Jeff Navin
United States, Washington, D.C.
Partner at Boundary Stone Partners, Former Department of Energy Acting Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, former Dept of Labor, Senate and Congress
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Articles by Jeff Navin
Prime Social Hour will make debut
Chef Ercan Ekinci of Urban Prime jokingly admits that he doesn’t dance that well. Yet, he loves the energy of dancing. With that in mind, the popular chef has created the Prime Social Hour with a theme of Dance, Dine and Connect. There will be no cover charge. The inaugural Prime Social Hour will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. July 1 at Urban Prime, which is located at 2435 Metfield Drive in Viera. Its theme will be America the Beautiful as a prelude to the 250th birthday of the United States.
Escapology Viera aiming for October opening
Escapology Viera promises to have something for everyone in its escape rooms as it plans for a late October opening next to The Avenue Viera. The planned 4,815-square-foot complex will have a steampunk theme dating back to the Victorian age of steam-powered machinery, old clocks and vintage leather. It eventually will have nine escape rooms. “We saw Viera as a growing area with a lot of new businesses,’’ said Ruth Dean of Deansscapology, who operates a similar escape room in Gainesville.
Viera High’s Winsten receives coveted physical education award
Rachel Winsten, the chair of the health and physical education department at Viera High School, has been named SHAPE’s Florida High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. SHAPE stands for the Society of Health and Physical Education. Winsten also won the Southeast District, which consists of 13 states in the Southeast Region. The United States is divided into five regions.
Children find forever homes in Celebration of Adoption
Several parents stepped up to the plate in the clutch with confidence and love on Nov. 18 at the USSSA Space Coast Complex as the annual It’s a Home Run! Celebration of Adoption honored the union of children with their forever families. At 57 and 55 years old, respectively, Kerilynn Moss and Eric Moss will be parents for a second time after officially adopting their nephew’s son. Jamal Christopher Eric Moss celebrated his 13th-month birthday at the event.
Viera Bright Lights Battle brings radiant rivalry
Check out the Three Wise men, various versions of the Bethlehem manger, Santa’s sled and reindeer, Christmas trees adorned with lights projecting all the holiday season’s colors, Frosty the Snowman and elves of all shapes and sizes with their signature candy canes. It’s all coming soon to Viera and all of Suntree.
Turning Point restaurant brings its unique menu to area
During his days as a standout offensive lineman for St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale and Boston College, Kirk Ruoff didn’t miss many meals. Especially breakfast. That lifestyle and philosophy carries over to Turning Point Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch, which plans to open at The Crossings at Viera sometime this coming summer. Ruoff founded his first restaurant in 1998 in Little Silver, New Jersey.
BoomerBash SeniorFest revives ’40s, ’50s vibe at museum venue
Break out the bobby socks, poodle skirts, Mary Jane shoes, aviator glasses, Panama, fedora, homburg and pork pie hats as the BoomerBash SeniorFest returns to the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville for the first time in several years. The popular Senior Life Expo is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. The Bash, which will celebrate the 1940s and 1950s with a Blast from the Past, will be held at the Valiant Air Command’s new events hangar.
Beloved festival ushers in fall fun
For the past 13 years, Jill Blue has been thrilled at the effort and hard work local businesses put into making colorful, creative and interesting scarecrows for the Viera Voice Scarecrow Stroll and Viera Harvest Festival while benefiting the community. “It has been so much fun seeing the scarecrows through the years,” said Blue, the CEO of Bluewater Creative Group and the publisher of the Viera Voice.
Scarecrow Stroll, Viera Harvest Festival
The Penny Creek Band, a bluegrass band led by vocalist and bass player Susan Pounds, guitarist and vocalist Chris Paganoni, mandolin player and vocalist Fritz Kraemer and vocalist and banjo player John Apfelthaler, will entertain the Viera Harvest Festival crowd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Woodside Park. “There’s a certain sound and feeling that the Penny Creek Band brings to the harvest time of year,” said Jill Blue, the publisher of the Viera Voice.
Build a ’Crow for the upcoming Scarecrow Stroll, Viera Harvest Festival
It’s time for creativity combined with a lot of fun to take center stage as fall is almost here and the 13th Viera Voice Scarecrow Stroll will be held from Oct. 2 to 16, culminating with the Viera Harvest Festival from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at Woodside Park off of Murrell. “This year, we will be back at the beautiful Woodside Park in East Viera,” said Jill Blue, the CEO of Bluewater Creative Group, which publishes the Viera Voice, Senior Life and the Boomer Guide.
