We have some good to very good Sushi restaurants on the Space Coast. In the Melbourne area one of the very best is Siam Orchid. Siam Orchid has a large menu...and they know how to bridge Asian flavors and American taste buds. The menu offers a host of appetizers (the Edamame is wonderful and the Mixed Dim Sum is an excellent choice), a full page of soup choices, fish dishes, duck, enough rolls to keep you interested for a long time...and some really nice combo plates...in fact the menu is so extensive you need to view it on the link below. My favorite is the Dragon Roll...a huge portion with truly amazing flavor. The tuna is always fresh...as is everything I have had on the menu. Siam Orchid is well priced...usually about 10-15 per person plus alcohol (they have a nice wine and beer li... 12/19/2011

2011 December's Season of Celebration & Sharing - 4 The Kids of Brevard This holiday season, the Melbourne Area Association of Realtors is partnering with 4 The Kids of Brevard, a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for underprivileged and at-risk children throughout our local community. This holiday season, they hope to help over 200 kids.  To participate in this celebration of sharing, please drop off your donation of toys, clothing, or food to the Melbourne Area Association of Realtors, 1450 Sarno Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935 (321) 242-2211.  If you prefer, you can donate directly online at 4 The Kids of Brevard.  For information on buying or selling a house, contact Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Laura Forman (321) 917-2162 12/09/2011

2011 December's Season of Celebration & Sharing - Photos With Santa Every year Santa visits the Christmas Cottage (now one of the Petite Boutiques) in downtown Melbourne and it is always proves to be a great "Kodak moment".  I have several photos of my own children taken there over the years.  Even though the Christmas Cottage has downsized, the tradition still lives on. Photos with Santa are available on Saturdays & Sundays (except Christmas Eve) from 1 - 4. There is no charge for the photos, but please bring 1 non-perishable food item for each person photographed.  The food collected will be distributed to those in need right here in Brevard County. The Christmas Cottage is located at 1002 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901 phone: (321) 725-0270.   For information on buying or sel... 12/07/2011

If you need a little help getting into the holiday spirit this year, take a quick drive to Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL and check out the Space Coast Lightfest! Now in its 11th year, the Space Coast Lightfest was established by the Eau Gallie Rotary Club, and this year has partnered with Brevard County Parks and Recreation to put on this brilliantly dazzling display. You may now be saying to yourself, “Sounds cool, but what exactly is the Space Coast Lightfest?”. Well, let me tell you about one of my favorite events of the year! The Space Coast Lightfest is a Christmas/holiday themed drive-through display held at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL. It is a family event, so everyone from toddlers to grandparents will enjoy seeing the twinkling lights and hearing the joyful holiday music. Th... 12/06/2011

2011 December's Season of Celebration & Sharing - Space Coast Lightfest If your holiday traditions include driving around town to view Christmas lights, you will love the WOW-factor of the 11th Annual Space Coast Lightfest.  This holiday drive-thru event is over 1 mile of animated light displays consisting of hundreds of thousands of lights. Wickham Park 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm nightly until 12/30/11 $10 per car or $35 annual pass $2.00 discount with 2 or more non-perishable food items to benefit the Sharing Center, Salvation Army, and Holy Name of Jesus St. Vincent De Paul Society * Vist with Santa at Entry Gate on Monday & Tuesday nights until Christmas For information on buying or selling a house, contact Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Laura Forman (321) 917-2162 12/04/2011

December's Season of Celebration & Sharing - 2011 FREE Holiday Concert in Melbourne, Florida A Starry Night Holiday Concert Presented by: Melbourne Municipal Band with guest performer: Capt. Winston Scott on Trumpet Dec. 14 & 15 - 7:30 pm Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Ave. Dec 18 - 3:00 pm The Scott Center at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy 5625 Holy Trinity Drive. For information about buying or selling a house, contact Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Laura Forman (321) 917-2162 12/03/2011

I'm Working...Not Wishing My daughter, who doesn't have much experience playing competitive sports, recently tried out for the high school basketball team.  For two months prior to try-outs, she faithfully attended conditioning training held at 6:00 am before classes.  She listened to her coaches, worked at un-learning bad habits and incorporating new skills.  On the final day of try-outs, each student met individually with the coach to find out if they made the cut.  The coach told my daughter that she really wasn't that good, and that she only made the team because of her effort. My daughter was happy to have made the team, but she wasn't quite sure if she should feel offended or what to think about the coach's words.  My response to her was, "Honey, that's okay because sometimes in l... 11/22/2011

