Reaching the Tipping Point

Dear All:

We used to say things like: 'Yikes, our learning curve goes straight up' and 'we're learning the equivalent of a masters degree a month' etc.
But looking back on those years is like looking back at a beginner's course in communications and public awareness!
We've now entered hyperspeed...that's the best way to describe it.

The exciting part is that there is a noticeable convergence happening.
Stewart was pointing this out to me, as we prepared to participate and speak at the U of F Water Symposium this week.
(more on all of that later)
Here are some examples of noticeable convergence:
environment and economy
science and humanities in educational curriculum and public activism
global and local issues
innovation and creativity
I'm sure you're thinking of others as you read this.

We began taking a regional and comprehensive approach for Florida's future well being 10 years ago.
This big picture approach has been problematic for many, sometimes hard for folks to grasp sometimes equally hard for us to articulate...
however its given us a very interesting overview of our state and region over the past decade.
We've placed ourselves in the point where the well being of our environment meets the health of our economy and our education crisis!
We've created exciting projects with great partners helping each of these sectors to meet and merge.

We're still the only organization working on a region and/or with a comprehensive approach.
Most of the time we're still the only citizen group sitting at the table!

In the next few weeks I'm going to tell you what's happening in and to our region from our perspective
as well as the views and expertise of those who we trust to know best.

Skipping ahead to the bottom line:
Its time for action and we need your help.
There are now roughly 600 of you who are our members.
Some of you need to become current with your membership and send in this year's dues.

This year...really in the next few months, I need to double the membership.
We're poised to step onto the big stage and bring our message to national leaders.
This magic 1000+ number is vital for a few reasons but suffice it to say;
at 1000+ members doors will open for us at higher levels and leaders will interact with us on a whole different level.

I also need an active and "muscle toned" membership who can help us move information effectively.
No organization has a more talented or informed membership! I know this about you.

Please tune in for these "talks" and help us to build momentum as we let you know what we need.
These are exciting yet time sensitive issues.
The really big and bright news is that the solutions to our challenges are doable and can be accomplished with great economic benefit to all of Florida's people.

More very soon...please stay tuned!
Thanks All.
Annie

OLO! Celebration

"As I read the magazine I became very emotional because finally someone has captured why this place is so special, and it reminded me of why I moved to Florida." Pamela Atwell, local resident

Hi Everyone.
Even as we speak, this weekend's Celebration keeps growing!
As the word spread; musicians, painters, poets and local businesses have contacted us to say they're coming!
Check out the schedule below.

You, we... are reveling in the idea of celebrating why we all love this wonderful place...and how we're working together to care for and preserve it!
This event is rather historic for pioneering the idea that the people of a place can take it upon themselves to design and produce two guidebooks covering a six county area and tell our own stories with our own pictures! Its a brand new model.

I'm out there working on economic development, education models and environmental awareness programs...region wide.
Our region's conservation work, our cultural offerings, our innovation and technology, and our natural resources combine to make us a an ideal place to live, work and raise a family. There is a growing movement to market North Florida as an emerging model region and go after attracting the best and the brightest. However, we know we must be it to attract it! The first step is being proactive by telling our own stories through these Guides and through organic, grass roots events like this weekend's Celebration at our beloved OLO! Come be part of the movement...its our story to tell.

View the online, live version of both Guides and
Check out directions with more details at FloridasEden.org
See you there!
Annie

OLO!

Hello Everyone!
Please help us. We need you to send this out and assist us to circulate our major news. 
We are more than thrilled to announce a very special Florida's Eden weekend event. 
What's the big deal? We're holding this event to release a number of our new Guidebooks to the public!
Both the new Heart of Florida and the Pure Water Wilderness Guides will be offered all weekend.
Saturday, February 20th, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday, February 21st, 1-4 p.m.
To celebrate the release, we're creating a joyful event:
OLO! A Florida's Eden Weekend of Painters, Poets, Musicians and Culinary Delights!!
(I've included the press release below along with the beautiful poster Stewart designed.) Last time we released guides, there was a considerable frenzy (you may remember) as people competed to be one of the few to get a copy. It's become a collector's item. We know you loved the first HOF Guide but seriously...you haven't seen anything like this one! Everyone who has seen it is going nuts. I promise you...prepare to be blown away. This is the coolest thing ever!

