in 1951. Online county records for the original building on Magnolia Avenue are virtually nonexistent, and most of its first volunteers, who spent many hours inside its walls, are no longer around to tell its secrets. But for generations of Islanders, happy memories of Santa atop a firetruck, chicken dinner fundraisers and Friday night dances – as well as the crews’ undaunting volunteerism and bravery – are forever etched in their pasts.
Growing up on Merritt Island meant growing up with the department that residents nurtured like offspring with their support, according to Paul Hollifield, a former volunteer and whose father, Don, also was a department member. “I put 10 years of my life into that department,” said Hollifield, who recalled that all the proceeds from fundraisers went to buy equipment and support community groups and area sports teams. “ The original building was constructed solely by department volunteers, most of whom, like Neil Humphries, Ken Strickland and Don Hollifield, were skilled tradesmen, Hollifield said. And oddly enough, the firehouse, where more than 30 years of chicken dinner fundraisers were held once month, was nicknamed “Mother Hen.” Retired MIVFD volunteer and 30-year Brevard County Fire and Rescue veteran Bill Matta said all MIVFD’s trucks and vehicles had a name. “Naming the vehicles, instead of using numbers, was just something we liked to do,” he said. “It made it easier for dispatchers, and all of us, to know who was calling in over the radio.” Matta recalled wearing many hats during his tenue with MIVFD, including arson investigator and chicken fryer with the “dirtiest apron around.” But one of his favorite duties was to play Santa.
maybe it was my beard, blew up in front of my eyes, and I ended up talking to a mailbox. I thought it was a kid.” Many times Santa would descend from his mount and make personal house calls to those who were unable to meet him at the curb. “My grandmother who lived with us was well into her 80s and unable to go outside to meet Santa,” said Jana Willis Rochette, a former Merritt Island resident who now lives in Melbourne. “My mother called ahead and gave (MIVFD) our address. That night, Santa made a personal visit. I will never forget that Christmas.” In the early years, MIVFD was in charge of the Island Christmas Parade, said Matta who often scheduled the lineup of participants until one fateful time he put the MIHS Marching Mustangs behind the horses. “I wanted the band to lead in Santa,” Matta said, smiling. “Of course, being behind the horses didn’t turn out so well for the marchers who had to sidestep the horse poop.” Matta added that after the incident he no longer was asked to do the parade lineup. Former MIVFD Ladies Auxiliary member Carol Hollifield, whose husband, Don, was fire chief from 1965 until sometime in the ‘80s, said she remembers Santa’s truck getting stuck in a sandy shoulder along the side of the road. “That made the newspapers,” she said. “The headline read ‘Santa’s Face as Red as His Firetruck.’” The MIVFD Santa also made the newspapers in December of 1977 when one irritated Islander became annoyed with the screeching sirens and bells as the firetruck perused his neighborhood. According to the Today newspaper, Albert Hill, then 62, of Brandy Lane, threatened Santa with a shotgun.
For 15 years on December evenings, Matta, as well as many other volunteers, would climb on top a firetruck with a name such as Big Ugly or Little Squirt, and sit in a lawn chair dressed as Santa. The truck would sweep Merritt Island neighborhoods filled with children hoping to talk to the jolly man in red as his elves doled out candy to those waiting patiently on their lawns.
Dan Austin said he was on the engine with Santa when Hill “shoved the shotgun through the window.” Hill then “headed for the hills in a quick manner.” Police were called and he was located and charged with aggravated assault.
“It could get windy up there, especially if the driver went a little too fast,” Matta said about riding on top of the trucks that would roll through all the Island’s housing developments starting about a month before Christmas. “One time my wig, or
“The only thing we had happen was that some kid tried to brain Santa with a large can of pork and beans.” This is the first of a two part series on the Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
On the other hand, former volunteer John Rockar said when he played Santa, it was nothing but a good time.
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Community
Islander(s) of the Month Senior Duo Helps Feed Homebound Islanders BY DIANA FASANELLA
I
f you called them the dynamic duo, they most likely would refute the idea of being held in such high esteem. Just the same, to those who depend on their altruistic nature and kindness, Merritt Island residents Nancy Duffy and Rita Gates are akin to would-be heroes. Duffy, 74, and Gates, 79, volunteer for Meals on Wheels – the oldest and largest national organization that supports more than 5,000 community based senior nutrition programs – to help elderly Islanders who have trouble getting out and fending for themselves.
The program, overseen by Aging Matters of Brevard and the Brevard Community Kitchen located on Rosa L. Jones Boulevard in Rockledge, delivers some 200,000 hot meals a year in the area. Funded through personal donations, the Older Americans Act, support from the state and Brevard County Board of Commissioners, and the United Way, Meals on Wheels also delivers meals to several community centers countywide. Because Duffy knew she loved working with seniors, she said joining Meals on Wheels was a no-brainer. “I never thought of my work at the senior center as a job,” she said. “It was so much fun and enjoyable that I would have done it for free.” Duffy said she and Gates start their days of volunteer work by picking up the meals at the community kitchen before setting off to the Island to complete their route. While they volunteer approximately 20 hours a month, other volunteers deliver meals the rest of the week.
er Islantd of he h Mont fy uf D y Nanc
Islande of the r Month Rita Gate s
“I needed a purpose,” Gates said about addressing senior hunger and isolation by joining Meals on Wheels in 2010. “Many of our clients are isolated and alone. They have no one. We might be the only people they see.” Gates added that part of their job also is to check in on the meal recipients to see how they are doing. “We get to know them and their habits well,” she said. “We don’t leave any meals unless we know our seniors are OK.” Needy recipients must qualify for the program to receive the meals, which consist of an entrée, a side and dessert. “While it’s not required, donations are accepted for the meals if they can afford to give,” Gates said, adding that a donation of approximately $2.00 is usually the norm. “Doing this makes me very thankful for what I have,” she added.
“There’s a need for drivers and people to help these seniors,” she said. “So many need assistance. Without Meals on Wheels, I don’t know where that help would come from because many of them don’t have any family at all.” Gates, who is related to Duffy by marriage and lives on the same street near her in the Savannahs housing development, said she decided also to help the Island’s senior clients after her husband died.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
The only issue that Duffy finds with the program is that they don’t deliver on holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s. “I would love to see that changed. I would have no problem volunteering to deliver meals on those days,” Duffy said. “I get more out of giving than receiving” For more information about Meals on Wheels program, go to the Aging Matters of Brevard website at www.agingmattersbrevard.org or call 321-639-8770.
Photo: Diana Fasanella
“We deliver meals every other Tuesday to approximately eight to 13 homebound seniors,” said Duffy who was an administrative assistant for a senior center in Detroit before she retired and moved to Florida in 2003. “We have the greatest clients.”
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Community
MI Christmas Boat Parade Set to DIANA Light Up Sykes Creek Waters BY FASANELLA
A
hoy there” captains of area vessels, all shapes and sizes.
“Everyone is welcome,” Johnson said of boaters who might want to join the festivities by decorating their vessels and navigating them along the shores of Merritt Island Saturday, Dec. 19. The parade route starts on the east side of the Sykes Creek Causeway at the Kiwanis Island basin area and will weave its way through the residential canals of subdivisions such as Diana Shores, Waterway Manor and Sykes Cove, before coming to an end at the Barge Canal along SR 528. Members of the public who want to see the parade but don’t have access to those areas can view the event along the causeway at its staging area east of the old Humpback Bridge, Johnson said. Many people who live along the route schedule their annual Christmas parties to coincide with the boat parade for their guests’ entertainment. Partygoers usher in the holidays, shouting “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” to boaters from their homes, said Johnson who has been a participant in the parade since 1989. His 30-foot boat could haul 16 jolly elves and even had a “head for the ladies.” “That’s an important feature,” laughed CFFW Vice President Kelly Haugh, who owns a 24-foot boat that she also has in the event. She added many boaters elaborately decorate and theme their boats with “kooky” twists such as Santa’s sleigh being pulled by dolphins instead of reindeer.
“Every year the parade just gets better and better.” — Kim Johnson
“In Florida, you have to get creative to get into the holiday spirit because of our wonderful weather,” Haugh said. Johnson said it could take four to six people three, 8-hour days to decorate a 25-foot vessel that might sport up to 1,000 lights. One year a boat owner towed a dingy with a rocket launcher that shot out fireworks, he said. The Brevard Sheriff’s Office Agricultural and Marine Unit is the lead vessel in the parade and is the authorized agent that calls the event to order. “When that blue light comes on, everyone falls in line,”
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
Ted Chrostowski from Wet Therapy
It’s time to deck the decks, instead of the halls, to skipper in the holiday season on the scenic waters of Sykes Creek, according to Kim Johnson, organizer of the Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade and former president of Citizens for Florida’s Waterways (CFFW).
