Vero Beach Arts and Culture

The Vero Beach Museum

Theatre

Center for the Arts
Tel: 561-231-0707
3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
OffCenter Cinema productions, films preceeded by brief introductory comments, are shown on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at the AMC Indian River 24 Theatres. The Dramatic Arts Series offers an opportunity for audience members to "meet" famous personalities from the arts, literature, and humanities. The Center for the Arts programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.
Riverside Theatre, Inc.
Tel: 231-5860 ~ Box Office: 561-231-6990
3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverside Theatre, Inc. is a professional, regional theatre for Florida's Treasure Coast. Productions include: Mainstage productions, Riverside 2, PNCBank Celebrity Series, Cabaret, Lecture Series and Special Events. Riverside Theatre productions are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.
Riverside Children's Theatre
Tel: 561-234-8052 ~ Box Office: 561-231-6990
3280 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverside Children's Theatre is the educational arm of Riverside Theatre. Classes include all aspects of theatre arts, both on stage and behind the scenes. Classes are designed for youth ages 4 years to senior in high school. Another series of classes is available for adulst. Productions include: Professional Series, Local Series, and Teen Cabaret. Riverside Children's Theatre productions are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.
Vero Beach Theatre Guild
Tel: 561-562-3800
2020 San Juan Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Local community theatre at its best. Professional quality productions produced using local talent both on and off stage. In addition to the 5 annual major productions, smaller productions and concerts are also given at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild.

Music

Vocal & Instrumental Music
In Indian River County

Academy of the Performing Arts
Tel: 561-562-7265
1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
The guild's member schools provide high quality arts instruction, participation and exposure at affordable rates to all interested persons regardless of age, race, religion, financial means or level of ability.

Atlantic Classical Orchestra
Tel: 561-231-9744
PO Box 3993, Vero Beach, FL 32964-3993
The Atlantic Classical Orchestra's mission is the cultural enrichment of the Florida communities of Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie Counties, while fostering performance opportunities, music appreciation, and educational services for young people by providing a regularly scheduled program of high quality, live performances of classical orchestral music in Vero Beach and Stuart, played by professional musicians residing in Florida. Atlantic Classical Orchestra's performances are sponsored inpart by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council. The ACO is a non-profit organization.

Center for the Arts
Tel: 561-231-0707
3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
The education department at the Center offers classes in the field of music appreciation. Pre-registration is required.
Website ~ E-Mail

Community Church Concert Series
Tel: 561-562-3633
1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Concerts are presented by various organizations. The Concert Series was developed to further musical arts in the community.

Indian River Symphonic Association, Inc.
Tel: 561-231-1451
PO Box 4063, Vero Beach, FL 32961-4063
The association is focused on providing for the cultural enrichment, education, and enjoyment of the community at large through exposure to nationally and internationally renowned symphonic orchestras and soloists.

MESA Park
Tel: 561-571-1003
100 Mesa Park Blvd, Fellsmere, FL
This familly-oriented Music-Entertainment-Sports-Activities complex features year-round weekend musical concerts by well known entertainers.

Riverside Theatre, Inc.
Tel: 231-5860 ~ Box Office: 561-231-6990
3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverside Theatre, Inc. includes musical productions as part of its annual production schedule. Additional special event musical performances as well as the Cabaret series bring music to Riverside Theatre's stage.

Riverside Children's Theatre
Tel: 561-234-8052 ~ Box Office: 561-231-6990
3280 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverside Children's Theatre is the educational arm of Riverside Theatre. Musical productions are offered in addition to the Teen Cabaret, a showcase for local talent that is produced and performed by RCT students.

Treasure Coast Barbershop Chorus
Tel: 561-567-0422
1225 6th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962
The Treasure Coast Barbershop Chorus exists to provide a forum to sing barbershop harmony, to provide musical fulfillment and education for its members, to perform for the community, and to continue to encourage quartet singing. The Treasure Coast Barbershop Chorus is a member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America.