Come, Come Come! Join us and help us celebrate this enormous accomplishment. We turned out not one but two Guidebooks, covering six of our region's amazing counties. This effort is the culmination of two years of work and an emotional journey where we met incredible people, made many new friends, discovered all new places to explore and heard amazing stories. Some of those
talented people will be with us for the OLO Weekend to meet you and help bring these Guides to life!

We'll have music by our dear friends Paula and Mac Tyner, Eric Diamond and Patchwork. As many of you know, Cathy DeWitt
worked on the audio CDs in BOTH Guides! Restaurants from both Guides are donating food and Tony's now nationally famous Clam Chowder (Cedar Key) will be there for all to taste. (You will be making regular pilgrimages to Cedar Key once you taste it.)

And our many, dear "plein air" painter friends will be set up, capturing the view as we celebrate
all the reasons we love this north Florida's Eden.

Sean Dowie has graciously offered to host us at his beautiful WindMill Gallery atop the region's most beautiful vista, the Orange Lake Overlook, affectionately known to us as the OLO! Wait until you see what Sean's been doing with the historic (Huff Citrus) buildings that make up the WindMill Gallery. The Gallery itself is now a fully working art space filled with stunning paintings by our members, Jean Tyson and Gary Borse, Sean's large format photographs and Ty Tyson's wonderful and comfortable hand crafted furniture. (I want a piece!)

AND, Newly renovated is the old citrus packing house. We'll have lots of fun Florida's Eden displays inside and help Sean introduce this new venue as a future workshop space. Painting, photography, craft weekend workshops anyone? I can not imagine a more perfect art haven for all of us and envision this 'OLO' as an epicenter for many weekends spent making arts and absorbing creative energy. Be sure to find me and put your name on the mailing list if you're interested in taking classes as we're working with Sean to schedule a wonderful array of future weekend offerings.

So...How can you help? Please take a look at Jacqui's corresponding email about participating with us.

Finally- Phase 2 of this groundbreaking project involves using these guides as proactive tools for the region.
To place the online version in targeted magazines and newspapers, to query articles about the Guides, to go back into regional communities to work on even more essential community development, to visit legislators and community leaders and to continue the projects initiated as part of our pioneering the guides as economic and public awareness vehicles. All of this requires funding.
While these guides are complimentary; we are asking everyone for a suggested donation of $5.-$20. at the weekend.
Yes, you can pick up Guides and drive off...but we hope everyone will happily participate in this community effort to help this project move forward. We're even offering door prizes and other goodies to sweeten the  donation pot.

So please forward this, plan to bring a friend and we'll see you there!
Thanks Everybody.
Annie

    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (scroll down to view event poster) Florida's Eden Releases Two Regional Guidebooks:
 The Heart Of Florida Guide (Alachua, Marion, Columbia Counties)
 The Pure Water Wilderness Guide (Levy, Dixie, Gilchrist Counties)
 When: Saturday, February 20th, 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. and Sunday, February 21st, 1-4 p.m.
 Where: The WindMill Gallery, atop the historic Orange Lake Overlook, US Highway 441 in McIntosh, Fl.
                        
 CONTACT: Annie Pais, Executive Director, Florida's Eden
 awpais@aol.com, 352-377-0777
 High Resolution Photographs Available for Print, upon request
 www.FloridasEden.org

                         Florida's Eden celebrates the public release of two new comprehensive guidebooks to the area by inviting the public to enjoy art, music, poetry and culinary delights at the Windmill Gallery atop the breathtaking, historic Orange Lake Overlook, OLO on US 441 just south of McIntosh, Florida, February 20th and 21st.  Together the new Heart of Florida and Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guides offer a rich and exciting portrayal of six North Florida counties, replete with amazing things to do and see, local stories, gorgeous photography, conservation information and audio CDs.

                         The two new publications are the most visible products of the pioneering asset-based economic development work of the non-profit Florida's Eden. Founded in 2002, the organization promotes the value of conservation as the cornerstone of a prosperous local economy. The current project spans six counties that include both urban cultural hubs and rural small towns. "It is especially important in these economic times that locally-owned businesses survive," emphasizes Annie Pais, Florida's Eden Executive Director. "They give us our local flavor, and serve as the anchors for all our main street communities."

