NO LEAP YEAR THIS YEAR!

Even though 2014 is not a "Leap Year." the year does seem to be leaping by.  February is  going so fast, I certainly could have used that extra day this month! Since Leap Years are always divisible by the number 4, the next Leap Year won't arrive until 2016, so we'll just have to make the most of these remaining 8 days in the month. We've already celebrated Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day and witnessed some pretty amazing feats in  the winter Olympics, but there is still more to celebrate and enjoy in February.  If you're a pet owner, today, Feb. 20th, is officially "Love Your Pet Day." If you own a dog, on Feb. 22nd, the two of you can join in "Walking the Dog Day," and be sure to give him a treat on Feb. 23rd in honor of "International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day!"  (NO, - I didn't make these things up!) If none of those work for you, you'll find plenty of other things to do this coming week in the posts below and on our calendar.  Finally, be sure to tune into NBC this coming Sunday for the Olympics Closing Ceremony. It promises to be spectacular!

THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd  

20 Wing and Kid-friendly food vendors ~ 4 Bands on 2 Stages

150 Beers from 45 Craft Breweries

Save $7 on tasting bracelet at www.FloridaCraftBrewAndWingfest.com

Royal Palm Pointe,

(Parking and buses from Parc24 in Indian River Blvd.)

Proceeds benefit local youth, elder and environmental projects of the Vero Beach Sunrise Rotary Foundation, a 501c3.

TAX HELP

United Way of Indian River County is once again coordinating the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offering free help to people who make $52,000 or less and need assistance preparing their own tax returns.

Families with low to moderate income may miss out on substantial tax credits if they don't have assistance filing their returns. All United Way VITA volunteers are IRS-trained and certified every year and provide free tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in Indian River County. They ensure that taxpayers receive credits due to them such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled.

The United Way Center site, at 1836 14th Ave. in Vero Beach, cannot take appointments in February or April, but walk-ins will be welcome every Monday and Wednesday between 4pm and 7pm, and Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and 12noon. Appointments ARE necessary in March since demand is lower and preparers are scheduled as needed. Clients should bring their valid picture ID, social security card (or ITIN numbers) for everybody in the household, a copy of their 2012 tax return (if filed), W-2 Forms from all jobs worked in 2013, as well as any other relevant tax documentation.  Call 2-1-1 for additional VITA sites.

FUN AT RIVERSIDE THEATRE THIS WEEKEND!

Click image above for tickets and more information.  

Man Of LaMancha - The Impossible Dream Musical

Tickets: $65/55

Click Here for more information / tickets

Saturday, February 22 at 8pm,

Tickets: $55/45

Click Here for more information / tickets

Saturday, February 22 at 8:30pm, Black Box Theatre,

Tickets: $15

Click Here for more information / tickets

Sunday, February 23 at 7pm,

Tickets: $45/$39

Click Here for more information / tickets

Friday, February 28 at 8pm,

Tickets: $65/$55

Click Here for more information / tickets

WEEKEND PROJECT

You can go from a 'Cinderella' laundry room to an inviting, clean, and trendy room without much effort and without breaking the bank. The laundry task might 'almost' seem like a treat...and you deserve that! A fresh coat of paint, one roll of your favorite wallpaper, a couple of shelves, one wall cabinet and your there!

 Sponsored by: Center for Facial Aesthetics     

 GET YOUR NEW SPRING LOOK! ~ FREE MAKE-UP APPLICATION

The weather this past week has been picture perfect; 'chamber of Commerce' weather. Unlike up north, it reminds us that spring is right around the corner. The best makeup trends from the 'Spring 2014 Fashion Week' gave us a peek at what will be popular. All FLASHERS are invited to call and schedule a free make up application appointment with Giselle. Giselle will help you update your look and give you some valuable makeup tips to take home and get you ready for a 'beautiful spring! (call 772.589.8111)  

This week's make-up tip... Soft Berry lips will compliment a wash of iridescent whites and pinks for the eyes ads to create a fresh soft look for spring.

TONIGHT'S ROCKET LAUNCH!

8:40PM

Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral has long been our nation's gateway to exploring, discovering & understanding our universe. Experience the excitement by planning to watch tonight's launch. Here is a link with more info on the launch schedule for the next three launches. 

February 20/21, 2014 * Delta 5*GPS 2F-5
Launch Time: 8:40-8:59pm
Launch Site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
The United Launch Alliance will launch a Delta 4 rocket that will carry the Air Force's fifth Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. 

March 16, 2014 * Falcon 9 * SpaceX CRS 3
Launch Time: 4:41am
Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Dragon C3 for its fifth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA.  

March 25, 2014 * Atlas 5 * NROL 7
Launch Time: TBD
Launch Site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
United Launch Alliance will launch an Atlas 5 rocket carrying a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. 

You can view future launches by clicking here.

AVERAGE SALARIES

If you're curious about what salaries are paid in different professions, you will enjoy exploring this website. You can put in your current occupation to see how you compare with others, or put in another profession that you or a family member might want to pursue. Click Here.

EXERCISES FOR COUCH POTATOES!

At last...easy but effective exercises almost anyone can do while sitting on the couch! This short video is one of the "no excuse workout series" from Dr. Oz. Watch and exercise along with Dr. Oz's personal trainer. You will find other video workouts, even for bad knees and back pain, that you can also try at the site. To watch, Click Here. 

http://www.doctoroz.com/video-series/no-excuse-workout-series?video_id=1848212380001

This year we celebrate our 18th anniversary as Vero Beach's premier health club. As we've grown, so have our first generation of Christi's gymnasts, many of whom are off at college with athletic scholarships. To keep up with the changing times we are undergoing an extensive renovation and in the process going green. Our new energy efficient facility houses a state of the art cycle studio, newly refurbished group exercise studios and offers over 75 group exercise classes per week . Visit us at christisfitness.com or stop by the club and join the excitement.  

  TODAY'S CHUCKLE 

In a Catholic school cafeteria, a nun places a note in front of a pile of apples, "Only take one. God is watching." Further down the line is a pile of cookies. A little boy makes his own note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

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Use a post-it note to catch drilling debris. 

  RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Lemon Angel Hair with Chicken and Spinach 

Ingredients

1/2 lb angel hair pasta
4 cloves of garlic
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
4 chicken breasts
2 lemons, zested and juiced
3/4 c. half-and-half
1 c. Parmesan, grated (or shredded)
                                       1 c. baby spinach, stems removed
                                         3 T. extra virgin olive oil

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The VNA is pleased to announce that Diana Marini, VNA Billing Specialist, has been named VNA's associate of the quarter. Marini was selected by her peers for her accountability, integrity, and excellent customer service.

Photo by: Herman Heydinger

The Sebastian Elks Lodge held their 10th annual charity car show on February 9th and it was a huge success. There were 185 registered cars; none were turned away but the area was quite full. Trophies were awarded to several of the cars and a share and care (50/50) raffle was held.   The music throughout the afternoon was provided by "Good Vibrations."