Loxahatchee Group Florida Chapter
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Turtle Tracks Newsletter of the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Volume 27, No. 6 | December 2003/January 2004 Table of Contents Volunteers needed General meetings Conservation meeting From the easy chair Sierra calendars Newsletter party Excom meeting Outings Other happenings Fisheating Creek trip report Conservation musings Conservation conference highlights FTAA protest update Excom candidates Inner City Outings Holiday picnic Silent auction Email forum

Back Issues October/November 2003 August/September 2003 June/July 2003 April/May 2003 January 2003 November/December 2002 August/September 2002 June/July 2002 April/May 2002 February/March 2002 August/September 2001 June/July 2001 April/May 2001 October/November 2000 August/September 2000 Newsletter Editor Marcia Karasoff 561/968-4058 mkarasoff@adelphia.net

PLEA FOR VOLUNTEERS

Many hands make light work!  The Holiday Party Committee needs your help, for a short amount of time, to help make this year's party, on December 14, the best ever!  The Sierra Club is built on volunteers and the Holiday Picnic is an excellent way for you to get involved and be a part of the team.  It's a one time, one day commitment and best of all, you'll already be there!!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR:
EARLY SET UP (12:00)
=One or two people to handle the drink coolers
=Two strong types to move tables around
=Help setting out the silent auction items
=People to put up the badminton set and the croquet game

START OF PARTY (1:00 - 2:00)
=Three or four people at the welcome table
=Six or seven people to watch the silent auction tables - in shifts, you
won't be stuck for the whole time.
=Three or four people to receive and arrange the delicious pot luck dishes, according to type.
=One or two to keep an eye on the chafing dishes
=A couple of referees to supervise the brutal croquet game....nah, just
kidding!

END OF PARTY (4:00-5:00)
=Patient people to collect the bid sheets and give out auction items.
=Four or five people for clean up detail:  all trash in cans, all club
equipment back to vehicles, games put away, grounds policed etc.

Please reply to the Forum or to Lisa Hanley 561-742-9219, to inspire more participation!

- Lisa Hanley

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GENERAL MEETINGS

There will be no meeting in December. We are having our Holiday year-end picnic and silent auction on December 14.

January 20, 2004 meeting our speaker is Mike Leuthner, a Sierra Staff person out of the St. Petersburg Office. He will be talking about political
strategies, and activism for the new year.  This is a critical election year
we all must get prepared for. Be sure to attend this important meeting.
Our meetings start at 7:00 PM for social. Meeting opens at 7:20 PM. Directions.

- John Gates Program Chair

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CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING

Bring issues that are important to you before the Committee for attention and action.  Please contact JoAnn Miner for location and time (561)-433-0685.

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From the Easy Chair . . . . . .

Greetings and best wishes for the Holiday Season.  I trust I¹ll see you
at our now famous annual Holiday Picnic and Silent Auction on December 14th.

Have you been fortunate enough to spot any of our migrating friends?  The palm warblers have returned to brighten my life and our yard.

The Lox Group had a nice turn out at the Florida Chapter Sierra Club
Conservation Conference in November.  It was held in a lovely rural location east of Gainesville.  There was fun, food, and socializing as well as updates on issues of importance to Sierrans.  I feel privileged to
participate with such a great group of people.

This past week the FTAA meeting and protest was held in Miami.  The
Sierra Club had a significant representation with national, state and local
members participating.  The police presence was intimidating, but I felt a
strong need to be there and let the powers that be know that many citizens disagree with the treaties they are making.

We have been hearing so much about patriotism of late.  I keep thinking
Activism is the Key!   Activism in your local homeowners association or
neighborhood, government, and conservation organization makes democracy run smoothly.  Which leads me to ask you to help us find a new treasurer.   Is it possible that there is a retired CPA (or any good numbers cruncher) reading this?   Someone who doesn¹t want to attend public meetings and protests or camp in the wilderness, but believes in the Sierra mission. Someone who would be willing to put in a few hours a month keeping our books balanced.  I know you¹re out there and you need to know what a difference your contribution will make. Please get in touch.