San Remo is an Italian Restaurant in Melbourne, FL that is located on the corner of US1 and Eau Gallie right by the Eau Gallie art district. This place has been here for many years....since 1976 to be exact...with the same owners. That is why San Remo has had constantly good Southern Italian fare for all these years. The dishes include exactly what you would expect from a Southern Italian restaurant...pasta, eggplant, veal, chicken...and very good pizza. The sauce is among the best in the area and the prices are very reasonable...in the $10-$15 range for entrees, Subs (like eggplant parm, chicken parm...etc....run in the $6-7 range)...and the pizza is reasonably priced for the quality. No matter what you have try the Pasta e Fagioli soup...it is outstanding. If you are looking for a we... 11/21/2011

MELBOURNE MUNICIPAL BAND: CONCERTS WITH A LATIN TWIST NOVEMBER 16 & 17, 2011 As an added bonus, Laura Beers will be dropping by the Melbourne Auditorium at 6:30 with a demonstration on how to dance to Latin music.  Come out early for this FREE concert and evening of fun!   For real estate and community information contact Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Laura Forman (321) 917-2162 11/16/2011

BRISBANE ISLE SUBDIVISION MARKET REPORT - NOV. 2011 While the real estate market in Brevard County, Florida is struggling to gain momentum, the Brisbane Isle Subdivision in Melbourne is experiencing tremendous growth directly related to the May 2nd opening of the Pineda Extension's I-95 Interchange. In addition to the market statistics, there are currently several homes under construction with one lot remaining. "Location...Location...Location" certainly applies to this neighborhood of 37 home sites, conveniently located minutes from Patrick Air Force Base, the beaches, Wickham Road, I-95 and Viera. 2011 YTD MARKET ACTIVITY 3 ACTIVE                 $299,950 - $379,950 2 UNDER CONTRACT $320,000 - $449,000 (1 short sale) 2 SOLD                    $401,567 - $435,000 2010 MARKET ACTIVITY 2... 11/15/2011

...here is a quick review that will make it easy on anyone who is interested in getting the best wings on the Space Coast...go to Frankies Wings & Things on Wickham Road (just south of Eau Gallie) in Melbourne. If you did not read any further then my first couple of lines here you would know all you need to know....everyone else who sells wings on the Space Coast can tie for second as far as I am concerned. Frankie (who passed away a few years back) would be proud of the place. It still serves the best wings and ice cold beer...just as it always has. Let me give you a little warning from a guy who likes his wings pretty darn hot...the call 911 wings have always seemed to me to be designed to melt the stomach of the person who chooses to eat them. They are amazingly hot! The menu also o... 11/15/2011

Would You Like Fries With That? "You never get a second chance to make a first impression", and for a new listing that first impression begins with its online photos.  When you make the serious decision to sell your house in Melbourne, Florida, you want an agent that will work to effectively market your home and present it in the best possible fashion to potential buyers. Unfortunately, there are a few agents that will treat a listing as if they were placing an order at a fast-food drive-thru window. For example, what do you think this listing photo communicates to a potential buyer? Either the agent is too lazy busy to actually step out of the vehicle to take the photo, or perhaps the neighborhood is too unsafe to stop and get out - best to keep moving?  Since this is the ONLY photo, b... 11/14/2011

Somewhere Over the Rainbow... Brighter Days for the Melbourne Real Estate Market. This week many residents sighted this beautiful rainbow over Melbourne, Florida, and it reminded me of our current real estate market.  The rain clouds are starting to clear and the future holds promise.  I have had the priviledge of working with young people purchasing their first home at a great price while also benefiting from low interest rates.  Investors are rehabilitating distressed properties and improving neighborhoods.  Forward thinking people are excited about the chance to seize the moment. Do you soak up all the negative news in the media, or do you see rays of opportunity breaking through the clouds? If you are thinking of buying a house in Melbourne, Florida and are searching for value in to... 11/12/2011

