Titusville steps out for Starlight Club extravaganza fund raiser for playhouse

Marilyn Monroe look-a-like whispers lyrics of song about ‘diamonds’ being a girls best friend, while showing preferance for mature men.

By: Fred Krupski
      Hundreds of Titusvillian's lent their support for this year's fund-raiser held at Brevard Community College last Saturday evening by being the event benefactors, contributors and those who gave in-kind gestures - literally too many to list.
      Returning the favor were also hundreds of guests who popped for the tickets to attend - eat, drink and be merrily entertained by a Las Vegas-style review that featured famous look-alikes, such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and the Blues Brother. They were also entertained by the slight of hand magic performed by table-hoping magician Greg Phillips and his rope tricks. Ken Varone’s eight piece show band from south Florida provided music for the event as well.
      Kudos to Event Chairs Linda Fliss, Lynne Librizzi, Stacy Johnson, and Executive Committee members Ramon Rivera, Bob Socks, Pamela Poe and Nancy Wolford - and all of their assistants. They were responsible for creating a venue that closely resembled a big city show on a limited budget that was commendable. It's not often that any event brings out that many people on any given evening.

Fundraiser party guests include: Bob Socks and Sue Krupski (top), Ray and Marian Sharkey (bottom).

      And it brought many out in their 'finest,' although one or two young men obviously thought they were attending a hoedown for a tramps reunion.
      From tuxedos, evening gowns, to cocktail dresses and conservative business wear, everybody looked their best. Only the entertainers may have been more sparkling attired. The important thing was that they all had fun and enjoyed the evenings event.
      We also noticed that one of the showgirls was Titusville's own Vicki Cheek, a regular performer at the Titusville theatre. A number of members of the theatre also contributed their talents to the affair, including Meg Davenport, Lisa Tamblyn and Jamie Garcia. And there could have been others we didn't recognize.
      What was obvious was that no war protesters were outside carrying signs. Also apparent was that in times of strife such as a weak economy, war nerves about Iraq, most people enjoy the break from bad news and like to party. That was evident from the activity at the beverage bars.
      And more than 500 did last Saturday at the gym at BCC, where the artistic backdrop was truly professional.
      Linda Fliss reported that about $50,000 was raised through corporate sponsorships and estimated that approximately $65,000 was raised to help fund all theatre education programs, college scholarship funding for graduate students pursuing careers in the performing arts and continuing restoration of the 98-year old theatre.

Re-instating impact fees on front burner of City Council agenda

By Fred Krupski
      Reinstating impact fees is usually a subject that comes before City Council on a yearly basis, usually instigated by residents who feel new home development and business growth should pay the cost of infrastructure for the services required, which includes roads, parks and public services.
      Since they were terminated in 1995 in order to encourage growth and economic viability, impact fees have been a target by many residents each year since. Leading the fight for reinstatement is Council member Conrad Eigenmann, who said citizens have been telling him that growth needs to pay its own way.
      Not all, or a majority of his fellow councilmen share his views. The council has not yet discussed whether the fees would affect residential, commercial or industrial properties. Beside Ward, Mayor Ron Swank also believes that the reimposition of the fees could discourage the future growth in the city.
      A committee of community members were formed to examine the benefits, and the disadvantages of reinstating them and recently recommended reinstatement fees for residential properties, but stopped short of recommending reinstatement for industrial land use and on the commercial sector "at this time."
      The committee also recommended that any property that has a change in use be assessed the difference between the original impact fee paid and the new use calculated impact fee. This report was studied during the Feb. 25 council meeting, but tabled for further discussion.
      Eigenmann may find himself on the short side of a vote, by a 3 to 2, or 4 to 1 margin when a vote is called for the approval of impact fees on residential dwellings, including single-family, mobile homes, multi-family homes and condos and apartment buildings as well.
      However, should the decision be made for reinstatement to be effective Oct. 1 for the fiscal year 2003-04 based on an impact fee analysis, they be processed at the time of building permit application submittal and collected at, or prior to any Certificate of Occupancy granted.
      As an aside, indicative that other neighboring cities, who enjoy much greater economic growth continue to reward entrepreneurial adventure, the Orlando City Council recently approved a $3 million tax break to Pearlman Development Company in his quest to restore Church Street Station with restaurants, entertainment, shopping that promises to create 500 new jobs.

