Mood:
happyReason #19 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, Tampa, Florida, February 4-6, 2005:
THE GULF OF MEXICO and SEAFOOD!
The Gulf of Mexico, bounded to the east by the Florida peninsula (in the middle of which you'll find Tampa Bay), was formed approximately 200 million years ago when North America broke away from South America and Africa. You can see detailed maps of it at http://coastalmap.marine.usgs.gov/ArcIMS/Website/usa/GoMex/gloria/viewer.htm and http://www.satobsys.co.uk/Gravsat/GoM-ann.html
Why is it important to Penguin Winter Carnival attendees?
A number of reasons, including marvelous beaches (detailed in another newsletter), but most importantly to any self-respecting penguin:
SEAFOOD!!!
Sport fishing is big here - Florida sport anglers bring in $3.3 billion dollars annually to the state's economy. Sport fishing boats can be chartered out of Tampa, see: http://www.snookfin-addict.com/tampabay.htm and http://www.flfish.com/ -- offering opportunities to snag your own snook, trout, redfish, cobia, flounder and tarpon.
But more conveniently, seafood from the Gulf of Mexico can be sampled at many local restaurants. "Floribbean cuisine" was developed by Florida chefs preparing a lighter version of Caribbean favorites, frying less and going lighter on oils. Diners can expect to find lots of Florida's seafood selections, fresh fruits and local vegetables prepared with the islands' traditional tropical ingredients like mangos and papayas, coconut milk, plantains, yams, okra, squashes, chilies and legumes.
Some familiar fish favorites you will see on local menus include:
Flounder: a fine textured and delicate fish; can be baked, sauteed, broiled or steamed.
Red snapper: mild, pinkish meat fish served fried, blackened or broiled. Best with butter sauce made tart with Key lime juice.
Trout: Spotted seatrout is a light meat fish with moderate flavor and firm texture; it is most often found fried, but can also be baked, steamed, grilled and broiled.
Catfish: Catfish are native to fresh water lakes and rivers (not to the Gulf), but today most catfish that is sold is farm raised. Catfish is an important ingredient in southern and Cajun cuisine. Probably the most distinctive trait of catfish, with its absence of fishy odor or taste, is its versatility. It can be used in any recipe calling for a white flesh fish and is often used as a substitute for chicken.
YUM! YUM! YUM! Good and good for you! And that's not all - we'll discuss local Tampa-area shellfish delicacies in a subsequent newsletter!
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We have already accumulated a number of Most Excellent Door Prizes which will be distributed to Penguin Winter Carnival attendees, including:
1) a custom tri training program - courtesy of our own Coach Ken Johnson
2) a year's supply of SportZglide - courtesy of Beth Terry's friend Mark
3) a Capitol Steps CD - courtesy of Jeanne from Gambrills, Maryland and her DH - he's a performer in this nationally-recognized Washington, DC comedy troupe!
4) a hand made bracelet - courtesy of Julie Wobbe
5) a hand made blanket - also courtesy of Julie Wobbe (who has been known to produce some of the most wonderful snuggly blankies :-))
If you would like to donate an item or service to auction, raffle, or give out as a door prize to attendees at the Penguin Winter Carnival, please contact Beth Terry at jat7285@hotmail.com. Remember, this is a not-for-profit, volunteer event. Our fondest hope is to simply "break even". If there are any remaining funds after expenses, the first $200 will be set aside as seed money for the next major volunteer-organized penguin running and workshop encounter and conveyed to the organizers of that event. Remaining funds, if any, will be donated to the following running-related charities: Girls On The Run International; and the Achilles Track Club.
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This is one of a series of newsletters about the PENGUIN WINTER CARNIVAL, FEBRUARY 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida.
Penguin Winter Carnival is a fun social meeting of runners, walkers, friends, and family attending the Run Tampa 2005 events, and will include special Friday morning workshops and get-togethers throughout the weekend. Race options include your selection of 5K, 15K, half marathon, and marathon distances over two days, plus special challenge awards for those intrepid folks who would like to tackle a 5K, a 15K, *and* a half-marathon or marathon within two days.
For complete details and periodic updates, bookmark these websites:
Penguin Winter Carnival website: https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/
Penguin Winter Carnival news:
Join the Penguin Winter Carnival email discussion group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PenguinWinterCarnival/?yguid=103428986
Calling all snowbirds! Fly south in 2005 to join the flock for fun, friends, and frolic! All are welcome!
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on fire