The MULLET RAPPER What’s Happening in the Everglades & 10,000 Islands!
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News, Stories, Classifieds & Tide Table
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 - OCTOBER 2, 2020 © 2020, K Bee Marketing, Inc.
P. O. Box 134, Everglades City, FL, 34139
Due to Covid Concerns, No Seafood Festival For Fist Time in 51 Years But the Fest Will be Back in 2022
During the September Everglades City Council meeting, out of an abundance of caution, the council members agreed that with the uncertainty of Covid-19, holding an event that historically attracts crowds of people in a venue with no way to practice social distancing, would be too great a risk for the city and area residents, and for the organizer who must make arrangements months in advance without knowing what future conditions may be. The event’s organizer was also in attendance. The Everglades Betterment Association president, Carol Foss, stated that it is unfortunate to have to cancel the festival and she knows that people will be disappointed. However she added that she’d “love to” proceed with the festival in 2022, and everyone agreed that Everglades City will, once again, have the annual festival, but not until February 2022. The annual Everglades Seafood Festival supports several local charitable organizations that rely on the revenue from the festival, and other events, to help area residents who need the help. So, mark your calendars for February 2022. The festival will be back, bigger and better than ever. For more information about the annual festival visit www.EvergladesSeafoodFestival.org. RAPPER TABLE OF CONTENTS Calendar
p. 2
Tide Table
p. 6
School News
p. 3
Crossword
P. 7
Capt. Merritt
P. 4
My Slice
p.7
New Book!
p. 5
Obituary
p.7
p. 6
Classifieds/ Biz Info
p.8
Poetry Street
FEATURE: SCHOOL NEWS, P. 3
New water plan for S. Florida is Good News for Everglades National Park By Antonia Florio Science Communications Liaison, Everglades National Park We have some good news to share. Everglades National Park is about to get more, clean fresh water, particularly in the dry season. In fact, the distribution of fresh water all across southern Florida is about to change for the better with a new plan born from the collaboration of government agencies, including the National Park Service, tribal nations and stakeholder groups. Known as the Combined Operational Plan, this set of rules will guide water delivery across South Florida. As of August 28, 2020, water managers will use this playbook to decide where, when, and how much water to distribute. And unlike previous water plans, this new set of rules will base water management decisions on the availability of water north of the park. The Combined Operational Plan is possible because of completed Everglades Restoration projects that built the infrastructure needed to move water. For example, recently raised parts of Tamiami Trail allow more water to flow into Everglades National Park. Then, giant structures known as seepage walls were put into the ground to keep the water in the park and prevent it from flooding nearby communities. Projects such as these allow us to now move more water south towards the park, while making sure surrounding urban areas and farms do not flood. I recently interviewed Jed Redwine, an Ecologist at Everglades National Park, who has been working on the new plan for the past three years. He talked to me about what the Combined Operational Plan means for the average South Floridian and why he’s so excited about the future of Everglades National Park. Turn to page 6 to read interview highlights and to see the plan
Volume XII
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Issue # 373
Recapturing Collier History
Road Improvements, Sidewalks & More Wouldn’t it be great to bring back even more of the charm of old Florida to Everglades City! Almost a hundred years ago, in 1922, Barron Collier embarked on the challenge of establishing a modern city with all the necessary amenities and by 1928 his vision was realized with a new County Courthouse, Bank Building, and a business district with sidewalks and beautiful landscaping. Now, thanks to volunteers who have been working on the project for over a year, we have a new Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan which will include an extension of the sidewalk in front of City Hall down Broadway to the Barron River and around the Circle to the Everglades Community Church. Also included are proposed bike lanes during different phases of the Master Plan. One proposed improvement resurfaces and restripes CR29 from the bridge in Everglades City to the Bridge in Chokoloskee, from two 11 foot lanes to one 15 foot vehicle lane and one 7 foot bike lane. This phase will be funded by Collier County. Please take a moment and look over the Bike Ped Master Plan online at https:// visitevergladescity.com/bpmp/. A printed copy is also available at City Hall. The plan will be presented and discussed during the October 6th City Council meeting at 7 pm which you can join via zoom or in person. Please be advised that there is a 12 person maximum for in-person attendance which includes those on the agenda. Others will be admitted on a first come first serve basis. For more information, contact Patty Huff, Tim Brock or Dayna Fendrick, or
SWFL Coast tide predictions, maps, tours & more at www.visitevergladescity.com! Call us @ 954-662-7003