Happy Rosh HaShanah! L’Shana Tova! Doing services in my Moose jammies.

Sep13

Tonight is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah and I’m sitting and watching the sun go down. I am, again, in my little house on the hill by the lagoon with Barney my dog and MeMe my cat. Trying to go anywhere is impossible. I’m not upset about it. It is what it is. I was on call all weekend. I sat in my house and waited for the phone to ring. I do as much as I can in the house. I guess I could do more. Like clean instead of writing. Like purging things instead of editing video. The most important thing is to not do anything that will jinx the quiet. For two days once a month I’m a hermit. Which is fine.

What I miss is the past and that’s not like me. I am so firming standing in the present which is the other reason I’m sitting here by myself. I totally forgot about Rosh HaShanah.I thought it was next week.

Where I live if I meet someone Jewish I usually say “Oh your the other one!”

The fictional character Black CIndy is a better Jew than I in this respect.

I forgot to take tomorrow off from work. Way back when I always worked a few hours on Rosh Hashanah seeing patients who were home bound and could not get out. It always upset my mother. I would explain to her that back in the day when people lived in little villages the family would automatically go visit the old and infirm just like we did on Rosh Hashanah when we walked the streets of Beachmont visiting older relatives.

L’Shana Tova

So as i’m writing this and I click on the Facebook Page of Temple B’Nai Israel and this is there just waiting for me and I am in a puddle of tears. What a gift!

Julius is my grandfather and Max was his brother. When I was young and we went to temple we sat in our row with my grandfather’s name looking down at us and I always felt him there. Grampa Jack.

I have not been to temple in years. I found this online. The Central Synagogue and its streaming live. I can do Rosh Hanshana in my moose jammies. They even have a prayer book that you can download.

http://www.centralsynagogue.org/worship/live_streaming

Then I found this. Live Streaming and a chat room.

http://www.ourjewishcommunity.org/videostreaming/streaming/

So what is Rosh HaShanah?

Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה‎, literally “head of the year”) is the Jewish New Year. The Biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (Hebrew: יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎, literally “day [of] shouting/raising a noise”) or the Feast of Trumpets. It is the first of the High Holy Days or יָמִים נוֹרָאִים Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) which usually occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration, which begins on the first day of Tishrei. Tishrei is the first month of the Jewish civil year, but the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year.

The earliest origins of the Hebrew New Year are connected to the beginning of the economic year in the agricultural societies of the ancient Near East^. The New Year was the beginning of the cycle of sowing, growth, and harvest, the latter marked by its own set of major agricultural festivals. The Semites in general set the beginning of the new year in autumn, while other ancient civilizations such as the Persians or Greeks chose spring for that purpose, in both cases the primary reason being agricultural – the time of sowing the seed and of bringing in the harvest.

The day is said to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of humanity’s role in God‘s world. Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a hollowed-out ram’s horn) and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to evoke a “sweet new year”.

The Hebrew common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is שָׁנָה טוֹבָה “Shanah Tovah“, which, in Hebrew, means “[have a] good year” or similar greetings.

The Food

As we heard from our friend Tova (Black Cindy) the food is an important part of the Holiday. Being together and eating together was so important and I have a years of wonderful memories of meals in my Nana’s House and then my parents place in Boca Raton.

“The blessings have the incipit “Yehi ratzon“, meaning “May it be Thy will.” In many cases, the name of the food in Hebrew or Aramaic represents a play on words (a pun). The Yehi Ratzon platter may include apples (dipped in honey, baked or cooked as a compote called mansanada); dates; pomegranates; black-eyed peas; pumpkin-filled pastries called rodanchas; leek fritters called keftedes de prasa; beets; and a whole fish with the head intact. It is also common to eat stuffed vegetables called legumbres yaprakes.”

I have to say I’ve never had a black eye pea in my whole life. My mom loved the apples with honey. I have no memories of fish heads. My mom did make a mean tzimmes. My favorite was brisket with potatoe kugal on top. YUM.