Johnson said. “There is no registration, there’s no set lineup, and it’s not a race. Just show up and be in the parade.” The 3-hour parade was started in 1985 by Artemis Drive resident Gene Spliger. With only 18 names on the roster that first year, it has grown significantly over the years. “In 2002, the weather was perfect, and we had the largest participation ever with more than 80 boats,” Johnson said. “Most years, we average around 50 or 60.” When Johnson got involved four years later, he made a concerted effort to make the event better and get the public more involved. “At the time, the Merritt Island parade was rinky dink compared to Cocoa Beach’s,” said Johnson who modeled marketing of the event after Cocoa Beach and timed the MI parade so the two do not coincide. “There are several boat parades in the area and most boaters want to be in all of them.” Johnson was the man who made the event gel over the years into the great parade it is today, according to Haugh, who added, “He did an awesome job.” “I enjoy doing it just for the fun of it,” Johnson said, and because “you have to either move away or die to get someone else to take over (the arrangements). No one wants the job.” In the parade’s 30-year history, Johnson noted that NASA launched the space shuttle twice while the boats weaved their way through the dark waters, illuminated only by the colored lights that adorned the vessels. “What are the odds of that,” he said of the Saturday space shots that not only lit up the night sky, but added a sense of mystique and spiritual essence to the joyous atmosphere of the parade. And, every year the parade just gets better and better, Johnson said. “It’s magical.”
Citizens for Florida’s Waterways promotes the responsible use of Florida waterways. Its primary objective is to encourage coexistence among recreational and commercial boaters, marine industry, property owners, and the marine environment.
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Community
Merritt Island Waterways Capture Essence of Biodiversity CAPT. MARK ANDERSON
T Capt. Mark Anderson has been a Merritt Island resident for 30plus years. He owns and operates Space Coast River Tours, Inc. along with his wife, Capt. Michelle Anderson.
First of all, if you’re new to Merritt Island, it is bordered by the Indian River (not a river) to the west, the Banana River (not a river) to the east, and the Mosquito Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean to the northeast. The names of these rivers have been evolving over the years to better define them as the Indian River Lagoon and the Banana River Lagoon since they are without the water flow and a steady current that is indicative of a river.
With brackish waters that are roughly half the salt of the ocean, our lagoons are part of the most biodiverse estuary (more species) than any other in the United States, and there are more manatees (sea cows) in Brevard County than any other county?
Photos (2): Diana Fasanella
here are a number of remarkable and interesting things about our waterways here on and around Merritt Island besides the obvious good fishing and great views.
with our efforts to keep our waterways clean and safe. Bravo not only to the individuals, but teams, clubs, groups, associations and the county for their commitment to a better estuary system. With the cooler temperatures and families visiting, this is a great time of year to grab a sweater, get outside and check out a part of Merritt Island you may not have seen before … our waterways, and view the multitude of species calling Merritt Island home. From everyone here at Space Coast River Tours we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
While that is a county statistic, a very high percentage of the manatee population is in the Merritt Island waterways, including the Barge Canal as well as the north and south waters of the Banana River. Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (not porpoise) are a common and exciting sight in our waterways and are seen year-round. And what about the bioluminescence during the summer months where the micro-organisms in the water give off a burst of light when the water is stirred up? It’s an amazing sight. With the cooler weather or if there’s a cold snap, the water temperature drops quickly being that the waterways are shallow and the algae blooms die off clearing the water in some areas, which helps the seagrass growth from more sunshine reaching the bottom. A reminder how critical it is to not pollute our waters. It’s a complex and fragile habitat we have around our island, and we are the stewards, the ones who can make a difference
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You are invited to...
The 3rd Annual
Merritt Island Christmas Tree Event December 4th & 5th Home Depot Shopping Center (north side) 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. both nights
T
he 3rd Annual Merritt Island Christmas Tree Event will take place at the north end of the Home Depot shopping center behind Sno Hut. This two-night family event begins with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday night, December 4th, at 6:00 p.m. There will be performances, singing and dancing by our local school groups and churches on stage in front of the tree.
On Saturday night, the festivities continue at 6:00 p.m. with a whole different group of local performances. Come out and bring the entire family to enjoy this “small town” holiday event. Please remember to bring your lawn chair or blanket. Refreshments will be available at Sno Hut and free face painting for the kids by Nonnies Fancy Faces (321) 323-6159. Our master of ceremonies this year is Richard Fuller, the worship pastor at First Baptist Church Merritt Island.
FRIDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 4TH SATURDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 5TH • Divine Mercy Children’s Choir • USNSC The Courageous Division Color Guard • Ambassador Christian Academy Choir • Elena Sinnemaki- The National Anthem • Marta’s Legacy Dance Studio • Gianna Santucci & Adrian Royal-Drum Roll • Coastal Elite Cheer Team • MI Christian School Choir • Elena Sinnemaki • Jefferson Middle School Choir • Calvary Kids • Dussich Dance Studio • Edgewood Varsity Cheer Team • MIHS Varsity & JV Cheer Teams • MI Presbyterian Church Kids Klub Performing Arts Ministry • MI Presbyterian Church Ringers of Tomorrow Bell Choir • MI High School and Jefferson Middle School Chamber Orchestras • Grace United Methodist Preschool Choir * Performances listed are not in order of appearance.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
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Stacy Slaughter of La Casa (2nd year sponsor) Assisted Living and Memory Care 220 North Grove Street (321) 449-8880 First Baptist Church of Merritt Island (2nd year sponsor) A church all about Christ, with family in mind 140 Magnolia Avenue (321) 453-2144 Stu Smith of CitruSolution (1st year sponsor) Veteran-owned carpet & upholstery cleaning Cocoa Beach (321) 292-9753 Dr. Sushma Vance of Central Florida Retina (1st year sponsor) Patient-focused retina care 1978 Rockledge Blvd Suite #105 (321) 690-1800 My Island Thrift Store (I Love My Island) Merritt Island-based non-profit thrift store supporting our island community 245 Crockett Blvd (321) 473-3355
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School & Sports
MIHS Bowling Team Right Up Students’ Alley BY WANDA LUTHMAN
B
owling strikes Merritt Island High School.
Dave Anderson, the head coach of the MIHS Bowling Team, is in his first year of coaching the team. He said he has been a bowler for 25 years on leagues and in tournaments.
“I’m very impressed with this year’s group,” he said in October about the 13 players on the MIHS team that participated in the Cape Coast Conference where both the boys and girls teams won the meet at Harbor Lanes in Melbourne. Wanda Luthman is MIHS Guidance Department chair and guidance counselor. She also is the author of The Lilac Princess.
Matt Campbell, currently a junior at MIHS and the District 10 champion, said he enjoys being part of the team because “if I have a bad frame, I know I have teammates who can pick me up, and if my teammates have a bad frame, I can pick them up.” He added that it feels great to have each other’s back and has learned from being part of a team “to keep my spirits high because that helps keep the team’s spirit up.” Campbell got involved with bowling after he hurt his knee playing football, he said.
“We have seniors who will be leaving, and we will need more students to continue the winning streak.”
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“I wanted to find something else to do. I enjoyed bowling, so I went for it,” said Campbell who wants to encourage others to come out for bowling,
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“If you like it, just do it,” he said. Campbell said he has only been bowling for two years, and last year was his first official year to join the team. Before that, he said he “just bowled at the bowling alley and watched videos to learn how to bowl. “But, my amazing coaches this year have really helped me improve my game,” said Campbell adding that his best score was 287 out of a perfect game of 300.
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Kory Stafford, who also is coaching for the first time this year, is the assistant coach of the MIHS team. A recent graduate of Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, he bowled on that school’s team against Merritt Island High. “I bowled for seven years on leagues outside of high school, and also I bowled on the high school team since 7th grade,” he said, “I enjoy coaching and being part of a great team from this side.” Anderson said there are five starters and the other students are alternates. Practice is on Monday and Wednesday and games are on Tuesday and Thursday and he wants to encourage more students to come out next year.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
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School & Sports
Edgewood Production Continues to Build Junior’s Confidence BY EMMA ROBERTS
B
eing busy all the time is an understatement for the female lead who plays a princess in Edgewood’s latest production Once Upon a Mattress.
Emma Roberts is an 8th-grade student and reporter at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School.
Madison Roth, an 11th-grader at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School, has been involved with drama for a long time, from singing, acting and working behind the scenes. “I started out in 7th grade just doing tech, and my first show ended up being in 9th grade,” Roth said.
Roth said she was very shy in 7th grade, and she thought drama was a good option for her. She had heard that everyone loved the program and that it was a great way to make friends. “I used to be shy but drama helped me be myself, and I’ve gained more confidence from it,” Roth said. Being involved and becoming social wasn’t easy for her in the past, but now she’s learned to love the spotlight. “I used to care what people thought but now being in 11th grade and in drama, I’ve learned not to care,” Roth said. Nine plays later, Roth has played many different roles. All of them have had completely different personalities from the other, she said. “I’ve been everything from a fairy to a super dorky princess,” Roth said.
