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Why the World Comes to Sarasota SIESTA KEY ROUND-UP PAGE 4
SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT PAGE 15
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT PAGE 10
SARASOTA HISTORY PAGE 20
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LIVE MUSIC PAGE 18 WATER WORLD PAGE 29
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MAY 2013 APRIL 2013 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | Complimentary
Fracking in SW Florida? By Keri Hendry Weeg, originally published in
The Island Sand Paper, Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fracking. To many here in southwest Florida, the word sounds like something out of a Star Trek episode. But the true meaning is much more controversial, as many in other parts of the country have discovered and what we here – living so far in blissful ignorance – are likely about to find out. Fracking is technically called ‘hydraulic fracturing’ and involves extracting previously unavailable reserve of oil and natural gas (methane) by injecting the surrounding rock with a mixture of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure. The controversial process, which has been done successfully – and quite lucratively – in North Dakota, Pennsylvania, New York, Wyoming, Colorado, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Ohio, Montana, Texas and elsewhere, was previously believed to be impossible in south Florida due to geological reasons. But not anymore. A recent leasing of over 100,000 acres in Lee and Collier Counties by an oil investor prompted one local congressman to ‘get ahead of the curve’ by quickly introducing legislation to try and regulate it. I had always thought that fracking was not possible in south Florida because we didn’t have the substrata to support it, until I saw an article last year in the Oil and Gas Journal saying it does,” said Representative Ray Rodrigues, a recently elected Republican from Estero who also represents the beach. “Then I saw where someone was leasing land in Lee and Collier and realized this Story continued on page 16 could happen here.”
Driven to Distraction?
|Texting Ban Gets Green Light in Senate, Next Exit: Florida’s House
By Robert Frederickson
January 30, 2013 dawned mild and clear on Longboat Key with temperatures in the mid 60s, climbing to a high of 80 that afternoon. It was the kind of day that explains why the population of this ten-mile long slice of paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay more than doubles during the winter months as snowbirds flock to the town’s white sand beaches and world class resorts. It’s was a day very much like this one that first attracted Louise Rich, 90, and her late husband Art to the area almost 30 years ago. There have been many memorable days since. January 30, 2013 would become a late addition to the list. Like most Wednesdays, Rich had risen early to take the aerobics class at Longboat’s Bayside Recreation Center. Her lifelong dedication to exercise is testament to the benefits of an active lifestyle. Most are surprised to hear her age. She looks and moves better than many folks twenty years her junior. Heading home after the class, she turned north on Gulf of Mexico Drive. It’s a route she has traveled hundreds of times. Traffic was light. The road was clear. She pondered the day ahead, invigorated by her workout. It was just shy of 9:00 A.M.
Photo by Robert Frederickson
Heading south, Billy Gene Atchley, 45, of Sarasota was driving a 2004 Ford pickup. In one hand was the steering wheel. In the other, a cell phone...until...it slipped from his hand. As he reached down to retrieve it from the floorboard he swerved into Rich’s lane.
Story continued on page 22
Abel’s Ice Cream completes second year in Business! Bill & Norma Abel opened in April 2011 with a mission to offer the South Sarasota, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key residents and tourist a nationally award winning premium ice cream at a competitive price with generous portions. Abel’s Florida made ice cream brand is the recipient of 14 national awards issued by the National Ice Cream Retailers Association since 2009. Sarasota’s best specialty ice cream flavor, Spumoni (swirled pistachio, chocolate and cherry ice cream, almonds and a special blend of fruits) awarded to Abel’s in the July 2012 issue of Sarasota Magazine. Most recently Siesta Photo by Trebor Britt Key Chamber honored Abel’s Ice
Cream with its 2012 Small Business of the Year Award. Abel’s hot fudge, malted milk shakes and Dreamsicle flavor ice cream will remind you of the product quality from the 1960’s drug store soda fountain era. Other historical menu favorites include root beer floats, ice cream sodas, banana splits and brownie sundaes. Of the 36 flavors offered including two no sugar added and two frozen yogurts, the 3 best sellers are: • Stellar Coffee - Rich coffee ice cream with fudge and mini dark chocolate coffee cups. • Raspberry Truffle - Raspberry ice cream with raspberry ribbon & dark chocolate raspberry cups.
• Coconut Almond Fudge - Tropical coconut ice cream with fudge ribbon & whole roasted almonds. Other Popular Flavors • Caramel Caribou - Toffee ice cream with thick caramel weave & mini chocolate caramel cups. • Bear Claw - Dark intense chocolate ice cream with thick caramel weave & chocolate covered cashews. • Snickelicious - Candy bar flavored ice cream with snickers candy bar pieces & thick caramel weave. • Kahlua Almond Fudge - Kahlua flavored ice cream swirled with fudge & whole roasted almonds. • Cherry Vanilla - Vanilla ice cream loaded with black cherries. Abel’s is open 7 days a week. 1886 Stickney Point Road - 941-921-5700. Visit www.Abelsicecream.com for additional information & directions.