“The use of apples and honey, symbolizing a sweet year, is a late medieval Ashkenazi addition, though it is now almost universally accepted. Typically, round challah bread is served, to symbolize the cycle of the year.^[25] Gefilte fish and Lekach are commonly served by Ashkenazic Jews on this holiday. On the second night, new fruits are served to warrant inclusion of the shehecheyanu blessing.”

http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/Rosh-Hashanah-Food-Customs.htm

So we had the apples and the honey, gefilte fish, chopped liver, mazol ball soup, tzimmees, brisket, potaoe kugal, sometimes chicken. My mom would have a story about everything. Honestly, I think she made half the stuff up and for desert she would make some wickedly awful thing with jello with things inside that would totally gross me out. It’s like brownies with nuts. Leave my jello alone. That was probably for the new fruit. As much as it grossed me out I would do anything if she was here to make this for me.

She also made cakes. I’m sure she made a honey cake. Here is a recipe. I’m not sure if it was her’s or one of my aunts.

The other part that I loved was the music. Our cantor growing up had the most amazing voice. It was like being in the presence of angels.

I bet you never heard anything like this.

I watched the second streaming and there was a nice Rabbi talking about how are always busy and we don’t stop to reflect. So I turned it off and now I’m enjoying the silence, the thoughts, the memories.

L’Shana Tova to my friends and relatives! Rosh Hashanah is for everyone.

Writing 101: Indian RIver Lagoon Birds

Sep12

#writing101

#wordpress

#indianriverlagoon

Indian RIver Lagoon Birds

The assignment was to write something based on an image. We were given a place to get images. I went there and I donated 8 images and then decided to use my own.

Lagoon Birds

When we had the toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee in 2013 all the birds went away. There were no birds.

Gone.

I used to wake up to 100’s of birds tweeting in my back yard.

I have seen a few interesting red birds and of course mourning doves and I did see the wood stork last week. It’s fall so hopefully they will be back soon. There are some birds but not in the great amounts there were when I moved here.

Here is an interesting article by the Audubon Society.

“A new analysis by the National Audubon Society reveals that populations of some of America’s most familiar and beloved birds have taken a nosedive over the past forty years, with some down as much as 80 percent. The dramatic declines are attributed to the loss of grasslands, healthy forests and wetlands, and other critical habitats from multiple environmental threats such as sprawl, energy development, and the spread of industrialized agriculture. The study notes that these threats are now compounded by new and broader problems including the escalating effects of global warming. In concert, they paint a challenging picture for the future of many common species and send a serious warning about our increasing toll on local habitats and the environment itself.

Common Terns, which nest on islands and forage for fish near ocean coasts, lakes and rivers, are vulnerable to development, pollution and sea level rise from global warming. Populations in unmanaged colonies have dropped as much as 70 percent, making the species’ outlook increasingly dependent on targeted conservation efforts.

Little Blue Herons now number 150,000 in the U.S. and 110,000 in Mexico, down 54 percent in the U.S. Their decline is driven by wetland loss from development and degradation of water quality, which limits their food supply.”

Here is an excellent article I found in BioScience starring out friend Dr Edie Widder.

“Just as fishes in the IRL depend on mangroves and seagrasses, wading birds depend on fishes as prey. Herons, egrets, and their relatives are a barometer of how the lagoon’s mosaic of life is faring, according to ornithologist Hilary Swain, executive director of the Archbold Biological Station in Lake Placid. In her research, Swain found that wading birds are one of the most widely recognized elements of biodiversity in the IRL, with 16 species recorded. Among them are the great egret, reddish egret, little blue heron, tricolored heron, wood stork, white ibis, and roseate spoonbill.

birds at bird island Jan 2011

Swain discovered that drawdowns—the periodic lowering of water levels in mosquito control impoundments—result in higher numbers of wading birds in those areas, and that many of the lagoon’s wading birds frequent such impoundments, especially when water levels there are shallow (the easier for the birds to catch fish). Wading birds in the IRL are also found only in locations where, in fact, the fishing is good, making information on herons and their kin useful in determining the overall health of the lagoon.

Birds on bird island Jan 2011

Birds on Bird Island Jan 2011

Mangroves, seagrasses, fishes, birds: How do scientists know how many species there are in the Indian River Lagoon? “We don’t know the exact number,” Tuck Hines says, “but we have a pretty good idea of the IRL’s flora and fauna, thanks to years of research that led to a project called the Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory.”

Birds on Bird Island Jan 2011

Developed by the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, the species inventory is an ever-expanding listing of the species of animals and plants that make their home in the lagoon. Users can access photographic images and taxonomic information via a Web site (www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/index.htm). “The IRL Species Inventory has become the place to go to get information on the lagoon’s biodiversity, whether you’re a scientist, student, government official, or citizen,” Hines says. With some 68 federal, state, local, and other government agencies involved in managing the IRL, Hines adds, “it’s imperative that there be one central place in which this information can be found.”

