Pompano Beach recycler gives food waste second life

Company takes grocer's waste, turns it into fertilizer. One South Florida company is attempting to turn food trash into treasure through a partnership with Publix Super Markets Inc.

How? Organic Recovery of Pompano Beach is converting the grocer's food waste into a liquid plant food for farmland, crops and golf courses.

The company expects to divert about 17,000 tons of food scraps a year from local landfills.

Launched this month, Organic Recovery collects about 166 tons of food scraps weekly from 56 Publix supermarkets in Broward County. By mid-2009, it expects to work with all the Publix stories in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The food — deli meats, fruits and vegetables — is still fresh but no longer fit for human consumption. Organic Recovery collects the food and transports it in refrigerated trucks to Pompano where it's given new life in about four hours.

"We recycle just about everything there is a market for, yet we never really saw a market for our food waste until now," Publix spokeswoman Kim Jaeger said.

Through this venture, Publix expects to boost its recycling rate to 80 percent, up from 47 percent last year, Jaeger said.

The leftover grease from Publix also is recycled into biodiesel, which Organic Recovery uses to fuel its trucks.

It's about taking this waste material and turning into something useful, the company's co-founder and chief executive officer Jeffrey Young said. No stranger to waste recycling, Young, 40, co-founded Advanced Marine Technologies, a Massachusetts company that makes fertilizer from seafood scraps, in the 1990s.

The customers buying the recycled Publix food waste from Organic Recovery pay less for it than chemical fertilizers. And when the plant food is used on crops or spread over golf courses it doesn't produce greenhouse gases.

While Organic Recovery remains focused on working with the supermarket chain, demand for its foodrecyclingis growing.

Young said he's received calls from local restaurants and food processors wanting to recycle their food waste.

Gov. Charlie Crist, speaking at the firm's grand opening, commended Organic Recovery for its environmentally friendly efforts.

"Recycling is something people have really caught on to," Crist said. "There's gold in green, there's no question about it."

Arlene Satchell can be reached at asatchell@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4209.

By Arlene Satchell |South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 27, 2008

Nokomis pavilion made in the shade

The grassy dunes obstruct some of the Gulf of Mexico vistas that West tried to showcase in his wide-open, horizontal design.

For modern architecture such things are important; the buildings are often designed with the natural setting in mind.

But with $1.3 million spent to restore the structure -- which reopens to the public in the next few weeks after being closed for nearly six years because of disrepair -- West is not complaining.

He simply points out the difference to show how the world changes over time, whether you like it or not.

After the high-profile demise of renowned modernist architect Paul Rudolph's Riverview High School building in Sarasota, and the recent discovery that one of West's own buildings could be torn down in favor of a boxy pharmacy, West is happy to say that the sand dunes are the only thing that have changed about the Nokomis pavilion site.

The building has been restored to its original shape nearly 54 years after first opening.

The restoration of West's beach pavilion after decades of neglect is being hailed as a victory in the long-running campaign to preserve prominent buildings from the Sarasota School of Architecture's modernist heyday in the 1940s, '50s and '60s.

The key to the pavilion's longevity: It is still a useful space, West said.

"The secret to saving an old building is to make sure its function is still viable," he said.

West's beach pavilion offers a refuge from the sun, a stylized public gathering space and a unique gateway to Casey Key.

A formal ribbon cutting is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

West was a leading member of the Sarasota School, a highly regarded branch of modernism known for design elements that emphasized shade and air flow in Florida's hot climate and other environmental adaptations.

The Nokomis pavilion was his first public building and his first waterfront effort and it helped launch a successful career for the Yale graduate.

West moved from working as a draftsman under Rudolph, who went on to become one of the most influential architects in the world as dean of the School of Art and Architecture at Yale and a celebrated thinker in mid-century design, to designing Sarasota City Hall and Tuttle Elementary.

West helped put Sarasota on the architecture world's map, said Gene Leedy, a leading member of the Sarasota School who still designs homes in Winter Haven.

"Because of people like Jack West, Sarasota became known all over the world for its architecture," Leedy said. "His buildings are real treasures."

