MIAMI HERALD: Cold took heavy toll on Florida wildlife
January’s cold took a heavy toll on Everglades plants and animals. In the case of the pythons, that’s a good thing.

Captains Log 02/08/2010 – Captain Sean found snook of 25 inches plus and a few nice juvenile tarpon in the 50 lb class out of Naples Bay. A great day despite the cold front and 45 degree morning temps. Way to go Corky & Sean.

Captains Log 02/06/2010 – Captain Gator took the Thompson family out for a grand slam – trout, snook, and nice reds came to the boat despite a windy cold front type of day. Way to go Captain Gator – fishing Estero Bay!! Tight Lines

Captains Log 0205/2010 – Captain Sean took repeat offender Steve I out for a spectacular day of snook, and juvy tarpon. A nice day of back water game fishing was had – using top water and soft baits. Fish On boys!!

I didn’t see Adam Lambert’s red carpet Q&As until now, but I did see Snooki’s — courtesy of Jim Cantiello and MTV. (Side comment: Adam Lambert should not be doing red carpet Q&A. He’s supposed to be a singer, right? Why does he want to be mistaken for Steven Cojococo and Colonel Sanders’ live child birthed in a placenta of Kiwi Parade Gloss Shoe Polish & Bain de Soleil?)

And Snooki rules. Sorry, Glamberts, but in all your fantasies about Adam Lambert becoming the biggest superstar in the entire world, I bet you never planned on SNOOKI. My mother has never seen Jersey Shore yet she knows all about Snooki. Bobby Moynihan’s Snooki is approaching recurring Weekend Update character status on Saturday Night Live.

Judas Priest knows Snooki. The Black Eyes Peas and Miley Cyrus were totally fantarding over her. And while she may be the only person I’ve ever seen dwarfed when standing next to The Moppet of Beelzebub aka Justin Bieber (that kid is such a fraking tool), Snooki is an unstoppable little dynamo. Oh. And she had no problem looking stupid when she didn’t know who she was talking to, or what she was talking about. Some people may think this looks ignorant, but I think its rather refreshing when you have someone just admits they don’t know what they hell they’re doing. Like Guiliana Rancic is Edward R. Morrow? Her go-to red carpet question is Why are you here?

(Hell, I just turned on that garbage known as Access Hollywood and they had the good sense to let The Situation help work the red carpet. I would talk to Mike Sorrentino any and every day over the likes of Billy Bush.)

Everybody loves Snooki. Which is why THIS may be one of the greatest moments in the history of Twitter. Or at least my life. Or at least my cyberspace life thus far in 2010. And now I once again have hope The Snookuation may catch on. The Snookuation is like my fetch, ya know? (Although I have been trying to bring honky back since I was 8. Still trying.)

1. Addison Bay, Marco Island, Florida, USA

Watertype : Saltwater

Boating and fishing on and around Marco Island is some of the best in the world. Multiple species of fish pass right by the island on regular migatory routes. The boating is beautiful and calm in the Gulf of Mexico. May through July is generally considered “Tarpon Time, an angler’s MUST, as these silver giants pass through the rivers, bays and estuaries.Fish the aqua waters of the Gulf or go to backwater and bays, or the scenic mangrove islands.

Try your hand at redfish, snook, grouper, trout, tarpon, permit, snappers or sharks. Whether your an avid fisherman or a novice all waits you here. The islands and bays surrounding Marco were often named for the pioneers living on them such as: Cannon Island, Kice Island and Charity Island, named for Charity Newell Addison. Addison Bay was named for her husband Albert Addison. Johnson Island, Johnson Bay, MacIlvane Island (destroyed when the Isles of Capri developed) and MacIlvane Bay were named for Victor McIlvane and his wife Barbara Frances Collier.

Horr’s Island was named for John Foley Horr, a U. S. Marshall and pineapple planter on what is now called ‘Key Marco.’ Curry Island was named for one-armed John Curry who lived there. Big Marco, Little Marco, Key Island now Keywaydin and Tarpon Bay and Unknown Bay are self explanatory while Sugar Bay and Blue Hill Bay make me wonder. Providing entrance to these bays from the Marco River are the passes. The lights and buoys marking the entrances to the passes are: Hurricane Pass, Capri Pass, Big Marco Pass (1889), Caxambas Pass, Coon Key Pass and Goodland Pass.

