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Florida’s Space Coast Fast Facts

Description: The Space Coast boasts 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the

state. The year-round warm weather, steady waves and world-class surf shops have earned the area the designation as the East Coast surfing capital of the United States. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region obtained its name from its historic relationship with the nation’s space program.

Located: The Space Coast is located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando and is Orlando’s

closest beach. Nature/Wildlife: There are more than 250 square miles (647 square km) of wildlife refuge,

where Florida’s beautiful and rare creatures live. Bird nesting areas are found throughout the Indian River Lagoon. The beaches are home to a variety of sea turtle nesting areas.

Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the area is within close proximity to 40 sites

on the Great Florida Birding Trail and is a perfect place to watch for migrating species. The country’s most popular birding festival, the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, is held here each January.

On kayaking excursions, visitors can view pods of dolphins or herds of

manatees. Destination Highlights: 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state; Kayaking and Air

Boat Rides; attractions such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Cocoa Beach Surf Co.; Historic Downtowns of Melbourne, Cocoa Village, Titusville and the Eau Gallie Arts District; Port Canaveral, where Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney cruise ships dock.

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Florida’s Space Coast, P2 Special Events: Festivals and special events are abundant on the Space Coast. Art festivals,

surfing contests, golf tournaments and cultural events, including plays and Broadway productions are available throughout the year. For more information, visit www.artsbrevard.org.

Attractions/Art: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the top space attraction in the

United States. It features two IMAX theaters; the Shuttle Launch Experience; the Rocket Garden, showcasing historic NASA rockets, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which features rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Some other noted attractions include boat rides like the Indian River Queen paddleboat, ideal for large groups and reunions and Museum Row in Titusville, where the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, the American Police Hall of Fame Museum and the Space Walk of Fame Museum are located. Other area attractions include the Brevard Zoo, Sebastian Inlet, Cocoa Beach Pier and Historic Downtown Areas.

Shopping, dining and history: The Space Coast boasts approximately 1,450 restaurants. Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint area for shopping for everything

from antiques to clothing; along with great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual. Historic Downtown Melbourne, which dates back to the early 1900s and has been recently revitalized to feature a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. There are fun nightlife options catering to every taste. Downtown Titusville, established in 1850, has a range of restaurants and interesting historic markers. One of the oldest communities on the Indian River, this nostalgic area features arts and crafts shops, clothing boutiques and nearby riverside parks. It also features the North Brevard Historical Museum, where visitors can learn about the remarkable first families that settled Titusville and take a unique look into the industries that supported the early Florida pioneers.

Accommodations: More than 10,000 guest rooms including hotels, motels, beach rentals as well

as condominiums and rental homes. Meeting space: More than 100,000 square feet (9,000 square meters) of meeting space. Campgrounds: There are 2,500 campground and RV park sites.

Access by Car: Interstate 95 (I-95) runs north and south through the area. The Beach Line

Expressway (SR-528) connects from Orlando to the west. Airport Access: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is serviced by most major airlines.

Melbourne International Airport (MLB) offers Delta Air Lines and US Airways. Baer Air offers flights to the Bahamas, as well as charter service. Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) services a number of charter and commercial domestic and international flights.

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Florida’s Space Coast, P3

Weather: Winter – High 73° F (23° C) to Low 54° F (12° C) Spring –High 82° F (28° C) to Low 59° F (15° C) Summer – High 91° F (33° C) to Low 72° F (22° C) Fall – High 82° F (28° C) to Low 64° F (18° C)

About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast.

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From Ship to Space to Shore, Florida’s Space Coast Boasts an Exciting Variety of