- Kay Gates, Chairperson

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2004 SIERRA CALENDARS ARE HERE

The holidays are upon us and what better way to share your love of
nature with your friends, family and business connections than with the gift of a Sierra Club Calendar.  We have Wilderness and Engagement calendars for sale, both a beautiful addition to any wall or desk.  I tear out the past week's engagement picture to hang on the bulletin board in my office; it's an instant stress reliever.  "But I get all my calendars for free," you say. Do those calendars help support the work of the Loxahatchee Group?  No, they don't.  All profits from calendar sales stay with our Group, and it's a hefty profit, so please, when you wonder what to send to Uncle Bert, think Sierra Club calendars.   By the way, the calendars are packaged in corrugated cardboard, ready to be addressed and mailed to your out of state giftees.

CALENDARS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE HOLIDAY PICNIC AND BY APPT, WITH LISA HANLEY (732-9578).

- Lisa Hanley

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LOXAHATCHEE GROUP NEWSLETTER FOLDING PARTY for the February/March Turtle Tracks newsletter will be  Sunday, February 1 at 4 p.m. at the Carle's house in west Boynton. It's easy; it's fun; its a big help for the Loxahatchee Group. Free cookies! Call Sabrina at (561) 732-4486 if you need directions.

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NEXT EXCOM MEETING will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Gates¹ house on December 8, and on January 12.   Call John & Kay for directions if you plan to attend.

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OUTINGS

Please visit Events.

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OTHER HAPPENINGS

Audubon Meetings:  First Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m. Meetings held at NEW LOCATION Howard Park Community Center in West Palm Beach (corner of Parker & Okeechobee). Call Claudine Laabs (561) 655-9779.

PB Pack & Paddle Club,  Second Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Okeeheelee Nature Center, WPB.

PBCEC -  PBC Environmental Coalition Conferences on the third Monday of each month at Pegasus Restaurant. 301 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, 7:00 p.m. Contact Steve Bell  (561) 632-7737  or  livingscape@cs.com.

Pine Jog Environmental Education Center Jan. 24 & Mar. 6, Family Canoe Day, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., $5 adults, $3 children; Night Hike & Evening Programs starting with marshmallow roast over open campfire, Saturdays 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Dec. 6, Jan 10, Mar. 20, April 3, May 15. $3 members, $5 non-members. For more information, visit www.pinejog.org/WebPages/SpecialEvents.htm, or
contact Rachel Cavanaugh (561) 686-6600, pinejog@fau.edu.

League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF), a non profit org. whose mission is to develop and support environmental education and educators by promoting community-based support will organize field trips and environmental workshops. Check their website at
http://leeflet.brinkster.net.

Indian Riverkeeper. The newly formed organization in Stuart is looking for more volunteers to keep an eye on the Indian River Lagoon, and report any pollution you see.  They also need a grant writer. If interested, contact them at (772) 283-8747.

(These activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations of warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities.)

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Fisheating Creek

On October 25th  thirteen determined Sierra Club members met at the
Fisheating Creek Campground to start  a canoe trip to remember.  Despite getting a late start (the outfitter wasn't ready), the paddlers started the odyssey with enthusiasm.   The scenery was beautiful and wildlife abundant. Alligators were our constant companions, sunning on the bank or swimming along with us as we paddled.  A baby gator was even spotted and around the corner was his nest with the rest of the family.  We also watched many birds, from blue herons to hawks and red headed woodpeckers.  Though no mammals were seen, a few footprints were found.

Sierrans canoeing along pristine Fisheating Creek.

The trip started at Ingram's Crossing and wound through several small lakes, cypress swamps and open sloughs.  The water level had dropped several feet recently and high water marks were observed on the trees. The route is extremely clean and litter free, which made the paddlers happy. Our late start made us late arriving at our campsite so camp had to be set up in the dark.  We prepared dinner as a light rain started falling.  The rain let up and we went to our tents for a quiet, peaceful night.  During the night, the rains returned with a vengeance.

By morning the sky was clear and bright and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then broke camp and started the last leg of our journey, back to Fisheating Campground.  Some of the best bird watching was on this leg.

The whole trip is about 16 miles and takes about 11 1/2 hours at an easy
rate.  Some paddling skill is required due to the narrow and twisty route
through the cypresss stands.  The trail is well marked with small arrows and mile markers.  A one day trip is also available from the outfitter.

- Mike Baird

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CONSERVATION MUSINGS

It¹s Holiday time.  It¹s also time to reflect on the events of 2003 and to
make plans for 2004.  We are facing some humongous issues here in South Florida.

