This little-known natural treasure, created along with Kennedy Space Center in 1963, offers small groups an extraordinary outing.
By John Buchanan
Even though the Space Coast boasts some of the most spectacular biodiversity and natural splendor of any place in the world, it comes as a surprise to learn that one of its most spectacular natural attractions came as a quiet gift to the public from the same vision that created the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
Situated on 140,000 acres as an overlay to KSC, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, showcases a range of habitats, including coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries and marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. Together, those delicately interconnected habitats provide a year-round or seasonal home for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. Among the most popular (and common) encounters are migratory birds, alligators, otters and bald eagles. Continue reading ‘Unique attraction: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge’
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Melbourne, this eclectic new restaurant offers something different for meetings
By John Buchanan
Historic Downtown Melbourne, a charming enclave of upscale dining and shopping options, offers an ever-growing list of restaurant alternatives. But few have generated as much praise or local popularity as Matt’s Casbah, which opened last year on a prime corner.
“We’re not your everyday restaurant,” says general manager Shane Dean. “We offer a very wide range of cutting-edge, Pacific Rim-style food. But there’s something unique and different about what we offer. There is no limit to the range of creative options and packages we can put together. We’re not the type of place that just hands you a menu list and says, ‘Here’s what we have to offer.’ We work closely with planners. And based on what their budget it, we put together something that is truly unusual and memorable. We get very creative.”
For example, for a recent group of 90 attendees, Matt’s Casbah staged a reception on its outdoor, 2,200 sq. ft. deck that featured a four-course wine-and-tapas menu. Continue reading ‘Dining out: Matt’s Casbah’