Art, Ecology, and Theatre on the island
The renowned Vero Beach Center for the Arts boasts the largest teaching museum in Florida. Both permanent and traveling exhibits provide artistic inspiration for the Vero Beach community.
Riverside Theatre presents myriad musical and dramatic shows every season in the larger audience Stark Stage and another series in the intimate Waxlax Theatre in-the-round. Both venues feature equity theatrical professionals. Riverside also offers celebrity, concerts, and comedy series, as well as other special events.
The McKee Botanical Gardens’ old growth lush native landscaping is famous as the second oldest tourist attraction in Florida.
The Environmental Learning Center is a haven for ecologically minded adults and children of all ages. Tours and classes are popular local residents and seasonal visitors.
The Environmental Learning Center Announces
a Myriad of Summer Camps for pre-Kindergarten
through High School. Thanks to John's Island Garden
Club donations, scholarships are available. Call
Rosemary Badger at the ELC at 772-589-5050 to apply.
FREE and FUN Activities from noon to 4pm at the
Environmental Learning Center Sunday March 7, 2010
(See other February through April activities below)
Environmental Learning Center
February, March and April 2010 Activities
Call 772-589-5050 for reservations
Environmental Learning Summer Camps
Call 772-589-5050 right away to register for summer camps.
Riverside Theatre 2008 - 2009 Season
As corporate sponsors of Riverside Theatre, the only fully professional theatre in the greater Treasure Coast area, we enthusiastically and proudly share the 2008 - 2009 season on the Stark Mainstage. Another full repertoire will be announced shortly for the smaller theater in-the-round. First time members may purchase TWO season ticket for the price of ONE. Call 772-231-6990 in town or 800-445-6745 or visit online at http://riversidetheatre.com/web/guest/home
Join us for these fine shows --
Altar Boyz. October 10 November 2, 2008. An off Broadway award winning musical comedy opens the season. The story line follows the holy aspirations and antics of 5 small town boys.
Souvenir. November 20 to December 7, 2008. This true story remembers a wealthy and charitable lady who presents fundraiser concerts even though she cannot sing. Her good intentions and personality shine through.
Breaking Legs. January 9 to February 1, 2009. A talented professor searches for money to produce the play he wrote. The family of a former student has the cash but the student has a crush on her former teacher.
La Cage aux Folles. February 13 to March 8, 2009. Winner of 6 Tony awards in 1983 and another 2 Tony awards in the 2004 revival, a young man raised by his show biz dad and his long-time performer partner brings his finance and her politically involved parents to meet his non-traditional family.
Rounding Third. April 16 May 3, 2009. Competitive coach meets lets have fun assistant coach for a fun-filled look at Little League baseball and fatherhood.
Vero Beach Art Museum Special Exhibit Plans
The Vero Beach Art Museum will feature the "Florida Visual Art Fellowship Exhibiltion" through mid-September. The next special exhibit beginning in mid-September until mid-December will be Jon Davis' "Lighted Wall Constructions" in addition to "Glass from the Ancient World and Contemporary Reflections" from mid-October to mid-December. Following from mid-January to mid-March will be "Painting Italian Landscape: Views from the Uffizi." The Vero Beach Art Museum is location at 3001 Riverside Park Drive and is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday and 1-$:30 on Saturday. Phone 772-231-0707 for further information or visit www.vbmuseum.org We are proud to be corporate members of the Vero Beach Art Museum. Members enjoy special events and social occasions.
Piper Announces Decision to STAY in Vero Beach! May 29, 08
Florida Governor Charlie Crist arrived this afternoon in Vero Beach to announce that the Board of Directors of Piper Aircraft has accepted the $32 million Financial Incentive Package offered by the state of Florida and Indian River County. Piper agrees to benchmarks of investment and new jobs in order to qualify for the incremental public funding. The new small personal jet designed by a collaboration with Piper Aircraft and Honda will be built here in Vero Beach. Piper promises at least 400 new jobs over the next several years.