I think we all need to help inventory the Indian River Lagoon and be on the lookout for all the wonderful birds we use to have to see if they come back.

You all come back now you hear?

WordPress Writing 101: Che and Orange is the New Black

Sep12

#writing101

#wordpress

#che

#oitnb

So my assignment ( and this will get me caught up) is to be inspired by something social media. It was suggested that you go to twitter and search “quotes.” When I did that I got two accounts that I follow.

This is one.

https://twitter.com/CheQuotess

https://twitter.com/CheQuotess/status/622778766914273280

After watching Flow and learning about Bolivia and other countries it certainly is the truth.

When your a kid and a revolutionary of sorts, at least in your mind “Che” is a very romantic figure.” Then you grow up and your realize his life and the way his chose to live came at a great price. I have a hard time reconciling the doctor who took care of people with leprosy and the person who became a murderer in the name of freedom. Maybe you had to be there.

I could write for hours on Che. I’ve seen multiple documentaries and read a bunch of books. I think I keep looking for that moment where everything changed. The sentinel moment. The objective remained the same but the tactics changed.

I looked at the photo a thousand times.

Its a symbol. But of what? I think no matter what he dedicated his life to helping the poor. Also, like many people who have good intentions narcissism gets in the way. I do love the film I have seen of his time in NY with everyone throwing themselves at him and his speach at the UN. What would the world be like if Che were alive today? What kind of man, husband, grandfather would he be in the world of the 24 hour news cycle and social media? How would we treat him?

I named one of my lacie ruggeds after him but really didn’t give him much thought for a long time. Then I watched “The Motorcycle Diaries.” This movie is so exquisite. Here is the trailer. You must see if you haven’t.

You can read about him on Wikapedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara

Here is some audio of his famous trip to NYC to talk to the UN.

As we know Che was killed in Bolivia with the help of the CIA.

I love all his goodness. Deplore the blood, death and violence.

The other page that came up in my search was:

OITNB Quotes

https://twitter.com/orangeistheneww

So this is the other way around. Here we have jailed woman who are in for all kinds of violent acts and we get to watch the microcosm of humanity that goes on in Litchfield Prison. Sometimes funny. Sometimes sad. Always meaningful.

If I could meet one television writer it would be Jenji Kohan.

Some people didn’t like this past season. I loved it. It was subtle and we really got to know the backstories.

I’m going back to re watch but my favorite story line was the kosher meals and how Black Cindy decided to become a Jew.

When I was younger and flew with my parents they would always order the kosher meal. “It was better.” They said.

So in order to save the prison when it becomes privatized the first thing they do is supply food from boxes. It was truly gross. I couldn’t even look. One of prisoners decided to order a kosher meal so she was getting a half way decent meal and then some of the others caught on and the power’s that be noticed an increase in the quantity of kosher dinner’s being consumed and because they couldn’t deny it they hired a Rabbi to come in and flush out the fakers.

In the end Black Cindy converted to Judaism but she couldn’t finish it off because there was no micveh.

or was there?

Am I a Jew? pic.twitter.com/bLDZOt8EYv

— OiTNB Quotes (@orangeistheneww) June 22, 2015

OK so my name is also Cyndi and my Hebrew name is Tova so I totally related. But there something about Black Cindy’s joy that me admire this character and her journey.

You can see for yourself.

The best part is when she says.” And if you do something wrong its your job to figure it out. As far as G-d is concerned its your job to keeping asking questions , to keep learning, and to keep arguing. It’s like a verb. YOU DO G-D.”

That’s what hit me. That’s I was taught to do. Ask questions, keep learning and keep arguing.

It’s part of me and who I am and who I always will be: A total pain in the rear end!

Golden Retriever Riley: The Real (Iconic) Hero of 9/11(From the Land of Pure Gold)

Sep11

From the land of Pure Gold – our friend Rochelle Lesser! I’m so happy your a wordpress blogger. I’m reblogging this post.

Land of PureGold Foundation

010915-N-3995K-022

This one photo has never left my mind, heart, or soul as the images
from such a tragic day tend to be indelibly marked.

