Can you eat ten insanely spicy wings in ten minutes?

Spicy food fans at Polo Glen can test the tenacity of their taste buds against the ridiculously fiery hot wings of Eagles Nest Sports Bar and Grill!  If you think you can handle wings so hot you have to wear rubber gloves and sign a waiver to eat them, you can take the Eagles Nest’s Death By Fire Challenge at any time the sports bar is open.

As per the rules of the challenge, you must eat ten wings in ten minutes without the aid of drinks, sauces, dips, or celery.  The ten wings cost $8 on most days, but on Wednesdays they’re only 45 cents a wing so that is the ideal time to take the challenge.  If you defeat the challenge, you get your wings for free as well as receiving a T-shirt and sticker and having the video of your victory put up on Facebook.

Of the thirty-two people who have been brave enough to take on this challenge, only five have succeeded thus far.  If you think you’ve got what it takes, visit them at 20 North Brevard Ave in Cocoa Beach between 11:30 and 10 Monday through Saturday and between noon and 8 on Sundays.  Even if you don’t want to take the challenge, they are still worth a visit for their many other great menu items.

Let us know if you succeed on our Facebook wall!  We’d love to hear the tale of your victory!

Photo from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This beautiful playhouse puts on some amazing performances!

For a fun theatrical outing your children will enjoy, come see the Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids performance at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse!  This stage adaptation follows the story of the beloved Disney film in a fun musical production that’s sure to delight the whole family!

The 101 Dalmatians Kids performance is one of the Playhouse’s STARS of Tomorrow Youth Program productions.  The STARS program teaches young performers the skills necessary to a successful career in the performing arts through a weekly class that meets from October through June.  In addition to teaching performing skills, these classes also assist in life management skills, giving them a rounded education that allows them to leave the program as both better performers and more mature individuals.  The 101 Dalmatians performance is cast from these classes, so you will be able to see the effects of the program firsthand.

The performances run on June 1st at 7:30 PM, June 2nd at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and June 3 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets cost between $9 and $11 and can be purchased by calling 321-636-5050.

Do you know of any other wonderful performances happening near Polo Glen?  Tell us all about them on Facebook; we’d love to hear from you!

Photo by Joe King

There are many opportunities to celebrate Memorial Day around Rockledge!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is an important holiday of remembrance for brave soldiers who have given their lives in service to our nation.  While it is largely celebrated now with cook-outs and picnics, there are several other ways you can celebrate in and around Rockledge that pay homage to the holiday’s true purpose.

Traditional Memorial Day Observances

There are several Memorial Day traditions that you can observe, such as displaying the flag at half-staff until noon or decorating a military grave site with flowers.  You can also observe the national moment of remembrance, which is a brief moment of silence at held at 3 PM.

Visit the Liberty Bell Museum and Melbourne Military Memorial Park

We’re a long way from the National Monuments of Washington, DC, but Melbourne does have a replica of the Liberty Bell at the Honor America Liberty Bell Museum.  The Museum is not open on Memorial Day, but you can take your family there during the weekend before Memorial Day.  You can also take a free tour of the Melbourne Military Memorial Park on Memorial Day, where you can see a garden for each war fought in the United States and reflect on the impact of these wars at the meditation benches.  This would be a wonderful educational trip for your children.

Enjoy the Rockledge Memorial Day Parade

Rockledge holds its own Memorial Day Parade on Sunday May 27.  The parade begins at 2:00 on Barton Boulevard and end at McLarty Park.  There will be awards presented during the Flag Pole Ceremony following the parade.

How are you celebrating Memorial Day in Rockledge?  Share your ideas with us on our Facebook page; we’d love to hear them!

Photo by Brittany Hogan

What better way to cool off than all-you-can-eat ice cream at the zoo?

Take your whole family to cool off from the Florida heat and enjoy an Ice Cream Social at the Brevard Zoo!  On May 27th from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM the Brevard Zoo is offering all-you-can-eat samples of different flavors of ice cream, so be prepared for a sugar high!

In addition to the bottomless samples of ice cream, you and your family will be able to participate in a variety of games and crafts.  There will also be music for dancing and animals to meet!

The all-you-can-eat ice cream samples cost only $5, but you will need to be prepared to pay zoo admission as well.  Adult admission is $14.50, Senior admission is $13.50, and admission for children ages 2 through 12 costs $10.50.  While you’re there you can enjoy the zoo’s many other attractions, like watching the alligator and crocodile feedings at 3 PM or feeding the giraffes and lorikeets.

