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Sarasota Bay: Celebrating Our Water Heritage

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Invites the Public to See New Documentary

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.”

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 Really. He wants to bring the same ham-fisted tactics that are failing in Baghdad to the streets of the United States.

• Italy’s giving fascism another shot.

• Repeat after me: It’s Cheney’s fault.

• The matra: when in doubt, blame Osama.

• Does everyone understand just how destructive a war with Iran will be?

• The rats continue to flee the sinking ship that is the Republican Party.

• For sale to the highest bidder: America’s infrastructure.

• Print is finally dead.

• This is best played very, very loud:

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Why was the CIA protecting Radovan Karadzic, the butcher of Kosovo?

• Economic news just continues to get worse.

• Now even prime borrowers are starting to default on loans.

• Bradenton bank goes belly-up.

• What’s really killing newspapers.

• On Joe Klein’s stand against Israeli neocons, the most dangerous people in the world.

• Another view on the kerfluffle.

• Osama bin Laden’s driver is on “trial” in Guantanamo Bay right now. But even if he is exonerated, what will we do with him? We could send him to the new prisons we’re building in Saudi Arabia. Or maybe the one we’re building on Diego Garcia?

• Think the surge has made life better in Baghdad? Think again:

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Rupert Murdock’s greasy little meat hooks are all over this one.

There’s a story in the Wall Street Journal, and mind you, this is posited as a news story, not an opinion piece, that speculates that Barack Obama may be a poor presidential candidate because he is too physically fit.

I’ll just let that sink in for a minute.

Here’s what the WSJ is saying: Many Americans are overweight and, as such, can’t identify with a physically fit person like Obama; i.e., body type is now a major factor in picking a president.

Never mind that our current president, George W. Bush, is himself very fit and makes his personal physical fitness a point of personal pride. This admirable dedication to personal health did not seem to hurt him in either the 2000 or 2004 elections.

This story officially marks the point where the WSJ jumped the shark.

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• What should John McCain do with President Bush at the convention?

• McCain has, however, figured out what kind of campaign he’s going to run - a dirty one.

• Dick Cheney’s crazy idea of killing American Navy SEALs to start a war with Iran.

• More than 3 million Americans became expatriates last year.

• The former head of the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program is now leading Blackwater’s new intelligence service.

• If you are traveling with your laptop, make sure there’s nothing important on it, as the Department of Homeland Security can confiscate it and take it offsite to be examined as it sees fit.

• The first of the Guantanamo Bay show trials continues, including the first use of secret testimony.

• The most violent cops in America - in Prince Georges County, Maryland, just shot both of mayor’s dogs.

• NYPD calls for neighbors to snoop on neighbors and then turn the video evidence over to authorities. I doubt, however, that this is the sort of video they were hoping to see. WARNING: Graphic violence.

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• History already frowning upon the Bush Presidency? No problem, just start rewriting it.

• The most dangerous people in the world right now: Israeli neocons.

• Not that American politicians are helping the problem as we keep saying, “Don’t worry, we may still attack Iran for you. “

• Even Barack Obama is in on it.

• More people we need to be really worried about.

• Number of American jobs exported to China since Bush took office: 2.3 million.

• The “block and blame” politics of the GOP is destroying America.

•  The contemptible Karl Rove is finally held in contempt.

•  Write a letter to your congressman that disputes the official line on 9/11, have your letter turned over to the Capitol Police.

• Is it 4:20 yet?

• What U.S. government contractors do for fun; yep, shooting at innocent civilians:

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Accreditation Team Invites Public Comments about the Sarasota Police? Department?

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement? Accreditation (CFA) will arrive to examine all aspects of the Sarasota Police Department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief Peter Abbott announced Tuesday.

The Sarasota Police Department has to comply with approximately 250 standards in? order to receive accredited status. As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team.

The public may call 954-7051 on 8-13-08, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CFA standards. A copy of the standards is available through SPD’s Public Information Officer, Capt. Stan Duncan at 954-7032.

For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the SPD’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write to; CFA, 3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 380, Orlando, Florida, 32817.

The Accreditation Manager for the SPD is Sgt. Scott Mayforth. Sgt. Mayforth said the assessment teamis composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials; interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.

The CFA Team Leader is Assistant Chief John Dean of the University of North Florida Police Department. Other team members are Deputy Chief Joe Hall of the Panama City Police Department and Lt. Darryl Daniels of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to receive accredited status. The SPD’s accreditation is for three years.

Chief Peter Abbott stated “Accreditation indicates adherence to policies and procedures recognized as best practices in the policing profession. This will be the third time the SPD will undergo the accreditation process and we look forward to a successful review.”

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 Jeb Corliss is pushing the boundaries of human flight.

• It’s time to purge Congress of conservative Democrats.

• Americans continue to grow more disillusioned about the economy.

• Some good questions for John McCain.

• Followed by some good questions for Barack Obama.

• Iraq is know as Bush’s War. Will Afghanistan be known as Obama’s War?

• GOP Senator Ted Stevens indicted. Who’s next?

• American food portions continue to swell to enormous and unsustainable levels.

• If you read nothing else this week, read this interview of Noam Chomsky.

• Sigh. Penn and Teller used to be funny.

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Sea turtle nesting season along local beaches is in full swing with the number of loggerhead nests now topping 1,000 for the season and running well ahead of 2007’s disappointing numbers.

From our friends at Mote Marine Laboratory:

Also from our friend at Mote, here are some dos and don’ts that people can remember to help clear the way for nesting turtles:

Do:

• If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance
• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October
• Close drapes after dark and put beach furniture far back from the water
• Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water
• Place trash in its proper place
Do Not:

• Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles
• Use flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach
• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged
• Use fireworks on the beach

Sea turtles are protected under federal law and any harassment or interference with a sea turtle, living or dead, is subject to penalty. If you witness anyone disturbing a turtle or find an injured or disoriented hatchling or adult, please notify agents with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), the local sheriff’s department, and/or Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Program at 388-4331. If you find a dead or injured sea turtle contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program at 988-0212.

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OK, most of us no longer get summer vacations and some of us can’t even remember that far back, but for many high school students, summer is a time to forget everything you just learned and spend idle time getting into trouble.

Fortunately, there are some good options for those motivated to get involved in community leadership.

A baker’s dozen of teens will graduate tomorrow from the STAR Leadership Training program provided by Community Youth Development. Students will be honored at a graduation ceremony at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 30 at the Leila and Michael Gompertz Center, 2635 Fruitville Road.

The mission of the STAR Leadership Training is to empower high school aged youth as community leaders through training and education.  Youth participate in extensive training (75 hours) focused on development of leadership, communication and group work skills, as well as specific tools needed to serve on boards, such as meeting protocol and member responsibilities.

Once trained, youth serve in a decision making position as a full and equal member of a city or county government committee, on a noprofit board of directors, or on countywide councils focused on education, law enforcement, community service or positive teen activities.

Since the program was created in 2000, 380  youth have completed the training.   Currently, 130 youth are serving in leadership positions.  STAR is recognized as a national model for engaging youth in community and civic life.

This year’s graduates are:  Kenna Allison, Ivan Bahamon, Celina Burchett, Katlin Burpee, Emma Dietrich, Patrick Ferlise, Jesse Frimmel, Hannah Greenwald, Dustin Morris, Alyssa Nutter, David Portnow, Jennie Williams and Sebastian Wright.

These are some of our best and brightest and will be runnign the show sooner than we all think.

STAR is funded through a grant from the Leslie and Margaret Weller Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the CYD Project.  For additional information on the Community Youth Development Project, please contact Karen Bogues, Project Director at 922-5126.

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