Titusville bank teller sentenced under Operation Cease-Fire

Special to the News Observer
By: Lynn Bumpus-Hooper
      A former bank teller, the first Operation Cease-Fire defendant to go to jury trial, was sentenced last week to five years in federal prison.
      U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell imposed the sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release on the Port St. John woman, 22-year old Abbey Latasha Graham, who was found guilty Dec. 6. Testimony during the three-day trial showed that Graham provided inside information to four men in advance of the June 20, 2002 robbery of the First Union Bank on US 1 in Titusville.
      Graham was the first Brevard County defendant to be convicted by a federal jury under Operation Cease-Fire, a gun violence prevention program of Brevard-Seminole State Attorney Norm Wolfinger. Partnering with federal prosecutors, and local and federal law enforcement, Operation Cease-Fire can provide tougher penalties and swifter trials, in some cases, than the over-burdened state court system.
      “This case shows how important Operation Cease-Fire is. We have a number of cases right now that we are looking at for inclusion in the program because the public deserves speedy and sure justice, and this is just the vehicle to provide it.
      “We believe the additional threat and follow through of federal prosecution and incarceration in a penitentiary far from Florida will help curb these dangerous criminals’ appetite for future gun violence,” Wolfinger said. He pledged that his office would continue to push any and every appropriate case involving violent crime and a firearm into the program.
      In the Titusville robbery, three masked men entered the bank while a fourth remained in the getaway car. The three threatened tellers, brandished guns and slapped a teller in the head with a gun. As the robbers fled the bank, they fired at an off-duty deputy sheriff in pursuit of them. Titusville police arrested the men a short distance from the bank. Evidence soon led police to Graham’s participation.
      Two of the four men have entered guilty pleas in federal court. Donald Johnson, 19, of Cocoa, was sentenced to 21 years in prison and Troy Henley, the 23-year-old getaway car driver from Titusville, was sentenced to four years in prison and three years federal supervised release. Cases are pending against the remaining two men.
      Under Operation Cease-Fire, designated prosecutors in Brevard and Seminole counties review all firearms cases and then determine with their federal counterparts which system would afford the best results. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Ambrose and Robert Bodnar Jr. prosecuted Graham’s case. They were aided by Assistant State Attorney Greg Konieczka, Wolfiner’s Brevard gun crime prosecutor. Konieczka is also cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

City may give final approval this month for waterfront development

By: Fred Krupski
      The owners and developers of the Poe property, Otto Grupp and Towne Realty, who plan a development for 10 acres of property on the southeast corner of the Max Brewer Causeway next to Sand Point Park may soon receive approval, with conditions.
      The developer's application for a variance was approved at an earlier meeting of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Since that approval, Grupp's attorney asked for an increase in the sites density from 15 to 25 units per acre. That motion was defeated.
      However, City Council voted to transmit the Comp Plan change to increase the density to 20 units per acre to DCA. Initial response indicates that the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) will perform a formal review.
      A new Conditional Use Permit request was submitted by the developers on Jan. 31 asking for an increase in the number of units to 210 which was heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission March 5 (decision too late for deadline) and be back before the CRA (Community Development Association) at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.
      A variance in height to 120 feet will need to be approved by the Board of Adjustments as well.

Kenaston's retire, sell landmark restaurant

From Staff Reports
      Fat Boys' Restaurant, a fixture in Titusville since 1962, has been sold to Porky's, the barbeque restaurant north of Titusville on US1. The new owners officially took over last Thursday.
      According to Jeanne Kenaston it was time for her husband Jim to retire, ending an "end of an era" for the city. "The hassles we can live without as anyone knows who has owned a business," said Jeanne, saying that she had a small sign in the ladies restroom that proclaimed, "The only thing more overated than natural childbirth is the joy of owning your own business." There is joy, but also a lot of frustration, said Jeanne.
      The couple have moved to Rockledge, where both were born and raised.
      Speaking of her husbands retirement, Jeanne said that he had been trying for several years so that slowing down at this point is a good thing for him. While the restaurant has been his life for more than 20 years, she is certain that with more time for himself, no more nights and weekends to work will be fun for them both.
      Fat Boys' Bar BQ is Titusville's oldest full-service restaurant. The Coffee Shop, located at the corner of Washington Ave. and Broad St. was opened in the 1950's, but not as a full service operation.
      The Fat Boys' chain was established in Brevard County in 1959 at Cape Canaveral. The Titusville store, the second in the chain, was opened in 1962 and has been a popular eating establishment since.
      The restaurant was purchased in 1977 by Bob and Vivian Wilson (Vivian is Jeanne Kenaston's sister) from Huck Davis, who along with Jesse Keller, started the chain in 1959. The Kenaston's became involved in 1982 and purchased the restaurant from Mrs. Wilson in 1986.
      Originally located in the building that is now Steve's Diner, Fat Boys' moved to the present location in 1983. In September of 1997, the restaurant's 35th year, Fat Boys' suffered extensive damage resulting from an electrical fire. After the complete rebuild the restaurant re-opened three months later with a brand new decor, but with the same good food and loyal staff.
      The City of Titusville came to Fat Boys' rescue, and with a committee formed by Sharon James and other restaurateurs and business owners, $18,000 was raised to help the employees financially while the restaurant was closed. They re-opened with all existing staff, not losing a single one during the down time. Many employees had been there for many years, some over 25.
      The restaurant has an extensive collection of historical photographs of Titusville and Brevard County. The ads that are interspersed with the old pictures are from the 1926 Titusville City Directory and will remain at the restaurant under the new owners.
      Community service has always been a commitment of the restaurant. Owners Jim and Jeanne Kenaston serve on many local boards and support schools and other organizations that request their help.
      The restaurant was also active in catering - both barbeque and fine dining with Indian River Pantry, a division of the corporation.

