Huge Pet Adoption June 1st!

Hundreds of furry companions and forever friends will be in abundance during “Rescue Me,” a Community Pet Adoption Event, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Viera Regional Park.

The “Rescue Me” goal is to adopt out dozens of animals in one day. Brevard County Animal Services, along with other area groups including SPCA of Brevard and Central Brevard Humane Society, will have many wonderful animals looking for their new homes.

“Between the attending groups you will find a huge variety of dogs and cats all in one place,” said Karla Torpy, director of the Brevard County Animal Services Department.  ”This is the best place to find your new best friend.”

DOG-TO-DOG INTRODUCTION

If you have a resident dog and you’re looking to adopt another one, you’re encouraged to bring your dog along with proof of its vaccines and county registration to the event.

Several groups require a dog-to-dog introduction when completing an adoption. There will be special adoption fees at the event, with spay/neuter and shots included.

Additionally, it’s recommended to bring all members of a household to meet the future family member. Adopters will also need a drivers license or some other form of photo ID. Adoption counselors from participating organizations will work with families at the event in order to finalize adoptions on the spot.

“If we can save 100 pets at this event, that is 100 success stories,” said Torpy. “We want folks to make adoption from one of the many shelters or rescue groups operating in our community, their first option for a pet.”

VISIT THE AREA’S ADOPTION FACILITIES

“Rescue Me” participants on Saturday, June 1, are encouraged to visit the area’s multiple adoption facilities to find a furry companion. Visit the websites for business hours and photos of pets currently available for adoption.

“Rescue Me” is sponsored by URS Federal Technical Services, Inc., Florida Today, Daphne Foundation, Brevard ASAP and FloridaNoKill.multiple adoption facilities to find a furry companion.

For information e-mail Karla.Torpy@BrevardCounty.us or FloridaNoKill@aol.com

Disney's Magic Kingdom Open 24 Hours Memorial Weekend!

ORLANDO, Florida -- The Walt Disney World Resort will kick off a "Monstrous Summer" by keeping the Magic Kingdom Park open for 24 hours nonstop during the 2013 Memorial DayWeekend from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013, Eastern Daylight Time.

The oversized fun of a 24-hour Disney park "All-Nighter" called for an equally epic announcement, and the huge sphere of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT was transformed from Disney Parks icon to Disney•Pixar "Eye-con," becoming a 180-foot-tall, fully-animated Mike Wazowski, the loveable green-bodied, one-eyed monster who joins best pal James P. Sullivan ("Sulley") in the prequel toMonsters, Inc., this summer as college students with hopes of becoming Scarers.

The Magic Kingdom will feature a Monsters University theme where Mike and Sulley will be the Grand Marshals of the "Celebrate a Dream Come True" day parade – complete with pomp and circumstance – and make appearances in Tomorrowland.  Guests also will find extra entertainment throughout the day and night, including characters in their pajamas in Town Square during the late night and early morning, and late-night dance parties in and around the courtyard of Cinderella Castle. 

The Walt Disney World Monstrous Summer includes new offerings and popular favorites in all four parks. This is the first summer for the New Fantasyland and an interactive "Pirates Adventure" game at the Magic Kingdom, a newly re-imagined Test Track at EPCOT, a new Disney Junior show, featuring Sofia The First and Doc McStuffins, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus Wilderness Explorers at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Speedy Boats Set to Thrill Cocoa Beach!

The Super Boats are preparing to soar up and down Brevard County’s coastline this weekend.

And they come to the fourth annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix with a new Superboat Class as well as a new competitor.

Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, owner of Team Qatar Racing, and throttleman Steve Curtis have purchased a boat and a new set of motors for the new Superboat Spec class. “We have been working really hard to prepare the boat and installing new motors. We are excited about the new class and are looking forward to racing in Cocoa Beach,” Curtis said in a release.

The new 700+ hp class recently saw team STIHL win the season opener in Mississippi. This is the second stop of the season for the Super Boats.

Another competitor ready to hit the waves is Team Instigator. Fresh out of retirement, Peter Meyer is returning with a new driver (Travis Lofland) and is excited to be back racing again.

“I don’t think I will be competing in all the races this year, but the ones that I do make, one thing is for sure … I’ll be giving it my all,” Meyer said.

Teams will start to arrive to The Cove (Dry Pits) in Cape Canaveral today and stage their boats and equipment. The teams will test on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and the racing begins at noon Sunday.