The biggest, of course is CERP.  Will it actually ³restore² any of the
Everglades or will it turn out to be only a huge public works project to
³replumb² South Florida.  We need to keep after the power brokers to make sure that CERP actually protects or improves our environment and doesn¹t just promote sprawl.

An interesting example of how the power brokers operate to enhance their agenda could well be the sudden appearance of SCRIPPS Florida.  This wasn¹t even a glimmer in anyone¹s eye two months ago and now it is the biggest thing since Wilson Misner called one of our fair cities ³a platinum sucker trap.²  This could turn out to be as great an opportunity for jobs in Palm Beach and Martin Counties as Pratt & Whitney, RCA, IBM or Motorola.  Where are they now?  What happened to ³Silicone Beach?²

For one not privy to the inner workings of our county government, it could seem that prudent planning has been thrown out the window.  Where does the SCRIPPS development on Mecca Farms, at Northlake Blvd and Seminole/Pratt Road, fit into the county¹s Comprehensive Development Plan?  Won¹t this location mean extensive investments in infrastructure and roads?  Won¹t this development mean SPRAWL?

We could be turning South Florida into Los Angeles East.  Is that what we want?

- JoAn Miner

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CONSERVATION CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

It is hard to give an overview of this very informative conference, so I
will list mostly speakers, topics and cite website addresses that contain
more information:

Jill JENSEN, of the Gulf Restoration Network in New Orleans discussed 4 major threats to sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit
www.gulfrestorationnetwork.org.

Cynthia SARTHOU, Exec Director of the Gulf Restoration Network, gave a dramatic presentation of the loss of wetlands in Louisiana, and efforts to save these wetlands. Visit www.americaswetland.com.

Ginger ALLEN, University of Florida, presented an exciting program:
Florida's Master Naturalist Program. Interested to be one? Visit
www.MasterNaturalist.org.

Susie CAPLOWE, Sierra Florida Chapter Lobbyist, gave us a very clear
Powerpoint presentation on how to be a lobbyist without leaving home. She gave good pointers on communication styles when approaching our elected representatives
FL-TALLAHASSEE-REPORT@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG.

Kevin LYNN, Florida Solar Energy Center, suggested various alternate energy sources in his presentation. Visit www.energystar.com, www.fsec.ucf.edu, www.dsireusa.org.

Michael LEUTHNER, St Petersburg Office, Sierra Club, a dynamic young lawyer who will be our January speaker talked about "Bush Judicial Appointments: America Deserves Better".

Pedro MONTEIRO, Broward Sierra Club rep., South Floridians for Fair Trade and Global Justice.  FTAA Free trade model threatens our environment, wildlife protection, public service, jobs, and democracy in the name of corporate profits. Visit www.sierraclub.org/trade/ftaa/rights.asp.

Matt ARESCO spoke on the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, the five year struggle Matt lead to save the turtles of Lake Jackson from slaughter on our highways. An inspiring story of how one determined individual makes a big difference...

After Dinner, Al Burt, author, and Jane Yii, musician entertained us.
During the Award ceremony, our very own chair was awarded the PINE TREE Award, which goes to an  individual who shows outstanding leadership...YEAH KAY!!!!!

Lox Sierran, Barbara Curtis (left) presents the Pine Tree Award
for outstanding leadership to our beaming Chair, Kay Gates (right)

- Maryvonne Devensky

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WHAT I LEARNED IN MIAMI PROTESTING THE FTAA......

......is that we now live in a police state.  I planned to spend 3 days
protesting and reserved a hotel room on the internet.  After attending the
Peoples Tribunal on Wednesday afternoon I went downtown to check into the hotel.  The police would not let me go there because it was behind their fence.  I made it back to TriRail and went down again Thursday for the main march.  Arriving in front of the amphitheater, I quickly found the Sierra Club banner and the members of our group who came on the AFL-CIO bus.  We all milled about in front of the amphitheater because the police would not let us in!  Just before the rally was to  start the gates opened and we and the union folks got inside after our bags were searched.  Many others did not get in, even though there was plenty of room.

The rally featured many good speakers, including Larry Fahn, the National President of Sierra Club.  The march following was orderly and peaceful, but the number of police in full riot gear was just incredible, plus some on horses and bicycles.  They did not try to crowd us or push us around.  We had the full width of the street for our march,  a parade that I estimate was 10 blocks long.