'Taste of Vero' Event on Sunday, May 4 , 2008
One of our favorite events in Vero Beach is 'Taste of Vero' where we graze along Ocean Drive to enjoy sumptuous samples of delightful entrees, specialty dishes and sweet treats presented by the area restaurants. A ticket for $35 per person entitles one to eat well and at the same time contribute to a worthy cause, the Treasure Coast Food Bank. Call the Oceanside Business Association at 772-231-0008 for more information. See you there Sunday afternoon May 4 from 4 to 7 pm.
High-Stakes FCAT Test May Be Devalued 5-3-08
An education bill that would change the way schools receive their state "grades" awaits Governor Crist's signature. The provision would count the FCAT test for half the schools evaluation and the other half would be established by other measurements, including graduation rates and college preparation. In addition, the bill would allow schools to schedule FCAT testing as late in the school year as possible rather than the current February or March deadline.
Treasure Coast Air Among Cleanest in the Nation! (5-3-08)
According to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2008" released on Thursday, that measured ozone air pollution in the Treasure Coast counties that includes Indian River, St Lucie and Martin counties are among the cleanest in the nation. Researchers explain that the prevailing winds tend to blow off any pollution out over the ocean allowing Treasure Coast residents to enjoy the honor and pleasure of breathing cleaner air. By contrast, areas on the west coast, such as Pensacola and Tallahassee, suffer the worst air pollution in the state of Florida.
Patio Restaurant to Re-Open (5-3-08)
Members of the Sexton family who own the Patio, a well-known Vero Beach eatery, say that they intend to reopen the restaurant as soon as they sort out the legal issues involved when the 24-year tenant recently abandoned the establishment a few days ago. They also plan to re-hire the employees who lost their jobs suddenly without prior notice. The owners are filing measures that will protect the contents of the restaurant that features treasured memorabilia collected over the years by Vero Beach pioneer settler Waldo Sexton and his family.
New Estafan Hotel in Vero Beach, Florida 5-1-08
Gloria and Emilio Estafan announced the opening of the new luxury oceanfront Costa d'Este Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Florida recently at a New York City gala for travel professionals and travel media representatives. The local pre-opening is scheduled for June and the Grand Opening in July. The hotel Oriente Restaurant will feature Cuban-infusion cuisine. Costa d'Este is located in the heart of the appealing Vero Beach island shops and restaurants and near the Vero Beach Art Museum and Riverside Theatre. The managers Benchmark Hospitality International is accepting reservations for the 94 guestrooms and suites at 772-562-9919 and www.costadeste.com.
The Patio, a Vero Beach landmark restaurant, has apparently closed even though there was no prior notice for employees or the public. When we stopped for lunch yesterday, the doors were locked without any reason posted on the door. We now learn that no one has yet been able to reach the current owner, Thomas Beaver, who leases this historic venue from descendants of Vero Beach pioneer Waldo Sexton.
Typical of the restaurants started by Sexton, the Patio restaurant decor features quaint collections of memorabilia. Sexton also originated two other iconic restaurants, the Driftwood Inn and the Ocean Grill, both located on the island.
PIPER AIRCRAFT WILL STAY in VERO! - April 28, 2008
After many, many months of mostly closed door negotiations, the Indian River County Commission voted unanimously this morning to offer Piper the financial incentive package that Piper acknowledged will keep the aircraft company here in Vero Beach, Florida. This means that we will retain the nearly 1,000 current jobs and the agreement also commits Piper to build the new Piper-Honda personal jet and other new projects such as Matrix here in Vero Beach. Piper will add at least 400 new jobs to receive the incremental payments of $12 million local funds and $20 million additional state funds.
The formal announcement of Piper's acceptance of the offer appears to be only a formality at this point awaiting Piper Board of Directors final approval, and a formal announcement and celebration will occur with all dignitaries present, including Florida Governor Crist before June 30, 2008.