French pastries and partisans subject of much politically (in)correct conversation, satire

Q. How many French men does it take to defend Paris?"
A. Nobody knows since no Frenchman has ever tried.
Q. How do you stop a French tank?
A. By shooting the soldier pushing it.
Q. The French have just ordered a new national flag.
A. It's a white cross on a white background.
Q. How many gears in a French tank?
A. Six: Five reverse and one forward in case they are attacked from behind.
Q. Why does the new French Navy have glass-bottom boats?
A. So they can see the old French Navy.

      The newspaper is receiving a bunch of these tidbits, many sent by reader and friend Jack Kuntz, who says that while not a fan of Lieberman, "this rings true" he comments.
      Having said this I know sure as God made green apples that I'm going to get hate mail from many of our French residents and residents of French extraction. It happens all the time. It did with my Irish Olympic article and these humorless people will continue. Wait until I'm finished with those nut cases at PETA who equate killing chickens with the murder of millions of Jews in the Nazi concentration camps.
      But I think these crazies now know how I view them and their obdurate and flagrant opinions about animal rights.
      But it makes no difference to me anyway. As long as my name is on this column I'm going to do it my way.
      The hell with political correctness.

By BOB SOCKS

Port Canaveral News: Two Day Cruises Return

Park Villas Apartments

Congratulations Dixie Crossroads

Home sales hit record rate in January

Lowest gasoline prices – You’ll have to move.....

• Manama, Bahrain – 82¢/gallon
• Kuwait City – 77¢/gallon
• Cairo – 75¢/gallon
• Jakarta, Indonesia – 74¢/gallon
• Caracas, Venezuela – 28¢/gallon

Consumers

1. Stock prices continue to fall. The S & P 500 index is down 45% from its high in March 2000.
2. Energy prices are soaring. Gasoline prices are up nearly 50% from a year ago. Home heating costs are also gaining.
3. Uncertainty about when or if the United States will go to war and what the outcome will be is growing.
4. A soft labor market. The median length of unemployment is at its highest in eight years.
5. Health care costs are rising at the fastest rate in a decade.

1. Home values continue to rise. Prices were up 7% in January from the previous year.
2. Interest rates are at 41-year lows, making borrowing costs cheaper.
3. Inflation, outside of energy and food, is the lowest in decades.
4. Debt as a percentage of total family assets is the lowest since at least 1989,when records began.
5. Productivity is expected to continue to rise, leading to an improvement in living standards.

Restaurant report

Strictly my opinion

Lets talk about the space program......

Lets Look at some facts.....

1. WIth 2 million parts, the shuttle is the most complicated machine ever built; it costs a half-billion dollars per mission and requires 4,000 workers at Kennedy Space Center alone to maintain it. Workers, as well as the costs of launch pads and assembly buildings and administrative overhead that sustain the shuttle had been spread across four orbiters. With the loss of Columbia, there are now only three.
2. Its unclear how safe the shuttles ever can be. Designed in the 1970’s, the shuttles’s systems rely on aging technology and extensive upkeep to continue operating. The ship’s current rate for a fatal flight is 1 in 56.5 missions. The agency’s long-term goal is to have a vehicle with a 1 in 10,000 risk of losing the crew during launch.
3. No replacement vehicle exists anywhere, except for concepts on the drawing boards. Present plans for the shuttles are that NASA expects to fly the shuttle for the next twenty years. That may be highly unrealistic. Alex Roland, a history professor at Duke University, former NASA historian, who worked at NASA headquarters from 1973 to 1981 says the following. “Whatever brought the Columbia down underscores the limitations of the shuttle fleet. It just points out that this is a fragile, expensive, and dangerous launch vehicle. The Rogers Commission and every other investigative body that looked at the shuttle program after Challenger told NASA the same thing. Do not rely on the shuttle as your primary launch vehicle and begin immediately to develop a follow-on vehicle.” “Well, here we are 17 years later, and NASA is massively dependent on the Shuttle– and there’s no follow-on vehicle in sight,” says Rowland. So that's where we stand. What the future holds will be determined over the next few months as the investigative team dwells into the workings of the U.S. Space program.