Click Here to read more details about Addison Bay

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“We seem to be in a run of telling you about new projects we’re involved in at the moment. This time round, we’re partnering with our associates Snook to work with the Scottish Government on their groundbreaking ALISS project. Here our project lead, Lauren Currie, tells more…Dominic, FutureGov”

We are working with the Scottish Government to create a service that helps people with long term conditions find local support and services. This project is called ALISS ( Access to Local Information to Support Self Management ) and you can catch up on the rest of the team’s activities here. We are documenting our phase of the project at Supporting Pipes.

This project echoes our belief that, by empowering people to make informed decisions about how to manage their life with the necessary support, it can have very real and positive outcomes for all involved.

Living with a long-term condition can have a profound effect on a person and their social network (family, friends and beyond). The impact can extend to social, economic, psychological, physical, cognitive and cultural aspects of a person’s life. I have been literally blown away by the people I have met so far. People who light up a room with their stories and laughter despite the day to day challenges that can come with living with a long term condition.

People cope as well as they can with the support they have, but frequently do not have the adequate information or skills to develop a sustainable coping strategy to manage their condition, or make informed decisions about their life. We have met people of all ages, with various conditions ranging from depression to asthma. When I asked Kate, who has eczema, what she got out of being part of the eczema society, she said:

“Post and paper work I don’t read or need.”

We want to empower people to learn about their condition, acknowledge the impact it can have on their life, make positive changes and identify areas where they might need support.

Of course, people with long-term conditions are major users of the health and social care support services in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. Often these services are driven by external and internal pressures, rather than placing the people and their direct needs at its centre. That’s why a big part of our research has involved talking to the people who run and provide these services. Alan, pictured below, runs a drop in centre for adults with mental health issues where he encourages people to build their own support services.

We have been working with people to document their journey, with a particular service user mapping their emotions, physical touchpoints and areas where support is needed. This is Marjorie who was diagnosed with osteoporosis eight years ago and was left to find her own way.

We have suddenly found ourselves immersed in this world that is what it is because of connections and empathy. These service users see themselves as part of a system and for one reason or another have lost faith in this very system. What we are working to achieve is to seamlessly link up the offline and the online, focusing on the points of contact. The one thing we have learned so far is that face-to-face contact should never be undervalued and people are our best resource – not only can they be hubs of information, but experts in their own lives and health.

By Kristina Webb
Copy Editor

Since a 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook their home on Jan. 12, the people of Haiti have looked to the sky, searching for aid that has been trickling into their shattered country.

There are over 100,000 Haitian immigrants in Miami alone, according to government records. With such a large Haitian community, South Florida has been at the epicenter of Haitian relief efforts.

Missionary Flights International (MFI), whose headquarters are in Fort Pierce, has been flying to Haiti for almost 40 years. MFI provided the first relief flight on the ground in Haiti, aside from the military, arriving less than 24 hours after the earthquake.

In addition to taking supplies such as dry goods and medical necessities, MFI brought back a special passenger load on Jan. 18 — a group of 26 Haitian orphans meeting their new parents for the first time.

According to Dick Snook, president of MFI, assistance has been flowing in from around the country.

“It’s funny how the Lord works,” Snook said. Clothes, food and medical supplies have been streaming into the organization’s hanger at Fort Pierce Airport.

Normally only flying out on Tuesdays and Thursdays, MFI now has daily flights.

The program has also received the assistance of NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, whose company, Hendrick Motorsports, has lent two passenger jets with flight crews to MFI to assist in their flights. This, said Snook, will help MFI fly in more relief in the form of both people and cargo.

“One of the things about our country is that we have a lot of generous people,” Snook said.

Cash donations have been steadily coming in, allowing MFI to focus on the task at hand rather than worry about the economic burden of the project.

“This is a ministry; it doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to the Lord,” Snook said. “Our experience is when these things happen, we don’t worry about the finances. That’s God’s part of it. He touches people’s hearts.”