Madison Roth
Her favorite play was Grease when she was a freshmen and played Marty. Since she was familiar with the movie, it gave her more confidence to play the role.
voice lessons that take up her time as well as the four rehearsals a week for drama.
“Grease is definitely my favorite play, but I think the one coming up is going to be super adorable,” Roth said.
“Most people complain about going to practice, but once it’s show week, it’s all worth the long rehearsals,” Roth said. “We’re a family, so all of the long practices aren’t really that bad.”
Roth likes the role that she got in Once Upon a Mattress. Her part is someone who is dorky but is also a princess, she said. The girl is more like her, awkward and dorky instead of a regular fairy tale. It just has a bit of twist to the typical Cinderella story. “I’m kind of similar to the girl in this play compared to some other characters I’ve played,” Roth said. “I think that’s one reason why I like this play so much.” Sometimes Roth doesn’t always get the exact part she wants. However there have been times when she has liked a role she thought she would hate. “In Narnia, the Musical, I sat there for like 10 minutes not saying a word,” Roth said. “Honestly, I thought it was going to be a bad role but I ended up really liking the bear costume.” Of course, trying to balance school is stressful enough, but Roth has to juggle much more than the stress of homework. She’s also involved in chorus and drama club. She also takes
Roth is a triple threat, or the whole package. In the plays, she does singing, acting and some dancing from time to time. “I think my singing is better than my acting, and my dancing is just enough to get by,” Roth said. “I’ll do it, it’s just not really my thing.” Roth said she thinks that she’ll continue with drama as long as she can; maybe doing community theatre or something in college after finishing her senior year of high school. “I don’t want to major or minor in musical theatre or anything, but I would most definitely like to try to continue somehow,” Roth said. If you really want to do drama and you have a passion for it, Roth suggests you start right now. “I know it’s hard to jump into drama, but I suggest you do. The sooner you start, the better,” Roth said. “You won’t regret it.”
DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
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School & Sports
MICS Career Adviser Helps Students Secure Bright Futures BY INGRID HALL
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Assistant to the Superintendent Ingrid Hall is presently in her 20th year at Merritt Island Christian School.
oday’s high school students are living in an exciting time with many new technologies and expanding opportunities. To help guide students and ensure they are prepared to take the next step in their academic futures, the Merritt Island Christian School College and Career Adviser Heather Scott is ready to assist them in deciding who they are, what they do well, and what they will do when they graduate. Being a small high school has a distinct advantage in the area of college advising as there is more time for Scott to meet individually with students and parents to walk each family through the steps of the college acceptance process.
In the first few weeks of school, Scott meets with every senior to discuss whether another SAT or ACT test is recommended to boost scores for either acceptance to their first university choice, or to make them eligible for Florida Bright Futures and other scholarships. Seniors work with Scott to narrow down their final college choices to submit all applications no later than Oct. 1. Once every senior has had his or her meeting, it is time for Scott to schedule appointments with each member of the junior class. The focus for 11th-graders is getting them to narrow down their top five college choices, offering them aptitude and career interest test opportunities to assist them in discovering what major they would like to pursue, and to get them started on registering for the SAT and ACT tests.
Scott’s efforts have literally paid off with the last two graduating classes of less than 30 students each being offered more than $1 million in college scholarships. MICS students are MICS College and Career Adviser accepted to numerous Heather Scott discusses college colleges and universities options with Whitney Williams, a all the way from Eastern junior at the school. Florida State College to Yale University. Scott has many future goals in her role as college adviser and finds her work extremely fulfilling. She is grateful for the opportunity she has to get to know every student so well that he or she is on her mind for their unique interests and goals. There also is a great line of communication with the students’ parents who work closely with Scott. “The most fulfilling part of my job has to be when a student walks into my office to share with me that they have been accepted to what they consider their dream school,” Scott said. “I feel like I played a part in their happiness, and that is very rewarding. I also love when an alumnus returns and gives me updates on their college successes and shares the impact I had on their life.”
In addition to giving students individualized attention, Scott’s duties also include teaching fall and spring test prep courses, analyzing testing data, and continually researching scholarship opportunities for every senior. As far as analyzing the testing data, Scott loves the uniqueness of MICS in this area. “Even though I am a high school college adviser, I assist with collecting data for testing from elementary through high school. It is a natural fit for me to dissect the information we are already collecting,” Scott said. “Since we are unique in that we are a school from ages 4 through high school seniors, it is helpful to approach each student as if we will keep them at our school throughout their entire academic life.”
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In a recent analysis, Scott discovered MICS far exceeded the Brevard County and state average in ACT test scores. Scholarship opportunities are a huge focus for Scott while assisting college-bound students. “Since our class sizes are small, it allows me to find specific scholarship opportunities. I will find a scholarship and already have a student in mind who may have a great chance to qualify,” Scott said. “If needed, I will even bring the student and parent in to assist them in gathering all they need to apply.”
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
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School & Sports
★ Achievement ★ Leadership ★ Excellence LANA DEPEW – 6th Grade
ABIGAIL COMPTON 7th Grade
Tropical Elementary School
Divine Mercy Abby loves to create artwork and to cook with her older siblings. She is new to the school, but embodies the life skills that define our students and carries a 4.0 grade average.
Lana is a determined, hard-working student who demonstrates a strong work ethic in her classroom each day. She earns medals for her performance with her competitive gymnastics team while continually striving to maintain her grades and academics.
BLAKE ADAMS – 3rd Grade
TOMMY BARONE – 5th Grade Merritt Island Christian School
MILA Elementary School Blake continually demonstrates true integrity and the want for a safe school. He even stands up kindly to friends who oppose him.
EMMA RAMSEY – 4th Grade
Tommy enjoys acting, singing, dancing, and playing piano. He has been involved with the Cocoa Village Playhouse productions and is currently involved at the Viera Studio for the Performing Arts. Last summer, he auditioned for agents in New York City and will be signing with talent management company, Ingrid French Management.
Lewis Carroll Elementary School Emma is a straight A student who is a third generation Islander. She likes to volunteer her time for local community fundraising activities and participate in local arts and sports programs.
Comprehensive and Compassionate Care
DYLAN MELBY – 8th Grade Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School Dylan is an honor student and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the track team. Dylan also participates in youth group mission work with the Suntree United Methodist Church.
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TIANA DEVOE – 7th Grade Ambassador Christian Academy Tiana is a well-rounded, conscientious and hard-working student both in the classroom and on the volleyball and basketball courts. She is admired by her peers.
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DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 23
Feature
Divine Mercy Children’s Choir Sets Sights on Rome to Sing for Pope BY DIANA FASANELLA
S
he kissed her hand and touched her forehead.
“Kiss your brains; you’ve worked very hard today,” said Choir Director Elizabeth Moore to her Divine Mercy Catholic Academy students who have been rehearsing for more than six months in preparation for their trip to Rome to sing for Pope Francis. The children’s choir, made up of students aged 8 to 14, is set to perform in St. Peter’s Basilica, Jan. 6, along with other selected U.S. choirs, during the 2016 Children’s Festival for the Epiphany. “It’s a papal audience, so we’re hoping Pope Francis will greet the children,” said Moore who added that the choir will perform three other concerts at different locations around Vatican City during their seven-day trip.
“They were approved based on the children’s singing talents.” Moore said the children are comfortable singing two-part harmony, so she got in touch with the tour’s master conductor, and “it just snowballed from there.” “The kids are really very good singers for their ages,” Moore said. Soon after the choir had been accepted, she was emailed the repertoire of songs, and they got busy practicing. “I can’t think of a better example for our children to understand that this pilgrimage is part of their ministry,” Moore said. “First and foremost, our primary mission is to share the gospel through song. It’s such a privilege.” Seventh-grader Calyx Eklund, 13, said she too feels like it’s a privilege to be able to go to the Vatican.
Besides meeting the pope, the “highlight of the trip” for students will be joining members of the renowned Sistine Chapel Choir in song, said Carol Ponder, music director for Divine Mercy Catholic Church on Merritt Island.
“I’m so excited to see the pope and Rome,” Calyx said. “I feel blessed to be able to learn the songs, and then sing them at Mass with the other U.S. Catholic school choirs that were chosen to go.”
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for the children to be allowed to sing with the Sistine Chapel Choir while the pope is presiding over Mass,” Ponder said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”
The youngest member of the choir, Amélie Stacy, 8, said she’s also looking forward to the opportunity to sing for Pope Francis and more.
Last spring, Moore and Ponder had been collaborating on where to take the choir when Ponder said she happened to come across an advertisement for a national traveling children’s choir that was searching for talented voices for the trip.
“I want to do everything when we get to Rome,” Amélie said. “And, I hope it snows ‘cause I haven’t seen snow since I was a tiny baby in Connecticut.”
“Elizabeth sent in videos of the choir performing,” Ponder said.