                         The Guides include over 280 locally owned businesses and destinations, representing well over 1500 community jobs. In addition to the printed guides, each and every business is included in the online versions, complete with live links. For many local businesses, this is their first online presence, providing an essential avenue for reaching new audiences. Florida's Eden is now embarking on the second phase of this project, utilizing both Guides to attract and inform visitors, engage the media and proactively build awareness by marketing the region.

                         The Guides provide a new level of connectivity by offering a blend of exciting visitor destinations while portraying the area as a leader in conservation, green tech, and innovation, all based on the latest in current research. While residents of the area are eager to embrace both environmental concerns and successful economic models, visitors increasingly research and choose destinations that demonstrate caring for their own communities. Visitors and residents alike will enjoy the inside track to interests as varied as nature trails, heritage, culinary offerings, romance and cultural experiences.

                         The online editions of the Guides help promote the region far and wide. The majority of the print edition is also used for out-of-area promotion and a limited quantity are distributed locally. "The Last time we released a Guide, there was a frenzy as people scrambled to get a copy," Pais explained, "It's amazing how fast they disappear...there just aren't enough to go around!"

                         The area's top artists, musicians, restaurant owners, organic farmers and other businesses will be on hand at the OLO! weekend to help celebrate and share enthusiasm for their participation in the Guides. Come pick up a free guide and/or stay and enjoy the best of the region's talent.
                        
All donations support the next phase of the Florida's Eden work to utilize the guides as economic development tools.
Florida's Eden is a 501-C3 not for profit and donations are tax-deductible.

Celebrating Florida's Eden Culinary Tourism

Seeking out what the locals eat has now been elevated to a global traveling genre
described in two tasty words...Culinary Tourism.
In the months to come you'll be hearing a lot more from us about Florida's Eden Cuisine
as we promote our unique region's passion for fresh organic ingredients and delicious dining experiences!

Just thinking about Florida's Eden conjures up a perpetual garden of earthly delights!
Here we have the complete recipe for  rich culinary offerings: a year round harvest, two coastlines,
many delicious products and the combined influence of various cultures including Spanish,
Caribbean, Southern Cracker and African.

The whole world is in love with the Slow Food Movement, that gastric celebration of everything anti fast food!
Exciting local "Farm to Table" partnerships allow chef's to offer the freshest products from area gardens, and CSAs,
Farmer's Markets and You Pick It  farms now make organic produce affordable and available to all...virtually everyday of the week!

How lucky are we however...for as the rest of the country is currently putting their garden beds to sleep for the long
dormant winter; we are turning the soil and replanting for our glorious cool weather crops.
Florida's Eden indeed!
Here we have the opportunity to invite travelers to sample our region's heritage through a moveable feast of
locally owned restaurants, both rural and urban, from coast to coast.

Join us as we release two new Florida's Eden Guidebooks inviting residents and visitors to abandon the corporate, generic highways
and opt for the scenic route along the back roads and blue lines cris-crossing our extraordinarily unspoiled Florida's Eden.

In early fall we'll be gifting you with the Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide! (Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy Counties)
We're thrilled to introduce the world to this breathtakingly beautiful area.
Here you'll discover our Southern Heritage at its best.
We describe it as the place where Seafood Meets Barbecue!
Its a smorgasbord of clams, scallops, fish, beef, pork and even buffalo.

Then, as the holidays approach; we'll treat you to an expanded version of the Heart of Florida Scenic Guide.
Just as the pecans are harvested and the citrus season is in full swing; we'll help you explore new favorite
places to take visiting family and friends as you introduce them to an authentic Florida's Eden Holiday.

Stay tuned through our website...www.FloridasEden.org
and support our efforts to build prosperity here by preserving and supporting
the local treasures and resources we're so blessed to enjoy.
Please renew your Membership and ask friends to join Florida's Eden now.

We thank you.
Annie

Recipe for Florida's Eden Golden Scallop Chowder

Florida's Eden Golden Scallop Chowder!

I love taking classic recipes and using local, seasonal ingredients to give them a new twist.
So, since its Scallop Season now through September in Pure Water Wilderness, try this for a summer treat.

You can go Scalloping at the Gulf, between Suwannee and Steinhatchee or stop by Northwest Seafood in Gainesville
and pick up a pound of fresh scallops.

This Chowder celebrates our Florida's Eden Summer Sunshine and unlike the traditional red or while chowders, this one will be a sunny golden!

