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Brevard Business BBN News Vol. 27 No. 36 September 7, 2009 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine BCC Space & Astronomy lectures set to open with ‘Moon, Mars and Stars’ Cape Canaveral. I was thinking of how we By Ken Datzman could tap into this concentration of talent, this ‘super IQ,’ and bridge the gap between Brevard Community College is tapping aerospace, astronomy and technology, and into the growing, worldwide interest of engage the community, students, and astronomy in 2009, in a timely fashion, as families in a public setting. So, we have well as space exploration, through a new established the series at the perfect time, cutting–edge public lecture series. during the International Year of As- Experts from aerospace and astronomy tronomy. We are celebrating a major will dissect the latest industry issues and event,” she added. their impact on the Space Coast in six The series will cover a range of subjects, unique lectures spread over the school from the future of space exploration to year. The discussions will be framed in space tourism and entrepreneurial non–technical language. opportunities to President John F. To celebrate the “International Year of Kennedy’s legacy of America’s space Astronomy 2009,” BCC has put together, program. To gain input for the series, Dr. under the direction of acclaimed astro- Terenzi created a Space and Astronomy physicist Fiorella Terenzi, a “Space and Lecture Series Board of Advisers. Astronomy Lecture Series” that the school The board includes representatives from will host at 7 p.m. on the second Friday of Florida Tech, University of Central Florida, each month throughout the 2009–2010 BCC, NASA, National Space Club, Space academic year. Florida, Brevard Astronomical Society, BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth “We live on the Space Coast, where BCC SpaceTEC, Canaveral Council of people in aerospace are doing pioneering Technical Societies, Florida Academy of BCC will open its new Space and Astronomy Lecture Series Sept. 4 at the school’s Planetarium and work,” said Dr. Terenzi, a BCC physics and Sciences, and the American Institute of Observatory in Cocoa. The series is free of charge and open to the public. The program will feature astronomy professor and founder of the Aeronautics and Astronautics. six presentations that run through spring 2010. BCC’s Dr. Fiorella Terenzi, an astrophysicist who has an international reputation in her profession, created the series. Mark Howard is director of BCC’s Space and Astronomy Lecture Series. Planetarium, one of the few facilities of its kind in the nation housed on a college campus. “Astronauts can go to the moon from Please see “Moon, Mars and Stars,” page 19 Millions of people are hanging up landlines to go wireless–only whether out of laziness, safety concerns, were wireless–only in December, and “I have both a landline and a cell phone, By Gina Kim sound quality, cell phone costs, or simply another 15 percent said they took most and every time I pay that landline bill I Scripps Howard Service tradition. calls on cell phones instead of landlines, wonder why,” said Stephen Blumberg, an “It’s a fixture in the house, kind of like according to the CDC’s National Center for NCHS senior scientist. Millions of cost–cutting Americans are the refrigerator,” said technology analyst Health Statistics. Just 17 percent of Blumberg fell into tracking phone use in asking: Ditch the landline phone and go Larry Magid. “It’s just there, it’s reliable, households had a landline without a cell completely wireless, or keep paying two it’s wired and glued in place because of the phone. Please see Landlines, page 16 bills for dependability and peace of mind? cord, and there’s no meter on it.” Many have already clipped the cord. There were 270 million cell phones in Wireless–only households have use in December 2008, the most recent INC. NEWS, surpassed those solely dependent on figure available from the CTIA–The BUSINESS BREVARD landlines, according to the Centers for Wireless Association trade group. That’s up PAID Disease Control and Prevention, which from 110 million in 2000. It means 87 POSTAGE US tracks the information. percent of Americans have a phone they STANDARD Still, some won’t give up on their take everywhere, the group found. PRESORTED landline with its comforting dial tone, More than 20 percent of households BBN DIGEST Harris Corp. donates $140,000 to Brevard Schools Foundation VIERA — Melbourne–based Harris Corp. has donated $140,000 to the Brevard Schools Foundation through the Community Foundation of Brevard. Harris Corp. donated the funds to support art and science fairs, staff development for teachers and adminis- trators, “Science Saturday” programs at elementary schools, robotics, “Odyssey of the Mind,” “Future Problem Founders Forum Solvers,” and other programs. “Harris Corp. is committed to support quality