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Wanting to go to Rome and actually getting there has taken “a lot of determination” and, of course, fundraising, Moore said.
“The trip costs about $3,000 per person, so the students and their parents took the commitment on faith to raise the money,” Moore said about bake sales and fundraising efforts. “One student made whoopie pies and sold them to her family and friends.” Divine Mercy’s pastor, The Rev. Matthew Mellow, also was very supportive, according to Moore. “Father Matt wrote letters to parishioners asking for their support, too,” she said. “With choir robes and sheet music to buy, plus traveling expenses; it’s costly, but we’re very determined to do this.” Sixth-grader and choir member Anna Kate Lynch, 11, said couldn’t be more thankful to friends and family members who have donated money and purchased bake sale items. She added that she particularly enjoyed the Yogurt Mountain fundraiser because choir members “got to eat the yogurt ice cream while raising money.” “This is going to be an amazing experience,” Anna Kate said about the trip. “To be able to sing for the pope all these songs we’ve been practicing for so long, and then to see all the amazing things in Rome; it’s going to be really cool.” Moore agrees. “To see the pope as Jesus’ appointed leader of our faith is
Pope Francis sacred for us,” Moore said. “The pope is the daily example of compassion through his leadership. He is someone you can point to who lives the gospel. Not only does he talk the talk, but he walks the walk.” Donations to help the children’s choir with costs for the pilgrimage may be sent to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953, or call (321) 452-5955.
Merritt Island’s Catholic Church and School for more than 50 years! Divine Mercy Catholic Church
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH CHRIST
Developing minds; and encouraging students to explore, imagine, and achieve.
Merry Christmas!
Please join us to prepare for and celebrate the birth of our Lord. ADVENT MASS SCHEDULE Feast of the Immaculate Conception Masses, December 8th: 8:30a.m., 7p.m. Penance Services, December 16th: 10a.m. Divine Mercy Catholic Academy 6:30p.m. Divine Mercy Religious Education December 21st: 7p.m. Parish Reconciliation Service CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE December 24th, Christmas Eve: 4p.m. Mass of the Nativity (Children’s Choir and Liturgical Dancers)* 7p.m. Mass of the Nativity (Contemporary Choir)* Midnight Mass of the Nativity (Chorale & Hand Bell Choir)* *Christmas Carols will be sung 30 minutes prior to each Mass December 25th, Christmas Day: 8a.m., and 10a.m. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, December 31st, 4p.m. (Vigil) January 1st: 10a.m.
At Divine Mercy Catholic Academy we have a 97% college attendance rate! A quality education that starts students on the path to success. Academic excellence. Dedicated teachers. Your child’s future. Pre-K3, and VPK through 8th grade.
Divine Mercy Catholic Church and Academy 1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy. • Merritt Island, FL 32952 321.452.5955 • www.DivineMercyChurch.org DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 25
Health & Wellness
Retinal Detachments Blinding; Give Thanks for Gift of Sight BY DR. FRANK VENZARA III
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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.
etinal detachments are a blinding eye disorder. Without prompt surgical treatment vision loss may be permanent. Retinal detachments are frequently caused by a tear or break in the retina. The retina is similar to very thin tissue paper within the eye, so once a tear occurs, fluid flows in through the tear, behind the retina, and detaches it from the back surface of the eye. The most visually devastating retinal detachment is one that involves the macula, the very center of our vision, and is responsible for all our fine detailed vision.
Recently, Cynthia Ankney, a full-time data processor from Brevard County experienced flashes of light and a dark shadow in the inferior segment of her vision that grew larger by the day. A few days after her symptoms started, she lost her central vision and was no longer able to read or see any detail, everything had become dull and dark. When Ankney sought treatment she was legally blind in her left eye with 20/400 vision. “I was very concerned and scared that I may never see from my left eye again,” she said.
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
Retinal detachments can be fixed three main ways. One such procedure is a scleral buckle where a silicone band is placed around the perimeter of the eye to squeeze the outer wall of the eye inward and support the retina from the outside in. Another procedure is to remove the clear jelly-like material known as vitreous from the inside of the eye, drain the fluid from under the retina, tack it down with laser and fill the eye with a gas bubble to hold the retina in place while the laser spots form strong adhesive scars. The first two options require surgery in the operating room, which typically necessitates a substantial cost, compared to a third procedure known as a pneumatic retinopexy that is performed in the clinic. During a pneumatic retinopexy, an expandable gas bubble is injected into the eye, the bubble covers the retinal tear preventing anymore fluid from flowing back behind the retina. The retina will fully reattach within 24 to 48 hours, then laser light is used to seal the retina down in place. For the ideal candidate like Ankney, a pneumatic retinopexy is a great, safe alternative to surgery and has excellent outcomes. “I was scared when my eye looked like I was underwater,” Ankney said. “But I am seeing again.” Our perfect sight is something we often take for granted. During this holiday season, give thanks for your family, your health, and don’t forget your precious gift of sight.
Health & Wellness
Make it an Endless Season of Giving for the Elderly BY STEPHANIE LICAVOLI
Stephanie Licavoli of All One Family Senior Day Program has more than 20 years experience in geriatrics.
Regardless of your beliefs, we all love these feelings. What if I told you those same joys could be felt all year long, costing absolutely nothing?
There’s a silent portion of our community that is often overlooked. Yes, my friends, I’m talking about our seniors. The 81-year-old woman caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, the 93-year-old man with no family in a nursing home, or the lonely seniors who never get a visitor. Time, as little as 20 minutes a month, is more valuable to them than gold. The lady caring for her husband is always asked how he’s doing. Ask her how she is, she never gets to talk about herself anymore. She more than likely has given up friends, hobbies, and outings to care for him.
Photo Courtesy of Capture Queen Wikimedia Commons
I
t’s that time of year when we experience the joy of giving and that wonderful sensation of the season. Seeing your loved ones rip into those gifts you thoughtfully chose, or watching cherished ones spend time together after long periods apart is exciting. Mom and Grandma often are thrilled as they watch everyone enjoy the time-honored dishes they lovingly prepared.
The lonely man in the nursing home would give anything to feel that he has a friend again, even if it’s just a couple of games of checkers a month. The senior woman who is in the same position would love to have someone paint her nails. Taking the trash to the curb for someone in your neighborhood who is elderly might even uncover something simpler that might need to be done. Many in nursing homes and on your street have no family, or the family they do have, are also up in years such as sisters and brothers who are no longer able to travel. How easy it would be to chat with them. Even the dear ones in the later stages of Alzheimer’s or other age-related diseases, who no longer are verbal, usually will give a sigh of joy from a loving hug. We all need that simple human contact. A caring touch, a hug, a short conversation, or a shared meal … for many elderly these are the most valuable gifts. I don’t need to tell you what your gift will be, your heart will do that for me!
All One Family Senior Day Program & Assisted Living
321-453-6577 Bring in this ad and receive 25% OFF on your first 2 months of services! Choose either Our Daycare Service, Our Respite Service, or Our Assisted Living!
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
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The Best in Home Medical Equipment, Oxygen Equipment & Supplies & Bathroom Safety Equipment. We Rent Medical Equipment for Cruises! Wheelchairs • Walkers • Mobility Scooters Oxygen Concentrators • Portable Oxygen
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105 N. Banana River Dr. Merritt Island, FL 32952 BrevardMedicalEquip.com DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 27
Health & Wellness
Why You Should Own a Sewing Machine and Use It BY ELLEN PATTON
O
f all the creative arts today, sewing is one of the easiest, and fastest growing, ways to bring homemade value to your gifts and projects.
Think for a moment how easy it would be to throw away that slightly worn blanket you purchased at a local discount store. Now, compare that to the feeling of throwing away a worn and stained quilt Ellen Patton, along that your mother – or even grandmother – with her husband, is had made. In a world filled with beautiful the owner of Sew things, it is the value we place on an item Central, Merritt Island’s that makes a project become an heirloom. premier sewing and quilt shop. Modern sewing machines have made sewing, quilting and machine embroidery easy and within the reach of anyone. Most women (and a growing number of men) find that with the investment of a few hours’ time, they can unleash their inner fabric artist. There are four simple rules for any beginner – or someone returning to sewing after a 30-year hiatus from high school home economics: 1. Purchase a quality machine from a sewing machine dealer that can help you learn to use it. You can usually find quality sewing machines for several hundred dollars. While you can
certainly find machines for less, this is one area where you should not skimp as lesser quality machines can lead to frustration and make you want to give up. 2. Quality fabrics and thread make a difference. I am often amazed at how the low quality materials, selected to save a few dollars, can impact success. 3. Never be afraid to ask for help. Try a class at your local sewing shop, or download a class from Craftsy.com or YouTube. 4. Start simple. Try making some seasonal napkins, a pillowcase, or a placemat. Next try a classic rail fence or log cabin quilt or a pair of pajama bottoms. After a few fun projects, you will find yourself making quilts or garments for friends, children, grandchildren and, of course, yourself to enjoy. Your time and love, placed in each project, will give them the value that will last generations.
