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NOVEMBER 2018 Happy Thanksgiving 941.349.0194|ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC
2018 USTA National Senior, Super Senior & Ultra Senior Father/Son Clay Court Championships By Kevin Lechlitner
HOLIDAY CHEER
How many children in the Sarasota area will not receive holiday gifts?
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VETERANS The Landings community salutes the Veterans with our thanks and appreciate their service to our country.
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KID’S CORNER
www.THELANDINGSOFSARASOTA.com
The Landings Racquet Club is proud to be the host facility for the 26th consecutive year of the USTA National Senior, Super Senior & Ultra Senior Father/Son Clay Court Championships. This year’s tournaments will be held from November 13th through November 18th. These are the clay court national championships for all three divisions. Although there are three other surfaces where national championships are held each year, this is the largest by far. Last year players traveled from 25 different states to compete for the coveted gold ball. Although the entries don’t close until the end of October, there are a few interesting storylines I should mention. For the first time, Landings resident Richard Stern will be playing with his son Jeff in the Super
Senior (70s) division. Former Landings resident Dean Dancer, (he moved out earlier this year), will be playing with his father Douglas in the Super Senior division as well. The Dancers have been regulars at the Father/Son for the last 5 years. I’ve had a verbal confirmation that Ultra Senior (80s) Champions Alan & James Goldman will be back to defend their title. Sadly, the reigning Super Senior (70s) Champions Michael & Andrew Stewart won’t be back due to a recent knee replacement. Hopefully we will see them again next year. Even though I haven’t spoken with them yet, I’m confident that Jerry and Brett Morse-Karzen will return to The Landings if they are both healthy. They have won the Senior (60s) division the last five years in a row. The Morse-
Karzens have been the number one ranked team in the country the last five years ever since they entered the Senior division. They are an intimidating team to play against as Jerry is 6’5” and his son Brett is 6’10”. Normally we have a majority of the top ranked teams in the country participate in all three divisions. Some of the fathers and sons have tour experience or have played division 1 college tennis. In 2015 Robbie Ginepri even played with his dad. That was the same year that he officially retired from the ATP Tour. He made it as high as #15 in the world rankings. It is a great week of tennis. Feel free to come out and enjoy the tennis. The events are free for spectators. See USTA history on page 25
Siesta Promenade Hearings and Action By Larry Lawrence, LMA External Affairs Chair
Meet Avery Anderson, 17, 12th grader at Pine View School page
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2019 LMA BUDGET At the November regular meeting, the LMA Board of Directors will approve a budget and Annual Assessment for the 2019 fiscal/calendar year
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VOLUNTEER Dale Wolfson is the volunteer coordinator for Compeer Sarasota
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As has been indicated in letters to the Landings Management Association, the board believes the Siesta Promenade development would have a dramatic adverse effect on the Safety and Quality of Life of all residents in the area of the Rt 41 and Stickney Point intersection. Consequently in early October all members were urged to promptly sign a petition in opposition to the project and to express their views to the County Commissioners. An impressive number of residents took action although there is still ample opportunity to weigh-in for those that may have had other priorities earlier. The importance for the Commissioners to have an emphatic impression of where you stand cannot be over stated. The question frequently asked, “is this a done deal”? The Commissioners have clear authority to dramatically modify the proposed project and this is a distinct possibility if an overwhelming demonstration of concern is registered by the area residents.
The hearing dates are as follows:
• The Planning Commission, November 15 at 5 pm; • The Sarasota County Commission (the decision-making body) December 12 at 9 am, continuing at 1 pm. • Both hearings are to be held at the Sarasota County Offices at 1660 Ringling Blvd.
Plan to attend the hearings and wear blue to be identified. The Commissioners can be influenced by the commitment and perseverance of their constituents! Also a demonstration is being planned by the coalition of communities against the project on November 12 at 5:30 pm. Formation will occur at the Sarasota Pavilion Shopping Plaza (in the empty area in the middle of the parking lot between Stein Mart and Pet Smart) and proceeding across Rt. 41 to the sidewalk at Rt. 41 and Stickney Point. Ideas being advanced for the signs include the following, but participants are urged to be creative.
The word density with over it No mo cars! No cars thru Pine Shores! Greed isn’t Good! More gridlock less beach time! Siesta Beach, out of reach Save our quality of life Please mark your calendars for these important dates and plan to participate. Collectively we can have a significant impact!