VERO BEACH — Standing before a sold-out crowd at the Emerson Center Saturday afternoon,
inventor, genius, scientist, entrepreneur Ray Kurzweil answered questions on the cure
for cancer, universal health care and bio-terrorism.
After a scintillating hour-long lecture that touched on the exponential progress of
information technology, Kurzweil held rapt an audience at the Celebrated Speakers Series
that ranged in age from pre-teens to 80-somethings with his predictions for the future.
A member of the Inventor Hall of Fame with 18 honorary doctorates, Kurzweil advises
presidents, world leaders and researchers.
“I had dinner with Gorbachov,” he started one story. President Bill Clinton honored him
with the National Medal of Technology. He has started nine successful companies and created
speech recognition software, music synthesizers and the flat bed scanner.
Dressed in a dark suit with a loud tie and his blackberry worn on the hip like a six-shooter,
the diminutive futurist started his story at the beginning — age 5 when he decided that if
he “could put things together just the right way I could achieve some sort of transcendence.”
His mind is amazing as is his understanding of time. “Imagine the world without search
engines,” he said. “They have only be in existence for 10 years. Thirty years ago I started
to study information technology trends and trajectories and if there was a way to predict
the future. I found they follow amazingly predictable trajectories.”
Much was made of the difference between linear thinking and exponential thinking. Our
future lies in the exponential — events are happening so quickly it is hard to predict what
is next. For example, in a discussion on the enhanced human brain, Kurzweil pointed out
Parkinson patients already can have chips that repair the damage from the disease embedded
in their brains. The future is now.
“There is a doubling of the power of the brain every year,” Kurzweil said, “The nature of
the future is not apparent.”
What is apparent is that technology will continue to become more powerful, ever smaller
and make us smarter. Kurzweil pointed out that his Blackberry was a brain extender that
makes him smarter. “I often use it when I am being interviewed,” he said. “If someone asks me about someone’s theory and I don’t remember it clearly I can look it up and have the information immediately.”
Information technology has gone beyond artificial intelligence to include other areas such
as health and medicine and energy. Soon solar power will provide for all our energy needs
releasing us from dependence on fossil fuels, Kurzweil explained. “There is 10,000 times more
sunlight than we need. ”And, we will be able to manufacture what we need — or as Kurzweil described it, we will be able to “print out” three-dimensional objects. That will happen about 2020 and range from
low-cost housing to clothes.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Servpro hits a Big Number
VERO BEACH — Servpro of Indian River County, part of the nationwide system of more than 1,500 franchises, said 2009 year-end systemwide revenue hit the $1 billion mark for the first time in Servpro’s 40-year history.
Christopher Reinhart, owner of Servpro of Indian River County, said it was the 10th time in 11 years the system experienced double-digit volume growth. Servpro of Indian River County specializes in the emergency cleanup and restoration of fire- and water-damaged homes and businesses, among other services.
Entrepreneur Magazine listed Servpro as the No. 1 restoration services franchise system, and No. 9 overall in 2010.In addition, allbusiness.com ranked Servpro as the No. 9 franchising opportunity.
Christopher Reinhart, owner of Servpro of Indian River County, said it was the 10th time in 11 years the system experienced double-digit volume growth. Servpro of Indian River County specializes in the emergency cleanup and restoration of fire- and water-damaged homes and businesses, among other services.
Entrepreneur Magazine listed Servpro as the No. 1 restoration services franchise system, and No. 9 overall in 2010.In addition, allbusiness.com ranked Servpro as the No. 9 franchising opportunity.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Seniors need Christmas and Santa Too
By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -
The growing number of seniors living on small, fixed incomes prompted
nonprofits to work together to give them a little holiday cheer.
The United Way of Indian River County and the Senior Resource Association, along with sponsor
Florida Eye Institute, are asking community members to donate enough unwrapped gifts to fill
a bus for needy seniors in the county.The "Santa for Seniors" holiday gift drive will run through Dec. 18, said Jennifer Jones, United Way director of workplace and corporate giving. This is the third year United Way has held the drive, Ms. Jones said. In 2007, 75 seniors were given care packages. In 2008, that number jumped to 250. This year's goal is 500 seniors, Ms. Jones said. Unwrapped gift donations can be made at any RBC Bank location or the United Way offices in downtown Vero Beach, but a special, one-day drop-off location will be at the Indian River Mall on Dec. 12. Residents can bring gift items, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the mall, just outside of Macy's, according to a press release. Some of the requested items include personal hygiene products, robes, pajamas, toilet bowl cleaner, sponges, non-perishable food, as well as traditional presents such as music, large print books or gift cards to grocery stores. Many of those who once worked hard to provide sweet Christmas memories for their families have now grown older and may be far away from the comfort of family, said Ms. Jones. "Some of my fondest childhood memories are being with my family during the holidays, especially my grandparents," she said. "This is something that you can do to give back to them. Sometimes they are the first to be forgotten at the holidays," Ms. Jones said.