Classes Starting Soon! BEGINNERS’ CLASSES
ADVANCED CLASSES
Adult Sewing 101
Creative Embroidery Class
Quilting 101
Kids Backpack Making Class
Children’s Sewing
Cowl Neck Blouse Class
Screen Tech, LLC
qew qew V Central Central V
call or text 321-536-6091
Creative Sewing Center
Creative Center Located on Rt 520, Sewing Central Merritt Island
Located on Rt 520, Central Merritt Island
Sewing & Quilting Supplies Quilting and Garment Fabrics Sewing Machine Repair Center Sewing and Embroidery Notions
Quilting and Garment Fabrics Classroom Instruction for All Levels Sewing and Embroidery Notions Service and Repair Classroom Instruction All Levels 353 E. Merritt Islandfor Cswy. Service and Repair ®
321-338-2959
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3530 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Suite 101 • Merritt Island, FL 32953 DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 29
Health & Wellness
What are Dermal Fillers and How Can They Work for You? BY DAN DANIELS
W
hether you’re walking the red carpet in L.A., or simply installing a carpet at your home in Merritt Island, you can look better with a little help from some dermal injectables.
Dan Daniels PA-C MPAS is a nationally certified physician assistant specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and has been with Brevard Cosmetic Surgery Group for more than a decade serving our community.
So, what are dermal injectables? By definition they are simply that ... things we inject into the skin and dermis for a medical and/or cosmetic benefit. The two major types of injectables are dermal fillers and neuromodulators. More recently, we have seen the emergence of new injectables that can even breakdown unwanted fat.
Juvederm (a dermal filler) and Botox (a neuromodulator) are the most common. Kybella is a new product that can help improve unwanted fat areas. Yep, it’s true the Hollywood types are doing Juvederm and Botox just like local cosmetic surgery offices have offered for the last decade in Central Florida. So what is different between J Lo’s treatment and Jane Doe’s treatment? This is where it gets more complex. Products like Juvederm and Voluma are hyaluronic acids (HAs). HAs are clear gel-like substances that are components in our own body’s extracellular soft tissue in places like skin and cartilage. There are several manufacturers that ultimately produce dozens of different varieties that are available all over the country (beware of knock offs). HA-based fillers may differ in their consistency, persistence, and thickness, but if they are made by reputable companies and FDA approved, then they have proven their safety and efficacy. Having an experienced injector is more important then what specific product is injected. Liken the experience to painting, or a work of art. Sure anyone can take some paint and paint a picture, but the artist can make something beautiful with the same materials compared to the novice. The other caveat is quantity. Even the best artists can’t produce a masterpiece when they are relegated to a thimbles worth of paint. There has to be a balance between sufficient quantity of product and masterful technique. In a perfect world you’d have an unlimited budget and time to get treatments, but the reality is that patients have a fixed budgets that preclude them from getting the full correction that they might desire. That doesn’t mean we can’t make things better with small quantities, but often times it’s better to concentrate on one or two devious wrinkles rather than a full facial correction. Using fillers too sparingly will most likely spread out the product too thin to make a significant difference. Customizing and personalizing a treatment to fit an individual’s personal budget and needs is imperative to achieving the best possible results.
30 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
Same goes for Botox. To maximize the wrinkle reduction and prevention of Botox, it’s best to receive treatments on a regular and frequent basis. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause the wrinkles, and gives the skin a break from wrinkle formation. Even though “Botoxing” on a regular basis is the more effective way of using Botox, there are plenty of patients who will get Botox for an event or as a present to themselves only on a yearly basis. Over-treating is a pitfall that can lead to less than desirable outcomes such as a fake and stale appearance. The best way to get the most out of your botox is to go to a reputable injector and make your goals known to the provider prior to your injection. It’s important to discuss both the capabilities and limitations of injectables with patients to ensure that they have a good idea of what to expect and what can and can’t be accomplished. Adding the newest products like Voluma for the midface, (which is a very robust and long lasting filler) as well as Kybella to sculpt the facial fat can really lead to some amazing outcomes without surgical interventions. Voluma is a product that has shown great promise in working in the upper facial areas to give a non-surgical lift to the face. Kybella has an FDA indication to non-surgically remove the fat areas under the chin. Either of these products or a combination of the two can really work wonders in adding youth to the face without the need for more invasive procedures.
DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
| 31
MERRITT ISLAND
Dining Guide RESTAURANT
Casual & Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS A Live and Healthy Cafe 321-338-2926 Vegan no yes Thr/ Fri clsd Sun. none 85 E. Merritt Avenue (Next to Home Depot) and Mon. Alfredo’s Paradiso 321-453-6119 See Our Italian no yes yes no beer wine AD on 217 Crockett Blvd. Page 33 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 World & 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. Game Beef ‘O’Brady’s 321-455-6665 American no yes yes yes full bar Time Favorite 1450 N. Courtenay Pkwy. See Our Bizzarro’s 321-453-2610 Italian no yes yes yes beer wine AD on Page 9 325 E. Merritt Island Cswy 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 33 See Our Firehouse Subs 321-449-8818 Sandwiches no yes yes yes none AD on Page 15 125 Merritt Island Cswy. Gina’s Café & Deli 321-452-8828 Café & Deli yes yes no no none 135 S. Courtenay Pkwy. Our Hokkaido Japanese Steakhouse 321-452-8288 Japanese SeADe on no yes yes yes beer wine Page 7 125 E. Merritt Island Cswy Hooter’s 321-449-0752 American no yes yes yes full bar 125 N. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Ichiban Buffet 321-453-1117 Asian American Buffet no yes yes yes none 735 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Island Gecko Grill 321-301-4479 American yes yes no yes none 773 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Island Waterfront Bar & Grill 321-806-3661 Seafood no yes yes yes full bar 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 Mi Island Restaurant 321-301-44208 Fusion yes yes Fri/Sat no pending 2137 N. Courtenay Pkwy. 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
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www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
RESTAURANT Olive Garden 321-459-0306 205 East Merritt Island Causeway 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
CUISINE
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS
Italian
no
yes
yes
yes
full bar
American
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!
SANGA
Autentico Ristorante Pizzeria & Panineria
321-453-6119
Family Owned & Operated since 1988 Voted Best in Brevard 2005, 2006, 2013 & 2014
Open Menu & Lunch Buffet.....11am-3pm, Mon-Fri Serving Dinner.....5pm-10pm, Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm, Saturday Closed Sunday
FREE Select Bottle of Wine Voted Best Mexican Restaurant on Merritt Island 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 225 N. Sykes Creek Pkwy - 321-453-7501 www.eltucanrestaurant.com
with purchase of two main dishes
Please present coupon when ordering. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 12-31-2015
Visit us at www.alfredoparadiso.com
Located at 217 Crockett Blvd., Merritt Island DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 33
Holiday Marketplace The Island Gift Boutique for your Special Someone! 2275 N. Courtenay Pkwy. #5 Merritt Island, FL 32953 • 321-877-4603
20% OFF Entire Purchase Mention or Bring in Coupon. Expires 12-31-2015.
Gift ping ed Item
Island Liquors Your Holiday Party Headquarters
e items)
es 9-30-2015.
1850 N. Courtenay Pkwy. (NEXT TO PUBLIX)
10% OFF
321-452-4804 any $50 or more purchase
(excludes tobacco products, expires 1/31/16)
Voted Best Breakfast Spot on Merritt Island 2015!
JACK MASUCCI JEWELERS
Your Holiday Jewelry Headquarters GIFTS • REPAIRS • CUSTOM DESIGN • CONSIGNMENT 262 E Merritt Island Causeway • Merritt Island, FL 32952 Monday - Friday: 10am - 5:30pm • Saturday: 11am - 2pm
www.jm-jewelers.com • 321-452-6537
Get 30% Off your Purchase! My Island Thrift Store 245 Crockett Blvd., Merritt Island. (just south of Target)
Must present coupon.
Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Expires 12-31-2015
FREE ESTIMATES Professional Tree Trimming & Christmas Decoration Installation
773 N. Courtenay Pkwy Merritt Island, FL 32953
ARBOR MASTER TREE EXPERTS, LLC.
321-301-4479
321-543-7464
www.islandgecko-grill.com
Licensed & Insured - Veteran Owned
Perfectious Tatu
Mi Island Restaurant 2137 N. Courtenay Pkwy.