The start-finish line is at Shepard Park, with Turn 1 being at Lori Wilson Park and Turn 2 at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

Super Boat races schedule

Super Boat races schedule
Today

3-11 p.m. - Power Boats on Parade at The Cove, Port Canaveral

Friday

3-11 p.m. - Cocoa Beach street party

Saturday

Noon-5 p.m. - Testing

6-10 p.m. - Meet the racers at The Cove, Port Canaveral

Sunday

Noon - Race 1

2 p.m. - Race 2

5 p.m. - Awards presentation

Mother's Day Events Around Brevard County

Let’s be honest, Moms deserve at least the entire weekend. So as far as Brevard Happening is concerned, all the things to do this weekend in Brevard County should be dedicated to all the wonderful moms, mothers and mamas out there. Sure, not all the Space Coast events listed are traditional, special just-for-mom activities, but you know as well as we do that Mom doesn’t care. As long as she gets to spend quality time with the people who love her, she’s happy. So check out this week’s list and plan a Mom’s weekend to remember!

Happening Fri. May 11

Friday Fest Family Street Party
Downtown Melbourne
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Food, craft and business vendors. Live entertainment. Kids activities.
No admission fee. Some activities require fee.

Parents’ Night Out
McLarty Park, Rockledge
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
For children ages 5-12. Games, crafts, pizza and movies for kids.
$12 for first child and $10 for each additional child in the same household.
Call 321-633-1870

Live at the Avenue
Central Park at The Avenue, Viera
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Music by John Quinlivan, Heartbreaker
No admission fee.

Happening Sat. May 12

Home and Garden Show
Melbourne Auditorium
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Home and garden booths, displays and vendors.
No admission fee.

Mother/Daughter Tea
Barnes & Noble, West Melbourne
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free refreshments and special mother/daughter activities in honor of Mother’s Day.
No admission fee but please RSVP.
321-726-9505

10th Annual Support Our Troops Rally
Veterans Memorial Park, Palm Bay
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Massing of the Colors, K-9 demonstrations, EOD Robot demonstration, music, free hot dogs and more.
No admission fee. Support our troops and vets!

Got Art? An Exhibit
Art Gallery of Viera
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Reception and party with gallery artists.
Free admission.

Melbourne Ballroom Dance Party
Melbourne Ballroom
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Group ballroom dance class at 7 p.m. followed by dance party starting at 8 p.m.
$15 for both or $10 just for the party.

Happening Sun. May 13 – Mother’s Day

Home and Garden Show
Melbourne Auditorium
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Home and garden booths, displays and vendors.
No admission fee.

Mother’s Day Ice Skating Show and Recital
Space Coast Iceplex, Rockledge
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Figure skating show and recital especially for Moms.
$5 tickets available at Iceplex reception desk.

Mother’s Day Eco Tour Island Boat Lines
Sunset Waterfront Cafe, Cocoa Beach
All day event.
Dolphin and manatee viewing tours through the Cocoa Beach Thousand Islands.
$28 adults; Mom is free. Reservations required.
321-454-7414

Indian River Queen Mother’s Day Dinner Cruise
90 Delannoy, Cocoa
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Upscale dinner by Black Tulip catering team, with dixieland music and a topside sunset viewing.
$50 per person.
321-454-7414

Art of Sand Exhibit and Free Admission for Mom's at the Brevard County Zoo!

 Evenings at Art of Sand- First Four Fridays in May

Brevard Zoo is offering guests the opportunity to experience Wild Florida: Past, Present and Future, an Art of Sand exhibit, at night during Evenings at Art of Sand. For the first four Fridays in May from 6 to 9 p.m., guests are invited to take in this incredible exhibit as the sun sets. To kick off the Friday evenings, come enjoy the sounds of Chris Kahl as he performs Friday, May 3, as you wander the Art of Sand trail and learn about the history of Florida. Created by eight international sand sculptors, these 13 incredible sand sculptures trace the history of people and wildlife in Florida. Hear the sounds of a time gone by as you view this breathtaking collaboration of art and history - just in time to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon's first exploration of North America. Cost for this event is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Price only includes admission to the exhibit. The Zoo will not be open during the evening.

Free admission for moms on Mother's Day

You think giving birth to a 9-pound baby is tough, try giving birth to a 159-pound baby that is more than 6-feet tall. This was the case for Johari, a Masai giraffe at Brevard Zoo, when she gave birth to a male Masai giraffe on Feb. 6. We think all moms are super and deserve special recognition. In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12, Brevard Zoo is offering free admission to moms.