By Alex Sosnowski, Senior Expert Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather.com reports Nassau, Miami, Key West, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa will be affected by a tropical system in the coming days.

A weak tropical system cruising through waters between the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas this week will soon spread squalls, beneficial rain and stormy conditions to Florida.

The system, currently a tropical wave, was fighting wind shear to the north and the large land mass of Hispaniola at midweek. Continuing wind shear, Cuba and eventually the Florida Peninsula will work to keep the system weak through Friday. However, this is not to say there cannot be locally damaging thunderstorms and torrential rain in some of these same areas.

The system has the potential to bring squalls, or bands and clusters of thunderstorms, sweeping through the Florida Peninsula, the Keys and Bahamas in the coming days. While the storms will bring beneficial rain to many of these places, there can be flooding and damaging wind gusts at the local level.

Where the squalls hit, there can be several inches of rain in an hour’s time, along with 50-mph wind g[image: Tropical System]usts (tropical storm force).

The leading edge of the squalls will roll northwestward through the Bahamas tonight, reaching Nassau Thursday, Miami and West Palm Beach Thursday evening, Melbourne and Key West Thursday night, then Orlando, Ft. Myers and Tampa Friday.

The squalls can disrupt outdoor plans, ground and air travel, and will pose dangers to small ocean-going vessels. Waves may become rough and dangerous for bathers at area beaches.

The system is likely to remain relatively weak through its life cycle. However, it will have a couple of windows, barring too much interaction with land, to become a depression or tropical storm.

While there is the risk of a sudden pulse with this system the next few days, it will have to be watched as to how it negotiates the warm waters before and after reaching the Florida Peninsula.

Computer models take the system on a general northwest path over the Florida Peninsula and then the warm western Gulf of Mexico over the next 3 to 5 days.

A broad area of disturbed weather will trail this feature, potentially causing downpours, squalls and stormy conditions from Puerto Rico to Cuba, Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico through next week.

Popularity: 53% [?]

“Tests are still being run to find out if tar balls found in Central Florida are from the Deep Water Horizon spill. They started washing ashore in Brevard County on Tuesday and a few tar balls were reported Wednesday in Ormond Beach.

The Coast Guard is now helping Brevard County clean it up. They consider the tar balls part of an oil spill that they are tasked with investigating. Whether it’s related to the Gulf disaster or not, the Coast Guard was out making sure the beaches are clean for the time being.” Read More

I was born in San Francisco, and I consider the City by the Bay the most location anywhere in the world. But I most admit that Florida’s pristine white sand beaches are superior to the ones in San Francisco.

I’ve been to Florida a couple of times, and I love walking on the beach picking up sea shells, admiring the bikini-clad ladies, and wading in the warm water.

It’s a shame that tar balls have started washing ashore in Brevard County, the words “tar ball” and “Florida beaches” should never be used in the same sentence.

The source of the tar balls in still unknown, but must likely you can place the blame on BP. Floridians and every other American who cares about the environment should consider boycotting BP. If any BP honcho comes to Florida he should be pelted with tar balls. Not really, I don’t condone violence, I’m just so outraged by BP’s carelessness.

Follow Robert Paul Reyes on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertpaulreyes

Popularity: 20% [?]

Come join the fun for the firework Festivities – All Day – Parade 8:30 am – 9 p.m. Fireworks

Sebastian
Saturday July 3, 2010
The annual parade marches off in the morning down Indian River Drive, ending at Riverview Park with an all-day event featuring crafters and food vendors. Fireworks to follow in the evening.

When: 8:30 am-Parade begins. 9 p.m.-Fireworks

Where: Indian River Drive &; Riverview Park-the park is located at the intersection of US Highway 1 and Route 512, Sebastian, FL

Popularity: 100% [?]

Judyth Piazza chats with Jane Faraco, Executive Chef at STAX Restaurant, Vero Beach, Florida (Click here to listen)

Executive Chef Jane Faraco, husband Chef Jim along with son-in-law Josh Niebels are stacked for success.

The trio recently opened STAX, located at 1931 Old Dixie Highway, which was the former site of The Undertow Restaurant on April 22 with the intent to immerse themselves in the urban downtown area of Vero Beach, Florida.

After the Faracos sold their New Hope, PA restaurant Havana and retired to Vero Beach, the couple knew that they still had something to give to the community.