Treasure Coast Jazz Society
Tel: 561-234-4600
PO Box 4003, Vero Beach, FL 32964-4003
The Treasure Coast Jazz Society was formed to expand the appreciation for an art form by bringing the finest national and international jazz musicians to the Treasure Coast. To perpetuate jazz talent by supporting the education of young musicians through scholarships furnished by the Jazz Society.

Treasure Coast Opera Society
Tel: 561-465-6204
1309 Indiana Avenue, Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
The Society's mission is to bring the finest in professional, classical opera, operetta, and musical comedy to the Treasure Coast area and to train resident musicians to participate; to offer opportunities to students and young career performers.

Vero Beach Choral Society, Inc.
Tel: 561-778-1070
PO Box 2801, Vero Beach, FL 32961-2801
The Vero Beach Choral Society presents choral works ranging from great choral masterpieces to pop concerts for the enjoyment and enrichment of the community.

Vero Beach Music Teachers Association
Tel: 561-562-6217
PO Box 6554, Vero Beach, FL 32961-6554
The objective of this Association is the promotion of true music culture in conjunction with the highest standards of music teaching and the cultivation of music and musicians. The Vero Beach Music Teachers Association is affiliated with the Florida State Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association.

Vero Beach Opera Guild, Inc.
Tel: 561-564-0683
PO Box 6912, Vero Beach, FL 32961-6912
The Vero Beach Opera Guild promotes and supports opera and conducts study classes on opera and the enjoyment of operatic performances. The Guild sponsor professional singers of classical and semi-classical music in recital for the community and introduces operatic music into the local schools with the stories of opera and excerpts from the music of opera.

Dance

Chrisdale Dancers
Tel: 561-562-6606
PO Box 2187, Vero Beach, FL 32961-2187
Provide instruction and education about modern ballet dance. All age groups perform for audiences.

Polish American Social Club of Vero Beach, Florida, Inc.
Tel: 561-778-0039
7500 North US 1, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Sunday polka dinner dances and ballroom dancing Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Riverside Children's Theatre
Tel: 561-234-8052
3280 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverside Children's Theatre is the educational arm of Riverside Theatre. Instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, creative dance and theatre dance is provided. Advance registration required.

Vero Beach Ballet
Tel: 561-569-8876
2555 27th Avenue, Suite G-5, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Dance instruction and performances. Classes include classical ballet, ballet technique, body alignment, music stories of classical ballets, makeup and hair. Advance registration required.

Vero Heritage, Inc.
Tel: 561-770-2263
2140 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Recreational dancing. Swing band and round dancing during season (October through April).

Visual Arts

Center for the Arts
Tel: 561-231-0707
3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Providing opportunities for the cultural enrichment of the public through: Exhibition of the highest accomplishments of all cultures in the visual arts, with an emphasis on American art and Florida artists in particular; Professional studio and classroom instruction in the arts for students of all ages; The collection, preservation, and presentation of important art with emphasis on American art and Florida artists in particular. The Center for the Arts programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

Indian River Photo Club
PO Box 1675, Vero Beach, FL 32961-1675
The mission of the Indian River Photo Club is to promote the art and science of photography and to encourage the learning skills necessary for such promotion and to provide an atmosphere through meetings and programs whereby friendly relationships between member photographers can be realized.

Sebastian River Art Club
PO Box 780534, Sebastian, FL 32978-0534
Representing all areas of fine arts, the Sebastian River Art Club provides critiquing, demonstrations, and subject matter to its members.

Vero Beach Art Club
Tel: 561-231-0938
3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
The mission of the Vero Beach Art Club is to further the interest of area artists and to encourage the appreciation of their work in Vero Beach and the Indian River area, to pursue activities such as meetings, exhibitions, educational opportunities, open studios, demonstrations, lectures and scholarships.