Vacation Options SPACE COAST, Fla. – Visitors who drive the ocean side road that stretches along the 72 miles (110 km) of Florida’s Space Coast’s untamed beaches quickly realize that this destination is different from any other Florida destination. Located just 35 miles east (56 km) of Orlando – making it Orlando’s closest beach – the Space Coast is a nature-lover’s paradise; home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; the East Coast surfing capital of the United States; a burgeoning center for the arts and much more! As the only place in the country where visitors witnessed the 135 space shuttle launches, the countdown to a memorable vacation begins with a trip to the Space Coast, where the end of the shuttle program ushered in a new era in tourism. The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the center of America's space program. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the KSC Visitor Complex each year to see everything from the Rocket Garden, which displays NASA's early space crafts, to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which houses the rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon. At the KSC Visitor Center, there are two IMAX theaters; a life-size replica of a space shuttle that guests can tour and the Shuttle Launch Experience, an attraction designed by astronauts which gives guests the feeling they are actually taking off in a shuttle. As of 2013, visitors can also get a first hand encounter with the retired shuttle Atlantis at the Atlantis Experience. Additionally, each day, guests get the rare opportunity to meet veteran astronauts from NASA’s Astronaut Corps. Guests continue to flock to Kennedy Space Center to witness rocket launches, as private companies with NASA contracts now take to the sky with commercial launches throughout the year. The destination's diversity continues to blossom with something for virtually every traveler to enjoy: Canaveral National Seashore is the northernmost beach. As one of the last undeveloped beaches on the East Coast, visitors can experience a unique undisturbed ocean side park. Port Canaveral is the region’s popular home to Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. One of the busiest ports in the world, it’s the site where guests from all over the world come to embark on 3-, 4- and 7-day voyages to the Bahamas, eastern Caribbean or Mexico's Gulf resorts. The port also provides scenic views and great seafood restaurants such as: Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster

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Florida’s Space Coast, P2 Bar, Grill’s Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, Milliken’s Reef and Baja Tavern and Eats. The area’s Snooze & Cruise program offers convenient parking and transportation for cruise passengers staying over at local hotels. Cocoa Beach is recognized as the East Coast surfing capital of the U.S. The beach’s steady waves, warm weather and world-class surf shops attract all levels of surfers year round. Eleven-time world-champion surfer Kelly Slater, who was born and raised in Cocoa Beach, learned his craft on these beaches. It also is home to the famed Ron Jon Surf Shop as well as Cocoa Beach Surf Co., the world’s largest surfing complex. At the Cocoa Beach Pier, where numerous world-renowned surf competitions take place, visitors can visit a variety of restaurants, shops and bars. Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint district where shoppers can find everything from antique stores to eclectic clothing. Those who want a culinary treat can sample great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual. Art lovers can’t miss the Eau Gallie Arts District. A cozy downtown area anchored by the Foosaner Art Museum. The district is the place to find great art, art supplies and adorable antiques. Trendy boutiques and a cool nightlife define Historic Downtown Melbourne. Since the 1900s, it has been where the young as well as young-at-heart come to have a great time. Pubs and night spots line the downtown, and restaurants are aplenty! Downtown Titusville, established in 1850, has a range of restaurants and interesting historic markers. One of the oldest communities on the Indian River, this nostalgic area features arts and crafts shops, clothing boutiques and nearby riverside parks. It also features the North Brevard Historical Museum, where visitors can learn about the remarkable first families that settled Titusville and take a unique look into the industries that supported the early Florida pioneers. Within one mile of downtown is the Titusville Municipal Marina, featuring a ships store and a large seawall for viewing manatees and other marine life. Visitors can enjoy a walking tour which reveals the area’s history on descriptive panels located along public walkways. Families will enjoy an array of activities for the kids, from the expansive “Paws On” exhibit at the Brevard Zoo to hands-on discovery at The Dinosaur Store, complete with an Egyptian-themed dig site. Local museums, including a planetarium, are also favorite stops for those with little ones in tow. And for nature enthusiasts, the Space Coast has more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge as well as bird and sea turtle nesting areas and manatee and dolphin habitats. Foodies can choose from 1,450 restaurants on the Space Coast, offering a range of options from upscale dining on the ocean to cozy hometown eateries. Because the Space Coast has so much to see, visitors can visit the new website www.spacecoasthiddengems.com to pick out self-guided adventure tours complete with an itinerary, map and descriptions of some unique and often undiscovered destination treasures. Taking the expertise and insights of local residents, historians and other experts, the Hidden Gems initiative was created so visitors can discover highlights they may have otherwise overlooked. The current adventures are focused on wildlife, space or history, but many more will be added over time.

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Florida’s Space Coast, P3 Including hotels, motels, beach rentals and condominiums, the destination boasts more than 10,000 guest rooms. And don’t forget the weather! Visitors love the year-round Florida sunshine, which makes the destination an ideal respite from not-too-ideal temperatures at home. No matter where you turn, there’s something for everyone along Florida’s Space Coast! About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast.

