Walk-trough the dropzone (Sebastian Florida)

SKYDIVING!!! You’ve heard the word, seen pictures of parachutes, and perhaps seen people in free fall. To almost everyone it looks like fun, but the thought of leaping out of an airplane inhibits many from trying it. For those that have always wanted to fly like a bird, to experience flight in its truest form, SKYDIVING is it!

See Florida’s Treasure Coast as even the area’s millionaires do not. Head three hours north of Miami for a panoramic freefall that includes birds-eye views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sebastian Inlet. Take your first jump ever or train for team competition at Skydive Sebastian – immodestly billed the “World’s Most Scenic Drop Zone.” The facilities serve as the main campus for Skydive University, which operates a Super Otter and two Twin Otters and teaches everyone from beginners to the most advanced competition divers. Train for your first tandem, then take the plunge from 10,000 feet.

Popularity: 46% [?]

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% [?]

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% [?]

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 

Popularity: 40% [?]

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported today that a Muslim university professor has been appointed to the Jacksonville, Fla., Human Rights Commission despite a prolonged smear campaign by the anti-Islam hate group ACT! for America, whose leader says Muslims should not be allowed to hold public office.

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Parvez Ahmed, a professor at the University of North Florida, was appointed to the commission by a 13-6 city council vote last night after being subjected to weeks of smears based on his previous community activism and his political views. [Ahmed is a past national board chairman of CAIR.]

As the city council began discussion of the nomination, one of its members called Ahmed to the podium and asked him to “say a prayer to your God.” The same council member also asked Ahmed if the session’s opening prayer offended him. When asked why that was relevant, the council member claimed Ahmed “would be offended by a prayer to Jesus, and therefore was not suitable to serve on the commission.”

The Florida Times-Union newspaper reports that the council member’s inappropriate line of questioning “produced gasps from the audience, concern from one of the city’s top attorneys and sharp rebukes from his fellow council members.”

SEE: Ahmed Nomination Sails Rockily to Jacksonville Council Approval

During the weeks-long smear campaign against Ahmed, another city council member was asked, “Do you believe Muslims should be able to hold any public office in Florida?” He responded: “I don’t know.”

SEE: Controversial Florida Politician Unsure if Muslims Should Hold Public Office

“The Florida Muslim community applauds the Jacksonville city council for standing up to the hatred and bigotry promoted by a tiny minority of fear-mongers,” said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kiliç. “This incident is further evidence of the unfortunately growing ‘Islamophobia machine’ in our nation that targets any Muslim who seeks positive civic participation.”

SEE: Georgia Church Sign Condemns Muslims (CBS)
CAIR-CAN: Anti-Islam Graffiti Found Near Canadian Mosque

He said the leader of ACT! for America, the hate group that campaigned against Ahmed’s nomination, claims an American Muslim “cannot be a loyal citizen” and that Islam is the “real enemy.” Brigitte Gabriel once told the Australian Jewish News: “Every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim.”

When asked whether Americans should “resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation,” Gabriel said: “Absolutely. If a Muslim who has — who is — a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day — this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America.”

SEE: A Case Study in Sincere Hypocrisy: Brigitte Gabriel

Gabriel also stated: “America and the West are doomed to failure in this war unless they stand up and identify the real enemy: Islam.”

SEE: Islam’s March Against the West

One of ACT! for America’s Florida representatives recently bragged in a YouTube video that he desecrated the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, and urinates in the washing stations Muslims use to perform their ritual ablutions (wudu) for prayer.

A complaint has been filed with the FBI alleging harassment of Florida Muslims by ACT! for America.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Attention ” Residents of the Treasure Coast, as a result of Groucho`s Comedy Club opening at its newest location at Club Med, Sandpiper, 4500 S.E. Pine Valley Street, Pt. St. Lucie the entire Treasure Coast is now under a laugh advisory. If you find yourself at Groucho`s Comedy Club without proper cover, hold onto your funny bone and hunker down, one of Groucho`s fabulously fun staff will be with you shortly.

Groucho`s Comedy Club has featured such guests as Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Linslow, and Carrot Top just to name a few. We always try to get top notch performers. I want to make sure that when you leave Groucho`s, you leave with a smile on your face, ” said Larry Silver, owner.

Groucho`s offers a warm and friendly atmosphere that will leave you feeling like you`re a part of the golden age of comedy. The walls are covered with the Kings of classic comedy such as Groucho Marx, Abbott and Castillo, Laurel and Hardy, and little I love Lucy sprinkled in for good measure. Its candle lit atmosphere and quaint surroundings make it the perfect place for an evening filled with smiles.