For more information go to http://indian-river.fl.us/cultural/index.html

Cost of Living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.

Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition areas, that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living.

Cost of living indexing explanation
A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
Boise Idaho is ranked at a 94.0
Boston Mass is rated at 127.60
San Francisco at 187.23
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up.

One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate 1s 120) to Vero Beach, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
Take the destination index, in this case Vero-122.87 and divide by Portland’s index-120, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will give you a figure of $51,195.00 which would be required to make in Vero Beach to have the same quality of life.

See comparable Florida statewide
* Re cost of living--in some areas Real Estate has went up dramatically however costs that factor in such as food, transportation, rents etc have not increased at the same rate-so in some areas, even though housing is expensive, the overall rating may still be low

2008-09 stats Source C2ER formerly accra-col index and http://www.bestplaces.net/

Boca Raton-154.74
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-99.6
Ft Lauderdale-137.0
Destin-145.61
Jacksonville metro-97.1
Big Pine Key fl-132.46
Key Largo-146.9
Key West-167.97
Marathon fl-162.06
Miami metro-137.41
Melbourne-92.72
Naples Fl-250.59
Orlando metro-101
Palm Bay-84.56
Palm Coast-Flagler-125.01
Panama City-86.35
Pensacola metro-82.0
Sarasota-107.2
Tampa 97.3
St Pete-Clearwater-95.6
Vero-Beach Indian River-122.87
West Palm Beach metro-112.05
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)

* New York, NY -164.50
* Long Beach, CA -135.71
* Palo Alto, CA -234.42
* Boston, MA -127.60
* Malibu, CA -492.80
* San Francisco, -187.23
* Greenwich, CT 215
* Chicago, IL -126.45
* Dallas Tx -92,94
* Atlanta Ga -112.21
For more information about cost of living go to either
Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/
or Accra's site at http://www.coli.org/
For more information about cost of living go to either Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/
or Accra's site at http://www.coli.org/

The Vero Beach area (Indian River County) is ranked at 122.87 on the price index.

For more information about cost of living stats go to http://www.coli.org

A personal observation: Vero Beach is a small city and so the drive time to shopping, recreation etc is short…meaning you won’t burn as much gas, which in this day and age is definitely a help. I find the car insurance and home insurance rates very reasonable. (If you live on or near the water and require flood insurance, the rates will be higher)

In conclusion, Vero Beach is a great place to live.

Health

About Vero Beach/Indian River County health and medical

20 assisted Living facilities.
5 Nursing homes
2 Adult Day care facilities
8 Health care clinics
In addition to all this, you also have the nearby communities of Melbourne, Orlando and Kissimmee with general and specialized medical centers.

Public Health in Indian River County

The public health department is a unit of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, whose basic purpose is to provide comprehensive outpatient medical care to eligible, low-income citizens. Its responsibilities also encompass the protection of health for all of the county's population.
Services provided are organized within two categories: primary care and environmental health.

Primary care means first-level health services for those with limited incomes. Fees are charged based on income and ability to pay. Services include:

Comprehensive adult and child health care, such as physical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses
Tuberculosis: skin tests to detect infection, treatment or follow-up care
Immunization
AIDS screening
Venereal disease
Well-child examinations, testing, measurements, immunizations, counseling and referral
Pregnancy testing
Prenatal care
Family planning, birth control, education and counseling
Supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC)
School health services: assist teachers, students and parents
Medicaid/Medicare screenings: preventative screening for Medicaid recipients under 21
Children's medical services (MS): a program for crippled or afflicted children with chronic disabilities

Hospitals
Hospitals, Surgery, & Walk-In/Emergency Care
in Indian River County, Florida

Walk-In/Emergency care clinics provide primary medical care, examinations and diagnostic testing. Appointments are also available for these facilities.

