Page 8 - the Shores of Jupiter - October '23

Page 8, The Shores

commissioner’s Book Review

update About Face labyrinthine world of Venice
or the way favoritism and
By Nils A. Shapiro
Al t h o u g h I wo u l d corruption shape Italian life
like Leon’s Brunetti.”
Water Works like to believe that a The title of this book, About
recommendation from me Face, published halfway
By Commissioner would be enough for some through the series in 2009, is
Maria Marino readers of this column to a play on words that must have
Water, an element consider this month’s book pleased the author to no end
we cannot live without, selection deserving of your when she came up with it. For
is something Florida own time and attention, one of the main characters is a
receives a lot of, especially I can think of nothing once beautiful young society
through the summer rainy more convincing than this woman whose face has been
season, adding up to an stunning fact: disfigured, by what we assume to be excessive cosmetic
annual rainfall of about About Face is one of 33 detective novels written surgery – a fact of great significance in a storyline that
4½ feet on average. by author Donna Leon about her leading character, includes three murders, the illegal hauling and storage of
This abundance of water Commissario Guido Brunetti, who solves mysteries in his nuclear and other toxic waste, and the pollution of Venice’s
presents challenges to hometown of Venice, Italy … and these novels have won canals as other garbage piles up on city streets uncollected
improving systems to store, filter, and send it to where it a sizable enough fan base to support 33 novels about the by gang-controlled truckers … even as the wealthy plan
is needed most, rather than letting it flow out to the ocean. same character! how to turn this into investment opportunities.
In 1985, the U.S. Department of Interior designated the Having read this one example of author Donna Leon’s For those already hooked on Commissario Guido Brunetti
northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River for inclusion in work, I can readily understand what has made her books and his associates in Venice’s Police Department – and who
the Federal Wild & Scenic River system, recognizing its so appealing. To begin with, she is so observant and her are familiar with Brunetti’s charming and wise wife, Paola,
essential habitats supporting a wide spectrum of ecological writing style so visually descriptive that you find yourself and her wealthy Count and Countess parents (here, Comte
resources. In the decades to follow, the South Florida Water convinced her dialogue would serve as the script for a film and Comtessa) – this fast-paced novel introduces a new and
Management District (SFWMD) embarked on a plan, in and her narrative as detailed instructions for the set designer. fascinating cast of characters and surprise ending.
collaboration with local government and drainage districts As for the setting? Leon was born in Montclair, N.J., Next, you will be looking for another of Donna Leon’s
to create additional water storage in the L-8 canal basin but has lived in Venice for the past more than 25 years, Guido Brunetti mysteries. There are certainly many waiting
in order to protect and restore the Loxahatchee River. and it shows. Time Magazine noted, “No one knows the for you … or rather, for us.
Components of the Lower East Coast Regional Water
Supply Plan affecting Northern Palm Beach County –
including Loxahatchee River restoration – are part of the 12th Annual Tequesta Chili Cook-Off
vast Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, led from page 7
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Project goals seek to capture water flows through Barfield; Pipes and Drums; national
canals and basins to meet drinking water demands; anthem singer Stacy Boddie of Palm
recharge canals and wells; reduce discharge to tide; treat/ Beach County Fire and Rescue; an
filter water headed to the Loxahatchee River and the Lake award ceremony honoring our local
Worth Lagoon; and, reduce flooding. veterans, wounded veterans and Gold
Water managers and project engineers have Star families; military flyovers; a VIP
determined that these goals are achievable by utilizing tent with upgraded food and beverages;
wetlands under conservation and by constructing raffles and prizes.
stormwater treatment areas and reservoirs. Mecca Farms, tickets can be purchased online
a site just north of Northlake Boulevard on Seminole at https://tequestachilicookoff.com
Pratt Whitney Road will serve as one of the water storage or in person at Tequesta Brewing
areas. Additionally, rock pits owned by Palm Beach Company, Tequesta Fire Rescue and
Aggregates on the north side of Southern Boulevard at McCarthy’s Irish Pub.
Twenty-Mile Bend are the site of a multiphase public/ • General Admission is $30 all
private project comprising the C-51 Reservoir. inclusive or $35 the day of the event.
Local government agencies have contributed expertise • Mug/T-shirt ticket (includes a
and funding to plan and implement features of the overall 16-ounce refillable glass mug and
project, such as the L-8 reservoir, purchasing and restoring T-shirt) is $60 online only.
wetlands to connect the flow of water, construction of • VIP ticket (includes VIP tent
control structures and pumps, and increasing capacity. access, a 16-ounce refillable glass
These agencies include Palm Beach County, the City of mug, event T-shirt, and an upgraded
West Palm Beach – whose drinking water supplies relies on selection of beer, wine, seltzers and
adequate levels of filtered water in Grassy Waters Preserve, prosecco) is $100 online only. There
Indian Trail Improvement District, SFWMD, South Indian are limited VIP tickets available. Food
River Water Control District, Lake Worth Drainage District, is by McCarthy’s Irish Pub and Harry
and Pal Mar Water Control District. The county also receives & the Natives.
input on options studied and recommended through its Water • WWII and Korean War veterans
Resources Task Force Advisory Board, and the Loxahatchee free. For all other veterans the cost is
River Management Coordinating Council. $20 with photo identification at the
Local initiatives rely on financial support from state front gate.
and federal partners. Recently, Palm Beach County contact: Lt. David McGovern, Tequesta Fire Rescue, https://www.facebook.com/tequestachillicookoff
received a $7.7 million grant from the Florida Department (561) 262-7087, dmcgovern@tequesta.org or Cyndi https://www.instagram.com/tequestachili_cookoff/
of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to upgrade the McDonald, (561) 371-2819, info@tequestachilicookoff.com.
levee at the southeast side of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife
Management Area, which will reduce the risk of flooding
in the Acreage and Loxahatchee communities within the
Indian Trail Improvement District. Peripheral
Additionally, FDEP awarded grants totaling $113
million to the county toward the construction of Cells 12 Neuropathy?
and 13 of Phase II of the C-51 Reservoir. The L-8 Canal
sends water from Lake Okeechobee into our region.
Once these cells are fully connected to the L-8 Canal, the FREE Consultation
reservoir will be capable of providing water to restore the
northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River and connected
wetlands, combat salt water intrusion by canal recharge, for Acupuncture
and increase water supply.
Each of these costly and complex projects are pieces
of the overall puzzle to effectively store, filter and
manage water, while enhancing our natural environment,
and as you can see, requires the help of numerous
stakeholders to achieve.
At the end of the day, water is a precious resource and 561-745-1002
our county continually needs to think outside the box to aid
in water management strategies. As a man stated recently 654 West Indiantown
at a county commission public hearing, water is life. THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO Road, Jupiter, FL 33458
REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER
Please contact me if I can assist you at (561) 355-2201 SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND
WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED
or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org. OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. www.drlaruffa.com