Seven Brew adds double drive-thru coffee stand in Suntree

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Those that have sampled Seven Brew’s many offerings at the Viera and downtown Melbourne locations know it’s a treat for caffeine lovers.

The world has come to run on coffee. The dark, bitter, aromatic liquid has become an unstoppable force conquering the globe and turning it into the world’s most popular drink. Two billion cups of joe are consumed every day worldwide.

Seven Brew has come a long way since it opened its first location in Rogers, Arkansas in 2017. Now, it has 54 locations in 13 states.

“We are extremely excited to expand our reach and create more positive interactions in this community with our amazing guests,” said Gabe Moore of Seven Brew. “They will be able to experience all that Seven Brew has to offer — from our fun and energetic staff to the wide array of beverages.”

Seven Brew does have a walk-up window which will draw the wandering passerby with the wonderful wafting aromas, but the concept remains steadfast for quick delivery through its drivethru with smiling Seven Brew crews taking orders and handing out beverages along with syncopated happy tunes.

“We have a one-of-akind drive-thru experience that will put a smile on our guests' faces, giving them that morning or afternoon jolt of energy,” Moore said.

For those not embracing the coffee craze, a varied selection of drinks ranging from Italian sodas, smoothies, teas to energy-infused drinks dots the menu.

The new location, at 6315 N. Wickham Road in Suntree, is scheduled to open this summer. VV

Mandee Combs has been named the new regional sales manager for RISE, the upcoming 55+ Active Living community opening in Viera in early 2024. Leasing at RISE will start in spring 2023.

Formerly, Combs was general manager at RISE in Daytona Beach for eight years.

“Our company motto, ‘Love. Serve. Care’ is more than just a phrase. It’s always been a mentorship for me and everyone at RISE, as it’s the standard we continuously set.

I am thrilled to meet all our new residents,” Combs said.

Combs is excited about her new role and hopes to impact people positively in the community. VV

Samuel (Sam) Boyd has joined the Dale Sorensen Real Estate team as their new sales associate.

Originally from Fallston, Maryland, Boyd moved to Melbourne to finish college and get his master’s in engineering.

As the owner of an Airbnb, the exposure gives him the perfect edge for reviewing investment trends and analyzing contracts. He's an expert at negotiations.

Making Melbourne his new hometown, Boyd is excited to be a part of the new growth in Brevard County and the opportunities the community has to offer. VV

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Old electronics and batteries can be dropped off for free at various locations in Brevard County into black hole bins supported by Black Hole Makers, a local IT consulting company. Rather than throw away old technology items in the trash, which leads to them ending up in a landfill where they can pollute the soil, water and air with mercury and lead, an alternative is to drop them off at the bins to be recycled or repurposed.

Items such as old PCs, desktop and laptop computers, stereos, CD players, tablets, gaming systems, phones, miscellaneous hardware such as wires, mouses, keyboards, as well as dead batteries are accepted.

Drop-off bins are available at:

• Viera Voice office at 7350 Shoppes Drive, Suite 102, in Viera

• One Senior Place at 8085 Spyglass Hill Road in Viera

• Violets in Bloom Florist at 3682 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne

• Wrap N Pack at 981 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. Suite E, in Melbourne

• Roses are Red Florist at 425 5th Ave., Indialantic

• Stop N Mail at 221 W. Hibiscus Ave. in Melbourne

Black Hole Makers has teamed up with nonprofits such as Keep Brevard Beautiful and Serene Harbor, where they have a collection site for old and broken cell phones which they refurbish and give to women in need.

In addition to electronic recycling, Black Hole Makers also specializes in IT consulting and network solutions. Founded in 2013 as a one-man operation, it now serves more than 1,000 businesses and users.

For questions about how to arrange for the pickup of bulky items, contact Black Hole Makers at 844-4327972 or go to recycling@ blackholemakers.com or visit blackholemakers.com.

VV

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Brevard Family Partnership, which works to protect children, is set to recognize partners and families with a gala March 25 at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne.

The mission of Brevard Family Partnership is simple: To protect children, strengthen families and change lives with the prevention of child abuse. It does that through comprehensive, communitybased initiatives for the care of abused, abandoned and neglected children within the foster care system.

Since 2005, the BFP, a nonprofit government funded organization, has been working with the Florida Department of Children and Families and partnering with other agencies and business leaders to facilitate foster care, adoption and the prevention of child abuse.

“The measure of health in any community is a direct reflection on the health of our children,” said Phil Scarpelli, the president and CEO of BFP. “Our commitment has been to reduce and mitigate the risks children and families face with fostering and ultimately adoption”.

Sean Kostelnic, the owner of Wood River Studio and the BFP foundation chair, loves his philanthropic involvement and the impact he can make on a child’s life.

“Since early childhood, my passion has been about saving our ecosystems and I wanted to add my efforts towards BFP’s vision,” he said. “There’s a symbiotic relationship about saving a child and saving our environment.”

Monica Toro-Lisciandro, the musical director and owner at the Viera Studio for the Performing Arts, has been working with children 5 to 13 for a small Broadway production, which will be part of A Night Among the

Stars, BFP’s Gala on March 25.

“It’s inspiring when kids put on a musical to showcase their talents, but when their efforts are to support other foster children, it’s beyond inspiring,” said Toro-Lisciandro, a mother of three who also fosters two children.

“The life of a child touched is what impacts a generation of kids to come,” Scarpelli said. “Our ultimate goal is for them to receive a loving home that keeps the children safe and for them to be resilient and independent in their future.”

The Broadway production will be one of the many planned evening attractions at the black-tie event on March 25 at the Hilton at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne.

For more information on BFP and the Gala event, go to brevardfp.org. VV