The Melbourne Municipal Band presents "American Jazz" a "Not-in-the-Park" Picnic Concert June 15 & 16, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E Hibiscus Ave., Melbourne, Florida Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE The concert is indoors, but pack a picnic dinner and come out and enjoy the music.   For information about buying or selling a home in Melbourne, Florida Contact Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Laura Forman   06/10/2011

It's the second Friday of the month and around here that means that tonight will be the Downtown Melbourne Street Party from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.  There will be live entertainment, food, fun, hot cars on exhibit and lots of friends. Many of the local shops are open and the restaurants are serving great food. The street party has become a favorite for so many. Each month it seems that more people are heading down to enjoy the festivities. I'll see you at the Downtown Melbourne Street Party tonight on 192, New Haven Haven Avenue.  It's always a lot of fun for the whole family! Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR® Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate We have a team to facilitate your Short Sale. Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate 321-253-4545 SandyShore... 06/10/2011

  Summer Activities for Kids in Melbourne, Florida:  Free Music Lessons Free Summer Band Camp for students in grades 6 - 12 This is a great opportunity for kids who love to play an instrument to enhance their skills, or for those without any experience to finally get the chance to learn from qualified instructors for free.  The students also participate in a band concert at the end of summer camp. FREE private classes daily and students play with a full Band FREE music method book FREE first month's instrument rental. Dates:  June 20 - July 14th, 2011 Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 11:00am Location:  Church On The Rock                4028 Babcock St.                Melbourne, Florida Did I mention it's FREE?  For more information and to register click here to contact Art Martin If you are t... 06/07/2011

Summer Activities for Kids in Melbourne, Florida:  Free Movies If you are looking for kid-friendly activities this summer that won't break the bank, you can escape from the heat and check out these Free Summer Movies offered by local theaters. Rave Motion Pictures at the Avenues: 10 am Tues, Wed, doors open 9:30, Free to Everyone 2241 Town Centre Ave. (321) 775-1210 June 6-7     Megamind 3D June 14-15  Yogi Bear June 21-22  Diary of a Wimpy Kid June 28-29  Marmaduke July 5-6       Ramona and Beezus July 12-13   Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief July 19-20   The Chronicles of Narnia July 26-27   Gulliver's Travels The Oaks Stadium 10:  9:15 Tues, Wed, Thurs, doors open 8:45, Free to Everyone 1800 W. Hibiscus Blvd. (321) 953-3200 June 7-9     How to Train Your Dragon June 14-16  Marma... 06/06/2011

Del's Freeze soft-serve ice-cream stand located at 402 N. Harbor City Blvd. (US1) in Melbourne has been a favorite of area residents for generations.  After 50 years in business, you will still see a crowd lined up for ice-cream every time you drive by.  It's a very affordable place to treat the family, and it is quite popular after sporting events, school functions, church, or any summer evening.  Del's Freeze recently completed renovating, but still has the traditional soft-serve stand look, and it is open 363 days a year.  If you haven't yet experienced Del's Freeze, you've got to check out this local favorite.  I just might see you there! 06/02/2011

Memorial Day:  We Will Never Forget Today's post is a reminder of what today is really all about...Remembering the fallen men and women who bravely served their country to protect the freedoms that we not only enjoy, but tend to take for granted.  We know that Freedom is never "Free" and we must not forget those who paid the ultimate price with their very lives. Melbourne, Florida is located near Patrick Air Force Base, and we are fortunate to be home to many military families that choose to serve and defend the United States of America.  Our community has also lost men and women in service to our nation.  Since our community is located near a military base, we have also become home to families that have lost a loved one during military service.  One such family easily comes to mind. To... 05/30/2011

  Small Schools:  BIG On Tradition Yesterday I mentioned that Brevard Public Schools are now on Summer Break, but some of Brevard's private schools are still in session.  As the school year draws to a close and assignments and projects diminish, small school traditions burst forth during these final days. Today was rich in tradition as the Baccalaureate Mass for graduating 8th Grade students was held at Ascension Catholic School in Melbourne, Florida.  One of the most touching scenes was when the entire student body created a path to the church, and the younger students clapped for the graduating students as they passed through.  The 8th grade students carried candles to symbolize that each must be a light in the world. The service was followed by the traditional 8th grade brunch hosted... 05/25/2011