The Ascension Fall Festival is here again. Come on down and enjoy the fun.  This is an event for the whole family. There are inflatable rides and games for all ages. Entertainment includes singing and dancing. Enjoy all the vendors with their incredible edibles.  There are hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, italian sausage, teriyaki beef, egg rolls, cotton candy and so much more. The Festival will be held at the Ascension Catholic Church at the corner of US1 and Parkway Drive in Melbourne. See you there! Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR® Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale. Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate 321-253-4545 SandyShoresMelbourne@hotmail.com ____________________________________... 11/11/2011

Ascension's Fall Festival 2011: Fun For Every Age!               Be sure to visit Ascension's Fall Festival at 2950 N. Harbor City Blvd. in Melbourne, Florida this weekend.  With Entertainment, Food, Games, and Inflatable Rides, it is sure to be fun for every age.  Check out the schedule of events: Friday, November 11th  - 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM SPIRIT DAY! 5:30 PM - Festival Opens Under the Entertainment Tent: 6:00 - 7:00 PM  - Ascension School Choir & Band Ensembles 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM - 8th Annual Ascension Idol Contest 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM - MCC Rock & Roll Band 9:00 PM - 50/50 Drawing - announced over the loudspeaker 10:00 PM - Festival closes for the evening     Saturday, November 12th - 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Community Day   8:00 AM - 2nd Annual Eagle Pride 1M and 5K run  at Windover Far... 11/09/2011

I must admit....I love an old fashioned hamburger...you know the kind I mean...juicy and dripping with goodness...great toppings and a taste that comes right out of the 1950's. Well it seems the type of places that made burgers like this have disappeared from the American landscape bit by bit until they have become virtually extinct...but in Melbourne, FL we still have a shining example...and it is called Grumpy Al's Burger Inn...and burgers have been flipped here since the early 50's! The Burger Inn has the goods. Sit down at one of the concrete outdoor patio tables and order a burger (cheeseburger if you must), fries and a shake...you will be instantly transformed back to the 1950's (bring your cash as well...they did not have credit cards back in the 1950's...and Grumpy Al does not ... 11/08/2011

We found this corn snake yesterday in our garage. He was coiled around the wheel of the recycle bin.  We carefully guided him out of the garage, and into a safe place in the grass. The Corn snake is found in the Southeastern and Central United States.  Corn snakes are docile in nature and they are reluctant to bite.  They typically grow up to less than 6 feet long.  They feed on small rodents, especially rats and mice.  These snakes can live up to 23 years old. Corn snakes make great pets.  (I wouldn't care to have one, but to each his own.) Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR® Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate We have a team of professionals to facilitate your Short Sale. Melbourne Real Estate / Palm Bay Real Estate 321-253-4545 SandyShoresMelbourne@hot... 11/04/2011

      These graphs give a breakdown of the ratio of traditional/regular properties to short sales and bank owned properties in Melbourne. The first graph reflects the properties in Melbourne that are currently for sale.  It seems that over time the number of bank owned properties has dropped.  We have been seeing more investors getting into the market, and many have been scooping up these properties, because they can get them at reasonable prices, and get to closing quickly. It's interesting that there are currently only 25 bank owned properties for sale. And, 10 bank owned properties sold in October. Wow! In looking at the ratios of properties that have sold, it's not surprising the way that the numbers for sales fall in line with the ratios of properties for sale.  It appears that the... 11/03/2011

If you are looking for a fun upscale restaurant, bar, nightclub, live music outlet with a great happy hour...you would be very hard pressed to find a better choice then Matt's Casbah. The location is great...right in the heart of Historic Downtown Melbourne, FL...so it is a great stop if you are coming to one of the art festivals or just want to hop your way to all the fun night spots that this part of Melbourne has to offer. Matt's Casbah has a really nice lunch menu, a huge dinner menu, a sushi bar and a full bar menu. Happy hour runs daily from 11am to 7pm and you will have a large choice of specials from $2 beers (Mich Ultra and Bud Lite), $1 off all wines, 2 for 1 Stoli and Stoli flavors...and a bunch of food specials. When it comes to lunch and dinner you will have a large choice... 11/03/2011

  Another fiery sky in Melbourne Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR® Specializing in Residential, Investment and Relocation Real Estate We have a team of professionals 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. Visit Melbourne FL Real Estate Talk on Facebook and "Like" Us There 11/02/2011