Here in Palm Beach County, the local branch of the Red Cross is currently accepting only cash donations.

“People can be creative,” said Brittany Miller, press assistant with the Palm Beach area chapter of the Red Cross. Miller encourages students to come up with unique fundraising drives.

“No matter a local or international disaster, the community in our Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast region answers the call, shining through with unbelievable financial support and offers to help,” said Larry Casey, CEO of the local Red Cross chapter.

The Red Cross has set up a fundraiser through which people may donate $10 by sending a text message saying “Haiti” to 90999.

Palm Beach Atlantic University has organized a relief drive, asking students to donate unused clothing, dry goods and various other supplies.

“I would encourage students who want to help to pray, give, and if led by God, work through an organization who has been in Haiti, is currently there and has an infrastructure in place to serve,” said PBA Campus Pastor Bernie Cueto.

The chapel office, located in the Okeechobee building, is one of several drop-off points around campus.

The money that is collected will go to help Haitians in the PBA community return to Haiti to help their community.

This is especially significant to PBA employee and alumnus Jimmy Jean-Baptiste, whose father and six siblings were in Port-au-Prince at the time of the earthquake.

“It was devastating,” Jean-Baptiste said. “What’s hurting the most is that my father and one of my brothers who live in the U.S. went there two weeks ago. That makes it more family to worry about.”

After waiting several days, Jean-Baptiste received the news that his father and siblings are alive and well. However, this news was bittersweet: His aunt and cousin died as a result of the earthquake, and several other family members are still missing.

Jean-Baptiste said he hopes to go to Haiti to help rebuild, and he was excited when contacted by PBA President Lu Hardin to assist in coordinating the school’s fundraising efforts.

Hardin said he has been impressed with the response from the community so far.

“While I have been touched by many instances of individuals giving sacrificially to this university, perhaps the most touching example of fundraising took place this week when several students gave significant contributions to our fundraising efforts for Haiti,” Hardin said. “Literally, exuding the widow’s mite in sacrificial giving.”

These organizations are collecting funds now for the Haiti relief effort:

Red Cross
UNICEF
Hope for Haiti
Save the Children
World Vision

Captains Log 1/25/2010 – Captain Sean took the Matalon family fishing, the freeze was still on but the Captain found numerous monster sized sheepshead, a few snook and a nice cooler full of trout – fishing both shrimp and plastics in the back country of Marco South. Fishing with weather conditions like we have had is not easy, but as always Saltwater Cowboy Charters delivers. Tight Lines Captain Brant

Captains Log 01/21/2010 – Captain Sean fished Bruce M in the Estero Bay area and reported landing monster jacks and snook as well some trout and snapper, plus a few sheepshead. While the wind and cold kept the pressure on the duo landed enough fish to make a 6 hour trip back water more than worthwhile Way to go Sean & Bruce! Tight Lines Capt. brant

MIAMI HERALD: Cold inflicted major toll on fish in Florida

ESPN OUTDOORS: The Big Chill. Extended cold period requires changes to Florida’s saltwater regulations

AHN: Frigid Weather Destroys Florida Saltwater Fish

SUN SENTINEL: Gamefish seasons closed as a precaution

MIAMI HERALD: Three fisheries closed as authorities deal with fish killed by cold weather

Milder weather has descended upon Florida once again and our training may begin to return to normal.  Layering is still important, especially in the morning.  Gloves will be a personal choice, but a hat may still be a good idea.  With the warmer mornings make sure that you are well hydrated and that you pick up your pace slowly.

One of the effects of the cold weather broke my heart as I walked around the bayou this last week.  Hundreds of fish did not survive the cold wave and lay dead or dying.  Fins and tails everywhere, floating and beginning their descent into the food-chain.  It was a sad day as I saw hundreds of Snook laying 45 degrees to the surface, dead from the cold, their tails signalling their chilling demise.

The lesson here?  Layer!!! (and don’t come back as a Snook)

Good Luck with your exercise and keep up with your resolutions.

