It could be years before polluted water at Piney Point gets completely drained. But lawmakers this week promised the Department of Environmental Protection to provide needed resources to stop a further disaster.

At a Wednesday meeting of the House Environment, Agriculture and Flooding Subcommittee, the full agenda  was dedicated to progress on the Piney Point site. That's where a breach in a water stack this year prompted the discharge of 215 million gallons of industrial wastewater directly into Port Manatee. The release came because the water breach threatened the full collapse of one of three reservoirs, which threatened nearby homes and pristine Bishop Harbor.

Rep. James Buchanan, R-Venice, chaired the meeting and pressed officials on the following steps for preventing another problem at the site. The Legislature last year approved $100  million to start cleanup, and lawmakers say they’re committed to spending more, but Buchanan said he’d like to know time frames.

DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton said that’s hard to predict for a number of reasons. It will take time to permit a disposal method for 544 million remaining gallons of water in the stacks. They likely will go into an underground injection well, one carefully scouted and prepped so there won’t be any leakage into the Floridan Aquifer. But even when a well is up and running, the state can only move 1 million to 1.5 million gallons per day underground. Meanwhile, rainfall adds water to the stacks and the breach contaminated stormwater retention ponds on site so all excess water must be stored in the reservoirs themselves.

Buchanan also wanted assessments on the impact of the discharge beyond the waters of Port Manatee. “A big concern in the greater Sarasota community and especially those around this water area is, to what extend could this have impacted or exacerbated the red tide we have this year?” Buchanan asked Hamilton.

Again there’s no easy answer. DEP officials have not reached any conclusion the Piney Point discharge directly led to the red tide blooms that impacted Sarasota County to the south or Pinellas County to the west of the spill. “But the fact of the matter is, nutrients exacerbate red tide, period. There is no debate about that,” he said. “They don’t create or cause red tide. There is no debate about that. Any amount of nutrients going to Tampa Bay is undesired.”

The state continues to try and hold property owner HRK responsible for the cleanup and closure efforts at Piney Point, Hamilton said. But he noted the property has been foreclosed upon. Courts in August put a new receiver in place to monitor the water stacks in hopes of preventing another breach. Meanwhile, the breach from earlier this year was blocked with a metal plate and reinforced with sand material to stop any potential for leaks. 

AERIAL PHOTO BY REP. WILL ROBINSON SHOWS DEPLETED RESERVOIR IN APRIL

Stormwater is the biggest contributor to water pollution in Florida. Building on a successful pilot program that helped about a dozen Sarasota County communities bolster, and beautify, their stormwater retention ponds, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) recently secured a $250,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to jumpstart its efforts in reducing the excess nutrients in our coastal waters and increasing public awareness about the importance of preserving our marine environment. The recent grant will go even further—developing a regional initiative the grassroots organization is calling “Healthy Pond Collaborative.”

The effort officially kicked off during a press conference yesterday morning, hosted at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. 

According to Sandy Gilbert, START’s scientist behind stormwater pond management, stormwater contributes 65% of the nitrogen in Sarasota Bay, which feeds red tide and causes other damage to water quality and wildlife. Many mistake 6,000 bodies of water in Sarasota County for lakes, he says. But in reality, they are ponds and 4,500 of them are classified as wet detention ponds. Dr. Abbey Tyrna, Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension, follows up by noting these manmade ponds cannot manage or balance themselves by only operating at 40% to 60% efficiency in removing the excess of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus. "Anything in excess can be toxic," says Tyrna. "And this case is no exception." This overdose of nutrients tends to lead to erosion, frequent algal blooms and loss of wildlife. In addition, that water eventually becomes too full to store and ultimately overflows, taken downstream by canals, ditches and pipes to our federal- and state-regulated water. This natural phenomena year after year contributes to water pollution and every Floridian's anticipatory summer shake-down: red tide.

So what can help combat this from happening on almost an annual basis? "Going straight to the source," states Gilbert. And, education and plants.

Gilbert and Tyrna shared the key solutions Healthy Pong Collaborative will set forth. Firstly—creating and distributing a step-by-step pond enhancement guide/manual to homeowners and associations encompassing best practices of how to better maintain their neighborhood ponds—including holistic approaches such as reducing the input of herbicides, fertilizer, plan and lawn clippings, and domestic animal fecal matter. And secondly—a group of scientists and volunteers plan to restore and enhance ponds' littoral zones with the installation of native wetland plants. These species of five or six aquatic plants not only create a low-maintenance buffer around the perimeter of the pond and secure the bank, but they also naturally improve water quality and biodiversity—removing the excess of nitrogen, phosphorus and other non-point pollution before entering the pond—and thus avoiding disastrous drainage altogether. 

This effort will help establish state-wide and national models that can be recreated in other communities as well, they mention. 

Based on the grant given and existing projects, the collaborative expects to help upgrade 10 to 12 community/neighborhood projects a year and three to five larger, high visibility projects with parks and golf courses. 

Partners include START, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Sarasota County’s Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team, the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, and the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida. The work was in part inspired by Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s 'Water Quality Playbook.' 

Photo courtesy of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Learn more here.

Have you ever considered taking your hobby to the next level? Perhaps by starting a small business? Well, that’s exactly what happened for Libby Bolles, a houseplant hobbyist who has blossomed into a small business owner. 

Bolles, a longtime resident of the Parrish area, grew her deep-rooted love for plants into her full-time job after she–along with her mother, Jody Nader–founded Fancy Leaf Plant Co. in February 2021. What started as a renovated cargo trailer at pop-up and local markets, and a passion for creatures of the leafy, green variety, has bloomed into a well-deserved presence in the local houseplant community, and, a now permanent storefront. Next Saturday, October 2, Fancy Leaf Plant Co. will be setting up shop in Parrish. 