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -
The growing number of seniors living on small, fixed incomes prompted
nonprofits to work together to give them a little holiday cheer.
The United Way of Indian River County and the Senior Resource Association, along with sponsor
Florida Eye Institute, are asking community members to donate enough unwrapped gifts to fill
a bus for needy seniors in the county.The "Santa for Seniors" holiday gift drive will run through Dec. 18, said Jennifer Jones, United Way director of workplace and corporate giving. This is the third year United Way has held the drive, Ms. Jones said. In 2007, 75 seniors were given care packages. In 2008, that number jumped to 250. This year's goal is 500 seniors, Ms. Jones said. Unwrapped gift donations can be made at any RBC Bank location or the United Way offices in downtown Vero Beach, but a special, one-day drop-off location will be at the Indian River Mall on Dec. 12. Residents can bring gift items, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the mall, just outside of Macy's, according to a press release. Some of the requested items include personal hygiene products, robes, pajamas, toilet bowl cleaner, sponges, non-perishable food, as well as traditional presents such as music, large print books or gift cards to grocery stores. Many of those who once worked hard to provide sweet Christmas memories for their families have now grown older and may be far away from the comfort of family, said Ms. Jones. "Some of my fondest childhood memories are being with my family during the holidays, especially my grandparents," she said. "This is something that you can do to give back to them. Sometimes they are the first to be forgotten at the holidays," Ms. Jones said.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Fort Pierce Up for the "Great American Main Street" award
Meisel@hometownnewsol.com
FORT PIERCE - Beginning in the late 1970s as malls developed, downtown Fort Pierce lostbusinesses and buildings remained vacant."It was a typical scenario of what was goingon around the nation," said Doris Tillman, the director of Fort Pierce Main Street.Thenin 1988, a workshop was held to find ways to revitalize downtown and 300 people showedup, despite a "blistering rain storm," Ms. Tillman said."That was a real turning point for downtown," she said.In recognition of the progress since then, Fort Pierce Main Street was named a semifinalist for the 2010 Great American Main Street awards last week. Fort Pierce will compete with Aledo, Ill., Columbus, Miss., Fairmont, W. Va., Farmland,Ind., Ferndale, Mich., Lee's Summit, Mo., Paducah, Ky., Pontiac, Ill. and Rochester, Mich. The winner will be announced during the National Main Streets conference in Oklahoma City on May 4.Fort Pierce could end up being only the second Florida city to win. The first was Deland. Ms. Tillman said this was the first time Fort Pierce Main Street applied. She said in past years, with numerous projects going on, the "timing wasn't right."Since 1988, she said, downtown Fort Pierce gained 404 jobs, 88 new businesses, 136 projects to rehabilitate existing buildings and 17 new buildings. There's been $14.5 million in public investment and $25 million in private investment.But it all started with that workshop when people helped develop a master plan for downtown, said Ms. Tillman, director of Main Street since 1991."We were all excited and ready to make a change and it happened," she said. Ms. Tillman recalled that early on, a woman told her that she was ashamed to go downtown, but had decided to be a part of the change. The woman started a business, she said. And that was typical of many, Ms. Tillman said. In only six months, not long after the initial workshop, 60 businesses were attracted to downtown, she said.In the years since, progress has included the Manatee Center, the rehabilitation of the Sunrise Theatre and renovation of the old City Hall. More recently, Main Street moved its headquarters to the former residence of landscape artist A.E. Backus and renovated the dwelling. Efforts to convince St. Lucie County to maintain its presence in downtown Fort Pierce were successful and the results have included a new Clerk of Courts building.The success came about,in part, because Fort Pierce Main Street has a board of directors that never shied away from major projects, she said. But it's also occurred because of support from residents and enthusiastic city officials, such as former Mayor Eddie Enns and former city manager Dennis Beach, she said.Besides all that, she said, success has come because of promoting downtown. That has included holding events, such as Friday Fest and putting information about businesses on its Web site.