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Explore History, Nature and Culture on Florida’s Space Coast

SPACE COAST, Fla. – The Space Coast has numerous activities for history buffs, nature enthusiasts and those looking for culture along Florida’s East Coast. History From space to military to local history, the Space Coast offers a variety of options for visitors to experience and explore some of the most significant aspects of the nation’s treasured heritage. As home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the region makes U.S. history as the only place in the country where visitors can see a live space shuttle launch. At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the nation’s space history can be further explored at the Rocket Garden, showcasing historic NASA rockets; the Apollo/Saturn V Center, featuring rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, where the sights, sounds and experiences of famed astronauts are captured and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia is located. Nearby, the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum is the first and only walk in the nation which honors America's astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes of the space program. It features shuttle launch memorabilia and an outdoor park comprised of monuments dedicated to U.S. space missions. Most notable is the intricate Apollo monument which took 10 years to construct. Guests will enjoy unique finds like x-rays of boots that went to the moon and actual pieces from a shuttle. Best of all, visitors have the rare opportunity to actually touch the showcased items, including consoles from past shuttles. To celebrate our nation’s military history, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville showcases a range of historic airplanes and aircraft from World War II to current day. Valiant Air Command is comprised of a group of volunteers who assembled the museum as a tribute to the valiant pilots who flew over the years. The organization is known for its excellence in the promotion of aerial shows featuring military aircraft. Each year, the Valiant Air Command holds its TICO Warbird Air Show and guests are treated to three days of performances by pilots guiding a range of military craft ranging from F-15, Corsairs and P-51s to FM-1 Wildcats and C-47 Skytrains.

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Florida’s Space Coast, P2 The American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville is the nation's first national police museum and memorial dedicated to American law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science showcases the Space Coast’s unique place in history as home to some of the earliest inhabitants in the United States, as well as America's space program. Visitors can explore colorful dioramas depicting the region from the days of woolly mammoths and saber tooth cats to the modem era of rockets and space shuttles. Guests can also handle fossils, specimens and artifacts from the animals and cultures that lived in central east coast Florida over many thousands of years. Nature The Space Coast has more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. Foot, automobile, kayak or bicycle can explore the area’s natural treasures with guided and unguided tours. Along the Indian River Lagoon, there are bird nesting areas as well as manatee and dolphin habitats. The beaches are home to sea turtle nesting areas. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the area is within close proximity to 40 sites on the Great Florida Birding Trail and is a perfect place to watch for migrating species. The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, the country’s most popular birding festival, is held here each January. Some exciting options to explore the area’s natural side include: the 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where a seven-mile journey provides views of a wide array of animals found in the marshes and a special viewing area is available to observe manatees; The Maritime Hammock Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach, where there’s a hiking trail, boardwalk over wetlands and an observation deck over a marsh pond; Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, a coveted five-acre mangrove island in the Indian River Lagoon recognized as America’s first wildlife refuge; the Jordan Scrub Sanctuary in Malabar, ideal for spotting bald eagles; the Viera Wetlands, a 200-acre wetland system accessible by car and an ideal locale for waterfowl and wildlife viewing. Turtle enthusiasts can also join the Sea Turtle Preservation Society for a nighttime Turtle Walk along the area’s beaches in June and July to discover nesting areas for various species of sea turtles. Culture The Space Coast boasts more than 20 cultural venues, including museums, playhouses and cultural centers. The destination features more than 100 events each year, providing year-round options for guests to explore. Cultural enthusiasts can discover the area’s resident symphony orchestra, theatre companies and enjoy dance, touring Broadway shows and other performances at the Henegar Center, King Center and Melbourne Civic Theatre. The Brevard Cultural Alliance is responsible for building and sustaining a vibrant and dynamic arts and cultural sector of Florida’s Space Coast. As the official arts agency for the destination, the organization offers resources to provide insight and access to the area’s vast arts and cultural programming. Visitors looking for details on the destination’s offerings can take advantage of the organization’s Cultural Concierge program for planning or booking performances or rely on these local arts and cultural experts for general insight into the Space Coast arts and cultural scene. Whether visitors prefer history, cultural activities, nature or all three, the Space Coast is an ideal destination for a fulfilling vacation experience. About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches- -more-

Florida’s Space Coast, P3

-the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast.