Silver said he has lived in Stuart for the past 28 years. When I first came to the Treasure Coast I got my big brake in show business and landed a gig starting up a hotdog stand. You might ask yourself what a hotdog stand has to do with show business. What happened was that I overheard someone mention that the Barn Theatre in Stuart was holding auditions. So after trying out, it quickly became my newest hobby. I began doing professional theatre, commercials, open mic nights as well as numerous talent shows. ”

After several shows, Silver began to gain his confidence and decided to try his hand at directing and producing his own show. That was the spark that led to Groucho`s Comedy Club becoming a reality.

Groucho`s Comedy Club is currently the longest run comedy showcase on the Treasure Coast. Groucho`s has featured comics such as Steven Juliano Moore, Nick Arandes, as well as Jim Wiggins from The Last Comic Standing.

For more information, call 772-419-0302 or check them out on the web at www.grouchoscomedy.com.

Read Dream Reachers Featuring Judyth Piazza

Popularity: 53% [?]

As we write to you the Florida House of Representatives is preparing to vote on an amendment to ban private insurance plans from covering abortion. This amendment goes farther than any other law in the nation by banning ALL insurance plans sold in the state from providing insurance coverage for abortions, whether a plan is offered through an exchange established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or a plan that an individual or employer already holds. This amendment does not even offer the option of a rider or separate premium to purchase abortion coverage.

This means that the state of Florida is willing to do what the federal government promised not to do, taking away health care coverage that citizens in this state currently have now.
Call Representative Deborah Mayfield at (850) 488-0952 and urge them to oppose the abortion ban amendment to HB 885. Tell the person that answers the phone:
I urge Rep. Mayfield to oppose the abortion ban amendment to HB 885, filed by Reps. Gaetz, Dorworth and Plakon.

As filed, this amendment denies women the ability to obtain insurance coverage, even with their own private dollars, that includes abortion coverage.
The government should not dictate personal, private medical decisions, nor interfere with the private insurance market.

The legislature has the opportunity to prevent unintended pregnancies in Florida by supporting the Prevention First Act and Healthy Teens Act.
The Florida legislature has a history of interfering with the personal decisions of a woman and her doctor, while doing nothing to reduce the need for abortion by preventing unintended pregnancies.

Now more than ever we need to make a stand. We are asking all of our activists to phone their State Representative and ask them to vote against this dangerous amendment. Help us act before it is too late!

Thank you for your action,

Stephanie Kunkel
Director

Popularity: 34% [?]

By Robert Paul Reyes

I received a transistor radio for my 9th birthday; I would fall asleep listening to THE Top 40 tunes of the day.

I still listen to music all the time, but today my stereo equipment is more technologically advanced, and I have a zillion options to choose from.

There`s terrestrial radio, satellite radio, an iPod with hundreds of downloaded songs as well as Internet radio.

The SOP Radio Network is the cream of the crop of Internet radio; it features an all-star line-up of radio personalities. The SOP Radio Network aslo streams 24/7 from several websites such as http://www.staugnews.com, http://www.verobeachlocalnews.com, http://www.sebastianlocalnews.com and many more.

First and foremost there`s Judyth Piazza the founder of The SOP and The SOP Radio Network. Among the first crop of Podcasters, Judyth transformed the format that defined the possibilities and potential the Internet presents. Listeners around the world enjoy The SOP Radio Network by cell phone, iPod and, to the delight of her fans, also by way of traditional radio.

THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE WITH JUDYTH PIAZZA

The American Perspective is a cutting edge radio program that is full of inspiration and information which airs on several radio stations. It`s intended to help people succeed in life. Each week the American Perspective features celebrity guests from around the nation such as Zig Ziglar, Maya Angelou, Yolanda King, Billy D. Williams, Tony Little, Mark Victor Hansen, Dean Koontz, Dave Ramsey and many many more.

The American Perspective is sponsored by Sedgwick & Cedar 73, which is the nation’s premiere hip-hop clothing line.

Judyth is the “Italian American” Oprah Winfrey of radio, but she never balloons to over 300 pounds, and she always looks great and sounds fantastic.

SOP’s BATTLE OF THE BANDS

“The SOP`s Battle of the Bands features music from well known bands as well as independent artist. It is a helpful tool for bands and/or musicians when they need to market their music. The SOP Battle of the Bands page is just one category to browse on TheSOP.org web page. You can hear one song (usually) of the featured musician and read some press kit info about the artist(s) to aid you in sizing up their project.”