“I got the concept for STAX after watching Emeril and his ability to stack and layer flavors. This is one of the things that makes STAX unique,” said Jane.

STAX is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

STAX Restaurant

1931 Old Dixie Highway

Vero Beach, FL 32960

(772) 770-0977

Popularity: 47% [?]

The Comedy Zone – June 2010

Chris Cope
Chris started his Stand Up comedy career in Gainesville, Florida.  Chris has quickly moved up as a powerful force in the comedy scene today.  His rural upbringing only adds a colorful flavor to a show that is vibrant with images. Chris brings his life experiences to the stage that is not only hilarious but something that all audiences can relate to.

In a business, were nicknames can be a cliché, Chris more than lives up to his name.  Chris is not only the big portion in size, but also in the size of the laughs he delivers at every show. His enduring “Boy Next Door” charm, guarantees audiences of all ages will be in for a laugh filled evening of fun. Chris’s high speed energy and wit keeps an on audience on the edge of their seats during the entire show.

Shaun Jones
Shaun’s act covers a wide range of subjects: from good relationships gone bad; living with bad credit; the strip club experience; black and white people in heaven; trips to the Bahamas; and the night club scene. Shaun’s greatest strength is his ability to travel to any town or city and win over every crowd.

Like an accomplished chef, Shaun’s comedy performances combine a cup of truth, a spoonful of originality and a double twist of humor. When Shaun takes the stage, he mixes his talents before the audience, bakes his show just right and serves up a unique dish to satisfy everyone’s laughter appetite. Shaun has performed at comedy clubs, in Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, and The Bahamas.

Popularity: 61% [?]

Capital Product Partners L.P. today announced that Mr. Ioannis Lazaridis, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Capital Product Partners L.P., will participate in the Tanker Sector Panel at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2010 Global T View full post on BaretNews.com Current News – Florida

Popularity: 47% [?]

In Defense of Animals (IDA) says the death of Taima, a 20-year-old orca who died Sunday while giving birth to her stillborn calf at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida reinforces IDA’s argument that orcas are unsuitable for life in captivity. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must create regulations to prohibit captive breeding and phase out the public display of orcas. Tilikum, a six-ton orca also held captive at SeaWorld, is the father of Taima’s stillborn calf. Tilikum killed his trainer in February.

Orcas do not thrive in captivity and die decades before their average life expectancy in the wild, which is 80-90 years for females and 50-60 years for males. Most captive orcas die before they reach 20. Over the past 24 years, 23 orcas have died at SeaWorld facilities with 22 of them less than 25 years old. Over the past 44 years, 24 orcas have injured or killed their trainers. Four people have been killed as a result of their public display – zero people have been killed by orcas in the wild.

“Public display of orcas only serves SeaWorld’s corporate need to profit from dangerous and unnatural stunts. It provides no meaningful education about protecting orcas in the wild and their natural habitats,” said IDA President Scotlund Haisley. “As NMFS deliberates changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), new regulations must stop all captive breeding and public display of this species.”

As the largest species in the dolphin family, orcas can reach 28-32 feet in length. At marine parks like SeaWorld, the Miami Seaquarium and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, they live in tiny, concrete, chlorinated tanks where they barely have enough room to swim a few strokes in any one direction. They use echolocation (sonar) to hunt, communicate and navigate through the ocean. In captivity their sound waves bounce off the walls of their tanks, which must be psychological torture to them.

In permit applications, to comply with federal law, marine parks must emphasize “education,” claiming the display of captive marine mammals will enhance those efforts. “It is time the U.S. elevate its marine conservation ethic and stop exploiting orcas and other marine mammals in captivity for profit,” added Haisley. “SeaWorld should focus their resources on rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured animals rather than forcing orcas and other marine mammals to perform dangerous and unnatural circus-style tricks for food.”

June 10 is the deadline for public comments to the NMFS regarding revisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations. IDA has urged the public to contact NMFS to phase out marine parks and, until then, create stricter regulations and oversight for facilities with public display permits, and prohibit any further captive breeding or captures of marine mammals from the wild.

For more information and a link to submit public comments, please visit www.idausa.org.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitat through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in Mumbai, India, Cameroon, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

Popularity: 37% [?]