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Get into the Surfing Lifestyle in Cocoa Beach

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Steady waves, year-round warm weather and world-class surf shops are a few reasons why Cocoa Beach has become recognized as the East Coast surfing capital of the United States. Every year, thousands of surfers from across the globe visit Cocoa Beach to experience the same waves where some of the best surfers in the world learned their craft, including 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, who was born and raised in Cocoa Beach. The destination also is home to numerous surf shops and surfing schools and camps. Among them is the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop as well as the world’s largest surf complex, Cocoa Beach Surf Co. Both feature the latest in surfboards, surf equipment and surf styles and offer lessons for beginners or those just looking to hone their skills. Getting a board and hitting the waves when it is a good day is one of the best things to do along Florida’s Space Coast. An ideal visit to the area definitely includes a surf session in Cocoa Beach. After experiencing the waves, surf enthusiasts can visit the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame to learn about the lessons and lore of the sport, when watermen – and women – took their heavy boards and paddled out to sea. Surf spectators should make a trip to the Cocoa Beach Pier, a surfing hot spot, where they can enjoy plenty of restaurants, shops and bars. The Pier also is a popular location for world-renowned surfing competitions including the Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival and National Kidney Foundation Labor Day Surfing Festival. There are plenty of area hotels near the ocean where visitors can spend the weekend surfing and relaxing. So make waves in Cocoa Beach! About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s- -more-

Florida’s Space Coast, P2

-busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast.

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Florida’s Space Coast Introduces Visitors to

“Hidden Gems” Local insiders and experts provide their insight into the destination’s natural, cultural and

historical treasures through new website and self-guided adventures

SPACE COAST, Fla. – Regarded for its 72-mile stretch of beach - Orlando’s closest beaches – as the East Coast surfing capital of the nation; for its 250 square miles of wildlife refuge; as home of one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; and as the location where all 135 space shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch, visitors to Florida’s Space Coast may think they’ve seen all the destination has to offer. But a new initiative from local residents and experts is giving visitors even more to explore. The new “Hidden Gems” program provides visitors an insider’s view of unique, often undiscovered destination treasures.

The initiative includes a website (www.spacecoasthiddengems.com), mobile site and printed guide sheets offered at local hotels, chambers of commerce and visitor centers, featuring self-guided destination adventures themed for wildlife encounters, history and space adventures. It is the result of a collaboration of a volunteer committee of local tourism leaders with local residents, photographers, historians and other experts, who unanimously agreed there was more to see and do in the Space Coast. “’Hidden Gems’ of the Space Coast takes the expertise and insights of our local experts and residents and presents it to our visitors so that they can discover some true highlights of the destination that they might not have uncovered on their own,” said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. “Not every destination can offer this type of firsthand insight from its residents.” Each adventure tour of “Hidden Gems” was developed through focus groups of local residents, experts, business people and officials. The tours guide visitors to some the Space Coast's most cherished natural and cultural possessions including The U.S. Space Walk of Fame, The Brevard Historical Museum and Sebastian Inlet State Park.

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Florida’s Space Coast, P2 "The spirit of Hidden Gems lies in the input from the local residents," said Laurilee Thompson, co-owner of Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant in Titusville and co-chair of the Hidden Gems committee, which led the project. "Hidden Gems offers insider tips on how to make the most of the experiences." Experts providing insider information included archeologists, historians, space historians, nature photographers, wildlife experts and endangered lands specialists. "Each of the first set of self-guided adventures released -- four wildlife encounters, two history adventures and one hands-on space history adventure -- was carefully cultivated and curated to provide not merely a surface description, but instead something very detailed and special," said Keith Winsten, executive director Brevard Zoo and co-chair, with Thompson, of the Hidden Gems committee. The Hidden Gems website, www.spacecoasthiddengems.com, offers visitors an interactive guide to these half- and full-day, adventures in the Space Coast. Visitors can also upload their own photos, offer their own insights about the adventures and use state-of-the-art mapping features to follow a suggested itinerary or create his or her own. The current self-guided adventures, which include wildlife, space and history adventures are just the beginning, as more adventure tours from additional local experts will continue to be added over time. “This is just the beginning of a wonderful way to explore the Space Coast through these very special Hidden Gems," said Linda Brandt of Brandt Ronat + Co, who created the website. "The more visitors who explore the destination and provide their own feedback and photos, the better we all will be able to navigate and explore these gems."

About Florida’s Space Coast Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports; is the nation’s East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.visitspacecoast.com. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitspacecoast. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flaspacecoast.

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