I did not go back on Friday as the Ministerial ended a day earlier than
planned.   According to the Sun-Sentinel the agreement the trade ministers came up with was stripped of the Investment section that in NAFTA allows corporations to sue for lost profits due to environmental and other regulations, which is a victory for our side.

- John Koch

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EXCOM CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES

Louise Austin
Member of Sierra since 1981, first in NYC, then in Ct., and now in Fl.
Member of our Conservation Committee since 2002.  Member of Audubon and several other environmental organizations.  Also active with League of Women Voters of South Palm Beach County.  This year I'm their Conservation Chair. I want to do whatever I can to ensure survival of our planet, and feel that our members have enormous talent and dedication, but as with most groups, there are just a handful of active members.  We need to tap into the skills and interests of the majority of inactive members.  We also need to continue to work with other environmental groups to achieve our aims.

Richard Sorrento
I moved to Florida in 1984.  Prior to that I lived in coastal Massachusetts. I had a 20 year career in Polaroid machinery construction.  That was followed by a 10 year career in Port Everglades in the Harbor Masters Division. I have always been interested in the environment, and now that other priorities in my life have been taken care of, I'd like to devote more time to the Sierra Club.  I am currently Co-Membership Chair.  Thank you for your support.

Nada MacKinney
I¹m currently an EXCOM member and have enjoyed it very much.  I guess I¹d be considered a generalist, as I¹m not an expert in any particular area, and I¹ve sprinkled my volunteering around.  Here are a few things I¹ve done this last term:  helping the Conservation Chair fight to preserve the Pond Cypress Natural Area; participating in Everglades Day, planning the summer picnic, writing letters to elected officials on many subjects, managing membership duties, working on the March Appeal Committee.  I¹m very interested in new people joining EXCOM, as the value of fresh people, ideas, approaches cannot be overstated.  Because I¹ve been on EXCOM before, if a new person is elected and I¹m not, that¹s fine and I¹ll continue to jump in where I can and participate.

Barbara Curtis
Excom member since 1999. Attorney for 25 years.  Volunteer outings leader for many outings.  Annual Outreach activities include: Party in Park, Cypress Planting, Everglades Day at Loxahatchee, Earth Day-John Mc Arthur.

Maryvonne Devensky
A former Excom member since 1999 til 2002, I am volunteering again to be on Excom because I like being active with the Sierra Club, either with outings or the education committee.  I believe in "exploring, enjoying and
protecting nature", the motto of the Sierra Club, and want to promote these goals within our group.

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ICO DOES FIRST "TWOFER"

On Oct. 11th, the West Palm Beach ICO took two youth groups one a single outing.  The Mud Patrol from Melaleuca Elementary and the newest group from Grove Park Elementary went to a Junior Naturalist program sponsored by the Audubon Society at the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park.  The kids learned about predators and prey.  Zoo staff members taught the kids how to tell if an animal is predator or prey by learning its habitat, teeth type and several other indicators.

Part of the program included digging through owl offal for the bones of
prey animals.  The group members also got a chance to eat bugs.  Ants, worms and larvae were on the menu.  They learned how nutritious and tasty our pests can be. Lollipops with worms inside were passed out to be taken home too.  The 15 ICO youth also got a tour of the zoo and a chance to play in the zoo's water fountain.

The ICO still needs volunteers to lead trips and assist chaperoning
them. Also needed are committee members who do not work with the youngsters but work behind the scenes doing such chores as keeping track of equipment and assisting with paperwork. Any Sierra club member can apply by contacting Mike Baird at 561-956-7237 or by email at GSDAD@bellsouth.net.

- Mike Baird

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Sierra Club Holiday Picnic at Okeeheelee Park

The Loxahatchee Sierra Club cordially invites you to a picnic with other environmentalists and nature lovers. Join us for a group picnic and to enjoy a lovely park. Music provided by SC member, Sarah Weise, and her band, "The Corps of Discovery"

WHO:
All Sierra Club members and friends of the environment.

WHY:
To see old friends, make new friends, have fun, and learn about local
ecological issues.

