Jupiter Lighthouse

The history of the lighthouse is a colorful one. The man who designed the lighthouse was George Gordon Meade and it took over seven years to complete.

In 1856, tensions between the US Army and the Seminole Indians flared into an all out war across South Florida. From their homeland in Big Cypress Swamp, Chief Billy Bowlegs and a few hundred Seminole warriors mounted raids against soldiers and settlers alike. Since Mead could not predict where or when the warriors would attack, the lighthouse was put on hold for two years. Finally, in 1858, a weary Chief Billy Bowlegs accepted a large government cash offer to relocate all followers to a reservation in Oklahoma.

The much delayed lighthouse was built in five months and on July 10, 1860, the light was officially lit by a Lighthouse Service inspector.

Sand Sculpting at OceanFest, April 28, 2013

The seaside community of Jupiter hosted another inspirational community event this weekend–Surfers for Autism. Robert Putnam’s book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community discusses the importance of local community and how social connections affect our lives in profound ways. The local community of Jupiter builds on this social capital. The population (approximately 55,000) is an example of a local community where there is a sense of shared responsibility, goodwill and fellowship. Residents cooperate, help their neighbors and everyone benefits.

Surfers for Autism’s goal is to eliminate the stigma of developmental delay through public awareness and education and to unite communities through volunteerism.

More than 12,000 people attended Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s largest annual event which celebrates and appreciates ocean conservation and sea turtles.

Artwork and activities to entertain and educate were on the agenda. The festival features a local art contest, a rock climbing wall, live music and up close interactions with threatened and endangered sea turtles.

It is a wonderful community event. Their mission is simple–keep our oceans clean and save the sea turtles.

(The Hasson Girls’ Artwork–a relief press on canvas tote-April 13, 2013)

In Cajun cooking, étouffée means “to smother in its own juices.” Here is an authentic version of spicy shrimp étouffée by the New Orleans food maven Poppy Tooker.

Ingredients:
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 bunch green onions, white and light green portions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 Tbs. tomato paste
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 cups shrimp or fish stock
2 bay leaves
2 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Buttered steamed rice for serving

Directions:

In a deep sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and thyme and cook for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the stock until the mixture is smooth. Add the bay leaves and bring to a boil, then add the shrimp. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the shrimp are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Season with cayenne, salt and black pepper.

Remove the bay leaves and discard. Serve the shrimp étouffée immediately over buttered steamed rice. Serves 6.

Adapted from a recipe by Poppy Tooker, Slow Foods Convivium, New Orleans by Williams Sonoma

It is the big 5-0 for Vail. Founded on dreams and the spirit of adventure, Vail’s history is a colorful one. From its opening in 1962, Vail’s history reflects the pioneering spirit, the heroes of the 10th Mountain Division, the athletes and much more. One of my favorite stories is how Vail Pass was named after Charles Vail, the Chief Highway Engineer who constructed over 3500 highways in Colorado and the one highway he named in honor of himself. Instead of a route preferred by the locals in the area, Charles Vail chose a route over Monarch Pass for a new highway over the Continental Divide. In opposition, the locals tore down the sign and blacked out his name with paint and replaced it with Monarch or removed the “P” in Pass.

At the same time, another road was being constructed through the Gore Range. The workers on the project jokingly erected a sign by the road reading Vail Pass. Since the area was sparsely populated, no one said a word and the name stuck.

Be grateful for Vail Pass. It offers access to “the best in class” snow skiing. Congratulations to Vail for 50 years of winter sports and non-stop fun.

Fresh Pompano (Jupiter, FL)

Baked with fresh lemon slices, juice and zest, sea salt, 1/3 cup white cooking wine, 1/4 cup water, one tsp butter and one tsp olive oil at 375 for 18 minutes–simply delicious.

The Beauty and Power of the Sea (Juno Pier, March 12, 2013)

Beautiful sets at dusk on March 12, 2013 at Juno Pier. Check out more photographs at http://www.surftopreserve.org

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Friday, March 8, 2013–Rick’s Birthday Celebration at the Funky Biscuit (Boca Raton, FL)–Featuring Crazy Fingers. Unlimited Devotion and Reflections.

The Funky Biscuit’s tag line–a beat or bass line that rocks the membranes of your brain, brings about a feeling of hedonsim and ecstasy and puts a smile on your face.