_____________________________________

The post below originally appeared on May 28, 2007, sad news from Riley’s dad, Chris Selfridge, prompting many heavy hearts. Although I never got to meet Riley, I loved him as did so many other folks who had been glued to their television sets after the attack on the twin towers.

On 2/26/10, Riley passed away. He was our family pet, my friend and partner. Riley was 13 in November. He lived a good life and taught me many lessons during his time with me. He will be greatly missed. I love you Bub!

Dog book author, Susan McCullough, has included Riley in her upcoming book on Golden Retrievers and learned more about his final days.

While Riley had aced a physical this…

View original post 438 more words

Writing 101: Funny

Sep10

#writing101

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Retrospectively Funny.”

I had a hard time picking a word.

The first word I thought I’d write about was synchronicity.

“the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.” Like picking the word and seeing the prompt from yesterday was the same thing I picked. That’s amore!

Also, my assignment was to write a list and I had been meaning to write this reading list for our legislators.

Well that worked out great.

The second word that came to mind was the word “grounded.” Something I aspire to be every day and when I’m not you’ll find me out there seeking assistance. Boring.

Funny.

I like.

So a funny thing happened this week.

Mostly everything I post on Facebook is important information about the environment. I do try to find funny memes. Funny memes and photos of my cat, dog and my grandson get the most likes. I could work on a piece for two days but everyone loves MeMe, Barney and Ethan.

MeMe my cat

Barney my almost 18 year old golden

So sometime over the weekend I posted this funny meme.

Everyone could relate and I got some hysterical comments. If you know my circle of friends the conversation turned political and we were all cracking up.

Then later on I was watching “Flow: For the love of water” documentary and I went to google some about the fish in the Seine River changing sex.

I came across this article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/testicleeating-fish-the-pacu-found-in-paris-with-fears-it-could-be-coming-to-the-uk-8798118.html

Go look at the photo. This fish with these freakish human teeth.

So I tweet the article to my self. I also remember my fellow blogger and future Martin County Commissioner Jacqui wrote an article about these guys being in Lake Okeechobee!

http://jacquithurlowlippisch.com/tag/pacu/

Then this happened

https://twitter.com/Squidbass7/status/641236312566157312

There was some back and forth. It came at a very cranky moment because I felt like this person didn’t understand the context and I’m still having fantasies of inviting our legislators to Lake O for a swim.

Don’t take away my happy fantasy!

Out of my entire week of seriousness how can anyone take my laughter away.

Sadly it’s true. They are vegetarians. Which reminds me of what my mother always said “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.”

This poor guy has seen this post so many time and he is in the business of fish. Now I feel terrible.

Apparently you eat these little guys with the big teeth. ( why would mother nature give them such big teeth. What vegetation grows that they need choppers like this to eat? Do I even want to know this.)

Apparently this guys sells them for food along with a bunch of other things that we all love like lobsta’s. Yes I know I spelled that wrong.

He did finally get the joke and I as usual learned something new.

and I thought heard it all when I read about Dove AU Vin last week. But here’s how you cook the little guys.

https://twitter.com/Squidbass7/status/641572965545570304

https://twitter.com/Squidbass7/status/642034070587883520

So here is my gift to Squidbass-takes like chicken hahahahah

Here you go!

hahahha

Funny

Florida Legislators: Here’s your reading list!

Sep9

#writing101

Florida Legislators: Here’s your reading list!

This past year has been very telling. Not only did these people ignore us but they ignored their job and couldn’t seem to get it done.

My assignment for writing 101 is to make a list. I’ve been wanting to make THIS list so its win-win.

We need to know our legislators actually understand the issues and problems with Florida. We cannot take for granted that they know anything.

I’d also like to hear from you guys about what you think and we can keep a running list.

I knew what books I wanted but decided to go to the wisest people I know. My circle of friends.

This was from my friend Marjorie.

“Marjorie Shropshire : Oh, I have a whole long list LOL… But I think I’d start with Craig Pittman’s book on wetlands mitigation, and then move on to Ecosystems of Florida” so they could gain some kernel of understanding about how things in this state work; This Changes Everything, for some insight into what might be done about climate change; The Social Conquest of Earth, The Diversity of Life, and The Creation, all by E.O. Wilson for an overview of how humans fit into the world and can’t survive without natural systems; The Swamp, which we all know is the best explanation of the mess we’ve made of water management in Florida’s southern half; Priceless Florida, so they can see what we are losing; and finally, An Everglades Providence, a biography of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, to teach them what it means to do something bold, instead of sitting on their assess and eating out of the hands of their keepers.”