FORT PIERCE - Beginning in the late 1970s as malls developed, downtown Fort Pierce lostbusinesses and buildings remained vacant."It was a typical scenario of what was goingon around the nation," said Doris Tillman, the director of Fort Pierce Main Street.Thenin 1988, a workshop was held to find ways to revitalize downtown and 300 people showedup, despite a "blistering rain storm," Ms. Tillman said."That was a real turning point for downtown," she said.In recognition of the progress since then, Fort Pierce Main Street was named a semifinalist for the 2010 Great American Main Street awards last week. Fort Pierce will compete with Aledo, Ill., Columbus, Miss., Fairmont, W. Va., Farmland,Ind., Ferndale, Mich., Lee's Summit, Mo., Paducah, Ky., Pontiac, Ill. and Rochester, Mich. The winner will be announced during the National Main Streets conference in Oklahoma City on May 4.Fort Pierce could end up being only the second Florida city to win. The first was Deland. Ms. Tillman said this was the first time Fort Pierce Main Street applied. She said in past years, with numerous projects going on, the "timing wasn't right."Since 1988, she said, downtown Fort Pierce gained 404 jobs, 88 new businesses, 136 projects to rehabilitate existing buildings and 17 new buildings. There's been $14.5 million in public investment and $25 million in private investment.But it all started with that workshop when people helped develop a master plan for downtown, said Ms. Tillman, director of Main Street since 1991."We were all excited and ready to make a change and it happened," she said. Ms. Tillman recalled that early on, a woman told her that she was ashamed to go downtown, but had decided to be a part of the change. The woman started a business, she said. And that was typical of many, Ms. Tillman said. In only six months, not long after the initial workshop, 60 businesses were attracted to downtown, she said.In the years since, progress has included the Manatee Center, the rehabilitation of the Sunrise Theatre and renovation of the old City Hall. More recently, Main Street moved its headquarters to the former residence of landscape artist A.E. Backus and renovated the dwelling. Efforts to convince St. Lucie County to maintain its presence in downtown Fort Pierce were successful and the results have included a new Clerk of Courts building.The success came about,in part, because Fort Pierce Main Street has a board of directors that never shied away from major projects, she said. But it's also occurred because of support from residents and enthusiastic city officials, such as former Mayor Eddie Enns and former city manager Dennis Beach, she said.Besides all that, she said, success has come because of promoting downtown. That has included holding events, such as Friday Fest and putting information about businesses on its Web site.
New Jet for Piper
Vero Beach Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson asked about staffing plans and witnessed a testflight of the new PiperJet during his hour-long visit and tour of Piper Aircraft Inc.'s facilityThursday afternoon.“He’s always heard about the operations but never had a chance to see what they are doing,”said Nelson’s spokesman Bryan Gulley. The tour was not open to the press or public.“They (Piper management) talked briefly about the job losses and how it’s related to the economic downturn. They told him that they’ve seen this before and they’re confident the jobs would come back. He pressed them on their commitment to staying in the area and they reiterated their commitment to staying.”Piper president John Becker, who is resigning from Piper effective Dec. 1, and three other employeesin sales and engineering accompanied Nelson on the tour, which started just after 4 p.m. Vero Beach Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson asked about staffing plans and witnessed a test flight of the new PiperJet during his hour-long visit and tour of Piper Aircraft Inc.'s facility Thursday afternoon.
In October, County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan, the commission’s liaison to the Economic Development Council, said he would meet monthly with county and company officials for updates and to discuss the status of the stateand county’s $32 million incentive package given to Piper. The package is tied to employment levels and production of the new PiperJet. Piper had contemplated relocating to Oklahoma City or Albuquerque, N.M., beforethe local offer was presented in 2008.
In October, County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan, the commission’s liaison to the Economic Development Council, said he would meet monthly with county and company officials for updates and to discuss the status of the stateand county’s $32 million incentive package given to Piper. The package is tied to employment levels and production of the new PiperJet. Piper had contemplated relocating to Oklahoma City or Albuquerque, N.M., beforethe local offer was presented in 2008.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A Look Back in Time
Look back in time: June 22, 2008
Cindy SchwarzSunday,
June 22, 2008
80 YEARS AGO: 1928
Invitation to prayer group
VERO BEACH — A novel attendance contest conducted by the First Baptist Church attracted 159 people to the prayer meeting Wednesday night.