Leedy said his disappointment over Riverview was somewhat placated by the Nokomis Pavilion restoration.

"It's something good that was saved and I'm glad there are some people out there that realize these buildings are an important part of Sarasota's heritage," Leedy said. "They really make that area unique."

Sarasota County received nearly $500,000 in state historical preservation and parks money for the restoration project. The other $800,000 came from the voter-approved 1 percent sales tax for public infrastructure development.

The county has faithfully restored West's structure, bringing the 86-year-old architect on board to supervise the project.

The obstructed views are not the only change, though.

A few concessions were made to the last half-century of changing public tastes.

Showers and locker rooms morphed into a 40-person community room in the main building. Sea turtle-friendly lighting was installed.

"The outside is the same but the inside was reconfigured to meet the community's needs," West said.

Aesthetically, the outside is identical to the original. It consists of two rectangular structures -- one enclosed with walls, one not -- connected by a long covered walkway.

Beige concrete block helps the enclosed structure blend with the sandy beach. The new block is an imitation of the Ocala block used in many Sarasota School buildings.

The horizontal design pulls the building into its surrounding.

Prominent Sarasota modernist architect Guy Peterson described the design as "incredibly pure with floating planes and thin columns.
Big sand dunes have built up on Nokomis Beach since Jack West first designed his sleek, low-slung, modernist pavilion as a gateway to the beach.

"It's a real exercise in simplicity and restraint," Peterson said.

West said the design largely was inspired by the waterfront view, which encouraged his modernist tendency to transfer load-bearing responsibilities from walls to steel support columns and make the entire south wall of the main building glass.

The deceptively simple open pavilion and walkway provide the necessary shade and unobstructed views that unfold like a series of picture frames.

"It's useful, functional and appropriate for the setting," West said.

West lauded the county for sticking closely to his original design.

"The contractors did an excellent job," West said. "They took an unusual amount of pride in their work."

By Zac Anderson www.heraldtribune.com

Published: Monday, August 25, 2008 at 1:00 a.m

Bivalve's return sets benchmark for bay

Robert Blenker jumped into chest-deep Sarasota Bay water Saturday looking for scallops, creatures with 60 bright blue eyes and a sensitivity to pollution that had made them unable to survive here.
He landed right on top of one.

"Eight to 10 years ago, you wouldn't find this stuff," said Blenker, who lives in Palmetto.

Blenker and his extended family found 20 or so scallops in the first ever Great Sarasota Bay Scallop Search on Saturday. A fleet of 28 boats sent snorkelers looking for the bivalves that had been missing from the bay until this year.

A new nonprofit group called Sarasota Bay Watch plans to use this year's search -- 826 scallops were counted and plotted on a map -- as a baseline for how healthy the bay is and to get the community involved in preserving water quality.

"We want to include everybody," said Rusty Chinnis, Sarasota Bay Watch executive director.

When the water quality declines, bay scallops are among the first to disappear. Their reappearance this year in Sarasota Bay has environmentalists calling this the cleanest the water has been in years.

"I'm kind of amazed," Chinnis said. "I was expecting in the neighborhood of a couple hundred."

Peter Clark, who runs a similar scallop count in Tampa Bay, said the scallops could have come down from there, or migrated north from Charlotte Harbor.

The water is cleaner than in years past because the drought meant less storm-water runoff carrying pollutants into the bay. There has also been a lack of red tides, a seasonal algae bloom that chokes out sea life.

"We're seeing the best water quality we have in years," Clark said.

It is illegal to harvest scallops anywhere in Sarasota Bay.

Most volunteers found them among the sea grass on the bay side of Longboat Key. And they are active swimmers, making the search different from finding a relatively boring clam.

Sarasota High School student Kayla Vanness found one along a sandbar near the Longboat Harbor Marina, held it in her hand and watched it open and close.

Rene Janneman held one out of the water and it closed its shell, squirting water toward Janneman's goatee.

"That's how they move," he said.

A SHORT COURSE IN HUMAN RELATIONS

The six most important words in the English language are:

"I was wrong - please forgive me"

The five most important words are:

"You did a good job"

The four most important words are:

"What is your opinion?"

