5 things you need to know for Thursday, January 27

Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Thursday, January 27.

(1) NASA's Day of Remembrance

January 27 is NASA's Day of Remembrance.

There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Space Mirror Memorial at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana will take part in the ceremony.

The Day of Remembrance honors members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the astronaut crews of Apollo 1 and shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

On January 27, 1967, a flash fire occurred in the Apollo 1's command module killing astronauts Virgil "Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chafee.

Friday is the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. At 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, NASA TV will provide live coverage of The Astronauts Memorial Foundation's remembrance service honoring Challenger's STS-51L crew. The ceremony, held at the Space Mirror Memorial, is open to the public.

Saturday is the 8th anniversary of shuttle Columbia's disintegration in the sky over Texas and Louisiana.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will provide flowers for visitors throughout the day to place at the memorial. For more information, call (877) 313-2610 or go to
www.kennedyspacecenter.com .

(2) Tampa Bay Senior Expo

Seniors who want to make the most of their golden years should head to downtown St. Petersburg on Thursday.

The Tampa Bay Senior Expo features exhibits from over 50 local organizations offering products, tips, advice and free giveaways.

Seniors can talk to local professionals who offer expertise in financial planning, health, fitness, home improvement, recreation and more. There will also be health screenings and informative seminars.

The first 500 attendees will receive a special gift. Today's expo runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Coliseum which is located at 535 4th Ave North in St. Petersburg.

For more information, call (727) 893-8523 or visit www.tampabayseniorexpo.com .

(3) Navy helicopters at USF

If you see military helicopters near the University of South Florida on Thursday don't be alarmed!

In conjunction with Navy Week in Tampa Bay two Navy SH-60 helicopters will land around 1:00 p.m. at USF's Fowler Field on Thursday.

Navy, Army, and Air Force ROTC students will get the opportunity to take a close look at both helicopters.

For more Tampa Bay Navy Week events, visit www.navyweek.org .

(4) John Waters: This Filthy World

Many words have been used to describe legendary filmmaker John Waters: appalling, ironic, neurotic and filthy.

On Thursday night he brings his hysterical one-man monologue This Filthy World to the University of South Florida as part of the College of The Arts Distinguished Lecture Series.

The director of 1988's Hairspray and Cry Baby, Water became famous for his 1972 flim Pink Flamingos. That movie has been called the filthiest one ever made.

Making controversial films is not all Waters is known for. He is a practicing artist and is an avid contemporary art collector. Three books follow his art career, Director's Cut, John Waters: Change of Life and Unwatchable.

Tonight's event is free and open to the public. It starts at 7:00 p.m. at the USF Theater 1. Following the performance there will be a reception and booking signing at the USF Contemporary Art Museum.

For more information, call (813) 974-2301 or visit www.arts.usf.edu .

(5) Chilean miners at Disney World

Thirty-one of the 33 miners, four key rescuers and members of the miners' families arrive in Florida on Thursday for a six-night vacation at Walt Disney World.

Disney President and CEO Bob Iger invited them last year to enjoy a complimentary vacation of a lifetime.

There are more than 150 people in the group that is traveling to Disney World. While at the resort they will meet Disney characters and visit all four of the Disney World theme parks.

The public can see the group serving as grand marshals of the Main Street, U.S.A. parade at 2:15 p.m. on Monday.

The group will arrive today to a welcome dinner with characters, dancing and Chilean cuisine prepared for by Disney chefs. Each family will receive a $500 gift card and personal photo albums of their visit.

For more information on Walt Disney World, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com .