Slice of the Good Life Expo toasts watermelon at museum
Take a break on the Wednesday before Labor Day to attend the third and final in the summer series of Senior Life’s free Senior Day events. Free watermelon will be provided from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center at 400 South Sykes Parkway on Merritt Island as Senior Life presents the Slice of the Good Life Expo. A watermelon carving contest will be held as Senior Life honors a fruit the world has loved for countless centuries.
Ready for hurricanes? Hurricane Prep Rally
Don’t be caught unprepared for what could be a tumultuous hurricane season later this summer and fall. Senior Life will conduct a Hurricane Prep Rally & Senior Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 18 at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Community’s Event Center at 5655 Stadium Parkway in Viera. It will be the second of three free Senior Day events sponsored by Senior Life this summer.
Senior Life - celebrating Brevard for 28 years
Twenty-eight years ago, Jill Blue was living in DeLand and she saw the potential of Brevard County before many others. That’s when the publisher and CEO of Bluewater Creative Group published the first issue of Senior Life for June 1997. “For the first five years, I designed it, delivered it and billed everything,’’ said Blue, who eventually created the Boomer Guide 19 years ago and the Viera Voice 17 years ago as sister publications.
Aaoogha
The 100th birthday celebration will continue for Cindy and Ernie Austin’s Model T Ford at Morning At The Museum with Senior Life And Friends on Friday, June 27. The Senior Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science at 2201 Michigan Avenue in Cocoa. The Senior Day will be the first of three summer events sponsored by Senior Life. The second event, which will focus on hurricane preparedness, will be held July 18.
Zeigler fulfills handball goal with national doubles title
BY JEFF NAVIN Dale Zeigler likes to compare his rise in the world of handball to the old tortoise and the hare story. Slow and steady can always prevail in the end. Back in March, Zeigler, a Viera resident for the past 25 years, teamed up with Karl Lady of Vero Beach to win the United States Handball Association’s 3-Wall National Masters Doubles Championship in the Platinum Masters (80 and older) category. The duo defeated Dennis Uffer and Denny Fehr in Palm City.
Aaoogha - Model T appearance to highlight Senior Day
The 100th birthday celebration will continue for Cindy and Ernie Austin’s Model T Ford at Morning At The Museum with Senior Life And Friends on Friday, June 27. The Senior Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science at 2201 Michigan Avenue in Cocoa. The Senior Day will be the first of three summer events sponsored by Senior Life. The second event, which will focus on hurricane preparedness, will be held July 18.
Wakeup call comes at right time for Space Coast Rockets 10U
Olly Geancopoulos’ game-winning goal in a 3-versus-3 overtime period couldn’t have come at a better time for the Space Coast Rockets 10U hockey team. The 10U Rockets, who rolled to an 18-0 record during the regular season, defeated the Florida Fury 5-4 in that opening-round game on Feb. 21. It came in the Statewide Amateur Hockey of Florida’s (SAHOF) State Championship Tournament at the Orlando Ice Den in Maitland. The Rockets then won two games on Feb. 22 and two more on Feb.
BoomerFest! Expo brings zest, annual magazine to excited crowd
Forester Recreation Center will be the place to be on Friday, March 14 as the first copies of the 19th annual Boomer Guide are distributed. The new facility at 960 Cogswell Street in Rockledge will host the Space Coast BoomerFest! Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attorney William A. Johnson and Rhodes Law, P.A. will be the presenting sponsors for the free event. The Brennity and Water’s Edge Dermatology will be gold sponsors for the annual gathering.
Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest carries on legacy
The legacy of Charlie Corbeil lives on through the Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest and Youth Conservation Awards. Charlotte Corbeil, his widow, started the contest in 2014 to honor her late husband, a nature photographer and Florida Master Naturalist. It encourages children’s art endeavors and promotes and hopes to protect the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands. The event, which is sponsored by Viera Voice, hopes to raise awareness on how to protect Florida wildlife and its natural habitat.