567-563-4666
Center for Emotional and Behavioral Health
Hospital
1190 37th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-778-2100
HEALTHSOUTH Treasure Coast Rehabilitation Hospital
Hospital
1600 37th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-567-4311
Indian River Memorial Hospital
Hospital
1000 36th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-589-3186
Sebastian River Medical Center
Hospital
13695 US Hwy 1, Sebastian FL 32958

561-770-5600
HEALTHSOUTH Indian River Surgery Center
Outpatient Surgery Center
1200 37th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-770-2070
Community Quick Medical Clinics
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
1360 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-567-4311
Convenience Care
Indian River Memorial Hospital
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
1000 36th Street, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-589-2992
Doctors' Clinic
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
13840 US Hwy 1, Sebastian FL 32958

561-567-7111
Doctors' Clinic
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
2300 5th Avenue, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-571-9827
Fellsmere Medical Center
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
12196 CR 512, Fellsmere FL 32948

561-770-5151
Gifford Health Center
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
4695 28th Court, Vero Beach FL 32967

561-231-3777
Med Point Walk-In Clinic
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
908 E Causeway, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-564-0175
Urgent Care West
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
2050 40th Avenue, Vero Beach FL 32960

561-567-4500
Williams Family Medical Center
Walk-in or Emergency Care Center
917 14th Lane, Vero Beach FL 32960

Schools

Link To Great Schools:Involved Parents-Successful Kids.

About Vero Beach/Indian River County education

School Summary for Vero Beach
13 elementary
7 middle
5 High
3 Charter
11 private
More information-http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Florida/Vero-Beach/schools.html
and http://realestate.yahoo.com/Florida/Vero_Beach/Schools/result.html

Indian River Education network
IRENE was designed in 1991 to provide Vero Beach and Indian River County with a new approach to the "Home-School Connection". IRENE allows parents, teachers and the schools to interact during the 81% of the time that learning occurs outside the formal education settings. In addition to e-mail, forums and teleconferencing, IRENE provides access to the Indian River County Main Library's on-line card catalogue.

St Edwards School
Saint Edward's School is a coeducational college-preparatory school in Vero Beach, Florida. The school was founded in 1965 after Indian River County desegregated their public schools. The Original school, and now Lower School occupy the old Riomar Country Club clubhouse on Club Drive. The 30 acres for the South Campus located on the Indian River and situated next to the Moorings Country Club, which now houses the Middle and Upper Schools, was purchased in the 1970s. In 2000 the school began a massive expansion project under Head of School Diane Cooper. The expansion included a separate Middle School, new gym and activities center, a Performing Arts Center, a Fine Arts Center and new administrative offices.

Colleges/Universities:

Indian river community college
3209 Virginia Ave
Fort Pierce, FL 349815596 General information
Financial aid office
Admissions office (772) 462-4722 Ext.
(772) 462-7450 Ext.
(772) 462-7460 Ext.
https://www.universities.com/On-Campus/Indian_River_Community_College.html

Type of institution: Public, 2-year
Federal Aid: Institution has a Program Participation Agreement with the US Department of Education for eligible students to receive Pell Grants and other federal aid.
Degrees offered: Certificates/Less-than-1-year certificate, Certificates/Less-than-2-year certificate, Associate degree, Certificates/Less-than-4-year certificate
Carnegie classification: Associate's--Public Rural-serving Large
Number of students: 13,404 (2005)

Resources Just north of Indian river

Brevard Community College
Keiser College
Florida Metropolitan University
Brevard Community College (BCC) serves all sections of the county with campuses in Cocoa, Melbourne, Titusville and Palm Bay. The college's president says, "We are proud that one of every two citizens of Brevard County is served each year with classes, culture or events by BCC.

" Open Campus, a Patrick Center branch on the air force base and classes at Kennedy Space Center expand the community-oriented school's reach. The full two-year curriculum is also offered for home-based learners via WBCC TV68. BCC maintains a strong reputation for its academic programs. It's an important part of the 28-member system of state-supported, two-year community colleges.