Twenty-teams of two people each were organized by Pastor P. T. Taylor last Sunday and requested to invite friends and acquaintances to the Wednesday night services. The most successful solicitors were Mrs. T. W. Hewlitt and O. J. Henderson who induced 21 people to attend the meeting.
Fred McEwan and Mrs. J. M. McCully brought 20 attendants. The result of the contest was arrived at after the regular services conducted by the Rev. Taylor and aroused lively interest among those present.
70 YEARS AGO: 1938
City refunding plan discussed
VERO BEACH — Status of the city's proposed refunding program was outlined and a general discussion conducted in the matter at a special meeting of the council and citizens last Friday night.
The City Hall auditorium was packed to capacity with interested citizens who listened to various phases of the refunding program and the Wilcox Municipal Debt Adjustment Act. Several speakers expressed their views of the matter.
60 YEARS AGO: 1948
Hilton Hotel official here
VERO BEACH — Robert B. Witwer, real estate representative of the Hilton hotel chain, gave Vero Beach the once over last Monday and indicated that he saw great possibilities in the beach and Miracle Mile sections, if properly developed.
While not making any commitment, Witwer inferred that his organization is "looking over Florida cities" for possible hotel sites. The Hilton chain operates the Palmer House and Stevens Hotel in Chicago and other hotels.
50 YEARS AGO: 1958
Typewriter, shotgun stolen
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Did anyone living in south Vero Beach have a typewriter and shotgun stolen from his residence between Nov. 1 and 8, 1957?
A young prisoner from Broward County, housed at Raiford State Prison, recently told prison officials he was passing through Indian River County sometime during that week and stole two such articles from a dwelling south of Vero Beach. He pawned them in two different shops in Fort Lauderdale, according to his statements.
Prison officials are trying to trace the truth of this statement, but can find no record these losses were reported with either the Vero Beach Police Department or the Indian River County Sheriff's Department.
40 YEARS AGO: 1968
County leaves regional council
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Wednesday, Indian River County formally withdrew from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council with the written blessing of its representatives. The county left the controversial group based on a proposal that it creates its own long-range planning authority.
County Commissioner Donald Macdonald moved, seconded by Commissioner D. B. McCullers, that the County Commission officially notify the regional council it is withdrawing after five years of participation at a cost to the county of almost $24,000.
"Without a trained planner, the county cannot take advantage of all the valuable information the council provides," reasoned Macdonald.
25 YEARS AGO: 1983
Reward proposal for teachers
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Specifics of a proposal to reward outstanding Indian River County teachers were released at Tuesday's Indian River County School Board meeting.
The bylaws and articles of incorporation of a foundation to administer the program will be discussed and voted on at a future meeting, after the board has had a chance to study the documents.
Under the proposed articles of incorporation, a nonprofit corporation will be formed with the intent and purpose of recognizing teachers.
The committee to select the recipients would be appointed by the corporation's trustees. The first trustees probably would be the original donors or sponsors for the chairs.
10 YEARS AGO: 1998
Subsidized housing may slow
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — "I think these will probably be the last," Indian River County Community Development Director Bob Keating said, referring to the three elderly affordable housing complexes still being built.
With those three — The Club at Vero on State Road 60, River Park Place on Indian River Boulevard and Lindsey Gardens off 40th Avenue — the county will have a dozen apartment complexes with some type of subsidy, with no less than half built in the past several years.
The building boom will stop, officials said, because the state is no longer targeting Indian River County as an area in dire need of affordable housing and so is no longer offering tax credits to developers.
The state targeted Indian River County in 1996 and 1997 as an area of need and began offering the tax credits.
FIVE YEARS AGO: 2003
Dock, bridge ready for public
SEBASTIAN — A city-owned dock and bridge were recently installed on the lake's west side near Kildare Drive and Conover Avenue.
Last week, Summerlin's Seven Seas Inc. of Ft. Pierce finished building a 6-by-25-foot dock and a 10-by-80-foot pedestrian bridge to the island, said Linda Kinchen, administrative supervisor for the city Public Works and Engineering departments. The project cost the city $31,000.
They say the bridge provides better pedestrian access to the island.
ONE YEAR AGO: 2007
Planners may restrict church land
VERO BEACH — The city Planning and Zoning Board discussed the possibilities of creating new rules for how churches use their property.
Restrictions could include limiting the number of nonreligious events a church can have, the times and dates of the events and requiring churches to have a parking management plan for the event.