THE MUSICAL OASIS WITH KENNY R

Kenny R`s is the Avatar of Kenrick Rampersad, Connecticut School of Broadcasting Grad and current on air personality at WOKC 100.9 FM & 1570 AM, Okeechobee, Florida. Kenny is a musical scholar and a gentleman, and his SOP programs usually revolve around a theme: Music from Chicago, Powerful women in rock…

JOHN`S DAILY DUMP WITH JOHN DANZ JR.

Up-and-coming in the online radio and news world, John Danz, Jr. promises to both entertain AND inform all with this one easy-to-digest program. Danz gives his own take by recapping all of the best weird stories, and guarantees raucous laughter… or at least a chuckle here and there. Tune into this program for your daily laugh.

HOT COPY WITH DJELLOUL MARBROOK

Djelloul (Del) Marbrook was the editor of six daily newspapers and held editorial posts on several major metropolitan dailies. He is the winner of the 2007 Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize of Kent State University whose press published his book, Far From Algiers. Look for his regular podcast, Hot Copy, on this site. If you are serious about journalism, you must listen to this radio program.

PLASTICITY WITH SCOTT BUFIS

Scott Bufis graduated from Flagler College along with his co-hosts Dylan Pembleton and V. Amadeus Hill. Plasticity brings and broadcasts music that transcends genres and breaks the formulaic mold that commercial radio shows that fall into straight from the warm, fuzzy format of the vinyl records. This episode presents hand-picked gems from the decade of synthesizers, strobe lights and pleather pants.

I remember my little transistor radio with nostalgia, but it didn`t kick a** quite like The SOP Radio Network!

The SOP Radio Network is unique, entertaining, informative, and it`s FREE! Check it out!

Other Programs on The SOP Radio Network:

Will Says with Will Roberts

Rise and Walk with Michael Teague

Fitness Made Simple Tip of the Day with John Basedow

Creating Powerful Exuberance with Deremiah CPE

3 AM Show With Scott Bufis, Dylan Pembleton and V. Amadeus Hill

For more information or to submit programming to The SOP Radio Network, please contact Judyth Piazza at judy@thesop.org.

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

Popularity: 35% [?]

“Through a commitment to prayer, Aglow women are building that spiritual house, a global house of prayer for all nations to see God’s blessing on the peoples of the earth and their destinies fulfilled.”
                                                                        Nancy McDaniel, Aglow International

Sebastian, FL – Aglow International embellished the Treasure Coast with a new sector known as the Sebastian Community Aglow.  These women bond their hearts together in prayer and then respond to God’s unique call as an apostolic body of influence for virtue in the world.

“We got off to a rough start because of the hurricanes, but we are back on track ready to share God’s love,” said Kathy Gehrke, Sebastian, Florida. 
 
The Sebastian Community Aglow has about 50 members and is continuing to grow. “This is a way in which women can bond with other women whom all believe in the gospel, said Gehrke.  “It is one of the largest international Christian women’s organizations in the world with over 1,400 groups called lighthouses in the U.S. and more than 2,100 groups outside the U.S.”

The interdenominational organization of Christian women is proud of the fact that they introduce others to Jesus Christ, through the sharing of teachings of the Bible. “I am proud to be a member of a unique group such as this one, Sebastian is a great place and the group is the icing on the cake,” said Verla Glen, Sebastian.

In 1967, four Christian women with a similar vision converged together without any restrictions or denominational boundaries. According to www.aglow.org, one of the first local fellowships began in Edmonds, a small town just north of Seattle, where women began to invite their friends and neighbors to regular meetings at a local restaurant. Quickly, word spread about a lively series of groups for women, and fellowships began springing up around Washington. Other states followed as well as other countries. By 1972, more than 60 local fellowships were holding monthly meetings around the U.S. By 1973, fellowships began in Canada and New Zealand. The Netherlands followed in 1974, making Aglow an international “network of caring women.”

Cindy Faldo-Di Corrado, owner of The Victorian Lady in Sebastian hosted the group’s last gathering featuring guest speaker Joanne Derstines, author, editor and musician from Bradenton, Florida.

“What a beautiful day, the sun is out and there is a cool breeze in the air, and we have all these wonderful ladies here with us to help keep our spirits high, said Glen.

As of 1998, more than 27 nations around the world held conferences drawing crowds well over 20,000. Currently, Aglow can be found in more than 151 nations reaching out to women of every creed, color, and culture, and through them to families worldwide.

The Sebastian Community Aglow meeting is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Sebastian Library.

Note for student writers:  Let this piece serve as an example of what community newspapers look for as to style and source attribution in a community feature.

Popularity: 34% [?]