The closest of the state's 10 major four-year schools is the University of Central Florida University (UCF) in Orlando, which maintains a branch in Brevard County. Highly respected academically, Florida Institute of Technology (a.k.a. Florida Tech), a four-year private university, is located on 175 landscaped acres in Melbourne.

Adult Education

Palm Bay Adult Education Ctr (321) 952-5914
101 Pirate Ln Melbourne, FL 32901

Programs Offered

Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides literacy instruction for students functioning at grade levels 0.0 through 8.9 on the TABE Test.
Adult High School Diploma (AHS) allows adult students to work toward their high school diploma.
Child Care Program is available before and after school at all public elementary schools in Brevard County except Holland Elementary.
Citizenship classes prepare ESOL students for success in the Naturalization process.
Enrichment classes offer low cost community education in a wide variety of subjects including basic computer skills.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teaches communication skills and cultural competencies.
Family Literacy includes the Zoo Explorers Project which provides literacy education for parents and remediation for students who are functioning below grade level.
GED Preparatory Instruction (GED) prepares a student to take the Official GED Tests.
Project Success for Adults with Disabilities is a transitional program to assist students in meeting their educational and career goals.
In addition to the schools offered in Brevard County, Orlando is just 67 miles away, which makes all their facilities usable.

Weather

You can lay in the sun on 33 miles of beaches at least 300 days a year.
True, it rains at least a little 115 days of the year, but most of the county's average annual rainfall of 50.2 inches falls on sultry, mostly sunny summer afternoons--just in time to cool the air and freshen the spirits. A balmy 73 degrees Fahrenheit is the average year-round temperature. In January, the temperature averages 62 degrees, in August 81.5 degrees.
For more specific information regarding weather, wind, rain as it applies to each month go to the following site.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Melbourne-Florida.html

Another nice thing about the climate here is that it does cool off at night as compared to the more Southern parts of Florida. In Melbourne for example, we see a 20 degree drop day to night whereas in the Keys it averages 10 degrees.
All in all the weather here is great.

To see average January temperatures across the United States go to http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/thematic-maps/usa-temprature-january.html

Indian River County Average Temperature High Low

January: 72 49
July: 90 72

Florida Mean Annual Precipitation ........................... 53
Average Annual Rain Days ........................... 127

Vero Beach Weather Averages
Avg. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 72° 74° 77° 81° 85° 88° 90° 90° 88° 84° 78° 74°
Low 50° 51° 56° 61° 66° 70° 72° 72° 71° 66° 60° 54°

More about Hurricanes:

Despite four devastating hurricanes in 2004, the number of Florida visitors rose 7% to an all-time high of 79.8 million last year and is on target to hit 80 million this year. Florida tourism generates about $57 billion annually and employs 912,700.
If you live on the coast you stand the greatest chance of having one affect you. Some areas of Florida have gone fifty years plus without one but you never know.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is buy a home that was built after Andrew-August 92 that was built to stricter building codes. Have window protection and a backup generator and make sure your insurance is up to date. If they ask you to leave, do it!
Realize-If you live in an older home that was not built up to the stricter building codes (After Hurricane Andrew-August 1992) or you live in a mobile home you stand the best chance of having major structural damage.
Living on the beach in a mobile home is asking for it. Although, you may never have a problem, you’re still definitely taking your chances. Barrier islands and open-water beaches are the most prone to damage.

For current information about hurricanes go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
For 2005 climate info by areas go to http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/LCD/2005LCD.html
For current weather forecasts by cities go to http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/fl/fl.html
*Living in a waterfront home typically means that you will pay a higher Insurance premium. The insurance is higher due to flood and wind concerns.
Part of this is also because the pricing on these homes is higher so there is more value to insure against.
Having said all this, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. It is really great to wake up and it’s sunny out.

We spend over half our lives indoors…so when you do go outside, wouldn’t it be nice if it was warm and sunny?