The three most important words are:

"Can I help?"

The two most important words are:

"Thank You"

The one most important word is:

" You"

The least important word is:

" Me"

Submitted by Ellie Hartle

Local volunteers needed for Coastal Cleanup Day

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful needs volunteers for the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 20. The cleanup will involve coastal areas and a few interior sites at the following locations:

Sarasota: Bay Island Park, Bayfront Park, Bayou Oaks, Bird Key Park, Blackburn Point Park, Blind Pass Beach, Centennial Park, City Island, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Indian Beach, Lido Beach, South Lido Beach, Myakka River Bridge, New Pass fishing pier, Newtown Estates Park, Palmer Point Beach, Phillippi Creek, Phillippi Estates, Pioneer Park, Point of Rocks, Potter Park, the Ringling Causeway, Siesta Beach, Shoreline Park and Turtle Beach

Nokomis: Nokomis Beach, the Nokomis East neighborhood and the North Jetty.

Venice: Brohard Beach, Caspersen Beach, the South Jetty, Service Club Park, Shamrock Park, Venetia Bay Park and Venice Beach.

North Port: Myakkahatchee Creek, Myakkahatchee Park, Coco Plum Waterway, Blueridge Lake, Shover Waterway and Highland Ridge Park. Other areas include Laurel, Manasota Beach, Osprey fishing pier and Oscar Scherer State Park.

Rain date for the cleanup is Sept. 27. To register, or to become a sponsor, call 861-6767 by Sept. 7.

Way to go

During its July meeting, the Venice Lions Club honored the Venice Lions Little League Baseball team, the county cup champions.

The team, parents and supporters joined the club members for pizza, desserts and soft drinks. In return, the Venice Lions team presented the Lions with a plaque to show their appreciation for the club's sponsorship.

Short take

The Venice Women's Sailing Squadron, also known as the "Bitter Ends" will offer a "Learn to Sail" course for women Sept. 8-12. For information, call Carol Miller at 223-6049 or Helen Gokbudak at 484-1492.

STAFF REPORT www.heraldtribune.com

Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.

Florida Officials See Added Hurricane Threat: Not Enough Fear

MIAMI — The hurricanes are coming. Carlos Alvarez, mayor of Miami-Dade County, cannot say when or how severe they will be, but every public speech he gives now includes a warning.

“Hurricanes are part of our lives,” he tells people, adding: “Every time you get groceries, add a few extra cans. Have some jugs to fill up with water.”

For many, though, the message has yet to register.

Florida’s faltering economy and a recent scarcity of major storms have led to what emergency management officials now describe as a dangerous level of complacency. More than two months into hurricane season, and even as Tropical Storm Fay formed on Friday over the Dominican Republic and headed west, Floridians on both coasts are less prepared to withstand a major storm than at any other time in years, according to officials, business owners and residents.

Further, a Harvard study last month identified a significant post-Katrina distrust of shelters, with about a quarter of people surveyed in coastal areas in eight states planning to stay home if a hurricane hits.

“Officials tell us that they are really quite worried about people who would not cooperate, who are not aware of what was about to happen,” said Robert Blendon, director of the Harvard report. “And just thinking of the mobile homes, if people stay and they really are blown all over, public officials, ambulance services, Red Cross units have to go find these people and provide them with support and services.”

The public cost could be significant. Miami-Dade County has spent $250 million in local, state and federal money cleaning up from the hurricanes of 2005, Katrina and Wilma, and officials say that when people are unprepared, the expense rises substantially.

That is partly what worries Larry Gispert, director of the emergency management office for Hillsborough County, on the Gulf Coast. Mr. Gispert says the questions he has received at preparedness seminars this year — like “When is the next hurricane coming to Tampa?” — show that residents are woefully uninformed.

“My concern is that they will get the religion at the very last moment,” he said. “Then they want everybody to help them at the very last moment, and that’s what we cannot do.”

Many officials attribute the lack of preparedness in part to a stroke of good luck: no major storms have hit Florida since 2005. As a result, Mr. Gispert said, “there is hurricane amnesia.”

