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"Artemis II Mission Launch Preps, Florida's Mold Problem, Toddler Rescue on Highway, Rocket Launches & Housing Market Updates!"

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The Space Coast Spotlight

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"Artemis II Mission Launch Preps, Florida's Mold Problem, Toddler Rescue on Highway, Rocket Launches & Housing Market Updates!"

"Artemis II Mission Launch Preps, Florida's Mold Problem, Toddler Rescue on Highway, Rocket Launches & Housing Market Updates!"
"Artemis II Crew Prepares for Lunar Mission, Florida's Mold Problem, Driver Saves Toddlers, Rocket Launches, Tin Whiskey Flavor, Coolidge's Sleep Schedule, Housing Market Growth, Real Estate Snapshot, New Construction Homes - Best Deals Await! 🌟"

Larry Fleckinger

Jan 29, 2026

 

The Artemis II crew — NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen — has entered pre-launch quarantine, aiming to ensure peak health before their ambitious journey around the Moon.

 

This mandated isolation, starting two weeks before liftoff, limits outside contact and safeguards the mission against illness-related delays.

 

No official launch date has been confirmed yet, though NASA currently targets February 6, 2026, contingent on upcoming critical system tests, including a wet dress rehearsal for the Space Launch System rocket.

 

Artemis II marks the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972, with the Orion spacecraft set for a 10-day journey around the Moon and back, testing technology vital for future Mars missions.

 

The crew recently completed a full launch rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center, further honing teamwork and procedures.

 

The mission highlights international cooperation and renewed excitement as humanity prepares to return to lunar exploration.


Read More...
The article discusses Florida's widespread mold problem, which is exacerbated by the state's humid climate and frequent storms.

Mold thrives in damp environments and can pose health risks to residents, especially those with allergies or respiratory issues.

The state's contractors and builders are being urged to focus on preventing mold growth in new construction projects to address this persistent issue.

Read More...

Click Here for Dash Cam Video of Rescue!

 

On January 11, 2026, John Brittingham acted decisively after spotting two toddlers standing alone on busy Route A1A in Brevard County.

 

Brittingham immediately stopped his car, ran into traffic, and signaled vehicles to pause.

 

He quickly scooped up both children, carrying them to safety on the sidewalk.

 

A devoted father and grandfather, Brittingham later shared how deeply frightened he was, worrying about what might have happened to the children.

 

He searched nearby and discovered an open gate at a local rental home.

 

The toddlers’ family, completely unaware the children had slipped away, expressed heartfelt gratitude for his quick response.

 

No injuries were reported, and authorities were not called to the scene.


Read More...

Trivia Question❓

In what year was Brevard County, Florida officially established?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

On This Day in History — January 29

January 29 — On This Day in History

  • 1820 — King George III of Great Britain dies at Windsor Castle at age 81.
  • 1845 — Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is first published in the New York Evening Mirror.
  • 1861 — Kansas becomes the 34th U.S. state, entering the Union as a free state.
  • 1891 — Liliʻuokalani is sworn in as Queen of Hawaiʻi, the kingdom’s first and only queen.
  • 1996 — Venice’s historic Teatro La Fenice opera house is devastated by fire.
  • 2002 — President George W. Bush introduces the phrase “axis of evil” in his State of the Union address.
 

Space Coast Weekend Events:

January 29 – February 1, 2026

Cape Canaveral

Local calendars, venues, and libraries to check this weekend
Event | Map

Cocoa Beach

1st Annual SPORTS! Pub Crawl in Downtown Cocoa Beach
Saturday, January 31, 2026 (5:00 PM–10:00 PM)
Starts at Salty Sisters (Downtown Cocoa Beach)
A themed pub crawl with drink stops, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing benefiting area homeless veterans.
Event | Map

Indialantic

Uncover Your Authentic Essence: Year of the Fire Horse
Friday, January 30, 2026 (6:00 PM–10:00 PM)
Connected Spine (Indialantic)
An immersive evening blending yoga, meditation, sound & energy therapy, and bodywork designed to help you reset and realign.
Event | Map

Melbourne

Brevard County Farmers Market (Wickham Park)
Thursday, January 29, 2026 (3:00 PM–6:00 PM)
Wickham Park (Melbourne)
Weekly market with local produce, artisan goods, and community vendors at Wickham Park.
Event | Map