The changes will apply to all places of worship, including mosques, synagogues and churches.
No decision was made at the meeting and any proposed changes will have to go to the board for a public hearing and the City Council for approval.
Cindy SchwarzSunday,
June 22, 2008
80 YEARS AGO: 1928
Invitation to prayer group
VERO BEACH — A novel attendance contest conducted by the First Baptist Church attracted 159 people to the prayer meeting Wednesday night.
Twenty-teams of two people each were organized by Pastor P. T. Taylor last Sunday and requested to invite friends and acquaintances to the Wednesday night services. The most successful solicitors were Mrs. T. W. Hewlitt and O. J. Henderson who induced 21 people to attend the meeting.
Fred McEwan and Mrs. J. M. McCully brought 20 attendants. The result of the contest was arrived at after the regular services conducted by the Rev. Taylor and aroused lively interest among those present.
70 YEARS AGO: 1938
City refunding plan discussed
VERO BEACH — Status of the city's proposed refunding program was outlined and a general discussion conducted in the matter at a special meeting of the council and citizens last Friday night.
The City Hall auditorium was packed to capacity with interested citizens who listened to various phases of the refunding program and the Wilcox Municipal Debt Adjustment Act. Several speakers expressed their views of the matter.
60 YEARS AGO: 1948
Hilton Hotel official here
VERO BEACH — Robert B. Witwer, real estate representative of the Hilton hotel chain, gave Vero Beach the once over last Monday and indicated that he saw great possibilities in the beach and Miracle Mile sections, if properly developed.
While not making any commitment, Witwer inferred that his organization is "looking over Florida cities" for possible hotel sites. The Hilton chain operates the Palmer House and Stevens Hotel in Chicago and other hotels.
50 YEARS AGO: 1958
Typewriter, shotgun stolen
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Did anyone living in south Vero Beach have a typewriter and shotgun stolen from his residence between Nov. 1 and 8, 1957?
A young prisoner from Broward County, housed at Raiford State Prison, recently told prison officials he was passing through Indian River County sometime during that week and stole two such articles from a dwelling south of Vero Beach. He pawned them in two different shops in Fort Lauderdale, according to his statements.
Prison officials are trying to trace the truth of this statement, but can find no record these losses were reported with either the Vero Beach Police Department or the Indian River County Sheriff's Department.
40 YEARS AGO: 1968
County leaves regional council
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Wednesday, Indian River County formally withdrew from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council with the written blessing of its representatives. The county left the controversial group based on a proposal that it creates its own long-range planning authority.
County Commissioner Donald Macdonald moved, seconded by Commissioner D. B. McCullers, that the County Commission officially notify the regional council it is withdrawing after five years of participation at a cost to the county of almost $24,000.
"Without a trained planner, the county cannot take advantage of all the valuable information the council provides," reasoned Macdonald.
25 YEARS AGO: 1983
Reward proposal for teachers
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Specifics of a proposal to reward outstanding Indian River County teachers were released at Tuesday's Indian River County School Board meeting.
The bylaws and articles of incorporation of a foundation to administer the program will be discussed and voted on at a future meeting, after the board has had a chance to study the documents.
Under the proposed articles of incorporation, a nonprofit corporation will be formed with the intent and purpose of recognizing teachers.
The committee to select the recipients would be appointed by the corporation's trustees. The first trustees probably would be the original donors or sponsors for the chairs.
10 YEARS AGO: 1998
Subsidized housing may slow
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — "I think these will probably be the last," Indian River County Community Development Director Bob Keating said, referring to the three elderly affordable housing complexes still being built.
With those three — The Club at Vero on State Road 60, River Park Place on Indian River Boulevard and Lindsey Gardens off 40th Avenue — the county will have a dozen apartment complexes with some type of subsidy, with no less than half built in the past several years.
The building boom will stop, officials said, because the state is no longer targeting Indian River County as an area in dire need of affordable housing and so is no longer offering tax credits to developers.
The state targeted Indian River County in 1996 and 1997 as an area of need and began offering the tax credits.
FIVE YEARS AGO: 2003
Dock, bridge ready for public
SEBASTIAN — A city-owned dock and bridge were recently installed on the lake's west side near Kildare Drive and Conover Avenue.
Last week, Summerlin's Seven Seas Inc. of Ft. Pierce finished building a 6-by-25-foot dock and a 10-by-80-foot pedestrian bridge to the island, said Linda Kinchen, administrative supervisor for the city Public Works and Engineering departments. The project cost the city $31,000.