“It’s human nature,” Mayor Alvarez said. “After a couple of years of nothing, you start to say, ‘It can’t hit us.’ ”

But the economy has also played a role. Florida’s unemployment rate reached 6.1 percent in July, its highest level since 1995. And even for those working, the cost of extra food, water, gas and other supplies can be too much.

Cheth Thach, 23, the manager of a nail salon in the southern Miami-Dade city of Homestead, says routine expenses have become his main priority. Over the last six years, Mr. Thach says, he has spent roughly $2,000 in advance of hurricanes, on food and equipment, including shutters for his home. This year he has yet to spend a nickel.

“Financially, it’s kind of tough to buy everything,” he said. “You work, and there’s no money.”

Officials are also battling people’s heightened aversion to shelters and an overconfidence in the strength of their homes. The Harvard survey published last month polled residents in towns 20 miles from the coast. It found that roughly a quarter did not plan to leave at the approach of a major storm, fearing theft at their homes if they did, as well as violence on the roads or in shelters, similar to what happened in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

“I think for a lot of people’s minds the pictures are still there of the worst conditions that they saw in New Orleans, and that affects their willingness to go somewhere,” said Mr. Blendon, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

In Florida, tightened building codes have given people more faith in their homes.

Albert Eiras of Miami has experienced some of the worst storms in Florida’s history, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992. For many, says Mr. Eiras, 37, that was a turning point.

“Then,” he said, “everybody was scared. They took it more seriously. But now, depending on the category, people won’t take it seriously. You live in the Keys, they probably won’t even board up. And a lot of that has to do with Andrew. People’s mentality is, ‘If I survived Andrew, I can survive anything.’ ”

On Aug. 7, scientists with the National Hurricane Center predicted that there would be 14 to 18 named storms this season, including 7 to 10 hurricanes, as many as six of which could be at least Category 3, meaning sustained winds above 110 miles per hour.

That was up from the May outlook, which forecast 12 to 16 storms for the season — June 1 through Nov. 30 — including six to nine hurricanes, with five possibly reaching Category 3 status.

Mayor Alvarez said that even a Category 1 hurricane, meaning winds of no more than 95 m.p.h., could cause damage in the tens of millions of dollars.

Mr. Eiras agreed that it was best to err on the side of caution.

“There are people who think, ‘I prepared last year,’ ” he said. “ ‘I spent so much money and nothing happened.’ But you just never know.”

Then, giving it some thought, he said he still needed to make sure he himself was ready.

“I would probably have to double-check the batteries and see if I have enough canned food and water,” he said. “Do I have enough supply to last me?”

By DAMIEN CAVE and YOLANNE ALMANZAR

Published: August 15, 2008 www.nytimes.com

Sarasota top 25 in U.S. art destinations

SARASOTA - Sarasota is ranked among America's Top 25 arts destinations based on an annual readers' poll recently published in AmericanStyle Magazine.

Readers ranked Sarasota #11 in the Top 25 Small Cities and Towns category.

"This validates what we've been saying for years," said Mayor Lou Ann Palmer. "There is an emphasis on the arts in this community. People visit here and move here because of the arts. The City's public art program is quite extensive, and we are very proud to have one of Florida's most notable art museums - the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - right here in Sarasota," said Palmer.

Readers recommended Sarasota as a top destination for travelers who love art galleries, museums and festivals. Typically, selected cities have strong public support for art institutions and galleries, and the arts serve as an economic engine for tourism.

The Small Cities and Towns category is comprised of communities with fewer than 100,000 residents. Two other Florida cities reached the Top 25 in the same category: Key West (#6) and Naples (#21). For a complete list of Top 25 arts destinations visit www.americanstyle.com.

http://www.mysuncoast.com/

The beauty of Hummingbirds

Native Americans considered hummingbirds messenger of joy. They also symbolize the miraculous-the power to accomplish what seemed impossible. Hummingbirds are capable of feats no other bird can perform- they can fly backwards and sideways and can move their wings in a figure eight pattern, which is why they are also considered the symbol of infinity.

