Family & Consumer Science Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida Brevard County Extension (321) 633-1702

Special Event Details

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April 30, 2008 PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT POWER PLANT CHANGES TO BE HELD SATURDAY PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. -- In connection with the Brevard County Air Quality study generated by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, a public meeting will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Parrish Medical Center facility in Port St. John. Florida Power & Light representatives will be present to answer questions regarding a new power plant which will be built to replace the current facility in Port St. John. The meeting will be held at the Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John, 5005 Port St. John Parkway. April 14, 2008 County to Host Financial Planning Workshops for Individuals with Disabilities BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners' Persons with Disabilities Assessment Project will host a series of free workshops on financial planning for individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers next month. Information on special needs trusts, special needs planning, Social Security benefits, basic financial planning, insurance, and basic budgeting will be covered. Confirmed presenters include representatives from MetDESK (a division of MetLife); the law firm of Betten, Murphy and Weiss; the Social Security Administration; Raymond James; Consumer Credit Counseling Services; and SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance of Elders).  Light refreshments will be served. The workshops will be held on Wednesday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Titusville Library; on Tuesday, May 27 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Franklin T. DeGroodt Library in Palm Bay; on Wednesday, May 28 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa; and on Thursday, May 29 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa. Space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended. To register, or for more information, call Paula Davis at 321-633-2076 or e-mail paula.davis@brevardcounty.us.

April 29, 2008 LIGHTS OUT FOR SEA TURTLES VIERA, Fla. -- Thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles nest on Brevard County's beaches each year. Toward the end of June, hatchlings begin to emerge from their nests and orient themselves toward the brightest visible horizon in an attempt to find the sea. Lights from beachfront structures that shine or reflect onto the beach disrupt this instinctive process and disorient the hatchlings, causing them to crawl toward the artificial light instead of crawling to the sea. Disoriented hatchlings often get tangled in dune vegetation, eaten by predators, flattened by vehicles, or die from exhaustion or dehydration.  Even those who eventually find the ocean may have used up so much energy on the beach that they die before they find food.  It is estimated that only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings manages to survive to adulthood. To prevent hatchling disorientation, all indoor and exterior lights that are visible from the beach should be shielded, repositioned, replaced, or turned off after 9 p.m. during sea turtle season.  Because adult nesting females can also be disoriented by improper lighting, lighting ordinances apply from May 1 through October 31. Brevard County and the beachfront municipalities have lighting ordinances in place to regulate beachfront lights.  County code enforcement officers actively patrol the unincorporated beaches during nesting season to ensure compliance.  Beginning May 1, part-time marine turtle lighting compliance surveyors funded through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association restoration project will be on the beach documenting visible lights. Survey data collected in local municipalities is provided to the proper authority for education and/or enforcement. For questions regarding beachfront lighting, copies of educational brochures, a demonstration of turtle-friendly lighting fixtures, or to discuss available lighting options, please call 321-633-2016 ext. 52431 or email paula.berntson@brevardcounty.us.

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