education in our community,” said Howard Lance, chairman, president and CEO. “Through our gift to the Brevard new ad emailed Schools Foundation we enable new educational initiatives, encourage the involvement of Harris employees in mentoring students, and sponsor teacher–enrichment initiatives.” Harris Corp. has a long history of supporting Brevard Public Schools through BSF. “We truly value the support that we receive from Harris Corp.,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Binggeli. “We depend on our business partners to help provide the funds that allow us to continue to excel as a school district. This donation will have a tremendous impact on thousands of students.” “This grant to the Brevard County Schools Foundation will accrue many very real benefits to the children of Brevard County. Harris Corp. is an extraordinary commu- nity benefactor and has recommended this grant,” said Gary Lang, president of the Community Foundation of Brevard. “Grants like this are just one of the many reasons the CFB and its board are proud to be the custodian of the Harris Charitable Fund and our relationship with Harris,” Lang added. Brevard Schools Foundation directly supports Brevard County Public Schools. The foundation provides scholar- ships, school supplies, mentoring programs, “Space Week” activities, classroom grants and other direct support designed to enhance education. The foundation welcomes financial contributions or in–kind gifts of goods or services. Artemis For more information, call 633–1000, extension 756, or Luce visit www.bsf.brevardschools.org. pick up BBN Haugen awarded Kahn Scholarship next in series 8-24-09 Brevard Community College graduate Brittany Haugen has been awarded the Lucille H. Kahn Scholarship, which page 2 is presented to deserving students. The scholarship, awarded by the American Association of University Women, is offered through the Brevard Community College Foundation Inc. to a graduate of a South Brevard high school and BCC AA degree graduate. Kahn was a journalist and publisher of “The Times,” a Melbourne newspaper. An activist for women’s rights, she died in 1997 and bequeathed the bulk of her estate to the BCC Browning’s Pharmacy & Health Care Foundation Inc. as a legacy to encourage students to continue their education in journalism and other profes- • Home Medical Equipment and Supplies • RespiratoryBrownings Equipment and Supplies sions. The scholarship includes three–fourths of the total • Power Wheelchairs and Seating cost of education, which covers room, board, tuition and We specializepick in upfinding BBN what you need books, up to $50,000, for two academic years. The money allows students to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a college or 8-31-09 (321) 725-6320 university in the United States. The AAUW scholarship 141 E. Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, Florida 32901 committee selects the recipient based upon the student’s page 8 career goals, academic record and financial need. BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2 Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 BBN DIGEST Melbourne Beach couple’s bequest endows Tech astronomy programs After remembering family members in their will, James and Sara Ortega of Melbourne Beach left the balance of their estate, valued at $2.5 million, to Florida Institute of Technology. Ortega, who died in October 2008, outlived his wife Sara by just one week. He was already well known to the university. In Quality 2004, James Ortega donated $150,000 to augment funding for what today is the Ortega 0.8–meter reflect- ing telescope, the largest research telescope in Florida. In June the university received more than $600,000 pick up BBN of the bequest to initiate the Ortega Endowment for Astronomy and Astrophysics. The endowment will fund '10 GMC Acadia SLE '09 Solstice8-17-09 Street Edition '09 Buick Enclave CXL scholarships, fellowships and research opportunities for Silver, Brand New, Great Price! Orange, New! Auto, Loaded! Red, New, Loaded with Options! the Department of Physics and Space Sciences. MSRP$35,090 Stk# G1001 MSRP$,$31,350page 3 Stk# P9098 MSRP$46,575, Stk# B9059 “This gives the department a giant boost,” said Only$33,288 Only$27,938 Onlynly$42,575 Kenneth Stackpoole, senior vice president for advance- ment. “Dr. Ortega’s gift is a great example of how someone can leave an estate to a good cause while also taking care of family members.” Terry Oswalt, head of the Florida Tech Department '09 Buick B i k Lucerne L CXL FULL'09 Pontiac COLOR G3 '09 Pontiac G8 Sedan of Physics and Space Sciences, spent a great deal of time with Ortega in recent years. He said, “Although he was a White, New, Leather, Loaded! Yellow, Brand New, Great Price! Blue, Brand New, Must Test Drive! MSRP$34,540 Stk# B9046 MSRP$15,650, Stk# P9106 MSRP$31,945 Stk# P9082 professor at the University of Virginia for many years, Only$32,020 Onlynly$13,150$13,150 Only$25,478 Dr.