I love Marjorie. She’s is very quiet. But when she speaks she is mighty!

I think we all agree on the Swamp and Craig and Matt’s book “Paving Paradise.”

So here I go

Paving Paridise

The Swamp

the end.

No only kidding.

I’m going to list them out by name because everyone had good choices.

3. Ecosystems of Florida

4. This Changes Everything

5. The Social Conquest of Earth E.O. Wilson

6. The Diversity of Life E.O. Wilson

7. The Creation E.O. Wilson

8. Priceless Florida

9. An Everglades Providence

My friend Richard suggested

10. “The value of life” by the 4 Americans left in Iran

Cris suggested

11. The Lorax

Mike G suggested

12. Haricari 101 for dummies (Which I don’t even think is a book but just a suggestion.)

Shelia suggested

13. Term Limits by Vince Flynn.

Lisa Suggested

14. My Florida” by Ernie Lyons

Rick suggested

15. Any book on civics

Linda suggested

16. Reading the constitution. Followed by a written test. (She also suggested The Swamp. )

Victoria suggested

17. The Everglades: River of Grass” Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

18. “Mother of Florida Forestry”

Robin suggested

19. Oranges and Inlets by Nathaniel Osborn. ( Will be out in book form soon)

Phyllis suggested

20. The Shack. By Robert Young

21. Golfing with God

So here’s my list.

Any other suggestions leave below!

Documentary Review: Flow: For the Love of Water

Sep9

Documentary Review: Flow: For the Love of Water

It took me a few weeks to watch this movie. I turned it on. I turned it off. Every time I turned it on I had to look something up and I would get so involved in what I was reading I would run out of time.

I wrote this after I was inspired by what I saw about the people of Bolivia.

https://cyndi-lenz.com/2015/07/27/water-inc-the-water-story-of-bolivia-aqua-para-todos/

Very informative and very inspiring. You realize WE are all in this together and it’s so important to remain hyper vigilant when it comes to our water.

Here is the New York Times Review.

The War Between Public Health and Private Interests

By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

“A documentary and a three-alarm warning, “Flow” dives into our planet’s most essential resource — and third-largest industry — to find pollution, scarcity, human suffering and corporate profit. And that’s just in the United States.

Yet Irena Salina’s astonishingly wide-ranging film is less depressing than galvanizing, an informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests. From the dubious quality of our tap water (possibly laced with rocket fuel) to the terrifyingly unpoliced contents of bottled brands (one company pumped from the vicinity of a Superfund site), the movie ruthlessly dismantles our assumptions about water safety and government oversight.

Still reeling, we’re given a distressing glimpse of regions embroiled in bitter battles against privatization. In South Africa, villagers drink from stagnant ponds, unable to pay for the water that once was free, and protesters in Bolivia — where waste from a slaughterhouse is dumped into Lake Titicaca — brave gunfire to demand unrestricted access to potable water.”

There was one funny bit by Penn and Teller.

This is about the Nestle Issue in Michigan. Nestle is everywhere. They are here in Florida and they now own my beloved Poland Springs Water.

Not only stealing the water that doesn’t belong to them but causing people’s wells to go dry. Pumping during a drought.

Remember it’s Nestle’s CEO that believes that water is not a human right and should be privatized.

Nestle CEO: Water Is Not A Human Right, Should Be Privatized

According to the former CEO and now Chairman of the largest food product manufacturer in the world, corporations should own every drop of water on the planet — and you’re not getting any unless you pay up.

The company notorious for sending out hordes of ‘internet warriors’ to defend the company and its actions online in comments and message boards (perhaps we’ll find some below) even takes a firm stance behind Monsanto’s GMOs and their ‘proven safety’. In fact, the former Nestle CEO actually says that his idea of water privatization is very similar to Monsanto’s GMOs. In a video interview, Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe states that there has never been ‘one illness’ ever caused from the consumption of GMOs.

This is why I’m keeping my well. Your all invited to come get your water here.

What I learned from “Flow” is that there are some magnificent people in the world and we truly are in this together.

This is article 31

Everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family, and no one shall be deprived of such access or quality of water due to individual economic circumstance.

Say it with me!

Aqua Para Todos

Water is Life

Port Everglades Expansion – A Coral Reef Apocalypse

Sep8

Important information regarding our reefs in south florida.