Space Coast Food & Wine Festival
Saturday, January 31, 2026 (3:00 PM–6:00 PM)
Downtown Melbourne Waterfront
An elevated culinary celebration featuring tastings from local restaurants plus wine, craft drinks, and live entertainment downtown.
Event | Map

Merritt Island

13th Annual Super Bowl of Trivia
Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Doors 5:00 PM | Trivia 6:00 PM)
Merritt Island Moose Lodge #2073
Team trivia night fundraiser—bring a team of 8 or join one on site; proceeds support the Women’s Center of Brevard.
Event | Map

Meet an Astronaut: Woody Spring
Thursday–Saturday, January 29–31, 2026
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Merritt Island)
Included with admission: meet-and-greet opportunities and scheduled appearances with astronaut Woody Spring during your visit.
Event | Map

Mims

Local calendars, venues, and libraries to check this weekend
Event | Map

Palm Bay

Saturday Sunset Social (Paddle)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Time varies; call ahead)
Paddling Paradise (Palm Bay)
A casual sunset paddle open to the public; rentals available—call ahead for reservations and latest timing details.
Event | Map

Port St. John

Local calendars, venues, and libraries to check this weekend
Event | Map

Rockledge

Local calendars, venues, and libraries to check this weekend
Event | Map

Satellite Beach

REZA: Edge of Illusion (Live Show)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 (3:00 PM)
Satellite High School Performing Arts Center (Satellite Beach)
A high-energy, family-friendly illusion show featuring large-scale magic, audience favorites, and theatrical effects.
Event | Map

Titusville

Local calendars, venues, and libraries to check this weekend
Event | Map

Viera

Garden Bros Nuclear Circus (Space Coast Daily Park)
Thursday–Sunday, January 29 – February 1, 2026 (Multiple showtimes)
Space Coast Daily Park (Viera)
Touring big-top circus with acrobatics, comedy, and family-friendly spectacle; choose from several showtimes across the weekend.
Event | Map

Creative Croissants with Sur la Table (The Avenue Viera)
Friday, January 30, 2026 (9:00 AM–11:00 AM)
The Avenue Viera (Sur La Table)
Hands-on baking class focused on flaky croissant techniques plus flavored variations.
Event | Map

Essential Mexican Flavors with Sur la Table (The Avenue Viera)
Friday, January 30, 2026 (1:00 PM–3:00 PM)
The Avenue Viera (Sur La Table)
Cooking class exploring chiles and classic dishes (plus a chile-inspired dessert) in a guided, hands-on setting.
Event | Map

Brevard County (County-wide)

Local events calendars to browse for Jan 29 – Feb 1
Event | Map

 
Quote Of The Day

"Don't wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect. Start enjoying your life right now!"

 

🚀 Space Coast Rocket Launches (FL) 

January 29– February 6, 2026

Space Coast Rocket Launches (KSC + Cape Canaveral)

Weekly window: 1/29/2026–2/6/2026 (All times listed in Eastern Time). Schedules can shift quickly, so treat these as the latest published targets.

Thursday, January 29, 2026 (window runs into early Jan 30)

11:00 PM ET (window opens)

Rocket/Provider: SpaceX Falcon 9
Launch Site: SLC-40 (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station)
Mission: Starlink 6-101
Payload: 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized internet satellites (LEO)

Sunday, February 1, 2026

6:04 PM ET (window opens)

Rocket/Provider: SpaceX Falcon 9
Launch Site: SLC-40 (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station)
Mission: Starlink 6-103
Payload: 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized internet satellites (LEO)

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

3:45 AM ET

Rocket/Provider: SpaceX Falcon 9
Launch Site: SLC-40 (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station)
Mission: Starlink 6-104
Payload: 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized internet satellites (LEO)

Friday, February 6, 2026

9:41 PM ET (NET / No Earlier Than)

Rocket/Provider: NASA SLS Block 1
Launch Site: LC-39B (Kennedy Space Center)
Mission: Artemis II
Payload: Crewed Orion spacecraft (4 astronauts) on a ~10-day lunar flyby mission around the Moon and back

 

Hometown Flavor Shines at Tin Whiskey

If you’re wandering through Cocoa Village looking for good food, good people, and music that hits just right, look no further than Tin Whiskey Southern Kitchen & Still.

This local gem took the heart of Murdock’s Southern Bistro and poured it into a fresh new space that feels like home with a little extra shine. The menu is loaded with Southern comfort favorites — the kind of dishes that make you slow down and savor every bite. Pair it with one of their creative cocktails or a whiskey flight, and you’ve got yourself a night to remember.