“We’re excited to have a home base for our community,” says Bolles. “We are also excited to offer new classes, workshops and events in the near future.” Fancy Leaf Plant Co. will not forget its roots, though. Bolles says that the business will continue to host pop-up shops and attend local markets. 

In honor of the occasion, Fancy Leaf Plant Co. will be hosting giveaways and raffles at its new location with prizes including tote bags and cold brew coffee for the first 15 people in line. There will also be a raffle for a Monstera deliciosa, a flowering tropical plant nicknamed “the Swiss cheese plant.”

On October 2, celebrate Fancy Leaf Plant Co.’s grand opening of its permanent home and maybe even bring a little green friend to your own home while you're there.

“We love that plants bring life into any environment and truly make us happy,” says Bolles. “It’s so satisfying to care for a plant and have it care for you as well.” 

Photo courtesy of Fancy Leaf Plant Co.

8267 US HWY 301 N, Parrish, 941-545-5132, fancyleafplantco.com, @fancyleafplantco.

Local circus legends and founders of the Circus Arts Conservatory, Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, were invited to participate in the recent World Acrobatics Society Congress & Gallery of Legends Hall of Fame Banquet at the Tuscany Casino & Suites in Las Vegas. The dynamic duo are, themselves, WAS Gallery of Legends - Hall of Fame inductees (2013 - Professional Acrobat category); Reis had nominated this year's inductees, the Cristiani Family, - one of the most famous acrobatic equestrians in circus history - in the Professional Acrobatics category. The World Acrobatics Society (WAS) is a worldwide organization whose members share a love of acrobatics. Its mission is to advance the education, communication, and cooperation among all individuals and organizations interested in fostering the growth, development and safety of the various acrobatic disciplines along with preserving their histories. Reis is an international board member for WAS. 

Pictured: Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis (couple on the right) in Las Vegas with Tino and Mara Cristiani, who were nominated by Reis and were inducted this year into the WAS Gallery of Legends Hall of Fame in the Professional Acrobatics category

Communication is always vital and even more so in this pandemic time, with mask mandates. It represents many challenges, particularly for those with hearing impairment. Lip reading is an unconscious help in communicating for everyone, but very important to those with hearing issues. Hence, another roadblock arises with the mandatory need for wearing masks. Traditional masks cover the mouth and nose rendering lip reading impossible.  Not only is lip-reading a problem; the masks that band around the ear are very uncomfortable for hearing aid wearers.  Additionally, all too often, when the wearer removes the mask the hearing aid comes flying off - sometimes to disappear. 

To address these issues, Sarasota's Ear Research Foundation devised a mask that boasts a large plastic mouth cover and adjustable strings that go higher above the ear and lower on the back of the neck. The mask is comfortable, clear, and effective. The design of the mask not only assists with lip reading, it helps those who wear hearing aids.  The mask straps do not go behind the ears, causing them to pull or catch on hearing devices.

For more information call the Ear Research Foundation at 941-556 4219, or visit 1901 Floyd St., Sarasota, EarRF.org 

The Manatee Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 41st Annual Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards. With more than 230 nominations, 67 small businesses and 23 non-profit organizations have been selected as finalists. The outpouring of support and appreciation for all that our businesses have been through is a recognition of the critical role that small, local businesses and non-profit organizations have as the bedrock of our community. These local businesses and non-profit organizations are recognized for stellar customer service, dedication to employees, business/organization growth, and support of our community. 

Five small business winners and two non-profit winners will be announced at an Awards celebration on Tuesday, November 16 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. This signature Manatee Chamber event offers a great opportunity to network with area business and community leaders. Reservations are required. For more information, contact Cara Misiewicz at 941-748-4842, ext. 122 or visit ManateeChamber.com/SmallBiz. 

Music Compound's popular "Rock Your Summer Reading" program grew significantly this year, as children logged their reading and received special treats, cool items and one-of-a-kind experiences donated by area businesses as prizes for every five books read (as the number of books a child reads increases, the value of prizes he or she can earn grows). Nearly 80 children participated this year, logging more than 1,700 total books. With 27 qualifying for the grand prize drawing by reading more than 50 books, Amber Rogers, 9, was the winner of the party for up to 25 at Music Compound's Cattlemen location. Rogers and her friends will enjoy karaoke, pizza, a bounce house donated by Let’s Jump Rentals, and cool treats donated by Kona Ice ($600 party value). 

Pictured: Fourth-grader Amber Rogers was the grand prize winner of Music Compound's 2021 Rock Your Summer Reading program

Manatee County is now accepting applications for six open seats on the Children’s Services Advisory Board (CSAB). The volunteer board makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners about priorities and expenditures of the County’s dedicated millage for children’s services. The CSAB typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The board meets weekly during the annual program funding review process and for a full-day retreat in October each year. 

The following open seats on the CSAB are for three-year terms that begin Oct. 1:  one Department of Children & Family representative; one Licensed Mental Health representative; one United Way representative; two child advocates, not affiliated with any agency receiving County funds; and there is also one open seat on the CSAB for a one-year term that began in 2019 and will expire Sept. 30, 2022. This vacancy is for one child advocate, not affiliated with any agency receiving County funds

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 3 pm. Applications must include:  1) Advisory Board Application, 2) Children’s Services Advisory Board Supplemental Questions (Page 4 of the Advisory Board Application), and 3) a resume or a Curriculum Vitae (CV).  The application and supplemental questionnaire can be found on the County's website. For more information, call 941-748-4501 ext. 3485 or email Kristi.Hagen@mymanatee.org