Diamond Members 20+ years of membership renewing in the month of June. Congratulations on your success and thank you for your longstanding support!

Does your business strive for sustainability? You might be eligible for free marketing, product discounts, and more through Keep Brevard Beautiful's Litter Quitter Program. Check it out! 
 

      

Read the latest Cornerstones, our Chamber2Member
e-News! CLICK HERE

to our Member-2-Member e-news, featuring Member news and Member events.

Individuals with special sensory processing needs and their families are welcome to join Brevard Zoo for Summer Sensory Night on Friday, June 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Zoo’s newest exhibit, Butterflies and the Magic of Nature, and the Wild Florida section of the Zoo will remain open during this after-hours event. The Exceptional Nature Space, a unique area designed as a natural Florida habitat to serve those with different challenges in a safe and stimulating way, will be available for free play. Community organizations will host sensory-friendly activities and crafts throughout these areas.

Summer Sensory Night is a come-and-go event with last entry at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free, but attendees must register in advance at http://www.brevardzoo.org/ens.
 

The summer rainy season ban on fertilizer use in the City of Melbourne goes into effect June 1. The ban lasts until September 30.
 
This regulation was enacted in order to keep harmful nutrients found in fertilizer from washing off lawns into storm drains and ultimately into the Indian River Lagoon during the rainy summer months.
 
In the summer months, heavy rains wash off any fertilizer applied to lawns and gardens before it can be absorbed by plants and grass. Instead of benefitting the plants, it ends up washing off lawns and ultimately into the Indian River Lagoon where it can fuel algae blooms and kill fish.
 
Homeowners are reminded that it is also illegal to blow grass clippings into streets or stormwater drains in the City of Melbourne at any time of the year. Instead, clippings should be blown back into yards or composted.
 
Penalties include a fine of $200 for violating either of these ordinances.
 
Residents and business owners with questions about these bans may call the Stormwater Hotline: (321) 608-7341.

CLICK HERE FOR TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR YARD LOOKING GREAT WITHOUT FERTILIZER

Cocoa and Melbourne to enter into joint purchasing agreement to install additional water mains to the Barrier Islands

In an effort to increase resiliency and redundancy in the City of Cocoa and City of Melbourne water utility systems, the two municipalities agreed to enter into a joint purchasing agreement and share expenses related to a project to install two parallel 16” water mains along Pineda Causeway to the Barrier Islands.  Both City Councils approved agenda items allowing staff to enter into an agreement to have the mains installed, which will offer increased resiliency to both systems and save the taxpayers and customers approximately $3 million by joining forces and sharing resources. 
 
“Adding an additional water main to the growing communities we serve on the barrier island will enable us to maintain the high standards of service, reliability and water quality all of our customers expect,” said Melbourne Public Works & Utilities Director Ralph Reigelsperger.
 
For the City of Cocoa, this offers a third crossing to south Merritt Island and for the City of Melbourne, this project offers a third crossing to the north end of the south beaches system.  The project is estimated to take three to four years to complete with the design phase scheduled to be complete in the next twelve to thirteen months.        

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Home Health recently achieved high star ratings in quality of patient care and patient satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The non-profit home health agency achieved 5 stars in both categories, making them the only home healthcare agency in Brevard County and one of only six in the state of Florida to accomplish this feat. Twice has VNA Home Health in Brevard achieved this honor.

“VNA Home Health prides itself on treating our patients with the utmost compassion and care,” remarked VNA President/CEO, Lundy Fields. “Being named one of six healthcare providers in the state to receive a double five-star rating from CMS is a true testament to our team’s focus on proving the highest quality patient care and reinforces our drive to exceed expectations.”
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE

Connections, our Member2Member eNews is published every 2 weeks on Tuesdays

• Please submit your Newsletter articles at least a week before intended publish date to be included in next e-news.
• Due to space restrictions, we can only include about 5 member news articles each week, 1-2 paragraphs per article.
• Send your article as early as possible for a better chance to be included in the Member News.
• You may request a publishing date if you submit your article more than a week in advance.
• Article submission is subject to approval. We reserve the right to edit Member News articles for length.

CLICK HERE to submit a story!