Quote of the Week:
“What really matters is whether the alphabet is used for the declaration of war or for the declaration of a sunrise.”
– Mr. Rogers
Mr. Rogers has left the neighborhood.

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus is coming to Miracle City Mall with a free clown show Fri., March 7 at 7:30 p.m. and the circus on Thurs. & Fri.,, March 13 and 14. Get a free ticket for the circus with the purchase of $50.00 of merchandise at Miracle City Mall. See the ad for all the details.
* * *
Do you have a loved one you can’t leave alone at home? Sand Point Senior Living has adult day care. They also have independent and assisted living.
* * *
You need to visit Cabinets Plus & Custom Decors larger and newly renovated showroom. There’s kitchen and bath cabinets, dining room buffets, entertainment centers, closets, carpet and tile.
* * *
The YA YA Sisterhood had a great open house on Fri., Feb. 21. They have a large selection of original works by local artists of home decor, baskets, candles, dolls, bears, quilt throws, pillows, garden items, jewelry, greeting cards and a Christmas corner. * * * Britt’s Air Conditioning & Heating is offering a 20% off discount on a complete A/C changeout with duct cleaning. See ad for more details and call.
* * *
The Pet Masters is starting obedient classes Sat., March 8 for daytime and Thurs. evenings. Sign up now.
* * *
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, 2910 Garden St., says to present the coupon from the ad to receive a $10 discount on your tax preparation.
* * *
John Conrad’s Pool Supply have everything you need to properly maintain your pool. Stop in and buy their Rainbow reef fish, Koi fish and turtles to bring your pool or pond to life with colorful and beautiful colors.
* * *
Gilda Pierce, a full cosmetologist (formerly from Regina’s Hair Boutique) is now at Kelly’s Cuts & Styles, 1217 Garden St. next to Dunkin' Donuts. Let Gilda help you with your hair needs.
* * *
Are you having problems with allergies? Call and make an appointment with Linda Garrison at Sunshine Health Foods.
* * *
The Garage Door Store is offering $19.95 for a residential service call. There’s also a special discount for all Kennedy Space Center and Brevard County school board employees. See the ad and call now.
* * *
Contact Heather Thies at the YMCA at 267-8924 now thru March 31st to help support the 2003 scholarship campaign.
* * *
Are you a bird watcher? Miracle Photo has a March special for Minolta Activa Binoculars, so see the ad.
* * *
The artists at the Gaslight Mall on Main Street is having a Mardi Gras on Fri., March 7 and a sidewalk sale Fri., March 15. See the ad.
* * *
MJ’s Saloon is celebrating their 6 year anniversary on St. Patty’s Day. Also Steamer’s is having their grand opening adjacent to MJ’s Saloon. Stop in for fun and good food.
* * *
Sego’s Drugs is still accepting BellSouth payments. They were waiting for new equipment.
* * *
See Diversified Computers Sales & Service ad for specials and save.
* * *
Stop in Allmakes Auto Service for all your auto or truck repairs.
* * *
Debra’s Kids Resale & Exchange is looking for baby furniture, toys and more.
* * *
Nataucha’s Hair & Nails has specials in their ad. Cut out the coupons and save.
* * *
Missy Drake, the manager of Buck’s Lawnmower Shop, says to bring your mower or other gas or electric yard equipment in for repairs. Maybe it’s time for a new mower.
* * *
The Mail Center has a March special for Thrifty Self Inking rubber stamps.
* * *
Got a problem with filing – getting old files in order? Let Anita Mays of A-Mays-Ing Services help you get it together. See the ad and call.
* * *
Look in our Dineout and Entertainment Guide for St. Patricks celebrations and dinners and other entertainment.
* * *
Be sure and use Mr. Submarine and Salad’s coupon for family Sundays – Kid’s meal for $1.99.

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