Love will be in the air at Valentine’s Day Expo
Singles and couples of all ages are welcome for a Valentine’s Day to remember as Senior Life and HealthFirst will sponsor the second annual All You Need Is Love Senior Expo & Valentine’s Party. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge at the Brevard Zoo at 8225 North Wickham Road in Viera. The Expo is free, but entrance to the Brevard Zoo is not included. The lodge is near the entrance to the zoo.
Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest carries on legacy
The legacy of Charlie Corbeil lives on through the Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest and Youth Conservation Awards. Charlotte Corbeil, his widow, started the contest in 2014 to honor her late husband, a nature photographer and Florida Master Naturalist. It encourages children’s art endeavors and promotes and hopes to protect the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands. The event, which is sponsored by Viera Voice, hopes to raise awareness on how to protect Florida wildlife and its natural habitat.
Love will be in the air at the Senior Expo & Valentine’s Party
Singles and couples of all ages are welcome for a Valentine’s Day to remember as Senior Life and HealthFirst will sponsor the second annual All You Need Is Love Senior Expo & Valentine’s Party. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge at the Brevard Zoo at 8225 North Wickham Road in Viera. The Expo is free, but entrance to the Brevard Zoo is not included. The lodge is near the entrance to the zoo.
Senior Life - 27 years serving Brevard
Years ago, Jill Blue wondered how seniors in Brevard County were being informed about so many things that affect their daily lives. She discovered there was not a single source that kept seniors and boomers abreast of resources, health and wellness information, veterans’ issues and other topics of interest to that age group. That led to the birth 27 years ago this month of Senior Life, a publication that would champion the causes and concerns of the senior community.
Free hearing checks offered at One Senior Place
No one really wants to get their hearing checked. Most are delighted after they do. Free hearing exams will be offered by America's Best Hearing of Viera. The exams will be conducted at One Senior Place at 8055 Spyglass Hill Road in Viera for women and men 18 and older. After that, a wide variety of hearing aids will be offered at discount prices and through special marketing offers each month.
3Natives thriving, grand opening set for May 11
California native Brianna Pfister has moved from managing McDonald’s to running 3Natives since arriving in Florida a year ago. She couldn’t be happier. “It’s healthy fast food,’’ said Pfister, who is the operating manager for her sister and brother-in-law’s 3Natives location at 6365 North Wickham Road, Suite 105, in Suntree. “We have Açai bowls, pressed fresh juices in house, smoothies, wraps and salads. We also have hot-pressed wraps.
Playa Bowls leave everyone healthy, happy
Just a couple years ago, Jennifer and Eric Myers were in Cherry Hills, New Jersey where they ate at Playa Bowls for the first time. It was love at first sight — or bite. “We loved it,’’ said Jennifer Myers who, along with her husband, grew up in southern California. “You walk in with a feeling that this is a place that you’d like to call home. The food is healthy and it aligns with our lifestyle.
Sommelier ready to pour at Venezia Wine Veranda
Venezia Wine Veranda plans to open in early April at Borrows West in Viera. General manager and sommelier (wine steward) Allison Barnhart can’t wait. “We’re excited about the concept,’’ said Barnhart, a 1994 Titusville High School graduate. “It’s done well in other markets. The folks in Brevard County are going to love this full-service wine bar.’’ The two-story rooftop wine bar with both indoor and outdoor seating will offer more than 100 selections of wine.
Ready, set, create - Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest
The legacy of Charlie Corbeil lives on through the Charlie Corbeil Youth Art Contest and Youth Conservation Awards. Charlotte Corbeil, his widow, started the contest in 2014 to honor her late husband, a nature photographer and Florida Master Naturalist. It encourages children’s art endeavors and promotes and hopes to protect the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands. The event, which is sponsored by Viera Voice, hopes to raise awareness on how to protect Florida wildlife and its natural habitat.
Upcoming Expos in February and March
Don’t be surprised to see a giraffe poke its head out of seemingly nowhere as the Bluewater Creative Group conducts its All You Need Is Love Senior Expo and Valentine’s Day Party. It will be held at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge at the Brevard Zoo, just left of the Brevard Zoo entrance. Meerkats, a tiny member of the mongoose family, also will be scurrying about inside a glass habitat during the Expo, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the River Lodge.
Couples will renew their vows at Expo
Couples, all married for more than 25 years, will renew their vows on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at the All You Need Is Love Senior Expo and Valentine’s Day Party at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge in front of the Brevard Zoo. Entrance to the Zoo is not included.