No Money Down Rural Housing USDA Loans in Brevard County Florida are back and fully funded. The new sub-prime loans of today are the government backed or sponsored loans. The FHA Loan is one we are all familiar with but how many of you know about the USDA Rural Housing Loan.  Here's how it works 100% financing on homes located in certain geographical area's with borrower's who are in certain income ranges. That's it! Use this link to see if the property qualifies by falling into one of the designated geographical area's http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do Remember when income qualifying to use the income of the ENTIRE family. Seller can pay up to 6% of buyers closing cost The 3.5% Guarantee Fee is included (Financed) in with the loan amount 100% of borrower... 05/23/2011

STOP Scamming Seniors! All senior citizens are invited to an informational presentation on "Scams and Frauds", May 16, 2011 at 2pm in the Community Room at Ascension Manor.  Ascension Manor is a senior housing apartment complex located at 2960 Pineapple Ave. in Melbourne, Florida. The Melbourne Police Crime Prevention Department will be speaking to seniors on how to protect themselves from the types of "Scams and Frauds" currently going on in the area.  Please contact Susan Suomi, Service Coordinator, for more information. (321) 242-8727. For information on buying or selling a home in Melbourne, Florida or the surrounding communities, contact Laura Forman - Realtor, CDPE 05/12/2011

I love all things Apple. Apple computers, iPhones and of course the iPad. Connecting Point is an Apple retail store in Melbourne, Florida. I  purchase my Apple products from Mark Fosgate, a fantastic knowledgeable member of the team. He has helped me work through how to use our local MLS on the iPad and also making it work on Safari. He always asks me what I want to do and listens to my answers and then directs me to the perfect product for my needs. Many times I just drop by to say Hello and see what new they have at the store. Any questions I have Mark answers them and walks me through the process. He seems to know every answer to my many questions. There is another Apple retail store in Melbourne but I would never switch because of Mark. For all your sales and service needs in Breva... 05/12/2011

Looking out at the Eau Gallie Causeway from the back deck of Squid Lips Overwater Restaurant and Bar.   Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR® Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate We have a team to facilitate your Short Sale. Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate 321-253-4545 SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com ____________________________________________ Serving Brevard County Florida for 15 Years  Brevard County Resident for 36 Years Melbourne, Palm Bay, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Canaveral Groves, Titusville, Mims, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral ______________________________________________ I buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.   05/10/2011

My Definition of Success... Author, Stephen Covey, and other leadership professionals say that you should always begin with the end in mind.  To do this, you need to create a vision of what you and your business are all about.  Successful individuals have a powerful vision of what their destination looks like.  Once a person has a clear vision of their destination, it will affect every decision they make along the way. My vision of a successful real estate transaction includes a client that is extremely pleased with every aspect of the service I provide.  That vision leads me to serve with excellence and integrity every step of the way. I recently listed a home for sale in Melbourne, Florida, and the owner sent this thank-you note: Hi Laura,           Just thought we would drop you a no... 05/09/2011

MUSIC TO MY EARS Today students from Brevard County and around the state of Florida traveled to the Florida Federation of Music Clubs state competition held at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL.  Participation in the state competition must be earned by receiving a "Superior" rating at the local competition. The energy level was quite high as students searched for a practice room and anxiously awaited their turn to perform before a panel of judges. Over 50 students from Ascension Catholic School in Melbourne, Florida participated in this competition, and many students performed in more than one competition event.  Pictured is the Ascension Flute Choir, outside practicing their music piece just prior to their event Ascension Catholic School's music club, "Musicians of No... 05/06/2011

You have heard about some type of Bond Money but you hear it's hard to get? So, Can I get a hold of this money, you ask? and How? You hear it is always running out? You hear it is ONLY available to LOW INCOME? well that's not necessarily the fact! First thing is- which Bond Program are you hearing about? There are different types of Bond Money Programs, there is usually some type of County or City Bond Program which can be a very limited pool of funds and a waiting list of people who have applied for it months ago. Those local programs carry some more restrictive guidelines in order to obtain the funds. Guidelines such as- Lower Debt to Income Ratio, Lower to moderate Income levels will also depend on the amount of funds received. More Often you will find it more challenging to obtain l... 05/05/2011

  Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall The Moving Tribute Melbourne, Florida May 5 - 8, 2011 During a week when the United States of America is especially proud of its military, the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard, Inc. presents:  Florida's 24th Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne, Florida. Visitors can see the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall which is a three-fifths size replica of the wall in Washington D.C., and volunteers are available to assist in locating names on the wall.  You can check the touring schedule for the traveling wall and each event's schedule by visiting http://www.travelingwall.us. The freedoms we enjoy in this great nation are not "free".  This is an opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to those who served, and to pay tribute t... 05/04/2011

The National Association of Realtors conducted a recent survey to find out why houses don't sell.  Well, not surprisingly, price topped the list.  An overpriced listing will sit on the market for months, and sometimes even years, without selling, and often without ever receiving an offer. The study went on to indicate the second reason a house doesn't sell is because it's not ready to be put on the market. The attention to the small details has been overlooked.  The house hasn't been cleaned and cleared of clutter.  So, before the for sale sign goes up a good cleaning from top to bottom is ideal.  Neutral paint and wall coverings appeal to a wider variety of buyers.  And, clearing out the excess clutter, knick knacks and furniture help to show off the beautiful features of the property... 04/25/2011

  The Melbourne Art Festival will be held this weekend, April 23 and 24 in historic Downtown Melbourne. The art show boasts arts and crafts from artists that travel from across the state.   The weekend will kick off with a 5K Flamingo Run starting at 7:30 AM. To enter, you can register online at register.runningzone.com or in person at the Running Zone at 3680C North Wickham Road in Melbourne. The Schedule of Events for the weekend include:   7:30 am 5K Flamingo Run on Saturday  9:00 am - 5:00 pm Juried Art Show  9:00 am - 5:00 pm Student Art Competition 10:00 am - 5:00 pm KidsWorld 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Youth Art Workshops 11:00 am - 11:00 pm Live Entertainment on the Big Stage The Melbourne Art Festival is a favorite event for many.  And the weekend promises to be a beautiful one. So, a... 04/21/2011

The Melbourne Municipal Band will be presenting the SpaceCoast Spectacular April 20 and April 21, 2011. Four local students will be showcased in tonight's concert:  Marissa Voors, who plays the flute; her sister, Sandy Voors, 16, who plays clarinet; Tristan Rhodeside, 15, who plays violin and Lainey MacKinnon, 10, a local singer. According to Conductor Staci Cleveland, “These concerts are an expression of MMB’s core mission, which is to provide free musical education for our members and our community.”   The concert will be held at the Melbourne Auditiorium, at 625 E. Hibiscus Ave, Melbourne at 7:30PM  Doors open at 6:30 PM.  There will be a pre concert at 6:45 PM.  Admission is FREE. The Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB) plays free concerts each month, here in Brevard County.  They were e... 04/20/2011

Hitting a Home Run in Real Estate Customer Service While watching a softball game yesterday, I received an email from Zillow notifying me of a published customer review regarding my recent Melbourne, Florida real estate transaction.  As I watched a player slide into home plate, I felt like I too had hit a home run!  Here is what my clients had to say: "Never, ever in my life have my wife and I individually or together received the quality of personal service we've received from Laura.  If you want someone who will work for you completely committed to your wants and needs, Laura Forman should be your agent.  I can't say enough good things about Laura: her high ethics, timely and responsive communication, persistence, patience, and great humor." I have been working with this wonderful cou... 04/15/2011

Lifestyle Homes was recently featured on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover for rebuilding a home in Cocoa, Florida.  But that is not their only claim to fame in Brevard County.  Lifestyle Homes has built their first Net-Zero Energy Home and it is showcased as a furnished model in the beautiful Capron Ridge community in Melbourne, Florida. This breakthrough is part of Lifestyle Homes new SunSmart energy initiative.  They have partnered with the Florida Solar Energy Center to produce a home that uses photovoltaic technology.  These panels are placed in the roof system and absorb the power of the sun to produce enough electricity that would supply the needs of a family of five.  This virtually eliminates the need for costly bills from the power company.  This is just the start of a goal to build... 04/15/2011