They say the bridge provides better pedestrian access to the island.
ONE YEAR AGO: 2007
Planners may restrict church land
VERO BEACH — The city Planning and Zoning Board discussed the possibilities of creating new rules for how churches use their property.
Restrictions could include limiting the number of nonreligious events a church can have, the times and dates of the events and requiring churches to have a parking management plan for the event.
The changes will apply to all places of worship, including mosques, synagogues and churches.
No decision was made at the meeting and any proposed changes will have to go to the board for a public hearing and the City Council for approval.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Preservation group keeps putting nature at forefront
History Column: Preservation group keeps putting nature at forefront
Jean Catchpole,
corresponding secretary of Pelican Island Audubon Society
Sunday, May 25, 2008
"To preserve and protect the animals, plants and natural communities in Indian River County through advocacy, education and public awareness" is the stated mission of the Pelican Island Audubon Society.
Originally formed in 1961 as the Indian River Preservation Society, the organization's early members were comprised of citrus growers, commercial fishermen, sportsmen and concerned citizens. Spearheaded by local pioneer Joe Michael, the society's goal was to protect the vital wetlands adjacent to the Pelican Island National Refuge from dredge-and-fill operations and eventual development.
The organization was successful in convincing Florida to declare the wetlands sovereign land. From its success at Pelican Island and due to the island's reputation as a premier sanctuary for roosting and nesting water birds, the organization became affiliated with National Audubon and changed its name to the Pelican Island Audubon Society. In April of 1964, PIAS was voted a chapter of the Florida Audubon Society. Merritt C. Farrar served as its first president.
Over the succeeding decades the organization has continued its crusade against activities that result in negative impacts to our environment. Countless PIAS representatives have spoken out against improper development in Indian River County at government meetings and in print and continue to do so to this day.
In the 1970s, PIAS was instrumental in implementing several important environmental regulations and policies. For example, it led drives that resulted in the protection of beaches, dunes and their associated flora and fauna through construction of dune walkovers and prohibition of vehicles on the beach. Activist Maggy Bowman was the catalyst for this and many other endeavors and served as PIAS president numerous times. Other PIAS initiatives resulted in the now widely appreciated adoption of building height restrictions, a feature that sets Indian River County apart from its neighboring counties.
In 1986, PIAS organized the first coastal cleanup in the country when hundreds of volunteers gathered to clean Indian River County's beaches. PIAS was recognized by the Department of Interior and the Keep America Beautiful campaign in the early '90s for this program which has now grown into an international event with the participation of more than 90 countries and hundreds of thousands of volunteers annually.
From 1986 to 1990, PIAS led the community in convincing coastal government entities, including Vero Beach and Indian River Shores, to pass nighttime lighting ordinances to protect sea turtle hatchlings.
In 2006, the chapter worked with Indian River County staff to rewrite the county's landscape ordinance encouraging the use of water-saving plants and increasing tree protection. The new ordinance was adopted by county commissioners in 2007 and was a contributing factor to PIAS being named 2007 Chapter of the Year by Florida Audubon.
Most recently PIAS was instrumental in appealing a decision by the St. Johns River Water Management District to swap 1,265 acres of important conservation lands ( known as the Sand Lakes Tract) to avoid a lawsuit by adjacent landowners. St. Johns has reversed its decision and that parcel will remain in conservation with Indian River County now owning 23 percent of it and having a say in any future plans.
PIAS has a long history of promoting and supporting environmental education in Indian River County. The organization has donated monies to local schools for the purchase of scientific equipment such as the Water Analysis Laboratory presented to Vero Beach High School in the mid-1970s. Scholarships have been awarded since 1991 to high school students showing an interest in conservation or environmental education. The current award is $500 toward books at the recipient's college or university.
One of the proudest accomplishments has been the creation of the Environmental Learning Center at Wabasso in 1988 with its ongoing public education programs including the award-winning "River Days." This special event targets all fourth-grade students in the county who are brought to the center and exposed to a full, hands-on day of estuarine ecology on the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.
The chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, "The Peligram," to inform the community about environmental issues and schedules monthly speakers, field trips, canoe trips and educational workshops for its members and the general public. It annually recognizes community members for making outstanding environmental contributions.
