JULY/AUGUST 2005

We are currently in our membership drive, which lasts until Sept. 12th! Trip to Tonga being given away to the chapter gaining the most new members. Sign up at http://www.surfrider.org/join

7/13 – 6 to 8 p.m. – Cocoa Beach Surf Museum (next to Ron Jons Surf Shop) – Cruise & Gaming Ship Pollution Forum

7/14 – 7:30 to 9 p.m. – Satellite Beach Rec Center (corner of S. Patrick Ave. and Jackson Ave.)– General Meeting

7/17 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Spanish House – Beach Cleanup (bags, gloves, drinks provided)

7/26 – Time and location TBD – Teaching Kids about the Ocean (TKO) – sponsored by RedSand *RSVP to Brian at surfman@sunnyfla.us if you can help with lessons or cleanup

8/11 – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Sebastian Inlet Fisherman’s Museum – General Meeting – Nomination of Officers for October Election

8/19 – 7 to 9:30 p.m. – Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach – Double feature - "State of S - Full Circle" (documentary about George Greenough) and "What's Next" – sponsored by GSP Surf Promotions *RSVP to Brian at surfman@sunnyfla.us if you can help distribute info

NEWS

Thanks goes to the Ultimate Sports Warehouse for signing up as our ONLY SURF SHOP RETAIL SPONSOR !!! They are located in Indialantic, in the shopping center behind Longdoggers. Or you can visit them on the web at www.ultimatesportswarehouse.com. Give them a call, too, at 953-4879 to say ‘gracias’ for helping support the clean ocean movement. Of course, Surfrider appreciates our other retail sponsors - Tires Plus Car Care off Eau Gallie in Indian Harbour Beach,and Coastal Vending (409-3633)

The National Office will be returning 40% of the chapter membership fee to the local chapters during the membership drive. So now is the time to sign up. Also, each new member will get one ticket for the end of the year raffle for a DREAM SURFBOARD! A board custom made for you by Tom Neilson – www.tomneilsonshapes.com Only members that have come to chapter meetings and helped out at events have received a ticket. (Rick has more tickets than anyone else, with Brian a close second so far) The prize will be given away at the December Membership Winterfest, date and place TBA.

On June 21st, Fox 35 Morning Edition came out to Surfrider Foundation’s International Surfing Day event and conducted live segments throughout the morning. Brian Lind, volunteer coordinator, did a great job with the interviews, explaining why it was important to protect the oceans. Brian Gale, from Nex Generation Surf Camp, helped bring volunteers to the cleanup. And Surfrider gave away a tshirt autographed by Kelly Slater and a movie poster with Jack McCoy’s signature. Thanks goes to Sunseed Food Coop for help with the drinks, Billabong for the volunteer tshirts, banner, and the tent, and all the Surfrider members and volunteers who came out to help. We’ll show the video at the August meeting.

On June 28th and 29th, Surfrider made a presentation on Cruise and Gaming Ship Pollution to representatives at the Oculina Bank Marine Sanctuary Forum. Dr. Grant Gilmore from ECOS discussed the importance of the Oculina Bank as a deep water coral and fish spawning habitat. Andy Sheppard from NOAA Fisheries explained the ongoing research being done on the Oculina Bank. And Billy Causey described the effectiveness of the Key West National Marine Sanctuary. Thanks goes to Joe Bartosek from Submerged Visions for setting the forum up, and Florida Space Authority for hosting it. Send Joe an email at cbdives@cfl.rr.com if you are interested in participating in future workshops.

Surfrider’s 14th Annual Paddle for Clean Water will take place either September 10th or 18th. Leave some time open on those days if you want to show your appreciation for clean oceans. Also, don’t forget the International Coastal Cleanup on September 17th. Visit http://www.coastalcleanup.org/ for more info.

OTHER GROUP HAPPENINGS

In June, Surfrider joined as an organization with Partnership for a Sustainable Future. This coalition of environmental and smart growth groups forms a powerful voice in development issues facing the county. Send an email to Bob & Maureen Rupe  at rupe32927@earthlink.net if you wish to be added to their email list. Thanks goes to Mike Nash for paying the membership fees and representing Surfrider at their June meeting.

Keep Brevard Beautiful is having their ‘day after the 4th’ cleanup. Do your part by visiting your favorite beach and pitching in to help. Visit www.keepbrevardbeautiful.com to find out where they are setting up to pass out bags, gloves, and drinks.

Brevard County ’s WAV program has a busy schedule for July and August. July 13th, they are doing a storm drain marking event in Cocoa. If you have the time, wear your Surfrider gear and head to US Hwy 1 at SR-520 ( King Street ). Then go west 0.7 miles. Turn left on South Varr Avenue and go 0.1 miles and park. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Please RSVP to Surfrider@cfl.rr.com if you plan to come. We may be able to carpool. For their other events, visit www.brevardcounty.us/calendar.

The Ocean Conservancy is inviting the public, especially Brevard County Coastal Residents to join us on Saturday July 16 for a special workshop, "Getting to Know Your Neighbors: Florida Sea Turtles", to learn more about these amazing creatures and how to help protect them.  With both nesting and hatching going on right now on area beaches, this is the perfect time to learn about the importance of Florida's coast for endangered and threatened sea turtles. This one-day workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach (1300 N. Atlantic Ave. Directions available at www.cocoabeach-holiday-inn and runs from 9:30 am - 3 pm.  Experts will present information on the biology, life history, threats, and current status of Florida's sea turtles, as well as the history of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in south Brevard County .  Biologists will review sea turtle nesting and stranding information, in addition to Florida's conservation programs.  We will also present information about issues that affect turtles right now, and the work being done to increase the chances of long-term population survival.  Space is limited; reservations are being accepted on a "first come, first served" basis.  A $15 registration fee covers the workshop as well as morning coffee, gourmet deli lunch (served at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn) a "Sea Turtle Goodie Bag", and information on NESTS - Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival. Find out how beach residents can become a NESTS Partner, Guardian, or Champion and receive Sea Turtle Friendly stickers, signs, and flags!   The day ends with a Round Table Discussion to share thoughts and concerns.  For more information or to reserve a space, contact: The Ocean Conservancy, 800-262-3567, Coralette Damme at cdamme@oceanconservancy.org or Jessica Koelsch at jkoelsch@oceanconserancy.org  

ARTICLES YOU HAVE TO READ

Sent in by Rick Hayes – Beach Pollution in California - http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050526-9999-7m26beach.html.

By Terry Gibson – Excessive Dredging Threatens Florida Marine Life - http://www.floridasportsman.com/confron/0504144/

TAKE ACTION

Visit www.openbeaches.org to sign up to protect access to Florida’s Beaches

Visit http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=596 to send a letter to your congressman to support the Clean Cruise Ship Act

Email the city and county commissioners to ask for their support in reducing cruise and gaming ship pollution.

If you read a good environmental article or have an opinion – post it on the 2nd Light Surfrider forum - http://2ndlight.com/forum42ndlight/categories.cfm?catid=6

If you see developments/individuals filling in wetlands or cutting down mangroves, call the Brevard County Land Management Office at 633-2086 to file a complaint. Also, file a complaint with the FDEP by calling 1-407-894-7555 and speaking to Brian West or email him at brian.west@dep.state.fl.us