In a heavy good sized soup pot begin by melting 4 tbsp. sweet butter.
saute 1 diced Florida Sweet onion and 4 minced cloves garlic
(optional: you can also begin by frying a 1/4 pound diced bacon and after removing the crispy bacon,
saute the diced onion and garlic in the bacon grease which should be about the same 4 tbsp of fat.
If you go this route, add the crispy bacon back in when serving the chowder.)

Add 1 large diced orange or yellow sweet bell pepper and saute together with the onion  and garlic.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, thyme and smoked paprika.
Add 4 tbsp. flour and stir while cooking to cook out the flour taste.

Then add either 1 quart clam broth or chicken broth and simmer covered...your choice.

Add to this 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes and 2 cups fresh corn sliced right off the cob, about 3 ears of corn.
Tip: When slicing the corn off the cob, go around the cob a second time and get the starchy parts of the kernels
which are hanging on near the cob...this part will help thicken the soup.

Correct the spices. There really may be enough salt in the broth, your call.

When the potatoes are tender, about 7-8 min.
Turn the soup off.
When the soup is warm but not hot, add 1&1/2 cups heavy cream and puree half the soup in the blender.
Return to the pot. This will give you a thick and golden soup. Check the seasonings again...add whatever you like at this point.

Now you're ready to saute or grill the scallops. Use whatever seafood spice or rub you want.
Saute in butter or olive oil for just a brief time, don't overcook them.

To Plate:
Pick a shallow soup bowl, fill with a cup of the chowder and float 6+ sauteed scallops for each serving.
Sprinkle a mixture of rough chopped, fresh parsley and basil over the top and serve with a thick wedge of toasted or grilled crusty bread
or those cute little oyster crackers and keep some extra hot sauce handy!
You're in Florida's Eden Heaven!
Serves 4-6

note to foodies:
There's a heat wave forecasted for this week...perfect time to dip into see the movie Julie & Julia... Bon Appetit!

Out and About in Florida's Eden

We're in the dog days of summer and even the cats are belly-up in the
flower pots!
How about a fresh, cool idea for a day trip?
This time we're heading out to Fanning Springs for a Florida's Eden Experience.

Fanning Springs State Park sits right on the historic Suwannee River
for double the fun!
The Suwannee is considered to be one of America's most pristine rivers
and our fresh water springs are
more concentrated here than anywhere else on Earth.
These Artesian Springs are a constant heavenly 72* year round.
So pile friends and family into the car and head on out.

There's a lot to do in Fanning Springs where the bridge crosses the
Suwannee:  On the Northeast side of the bridge is Fort Fanning, built
during the Second Seminole War.  There are no remnants of the fort as
it was made of wood and did not survive the warm, wet climate.  Fort
Fanning is now a lovely park with walkways, an overlook with a
fabulous view of the Suwannee and numerous benches to sit and relax
on.  It's free.  On the Southeast corner is a wayside park with a
picnic area and a floating dock.  You are welcome to fish off the
dock, or just take a stroll down to the river.  Free again!

No need to bring lunch because we've discovered a fabulous restaurant
located right on Hwy 19/98.
Its appropriately called The 19/98 Grill (352-463-1998) and I promise
you you're going to thank us for introducing you to this local
treasure.

Our staff was out having fun gathering content for the new Pure Water
Wilderness Guide and we were starving...as usual.
The wise locals headed us toward The 19/98 Grill ...with big smiles on
their faces.
The 19/98 Grill sits on the west side of the highway, back from the
road. It has an old time western country store feel to the decor &
building, which had healthy tomato vines and other veggies growing
right up the exterior walls.  Come informal and hungry. There are even
picnic tables outside for those still wet from swimming!

We were all craving different things so we made an excellent sampling
of the long menu.
I had an amazing greek salad and some sweet potato fries.
Stewart had catfish and yummy sides.
Jacqui had her old favorite high school lunch of french fries and
sweet tea!  She was tempted by the deli sandwiches, but the fries were
just right and a meal in themselves! The 19/98 Grill has that
satisfying combo of a relaxed atmosphere, great tasting food, good
pricing and a friendly, local flavor.
There's a bakery and even a small general store area with local jams
and jellies.