The Veteran’s Council of Indian River County celebrated Memorial Day as well as paid tribute to all of the men and women that have died while defending the United States of America and its allies abroad with Master of Ceremonies, Lt. Col. Eric “Rip” Wieler, USMC (Ret.).  

During the ceremony a moment of silence and the placing of the wreath at the marker of Petty Officer 2nd class, Ronald Scott Owens, a Vero Beach resident who was killed in the attack on the destroyer USS Cole. Owens was also a posthumous recipient of the Purple Heart. Placement of the wreath was carried out by SSG Jack Main, US Army & Sgt. Brian Wright, USMC.  

“Seventeen people died and 39 were injured in an attack on the American guided missile destroyer, USS Cole, in Aden harbor, Yemen, on October 12, 2000.” The attack had been orchestrated by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network.

Patriotic Medley – Vero Beach High School Band, Band Directors, James Sammons & Page Howell 

Bag Pipes – Michael Hyde, USMM 

Special Music – Dolores mark Chambers, vocalist 

Keynote Address – Col. Martin Zickert, USAF (Ret.)

 21 Gun Salute and Taps – VFW Post 3918 Honor Guard 

Benediction – Capt. Richard Flick, USN (Ret.)

 Bag Pipes – Michael Hyde, USMM 

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Basic care and maintenance for a Zoysia grass lawn is necessary to keep your lawn healthy and green. Maintenance consists of many processes, but the main steps of mowing, fertilizing and watering can make the biggest difference in your Zoysia grass lawn’s appearance.

Zoysia grass planted in a northern climate with cooler temperatures and average rainfall will require less cutting than a southern, warmer climate with lots of rainfall. Zoysia grass’ high silica levels will cause the blades to grow sturdier the taller they get resulting in a stiffer blade texture than other grass varieties. This requires cutting to occur when the grass is one or two inches tall; this will help keep you from taking your blades to be sharpened several times in one cutting season.

Zoysia grass, like any other grass, requires fertilization. The best time to fertilize is spring or summer for the main feeding where 15 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn applied will keep your lawn supple and green throughout the year. Maintenance feedings should occur every 60 days or so and will require two to three pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Keep in mind that if your Zoysia grass is frequently watered for higher growth, that more fertilizer will be needed for the process to be effective. Also, Zoysia prefers a pH level of 6.0-6.5, so a lime application may be necessary at some point.

Every lawn needs to be watered from time to time and a Zoysia grass lawn is no exception. While Zoysia grass is more drought resistant than other varieties, it does need to be monitored for signs of water deprivation. When the blades start to bend in on themselves, it’s time to water. Water an inch per week, but consider climate when calculating. Water established lawns in the morning and new shoots in the afternoon.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Recently, Canada’s Yellow Page Group, or YPG, has gone on somewhat of a buying spree. YPG, based in Montreal, is a directory publisher and has recently acquired several companies including Canpages, Restaurantica, Clear Sky Media, RedFlagDeals.com, PriceCanada.com, as well as, an ownership interest in and trademark use from 411 Canada. The largest of these acquisitions, Canpages and 411 Canada are believed to help print directories grow in the digital marketplace.

Yellow Pages Group is Canada’s foremost marketing and media company. By bringing businesses in front of customers through its digital, print and mobile methods, Yellow Pages Group assists consumers in making better decisions regarding what to purchase and where to purchase it. YPG also helps businesses grow and thrive by providing successful marketing techniques that result in authentic, effective lead generation. Yellow Pages Group also owns the trademarks of other companies: YellowPages.ca and YellowPages.ca directories.

411 Canada is the most visited online search engine in Canada. Each month over 2 million locals search for local people and businesses. These searches cause local businesses to generate over 13 million inquiries monthly. 411 Canada showcases over 1.5 million businesses and uses frugal advertising methods that boost brand exposure and drive sales, resulting in business growth and success.

The agreement between 411 Canada and Yellow Pages Group allows the purchase of the 411 Canada brand and domain names; YPG also purchased an ownership interest in the company. The new alliance will allow both companies to influence online traffic between their sites, boosting both their advertiser’s publicity and user’s experience. Per the contract, YPG will have exclusive rights to use the 411 Canada trademark until the purchase of the remaining shares, which will likely occur within the next few years. The merging of two directory powers will make it almost effortless and trouble-free for businesses to attract new customers through the growing YPG network.

Popularity: 10% [?]