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 North Florida


September 20-21, 2006
Live Oak Publications, Inc. ---


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October is Seafood Month- eaed w /


 Hallelujah! October is near and with it comes cooler tem-
peratures that just seem to add a little extra bounce to our
steps. It is a good month to focus on your health by in-
creasing exercise while enjoying the fresh air during fre-
quent walks and eating healthier. The USDA Dietary
Guidelines provide recommendations for a proper balance
of a variety of foods. For protein sources, the USDA infor-
mation touts the benefits of including fish and seafood two
to three times each week in meal plans. Since October is
National Seafood Month, it is a good time to kick off this
healthy seafood habit while supporting ap important Flori-
da industry.
 Seafood is an important part of our state's heritage and
economy. Florida is a source of excellent seafood, aquacul-
ture and marine life products. Florida's fishermen harvest
98 different species on a commercial scale with 2005 cash
receipts totaling more than $165 million. Florida aquacul-
ture producers farm a vast array of products with sales to-
taling $95.5 million in 2003. Tropical fish, aquatic plants
and clams are the top three aquaculture operations. Florida
seafood and aquaculture has an economic impact estimated
at more than $1.3 billion annually.
 "Seafood can be an excellent part of a healthy and bal-
anced diet," Florida Department of Agriculture and Con-
sumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said.
"There are many reasons to incorporate Florida seafood in
your meal plan several times a week." He explained, "It


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just makes sense. It is a low-fat protein source with many
nutrients."
 Seafood is widely known for its omega-3 fatty acid prop-
erties. Many organizations support the benefits of its fre-
quent consumption. According to the American Heart Asso-
ciation, omega-3 fatty acids can benefit individuals with


healthy. hearts as well as those who have heart disease. The
United States Department of Agriculture's www.mypyra-
mid.gov Web site indicates that there is evidence that eat-
ing fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risks of
cardiovascular disease. A four year study funded by the Na-
 tional Institutes of Health,
 found that citizens 65 and
 older who eat fish at least
 once a week have a 60 per-
 c~ent lower risk of dementia,
 including Alzheimer's dis-
 ease.
 There are lots of quick and
 Easy ways to incorporate
 seafood into your family
 meals. Since you should nev-
 er overcook seafood, it is
 quicker to prepare than most
 protein sources. So even if
 your meal preparation has to .
 work around all the hustled
 and bustle of an increase of
 fall activities that go along
 with school, the football sea-
 SJ son, Halloween and plans for
eidoscope .9 the future holidays, you will
 find it easier.than you think...
 w', C IOHere are some tips to easi-
 Hwo ly include seafood in your
 meals without spending a lot
 11TH STREET of time in the kitchen or
 Z breaking the budget.
 .o Buy Florida fish in fresh
 0 filet or steak form for quick
 preparation. Filets are nor-


 mally bone-free and steaks are usually cut into serving
 sizes, making the prep time a snap. You can grill, broil,
 poach or bake with your favorite seasoning. Serve as entree
 for your evening meal or flake into a salad for lunch.
 Try different sizes of Florida shrimp and use for different
 appetizers or in main courses. Shrimp can simply be sea-
 soned with garlic, lemon or other spices and broiled.
 Prepare grilled kabobs that include your favorite veggies
 and Florida seafood. Serve with rice pilaf and/or whole
 wheat rolls for a complete healthy meal.
 Florida oysters are abundant in fall and can be steamed,
 grilled, baked or broiled. They can be purchased both
 shucked and in the shell at your local market.
 Tacos make a quick supper. Try using Florida fish,
 shrimp or crab in them.
 If you are more adventurous and would like to prepare
 seafood dishes that are a little more elaborate, visit the
 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services'
 Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture Web site at
 http://www.Fl-Seafood.com/recipes.


 America's Promise

 launches 2007 competition
 Showcases outstanding, innovative
 efforts which benefit children and youth
 America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth recently launched
 the 2007 "100 Best Communities for Young People" competi-
 tion, inviting communities across the country to compete for the
 honor of having their locality named one of the nation's great
 places to grow up. First launched in 2005 by America's Promise
 Founding Chairman Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) and current
 chair Alma Powell, 100 Best showcases communities that do an
 outstanding job of fostering safe and caring environments that
 effectively educate young people and helpl them become pro-
 ductive citizens.
 "Nothing is more important than seeing that our children and
 youth have the resources and support systems they need to
 thrive and succeed," said General Powell. "When a community
 provides all that its young people need to be healthy and secure,
 they deserve to be honored and showcased as an outstanding ex-
 ample of what it takes to successfully nurture this nation's
 young people."
 Community leaders have until Nov. 3 to enter and can access
 the 100 Best application on-line at
 ww.v.americaspromnise.org' l00Best. Wintes 4will'be announced
 in late January 2007.
 "100 Best Communities is all about getting outstanding local
 programs for young people the attention they deserve," said
 America's Promise President and CEO Marguerite Kondracke.
 "This award is less about the past and more about encouraging
 every community in America to be a great place for its chil-
 dren."
 More than 1,000 communities took part in the 2005 "100 Best
 Communities for Young Peo-
 ple" competition and show-
 cased winners from 40 states
 representing urban, suburban
 and rural communities.
 Capital One Financial Corpo-
 ration is the presenting sponsor
 for the "100 Best Communities
 for Young People" competition.
 "Capital One is again proud to
 partner with America's Promise
 in recognizing the innovative
 efforts at the community level
 to create healthy and supportive
 environments for our children,"
 said Capital One Financial Cor-
 poration Chairnian and CEO
 Richard D. Fairbank. "This is a
 wonderful opportunity to recog-
 nize the tremendous work that
 A is underway in communities
 across the country. We hope
 that the program will encourage
 and inspire others to help make
 every community in America a
 .great place to grow up."
 G' u eMembers of the America's
 ale M, Promise Alliance have partici-
 pated in the development of the
 .... 100 Best competition, including
 United Way of America,
 YMCA of America, the US
 Chamber of Commerce, the Fo-
 rum for Youth Investment,
 Communities In Schools,
 .-.Search Institute, the US Confer-
 tiealj ence of Mayors, the National
 SLeague of Cities, and many oth-
nda Pilot '99 Honda Accord The 2007 "100 Best Commu-
 nities for Young People" com-
 petition will be chosen by a dis-
 tinguished selection panel of

 _....... leaders, including United Way
 of America President Brian
 Gallagher, US Chamber of
g d.am- Commerce President Tom
 Donohue," NBC Washington
 Bureau Chief and Moderator of
 Meet the Press Tim Russert,
 First Lady of West Virginia
 Gayle Manchin and former


, .,ai SEE AMERICA'S, PAGE 3C


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