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Tuesday, August 22, 2006 No. 46 Vol. 84 Today’s
Speaker: Rhonda Evans EPA WETLANDS ECOLOGIST
Wetlands are low, flat lands that are covered with water most of the
time. Two major wetlands in Florida are The Florida Everglades in
South Florida and Okefenokee Swamp bordering Florida and Georgia.
Wetlands have important hydrological, chemical, biological and
socioeconomic functions. These functions add value to plant and animal
habitats and help ensure a clean water supply today and for the future.
Some wetlands are protected by federal, state and local laws and by
conservation easements contained in land deeds.
Rhonda Evans is a Wetlands Ecologist for EPA Region 4 Wetlands
Regulatory Section. Her current responsibilities include providing
wetlands grants to Florida water quality agencies, developing methods
for the technical assessment of wetlands and overseeing permit review of
Section 404, Clean Water Act, within the State of Florida. She also
participates in the Technical Advisory Committees for the National
Estuary Programs in Florida and addresses other wetlands regulatory
issues.
Rhonda is a graduate of Sarasota High School, USF’s New College, and
a Sunday School classmate of the Kiwanian-Of –The-Day, Tom Nelson. Prior
to working for EPA, Rhonda had over 15 years experience as an ecologist
working for Mote Marine Laboratory and the State of Florida in marine
and estuarine research.
Rhonda’s son, David, is studying mechanical engineering at Georgia
Tech and daughter Cassidy is a geology major at Georgia State
University. Her husband, Dr. Mark Evans, works for the Center for
Disease Control where he models pollutant pathways and impacts to
population centers from hazardous waste sites.
Please welcome Rhonda Evans, wetlands expert, to Kiwanis!
LAST WEEK AT KIWANIS
Last week’s program was presented by Andy Fobes, Director of Public
Relations for Port Authority of Tampa. Mr. Fobes, who has only been with
Tampa Port Authority for two months, presented a wealth of information
about the types of cargo and programs managed by the Port. Tampa’s Port
is the largest in Florida and the 16th largest port in the
United States. A show of hands confirmed that most Kiwanians attending
were familiar with the Port because of Tall Ships and as a point of
arrival and departure for cruise ships. The Port is a venue for cultural
and entertainment events, such as Tall Ships, and Mr. Fobes stated that
900,000 cruise passengers are forecasted to come through the Port in FY
2006, primarily on Carnival, Holland America and Royal Caribbean Cruise
Lines. Nevertheless, inbound and outbound cargo represents the Port’s
major industry. Over 50 million tons of cargo move through the Port each
year, and two industries, phosphate/fertilizer and petroleum, account
for 76% of Tampa’s cargo volume. The Port has a major commitment to the
petroleum industry, primarily doing business with BP and Citgo. One of
the nation’s most diverse ports, Tampa handles over 30,000 vehicles each
year, including weekly shipment of PT Cruisers from Mexico, as well as
four million tons of building materials from many countries to support
Florida’s booming construction needs. In addition to its other services,
the Port’s ship repair facilities are the largest in the Southeastern
United States.
The Zim Adriatic is the first ‘container’ vessel shipping directly
from China to Tampa. Nine new Zim ships connect us directly as well,
with containerized cargos growing exponentially. As Port Authority Tampa
continues to grow, challenges include navigational and security
concerns. The height of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge limits cruise ship
deployment. Land acquisition is key to sustaining and encouraging growth
and warehouse space is a major concern. Most importantly, Tampa’s
sprawling port complex of 5,000 acres presents numerous security
issues. Mr. Fobes announced the upcoming completion of a 10-20 year
Strategic Plan that will address the complex issues confronting Tampa
Port Authority. The Port’s vision and growth will affect all residents
of Tampa Bay. We thank Mr. Fobes for his informative talk!
Happy Workers Children's Center Receives Kiwanis Grant for Family
Literacy Lorin Bridge presented a check for $1,000
to Dr. Virginia Irving of Happy Workers Children’s Center to support
their Family Literacy Program. The Kiwanis grant will provide books for
monthly book distributions aimed at encouraging parents to read to their
children. The grant augments Kiwanian donations of books to the Happy
Workers’ Literacy Fair. See page five of this issue for more details
about the Fair.
Brookwood Florida Sends Thank You Diane
Sunden, Research and Development Manager for Brookwood Florida, sent a
note of thanks for the $500 awarded Brookwood at our August 8th
meeting. This year marks Brookwood’s 79th year of helping
thousands of troubled adolescent girls. We at Kiwanis were happy to
help buy shoes for the girls currently residing at Brookwood.
VISITORS AND GUESTS We
welcomed back Lew Kent after a long hiatus, who brought with him Greg
Nipper of George F. Young Civil Engineers. Harvey Ford introduced guest
Nick Gizzarelli from Bruce Watters Jewelers. Future Kiwanians included
Tom Nelson’s daughter, third grader Taylor Ann, David Feaster’s daughter
Lane and son David, Jr., and William Slicker’s daughter Rebecca.
Welcome one and all! We hope to see you again.
What’s Happening?
BOOK DRIVE FOR HAPPY WORKERS
Book this date! Saturday, September 23rd is the
Happy Workers Children’s Center Literacy Fair. Organizer Jane
Baldwin is still looking to our fellow members to bring at least one or
two NEW books to our next meeting. If you can help out on September 23rd
at the Literacy Fair, let Jane know.
YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE PRESENTATION
Kathy Condon reminds us there is a Young Children Priority One
Committee presentation on Thursday, August 24th at 8 a.m. at
the Atlanta Bread Company.
PRAYER OF THE DAY Gracious God, I ask you to
plant a seed of stillness in my soul. Everything in my life moves ever
more quickly, and I am continually expected to fit more things into time
that is already brimful with activity. Even when I have moments that
require nothing of me, my mind races and I seem unable to locate a
switch to turn it off. Give me, each day, the desire and capacity to
breathe in the wonder of air, to envision a still lake on a windless
dawn, to drop deep into the well of my own being and find there the
peace of your presence. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.
LAST WEEK’S QUIZ:
1. The hibiscus is Hawaii’s state flower.
2. Abraham’s name was Abram before God changed it. (Genesis
17:5)
3. Alfred Nobel is credited with inventing dynamite.
4. The Klondike region is located in northwest Canada.
5. A swan can have up to 25,000 feathers.
Sign on a Pizza Parlor Door - Seven days without pizza
makes one weak. |