All Organic Permanent Makeup 2460 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Ste 107, Merritt Island Call for Appointment: 321-426-5302
Choice: Special $199 • EYELINER •Your EYEBROWS • LIP LINER Reg $300 Expires 1/31/2016
Everything Made Fresh Daily Best Gluten Free on the Island
$5 OFF
$25 or more purchase
Must Present Coupon. Expires 12-31-2015.
n ted i age! a c o l L Vil a Coco
Give the Gift of Health! 34 |
A woman’s boutique. Trends for the City, Country & Beach. ✔ 24-HOUR KEY ENTRY ACCESS ✔ EXTENSIVE CARDIO SECTION ✔ LARGE FREE WEIGHT AREA
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
321-632-5444
4 Harrison St., Suite 104 • Cocoa, FL bobbisatparkside.com
20% OFF
Any one regular priced item. See store for details. Excludes soaps & sale items. One per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 1-31-2016
$250 OFF
New Pool Solar Heater Expires 1-31-2016
$1.00 OFF PURCHASE
CALL: 321-459-9799
Open: 11am-10pm M-Th • 11am-10:30pm Fri - Sat • 12 - 8pm - Sunday
(5 Panel Minimum) www.unitedsolar.net
Merritt Square Mall at Cobb 16 Theatres Entrance
321-452-3499
Lashed
Book and Bead Outlet
321-536-9575
Mon. - Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 10-5 • Sun. 11-3
by Chelsea Chanelle EYELASH EXTENSIONS
Full Set $70
(Valued at over $200)
Fill $30
facebook.com/LashedbyCC/
Of $5.00 or more. Expires 12-31-2015
(Valued at over $100) Expires 1-31-16. Must present coupon.
321-453-2665
950 N. Courtenay Pkwy #20 • Merritt Island, FL 32953 (Behind Arby’s and McDonald’s)
www.BookAndBeadOutlet.com
$5.00 OFF any $25 Purchase Expires 1-31-2016
From Rental Stock
WAREHOUSE TUXEDO
Tuxedo – Limo BEST RENTAL PRICES IN BREVARD
520 HWY. & TROPICAL TRAIL Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-2pm
For tickets call Tim Hanrahan 321-537-2875
10% OFF PRODUCT PURCHASE Expires 1-31-2016
Lauts — Holiday Savings — Keyboards, Organs, Pianos, Guitars & Musical Accessories
321-453-6424
2275 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island
Up $99.95 100’s of Tuxedos, Vests, Ties & Shirts
321-453-3680
A-Live and Healthy Cafe
UNIQUE HOLIDAZE
Barbershop Show - Feb 27 3PM - MIHS Auditorium The Spacecoast Chorus & Two Exciting Guest Quartets
SALE
Plant-based, Organic, Wheat & Gluten-Free, Delicious Fresh Juices, Real Fruit Smoothies, Vibrant Salads, Hearty Wraps & Healthy Snacks
85 E. Merritt Avenue • Merritt Island, FL 32953 Between Home Depot & Bikram Yoga 321-338-2926 A-LiveandHealthy.com
SAVE 10%
Mention Merritt Island Now & Get 10% Off Your Meal!
Th Educae Best ti Toys!onal
NEW STORE
Unique Toys & Hobby Store Merritt Square Mall (Sears wing)
10% Off ENTIRE PURCHASE 321-454-4228 (Expires 12-31-2015)
DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 35
Lifestyle
Gamefish, Flounder Move Offshore as Lagoon Waters Cool BY CAPT. ALEX GORICHKY
D
ecember is truly a transition month for space coast anglers.
Predominantly north and west winds will change the “feel” of our lagoons and coastal waters. Many things in our lagoon change as it cools every year. Water levels drop and the flats become clear once again, also bait becomes scarce.
As we head into the cool down, our gamefish will be looking to pack on Capt. Alex Gorichky pounds for the impending lack of food, is a lifelong Merritt and diet switch. One of the best tasting Island resident and fish on the move is flounder, and they just owner/operator of LocalLinesCharters.com so happen to be on the list of favorites for me. As winter comes, flounder will look to migrate from the lagoons and near-coastal waters to the continental shelf many miles offshore. When they make this move we can intercept them at Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet. Fishing live baits like small mullet and shrimp on a fishfinder rig will keep them close to the bottom and in the flounder’s strike zone. For the artificial lure crowd, try a Slayer Inc. SST on a jig head (available at Handlers Tackle on Merritt Island) or a 1 ounce bucktail jig with a (mullet) strip, again keeping them close to the bottom. Have your landing net ready because many great flounder have been lost boat-side by lifting their heads out of the water. Put your net down in the water and simply coast your flatfish in. Our coastal wave condition data just got a (free) kick in the pants from CheckTheWaves.com. An enterprising (small) private company has managed wading through red tape to bring the Space Coast and beyond an amazing data set produced by several deployed “wave height” buoys close to the coast. Offering a range of vital information on wave height, peak period (dominant swell interval), sea surface, and sea floor temperature several times an hour for free on their website ensures those of us that enjoy ocean fishing from beach, kayak, or boats will be happy. As of writing this article, the Cocoa Beach Buoy is being tested and will see deployment soon after. With buoys already deployed off Jenson beach and Indialantic Beach, this team is just getting started. Several more buoys will be deployed including one off Daytona Beach. Billy Wells of Check the waves said “Real time surf reports, driven by real time data”, and I believe once us fisherman find this resource, it will turn to “REEL” time surf reports. The resource is free, not funded by the government and a benefit for all who
36 |
MI native Jeramie Whitsett holds a nice kayak tripletale caught with LocalLinesCharters.com venture to the ocean. They will have and app coming soon and are still working on the feel of their website, but the data is flowing and CheckTheWaves.com has quickly become a “favorites tab” for this surfing fisherman. Check them out. This service will become more important to us in the ocean loving community when/if the 20-mile and 120-mile weather buoys get decommissioned.
OutLaw PotterY
School, Studio, Gallery, Supply & Kiln Repair Shop - Create - Play Weekly Wheel-Throwing Pottery Classes for Adults
Jason & Rosalie Outlaw
2-Hour Play in the Clay private workshops for individuals, couples, families, small groups Private Wheel-Throwing & Hand-Building Pottery Lessons Group Programs/Parties Paint Your Own Pottery
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
Get Down & Dirty with Outlaw Pottery!
OutlawPottery.com Award-winning potters 3475 N Cocoa Blvd/US-1 Cocoa, FL 32926
(Just north of SR 528 in the green Al’s Trophy Shop complex)
321-292-0762 Find us on Facebook & Twitter SUPPLIES: Clay, Glaze, Tools, Pottery Wheels & Kilns REPAIRS: Kiln & Wheel Repairs by Florida Kiln Doctor
Lifestyle
Leash Your Desire to Give Pets as Gifts BY DR. ELIZABETH CHOSA
I
t’s the most wonderful time of the year!
During this season, many people feel joyful and are eager to help make other people happy too. We know how much joy animals bring to our lives, so some people choose to give pets as gifts, always with the best intentions.
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.
The image of a puppy or kitten under the Christmas tree often induces warm feelings of nostalgia. Unfortunately, the reality of the days and weeks following that moment is not always joyful. In fact, it is not uncommon that pets received as gifts are later surrendered to shelters.
It is important to remember that the faithful companionship of a pet comes with a great deal of responsibility. Adding a family member means a long-term commitment of time, money and energy that may CENTER exceed the recipient’s expectations MERRITT ISLAND SHOPPING 5 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL and abilities. Puppies and kittens are32952 adorable but most will live at least 10 to 15 years and will require food, veterinary care, grooming toys, bedding and boarding/pet sitting costs, SK ABOUT OURexpenses, FREE RENT SPECIAL as well as considerable time to train, play with, exercise and care.
FOR LEASE
FOR LEASE
on the south side of d Causeway just west of ritt Square Mall undant Parking Freight, Appliance Direct, and Shop ( New Tenant) Pizza, Salon Centric, Mins Nails & g Good Hair Salon
MERRITT ISLAND SHOPPING CENTER 325 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL 32952
APHICS & TRAFFIC
: 37,500 / DAY lation: 33,487 Income $41,497
IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! SPACES AVAILABLE
IMMEDIATCEY! OCCUPAN
825 SF * 1,100 SF 1,100 SF BUILT OUT DENTIST OFFICE 7,980 SF - PREVIOUS GYM
CAN BE COMBINED FOR OVER 9,000SF—GREAT FOR SPA OR GYM
$14.00 PSF + $4.36 NNN WATER INCLUDED
825 sf Space • 1,100 sf Space • 1,100 sf BUILT-OUT DENTIST OFFICE • 7,980 sf - LARGE SPACE, GREAT FOR ANY USE – can be combined with 1,100 sf for over 9,000 sf. Water Included.
Camille Gulisano-Pelaez ulisano@summitrealtyfl.com 561-395-1216 x. 106
Even if a family is looking forward to a new pet, it is essential that there is an opportunity to meet the pet first and ensure that it is a good fit for their personality, lifestyle and resources. If you want to give an animal as a gift, consider wrapping a photograph and a gift certificate for a pet instead of presenting a live animal. You also could give a basket of needed items, such as a collar or harness, leash, toys, cat litter, etc. and an I.O.U. for the pet itself. A successful adoption requires time, planning and careful consideration. Additionally, the holiday season is a hectic time filled with distractions and dangers even for well-established family pets. There are often visitors coming and going, which creates an opportunity for an anxious or excited pet to escape. Decorations may pose a risk to a curious cat or dog and many abundant food items spread out for meals or treats could lead to gastrointestinal distress. Waiting a few days or weeks to introduce a new family member could make an enormous difference for everyone.