Cars and Coffee honors law enforcement with special show
Local businessman Joe Rodriguez looks back fondly on the car shows he attended as a child at the Woodbridge Mall in Bergen County in northern New Jersey. “We used to go a lot,’’ said Joe Rodriguez, whose Space Coast Cars and Coffee car shows have become popular in Brevard County. “I was in love with all the cars at 10 years old. I really loved the Mustangs.’’ Rodriguez later bought a 1965 Mustang Fastback as a teen. From 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan.
Right Whales return
Snowbirds from the northeast and the midwest aren’t the only ones coming down to Florida for more favorable weather. The endangered Right Whale gives birth in an area ranging from the Carolinas to Florida during the winter months, with Cocoa Beach being a prime spot. Only 350 of these majestic creatures exist due to hunting in the past and ecological conditions today that make survival difficult.
Driftwood art changes man
Thomas Gross wasn’t happy. In fact, he was miserable. Commercial painting and wallpapering left him unfulfilled. “I was depressed — I was never around people,’’ said Gross, who owns Second Chance Creations Driftwood Art. “I might go a year working on million-dollar homes where I would never see anybody. I was absolutely miserable with life. I had been house painting with my dad since I was 10. I was good at what I did, but I was trapped.’’ Three years ago, everything changed.
Tradition continues with fun Boomer Expo
Wearing green is a given on St. Patrick’s Day. Add the Boomer Guide Expo to the festivities on Friday, March 17. The 15th annual free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilton Rialto Place Ballroom at 200 Rialto Place, near Melbourne Orlando International Airport. The event is sponsored by Health First Health Plans and William A. Johnson PA.
Salty Bagel & Grill will expand to Suntree with third shop
Too often, Salty Bagel & Grill customers in Satellite Beach enter the restaurant at 1124 State Road A1A to find the sold-out-of-bagels sign. It’s a sad note, but also a testament to the delicious bagels baked each day. On Dec. 12, the shop opened its second location at 25 South Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach. That’s just south of Minutemen Causeway. Sometime in early 2023, a third shop will open at 7640 North Wickham Road in Suntree.
Light Up Viera Parade celebrates with new date, route
The 10th annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade, which ushers in the Christmas and holiday season, hopes a move to a week later on Saturday, Dec. 3 will improve attendance as the event avoids a conflict with Thanksgiving weekend travel. “We had people push us to make the date change,’’ said Stephanie Byrd, the marketing manager of the Viera Company. “This year, Brevard Schools said they will be off the whole week of Thanksgiving.
Coach hopes Viera will rebound from its 32-0 loss to Eau Gallie in the Kickoff Classic when it travels to Creekside next week
Watching the film this weekend of Friday’s Kickoff Classic against Eau Gallie won’t be much fun for the Viera High School football team. The 32-0 road loss to the Commodores was humbling to say the least. It also won’t count toward the regular-season standings since it was a considered to be an exhibition. “We’re still 0-0 going into next week, but you never want to get your butt kicked like that,’’ said first-year Viera head coach Shane Staples. “This was a tough one.
LD-1 Disclosure Form
Clerk of the House of Representatives Legislative Resource Center 135 Cannon Building Washington, DC 20515 http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov Secretary of the Senate Office of Public Records 232 Hart Building Washington, DC 20510 http://www.senate.gov/lobby LOBBYING REGISTRATION Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 4) Check One: New Registrant New Client for Existing Registrant Amendment 1. Effective Date of Registration 8/1/2022 2.
Gastropalooza II features unique competition, fabulous food, drink
After a year hiatus, Chris Coneen is happy to bring back a culinary event that proved to be quite popular. Coneen, the owner of 28 North Gastropub and Pizza Gallery & Grill in Viera, will conduct Gastropalooza II from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 at 28 North Gastropub. Two renowned chefs, Kyle Hash and Travis Peters, will compete for the championship title of top chef in the event. Hash is the chef at 28 North Gastropub. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,’’ Coneen said.
Teaching music still brings satisfaction after 22 years in Suntree
After 22 years of teaching music and running Creative Music Art & Learning, Loretta Fox knows that not everyone will become an accomplished musician. But, there’s more to music than performing a piece from Beethoven on a concert stage. “Music teaches leadership, responsibility and feeling the joy of playing a nice piece,’’ said Fox, whose business is located at 1299 Bedford Drive in Suntree.