Reef Rescue - Coral Reef Blog

A dozen South Florida businesses and conservation groups challenge the Army Corps of Engineers’ expansion plan for Port Everglades.

In a 15 page letter the group details the Corps multiple failures to protect coral reef resources during the recent Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project.

Their letter cites reports from NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, USEPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection documenting coral mortality and damage to the reef habitat that far exceeded what had been permitted for during the Miami dredge project. The Miami project smothered 100’s of acres of coral reef as far as 3,000 feet beyond what had been anticipated.

Since the Port Everglades dredging project is based on the same, and now disproven assumptions the group is asking the Corps to reinitiate consultation on the effects of the Port Everglades expansion given the lessons learned from the Miami dredging project.

The reefs off the…

View original post 56 more words

Save the Halpatiokee Nature Trails! Move the Bridge! Stop destroying us!

Sep8

Many kudos to Shari Anchor who leads us in this fight to save this important piece of land.

http://www.tcpalm.com/opinion/shari-anker-lessons-from-our-battle-to-save-two-preserve-state-parks_67688320

The story of the Port St. Lucie Crosstown Parkway Bridge tells how we lose Florida’s natural beauty, resources and ecosystems, even if they exist in our preserve state parks. It’s the story of a battle that must be fought if we are to save any of them.

In 1990, the city surveyed federal, state and regional natural resource/regulatory agencies about building a bridge through the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve using two potential routes. All agencies commented both routes crossed very environmentally sensitive lands and waters, impacting important wetlands, but of the two, they were firmly against what is now known as Route 1C.

Undeterred, the city manager stated that since there was unanimous disapproval, the next step was to go “political.”

Then-Sen. Ken Pruitt was enlisted to lobby for the cause. Engineering consultants were hired for millions of dollars to make the case that Route 1C was the “most beneficial.”

In 1996, the city began purchasing properties along the Route 1C corridor, even though the National Environmental Policy Act dictates an objective Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Impact Statement be completed prior to route selection. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection demanded, unsuccessfully, that an environmental-impact statement be performed for the entire proposed Crosstown Parkway from Interstate 95 to Hutchinson Island. Project segmentation does not accurately assess impacts.

By 2006, the bridge project was being reviewed by the Department of Transportation, which solicited input from reviewing agencies such as the DEP. Many agencies “red-flagged” the proposed bridge crossing because of impacts to parks, wetlands and wildlife. No matter, the environmental impact statement declared a road piercing the heart of important public lands was the very best possible route.

If the city chose any other route, the bridge would likely be built by now and for tens of millions of fewer dollars. What’s holding it up is that pesky irritant called the law, at least according to the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County and the Indian Riverkeeper. We filed a federal lawsuit in 2014, arguing the Federal Highway Administration and the DOT violated Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act when they approved Route 1C.

Section 4(f) states there shall be no taking of parkland for incompatible uses such as road infrastructure if any other route exists which would have less or no impact to parklands. Route 1C would take the most parkland, from the aquatic preserve and from the Savannas Preserve State Park Buffer Preserve.

Taking no parkland, another route, known as Route 6A, would fully comply with this law.

Likewise, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act dictates every effort must be made to avoid the destruction of wetlands. Other less-impacting routes must be chosen. The Army Corps of Engineers states that Route 1C “is the most ecologically damaging” route, with the most impact to the most acreage of the highest functioning and quality wetlands, thereby likely not in compliance with the act.

The South Florida Water Management District has requested a “formal finding” as to whether a bridge through the aquatic preserve is compatible with state law. Of the 10 types of activities permitted in aquatic preserves, none of them involve bridge construction.

Another sleight of hand at work here is the strategy to mitigate for the “worst-case scenario,” suggesting that was what was intended from the get-go. A big, expensive mitigation package was supposed to make it OK to take highly ecologically valuable preserves. Nothing in the law absolves the parties from choosing the least impacting route.

The Overton Park decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971 established that park land must receive priority status in law, otherwise the economic and social factors at play in highway construction would always prevail and no park lands could survive.

It’s up to us to make sure the laws designed to protect park lands count.

Shari Anker is president of the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County.

Here is a link to the lawsuit.

http://www.conservationallianceslc.org/uploads/5/0/3/6/50361177/lawsuit_to_move_bridge_location.pdf

Thank you so much Shari, Marty, the Conservation Alliance of St Lucie County and the Indian Riverkeeper.