For immediate release: January 17, 2010

Contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

Catch and release fishing still allowed for snook, bonefish and tarpon

While the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently issued an executive order on Jan. 15, which temporarily extends closed harvest seasons for snook statewide and establishes temporary statewide closed harvest seasons for bonefish and tarpon, the FWC advises anglers that catch and release fishing for these important game fish species is still allowed.  The FWC appreciates angler support for taking conservation measures that will help protect saltwater fish and provide time for the FWC to evaluate the possible impacts to fish populations that may have occurred because of the recent prolonged cold weather event in Florida.

 The order, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 16, provides that no person may harvest or possess snook in state and federal waters off Florida until September and establishes a temporary prohibition on the harvest and possession of bonefish and tarpon from state and federal waters off Florida through March 31.

The FWC advises anglers that this order only prohibits the harvest or possession of snook, bonefish and tarpon during the closed periods.  Anglers may still catch and release these species during these temporary closures, and the FWC encourages everyone to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival upon release.  Information regarding proper handling and release of fish is available online at http://catchandrelease.org/Catch_and_Release_web.pdf.

More information on the FWC’s executive order regarding the snook, bonefish and tarpon temporary harvest closures, and information regarding another FWC executive order issued on Jan. 15, which temporarily suspends certain saltwater fishing regulations to allow for the collection and disposal of dead fish killed by cold weather, is available online at MyFWC.com.

Captains Log 01/18/2010 – The freezing cold weather for Florida has land locked (trapped in back bays) many of the large tarpon in the area (75 – 100 lbs). These monsters along with giant snook are p[iled up in the back bays – The Cowboys know whwere they are and on this Paul and Steve experienced the thrill of a 100# poon hitting a top water and many monster jacks and snook biting whatever was thrown to them. Way to go Capt. Sean!! Tight Lines Capt. Brant

Florida State wildlife regulators have closed fishing for snook, bonefish and tarpon because of damage to fish stocks caused by last week’s freezing temperatures.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday banned fishing for snook until Sept. 1, 2009. The commission also banned fishing for bonefish and tarpon until April 1, 2009. All three are popular Florida game fish.

The bans are intended to let fish populations recover from cold-related fatalities. It will also give researchers time to assess the scope of damage caused by the weather, FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a written statement.

Last week’s freezing temperatures caused widespread fish kills in rivers, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

The order also lets people remove cold-killed fish from the water and from shorelines without buying a permit. The fish can’t be eaten and must be disposed of properly.

For immediate release: January 15, 2010

Contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

FWC responds to widespread cold-weather saltwater fish kills

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued executive orders to protect Florida’s snook, bonefish and tarpon fisheries from further harm caused by the recent prolonged cold weather in the state, which has caused widespread saltwater fish kills.  The FWC has received numerous reports from the public and is taking action to address the conservation needs of affected marine fisheries.  The orders also will allow people to legally dispose of dead fish in the water and on the shore.

One of the executive orders temporarily extends closed fishing seasons for snook statewide until September.  It also establishes temporary statewide closed seasons for bonefish and tarpon until April because of the prolonged natural cold weather event that caused significant, widespread mortality of saltwater fish in Florida.  The other order temporarily suspends certain saltwater fishing regulations to allow people to collect and dispose of dead fish killed by the cold weather.

“A proactive, precautionary approach is warranted to preserve our valuable snook, bonefish and tarpon resources, which are among Florida’s premier game fish species,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.  “Extending the snook closed season and temporarily closing bonefish and tarpon fishing will protect surviving snook that spawn in the spring and will give our research scientists time to evaluate the extent of damage that was done to snook, bonefish and tarpon stocks during the unusual cold-weather period we recently experienced in Florida.”

Snook season currently is closed in Florida under regular FWC rules, and there are also regular closed snook seasons that occur in the summer.  However, the FWC executive order extends the statewide snook closed seasons continuously through Aug. 31 and provides that no person may harvest or possess snook in state and federal waters off Florida during this period unless the fishery is opened sooner or the closure is extended by subsequent order.

The order also establishes a temporary prohibition on the harvest and possession of bonefish and tarpon from state and federal waters off Florida through March 31, unless these fisheries are opened sooner or the closures are extended by subsequent order.  The FWC executive order for the snook, bonefish and tarpon closed seasons takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 16.

