The place for things green in the City Beautiful
My first “real job” after graduating with a degree in Communications from Florida State University was at the Disney-MGM Studios in sunny Orlando, Fla. My dream was to break into the movie business via screenwriting, but things didn’t quite go in that direction.
In his magnificent little book Windows of the Soul, Ken Gire writes that we have been given the gifts of art, music, sculpture, drama and literature to lead us out of our hiding places…to lead us along in our search for “what was lost.”
About nine months ago Sharon Jones, Christian Counselor, gathered the pastors of Holy Trinity Episcopal, First Christian and First United Methodist Church. She had a vision to share with the pastors of these three downtown Melbourne churches in hopes that they would catch the vision with her, join forces and make a difference.
During a six-day period that bridged the end of 2004 and the advent of 2005, my wife and our families endured a grueling journey of faith that called onto the table all that we believed and understood about ourselves.
Growing Leaders of Worth was founded by Marlene Abbott in 2004 and is located in Rockledge, Fla. It is a woman/veteran owned corporation. Marlene served in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps for over 20 years, holding a variety of leadership positions. Growing Leaders of Worth provides energetic and encouraging leadership development through motivational speaking, consulting, executive coaching and education and training.
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Larry Weber, the Executive Director of Keep Brevard Beautiful. KBB is an incredible organization. Created in 1981, it has managed, directed and initiated a wide array of programs and have enlisted the help of thousands of our residents. From education and partnership with Brevard’s schools, to Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Shore, to continual clean-ups Larry and his teams efforts have a profound impact.
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Leslie Gaskins, the Development Director of Easter Seals, Florida’s East Coast Regional Office.
For more than 50 years the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has presented quality concerts, educational programs and outreach opportunities throughout Brevard and Indian River counties. Since 1954, Brevard has been fortunate to have an amazing symphony. Have you been to a concert? If not, you’re missing an incredible experience. Recently we spoke with Mary Nelson, Marketing Director for the BSO.
Sharon Hughes, President of Central Florida Fitness Pros, has a passion for helping people develop a blueprint of holistic, healthy living. She is an architect of positive designs in more ways than one.
Sandra Clinger is the East Central Florida Regional Coordinator for Save the Manatee Club. We asked her several questions about where we are headed and how Save the Manatee Club positively contributes to Central Florida’s future.
Without a second thought, we get up in the morning, turn on the faucet and fresh, clean water comes out. The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is the group that makes all that happen for the residents of the 18 Florida counties it oversees. Only in crisis does the average person even think about it, yet water issues are serious business.
John is President of John M. De Marco Communications, and VP & Editor of GreenBrevard.com. John works in the financial services sector and also is a licensed United Methodist pastor. He writes and speaks on a regular basis within and beyond Brevard County, and can be heard weekdays on WMEL AM 920 with his “Intentional Living” one-minute messages.
Established in 1985, Founders Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the needs of entrepreneurs within the Brevard community. The organization’s mission is to serve the community by fostering the success of new and existing businesses, creating an environment where entrepreneurs are motivated, educated, and encouraged to exchange ideas and information vital to business growth.
Brevard Job Link is a network of one-stop career centers offering a variety of no-cost services to job seekers and businesses. Currently we have over 1,700 available jobs listed for Brevard alone, in our system. Job seekers can access information, resources and links to help in your job search. Employers can access real time solutions to your workforce needs.
Children’s Home Society of Florida, Brevard Division’s mission is “Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives.” This is accomplished through prevention, intervention and mentoring programs for children and their families.
When non-profits work together they can accomplish a lot. Of special note over the past few years has been the leadership role of the Strawbridge Art League (SAL). SAL’s home is the Henegar Center for the Arts in downtown Melbourne, across from the Melbourne Post Office.
Participate in National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 4: Wear Red to Support Women and Heart Disease Awareness
Nature Tours with a Flare for Fun
Are you interested in learning more about the natural areas in your own backyard but don’t know where to start? Then Local Knowledge is the guided nature tour service for you.
By being involved and taking personal responsibility we contribute pride, not only to community, but also to the country. We become citizens, not spectators. We stand up for our beliefs and take control of our own lives. We discover a satisfaction that is only found in volunteering to improve our environment. After it was introduced 30 years ago, the phrase “think globally, act locally” became an environmental rallying cry. The grand vision of it inspired communities to mobilize and take responsibility for the health of the planet, starting in your own back yard.
In January, we asked you what “Green” meant to you. Often we see this word associated with environmental extremism, publicity-seekers, and European inspired political agendas.
Imagine, if you can, your life without the simplest of your needs being fulfilled. You have gone days without a shower, a shave, or a hot meal. Eating only what has been given or begged for and wearing the only clothes you have for another day. With over 2,300 homeless counted in Brevard in last year’s census, the need for help is great.
Ethics seems to be a complicated subject for many. I define it simply as the “long view.” When I care about my workplace, my employer, my client, myself and others, when I think about my future, I choose the long view.
Like most teens, I immersed myself in the world of music as a 15-year old. I delved into the previous generation’s classic rock, and enjoyed the contemporary flavors of heavy metal and Top 40 pop as well.
Have you ever heard the story of Stone Soup? It’s one of those timeless stories that talks about how, by itself, a community can only get so far; the ingredients seem bland and lacking. But together, with everyone pitching just a few little scraps into the boiling water, we can stir together something wonderful, a tasty Stone Soup.