What is your favorite exhibit at the Brevard County Zoo?  Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comments below!

Photo by phanlop88 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Your mom will love these Mother's Day gifts!

Polo Glen mothers deserve extra special treatment this Mother’s Day!  Give the mom living in your Polo Glen apartment a Mother’s Day to remember with the help of these locations in and around Rockledge!

Carousel Florists

Flowers are one of the sweetest ways to show your appreciation on Mother’s Day, and a surprise delivery can brighten any mom’s morning!  Carousel Florists in Rockledge has an excellent selection of Mother’s Day bouquets artfully arranged in vases and wicker baskets.  There are several different flowers, colors, and themes to choose from, so you’re sure to find something she’ll love!

Mimi’s Cafe

Mimi’s Cafe has some of the best breakfast around, and amazing lunch and dinner options too.  Their menu is extensive and features several French dishes as well as the classic breakfast favorites like pancakes.  Make your reservations early or beat the crowds by ordering your meal to go.  You’ll still want to place your meal order well before you’re ready to eat, though; they’re going to be swamped.

Serenity Springs Massage and Skin Care

Gift Mom with a relaxing day at Serenity Springs!  They offer a variety of massages and facials that will leave her feeling calm and rejuvenated at the end of the day.

What are you doing for your Mother on Mother’s Day?  Let us know on our Facebook page; we always love hearing from you!

Photo by David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Have a happy birthday at Polo Glen!

The next time you or a loved one is celebrating a birthday at Polo Glen, you can take advantage of our wonderful community amenities or have a lovely party in the comfort of your own beautiful apartment!  Our proximity to Florida’s beautiful beaches only adds to the options for a truly memorable birthday celebration.

For a fun, low-stress birthday at Polo Glen, invite your friends over to a cookout at our community gas grill and BBQ area.  You can then take a dip in our heated swimming pool and send your kids to have a great time at our playground.  Afterwards, retreat to your luxury apartment for a delicious birthday cake or funky cake pops and continue to enjoy the lovely Florida weather on your screened patio or balcony.

If you want a bit more adventure, venture outside of Polo Glen and take advantage of the entertainment that Rockledge and its neighboring cities have to offer!  Head down to Cocoa to spend a day with friends in the surf and sun and then enjoy the party scene at Coconuts on the Beach, Cocoa’s top party spot!  If you want a quieter dinner out with friends, try Rockledge’s amazing Thai Fuji restaurant and sushi bar; they’ve got a huge menu with a lot of variety, so you’re sure to find something you love!

How are you celebrating your next birthday?  Tell us on Facebook; we’d love to hear your ideas!

Photo by Dynamite Imagery / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whether you cook at home or go out to eat, enjoy great Mexican food this Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is coming up soon, and it’s time to start making plans!  Whether you want to spend the day within the comfort of your Polo Glen apartment or if you want to get out and enjoy the bar scene of Brevard County, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself this May 5!

If you have children, a kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration in your home might be a fun way to spend time with the whole family.  Fire up the stove in your beautiful kitchen and try these great Cinco de Mayo recipes from Taste of Home.  You can even serve non-alcoholic margaritas to your kids for a special treat.

For a great Cinco de Mayo activity to do with kids (or with friends connecting with their inner child) is the make a piñata.  WikiHow has compiled instructions on the process you can use to make and decorate your own piñata.  When it’s done you can fill it with candy, clear the breakables from your living room, attach it to a broom handle, and let your kids have at it.

If you’d rather spend your Cinco de Mayo at a bar or restaurant, there are plenty to choose from around Rockledge.  Chaparral Mexican Grill in Cocoa is one such option, featuring a wood pit grill from which you can get some great steaks in addition to the more traditional Mexican fare.  Prices are moderate and Happy Hour is all day until 6 PM.  Another option is El Tucan on Merritt Island, which has amazing food and a nice casual atmosphere full of personality.  Also on Merritt Island is Tijuana Flats, which is hosting a Cinco Stache Party with $2 Mexican beer specials.  Tijuana Flats is also a good option if you want to stay at home but don’t want to cook; if you order $100 in catering on May 4 and 5, you get a free $20 Gift Card.

How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo?  Tell us about your plans on our Facebook page; we’d love to hear about them!

Photo by megan.chromik

Enjoy carnival rides at the Indian River Festival!