It’s Not Too Early to Start Thinking About Year-end Taxes and We’re Here to Help! DIANA CRAIG, EA Accounting & Tax Services
✔ Bookkeeping ✔ Tax Return Prep ✔ Consulting ✔ Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor ✔ IRS Representation
Call 321.633.0080
561-395-1216 X106
1701 N. Federal Highway, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Camille Gulisano-Pelaez -
sentation expressed or implied is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein, and same is submitted subject to errors, price, rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and to any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. (Rev. 07.22.09)
cgulisano@summitrealtyfl.com
230 Forrest Ave. • Cocoa, FL 32922 www.DianaCraigLLC.com DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 37
Business & Real Estate
MIRA Focus on Island Projects Continues BY LISA FRAZIER
T
he implementation of many necessary redevelopment projects on Merritt Island would not be a reality today without the leadership and dedicated resources of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency (MIRA). The following lists are just some of MIRA’s accomplishments over the past 10 years:
Lisa Leger Frazier, executive director, MIRA
SR 520 IMPROVEMENTS – SR 520 reflects the character of Merritt Island and is one of the most traveled corridors in the county. MIRA focused extensively on improvements to SR 520 to include: • New mast arms and traffic signals • Illuminated street signs • Upgraded street lighting • Paver brick crosswalks • Planting of 2,000 plus trees along SR 520, Merritt Avenue, and Sykes Creek Parkway • Sanitary sewer installation MERRITT PARK PLACE – Merritt Park Place is the oldest residential subdivision on Merritt Island. Over time, this area was transitioning into small commercial “cottage businesses” that support neighborhood communities. Since the infrastructure was old and could not accommodate commercial use, MIRA undertook the planning, design, and construction of new infrastructure for this unique area in conjunction with Brevard County Public Works and Utilities Departments. These improvements included: • New water lines • New street resurfacing • New street configuration to include on-street parking and street resurfacing, sidewalks, and brick pavers • New decorative street lighting These improvements resulted in Merritt Island’s only pedestrian-friendly shopping and office village, which is now home to well over 300 retail stores and offices.
38 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
STORMWATER DRAINAGE – The proper collection, treatment, and distribution of stormwater is critical to economic development and especially important to sensitive environmental systems such as the Indian and Banana River Lagoons and Sykes Creek. Much of Merritt Island’s commercial core area has antiquated piping, with limited to no water quality treatment. MIRA provided improvements to the following areas: • North SR 3, Palmetto Avenue, N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Avenue East, Rose Street, Myrtice Street, S. Tropical Trail, and Magnolia Avenue. REGIONAL STORMWATER RETENTION AND TREATMENT FACILITY AND PARK – Working closely with Brevard County Office of Natural Resources, MIRA purchased a large tract of land strategically located to collect and treat almost all of the stormwater which is generated from the major commercial area south of SR 520 to Fortenberry Road. This facility treats stormwater generated from viable commercial properties currently not large enough to meet the environmental requirements for on-site stormwater storage. It will allow these properties to redevelop to their full commercial potential by paying an established fee to use the new water treatment facility. This will accomplish the dual benefit of increasing property values as well as providing much needed environmental benefit of treating the stormwater from a major commercial area prior to discharge into an adjacent water body. PARKS – Every community needs usable public open space for recreation and community events. MIRA has significantly contributed to the development of several public spaces for the community including: • Waterway Park • Veterans Memorial Center • Griffis Landing GRANTS – Millions of dollars in federal and state grants have been awarded to MIRA to significantly leverage MIRA funds for the above described improvements. MIRA was successful in receiving more than $3 million in grants to help pay for these extensive improvements. COMMERCIAL FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – MIRA provides an incentive program designed to substantially improve the aesthetic appeal of the redevelopment area by providing matching grants to commercial property owners to fund property improvements. MIRA has recognized that for every dollar of public monies invested into this program, a return of $6 from private investment has been realized.
Business & Real Estate
Can You Afford to Live to 100?
H
ere’s an interesting statistic: Over the past three decades, the centenarian population in the United States has grown about 66 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a good chance of living to 100 — but the possibility may not be as remote as it once was. In any case, if you do plan to retire in your mid-60s and you are in good health, you Joe DelBene is a may well have two, or even three, decades financial advisor ahead of you. To enjoy this time to the with Edward Jones in fullest — and to help prevent the possibility Merritt Island and is of outliving your financial resources — you dedicated to serving will need to invest for income and growth the needs of long-term throughout your retirement years. individual investors in As a retiree, how much income do you our community. need from your investments? There’s no one right percentage for everyone. Furthermore, you shouldn’t have to rely solely on your investment portfolio, because you may have other sources, such as Social Security and potentially your employer-sponsored retirement plan, from which to draw income. Nonetheless, your investments can play a big role in providing you with the income you’ll need during retirement. Many retirees depend on fixed-rate investments for a good portion of their retirement income, so it’s a real challenge when interest rates are low, as they have been for the past several years. Consequently, when you retire, you’ll certainly need to be aware of the interestrate environment and the income you can expect from these investments.
Longer-term fixed-rate vehicles may be tempting, as they typically offer higher rates than shorter-term ones, but these longer-term investments may have more price fluctuation and inflation risk than shorter-term investments. Ultimately, you’ll likely need a balance between short-, intermediate- and longterm fixed-income investments to provide for a portion of your income in retirement. While it’s important to invest for income, you can’t ignore the need for growth because you won’t want to lose purchasing power to inflation. As you know, we’ve experienced quite mild inflation recently. But over time, even a low rate of inflation can seriously erode your purchasing power. To illustrate: If your current monthly costs are $3,000, they will be about $4,000 in 10 years with only a 3 percent annual inflation rate. And in 25 years at that same rate, your monthly costs will have more than doubled, to about $6,200. To help protect yourself against inflation risk, you should consider having at least some investments that offer growth potential, rather than only owning fixed-income vehicles. And some investment vehicles, such as dividend-paying stocks, can offer both growth potential and current income. In fact, some stocks have paid, and even increased, their dividends for many years in a row, giving you not just income, but rising income. Keep in mind, though, that companies are not obligated to pay dividends, and can reduce or discontinue them at any time. To determine the right mix of growth and income vehicles for your individual needs, consult with a financial advisor. You may not live to be 100, but it would be a good feeling to know that you could afford to do so. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor Joe Delbene 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
MKT-8275A-A EXP 30 NOV 2016 @ 2015 EDWARD D. JONES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Member SIPC
DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com | 39
Business & Real Estate ADDRESS 845 Australian Street 285 Bahama Drive 280 S Bel Aire Drive 635 Buttonwood Drive 247 Annalisa Place 670 Heather Stone Drive 677 Heather Stone Drive 395 Orion Court 395 Ursa Avenue 140 Edgewater Way 440 Kennebec Street 442 Monitor Court 535 Monitor Street 1455 Phyllis Drive 1295 Island Drive 1315 Island Drive 217 2nd Street 604 5th Street 640 Jacaranda Street 705 Jacaranda Street 1050 Harbor Pines Drive 1950 Harbor Point Drive 1336 High Court 1400 Holt Drive 750 Oak Park Circle 1845 Crawford Avenue 1345 Sanibel Lane 1524 Stafford Avenue 2230 S Courtenay Parkway 508 Orange Avenue 27 Brandy Lane 1415 Sykes Creek Parkway 1255 Old Parsonage Drive 2385 Chase Hammock Road 2860 S Courtenay Parkway 865 Indianola Drive 5105 Mallard Lakes Court 1565 Newfound Harbor Drive 2741 Newfound Harbor Drive 5540 Rons Road 3000 N Tropical Trail 7195 S Tropical Trail 185 Northgrove Drive 220 Maureen Avenue 245 Mindy Avenue 2822 Glenridge Circle 1710 Pelican Drive 1700 Sandy Court 2737 Trails at Hidden 3370 Spartina Avenue 210 Marlin Drive 1850 N Banana River Drive 1710 Westport Road 1720 Sandpiper Street 2980 Savannahs 3083 Nina Court 2190 Coconut Lane 2200 Stone Lake Drive 234 Jenifer Court 866 Limerick Drive 520 Sunset Lake Drive 3642 Tipperary Drive 1101 Dusk View Drive 1128 Dusk View Drive 1550 Eddy Street 220 Tequesta Harbor Drive 1200 Rebecca Drive 234 Mariah Court 50 N Marjorie Court