The other FWC executive order temporarily removes specific harvest regulations for all dead saltwater fish of any species that have died as a result of prolonged exposure to cold weather in Florida waters.  It also modifies general methods of taking dead saltwater fish from Florida’s shoreline and from the water to allow the collection of saltwater fish by hand, cast net, dip net or seine.

All people taking dead saltwater fish under the provisions of this order may not sell, trade or consume such fish, and the dead fish must immediately be disposed of in compliance with local safety, health and sanitation requirements for such disposal.

In addition, all people taking dead fish under the provisions of this order are not required to possess a saltwater fishing license, and all fish taken under the provisions of this executive order shall be those that have died as a result of prolonged exposure to cold weather.

This FWC executive order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 16 and will expire at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 1, unless it is repealed sooner or extended by subsequent order.

Captains log 01/16/2010 – freezing weather has reduced most charters to catching lady fish and sheepshead and bragging about it! Not the Cowboys – Captain sean took Ed Dunne and party and was able to find snook, tarpon and giant jacks holed up in a few canals in north Estero Bay – when you fish with the best you catch fish – period. Tight Lines and Screaming drags brothers!!

As winter approaches snook are found leaving shallow flats, searching for warmer. Deep bays and bayous along with other prime locations like deep-water canals, channels, creeks and rivers are prime locations.

During the day, muddy bottom, deep water, residential canals with docks, boats and boat houses absorb the sun’s heat, which then radiates into the water. As tidal flows snake and bend their way back, these canals develop deeper troughs that attract snook and other species.

Creeks, tributaries or runoffs dumping into a channel or canal flushes food like minnows, shrimp and other baits. By doing this it creates a natural feeding location for fish. And if the flow comes from a shallow pool or back country flat it also carries a significant amount of sun heated water.

Snook have one irrefutable trait they like to eat. Although a gluttonous predator during summer, as temperatures cool and their metabolism slows they turn lethargic and almost passive.

Cold weather anglers should begin the transition to wintertime patterns, as temperatures drop into the 60’s or lower. This means slowing everything down. Patience is the key to cold water fishing, but not always a virtue. Fish are primarily looking for warmth to survive; exerting only enough energy to grab an easy meal.

Naturally, nothing works like the real thing and everything eats shrimp, so the bigger the better. If you decide on fast swimmers like greenbacks, threadfins, pinfish, mud minnows and small mullet; make them an easier target by slightly wounding them or clipping tail fins before casting.

Proficient anglers also fool a snook into taking an artificial lure. Much like natural baits it means being patient, choosing lures that emulate wounded bait, and working them extremely slow. In the clear waters of winter, hard lures in bright flashy color combination’s seem to produce well. Try MirrOlure’s MirrODine, MirrOMullet and Catch 2000 or any suspending lure. For the die-hard soft plastic angler the Exude or Berkley Gulp makes excellent artificial options. Regardless, of what you use a good scent like Pro Cure can’t hurt.

Remember, everything must be presented consistently slower than usual. Don’t make a couple of cast into a prime location and move on. Instead, work the area giving it time to produce. Remember they are slow to react, but if you present the bait enough times they’ll usually eat it.

Captain Woody Gore is an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. He also guides fishing charters in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas. Fishing these areas for over fifty years he offers memorable fishing adventures. To contact Capt Woody please visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key is now primarily a wildlife refuge. Accessible only by private boat, it has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that’s stood since 1858. On any given day you’ll find boating, swimming and fishing activities going on around this small island. Often oblivious to the decades of history, its outward appearance deceives the average observer.  Take a moment to travel back to the beginning.

This modest island located at the entrance to Tampa Bay played a dynamic part in the area’s history. Named in honor of John Perceval, the second Earl of Egmont, it witnessed the passing of Spanish Conquistadors, English, and Spanish Privateers, the violent struggle between brothers in blue and grey and later ships of steam and iron. Today hundreds of steel hulled, oil driven, satellite guided merchant ships pass this small island on course to Tampa.