Polo Glen residents can have even more fun along the Indian River this May!  On May 3 through May 6, you can enjoy unlimited rides and shows at the 37^th Annual Indian River Festival at Sand Point Park!  This Brevard County festival has been an annual feature of Florida’s Space Coast since the 1970s, and this year the festival is slashing prices to help make it easier for families to attend in this difficult economic climate.  Now, unlike every other year, a flat fee ticket of only $10 or $12 (depending on the day you attend) gets you unlimited access to all the rides and shows.

The Indian River Festival will have over 200 rides from North American Midway Entertainment, so unlimited rides will definitely go a long way.  Additionally, you can enjoy family-friendly games, live music, a family circus featuring dancing dogs and dueling motorcycles, a business showcase, arts and crafts for sale, a beer and wine garden, and a variety of international foods.  If you have a very strong stomach, you can even participate in the Hot Dog and Pie Eating Contests on Saturday at 3 PM.  You and your family also won’t want to miss the Great Brevard Duck Race!  “Adopt” a rubber duck for a donation to Crosswinds Youth Services, Inc. and watch your duck race to the finish line!

What part of the Indian River Festival are you most excited about?  Tell us on Facebook or in the comments below!

Photo by BJWOK / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Help to clear trash from the streets of Cocoa while enjoying live music and contests!

Residents of Polo Glen who are looking for a great way to give back to the community can participate in the City of Cocoa’s Trash Bash 2012: Great American Cleanup National Day of Service.  Join fellow Brevard County residents as we all work together to clean trash off the streets of Cocoa!

To help keep the Trash Bash fun for everyone, the City of Cocoa and Keep Brevard Beautiful will be providing entertainment, contest prizes, lunch, soda, and water to volunteers.  The first 400 people who register to participate in the Trash Bash also get a free Trash Bash t-shirt, so visit Taylor Park or pre-register online as soon as possible to increase your chances of being in the top 400.

This is a wonderful way to contribute to your community and have some fun at the same time.  It won’t take up too much of your day; the event only lasts from 8 AM to noon, leaving you a full afternoon to enjoy as you please with the added good feeling that comes of doing community service.  Be sure to grab a friend or come with family to make the day even more enjoyable; good company makes any job fun!

What is your favorite way to give back to the community?  Tell us about it on Facebook, and be sure to “Like” us while you’re there!

Photo by patpitchaya / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You're sure to find beautiful one-of-a-kind items at the Melbourne Art Festival!

The Melbourne Art Festival returns to Historic Downtown Melbourne on April 28!  Polo Glen residents should plan to attend this classic two-day Florida festival, which has been a part of the Melbourne events calendar for 28 years.  In that time, it has grown into a huge family-friendly arts extravaganza, attracting artists and visitors from across the country!

There are over 250 participating artists who are presenting and selling work at the festival.  Art will include oil, acrylic, water, graphics, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, digital media, jewelry, glass, wood, and ceramics.  There will be a huge variety of art to view, shop, and buy, so you’re sure to find something you love!  This is also a great opportunity to stock up on gifts for loved ones; unique handcrafted gifts mean so much more than something mass-produced from the store.

Art is not the only thing the Melbourne Art Festival has to offer its visitors!  The festival kicks off with the 5K Flamingo Run starting at 7:30 AM.  If you register for the race by April 20^th, the fee is $25 or $23 a person in a team of 5 or more.  After April 20^th, team registration closes and the price goes up to $30 for runners.

There will also be free workshops taught throughout the festival, which include an airbrush workshop, a jewelry workshop, and a drawing workshop.  Stop by the Art Workshop tent at the beginning of the festival to sign up for any workshops you want to attend.

Live music will play throughout the event, provided by local and regional musicians like Stompbox Steve, Staring Blind, the Georgia Satellites, and Penny Creek.

Melbourne has not forgotten the kids, either!  At the Art Festival, children aged 3 through 12 can enjoy KidsWorld, an arts and crafts center with hands-on demonstrations, crafts, face painting, experiments, and performances.  These activities are free, but do require adult accompaniment.

The whole festival is free to attend.  It opens at 8 AM on both Saturday and Sunday and runs until 10 PM on Saturday and 5 PM on Sunday, so there is plenty of time to explore this huge festival with your family!

Share your Melbourne Art Festival experience with us on Facebook; we’d love to hear about your favorite parts of the festival!

Photo by Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net