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Merritt Island Homes Sold In October SUBDIVISION Barony Estates Belaire Belaire Buttonwood Manor Citrus River Groves Cooperfield Cooperfield Diana Shores Diana Shores Edgewater Way Gateway Gateway Gateway Glen Haven Glen Isles Glen Isles Hampton Homes Hampton Homes Harbor Estates Harbor Estates Harbor Pines Harbor Point Holiday Cove Holiday Cove Indian Ridge Village Indianola Estates Island Crossings Island Crossings Marsh Harbor Merritt Ridge Mitchell Manor Morningside Heights New Georgiana Settlement none none none none none none none none none North Grove Orange Blosom Heights Orange Blosom Heights Palmetto Pelican Creek Estates Pelican Creek Estates River Grove on the Trail River Oaks Plantation Rivers Edge Estates Riviera Isles Riviera Isles Sandpiper Estates Savannahs Sea Gate West South Merritt Estate Stone Lake Estates Summer Creek Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Sunset Lakes Sunset Ridge Estates Sunset Ridge Estates Surfside Estates Tequesta Harbor Twin Rivers Villa De Palmas Villas at Newfound Harbor
BDRMS BATHS 3 2 3 2 3 1.5 3 2 4 3 3 2 4 2.5 4 2 4 2 4 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 2 3 1 3 1 3 2 3 2 4 2 5 4.5 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 2 4 2.5 4 3 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 2 2 2.5 3 2 4 2.5 3 3 3 2.5 3 3 3 2 4 2.5 3 2.5 3 2 3 2 4 3 3 2.5 3 3 4 2 4 3 3 2 4 2.5 3 2 5 3 5 4.5 4 2 4 2 3 2 4 3 4 3 5 4 4 3 4 2 4 2 5 3 3 2 3 3 4 2.5 4 3 2 1.5
LVG SQ FT 1129 1152 1152 1468 3649 1703 2014 2150 1729 2825 1558 1397 1397 1166 1482 1620 1008 1133 1224 1262 2303 3492 1440 1196 1702 2036 2055 2358 2364 1092 1296 2052 2052 2004 1995 3070 2701 2496 2187 1942 2329 2774 2131 1257 2157 2806 1824 2164 2490 2366 2284 1312 2850 4777 2495 2282 1741 2707 2426 3753 2531 1602 2995 2932 1351 2442 2405 2468 918
POOL no no no no yes yes no yes no yes no yes no no no no no no yes no no yes no no yes no yes no yes no no yes no no no no yes yes yes no yes yes yes no yes no yes no yes no no no yes yes no no yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes no no yes yes no
WTRFRNT no no no no lake/pond no no canal canal no no no no no canal no no no no canal no banana rvr no no no no no no no no no sykes crk no lake/pond no indian rvr lake/pond nwfnd hbr yes no no indian rvr lake/pond no no no canal canal no no no canal canal banana rvr lake/pond no no lake/pond no no no no no no no indian rvr no sykes crk no
YR BUILT 1964 1963 1963 1962 1985 2000 1998 1968 1967 2006 1977 1967 1967 1962 1967 1967 1959 1959 1961 1962 1993 1994 1965 1965 1981 1984 1999 1996 2003 1957 1965 2003 1989 1984 2001 1991 2001 1973 1978 1981 1995 1979 1995 1973 1967 2005 1966 1968 2003 1993 1965 1978 1989 1986 1996 1994 1964 1999 2006 2001 1998 2002 2000 1999 1964 1977 1993 1986 1978
*Public records sales data provided by Cheryl D’Cruz of Matlock-D’Cruz (see ad on next page)
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
SOLD PRICE $145,000 $140,000 $75,000 $168,000 $364,000 $232,000 $215,000 $415,000 $240,000 $306,650 $175,000 $197,700 $122,500 $86,500 $255,000 $181,000 $76,500 $77,500 $163,000 $235,000 $265,000 $975,000 $155,000 $112,500 $227,500 $228,000 $279,000 $275,000 $289,000 $84,000 $142,000 $535,500 $235,000 $255,000 $274,000 $620,000 $320,000 $442,500 $540,000 $128,250 $261,999 $533,800 $223,800 $119,000 $200,000 $282,000 $405,000 $295,000 $374,900 $257,500 $220,000 $265,000 $482,000 $1,350,000 $284,000 $161,599 $257,000 $350,000 $365,000 $379,500 $310,000 $220,000 $378,000 $442,500 $90,300 $525,000 $340,000 $600,000 $99,000
Business & Real Estate
Bring in the New Year with a New Home! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! from
ruz
Cheryl D’C
Stacy Matl
ock
As a realtor team, we offer unparalleled service and attention for your real estate needs. Call us for a FREE home evaluation today!
Cheryl D’Cruz 321.338.7841 • Stacy Matlock 321.544.5235 www.happyhousehunting.com
DEC 2015 • www.MerrittIslandNow.com
| 41
Business & Real Estate
C
hristmas is a special time to celebrate, but burglars view holidays as an opportunity to burglarize your home or business. Below are some holiday tips to protect your home, business and loved ones:
Debby Silva is the marketing director for Alarm Specialists. (321) 784-0046
• When vacationing, do not leave descriptive phone or out of office messages. Burglars love to hear that they have plenty of time to break in. • Keep your gifts out of direct view of a window. Thieves look for opportunities where they can smash a window and reach in and grab presents under a tree.
• After Christmas day, don’t pile up empty gift boxes from your new computer, DVD player, or stereo receiver on the street. Burglars appreciate knowing that you have expensive gifts inside for them to steal. • Don’t post on social media that you are out of town. Burglars will know you are not home. • Have a 24/7 monitored burglar and fire alarm system installed. • If someone knocks on door, always best to let them know you are home, if not, they may try and break in. Don’t open door and if you feel threatened. Call 911.
• When shopping, do not leave packages or valuables on the car seat. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight. • Make sure your car is locked. Thieves can use the garage door opener and enter your home.
Protect your home and business from fire with these tips: • It’s recommended by smoke detector manufactures to change your detectors every 10 years. Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work. • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified as fire retardant. • Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, candles, heat vents or lights. • Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. For more information on how to protect your home all year, call your local alarm specialist.
SERVING THE SPACE COAST FOR OVER 30 YEARS
321-784-0127 www.KABRAN.com Lic# CAC057862
Ask us about the benefits of being a “KABRAN COOL CLUB” member! HONEST • PROFESSIONAL • AFFORDABLE 42 |
www.MerrittIslandNow.com • DEC 2015
Photo credit: Nikolaj Potanin on Flickr Creative Commons
Holidays Prime Time for Burglars to Pick Up Christmas Bounty BY DEBBY SILVA
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 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
DEC 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 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 • DEC 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) 430-6630 P.O. Box 540142 Space Coast Square Dance Club.......................................... (321) 427-7950 155 Cone Road Merritt Island Masonic Lodge No.353....................................(321) 338-7391 247 S. Tropical Trail
— 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 Faith Presbyterian Church, ARP............................................. (321) 452-1715 1900 South Tropical Trail Islander Alliance Church...................................................... (321) 453-0770 2450 N. Courtenay Parkway
*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? That crime rates dramatically increase during the Holiday Season, especially between Thanksgiving and the New Year? Criminals prey on the vulnerability of consumers who are carrying more cash than usual and shopping for gifts. And unfortunately, women and elderly people are at the highest risk because they are less likely to fight back! Report any suspicious activity to the Brevard County Sheriff – 321-264-5100.
C
an you believe that it’s almost Christmas? This is the time of the year when we all get consumed with the bustling Holiday Season. While many of us are busy with parties, decorating, shopping and spending time with family, a criminals idea of a Holly Jolly Christmas is to steal YOUR Christmas presents and ruin your Holiday Cheer! ✔ When out shopping, make sure to lock you vehicle and keep presents in the trunk and out of sight. ✔ When entering a parking lot, have your keys handy and be aware of your surroundings. ✔ Check your Credit Card statements. Cybercrime is also on the rise during the Holidays. ✔ When leaving your home, even if it’s for a short time, make sure ALL of your doors and windows are locked. ✔ Don’t advertise what you have. Make sure Christmas presents are not visible through windows or doors. ✔ Make it look like someone is always home. Put lights on timers to turn on and off, even if you are only going out for the evening. ✔ If you’re leaving town for the holidays, have a friend or neighbor pick up your mail and remove garbage cans, newspapers and packages left out front. Most of all enjoy the Holidays and spread some Holiday Cheer with those around you! Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!
(321) 266-1110 Florida Island Living
As a Merritt Island resident, I am your “Island Specialist!”
Contact me today!
SAVE TIME, PAY LESS! MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM TO 7PM SATURDAY 8AM TO 3PM
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1950 US. HWY 1 ROCKLEDGE, FL 32955
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WALK-INS AND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED - Nous parlons Francais - Se Habla Español - Wir sprechen Deutsch
www.BrevardFamilyWalkInClinic.com
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THIS ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.