There’s live music, friendly vibes, and that familiar Cocoa charm that reminds you why small-town dining hits different. Whether you’re here for a casual dinner or just drinks with friends, Tin Whiskey knows how to make every visit feel special.

📍 Tin Whiskey Southern Kitchen & Still
3 Forrest Ave, Cocoa, FL

Visit tinwhiskey.com

 

When the President Hit Snooze: Calvin Coolidge’s Legendary Sleep Schedule

President Calvin Coolidge, the 30th leader of the United States from 1923 to 1929, wasn’t just known for his reserved demeanor and economical use of words — he was also arguably one of the sleepiest presidents in American history. Rather than burning the midnight oil, “Silent Cal” famously embraced rest as part of his presidential routine, and in his case, that meant a lot of it.

Coolidge typically retired to bed around 10:00 p.m. and rose between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., giving him a solid 9–11 hours of night-time sleep. But Coolidge didn’t stop there. Each afternoon, he would squeeze in a long nap — sometimes lasting two to four hours — padding his total sleep time to roughly 11 hours a day on average.

While that might sound like a enviable vacation schedule, it was just Coolidge’s way of doing things. When asked how he managed such a hefty sleep quota while leading a nation, Coolidge reportedly quipped that when he was asleep, he “couldn’t mess anything up” — a charming nod to his unflappable temperament.

Not everyone saw excessive sleep as purely a positive. Some later biographers have linked Coolidge’s heavy sleeping to personal grief — especially after the tragic death of his son in 1924 — and the emotional toll it took on him. During that period, some accounts suggest he could sleep even more, with reports of him sleeping up to 15 hours in a 24-hour period during his deepest bouts of melancholy.

But in the mainstream historical snapshot, Coolidge’s sleep habits remain light-hearted presidential lore: a leader with a strict daily cadence that included plenty of rest, measured conservatism in speech — and a belief that a well-rested president is, well, less likely to talk too much. His approach might be the ultimate antidote to today’s hustle culture: sometimes, a good nap might be the quietest — and most effective — way to lead.

According to exclusive data from Homes.com, several housing markets in the US are leading the nation in price growth.

Cities such as Boise, Idaho; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Spokane, Washington are experiencing significant increases in home prices.

Factors contributing to this trend include a combination of low inventory, high demand, and historically low mortgage rates.

Experts predict that these markets will continue to see steady growth in the near future.

Read More...

Real Estate Snapshot – Brevard County (still no change)🙂

• 📉 Home Prices: Median listing prices remain around $375,000, showing slight softening compared to last year.
• 📆 Days on Market: Homes typically stay listed for 75–84 days, keeping the area in a balanced market.
• 📈 Buyer Activity: Lower mortgage rates have boosted affordability and increased pending sales.

 

📦 Inventory & Market Dynamics

• Active inventory remains above 5,300 homes, giving buyers strong selection across the county.
• Seasonal trends and rate improvements indicate rising momentum heading into early 2026.
• Cash buyers remain influential, especially in coastal and retiree-preferred markets.

 

💸 Updated Mortgage Rate Ranges

• 🏦 Conventional: 5.625% – 6.375%
• 🏢 Jumbo: 5.875% – 6.25%
• 🪖 FHA / VA: 5.49% – 6.375%
• 🏠 Down Payment Assistance: 5.75% – 7.99%

 

📍 Local Highlight: Melbourne Area

• 💵 Median Price: Approximately $407,000–$410,000, slightly lower than last year.
• 🏘️ Market Trend: Homes continue selling at a normal pace, though many close below list price due to inventory competition.

✨ Summary

• Lower mortgage rates + high inventory = improved buyer affordability and strong negotiating conditions.
• Sellers still benefit from steady demand, especially when pricing competitively in current market conditions.

Potential Home Investment Deal of The Week!

Why? 166 Days On Market, Vacant Home, Multiple Price Reductions, All of Which Point to a Motivated Seller. Reach out to me and "Let's Make A Deal"
Larry 321-693-0771 or FindLarry@gmail.com

New Construction Homes in Brevard County, FL — Prices Still Dropping, Buyer Incentives and Lower Interest Rates!

(STILL THE BEST DEALS)

View ALL New Construction Homes In Brevard! https://NewHomesBrevard.com.

 
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
Brevard County, Florida was officially established on March 14, 1844.
 
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