Because I personally attended the meeting this morning in Vero Beach, Florida at the Indian River County Commission where the Commission voted to approve the State of Florida Financial Incentive Package, I took these photos to document this auspicious occasion! Piper employs about 1,000 currently here is Vero Beach. The company is committing to add at least 400 additional jobs over the next few years in order to receive the incremental payments from the $32 million fund. That's me taking the photo.
SPECIAL CALL MEETING:
Details about the Financial Incentive Package were presented to the County Commission this morning April 28, 2008 prior to the unanimous approval of the long anticipated results of the Piper Aircraft, Indian River County and the state of Florida negotiations. This Special Call Meeting in Vero Beach, Florida announced the agreement between the Indian River County Commission and Piper Aircraft at 9 am this morning. Commissioner Gary Wheeler made the motion to accept the agreement and Sandra Bowden seconded the motion. Commissioners Joseph Flescher and Peter O'Bryan joined to vote for the proposal. Commissioner Wesley Davis had to call in his vote in favor of the proposal as he was being towed into shore by the Coast Guard. Apparently his early morning fishing trip was not completed quite as planned.
Payment One: Details about the Financial Incentive Package were presented to the County Commission this morning April 28, 2008 prior to the unanimous approval of the long anticipated results of the Piper Aircraft, Indian River County and the state of Florida negotiations. Below is an explanation about what must occur prior to Piper Aircraft receiving the first payment:
1. Public announcement that Piper will remain in Vero Beach
2. Affidavit of 75 confirmed PiperJet orders and deposits of $5 million
3. Retention of 963 jobs
4. $15 million in product development
5. 51 new full-time employees
Payment Two: Details about the Financial Incentive Package were presented to the County Commission this morning April 28, 2008 prior to the unanimous approval of the long anticipated results of the Piper Aircraft, Indian River County and the state of Florida negotiations. Below is a photo of Slide 3 of the presentation that explains the requirements for Piper to receive the second payment.
1. $10.7 million investment in capital equipment
2. Public announcement of proof of concept for PiperJet or alternate project
3. 152 new full time jobs
4. Commitment to invest $10.7 million additional capital
Payment Three: Details about the Financial Incentive Package were presented to the County Commission this morning April 28, 2008 prior to the unanimous approval of the long anticipated results of the Piper Aircraft, Indian River County and the state of Florida negotiations. Below is a photo of Slide 4 of the presentation outlining the benchmarks to be achieved prior to the third payment of the Retention Agreement to keep Piper in Vero Beach, Florida.
1. $21.3 million Piper investment in capital equipment
2. $20 million Piper investment in product development
3. 19 new full time employees
4-24-08 Duke University recently sent congratulations to the Duke affiliated Heart Center at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Florida. As reported by the respected Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The Heart Center performed 200 cardiac surgeries this year and exceeded expectations with no mortalities and significantly better than national average results. Our small town medical community proudly strives for and achieves medical excellence. Accolades for the Cardiac Surgery Team!
New Bio-Fuel Research - New Sources for Energy - 04/25/08
Energy consumption in the United States may have a new twist that could put Florida on the energy-provider map without off-shore drilling! Our Congressman Tim Mahoney is championing a proposal to research using agricultural wastes, for example, sugar cane stalks and citrus pulp and peels. These sources of energy would not cut into the food supply like the use of corn for ethanol, which is currently reducing the available food supply and increasing food prices.
Central and south Florida throw away abundant supplies of sugar cane stalks and citrus peels, so this would be a win-win situation -- another way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil while encouraging more jobs and economic development here on the Treasure Coast, an estimated 10,000 new Florida jobs within 5 years, according to the Florida Agriculture Commission. Florida to the rescue!
No Dogs Allowed
Whether you are a resident or a visitor, you should be aware that Indian River County prohibits dogs at all county parks while the City of Vero Beach designates two places where owners can walk their dogs on leash-- one portion of MacWilliam Park on the island, and the Bob Summers Baseball Field from 5:30 to 8:30 am only. A non-profit group Dogs for Life recently purchased the property for the long-time off-leash fenced dog park at the corner of 12th Street and 16th Avenue. One year memberships for this park are $250.