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Update on the MERS Scare in Orlando

In May of 2014, we started seeing news reports of the deadly MERS virus being diagnosed in the Orlando area.  A health care worker from Saudi Arabia was visiting Orlando when he started showing symptoms of the virus.  He was hospitalized at Dr. P Phillips Hospital for several weeks before being released. 

While he was hospitalized, several Orlando residents who worked at the hospital started complaining of being ill.  Out of an abundance of caution, these residents were isolated and treated as if they had MERS.  Twenty other employees, who came into contact with the patient prior to the patient being diagnosed, have also been isolated and tested for the deadly virus.

Along with the patient in Orlando, another in Illinois was tentatively confirmed as having MERS at approximately the same time.  The man from Illinois had recently travelled through the Middle East and was thought to been infected there.  These are the first two reported MERS cases in the United States and it was widely feared that this might be the beginning of an outbreak here in the United States. 

Long Train Running

Recently, Orlando residents received some exciting new about a new, and green, transportation solution. Orlando Florida will be getting a brand new light-rail train system that comes packaged in a high-tech futuristic style.  This innovative version of a light rail comes complete with an electro-magnetic levitating system which helps lift the train from the tracks […]

Top Attractions in Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne Florida Local Community Melbourne, Florida is definitely a tourist attraction.  For anyone who lives in the cold and frozen northern section of the US, the beautiful sunny beaches alone are worth the trip.  But as beautiful as they may be, the beaches may not necessarily hold the attention of member of the family for every day that you’re here.  So – for those days that you may want to do something just a little different from the surf and sand, here are a few suggestions.

For the animal lover:  Hop on by the zoo.  The Brevard zoo has more than 120 different animal exhibits.  You can feed some of the animals and can also ride the train or take a paddleboat or kayak ride.  If you get to the rhino exhibit at the right time and provided the rhinos cooperate, you can actually get up and close and personal to a real rhino!

For the adventurer: Treetop Trek is the way to go.  They have multiple zip line courses going over wetlands and alligators where you can zip from tree top to tree top.  They also have obstacles courses, bridges and tightropes and cater to all ages and inclinations, including the younger children and those who wish to stay closer to the ground! 

Getting to know Melbourne, Florida

Ask non-Floridians about their favorite location in Florida, and you’ll likely get a barrage of answers. You’ll probably hear Panama City, Jacksonville, Tampa, the Keys, Daytona Beach, Miami and of course – Orlando and Walt Disney World.  We, of course, believe that the Melbourne area is the true gem of Florida.  So for those of […]

Brevard Zoo

Brevard County zoo One of the major attractions in the Melbourne area is the Brevard County Zoo.  Opened in 1984 after the local community raised 3.5 million dollars, the zoo now houses over 600 animals in over 120 animal exhibits.  These include the Red Wolf, White Rhinoceroses, Cheetahs, Giraffes and of course – all kinds of water animals.  Not content to stay as is, the zoo continues to grow and develop.  In fact, they’ve recently made several very exciting announcements.

The brand new meerkat exhibit is now open!  This exhibit, called the Meerkat Hamlet, has lots of tunnels for these burrowing creatures.  Meerkats live in underground warrens and have a pretty complex and active social life with each other.  Kids of all ages love to watch the meerkats stand on their hind legs, scurry through their tunnels and play with each other.  In fact, the kids can now crawl through their own tunnel and watch the meerkats as they move around underground. Following a name-the-meerkat contest, the alpha male is now known as Jasper, while the alpha female is known as Kiki.  And the best news of all: Kiki is thought to be pregnant!

Where is the Air Show?

Thunderbirds Melbourne Florida It may be more than seven months away, but the organizers for the Melbourne Air and Space Show are already hard at work on the October 2014 show.  In the past few years, this show has been held at Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, and Paradise Beach Park, but in each case funding for overtime and security has been an issue.  The organizers recently proposed to move the two-day show to the Melbourne International Airport for 2014. 

Although the airport seems like the perfect place to hold an air show, there were some definite logistical and contractual issues.  These include working with the airlines, specifically Delta Airlines and US Airways regarding passenger traffic.  When the US Air Force Thunderbirds are in the sky, all commercial traffic must be stopped. Other concerns include traffic management, since historically tens of thousands of people flock to the show, security, insurance and funding. 

A Whale of a Good Time!

Just a few days ago, a momma right whale and her young calf were seen off the shores of Melbourne Beach.  During the few days they will be passing through this area, many people will flock to Melbourne beach and surrounding areas in the hopes of not only catching sight of this beautiful whale, but perhaps even getting a picture.  This is a fun trip to take, but if you are one of the individuals on your way out to the beach with camera in hand, make sure to take note of the following:

Right Whale Melbourne Florida According to Federal law, individuals must stay at least 500 yards away from the whales. It doesn’t matter if you are in a boat, on a paddle-board, or even in a plane, the gap must be 500 yards.  A violation of this federal law could cost you up to $500,000 and a year in jail. The Florida Fish and Wildlife commission has stated they would prefer to educate people instead of imposing citations, but will bring criminal charges if needed.

The right whale population is only thought to number about 500 individuals.  They are currently a protected, endangered species.  Although they have historically lived to an average of 60 years, their lifespan has been drastically shortened due to being struck by boats, getting caught in fishing nets, and being targeted by hunters for their blubber.

In the winter, pregnant right whales swim from as far away as Canada to get to the warmer coastal waters off the Georgia and Florida coast.  Here they give birth and nurse their young.  In the early spring, they head back to their feeding areas which start in Maine and move northwards into Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.  As they migrate back north, they may be seen in one location for a few days because they are very slow swimmers.    

Gem Jewelry Bead Show Visits Melbourne Florida

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, just about everyone is talking about jewelry. What’s in fashion, what you should gift your loved one and so on. Then, we have the ever popular Pinterest that has popped up over the last couple of years. It spawns endless ideas around how to be creative and show […]

It’s Pickleball Time! Are You Ready?

A paddle sport, Pickleball combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis into one game. This sport takes an oversized ping-pong ball, plays on the court the size of a badminton area with a net that is tennis-sized. The greatest thing about the sport is that it can be played by many ages and it […]

Comedian Lewis Black Performs on Valentine’s Day

Looking for something a little less sweet, and maybe a little more sour this Valentine’s Day? Perhaps something a little more “adult themed”? Well then, you and your honey should know that Lewis Black is coming to Melbourne and he’ll be here just in time for the big holiday. Originally from Maryland, Lewis Black’s road […]

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