Currently PIAS is in the planning and fundraising stage to construct its own office and outreach center in collaboration with the University of Florida and Indian River County. The new center is designed to be a "green" building and will be located adjacent to the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area.
The public is invited to attend the chapter's monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. conducted the third Monday of each month at the Vero Beach Community Center. For further information or to become a member of Pelican Island Audubon, visit its Web site at http://www.pelicanaudubon.org/. or call the office at (772) 567-3520 .
Jean Catchpole,
corresponding secretary of Pelican Island Audubon Society
Sunday, May 25, 2008
"To preserve and protect the animals, plants and natural communities in Indian River County through advocacy, education and public awareness" is the stated mission of the Pelican Island Audubon Society.
Originally formed in 1961 as the Indian River Preservation Society, the organization's early members were comprised of citrus growers, commercial fishermen, sportsmen and concerned citizens. Spearheaded by local pioneer Joe Michael, the society's goal was to protect the vital wetlands adjacent to the Pelican Island National Refuge from dredge-and-fill operations and eventual development.
The organization was successful in convincing Florida to declare the wetlands sovereign land. From its success at Pelican Island and due to the island's reputation as a premier sanctuary for roosting and nesting water birds, the organization became affiliated with National Audubon and changed its name to the Pelican Island Audubon Society. In April of 1964, PIAS was voted a chapter of the Florida Audubon Society. Merritt C. Farrar served as its first president.
Over the succeeding decades the organization has continued its crusade against activities that result in negative impacts to our environment. Countless PIAS representatives have spoken out against improper development in Indian River County at government meetings and in print and continue to do so to this day.
In the 1970s, PIAS was instrumental in implementing several important environmental regulations and policies. For example, it led drives that resulted in the protection of beaches, dunes and their associated flora and fauna through construction of dune walkovers and prohibition of vehicles on the beach. Activist Maggy Bowman was the catalyst for this and many other endeavors and served as PIAS president numerous times. Other PIAS initiatives resulted in the now widely appreciated adoption of building height restrictions, a feature that sets Indian River County apart from its neighboring counties.
In 1986, PIAS organized the first coastal cleanup in the country when hundreds of volunteers gathered to clean Indian River County's beaches. PIAS was recognized by the Department of Interior and the Keep America Beautiful campaign in the early '90s for this program which has now grown into an international event with the participation of more than 90 countries and hundreds of thousands of volunteers annually.
From 1986 to 1990, PIAS led the community in convincing coastal government entities, including Vero Beach and Indian River Shores, to pass nighttime lighting ordinances to protect sea turtle hatchlings.
In 2006, the chapter worked with Indian River County staff to rewrite the county's landscape ordinance encouraging the use of water-saving plants and increasing tree protection. The new ordinance was adopted by county commissioners in 2007 and was a contributing factor to PIAS being named 2007 Chapter of the Year by Florida Audubon.
Most recently PIAS was instrumental in appealing a decision by the St. Johns River Water Management District to swap 1,265 acres of important conservation lands ( known as the Sand Lakes Tract) to avoid a lawsuit by adjacent landowners. St. Johns has reversed its decision and that parcel will remain in conservation with Indian River County now owning 23 percent of it and having a say in any future plans.
PIAS has a long history of promoting and supporting environmental education in Indian River County. The organization has donated monies to local schools for the purchase of scientific equipment such as the Water Analysis Laboratory presented to Vero Beach High School in the mid-1970s. Scholarships have been awarded since 1991 to high school students showing an interest in conservation or environmental education. The current award is $500 toward books at the recipient's college or university.
One of the proudest accomplishments has been the creation of the Environmental Learning Center at Wabasso in 1988 with its ongoing public education programs including the award-winning "River Days." This special event targets all fourth-grade students in the county who are brought to the center and exposed to a full, hands-on day of estuarine ecology on the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.
The chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, "The Peligram," to inform the community about environmental issues and schedules monthly speakers, field trips, canoe trips and educational workshops for its members and the general public. It annually recognizes community members for making outstanding environmental contributions.
Currently PIAS is in the planning and fundraising stage to construct its own office and outreach center in collaboration with the University of Florida and Indian River County. The new center is designed to be a "green" building and will be located adjacent to the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area.
The public is invited to attend the chapter's monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. conducted the third Monday of each month at the Vero Beach Community Center. For further information or to become a member of Pelican Island Audubon, visit its Web site at http://www.pelicanaudubon.org/. or call the office at (772) 567-3520 .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)