9/11 survivor plants new life in Brevard
Twenty years later, 9/11 still haunts Enzo Ardovini. There’s the memory loss, images of body parts mixed with wreckage and the aches and pains of injuries and the aftermath of surgeries. Ardovini did the right thing when he charged in with firefighters to help during the hours right after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. He knew people who might be trapped and still alive.
Lights get ready to rumble
Getting into the Christmas spirit will be a little easier this year with the inaugural Viera Bright Lights Battle. “We went out around last year in the neighborhood and took video and photos of beautifully decorated homes,” said Jill Blue, the publisher of the Viera Voice. “We posted them on Facebook for everyone to see.
Grand Slam Boomer Bash scheduled for Nov. 18
The ghost of spring training and minor league baseball still lingers at Space Coast Stadium, now a part of the United States Specialty Sports Association’s Space Coast Complex. Softball is the primary sport now, but there’s still plenty of baseball played from time to time. Senior Life will host the Grand Slam Boomer Bash from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at the complex on 5800 Stadium Parkway in Viera.
Ziegler reaches new heights in handball with national title
For years, Dale Ziegler has looked up to handball champion Norm Young. He doesn’t have to anymore. Ziegler, a Viera resident, defeated Young 21-20, 21-17 in the United States Handball Association’s 70th 3 Wall National Championship in the 80-and-older division. “I was behind in both games,’’ said Ziegler, a native of Joliet, Ill., who has lived in Brevard County since 1979. “I just put up some better serves and had some determination.’’ The two had never played before August’s championship match.
Suntree family finds perfect mix of faith, sports
Sarah Wood likes to go for a run or take a bike ride just before lunch. The Suntree resident is the editor-in-chief of mommentor.org, a ministry publication based in California that gives practical, spiritual advice and wisdom from writers all over the country. “We could have stories on how to teach kids biblical worldviews or how to help a toddler get through a temper tantrum. We have contributors who are marriage and family therapists or interviews on how to manage and handle suicide prevention.
Lake Highland Prep blanks Holy Trinity in regional quarterfinals
David Gildart’s booming shot from 22 yards away did more than give visiting Lake Highland Prep a 1-0 lead in the third minute of Wednesday’s Class 3A, Region 3 boys soccer quarterfinal match against Holy Trinity. “That first goal shocked the system,’’ said second-year Holy Trinity coach Adrian Moreno. “We had a game plan for those guys, and we had to throw it out right away.
Satellite trounces turnover-prone Holy Trinity
By Jeff Navin Published: October 10, 2020 Holy Trinity's James BlackStrain caught six passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns Friday night, but four first-half turnovers by the Tigers proved costly as Satellite rolled to a 63-33 victory. VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala Four costly first-half turnovers by Holy Trinity led to four Satellite touchdowns as the Scorpions forged a 42-20 halftime lead at home and went on to humble the Tigers 63-33 Friday night.
Viera remains unbeaten, blanks Heritage 42-0
By Jeff Navin Published: October 3, 2020 Viera High wide receiver Caleb Osubrun, shown here stretching for a first down last week against Bayside, caught two touchdown passes for the Hawks Friday night in a 42-0 road win against Heritage. VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala PALM BAY -- Nobody knows yet if COVID-19 will prevent the state of Florida from conducting the state playoff series beginning next month and into December.
BlackStrain’s interception halts MCC as Wydner excels in Holy Trinity debut
By Jeff Navin Published: September 26, 2020 Holy Trinity's James BlackStrain, shown here during a recent practice, had a big interception late in Friday night's season opener to preserve a 21-13 victory over MCC. It was Holy Trinity's first road win over the Hustlers. VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala Holy Trinity’s James BlackStrain was just happy to be back on the football field Friday night.
Gage brings flamboyant jazz act to Boomer Guide Expo
By JEFF NAVIN Published: 2020.02.28 10:38 AM Adam Palumbo Sybil Gage performed three scintillating mini-musical jazz shows with her Merry Band of Royal Catahoulas to highlight Senior Life’s Boomer Guide Senior Expo on Feb. 18 at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne. The free 2020 Boomer Guide, a perennial award-winning publication in the North American Mature Publishers Association’s annual contest, was unveiled and distributed during the expo.
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