WHERE:
Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park. Okeeheelee Park is located on the north side of Forest Hill Boulevard between Jog Road & the Florida Turnpike. Enter the park through the West entrance. Follow the signs into the Park towards the Nature Center and Micanopy Pavilion. Look for the Sierra Club banner.

WHEN:
Sunday, December 14th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM
    12:00            Set up
    1:00-4:00      Silent Auction
    1:30-3:00       Appetizers, Music, Games, Walks, Socializing
    3:00-4:00      Picnic supper/Raffle
    4:00-5:00        Distribution of Auction items, Clean up

COST:
None!  Sierra Club with furnish soft drinks, water & ice.

WHAT TO BRING:
    Arriving 12:00 to 1:30 - Bring an Appetizer
    Arriving 1:30 to 2:00 - Bring a Salad or Vegan Dish
    Arriving 2:00 to 3:30 - Bring an Entree
    Arriving After 3:30 - Bring a Dessert
Please feel free to bring what you want, if you have a creative mind!!
Following the Sierra Conservation Policy, bring your personal non-disposable eating and drinking utensils. You might want to bring a folding lawn chair. Beer and wine are allowed if you wish to bring them.
Games, horseshoes, kites, volleyball, bats & balls, etc.

ATTIRE:
Casual, wear your environmental shirts, hats, buttons, etc.

RSVP:
To John & Kay Gates, 561-742-9219, johnkay@mindspring.com so we can order the proper beverage quantities.

Silent auction with exciting prizes to profit the ICO and summer camp programs and local conservation efforts

DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING:
Sierra Club T-shirts, calendars & canvas bags for sale.

See You At Okeeheelee Park!

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SILENT AUCTION AT OUR HOLIDAY PARTY

The big day, Sunday, December 14 is approaching very fast and we want to be sure you all know about the fantastic auction items being offered. Remember, the funds we raise will be used for Inner City Outings (ICO), the Elaine Usherson Camp Scholarship program, and local conservation efforts. There is something for everyone including a variety of original art objects, sports activities including golf and bowling, theatre tickets which include Ballet Florida, Restaurants, Kayaking, canoeing, family fun outings to the Zoo, Science Museum, Butterfly World and much, much, more.

Bid on a fabulous week's vacation at a beautiful six-bedroom home in N.
Carolina bordering on a National Forest, an absolutely perfect spot for a family vacation.

For more info on the vacation home, visit
http://home.earthlink.net/~melbymonte_lodge. Minimum bid:  $600

Maybe you would prefer a romantic sailing weekend, Friday to Sunday, sailing the Florida Keys on a beautiful catamaran with our own Gary
Lehnertz as Captain.

36¹ Catamaran, 3 staterooms,
sleeps six Minimum bid:  $600

You can bid on these two items even if you are unable to come to our Holiday Party. This is how it works:  The week's vacation home and weekend catamaran cruise will each have an opening bid of $600, with bidding increments of $50.  By contacting me after December 9th. by phone at (561) 968-4166 or E-Mail shecal@bellsouth.net, you will have the opportunity to register your bid and we will assign a surrogate to bid for you.  Your starting bid will be entered for you, and if someone else bids more,  new bids will be entered for you up to the maximum you designate.

- Sheila Calderon

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Join Our E-Mail Forum
- Ron Haines

Get on board with the Loxahatchee Group's  very own e-mail forum.  This is a general e-mail discussion and announcement list for members of the Loxahatchee Group of the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club.  Our forum is a strong network for communications, announcements, action alerts and just plain fun for members of the Loxahatchee Group.   To sign onto the list, go to the following website.  Please have your Membership Number handy: http://www.sierraclub.org/memberlists
listname=FL-LOXAHATCHEE-FORUM
Questions? e-mail me at: rhaines999@aol.com.
 

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Turtle Tracks is published bi-monthly by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group, P.O. Box 6271, Lake Worth, FL 33462-6271.  Non-profit postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL.  The purpose of this newsletter is to inform members about environmental issues and events.  Members subscribe through their annual dues; nonmember subscriptions are available for $12/year. Send address changes to: Sierra Club Member Services, Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80322

Newsletter submissions are welcome. The deadline is the third Tuesday of each month. Email articles to Marcia Karasoff at mkarasoff@adelphia.net (phone 561/968-4058), or deliver Macintosh format 3.5" disc or Zip disc copy to general membership meeting. (Typed hardcopies are also acceptable, but not preferred).