As they flit from flower to flower, feeding on nectar and pollinating their hosts, hummingbirds flap their wings 80 timers per second. One has to experience the hummingbird up close to fully appreciate its beauty. An iridescent rainbow of colors accents its tiny body. Hummingbirds are startling stunning.

The hovering action of hummingbirds teaches those who watch them to experience the present moment and to lighten up. It's impossible for our spirits to soar if we are burdened by fear and anxiety.

The lifespan of a hummingbird is three or four years. Except for the ruby-throated variety, most hummingbirds in the U.S. live on the west coast. The best way to attract these birds to your backyard is to have plenty of flowers for them to pollinate. You can also hang a feeder with one part ordinary sugar to four parts water. Keep the feeder away from windows and change the mixture every 2-4 days to prevent lethal bacteria from harming these previous birds.

Ellie Hartle

Source: hummingbirds.net(2008)

No off-season for Jazz Club

With nearly 90 concerts, lectures and other events throughout the year, the Jazz Club of Sarasota is one of the busiest in the country, if not the world.

"There's nobody even close to us," said club president Gordon Garrett. "We are the most active jazz club in the United States. No question."

Examining the club's calendar -- which includes popular jazz festivals in Sarasota and Venice each year -- lends credit to Garrett's statement.

Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the former publicist for Benny Goodman, and boasting a membership of about 750, the club shows no signs of slowing down despite the annual dip in event participation during the summer.

One of the club's popular offerings during the hot months is its "Jazz At 2" concerts.

"They do very well," Garrett said. "The club used to shut down in May and start up again in September."

This month's concert features the David Pruyn Quartet from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota.

"Dave's father was head of the Ringling Bros. Circus band," Garrett said. "He also played with Mel Torme and does his whole schtick."

Advance tickets for the show are $7.50 for club members and $12.50 for the public. Admission is $15 the day of the show. For more information, call 552-5352.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota has also teamed up with the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre for "Golden Apple Jazz" to reach out to younger fans, and folks who like listening to music at night.

The Michael Royal Sextet performs from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 25 at the theater, 25 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

"A six-piece band is very unusual around here," Garrett said, "but Michael put together a very impressive group and we've also invited some younger players."

General admission is $15, while club members pay $10 and students $5. Drinks and snacks will be available. For more information, call 366-5454.

Next month, fans can enjoy an expanded Venice Jazz Festival, which features more musicians, a photo exhibit and a lecture Sept. 27-28.

"What we're trying to do is reach out to more people and try to do things that haven't been done in the past," Garrett said.

For more information about the club, call 366-1552 or visit www.jazzclub sarasota.org.

By Steve Echeverria Jr.
www.heraldtribune.com

ublished: Thursday, August 7, 2008

Sarasota Bay: Celebrating Our Water Heritage

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) invites the public to a free viewing of its new documentary Sarasota Bay: Celebrating Our Water Heritage. Produced by local award-winning filmmaker, Florida Journey Communications, the 28-minute documentary makes a compelling case for what’s been achieved — and still needs to happen — to sustain the health of Sarasota Bay.

The featured theme is Sarasota Bay as the economic engine of our area and why healthy ecosystems make economic contributions that transcend conventional accounting.

The film features:
• On-camera interviews with area leaders, including Jack Merriam (Environmental Manager, Sarasota County), Ernie Estevez, Ph.D. (MOTE), Jono Miller (New College), Pat Glass (Southwest Florida Water Management District), Jon Thaxton (Sarasota Commissioner) and Charlie Hunsicker (Manatee County Conversation Lands Management)

Plus discusssions of:
• Habitat restorations—20 years of progress
• Indications that the estuarine system has improved substantially
• Why continued nutrient reduction is a top priority
• Low-impact development—high-impact issue for the future
• The “Water Connection”—why citizen participation matters so much
• Gulf Coast Heritage Trail and ecotourism
• SBEP’s vision for a sustainable future

There will be two showings at each of the following locations. Each showing will be followed by a question and answer session.

