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GetOnBoardSUP.com AUGUST 2015 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
RENA GREENBERG
South Siesta Renourishment set for January, 2016 start
Siesta Key’s own Rena Greenberg is a nationally known Author and Speaker
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SAND CASTLES
Harbor Towers: A Welcoming Space
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BEACH WEDDING
After rising project costs and an unexpected permit delay, Sarasota County is finally moving towards a January 2016 construction start date for the longplanned Turtle Beach renourishment. That’s because some recent good news out of Tallahassee and progress with a federal environmental permit application will ensure the county can complete the project, Laird Wreford, Sarasota County Coastal Resources Manager, told Siesta Sand. The cost of the South Siesta Renourishment Project—which will buffer two miles of beach including Turtle Beach—has been rising, from $19.8 million just a year ago to a current price estimate of close to $22 million. That’s almost twice as much as initial project estimates of $11.5 million. The rising cost of mobilizing a giant ocean-going dredge vessel is a major contributor for the “skyrocketing” cost of beach nourishments, Wreford said. But county officials say a $2.75 million state award approved by the legislature in June will provide the financial boost needed to move ahead with the South
Siesta project. For some time, it appeared that the project might not get any funding from the state. Back in April, at the Siesta Key Association meeting, where County Commissioner Hines was the guest speaker, the commissioner said this regarding Turtle Beach’s renourishment; “If we don’t get state money this year, Turtle Beach probably won’t happen.” “We are happy about it,” Wreford said about the state award, “that it was more than zero.” Following a tumultuous regular legislative session, state legislators wrapped up the budget session in June, in the process setting aside almost $8 million for beach renourishment efforts on Venice, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. But the award earmarked for South Siesta project—which, if completed, will widen the Turtle Beach public park and areas directly to the north and south—was of note. It was the largest state award for local beach projects.
By Diana Colson
Pennsylvania couple ties knot at Sietsa Beach
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WHOS PLAYING TONIGHT
An interview with John Patti
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NOTES FROM FISHMONGER
The South Siesta Key Beach Nourishment project area as seen on July 8th. Courtesy of Sarasota County
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Robert A. Schennum An Architectural Life Robert A. Schennum arrived on Siesta Key in 1961 with a portfolio of drawings and a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from University of Southern California, a degree he had received in 1958. From 1958-61, he had worked in the office of Kaeser & McLeod in Madison, Wisconsin, an office closely related to Taliesin and the design principles of Frank Lloyd Wright. These Madison years were very important in forming Schennum’s philosophy of architecture, one that paralleled the teachings of F. L. Wright. He was fortunate in that he was put in charge of many of the projects coming into the Madison office, including several residences, all of the interior design for a 4-story office building, and a country school. Schennum met Mr. Wright while still a student in California. The elder man died in Arizona in 1959 while Schennum was working in Madison. Wes Peters,
By Roger Drouin
Wright’s son-in-law and most trusted assistant, placed the revered architect’s casket in the back of a van and drove non-stop to Spring Green, Wisconsin for Wright’s funeral and burial at his beloved home and estate known as Taliesin East. Schennum was introduced to Peters when he came to the office, a meeting that would eventually prove pivotal to Schennum’s career. Continued on page 30
The Village Barber moves off the Key By Debbie Flessner It’s not something Scott Reich had ever imagined doing, but on Tuesday, August 4, it will become a reality--he will be moving his Village Barber business off of Siesta Key. He says that the new ownership of the Ocean Blvd. building where he and his stepfather have had their shop for more than 20 years is not quite meeting up to the expectations they had of their landlord.
“Some of the things they’ve said they were going to do have not been completed,” he said. “Even if we could afford to pay what they want (for rent), we don’t feel that we can control our destiny.” The “we” Reich is referring to is himself and his step-father, Pete Sparks, who actually opened the shop in its present location 21 years ago. Continued on page 19
County gets ready with post storm plan By Roger Drouin For Rachel Herman, environmental planning manager with Sarasota County, the best time to talk about and prepare for a big storm is when blue skies are overhead. The Sarasota County Commissioners did just that last month when they approved the county’s framework for rebuilding after a major storm
event. The 116-page framework, called the Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan (PDRP), took years to draft and outlines a strategy for the long-term redevelopment after an event such as a hurricane. The plan is one of six pilot plans as part of a state program initiated in 2008.
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION
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Abel’s Ice Cream Receives Trip Advisor Award
Notes from the Island Fishmonger Scott Dolan
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Trip Advisor again recognized Abel’s Ice Cream with its Certificate of Excellence Award for 2015. It is the second consecutive year they’ve been the recipient of this award. Ice cream shops are classified and listed under the restaurant category by Trip Advisor. Abel’s Ice Cream is ranked the #1 of 25 ice cream shops listed in Sarasota plus is ranked the #1 of 890 places to eat in Sarasota. Bill Abel says he and his wife are honored to be so highly rated by this prestigious traveler’s website. He credits his staff for their quality customer service plus the nationally award winning brand of ice cream they sell that earned their business this award.
Two new ice cream flavors will be added to the existing 36 flavor selection offered at Abel’s for the month of August only. BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE (rich and creamy cheesecake ice cream swirled with a blueberry ribbon) and COCONUT PINEAPPLE (tropical coconut ice cream with a delicious and chunky swirl of pineapple… a tropical paradise awaits! Stop in for a sample.
Learn more about us at WWW.ABELSICECREAM.COM 1886 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5700