This must be saved.

The thought of having a bridge crossing over to the Island and all the construction that will come after that just slays me. People will not be happy with a bridge. They will want giant apartment buildings, places to eat and that whole of the Island that is just beach will destroyed. People complain it’s hard to get there. It should be. It should be hard. No one’s asking anyone to hike in. Just drive in the comfort of their car for an extra 15 minutes.

Let’s get this part done first.

Here is a video I put together of the area last year. You don’t have to sign that petition any more but you should watch to see what we are talking about.

Oral arguments on Oct. 6th at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building Courthouse in West Palm Beach. More info on time when we get it.

Florida Back Roads: Yesterday’s Woad Twip , The Peace River and oh ya pollution.

Sep7

Yesterday, I drove over to Sarasota to see my family and go to a party. It was a pretty special day. Two birthdays and we would find out a baby gender. I decided to take Barney because there would be a fenced in back yard and it’s cool enough if you leave early in the morning for him to be in the car.

Even though there is so much to talk about, think about and write about we have to remember why we are here in the first place.

It’s a great ride.

We started off in Jensen Beach from our little house on the hill and this glorious sunrise.

Here is Barney my almost 18 year old golden. There’s nothing he loves more than a “Woad Twip.”

Here’s the fog out at fog at Alapattah Flats Management Area. I’m still in Martin County.

Here is our Martin Grade Scenic Hwy. It’s fabulous and worth the ride. The best ride would be coming from the west early in the morning because the light is amazing. Make sure you have a driver because there is no place to stop. I looked behind me as I drove and it was like the light was following me down the road.

The end of this road is the end of Martin County.

Through Okeechobee, Highland County and onto Desoto County which has a grand sign about tranquility and prosperity and something else I can’t remember.

I had to stop. The main reason was I really needed a bathroom and it’s very hard when you travel alone with a dog to find a place you can just run into and safely leave your dog in the car with the windows down. Barney barks not when you come towards him but when you leave. I’m sure if we were ever robbed he would bark as the robber’s were leaving abandoning him. “Come back. Don’t leave me!”

Just an interesting note. In Arcadia, FL the streets are names for the Florida Counties. I’ve stopped there a few times and I really need to go back and I think it would a fun place to meet the kids in the future.

Check it out.

“Arcadia is famous throughout Florida for its historic downtown antique district. Additionally, on the fourth Saturday of each month, vendors from surrounding locations take over our streets with even more wares and precious finds. Tucked between the shops, you’ll have the chance to enjoy cafés, home cooking, a tea room and even an old fashion ice cream parlor, complete with homemade delicious flavors, sundaes and shakes.”

The second reason was I wized past this place so many times I just wanted to see what it was and take Barney for a little walk and shoot some photos.

Across the road there were guns going off. Hundreds of cars and people shooting guns and a big no trespassing sign.

This is where we went.

http://www.desotobocc.com/department/parks_recreation/desoto-veterans-memorial-park

DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park

2195 NW American Legion Dr Arcadia, FL 34266

“With boat ramp and picnic areas, this park is used frequently by groups and large gatherings such as Pioneer Days and Relay for Life. With the shade provided by the large oak trees, this is the perfect place to park and enjoy your lunch hour. This park also features restroom facilities.”

When traveling in Florida you always to leave a little early because there’s always someplace to stop with your dog and take a moment to breath and use the rest room.

Here is the Peace RIver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_River_%28Florida%29

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (photos are mine)

The Peace River is a river in the southwestern part of the Florida peninsula, in the U.S.A. It originates at the juncture of Saddle Creek and Peace Creek northeast of Bartow in Polk County and flows south through Hardee County to Arcadia in DeSoto County

and then southwest into the Charlotte Harbor estuary at Port Charlotte in Charlotte County. It is 106 miles (171 km) long and has a drainage basin of 1,367 square miles (3,540 km²). U.S. Highway 17 runs near and somewhat parallel to the river for much of its course. The river was called Rio de la Paz (River of Peace) on 16th century Spanish charts. It appeared as Peas Creek or Pease Creek on later maps. The Creek (and later, Seminole) Indians call it Talakchopcohatchee, River of Long Peas.^[3] Other cities along the Peace River include Fort Meade, Wauchula and Zolfo Springs.