Saturday August 9 – Manatee County Extension Service offices, Kendrick Auditorium. 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto. First showing 10 a.m. Second showing 11 a.m.

Saturday August 16 – FTB Jacaranda Library meeting room. 4143 Woodmere Park Boulevard, Venice. First showing noon. Second showing 1 p.m.

Saturday August 23 – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in the Cooley Theater. 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota. First showing 1 p.m. Second showing 2 p.m.

To RSVP for this event or for more information on the video, please contact the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program at 941-955-8085 or visit info@sarasotabay.org.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is dedicated to restoring the area’s greatest natural asset—Sarasota Bay. Its unique program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public. Sarasota Bay is one of 28 estuaries in the United States that have been named by the U.S. Congress as an “estuary of national significance.”

August 5th, 2008 by Jonathan Maziarz

Snook Haven a welcome site for many

Young rockers, bikers and seniors feel at home in cafe-slash-honky-tonk

The lyrics to "Old Folks at Home" looped in my head as I drove the dirt road to Snook Haven -- a hometown hangout in the backwoods of Venice.

At the end of a mile-long Spanish oak and Florida palm canopy emerged a no-frills cafe-slash-honky-tonk. Painted signs with toothy alligators and clever sayings signaled the entrance, and that "way down upon the Suwannee River" refrain resonated even deeper.

This, of course, was the Myakka River.

But there were just as many banjos.

It was a drizzly Thursday afternoon, and Greg Allen's string and wind band was plucking out ditties like "Alabama Jubilee" and "El Cumanchero." Diners in paisley button-down shirts, Bermuda shorts and straw hats tapped their sandals in time.

With an armful of food -- lobster bisque, butter-battered corn nuggets and a Snook grouper sandwich -- Chris Goldberg sauntered out of the kitchen.

"Here you go, sugar," she said with a grin, arranging my order on the table. "Enjoy."

I did, as I scanned the inside decor -- the 45s tacked onto the wall, woodcarvings of gators with fiddles, posters of Rosie the Riveter and headshots of Marilyn Monroe -- Americana at its apex.

Outside, turtles and fish were camouflaging themselves in the saw grass and murk, and herons perched on the wooden dock. During season, from October to May, "Capt. Terry" hosts a one-hour scenic tour on a riverboat here, and year-round, adventurers rent kayaks and canoes, cruising through the Myakka into Charlotte Harbor.

Concessionaire Ken Hansen took over the joint about three years ago (the three-acre park on which it sits is owned by the county, but Hansen and his crew run the cook shack, founded in the 1930s).

His clients run the gamut, he said, from twenty-something rockers to grizzled bikers and two-steppin' seniors.

"Banjo day is like the geriatric ward. People come out with their walkers and oxygen tanks and they have a great time," Hansen said with a chuckle. "It's really a place where anyone can come and feel at home."

And when Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy drops in for an impersonation, look out.

"You might see 250 Elvis fans here. The women go nuts for him," Hansen said. "One sweet little old lady thought he was the real deal, and it made her day."

That is the Snook Haven signature -- that nearly any day of the week, there will be entertainment for somebody, from Dual Sax Ron & The Hornets on Mondays to rotating acts like Rode Hard, Smoked Mullet and the Dallas Brothers on Sundays, and karaoke with open mike on Fridays.

Ron Driscoll of Nokomis, Glen Allen's resident saxophonist and an independent front man, set aside his instrument to sip an iceless root beer on break.

"I just love this place, playing here with these great musicians," he said. "It's my home away from home."

Cold beer, wine, cocktails, gator bites, tilapia, grouper and Bentley's homemade ice cream graced the outside picnic tables and interior bar.

Ilene Gutierrez and her party from Punta Gorda noshed on grilled cheese sandwiches and pulled pork barbecue. The Snook Haven first-timer said she would be back for the view, which tends to be the general sentiment.

"Early in the morning, when the birds are chirping and the squirrels are out," Hansen said, "I look around and think about how beautiful this place is."

Sounds like Hansen could write his own folk song.

By ABBY WEINGARTEN, CORRESPONDENT www.heraldtribune.com

Published: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2:30 a.m.