Throughout the early 1830’s, as shipping increased and Tampa developed into an active seaport, so did the number of shallow water groundings near Egmont. To remedy the situation citizens petitioned the Government to construct a lighthouse at the entrance of Tampa Bay. In March 1848 Congress authorized $7,050.00 to erect the only lighthouse between St. Marks and Key West. Living on the island with his family, the first light tender Sherrod Edwards operated the new beacon.

Shortly after completion, enormous waves with tidal surges exceeding 15 feet completely covered the island, as the great hurricane of 1848 struck Florida’s gulf coast. At the highest point on the island, Edwards placed his family in a small boat, tied it to cabbage palms and rode out the violent storm. By morning the exhausted Edwards returned to the lighthouse finding it severely damaged and their possessions gone or destroyed. As the powerful storm traveled up the coast the winds and seas subsided; Edwards rowed his family to shore and resigned his post as lighthouse tender.

In what is generally called today’s hurricane season subsequent storms followed wreaking havoc on the island and lighthouse. Once again, Congress appropriated monies to redesign and rebuild the lighthouse to withstand future storms. The new lighthouse was 120 feet tall with Fresnel lens and Argard lamp, the most modern of its time. As a tribute to the builders this structure still stands today.

This small island added a dreadful footnote to the Seminole Indian Wars. Egmont served as a holding area and point of departure for hundreds of Seminoles awaiting transportation to a reservation in Arkansas. One tragic event took place on Egmont Key in 1858 as the Billy Bowlegs or third and final Indian War came to a close in Florida. Bowlegs the last remaining Seminole Indian chief in South Florida with his remaining followers, surrendered in Fort Myers. The tribesmen were transported to Egmont Key for their final rendezvous before crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Arkansas. One proud warrior, Tiger Tail could no longer endure the humility of being taken from his native Florida. Preparing for departure he ground up a quantity of glass swallowing it with a glass of water. His suicide tragically ended the era of Florida Indians.

In 1861, the deadliest Civil War in U.S. history began. Confederate troops decided to occupy the island, but quickly realized they were unable to defend its strategic location decided to leave; to render the lighthouse useless, the Fresnel lens was taken during the evacuation.

Despite the inoperable light beacon, Union Forces captured the island in November 1861 establishing a Union gunboat base. These gunboats successfully blockaded the entrance to Tampa Bay and shelled buildings of military importance. At one point they even invaded and briefly occupied the city. Before the war ended with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in 1865 thousands of run-away slaves, Union sympathizers, and Confederate prisoners were held captive on the island.

As the war subsided, new lighthouse keepers were hired to live on the island with their families. They were responsible for day to day operations involving general house keeping, lens cleaning, and wick trimming.

When the U.S. Lighthouse Service established a sea buoy depot and coal shed in 1872; the small history filled island finally seemed destined to some normality, but not for long.

In 1898, irresolvable differences over the liberation of Cuba loomed on the horizon between the United States and Spain. The Spanish – American War seemed inevitable and apprehension ran high for the citizens of Tampa. Concerned over a Spanish fleet invasion, they demanded the government guard the entrance. Accordingly, in 1906 and named in honor of Army Major Francis Dade, massacred by Seminole Indians 1835; the walls of Fort Dade rose to completion. The mighty fort stood ready to guard Tampa Bay for an invasion that never came. Fort Dade became a sprawling complex complete with a post office, Movie Theater, electric lights, telephone service, sewers, icehouse, hospital, and even an elementary school. Then nearing the 20th century, a fort that proudly served even during World War I and II was finally deactivated in 1923. Now the once proud fortress succumbs to years of abandonment and pounding surf. Much of the original fort and buildings located 250 yards inland are literally crumbling into the sea.

In 1939 lighthouse operations transferred to and are now maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. In the 1940’s the lighthouse was modernized by adding two 200,000 candle power airport beacons visible to 28 miles. This modernization resulted in the tower being shortened to 85 feet when the original beacon was removed.

The Tampa Bay Pilots Association was founded in 1886, to help guide merchant ships into Tampa. Today, their presence on Egmont Key is a living statement to Tampa’s maritime history.