Fresh water from the Peace River is vital to maintain the delicate salinity of Charlotte Harbor that hosts several endangered species, as well as commercial and recreational harvests of shrimp, crabs, and fish. The river has always been a vital resource to the people in its watershed. Historically, the abundant fishery and wildlife of Charlotte Harbor supported large populations of people of the Caloosahatchee culture (in early historic times, the Calusa). Today, the Peace River supplies over six million gallons per day of drinking water to the people in the region. The river is also popular for canoeing.^[5]

There were many Pleistocene and Miocene fossils found throughout the Peace River area, eventually leading to the discovery of phosphate deposits. Most of the northern watershed of the Peace River comprises an area known as the Bone Valley.

The Peace River is a popular destination for fossil hunters who dig and sift the river gravel for fossilized shark teeth and prehistoric mammal bones. Several campgrounds and canoe rental operations cater to fossil hunters, with Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, and Arcadia being the main points of entry.

http://www.protectingourwater.org/watersheds/map/sarasota_bay_peace_myakka/peace/

A number of major restoration activities are under way in the watershed, particularly in the Peace River region. The objectives of the SWFWMD’s Upper Peace River Watershed Restoration Initiative include the restoration of surface water storage and flows and aquifer recharge, as well as improvement to water quality and ecosystems that have been lost, degraded, or significantly altered. The initiative will provide a critical link to a major greenway that extends from Florida’s lower west coast up through the Peace River watershed and Green Swamp, and north to the Ocala National Forest. Projects undertaken through the initiative involve Lake Hancock, the upper Peace River, and the Peace Creek Canal.

Why can’t I just write a blog about the great things in Florida.

THREAT: PHOSPHATE MINING
HUGE PHOSPHATE MINES ARE DEVOURING THE PEACE RIVER WATERSHED, LEAVING BEHIND UNSTABLE CLAY POOLS THAT PREVENT WATER FROM REACHING THE RIVER — UNTIL THEY COLLAPSE.

Peace River Makes the 2004 Most Endangered Rivers List

Lorelei Jackson
04.14.04

Florida – America’s rivers and streams are becoming more polluted — and the White House and Congress are making a bad situation worse by cutting clean water law enforcement and spending on pollution prevention, charged American Rivers with the release of its 2004 Most Endangered Rivers report.

* On President Bush’s watch, EPA is issuing less than half as many “violation notices” to polluters who break the law, and is levying smaller fines, as well

* One-fourth of America’s largest industrial and sewage treatment plants are in “significant noncompliance” with water pollution standards at any one time

* The White House and Congress have declined to reauthorize the Superfund tax to ensure that polluters pay to cleanup toxic waste instead of the taxpayers

* On his first day in office, President Bush scrapped a proposal to require wastewater treatment plants to notify the public when the spill sewage into streams and rivers.

* In November 2003, the EPA proposed to sanction dumping fully and partially treated sewage into rivers when it rains.

* The federal government used to pay 20% of water infrastructure costs. Now it pays 5% and President Bush has asked the Congress to cut this by another third for 2005.

* Removed restrictions that protect streams from mountaintop removal coal mining

* Issued new nationwide permits for building shopping centers, tract housing, and corporate campuses on top of wetlands and flood-prone areas

* Discouraged federal field staff from protecting many wetlands and streams under the Clean Water Act.

* 51% of the mouths of America’s rivers were designated “impaired” in 2000, up from 37% in 1994

* EPA estimates that sanitary sewers overflow directly into streams, lakes, and estuaries 40,000 times and that as many as 3.5 million American get sick from swimming in water laced with sewage each year.

* Forty-three states have issued fish-consumption advisories along 500,000 miles of river

* The United States loses 60,000 acres of wetlands each year – increasing the frequency and severity of floods

Summary
Phosphate mining in the Peace River watershed has been the source of serious environmental problems for many years, and large new mines are planned. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) must take measures to safeguard the river and communities in the watershed from mining impacts, including protecting drinking water, and important tourism and commercial fishing industries.

I have to do more research. If any of you guys have any more info email me at clenz@mac.com.

cyndi lenz

psych nurse, documentary filmmaker, photographer, crazed river warrior of the Indian River Lagoon.

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Florida Back Roads: Yesterday’s Woad Twip , The Peace River and oh ya pollution.

DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park

2195 NW American Legion Dr Arcadia, FL 34266