Once everybody's happily satisfied; scoot over to "Point of View"
(352-463-0718 /  www.PointofViewGifts.com) for some more local
treasures.
North Florida is fast becoming a shopping heaven for those who love
antiques and special gifts!
As you drive in here, you'll quickly realize that this place takes
shopping to a whole new level!
Full sized animal sculptures welcome you along the driveway..some made
of painted tin or recycled steel.
We marveled at the great assortment of outdoor decor, antique tractors
and Mexican pottery. Definitely worth exploring!
If you're like us, once inside you'll probably spread out to hunt for
whatever your heart desires...
and you'll be yelling for each other to "come see" every few minutes!
There are over 40 vendors under one roof and each section's more
exciting then the last.
They literally have treasures from all over the world! You'll love it.

I bought the perfect whitewashed, farmhouse shelf with a mirror, to
hang on the wall by my slipper tub.
I'd been searching for it for months.
Jacqui found an antique bamboo floor lamp that was exactly what she
wanted for her living room and priced at a great deal.
You'll find everything in this wonderland; furniture, local antiques,
fun quirky stuff from everywhere,
jewelry, kitchen stuff, funky art and that one of a kind treasure. Its a hoot!

If you just can't bring yourself to go home...or if you're more
prepared than we were;
you can spend the night...right on the river. Call the Suwannee Gables
Motel (352-542-7752 / www.SuwanneeGables.com) and tell them you are
coming.
The Suwannee Gables Motel has river front cottages along with a
floating dock and swimming pool.
We know you'll agree; it really is hard to leave the Suwannee after
she casts her sultry spell on you .

Annie

On the radio Sunday, on 5 programs!

Hi Everybody:

This Saturday at midnight we set the clocks ahead.
Even so, please get up early on Sunday morning, March 14th and
tune in for one of 5 Florida's Eden half hour radio programs.
Let me explain.

Florida's Eden was invited to record a half hour radio interview
as part of a Community Affairs Show created by Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
and recorded in Gainesville by Sunshine Broadcasting. I want to thank these local businesses for
their initiative in providing us with a genius way to get our message in front of such a diverse listening audience.
And for understanding that public awareness is vital for civic engagement.

Here's how it works. On Sunday, March 14 you can tune in and hear my interview on any of these 5 programs:

7 a.m.        "The Buzz"  100.5 fm (rock alternative)
7:30 a.m.  DVH  101.7 fm  (classic country)
8:00 a.m.   "80's, 90's whatever we want"   106.9 fm  KZY
8:00 a.m.   Magic"  101.3 fm  (urban hip hop)
8:30 a.m.   "Rejoice"  1430 am  (religious)

Amazing!
So...how to offer information about who we are at Florida's Eden and what we're accomplishing, to such a diverse audience?
In a phrase, exploring common ground interests. During the past two years we've been out  in so many communities
as part of putting together both the Heart of Florida and Pure Water Wilderness Guidebooks and building public awareness about
state's water challenges. We listened to our fellow citizens and we now know that every community wants the exact same things.

Everyone wants prosperous businesses in vibrant small towns and urban centers. We all want clean water and springs protection and we're willing to learn about beneficial conservation initiatives. We all know we need to reform our education system and we're embarrassed that Florida
always ends up at the bottom of those national indicator lists! We all want our children to stay in school and receive the skills they'll need to be competitive and find good jobs in the new 21st century workforce. We all want a better quality of life for the next generation and that includes preserving what we have here in North Florida. These are not  bipartisan issues; these are common ground, non partisan issues.

I am always inspired when we partner to bring community leaders and organizations together to address these common challenges.
The stereotypes disappear as the room  buzzes with connectivity and collaboration. Ideas, talent and resources are readily shared because
people everywhere want solution oriented leadership.

So Sunday morning, I hope you will tune in to hear me on one of these radio stations.
I'll be speaking about our Florida's Eden programs and what makes our regional and comprehensive approach so unique.

Florida's Eden is actively developing innovative solutions for our major challenges areas:
Economic development, Environmental and Education...the 3 Es.
Then, I hope you will join our ever growing Florida's Eden Voice by making sure you are a current member.
Renewing your membership now is vital to our Reaching 1000 members in 2010 Campaign Goal!
Please follow this link to renew or join....http://floridaseden.org/join/

Over the next few weeks I'll be blogging about our individual pioneering efforts.
Please read these messages to fully grasp how your membership is essential to our
expanding Florida's Eden Voice and engaging the powerful citizen role in solving our state's challenges.

Please forward this out to colleagues, friends and family!
Thanks Everyone and Happy Springtime.

Annie