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Hi Space Coast, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Rocket engine auction, a whole wheat sourdough class, Lights in the Night Gala, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Spotlight on service and leadership: Palm Bay’s annual pageant crowned 2025 titleholders at Yellow Dog Café, including Colleen Jamieson and Karina Jaikaran, as Mayor Rob Medina recognized community service and first runners-up were also honored — meet the new titleholders.
North America’s most scenic airport: Melbourne Orlando International Airport began in 1928 as an Air Mail fuel stop. Today, MLB honors its roots as a $72 million terminal expansion adds new gates, security, and amenities — get all the expansion details.
Training and patrol ahead: Veteran officer Ryan Wuollet was sworn in as the newest member of the Cocoa Police Department, with Chief Evander Collier IV administering the oath for the second straight day — learn about his training path.
Quirky roadside Florida hangout: Lone Cabbage Fish Camp near the St. Johns River is known for an unusual menu of gator bites, frog legs, catfish nuggets, plus live music, about 20 minutes from Cocoa — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Coveted spaceflight artifacts: Titusville’s American Space Museum is auctioning a Rocketdyne S-3D rocket engine and astronaut-signed Apollo memorabilia online now. Bidding began January 25 and continues through Valentine’s Day, February 14. Highlights include flown Apollo artifacts, including an Apollo 17 checklist. Get all the auction details.
Community heroes in focus: Palm Bay honors Fire Rescue today at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, celebrating Firefighters’ Awards and heroic life-saving efforts. Several members will be recognized for exceptional service, including two lieutenants credited with decisive lifesaving actions during the 2025 Jingle Bell 2 Mile in Satellite Beach. Read the full story.
Sushi night, solved: Da Sushi turns out tidy nigiri, creative specialty rolls, and warm comforts like miso soup and gyoza. It’s the reliable, low-key sushi spot you can count on when the week needs a lift… easy, satisfying dinner, zero fuss.
Treasure hunt, local-style: Refresh your home or give your closet a plot twist with ever-changing finds at Molly Mutt Thrift Shop, minus the sticker shock, and every purchase supports the Brevard Humane Society’s animals. One quick browse might surprise you with that just-right corner lamp.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🛍 2/6/2026 Thrifting Bus @ Walmart Supercenter | Friday (2/6) at 8:00 AM – This thrift safari boards in Cocoa and Melbourne, then cruises to Palm Beach for a day of Pulitzer-worthy treasure hunting. Expect comfy seats, better stories than a mall run, and racks of pre-loved gems you’ll call “investments,” then brag about finding for pocket change.
🍔 Valentine & Plant Market Food Truck Event @ Viera Park Market & Food Trucks | Friday (2/6) at 4:00 PM – Skip the prix fixe and woo your sweetheart with something greener at Viera’s Valentine and Plant Market. Food trucks, bakeries, artisans, and growers bring flowers, succulents, and Valentine-ready goodies, because nothing says romance like a new plant, a handmade treat, and a taco.
🍞 Whole Wheat Sourdough Class @ Florida Academy of Baking | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – If your sourdough starter’s been acting like a pet you forgot to train, this daylong, hands-on class will set you straight. Learn whole wheat techniques, shaping, and fermentation that actually behave in Florida humidity, then leave with fresh loaves, confidence, and bragging rights.
🌿 Plant Market & More @ Downtown Melbourne Farmer’s Market | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Our local market is rolling out Dept of Ag certified growers, so you know the tomatoes aren’t catfishing you. Hunt for plants, flowers, herbs, and trees, then reward yourself with fresh bakery, artisan goods, specialty bites, and food trucks. Bring a tote, and restraint.
🍻 7th Annual Cocoa Village Brewer’s Bash @ Cocoa Riverfront Park | Saturday (2/7) at 1:00 PM – Cocoa Village is throwing its seventh annual Brewer’s Bash, with samples from 70-plus breweries, three bands, and six food trucks along the Indian River. Drink great beer, enjoy the breeze, and feel smug doing good, since proceeds support Survive First.
✨ Lights in the Night Gala @ Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex | Saturday (2/7) at 6:00 PM – Saturday night at Kennedy Space Center means trading beach sand for dress shoes, and it feels worth it. Lights in the Night is all sparkle and heart, a classy glide under rockets where you sip, mingle, and support a cause without the cheesy gala schtick.
🍫 Chocolate & Charcuterie Soirée @ OhVino | Saturday (2/7) at 6:00 PM – Finally, a Titusville women’s night out with priorities in order: rich chocolate, gourmet charcuterie, and conversation that actually goes somewhere. No awkward mixers or name tags, just a welcoming room, real connection, and snacks that deserve a fan club. Come solo or with a friend.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Space Coast report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 62°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 70%
Rain showers likely before 3pm. Partly sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 57 in the afternoon. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Patchy frost after 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Wind chill values as low as 32. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy frost before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
This house is wild
Resort-style 3-bed, 2.5-bath home featuring a primary suite with en suite dressing and laundry, and a kitchen with quartz counters and two sun tunnel skylights. A 1,300 sq ft A/C RV/car garage offers 13 ft 10 in clearance, plus a 22,000-watt Generac. Gated community with an 18-hole championship course, pools, pickleball and tennis, near Kennedy Space Center and beaches.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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