Egmont Key State Park and National Wildlife Refuge – was established in 1974 and protects a diverse community of animals and plants, many of which are either threatened or endangered. This island refuge was once the site of the former United States Army Fort Dade Military Reservation, and abundant reminders of this unique military past can be found scattered throughout the island today. Silent gun batteries testify to a time when mighty battleships reigned supreme on the world’s oceans. Today, the now silent batteries, and an occasional tourist traverse the old carriage roads. Anyone with interest in Tampa history or ghost towns should visit Egmont Key State Park that’s open 365 days from 8 AM until sundown.

Captain Woody Gore is an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. He also guides fishing charters in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas. Fishing these areas for over fifty years he offers memorable fishing adventures. To contact Capt Woody please visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

The crazy weather down here in Florida has been monopolizing my time of late.  The most obvious impact it has had was found in my internet access, which mysteriously disappears if the temperature drops below about 40 degrees.  Since we have digital phones, the phones go on vacation as well.  Annoying, to say the least, but at least they come back around noon, when things thaw out.

In addition to the crazy internet outages, the local environment has been hit really hard.  My husband was speaking with one of the grove owners yesterday, who reported a total crop failure of both citrus and strawberries.  There won’t be any winter corn, the tomatoes didn’t survive.  But the real tragedy is the Indian River Lagoon.

The effect on the lagoon has been so severe that I actually submitted an iReport to CNN- you can check it out below.

Dangerously Low Temperatures Leave Florida Fisheries Reeling

Obviously, this is not a good situation.  Since I did the report, I found out that even alligators were being found dead in the icy water.  It’ll be a long time before the ecology recovers from this.

In other news, we’ve brought in three new writers for Saponifier and I’m very excited to have them on board- look for fresh new copy in the next issue!

Last February I got snowed in during a visit to London town and wrote about Snowing and Togetherness.

Here I am nearly a year later and the snow is even deeper. The togetherness is different too. As I’ve said before – maybe it has something to do with lovely  co-production, citizenship and co-creation theme tune I hear every day.

It is genuinely lovely and exciting and over flowing with possibility. That’s why  Snook are looking for evidence of it actually happening and making a difference in the places we live.

When the snow fell the Scottish Government asked ordinary people to take more responsibility for their own welfare and the welfare of others. This echoed what MyPolice heard at the RSA when they spoke about human capability. They believe every citizen has the potential to be:

• self reliant
• resourceful
• self sufficient
• altruistic

and behave in a way that their actions contribute to the social fabric of society. The Scotsman’s Life In The Freezer captured this perfectly:

“Elsewhere there has been much talk about “true grit”; of communities pulling together; of the spirit of the Blitz being rekindled. And – though some may see this as a major exercise in buck-passing – there is little doubt that across Britain the current weather crisis has sparked a few acts of great resourcefulness and heroism among ordinary people.

But there have also been those small, mundane, everyday acts of altruism: whether it’s pushing strangers’ cars out of snow drifts, taking a neighbour’s children to school, buying groceries for those who can’t get to the shops or looking in on vulnerable pensioners, people seem to be becoming a little less blinkered and insular.

Stranded drivers made the best of their ordeal by building snowmen on the central reservations of motorways

The cold weather seems to be bringing out people’s creativity too, Caldercruix Community Centre project development officer Ruth Taggart’s own street took on a party atmosphere as neighbours banded together to clear it.

“When the first snow came, just before Christmas, we came home from a shopping trip and found we couldn’t park in our cul-de-sac so three or four families – the adults, their sons and their friends – all came out to clear it. We had music going, and juice to drink, and there was lots of laughing. At one point, the boys were all competing to knock off the dangerous icicles with snowballs. Normally we just come in from work and go straight into our houses, so it made a change to spend some time outdoors with everyone.”

So there is certainly no lack of true grit in Scotland.

I like this little collection from the BBC – people across Scotland share their experienes of the icey conditions.

NEWS PRESS: Thousands of snook die in cold Southwest Florida waters

ST.PETERSBURG TIMES: Cold brings ‘absolute decimation’ of fish

WWSB ABC 7: Fish Killed by Cold